S.N.D.T Women’s University

S.N.D.T. Women’s University which has entered into glorious centennial year was established by Bharatratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve in Pune in 1916, as ‘Indian Women’s University’. Later the University was renamed as S.N.D.T. Women’s University in the memory of the mother of eminent philanthropist Sir Vitthaldas Thackersey who had donated a sumptuous amount and the head office of University was shifted to Churchgate, Mumbai. The University received statutory recognition in 1950.

Guided by its philosophy and distinctive purpose the University developed across school education to Ph. D. degree for the noble cause of empowerment of women through education. Having the privilege of all India jurisdictions it has extended its work through four campuses namely Pune, Churchgate, Juhu and Shrivardhan and affiliation spread over seven states in the country catering to 50,000 students through Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati along with English medium. The University offers 250 programs of study through its 39 post graduate departments, 13 constituent institutions and 174 affiliated colleges. Along with traditional disciplines such as Analytical Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Management, Education, Pharmacy, Arts, Fine Arts and Social Sciences for making available for new avenues of employment suitable programs have been developed such as Finance and Insurance, Retail Management, Nutrition and Health, Communication, Instructional Design, Sports Science, Fitness and Nutrition. In 2012-13, internship was made an integral part across all disciplines of the University to develop professional skills in students. Creating gender awareness and empowering women to meet contemporary challenges is central to the curriculum design of the University and is reflected in the class-room teaching practices of each course. The University has a well-defined system for curriculum design and development comprising of 12 Boards of Studies, 55 Ad Hoc Boards of Studies, 5 Faculties, and an Academic Council to design and review the curriculam.

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve

The Vision of Bharat Ratna Dr. D.K. Karve to build a citadel of learning for women is encapsulated in the motto of the University – ‘ Sanskrita Stree Parashakti ‘ (An enlightened women is a source of Infinite strength). For over nine decades, the University has been striving for and growing to newer heights of performance and outreach..

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve (Devanāgari: महर्षी डॉ. धोंडो केशव कर्वे) (April 18, 1858 – November 9, 1962) was a preeminent social reformer of his time in India in the field of welfare of womankind. Maharshi Karve was one of the pioneers in India in breaking with extraordinary fortitude and perseverance the above harsh social mores against womankind. He promoted education of women and freedom for widows to remarry if they wished to do so. After reading information about Japan Women’s University in Tokyo, Japan, he felt inspired to establish in 1916 the first university for women in India, with just five students. The curriculum was tailored to the aptitudes of women. The Government of India recognized his reform work by awarding him its highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1958.

Motto

” संस्कृता स्त्री पराशक्ति:”

“An Enlightened Woman is a Source of Infinite Strength”

Vision

Today we visualize the S.N.D.T. Women’s University as a world class university that continually responds to the changing social realities through the development and application of knowledge. The purpose of such engagement will be to create an inclusive society that promotes and protects the dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all, with special emphasis on empowerment of women.

Mission

SNDT Women’s University is committed to the cause of women’s empowerment through access to education, particularly higher education, through relevant courses in the formal and non-formal streams. Further the university is committed to provide a wide range of professional and vocational courses for women to meet the changing socio-economic needs, with human values and purposeful social responsibility and to achieve excellence with “Quality in every Activity”.

Milestones of the S.N.D.T Women’s University

  • 1916 – Established as Indian Women’s University, at Pune by Maharshi Karve.
  • 1936 – Renamed as S.N.D.T Women’s University, Shifted to Mumbai.
  • 1950 – Statutory Recognition Obtained.
  • 1969 – First Ph.D. degree was awarded.
  • 2000 – NAAC awarded five stars.
  • 2016 – NAAC Accredited ‘A’ Grade

Further information can be accessed on
www.sndt.digitaluniversity.ac and www.sndt.ac.in