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St. Berchmans College

Coordinates: 9°16′13″N 76°19′19″E / 9.2702°N 76.3219°E / 9.2702; 76.3219
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For the college in Nijmegen, see Collegium Berchmanianum.

St. Berchmans College, Changanassery (Autonomous)
SB College
Tower Block, SB College
Other name
SB
MottoCaritas Vera Nobilitas
Motto in English
Charity or Love of one's Fellow men is true Nobility.
Established19 June 1922; 102 years ago (1922-06-19)
Parent institution
Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery
Academic affiliations
Mahatma Gandhi University, UGC
PrincipalRev. Fr. Reji P Kurian
PatronMar Joseph Perumthottam
Academic staff
200
Administrative staff
50
Students3008
Location
Changanassery, Kerala
,
India

9°16′13″N 76°19′19″E / 9.2702°N 76.3219°E / 9.2702; 76.3219
Websitewww.sbcollege.ac.in

St. Berchmans College, Changanassery (Autonomous), also known as SB College, is one of the first Autonomous Colleges in Kerala, India. Established in 1922, the college is considered to be one of the oldest and prestigious institutions in India.[1][2] [3]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 June 13, 2014. The college celebrated its centenary in the academic year of 2022.

Saint John Berchmans is the patron saint of the college and is venerated in the Church as the Patron of Students. It is situated in the town of Changanassery 18 kilometers south of Kottayam. Established in 1922, It has 19 postgraduate and 8 research departments and it offers 17 UG, 21 PG, 3 MPhil, and 9 doctoral programmes. Students and alumni of the college are referred to as ‘Berchmanites’. It is run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

History

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St Berchmans College is a higher education institution under the Archeparchy of Changanacherry. The College was founded in 1922 by Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, Bishop of Changanassery diocese.The college campus was first built on the premises of St Marys Church, Parel under the University of Madras. [4]Later, in 1925, it was transferred to its present site as a three storied building, today named Kurialacherry Block. In 1937, it is assumed that the famous tower block of the college was completed.[5]

In 1925, the College authorities decided to install the statue of Christ the King, brought from Spain, on the top of the tower. The college chapel, built in 1940, was named Christ King's Chapel, after the installation of the statue.[6][7]

The College was first accredited with ‘Five Star’ in 1999 and reaccredited with ‘A+’ in 2006. In the third cycle of accreditation in 2012, the college was again graded at A. In 2017, the college was again reaccredited with ‘A’ grade.[8][9] The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Government of Kerala granted autonomy to this college in the year 2014. In 1996 and 1997, it won the “R Shankar Award” for the Best College in the State, instituted by the Government of Kerala. In 2004, the UGC identified the College under its “College with Potential for Excellence” scheme. The National Commission for Minority Educational Institution, New Delhi has granted minority status to the college in 2010. All the Science Departments are supported by the FIST of DST, Government of India. It has been ranked among the top 100 Indian colleges by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MHRD, Government of India since 2018 [10]

College crest

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The college crest features a Greek Cross dividing four quarters. The Dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the Fleurdelis represents purity, and the coconut trees signify Kerala. Waves depict the College's location, and the open book on the Greek Cross symbolizes wisdom. The Latin motto "Caritas Vera Nobilitas" and its Sanskrit equivalent "सैभ्रात्रं हि कूलीनता (saibhrātram hi kūlīnatā)"[11] is inscribed below the shield.[12]

Rankings

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College rankings
General – India
NIRF (Colleges) (2023)[13]54

The college was ranked 54 in All India ranking by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) in 2023.'[14]

Programmes

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The college provides 17 UG, 21 PG, and 9 doctoral programmes.

Undergraduate

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Aided Programs

English Model 1, English Model 2 Vocational Journalism, Malayalam, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Psychology, Commerce FT+ ACCA/CMA

Self-Financing Programs

BSc Biotechnology and Botany, BSc Zoology and Industrial Microbiology, BCA, Commerce FT+ACCA/CMA, BCOM CA+ACCA/CMA, Bvoc Renewable Energy Management.

Postgraduate

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Aided Programs

English, Malayalam, Economics, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Physics, Physics NRE(New and Renewable Energy Management), MCom Finance, MSW, MBA

Self-Financing Programs

MSc Computer Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Library and Information Science, Mcom Finance, MBA

Facilities

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  • SB Central Library
  • Hostel
  • Career Orientation Centre
  • Mar Charles Lavigne Indoor Stadium
  • Berchnet
  • Common Instrumentation Facility
  • Auditorium and Conference Halls
  • Herbarium
  • Botanical Garden
  • Ulahannan Mapilla Centre for Oriental Studies
  • Mary Anne John Stuttgen Library
  • Play Grounds
  • Language Lab
  • Staff Co-operative Society
  • SB Book House
  • Berchmans TV
  • Canteen and Cafeteria
  • Research Block
  • Berchmans IT Division
  • Computer Lab
  • Christ the King’s Chapel
  • Zoological Museum

[15]

Hostels

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  • St. Joseph’s Hostel (UG)
  • St. Thomas Hostel (UG)
  • St Berchmans Hostel (UG)
  • Sahrudaya Hostel (PG)
  • St Thomas Moore Hostel (MBA)
  • Pope John Paul II Hostel (Sports Hostel)
  • St Mary’s Hostel (Women's Hostel)

Over 800 hostellers were residing inside the campus. In the early stages of this college, this college was an important institution in Kerala which has boarding facilities for students. Hence hostels play an important part in the phase of this college. [16]

Academics and extra-curricular activities

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Research areas in science include Material science, Nanotechnology, Polymer Chemistry, Plant Taxonomy and Environmental Sciences. The college conducted an international conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development participated in by delegates from 26 countries in 2005. Apart from academics, the college has two units of National Service Scheme(NSS) in which 200 volunteers can be enrolled. NSS gives various avenues for its volunteers to engage in various campus and community activities.

The popular extra-curricular societies and clubs engage in activities concerned with debating, drama, film club, social service, photography, Jesus Youth, National Cadet Corps, Mock United Nations (MUN), etc.

It is the only college in India, apart from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi, to have a full-fledged Shakespearean Theatre. Shakespearean plays have been regularly staged since 1938. The hall was named Archbishop Kavukatt Hall. This hall underwent major renovations which works started in 2020 and completed in 2023. The hall re-opened after the complete renovation on March 8, 2023.

BELS (Berchmans Erudite Lecture Series)[17]

The college brings Nobel Laureates and other scholars such as Ei-ichi Negishi (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2010) in 2016, Ada E Yonath (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2009) in 2019, Sir Anthony James Leggett (Nobel Laureate in Physics 2003) in 2020 and Martin Chalfie (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2008) in 2021.

Berchmans Institute of Management Studies (BIMS)

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Berchmans Institute of Management Studies (BIMS) established in 1995, is under the management of St. Berchmans College affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It is a full-time Master of Business Administration programme. Berchmans Institute of Management Studies is recognized by All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.

Notable alumni

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Name Class

Year

Degree Notability
Kuzhikalail M. Abraham 1962-1965, 1965-1967 BSc. Chemistry, MSc. Chemistry Scientist, Professor, and expert on lithium-ion batteries
George Alencherry BA. Economics Cardinal and Former Major Arch Bishop of Syro Malabar Catholic Church
Justice A. M. Babu Former judge of Kerala High Court (2016-2019)
Kunchacko Boban pre-university degree Actor
C. V. Ananda Bose retd. IAS officer,Governor of West Bengal (2022-)
Dr. Jitheshji World's Fastest Cartoonist
P. T. Chacko former Home Minister of Kerala
Bipin Chandran Scriptwriter
K.M. Chandy former Governor(MP, Gujarat & pondicherry)
Oommen Chandy BA. Economics former Chief Minister of Kerala
Dr. B. Ekbal Kerala State Planning Board member, former Kerala University VC
V. J. James writer
Cyriac Joseph retired Supreme Court Justice
George Joseph Scientist
Jeethu Joseph film director
P. J. Joseph former Education Minister, Ex. MLA
Mathew Kavukattu Servant of God Mar
Manoj Kuroor writer
Sibi Malayil film director
Tony Mathew orator, writer
N. Sreekantan Nair former MP for Kollam Constituency
Prem Nazir film actor
Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri poet, writer
Raju Narayanaswamy IAS - Addl. Secretary, Govt. of Kerala
George Onakkoor MA. Malayalam Novelist, short story writer
P. K. Narayana Panicker former NSS General Secretary
P. Parameswaran (AKA Parameshwarji ) Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue, Padmavibhooshan Awardee
Martin Prakkat film director
Dr. M. V. Pylee Indian Scholar, Padmabhushan Awardee , Former Vice Chancellor - Cochin University of Science and Technology
A. A. Rahim Indian politician, freedom fighter, and union minister.[18]
Justice C. T. Ravikumar Judge Supreme Court of India
John Sankaramangalam filmmaker and former director of the FTII, Pune
M. G. Soman pre-university degree film actor
P. C. Thomas former Central Minister
Santosh Thundiyil BSc. Chemistry cinematographer
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References

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  1. ^ "SB College @ 100: Kerala's premier college celebrates a century of academic and cultural legacy". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ Reporter, Staff (17 June 2021). "Historic SB college to celebrate 100 years". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  3. ^ "How Changanassery's SB College shaped Oommen Chandy's political career". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  4. ^ Mathews, Stephen (11 December 2020). "ST BERCHMANS COLLEGE : CHRIST KING CAMPUS". Stephen Musings. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  5. ^ Mathews, Stephen (11 December 2020). "ST BERCHMANS COLLEGE : CHRIST KING CAMPUS". Stephen Musings. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ Mathews, Stephen (11 December 2020). "ST BERCHMANS COLLEGE : CHRIST KING CAMPUS". Stephen Musings. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Christ the King's Chapel – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery". Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. ^ https://sbcollege.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SSR-2017-22-1.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  9. ^ "NAAC – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery".
  10. ^ "College Profile – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery".
  11. ^ "Responsible Managers, Entrepreneurs and Leaders". 26 March 2021.
  12. ^ "College Profile – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery".
  13. ^ "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023 (Colleges)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 5 June 2023.
  14. ^ College Rankings
  15. ^ "Library – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery".
  16. ^ "Library – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery".
  17. ^ "BELS – St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery". Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Meet commemorates A.A. Rahim". 2 September 2015 – via www.thehindu.com.
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