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International Linkages
Though of indigenous origin, in keeping with its commitment to remain cosmopolitan, UCC has had the presence of successive missionaries from the Church Missionary Society, London, on its campus for more than half a century, as co-workers. Cannon W. F. S. Holland, T. R. Milford, Rev. B. G. Crowley, Rev. L. W. Hooper, Malcolm Muggeridge and Bishop Stephen Neil were some of the missionary stalwarts who served in UCC. This arrangement had to be stopped after 1969, because of the restrictive visa policies of the Government of India.
A renewed interest in international linkages arose consequent to the cultural impact of Globalization. The college, through its Community Development and Internship Program, provided an agency to coordinate the Young Adult Volunteer Program of the Presbyterian Church, USA. During 1998-2011 period, the College continuously had the presence of a Young Adult Volunteer from the US on its campus every year. Dr. Gerald Middents from Austin College, Texas, spent three months in UCC as a Guest Faculty in 1998, creating renewed interest in having faculty exchanges. Since 2000, for a few years, the College had hosted students from Austin College Texas for their January term. In 2004, the college signed a MOU with the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU) in USA which privileged the college with opportunities to relate to the member Colleges and Universities of APCU.
Since 1970, the United Board of Christian Higher Education in Asia has been an active partner of UCC and has facilitated partnership of the college with International Christian University, Japan (2005) and Hope College, Holland MI, USA. Currently we have faculty exchange programs with both the institutions and student exchange with ICU Japan. Our students enjoy Scranton Scholarship for women students from the Scranton Women’s Leadership Centre, S Korea, International Christian University Foundation Scholarship (facilitating an exchange student from UCC), Kano Yamamoto Scholarship, a designated grant from United Board (given to students involved in Service Learning initiatives).
UCC seeks partnership with Colleges and Universities across the world in the following areas:
- Faculty and student exchanges
- Collaborative research and joint publication of Journals and books
- Short term academic programs
- Semester programs involving faculty and students from overseas
- Short term academic programs
- International seminars and conferences
- Developing academic fraternities
Centre for Canadian Studies
UC College established a Centre for Canadian Studies in 1996 as a research and extension programme. The Centre took up activities and academic programmes with Canada and Canadian Studies as the focus. These included faculty papers, discussions and periodical meets of Canadian scholars. Some of the major programmes organized by the Centre were:
- An International Seminar on Canadian Studies (Theme: Encounter and Identity: Canada and India as Parallel Paradigms) accommodating scholars from Spain, Canada, Germany, United States, and so on. [On January 23 & 24, 2000]
- Second International seminar on Canadian Studies (Theme: (Ex)istence on the Margins and Beyond: Canada and India) attended by scholars from Spain, Australia, Germany, Canada and US. [January 8 & 9, 2001]
- Inauguration of the Indo-Canadian Drama Workshop Series—February 14, 2001.
- Inauguration of a new publication wing, JICS Publishers for the Centre for Canadian Studies, July 2002.
Publications/ Research Activities /Membership
The Centre for Canadian Studies regularly brings out several publications which include an international journal (Journal of Indo-Canadian Studies ISSN 0972-330), pamphlets, newsletters, anthologies of critical writing, journals promoting Canadian Studies at the under-graduate levels (College English Review) and seminar abstracts. The journal of the centre reaches more than 900 libraries in India and abroad and more than 400 teachers and research scholars/teachers visit the centre regularly to procure materials from the JICS Digital Library and hundreds of scholars directly communicate with the centre by e-mail
Linkages with Austin College, Texas and the APCU,USA
Dr. Gerald J Middents, Professor, of Psychology and Education, Austin College, Texas, USA speaking at a seminar on “International Linkages in Higher Education : Challenges and Possibilities.” On Alumni Reunion Day 1998.
Some Milestones
- 1996,correspondence with Austin College, Sherman, Texas, USA.
- 1998, Visit by Rev. Thomas John, Head of the Department of Psychology to US during April-May for discussions at Houston and New Mexico
- 1998, Rev. Dr. Gerald J Middents, Professor of Psychology and Education, Austin College arrives in UC College in April on sabbatical leave:engages classesconducts short term coursespresents paper on “International Linkages in Higher Education: Challenges and Possibilities”
- Dr. Duncan S. Fergusson, President of the Associaton of Presbyterian Colleges and Univertisites, U.S.A., with Prof. T.B. Thomas, former Principal and Manager of the College, on his visit to the College in 1999. [PICTURE 3]
- 1999, Visit by Dr. Janet Huber Lowry, Professor of Sociology, from Austin College.
- 1999, Agreement between Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities of the United States and Union Christian College was signed on 3 rd June, between the President of APCU, Chair of the board and the President and the Chair of UCC.
- 2005, Prof. Janet Lowry spends Sabbatical in UC College (November2004 – April 2005)
- 2005,Dr.K.E.Leelamma, Dept of Psychology, U.C. College, spends six weeks of study and research, hosted by Austin College.
Young Adult Volunteer programs:
UC College is very fortunate to have beeen one of the five institutions in Kerala to regularly host YAV from the Presbyterian church USA Young Adult Volunteer programmes includes service and learning by a student from the US for a period of one year at UC College. He/she will be involved in many programmes of the College.
- Mr. Ben Larson, the first of the Young Adult Volunteer to the college from the US, in 1998
- Mr. Brent Martin, Young Adult Volunteer from Presbyterian Church, joined UCC in 2000.
- Ms. Jill Wason, Young Adult Volunteer from Presbyterian Church, joined UC in September 2003.
- Ms.Charlotte Erickson, a Young Adult Volunteer from the Evangelical Lutheran Church spent a year in UCC during 2005-06
- Presently we have Mr. Andrew Smith from US as the Young Adult Volunteer for the year 2006-07
Linkages with Hope College, Michigan
- Dr. Thara K Simon visited Hope College Michigan
- Mr. Cherian K George( Librarian) attended a one month training programme on Advanced Information Management Techniques in May 2005.
Linkages with UBCHEA
- Trustees of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, New York with the members of the College community during their visit to the College in 2004
- International Linkages through the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA)
- Dr.Thara K.Simon(UB Freeman Fellowship programme 2002-04)
- Dr. P.M. Kuriachen(UB Freeman Fellowship programme2004-06)
- Mr. Cherian K George (UB Grant 2005)
- Dr.P.Thomas Mathew (UB Freeman Fellowship programme 2006-08)
- Dr. David Saj Mathew (UB Fellow Hong Kong Baptist University)
- Dr. Rachel Reena Philip UB fellow( 2012-2014)
Hope college, Michigan, US( from February to May 2013)
International Christian University, Japan( from April- June) - Dr, M I Punnoose UB Fellow(2014-16) .
- Dr. Mini Alice UB fellow(2014-16). Spent three months each in
1.St.Olaf college, Minnesota (2014 September to December)2.Fu Jen Catholic university,Taiwan. 2016 February to AprilMembership in Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion ( CUAC)
- UC College is a member of CUAC since 2004.
- Dr. Varghese John attended the Triennial Conference of CUAC in Canterburg and York in June 2005
- Dr. Varghese John welcomes the UBCHEA team
Visit of the UBCHEA Team
A three member UBCHEA team visited the college during 28-30 September. The three were Dr. Patricia Stranahan (the president designate), Dr. Betty Abregana (South Asia Programme Director) and Dr. Santhi Manuel (United Board Trustee, and former principal, Lady Doak College, Madurai). The specific brief of the team was the selection interview for the United Board Freeman Scholarship. Patricia had joined the team to gain familiarity with the college. They had several rounds of discussion in the college. Dr. Betty addressed the teaching staff, and made a presentation on Service Learning.
Marie Kikuchi
Ms. Marie Kikuchi, a sophomore student from the International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan, spent two months in U. C. College during July and August, 2005. She was here for her Service Learning Internship. She collaborated with different NGOs. Marie had talk sessions with many student groups in the college, and she also had training at the Potter’s village adopted by the Department of History. At the college, Dr. Thara K. Simon was her mentor. More students from ICU are likely to be in the college next year.
Scranton International Scholarship
Scranton Women’s Leadership Center (SWLC) is the program office of American-Methodist Korean Women’s Mission Foundation. Scranton Scholarship provides young women from developing countries worldwide with opportunities for higher education. The scholarship was created in 2007 by Scranton Women’s Leadership Center located in Seoul, Korea.
Mr.M.I.Punnoose of the Department of Malayalam participated in the Seminar organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies in Asian Cultures and Theology(IASACT) in Hong Kong,China from june 6 –july 9,2008.Mr.Punnose presented a paper entitled Christian Mythology and Traditions in Asian Culture with special reference to the St.Thomas myth.Scholars from all over Asia ,researching on Theology and Asian Cultures were present.
Freeman fellowship
The United Board in alliance with U.C.College selects one faculty member as Freeman Fellow to visit host institutions in the United States every year.In 2008 ,Dr.David Saj Mathew from Botany department succeeds Dr.Thomas Mathew as fourth fellow of the United Board Programme
Mr. Anil Thomas Koshy of the Department of Physical Education attended the Academy of Asian University Chaplains’Conference from august 4-7,2008 at Chang Jung Christian University ,Tainan,Taiwan
Young Adult Volunteers from USA
Ms.Charlotte Erickson, a young adult Volunteer from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America(ELCA) ,arrived from US in setember 2005.She spend a year in U.C.College ,contributing in a variety of ways to the life of college.She participated in a programme on communication and writing skills.
Filling Charlotte’s position is Mr.Andrew Smith fron New Jersey,USA,the 2006-07 YAV.Andrew arrived in the beginning of sep and is already a well known face in college campas.Andrew teaches communicative English to students.
UBCHEA-Freeman Fellowship
Dr.P.Thomas Mathew is awarded the U.B Freeman Fellowship for 2006-2008.He spend one semester in Ateneo de Manila ,University of Philippines from Nov.2006-Feb.2007
Rev.John John ,the college Chaplain ,was selected by the UBCHEA to participate in a program of University and College Chaplains of Asia in Taiwan.
Towards a Library Consortium
On Aug 31st 2007 ,a national workshop for Librarians and Library Advisors of college was conducted with the aim of “Formalizing a Library Consortium of colleges” with financial assistance from the UBCHEA(New York).Librarians of twenty five colleges and five nearby Universities participated in the workshop.Presentation focused primarily on the concept ,advantages,and implementation of consortium.Mr.K.P.Sadasivan and Dr.Harish Chandra led the discussion that followed.The workshop was first of its kind in Kerala.
Presbyterian association
The college’s association with the Presbytarian churches of the US brings a Young Adult Volunteer to the campus every year.Andrew Smith,who completed his stint bid good bye in Aug 2007. The new volunteer Ms.Elizabeth Chatelain from North Dakota ,is a graduate in media studies,with a few documentaries to her credit.Her sojourn in U.C. should enliven the activities of the journalism club and the Media Studies Group.With her ever-shining smile,Beth makes herself an endearing presence in all of U.C’s activities from prayer services to community extension programmes.
Alumni in the US-AANA
The efforts bring together the alumni to the almamater got a fillip when the Alumni Association of North America(AANA) was formally inaugurated on sep 2.2007.We had alumini from US visiting us at different times of the year.Mr Lal Varghese visited college in dec 2006,Dr.Kaamakshi Krishnan in feb 2007,Mr.Jacob Mathew in march 2007,followed by Mr.Thomas Mathew(Ohio),and Mr.Thomas Mathew (New Jersey)in aug 2007.
The exchange programmes with Austin College,Texas and Hope College Michigan, helped in bolstering the warm relationship U.C. has with them. Mid of July 2007 saw the arrival of an 18 member Austin College team headed by Prof.Janet Huber Lowry on an India Study Programme.
Hope with ‘HOPE’
Another trans-national collaboration was effected with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Hope College,Holland,Michigan,a top liberal arts college in U.S.Dr.K. E .Leelamma of the Department of Psychology ,visited U.S. in May 2007 to finalize the formalities of the MoU.
KEL at the UB office
Dr. K. E. Leelamma visited Dr.Patricia Stranahan, President of the United Board , and Dr.Rita Pullium,Vice President, at the UBCHEA office in New York.
International Linkages
There has been serious efforts, in strengthening the international linkages of the college, especially through grants and scholarships of UBCHEA.
A high power team from UBCHEA, New York under the leadership of chairman Dr.Timothy Light, visited the college during January 35-27, 2004.
Ms. Jill Wason, young adult volunteer of the Presbyterian Church, USA joined U.C College in September 2003. She has been assisting in the development of the college by trying to develop a database of the alumni in US and Canada. A registration form has been up linked on the website provided by Mr.Jacob Mathew.
The college continues to keep the tradition of welcoming the international community to the campus. Dr.Kano Yama Moto, trustee of the United Board for Christian Higher Education visited the college in August 2004.
UBCHEA-Freeman Fellowship
Dr. P.M Kuriachen is awarded the Freeman Scholarship for the year 2005-2007. He will be spending one semester each in Macquarie University Sydney Australia, and Hope College, Michigan.
Dr. Thara K. Simon was entitled as the Fellow of the United Board after completing the faculty leadership development programme of UBCHEA.
Librarian Mr. Cheriyan K. George receives a travel grant from UBCHEA to visit the international libraries in US. He is also offered a one month training in the library of Hope College, Holland, Michigan. We expect more scholars from abroad through the exchange programmes.
UBCHEA assistance and faculty visits abroad.
The UBCHEA (United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia) has been a major source of assistance to the college over the years.
A four member team from the UBCHEA, consisting of Dr. Richard Wood , Dr. Rita Pullium, Dr. Betty Abregana and Dr. Shanti Manuel visited the college in February 2003. The college has been offered a substantial assistance for a specific project, which is now being given final shape.
The college has been a beneficiary of several initiatives coming in recent times from the Asian Higher Education Institute (ACHEI) set up by the UBCHEA to give a new dimension to the Christian presence in higher education in Asia. Dr. Raju K. John along with Mr. M. I. Punnoose, Department of Malayalam, attended the first Asian Christian Faculty Fellowship (ACFE) Conference held at Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2002.
Dr. P. M. Kuriachan, Mr. M. I. Punnoose, Dr. Varghese John and Dr. Raju K. John attended the inaugural conference of the India chapter of the ACFF held in Lucknow in October.
Dr. Varghese John (English Department) participated in the International Conference on Religion and Globalisation held at Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand in July- August 2003.
