Institutional Distinctiveness

Empowerment of Backward Community through Value Education

S.N.M College, Maliankara, established in 1964, stands as a beacon of hope and enlightenment in the coastal belt of Kerala, guided by the profound vision of the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. For nearly six decades, the institution has dedicated itself to the noble cause of societal elevation, extending its educational outreach to individuals regardless of their social and economic status, age, or gender. The primary objective has always been the empowerment and advancement of the underprivileged and marginalized communities in this region.

According to Guru, education is a process that develops one’s capacity and qualifies them for a higher quality of life in society. Changes in people’s knowledge, skills, values and attitudes are necessary for a society to flourish. The college serves as a catalyst for improvement and development in the lives of students by embodying the goal of “Liberation through education and empowerment through organization.”

Guru’s vision is based on the understanding that with knowledge, education, hard labour, and a clean environment, oppressed people might free themselves to become fearless, financially independent and morally sound society. Based on this, one of the distinctive aspects of the mission of the college is its commitment to providing access to higher education to those from backward sections of society. A significant proportion of the student body, around 95.7 %, represents first-generation graduates in their families. These students, often faced with social, geographic, and financial challenges, find in this college, a lifeline to a brighter future. 

In order to create citizens who are informed and alert, education at the college largely focuses on the needs and interests of the individual, especially the marginalized. Guru viewed education as a source of enlightenment and power that may transform and elevate a person’s nature through the gradual and harmonious growth of her physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual abilities. In his opinion, education in today’s industrial society should be strongly focused on preparing students for careers. Guru’s vision that any needy student should never be deprived of educational opportunities is materialized by the college through focusing on those who are economically backward. Through a holistic approach to education that extends beyond the confines of the curriculum, the institution strives to nurture intellectually competent, morally upright, spiritually inspired, and socially committed citizens.

One of the remarkable aspects of our mission is its commitment to providing access to higher education to those from backward sections of society. A significant proportion of the student body, around 80%, is from a backward community. These students, often faced with social, geographic, and financial challenges, find in S.N.M College a lifeline to a brighter future. Through a holistic approach to education at the college that extends beyond the confines of the curriculum, the institution strives to nurture intellectually competent, morally upright, spiritually inspired, and socially committed citizens. S.N.M College proudly serves as one of the backward community colleges within the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The diversity found among its student body, which comprises individuals hailing from families engaged in coir making and fishing. Effective learning is facilitated at the institution through student-centered education using suitable approaches including interactive instruction, experiential learning, and collaborative learning modalities. With ICT enabling technologies like Learning Management Systems (LMS), the institution may give excellent teaching that is more specific, innovative, and dynamic. The college is also working to promote the cultural and educational uplift of economically and socially disadvantaged sections of the student population. This amalgamation of religious, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds creates a vibrant and multifaceted campus community.

Academic Empowerment

The institution uses a variety of tools to help students develop their diverse fields because the majority of the students come from rural backgrounds. Continuous involvement in industry and instilling a global concern for others are necessary to accomplish the institution’s mission. Students’ empowerment contributes to the fulfillment of ideals, the environment, and society.  Achieving academic success is a lifelong process that takes time, persistence, and practice to complete at the desired intellectual level. In academia, teaching, research, and development are the three main pillars. Each student must make deliberate, ongoing efforts to become academically brilliant. The LMS Moodle system, ICT-enabled courses and smart classrooms, along with traditional teaching methods, have been introduced in an effort to make learning more student-centered. Compared to previous academic years, our college’s research departments Botany and Chemistry have significantly improved the research environment. There are six research guides and to strengthen the research culture amidst students and UG, PG  students were encouraged to undergo projects and internships. Students at our college are required to wear uniforms, which promotes pride and cohesion, lessens peer pressure, and significantly enhances teamwork and spirit. Without exception, we uphold transparency in all of our academic and extracurricular endeavors. Exams are administered both internally and externally with the utmost honesty. Students are routinely educated on moral behavior and honesty during exams, other activities, and the repercussions of their errors. This instilled a feeling of accountability in them and almost eliminated any current instances of unethical behavior during exams. Students’ ethnicity is given priority and festivals of multi-culture are being celebrated at the institute.

Spiritual Empowerment

S.N.M. College Maliankara symbolizes the steady advancement of Moothakunnam, which was an underdeveloped village, towards social and cultural regeneration over the years. Mission of SNM College has been, as enunciated by the great social revolutionary of Kerala, Sree Narayana Guru,” Emancipation Through Education”. The college has made efforts to spread the concept of Advaitam, the core of Gurudeva darshana, to the society in all its forms. The college is an inclusive campus environment that respects and celebrates diverse spiritual beliefs and philosophies. We encourage students to explore their inner selves, seek meaning and purpose, and cultivate mindfulness. Spiritual enrichment provides a foundation for emotional well-being, resilience, and a sense of interconnectedness with others and the world. Sree Narayana Study center of the college working to impart knowledge with Guru’s vision and ideology, designed with the view to impart value education to the student community.  Sree Narayana Study and Research Centre at the college was established in 1996 with the aim of fostering the total development of the students. Since 2013, value-based seminars, contests, and certificate courses have been held for the students. The goal of the certificate programme is to introduce students and society to Narayana Guru’s vision, life, and deeds in order to promote social upliftment. Realising the current relevance of Narayana Gurudarshan led to the beginning of it with a wider perspective on social benefits. The organization’s mission is to elevate society via education by including the general public in the pursuit of knowledge. Value-based seminars, various competitions and guru jayanthi celebrations etc have been conducted from the year 2013 onwards. The center offers a certificate course on “ Sree Narayana Guru: Life and Mission”  and also takes initiatives in providing an inclusive environment towards cultural, regional and linguistic harmony in the campus

Physical Empowerment

Recognizing the importance of a healthy body for a healthy mind, the college prioritizes physical fitness and well-being. College provides ample opportunities for sports, fitness activities, and recreational pursuits. Through sportsmanship and teamwork, students not only develop physical strength but also valuable life skills such as discipline, resilience, and leadership. The NSS/NCC/Sports units that work to cultivate in students a sense of civic responsibility, strong leadership skills, and a solid moral character.  Physical education has been effectively included into the college’s academic programme. It acknowledges the value of holistic education, which includes both mental and physical health. In terms of physical fitness, the institution provides both open courses and credential programmes.The department is conducting a variety of students participating in sports to improve their physical fitness and sportsmanship. Every year, the institution conducts various sporting events for the students, including throwball, volleyball and badminton. The institution observes International Yoga Day each year to promote regular activity

Socially Responsible Citizen

SNM College Maliankara implemented the village adoption programme to equip and familiarize the students and faculties with the socio-economic dimensions of the rural community and to make the students more socially responsible. It is the obligation of every institution to upbring their students by giving them a chance to experience the reality of the society. Being a part of this programme, students will get an insight into the real world and the issues confronted by the common people which will make them more responsible citizens in future. The College is fervently working on a number of initiatives to institutionalize community engagement and uphold students’ social responsibility to society as a whole. The college conducts many activities both inside and outside the campus to educate the young generation about the values ​​that should be constitutionally based on every individual and their rights and duties as a citizen.

The program Pothichor Distribution is organizing NSS of the college and supports the people not having safe, nutritious and sufficient food in the nearby streets. The name “pothichor” in Malayalam means Rice Bundle. Students of the college actively participated by giving prepared food by their own homes and take initiates as part of zero hunger

The College is organizing “kavalayogam” every year- the campaign against the use or alcohol and drugs in the village. Teachers and students of the college are actively participating in the program. The College takes measures for the palliative care patients in the nearby locality on the occasion of palliative care day every year and collected, distributed the necessary items to the patients in association with Vadakkekara Grama Panchayath. The college is participated in “Kootayottam” a running campaign against drug abuse in association with Vadakkekara Grama Panchayath every year Distribution of pamphlets to the villagers, which contains the matters related to the various health problems created due to the use of drugs as part of Anti Drug Day in the last year.Yoga Club of the college conducts various activities and provides Certificate courses on Yoga. The training programs on Yoga and meditation help teachers and students to balance emotions and reduce work tension.

The Science Departments of the College conducts a workshop on Making Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulb every year. These bulbs are distributed in the nearby villages free of cost. Awareness programs on Energy Conservation are conducted every year for the students and teachers. Bhomithrasena Club and Energy Club will be organizing many outreach and extension programs.

The institution has three memorandum of understanding for Waste Management. Students are actively participating for the collection of solid waste such as paper, plastics and e-waste inside & outside the college and make the campus free of plastics A waste management assessment survey was initiated by SNM College under the leadership of North Paravur Municipal Corporation A newsletter was published at the college named “Pachakuda” which means Green Umbrella to create awareness about how to reduce waste and pollution, and shape a new circular economy

S.N.M. College in collaboration with Kerala Forest Department and District Social Forest Division is actively participating in the program “cleaning beach initiatives”. Students of the college are participating in cleaning programs and collecting plastics from nearby beaches that were recycled in the last year. Awareness on “Blue Economy” a talk was conducted last year as part of the International Conference to understand the importance of conserving Healthy oceans and seas which are essential to human existence and life on Earth.