Women to Watch: Madhura Mahajan of PVG’s College of Engineering and Technology and Girls Who Print

Madhura Mahajan, head of the department of printing and packaging technology at PVG’s College of Engineering and Technology, and an advisory board member at Girls Who Print, has been working in the print industry for over 25 years.

Mahajan mentions how essential industry-academia collaboration and partnership are: “I started my career in academia, but academia alone was not viable to make students understand how technology needs to be addressed.” This sparked her interest, and thus began her interaction in the industry.

Mahajan adds, “I remember when I joined college. Within a month, I began attending conferences, seminars, and visits to industries.”

What aspects attracted Mahajan to the industry? “Printing, print subjects, press, areas of offset, flexo, digital printing and colour management have attracted me. Colour attracted me since the subject involves science,” she says. 

Being open to technological advancements helped Mahajan’s career advancement. She says, “Over the years, I have adapted to advancing technology. My formal education in the 1990s in printing emphasised newspapers and annual reports,  which were trending back then.” She adds, “Today, packaging is prominent in the industry.” 

She continues, “Adapting to changes has enabled me to introduce innovations and technology to students. If we do not adapt, then students will not know what’s happening in the industry.” 

She shares her experience in academia and changes that are taking place in academic institutions, “In the last three decades, we have updated our curriculum multiple times — we started with printing, our programme was called printing engineering and graphic communication, then printing technology, and finally in 2025, our programme is named printing and packaging in technology.”

She mentions that recent changes in the university will allow students to enrol for customised and industry-oriented courses: “The focus will be on the needs of the industry, which will prepare students for the industry and industrial internships.”

Mahajan emphasises the role of women in the industry: “A lot of women have shown interest in the last decade to be part of the printing and packaging industry. I have noticed this in various conferences and seminars.” She mentions the Poona Press Owners Association in Pune, where she meets women entrepreneurs, women with startups, and women in the workforce. She adds, “Women not only want to be a part of the industry, but also contribute and make a difference.”

Mahajan discusses the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry — she notes, “Women who are new to the industry, women who are not aware of certain technologies, women who would like support and guidance — a platform could help extend support and guidance through technical and mentoring sessions, and networking events.”

Mahajan says, “Girls Who Print India aims to create a platform for women in the print and packaging industry.” She adds, “By offering mentorship and networking opportunities through technical and motivating talks, campaigns like Print HERstory Month, Girls Who Print India supports women to build confidence, share their stories, and grow into leadership positions.”

Girls Who Print (GWP), a global network for women in print, was founded in 2009; the network consists of around 11,500 members, including students, educators, professionals, and allies. 

GWP organises initiatives such as Print HERstory Month, Fierce Fabulous Fridays, podcasts, feature stories, campaigns, and panel events — the initiative highlights women leaders in print and gives them visibility, voice, and authority in a traditionally male-led and male-dominated industry. 

Mahajan notes that these stories matter — they inspire women and bring together a strong community of professionals and students. GWP also welcomes male allies who support a more inclusive and balanced future for the industry. 

She advises young professionals to utilise and hone tech skills in the field of artificial intelligence (AI): “Working with AI would help the new generation since print and packaging is a data-oriented field. A lot of work in production and AI includes the application of data effectively to minimise waste, utilise resources and manpower. Knowledge in AI will help youth to stay updated with current trends.”

She shares insights on inculcating basic packaging and sustainable habits among Gen Z: “Gen Z are asking questions, ‘Is this particular product sustainable and recyclable?’, and they are thinking about options to implement in packaging and printing material that are sustainable.”

Mahajan adds that at PVG’s College of Engineering and Technology, students are preparing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) manual. “This manual will consist of guidelines for individuals in the industry. It will help industry players differentiate between materials, the material selection process, the lifecycle of materials and the effect of materials on the environment.”

She concludes, “The next generation should consider the factor of EPR while producing materials and should own the responsibility of understanding how materials are going to affect the environment.”