Jerry George's Review On St. Berchmans College - [SBC], Kottayam

SB College is one of the oldest and prestigious colleges in India. The college is in the middle of Changanacherry, Kottayam. The campus is good. The infrastructure facilities are good, especially the library, which is spread among 5 floors. The fees is very low, maximum of Rs. 15000 including all kinds of expenses. the college is rich in diversity as it offers a variety of UG and PG programmes. The faculty is also good. Majority of them are with PhDs in their respective subjects. The college is the first autonomous college in Kerala. The exams are conducted in a systematic manner and the results are also published faster as compared to other colleges which falls under the university. The placements are also good for both MBA and other courses. Many students got selected in companies such as Ernst&Young, Deloitte, KPMG, MRF, Larsen&Toubro, Wipro, Envestnet, TCS etc.

Course syllabus of B.Com is updated and designed in accordance with many professional courses like Chartered Accountancy. The curriculum is really good, many of the things taught in the graduation is actually a part of post graduation. Many students in MCom clear NET/JRF while they are studying in the college. In terms of academics, exams consist of a huge part. Two internal exams and one end semester exam is conducted in each semester. Classes are not so systematic. Many of the portions are covered during the few days before the study leave. Faculties are well qualified and most of them have completed their research.

I interned at ESAF Small Finance Bank in their microfinance department. No stipend was paid. Many students also interned at Hedge Equities.

Students got jobs in various companies through on and off campus placements. Ernst&Young, Deloitte, KPMG, Larsen&Toubro, TCS, Envestnet, Wipro, Eureka Forbes, ESAF Bank, MRF, Horizon Motors (Mahindra) are some of the companies that students got placed at.

Almost all the departments conduct their annual fests. College day and Union day are conducted. The management fest Berchnova is very popular in South India. the Commerce fest Causerie and Espero are also great in terms of participation and creativity. Value Education classes and an annual retreat is also conducted in the college. Agape is the food fest conducted in the college to help those students who are financially backward. Many organizations such as NSS, NCC Army and Navy, Catholic Students Movement, Film Club, Jesus Youth etc are active in the college.

The students are eligible to avail all the scholarships of both the Central and the State Government. I availed the Central Sector Scholarship.In addition to this, the college awards scholarships of its own for meritorious students and also the students who are affected financially. Monthly scholarships of amount 500 and 1000 is given to poor students secretly by the staff association. Various departments also offer scholarship to the students either on merit or means basis.

Library is really great, which is spread across 5 floors. The college has 2 basketball courts and a vast football court. All students can access internet for free in the library. Facilities for taking photostats and prints are available both in and around the college. The college has a canteen and a cafeteria. The college chapel is also a beautiful place to spend time in. Many classes have the facility of Powerpoint projectors.