The emerging economies such as China and India are increasingly important markets for firms in many industries, tourism being no exception. The fact that India will one day, have the largest workforce, brings in a lot of hope for skilled sectors like tourism.
Global tourism has been on a rise. Concepts like tourism for all, virtual tourism, sustainable tourism and responsible tourism have immensely contributed to the growth and development of tourism. However, shifting environmental conditions, technological innovations, and changing demographics are likely to dramatically transform the face of tourism by 2040.
Established in the year 1937, Ramnarain Ruia College is currently providing a few unique courses catering to the travel and tourism industry. The college has initiated three skill-based courses under the DDU Kaushal Kendra. It provides BVoc programs in Green House Management, Pharma Analytical sciences and Tourism and Travel Management.
Ramnarain Ruia College’s aim was to make a remarkable contribution in providing quality education to higher education.
The Torchbearers
The foundation stone of Ramnarain Ruia College was laid down by the Founder, Dr. V. K. Bhagwat 82 years ago. His creativity, tendency to experiment with educational models and his concern about society and social development bestowed on him the authority with which he developed and nurtured Ruia College.
Ruia has a great legacy of Principals which always contributed in the overall reliance of the institute. Principal Dr. Suhas Pednekar was a witness to changes in education in the post-liberalisation period in India. ‘ Best Infrastructure , Best Education with Global Vision’ seems to be the principles on which his educational policies were based. His policies were oriented towards quality and excellence in education, expansion in education and modernization and modernity in education. It has made Ruia establish better ties with other Indian Universities, UGC, NAAC as well as foreign universities. Ruia college was adjudged’ College of Excellence’ during his tenure. Also, Ruia college got well deserved autonomy in 2017.
In 2017, Dr. Anushree Lokur, a microbiologist and very dynamic administrator became Principal of Ruia college. In her tenure, the college has witnessed a great infrastructural and administrative progression. Under her guidance, Ruia college got Education Leadership Award at the 10th ABP NEWS National Education Award in recognition of leadership, development, marketing and institute and industry interface.
Along with this, Ruia College also bagged the Overall Runner Up Championship (Second Rank) at the13th Intercollegiate/ Institute/ Department Avishkar Research Convention organized by University of Mumbai – Department of Student’s Development 2018-19. Concerned with students’ development and faculty alike, she has organized many induction programmes and workshops for them.
Specialized Travel and Tourism Course
Speaking about the tourism and travel management program, it has been designed to enhance students’ skills for employability while developing soft skills and specific technical skills. This ensures that the students can adapt to the changing circumstances and foster and nurture their creative competencies. The primary focus of the course is on Perform, Practice and Perfect for developing various skills. To supplement the efforts in skill-based education the college has established the Ruia Cell for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (RCIIE). This encourages students to generate curiosity, promote innovation, and nurture entrepreneurial skills.
Top-Notch Facilities
Ruia College became autonomous from the academic year 2017-18 and was accredited by NAAC with ‘A+’ GRADE with CGPA 3.70. Dr. Lokur explains, “Autonomous status has brought us greater freedom to design innovative, skill-based courses (including life-skills), following our Logo, ‘Explore – Experience- Excel’, which sums up our quest for excellence. Ruia’s identity is its research culture. We believe in promoting first-hand, experiential wisdom rather than second-hand information gathered from books, the internet, etc.”
The college has always strived to provide the best opportunities to the students for their overall development and to broaden their horizons and make them industry-ready. At the global level as well, Ruia has steadily expanded its outreach by collaborating with various foreign universities. Every year, students benefit from international exposure and intercultural exchanges under Ruia’s global partnerships.
A balance between academic, social, cultural, and economic dimensions in the process of education creates strong, responsible, and well-rounded individuals which is extremely important for shaping a student’s career. With these values, the students of Ruia are moulded to take their place in a bright future.
Focusing on the facilities provided, Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College offers a well-equipped library with spacious reading halls. Here, students get access to one of the largest collection of books along with 6000+ bound volumes of back-issues of noteworthy periodicals. The students utilize the non-print material like CDs and DVDs and subscription to more than 100 national and international journals.
Apart from this, Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College offers Language Laboratory, Ruia Cell for Students with Special Needs, Ruia Sports Academy and Ruia Students’ Council. The Ruia Global Partnership Cell, Career Guidance and Placement Cell, Alumni Association, Foreign Language Center, National Service Scheme (NSS) has indeed helped students at their career front.
Talking about the success stories of Ruia, it has crossed several milestones and produced a galaxy of illustrious alumni. To name a few, Dr. K. Kasturirangan (former Chairman, ISRO and Director, NIES); Dr. Manohar Joshi(former Speaker, Lok Sabha), Lord Meghanad Desai (Economist), Shri. Ajit Wadekar (former captain, Indian cricket Team); Dr. Narendra Jadhav (Member, Planning Commission), Smt. Medha Patkar (Social Worker and Activist).
Future Endeavours
Being situated in the midst of a buzzing city like Mumbai, the college faces several constraints in space. Hence, the college will initiate action to acquire more space for the college at an off-campus site. Another initiative that will be taken is the setting up of special classroom for physically challenged students with audio and visual aids.
