“Sanskrita Stree Parashakti” i.e. “An enlightened woman is a source of infinite strength”- that is the motto that Srimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University works by. This is one of the oldest and finest universities in India for women. It was started in 1896 by Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve for the education of women and since then has played an active role in women's emancipation through good quality higher education.

SNDT Women's University has 4 campuses, 2 of which are in Mumbai at Juhu and New Marine Lines, one is at Pune and one at Palghar. These campuses together house 11 undergraduate colleges and 38 post graduate departments. In addition, there are several affiliated colleges and 3 secondary schools. The University has all India jurisdiction and thus has power to affiliate any university in India without objection from the local universities. Several colleges in Gujarat, Assam and elsewhere around India are also affiliated to the University.

The faculties include Arts, Social Science, Fine Arts, Commerce, Education, Library and Information Science, Management Studies, Home Science, Nursing, Science, Technology. The Department of Continuing and Adult Education and Extension Work, the Centre for Distance Education, the Canadian Studies Centre and the Research Centre for Women's Studies are important departments. There are several courses that one can do from this university and its affiliated colleges. Some important under graduate and post graduate degree courses are Bachelor and Masters in Arts, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Music, Library and Information Sciences, Education, Special Education, (as well as Masters in Physical Education), Home Science, Science, Computer Applications, Biotechnology, IT, Computer Science, Technology, Electronics and Telecommunication, Pharmacy, Law, Management Studies, (as well as Masters in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, Education Management, Computers and Information Management and Business). There are several interesting PG Diploma courses in Applied Linguistics, Hindi translation, Language teaching, Cosmeticology, Food Technology, Computer Aided Textile Designing, Drug Information, Environmental Science, Oncological Nursing and Rehabilitation, Financial Management, Marketing Manangement, Human Resource Management as well as Certificate courses in Hospital Administration, Retail Management, Film and Literature, Indian Epics and Culture, Guidance and Counselling, School Guidance, History of Ideas and several others.

A curriculum that is updated to keep up with the latest trends, several useful courses, focus on application rather than merely theory, a good distance education department, good faculty, health centre, compulsory free medical check up for all students, counselling facilities, good infrastructure, shared facilities and pooled resources among the various colleges and strong university-community-industry linkage are some of the assets of this University. For women, it is definitely a wonderful option because several courses have been designed specifically for women. There are other courses however for which males are welcome.

The 5 star rating awarded by The National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) to the University serves as a testimonial to its excellence. The University is well known and well equipped to provide meaningful educational facilities. So rather than merely stick to local universities, it may be worthwhile to study the courses and facilities available in SNDT Women's University as well.

-Jagruti Wandrekar

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