Thursday, 3 March 2016

Profile of Dr. G. Saratchandra Raj,Recepient of Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Memorial Award for Academic Excellence 2015

A brief narrative bio-data sketch of Dr. G. Saratchandra Raj

Dr. G. Saratchandra Raj is aged 67 (DOB. 12/07/1949) and enjoys good health and cheer. He completed his school education at his home town Perunnai, Changanacherry. He passed the SSLC examination at the age of 12years,Pre-University at the age of13, B.sc Degree examination at the age of 16 in 1966 from NSS Hindu College Changanacherry and B.Ed degree at the age of 17 in 1967 March. Immediately he entered the teaching profession as a lecturer in Kumar Tutorial College at Changanacherry, as he was not eligible for a Government Job before the age of 18 years.
On attaining 18, in 1968 he secured an appointment in one of the aided schools in Kerala ( Sree Sankara Oriental Highschool , Lakkidi, Palghat ) as High School Assistant. On availing study leave from school service for one year he secured M.Ed degree from Kerala University in 1971. Later as a private candidate he prepared for MA Sociology and secured the degree in 1973. Meanwhile, in 1972 he secured Junior Research Fellowship at Centre for Advanced Studies in Education(CSAE), under M.S. University, Vadodara. While doing Ph.D there , through Ministry of Personnel Affairs and Administrative Reforms, secured a foreign assignment for three years (1973-1976) as secondary school teacher in Ethiopia. While working as ateacher in Ethiopia, he continued his Ph.D work as a part time student of CASE. He secured permission from the University to do research on”The Attitudes and values of teachers in the context of their socio- cultural background: A comparative study of expatriate Indian and native teachers of Ethiopia” He secured his doctoral degree through Centre for Advanced Studies in Education, Vadodara from Maharaja Saijirao University  in 1982.
In the year 1976, returned from Ethiopia, and joined as lecturer in NSS Training College, Changanacherry.In the year 1982 promoted as Selection Grade Lecturer, and in 1996 selected as Principal. Continued to work in NSS Training colleges till his retirement from the Aided college service as Principal at the age of 55 +1, in the year 2005, March. He had been serving as the Principal of that teacher education college from 1996 till 2005.During his tenure as Principal in an aided college (NSS Training College, Ottapalam); he managed to make it the biggest college in Kerala in terms of intake with 300 students per year, also managed to start M.Ed course in NSS Training College, Ottapalam under aided scheme. He also led the college for NAAC accreditation. Meanwhile, under the universities of Calicut, Kerala and Kottayam (Mahatma Gandhi University)he served various academic bodies in capacities such as, Member of Syndicate, Member of Senate, Member of Academic Council, Chairman Board of Studies( both PG &UG), Co-Ordinating Chairman of Examination Boards (both theory and practical examinations) Chairman of question setting board etc. There may not be many who served three universities in Kerala as Member of Senate (Kerala, M.G and Calicut).
Ever since the inception of Southern Regional Committee ,  Bangalore, He was providing his service as peer team member. Provided free consultancy services to six teacher education institutions in Kerala.

 He had been the principal of Ramavilasom unaided training college, Valakom, Kerala Since its inception in 2005 April to 2010, March. He managed to link the college with IGNOU through convergence partnership and also as IGNOU B.Ed study centre thereby ensuring the maximum utilization of college infrastructure. Also became the senate member of Kerala University representing the college principal’s constituency in the Senate.
In 2011 joined MET College of Education as Principal. Leadership was provided  for getting the institution accredited by NAAC. Later, He was promoted as Director (Academic) of   MET Institutions, that include, one teacher education institute offering Diploma certificate in Education, one College of education offering both PG&UG Degrees in Education and one Engineering College offering both PG and UG degrees in Engineering stream.
He became the secretary of All Kerala Aided College Teaching Staff Association in1978. 
He was the president of All Kerala Training College Principal’s Association from 1998 to 2005. He was the founder president of Principal’s Association of All Kerala Self Financing Colleges of Education.
 He played a key role in organizing All Kerala Self Financing Teacher Education College Principal’s Association with three university chapters with a powerful state committee who used to present problems of teacher education through our MPs to HRD Ministry. He served the state committee as president till he left Kerala to Tamilnadu in 2010.
He contributed his might as President to Chettur Sankaran Nair Foundation, Ottapalam to re- publish the autobiography of Sir C. Sankaran Nair and release the same by then HRD Minister Sri. Murali Manohar Joshi.    
He is the founder secretary of Vijnan International Foundation for Education working in the field of teacher education in collaboration with teacher educators and institutions .He is also a member of the Presidium of Council for Teacher Education, Kerala Chapter.
Since 1976, He has been very active in the field of teacher Education. He has produced four PhDs under his guidance and three scholars are doing research under him now.
He is still very active and would like to contribute his might for the teacher education discipline.

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