Shaheen Group expands to Mangalore in collaboration with Shepherds International Academy
Mangalore: The renowned Shaheen Group of Institutions, a leading name in the field of education, has made its entry into Mangalore by joining hands with Shepherds International Academy. The two institutions have collaborated to establish a new campus, Shepherds Shaheen, at Arkula along the Mangalore-Bangalore Highway. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Press Club in the city, attended by key representatives from both institutions.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Chairman and Founder of the Shaheen Group of Institutions, expressed his vision for providing quality education that focuses not just on academic excellence but also on character building. “Our aim is to create an environment where students can flourish, grow as individuals, and become better citizens first—before they go on to become doctors, engineers, and other professionals,” he said. He highlighted that Shaheen’s approach has always been about holistic development, ensuring that students receive not just bookish knowledge but also a strong foundation in values and ethics.
The collaboration with Shepherds International Academy marks a major milestone for Shaheen, as this is its first institution in Mangalore. With a sprawling 3.6-acre campus, Shepherds Shaheen promises to offer modern facilities in an eco-friendly setting, ensuring that students get access to world-class education in a serene and inspiring environment.
Mohammed Nissar, Chairman of Shepherds International Academy, welcomed the partnership and said that combining Shepherds’ decade-long commitment to progressive education with Shaheen’s proven excellence in competitive exam training will open new doors of opportunities for students in Mangalore and nearby regions. General Secretary Mohammed Rizwan, Treasurer Shajid AK, and trustees SM Farooq and Naushad AK were also present at the event and expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration.
Sheikh Shafiq, Regional Head of Shaheen Group for Bangalore and Mangalore, said that the institution is known for its exceptional track record in medical and engineering entrance exams. He assured that the new campus would maintain the same level of academic rigor and student support as Shaheen’s other centers across India.
Established in 1989 in Bidar, Karnataka, by Dr. Abdul Qadeer, the Shaheen Group of Institutions started with just 17 students and has now grown into one of India’s largest educational networks. Today, it operates over 105 branches across 13 states in India and even has an international presence in Saudi Arabia. More than 40,000 students study at Shaheen institutions, making it a significant force in the country’s education sector.
Shaheen has gained nationwide recognition for its exceptional results in medical and engineering entrance exams. Since 2008, over 5,000 students from Shaheen have secured MBBS seats in government medical colleges, and many more have entered top engineering and professional courses. Remarkably, Shaheen students consistently secure 1% of all government MBBS seats in India and 15% of those in Karnataka. Many of its students have gone on to study at prestigious institutions such as AIIMS Delhi, proving the effectiveness of its academic training programs.
In Karnataka, Shaheen has a particularly strong presence, especially in its home district of Bidar, where it operates multiple campuses, including separate facilities for boys and girls. The institution has earned praise for its innovative curriculum, excellent faculty, and focus on student well-being.
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4% quota for Muslim contractors: BJP to challenge K'taka's 'unconstitutional move' in court
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Mar 17 (PTI): The BJP on Monday termed the Karnataka government’s proposal to provide four per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts an "unconstitutional misadventure" and said it will oppose the move at all levels, including challenging it in court, until it is rolled back.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP hit out at each other over the issue in the Assembly.
Earlier on Friday, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, reserving four per cent of contracts for Muslims in civil works valued up to Rs two crore and goods/services contracts up to Rs one crore.
"The BJP firmly opposes the proposed unconstitutional move and demands that the Siddaramaiah government immediately roll it back," BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who represents the Bangalore South Lok Sabha seat, told a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
He alleged that the Siddaramaiah-led government’s decision was a "calculated move" to appease Muslims, "at the direction and patronage of the Congress top leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi."
"This patently unconstitutional and prima facie illegal act will be challenged in court. The BJP will fight against the move both inside the Assembly and on the streets. We will also raise the issue in Parliament and protest outside it," Surya said.
The BJP MP said that the Karnataka government’s move is a threat to national integrity, unity, and sovereignty.
"We will fight and oppose this in the courtroom. We will take the fight to the people of Karnataka. Until this unconstitutional move is rolled back, the BJP’s fight will continue," he added.
Meanwhile, in the Karnataka Assembly, the ruling Congress and the BJP once again sparred on Monday over the budgetary provision of four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts.
The Congress rejected the BJP’s allegation that religion-based reservation is "against constitutional provisions."
Defending the reservation, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists are citizens of this country.
"We have concerns for minorities and backward communities. When the BJP says it wants to take everyone along, let it appoint Christian and Muslim ministers. Only then does BJP state president B Y Vijayendra have the right to speak about equality. Let him read the state anthem written by Kuvempu—then he will understand what makes Karnataka a peaceful garden," Shivakumar told reporters.
Hitting back at Shivakumar, Vijayendra said that it was the BJP government, not the Congress, that had appointed Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as the President of India.
"We appointed Najma Heptulla, Justice Abdul Nazeer, and Arif Mohammed Khan as governors. Musician Ustad Bismillah Khan was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna by the BJP government," Vijayendra told reporters.
According to him, Congress's appeasement politics is not new.
He questioned the Congress party’s concern for Dalits, asking where it was when its MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy’s house was "torched by Muslim hooligans".
The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, claimed that several Supreme Court judgments have stated that there is no provision in the Constitution for religion-based reservations.
"Yet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wore a ‘topi’ (skull cap), organised Tipu Jayanti, and introduced Shaadi Bhagya (launched in 2013, it provides financial assistance to economically backward minority women). He gave grants to Muslims beyond what they had asked for. Now, by offering four per cent reservation in contracts to Muslims, the Congress government has made an assault on Hindus," he alleged.
Ashoka argued that there had never been a religion-based contract system in Karnataka, but the government had introduced one, which could lead to conflicts between communities.
In the Karnataka Legislative Council, Leader of the Opposition, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy raised the issue.
He said that religion-based reservation is "not allowed under the Constitution."
"You have granted four per cent reservation to Muslims in contracts. We oppose religion-based reservations. I urge the government through you not to implement it," he stated.
Countering him, Congress MLA B K Hariprasad asserted that the reservation aligns with constitutional provisions.
