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Broaden your horizon

The New Horizon group of institutions provides modern education focused on the future.

As far as the eye can see, there're students everywhere in the sprawling campus. Some walk in groups, some sit under tree shades with books on their laps. The smile on their faces suggests they are thoroughly enjoying the environment.

Many of them are proud about the strategic location of New Horizon College of Engineering (NHCE) in Bangalore's IT corridor, which keeps them closer to the most happening IT centre in the world. "Indeed, we understand the modern institutions' challenge to guide students towards discovering their careers," says Prof V M Janaki Raman, the institution's Director-Administration.

The College of Engineering is the important among the seven institutions under NHEI's (New Horizon Educational Institution) umbrella, which has pre-schools to colleges. Ranked third in Bangalore, fifth in the state and 43rd in the country (by Data Quest and IDC survey), the college has been securing 100 percent distinction in the semester exams held by VTU. "When we started out in the late 90's, there were around 20 institutions that also started with us," explains Dr M Channa Reddy, Principal, NHCE. "We're proud to learn that we have leap-frogged all of them and established ourselves as one of the top T-schools in the state."

Dr Reddy says the application of IT in most engineering disciplines has kept up the demand for all of them, apart from employment opportunity through campus recruitment. Last year, just 17 seats remained vacant in the college, which is the lowest compared to the 4,500 vacancies throughout the state.

Admission procedure

Students are selected based on their scores in Karnataka Religious and Linguistic Minority (KRLM) entrance test. Besides their academic records, their aptitude and ability to complete the chosen course are also scrutinised.

"We've counsellors who can help students choose the right course depending on their interest and academic records. Indeed, putting right students in the right course is a major challenge," says R K Chakraborothy, Director-Admission.

Ever since their admission, students are counselled by the college's corporate relations department (in-charge of placements), who periodically apprise them on the kind of skills and knowledge levels employers expect from them. “We arrange industrial visits and encourage students to participate in conferences and seminars which would give them a glimpse of the latest trends in their chosen field,” says Lakshminarayana G, Director-Corporate Relations.

Management Studies

Technology (computer facilities and Internet access), library and other infrastructure for learning, apart from the rapport NHEI enjoys with the corporate world, help its MBA course to be more effective. Dr Anitha Ramachander, the Director of Management Studies, says the programme is designed in a flexible manner, so that students can be successful in any industry or role and in any country in the world.

"About 75 percent of classroom activities are based on 'Case' method, in which students, guided by the faculty, work on real business problems with all their inherent complexities," she says. "In their first year, students are given the knowledge base to understand managed organisations, the intricacies of their functioning and the market environment in which they exist. We help them understand their core skills and guide them in choosing their electives in the second year."

NHEI has also been talking with accredited US universities on the possibility of setting up a full-fledged external campus in Bangalore, a possibility they ventured to explore after India had become the signatory to WTO that allows foreign institutions to gain entry into the country. "This would be a great opportunity for those who can't go to the US for further studies. We would be offering programmes in two ways -students can either fully complete the course from here or continue the course in the US after completing the first part here," says S Swaminathan, Director-American Studies.

With latest facilities such as video conferencing and satellite connectivity in place, the institution is also expecting some American universities to offer their courses to students here.

Prof Janaki Raman points out that the institution's strength lies in its R&D initiatives, which would benefit both the faculties and the students. "In fact, one of the companies has provided the latest storage technology in the lab they have set up in our campus.

The Hindustan Ae onautic Ltd (HAL) has agreed to provide technical assistance for our aviation course, which we're planning to start soon," he says.

Shri Mohan Manghnani, Chairman, NHEI reveals that preparing students to cope with demands of a future engulfed by change has been the institution's primary objective.

“When our students graduate into professionals, they should be flexible enough to cope with changing technology and lifestyle. In short, we would like to be part of modern education, which is focused at the future,” he says.

L Subramani