The Higher Education Review

In North Bangalore, Yelahanka, a self-sufficient township, is a thriving financial center. The proximity of Yelahanka to the Devanahalli Airport as well as important IT organizations and its quality social infrastructure entailing colleges, hospitals, restaurants as well as shopping complexes, give the town an edge over other popular localities in the garden city of Bangalore.

One of the major educational establishments in this region is Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College, which was incepted in the year 1999 by Nitte Education Trust, Mangalore, a pioneer in the field of education since 1979.

The college offers BBA and B.Com degrees coupled with Value-added Certificate Programs like 10-week Personality Development Certificate Course, 30-hour Employability Training Certificate Course, 30-hour Yoga Certificate Course and Certificate course in Classical Music, and so on. "Before the commencement of BBA classes, we have conducted a 30-hour bridge course in Accounts and a 50-hour course in English. C. Foundation courses are also made available to students as an add-on," pinpoints Dr. R. Shanti Iyer, Principal, Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College.

Under the B. Com course, the students get the flexibility to choose a specialization from a wide range of options, viz. Accounts, Finance, Banking, HR, and Marketing. Apart from this, fulfilling the promise of brightening the future of students, the college organizes coaching for CPT, IPCC and ICWA, Communication Skills training and a few Computer related value-added courses. Dr. Iyer shares, "In a scenario when education and technology is changing fast, it is our duty to keep up our curriculum updated with the latest requirements." Bridging the gap between the academia and industry and improving the employability quotient, the college regularly enriches the curriculum with additional modules on Skill Development. The faculty members are adept at using

innovative teaching and learning methods like role-playing, case study, e-learning and also Peer mentoring. These techniques enable students to learn more efficiently compared to the conventional teaching-learning process.

Enhanced Learning Framework
Situated on a sprawling 23 acres verdant campus with excellent infrastructural facilities and amenities, Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College is now a preferred college for students in the neighboring areas. "We focus more on developing students holistically, as it empowers them to achieve greater heights in their careers and grow up to be good citizens of the society," mentions Dr. Iyer. Facilities like central library, well-equipped Computer and Commerce Labs, provision of using the research space and so on exist on the campus. The College also has an Institutional membership with various reputed libraries such linked to British council and IIM, Bangalore. We also have an institutional membership with N-LIST.

The campus of Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College in Yelahanka is designed, keeping in mind the 360-degree development of the students where they can indulge themselves both in curricular and co-curricular activities. The institute often organizes several extra-curricular activities like NSS, NCC and cultural programs that will help the students in building confidence, developing organization skills and improving team spirit. "One of our students is a National level player in Taekwondo. We have also won a gold medal and a silver medal in state-level Taekwondo championship for boys and girls respectively. These students are the pride of our institution," claims Dr. Iyer.

Improving Lives
Embracing a journey of nearly four decades in the education sector, Nitte Education Trust has built an enviable reputation and kept cordial relation with the industry. This assists Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College to be the first choice for organizations when it comes to various industry collaborations leading to successful placement of the students. A lifetime member of the International Society of Applied Commerce (ISAC) as well as MTC Global (Management Teachers Consortium), the institute conducts co-curricular activities, conferences, workshops, and seminars in association with the industry

leaders. These associations make it easy for the students to avail more options while undertaking internship in the organizations of their choice. The students of Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College visit industries like Reliance Fresh Outlets and Mangalore Oil Refineries for their semester break internship. Finally, after acquiring ample practical knowledge and experience, the students participate in a special placement oriented training program that is conducted by the college and lands up to bag jobs in top-notch companies like Just Dial, E&Y, TCS, Cap Gemini, HP, SBI, Hinduja Global Solution, just to name a few. However, Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College is not only preparing job seekers in the campus, but also job creators who can disrupt the market with innovative ideas. "The country's start-up culture has given growth to more students opting for starting their venture instead of going for jobs; in this regard, our Entrepreneur Development Cell provides a platform for young budding entrepreneurs who have innovative start-up ideas that can be converted into successful businesses," says Dr. Iyer. Now, the college is in the process of initiating MoU with Khadi and Village Industrial Corporation for training the students for self-employment.

Encompassing almost all the elements of modern education, Dr. N.S.A.M. First Grade College has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. "A new program in B.Com with Logistics and Supply Chain Management will be offered from the academic year 2018-19 and we have also planned to commence B.A. and B.Sc. programs in next few years," concludes Dr. Iyer.

Dr. R. Shanti Iyer, Principal
The Principal of Dr. NSAM First Grade College, Dr. R. Shanti Iyer is a Ph.D. in 'Medical Phytochemistry' from Open International University. She has completed her B.Sc and M. Sc from Ravishankar University, M.Phil from Vikram University, Ujjain and also has B.Ed. degree from Annamalai University. She has served in many educational institutions in administrative and academic roles till date. She has participated in numerous research activities, workshops, and seminars.