UPACA Gurukul Is The One Stop Solution To Chartered Accountancy Courses Across The Globe

With a long career span and recognition in the Chartered Accounts field Uttam Prakash Agarwal, Founder, UPACA Gurukul discusses the idea behind establishing the world’s premier college/institution dedicated to Chartered Accounts. In an interview with Bhaktvatsal Sharma, Correspondent, BW Businessworld, he delves further into the topic along with discussing his will to influence and change the education system in India. His daughter and a young CA herself Riya Uttam Prakash Agarwal, CEO, UPACA Gurukul also shared her thoughts on driving their future initiatives.

How would you describe your journey in establishing the only college and campus in the world for Chartered Accounts?

Uttam Prakash Agarwal: In India CA as a profession is governed by ICAI which was set up in 1949 way before the existence of our constitution. This profession holds high regard due to the vision of our forefathers. Till the year 2000, CA was a distant learning course and today’s generation is inclined towards being spoon fed with regards to education. The whole idea of coaching classes is so deeply embedded in a parent’s mind that they select the tuition first and then the school/college. I have already established a name for myself in the field of CA but didn’t want to stop there. After consulting with my mother I came to the conclusion that I would build an institution dedicated to Chartered Accountancy originating from my birthplace Mount Abu. The education system has attracted more business than distributed knowledge and I did not have the same idea. Moreover, the pace of growth in CA students in India must be in the loop with infrastructures dedicating its services to train these students. UPACA Gurukul is the first of its kind institute spread over a 14-acre campus designed to serve as an integrated solution provider i.e. students aspiring to become financial professionals can avail of the best possible facilities on the same campus itself. Our students come from all family backgrounds including underprivileged children and learners from different parts of the world. Established in the year 2013 our motto and tagline followed since is ‘Discover True Learning’ backed by our promoting firm Uttam Prakash Agarwal Shiksha Pariwar. Our first batch is yet to graduate in 2020 and I believe that we have got the top most companies in the corporate industry waiting to hire them. Although my personal goal is to see them as entrepreneurs than work for others.

How would you describe a C.A. student’s struggle in coping up with the education system?

Uttam Prakash Agarwal: I have been deeply involved in this profession for a long time and have also been the ICAI President for some of that period. My experience has also led to the creation of more than 350 CAs within my firm. The biggest hub in the country for CA is Mumbai attracting students from all around. They first look for a hostel to get accommodated in, coaching classes, a firm for articleship training and then a college. 50% of the students don’t even attend college only getting themselves registered. A student is deprived of hygiene in these hostels, unbalanced sleep cycle which affects their graduation and articleship as well. After understanding this scenario entirely, I saw that there is uncalled pressure on young aspiring CAs. In order, to bridge this gap I designed and created UPACA Gurukul myself carefully solving the pain points of this industry and providing an environment where they learn and get undivided attention from their mentors.

What are the internationally acclaimed facilities provided to the students at UPACA Gurukul?

Uttam Prakash Agarwal: A student when pursues his/her education requires a stress-free environment and a place where he doesn’t miss his/her home. This infrastructure is an intangible asset with facilities concentrating mainly on the student’s health. We have fully air-conditioned rooms with separate bathrooms, study tables and beds for the accommodation of 3 in each. We have an indoor stadium, ground, health club (steam, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities), gym, beauty parlour, organic farming and classes with enough number of students that a single mentor can provide attention to. The college staff stays within the campus itself and to avoid any outdoor distractions they have not given admissions to local students. I believe that while we provide education to a child, we are as responsible for him/her and their families. I do not wish to make education as a business because it is my mother’s dream. My daughter and also the CEO of the institute Riya Agarwal plays a very important role in bridging the generation gap with the students. The Gurukul theme is deeply embedded in this campus such that with education and sports we also encourage religious practice as well. My father who is also the chairman personally supervises the needs of the learners including their activities and nutrition. The institute also bears a cowshed that meets dairy requirements of the campus. We guarantee low accidental risks, pollution free environment and time dedication to the course avoiding commuting stress as well.

Since UPACA Gurukul is situated on a hill station away from the metro cities, how does the location play an advantage being away from the prime areas?

Uttam Prakash Agarwal: UPACA Gurukul has connectivity with 150 trains from all over India and the nearest metro cities are Udaipur & Ahmedabad. The hill station on the borderline of Gujarat and Rajasthan attracts more than 35 per cent students from the 2 states. If you can provide world-class facilities with regards to education, you will receive enrolments irrespective of location advantage. Today students from each and every state of our country have taken admissions at UPACA. We are also receiving enquiries from countries like Indonesia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai and Nepal. In 2 years we envision a far wider reach of aspiring CAs from overseas.

According to you what are the qualities that make a successful Chartered Accountant in today’s world?

Uttam Prakash Agarwal: Today there are specializations in the medical and engineering industry but not in our profession. I am here to create industry-specific chartered accountants which is a first of its kind initiative worldwide. We have the system of articleship training during the course of CA and is the backbone of this profession. Whatever you learn for 3 years makes up for the rest 30 years of your life and hence, I believe that a CA must be well versed with the latest technologies like blockchain. They should not be limited to the ideal job but expertize in some areas like insurance, mutual fund, investment banking, capital markets, cyber law and international taxes & valuations. We are creating industry-specific CAs by guiding them through mentors in those respective fields.

Where do you see UPACA Gurukul in the next 5 years? Do you have any expansion plans in the pipeline?

Riya Agarwal: It’s been an overwhelming journey and the reason I chose to be a part of this institution is because I’d always like to give back to my father for training me into an established CA. UPACA Gurukul will take our legacy ahead and is a social obligation for our family. Our process is gaining acceptance and trust and our first batch will be graduating soon has given us a lot to look forward to. The idea is to not market this institution to convert it into a business but we want people to personally meet the students and realize the importance of our vision. We’ve tied up with financial courses including NSCI and make UPACA into a financial education hub. Right now we are very content with our curriculum. CA as a whole is a combination of a lot of other commerce degrees. I feel we’re happy with the courses provided here.

Bhaktvatsal Sharma

BW Reporters The author is a journalist with BW Businessworld