Introduction
Chandgad Taluka is an inaccessible and undeveloped place in Kolhapur district which is situated on the borderline of tri-states i.e. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. In this remote and backward area, there had been barely educational facilities, merely up to the primary and secondary level. However, the poor and promising students in the area had to go Belgaum, Kolhapur or Gadhingalaj for higher education. Taking seriously into account of this poor educational facilities for the upliftment of poverty stricken farmer’s children and subsequently to bring drastic change into rural society, Hon.Shri Narsingrao Gurunath Patil, founder Chairman of Daulat Sugar Factory; established ‘DAULAT VISHWASTH SANSTHA’ with noble and elevated thought and special aim of ‘Dnyan Hech Amrut’ (Knowledge is only Nectar). This educational institute established to educate, to promote to cause of all sorts of educations useful in development in agriculture, other side business and in day today life among the boys and girls in rural areas.
Yashwantrao Chavan College is the first and foremost college in the Chandgad taluka. Beginning with 250 students. On 9th April, 1984 Late Shri Yashwantrao Chavan laid the foundation-stone. On this auspicious occasion, great marathi writer Shri Ranjeet Desai was present.
In the year 1989, the institute started the first senior college in the Chandgad Taluka with Arts and Commerce streams and the Science wing was launched later on in 1994, as the demand of the society. The senior college is named after ‘Yashwantrao Chavan,’ an architect of neo Maharashtra and the junior college is named after ‘Guruvarya Grunath Vitthal Patil’ an ideal teacher, in Chandgad Taluka
The college has 20 acres of eco-friendly premise of its own. The institute has created necessary infrastructure systematically based on the rising requirements of the various stakeholders. The college is well equipped with excellent physical infrastructural facilities like the two floor academic, administrative buildings consisted of adequate class rooms, study room, multipurpose hall having 400 seating capacity, specious laboratories, ladies room, library, the huge playground, botanical garden, Lady’s hostel (under construction)etc. The canteen, parking shed facility is also available. All infrastructural facilities are optimally used by the college and other social organisations. Yashwantrao Chavan College offers B.A., B. Sc and B.Com programmes. We have also YCMOU centre. In the current year there are 1097 students. Number of administrative staff is 27 and 36 teaching staff working in the college. Students have received the Universities Merit-Scholarship. Some of our students have held executive posts and several are working in the field of teaching, army, business etc. At this moment, our college is leading one in the Chandgad Taluka.
The institute always encourages teachers to undertake active research work. Sixteen (16) teachers have improved their qualification and acquired M.Phil and Ph.D. Twelve (12) faculties have completed minor research projects. Four (05) teachers have qualified NET/SET examinations.
College performs its social responsibility by conducting community participative activities through NSS. Since last 25 years NSS has been organizing blood donation camps, special camps, tree plantation, awareness rallies, cleanness campaign every year. Students, teachers, administrative staff, and management members voluntarily participate in these activities. College collects Nirmalya at the time of Ganesh Festival in nearby villages. The NSS unit has two Program officers and 150 volunteers. It has been honoured with special awards by University and Gram Panchayats.
The college library has good collection of books, periodicals, references, news-papers, audio-visual aids, maps, educational CDs, charts etc. Library has specious reading hall. Computers with broad band and internet are set in the library. Library organises book exhibition every year. Library provides Book Bank facility.
Lead College scheme is inaugurated by Shivaji University. We have organised at least two workshops every year under lead college cluster. Workshops are organised on challenging topics in education. This forum helps to give opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas.