ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE AT A GLANCE
Standing tall and erect atop a hillock and set in serene surroundings, St. Stephen's College is the pride of Uzhavoor. The college which belongs to the Knanaya Diocese of Kottayam is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University.
The brain child of the then Bishop of Kottayam, His Excellency Rev. Dr. Thomas Tharayil , the college was established in 1964. Sri. Joseph Chazhikadan MLA and Rev. Fr. Peter Uralil, the first Principal of the college, were the guiding forces behind this noble endeavour. They were supported and encouraged by the active co-operation of the people of Uzhavoor and a host of well-wishers. At the inception, St. Stephen's was just a Junior College with four batches of Pre-Degree students.
The one small step taken in 1964 resulted in a giant leap by the beginning of the new millennium. In 1968 the college upgraded to the degree level. Today it has gained in strength and size with two postgraduate courses, nine undergraduate courses, a computer centre, a full-fledged library and reading room, a large auditorium, a ladies' hostel, a well-functioning canteen, a co-operative store, spacious staff-rooms, rest rooms for students, large grounds for sports and games as well as ample parking facilities.
THE COLLEGE EMBLEM
The College emblem is symbolic and evocative. The lighted candle represents Christ the Light of the World as well the light of knowledge which dispels the darkness of ignorance. Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the
Greek alphabet symbolize the word of God as the Beginning and the End. The bringing represents the college while the hills and coconut palm are suggestive of the beautiful and tranquil hilly locale of the college. Enriched in the centre is the "Kallumthuvalayam" closely associated with St. Stephen, the patron saint of the college. The motto INTENDENS IN CAELUM, translated looking up to heaven, suggests the determination to aim high.
VISION AND MISSION
St. Stephen's College is an academic fraternity of individuals dedicated to its motto. We strive to reach out to the star of human excellence based on the love of God and service to mankind as modelled in Jesus Christ, in a background of Indian heritage so as to produce intellectually trained, morally upright, socially committed and spiritually inspired citizens.
Translating the vision into action, St. Stephen's College seeks;
1.
To give a liberal and quality education that includes the imparting of sound learning, building of character, the spread of Truth and the knowledge of God.
2.
To inculcate moral values, social commitment and dignity of labour among the youth through value education programmes.
3.
To develop among the students an attitude of reconciliation between man and nature which will help them become peace makers, defenders of the poor and keepers of the environment.
4.
To promote the acquisition of knowledge and communication skills by ensuring the participation of students in research projects and extra - curricular activities.
5.
To evolve a close - knit network with the local people and the village administration through appropriate schemes, so as to contribute to the socio-economic progress of the local community, thereby ensuring the overall development of the students.
THE MANAGEMENT
St.Stephen's College is a minority co-educational institution owned and run by the Knanaya Catholic Diocese of Kottayam. The college is under the Corporate Educational Agency of the Diocese of Kottayam.
Mar.Kuriakose Kunnacherry, the Bishop of Kottayam, is the Patron of the college, Rev. Dr. Jacob Kollaparambil is the Manager of St. Stephen's College.
The general management of the college is vested in the Governing Body whose ex-officio President is the Manager. The internal administration of the college is done by the Principal who is assisted by the college council in administrative and academic matters.
MILESTONES
1964
Established as a Junior College
1968
Upgraded as a First Grade College offering degree courses in Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Economics and English Literature.
1981
B.Com course introduced.
1982
Degree course in Chemistry was introduced.
1989
Silver Jubilee of the college was celebrated.
1994
Bishop Kunnacherry Computer Centre was established.
1995
Postgraduate course in Physics started.
1995
Msgr. Peter Uralil Bibliothecal Information Centre was established.
1998
Postgraduate course in Commerce started.
1999
Vocational Degree Course in English was introduced.
2001
Vocational Degree Course in Chemistry started.
2001
Centre for Environmental Education and Rural Development (CEERD) was established.
