St. Thomas College, Thrissur

Last updated

St. Thomas' College (Autonomous), Thrissur
സെന്റ് തോമസ് കോളേജ് തൃശൂർ
ST Thomas College Thrissur.jpg
Administration Block of St Thomas' College
MottoVeritas Vos Liberabit
Motto in English
 The truth will set you free
TypeGovernment Aided College
Established1918;106 years ago (1918)
Founder Mar Adolph Medlycott
Religious affiliation
 Syro Malabar Catholic Church
Academic affiliation
 University of Calicut
Principal Fr. Dr. Martin K. A.
Academic staff
200
Administrative staff
70
Students3470
Undergraduates 2850
Postgraduates 480
140
Location
Thrissur
,
Kerala
,
India
Campus Urban
Nickname STC
Website stthomas.ac.in

St. Thomas College (Autonomous), Thrissur, is a government aided catholic college located in Thrissur, Kerala, India. Established as a college in 1918 [1] , the college is considered to be one of the oldest and premier instituitions of higher education in Princely State of Cochin. It is the first Catholic college in Kerala and is conducted by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. The college is affiliated with the University of Calicut.

Contents

The college attained Autonomous status in 2014 and was recognised as College with Potential for Excellence by University Grants Commission in 2016. The college was accredited with A++ grade in its fourth cycle of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation, scoring CGPA of 3.70 on a four-point scale in October 2022. It is ranked 57th among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024. [2]

History

St. Thomas College, Thrissur St thomas college thrissur.jpg
St. Thomas College, Thrissur

Started as a lower secondary school in 1889, the founder, the first Vicar Apostolic of Thrissur, Mar Adolphus Edwin Medlycott, named it St. Thomas’ College. The college started to function in the compound of present-day Bishop's House compound. In 1919, it was raised to a second-grade college in arts, affiliated to the University of Madras. [3] The college was elevated as a first-grade college by the University of Madras in April 1925, and it is the second non-government college in Kerala to achieve that status.

The buildings of the college were constructed in a phased manner. Rev. Medlycott has given a description about the college at the time of his return in 1896 as below:

The bishop on taking charge found that there were practically no schools, ... he took early steps to open as many elementary parish schools as possible; within nine years (1888-96) the vicariate was provided with no less than 231 elementary parish schools for both sexes, educating over 12,000 children, besides a high school (St. Thomas's College), with 95 students;.... plans were prepared to house the above college in a handsome structure. [4]

The first building of the college is the one which is having the tower. Menacherry Hall was built in the year 1941. The Science Block (present day Academic Block on the opposite side of the road) was built in 1956.

In 2004, St. Thomas' was accredited with a B++ grade by NAAC, an autonomous organization instituted by the UGC. In September 2010, the college was re-accredited with A grade by NAAC. The college attained A Grade in its NAAC reaccreditation in 2016. In October 2022, the college attained A++ grade in its fourth cycle of NAAC accreditation.

The year 2018-2019 was celebrated as Sathyaprayan 1919-2019, the centennial as second grade college and the commemoration was inaugurated by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, on 7 August 2018.

Academic programmes

The college offers graduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. level programmes in a wide range of subjects. There are twenty-four teaching departments [5] (including ten research departments [6] and the thirteen postgraduate departments [7] ) which encompass 140 teachers.

Departments

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics was started in 1922 within three years of the establishment of the college itself. In 1951 a B.A Degree in Physics was started (later changed to BSc) was started with the affiliation of the Madras University. In 1961 MSc Physics (of Kerala University) was started which was a rare course in those days (one among four colleges in Kerala then). This Department offers bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in physics.

Department of Zoology

The department of Zoology, established in 1957, was affiliated to the University of Kerala. Post Graduate course was introduced in 1969 with entomology as the special paper. The department was approved as a recognized research center under university of Calicut in 1974 and is enriched with a full-fledged Research laboratory supported by Department of Science and Technology.

Department of Statistics

In the year 1955, the degree course in B.A. statistics was started under the Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics affiliated to the University of Madras. The B.A. course was converted to three-year B.Sc. course in statistics in 1958 under the University of Kerala. The Department of Statistics was established in the year 1984. This department offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral studies (PhD).

Department of Library and Information Studies

The Department of Library and Information Studies has two constituents: (1) the library which supplements the academic, intellectual, informational, inspirational, spiritual and recreational requirements of the academia with its rich resources and services, and (2) the department of information studies which offers various academic programmes.

The Department of Library is one of the largest and oldest college libraries in Kerala. Santhome Athenaeum, the Centennial Library of the college, houses about a hundred thousand books and subscribes to more than one hundred periodicals including journals, magazines and dailies. The library collection includes general, multidisciplinary, language and literature books in Malayalam, Sanskrit, Hindi and English language and literature along with the books in humanities, social sciences and natural, physical and mathematical sciences.

Entrance of Santhome Athenaeum STC-library.jpg
Entrance of Santhome Athenaeum

The valuable collections include forty sets of encyclopӕdiae, twenty sets of dictionaries and directories of various categories. Some of the collections are very rare, viz. 4 editions of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 editions of World Book Encyclopedia, Collier's Encyclopedia (24 volumes), Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia (29 volumes), Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia (15 volumes), The Book of Knowledge: The Children's Encyclopædia, International Encyclopedia of Ecology and Environment (30 volumes), Encyclopedia of Visual Art (10 volumes) and Encyclopedia of Animal World (21 volumes). In the collection of dictionaries, there are 20 sets of various types, among them A New English Dictionary (9 volumes), published in 1888, is the rarest and the most valuable. Moreover, A Dictionary of English Language abridged by Robert Gordon Latham from that of Samuel Johnson in 1882, Malayalam-English Dictionary by Hermann Gundert and Malayalam-Portuguese Dictionary by Arnos Padre are available in the library. Many of the old ecclesiastical books which were in the beginnings of the college were taken to the collection of Bishop's house to make room for academic books.

The College Library provides open access to its documents and any member can browse through the collections which are arranged according to Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). The library provides an online catalogue to trace these books. The members can also access scholarly literature which is available online through National Library and Information Services Infrastructure for Scholarly Content (N-LIST) of UGC-INFLIBNET. Through N-LIST, members can access to 6,000+ journals, 1,99,500+ ebooks under N-LIST and 6,00,000 ebooks through National Digital Library of India. The College Library houses 30 terminals of computers for the use of students and faculty. The library provides reference, scholarly literature search services and similarity check for plagiarism. The seating capacity of the library is 408 which include carrels, research cubicles and learning stairs.

The academic Department of Information Studies offers the Postgraduate Certificate Programme in Information Studies. The programme is delivered entirely online using virtual learning platform and consists of three modules: information literacy, academic writing and communication, and intellectual property and its management. The programme is first of its kind in India. Training on electronic reference management and awareness about web research profiles, citation metrics, intellectual property rights, ethical methods of research and publishing, pseudo-journals and plagiarism are also imparted by the department.
In the first quarter of 2020, the department started to offer the UGC approved two credit course Research and Publication Ethics online through St Thomas E-learning Platform (STEP), the Moodle instance of the college. Later it was offered online in the month of August in 2020 and in the following years and was attended by about 900 participants from different parts of India.

Doctoral Studies (PhD)

The college is offering research programmes under the following ten departments:

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatima Mata National College</span> Educational institute in Kerala

Fatima Mata National College is a college in the Indian state of Kerala, named after Our Lady of Fatima, a Catholic title of Virgin Mary. The college was ranked 92nd in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Berchmans College</span> Government Aided Catholic college in Kerala, India

St. Berchmans College, most commonly known as SB College, is one of the first autonomous colleges, situated in Changanasserry, 17 km from Kottayam, in Kerala, India. Established in 1922, the college is considered to be one of the oldest and premier institutions of higher education in India. The University Grants Commission (UGC) identified the college under its “College with Potential for Excellence” scheme. UGC and the Government of Kerala granted autonomy to the college on 13 June 2014. The college celebrated its centenary in the academic year of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha</span> College in Kerala, India

Nirmala College is a first grade arts and science college in Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India run by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The college admits undergraduates and post-graduates and offers degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and commerce. The college celebrated the golden jubilee in the academic year 2002–2003. The institution is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The college was Re accredited by NAAC With A++ (CGPA:3.73)Grade in April 2021.Nirmala College is governed by a management board consisting of 21 members. The Board meets at least four times a year and takes all important decisions concerning the governance of the college.

Mar Ivanios College is an autonomous educational institution situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The college was ranked as 45th best college in the country by Ministry of Education's National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2023, 48th in 2020.

The Government College Manimalakunnu is an arts and science college situated in the Eastern part of Ernakulam District. The college is almost near to the tri-junction of Ernakulam-Kottayam and Idukky districts. Situated at the footpoint of a small hill called Manimalakunnu, the College is giving educational opportunities to the students from nearby areas - Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Elanji and adjoining areas of Thodupuzha and suburban areas of Ernakulam town. The college comes under the Thirumarady Grama Panchayath, that lies between Piravom and Koothattukulam, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. The college is situated nearly 42 km from Ernakulam town and nearly 6 km from Kothattukulam town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Institute of Science and Technology</span> Engineering and business school in India

Federal Institute of Science And Technology (FISAT) is a private Engineering College and Business School in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. It is one of the top private technical institutions in the State. FISAT is accredited by NBA and NAAC and approved by AICTE and UGC. It is an initiative of the Federal Bank Officers' Association (FBOA), the organization representing the officers of the Federal Bank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ College, Irinjalakuda</span> College in Kerala, India

Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, is a government-aided college located in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India. It stands as a Syro-Malabar Catholic educational institution administered by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). Established in 1956 and affiliated with the University of Calicut, it holds the distinction of being the first college in Thrissur district to attain an 'A++' Grade certificate from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's College, Thrissur</span> Educational institution for women in India

St. Mary's College, Thrissur is an educational and research institution for women established in 1946 in Kerala state, India. The college is managed by the CMC Educational Society of Nirmala Province of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel in the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, the college is under the jurisdiction of the Syro Malabar Catholic Bishop of Thrissur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit</span> Sanskrit university in India

The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) is a Sanskrit university in India established in 1993 in Kalady, Kochi, Kerala. The foundation stone for the university was laid by Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. SSUS provides education in Sanskrit, other Indian and Foreign languages, Social science and fine arts. It is accredited A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university has eight regional campuses across Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Aloysius College, Thrissur</span> College in Thrissur, Kerala

St. Aloysius College, Thrissur is government aided college situated in Elthuruth, Thrissur, Kerala. It is a first grade college affiliated to the University of Calicut. It is run by the congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). The college is administered by St. Mary's Monastery, a house under the Devamatha Province of the congregation. The college has Seven undergraduate courses and five post-graduate courses.

Government College Kottayam is an arts and science college run by the state government of Kerala, India. It is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University and is located in Nattakom, close to Kottayam in central Kerala.

Sanatana Dharma College or S. D. College is an educational institution in Alappuzha, Kerala, India, affiliated with the University of Kerala. It is one of the oldest affiliated aided colleges under the University of Kerala. The college has been recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is accredited by NAAC with A+ grade. It is the first and only college under university of Kerala which got A+ grade by NAAC.

Sree Narayana College, Nattika is a Government aided college in Nattika, Thrissur District of Kerala, India. It was founded in the name of Sree Narayana Guru in 1967. It is affiliated to the University of Calicut.

Bishop Moore College is an aided college in Mavelikkara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India, affiliated with the University of Kerala. The college is ranked 62nd among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024. It was ranked 58 in NIRF 2022, 89 in NIRF 2021, 76 in NIRF 2020, in the rank band 101–150 in NIRF 2019, and ranked 92 in NIRF 2018. The college was accredited by NAAC with an "A" Grade in 2017. The college is managed by the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India, and offers 11 undergraduate programs, five postgraduate programs, and two research programs. It is located at Kallumala, Mavelikara. The current principal of the college is Dr. Ranjith Mathew Abraham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.E.S. Ponnani College, Ponnani</span>

MES Ponnani College is an arts, science and commerce college run by the MES. Re-accredited with an A+ Grade in 3rd Cycle of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC), situated at Ponnani, in the Malappuram district of Kerala, India. It is located on the coastal belt of Malappuram District between Tirur and Guruvayoor. It is affiliated to the Calicut University. Established in 1968, is a Government Aided Institution, recognized under UGC 2(f) & 12(B), and ISO 9001:2015 certified, making it one of the best colleges in Malappuram.

Mgr. John Palocaren (1886–1948) was the founding principal of St. Thomas College, Thrissur. Palocaren was born on 8 September 1886 in the Nadathara Palocaren family, an ancient Syrian Christian family of Kerala State, India. He was ordained as a minister in 1915, served at the St Thomas High School in Thrissur for three years, and was appointed the principal of St Thomas College when it was founded in April 1919. Soon after, he obtained MA in English Literature with distinction from the University of Edinburgh. In 1924 he returned as principal of St Thomas College, a status he retained until 1948. In 1937, he was awarded the status of Monsignor. Palocaren died on 19 August 1948. The 125th anniversary of his birth was celebrated at the college on 8 September 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bharata Mata College</span> Research college in Kerala, India

Bharata Mata College (Autonomous), Thrikkakara is an institution of higher education, located in Thrikkakara, Kochi, in the south Indian state of Kerala. The college is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University and offers 17 undergraduate, 6 post-graduate and 2 professional programmes. The main campus also houses four research centres in Chemistry, Mathematics and Commerce and operates as the offcampus centre for the School of Distance Education of the Mahatma Gandhi University. It holds an A+ grade accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) since 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mar Thoma College</span> College in Kerala, India

Mar Thoma College is an institution of higher education located in Tiruvalla in the south Indian state of Kerala. The college is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University and offers 12 undergraduate, 10 post-graduate, and 7 doctoral programmes. The college is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Government College Kasaragod(GCK) is the campus located in Vidyanagar, Kasaragod with 19 departments including degree courses, PG courses and research centers under Kannur University was established in 1957. The college is re-accredited with 'A' grade by NAAC. The college is now running with more than 1500 students, 100 teaching staffs and 40 Non-Teaching Staffs. The college has functioning facilities like Library, Computer Lab, Career Guidance and Placement Cell etc. and several active groups such as NSS, NCC, Bhoomithra Sena (BMS), Women Empowerment Cell (WEC) etc.

Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram is a public college situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Established in 1864 by Ayilyam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, it is one of the oldest women's colleges in Kerala. Initially affiliated to University of Madras, it is currently under University of Kerala.

References

  1. ↑ President of India (7 August 2018). President Kovind addresses centenary celebrations of St Thomas’ College . Retrieved 4 December 2024– via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "2024 NIRF Ranking" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Landmark in Kerala history". The Hindu . Chennai, India. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  4. ↑ Medlycott, A.E. (1912). Saint Thomas Christians in Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church, Volume 14. Robert Appleton Company. pp. 678–688.
  5. ↑ "location". St. Thomas' College, Thrissur. Archived from the original on 12 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "research". St. Thomas' College, Thrissur. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "course". St. Thomas' College, Thrissur. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "The headmaster of my college was Father John Palakaran, a Catholic priest from a distinguished Kerala Christian family who had taken his degrees at Edinburgh University", page 6 of Easwaran, Eknath (1996). Seeing with the eyes of love: Eknath Easwaran on the imitation of Christ . Tomales, CA, USA: Nilgiri Press. p.  8. ISBN   0-915132-87-7 . Retrieved 19 December 2010.

10°31′23″N76°13′10″E / 10.52301°N 76.21942°E / 10.52301; 76.21942

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.