A college is only as good as its willingness to listen. On 20th August 2026, Hinduja College put that idea into practice with an open interaction between Principal Prof. (Dr.) Navin M. Punjabi and students from across programmes and years, held at 11 am in association with the Students’ Council, teachers and the Students’ Team.

Why the Session Happened

The interaction followed a meeting convened on 18th August by Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shri Sachin Ahir, in the presence of Minister for Higher and Technical Education Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil and senior education officials. One suggestion from that meeting was clear: principals should interact with students regularly, understand their concerns and guide them toward the right academic and career pathways. Hinduja College acted on it within two days.

An Open Floor for Every Student

The format was deliberately simple and participative. Students were invited to share concerns, ideas and aspirations directly with the Principal, whether about academics, career opportunities or everyday campus life. The emphasis throughout was on listening first, and on strengthening communication between students and college leadership.

Food, Drinks and Everyday Comforts

Canteen matters came up often, and the responses were practical. Students asked for Jain food options, and trials are already underway, overseen by the Canteen Committee along with a student representative. On pricing, the Principal noted that subscription options through AB Coffee bring roughly 70 percent of the menu down to around ₹55, and the college is exploring additional vendors for a more affordable, traditional menu. Requests for sugar-free drinks and mineral water in vending machines will be met with suitable products, procured in line with FDA regulations.

Classrooms and Campus Infrastructure

Learning spaces were another focus. The college already has more than 16 smart boards, and a request has been initiated to raise CSR funds to bring them to every classroom. For left-handed students, some benches in the last row of each classroom are already ergonomically designed, and IQAC will circulate a Know Your Students form to plan seating more precisely. On slow Wi-Fi, the technical team will examine the problem and work toward a fix.

Safety and Well-Being

Student safety got a quick and encouraging response. A request for classroom cameras was well received, and the Principal confirmed that the installation order has already been placed. Concerns about washroom hygiene and sanitary napkin access were also addressed, with measures to improve upkeep monitored by the Vice-Principal through the Women Development Cell. Students can also log maintenance issues in the campus maintenance register, or ask a faculty member to log them on their behalf.

A Conversation That Will Continue

Perhaps the most encouraging outcome was the commitment to keep the conversation going. The college plans to hold similar interactions between the Principal and students every week or fortnight, so concerns are heard early and answered promptly. The session was documented properly too, with attendance records, geotagged photographs and a brief report.

Building a Student-Centric Campus

Moments like this show what a responsive institution looks like: students speak, leadership listens, and concrete steps follow. For Hinduja College, that is how a progressive, student-centric higher education environment is built, one conversation at a time.

Want to see more of what’s happening on campus? Visit Hinduja College to see what’s next.