Bhoj Reddy Engineering College for Women is an engieneering college for women located in Hyderabad, India. It is run by Sangam Laxmibai Vidyapeet established by social worker Sangam Laxmibai, a voluntary social action group working for empowerment of women and girls through education since 1952.

The College was established in 1997. The engineering college is managed by an executive committee consisting of persons with long experience in the field of education. Within a short period of ten years, it has emerged as one of the premier engineering colleges in the state.

The Vidyapeet manages four other educational institutions viz MH Gupta High School for Girls, Sangam Laxmibai Junior College for Girls, K V Ranga Reddy Degree College for Women and Bojjam Narasimlu Pharmacy College for Women and has 56 years of experience in the field of education. Dr M Ramlakshmi, a physician and an experienced administrator, is the President of Vidyapeet.

Dr Palanki Balakrishna, the Principal of the College, obtained his B.Tech (Honours), M.Tech and Ph.D, all from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is a former Scientist of the Indian Government, with more than 36 years of research and development, production, teaching and administrative experience. He had received the "Engineer of the Year" Award in 1992 jointly from the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Institution of Engineers, Best Metallurgist Award 1995 jointly from the Government of India and the Indian Institution of Metals, Rashtriya Vidaya Saraswati Puraskar Award in 2009 from the International Institute of Education and Management. He has over 60 technical publications including 4 on technical education.

A tête-à-tête with Principal, Bhoj Reddy Engineering College, Palankai Balakrishna:

TCG: Share with us the uniqueness of the Vidyapeeth institutions and its role in Hyderabad.

The educational institutions under the Vidyapeeth are unique in their own right. The ethos on which the society runs is this: Progress of the society greatly depends on the degree of empowerment of women in it. Traditionally, in this part of the world, women had been relegated to the kitchen and other domestic chores. There have been trendsetters like Rudramma Devi, Jhansi Lakshmibai and the more recent Kiran Bedi and Indira Nooyi. Our aim is to make every girl pursuing education here into a Kiran Bedi and Indira Nooyi. We think this is very unique in Hyderabad and other nearby districts. 

TCG: Tell us about the development of women’s education in Hyderabad.

Women basically were relegated to play second fiddle to men in our society. The vast human resources can only be utilised fully to its potential if we manage to tap into the latent talent of women. Empowering women is the only way out and to achieve that giving access to education is vital. Two remarkable women, Durgabai Deshmukh and Sangam Laxmibai come to mind. These two have done tremendous work for improvement of education among women. 

TCG: Role of Sangam Laxmibai Vidyapeeth in Hyderabad.

There was a huge void in Hyderabad and other regions of Telangana in terms of educational institutions dedicated solely to the cause of women. Education for girls was still at its infancy and there were very few educational institutes dedicated for the cause of women empowerment. The Vidyapeeth was set up at a time when people did not give much importance to education for women. From that situation to today’s situation, when girls are treated equally on par with boys, at least in urban areas, the Vidyapeeth has played a very important role.
 
TCG: Quality of education and results.

 It would not be incorrect on my part to say that the Vidyapeeth has made tremendous contribution for the development of higher technical education for women. There are very few engineering colleges in India, which are providing quality education and great results consistently over the years. It would be safe to say that we were the pioneers in providing or bringing technical education to the door step for girls. The Bhoj Reddy Engineering College is synonymous with best results and top IT and ITES companies make it a point to conduct their campus recruitment drives here every year. We are not exaggerating but ours is the best women’s engineering college in the State and even, if I may say, in the country.

TCG: Infrastructure.

 The group of institutions under the Vidyapeeth offer best infrastructure support to girls. In fact, our laboratories, computer facilities, faculty, discipline are unparalleled. We take meticulous interest in inculcating a sense of discipline and dedication among girls towards their education. Education is the only way to empower women and coming out successful with sound academic performance is equally vital. We are trying our best to provide a very congenial atmosphere for girls to excel.