Dr. Sabu K Thomas is the Principal of St. Joseph's College Devagiri, Calicut. He advocates profoundly for developing practical skills and brings the same attitude in his institution. He is an academician with a penchant for developing the current youth to make them future leaders of the country. Read here what he has to say in his interview

What can a student learn by studying at your institute? 

“We are promoting our practical learning based curriculum for students to evolve”

Utilizing the academic freedom available with the autonomous status of the college, and NAAC A++ status, we are trying to structure and redesign the courses and programmes. It will make our undergraduate programs equivalent to four-year baccalaureate and honours degrees, and make the degrees from the college recognized globally. Each program/course will be leading to practical knowledge and experience for the students that will lead to better employability or would enable them to become an entrepreneur with minimum investment. 

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“We are working towards utilising local natural resources to create employment opportunities”

Shortage of land and high population density makes it impossible to have industries in the region and hence high investments in the industry-linked courses. In addition to its greenery and tourism potential, Kerala has a very stable tropical climate, and the monsoon climate is conducive for the growth of many tropical fruiting plants and pond rearing of fishes. The college would look for courses and programmes that will lead to the utilisation of local natural resources, and that would lead to the creation of employment opportunities. Also, SJC will be looking forward to soft skill-based courses (data analysis; English communication skills; media studies) that will lead to the creation of trained youngsters who can make use of their analytical and creative skills. 

Check St. Joseph's College Devagiri Courses & Fees

How has your vision evolved since you joined the institute?

“The vision has taken multiple leaps forward and now we are aiming for much bigger opportunities”

The first change was the shift to coeducation and bringing in research culture on the campus with funding from external agencies. Next significant change was the willingness to go for autonomous status to bring in graduate and undergraduate programmes and to initiate international collaborations.

“There is a decline of Employment opportunities in Gulf countries that is shrinking with oil prices. There is a need for the students to be fluent in Hindi to get jobs in other Indian states and English to get critical posts in international organizations coming to India”

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

“Students should focus on becoming job creators instead of becoming a job seeker”

Instead of searching for jobs abroad and in industries, be the job creators utilising the opportunities available in your locality/region. For the students in Kerala with its good climate and underexploited tourism potential to attract national and international visitors, mastering Hindi and English for better employment opportunities can be a priority. Use free time wisely to gain skills by joining short term courses and be ready to do experiments in different verticals.

What are some plans that you are currently designing for St. Joseph's College Devagiri's international students? 

“We are focussing towards building hostel and information cell facilities for the students”

We are developing hostel facilities for international students and an information cell to coordinate international student’s requirements, which is currently lacking in the region. The reason for pursuing the same is because of the high influx of international students. 

Click here St. Joseph's College Devagiri Placement

How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute/ university?

“Maintaining a prosperous learning environment has never been an issue”

The College maintains the right environment in the campus with well-disciplined students who accept the norms. As the cut off marks are high; we get self-motivated students who use freedom judiciously. Calicut, as the hub of Malabar in Kerala, has a good number of NRIs with international exposure and very adaptable with modern trends and willing to accept the changes. Since it is an organisation managed by an experienced CMI congregation of Christian community and PTA (parent-teacher association), we are keen about the well-being of the institution. Thus, maintaining healthy relations and the environment in the institute has never been an issue.