St. Andrews College, Bandra

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. Com. A. D.

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. 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. Bandra was chosen for this college because of the Cath

olic 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 Theresa 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.”

A new Trust, St. Andrew’s Society for Education and Research was created on 10 July 1981, 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. [1]

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. Presently, it houses three well equipped laboratories and a new canteen for the students. College further , B.M.S. (1999), B.M.M. (2002), B.Sc.I.T (2001), B.Com. (Accounts and Finance) (2003),B. (Banking and Insurance) and B.Sc. (Hospitality Studies) degree course was inaugurated and is housed in the school building. 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. Mascarenhas and the present incumbent Dr. Marie Fernandes. Mr. Johnnie Alves has been the administrator from 1983. 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.