Union Christian College, Alwaye its Founding Fathers and its Mission

Founded in 1921, Union Christian College is the only centre of higher education in Kerala, run on ecumenical basis. The college is managed my an association of members drawn from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, the Malankara Marthoma Church, the Church of South India and the Inter Church Fellowship of the College.
The origin and growth of the college was mainly on Indian initiative and resources, though the college from the beginning entertained overseas scholars as co-workers.

While identifying with the hopes and aspirations of the nation, the college vigorously promoted the scheme of expanding international co-operation. It became a congregating point for a host of scholars, theologians and missionaries from the west. The list includes Canon W. E. S. Holland, Rev. L. W. Hooper, Rev. B. G. Crowley and Malcom Muggeridge. The ecumenical identity of the college carried a strong secular dimension as well. The faculty of the early years was a balanced mix of Christian and non-christian members. The college has diligently maintained this secular structure to the present.

FOUNDERS The Late K. C. ChackoThe Late A. M. VarkiThe Late C. P. Mathew The Late. M. Ittyerah

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

The founder members of the College had as their ambition the instituting of a Christian College whose distinctive features were to be: 1. Inter-denominational basis of administration 2. Residential system of life 3. Fellowship method of life 4. Cosmopolitan team (Christians and non-Christian, Indians and non-Indians) of staff.

These still remain the chief features of the College even though by force of circumstances the college which at first was entirely residential has now on its rolls a larger number of day scholars than residents. The principle of cooperation in teaching, study and life is still a guiding factor in our work here. There should be a conscious attempt on the part of students and staff-teaching and non-teaching-to realize this in our academic life. AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe Union Christian College aims at the wholesome education of the young to bring out the best in each individual. It strives to produce intellectually competent, morally upright, spiritually inspired and patriotic men and women in the service of the country.The college commits itself to the promotion of justice and peace, respect and preservation for the integrity of creation, fostering of wholesome and simple life styles, combating the ill effects of corruption, powerlessness of the marginalized, violence and criminalization. Empowering the powerless particularly the tribals, dalits, women and other vulnerable sections of society will be a significant part of this activity. It seeks to nurture transparency and probity in private and public life and to promote national integration. "delighted with the ideal situation" Mahatma Gandhi In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi visited the college and planted a mango tree. He wrote in the visiters book "delighted with the ideal situation" The mango sapling is now flourishing in front of the administrative block

THE COLLEGE MOTTO & EMBLEM
College Emblem The present emblem was adopted in 1939. The symbolism calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.

College Motto The college motto is “The Truth shall make you free" It was only in 1939 that the College adopted its present emblem. The symbolisation calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.

The College motto is drawn from a statement made by Jesus to the Jews: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free”. That the way to ultimate freedom is through ultimate truth was known to the great thinkers and sages of the world.

exhorts : ‘Hold to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp’. The Quran declares that ‘God is truth’. To Gandhiji, the father of the nation, the whole of life was the pursuit of or experiments with truth. His life demonstrated to the world, although in a limited field, that the way of truth leads to freedom.

Francis Bacon starts his essay on ‘Truth’ with the statement “What is truth?’ said Jesting Pilate and would not stay for an answer”. Those who, like Pilate, are cynical in their attitude to truth can never attain the true freedom that is the reward of the earnest seekers after truth.
Traditionally the True has been linked with the Good and the beautiful as one of man’s supreme values. The pursuit of truth is in practice indistinguishable from the pursuit of knowledge. True knowledge sought in a spirit of enquiry should mature into wisdom and reverence.
The College is a community of teachers and students bound together in partnership in the pursuit of truth, and those who assist them in this pursuit.