Overview
The college campus occupies an area of approximately 175 acres near the village of Paud in the Mulshi region of Maharashtra in India, roughly 40km from the city of Pune. From its vantage point on a hill overlooking the Mula River near the Mulshi hydroelectric dam, the surrounding villages and fields in the valleys and the steep hills of the Western Ghats provide a striking rural setting. The college is ranked at No. 4 position among the international schools in the Education World C-fore survey of “India School Rankings” 2012.
The college is currently running a project to create a biodiversity reserve from much of the open land on campus, in line with its its policy to encourage environmental protection and to foster an appreciative awareness of one's surroundings. The school has been bestowed with the Record Award in 2000 and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001.
Campus
The buildings are purpose-built to accommodate about 220 students and 25 faculty members throughout the nine-month academic year. The science laboratories serve well the practical methods of the science department.
The IT centre contains a small number of computers, as most students have their own laptops. Computers are also available in the academic resource centre area which students are encouraged to use for independent study. All are connected to the internet and wireless access is also available in various areas of the campus including common rooms, the classrooms area (AQ) and the resource centre. The college has a well-equipped art studio and a music centre, and it’s fully air conditioned academic resource centre and library contains over 20,000 volumes in various languages covering a variety of topics, along with a DVD collection.
Sports facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball, football and cricket areas, and a small gymnasium equipped with training machines. There is also a playground provided for the young children of faculty who live on campus.
The college also has a well-equipped two-ward medical centre that can deal with all basic injuries and medical problems. It is staffed on a 24-hour basis by a team of residential staff that comprises a doctor and three nurses, and has an ambulance for emergencies that the campus facilities are unable to treat.
The college cafeteria serves a good blend of international and Indian cuisine, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It provides three main meals a day, and Indian snacks with a drink at the morning and afternoon breaks.
Accomodation
The residential area is divided into four wadas, with 10 or 11 houses and a common room in each. The student houses each have two rooms housing four students each. Most faculties also live in the wadas in houses fully integrated into the harmonious design of each residential complex. The common room is the student meeting point and has a stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, and washing machines, plus a dryer during the monsoon.
Academics
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is one of the most well regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the world and is recognised by the world’s leading universities. In India, the IB Diploma is officially recognized as equivalent to other twelfth grade board exams; in many North American universities IB credits earn students advanced placement or credit.
An accredited UWC Diploma option, two project weeks, summer programs and a 3rd year option are also available at Mahindra College.
Extra curricular: The Mahindra College offers tremendous opportunity for students to focus on various aspects of environmental protection such as soil conservation, deforestation reversal and water and waste management. The college also provides tuitions for village children in English.
Admission
Entry to the UWC schools and colleges is by competitive selection. Selection is based on personal merit, and financial assistance in the form of partial or full scholarships, is available on a need basis. Selection is carried out through the National Committees in more than 100 countries. Interested students should contact their own National Committee. The academic year starts in August and applications are usually accepted through December and January for the year starting the following August.
Admission is granted to students in the age group of 16 and 18 years, and the candidates should be academically qualified to undertake the demanding two year program leading to the IB Diploma. Entry is based on merit. The competition is open to all students regardless of their financial status.
Fees: approx 9 -10 lakh annually
Achievements
The college is currently running a project to create a biodiversity reserve from much of the open land on campus, in line with its its policy to encourage environmental protection and to foster an appreciative awareness of one's surroundings. The school has been bestowed with the Record Award in 2000 and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001.