Christ College, Irinjalakuda

CHRIST College (Autonomous)
Motto	"Jeevitha Prabha"
Motto in English	"Light of Life"
Type	Public
Established	1956
Founder	Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI
Academic affiliations	University of Calicut
Principal	Fr. Dr. Jolly Andrews CMI
Students	5130+
Location	Irinjalakuda, Thrissur District, Kerala, 680125, India; 10°21′21″N 76°12′44″E / 10.3557°N 76.21226°E
Campus	Urban
Nickname	CCAIJK
Website	christcollegeijk.edu.in

CHRIST, also known as Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, is a government-aided college located in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India. It stands as a Syro-Malabar Catholic educational institution administered by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). Established in 1956 and affiliated with the University of Calicut, it holds the distinction of being the first college in Thrissur district to attain an 'A++' Grade certificate from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2022.

The college's academic spectrum encompasses a diverse array of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD Programmes in Arts, Science, and Commerce, as well as Value Added Certificate Programmes, complemented by specialized courses such as a PG Diploma in Natural Disaster Management, Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), and various UGC-sponsored short-term courses. Boasting a student body exceeding 5000 and a faculty comprising over 250 members, Christ College hosts 55 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes, along with six Research Centers. The college was founded by the Devamatha Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), the institution traces its origins to Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a visionary religious priest who founded the indigenous congregation in 1831. Rooted in the belief that education is a tool for liberation and development, the college embodies an ideal vision of education that is aware of and responsive to the challenges of the nation's present situation.

History

Christ College was started in 1956, by the Devamatha Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), an indigenous religious congregation founded in 1831 by St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a religious priest and versatile genius, who envisioned education as a tool for liberation and development. Christ College has its origin at Mangadikunnu, then a forlorn hill on the outskirts of Irinjalakuda Municipality. The college was inaugurated by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, then Governor of Kerala on 13 October 1957. The college started with 240 students and 14 members on the teaching staff. The first Manager of the college was Rev. Fr. Clemens CMI and the first Principal was Rev. Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI. In the beginning, the college was affiliated to the University of Kerala until 1968, when it came under the jurisdiction of the University of Calicut.