Rahata is a tahasil in the Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra. It is 70 k.m. away from Ahmednagar by road, 90 k.m. from Nashik & 188 k.m. from Pune & 120 k.m. from Aurangabad. It is just 5 k.m. south to the Holy Shrine of Lord Saibaba of Shirdi. Rahata is becoming a model city in the district.
Padmashri Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil was a man of vision who recognized the poor state of farming and the indebtedness of farmers. This persuaded him to uplift the farmers through an establishment of co-operative sugar factory at Loni, a first of its kind in Asia. To educate the masses is the only solution to uplift them; with this thought in mind he started Pravara Rural Education Society, Pravaranagar in 1964.
Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata was a part of PRES till 2011. It is joined to Shirdi Sai Rural Institute, Pravaranagar from June, 2011. Rahata Educational Complex has Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata, Industrial Training Centre, Rahata & SSRI’s Institute of Engineering and Allied Sciences, Rahata. This complex has played a crucial role in the education of Women. Otherwise, it would have deprived the girls from Higher Education.
Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata is run by Shirdi Sai Rural Institute, Pravaranagar. It was founded by Padmabhushan Shri. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Ex. Cabinet Minister, Govt. of India, Dr. Y.K. Alagh, Ex. Minister of Science and Technology, Power & Planning, Govt. of India and Dr. G.R. Mhaisekar, Ex. Vice Chancellor, in 1997 with a specific objective of providing appropriate Higher Edcation to rural learners; especially girls who were deprived of Higher Education. The college is permanently affiliated to the University of Pune and is included under 12 (b) & 2 (f) section of UGC Act 1956 and is eligible to receive UGC grants. The college is Awarded with “A” Grade from NAAC, Banglore in the academic year 2012-13. It is also the recipient of the First Prize of ‘Best Rural College’ under University of Pune 2012-13. The college is honoured with Rural Best College under University from Student Welfare Board.
The College offers Undergraduate and Post Graduate academic programmes under Science faculty. B.Sc. Degree in Chemistry with Physics, Botany, Zoology and Mathematics as courses is offered. Post Graduate M.Sc. Chemistry is run. B.Com. Degree can be obtained under Commerce faculty. M.Com. course is also run. B.A. degree under Arts faculty with Marathi, Hindi, English, Economics, Geography, History & Political Science is offered. There is a PG Course in M.A. Economics. Along with these Academic programmes; Short Term Vocational, Skill-Oriented trainings are also given to the students.
The teaching, research and extention activities in the institute are carried out by highly qualified, motivated, 32 faculty, 06 having Ph.D. & 07 M.Phil. degrees. Most of them are engaged in research by Financial Assistance from funding agencies like, UGC, BCUD & University of Pune. 10 faculties are guiding Ph.D. & M.Phil & M.Sc. students. They are involved in Research Publications organizing National Conference/Symphosia & for updating Knowledge participating in Orientation/Refresher programme. Research Collaboration with eminent institutions is established. Adequate infrastructure is available for conducting academic activities. Student enrollment is increasing every year. Learning enhanced with good Library with ICT based E-Journal, E-Book and E-Learning and Books and Journals.
Students are securing maximum marks in the examinations. Though the students have rural background, some of them are toppers in the University. The Institute is giving equal importance to placement of students through placement cell, where they get employment/placements. Various supporting services are given to students especially ‘Earn While Learn’ Scheme. Every Effort is taken to make student a good human being and a responsible citizen of India. Social responsibilities are imbibed among students through N.S.S. and Students Welfare Board.
It is decided in future to introduce education in emerging fields such as Biotechnology, Physics, Botany, Zoology. To establish and strengthen the research laboratories in Physics, Chemistry, Botany & Zoology and to develop more ICT networks as well as computational facilities and to enhance student/staff participation in research activities.