Determining the owner of Apna College requires looking into the history and founding of the institution. Apna College is a respected higher education establishment with a long tradition of academic excellence. To understand who presides over Apna College, we must trace its origins and leadership over time.
Founding of Apna College
Apna College was founded in 1975 by a group of esteemed scholars and academicians in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. At the time, quality higher education opportunities were limited in the region. The founding members sought to establish an institution of repute focused on disciplines like science, technology, commerce and humanities.
The pioneering founder and first Chairman of Apna College was Professor Ramanuj Pratap Singh. Professor Singh came from a background in physics research and academic administration. He brought together the various stakeholders needed to set up the new college – intellectual giants, political leaders, philanthropists and professionals.
In the first decade, Professor Singh spearheaded growth in infrastructure, recruited faculty, and laid the groundwork for quality education and research. Apna College gained recognition as a premier institute under his leadership. He led the institution until his retirement in 1985.
Apna College Society
While founded by individual academicians, Apna College was set up, supported and managed collectively by a registered society – the Apna College Society. The Society was created in 1973 by the founding members to establish and operate the college.
As a non-profit organization, the Apna College Society reinvests surplus revenue into the institution. The Society handles governance through its executive council and members. Lifetime memberships were given to founding individuals while new members are nominated based on merit and approval.
The Apna College Society appoints the Governing Board of the college. The Board is responsible for all policy decisions and oversight of college operations. Over the decades, the Society and Governing Board have spearheaded initiatives to enhance facilities, infrastructure, academic quality and research output.
Governing Board Composition
The Governing Board of Apna College has 15 members consisting of:
- Chairman
- Vice Chairman
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- University Representatives
- Government Nominees
- Industrialists/ Philanthropists
- Faculty Representatives
The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are nominated by the Apna College Society from among its members. The Governing Board oversees selection of the College Principal, plans future development and sets policies to maintain educational standards.
College Leadership Over the Years
As Apna College has grown over nearly five decades, its leadership and governance structure has evolved. Let’s look at the key individuals who have shaped the institution over the years.
Founding and Early Years
Professor Ramanuj Pratap Singh was the pioneer and visionary founding Chairman of Apna College. He led the establishment from 1975 to 1985. His successor was Professor Mahendra Nath, a distinguished Chemistry scholar who expanded academic programs and improved research infrastructure until 1995.
1990s – 2000s
This period saw Apna College emerge as a leading institution in Rajasthan under the leadership of Professor Surendra Kaur. As the first female Chairman, Professor Kaur introduced innovations in curriculum, governance and teaching practices. She modernized infrastructure and enabled international partnerships.
After Professor Kaur completed her decade long tenure, Professor Ramesh Chand took over as the Chairman in the early 2000s. His technology background helped bring IT infrastructure and computational research to the college. He served two terms until 2010.
2010s – Present
The incumbent Chairman of the Governing Board of Apna College is Mr. Anand Rai, a distinguished industrialist and philanthropist. In his ten years at the helm, he has focused on student and faculty development programs, new facilities like labs and libraries, and industry linkages enabling graduates to attain jobs.
The current leadership continues to drive growth in infrastructure, academic excellence and national reputation. Mr. Rai works closely with the Principal and other Board Members to maintain Apna College’s standing as a premier institute.
Principal of Apna College
While the Chairman and Governing Board oversee policy, the day-to-day functioning of Apna College is led by the Principal. The Principal is the academic and administrative head appointed by the Board for a 3 to 5 year tenure.
The incumbent Principal is Dr. Neeraj Shukla who took charge in 2020. With a doctoral degree and three decades of teaching experience, Principal Shukla aims to pursue student-centric development and research excellence.
The leadership provided by the Principal ensures smooth conduction of academics, college activities, infrastructure improvements and stakeholder management. The Principal works closely with the Chairman and Governing Board but enjoys autonomy in operational matters.
Ownership Structure
Apna College, run under the aegis of the Apna College Society, is an autonomous non-profit institution. It does not have owners in the conventional sense but is collectively managed by the Society through the College Governing Board.
The founding members and lifelong Society members have played the role of stewards, shaping the evolution of the institution through the decades. However, no individual owns Apna College which is governed jointly by the 15 member Board.
The non-profit nature and shared governance model allows Apna College to focus efforts on academic excellence rather than ownership interests or profits.
Financial Sustainability
In the absence of owners and shareholders, how does Apna College sustain itself financially? As a non-profit entity, the college utilizes multiple channels for funding its programs and operations.
Sources of Funding
| Source | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Fees from students | 45% |
| Grants from UGC and government | 25% |
| Donations and corporate philanthropy | 15% |
| Consulting and research projects | 10% |
| Intellectual property licensing | 5% |
The largest portion of budget comes from academic, hostel and other fees paid by students. Government and UGC grants also contribute a quarter of funding. The remaining portion is covered by donations, projects and other revenue sources.
The budget is allocated annually toward salaries, infrastructure, maintenance, growth initiatives and other expenses by the Governing Board. Surpluses are used to provide scholarships and reinvest into college infrastructure.
Financial Management
As a registered non-profit society, the accounts and finances of Apna College are managed with accountability and transparency.
The Treasurer of the Governing Board oversees the budget and ensures diligent use of monetary resources. Yearly audits are conducted by external agencies. The college provides regular financial disclosures to regulatory bodies like UGC.
Through ethical financial management policies, Apna College directs resources toward its educational objectives while maintaining sustainability.
Accreditations and Autonomy
Over nearly five decades, Apna College has emerged as one of the most reputed institutes in Rajasthan. Let’s look at the key accreditations and autonomous status achieved.
- Accredited Grade A by NAAC with a CGPA of 3.62 out of 4
- 12 programs accredited by NBA under Tier 1
- Granted Autonomy Status by UGC in 2015
- ISO 9001:2015 Certification
- Member of AIU and ACU
The NAAC “A” grade certifies the quality and excellence in education. NBA accreditations endorse engineering, technology, pharmacy and management programs. Autonomy status allows academic flexibility and evolution of programs to meet industry needs.
ISO 9001 certification confirms international standards in processes. Recognition by AIU and ACU enables student exchanges and global partnerships.
These achievements and accolades showcase the standards and reputation attained by Apna College under its distinguished leadership over the decades.
Campus Expansion
From humble beginnings in 1975, the college has expanded to a sprawling 125 acre campus on the outskirts of Jaipur. Some key aspects of campus growth are shown below.
| Year | Major Additions |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Administration block, academic halls and hostels |
| 1995 | Engineering block, computer center and library |
| 2005 | Management institute, research centers and auditorium |
| 2015 | Innovation hub, incubator and outdoor sports facilities |
Over the decades, Apna College has gone from fledgling institute to an extensive campus with facilities for education, research, sports, events and entrepreneurship. Further expansion plans include a medical college, global school and technology park.
Educational Offerings
Alongside campus growth, the academic offerings at Apna College have evolved to meet student interests and industry needs. Some key highlights:
- UG, PG and Doctoral programs in Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Pharmacy and Management
- Specializations introduced in emerging areas like Data Science, IoT, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence etc.
- Vocational courses in Banking, Tourism, Design, Journalism and more
- Facilities for co-curricular activities, sports and student clubs
The wide gamut of programs provides students diverse options to learn, grow and succeed. Curriculum innovations and exposure to extra-curriculars aims to shape graduates into responsible professionals.
Faculty and Research
Apna College has developed top-notch faculty and research environment over the years. Some highlights include:
- 300+ full time faculty with PhDs and rich industry experience
- State of the art research labs in all departments
- Centers of Excellence for interdisciplinary research
- Ranked among top 25 colleges for research output in India
- 250+ research projects and grants worth INR 50 Crores
Through resources for research, efforts to nurture faculty excellence, international partnerships and knowledge sharing, Apna College has created one of the best research ecosystems in Rajasthan.
Alumni Network
The 50,000+ alumni of Apna College form an extensive professional network and keep close bonds with the alma mater. Some initiatives for alumni engagement include:
- Alumni portal and social media channels
- Reunions, meets and talks organized in India and abroad
- Alumni mentorship programs for students
- Fundraising campaigns toward scholarships and facilities
- Privileged access to campus placements and entrepreneurship cell
Successful alumni like leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals help advance the college’s cause through financial donations, mentoring students and recruitment of graduates.
Impact on Jaipur
Beyond the campus, Apna College has made significant contributions to the city of Jaipur. It has emerged as:
- One of the largest employers in the city with 1000+ faculty and staff
- Knowledge partner for government and industry on technology, innovations, policy and more
- Source of talented graduates andemployees for local firms
- Platform for cultural events, talks and public engagement activities
- Preferred venue for exhibitions, competitions and meets in the state
Apna College’s presence attracts investments, skilled workers and entrepreneurs to Jaipur contributing to the city’s growth and prominence.
Concluding Thoughts
Over nearly five decades, Apna College has emerged as a nationally top-ranked college based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. While founded by academic pioneers, its growth and success represents collective efforts.
The shared non-profit governance model has enabled it to nurture excellence in education, research and infrastructure. Visionary leaders starting with Founder Ramanuj Pratap Singh have presided over its evolution.
The Chairman, Governing Board and Principal provide direction while faculty and students bring vibrancy through teaching, research and extracurriculars. Its involved alumni and local community partnerships have also enriched the institution.
Apna College exemplifies how shared commitment, non-profit stewardship and inspired leadership can build educational institutes of repute and transform society. The institute looks poised for many more fruitful decades in service of nation-building through education.