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Reunion day 2007
by Dr. Thara Simon
One more alumni reunion is over. The
worship in the chapel started at
9. 30 and rev. PT. Mathew our old student gave away the message. The
public meeting started around 10. 30. Hon. Justice Sundaram Govind
welcomed the gathering. Advocate Iyoob Khan made the obituary
references. Principal Dr. Varghese John presided over the function. He
congratulated the UCC alumni and friends for their greater enthusiasm
in participating in the current UCC activities. Sir reminded us that
the quality of UCC life is based on our individual contributions, how
ever small it may be. It keeps on changing, such changes are
inevitable, as the `river that we stepped in yesterday or a moment
before, might not be the river that we step in later', as the basic
nature of the river is to flow. This is applicable to UCC too.
Hon. MP. Sri. Varkala Radhakrishnan
recollected his 61 year old
memories at UCC, his acquaintance with the founder fathers and the
great Gurus of UCC. He also admitted that, for the first time in life
he is confused about "what to speak" when he kneels before the portals
of this great institution with an `empty mind'. Sri. Varkala was
instrumental in leading many of the movements of that time including
the " Paliyathu sathyagraham " for the right against untouchability
and unapproachability. His close acquaintance with Sahodaran Ayyappan
also added to his learning experiences. But being a good student, he
was loved and respected by all his teachers.
Friends, let me say, as a teacher what
impressed me the most is the
final conclusion of Sri Radhakrishnan, about what he inherited from
his forefathers and what he inherited from UCC. It continues like this
"My great grand father was the "Guru" of Mahakavi Kumaranasan, and
was also the "Satheerthyan" ( class mate) of Sreenarayana Guru. All my
kids are now well placed, my grand children in India an abroad are
serving the society in various fields. What I could give them were
gained from UCC. I have been a life long learner, and even at this age
of 81, I am a learner and this institution gave me every thing to make
me worthy of what I am supposed to be."
Source: UCC Alumni Forum
Founders' day address 2007
Two perspectives on the same event.
By Dr. Rajan Varughese, Director,
Marthoma College of Management and Technology, Permbavoor;
former-principal, UCC
I have been to UCC along with His Grace
Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan. The Metropolitan was in a
very happy mood and recollected a number of happy moments when he
studied in UCC during 1950-54.
The Founder's Day address was
commendable. He referred about the changes in the value system in
different areas of higher education. He narrated a number of memorable
episodes and the training he received under two of the Founders - late
Prof. C. P. Mathew and late Prof. V. M. Ittyerah.
by Dr. Thara Simon
Founders' day address was delivered by
most Rev. Joseph Marthoma
Metropolitan, who was a student of UCC in early 1950s. Principal Dr.
Varghese John welcomed the gathering and mentioned the significance of
Founder's day. Humbling himself before the memory of the funders,
Manager Prof. Mathew Koshy recollected the evolution of Union
Christian College, where a team of committed people worked together to
materialize their dream, irrespective of their positions. He
remembered the founding fathers, who were always ready to work as a
`second man' without seeking fame or credit.
Thirumeni emphasized the kind of
fellowship that they experienced in
UCC during their student life, where the students and teachers
respected each other. He remembered the great teachers with diverse
ideologies and insights, whose vision molded the character of each
student. Religion or ideologies were not criteria for fellowship, but
their diversity added to the quality of life in UCC. He exhorted the
audience to take note of the significant changes of the present day
especially in science and technology and to have introspection how to
utilize these changes for the betterment of the world. He also
emphasized the market oriented approach of the society, how the
degradation has affected the various professions, which are aimed to
serve the society.
Let us not think more how to change
others, but it is better to
change ourselves, for being better individuals. This approach can
always inspire the good will within all human beings. Thirumeni
concluded his speech with the comment of Prof. U. R. Ananthamurthy
about Keralites. Our approach has changed to "what I can get" from
"what I can give". We are conscious about our privileges, but
privileges are to be always clubbed with responsibly.
The founders' day address thus became a
memorable event, it was well
attended too.
Source: UCC Alumni Forum
Enhancing the elearning environment of UCC
For the past 3-4 years Prof. V. K. Subhadra of the Dept of Physics
has been working in the field of multimedia content development.
Under the inspiring leadership of VKS, the final year Physics
students launched a computer based quiz program in TB Ninan
Hall on on July 12, 2007. Miss. Arya S and her friends prepared and
led the quiz using the software MALTED.
At present we are working in collaboration with the Centre for Adult
Continuing Education and Extension, Cochin University of Science and
Technology, guided by Prof. VPN Nampoori of the Department of
Photonics. We are also grateful to Prof. Ravikrishnan, Dept of
English, Kerala Varma College Thrissur for his constant support and
encouragement in our humble beginning.
This year, the Centre for Environmental Studies of UCC is focusing on
innovative computer based teaching- learning techniques to enhance
the e-learning environment of class rooms. It is understood that
from 11th plan period onwards, UGC is planning to consider e-content
modules as equivalent to paper publications.
Hope that alumni and friends of UCC who are interested in this field
will come forward to share their expertise.
Congratulations to Subhadra teacher and Arya. You made it!
Source: Dr.
Thara Simon
Source: UCC Alumni Forum
Webmaster's Note: I had the the privilege of meeting and talking to Prof.
Subhadra in March 2007 when I was visiting Kerala. I was very impressed. We are
fortunate that we have such hardworking, visionary professionals such as Prof.
Subhadra, and Prof. Thara at UCC. Kudos to all.
Dr. M. Anil Kumar attends the National
Conference of Indian Academy of Sciences
Dr. M. Anil Kumar, faculty in Botany got the rare opportunity of
participating in the National Conference of Indian Academy of Sciences
held at Bangalore in July 2007. Dr. Anil informed that apart from the
research papers, the interactive sessions on curriculum revision and
teaching learning in Botany were very informative.
Mr. Sreejith, Research Fellow of Indian Academy of
Sciences, To Collaborate with UCC
Mr. Sreejith, Faculty, SNM college Maliankara (MSc. Botany 1994 batch)
received a prestigious research fellowship of Indian Academy of
Sciences. His current area of specialization is Ethnobotany. Sreejith
will also be associating with the UCC research centre of Botany soon.
Finding the
Core and Essence of a Unique College
Dr. P. Thomas Mathew, faculty and research guide of the department of
Botany will be participating in the United Board Fellows Leadership
Seminar at Bangkok from 30th July to 4th August 2007. Assumption
University is the first international University of Thailand. Dr. Mathew
has also been selected for a seminar presentation about UCC; the title
is "Finding the core and essence of a unique college"
Ph. D. Awarded to Two UCC Faculty
Mr. Lopez Mathew (Faculty in Chemistry)
and Mrs. Sonia Chacko (Faculty in English) were awarded Ph. D. from
Mahatma Gandhi University.
Sonia is an old student of UCC. After
completing MA with first rank, Sonia was doing research as a UGC
research fellow, under the supervision of our principal Dr. Varghese
John. Dr. Sonia's thesis title is: "Paradigms of Conflict in Indian
Fiction in English, 1981-1990."
Dr. Lopez Mathew's thesis is titled, "A
Study on the Chemistry of INSITU Generated Imino ketene Intermediate" .
His study is widely appreciated and the results are now being published
in reputed journals.
Sonia is the daughter of Prof. P. M.
Chacko, our former HOD of English. While she was a research fellow in
UCC, Sonia served as the secretary of the UCC research form, and was
very active in conducting weekly research forum seminars in the TB Ninan
Hall.
Dr. M. Anil Kumar Joins the Faculty of the Department of Botany.
Dr. M. Anil Kumar had his MSc. in Genetics and
Plant breeding in 1996 and took Ph. D from the University of Kerala in
2002 in Tissue culture and molecular studies of Capsicum. (Any one
interested to know more about Capsicum can contact him !!!)
Dr. Anil had been serving as a faculty and head of the department of
Biotechnology in Govt. College, Kariavattom and later in the
department of Biotechnology, St. Peters college Kolenchery. Till May
2007, he was working as Senior Scientist and Director of Research, in
KR Narayanan memorial research centre for Ayurveda and Siddha,
Uzhavoor, Kottayam.
Dr. Anil's research interests include Cytology, Biochemistry,
Bioinformatics, Tissue culture, Molecular Biology, Phytochemistry, and
floriculture. He is also an approved research supervisor of M. G.
University in Biotechnology.
Source: Dr. Thara Simon
Dr. K. E. Leelamma completes 30 years Service
at UCC
In June 2007, Dr. Leelamma completed 30 years of service as a UCC faculty. On
behalf of the alumni and college, we thank Dr, Leelamma for her hard work,
dedication and commitment to the UCC community. Teacher, we are indeed proud of
you!
Webmaster's Note: I had the
distinct privilege to take Dr. Leelamma around when she visited USA in
May-June-2007. When Dr. Leelamma introduced herself to the US faculty as a
senior professor with 30 years of service, they invariably were very surprised
and asked her, "When did you start, at age 1? You look so young." Dr. Leelamma
is that rare person who shows lot of humility and simplicity and impresses
everyone who gets to know her. Myself and my wife, who is a UCC alumnus, are
indeed privileged to host Dr. Leelamma while she was in the US. Keep it up,
teacher!
Prof. K.E. Leelamma to visit US in
May-June 2007 to sign a MOU with Hope College and to Visit US based
alumni of UC College.
UC
College to Sign a Historic MOU with Hope College, Holland, MI
Prof. TM Mathew Passes Away |
