My journey with Christ College began in the year 1978. I joined to pursue Philosophy from Dharmaram College. This campus held a unique vibe, so much so that anyone who walked in, experienced a burst of energy. I felt encouraged to grab every opportunity that came my way. I was able to thrive as a leader in Sports and various other extracurricular activities.
Eleven years later, I was able to join this institution as a lecturer. The environment had drastically changed and students breezed around campus without focusing on their priorities.
I felt quite let down by how the very ethos of Christ College was being downplayed. Having pursued my higher Education from institutions that were really particular about discipline, I found it hard to adapt. It was even worse when I would just have 3- 5 students in the class for my lecture. The entire class showed up only by the month of September as it would be time to pay their fee.
By that time of the year, preparations for Spring Fest would have begun. I would say that it was more like a ‘tourist festival’. Random people would just pop into college and honestly speaking, Christ College was known for all the wrong reasons!
Slowly, the management began to put down a firm hand. By the ’90s, the goal of transforming the institution was under process. All hands were on the deck to ensure that academic rigour and discipline was well-maintained on campus. Over time, several aspects began to evolve positively on our campus. If one was to look into the College Dance Competitions, there were only two teams that were headed by Charlie and Prasanna. They would take turns to win the first and second prizes. Eventually, when Mr Prabin joined in the year 2009, several dance teams were mobilised. On a cultural level, CHRIST started having multiple teams for dance, theatre and even music.
Today, CHRIST has developed into one of the most soughtafter institutions by both students and parents. Although I have witnessed growth on a phenomenal level, I intend fortifying the most important pillar of a University - Research. I strongly believe that Research is the essence of developing a University. As CHRIST commemorates its fifty years, words cannot express how much this institution has fostered. As a student, faculty and now the Vice-Chancellor, I stand grateful and amazed at how blessed I am to be part of this family.
Fr Abraham V M, CMI
Vice Chancellor,
CHRIST (Deemed to be University)