Sophia College for Women: High on Heritage
Located between Breach Candy and Peddar Road, Sophia College for Women, known for its discipline, was founded in 1934. It is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and comes under the governing body of the Society for Higher Education for Women in India.
USP: The campus is extremely beautiful with a large central lawn. It has a basketball court, canteen, parlour and the Sophia Bhabha auditorium.
Programmes: At the degree college level, the college offers three main courses: BA, BSc and BMM (Bachelors in mass media). At the postgraduate level, the college offers an MSc in life sciences with specialisation in neuroscience, microbiology and biochemistry. Also on offer are postgraduate diplomas in quality assurance in the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry; and clinical analysis. Among the UGC approved courses are certificate courses in women's empowerment, cooking and baking.
Infrastructure: Sophia College for Women has a library with a large collection of books, periodicals, encyclopaedias, art books and maps. DVDs, films etc are also available here.
The syllabi for all classes from the year 2000 have also been stored in the library. Teachers can avail of the overhead projector facility for teaching purposes. Internet facilities are available to both students and staff. There is a well-equipped computer centre with 65 computers and a tri-band internet connection that is available at a nominal fee. The computer centre offers short-term courses in windows, office automation, animation and design.
The JN Heredia Centre for value education offers guidance and counselling. Here, a fully trained counsellor provides consultancy services in the form of counselling, talks, workshops, aptitude tests, etc. Apart from these, the college has a well-managed hostel facility, a gymkhana that provides the latest equipment, instructors as well as a nutritionist. The college also has a canteen, a bookstore and a photocopying centre.
Clubs and societies: The college has several clubs and associations such as The Sophia College English Dramatics Association (SCEDA) which puts up a play at the end of every academic year, Western Music Club, Elocution and Debating Society, Sophia Sports Association and the National Service Scheme. Kaleidoscope is an annual inter collegiate youth festival. Ananya is an inter-college festival organised by the National service Scheme cell of the college.
Noticeboard
Timepass
The Breach Candy Park where students go after classes is at walking distance from the campus. There are snack counters and plenty of space by the seaside. Under The Banyan Tree or UTBT as it's called by the students is a popular spot for Sophiaites to meet their friends. Chowpatty: A number of buses from Sophia College stop at Chowpatty that is ten minutes away. Students can go shopping or for lunch to Sobo Central Mall near the Haji Ali junction
College ke baad
"It has always helped me when I tell people at job interviews that I'm a Sophiaite. But that is of negligible value when compared with how much I have learnt about time management and discipline at Sophia. Even now I remember my professors fondly and call them up once in a while. Also, I am a member of SCESA, the Sophia Alumni Association, and through the club I try to keep in touch with my friends and classmates"
Wishlist
"I have noticed that students don't engage much in political discussions. Mumbai students especially don't know much about Indian politics. Delhi students seem to be more aware. I feel guest lectures and eminent personalities should be invited to colleges, to open up such discussions.
Author: Sharanya Misra Sharma (HT Horizons)
Date: 19th May, 2011
