St.Berchmans' College Changanassery also known as S. B. College, is one of the most reputed Colleges in Kerala, India situated in the town of Changanassery 18 kilometers south of Kottayam. Established in 1922, the college has grown over the years into one of the leading colleges with thirteen postgraduate and seven research departments. It is run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and is recognized by the University Grants Commission(UGC). St. Berchmans' has a sprawling green campus and large play grounds.
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The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded A+ status to St. Berchmans' College, the first college in the state to acquire this grade. Furthermore, UGC has recognised St. Berchmans' College as one among the six colleges in Kerala accorded with the status of 'College with Potential for Excellence'(CPE). The college has also won the R. Sankar award presented by the Government of Kerala to the best college in Kerala twice in a row.
The college is recognized as a leading educational institution in India especially the A+ status being given to it by NAAC. Thrust research areas in science include Endocrinology, Cataract Biology, Material science, Nanotechnology, Polymer Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. The college conducted an international conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development participated by delegates form 26 countries in 2005. Apart from academics, the college is famed for its involvement in social activities taken up by the full fledged National Service Scheme(NSS) volunteers. St. Bechmans College also has carved a niche for itself in sporting activities, especially in basket ball and athletics.
It is the only college in India, apart from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi, to have a full-fledged Shakespearian Theatre. Shakespearian plays have been regularly staged since 1938. The Tempest was the last play to be staged, in January 2011.
Distinguished academic, religious, political and business and military leaders are among its alumni. Some of the famous alumni of St. Berchmans' include the present Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy, Chief Justice of Karnataka, Justice Cyriac Joseph, IAS First Rank holder Raju Narayanaswami, NSS General Secretary Narayana Panicker, Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Indian Orthodox Church)HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, erstwhile cine actor Prem Nazir. The alumni associations are spread across the Americas, Europe, Australia and the Middle East countries.