With nearly a quarter of India’s population in the age group attending school and college, the demographic dividend hinges on the quality of their education. Innovative approaches are essential from primary to higher education levels to enhance global relevance and competitiveness.
Tamil Nadu, despite its robust educational infrastructure, faces an escalating demand for quality institutions. This demand arises from the aspiration for globally competitive education that prepares students for modern challenges and opportunities.
SDNB Vaishnav College for Women stands out prominently in Tamil Nadu’s educational landscape. Recognized as one of Tamil Nadu’s Leading 25 Educational Institutions of 2024, it exemplifies excellence in fostering holistic development and academic prowess among its students.
From the Scratch
Founded on the philanthropic vision of Shri Nanalal Bhatt, who donated 10 acres of land in 1968 through Cork Industries Charities Trust, Shrimathi Devkunvar Nanalal Bhatt Vaishnav College has evolved significantly. It stands as the first women’s college in the Kancheepuram rural area, dedicated to empowering women through education. Named after the late founder chairman’s wife, Smt. Devkunvar, the college is now led by dynamic Chairman Smt. Mamta D. Bhatt. Under the meticulous planning of College Secretary Shri. C. M. Tolia and with the academic oversight of Secretary-Academics Shri. Nimish C. Tolia, the institution has pioneered women’s education over five decades.
SNDB Vaishnav College offers ten UG Programs in the Aided stream and twenty-one UG, fifteen PG, and five M. Phil programs in the self-supporting stream. In order to stay in complete sync with the changing times, the college currently has started B. Com (Professional Accounting), B. Sc Computer Science with TCS collaboration,
- Sc Cognitive Systems & Data Science, B. Voc Travel and Tourism, M. Sc Biostatistics , M. Sc Home Science-Food Science Nutrition and Dietetics and Master of Social Work. Also, recently in the year 2022 the college has introduced the BSc in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence in Industry collaboration with ‘Face Prep’.
Commitment to Faculty Excellence and Professional Development
SDNB Vaishnav College For Women boasts a formidable faculty of 343 full-time teachers, including 168 Ph.D. holders and 92 NET/SET qualifiers. The faculty is actively engaged in continuous professional development (CPD) through attending and organizing seminars, invited talks, guest lectures, faculty development programs (FDPs), and training sessions both on-campus and online.
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, the college organized a 55-day FDP series called ‘PRAGYA’ during the academic year 2023-24. Additionally, a notable management-sponsored training program is the one-week FDP conducted by the Teaching Learning Centre of IIT Madras, designed to train approximately 50 faculty members annually in the latest global teaching and learning practices.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities
Boasting of a technology enhanced campus; the college has a total of 87 ICT classes furnished with open LED/LCD projectors and screens and laboratories with up to date hardware and software installations. The well equipped library has many text books, reference books and other digital resources along with a photocopy facility.
The campus possesses a preview theater and galleried multi-screen seminar halls with the intentions of stimulating creativity, encouraging dialogues and promoting teamwork among people. The A/C auditorium with the ramps as well as the assigned seat for the disabled also show the concern of the University for students with disabilities. Furthermore, the indoor stadium and cricket and football grounds offer more chances to the students to learn culture of sports and patience as well as making them enabled to be community health promoters. Health facilities such as The Apollo Clinic and the student counseling services keep the students in good health.
Redefining Research Excellence and Entrepreneurial Support
Since 2012, SDNB College has been recognized as a research institute with eight departments offering full-time and part-time Ph.D. programs, and two additional departments offering part-time Ph.D. programs. The college features state-of-the-art research facilities, including high-end systems with internet access for all research scholars, well-maintained laboratories, and sophisticated instrumentation labs. The research cell manages funded projects from various agencies such as UGC, DBT, DST, DRDO, CSIR, AICTE, ICSSR, TNSCST, and the college management. Over 40 funded research projects with societal impact have been conducted, and more than 100 quality research papers have been published in national and international journals indexed in the UGC care list, Web of Science, and Scopus. Also, the college houses a SDNB Centre for Skill Development (SDNB – CSD), which is a dedicated hub that offers 100+ skill programs and a multitude of possibilities to explore, learn, develop and covering everything from business and entrepreneurship to creative arts, technology, leadership, and more
In 2021, the college launched “Sparkles – a Research Explorer,” a biannual publication with an ISBN to encourage students at all levels to write research papers with faculty guidance. SDNB College also publishes two multidisciplinary half-yearly journals: the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Arts, Science, and Commerce (IJMRASC) and Svādhyāya – International Journal of Transdisciplinary Research and Development (SIJTRD) with ISSN. Additionally, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Development (VCIIED) supports entrepreneurs by investing in start-up ideas and promoting innovation and integrity.
A Haven for Community Outreach and CSR Activities
SDNB Vaishnav College For Women embodies Helen Keller’s words, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” through its community outreach programs and CSR activities in collaboration with NGOs, and government and private organizations. The college instills a spirit of “giving back to society” among its students. Among numerous community outreach programs, recent highlights include MSW students performing a street play in 2019 at Theevuthidal Exhibition, organized by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Aegam NGO, to raise awareness about environmental sustainability. Additionally, on November 30, 2019, MSW students participated in an awareness campaign for World AIDS Day, organized by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation and the Lions Club of Golden Friends.
In the Days to Come
The future prospects of SDNB Vaishnav College For Women appear to be rather promising as the institution will further develop with a clear vision of giving women education as a tool for change. It is committed to replenishing the excitement and pluralism of knowledge by embracing the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) answering research questions across disciplines for social utility. As SDNB Vaishnav College For Women progresses into the future, the academic way is embraced with the goals and objectives which consist of the provision of a balanced and all inclusive education with emphasis on sustainability, and bringing a positive change.
