Malayala Manorma News

2012 UG Admission Community Quota

Community Merit List (Provisional) will be published on Tue 19th June 2012 (as per the University order) . Community quota interview will be held on Thu 21st June 2012. Candidates are requested to check the provisional community merit list and if you find any discrepancies please contact Principal's Office (1st Floor) and Computer Centre (2nd Floor). 

Documents to be produced at the time of interview

1. Marklist ( Original ) and two attested copies of SSLC & Plus two  Mark List 
2. Transfer Certificate ( Original ) 
3. Conduct Certificate ( Original )
4. Income Certificate , if eligible for fee concession ( Original -Below Rs. 25,000/-per annum)
5. Community Certificate for eligible candidates ( Original )
6. Three passport size photographs

New Species of Fish Found

A collaborative taxonomic study by Indian and British ichthyologists has discovered a new freshwater fish, ‘ Pristolepis rubripinnis ', from Pampa and Chalakudy rivers.

The findings of the research led by Ralf Britz of the Natural History Museum, London; K. Krishnakumar of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Alappuzha; and Fibin Baby of Conservation Research Group (CRG), St. Albert's College, Kochi, was published in the latest issue of Zootaxa , an international journal. The discovery of a second species of Pristolepis in the southern part of the Western Ghats comes 163 years after Thomas Jerdon described Pristolepis maginatus from the erstwhile Malabar. The genus Pristolepis is a moderate-sized (15 to 20 cms) fish with an interesting disjunct distribution, restricted to the freshwater streams in southern India and most of Indochina and the Sunda Islands.

New freshwater fish
Pristolepis rubripinnis

Mr. Krishnakumar of ATREE said that only four species of the genus Pristolepis are currently considered to be valid. “The Pristolepis rubripinnis differs from all other congeners by its colour pattern. It shows orange red soft dorsal, soft anal and caudal fins and a yellow to orange pelvic fin. It differs further from its south Indian congener P. marginata and the Sundaic P. grootii in having four or five scales above the lateral line as against three in the other two; and 10 scales below it as against nine in the other two. The difference from P. fasciata is in the absence of prominent bars on the body. The etymology of the new species was derived from the Latin words ruber,-a, -um, red, and pinna, wing, an adjective, given here in reference to the orange red characteristic of the fish.”

According to Mr.Krishnakumar, discoveries like this shows that the knowledge on the fishes of Western Ghats is still poor and hence there is an urgent need for extensive explorations and systematic taxonomic research. “Currently, a total of 189 species of endemic freshwater fishes have been reported from the Western Ghats but it is sure that the figure will continue to rise in the coming years,” he said.

New Species of Fish Found

Researchers have discovered a new species of badid fish ‘Dario urops' from the Barapole tributary of the Valapattanam river in the Western Ghats.

A 'Diaro urops' specimen. It was collected
in Wayand 130 years ago, but was
wrongly identified. 

A research team consisting of Ralf Britz from the Natural History Museum, London; Anvar Ali from the Conservation Research Group at St. Albert's College, Kochi; and Siby Philip from the University of Porto, Portugal; found the species from an unnamed steam which connects the Barapole tributary in southern Karnataka. The results of the study were published in the recent issue of the international taxonomy journal Zootaxa . Anvar Ali, one of the authors, told The Hindu that the new species measured a maximum up to 3 cm, and had a background colour of yellowish beige with bluish-gray hued fins.

“This species was first collected from Wayanad by British zoologist Francis Day more than 130 years ago. However, it was wrongly identified in his monographs on Indian fishes. Nikhil Sood, a Bangalore-based aquarist and his Swiss friend Benjamin Harink were the first to discover the spot from where ‘Dario urops' was collected,” Mr. Ali said.

He said that this was a significant discovery from a biogeographic perspective as ‘Dario urops' is the first member of the Badidae family that has been described from the Western Ghats.

The 19 other species were distributed in the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma, he added.

Congratulations and Warm Wishes

Congratulations and Warm Wishes to Prof. P A Jerald, newly appointed Coordinator, IGNOU St. Albert's College (1412)

Prof. P A Jerald New IGNOU Coordinator (1412)

Prof. P A Jerald was appointed as the new Coordinator, IGNOU, St. Albert's College (1412). Prof. Harry Cleetus, Principal and the present Coordinator of IGNOU St. Albert's College handed over the duty register to Prof. P A Jerald. 

Dr. Jude MArtin Mendez, Prof. Lazar Thomas Mani, Dr. Sabu Chacko and Prof. K J Augustine will continue to serve as the Asst. Coordinators. 

Handing over function 

Prof. Harry Cleetus, Principal and 

present IGNOU (1412) Coordinator 

Handing over function 

Prof. Harry Cleetus, Principal and IGNOU Coordinator 

signing the release letter 

Handing over function

Prof. Harry Cleetus, Coordinator 1412 IGNOU

welcoming new coordinator Prof. P A Jerald

Handing over function 

Prof. P A Jerald new IGNOU Coordinator 1412

signing the duty register

 Prof. P A Jerald new IGNOU Coordinator (1412) 

with Prof. Harry Cleetus (Principal) and 

Dr. Cyriac Mathew (Vice Principal)

Prof. P A Jerald new IGNOU Coordinator (1412)

Prof. K J Benny - New Head, Dept. of Zoology

Rev. Dr. Clement Valluvassery, Manager, St. Albert's College, Ernakulam appointed Prof. K J Benny as the Head, Department of Zoology on today in the Departmental Staff Meeting held at Zoology Department. Prof. Harry Cleetus, Principal, St. Albert's College offered felicitation. 


Warm wishes to Prof. K J Benny, Head, Dept. of Zoology...

UGC Minor Projects - 2012 Academic Year

Congratulation to Sri. Robins Jacob, Dr. Leslie Thomas and Dr. Sabu M C for receiving minor research projects from University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi.

1. Sri. Robins Jacob, Head, Department of Economics - Project Title "Economic Viability and Prospects of Alternative forms of Tourism in Kerala"
2. Dr. Leslie Thomas,  Associate Professor, Dept. of English -  Project Title "Chavittunatakam and Medieval European History"
3. Dr. Sabu M C,   Assistant  Professor, Dept.of Mathematics and Rev. Dr. Konnully Memorial Reseacrh Centre -  Project Title "Stability Analysis of Vaidya – Tikekar Superdense Star Model"

UGC Major Projects - 2012 Academic Year

Congratulations to Dr. F.G. Benno Pereira and Dr. M.L.Joseph for receiving major projects from the University Grants Commission(UGC), New Delhi.

1. Dr. F.G. Benno Pereira, Head, Department of Aquaculture - Project Title "Spermatozoa cryopreservation for marine fishes of Aquaculture"
2. Dr. M.L.Joseph, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Zoology - Project Title "Haematological, histological, and biochemical stress responses to pollution in fish having long term exposure, with reference to certain similar laboratory experimental conditions"

General Staff Meeting

The first general staff meeting of the 2012 – 13 academic year was held at 1:30 pm on 13th June 2012 in the Archbishop Bernard Hall (Seminar Hall). The Principal Prof. Harry Cleetus presided over the meeting. The Manager Rev. Dr. Clement Valluvassery was also present in the meeting. The manager in his introductory remark reiterated the staff members about their duty and commitment to the profession. The Manager wished all success for the current academic year. The Principal in his speech explained the various activities of the year and the different practices to be followed within the campus. All these activities are aimed at the betterment of the institution. The Vice-Principal Dr. Cyriac Mathew tendered vote of thanks. The meeting ended at 2.15pm. 

Prof. Harry Cleetus, Principal
St. Albert's College addressing the
 General Staff Members

Dr. Cyriac Mathew (Vice Principal),
Prof. Harry Cleetus (Principal),
Rev. Dr. Clement Valluvassery (Manager)

Staff Members of St. Albert's College in General Staff Meeting

St. Albert's College in a New Era of International Collaboration

St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam has been selected by the University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA for an International Internship Programme on “Empowerment through Aquaponics”. This programme is organized in conjunction with Mahattil International LLC, Educators and Consultants, USA with the technical expertise of Sweet Water Foundation, Milwaukee, USA. As part of the internship, Maj H. Fischer, Director of International Studies, University of Wisconsin, accompanied by Chaya Nayak and Jason Axt, representatives of Sweet Water Foundation and Shajan M. John, representing Mahattil International LLC, along with 8 students have arrived in St.Albert’s College. The college has offered its facilities at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department and the Botany Department to set up demonstration units in Aquaponics during the month of June, 2012. An “Aquaponics Club” with students and faculty representations from the Department of Aquaculture and Botany has been formed to facilitate interaction and assistance to the internship team. The internship activity in St.Albert’s is coordinated by Dr.Ajith Thomas John, Associate Professor of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. On June 5th the World Environment Day, a one day Workshop on “Wisconsin-Kerala Aquaponics Connection” was organized by the Aquaponics Club in conjunction with the Encon Club to popularize this clean and green concept.

The Internship Team along with the Rev. Dr. Clement Valluvassery(Manager), Prof. Harry Cleetus(Principal), Prof. Robert Stanley (former Principal), Dr. L. Jose (Head, Dept. of Botany), Dr. Benno Pereira (Head, Dept. of Aquaculture) and Dr. Ajith Thomas John(Coordinator)

Aquaponics (pronounced : ‘ækwə’ poniks) is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients by the action of the nitrogen cycle, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals.

Courtesy : www.ecolifefoundation.org

Aquaponic systems can run with near zero environmental impact. They can be used to produce high-quality hormone-free fish and organic vegetables, all without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. The system is water-wise in that it uses 90% less water than conventional vegetable gardens and 97% less water than standard aquaculture methods. The concept is highly versatile and adaptable that the system can be built to any scale and fitted to any space, varying in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units.

The members of the Aquaponics Club who are also members of the ENCON club are actively associating with the international team. The students members have been divided into two groups the “Enterprise Group” and the “Design Group”. Daily discussions are held and review meetings are held to assess the progress of the assigned work to each group.

New Principal & Vice Principal

Congratulations and Warm Wishes to our new Principal Prof. Harry Cleetus (Dept. of Zoology) and new Vice Principal Dr. Cyriac Mathe (Dept. of Chemistry) - Alumni Association 

The Transit of Venus - Asterix Astro Club

June 6, 2012 marked the inauguration of activities of Asterix, the astro club of St Albert's College for the academic year 2012 - 2013. The transit of Venus was caught live by Prof.Shaji Joseph  from NASA space cameras and the visual feast was savoured by the students flocking to the Physics department audio visual room.The event would repeat only in 2117 so the lucky viewers were grateful.The activities were inaugurated by Principal Prof. Harry Cleetus. Vice Principal Dr. Cyriac Mathew offered felicitations.The highlight of the day was the talk by the renowned astronomer Prof.P S Sobhan of Maharajas College. He enthralled the audience with his magic of Celestial Mechanics.The Head of Department of Physics Prof. Lawrel Gregory offered welcome speech.

Poster - Asterix - The Astro Club of St. Albert's College 

New Principal and Vice Principal

Congratulations and Warm Wishes to our new Principal Prof. Harry Cleetus (Dept. of Zoology) and new Vice Principal Dr. Cyriac Mathe (Dept. of Chemistry)

Prof. Harry Cleetus
Principal, St. Albert's College

Dr. Cyriac Mathew
Vice Principal, St. Albert's College