We emphasise on a lifelong process of learning

Dr H S Saini, Managing Director of Guru Nanak Institutions (GNI) is into 18th year of his association with the reputed colleges. He worked earlier at IMT-Gurgaon and Amritsar University before moving to Hyderabad to take up the key job at GNI. Dr Saini said they had a dream at the time of launching of the institutions and it has been fulfilled due to visionary touch and continued support of Chairman Tavinder Singh Kohli. He says GNI continues to nurture new generation of students with its strong and committed faculty. In a chat with The Hans India, Dr Saini shares the journey thus far, GNI achievements and USP, diversity and future plans.

Q: Guru Nanak Institutions (GNI) is regarded as a truly global institution and one of the largest Educational groups in India with 10,000 plus students pursuing different courses like engineering, pharmacy, management and dental sciences. Can you give a brief overview of history of institutions?
A: Tavinder Singh Kohli, our Chairman, sowed the seeds of Guru Nanak Institutions by establishing Guru Nanak Education Society in 1998. He ignited the eternal flame of fire, to share knowledge based on principles of India’s one of most honored spiritual teachers and Sikh Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev. The medieval ideals and percepts continue to motivate the modern generations.

Gagandeep Singh Kohli, our vice-chairman, manages the overall 65-acre sprawling knowledge hub in Ibrahimpatnam for undergraduate and post graduate programs in various streams. Students from various parts of India and even abroad enrol in our institutions. GNI has put in a lot of effort and investment to get the best teaching talent including expert professors. Guru Nanak institutions impart knowledge-based education to produce quality professionals and lay a firm foundation for life-long process of learning and exploration. Once you enter this institute for higher studies, be assured that you will leave with confidence to change the world acquiring the best and right education.

Q: GNI comprises of Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus (GNITC), Guru Nanak Institute of Technology (GNIT) among others. Can you share more details for our readers and future engineering aspirants?

A: Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus (GNITC) was established in year 2001. It was conferred with Autonomous status by University Grants Commission in 2016. It is also NAAC A+ accredited and most of the courses are NBA Accredited. Under GNITC we have schools of Engineering, Pharmacy and Management Studies.

Guru Nanak Institute of Technology (GNIT) which is affiliated to JNTU has schools of Engineering and Management Studies. Also there is Guru Nanak Business School (GBS), an autonomous institution approved by AICTE. Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences, hospital and research centre, affiliated to KNR University of Health Sciences, also is part of our GNI.

Q: What is the USP of Guru Nanak Institutions?
A: GNI believes in imparting education on international standards. Hence, it provides top notch facilities for holistic learning process. We have a green campus, expansive play grounds, gymnasium, and one of the largest libraries in the country at Ibrahimpatnam campus. Separate hostels for girls and boys serve the best cuisine.

We entered into Global partnerships with reputed international universities like Pittsburg State University, Valparaiso University Deakin University, Federation University, Campbellsville University etc. driven by share interests of academics instruction, teaching and research. Also foreign study tours are arranged to provide international exposure to students. GNI students from various branches of engineering had the privilege of visiting Pittsburg State University Rowan University (New Jersey) and South Illinois University, Edwardsville (all in USA).

Q: GNI is known to conduct conferences, workshops and faculty development programmes, across all branches, wherein delegates from across the country and abroad are invited. This has become an annual affair. Can you throw more light on this?

A: In order to provide the engineering faculties and students international exposure in the areas of research and innovation, every year GNI conducts International Conferences wherein delegates of world repute are invited from across India and abroad. Research papers of various research scholars are included in these conferences after a thorough scrutiny by expert panel. Apart from this, all departments regularly conduct national conferences, self-supported and AICTE sponsored Staff Development programmes. Eminent persons from the industry, research laboratories and universities are invited to deliver guest lecturers in recent technological developments in industry and research fields.

Q: GNI is promoting diversity with presence of local and global students and teaching faculty hailing from different parts of the country. It is one of the few private institutions in Telangana that has a large presence of international students?

A: Most of the foreign students prefer to join engineering in CSE, ECE, EEE, Mechanical and Civil as well as B. Pharmacy. Also, students from North-East States like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram seek admissions. GNI has many hostels where different forms of cuisine are prepared. We have trained chefs to cook specialised and authentic cuisines like Continental, Chinese, Arabic, Italian and North Eastern Indian Cuisine. We have trained cooks for the above cuisines and they can also prepare regional cuisines of India

Q: How is the placement scenario? What are the different companies recruiting students from GNI and pay packages offered to them?
A: Many MNCs have conducted campus recruitment drives for hiring graduates and post graduates in their final year of study. It has been credited to acquire 70 percent of placements in corporate and industrial sectors of repute for last 6 years. Infact, more than 100 companies including Infosys, NTT data , Mind Tree , Virtusa Polaris , ADP , Hitachi Consulting, Byjus, Zoho, Cognizant, Codeshare etc. to name a few conducted placement drives during last academic year. The highest package offered was 27.5 lakh by Directi while the average package was Rs 3.25 lakh. GNI Training and Placement Department works with students throughout their four year duration to make them employable by imparting skills as per corporate needs.

Q: What are the future plans for GNI?
A:We would like to seek private university status in the future. Also opening a Homeopathy college is on top of the list. Other priority for us is attaining autonomous status for GNIT along lines of GNITC which got the status in 2016.

BY Mahesh Avadhutha