Sophia Shree B K Somani Polytechnic, Mumbai

Campus Location: Mumbai

Located in Sophia, as the name suggests, stands for Wisdom. Established in June 1970, the Sophia Shree Basant Kumar Somani Polytechnic was founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, an International congregation of religious sisters dedicated to the education of women. The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1800, in France, by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, a young Frenchwoman. It was extended to the new world by Rose Philippine Duchesne. Mother Catherine Andersson brought the Society to India in 1939. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Sophia Polytechnic is its emphasis not only on academic and professional excellence but also on the all-round development of the students. Our students and faculty work together on achieving both personal and professional goals. The courses provide a broad education based on values and are designed to offer a choice of routes into employment, motivating creativity and bringing out the individuality of each student., Lectures, assignments, project work, extra-curricular activities, awareness and outreach programmes have one single aim viz. to build confident, responsible citizens capable of critical, creative and constructive thinking , so as to effect change both at a personal and social level as they respond to the present social reality., VISION, A just and prosperous society, where women and men, are considered equal,, and where, together,, they live in peace, in mutual respect, and in harmony with nature., MISSION, Our mission is to empower women to bring about social transformation, by providing them with a dynamic and caring environment, for acquiring professional skills, through an education, that is holistic, student-centred, value-based and creative, in the pursuit of excellence., the Polytechnic has also been running five extension centres in rural/ semi-rural Maharashtra for the empowerment of women and school dropouts. These are funded by the Central Government through the Community Polytechnic Scheme. The activities conducted vary from tailoring and cookery to computer literacy, chalkmaking, candlemaking, jewellery and rexine bag making, embroidery to vermicomposting. The tailoring classes are all supervised by our Staff of the Department of Dress Designing and Garment Manufacturing. At the Polytechnic, which is the Main Centre, we conduct activities such as: Supervision of tailoring classes, conducted by the NGO MESCO at Dharavi, by our department of Dress Designing and Garment Manufacturing. Constant efforts are made by the Staff and Management to keep alive in the students an awareness of the 'other half ' with the hope that they will carry this awareness with them when they leave the Polytechnic., The recently renovated air-conditioned Library includes a computerized data bank that helps students locate the information they are seeking. In addition a scanner helps them copy pages from reference books., The Library has an array of books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals to refer to in any subject area related to all the courses offered. Master files of all departments, question papers for student reference as well as a general section for fiction and autobiographies are available., There is also a separate section on books on Values & Spirituality. A special library orientation programme is conducted for the students at the beginning of each academic year. The Polytechnic has a computer lab which provides students with technologically advanced equipment for learning and producing comprehensive and finished work for their portfolios. It is well equipped with the latest machines, cable internet service, reference library and above all , has a very helpful faculty. The Institute provides the photography students with professionally equipped black and white darkrooms, studios for setting up photo shoots which are equipped with a wide range of professional lenses, tungsten lighting, channel system, and all chemicals required for darkroom work, The centrally air-conditioned Sophia Bhabha Auditorium seats 850 persons and is ideal for The Institute's student orientation programmes and is particulary useful for hosting fashion shows, competitions and other Institute functions all through the year., The students efforts are put on display at the annual exhibition of the Sophia Polytechnic which is held at the end of February. Students from all departments exhibit their best work which is judged by experts. The exhibition attracts people from all walks of life and professionals who look for young talent in their respective fields. The students' work is acknowledged with certificates and prizes. Situated on the fourth floor of the polytechnic, the hostel can accommodate 45 students. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is provided. It has a common room where students can relax and entertain themselves. The hostel commands a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea. Admission is based on a personal interview. The hostel provides a choice of rooms on a sharing basis of 2 or 3 room mates.Counselling by a trained counsellor is available to any student who wants guidance or a listening ear.Students of the Social Communications Media Course are provided with professional studios and state of the art equipment for creating television, film and radio based programmes.. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn driving directions to the campus.