Wikipedia

Somaiya Vidyavihar

Somaiya Vidyavihar is an Indian educational trust that operates a network of schools, colleges, and institutions across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. It was founded by industrialist, educationist, and philanthropist Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya, a Padma Bhushan recipient, in 1942.[1][2][3]

Somaiya Vidyavihar
Formation1942; 82 years ago (1942)
FounderKaramshi Jethabhai Somaiya
TypeEducational trust
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Location
  • Mumbai, India
Region served
 India
FieldsEducation
President
Samir Somaiya
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The statue of founder Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya at the Somaiya Vidyavihar campus

Somaiya Vidyavihar was established by Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya in 1942, starting with a primary school in Kopargaon, Maharashtra.[1] It was formally registered as an education trust on September 7, 1959.[2][4] After founding sugar factories in Sakharwadi and Laxmiwadi, Maharashtra, Karamshi Somaiya established the Somaiya Vidyamandir Schools in those locations and the K. J. Somaiya College of Arts and Sciences in 1959 in Mumbai.[5]

The foundation stone for the Arts and Science College building at Vidyavihar was laid by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Yashwantrao Chavan, on March 18, 1960, and Amrutlal Yagnik, a noted scholar, assumed the role of the first principal of KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Science.[2]

The K. J. Somaiya Yoga Academy was established and inaugurated by Swami Tadrupanand in April 1993, followed by the K. J. Somaiya Centre of Buddhist Studies, inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in December 1993. In 1995, Somaiya Vidyavihar along with the Somaiya Trust established the K. J. Somaiya Medical College and its affiliated K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre in Sion, Mumbai, expanding its educational portfolio to 22 institutes in 1995.[2] As of 2024, Somaiya Vidyavihar comprises 35 academic institutions.[6]

In 2019, Somaiya Vidyavihar put forward a proposal to the Government of Maharashtra for the establishment of a university. Following the government's approval, Somaiya Vidyavihar University was founded, marking the first self-financed private university in Mumbai. The university is governed jointly by Somaiya Vidyavihar, the K. J. Somaiya Trust, and The Somaiya Trust.[7][8]

In January 2024, the student satellite team at K. J. Somaiya Institute of Technology launched their amateur radio satellite, 'BeliefSat-0', from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This launch was a collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of their PSLV-C58 mission.[9][10]

Campus

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Their institutions offer programs in a wide range of disciplines, including arts, sciences, management, engineering, medicine, humanities, philosophy, and social sciences.[6] The institution's main campus is located in Mumbai, spread across two locations, a 65-acre complex in Vidyavihar and a 35-acre adjoining complex in Sion. In addition to its main campus, Somaiya Vidyavihar also offers autonomous[11] postgraduate courses, vocational training programs, and high schools.[6]

Institutions

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Institutions under Somaiya Vidyavihar Education Trust cater to various disciplines of education, with the following colleges under its fold.

Institution Course Year Founded Accreditation Affiliation Location
K J Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce Degree 1959 NAAC University of Mumbai, Autonomous Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Polytechnic Engineering 1963 MSBTE Autonomous Vidyavihar, Mumbai
SMT Sakarbai K Somaiya Junior College of Education Education 1963 AICTE Autonomous Vidyavihar, Mumbai
S K Somaiya Vinay Mandir Junior College Higher Education 1965 MSBTE Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce Degree 1972 NAAC University of Mumbai Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Junior College of Arts and Commerce Higher Education 1976 MSBTE Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Junior College of Science and Commerce Higher Education 1976 NAAC University of Mumbai, Autonomous Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Private Industrial Training Institute Vocational 1988 NCVT, Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre Medical 1991 MCI Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Ayurvihar, Sion, Mumbai
S K Somaiya College of Arts, Science and Commerce Degree 1995 NAAC University of Mumbai Vidyavihar, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Institute of Technology Engineering 2001 NBA, NAAC, AICTE, DTE University of Mumbai Ayurvihar, Sion, Mumbai
K J Somaiya College of Physiotherapy Physiotherapy 2002 Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Ayurvihar, Sion, Mumbai
K J Somaiya College of Nursing Nursing 2011 Maharashtra Nursing Council
Indian Nursing Council		 Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Ayurvihar, Sion, Mumbai
Somaiya Kala Vidya Arts 2014 Adipur, Kutch, Gujarat

Schools

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In rural India, Somaiya Vidyavihar operates six schools across locations including Dahanu, Sakarwadi, Laxmiwadi, Kopargaon (Maharashtra), Kutch (Gujarat), Sameerwadi, Bagalkot (Karnataka), and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh).[12][13]

In 2019, Class 10 students of Somaiya Vidya Mandir Laxmiwadi and Somaiya Vidya Mandir Sakarwadi achieved a 90% pass rate in the Maharashtra State Secondary Certificate (SSC) examinations, with two female students topping their schools in rural Ahmednagar.[14] In 2020, a student of Class 10th of Somaiya School achieved a top score in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 examination for the Mumbai and Pune regions.[15]

In June 2024, it opened Somaiya Vidya Mandir School in Rehti, Madhya Pradesh, to provide education to children from the Budhni, Rehti, Nasrullaganj and Obedullaganj regions.[16]

School Year Founded Accreditation/Affiliation Location
Primary School 1942 Kopargaon, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra
Somaiya Vidya Mandir, Sakarwadi 1959 Maharashtra State Board Sakarwadi, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra
Somaiya Vidya Mandir - Laxmiwadi 1959 Maharashtra State Board Laxmiwadi, Rahata, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra
K.J.Somaiya Secondary School, Nareshwadi 1974 Maharashtra State Board Nareshwadi, Palghar district, Maharashtra
Somaiya Shishu Niketan Primary School 1974 KSEEB Sameerwadi, Mudhol, Bagalkot district, Karnataka
Sou. Leelaben M Kotak Primary School 1983 MSBTE Nareshwadi, Palghar district, Maharashtra
Somaiya Vinaymandir High School 1984 KSEEB Sameerwadi, Mudhol, Bagalkot district, Karnataka
K J Somaiya English Medium School 2004 CBSE Sameerwadi, Mudhol, Bagalkot district, Karnataka
The Somaiya School 2012 CBSE Vidyavihar, Mumbai
Shri Sharda English Medium School 2012 CBSE Kopargaon, Maharashtra
Somaiya Vidya Mandir 2024 Bori Village, Rehti, Madhya Pradesh

Leadership

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At Somaiya Vidyavihar, the presidency is currently held by Samir Somaiya,[17] who assumed the position in 2011.[18]

Its first president was Natwarlal H. Bhagwati, a retired Supreme Court of India judge and former vice-chancellor of both the University of Bombay and Banaras Hindu University.[2] Previously, the organisation was presided over by Justice P. N. Bhagwati, a former Chief Justice of India. Additionally, Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya and S.K. Somaiya have both served as Vice Presidents and Presidents of Somaiya Vidyavihar in the past.[18]

Initiatives and activities

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RiiDL

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The Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory Foundation (RiiDL) was established in 2010 by Somaiya Vidyavihar as an initiative to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.[19][20] RiiDL functions as a business incubator supported by the Government of India's Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSINS).[19][21] It provides educational programs, infrastructure access, and connects startups with a network of mentors, investors, and advisors. Startup India selected RiiDL as one of the centers to celebrate National Startup Day in 2023.[22]

Maker Mela

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Since 2015, Somaiya Vidyavihar has hosted the annual Maker Mela, a platform for showcasing grassroots innovations in India across various fields including arts, crafts, engineering, science, and agriculture. The event features maker booths, speaker sessions, and cultural programs, attracting a diverse audience annually and organised by RiiDL.[23][24]

Darwin

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Darwin is an annual conference event organized by Somaiya Vidyavihar through Bioriidl, a part of the Riidl, to promote open science and bio-entrepreneurship. The event features talks, workshops, hackathons, and research symposiums.[25][26]

Recognition

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Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya, the founder, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2000 for his contributions to social work.[27]

Other

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Unlocking Excellence: The Saga of Somaiya Vidyavihar". Delhi: The Indian Express. November 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Raja Mangalvedhekar; Dr. G. T. Sawant (May 16, 2007). Padmabhushan Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya (PDF). The Book Centre Limited. p. 202-208.
  3. ^ Agarwala, R.P. (1970). Eastern Economist - Volume 56. Eastern Economist, the University of Michigan. p. 236. Somaiya Vidyavihar plays a significant role . While Bombay is a centre for learning and is the seat of Bombay university , the city sadly lacks campus environment . The Vidyavihar society is trying to fill this gap in a small measure by ...
  4. ^ Varsha Adalja. Karamshi. The Book Centre Ltd, Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalaya Bldg, Mumbai . ISBN 978-81-7039-291-0.
  5. ^ Aijaz, S. (July 1, 2015). "How Somaiya Vidyavihar turned two rural Marathi schools into model institutions". Yourstory.
  6. ^ a b c "Foundation". Somaiya.edu. June 2023.
  7. ^ Qazi, Musab (February 21, 2019). "Mumbai gets first-ever private university". Hindustan Times.
  8. ^ "Somaiya becomes Mumbai's first private university". The Times of India. February 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "Launched atop ISRO's PSLV-C58: Satellite developed by Mumbai students". Indian Express. January 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Vijay, Sunidhi (January 2, 2024). "Mumbai's Somaiya College Brings Visionary Dream To Life, Launches Satellite In Collaboration With ISRO". The Free Press Journal.
  11. ^ Pandit, Niraj (July 1, 2023). "12 autonomous MU colleges granted 'empowered' tag". Hindustan Times.
  12. ^ "Student from Somaiya Vidyavihar brings Gold in Commonwealth Judo Championship held at Great Britain". Youth Inc Mag. October 7, 2019.
  13. ^ Balaram, Rajashree (March 2016). "Reaching the grassroot". New Woman. Pioneer Book: 61.
  14. ^ Jaisinghani, Bella (June 16, 2015). "Daughters of wireman and farmer score over 90% at SSC exam". The Times of India.
  15. ^ Murdeshwar, Sachin (September 5, 2020). "The Somaiya School's Kaashvi Kamath tops CBSE Class X post re-evaluation". Global Prime News.
  16. ^ "प्रदेश के आदिवासी इलाके में बच्चों को शिक्षा देगा सोमैया विद्या विहार, 50 बच्चों ने लिया दाखिला". Amar Ujala. 2024-06-28.
  17. ^ "Qimpro Gold Standard 2023". Qimpro.com.
  18. ^ a b "The Presidency". somaiya.edu.in.
  19. ^ a b "Thousands of visitors make Maker Mela 2019 a grand success". BioSpectrum. January 23, 2019.
  20. ^ Vasudevan, Shilpa (September 4, 2015). "Spark-plugging the Cradle of Change". New Indian Express.
  21. ^ Wettmarshausen, Nicola (November 17, 2017). "Riidl is a makerspace for Mumbaikars that can help them bring their pet projects to life". Firstpost.
  22. ^ "Riidl Somaiya Vidyavihar celebrates National Startup Day". Express Computer. January 18, 2023.
  23. ^ "Hundreds of students and innovation enthusiasts throng Maker Mela". The Times of India. January 11, 2020.
  24. ^ Rebello, Maleeva (October 7, 2015). "Maker Mela: Celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship across craft, engineering and science". Mid Day.
  25. ^ Jedhe, Eeshwari (November 22, 2023). "Somaiya Vidyavihar announces the 5th edition of Darwin". Pune Mirror.
  26. ^ "Somaiya Vidyavihar hosts 4th Edition of Darwin to nucleate & nurture biotechnology". BioVoice News. February 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "Padma Awards 2000". Padma Awards Dashboard. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  28. ^ Hussain, Farzana (2022). Mumbai Local Train Insight of Mumbai Locals. Blue Rose Publishers. p. 35.
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