St. Andrew’s College – History of Institution

The proposal to start a new Catholic college in the Archdiocese was first discussed at a meeting of educationists called by Archbishop Simon Pimenta at Archbishop’s House on 10 March 1979. It was felt that a new Catholic college was needed in the suburbs as there was no such college offering courses leading to B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. degrees. Besides there were so many Catholic schools under the direction of the Archbishop and the number of colleges was rather small. At the subsequent meeting of the same committee called by Archbishop held on 27 September 1979, it was decided that a Catholic college be started at Bandra and the Vice-Chancellor be contacted to ascertain the feasibility of such a college. Bandra was chosen for this college because of the Catholic population in this suburb and because St. Andrew’s Parish had a very convenient plot of land which could be used for the construction of a new college. During 1980 much planning was done to study all the aspects to start this college.

Mother Teresa M.C., Nobel Laureate was gracious enough to unveil a plaque on the 1 January 1981 to inaugurate the project of this new college which was to be named St. Andrew’s College of Arts, Science & Commerce.

In June 1981, Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues was appointed Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church and was entrusted with the work of establishing this college and constructing the new building required to house the college.

A new Trust, St. Andrew’s Society for Education and Research was created on 10 July 1981, with the founder members, Cardinal Simon Pimenta, Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues, Fr. Rodney Esperance and Mr. Res Pinto as Trustees and the application to obtain the permission to open a new college was submitted to the University of Bombay. It was after two years that this permission was granted by the Government of Maharashtra and the University of Bombay on 24 June, 1983. Accordingly, the college was inaugurated on 9 July 1983 by Archbishop Simon Pimenta and was housed in the premises of the St. Andrew’s Junior College.

The foundation of the new college was blessed and laid on 4 March 1984 but the construction work could not start till 2 March 1985 because various permissions from the U.L.C authorities, Municipal Corporation, etc., needed much time. The first phase of the construction of 18 classrooms was completed in June 1986 and solemnly blessed on St. Andrew’s Feast Day, 30 November 1986. Subsequently the chapel, the library, the administrative block, the students’ common rooms were constructed. Since more rooms were required two new floors with 18 classrooms were added in 2002. The latest addition is the annexe which was completed in the Jubilee Year 2007 – 2008 and will be a memorial of this Silver Jubilee Year.

As the management of the college has a broad vision of education, it was quick in introducing new degree courses as the Mumbai University opened its doors to various disciplines. We now have in our college besides B.A and B.Com, B.M.S. started in 1999, B.M.M. in 2002, B.Sc. (I.T.) in 2001, B.Com. (Accounts and Finance) in 2003, and this year B.Sc. (Hospitality Studies) degree course was inaugurated and is housed in the school building, thanks to Fr. Vernon Aguiar and Fr. George Athaide.

So far eight principals have guided the college, starting with Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues, followed by Prof. Marie Correa, Sr. Theresa Mathias, Sr. Annette Thottakara, Prof. Lilla D’souza, Prof. Priscilla Fernandes, Prof. A. D. Mascarenhas and the present incumbent Dr. Marie Fernandes. Mr. Johnnie Alves was the administrator and later trustee of the college.

In 1983 the college started with 194 students and progressively increased to its present strength of over 4000 students. The Junior College which was run by the St. Andrew’s School was attached to the college in 1998.

The Motto of our College “Enlighten the Darkness” is inspired by Christ who is the Light of the World and the guiding force behind the college activities under the patronage of St. Andrew, His Apostle.