Fri Jan 17 19:13:24 UTC 2025: **Loyola College, Thiruvananthapuram, Achieves Autonomy, Launches Four-Year Undergraduate Programs**
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 18, 2025 – Loyola College of Social Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram celebrated its transition to autonomous status at a formal ceremony on Friday. The event also marked the launch of the college’s new four-year undergraduate programs (FYUG).
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Shyam B. Menon, Vice Chancellor of BML Munjal University and former chair of the government-appointed Commission for Reforms in Higher Education. Menon emphasized that autonomy, while offering new opportunities, also carries a responsibility for fulfilling collective duties and upholding academic freedom and accountability. He stressed that autonomy does not equate to sovereignty.
Rajan Gurukkal, vice-chairperson of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, highlighted the educators’ role in fostering critical thinking and expanding students’ knowledge. Other speakers included Joe Arun, director of Loyola Institute of Business Administration; Sunny Kunnappallil S.J., manager and rector of Loyola Institutions; Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anilkumar; and Loyola College Principal Sabu P. Thomas S.J.
A panel discussion on leveraging FYUG programs for future education concluded the ceremony.
First Piper 