The Higher Education Review

Deshbhakt Ratannappa Kumbhar College of Commerce Kolhapur (Autonomous College) was established in 1957, filling a gap in the educational landscape of Pune to Belgaum by offering commerce education. The college is reaccredited by NAAC with an A Grade. D. R. K. College of Commerce was founded under the guidance of the Late Dr. Ratnappa Kumbhar, a well-known freedom fighter, social reformer, senior political leader, and educationalist.

The college started with 135 students and currently offers courses in H.S.C, B.Com, M.Com, B.B.A, and M.B.A., with a student strength of over 5,320. D. R. K. College of Commerce is addressing the challenge of preparing students for the industry by providing various certificate courses to teach employability skills.

The college aims to equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and communication skills that enterprises require. D.R.K. focuses on promoting industry-academia linkages for high-quality education and introduces new courses in areas such as early secondary education, capacity building of teachers, holistic learning, mental health, technology, assessments, industry-academia partnerships, future skills, employability, commercialization of research and entrepreneurship. The institute collaborates with industries and provides free consultancy in taxation, investment, and soft and complex interventions.

Empowering Minds & Enhancing Lives
D.R.K. College of Commerce has been contributing to enhancing the quality of management education since 1971. The curriculum has been designed to correspond to the need for vocabulary, technical and competencies, and aims to create managers with ethics and a holistic approach. The college focuses on synthesizing conventional and modern management thinking with a global outlook and the ability to adapt to changing requirements. The main objective is to prepare new-age executives and entrepreneurs for society. The college has received recognition as an approved center for national-level professional examinations and has been acknowledged for valuable consideration in conducting classes for C.A., C.S., C.M.A., and I.C.F.A.L.

The Council of Education currently operates three colleges - Shahaji Law College, established in 1933, D. R. K. College of Commerce, established in 1957; and Night college of arts and Commerce, established in 1971.

D.R.K. College of Commerce, under the Council of Education, offers various courses for students. The college provides courses like H.S.C. (general and M.C.V.C.), B.Com, M.Com, B.B.A., and M.B.A. The BBA program at this college, established in 2006, is designed to equip students with knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the dynamic business world. The program encourages students to apply theory in practice and prepares them to be transformative business leaders, whether as intrapreneurs or entrepreneurs. The program also emphasizes the practical application of theoretical concepts and encourages students to become transformative leaders who can adapt to changing global trends. The college provides various facilities to students, including hostels, a canteen, a library, and opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities. The college also offers government scholarships, certificate courses, and guidance for competitive exams, and the program has a high passing percentage and produces university-rank holders.

D.R.K. College of Commerce empowers young minds with quality education & innovative practices for a brighter tomorrow

Additionally, the college offers Government Scholarships to S.C. and S.T. students, who can enroll in N.C.C., N.S.S., and cultural activities. The college organizes numerous seminars, workshops, and guest lectures, as well as industrial visits to enhance students' overall development. These include events like the Avishkar competition, where students showcased their research skills and earned recognition. The college also aligns its pedagogy with industry requirements through collaborations with various companies and arranging internships and training workshops. Additionally, the college emphasizes providing outcome-based education to students, focusing on practical skills, professional ethics, and employability.

Pioneering Quality Education
D.R.K. College of Commerce ensures quality education by having experienced and qualified faculty members. The college promotes the continuous refinement of its faculty through development programs, awards, and exchange programs. The college also offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, including spacious and well-ventilated classrooms, computer centers, and central libraries, with seminar

halls for various academic and extracurricular activities.

The college also has an auditorium with a seating capacity of over 300 students. Other facilities provided to students include separate hostel facilities for boys and girls, a canteen, a gymkhana, a ground for outdoor games, and a green campus initiative.

The college also offers placement opportunities and encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities. Overall, D.R.K. College of Commerce provides a holistic approach to education, focusing on developing students’ academic and personal growth, which sets it apart from other colleges in the region.

"D.R.K. College of Commerce recognizes the importance of scholarships in promoting academic achievement and providing economic benefits for students. The college offers a range of scholarships, including those for S.C., S.T., O.B.C., S.B.C., V.J.N.T., and handicapped students, as well as merit scholarships, financial support for merit students, and sports and Hindi language scholarships.

These opportunities empower deserving students to pursue their educational goals, instilling values, discipline, and leadership while encouraging innovation. D.R.K. College of Commerce’s commitment to fair and just education is reflected in its scholarship offerings", shares Rajanitai V. Magdum, Presidnt Council of Education, D. R. K. College of Commerce.

D.R.K. College of Commerce is focused on equipping students with relevant knowledge and analytical skills to become industry-ready managers. To achieve this, the institute plans to include multidisciplinary subjects and short-term skill and value-based courses following the National Educational Policy 2020.

Additionally, the institute will identify specific learning outcomes, program outcomes, and course outcomes to be acquired by the learners. The pedagogy will include projects, presentations, role plays, and corporate interactions to improve interpersonal relationships and group dynamics.

The institute will adopt an ICT-enabled teaching approach, including online lectures, quizzes, and digital library resources, using various tools such as LCD projectors, desktops, laptops, printers, and multifunction scanners. The institute’s governance will reflect its vision and mission to provide quality education in Commerce and Management and develop students holistically.