Managed by Rukmini Educational Charitable Trust, a unit of DivyaSree Group, REVA University started in 2014. Established under the Government of Karnataka Act 80 of 2012, it is a private university which is spread over 45 acres. The Banglore-based university offers a wide range of programmes in various faculties including engineering, technology, architecture, management, arts, science and law. Currently 17,000 students from 26 different countries are studying at the university. A. Lakshman Kumar, general manager of REVA University was recently in Nepal to understand Nepali educational environment and strengthen the relationship with Nepali students. Kumar sat down with New Business Age to talk about the quality, facilities and programmes of the university. Excerpts:

What facilities are available at the university?
Quality education is something we stand by. We want to provide world-class education to every student.  We have joint degree programmes from universities of the United States. So, if any student wants to complete their education in the US, they can go and complete the further semesters there. But the student must complete first year in REVA University.

We also have Leaders in Ecological and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and we are the only university in India to have this certification. As for the other facilities, we have a very good hostel with a capacity of 4,000 students. Likewise, our food is lab tested and the chancellor tastes it first. We have facial recognition as we believe that safety is most important of all.

For the students’ peace of mind and mental health, we also have yoga class, gym and sports facilities inside the university vicinity. Moreover, every Friday, we arrange movies for the students.

How enthusiastic are Nepali students to join REVA University? Which faculty has the most Nepali students?
So far, more than 500 Nepali students have already graduated from our university and the number is increasing. Most of the students come to pursue higher degrees in engineering and technology. There are also a good number of Nepali students doing an MBA as well. Besides, there is a growing number in the journalism faculty also.

Currently we have 28 undergraduate, 24 post-graduate, 18 PhD, one post-graduate diploma programmes, and depending on the requirements we provide other certifications and diploma programmes as well.

What is REVA University doing to attract more Nepali students?
Firstly, we need to believe that we exist for a purpose as a university. For us, our purpose is to provide qualitative and affordable education. Affordability can be interpreted in different ways. Some may interpret it as being cheap as possible, but we should be able to attach the value of what you learn in the price you pay.

Along with various course and merit scholarships, we have the same fee structure for Nepali students and Indian students. We don’t charge any extra fee for foreign students. Depending on the scores they have achieved, we provide up to 50 percent scholarship to the students.

What aspects make REVA University distinct from other technology and management colleges?
First, our curriculum is industry oriented. Our board members and governors come from various verticals of the business sector who tell us what is right, which technology is going with the providence in the industry right now and the curriculum is decided based on their suggestions.

Second, we have tied up with other universities and opened their excellence centre within our university. So the students have live projects to see. Also all the equipment that we have in our labs and infrastructures are all state-of-the-art facilities. Besides, we are a completely green and plastic-free university.

How does the university support students in career development?
We believe in developing three skills in a student – technical skill, team work skills and employability skills. We send our students for internships in companies.

The second aspect of the internship is that we have ‘trained internship programmes’. Under this, professionals from companies come and train the students.

Besides, we also have an incubation centre for startups, various short term certification courses, training and workshops. We have the University Industry Interaction Centre (UIIC) which is aims at promoting collaboration between academicians, scientists and industrialists for imparting quality education and employability skills.

What new programmes are you planning to introduce?
We will be commencing programmes in Data science, Artificial Intelligence, B Tech Aeronautical Engineering. Also, we are starting history and tourism very soon.