ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN PUNE DEVELOPING TECHNOCRATS FOR THE FUTURE

Globally, higher education institutions are coping with fast-paced technological innovations in imparting knowledge and skills. Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Augmented & Virtual Realities, Data Sciences and Cybersecurity have all caught the imaginary of Gen-Zengineers and technocrats. Pune-beckoned as India's tech-centric destination-is all geared up to witness a dynamic engineering education landscape, with sweeping digital transformation in creating immersive teaching-learning experiences for digital workplaces of tomorrow.

- Dr Manju Rughwani

Said Issac Asimov, "Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world." Truly, it resonates for Pune, beckoned as India’s most tech-savvy and intellectual destination for engineering education. Parenthetically, futuristic engineers and technocrats hail Pune as their potential hub-spot to kickstart their hi-tech careers. And lo! they are conquering the world with their genius engineered brains.

Genesis of Pune’s Engineering Education

Remarkably, Pune is the home of India’s second oldest engineering institution— College Of Engineering Pune (COEP). According to its website, it was erstwhile called as The Poona Engineering Class and Mechanical School. On August 5, 1865, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Bartle Frere laid the foundation stone.

Pune is proud to boast of India’s first ever women engineering college Cummins College of Engineering for Women. Established in 1991, it was founded by Maharashi Karve-a staunch reformist for women empowerment with the support of Cummins Diesel (India) Foundation. Recalling its timeless history, is Dr Madhuri Khamdete, Principal, “Way back in the early nineties, our Indian society was ruled by patriarchy system. During that time, two to three percent of the girls would opt for pursuing engineering careers. Indian parents were orthodox by nature and hence they would not prefer their daughters to work in a male dominated profession. Hence, our founder wanted to create a safe learning environment for girls. He believed that the education of one female engineer would create a multiplier effect on millions of engineers, which would lead to creating equal opportunities.”