History of SIGA

In 1947, in the small town of Tirupattur in Vellore District, the Salesians of Don Bosco started a workshop with carpentry, mechanics, welding & metal works and a small printing press. In 1950 all these machines, except the printing press, were shifted to Basin Bridge in Chennai, to start a new Technical School with the name St. Joseph’s Technical Institute. Two Years later, in 1952, the printing press too was brought to Basin Bridge to start a School of Printing. At this stage it must also be mentioned that this was only one among a chain of academic and technical ventures that our pioneers like Msgr. Matthias, Archbishop of Madras, and Fr. Jose Carreno, Provincial of the Salesians in South India, had envisioned, half a century ago, as the Salesian answer to the problems of poverty and unemployment among the Youth of the country.

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The New Printing School in Basin Bridge started in a humble little shed with just two students; the strength gradually increased to 20 by the end of the year. In those days, printing was no considered an attractive career. Students were not willing to join; they had to be coaxed and, at times,

counselled elaborately to take printing. In 1954, the newly acquired machines were installed and a regular course in Printing Technology was designed, with systematic syllabus in theory and practical.

A decade later, in the year 1965, students passing out of SIGA were in high demand. Leading newspaper publishers on India like, The Hindu, The Indian Express, the Madras Mail and other Printers and Press owners started recruiting SIGA boys, as more and more students started seeking admission, there was greater pressure on the management to provide better facilities.

By the late sixties, lack of space and the inconveniences experienced by the students, the entire Printing Department was shifted from Basin Bridge to its present location on Taylors Road in October 1968,

In 1970, SIGA entered the offset age. A brand new offset machine was brought from Italy to teach students the art of offset printing. As on date 3000+ students have been trained and placed in various printing organizations in India and abroad, in particular UAE, Canada, USA, African counties and Australia.

Chronological History of SIGA


1947

Establishment of technical education institution by name Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts at Tirupattur

1952

Shifted to Basin Bridge, Chennai. Commencement of Non formal Printing Trade.

1968

Shifted to Taylors Road, Chennai

1971

Registration License to work as Factories (Licence NO.8996 Regn. No.223, License granted to Provincial, South Indian Salesian Society”, Factory Unit: Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts – Printing Training School, 12, Taylors Road, Kilpauk dt.12/02/1971)

1973

Affiliation of State Board of Technical education is sort and obtained for conducting Govt., Approved Diploma in Printing Technology course at SIGA. Continuation of SIGA non-formal Diploma in Printing Technology.

1973

Taken over by “SIGA Society” for better administration

1977

SIGA registered as a small-scale industrial unit (Prop. Concern Reg. No.18/07/40334/PMT/SSI dt. 4/2/1977 for manufacturing / processing activities-Printing, Photography)

2003

Handed over to The South India Salesian Society in the context of AICTE approval for Institute and Government course

2003 - 2004

Approval of AICTE for SIGA

2005

The change of name of SIGA to SIGA Polytechnic College was sort and obtained from AICTE

2009 - 2010

SIGA Polytechnic College has been included as Phase – XI Replication Process Polytechnic to implement Canada-India Institutional Cooperation Project (CIICP) Initiatives by Directorate of Technical Education

2011

Work Scholarship and Merit Scholarship for the Students

2013 - 2014

SIGA acquired ISO certification (ISO 9001:2008) as a definite milestone towards Accreditation.

2014 - 2015

SIGA got approval from AICTE to increase Intake of total 60 students.

2015 - 2016

SIGA Press revamped with 2 four colour and 1 Eight colour Heidelberg Sheet fed Offset Machines

2017 - 2018

Online Learning Management System (Student Online Evaluation System), Establishment of 3D Printing, 99.50 Studio

2018 - 2019

Commencement of NBA Accreditation Initiated, Start of One-Year Open Learning Programme (Non-formal).