Loyola College of Social Sciences

Loyola College of Social Sciences was founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1963. It is affiliated to the University of Kerala and prepares students for a PhD in sociology, social work, and management studies. It takes up sponsored research projects through its social lab, Loyola Extension Services (LES).^[1]

Vision

Loyola College holds up as core values eco-sensitivity, global awareness, inclusiveness,^[2] and fidelity to the Jesuit tradition of the magis (greater good), with a commitment to faith and justice.^[3]

Realization

At the Golden Jubilee of the College in 2012, the President of India Pranab Mukherjee described Loyola in the following terms:

I am aware of the long and distinguished history of the Loyola College since it was conceived and established by Rev. Joseph Edamaram, the first Provincial of the Kerala Jesuit Province. He had dreamt of an institute of Social Sciences that would contribute to the building of a diverse and well knit, resurgent society – particularly in the state of Kerala. He wanted to propagate the motto of the Jesuit Society – to imbue in students the elements that would help them to transcend the goals of money, faith, and success, and create leaders devoted to the betterment of society and the world.

The President went on to describe the College as a "pioneer" in social service, training generations of students to

deliver services and work for social change.... Once Swami Vivekananda has said: "From time immemorial India has been a mine of precious ideas to human society; giving birth to high ideas herself, she has freely distributed them and broadcast over the whole world." In pursuing your mission with dedication and commitment, students of Loyola College are making a significant difference in realizing Swami Vivekananda’s vision for our people.^[4]

Dr. M.K. George, S.J., a member of the faculty and principal of the College from 1989 to 2008, had brought increased international attention to the work of the College, through his writing and his lectureship abroad.^[5][6]

Programs

Loyola offers degrees in sociology (MA), social work (MSW), human resource management (MAHRM), and counselling psychology (MSc), as well as doctoral degrees in management studies, sociology, and social work. The College also does sponsored research projects.

Loyola Extension Services (LES) provides social consultancy services for the betterment of society, inclusive of all casts and creeds. It also teaches students to avoid academic isolation, challenge societal custom, and work alongside people in need. It has taken on numerous government projects as well as research in conjunction with foreign universities and the United Nations; some of these are listed in the "Milestones" section below.

Closer to home, Loyola has several outreach programs.
Loyola Family Counselling Centre allows students to hone their skills in such areas as counselling, social awareness programmes, literacy camps, referral services, and family court, often working with NGOs, voluntary organizations, and government departments.
Community Organization/ Women's Empowerment Unit conducts awareness programmes for self-help groups, facilitating thrift and credit services; also programmes in self employment/income generation, human resource development, and organization and infrastructure development.
CHILDLINE Nodal Agency maintains a toll-free number 24/7 for relief and rehabilitation of children in distress, connecting to many other agencies in the area. It addresses such situations as homelessness, child labour and abuse, disabled children, child addicts, and children affected by HIV/AIDS. This is also a Child Rights Center.
Loyola Students' Counselling Centre provides counselling services to diverse groups: school children, college students, and all youth in distress, while also training teachers in basic counselling skills.^[7]

Milestones

1962 – Loyola College founded by Joseph Edamaram, S.J.; V.V. Giri lays cornerstone 2l June

1963 – Loyola College accorded permanent affiliation by University of Kerala; MA in Sociology offered

1964 – launching of Master in Social Work and Junior College (which moved to St. Xavier's, Thumba in 1966)

1966 – first social service camp and socio-economic survey at Harveypuram Colony

1967 – alumni association founded

——— visit by Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus

1968 – Indo-Danish Oral Cancer Research Project^[8]

——— alumni news bulletin The Loyolite launched

1969 – first National Service Scheme (NSS) rural live-in camp at Cheruvickal

1970 – Government of India appoints Loyola as NSS Technical Training & Orientation Centre

1971 – Loyola Ladies Hostel commissioned by Sir Laurie Baker

——— ICSSR trains Loyola PhD candidates in research methodology

——— Shri. V.K. Krishna Menon visits Loyola Campus

1972 – Social Service League engages in one lakh housing scheme

——— Sutter Hall commissioned and inaugurated by Sir Laurie Baker

1973 – University of Kerala approves Loyola for PhD research in sociology & social work

——— Mother Teresa, the Saint of Calcutta, visits the campus

1975 – Masters in Social Work (MSW) offers medical and psychiatric social work specialisation

1977 – Department of Social Work accorded permanent membership in IASSW

1978 – collaborative research on "System and Indebtedness of Marine Fishermen" with University of Namur, Belgium

1980 – Loyola College engages with National Adult Education Programme

1986 – Loyola Extension Services commissioned as NGO

——— Loyola Family Counselling Centre commissioned

1987 – National Service Scheme unit 17-A assigned to Loyola College

——— first issue of Loyola Journal of Social Sciences; bi-annual, peer-reviewed, international journal^[9]

1988 – Silver Jubilee valediction by His Excellency Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Vice-President of India, on 10 February

1989 – Ministry of Human Resource Development gives Loyola supervision and monitoring of mobile nurseries

1991 – demographic and socioeconomic census study for Kayamkulam Super Thermal Project^[10]

1993 – Government of India selects LES for field training under UBSP programme^[11]

1996 – Government of India recognizes LES as regional Centre for Urban Poverty Eradication Program^[12][13]

1997 – Loyola College appointed nodal agency by CSWB for Kerala family counselling centres

1998 – NSS Campers mobilized resources and constructed pucca housing at Chirayilkulam

2001 – Five Star accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

2002 – LES undertakes international consultancy for UNICEF Nepal

2003 – Loyola co-hosts Lifelong Learning conference with University of Nijmegen

2004 – help with tsunami psychological healing through Government Medical College, Trivandrum

2005 – Loyola Student Counseling Center (LSCC) & Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) launched

2007 – re-accredited by NAAC with A Grade,^[14] with CGPA of 3.7/4

——— [[Memorandum of understanding}MoU]] with Kudumbashree for field work of students

——— Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visit; Vandana Shiva delivers Dominic George Memorial Lecture

——— host to COJAK, the National Jesuit Alumni Congress^[15]

2009 – Loyola Hall inaugurated at LES^[16]

——— 2 major research grants through University Grants Commission (India)

2012 – Daya Bhai visits campus

——— Pranab Mukherjee, Indian President, launches Golden Jubilee on 30 October

2013 – rated 5th Best Social Work College in India by Outlook-MDRA National Survey^[17]

References

Coordinates: 8°32′36.39″N 76°54′45.66″E / 8.5434417°N 76.9126833°E / 8.5434417; 76.9126833