Kuttikkanam: Marian College, Kuttikkanam, has entered its silver jubilee year. The one-year-long celebrations were inaugurated by the Minister for Electricity M M Mani, here at the college on September 28.
The inauguration of the celebrations started with the colourful performance of Marian Band. Rev. Dr Fr. Roy Abraham P, Principal, gave the introductory address.
“I feel immense pleasure to address this audience gathered here for the inauguration of silver jubilee celebrations of Marian College as I am a native of Idukki. I am proud to congratulate the college management for providing quality education for 25 years to the students all around the country,” Minister Mani said in his inaugural address.
Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, felicitated the gathering through a video presentation.
In his speech Dean Kuriakose, the Member of Parliament, stressed upon the importance of higher education and the involvement of youth in contributing to the economy of the country. He also inaugurated ‘Gramonnathi’, a programme which aims to develop the Peerumedu Grama Panchayath.
E S Bijimol, MLA, honoured the notable award winners of the college.
The president for the function H.E Mar Mathew Arackal, the Bishop of the Kanjirappally diocese, recalled the journey behind the establishment of the college. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Sabu Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi University, and the new academic block was opened by H.E Mar Jose Pulickal.
The youngest autonomous college in Kerala initially began with a student strength of 180 in 3 degree programmes and then functioned from a small building. Today, 2,000 students doing 12 UG/PG and Ph.D programmes are on its rolls. Today, the institution with ample infrastructural facilities is spread on 25 acres.
The college started functioning on August 11, 1995 with 9 teachers and 17 administrative staff members under the management of the Diocese of Kanjirappally. It received accreditation from NAAC with B++ Grade in its 8th year of existence. Later it secured an A grade. The college was recognised by the UGC as a ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ status in 2010 and declared as Autonomous in May 2016, the 21st year of establishment.
At present, Marian is the only educational institution to be featured on the list of the 'Top 50 Companies in India with Great People Managers' as per the Great Managers Institute and Forbes India.
During the function on Saturday, Marian Research Centres were inaugurated and the mobile application of Marian IQAC was launched.
The floor was later opened for various cultural programmes by the students of the college.
The presidents of Peerumedu, Elappara and Peruvanthanam local bodies, College Union Chairman and Alumni Association president also felicitated the gathering.
The Vote of Thanks for the function was delivered by Dr Sabu Augustine.
Curtain-raiser
Earlier, on September 19 a mega dance performance was staged by the Marian students. In all 470 students from 12 departments stepped together in the college ground to call attention for the silver jubilee year celebrations.
“It is the first of its kind in Idukki district. The mega dance was organised to create a feeling among the students about the silver jubilee. The event was a resounding success as it represented the entire college” said Mr Mathew K Varghese, Chairman, Marian College Student Council.