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Pune, August 2026: Pimpri Chinchwad University (PCU) welcomed its new students for the academic year 2026–27 through a series of Deeksharambh – Induction Ceremonies organised across its various Schools. Bringing together students, parents, faculty members, University leadership, industry professionals, distinguished guests and experts from diverse fields, the programmes marked the beginning of an exciting academic journey focused on knowledge, skills, innovation, values and holistic development.
The Deeksharambh programmes across the School of Engineering & Technology, School of Pharmacy, School of Sciences, Pune Design School, Pune School of Media & Communication, School of Law, School of Computer Applications and Pune Management School reflected PCU’s commitment to providing industry-oriented, experiential and future-ready education.
The ceremonies commenced with traditional Saraswati Pujan and lamp-lighting ceremonies, followed by welcome addresses, keynote interactions, student orientation sessions, unveiling of Student Manuals and felicitation of meritorious students and toppers. The programmes provided students with an opportunity to understand the academic ecosystem, career pathways, industry expectations, international opportunities, research possibilities and the importance of developing professional and life skills.
Shri Harshvardhan S. Patil, Chancellor, Pimpri Chinchwad University, while addressing the engineering students, highlighted PCET’s quality-driven education ecosystem, advanced laboratories, robotics and semiconductor technology initiatives, industry collaborations, foreign-language learning, hostel and sports facilities and international industry opportunities. He encouraged students to pursue their goals fearlessly, make their parents proud and grow into responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to society.
Speaking across the induction programmes, Dr. Girish Desai, Executive Director, Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust (PCET), welcomed the new students to the PCET-PCU family and highlighted the institution’s legacy of more than three decades in quality education. He encouraged students to move beyond merely using technology and aspire to become creators of technology, innovators and problem-solvers. He also emphasised the importance of research, innovation, industry-oriented education, global exposure and making effective use of initiatives such as KOSME and Coursera.
Dr. Santosh S. Sonavane, Vice Chancellor, Pimpri Chinchwad University, welcomed the students and highlighted PCU’s rapidly growing academic ecosystem, modern infrastructure, industry-oriented programmes and experiential learning approach. He encouraged students to make the most of international collaborations, foreign-language learning opportunities, Centres of Excellence, emerging technologies and industry exposure. He emphasised that students should use every opportunity available at the University to develop themselves academically, professionally and personally.
Dr. Shitalkumar Rawandale, Director – Training & Placement and Advisor, PCU, highlighted the importance of discipline, consistency, internships, projects, online certification programmes and continuous interaction with industry. He encouraged students to develop programming and technical skills while preparing themselves for the evolving requirements of the professional world.
Dr. Ramdas G. Biradar, Director – Outreach & Admissions and Head – First Year Engineering, assured parents and students of PCU’s structured academic ecosystem and encouraged students to strengthen their fundamentals while actively participating in the academic, technical and co-curricular opportunities available at the University.
At the School of Engineering & Technology’s induction programme, Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, guided students on discipline, sports, co-curricular activities and professional networking. Mr. K. Venkatesan, General Manager, Larsen & Toubro, Pune, encouraged students to strengthen their engineering fundamentals, develop problem-solving abilities and explore opportunities in AI, Generative AI, research, internships, start-ups and innovation.
The School of Engineering & Technology programme also featured Dr. Deepak Mahaisekar as Chief Guest and Mr. Nikhil Shintre as Guest of Honour. Dr. Mahaisekar emphasised personality and character development alongside technical knowledge, while Mr. Shintre encouraged students to identify their areas of interest, strengthen their engineering fundamentals and continuously learn, experiment and improve in the age of AI. Ms. Yujin Han, COO and expert from the Korean business sector, highlighted the growing India-Korea business relationship and encouraged students to explore Korean language, culture, KOSME initiatives and international industry opportunities. Ms. Meiko Katahira, Japanese Cultural Program Specialist, further introduced students to opportunities related to Japanese language, culture and industry exposure.
The joint Deeksharambh programme of the School of Pharmacy, School of Sciences, Pune Design School and Pune School of Media & Communication focused on creating a strong foundation for students across diverse academic disciplines. Chief Guest Ms. Ankita Patil Thackeray, Chairperson, Women & Child Welfare Committee, Pune Zilla Parishad and Member, Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), encouraged students to use education as a means of empowerment and to use technology and social media constructively for knowledge, skills and personality development.
Renowned Indian film actor Shri Raza Murad, Guest of Honour, shared experiences from his professional journey and emphasised the importance of talent, hard work, consistency, opportunity and self-confidence. Special Guest Dr. Shankar Dapekar, Independent Public Health Consultant, highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, regular exercise, adequate sleep, proper nutrition and preventive health awareness.
The School of Law’s Deeksharambh programme introduced students to the wide-ranging opportunities available in the legal profession and emphasised the values of justice, ethics, leadership and social responsibility. The programme was graced by Hon’ble Justice H. L. Gokhale, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as Chief Guest; Shri Shekhar Gaikwad, Retired IAS Officer, as Special Guest; and Advocate Vijay Pamanani, Advocate, High Court, as Guest Speaker.
Hon’ble Justice H. L. Gokhale highlighted the importance of law across judiciary, academia, research, corporate sectors, public life and policy-making. He encouraged students to develop strong reading, legal drafting, research, argumentation and courtroom skills. Advocate Vijay Pamanani described law as not merely a profession but also a powerful means of social service and encouraged students to pursue their careers with perseverance, integrity and continuous learning. Dr. Ashish G. Deshpande, Dean & Professor, School of Law, welcomed the students and highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available in the legal ecosystem.
The School of Computer Applications’ Deeksharambh brought students closer to the rapidly evolving world of technology. Mr. Vijender Yadav, Co-Founder, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Accops Systems; Mr. Deepak Shingan, Senior Director of Engineering, Krista; and Dr. Mahendra Ramdasi, Senior Vice President – Scaled Agile Transformation, interacted with students and shared insights into technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, agility and future professional skills.
Dr. Kamlesh Meshram, Head, School of Computer Applications, encouraged students to go beyond classroom learning and explore hackathons, industry-recognised certifications, cloud computing, data science and emerging technologies. Mr. Deepak Shingan highlighted the need for continuous technological learning and innovation in the AI era, while Dr. Mahendra Ramdasi emphasised adaptability, agility, continuous learning, reskilling and the ability to embrace change. Mr. Vijender Yadav highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, programming fundamentals and the development of indigenous cybersecurity solutions.
Pune Management School welcomed its new students through Deeksharambh 2026–27 with a strong focus on leadership, innovation, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship and industry readiness. The programme featured Dr. Ganesh Rao, Group Advisor – Management Programmes, PCU; Mr. Sachin Itkar, Vice President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) and Member, PCU Governing Board; Dr. Amit Patil, Dean & Head, School of Management; Mr. Shankar Jadhav, Director & CIO, Technocraft Industries; Mr. Pankaj Sathe, Managing Director, Technika Engineering and Executive Board Member, KPIT; and CA Pramod Jain, Valuation & ESG Expert.
Dr. Amit Patil highlighted that Deeksharambh was not merely the beginning of an academic programme but the start of a transformational journey focused on innovation, excellence, integrity, confidence, emotional intelligence and self-discovery. Dr. Ganesh Rao encouraged students to maintain a positive outlook, remain connected with global developments and continuously work towards their goals.
Mr. Sachin Itkar encouraged students to dream big and contribute actively to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through continuous learning, reading, clear career goals and the creation of a distinctive professional identity. Mr. Pankaj Sathe highlighted the transformative impact of AI, digitisation and innovation on business and encouraged students to develop entrepreneurial thinking, emotional intelligence and adaptability. CA Pramod Jain urged students to treat their management education as a significant investment in knowledge, networking and leadership, while Mr. Shankar Jadhav emphasised critical thinking, discipline, market awareness, technology adoption and learning beyond textbooks.
Across all the Deeksharambh programmes, students were encouraged to balance academic excellence with practical exposure, research, innovation, internships, entrepreneurship, sports, cultural activities, professional networking and social responsibility. The unveiling and distribution of Student Manuals across programmes further provided students with essential information to navigate their academic and University journey effectively.
The induction ceremonies also celebrated academic excellence through the felicitation of meritorious students and toppers, inspiring the new batches to pursue their academic journey with commitment and a spirit of excellence.
The Deeksharambh programmes were conducted under the guidance of PCET and PCU leadership, including Mr. Dnyaneshwar P. Landge, Chairman, PCET; Mrs. Padma M. Bhosale, Vice Chairperson, PCET; Mr. Vitthal S. Kalbhor, Secretary, PCET; Mr. Shantaram D. Garade, Treasurer, PCET; Shri Harshwardhan S. Patil, Chancellor, PCU; Mr. Narendra D. Landge and Mr. Ajinkya V. Kalbhor, Management Representatives; and Dr. Girish Desai, Executive Director, PCET.
Deeksharambh 2026–27 was more than a welcome ceremony. Across disciplines, it marked the beginning of a transformative journey where students were encouraged to learn, question, innovate, adapt, lead and contribute. With a strong foundation in knowledge, skills, values, industry exposure and global opportunities, PCU welcomed its new students into a vibrant academic community and set the stage for their journey towards becoming confident, capable, responsible and future-ready professionals.