Mr. Gurkirat Singh inspires the students to explore their physical and natural environment to create something out-of-the-box

Interview by Yash Panchal

Mr. Gurkirat Singh is currently the Executive Director of Gulzar Group of Institutions since 2008. He is also the owner at Gulzar TVS for the past 15 years. Under his able leadership, GGI has reached greater heights and achieved many milestones in its journey so far. His did his M.Sc in Business Administration and Management from the University of Strathclyde (2001-2002). The University of Strathclyde is renowned for excellent teaching, research and strong links with industry. The University has been named as the ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2013/14’ and UK University of the Year 2012/13 by Times Higher Education Magazine.

Mr. Singh is famously known as “The Visionary Edupreneur of India”. Mr. Singh Singh was awarded as Visionary Edupreneur of India by Honorable Former President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at 5^th Estate Higher Education Awards 2017. He was awarded for daring to take up the futuristic facets of higher education as in experiential learning, design thinking, entrepreneurship and the freedom to experiment in the rightful spirit and making an earnest attempt to deploy in the teaching-learning process of GGI.

Mr. Singh on ensuring that induction of new students is truly world-class

Choosing to study is a big decision in every student’s life, that’s why Gulzar Group of Institutes has committed to making it as easy as possible. Our team at GGI is dedicated to educating and empowering students. Our incredible academicians are here to develop knowledge and sharpen the skills of the student. Gulzar Group of Institutes is affiliated to I. K. Gujral Punjab Technical University (P.T.U) and recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). GGI imparts not only education to students, but it teaches the value system. Their personality is so completely groomed that really separates you from the crowd. They get the finest career preparation at GGI.

The broad range of our coursework and practical instructions in technical laboratories prepare tomorrow’s engineers for a variety of stimulating, rewarding and challenging frontiers in different industries that are all at the cusp of change. We are providing Robotics Engineering hands-on experience with KUKA Robot KR-16 GmbH. GGI has replaced the Class Room study and started believing more on the Practical oriented system. GGI is not only the choice of students but also the industry, which plays a very important role in the field of placements, so more emphasis is on overall development of students to which we provide an environment that stimulates passion and curiosity to learn and grow.

Mr. Singh on the efforts that Gulzar Group of Institutes is doing to ensure the non-academic support services are sufficiently well-resourced

Life at GGI college doesn’t stand still. Our campus is the foreground of the future. The real beauty of our campus is the story of what takes place on our inspiring grounds. Here at GGI college, you will make your own mark. By forging great friendships, joining clubs, playing sports and taking part in campus life, you will make the most of your time as a college student – and find out your true potential and who you are. College is more than studying. Jump in and find out how dynamic and interconnected Life at GGI can be.

GGI encourages students to actively engage in co-curricular activities and clubs on campus. Develop your leadership skills by joining these vibrant student clubs and find out about your true potential in other things apart from studies. GGI consists of 6 different clubs so everyone can participate in the activities and join the club of their interest. Students can choose the club they want to join from – Computer Club, Sports Club, Cultural Club, Innovation/Entrepreneurship Club, SAEINDIA Gulzar Collegiate, Training and Placement Club.

Views on the planning of Gulzar group of institutes for further expansion in terms of placement drive, international projects, and seminars

We at GGI feel that all our students should get the best placements and a secure future. We have a fully equipped Training and Placement Team that handles all types of the interview session. Our department also organizes different activities to teach our students the Do’s and Don’ts of the interview process. During 2017-18, GGI had great placement records. More than 250 companies visited our campus and our students were placed in good companies in different areas like Manufacturing, Marketing, Software Development, Programming, Web Designing, Embedded Systems and various other fields. Our placement process allows all the eligible students to go through the entire selection process. The students who got placed by GGI are working in reputed and best companies in India today.

GGI also takes care of its students in various Employability Programs like:

Advance Functional Learning

SECTOR COMPANY PRODUCT/SERVICE (SCPS CONCEPT) Domain training with respect to various sectors, major companies and their respective products and services improving students’ core business functional knowledge.

Communication Training

Soft Skills plays a vital role in employability, we understand the ever-increasing need of versatile technocrats in industry. To enhance communications skills and soft skills, GGI in association with external partners runs various comprehensive training programs for students.

Soft Skills plays a vital role in employability, we understand the ever-increasing need of versatile technocrats in industry.

• Digital communications and engagement with employers
• Technology-enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences
• Technology-enhanced lifelong learning and employability
• Employer-focused digital literacy development
• Technology-enhanced employability skills development.

Business Analysis Training

• Analytical Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Domain Training
• Communication Skills

GD/PI Training

Group Discussion & Interview practice and training is given by Corporate and Academic mentors to prepare for placements and improve self-confidence and communication skills of GGI Students.

Read more about placement opportunities available at GGI

Mr. Singh on ensuring that the growing teaching staff of Gulzar Group of Institutes have some form of teacher training

Faculties play a very important role in designing and shaping of the career of a student. So, it is very important to have a regular development of teachers as per latest teaching methodology and course curriculum. We at Gulzar Group of Institutes hold regular FDP (Faculty Development Programs) for teachers where scholars and industry experts visit campus to interact with GGI staff, they exchange ideas and views about recent trends being followed in the industry. Various camps and other interactive sessions between semesters are also organized for faculties to keep them at par with growing trend. Apart from studies, our faculty members take part in various extra-curricular activities with students which help them in creating a strong bond between student and teachers.

Top qualities that an aspiring engineering aspirant must possess

The successful engineer is well-rounded, with knowledge of the key skills and an ability to apply them when needed.  It will take effort on your part, but the fun is in the learning and the reward is accomplishing your tasks and seeing the impact your work will have on society. To be a successful engineer, one should need to master following qualities and skills.

1. Technical Competence: Whichever engineering stream you choose, you should develop mastery in your knowledge of subject and skills sharp enough to face industrial needs. For this continuous knowledge and training is required throughout a career.
2. Communication Skills: As an Engineer, you should have strong communication skills both written and spoken. Focus on your writing skills, consider developing a competency in a second language and also develop your public speaking skills. A good communicator has influence and most importantly, gets noticed.
3. Leadership Skills:  Leadership is more than just the position you’re in, it’s about action.  An example where you will need leadership skills is during project management where you will need to plan, set priorities, delegate, make decisions and to influence people. To help you develop these skills get involved in a civic, school, professional or church group as a volunteer.
4. Teamwork: To be an effective engineer, you will need the ability to work in a team environment. Volunteer activities will also allow you to gain experience in team working. 
5. Problem-solving: As an engineer, your job will be to come up with the answers and to do that you need the ability to think, to look at the issues and come up with a solution.  Good engineers are therefore to be able to think critically, analyze options and to create great solutions to problems that they have not encountered before.

Measures taken by Gulzar Group of Institutes to ensure the process of internships

Student internships represent a unique, innovative, nontraditional educational approach in the regular world to internship sites for experiences in the field. Internships that are challenging and high-quality have proven to be an effective and efficacious approach that has many advantages and few disadvantages. Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between the internships in which students have served and the ultimate career paths which they select. At GGI, we put special efforts for encouraging students to join Internship programs in each semester. We have a proper team of experts in our training and placement cell, they interact with highly reputed industries to bring out opportunities for students to join as interns and later may join them on regular basis. Such kind of initiatives helps develop mature Engineers out of students and make them ready for the Industrial competitive world.

Mr. Singh on the growth of Engineering colleges in India

Field of Engineering is ever evolving. It takes care of already established utilities of life and also putting efforts in new age development, Like, when it was a time of Industrial age colleges produced Mechanical, Electrical Engineers, when it comes to Infrastructure development worldwide it boosted the growth of civil engineers. Current age going is computer age and Computer Engineers are coming out of Engineering Colleges. Now, future age coming is Artificial Intelligence and space technology, so colleges have to be ready for producing Aeronautical, Robotics and Automation engineers. Engineering is an evergreen field. The only thing to understand is we have to develop and provide education as per the need of society.

Qualities that helped create a brand name for Gulzar Group of Institutes

GGI ensures an academic program that is dynamic, consultancy evolving and one that reflects the institute’s commitment to stay in a tune with the expanding frontiers of knowledge worldwide. The programs combined with innovative practices and real-life projects can meet the demands of the modern world. The Gulzar Group of Institutes offer four-year undergraduate courses leading to AICTE approved B.Tech Degree in eight branches of Engineering, three-year Degree courses namely BBA, BCA, B.Com  Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism, Agriculture, Medical Lab Sciences and two-year MBA courses leading to the degree of IKG Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala. AICTE approved three-year Diploma courses awarded by PSB&IT, Chandigarh.

We encourage our students to meet all their academic goals and to work hard at maximizing their academic potential. The students, faculty, and staff of GGI play an active role in the interactive, hands-on educational process to enable our students to imbibe a spirit of inquiry, discovery, critical analysis, problem-handling and decision making, besides developing a love for life-long learning, creativity, responsibility, collaboration, leadership and independent thinking. We groom and prepare them as global citizens for tomorrow.

Read more about faculty available at GGI

Message for students wishing to pursue their higher studies from Gulzar Group of Institutes

At GGI, we aim to groom you into “Design Thinkers,” where engineering design is not just about aesthetics. It’s about user-friendliness and ergonomics. Our students are taught in the art of designing friendly products that can be used even without a manual.

Upon joining Gulzar Group of Institutes (GGI), you would be embarking on a liberal management and engineering education of the kind that’s not followed anywhere in India. You would be joining an institution that promises practice-oriented learning environment with a lot of emphasis on modern-day pedagogy and the able support of an experienced faculty. At GGI, we encourage you to explore your physical and natural environment to create something out-of-the-box.