Dr. Fazal Ghafoor, President, Muslim Educational Society [MES] Kerala,

Dr. Khader Mangad, Chairman, Governing Council,

Prof. P.O.J. Lebba, Secretary, MES Kerala,

Shri P.H. Mohammed, Chairman, MES Central College Committee,

Janab E.P. Moyin Kutty, Patron, College Managing Committee,

Prof. O.P. Abdurahiman, Secretary, College Managing Committee,

Prof. Kadavanad Mohammed, President, College Managing Committee,

Dr. P.K. Babu, Principal, MES Mampad College,

Priyappetta Adhyapakare, Vidyarthikale

Madhyama Suhruththukkale,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare

Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.

       I am very happy to inaugurate the Valedictory session of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Muslim Educational Society Mampad College, an autonomous institution affiliated to the University of Calicut.

Successful completion of 50 years is a landmark in the history of any institution, but when the period is marked by a remarkably steady development, the academic community as well as society in general has ample reason to be happy and proud. Let me therefore, share the joy and pride of everyone   present here, as this college crosses a landmark and steps into a new phase of growth.

In this moment of pride, let us also remember the selfless service rendered by several teachers and other staff in improving the intellectual stature of this institution in the last fifty years.

As we all know, an institution of higher education, committed to a broad vision, can change the educational and intellectual landscape of an entire locality. The establishment of this college in 1965 by the Ernad Educational Association had marked the beginning of such a progressive change. Later, in 1969, when the Muslim Educational Society, led by eminent neurologist late Dr. P.K. Abdul Gafoor adopted this college, it quickened the pace of this change. Janab C.N Ahamed Moulavi and the Late Janab Athan Moyin Adhikari who conceived the idea of this institution also deserve to be remembered at his moment of celebration.

It is heartening to note that this college, which envisions to empower the underprivileged by providing affordable and quality education the backward and the marginalized, the Muslims and the Scheduled Communities, has now grown to become the only Autonomous College in Malappuram. That it also enjoys the privilege of being the first NAAC accredited Arts and Science institution and the biggest college in the district is a reflection of the dedicated efforts of the management and the staff.

I feel that the notable achievement of gaining Autonomy should inspire the college to work towards the goal of becoming a deemed university. Today, the MES Mampad College has five research departments; the goal should be to ensure that every department rises to the level of a research centre. With the keen interest shown by the management in improving infrastructure, setting up the facilities required for research may not be a problem.

However, adequate infrastructure is only one of the preconditions in the growth towards the status of a university. Today, the major concern is about the quality of research being undertaken in our universities and colleges. You may be aware that we had just announced the Chancellor’s Award for the best university and the best emerging young university in the State.  I have no doubt that the research work being carried out in the affiliated colleges has helped Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, to rise above the rest.  Such contributions from the affiliated colleges is certainly a positive sign in our educational sector.

However, it is sad that most of our universities and colleges still do not publish globally acclaimed research journals with a good impact factor. We need concerted academic action to improve this situation. I am mentioning this because I am told that MES Mampad College, which was nationally ranked on the bandwidth between 100 and 150 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework [NIRF], has brought out eight books in the last two years. As a College which has been organizing the largest International Conference in the State on   Inter-disciplinary themes since 2016, you should initiate a research journal of global repute.

We also need to be mindful of the low number of research findings getting translated into deliverable technologies. At one level, the research output can be seen as the personal academic success of the researcher and the Guide.  However, since research is carried out using the national resources, each researcher has an obligation to convince society about the utility of the research output. In other words, research output cannot be allowed to sleep in a thesis and end in a doctorate. It should be made visible to society through actions and technologies that benefit the common man. This is a lesson MES Mampad or any college which aspires to rise as a university should bear in mind. 

I am happy that MES Mampad College is offering many add-on courses along with regular courses listed by the University of Calicut. The employability of our graduates needs to be improved through timely upgrading of their skills.  Many of our graduates lag behind in soft skills and communication. This is an issue which needs to be urgently addressed by every college. I hope you are imparting such skills as highlighted by the Skill India Mission of the Government of India so that your graduates can easily tide over interviews and similar recruitment processes.

Our campuses are also seen as cradles of democratic participation for students. While there is a great deal of emphasis on political activity in our campuses, I find very little importance being given to the duties and responsibilities mentioned in our Constitution. Students are the leaders of tomorrow and so, they must be aware of the role of a citizen in a democracy. If our students are empowered with such knowledge, they will never allow political violence in any campus. With a truly aware student population in our campuses, we can certainly expect our democracy to scale better heights in the future.

The real stature of a college would also depend on the brilliance of its students, both present and past. When it comes to former students, I am told that the MES Mampad College surpasses many other institutions in this region.  I am informed that Shri P.V. Abdul Vahab MP, Shri P.V. Anwar MLA, International footballer Shri U. Sharaf Ali, noted actor
Shri Rahman and the famous magician Shri Gopinath Muthukad are some of the well known former students of this college.  Certainly, there would be many more such alumni in various professions including business. I hope their contributions would help in the further growth of this institution. The students of today can see role models in the illustrious former students and try to excel like them or even outperform them.

In conclusion, let me remind the students of this college that the future of India is in their hands. Study well, maintain good friends and cultivate a quest for inquiry and a desire for more knowledge. Take every difficulty as a challenge to be conquered and move ahead so that when your college celebrates its platinum jubilee in another 25 years, you would have become role models for the next generation.

I wish the management and staff of MES Mampad College greater success in taking this college to the level of a deemed university in the near future.

I once again greet everyone present here and compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind