| St. Joseph's College | |
| Motto: | Pro Bono Et Vero |
| Mottoeng: | For the Good & the True |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic (Jesuit) |
| Type Of The Institutions: | Co-Education |
| Provincial: | Rev.Dr.Thomas Amirtham SJ |
| Rector: | Rev.Dr.Pavulraj Michael SJ |
| Secretary: | Rev.Dr.K.Amal SJ |
| Principal: | Rev.Dr.S.Mariadoss SJ |
| Coor: | 10°49′48″N 78°41′29″E |
| Campus: | 76acres |
St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli (SJC) is a Catholic college in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. It was established in 1844 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and it is regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions in India. It is currently an affiliated first-grade college of Bharathidasan University.
In 2016, the Government of India gave Special Heritage Status to St. Joseph's College, which is one among the twelve colleges in India.[1]
St. Joseph’s College, one of the oldest Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the whole country, is a private, aided, Catholic Christian Minority Institution serving the society with the motto ‘Pro Bono et Vero’ (for the Good and the True) run by the Society of Jesus in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 1844 by the French Jesuit Priests, along with other European Jesuits. It is an autonomous college currently affiliated to Bharathidasan University. It was an affiliated college to University of Madras till 1982. It caters to the educational needs of wide and divergent sections of students through an inclusive approach with a marked emphasis on the poor and the downtrodden. It is in a constant pursuit of academic excellence by devising innovative and ingenious ways of academic delivery and maintains highest academic integrity. In its long and untiring journey towards social transformation through inclusive academic brilliance, it has several milestones.
| 1844 | St. Joseph’s College was founded at Nagappattinam | |
| 1866 | St. Joseph’s College was affiliated to Madras University | |
| 1883 | College was shifted to Tiruchirappalli due to natural calamity like epidemic | |
| 1895 | Golden Jubilee Celebrations | |
| 1896 | College Band started | |
| 1905 | The Lawley Hall was opened by the Governor of Madras, Sir Arthur Lawley, from whom it takes its name | |
| 1907 | The Digby Hall, which holds the Physics Department, was opened was opened on 29th May 1907 and bears the name of a distinguished English family who generously donated for the building | |
| 1912 | College Magazine was started for academic purposes for students | |
| 1918 | Russian General Mr Barazoff visited the Campus Old boys Association was inaugurated on 23rd Nov 1918 | |
| 1924 | Flood ravaged the campus | |
| 1925 | On 17th Jan 1925, His Excellency the Most Rev. Alexis Henry Mary Lepieer, OSM, DD Visitor Apostolic to the East Indies visited the campus | |
| 1928 | Mechanical and Electrical Engineering courses were introduced among the Optional subjects | |
| 1938 | Hon’ble Governor General Shri C. Rajagopalachari visited our College on 19th June, 1938 | |
| 1939 | Lawley Hall Extension and hostel Buildings were completed | |
| 1944 | Centenary celebrations presided over by the Governor, Madras Presidency | |
| 1949 | Chemistry Block was opened on 19th April 1949 | |
| 1955 | Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the campus on Oct.3, 1955 and delivered an impressive talk | |
| 1957 | Opening of Stadium - cum Parisian Hon’ble Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India laid the foundation for the Botany and Zoology department on July 23, 1957 | |
| 1964 | Centenary Library was opened | |
| 1967 | Rapinat Herbarium was inaugurated | |
| 1970 | Celebrations of 125th year of St. Joseph’s. Hon’ble M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu presided over the celebrations on 11th Feb 1970 | |
| 1973 | Evening college was started on 23rd July 1973 | |
| 1978 | Autonomy was conferred by the UGC. On 5th May 1978, University of Madras granted autonomous status. Foundation Courses started | |
| 1982 | Affiliated to Bharathidasan University | |
| 1986 | The Science and Humanities for People’s Development Programme (SHEPHERD) introduced as an extension department | |
| 1994 | Sesquicentenary Celebrations | |
| 1996 | Fr Ehrhart Computer Center was opened on 9th Aug 1996 | |
| 1997 | Jubilee Building was opened on 24th Feb 1997 | |
| 1998 | Library computerized information service was started on 13th Jan 1998 Internet facility was introduced on 12th Oct 1998 | |
| 2000 | Accredited with Five Star by NAAC | |
| 2001 | Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) introduced | |
| 2003 | Illustrious alumnus H.E. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India visited | |
| 2004 | College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) was conferred by the UGC | |
| 2006 | Accredited at A+ Grade (Cycle II) by NAAC | |
| 2008 | The five storied Arrupe Library Building was inaugurated | |
| 2012 | Accredited at A Grade [Cycle III] by NAAC | |
| 2014 | Introduction of School System Introduction of B. Voc. funded by UGC | |
| 2015 | DBT –STAR College Status & DST FIST at Level ‘0’ Special Heritage Status awarded by the UGC | |
| 2019 | Accredited at A++ Grade [Cycle IV] by NAAC | |
| 2023 | The mega Toulouse Arena Building was inaugurated |
Due to the untiring efforts, dexterity and sacrifices of Jesuit missionaries, 180 year old St Joseph's College made a humble beginning in a thatched roof with just one student and five Jesuit teachers at the coastal town of Nagapattimam in 1844 to cater for the educational needs of Native Indians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans without any discrimination. However, the student strength rose to 38 including 12 Indians by the close of that year.
In 1845, college had 74 students including 40 Indians on us roll. The students were taught Greek, Latin, Tamil, French and English besides Geometry and Algebra by the Jesuits. During the initial years of existence, the college had to face several hardships and deep distress due to inferno, tornado and cholera all of which took heavy toll on the college in the form of loss of life and property. Undaunted, it marched ahead with same vigour, tenacity and undiminished zeal in its educational mission.
Till the establishment of University of Madras in 1858, St. Joseph's College functioned more like free-lances in the field of higher education offering educational services at free of cost to the desired students. After it was affiliated to University of Madras in 1962, it began to be governed by university rules and regulations and its strength rose to 400 students. The college was then offering Matriculation, Intermediate (also called F.A in those days) and B.A. degree courses.
Due to administrative reasons, the college was shifted to Trichinopoly the centrally located town of Tamil Nadu on the 18 January, 1881. No sooner the college had begun working from Trichinopoly than the cholera struck. Through sheer commitment, persistence and divine assistance, college could tide over this huge crisis and continued to serve the cause of education and students welfare.
In 1896, the college established a Symphony Orchestra Band to prepare students for a professional career in music. In 1900, college made big strides in science education by introducing science courses as a response to the initiatives of the University to promote the study of sciences. To meet the infrastructural requirements in a big way, college completed the construction of two majestic buildings of Lawley hall and Digby hall by 1907. In 1911, college inaugurated honours courses in Physics, Mathematics, Economics and History after the visit by the Madras University Commission in 1906 which strongly recommended the commencement of such Honours courses.
In 1924, a course on Mechanical and Electrical Engineering was introduced and this was offered to the science students of the Intermediate and BA classes. A well-equipped workshop was setup with a financial outlay of Rs. 80000/= for teaching the course. However, this course was subsequently closed after a few years for want of demand. During the intervening period of 1939-42, college had witnessed a flurry of construction activities as Lawley wing projection, the first 2 blocks of the New Hostel, the Sacred Heart Hostel, the Brothers Hostel, the boarders kitchen and dining halls, the Bellarmine Hall and Guest House, and the Bertram building were built. The paving and diverting of the canal and expansion of the playgrounds were also carried out in the same periods
In 1944-45, college celebrated its centenary year with festive gaiety and rightly so as it had already produced over 7000 graduates and 4000 graduates were pursuing their degree courses at that time.
In 1965, the Chemistry department was recognised as the research department for offering PhD programane in 1969. In 1969 college witnessed the post- centenary Silver Jubilee of the college. In recognition of the great service rendered by the college, the two storey community centre was constructed with the financial assistance of the general public and friends and admirers of the college. To optimize the usagе of the infrastructure and facilities available in the campus, the evening college was started in 1973
In 1977, unprecedented flood invaded the college campus and the college remained submerged for three days. The nature's fury destroyed many of the rare informational and physical resources of the college kept in library and laboratories of the college. Over 40000 volumes kept in the library were reduced to pulp.
In 1985, the Science and Humanities for People's Development (SHEPHERD) programme was inaugurated as part of Lab to Land initiative to share the scientific experiences gained by the students for the upliftment of the people. In 1989, the Sodality Chapel-cum-Inter-faith Prayer Centre was inaugurated.
In 1994, college celebrated its sesquicentenary year by organizing year long events that culminated with mega EXHIBITION for the school children and general public.
In 1997, college received internet facility and library computerized information Service.
In 2006, the elegant and majestic ARRUPE library building was constructed and inaugurated.
The following Infrastructure Upgradation and Renovation were carried out between 2013–20:
In 2024, the mega- luxurious Toulouse Arena was built and inaugurated
St. Joseph’s College carries forward the Vision and Mission of the Jesuits with unabated zeal and vigour to achieve greater heights of excellence in its services to all the stakeholders and the students in particular.
In June 1978, college was conferred the autonomous status by a decree of the syndicate of the University of Madras. St. Joseph’s College was one among the 8 colleges received the Autonomous status in Phase-I of UGC.
It was recognized by the UGC as a College with Potential for Excellence (2004, 2014) and endowed with DST-FIST (2008, 2014) and DBT-STAR (2014) status. St. Joseph’s College is the only college in the State of Tamil Nadu awarded with the Special Heritage Status (2015) by the UGC. The UGC has recognised the college as a Mentee institution under the scheme of PARAMARSH (2019).
As a premier institute of learning, the college showcased its credibility by standing at top position (based on the scaling provided by NAAC) all through its four cycles of accreditation. It was accredited by NAAC with Five Star Status (2000:Cycle-I), A+ (with CGPA-901/1000:Cycle-II) Grade (2006), A (with CGPA-3.4/4.0:Cycle-III) Grade(2012) and A++ (CGPA-3.58/4.00:Cycle-IV) Grade (2019).
| Type: | College |
| Nirf D 2023: | 25 |
The annual feature of the ranking (done by NBA) by the MHRD initiative under 5 category, which is a measure of the performance of all HEI at the College category is growing substantially from 2018 onwards as follows [Year : All India Rank''''' ''(% / No. of Participating institutions''')]: 2018:28 (54.41% /1087), 2019 :39 (54.70% /1304), 2020: 31(59.09%/1802), 2021:27(59.09%/1802), 2022:26 (61.60 / 2270), 2023:25 (62.48/2746).
The college has a sprawling campus with state-of-the-art facilities, and offers innovative curricula, opportunities for holistic development and a highly disciplined and diversified environment for students to excel in scholastic, non-scholastic and research pursuits.
The college offers 18 Undergraduate, 20 Postgraduate, 13 M.Phil. (suspended due to UGC new regulation), and 15 Ph.D. programmes besides 2 B.Voc. programmes & 1 Honours. The School System was introduced in 2014 by forming five different schools with a view to maximizing resources, https://sjctni.edu/images/school_of_excellence.pdf sharing expertise across disciplines and enhancing lateral mobility in order to achieve holistic development, cross-discipline exposure and augmenting employment opportunity. It has a strong staff strength with 320 plus teaching and 135 plus non-teaching staff. The college has a century - old Museum, Herbarium and Band, besides a library with 1.77 Lakh+ volumes of books, 5100 rare collections and 200+ print journals.