History of Sophia College
Sophia College in Mumbai was founded by an organisation called Society of the Sacred Heart by Mother Catherine Anderson. The Sophia College for Women in the metro city of Mumbai was established in the year 1941. It is a Christian minority college. Being mainly a women`s college, it ensures all round development of women with the help of education. In 1941, the college started the Arts Faculty first and University of Mumbai gave affiliation for intermediate classes and first year, and in 1950, Sophia College got the full affiliation to run more courses.
Objective of Sophia College
Sophia College for Women is primarily an undergraduate institution which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai. It is run by the Society for Higher Education of Women in India; a Trust which belonged to the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus The exact location of the Sophia College for Women is at Bhulabai Desai Road, Mumbai.
The mission of this college is the upliftment of women via an education that is holistic and provides for an all-round growth. The College management is promised to create an atmosphere in which the zest for learning thrives and students are trained not only academically but also to be women of worth and values. All programmes are student-centred, providing ample opportunity for the development of leadership and self-assurance.
The main objective of this college is to help each and every student in developing her complete intellectual potential with the help of a concentrated academic experience, which is simultaneously rich, collaborative and extensive. It also guides its students and provides scope to think critically and understanding, which will sharpen the value-based convictions. This women`s college also helps its students to be self-reliant and determined to respond with sensitivity and courage to social and personal issues, human rights, environmental issues, etc. It helps its students to see the world from a less privileged perspective and to react in humane manner. The College promotes Christian students to widen their religious convictions in an ambience of respect for other religious communities and for the personal beliefs of each individual.
Departments at Sophia College
The oldest department in the college is History. It has two divisions in the Junior and Senior College.: The Junior College offers courses which are set down by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Education, Mumbai Divisional Board, leading to the Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (H.S.C.). The college offers MHCET forms, for medical, engineering and pharmacy courses, for Sophia College S.Y.J.C students. At the Junior college level, arts, science and vocational are provided to students for their initiation to college education. Vocation courses in economics, logic, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology and political science are offered. The Senior College offers a wider range of courses. UGC-certified courses in the development of Woman, Food and Nutrition and cooking are offered in this college. Some of the other courses offered in the Sophia College for Women include a centre for Polytechnic courses. The students are encouraged to carry out research on Neuro-science and Bioscience
This college is fortunate having a bunch of intelligent and dedicated teachers most of whom are actively engaged in research work. Principal of this college is Dr; Anila Varghese She served the institution as the Vice-Principal of the College for five years and was appointed as Principal of Sophia College in June 2001. She was awarded the "Innovative Principal Award for 2002" by the All India Association of Christian Higher Education (AIACHE). In 2005 she was endowed as she got the `Best Teacher Award` by the University of Mumbai. She was also awarded the Silver Medal of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. Swarupa Kamat Rashna Poncha are another name of importance
Facilities at Sophia College
The college possesses a huge campus and a beautiful architecture. Students here are encouraged to take part in extra curricular and co-curricular activities like basketball, badminton and volleyball. Arrangements for swimming and football are also made for those interested in it. A well-furnished gymnasium and there is an instructor.
Sophia College Alumni
The famous Alumni of Sophia College for Women like Vasudhara Raje Scindia (the Chief Minister of Rajasthan), Pheroza Godrej (Art Historian), Priya Dutt (Member of Parliament and sister of actor Sanjay Dutt), etc.
Sophia College for Women is among the notable Christian Minority Institutions in the city of Mumbai. Here students of all religious communities are welcome. This women`s college always labours to find Wisdom by an education which is transformative and holistic.