Alphonsa College - Associations
A wide range of activities are organised under the banner of different organisations to cultivate leadership qualities in the students as well as to render training in social service, thereby making them sensitized and self confident citizens.
College Union: The College Union which is constituted every year through general elections is a training ground for students in democratic processes. It acts as a forum for identifying talents and developing it. One remarkable feature is that our union elections have always been free from the grip of campus politics. Elections take place in a calm and quiet ambience and the talented students are elected as the representatives of the student body. All through the year the college union is very active in organising cultural competitions and other beneficial programmes for the students. Another major activity of the Union is the editing and publishing of the college magazine.
NCC: The National Cadet Corps, consisting of both army and naval wings is intended to inculcate discipline and a sense of duty among the students. The NCC provides ample opportunities to develop one's physical and intellectual potential through training camps. NCC parades are conducted on all Saturdays. Cadets of the college regularly participate in various national camps and Republic Day Parades. In the various competitions held in these camps they come out in flying colours. Cadet U/o Swathi Krishna attended the R.D. parade at New Delhi on 26 January 2009.
N S S: The National Service Scheme was introduced in this College in 1971 as a part of the higher education system in order to promote youth participation in developmentral affairs as well as to provide creative outlets to the abundant youth energy and potential. The objectives of this scheme is personality development of students through service to the commuinty, thus awakening their social consciousness. Four hundred students are selected every year and they are given training and opportunities to work with and among the village people. It provides them with opportunities to discover and develop their hidden talents, to gain skills in democratic leadership, to engage themselves in creative and constructive social work, to participate in intercollegiate, inter-university and inter-state camps and also to become paid social workers. A student - volunteer who has completed 240 hours of work and attended a special camp during the course of two years is eligible for NSS certificate from the University. This certificate gives a weightage for higher studies. It is also an additional qualification for appointment in public services. NSS units adopt and visit villages, hold seminars and workshops on topics of current relevance and observe important days in the campus.
As an acknowledgement of the humble endeavours and sincere efforts of the college the Government of Kerala and Mahatma Gandhi University honoured us with various awards.
- State Award for the Best NSS Unit.
- State Award for the Best NSS Programme Officers (Rev. Sr. Anupa & Mrs. Alphonsa P Jacob).
- State Award for the Best NSS Volunteer (Ms. Suhani Subair).
Centre for Gandhian Studies: The Centre for Gandhian Studies was established with the assistance of the University Grants Commission in 2008. The main objective of the Centre is the study and dissemination of the thought, values and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. It seeks to familiarise the academic community as well as the general public with the ideals upheld by Gandhiji. It also seeks to organise programmes on different aspects of Gandhian values in their contemporary context, and on themes relevant to the thought and values of Mahatma Gandhi. The objectives of the Centre are being carried out through seminars, workshops, special lectures, orientation programmes, awareness programmes and other extension activities.
Youth Red Cross: YRC, started in 1990, provides an opportunity for students to ‘worship God by serving man’. The activities of our Unit include building a house every year for the financially backward students, collection and distribution of clothes and medicines among the poor, relief work, help for the physically handicapped, organising medical camps, educational help etc..
Catholic Students’ Movement (C.S.M.): The CSM is a movement of University students. It draws inspiration from the person and message of Jesus Christ. It strives to make its members alive to the problems of the community and leads them to a personal commitment to Christ and dedicated service to their fellow beings. Through its various activities, the members are trained to live Christianity meaningfully. It provides opportunities for involvement in the socio-cultural life around them too. To realise its objectives the CSM has four dimensional activities- spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social. Various programmes such as camps, seminars, retreats etc are organised under the auspices of CSM with a view to developing individual and social awareness and to promote faith in God among members, thus making them effective tools for social change.
Jesus Youth: Jesus Youth is a prayer fraternity which aims at moulding the youth into the resemblance of Christ. In addition to daily rosary and monthly 13 hours adoration, the Movement conducts weekly prayer meetings in the college chapel for the entire unit and additional meetings for the core-group members. Intercessional prayers are conducted on every Tuesday evening.
Alphonsa Society for Science and Religion (ASSR): Alphonsa Society for Science and Religion, officially inaugurated on 30 January 2004, is a society for the promotion of a constructive and creative interaction between science and religion, sponsored by the Metanexus Institute on Religions and Science. It is non-denominational and promotes active dialogue between science and religion, providing annual grant for the society. The society conducts various seminars, classes, retreats and competitions with the aim of bridging the gulf between science and religion, thus enabling the individuals to maintain a balanced outlook on life. It organizes outreach programmes as well.
Alphonsa Welfare Cell: Awareness programmes are conducted for women belonging to ST, SC, OBC and OEC classes in the College and of our adopted village. Tuition classes for poor learners, small savings scheme for socially and economically disadvantaged girls and scholarships for Dalit Christians etc. are other programmes.
Encon Club: The KRL- Encon Club of Alphonsa College stands for energy conservation through its multifarious activities. The club organises seminars on energy conservation and conducts exhibitions on non-conventional energy sources and energy saving devices.
Women’s Cell: The Women’s Cell of Alphonsa College functions with the objective of promoting the all round development of the students of the college, particularly in their capacity as young women of today. Towards this end, the Women's Cell organises various programmes, including talks, seminars, cooking classes, classes in home management,etc. Some of the themes which have been the focus of discussions have been with regard to women's empowerment, women's rights, legal awareness, etc. The Women's Cell also strives to address any grievances of the students and provide them with necessary guidance and support. Aiming at the intellectual and social upliftment of the students, the Cell stands for women empowerment through seminars, lectures, awareness programmes and other welfare activities.
Quiz Club: To develop the intellectual capacity of our students and to create a healthy competitive spirit in them, the quiz club was started in 1977. Weekly meetings of the club are conducted and members are encouraged and trained to participate in various competitions. In memory of our founder-patron Mar. Sebastian Vayalil, an annual All Kerala Intercollegiate Quiz competition in general knowledge has been conducted since 1987.
Oratory and Debating Club: The club has been very active ever since its inception in 1979. It aims at developing the oratory and communicative skills of the students. Under the auspices of the club debates and discussions are conducted at intervals and resource persons are employed to give training in public speaking. One of the former directors of the club, late Mrs. Rosalind Cherian has instituted a cash award for the best speaker of every year from this College.
Career Club: The Career Club of our College, started in 1993 in collaboration with the Deepika Career Club, helps students to prepare for suitable careers. It conducts workshops and programmes on career orientation, higher study options, self-employment, enterpreneurship management etc. The club has a well-equipped career library with useful books and periodicals. Career counselling is also given to the students by experienced resource persons.
Alphonsian Adventure Club: The Alphonsian Adventure Club which had its inception in 1998 aims at the promotion of a spirit of adventure among the students of the College. It is a programme organised by the National Adventure Foundation and sponsored by the U. G. C. The club is the first of its kind in a Women’s College in Kerala. The activities of the club include paragliding, trekking and sea-awareness programmes. In addition, driving classes, self-defence training and Yoga classes are also conducted by the club.
The Green Soul Nature Club: The Nature Club was established in 1990. At present the Kannan Devan Tea company sponsors the activities of the club. The club conducts a number of programmes to promote love of nature among the students and make them conscious of the various ways in which they can work effectively to preserve the ecosystem.
Subject Associations: There are 12 Subject Associations fuctioning actively on the campus. A teacher of the department is the President of each Association. The associations function for the all-round development of the students of the department concerned. These associations arrange special meetings, seminars, lectures, competitions and social functions.
Parent Teacher Association: The Parent Teacher Association plays a crucial role in fostering and promoting healthy relationship among the members of the teaching staff, the students and the guardians of students. It has been successful in bringing together the parents, teachers and students in order to strive for the development of theCollege. The administration of the PTA is directed by an excutive committee comprising representatives of parents and teachers. General body meetings which are well attended provide the parents with an opportunity to meet the class teachers of their wards and discuss their academic performance. The PTA provides funds for various welfare activities in the campus.
Teaching Staff Association: All members of the teaching staff are members of this Association. The Association acts as a forum for inter-departmental interactions and exchanges. The members meet to discuss issues related to the general welfare of the teachers, students and the institution at large. The association organises enrichment programmes for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of teachers. Occasional get-togethers, picnics, farewell meetings to retiring teachers etc are some of the programmes of the Association. Started in 1976 with the intention of playing a catalyst to strengthen the fraternity of the teaching community in the College, enabling them to take our institution to greater heights of excellence, it has a creditable record of having played a significant role in its progress over the years.
Retired Teachers’ Forum: The Ruby Jubilee year witnessed the formation of a Retired Teachers’ Forum in the College. The aim of the Forum is to enable the retired teachers of Alphonsa College to meet one another and renew their friendship and strenghthen their ties with the institution where they spent the prime years of their life. More than eighty teachers, most of whom were in service from the inception of the college have already retired. The members often meet, exchange pleasantries, arrange pleasure trips and keep alive the spirit of camaraderie.
Alumni Association: 'Alphonsa Alumnae' or the Alumni Association of Alphonsa College strives to promote an enduring relationship between old students and their alma mater. It also facilitates and nurtures lasting friendships through annual meetings. It initiates steps to recognise outstanding achievements, provide scholarships for deserving strdents, cooperate with the college authorities for the development of the college, and organises programmes with the help of former students in order to benefit the students studying in the institution. A number of alumnae meetings have been organised since the formation of the Association, and 26 January has been selected as Alphonsa Alumnae Day.