The Higher Education Review

In the age of technological advancement, the landscape of the Indian education system is undergoing a profound transformation. However, despite these advancements, only a few selected institutions truly commit to empowering students to uncover their innate potential and purpose, equipping them to face global challenges confidently.

Saveetha College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SCLAS), situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is one such remarkable institution that has taken on the mantle of a catalyst for students to explore a multitude of interests.

Established in 2020 as the 13th constituent college of the esteemed Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), under the dynamic leadership of Founder and Chancellor Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, SCLAS has swiftly risen to prominence. The institution has earned prestigious accolades, including an A++ grade from NAAC and a noteworthy 13th ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2023.

Launched during the pandemic, SCLAS has become an educational powerhouse within 3 years. Remarkably, SCLAS has secured a 19th position nationally and a 7th position in the state among the top deemed universities in Arts, Sciences, and Humanities in the IIRF Ranking.

Enhancing Academic Excellence
Led by the visionary educator and Founder Principal, Dr. Gunita Arun Chandhok, SCLAS boasts a vibrant learning community, unique teaching and learning methodologies, and access to cutting-edge research facilities. Operating on a trimester system pattern with Choice Based Credit System and aligning with the National Educational Policy, SCLAS offers a multitude of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs, encompassing Commerce, Corporate Secretaryship, Professional Accounting, BBA, BCA, AI, DS, Bharatham for UG students, integrated Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and unique dual degree program, allowing students to simultaneously pursue a full-time bachelor’s degree alongside part-time courses in Bharathanatyam and Music.

In addition, tally and foreign languages courses are also mandatory for students at SCLAS.

“SCLAS is staffed with exceptional faculty who possess substantial teaching experience, with 100 percent of them holding Ph.D. degrees”, states Dr. Ramya Deepak, Director. Promoting a student-centric approach, the faculty follows the Multiple Interactive Learning Algorithm (MILA), which divides 90-minute sessions equally between theory and practical instructions, incorporating a plethora of classroom activities.

Students can also access three digitized libraries, including the state-of-the-art SAIL library, which includes e-resources, an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), and a wealth of national and international journals. The campus boasts of a WiFi-enabled environment, modern computer labs, and amenities including student grievance cells, hostels, 100 food courts, sports grounds, and a gymnasium.


Dr. Gunita Arun Chandhok, Principal, Saveetha College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

To equip the students with practical insights on the business world, SCLAS also conducts multiple industrial visits, seminars, conferences, and guest lectures by industry experts and successful entrepreneurs. The value-added certification courses from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK, EXIM Academy, the National Skill Development Corporation and International Air Transport Association (IATA), Canada further compliment the learning experience.

MOUs are signed with the Indian Society for Training and Development, International Skill Development Corporation, Sridevi Nrithyalaya, NGO Bhumi, and The Royal Commonwealth Society, Asia, for Model United Nations (MUN) activities.

Affiliation with foreign universities in Malaysia, Australia, and the UK aids students in dual Study Abroad programs, Student Exchange programs, and credit courses. On the other hand, under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, SIMATS has adopted ten villages to help students make a positive impact on local communities.

Fostering Research and Innovation
The endeavors of SCLAS in nurturing a research-oriented environment is exemplified by its 4-year B.Com. Honors program with research specialization and the annual Transdisciplinary Research Summit, ‘Tech Star’.

Under the summit, 59 research papers authored by students, are submitted to Scopus-indexed publications and scientific forums, this year alone. To enhance employability, SCLAS has also made a 6-month internship a mandatory part of the curriculum. The placement cell prepares the students to meet industry demands, resulting in 100 percent placements in premier companies.

”SCLAS boasts a vibrant learning community, unique teaching and learning methodologies & access to cutting-edge research facilities”

Focusing on developing entrepreneurs, Dr. Gunita has not only incorporated entrepreneurship development as a subject but also envisions strengthening the Institute's Innovation Council (IIC) by attracting venture capitalists. On the academic front, she aims to introduce a broader range of multidisciplinary programs. With these ambitious goals on the horizon, SCLAS aspires to become the preeminent Liberal Arts and Science College, not only in India but on a global scale.

Dr. Gunita Arun Chandhok, Principal, Saveetha College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
In an impressive career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Gunita has held various significant roles at multiple colleges, including Vice Principal, Director and Principal. She also serves as a guiding force for Ph.D. students at the university. She actively contributes to educational organizations, holding memberships in NFED and FICCI, TN Higher Education Council. She has authored a book on ‘Marketing’. She has publications in Scopus-indexed journals and in international journals, and has been a resource person in Thailand, Malaysia, Europe, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Owing to her exceptional contributions, she has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the All India Best Academic Administrator Award in 2015, Distinguished Educator and Scholar Award in 2016, Award for Educational Leadership in 2017, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, the International Brilliance Award in 2022, and the Award for the Best Principal in Tamil Nadu 2023.