8°53′09″N 76°36′07″E / 8.885941°N 76.601958°E / 8.885941; 76.601958

Fatima Mata National College is a college in the Indian state of Kerala, named after Our Lady of Fatima, a Catholic title of Virgin Mary. The college was ranked 92nd in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2022.^[1]

Rankings

In 2022, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) placed Fatima Mata National College at the 92nd position among all colleges in India.^[2]

Motto

The school's motto is per matrem pro patria (through the mother for the fatherland).

History

The college was founded in 1951 by Jerome M. Fernandez Thuppasseril, the first native Bishop of Quilon. The college was formally inaugurated on 29 December 1952 by Norman Cardinal Gilroy, Papal Legate to India.

It was elevated to the status of a first grade college with the introduction of degree courses in Commerce, Economics and Zoology. This was followed by the introduction of courses in Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Physical resources were added in the form of hostels, sports pavilion, chemistry block, auditorium, playgrounds, an NCC office, hockey stadium, language lab, basketball courts, a botany garden, computer labs and research centres.

Principals

• Msgr. Joseph Kureethadom, 1951–1952
• Fr. Mathew Kottiath, 1952–1960, 1965–1969
• Fr. C. M. George, 1960–1965
• Msgr. A. J. Rozario, 1969–1984
• Rev. Richard P. Fernandez, 1984–1988
• Fr. (Bishop of Quilon 2001-2018) Stanley Roman, 1988–1996
• Prof. K. Napoleon, 1996–1997
• Dr. G. Henry, 1997–2004
• Prof. C. K. Felix, 2004–2006
• Dr. Sr. Soosamma Kavumpurath, 2006–2015
• Dr. Vincent B. Netto, 2015–2021
• Dr Jojo P.J., 2021-2022
• Dr Cynthia.M.Catherine , 2022-

Managers

• Msgr. Victor Fernandez, 1951–952
• Msgr. Bernard D'cruz, 1952–1965
• Msgr. Peter Thekkevilayil, 1965–1974
• Fr. Alphonse Thundil, 1976–1984
• Msgr. A. J. Rozario, 1984–2006
• Fr. Anil Jose, 2006–2022
• Fr. Abhilash Gregory, 2022–present

Timeline

• 1961 Start of postgraduate courses in Botany and Commerce, followed by courses in Physics, Zoology, Economics, English, Psychology, Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry, Travel and Tourism Management, Malayalam, Mathematics.
• 1966-1967 Open-access library and auditorium opened.
• 1980 St. Joseph’s Guidance and Counselling Centre opened.
• 1984 Centre for Research and Post Graduate Studies opened.
• 1997–1998 Computer labs opened in the Departments of Mathematics and Commerce.
• 1998 Upgrade of the Department of Zoology to a Research Centre, followed by the Department of Commerce the following year.
• 1999 Language Laboratory for English and hockey stadium opened.
• 2000 Golden Jubilee celebrations.
• 2001 Accreditation by NAAC at Four Star level.
• 2001–2002 The Institute of Distance Education degree courses started.
• 2005–2006 The Departments of Economics and English were elevated to Research Centres.
• 2007 NAAC Reaccreditation (B++).
• 2013 NAAC reaccredited with “A” Grade.
• 2019 Ranked 83 by NIRF.
• 2020 NAAC Re-Accredited A Grade.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include:

• Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V.
• Eugene Pandala, Indian architect
• Balachandra Menon, Actor, Director, Script writer, Lyricist, Producer and Lawyer
• K. P. A. C. Sunny, Film Actor
• Suresh Gopi (1980), Film actor, Television anchor, Former member of Rajya Sabha
• N. K. Premachandran, Indian politician
• James Albert, Indian scriptwriter
• Chavara Parukutty Amma, Indian artist
• Kundara Johnny, Indian actor
• Chandni (Malayalam actress)
• M B Suresh Babu, Olympian
• Dr. A. V. George, Member, Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes (public service)
• J. Alexander IAS, Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka
• Akhil Maraar Writer, Director, Television reality show fame.

Popular culture

Masterpiece (2017 film) shooting took place in Fatima Mata National College, Kollam