Dear Friends,
Greetings!
The academic year 2024-2025 was a significant year for Dr. BMN as it marked the completion of our 40th year since inception in 1984. The year saw a number of activities commemorating the celebration of the Ruby Jubilee year. It is with pride that I share that Dr BMN was awarded ‘Empowered Autonomous College Status’ by Govt of Maharashtra and we were felicitated for the same on the SNDTWU Foundation Day on 5th July 2024, at the hands of His Excellency Shri Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra. Additionally, Smt. K.G. Shah Department of Computer Applications Program received affiliation to AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education); M. Sc. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Program of the Smt Manjulaben Gunvantrai Shah Dept of Post Graduate Studies was recognised by Pepsico Ltd for its contribution to its Nutrition Education Program; and the National Council for Quality Management and the Shree Vadilal Gandhi Trust felicitated the institution for 10 award-winning projects since the inception of the BEQET (Best Educational Quality Enhancement Techniques) award in 2006. We continued with our COIL program (Collaborative Online Learning) in collaboration with the Wilkes University, Pennsylvania wherein select students of the BCA Department completed a co-design coding project for the second consecutive year while the Foundational Courses participated in the instruction, as well as attending a seminar course on ‘Women of the Global South’
The year witnessed a host of exciting co-curricular activities. This included international multidisciplinary conferences on ‘Vanaprasthasharam: Health and Longevity in Senior Citizens’, and ‘Nutrition Communication and Extension: Integrating Science, Policy, and Practice for Healthier Communities’. At National Level Symposiums were conducted on the following topics: ‘Breastfeeding Week - Bridging the Gap between Mother and Child;’ “Open Access to Scholarly Information: Research & Academic Communities Role in Building a Sustainable Knowledge Society”.; ‘Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Health’ and “Bridging Gaps in Tourism and Hospitality Education: Designing a Skill-Based Curriculum”. In addition, State Level Symposia were held on ‘Implementation of NEP 2020’; ‘DIGIHUM: Digital Innovations in Humanities and Literature Education’; ‘IKS – Exploring Living Heritage of India’, and ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence with Effective Communication’.
The Department of M.Sc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics continued with the National Level Student Exchange Program with Avinashilingam Women’s (deemed) University for Home Science & Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore. Our young talents have kept the BMN flag flying high - Ms. Akshata Dhokale (SYFSN) who has won gold medals at International, National and State Levels in gymnastics, while Cadet Ms. Isha Mahesh Navale (SYBCA) won the gold, silver medal and bronze medals in events of rifle shooting, and silver medal in boat pulling competition at National and State levels. Our sports women represented the university in chess, karate and shooting at the National Level and State Level. We hosted a number of innovative workshops supported by the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) while our collaborative ventures continue with Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI); Homi Bhabha Science Centre, the Department of Higher Education, Centre for Environmental Education, Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, and UNICEF under YEWS Program. “Akanksha”, an intercollegiate cultural fest on the theme “EMOTIONS” and intercollegiate Techfest ‘Tekzone Season 19’ on the theme “AI UNLEASHED: Redefining Creativity” The Department of Computer Applications launched its inaugural ‘Hackathon, Webweavers – A Web Development Hackathon’ in 2025. A unique initiative this year was the second intercollegiate Sports competition ‘Lakshya’ organised by our non-teaching staff.
I extend my deep-felt appreciation to all the departments and committees for the success with which they have conducted academic, cultural, NSS, sports, extension and alumni events. We are indebted to the SMES Management for being our pillar of strength. We also thank our well-wisher, alumni and collaborating partners from the industry for their constant support, especially for student freeships and infrastructure development.
We will miss our dear students who are leaving the portals of our college for the world ahead, but we are confident that they will shine in whatever life path they chose to pursue.
with warmth and best wishes
