School of Real Estate and Facilities Management

The MBA Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure Management students were involved in developing a real estate project proposal for live sites in Pune as a part of their curriculum in semester II. A site was facilitated by Balaji Group, a renowned real estate developer in Pune and we are thankful to Mr Akash Chitodkar, Management Director, Balaji Group for this collaboration. The students conducted market assessments, designed product mixes, developed a business plan, and performed feasibility studies as part of their proposal. The proposals were presented to industry expert panel of Real Estate Business Development Mr Rajnish Kumar and Mr Amitkumar Jadhav as well as expert from Balaji group Mr Karan Sharma. They interacted with the students and gave valuable inputs on their work and appraised them with industry practices. Such industry collaboration goes a long way in shaping students' career to become industry ready Real Estate professionals.

The School of Real Estate & Facilities Management at NICMAR University, Pune, on the onset of its upcoming one-year PGD Course in Asset & Facilities Management, successfully hosted the ‘Industry–Academia Symposium on Asset & Facilities Management Insights’. This symposium brought together Leading Industry Professionals with vast experience from diverse sectors in the AFM industry for an engaging exchange on the evolving landscape in this segment.
Key discussions focused on Brainstorming the Curriculum - highlighting the essential contents, latest technology trends in enhancing asset performance. Industry leaders emphasized the critical role of internships in preparing students to become industry-ready professionals, ensuring hands-on exposure and practical learning. Sustainability and ESG integration emerged as central priorities, with experts emphasizing the importance of environmentally responsible and socially aligned operational strategies.
A significant theme across the event was the evolving skill requirements for professionals, stressing the need for a blend of technical expertise, managerial capability, and digital proficiency. The symposium further underscored the importance of strong industry–academia collaboration to align educational programs with market needs. The experts expressed optimism about the rising opportunities in the AFM domain and appreciated NICMAR University’s commitment to nurturing talent and shaping future-ready professionals in the industry.

The first-year MBA students in Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure Management from the School of Real Estate and Facilities Management undertook an academic site visit to two landmark real estate developments in Pune: Magarpatta City and One Residences by Mantra Properties. The visit was organised as part of the practice-oriented learning component of the programme. At Magarpatta City, students were introduced to an integrated township model where land pooling, phasing, and long-term asset management have been strategically planned. The session focused on how project phasing is aligned with market absorption and cash flows, enabling the financially viable implementation of projects over multiple stages. Students observed how site planning influences circulation patterns, open spaces, amenity distribution, and overall liveability. The discussion also touched upon governance and maintenance arrangements within a large township framework.
The second part of the visit, at One Residences by Mantra Properties, introduced students to a contemporary residential project featuring a diverse product mix and distinct market positioning. Here, attention was drawn to unit layouts, configuration choices, and amenity planning, as well as how these elements respond to specific target segments and current market trends. Students were encouraged to critically relate these design and product decisions to concepts discussed in class, such as positioning, absorption, and value creation.
The session at Magarpatta City was moderated by Mr. Vikas Shitole, Vice President (Construction), Magarpatta Township Development and Construction Co. Ltd., Pune. The interaction at One Residences was led by Mr. Amitkumar Jadhav, General Manager of Land Acquisition at Mantra Properties. Their inputs gave students a practitioner’s perspective on regulatory processes, risk management, and execution challenges, thereby reinforcing classroom learning with field-based examples.