A future-ready university is no longer defined by its physical infrastructure alone, but by its agility, inclusivity, and ability to prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist. As technological and ecological shifts reshape the global economy, institutions must bridge the gap between strong academic foundations and the demands of an uncertain world. The Hindustan Group of Institutions (HGI) was built with this goal in mind.
The story begins in 1966, when the late Dr. K.C.G. Verghese established the Hindustan Engineering Training Centre in Chennai to bring technical skills to people outside the conventional college route. From that single centre, HGI has expanded into a family of institutions covering engineering, technology, aviation, management, health sciences, law, the arts and sciences, architecture, schooling, and community training. More than 20,000 students from India and abroad now study across its campuses, and HGI was named Future Ready University of the Year at the Outlook Business Spotlight Achievers Award 2026.
Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman who managed the Group since 2008 as its Director & CEO, along with Founder Chairperson Dr. Elizabeth Verghese guide HGI today.
Their agenda rests on three pillars: academic partnerships across borders, graduates who are ready for the workplace, and multidisciplinary learning that moves freely between subjects. It echoes the founder's conviction: "To make every man a success and no man a failure." Beyond the classroom, students can join research projects, innovation contests, industry assignments, and start-up programmes, backed by well-equipped laboratories and links with employers. The KCG Verghese Charitable Foundation, the Group's charitable arm, funds scholarships for deserving students and medical help for those in need.
Key Institutions
Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science (HITS), Chennai: Set up in 1985, HITS is a deemed-to-be university. Students can pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral study in engineering, architecture and design, management, law, health sciences, and the liberal and creative arts.
HCFS (Hindustan Centre for Future Skills),established in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ethnotech Academy,is a first-of-its kind initiative in Tamil Nadu bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. The Centre equips students with future-ready skills through advanced technology infrastructure, industry-led training and globally recognised certifications across emerging fields such as AI, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, IoT, Robotics and Semiconductor Design, enhancing employability and fostering innovation.
Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology (HIET): HIET grew out of the Hindustan Engineering Training Centre in 1966 and is the Group's oldest institution. Today it is a polytechnic and aviation college offering technical and aircraft maintenance courses.
KCG College of Technology, Chennai: Founded in 1998, KCG is an autonomous engineering college whose programmes carry NBA accreditation, and it runs its own innovation centres for student projects.
Hindustan College of Arts & Science (HCAS), Chennai: Opened in 1995 and affiliated to the University of Madras, HCAS offers arts, science, and commerce programmes.
Orient Flights Aviation Academy (OFAA): The Group's DGCA-approved pilot training and aviation academy, featured in the spotlight.
Hindustan International Schools, Chennai: International schools that follow the CBSE and Cambridge (CAIE) curricula.
Hindustan College, Mysuru: Takes the Group's higher education offering to Karnataka.
Hindustan Community College: Offers vocational courses so that people from varied backgrounds can build job skills or launch small ventures.
Spotlight: Orient Flights Aviation Academy
Orient Flights Aviation Academy (OFAA) carries the founder's ideals from the classroom into the cockpit. The academy shares its roots with HGI, and its management has been training commercial pilot cadets since 1994. Guided by the founder's vision, OFAA focuses on quality training, student growth, and professional excellence. It currently ranks fourth in India in the DGCA rankings and recently won the Excellence in Aviation Education and Pilot Training award from Times Now, presented at its Education Summit & Education Excellence Awards 2026 in New Delhi. OFAA also reports that more than 500 of its alumni work across the Indian and global aviation industry.
OFAA Trains Students In Three Areas:
Pilot training: DGCA-approved Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) courses with Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine options, the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), ground school, simulator sessions, and endorsements such as licence renewal and foreign licence conversion. Student pilots at Mysuru fly Cessna 172 and Cessna 152 aircraft for single-engine training and a Tecnam P2006T for multi-engine work.
IATA courses: GDS Fares and Ticketing (Amadeus), Cargo Introductory, Airline Cabin Crew, Airline Customer Service, and Passenger Ground Services, which lead to roles in ticketing, ground handling, passenger services, and airline operations.
Non-IATA aviation courses: Professional Cabin Crew Certification, Aviation Operations and Customer Service Certification, and Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR), delivered through OFAA's civil aviation academy.
Safety and student welfare sit at the centre of OFAA's training. Its motto is "Safety First," and flying follows the applicable regulations of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with an emphasis on safe practice and professional standards. The Mysuru base lies roughly 150 kilometres from Bengaluru, and its airport has a control tower and local weather that is generally good for flying.
A major step forward came with the inauguration of OFAA's new flying training base at Kurnool airport in Andhra Pradesh on 27th September 2026 by Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India. An inaugural flight was flagged off to begin flying operations. The base is Andhra Pradesh's first flying training organisation, with Student Pilot Licence, Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating, and Multi-Engine training on offer. OFAA has a total Fleet size of 12 aircraft and expanding ,2 Alsiam simulators. It works alongside the established Mysuru base in Karnataka and widens OFAA's footprint in South India.
