(PRINCIPAL, Sanskar Sarjan Education Society’s, D. T. S. S. College of Commerce) It is said that the home is our first school. Education commences at home and culminates in the University. A gradual process, but surely and steadily an ascending one - that's how the process of education should be rightly defined. The home, the nursery, the school, the college and finally the University, all play a specific role in our life. If the home and the nursery refer to informal education; the school, the college and the University stand for formal education. Few are lucky enough to study in the University, having realised the importance of higher education. The others, poor souls, don't even know what they have missed in life.University education is, beyond doubt, an education par excellence and more so with Mumbai University. “Amche Vidhyapeeth”, Our University: Mumbai University! The University, truly the University of dreams, hope, joy and a great career! It is an experience that has to be lived. My memories in Mumbai University as a lecturer, Principal, Member of Academic Council, Senate and as a student of law makes me both happy and proud; very proud that I am part of such a rich heritage!

The Mount Stuart Elphinstone's Minutes' of 1824; Macullay's Minutes of 1835 and the woods Dispatch of 1854 provided the base to establish the Universities of Calcutta, Madras and Mumbai in 1857. The birth of the University of Mumbai on 18th July 1857 was setting a new benchmark for world-class achievers. A premier University, a hot spot of higher education which decided to implement a new policy making a paradigm shift from the rote method to interactive teaching; from the conventional method of teaching learning to the most modern system of self-education. The University provides a realistic roadmap for a successful career and international competitions. Therefore, the University ranks among the topmost Universities in India and is recognized by the University Grants Commission as a “University with potential for Excellence”. The establishment of the University of Mumbai was indeed the first major step towards introduction of modern education. His Excellency, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, gave the message on the occasion of the sesquicentennial celebrations of the University of Mumbai, that “ Universities should have the mission of developing and enhancing the potential of our human resource base so that our nation progressively transforms into a knowledge society. I am sure that the University of Mumbai, as one of the first Universities to be founded in the country, will lead the mission of capacity building for enhancing teaching standards by using the latest technologies to meet the challenges of the Knowledge Era - an era that was born out of convergence of technologies.”

What brings the students here? What keeps them here?- I wonder. Theatre Art, Music, Information Technology; Talent Shows; Collaboration with Industries; Campus Culture; Sports; National Integration Programmes; Modernity science; well-equipped laboratories; best libraries; hostels; National/International level conferences; seminars; workshops and entertainment - life is complete here! Everybody, over here, loves the teaching-learning process for a bright career development and to 'get-to-know' each other. The University regularly organizes a number of activities for the students and staff, which include Youth Festivals, Alumni Meets, Games, etc. A number of research projects are allocated to different scholars of various departments by the University Grants Commission. The faculty is motivated for research publications and projects, reflecting original ideas and authentic research. The University is set to become a world-class University. It is true that the University is already renowned in selected areas. It is acknowledged by the International Agencies that authentic research has been taking place in a number of departments of Mumbai University.

We can explore the University of Mumbai thoroughly, only if we are willing to lose ourselves in it, shedding all inhibitions! The great thing about the University is that it has something for the student community, which is why I feel, even after 150 years, people won't tire of seeking something new in the University Campus. The University of Mumbai marches confidently ahead towards an enormous metamorphosis, which will reinforce its principal task of all-round development of the students. The University plans to move in full swing towards being a “Top public University”. The continuous upgrading of the existing course contents is to make the University an innovative package to the cream of the student community. The Radhakrishnan Commission 1948, Kothari Commission 1964-66, National Policy on Education 1986, and the Government of India Document Challenge of Education 1985, recommended various steps to be taken for the development of the education system in India. The University of Mumbai has always been a unique organisation, in terms of the eminence of teachers and the calibre and quality of achievements. This University has maintained a constant and fruitful interaction with the industrial sector, the society and the academic community. The roots of the University of Mumbai have spread all over the world and the alumni hold pivotal and challenging positions in internationally well-known places. The University is continuing its untiring march towards excellence. The University and its affiliated Colleges are doing Yeoman service to the society and are instrumental in evolving better ways and means of socio-economic, cultural and educational transformation in the whole of India.

The motto of the University of Mumbai is “The Fruit of Learning is Character and Righteous Conduct”. The University strongly believes in the virtues of social and moral values. It bridges the gap between the past and the future of human development. Over the past 150 years of its existence, the University has established itself as a centre of excellence in higher education. The University has created awareness among its students that excellence in higher education is of prime importance in the journey towards modernization and humanism. The University stands tall in the city, catering to the educational and cultural needs of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga districts of Maharashtra State. It has maintained the pace of steady growth and expansion since its inception. The University is open to all and is easily accessible. It offers a wide choice to students in the spectrum of education as well as various permutations and combinations. The University maintains quality and thereby improves employability and motivates the students to undertake responsibility in their chosen field. The University of Mumbai offers undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil, Ph.D. and Post-doctoral courses in disciplines like Natural sciences, Formal sciences, pure sciences, Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer
Science, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Printing Technology, Architecture, Fine Art, Biochemistry, Hotel Management, Social sciences and Humanities. The Fort Campus and Vidyanagari Campus provide state-of-the-art Computer Science laboratories, a library with the most modern networks and other allied facilities for sports. The University has a highly qualified and an internationally acclaimed faculty. The curriculum is based on international standards. The University of Mumbai also offers professional courses in the form of Degree/ Add-on courses. Besides academic excellence, the focus is on value addition to meet the expectations of the society. The University of Mumbai can be given due credit for developing every facet of the individual and each latent quality inherent in him. It brings to the fore highly skilled, professionally trained, razor sharp brains who will wrought radical change in the India of tomorrow!