Shivaji University, established in 1962, has always been trying to take the university to the masses. The concept of extension in higher education taking university to the masses is an important educational ingredient which supports the idea. This concept has been recognized by the UGC (1977) in following words.

“If the University system has to discharge adequately its responsibilities to the entire education system and to the society as a whole, it must assume extension as the third important responsibility and give it the same status as research and teaching. This is a new and extremely significant area which should be developed on the basis of high priority.”

Keeping in view the importance of extension i.e. third dimension of higher education Shivaji University, sent the proposal to UGC for establishment of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension Work Department vide letter No.SU/Stat/F-10/4594 dated 20/8/1980. In response to the proposal of University UGC gave its sanction to establish the department in the university in the year, 1982 vide its letter No. F 6-1/81 (AE) dated 24th November, 1982 and the University established Department of Adult and Continuing Education & Extension Education (DACEE) in March 1984.

Department of Adult and Continuing Education & Extension Work offers various kinds of need based (short duration) Continuing Education Courses which help creating job employment opportunities for unemployed youth. In addition to this Department conducts programmes in Leadership and Human Resource Development, Quality of Life Improvement, Individual Interest promotion, Social and Citizenship “Role Awareness etc. Department also provides orientation and training in Life Long Education to teachers, students, social workers administrative staff etc., and works as link between University & affiliated colleges and society at large. Department’s activity of providing orientation to Gram Panchayat members has proved to be useful for strengthening participatory democracy. The department has made remarkable contribution in providing placements to the students. It is also entered into the field of e-learning. The work done by the department had reflected in short listing the Department for NLM-Unesco Award-2007 by NLM.