SDM COLLEGE
We take great pleasure in introducing the MPE Society’s Shri Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara College of Arts, Science, Commerce and Business Administration, Honnavar (SDM Degree College, Honnavar). The college was founded by MPE Society in 1964, to impart much needed higher education in this part of Uttara Kannada district.
An advocate turned social worker and Ex-MLA Late Shri R.S. Hegde took the initiative and formed the “Malnad Progressive Education Society” in association with a team of dedicated visionaries.
The college came into existence under the leadership of the first Principal Dr. V. Seetharamaiah, popularly known as VeeSee in the literary circles. VeeSee was a renowned Kannada poet and a critic, an educationist and an effective administrator. Hence the college was known as VeeSee’s College all over the state.
The dual leadership of Dr. VeeSee and the founder president Shri R.S. Hegde could attract support from many quarters.
The Government of Karnataka sanctioned 50 acres of land. A Building was constructed there and the college was shifted to the new building in the year 1968. Since then the student strength went up by leaps and bounds. Gradually a few more buildings were constructed and that became the college campus.
Despite of increase in the student strength, the financial position started dwindling. The local resources were not sufficient to manage the expenses. Only two options were left with the management-either to close the college, or to hand over it to others. When the management was in such a dilemma, as if as an appreciation of the sincere efforts of the management, help came in the form of Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr. Veerendra Heggade.
He not only helped to clear the outstanding salaries of the employees, but also lent his helping hand in building the entire science block in the college. With his generous support the college successfully overcame the financial crisis and as a token of gratitude the name of the college was changed to Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College.
Padmashree Rajarshi Dr. Heggade is respectfully considered as our chief patron. Even today he affectionately fosters us and feels very proud about each and every achievement of our college.
The institution has grown into a model college over the years, with the disciplined students and the dedicated staff. It has set an example to other institutions in and around Uttara Kannada district. It is proud to mention here that ours is the only college in the district accredited at ‘A’ level by the NAAC consecutively in the 3rd cycle.
Most of the teachers work even during the holidays and vacations and the students are also equally hard working and have gained laurels to the college by winning in various competitions in the field of arts and sports. The management is giving fee concessions and scholarships to the outstanding talented students. The staff members also are felicitated for their worthy contributions and achievements.
Many novel programs, successfully experimented in our college for the all-round development of the students, are on record and are appreciated by the educationists all over the state.
The college offers the following UG, and PG semester courses as per CBCS.
(a) B.A.
(b) B. Sc.
(c) B. Com.
(d) B.B.A.
(e) B.C.A.
(f) M.Com.
(g) M.Sc. in General Chemistry
Apart from the above, two year Pre-university courses in Arts, Science & Commerce are provided by S.D.M. P.U. College, housed in the same campus.
The college is affiliated to Karnatak University Dharwad with grant–in-aid support from the Government of Karnataka. The college is recognized under section 2(f) of UGC, ever since the inception of this Act and also recognized under 12B of UGC.
In accordance with the order of the Karnataka Government, the college was bifurcated into separate units as SDM Degree College and SDM PU College in the year 2001.
Though most of the students are coming from educationally backward rural areas and studying in Kannada medium, the college has excelled in the academic field with overall results exceeding the university average in most of the years. Our students have been securing ranks in University examinations in most of the years and so far our college has bagged 63 ranks in BA, BSc, BCom & BBA streams.
In the sports we were the university champions thrice.
In drama, our college students bagged trophies at the state level and at the university level. In music and speech competitions, our students went up to the national level and secured prizes. Our N.C.C. cadets have been participating in the National level camps, adventure sports, social service activities. etc.
Drama, music and yakshagana performances, seminars, special lectures by eminent persons are held every year. Zonal level & KUD sports meets, youth festivals and district level competitions are also organized in our college. The college Students’ Union and Gymkhana and students associations such as Kannada Association, Science Association, Commerce Association, English Literary Club, ADMIN, Chanakya, Aristotle, Red Cross etc. conduct various useful programmes.
Our students are bringing out periodicals in manuscripts, “Deepika”, English manuscripts magazine “The Bloom” and ATOM by science association. The teachers, acting as advisors, motivate them to write poems, stories etc. Through various association and units of the college, we conduct special training programmes for the students during the vacation in the field of drama, yakshagana, light music, fine art, public speech, quiz, computer education, dance and athletics. Along with the regular courses, add-on couses are also conducted by all the departments for the benefit of the students. Most of our students are participating in radio & T.V programmes in singing, quiz, etc. Thus, the college lays considerable emphasis on the all-round development of students. All our teaching and administrative staff members have undergone HRD & TQM training of 2-3 days.
In spite of financial constraints, the college management has left no stone unturned in improving the infrastructure. UGC grants, donations from philanthropists and institutions, grants from the governments are used, besides the local resources to construct the classrooms, library, audio-visual hall, computer laboratory, indoor stadium etc. “Money is not a constraint; where there is a will there is a way” is the belief of great visionary Dr. M.P.Karki, an Ex- MLA, who fortunately happens to be the president of the MPE Society, which is managing this institution. He believes only in work and also has inspired the staff to work by sheer example.
The college has well equipped computer laboratory, language laboratory, Under Graduate Research Centre, a students’ consumer co-operative society, water coolers, Xerox facility, women counselor, ED Cell, Student Welfare Cell, Placement Cell, vehicle parking sheds, audio-visual hall, generator room, canteen, ladies waiting room, ladies hostel, indoor stadium, vast play ground, etc. The college has an NSS unit, NCC Army batalion and NCC Naval sub unit.
A number of students have graduated from this college. Most of them are successfully engaged in different professions. Many of our past students are working abroad. The college celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1989 and Golden Jubilee in 2015 on a grand scale.
Most of our students are first generation literates, coming from poor, uneducated, rural families. We strive to bring about qualitative improvement by traditional and experimental methods. We have established a close rapport with the parents by holding an intimate interaction with them. For this purpose, parents meeting is organized every year in the college.
The college enjoys sanctity by bearing the gracious name of Shri Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara. It also enjoys the goodwill of the students, parents and the masses.
By noticing all these things the NAAC has rightly re-accredited us as “A” grade institution. This is an honour dedicated to the noble aim of the management, sincere service of the staff and the great effort of the students.
NAAC CERTIFICATE_2017
We are eagerly looking forward to see our college as one of the best colleges of the nation. May God Manjunatha bless us to make this dream a reality.