The founder of the college, HH Srimad Andavan Shri Ranga Ramanuja MahaDesikan, the 11th pontiff of the Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam ‘Periyashramam’ was a school teacher by profession in his poorvashrama. He had observed that the rural students had to travel many miles to towns & cities to pursue their higher education after schooling in villages.
His Holiness had strong belief that education was the panacea which could eradicate social inequality and alleviate economic disparity. Hence his vision was to offer higher education to the weaker section and downtrodden particularly from the rural sector without any discrimination of caste and creed or religion. Eventually, after he adorned the Achariyar throne, his vision of empowering the rural youth was initiated in 1996 with the establishment of Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College at Srirangam.To enable this it was ordained that the fees charged will be very less and free transport will be provided to the rural students spread over 50kms radius from the college.
With the underlying divine principles of His Holiness, the noble service of the institution continues till date to provide quality value based education at an affordable cost. The Institution is serving the rural community for more than two decades by operating 28 buses in 18 routes which travel upto 50 kms radius enabling the rural youth to access free transport in their pursuit to gain higher education. Many eligible and needy students are also provided with merit scholarships and freeships. Apart from education students are also trained in cultural, sports and yoga. Students are also upskilled with various job oriented skill enhancement courses.
The college gives special attention to the students who hail from socially marginalized sections and to the ones who have secured very low marks in higher secondary education with a vision to mould them into responsible and compassionate educated citizens of the nation.