Loyola College marks transition to autonomous status

Shyam B. Menon, Vice Chancellor of BML Munjal University, delivering the keynote address at a conference at Loyola College of Social Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

Loyola College of Social Sciences marked its transition to autonomous status at a formal ceremony held on the campus on Friday. The launch of the newly introduced four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUG) was also celebrated on the occasion.

Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal, who presided over the function, reminded educators of their responsibility to elevate students to new levels of knowledge and enable them to raise critical questions.

Academic freedom

In the keynote address delivered by Shyam B. Menon, Vice Chancellor of BML Munjal University, New Delhi, who had chaired the government-appointed Commission for Reforms in Higher Education, described autonomy as both an opportunity for new possibilities and a responsibility to fulfil collective duties. He added that autonomy does not equate to sovereignty, but was rather characterised by academic freedom and accountability.

Joe Arun, director, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai, and chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission; and Sunny Kunnappallil S.J., manager and rector of Loyola Institutions; Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anilkumar; and Loyola College Principal Sabu P. Thomas S.J., also spoke on the occasion.

A panel discussion was later organised on the topic ‘Leveraging of FYUG Programmes as the Education for Future.’