Vasanti Bhagvat​ is the Secretory at Sevasadan Art, Commerce, and Science Senior College. She holds a B.A. degree from Morris College and also holds M.A. and M.Ed. degrees. She started out at Sevasadan College as a Trainee and has been associated with them for 40 years. She is also the recipient of the Best Teacher Award given by the Maharashtra Government. Ms. Vasanti is a lifetime member of Sevasadan College and has contributed tremendously to the growth of the college over the years.

Sevasadan Arts, Commerce

Being the secretary and the then teacher of sevasadan art, commerce and science college, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership style is very simple. It's not a strategy, but I follow all the tasks given by my seniors and follow all guidelines. I believe that just doing your hard work somewhere will pay off, which is what I follow in my life. I think that when you work smartly, purely without giving any reason, then your colleagues will also do their best.

You held the key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

I joined Sevasadan College when I was 20 years old, and now I am 69 years old. I have more than 52 years of experience in this industry. The key factor that keeps me connected with the education sector is my passion for the work. I am a workaholic woman, and that passion motivates me to be in the industry. Age is just a number. When you value your responsibilities, you forget everything and keep moving.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the College and the students are?

My role and responsibility towards my college are to stay consistent in what I am doing. Sometimes, I do need to sacrifice in terms of personal time to achieve the college goals, but it has been worth it as I have achieved my own goals along the way. It is my duty to support the work of all faculty members, help the students with their studies, and graduate on time.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing higher education today, and how do you think your institute is addressing those challenges?

The biggest challenge facing higher education today is that everyone wants to get graduation and postgraduation degrees. However, they don’t understand that it is not just about the classes, and because of this, many students who come from Science, Arts, or Commerce backgrounds do not get jobs. Our college not only gives them theoretical knowledge but also focuses on training them. We have free courses and skill development sessions that are available on the Career Katta platform. That is how we address the challenges.

What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

Sevasadan Art, Commerce, and Science College was founded in 1927 by Miss Ramabai Ranade. At that time, there was no understanding of women's empowerment or education. Since then, we have been constantly working to give women the confidence to stand on their own two feet and make a contribution to society. The Sevasadan Institute has been working with the local community for a long time. We try to help everyone gain an education, regardless of their background and economic status.

When you first came to Sevasadan College, what was your vision for the university?

My vision for the university is that I want to enhance the academic programme and ensure that the college maintains its educational standard. For the students, as a secretary, my vision is to create a student-centric environment where the needs, aspirations, and well-being of students are at the forefront. It was also my vision to train my staff, and faculty so that they are well trained and promote a positive work culture.

Check Sevasadan Art,Commerce and Science Senior College Courses & Fees

What are your college’s greatest strengths?

Our college's greatest strength is that we have been in operation since 1927. We offer students free courses through the Career Katta platform to help them gain extra knowledge and skills. We are also constantly introducing new activities and events to keep the students engaged. We maintain transparency between all stakeholders and function as one unit.

How do you manage the staff, personal life, professional life and college work?

I always believe that when you have the right plan, no one can restrict you from doing anything. As a woman, I need to manage everything and maintain a balance between my housework and work responsibilities. To better manage my duties, I maintain a to-do list every day and include all minor things I have to complete before the end of the day. This ensures that I can complete all my tasks and keep everyone associated with me happy.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Don’t take shortcuts. Find your hobbies and passions and pursue a course of study and employment that reflects them. Beyond the classroom, your education will continue. Adopt a mindset of lifelong learning and look for opportunities to increase your knowledge and abilities. Establish definite goals for your academic and personal development. Make a blueprint for the future and divide it into smaller checkpoints.