Department of English

POSTGRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH & CENTRE FOR RESEARCH
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

The inception of the Department of English dates back to the year 1964. The degree course in English Language and Literature started functioning in 1967 with the illustrious late Prof. P Rajaram Menon at the helm. In 1993, the Department was upgraded as a postgraduate one and in 1996 it was elevated to the status of a research centre. Dr. Lata Marina Varghese and Dr. Jyothimol P. serve as research guides. It is with great pride that we place on record the names of Dr. Ranjana Sara Philip, Dr. Susan Varghese, Dr. Renju D, Dr. Armstrong Philip, Dr. Laly Mathew, Dr. Bijimol Thomas, Dr. Jyothimol P, Dr. Trisina M. Alappat and Fr. Dr. Jyothis Potharay who obtained their Doctoral Degrees from this centre. At present, there are 10 scholars actively engaged in research.

The Department recalls with deep gratitude the dedicated service and invaluable contributions of all its retired teachers namely Prof. P Rajaram Menon (late), Prof. M.M Lukose (late), Prof. O.P Kurian, Prof. M.G George, Prof. Thomas Chandy (late), Prof. Fr. P.M Cherian, Prof. M.J Idicula, Prof. P.M Abraham (late), Prof. M.V.G Nampoodiri (late), Prof. Thomas Mathew, Prof. Vincent George, Prof. T.T Kuriakose, Prof. V.P Ninan (late), Prof. Elizabeth Kuruvilla, Prof. K.K Baby, Dr. Varghese Leena, Dr. Alexander Raju, Prof. Manju Mathews (late), Prof. K.S Ullas, Prof. Alphonsa Varkey, Prof. Daisy Zachariah and Dr. Maya Kuriakose. We proudly acknowledge the contribution and service rendered by our faculty members who were promoted to the post of Principals in various colleges – Prof. P.K Abraham (St. Cyril’s College, Adoor), Prof. E John Mathew (Baselius College, Kottayam), Prof. Fr. E.M. Philip (Baselius College, Kottayam), Dr. Saramma Varghese (Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta) and Prof. Jacob Kurian Onattu (Baselius College, Kottayam).

The Department has a good library and is getting enriched thanks to the aid from the UGC and the P.T.A. funds. The results of the University examination have always been bringing laurels to the Department. Among the star achievers, Ms. Karthika V.K. stands out with exemplary performance securing the 2nd rank in B.A. English for the year 2006 and Ms. Nithya Mariam John who brought laurels to the Department by securing the 5th rank in M.A. English in the year 2009-10. Covetable prizes are given away every year to toppers in all the five literature classes from the V.K. Philip Educational fund (Rs 1 Lakh) instituted in 1997. The All Kerala Inter Collegiate Elocution and Quiz Competitions are held every year by the Department. The ELITA (English Literature Association) is a forum for honing the skills and talents of students through a variety of educative and entertainment programmes. A very noble project initiated by ELITA is ‘Santhwanam’ in a tie with ‘Karunya Nilayam’ to raise funds for needy cancer patients.

The Department has a team of highly motivated faculty whose concerted efforts saw the successful conduct of 7 National Seminars in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Three of them were sponsored by the UGC. The Prof. Rajaram Menon Memorial Lecture and the Prof. Manju Mathews Memorial Lecture are conducted every year as befitting tributes to two illustrious faculty members who are no more. The UGC Sponsored Job-oriented Add-on Course in Communication Skills in English is being successfully conducted for the third consecutive year. A well-equipped Language Laboratory with the latest advanced software in Language skills provides practical training. The Department has won the trophy for the Best Association twice within the last 5 years. In the year 2013-14, the Dept. successfully conducted the Inter-Collegiate Shakespeare Drama competition and inter-collegiate workshop on Research Methodology for the first time. Our faculty members have published and presented many research papers and two books in recent years. English Dept. students won the overall championship for Annual sports in the Golden Jubilee year. In 2014-15, 5 of our P.G. students qualified UGC NET. Some of the students of the Dept. have attained International/National reputation through Sports, games and Arts. The Alumni are a matter of pride to the Department and College, occupying responsible positions as Professors, Lawyers, Bishops, Principals, Management Personnel, Cine Artistes, IT Personnel, Businessmen and Teachers, here as well as abroad.