Pune, the global city

Institutions, nationwide, focus primarily on admissions these days, while students look for heavy pay packages and the industry stresses on employability. What is employability? Is it about facilitating students to get academic recognition for employment or is it about transferable skills? Or is it about the student’s personal attributes and personality traits? If it is about academic recognition then shouldn’t we include the standard of Institutions from where they choose to graduate and the quality of teaching? And should we not include the board of studies and its members who draft and evaluate the curriculum?

Let us take the example of Pune, where I have worked in the education sector. Poona as it was originally spelt, is situated on the confluence of Mula and Mutha rivers, called Punya, from which it derived its name. Subsequently, the name was changed to Pune. The city is also referred to as Punayanagari, or the blessed city. In the present era, we can still claim that it is truly blessed; for its historic culture, educational growth, industrial development, tourism, weather, theatre, fairs and festivals. You name it, the city has it. And this is what we call it as “Development”. The city has developed from all corners, in all fields and has let its people progress in their respective areas. Not only did the locals enjoy these benefits but created advantages and opportunities for people from others corners of the country to migrate. The city is a rare example of sustainability of human resourses. There will never be a deficit in this area. The University of Pune, is one of the oldest Universities of the country, encompassing around 400 acres of land, with 45-50 departments and International Academic Collaborations with nearly 20 odd countries. The city has FTII along with 15 more deemed universities and world class private Institutions.

And with the massive industrial setting, Pune’s education system has turned the opportunity to its advantage by creating a synergy that is student centric to give them the required practical exposure in terms of on field projects, internships, apprenticeships, assignments and so on. The city has in all redefined education, keeping its traditional culture intact, it has embraced the modern trends that have visibly seen progression and growth, giving its inhabitants an insight into market demands and globalization. Every 16-year-old wants to study in Pune and every 25 year old wants to work in Pune. Now, should we now talk about employment and employability skills? It only needs people’s will to decide, converge and open new avenues.