St. Thomas College, Pala

st Thomas college

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Motto	“Vita (Life), Lux (Light), Amor (Love)”
Type	Private (Minority Institution)
Established	1950
Location	pala (kottayam) , kerala , India
Website	stcp.ac.in

St. Thomas College, Pala was founded on 7th August 1950 by the Diocese of Palai, one of the leading educational institutions in Kerala. The College was accredited at Four Star level by NAAC in 2000 and is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It is recognized under section 2(f) and 12B of the UGC Act 1956. The Government of Kerala has recognized the College as a Special Grade College. The founders of the college set before themselves the task of providing a Christian formation to the younger generation by fostering in their minds faith in God, love for their fellow-men and devotion to motherland. These aims are to be realised by imparting moral and religious discipline in addition to the instruction aimed at general intellectual and physical advancement. They made it their mission to spread the light of learning all around, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language.

The College coat of arms symbolically suggests the intellectual and moral task the college assigns to itself. The motto on the crest, “Vita (Life), Lux (Light), Amor (Love)” shows how light and love, which stand for knowledge and fellow-feeling respectively, can enrich a person’s life. The bearings on the shield represent a river in the lower portion, a pepper-vine, a book and a lamp and a setsquare in the upper portion. The river is River Meenachil on whose banks the college is seated. The pepper - vine denotes the trade and agrarian associations of Palai and the charges to its right are symbols of learning and skill. Further, the setsquare evokes memories of St. Thomas, our Heavenly Patron, who is traditionally represented as holding a setsquare.

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Main building

HISTORY

• 1948 15 August - Application for the college submitted to Travancore University.
• 1948 21 October- Sanction obtained from the University.MM
• 1949 22 August- Fr. Mani Sebastian Vayalilkalapura (Mar Sebastian Vayalil) elected President of the college committee.
• 1950 10 January- Dr. P.J. Thomas, Economic Advisor to the Govt. of India,
• 1950 07 August- St. Joseph's Block blessed and Intermediate classes begun
• 1950 09 November- The episcopal ordination of Mar Sebastian Vayalil, the FIRST Bishop of Palai.
• 1952 26 October- Foundation stone of Christu Raj Hostel laid by Mar. Sebastian Vayalil.
• 1953 10 June - B.Sc. Mathematics., B.Sc. Botany and B.A. Economics begun.

Department of Statistics

Department of Statistics became an independent one with Prof. K. Ramakrishna Pillai as head in 1970. The pioneers of this Department include Dr. A. M. Mathai, Prof. V. K. Iganatius, Prof.K.G. Panicker, Prof. Thomas Mathew and Prof. V. N. Sukumaran. It became a research center under M.G. University in 1997.This department is proud of its alumni like Dr. N.U. Nair,Dr. Bovas Abraham, Dr. C.P. Kartha, Dr. K.R.M.Nair, Dr. V.K.R. Nair, Dr. N.J. Kurian, Shri T.K. Jose I.A.S, Sri James Mathew I.S.S. etc. This department has produced over 43 UGC-CSIR JRF’s and 22 ISS officers. This department has 4 research guides, produced 18 Ph.D’s, over 100 research papers in International/ national journals and conducted many national seminars. conferemces,symposia. It has 2 major and 3 minor UGC Projects, and DST-FIST support and UGC Innovative programme amounting to Rs. 90 lakhs to its credit.

Department of Mathematics

Started in the year 1953 the department of Mathematics has the credit of crowning 57 Degree and 31 Post Graduate batches in flying colours. The pioneers of this department include Prof. P.C. Joseph, N.S. Parameshwaran, Mathew T. Matheikal, G. Prabhakaran Nair, and P. Oonnikrishan Nair. Alumni like Dr. N. Unnikrishan Nair, Dr. A.M. Mathai, Sri T.K. Jose I.A.S., and Anu Thomas have left the light of this department to shine in the world by excelling in their careers. It became a research department in 1997 and has 4 research guides, 4 Ph.Ds and over 20 research papers. It has one two (UGC/DST) Project amounting to Rs. 2,58000/- to its credit.

Department of Physics

Started along with the college in 1950, the department of Physics claims the credit of crowning 46 Degree and 39 Post Graduate batches with victory. The pioneers of this department include Prof. A.V. Varkey, Prof.. Joseph Ittyavirah and Rev. E.V. Thomas. This department is proud of its alumni like Antony Francis, Scientist, USA, V.P.N Namboothiri I.S.O., CUSAT, Sakir T. Thomas, I.R.S. whose careers are excellent sequels to their study here. It has one major project and 3 minor UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 10 lakhs to its credit. It became a research department in 2000 and has a number of research publications in international and national journals.

Department of Chemistry

The department of Chemistry, since 1952, the year of its starting, has shown 54 Degree and 42 Post Graduate batches the way to victory. The students from the Department have so far won 9 University Ranks for B.Sc. and 27 for M.Sc., apart from 52 selections in CSIR-UGC JRF(NET) Exam. This department had great dignitaries like Professors P.K. Mani, A.M. Mathew, K.J. Scaria, K.I Mathai, and A.V. Antony. This department is known through its alumni like Dr. K.L.Sebastian, Scientist, IISc; Joseph Thomas IPS, James Kurian IFS, Antony George, NTPC Kayamkulam, Capt. George Mathew GMR Group, Rajendran A.G.Scientist ISRO, Dr. Benny K.George, VSSC, Dr. K. Sreekumar, CUSAT and Dr. K. Pius, M.G. University. It has 2 major and 4 minor DST & UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 20,62,000 to its credit. It became a research department in 1986 and has 6 research guides and has produced so far 5 Ph.Ds and over 50 research publications in international and national journals. It is selected for DST-FIST support worth Rs. 40.5 lakhs.

Department of Botany

Started in the year 1953 the department of Botany holds laurels for meritoriously producing 57 Degree and 49 Post Graduate batches. The pioneers of this department include Prof. P.M Chacko, Dr. C.V. Krishna Iyengar, K.V. Varghese, N.J. Abraham, P.J.Joseph, T.M. Thomas Thelly, Mathew M. Sebastian, Sr. V.C. Annakkutty, Fr. James Vellankal, M.C. Mani, K.P. Sebastian, T.U Thomas and Rev. Dr. M.M. Mathew. Great alumni like K.S.Sebastian, K.C. Sebastian, M.N.Gopinath, Noyal Thomas IFS, Dr. Jose C. Periyapuram and Fr. Joseph K.M have brought glory to the department by glittering in their careers. It has 3 major and 3 minor UGC, DST & KSCSTE Projects amounting to Rs. 57 lakhs to its credit. The department became a research department in 2002 and has 5 research guides and has produced more than 56 research publications in international and national journals. The Dept. has been recognised under FIST scheme of DST Govt. of India New Delhi with a project amount of Rs. 40.5 lakhs.

Department of Zoology

In the 51 years since 1955 when the department of Zoology started functioning, annals of success were etched by crowning 52 Degree batches with victory. Prof. A. Chummar, Dr. Joseph Chowattukunnel, Prof. O. Mathai, Prof. Jose Joseph, Prof. K. K. Abraham, Prof. M.V. George are some of the distinguished personnel who steered this department. This department shines in the world through its alumni like Dr.K.R Muraleedharan Nair, Dr. Bennychan Thomas, DFO and Dr. Manoj N.K (USA) whose excellent careers testify to its merit. It has one minor UGC Projectsamounting to Rs. 78,000 to its credit.

Department Biotechnology & Microbiology

Postgraduate courses in Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology were started during the academic year 2003 and 2004 respectively with a student intake of 20 each under self-financing scheme. Both the courses are affiliated and recognized by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The department, along with the centre of Bio-informatics & Computational Biology offers a certificate course in Bio-informatics. Comprising an inspiring team of teachers, well-versed in the subject. well furnished laboratory Special HRD Programmers for students.

Department of English

Born with the college in 1950, the department of English trails a glorious history crowning 46 Degree and 43 Post Graduate batches with merit and value. Prof. K.M. Chandy, Dr. Sivarama Subramania Iyer, Prof. A.C. Kuruvilla, Prof. Andrews Kottiri and Msgr. Joseph Kureethadam are some among the stalwarts of this department. This department is proud of its alumni like K.J. Mathew I.A.S., Dr. Mathew Joseph and Dr. N. Ramachandran who carved their names in golden letters in their careers. It has one major UGC Project amounting to Rs. 488400/- to its credit. This department has 5 Ph.D. Guides and has produced 30 Ph.Ds so far.

Department of Malayalam

Started along with the college in 1950, the department of Malayalam served the college with Malayalam classes by eminent Professors like Prof. Elias, Rev. Fr. John Mattam, Prof. D.Ouseph and Rev. Fr. P.F. Kuriakose. Since 1959, it has sent out 48 batches of Degree students through the portals of victory. Professors C.J. Sebastian, R.S. Varmaji, M. Mathai, M. A. Joseph, P.C. Devasia, K.P. Augusty, A. K. Joseph, Dr. P.A Joseph, Dr.M.Gopalakrishnan Nair imparted their scholarship to thousands of students down the decades. It became a Post Graduate Department in 1995 and an approved Research Centre in 1996. To date, 12 PhDs have been awarded from this Department. The department also runs a major project worth Rs. 5 lakhs

Department of Hindi

Since its birth in 1957, the department of Hindi has crowned 52 Post Graduate batches with victory. The great luminaries of this department include Prof. Vyathith, Prof. P.K.Kesavan Nair, Dr. N.R. Eledom, Dr. N.K. Joseph, Prof. C.P. Philip, Dr. P.M. Thomas, Prof. Somavarma Raja, Prof. P.C. Thomas and Prof. C.J. Joseph. This department is proud of its alumni like Dr. V.P.M Methar and Dr. T.K. Narayana Pillai who excelled in their careers. It has 2 major and 3 minor UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 6.25 lakhs to its credit. It became a research department in 1971, has 7 Ph.D research guides and has produced 67 Ph.Ds till now.

Department of syriac

The regular course of Syriac language and literature as a second language for undergraduate and graduate students started in the college in 1954. Before the formal beginning of the Syriac Department, Rev.Fr. Joseph Moonnupeedikayil, the then warden of the hostel, gave private training to a few selected students who opted Syriac as their second language. Rev.Fr. Joseph Kurias was the first formally appointed lecturer of this department who joined the college in 1954. Later when the strength of students increased Rev. Fr. Alexander Cherukarakunnel also was appointed as lecturer in the department in 1961. Rev. Fr. Joeph and Rev. Fr. Alexander retired in 1970 and 1979 respectively. Rev. Fr. Philip Njaralakkatt and Rev. Fr. John Kariapuram joined in the department in 1979 as lecturers. Rev. Fr. Philip retired in 1995 and Rev Fr. John in 1996. After him there was only one member in the faculty, Rev. Fr. Joseph N.V. (Njarakkkattil), joined the department in 1996. In 1998 onwards the B.Com students were also given opportunity for taking Syriac as their second language.

Department of Political science

Started in the year 1955, the department of Political science holds the credit of crowning 51 Degree and 47 Post Graduate batches with glory. The pioneers of this department include Dr. N.M Thomas, Prof. M.T. Thariyan, Fr. Joseph Kinattukara, Prof. Dr. Cyriac Thomas, Prof. V.J. Joseph, Dr.C.A. Perumal and Prof. N.C. Mathukutty. This department is proud of its alumni like Prof. John Joseph (Acting Secretary General, Lok Sabha) P.P.Gopi I.A.S., Siby George I.F.S. and Appu Joseph I.R.S. The Research Dept., started in 1986, has seven research guides and has produced 15 Ph.D’s so far. Department of Hindi Since its birth in 1957, the department of Hindi has crowned 49 Post Graduate batches with victory. The great luminaries of this department include Prof. Vyathith, Prof. P.K.Kesavan Nair, Dr. N.R. Eledom, Dr. N.K. Joseph, Prof. C.P. Philip, Dr. P.M. Thomas, Prof. Somavarma Raja, Prof. P.C. Thomas and Prof. C.J. Joseph. This department is proud of its alumni like Dr. V.P.M Methar and Dr. T.K. Narayana Pillai who excelled in their careers. It has 2 major and 3 minor UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 6.25 lakhs to its credit. It became a research department in 1971, has 7 Ph.D research guides and has produced 60 Ph.Ds till now.

Department of History

The department of History, since its inception in 1999 has attained the credit of crowning 8 Degree batches. The pioneers of this department include Prof. P.V. Joseph and Rev. Dr. M.C. Pius.

Department of Economics

The year 1953 saw the formation of the department of Economics. Since then, 51 Degree and 38 Post Graduate batches have been led to the nnacle of victory by the department. Prof. V.J. Mathai, A.O Joseph, Dr. A.T. Devasia, P.T.Cyriac, N.J. Devasia and E.S. Joseph were the great visionaries who shaped the destiny of this department. This department is proud of its alumni like Sri Madhavan Namboothiri, Jose J. Naduthotty, C.K. Gopalakrishnan Nair and Sri Augustine Peter who pursued their careers in splendour. It has four minor UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 2 lakhs to its credit

Department of Commerce

The department of Commerce was formed in 1961. It has led 46 Degree and 27 Post Graduate batches through the portals of victory. The pioneers of this department include Prof. Chari, Prof. Chakola, V.V.Mani, K. Philip John, Fr. C.M. Mathew, P.A. Mathew and P.C. Abraham. The pride of the department is enhanced by dignified alumni like Tom Jose I.A.S. and A.X. George who have left indelible impressions in their careers. It became a research department in 1998, has 3 research guides and has produced 6 Ph.D’s. It has four minor UGC Projects amounting to Rs. 3 lakhs to its credit. This department has a number of research publications too.

Department of physical education

In the 56 years of history, St.Thomas college has the rare distinction of producing more than 50 sports person who went on to don the tricolor at various international competitions and more than 500 athletes of national repute in various games has rolled out of this college. Late Jimmy George (Arjuna Awardee, Volleyball), Wilson Cherian (Arjuna Awardee, swimming), Olympian Manojlal K.J. (G.V. Raja Awardee, Athletics) are the few alumnae of St.Thomas College Pala whose achievements reflect the excellence of this institution in sports pursuit. The college has received Rajiv Gandhi Trophy for overall champion 2003 college games and had be continuously champion in the men section (cash award of 50,000 rupees) of college games from 2001 to 2004. It has retained the Malayala Manorama trophy for being the champion college in sports and games among the 250 affiliated colleges of Mahatma Gandhi University for a record a number of times.

Faculty of Religion

The Faculty of Religion is a voluntary association of teachers. It started functioning in 1978 with the objective of moulding a community that is intellectually mature, morally upright, emotionally stable, spiritually inspired and socially committed.

FACILITIES

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH SERVICES Faculty Improvement Programmes: Regular courses, both long term and short term are conducted by experts for the faculty to improve their knowledge base as well as soft skills. Counseling Service: The college has a full-time external counselor and from among the faculty, 6 trained counselors. Retreats: Annual retreats are held for the faculty and the students to facilitate spiritual growth and renewal. Personality Development Programmes: Regular programmes in personality and leadership skills conducted by renowned trainers Value Education: Seminars and Conference are conducted in view of their overall development of students. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES The doors are thrown open to the students to develop their innate potential and talents. Regular Arts and Talent Festivals and Competitions are held giving the campus a look of warmth, growth and celebration. CAREER SERVICES The College has an extremely proactive Career Guidance Wing led by 4 faculty members who are Career Counselling Certificate holders. Regular career orientation and awareness programmes are conducted by experts. CAREER INFORMATION CENTRE It is a unique center with books, periodicals, directories etc. which are all career oriented. Over 120 up-to date career files are available to the students. These files contain materials collected from several courses, giving detailed information regarding course, career options etc. CAREER COACHING CENTRE Regular coaching is given for UGC, NET and SET Exams, P.O. and various PSC and UPSC tests, How to Face and Interview, How to Participate in a Group Discussion etc.

References

• http://www.stcp.ac.in