The Liberation of Goa in 1961 opened up avenues for higher education and professional education in the Union Territory. However, there were no facilities for Commerce education and professional education in South Goa.
With an ardent urge to fulfill this crying need, a group of young and enlightened professionals and entrepreneurs fired with zeal and vision of empowering the youth in this part of the State, embarked upon a seemingly Herculean mission and established Vidya Vikas Mandal in Margao in 1971. Vidya Vikas Mandal is an educational society dedicated to the development of quality education. In 1973, the Mandal established its first institution - Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics - a Commerce college affiliated to the University of Bombay. From this modest beginning, the Mandal soon grew into a premier educational society, managing professional and management institutes, a Distance Education centre and a Computer Centre. It has since successfully branched out into pre-primary, primary and secondary education. Today, Vidya Vikas Mandal is a premier educational society of recognised merit, managing the following quality institutions -

1. Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics (Accredited with B++ by NAAC )
2. 2. R. M. Salgaocar Higher Secondary School
3. Govind Ramnath Kare College of Law
4. H. M. N. Gaunekar Institute of Management Training & Research
5. Goa Study Centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University
6. Vidya Vikas Academy (High School affiliated to ICSE)
7. V. V. M.s Computer Centre



SHREE DAMODAR COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECONOMICS

Established in 1973, Vidya Vikas Mandals Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics enjoys pride of place as a premier institution of higher education. Located in Tansor, Margao, the College campus is ensconced in a peaceful environment, endowed with natural beauty. Spacious classrooms, a richly stocked library, well equipped computer laboratories, a multipurpose hall for indoor games and a canteen are among the facilities that the staff and students put to optimum benefit. Our College boasts a complement of highly qualified, experienced and dedicated teaching faculty. Damodar College has U.G.C. recognition and permanent affiliation to the Goa University. In 1999, the College was assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council - NAAC - and was accredited with Three Star Status. We are due for reaccredidation during this academic year, and the entire reaccreditation process will be completed before the end of the academic year 2005-06. In recognition of the pioneering work done by the Vidya Vikas Mandal, the IGNOU set up its Regional Study Centre (RSC) in Shree Damodar College in the year 1987. This Centre offers distance education programs in Undergraduate as well as Post-Graduate courses. Our institution is a recognised centre for coaching classes for the Preparatory Examinations tof he Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), - PE-I & PE-II. Under UGCs COHSSIP (College Humanities & Social Sciences Improvement Programme), we have been inviting experts from industry and faculty from other educational institutions to interact with our students and staff. Remedial classes and merit coaching classes are a regular part of college activities. While the former cater to the needs of the below-average students, the latter are targeted at the above-average students. While our focus is on academics, we make every possible effort to encourage the all-round development of our students. The NSS and NCC (Army, Navy and Girls Wing) offer students ample opportunities for character formation and personality development. The wide range of co-curricular and extra curricular activities organized by the Students Council, Gymkhana and Cultural Union provide platforms for bringing the talents of our students to the fore. Sports and cultural activities have always been the forte of Damodar College. Student seminars, symposia and exhibitions on matters of social relevance are held on a regular basis under the guidance of teachers. The Career Cell of the College arranges for intensive coaching for those who are interested in answering competitive examinations. Interface with industry and formally organized campus interviews have helped find good placements for our graduates. It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for us that since 2001, several reputed companies including Multinational Corporations like G. E. International, Hewlett & Packard Ltd. and E-Funds have placed a large number of our students through campus recruitment. The Womens Cell works hard to create awareness of gender equality and through its programmes helps in the empowerment of our girl students. The College has an active alumni association called Damodar Ex-Students Association, which helps ex-students keep in touch with one another. We also have a Parent-Teacher Association, which seeks to improve our students all-round development and progress. The Association focuses on ways and means to improve physical facilities in the College. In keeping with the name of our parent body, “ Vidya Vikas Mandal” the Management and Staff of Damodar College are directed to the common purpose of the Vikas of Vidya. With the blessings of the Almighty we have made commendable strides in this direction