Pune: India needs a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of industry and contributing to the country’s growth as a self-reliant nation, said Sudhir Kalkar, chairman of the Governing Council of Shikshan Prasarak Mandali. He also said India has the potential to guide the world as a Vishwaguru, provided its education system focuses on developing competent professionals equipped with practical knowledge and essential life skills, a statement issued by the management said.Kalkar was speaking at an alumni and corporate meet organised by Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool), under Shikshan Prasarak Mandali, at Dnyanmandapam on the grounds of Sir Parashurambhau College in Pune.He announced that WeSchool plans to establish its third campus in Pune in the 2027-28 academic year, expanding its presence beyond Mumbai and Bengaluru.“Industry continues to face a shortage of skilled manpower. The need of the hour is to develop professionals who can translate their education into practical performance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made several efforts in recent years to make India self-reliant, and developing a skilled workforce is an important part of this vision,” Kalkar said.He noted that geopolitical developments, technological changes and challenges arising from international borders are likely to create new demands in the coming years. Educational institutions must therefore prepare students not only through academic learning but also by developing their ability to handle challenges, communicate effectively, build strong personalities and uphold values rooted in their cultural heritage.“Education is a field where the focus should be on nurturing students rather than competition. Our objective is to develop capable individuals and skilled managers who can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development,” he said.Sunil Joshi, chairman of the College Development Committee, spoke about WeSchool’s history and legacy, highlighting the factors required for an educational institution to grow and expand. He said the institute was pleased to extend its presence to Pune, following its campuses in Matunga, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.Radheshyam Agrawal, vice-chairman of the governing board, Rama Kulkarni, secretary, and other senior representatives of the institution were present at the event.A key highlight of the meet was the launch of a dedicated alumni portal aimed at strengthening connections among former students, encouraging professional networking, facilitating knowledge-sharing and fostering long-term engagement with the institution. The platform is designed to bring alumni, current students, faculty members and industry representatives together on a common platform.In her introductory remarks, Kulkarni said WeSchool was exploring new opportunities in innovation, technology-enabled learning, experiential education, industry collaboration and leadership development, while building on its academic legacy.The proposed Pune campus for the 2027-28 academic year is expected to help the institute strengthen its engagement with alumni, industry and the wider academic community, she added.Radheshyam Agrawal and Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe also shared their views at the gathering. Members of Shikshan Prasarak Mandali’s governing board, College Development Committee members, heads of institutions, faculty members, alumni and corporate representatives attended the event.Audio-visual presentations tracing the journeys, milestones and future objectives of Shikshan Prasarak Mandali and WeSchool were also presented during the meet.
