Aquinas College

HISTORY

Aquinas College is stepping into the year of its Ruby Jubilee Celebrations. Situated in Edakochi, just 100 metres from the State Highway, the institution is hemmed in by Palluruthy to the west, Aroor to the south and Kumbalam to the east. Established in 1981 by the Diocese of Cochin, under the guidance and patronage of His Excellency Rt Rev. Dr Joseph Kureethara, the late Bishop of Cochin, Aquinas College has been instrumental in the rapid educational progress of the youth in this area. The late Bishop envisioned the transformation of this region through this institution which would act as a centre for academics and culture.

Located in the suburbs of the ever expanding Cochin city, areas such as Chellanam and Kumbalanghi of West Kochi have had to face negligence from all corners. Up to the 1980’s the students from these areas had to depend on the institutions in Ernakulam for higher education. Apart from having to constantly compete with others who were in closer proximity to these institutions, the lack of conveyance and the lower financial status of their families pulled them back from having access to higher education. In fact during those times, it was quite common for many to give up on their dreams despite scoring high marks in SSLC, as they could neither continue nor complete their higher education. Understanding the difficulties faced by the students from these areas, the Cochin Diocese which had been at the forefront, for over 100 years, providing education through schools in the regions of Cochin and Allapuzha, decided to step into the scene of higher education. Thus this institution was established with a clear goal which is evident in its vision - “to provide opportunities for study and research to the highest level… with special attention to its marginalized sections”. The locale chosen for the institution substantiates how focussed an aim it was. Edacochin was chosen on purpose, as it would be an ideal site which could be accessed not only by those in West Kochi but also by those residing on the borders of the Alapuzzha district too. This is the very reason why the Late Bishop decided not to start the institution in a township as it would not live up to its purpose.

It started functioning temporarily at Fort Cochin and was shifted to Edakochi on 17 of June 1982. With the introduction of a degree course in Physics in 1991, the college was upgraded in 1994 and was followed by other courses like Economics, Mathematics, Commerce and English. In the year 2000 the first PG course was started in Physics. Now there are 7 UG courses (including Electronics and B.Com Taxation), 3 PG courses in the Aided Stream (Physics, Commerce and Statistics) and 2 PG Courses in the unaided stream (Biotechnology and Commerce). The college is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University and has shown constant progress. It was awarded B+ grade in the third cycle of the NAAC accreditation process. The envisioning and guidance of the first Patron Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kureethara followed by that of Rt. Rev. Dr. John Thattunkal and the current patron Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kariyil, along with the dedication and hard work of the various managers, teaching and non-teaching staff through these 40 years is behind the progress of this institution.

Aquinas has made a mark in the annals of West Kochi by being a torch bearer for the expeditious progress in the field of higher education in the region. Along with the sister concerns such as Avila B. Ed. College and Siena College of Professional Studies, the crucial role played by Aquinas in the development of the area by providing opportunities in academics and sports to students of the underprivileged sections of the society is not negligible. More than twelve thousand students have successfully completed their education from this institution and are now serving in various respectable posts in the society across the country and the globe.

Aquinas College is forever committed to providing educational facilities to the marginalized sections of the society. As part of its Ruby Celebrations, under the leadership of the current patron Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kariyil, manager Rev. Fr. Dr. Marian Arackal, Principal Bridgit Jeeji, Vice Principal Dr. Joseph Justin Rebello several programs catering to the socio- cultural aspects, sports and academic fields have been planned and would be carried out through the year.