The cherished dream of an enlightened society ideally depends on quality education. Driven and inspired by this proven fact, the community of the Diocese of Alleppey made its resolute entry into the field of higher education. Today, it proudly vouchsafes a long and illustrious tradition that dates back to the pre-Portuguese period. Forefathers of the community that was to found St. Michael’s College did begin their noble venture by opening up a school in the suburbs of Fort Cochin in 1850, obviously, a near century before India’s Independence. During the crucial eight decades that followed, several schools came up along the sea coast, spreading from Cochin to Ambalappuzha, of which twelve schools have already celebrated their centenary and a few amongst, their quasquicentennial (125th) jubilee as well.
Subsequent to the establishment of the Diocese of Alleppey in 1952, the major concern of Bishop Dr. Michael Arattukulam and the community leaders was about starting a College, thus extending the profound mission to the decisive realm of higher education. The long-cherished aspiration of the stalwarts of the Diocese befittingly culminated in this citadel of knowledge which took its birth on the 19thof July 1967. In the launching phase, there were three streams of Pre-degree courses, in five batches. Prof. John Mathai, the Honourable Vice - Chancellor of the University of Kerala, officially inaugurated the College on 29th September 1967. Blessed indeed was this fulfilling phase as Bishop Dr. Michael Arattukulam himself was the Patron and first manager of the institution and Rev. Fr. Jacob Kalayil adorned the chair as the first principal.
While equipping itself to tackle the new challenges posed by the 21st century, the diocese conceived and proposed certain drastic measures that duly metamorphosed into a fresh development plan to be effected within the socio – cultural, educational – political scenario of the nation. For the timely materialization of this vision, the present diocesan head Bishop Dr. James Anaparambil envisioned and formed a body known as the Board of Education Alleppey Diocese (BEAD) in 2019, to conceive and execute progressive changes in the field of education. BEAD has been functioning for the last three years focusing on the core values such as Selfless Service, Accountability and Collaborative Action, Option for the poor, Openness and Transparency, all revolving around the fulcrum of St. Michael’s College, the proclaimed ‘Educational Hub’ of the Diocese as well as the fast-evolving, ‘rurban’ community of Cherthala. As a higher education institution, the College shoulders the duty of gearing up the progress of its sister concerns, most specially, those that are still lagging behind, in terms of progress. The Diocese has to its credit, fifteen Primary Schools, one Upper Primary School, eight High Schools, three Higher Secondary Schools, four CBSE schools, two ITIs, one Special School and a Self-Financing College.
At present, St Michael’s College has three PG courses, seven UG courses, one Research Centre & two vocational courses. Institutions like Mike Kidzone, Michael’s IELTS Academy, IGNOU Study Centre, MIMAT (Self-Financing Wing) and Community College, and the Alappuzha District Rifle Club are functioning within the College campus. His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Arattukulam himself was the first Manager and Patron of the college and presently, H.E. Rt. Rev. Dr. James Raphael Anaparambil (Bishop of Alleppey) and Manager Rev. Fr. Nelson Thaiparambil are at the helm of the Michael’s fraternity. In the role of a higher education institution, Michael’s aspires and strives to be a centre of excellence. However, transcending the set limits of pure academics, Michaelian vision is founded firm on a loftier goal, the healthy progress and welfare of the society.
