University College Thiruvananthapuram

8°30′07″N 76°56′55″E / 8.50194°N 76.94861°E / 8.50194; 76.94861

University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Former names
  • The Raja's Free School
    (1834–1866)
  • H.H. The Maharaja's College
    (1866–1924)
  • H.H. The Maharaja's College of Science
    (1924–1942)
TypePublic
Established1866; 158 years ago (1866)[1]
FounderSwathy Thirunal Rama Varma III
PrincipalDr. T. Subash
Administrative staff
278
Students3164
Location
AffiliationsUniversity of Kerala
Websitewww.universitycollege.ac.in
University College Building

University College, Thiruvananthapuram, often abbreviated as UCT, is a public college situated in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, India. Established in 1866, it is one of the oldest colleges in Kerala. The college has been accorded "College with Potential for Excellence" (CPE) status by the University Grants Commission. University College is identified as a heritage institution by the Government of Kerala.[2]

Alumni of the college includes luminaries such as the former President of India K. R. Narayanan, numerous Cabinet Secretaries, Ambassadors, Civil Servants, IT doyens, Teachers, Poets, Writers, Artists, Politicians and the like.[2]

Academics

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Faculties

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Language faculties

  • Faculty of English
  • Faculty of Malayalam
  • Faculty of Hindi
  • Faculty of Arabic
  • Faculty of Sanskrit
  • Faculty of Tamil
  • Faculty of French

Humanities faculties

  • Faculty of Economics
  • Faculty of History
  • Faculty of Political Science
  • Faculty of Islamic History
  • Faculty of Philosophy

Science faculties

  • Faculty of Chemistry
  • Faculty of Biochemistry
  • Faculty of Mathematics
  • Faculty of Physics
  • Faculty of Geology
  • Faculty of Geography
  • Faculty of Botany
  • Faculty of Zoology
  • Faculty of Statistics
  • Faculty of Psychology

Other faculties

  • Faculty of Physical Education

Rankings

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College rankings
General – India
NIRF (Colleges) (2022)[3]24

It is ranked 22nd among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024.[4]

Notable alumni

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University College Thiruvananthapuram has produced luminaries that include a former president of India, two former chief ministers of Kerala, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, civil servants, IT doyens, teachers, poets, writers, artists and politicians.

Notable principals

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  • John Ross M.A. 1866–1884
  • Robert Harvey M.A., L.L.D. 1884–1890
  • H. N. Read M.A. 1890–1892 (acting)
  • Dr Alexander Crichton Mitchell D.Sc., F.R.S.E 1892–1909
  • A.W. Bishop PhD 1909–1915
  • L.C. Hodson M.A. 1912–1915
  • A. R. Raja Raja Varma Kovil Thampuran M.A 1915–1916, 1918
  • Dr. J. Stephenson, BSc, A.R.D.S.C. 1916–1927
  • James Pryde, M.A., BSc 1927–1930

Controversy

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On 3 May 2019, a first-year BSc Chemistry student attempted suicide on campus, alleging harassment from SFI leaders for not taking part in their programmes and disruption of classes.[7][8]

On 12 July 2019, a final year B.A. Political Science student was stabbed amid a dispute between two groups of students belonging to the SFI, following which two SFI leaders were arrested.[9][10][11] Later in the day, answer sheets and the official seal of an Assistant Professor were recovered while clearing the SFI office on campus, raising questions on the credibility of examinations conducted by the university. The police also found fake seals and university answer sheets from the residence of a prime accused.[12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of College – University College, Thiruvananthapuram".
  2. ^ a b "Home | University College, Thiruvananthapuram". universitycollege.ac.in.
  3. ^ "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2022 (Colleges)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 15 July 2022.
  4. ^ "2024 NIRF Ranking" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Official". Retrieved 21 May 2023 – via Official website High Court of Kerala.
  6. ^ "Biographical Information – Suresh Babu" (PDF). Space Physics Laboratory. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Girl who attempted suicide in University College to move out of college". Mathrubhumi. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  8. ^ "University College student's suicide attempt: Minister KT Jaleel seeks report". The New Indian Express. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  9. ^ "SFI kingpins in stabbing of University College student case held | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Violence erupts in University college campus in Thiruvananthapuram; student stabbed - India News". India Today. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  11. ^ Staff Reporter (12 July 2019). "Thiruvananthapuram University College on the boil as student is stabbed on campus". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Stabbing case suspects in rank list: Kerala PSC orders probe". The New Indian Express. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Kerala Governor summons University College VC, PSC chairman - Education Today News". India Today. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
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See also

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