“Launch of Mohammed Ali Mitha Incubation Centre Commissioning of Rooftop Solar Plant(Extended) By the hands of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof Suhas Pednekar” A series of successive events of historic nature has qualified Maharashtra College of Arts, Science and Commerce & Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Centre for Post - Graduate Studies and Research Centre, Mumbai, to use the word 'first' as an adjective in its true sense. The college became the first institution among the non-technical institutions category to have launched an ' Incubation Centre' after the name of its founder Mohammed Ali Mitha. It also became the first college to be using 100 percent solar power for its electricity needs with the commissioning of extended Rooftop Solar Power Plant. Both, the launching of Mohammed Ali Mitha Incubation Centre and commissioning of Rooftop Solar Plant (extended) took place at the hands of Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai Professor SuhasPednekar, on Saturday, 16 March, 2019 on the 7th floor terrace at 10 am.
The programme began with recitation of verses from Holy Quran with its English translation by Prof Ismail Popatiya of Dept of Computer Science. While delivering his welcome address Principal Dr. Sirajuddin Chougle talked about the vision of the college and presented a historical perspective of the institution and how it satisfies the educational needs of the community youth mainly coming from lower socio-economic strata of the society. While emphasizing the outreach of the college he said that the institution which had more than four thousand students of which 70 percent were girls, mainly caters to the educational needs of the children of poor Muslims of the locality. While talking about the Incubation Centre launched in association with GoBizLAB, Dr. Chougle said it would soon start nurturing, shaping and developing business ideas which will help our students become entrepreneur in fututre with help from eminent mentors linked with well known corporate houses.
The Principal also talked about launching rain water harvesting plant in near future. His speech was followed by felicitation of the Vice Chancellor Professor SuhasPednekar by Prof Haji Kalaniya, General Secretary, KIHE and the Principal. The newly apppointed Director of the Incubation Centre, Dr. Saima Shaikh presented the concept note wherein she talked about how the centre would help identify new business ideas, accelerate them and connect them with funding means. Mr. Afraz Khan from GoBizLAB also spoke on this occassion.
The Vice Chancellor Professor SuhasPednekar, in his very inspiring speech, appreciated Maharashtra College for innovative decisions and said that the institution had set the best example for other colleges to follow. He also suggested the colleges to design activities and programmes in such a way where students are given priority. It is students who should be always in front backed by their teachers. That is the sign of our success. While stressing importance of education, he mentioned it was important how not to repeat mistakes.
The time has come for the students to become job creaters rather than job seekers. Education today must include internship where students get real exposure. The VC further said that the teachers must update themselves and involve in research activities. Students must become future leaders and teachers must prepare them for this role.
Towards the end he expressed his happiness for being invited by the college on such a historic occassion. His speech was followed by virtual launching of the Incubation Centre and presentation of some business ideas by few students. The Vice Chancellor then commissioned the extended Rooftop Solar Plant.
The programme which was attended by Chairman of KIHE, Mr. Ahmad Khan, Dr. Khalil Mukadam, Treasurer, KIHE and Dr. Munawwar Ali, Coordinator, Administration, KIHE along with media representatives, Principals of some colleges and teachers concluded with vote of thanks by Prof Harun Shaikh of Dept of Computer Science. The programme was compered by Dr. Zulekha Shaikh of Dept of Chemistry. The programme ended with national anthem led by NCC cadets.