SDM College, Ujire is an autonomous college under Mangalore University. Founded in 1966, the college offers Bachelors and Masters Programmes in a serene campus at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka (India). The college is a recognized centre for research programmes of Mangalore University, Tumkur University and Kannada University, Hampi. Managed by SDM Educational Society, it is headed by the visionary, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
The lotus at the base of the emblem indicates the blossoming of one’s personality while the lighted lamp at the centre symbolizes the burning desire for ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Truth’. The three layers encircling the lamp stand for the essentials of the process of education i.e. ‘Perception’ ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Conduct’ (perception growing into true knowledge and knowledge leading to refined conduct). This is envisioned through the motto of the institution, Samyagdarshana Jnana Charitryani: inculcation of a spirit of inquiry essential for acquiring knowledge that leads to true awareness and moulding of character
Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational [SDME] Society, Ujire® was established with the primary objective of making education accessible and affordable to the rural youth. With the hallmarked vision: Putting Value into Education, at present, it manages 56 educational institutions from Kindergarten to Doctoral Studies in the state of Karnataka in India. These institutions offer quality education in the fields of General, Law, Technical, Medical and Management Studies. These institutions ensure quality through updated skill sets and value based education.
The Dharmaadhikari of Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade is a multi-faceted personality who combines in him many roles. Being the head of a religious institution that draws millions, he is the dispenser of justice. The tradition of Chaturvida Daanaparampara (Four types of Charity: Annadana – Free Food, Vidya Daana – Free Education, Aushada Daana – Free Medicine and Healthcare and Abhaya Daana – Succor) finds greater meaning under his able administration of Shri Kshethra. As the president of SDM Educational Society, he is the guiding spirit and driving force behind the institution’s run. The Society under his guidance, runs more than 50 educational institutions – Kindergarten to the Doctoral studies – in the fields like Technical, Medical, Management Law and General Higher Education – across the state of Karnataka in India. He established Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), which has transformed the hapless rural people into empowered individuals. Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETI) established nationwide by him have brought smiles on the faces of countless unemployed youth. Shri Dharmasthala Siri Gramodyoga Samsthe (SIRI), yet another social welfare organisation established by Dr Heggade, has provided a means of honourable existence to many rural people, especially women. Many awards and recognitions came in search of him for his untiring contributions to the welfare of the society. To name a few, he is the recipient of Ashden International Gold Award, London, which is also considered as the Green Oscar and Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in India.
Dr. PN Udayachandra was appointed the Principal of SDM College, Ujire on 1st of January 2022. He has formerly served as the Head of Department of Commerce and Dean at the institution with numerous academic laurels in his name. Dr. PN Udayachandra has obtained his Ph.D from the University of Mangalore for his thesis titled “Evaluation of Human Resource Accounting in Human Resource Management – a case study of Heavy Engineering and Software industry in Karnataka.” He has published a UGC Minor Research titled “Diagnostic study on entrepreneurial capital with special reference to Dakshina Kannada.”
Dr. Udayachandra has published ten academic books and presented eight papers in National and State level conferences. He has also Chaired, Moderated and delivered Keynote addresses at various conferences. Alongside being the Principal of SDM College, Ujire, he also serves from the positions of Chairman B.O.S. in Commerce, S.D.M.College, Ujire(Autonomous); Member Academic Senate of C.L.H.R.D, Mangalore; Member Academic Council of Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore, (Autonomous); Member B.O.S. of Bangalore University, U.G.Commerce; Life member-Indian Accounting Association; Life member and former Vice President of MUCTA; Life member and former Vice President of AMUCT and Promoter “Takshashila Research Foundation” Ujire. Currently, he is a Research Guide recognised by Tumkur University and Mangalore University, and has successfully guided 5 Ph.D. candidates and 15 M.Phil candidates.
Institutional Best Practices are evolved based on the values upon which the institution is built. The college was established with the motto of Samyak Darshana Jnana Charitryani, meaning embolden Right perspective-Right conduct. Hence, the best practices of the college are aligned with the inculcation of these values among the learners through various initiatives and activities. Carbon neutral campus, energy conservation and use of alternative energy, green cover and botanical gardens, water conservation, management of hazardous waste, reduction in the use of plastic products, rain water harvesting, organic waste management, use of solar energy are some of the best practices in the campus. In addition to these, the college introduced innovations in curricular and co-curricular activities, social responsibility series, optimum utilization of the library facilities, and promotion of research culture in the campus through various initiatives.