The Society of Jesus had set up the Loyola College in 1925, with a mission to provide education at university level, in an ambience that is suitable, especially for those who belong to the Catholic Community. Although this college was intended primarily for Catholic students, people of other communities, caste and creed too get the chance to take admission to this college. With the objective of training young men and women with the values of righteousness, truth and love, it also creates an atmosphere of intellectual vigour and moral decency that is required for youths to grow up as respectworthy and socially responsible citizens.
Loyola College has an enriched history behind it. It had gained autonomy in July 1978. The college frames its own course curriculum and adopts inventive methods of teaching and evaluating. At present, there are eighteen departments of three streams, including Arts, Commerce and Science and 9 special institutions that offer over one hundred and eleven programmes to more than 10,000 students. Ten departments offer M.Phil programmes and nearly fourteen departments offer Ph.D programmes. There is a team of more than one hundred and fourteen staff members, out of which two hundred and seventy seven teachers hold doctoral degree. 99 non-teaching staffs are also present.
Interestingly Loyola College has achieved quite a number of awards. For instance since 2004, United Grants Commission (UGC) has conferred it as a "College with potential for Excellence". (NAAC) National Assessment and Accreditation Council had reaccredited the college in 2006 and had awarded A+ status. The magazine India Today, a popular magazine in India, had ranked its Arts, Commerce and Science departments amongst the top three in the whole country during 2006. PR Syndicate also had bestowed upon it the award of "the Best Men`s College in the City on the Employability skills". As per the exit poll report of 2007, Loyola College is the best disciplined college in the city. Government aided undergraduate courses of Loyola College include-- B.A. in (Economics), B.A. in (English Lit.), B.A. in (History), B.A. in (Sociology), B.A. in (Tamil Lit.), B.Com. in (Commerce), B.Sc. in (Advanced Zoology & Biotechnology), B.Sc. in (Chemistry), B.Sc. in (Mathematics), B.Sc. in (Physics), B.Sc. in (Plant Biology & Biotechnology), B.Sc. in (Statistics), B.Sc. in (Visual Communication).
There are some courses whose tuition fees are paid wholly by the students. These include-- B.A. (Economics), B.A. in (French), B.A. in (History), B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration), B.Com. in (Corporate & Secretaryship), B.Com. in (Commerce), B.C.A. (Bachelor of Computer Application), B.Sc. in (Chemistry), B.Sc. in (Computer Science), B.Sc. in (Maths), B.Sc. in (Physics), B.Sc. in (Visual Communication).
Loyola College has an excellent infrastructure with a collection of more than 1,02,000 books and almost two hundred and twenty five journals. The Loyola Digital Library also suffices the need of twenty hours accessibility for the students. Hostel facilities also are provided to its students. Loyola Hostel, Postgraduate Hostel and Berchmans Illam, together have eight hundred and thirty six members, accompanied by another nine hundred and seventy four students. There are many service centres in the campus, thereby catering to the need of students like-- campus ministry, student counselling centre, students service centre, Centre for Women`s studies, Sports Pavilion & Gymnasium, Loyola Health Centre, canteen, stationery co-operative store, photocopy Centre etc. There is provision for user-friendly recreational centre and pathways for differently challenged students. Department of advanced zoology and biotechnology, medical laboratory technology/bio-medical instrumentation science, department of chemistry, department of Computer Science, economics, department of Foreign Languages, department of French, department of Mathematics, department of Commerce, department of Physical Education are some of the essential sections. Apart from studies, students are also motivated to take part in various extra-curricular activities. Various associations like Students Union, Forum for Women Students, NCC (army & navy), NSS, AICUF, Rotaract Club, Youth Red Cross Society, Enviro Club, AISEC, Leap, Learn, frequently organise several programmes within the campus.
Cultural fests like Ovation, Feast of St Ignatius, Independence day, Teachers Day, Departmental Festivals, International and National Seminars, Career Expo, Convocation, Sports Day, Women`s Day, Hostel Day and College Day are the time when students go gaga in celebration mood. The Loyola College library is quite well-stocked with a huge collection of 1,02,000 books, 236 Journals and magazines.
The Loyola Hostel accommodates eight hundred and forty five students from a number of states in India, as well as from foreign countries. It is a home away from home that enables students to pursue academics seriously and develop spiritually, intellectually, physically and psychologically. The hostel provides resources and facilities for growth in every aspect of every individual student.
