About Us

Name and address:
SIGA (Salesian Institution of Graphic Arts),
49, Taylors Road,
Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010

Name of the Rector:
Fr. Balasamy SDB

Contact Phone No:


Mobile No:
9444076324

Email Id:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Name of the Contact Person:
Fr. P.T.Joseph sdb

Contact Phone No:


Mobile No:
9444076408

Email Id:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Brief History of the Technical Institution:
The Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts (SIGA) is an Institute of Printing Technology established and run by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a world-wide Catholic Religious Society, engaged in education and formation of young people, especially those who are poor and marginalized. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1455 (and the consequent spread of knowledge) was undoubtedly one of the major factors that led to the age of enlightenment in Europe. Hence it is not surprising that Christian missionaries from Europe were quick to introduce printing in India. In fact, the first printing presses in India were all started by missionaries – the very first one being of Goa, as early as 1556.

However, institutes of printing Technology for a systematic training of students in the art of printing are of more recent origin in India. In fact, when SIGA was started in 1952, there were very few such institutions in the country. Like many other great institutions, SIGA too started in a very humble way – in a modest shed, with just 20 students and a couple of old machines, at Basin Bridge in north Chennai in 1952. Sixteen years later it was shifted to its present campus on Taylor’s Road. In 1973 SIGA received Government recognition and was affiliated to the State of Board of Technical Education. Today it is fully equipped Printing Institute with state – of – the art technology to meet all the requirements of modern printing industry.

Objective of the Institute:
SIGA (SIGA Polytechnic College) was established to provide the young people, especially those from the poorer sections of society, a professional and job oriented training in Printing technology. While striving to meet the demands for qualified technicians in the printing industry, we try to form the students into citizens who will be conscious of their obligations to the nation and the society and at the same time sensitive to the aspirations and anxieties of their fellow citizens.

The Institute’s motto “Virtue, Knowledge and Art” succinctly summarises its Objective. Virtue stands for moral excellence and integrity of character; Knowledge stands for learning, Understanding and competence; and Art stands for creativity, imagination and an aesthetic sense that adds beauty and elegance to one’s work. We believe that these three elements are indispensable for success in one’s profession and happiness in life. It is our hope that the young people entering this campus will equip themselves not only with the nitty-gritty of printing but also with a good dose of virtues, knowledge and art and become leaders in their profession and beacons of light in the world of work.

Milestone Achievement:

• In 1952 Started Non-Formal Diploma in Printing Technology Course (SDC-SIGA Diploma course) With the intake of 20.
• In 1972 affiliated to state Board of Technical Education for the Formal Diploma Course in Technology (GDC – Govt. Diploma Course with intake of 20.
• In 1983 GDC intake is to increase to 40
• In 2002 SDC intake is increased to 80, GDC approved by AICTE.
• In 2007 AICTE approval is renewed for five years (2007 – 2012).
• During 2007 – 20008 SIGA started off – campus at Bagalur, Krishnagiri District.
• • Tamilnadu Government Organisation TAMCO has started Skill Development course on Computer Course in Hardware and Networking in the year 2007 – 2008.

Project Implementation:
1997 – 1998 - Belgium Project - COMIDE for Rs. 1.80 Crores

Fund Management:

• Project for major expenses
• Scholarship from foundation / Province
• Financial aid from benefactors
• Local fund from students fees and print production

Future plan of the Institution:

• To make the institute self–reliant with bank loan, students fee scheme “Learn, Earn and Pay” and local fund Raising towards corpus fund.
• To introduce new courses related with Graphics and Arts and Media Industry
• To activate ‘multiple entry – multiple exit’ for the non formal courses to meet the demands of job market and that of students

Rector or Director’s message regarding the institution:
The mission is entrusted to the community to train the poor youth in Virtue, Knowledge and Art. The institution has experienced a great growth during the last 56 years due to the hard work of the Salesians and generous help received from friends and benefactors mainly from Italy. We are able to reach out many poor youth helping them to learn the trade and to earn their daily bread and to build up a good society. The province trains Salesians in this field to continue the mission. At Bagalur a offshoot of SIGA, is started in the year 2007 to train more poor and needy students. We try to give multiple skills in the field of Printing. Salesians working as a team is a great assert to carry on the good work.