Dr. Girish Chandra Saxena: A Lifetime Dedicated to Education and Excellence

The journey of Dr. Girish Chandra Saxena, widely known as Dr. G.C. Saxena, is an inspiring story of perseverance, dedication, and lifelong commitment to education. Over the course of more than four decades, he has contributed significantly to the development of technical education in India, guiding thousands of students and playing an influential role in academic leadership, research, and curriculum development.

Born on 7th July 1948, Dr. Girish Chandra Saxena grew up during a time when pursuing higher education required determination and strong willpower. With a deep passion for learning and a commitment to academic excellence, he devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge from an early age. His disciplined approach to education laid the foundation for a remarkable career that would later influence generations of students and educators.

Dr. Saxena pursued his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry in 1969, a field that requires strong analytical skills and deep scientific understanding. His passion for research and scientific exploration motivated him to continue his academic journey further. With years of dedication and hard work, he successfully completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Kinetics in 1977, marking an important milestone in his academic life.

After completing his doctoral studies, Dr. Saxena entered the noble profession of teaching, where he would dedicate more than 43.5 years of his life to educating young minds. His teaching career began at Model Science College, Ujjain, where he taught Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) students. This early phase of his career allowed him to develop his teaching style and connect with students who were beginning their academic journeys.

Following this experience, he joined S.G.S.I.T.S., Indore, where he taught Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and postgraduate students for five years. His ability to explain complex scientific concepts in a clear and practical manner quickly earned him respect among students and fellow faculty members. His dedication to academic excellence made him a valuable member of the institution.

One of the most significant chapters of Dr. Saxena’s professional journey was his long association with Shri Vaishnav Polytechnic, Indore. Here, he served for approximately 35 years as a Selection Grade Lecturer and Head of the Science and Humanities Department. During this long tenure, he played a key role in shaping the academic structure of the institution and mentoring countless students who later became successful professionals.

Apart from teaching, Dr. Saxena also handled several important administrative responsibilities. At Shri Vaishnav Polytechnic, he served as Incharge of the Accounts Section, Incharge of LRUC and QIC, and Incharge of First Year academic coordination. These responsibilities reflected his strong organizational skills and leadership abilities. His commitment to maintaining high academic standards helped the institution grow and strengthen its reputation.

Recognizing his leadership and experience, he was appointed as Incharge Principal (Diploma) at Shri Vaishnav Polytechnic from July 2009 to July 2010. During this period, he guided the institution with vision and discipline, ensuring smooth academic operations and maintaining educational quality.

Later, Dr. Saxena served as a Professor at S.D.B. College of Technology, Indore, from August 2010 to June 2011, where he continued sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with engineering students.

In July 2011, Dr. Saxena assumed the role of Principal and Director of New Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology (NIET) and New Tech Institute of Management & Technology (NIMT), Dewas. As a senior academic leader, he played an important role in shaping the academic environment of the institution. His leadership helped improve teaching standards, strengthen institutional management, and create opportunities for students to excel in technical and professional fields.

Dr. Saxena has also contributed significantly to the academic framework of higher education institutions in Madhya Pradesh. For nearly 20 years, he served as a Member of the Board of Studies in Science at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal. In this role, he helped design and revise academic curricula, ensuring that technical education remained relevant and aligned with modern educational standards.

In December 2004, he was appointed as the Coordinator of the Curriculum Revision and Detailing Workshop of Madhya Pradesh, sponsored by RGPV Bhopal and conducted at Shri Vaishnav Polytechnic, Indore. His contributions helped improve the structure and effectiveness of technical education programs across the state.

Dr. Saxena has also played important roles in examination systems. He has served as Superintendent and Senior Superintendent for examinations and valuation processes, appointed by RGPV and the Board of Technical Education, Bhopal. Additionally, he worked as a Paper Setter, contributing to the development of high-quality academic assessments.

His academic expertise has also been recognized in faculty selection processes. He served as a Subject Expert in the selection committee for lecturers at Women’s Polytechnic, Rajendra Nagar, Indore. Furthermore, he was selected as a Subject Expert for the MP PPT Examination in 1992 by Vyapam, Bhopal, highlighting his credibility and knowledge in the field of technical education.

Dr. Saxena has always believed that education should evolve with time. Throughout his career, he actively participated in national and state-level seminars, workshops, and training programs aimed at improving teaching methods and laboratory practices. He attended the National Seminar on Polytechnic Education held in Coimbatore in 1990, sponsored by the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE).

He also participated in Script Writing for Educational Television training at TTTI Madras in 1991, along with several workshops at TTTI Bhopal and Government Polytechnic Ujjain focusing on laboratory innovation, demonstration preparation, and academic improvement.

Dr. Saxena’s contributions to research include studies such as Technical Education Research under the Quality Improvement Program, Study Habits of Polytechnic Students, Chemistry of Smells, Reduction of NH₂OH and NH₂NH₂ in Acidic Media, and Correlation between PPT Scores and High School Scores of Students in Madhya Pradesh.

His dedication and excellence in teaching were recognized when he received the prestigious Best Polytechnic Teacher Award of Madhya Pradesh in 1991, sponsored by the Indian Society for Technical Education, New Delhi. He was also honored by the Cloth Market Technical Educational Society, Indore, for the same achievement.

Dr. Saxena is also a Life Member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), reflecting his long-standing involvement in professional academic organizations.

In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Saxena has made valuable contributions as an author. He has written several important books on chemistry and engineering education, including Polytechnic Chemistry, Viva Voice, Modern Textbook of Engineering Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Engineering Experimentation, Chemistry Practical Workbooks, and Applied Chemistry Volumes 1 and 2. His publications have helped thousands of students better understand scientific concepts and laboratory practices.

He also served as an NSS Officer under the Government of India for four years, organizing social service activities and encouraging students to participate in community development programs.

The life of Dr. Girish Chandra Saxena (Dr. G.C. Saxena) reflects the true spirit of dedication to education. Through his teaching, leadership, research, and publications, he has made a lasting contribution to technical education in India.

His journey continues to inspire students, educators, and institutions, reminding us that knowledge, perseverance, and service to society are the foundations of true success.