Credit goes to staffers: Bede’s principal

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 6

The 111-year old St Bede’s College, Shimla, has earned the rare distinction of joining the select band of 19 prestigious colleges which have been accorded the heritage status by the UGC.

Besides, sharing honours with 18 other colleges, St Bede’s has also been sanctioned a special grant of Rs 1.15 crore by the UGC which will be spent on the upkeep of the Marian block, survey of heritage sites and starting of new diploma and certificate courses.

“It is a matter of great pride that the college has been accorded the heritage college status by the UGC and the credit for this achievement goes to dedicated hard work of the staff members,” said principal sister Dr Beena John.

Nestling on a lofty hilltop amid pine trees, St Bede’s College, a pioneer in the field of women’s education in the region and only college in the state to be re-accredited ‘A’ Grade by the UGC NAAC, celebrated 110 years of its existence last year.

The institute has earned its reputation as one of the best centres of higher learning for girls in the region and the college has also been selected as the Centre with Potential for Excellence and Star College status in life sciences by the UGC. Founded in 1904 as a Teachers’ Training College by Mother Clare, it was upgraded into a degree college after independence and affiliated to the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in 1970.

The college offers undergraduate programmes in arts, science, commerce, B Sc in bio-technology and microbiology, BBA and BCA, M Sc in dietetics and food service management (IGNOU), post graduate courses in english and commerce and JBT. The college successfully implemented the RUSA and Choice Based Credit Based System (CBCS), introduced by the HPU.

The Postal Department of the Government of India honoured the college by releasing a postage stamp of Rs 5 and first day cover during the centenary celebrations in 2003-04 for service rendered towards women education in the country. The college was also awarded Ex-Corde Ecclesiae Medal by the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

“Conducive academic ambience, with good hostel accommodation for about 200 students, the college aims at holistic development of student personality through a mechanism of comprehensive recording/monitoring of student profiles every year,” said the Principal.

“Heritage status has added another feather to the cap. The college is well known in the country and we are proud to be a part of the institutes,” said Gauri, a student.