The CMR Group of Institutions (CMRGI) is an education conglomerate based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The CMRGI, through its associated institutions, offers academic programs right from the Kindergarten to Postgraduate levels. The journey of CMRGI began in the year 1991 when the first CMR National Junior School was founded to cater to the educational needs of local children. Since then, the CMR Public School has evolved and is now the CMR National Public School; along with becoming a part of the larger CMR Group of Institutions that consist of a number of K-12 schools (Ekya), a private university (CMR University), an engineering college (CMR Institute of Technology), CMR National PU College, CMR Life Skills Institute, and the CMR Centre for Business Studies – all of which rank amongst the best educational institutions in India and the world.
THE BEGINNING
The first CMR institute of learning – the CMR Junior School was started in 1991 by the CMR Jnanadhara Trust which was established as a tribute to the late Sri Chikka Muniyappa Reddy, a visionary educationist, and philanthropist who believed that every individual deserves quality education. He dreamt of bringing literacy to the masses. His vision led to the founding of the CMR educational institutes that are driven by a mission to give every student a chance at an outstanding, value-based, and well-rounded education.
The CMR Jnanadhara Trust is spearheaded by Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy (President of the CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Chancellor – CMR University) and Shri KC Ramamurthy, IPS (Chairman of the CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University) whose dedication and passion towards “Nurturing creative thinkers to drive positive global change” has led to the establishment of the CMR University (CMRU) in Bengaluru which has in turn established 9 dedicated schools of learning offering a plethora of industry-ready academic programs across all major fields.
CMR UNIVERSITY, BENGALURU
CMR University has been established as a private university in Bengaluru under Act 45 of 2013. The university encourages creativity and cross-disciplinary learning through its unique Education Engagement Model and Design Thinking pedagogy. In a bid to make quality education accessible to all, the CMRU has established 9 specialized schools of learning which are:
- School of Architecture
- School of Design
- School of Engineering and Technology
- School of Economics and Commerce
- School of Legal Studies
- School of Science Studies
- School of Management
- School of Education
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
These dedicated schools offer varied undergraduate, postgraduate, postgraduate diploma, doctoral, and certification programs in varied fields and domains. Students at CMR University enjoy a distinct advantage through the various initiatives undertaken by the management. These are:
- Choice-based Credit System – The University follows Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), which provides opportunities for students to select from the prescribed set of courses and earn credits. Students are awarded grades, based on their performance for each course in a semester, and Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA). This makes the academic curriculum at CMR University unique.
- Deployment of Design Thinking Concepts –The University steadfastly believes that problem-solving should be a mechanism through which students master academics. Hence, adequate emphasis is laid on encouraging the development of multiple solutions for solving problems creatively.
- Makerspace – The Makerspace is a reflection of CMR University’s emphasis on ‘Learning By Doing’. This is a platform for engineering, and architecture students to work on real-time projects using the latest technology/tools in collaboration with students/faculty members from across disciplines. Students get to hone their execution skills here whilst also picking up the nuances of Design Thinking, Experiential Learning, and problem-solving.
- Blended Learning – Blended Learning involves both classroom teaching as well as practical execution modules integrated within the curriculum so that students are experts in their given fields with both theoretical classroom knowledge as well as practical exposure to the latest technology/technical trends.
- Centres of Excellence – In a bid to make students industry-ready, the university has established 6 centres of excellence in the areas of Marketing Insights, HR Excellence, Logistics & SCM, Business Analytics, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship; each centre is mentored by industry veterans who train students with all the industry-compliant mechanisms required for successful careers.
- Customized Events – CMR University’s specialized schools of learning organize regular workshops, expert talks, guest lectures, symposiums, and showcase new innovations from across the world for students to stay abreast of modern trends. Workshops and guest lectures are generally held by renowned experts from across domains and geographies.
- Exposure to latest technologies and standards – Students are offered training and certification in the latest industry trends from across domains and verticals. Examples of these are prototyping equipment such as 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, and CNC Router Machines.
- Hosting National and International Competitions – At CMR University, students are accorded global exposure with respect to technology, techniques, and global maker movements.
CONTINUED RISE OF THE CMR GROUP
From humble beginnings to a private university and a leading engineering college, the CMR Group has risen rapidly and is continuing to do so. This is evident considering the fact that the group now has more than 20000 students from across the world. Also, CMR University’s schools of learning continue to be rated highly by leading educational publications in India.
In fact, CMR Institute of Technology (CMRIT) has been ranked 116th amongst the top engineering colleges in India by a Times Engineering survey, 4th best engineering college in Bengaluru, and 40th amongst the top engineering colleges in Karnataka by the Education World magazine in 2020-21.
The School of Legal Studies (SOLS) at the University has also been ranked 4th best amongst private law schools in South India by The Week; and 12th amongst the 33 best law schools in India in 2021 by Outlook ICare.
With a steadfast commitment towards nurturing creativity and transforming lives through education, the CMR Group along with CMR University and the CMR Institute of Technology has been continuously innovating to ensure that education has got more to do with real-world knowledge rather than mere memorizing of content within textbooks.
