Academic facility is the base and is central to the role and mission of each institution of higher education as set forth in this title. It includes equipment, aids and references available to teachers, tutors and learners to enable teaching and learning to take place. Learning is always a priority for the administration team in the campus. In addition to the regular classrooms, facilities are provided to the students and faculties that help in improving the quality of learning. Few of the facilities that have been provided include Smart Classrooms with Smart Boards and LCD Projectors, E-classrooms with Video Conferencing Facilities, Seminar Halls for each department, a Central Auditorium and Digital Library for the students among others.
Situated in a colony of industrial workers and slum-dueler in Mumbai city, administrated by a team of academicians, Vikas College never compromised to provide the required academic facilities to its stakeholders.
The importance of an academic library in the process of higher learning and promotion of research has long been established and that is why it is considered as the heart of any academic institution whether it is a college or university. A college library is the hub of teaching learning activities of its parent institute and no academic activity i.e. teaching, learning and research can be completed without the ample support of its rich and resourceful central library. So it becomes imperative to the higher education institution to strengthen its library and its learning resources and infrastructure by providing the appropriate financial support to achieve the excellence and to deliver the quality education to the students who have joined it for the fulfillment of their academic pursuits. A college library is termed as learning resource center as it hosts learning resources or knowledge and information resources and provides services and facilities to promote learning in the institute. A college library also acts as an information centre to fulfill their informational needs and quest for knowledge and learning of the learners.
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) describes the library as learning resource in the following words: “the library holdings in terms of titles books, journals and other learning materials and technology-aided learning mechanisms which enable students to acquire information, knowledge and skills required for their study programs. A recent development in the field due to availability of digital means, the functioning of the library has undergone a drastic change. Automation of library using the ILMS, use of e-journals and books, providing remote access to e-resources in the library have become a matter of necessity. Providing for these and such other developments as well as utilizing them well are important indicators of the quality of an academic institution”
With the establishment of the college itself in 1986, it has been working steadily to build a solid collection of educational materials. In order to facilitate research and learning across a range of disciplines, it is automated with SOUL3.0 software and offers access to online databases, e-books, e-journals, and other digital resources.
The college library enriched with:
- Total Books: – Title Volume
- Books (Book Bank Scheme) 18526
- Journals/Magazines 42
- Encyclopedia 27
- E-Books 2,631,449+
- E-Journals 6640+
- Maps 15
- Daily Newspapers 18
- Database INFLIBNET-NLIST
- Photo frames of Indian Laureates 135
- Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).
- Open Access
- Digital Library
- Computer, Internet & Wi-Fi
- Library/User Orientation
- Reference & Referral Section
- Home Lending Section
- Book Bank
- Government Book Bank Scheme for Reserve Category Students
- Group Book Bank Scheme for EBC students
- Reading Room (7 Days / 15nHours)
- Reprographic/Photocopy Service
- Department Library
- Display of new arrivals.
- Current Awareness Service
- Newspaper Service
- Periodical Service
- News-Paper clipping service
- Service to Ex- Students.
Information and technology in education facilitate a shift in students learning, a move from teacher centered to student centered learning. Information and Communication Technology, or ICT helps in students learning from reproducing knowledge conveyed by others to constructing knowledge themselves. ICT classroom, integrates digital technologies to enhance learning and teaching processes. Its rise has transformed education significantly by providing access to vast resources, interactive learning platforms, and personalized learning experiences. It improves the effectiveness of education, enhances scope of education by facilitating mobile learning and inclusive education and ultimately serve as as an aids towards literacy movements.
Vikas College has a number of ICT enabled tools for effective teaching-learning process.- 26 LCD Projectors are installed in classrooms, seminar hall and conference hall.
- Centralized computer lab and computers open to students and teachers in various departments and labs.
- Altogether 152 desktop computers and 17 Laptops and Notebooks are available in the college.
- A structured optical fibre network and WIFI throughout the campus. Internet Connections of 100 to 400 mbps speed are available.
- Automated Library with integrated library management software – ‘Koha’. The library subscribes to electronic resources provided by INFLIBNET-NLIST, National Digital Library, NPTEL and SWAYAM.
- Online classes on Digital class room platform Microsoft Team, Google meet. G-suite, Zoom etc.
- Recording and circulation of Classroom through YouTube channel
Sports activities have a big impact on college life and have many positive effects on students’ academic and personal lives. Playing sports improves physical health. It improves academic achievement, character development, and leadership abilities. It broadens one’s personality and expands employment options.
- The college has 2 playgrounds it also has access to adjacent playground of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to fulfill the outdoor games requirements.
- In addition to this college has a well-equipped gymkhana with indoor game facilities.
- The students and faculties have access to yoga centre run by the parent institution in the premises in association with Ambika Yog Kutir, local NGO.
- Every year, the College Sports Committee hosts the “Annual Sports Meet.” Students from all streams are participating in these sporting activities. The winners, runners, and rank holders receive thank-you trophies and certificates.
- The following events for Boys and Girls have been organized for the inter-class sports tournaments
- Indoor Games
- Carrom
- Table Tennis
- Chess,
- Tug Of War
- Outdoor Games
- Cricket
- Kabbadi
- Kho-Kho
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Shot-Put
- Running
Infrastructure plays an important role in a college by providing students with the resources and amenities they need to learn and grow. The infrastructure of the College directly impacts the quality of education it can provide. Well-equipped classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and modern technology are essential for delivering a comprehensive engineering curriculum. Good College infrastructure means that students have access to the best possible resources and amenities, which can help them feel safe, secure, and valued. This will, in turn, reduce stress levels and improve their academic performance and enhance overall learning outcomes.
In terms of infrastructure, Vikas College is one of the best colleges in University of Mumbai. The College has well ventilated classrooms with Wi-Fi enabled LCD projectors, tutorial rooms, library, a state-of-the-art seminar room and a fully equipped auditorium. The College has all facilities for differently abled students with new ramps, lifts and special washrooms. The College has taken measures to address the need for vigilance and security. The campus is CCTV-enabled to cater to the safety requirements of a well-endowed and equipped campus receiving a huge footfall.SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
The College follows a policy to go green in energy management and stands for carbon reduction policy of the Government of India. The college made a strategic plan to solve the problem by utilizing renewable energy resources and took steps to implement a roof-top solar power plant of 10 kilowatts that generates an average of 35 units per day. The project involved the installation of 34 solar panels, strategically positioned to capture sunlight.
Financial Support from MPLADS:
It is noteworthy that the Solar Energy Project at Vikas College was made possible through the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds of Shri. KiritSomaiya. This highlights the commitment of local representatives to supporting sustainable energy initiatives and promoting environment friendly practices. The utilization of MPLADSfunds for such projects demonstrates the government’s recognition of the importance of renewable energy and its potential to benefit educational institutions and the wider community.
Solar Project and Electricity Generation:
Here is a breakdown of the units generated for each year:
| Sr.No | Year | Units Generated |
| 1 | 2018 | 8,322 |
| 2 | 2019 | 8,067 |
| 3 | 2020 | 2,014 |
| 4 | 2021 | —- |
| 5 | 2022 | 5,672 |
- In 2018, a total of 8,322 units were generated by the solar system.
- In 2019, the solar system produced a total of 8,067 units.
- In 2020, the generation decreased to 2,014 units because of some technical fault and the unit was under repairs and trail production.
- In 2021, because of complete lockdown the college was not functioning, so there was no use of the solar panel.
- In 2022, the generation increased to 5,672 units.
- In 2023, the total generation was 6037 units, which was comparatively declined because of some technical fault.
This sustainable energy source will not only reduce the college’s reliance on conventional power sources but also contribute to significant cost savings in electricity expenses.
Promoting Environmental Responsibility:
The Solar Energy Project at Vikas College of Arts, Science & Commerce showcases the institution’s dedication to environmental responsibility. By adopting solar energy as a primary source of electricity, the college reduces its carbon footprint and contributes to mitigating climate change. Additionally, this initiative serves as an example for other educational institutions, encouraging them to explore and adopt renewable energy solutions.
Raising Awareness and Encouraging Sustainability:
The inauguration of the Solar Energy Project not only marks a significant achievement for Vikas College but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainable energy solutions. The project serves as an educational tool, allowing students, faculty, and visitors to witness the benefits of renewable energy firsthand. It encourages a culture of sustainability within the college and inspires individuals to make environmentally conscious choices.
Conclusion:
The Solar Energy Project at Vikas College of Arts, Science & Commerce is a commendable initiative. By harnessing solar energy to generate electricity, the college promotes sustainability and reduces its dependence on traditional power sources. The financial support provided through MPLADS underscores the government’s commitment to renewable energy projects. This solar project exemplifies the college’s dedication to environmental responsibility, sets an example for other institutions, and raises awareness about the importance of sustainable energy solutions. Overall, it serves as a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Key impacts of improper solid waste management are depicted in the infographic.
- Waste management is very important in today’s life as its directly impacts the environment and reduces green house gas emissions and improves the public health and quality of air and water.
- It should be practiced since very beginning of anyone’s life especially in academic institutions. So that the learners can adopt and accept easily and implement same in future.
- Cleaner the surroundings, cleaner the city and clean city makes clean and green India.
- Waste management refers to the processes involved in managing wastes from its inception to its grave or recycling and transforming and reusing.
- Improperly managed solid waste can have serious environmental consequences. It can contaminate the air, soil and water.
- Effective solid waste management helps reduce the amount of waste.
- Reducing waste will not only protect the environment but will also save on costs for disposal and will minimise the work of municipality.
- Waste can be recycled if collected and managed efficiently.
- Efficient waste management requires proper waste segregation and using different recycling and resource recovery methods.
- NGO-SMS-Stree Mukti Sanghatna, Chembur, Mumbai
- BMC-Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation and
- MPCB-Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
- Our wet waste (food and organic wastes) in our campus is managed by segregating the biodegradable wet waste through our student volunteers and college cleaning staff (Smt. Ramila).
- Each classroom is installed with two different coloured bins, GREEN (for biodegradable wet waste) and BLUE (for non-biodegradable waste).
- Canteen food and vegetable wastes was also collected from pre-installed GREEN bins.
- Campus garden leaves and old used flowers are collected and segregated by cleaning staff.
- All are placed in a composting pit and using a proper technology and monitoring by our team we transform them into biofertilizer. This is used in our campus potted plants.
- The segregation of wet waste from the college campus has minimized municipal waste generation and is helpful in maintaining our campus as a clean, green and zero waste generation and its management.
- Therefore, we managed our campus wet waste, recycled and use it. This is how our campus is now ZERO WASTE CAMPUS.
The UGC is committed to the goal of developing a safe, secure and violence free environment in all the educational institutions across the country. The guidelines are broadly classified into the following two interlinked domains:
- Infrastructural facilities and amenities for a safe and secure environment
- Women Cells (for sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring and grievance Redressal
- Gender equality
- Gender-inclusive learning environment
- Awareness activities
- Facilities and infrastructure
- Prevent and respond to gender-based violence
- Educated and civilized men around
- Female unity and cooperation
- Confidence amongst girls to stand for themselves
- Priority for discipline, leadership, and commitment
- Freedom of speech
Vikas College is a women-friendly campus. Traditionally, the College has had a strong presence of women in both its student and staff communities. Women are well represented in all programs offered by the College. In general, the entry rate of women in the programs of the University ranged from 40 % to 50%. Overall, women constitute 40% of the student strength and 50 % of the workforce. The College has seen women in senior academic and administrative positions like that of the Office Superintendent, and Department Heads. The college has all facilities and features to justify having a women-friendly campus