The year 2022 unfurled with an auspicious breakthrough, the Department of Chemistry comes to be recognized as an approved Research Centre under the University of Kerala. It is noteworthy that the Department of Chemistry is the first research department in the history of St. Michael's College. As the department celebrated the deserved success of their profound vision and systematic progression, the other departments deemed it as source of motivation that has broadened their vistas.
In 2023, the Department of Commerce was elevated to the status of a Research Centre under the University of Kerala. Since then, the Department has made significant strides in research, currently having nine approved research guides and 28 research scholars pursuing doctoral research.
The Department of Chemistry had its origin with St. Michael's College in 1967 when it was initiated as a Junior College comprising of only Pre - degree courses. In 2022 the Department of Chemistry is recognized as an approved research centre of the University of Kerala. Now the Department offers two courses B.Sc. Chemistry and M.Sc. Chemistry and is also actively involved in Research.
The thrust area of research includes Materials Science, Organic Electronics, Renewable Energy, and Sensors. The research activities of the Department are highly active and publishing the work in internationally reputed journals. At present three of our faculty members are approved Research Guides of University of Kerala. Also four research scholars are working in the department for the Ph.D programme. The research programmes of the Department are financially supported by University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in the form of Major and Minor Research Projects. In 2015, Department received the prestigious DST-FIST grant and with this the research facilities are improved tremendously. With this fund we have set up a Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre and Networking and Computational Facility in the Department. The major research instruments include UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, FTIR, Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, Electrochemical Workstation etc. These facilities are also utilized by teachers, students and research scholars of neighbouring colleges of both Kerala and MG University. The Department has also signed MoUs with various colleges and reputed research centres in Kerala to strengthen the research activities. The Department organises National and International conferences regularly to provide an international exposure for our students. It is noteworthy that the students of our department are qualifying various National Eligibility Tests such as CSIR and GATE examinations and pursuing their higher studies in various reputed research institutes in India and abroad. In 2018 the Department started functioning completely with Green Energy. Department of Chemistry is the first fully Solar Educational Department in the College, totally devoted to the promotion of renewable energy.
Alternative renewable energy resources especially low-cost solar energy based organic photovoltaic devices are the major focus of research of the Department. Our other research interest includes design and synthesis of novel organic molecules for organic electronics, synthesis of nanomaterials and their incorporation in photovoltaic devices etc. Materials having delocalized π electron system are interesting due to their optical and electronic properties. They are potential candidates in organic photovoltaics. We design, synthesis and characterize various materials for organic electronics. Some of the materials of interest include derivatives perylene diimides, pyrene, phenothiazine etc. We also interested to investigate the photophysical and transport properties of oligomeric and polymeric materials which can be used to fabricate organic electronic devices
Three Research Scholars are working for their Ph.D programme under the guidance of Dr. P. Manoj. One Project fellow is working under the guidance of Dr. Beena James in the KSCSTE Project.
The Department of Commerce at St. Michael’s College was established in 1999 with an initial intake of 60 students. The elective paper of the course was Computer Applications. In 2019, the elective was changed from Computer Applications to Finance. A significant milestone in the history of the department was the introduction of the Master’s Degree Programme in Commerce (M.Com) in 2013, transforming it into a Postgraduate Department. In 2023, the department was elevated to the status of a Research Centre in Commerce under the University of Kerala.
Presently, the Department offers a three-year undergraduate programme in Commerce (B.Com), a four-year undergraduate programme in Commerce (B.Com Honours), a four-year undergraduate programme in Commerce with Research (B.Com Honours with Research), and a two-year postgraduate programme in Commerce (M.Com) with a specialization in Finance. The Department also offers a Ph.D. programme in Commerce, supported by nine approved research guides from various affiliated colleges and 28 research scholars currently pursuing their research under the Department. The Department comprises seven faculty members and approximately 250 students.
The Department offers excellent academic resources, including faculty and infrastructure. It has a vibrant Entrepreneurship Development Club (ED Club) and a very active Commerce Association named Commerce Union for Excellence (COMMUNE). The COMMUNE provides students with a dynamic environment for overall development, enhancing their personalities, interrelationship skills, and talents. Additions for Commerce Students (AD4COMS) and Career Endeavour for Commerce Students (CARE4COMS) are the two flagship organizations of the department that focus on the exhaustive academic and career development of the students. The department also offers various add-on programs to enhance the employability skills of the students. Some of the add-on courses offered by the department include the Diploma in GST Practice (DGSTP), Basic Corporate Accountant, Certified Insurance Advisor and Risk Analyst (CIARA) and Certification Program in Fintech and Forensic Accounting.
The PG & Research Department of Commerce at St. Michael's College is a prominent academic division specializing in advanced studies and research in commerce. The department is supported by a team of 8 research guides, who are experienced faculty members providing expert guidance to 4 research scholars currently pursuing their research projects. This setup fosters a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment for both students and faculty, aiming to contribute significantly to the field of commerce through rigorous research and academic excellence.
St. Michael's College,11th Mile
Mayithara Cherthala, Kerala 688539
+91 478 282 2387
+91 9188 6633 87
michaelscherthala@gmail.com
