Fatima Mata National College

Coordinates: 8°53′09″N 76°36′07″E / 8.885941°N 76.601958°E / 8.885941; 76.601958

Fatima Mata National College is named after our Lady Of Fatima the Blessed Virgin Mary as seen in apparition at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. It is a prominent college in the Indian state of Kerala. It has a strong academic and catholic tradition.

Fatima Mata National College was founded by Jerome M. Fernandez, then Catholic bishop of Quilon, with a view to expand the facilities for higher education in the diocese. It was formally inaugurated on December 29, 1952 by Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilroy, the Papal Legate to the first Plenary Council of India. In 1953 it became a first grade college with the introduction of degree courses in Economics, Commerce and Zoology. Construction of the auditorium and the eastern wing and the introduction of degree course in Botany, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics followed in quick succession. Expansion and consolidation continued with the completion of St. Thomas Hostel and St. Goretti Hostel, a separate block for B.Sc. Chemistry with a sports pavilion attached to it, playgrounds and the N.C.C. Office. Post graduate courses in Botany and Commerce were started in 1961; Physics and Zoology in 1964 and Economics and English in 1965.

The construction of a modern open access library and Bishop Jerome Hall in 1966-67, the opening of St. Joseph's Guidance and Counselling Centre in 1980 and the introduction of the degree course in Psychology in 1981; post graduate degree course in Chemistry in 1995, Malayalam in 1998 and Mathematics in 1999 were major milestones in the subsequent history of the college. In May 1984 the Centre for Research and Postgraduate Studies was completed. The Department of Zoology and Department of Commerce were upgraded as Research Centres under Kerala University in 1988 and 1999 respectively.

The Fatima motto is per matrem pro patria (through the mother to the fatherland).

History

Fatima Mata National College was founded in 1951 by Jerome M. Fernandez Thuppasseril, the first native Bishop of Quilon, with a view to providing facilities for higher education in the diocese. The college was formally inaugurated on the 29th of December, 1952 by Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilory, Papal Legate to India. Fatima was elevated to the status of a first grade college with the introduction of degree courses in Commerce, Economics and Zoology. This was followed by introduction of courses in Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Physical resources were added in the form of hostels, sports pavilion, chemistry block, auditorium, playgrounds, an NCC office, hockey stadium, language lab, basketball courts, a botany garden, computer labs and research centres.

Principals of the college:

1. Msgr. Joseph Kureethadom M.A., 1951–1952
2. Fr. Mathew Kottiath M.A., Ph.D., 1952–1960, 1965–1969
3. Fr. C. M. George M.A., 1960–1965
4. Msgr. A. J. Rozario M.B.A., M.Ed., Ph.L., S.T.L., 1969–1984
5. Rev. Richard P. Fernandez M.Sc., Ph.D., 1984–1988
6. Fr. (now Bishop) Stanley Roman M.A., Ph.L., S.T.L., 1988–1996
7. Prof. K. Napolean M.Sc., B.Ed., 1996–1997
8. Dr. G. Henry M. A., Ph.D, 1997–2004
9. Prof. C. K. Felix M.A., M.Phil, 2004–2006
10. Dr. Sr. Soosamma Kavumpurath M.Sc., Ph.D., 2006-present

Managers:

1. Msgr. Victor Fernandez, 1951–952
2. Msgr. Bernard D'cruz, 1952–1965
3. Msgr. Peter Thekkevilayil, 1965–1974
4. Fr. Alphonse Thundil, 1976–1984
5. Msgr. A. J. Rozario, 1984–2006
6. Fr. Anil Jose, 2006–present

Milestones and Achievements 1961 Commencement of Post Graduate courses in Botany and Commerce. Followed later by courses in physics, zoology, economics, English, psychology, chemistry and polymer chemistry, travel and tourism management, Malayalam, mathematics.

1966-1967 A open-access library, and auditorium.

1980 St. Joseph’s Guidance and Counselling Centre.

1984 Centre for Research and Post Graduate Studies.

1997–1998 Computer labs opened in Depts. of Mathematics and Commerce.

1998 Upgrade of Dept of Zoology to a Research Centre, followed by Dept of Commerce the following year.

1999 Language Laboratory for English. Hockey stadium.

2000 Golden Jubilee celebrations.

2001 Accreditation by NAAC at Four star level.

2001–2002 Institute of Distance Education degree courses.

2005–2006 Departments of Economics and English were elevated to Research Centres.

2007 NAAC Reaccreditation (B++).

Notable alumni

See also

• Kollam
• Educational Institutions in Kollam District

Nearby Colleges in Kollam district, Kerala

• MMNSS College Kottiyam
• Sree Narayana College Kollam
• TKM Engineering College