“Education is a liberating force, and in our age, it is also a democratizing force, cutting across the barriers of caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances” - so defined Padmabushan Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, Chairman, Sakthi Groups.
Following the great man’s footsteps, Dr. K. Vembannan, M.B.B.S.,M.S., the Managing Trustee of Sowdamman Charitable Trust is a staunch believer that “Education makes one more humane, independent and perfect. It is the most powerful weapon for upliftment of mankind.”
Being a visionary, Dr. Vembannan founded Sakthi College of Arts and Science, Oddanchatram in the year 2009 as a temple of learning. The college functions with the noble aspiration of uplifting the moral and educational standards of the women of the rural area in and around Oddanchatram, Tamil Nadu, Palani. It has the vision of empowering women through value-based education, with special concern for the economically disadvantaged and the first generation learners. The mission of the college is actualized in the institutional goals, administrative policies, academic programmes, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, staff enrichment initiatives and student support systems. The ethical and moral formation of staff and students is seamlessly woven into the fabric of campus life. Innovation, student-centred modes of teaching and learning, extensive use of technological aids and research-based activities enrich the intellectual life on the campus.
The Institution has been recognized under (2f) and (12b) of the UGC Act. It is affiliated to Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal. Having started functioning with 129 students in the academic year 2009, it has now reached the strength of 1100 students. The proof of its adherence to standard lies in the milestone achievement of having bloomed well with 11 Under-graduate, 10 Post-graduate and 07 Pre-doctoral (M.Phil.,) Programmes. The College offers innovative curricula, opportunities for holistic development and a highly disciplined and diversified environment for students to surpass in scholastic, non-scholastic and research pursuits. However, while keeping pace with the changes in higher education at the national and global level, the institution still retains its local flavour and continues to offer value-based education with a special focus on the underprivileged.