ENLIGHTENED TO EMPOWER 

Enlightenment is the key to EmpowermentÂť - Lailah Gifty Akita 

ENLIGHTENED VISION OF OUR FOUNDER 

The Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous) formerly known as  S.I.E.T Womens College was established in the year 1955. At a time when educating  women was considered a daunting task and women from minority communities were not  allowed to leave their homes, the distinguished founder Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed had  the vision to open an exclusive College for Women run by the community. The foundation  stone of this institution was laid by the former Prime Minister of India Shri Pandit Jawaharlal  Nehru in the presence of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Education Minister, Government of  India. With a humble beginning of 110 students, in a thatched shed, today this edifice of  learning has grown exponentially with 7256 students on Campus. 

ENLIGHTENING THROUGH EDUCATION 

The institution takes pride in its profound contribution in the proliferation of female literacy  at the State level. As per the AISHE report of 2019-20, the female students enrolment at UG  level in Tamilnadu stands at 51% as compared to male students. A remarkable number of  11,295 students have graduated in the last five years (2015 2020) with the Management  providing scholarships to the deserving students that amounts to nearly one crore annually. 

ENLIGHTENED WITH NOVEL PROGRAMMES 

Unique programmes have been introduced from time to time and amongst the womens  colleges in Chennai city, our College was the first to introduce the following enriching and  employable programmes: 

 1961 M.Sc. Textiles and Clothing 

1965  B.A. Psychology 

 1971 B.Com. 

 1973 M.Sc. Child Development and Family Relations. 

1976 M.A. Psychology 

The accelerating growth of students strength has led to the institution offering 27  Undergraduate, 13 Postgraduate, 6 M.Phil. and 4 Ph.D programmes. 

PATH TOWARDS ENLIGHTENMENT 

The Institution endeavours to attain high standards of excellence by developing Interpersonal  and Communication Skills and inculcating Critical Thinking, Creativity and fostering the  spirit of social service amongst students by 

 Mentor-Mentee system. 

 Capacity Building Programmes. 

 Outreach Programmes and Club Activities. 

 Research Projects.

 Language Lab, Bridge Course and Task Based Language Papers. 

 Extension activities like NSS, NCC and YRC. 

 Motivational Talks, Placement Trainings and Mock Interviews. 

 Entrepreneurial Development Cell and Business Incubation Centre. Encouraging sports through Freeships. 

 Spiritual awareness through Religious Instruction Classes. 

ENLIGHTENING THROUGH RESEARCH 

The Institution encourages research culture and instills scientific temperament through  schemes such as Seed Capital Assistance to faculty, Financial Assistance for research work  for faculty publications and Student Research Grants. Today, there are 

 18 Ph.D. Guides. 

 37 M.Phil. Guides. 

 42 candidates registered for Ph.D. 

 58 scholars awarded Ph.D. till date 

168 faculty granted financial assistance for research. 

 58 funded Students Projects. 

ENLIGHTENING BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH BEYOND  BORDERS 

The Institution facilitates its faculty to cross borders and acquire new knowledge and skill  sets. 

Mrs. Fathima Akhtar, the then Chairman visited Tennessee, USA to undergo a  training on administration and Managerial Practices in the year 1960. 

 Two faculty attended an Exchange Programme at Tennessee, USA in 1959 and 1960. Three faculty were honored with Fulbright scholarships in the years 1999, 2002 and  2005. 

 One faculty attended the International Visitor Leadership Programme at U.S.A. in  2011. 

 Three faculty and six students visited Japan under the Sakura Science Exchange  programme during the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

 One faculty attended a Workshop in Germany in 2017. 

 Three faculty members have presented papers at international forums at countries  such as Thailand, Malaysia and U.K. 

 One faculty member is a renowned artist and has held 10 international shows  showcasing her art works in the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Lyon. 

 Two students attended the International Exchange Programme on Study of U.S.  Institutes (SUSI) in 2008 and 2019. 

 Five NCC Cadets participated in the International Youth Exchange Program at  Vietnam, Canada, U.K, and Singapore. 

ENLIGHTENED TO WIN ACCOLADES 

 The Institution etched a mark in the Limca Book of Record on 9th October 2015. The Higher Education Excellence Award was given by the Staffordshire University,  UK & Education Matters on 23rd July 2019.

 THINKEDU AWARD by Indian Express Group for the Continued Excellence in  Education on 9th January 2020. 

 A faculty from the Department of Tamil, a renowned motivational speaker has  travelled all over the world and has received numerous awards. 

 Four students have won the prestigious Elihu Yale Intercollegiate National Debate  conducted by the Indo-American Association, Chennai in 2017 and 2019.  Since 2000, 19 NCC Cadets have participated in the Republic Day Parade and 11  Cadets in ThalSainik Camp held at New Delhi. 

Students have also represented our country in sports such as volleyball, swimming,  athletics, rowing and archery. 

ENLIGHTENING PRESENCE OF LUMINOUS DIGNITARIES ON CAMPUS 

Our College has hosted Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Chief  Ministers, Vice Chancellors, Judges and other higher officials and eminent personalities from  India and abroad that has further elevated the Institutions status. 

ENLIGHTENED ALUMNAE 

The alumnae achievements stand as testimony to the vision of the institution. Some of the  notable alumnae are rendering yeoman services in different capacities as bureaucrats,  Government servants, lawyers, doctors, social activists, singers, corporate professionals,  human resource professionals, psychologists, teachers, professors, scientists, writers,  speakers, chefs, nutritional consultants, fitness experts, therapists, business women, and  artists. The institution takes pride in their accomplishments including notable positions such  as Vice -Chancellor, Politicians, Wintry Ward City Counselor in the London Corporation,  and many others. All our alumnae have been churned as responsible citizens whether  employed or happy home makers. 

ENLIGHTENED AND EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS 

The Institution has grown by leaps and bounds, empowering students to break through the  glass ceilings and become self-reliant. The college motto, "Learning is light from God,"  endorses the fact that learning is truly a divine gift which endows women with grace and  education to face challenges and develop positive attitude.Thus the students leaving the  portals of this edifice of learning traverse the path of knowledge with a sense of  commitment and integrity, enlightened to make a mark as empowered women in  society.