To meet the growing need for quality professionals in the country, companies in northern region are entering the education sector.

Companies like Ind-Swift Pharmaceutical, GNA group, and GS Radiators have already diversified into education and the latest to join the bandwagon is Chandigarh-based Surya Pharmaceutical Ltd.

The Rs 700-crore company has set up Surya Educational & Charitable Trust to impart highest standards of education in engineering, management studies, computer sciences, pharmacy and architecture from the academic session 2009-10. The group plans to set up five institutes and offer undergraduate courses in engineering & technology, pharmacy and architecture and postgraduate courses in management studies and computer sciences. The company will also set up Institute of Nursing and Institute of Hotel management in 2010-11.

Last year, as part of its diversification plan, Chandigarh-based Ind-Swift Pharmaceutical entered the education sector by setting up Swift School of Pharmacy at Rajpura in Punjab. It plans to start two new courses -- General Nursing & Mid Wifery and a post BSc from the academic session 2009-10 besides setting up a deemed healthcare university in Himachal Pradesh. The company has floated Swift Fundamental Research and Education Society (SFRES) for the purpose.

SFRES president and Ind Swift Ltd managing director G Munjal said, "To meet the growing need for quality professionals in the country, we have forayed into the education sector by floating SFRES. We plans to add dentistry, engineering, architecture, management and medical colleges." The pharmaceuticals group also plans to set up professional colleges in other states.

Earlier, Hoshiarpur-based GNA group, which manufactures automotive transmission components, set up ‘GNA institute of Management & Technology’ in 2004 to focus on 'education with technology.’