Women's Christian College-Nagercoil

History of the Department

The Department of Botany is one of the most seasoned departments of the esteemed institution. The Under Graduate Botany course was started in the year 1975. In the year 1981 the department was overhauled as a Post Graduate department. Career Oriented Certificate course on Herbal Science was conducted. The Department has created numerous laurels to the society. Today the Department is equipped with 11 teaching fraternities, 4 nonteaching staff members, about 140 students and researchers. The Department has produced doctorates under M.S University and more researchers are examining their exploration in the Department.

Vision

To prepare intellectually and socially sound young Botanists.

Mission

To provide wide and relevant education to the students with a view of shaping their research interest and to uplift the students capable of facing challenges in life efficiently and carve their own future.

Objectives

To develop an aptitude towards Plant Science and Nature.
To impart quality education in the field of Plant Science enabling our students to confidently face the job market.
To develop basic skills in identifying plants.
To acquire knowledge on Agriculture.
Better management of Plant Based systems.
To create awareness of Plant Science students in engaging their acquired knowledge on plants and its conservation for sustaining life on this earth so as to reflect civic responsibility.

Highlights

Regular field visits, institutional visits and study tours to places of botanical interest are an integral part of the teaching of botany to give a complete understanding of the subject along with field experience.
Striving to encourage skill development in students, hands-on-training in mushroom cultivation, vegetable carving, flower arrangement are conducted regularly.
Skill-based course content in herbal medicine has created a lot of interest and enthusiasm among students.

Programme Outcomes

PO1. Knowledge and understanding about plant diversity.

PO2. Impart practical skills in the field and laboratory experiments.

PO3. Scientific knowledge in life science and fundamental metabolism of plants.

PO4. Knowledge about biodiversity exploration, estimation and conservation.

PO5. Enhance skills in handling scientific instruments, planning and executing biological research.

PO6. Promotes creative and novel ideas in biological concepts.

PO7. Create awareness of the impact of plants on the environment and society.

Programme Specific Outcomes

PSO1. Hands on expertise in biological sciences.

PSO2. Entrepreneurship skill development.

PSO3. Career opportunities and job opportunities.

PSO4. Focused to take up research and teaching opportunities.

Faculty

Designation	Name & Qualification	Description
Head of the Department	Mrs A.Thai Stella Joice M.Sc., M.Phil.,	Mrs A. Thai Stella Joice is working in this department since 1987. She has more than 33 years of teaching experience. She is a member of Eco Club. . Her areas of interest include Plant Anatomy, Plant Embryology, Mushroom Cultivation and Biotechnology. She has published papers in reputed journals and attended many National and International seminars.
Assistant Professor	Dr. S. Jaquilin Goldi M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.	Dr. S. Jaquilin Goldi is working in this college since 1987. She has more than 25 years of teaching experience. Her areas of interest include Antimicrobial studies and Pharmacognasy. Her papers have been published in national and international journals.
Assistant Professor	Dr. Beena Lawrence M.Sc., Ph.D.,	Dr.Beena Lawrence has more than 15 years of experience in the field of teaching. Her 20 years of research have touched the fields of Plant Tissue Culture, Biochemistry, Phytochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology. She has attended several State, National and International seminars and published more than 32 papers in reputed journals. Dr. Beena Lawrence has served as resource person in colleges and schools in Trivandrum and Nagercoil. A Major Project Undertaken by her is "In vitro Conservation Of Rare Endangered and Threatened Plants of Western Ghats"(F.no. 39-419-2010 (SR) from University Grants Commission (Jan 2011-Mar 2014). She is a Research Guide at Manonmanium Sundaranar University (MSU/RES/INT/GUIDESHIP/R5/2010). Four students are pursuing their PhD under her guidance and 5 of her students have been awarded PhD Degree. She is a member of IQAC and Linkages with other Institutions Committee in the college. She is the coordinator of the Placement Cell of the college.
Assistant Professor	Dr.Mofanato S.K.Kala KumariI M.Sc., M. Ed., (SLET), M.Phil., Ph.D.	Dr. Mofanato S.K.Kala Kumari is working as Assistant Professor since 1989. She has more than 28 years teaching experience in the field of Education. She has 11 years of teaching and research experience in this institution. Her field of interest is Taxonomy, phytochemistry, Genetics and Limnological studies. She has presented and published many papers in the field of Education and Botany and attended more than 30 Seminars /Conferences/ Workshops. She has served as resource person in colleges and schools, and also served as judge for Educational District Level Exhibition for five times. Presently she is working as a NSS Program Officer and She is awarded MS University Best NSS Programme officer for the year 2015-2016 and also awarded ′ Nation Builders Award ′ for her contribution in the category of "Teachers as Nation Builders " during the year 2016-2017. She has guided 7 M.Phil Scholors. She is serving actively as the Co-ordinator for UGC Career oriented Programme(Add-on Course). She is also serving as the Co-ordinator of Green Committee. She is a member of College Discipline Committee, Red Ribbon Club, Eco-Club, Research Cell and Volunteer of Conversation of Nature Trust, Nagercoil. She was the editor for the college magazine during the year 2016-2017.
Assistant Professor	Dr. R. Medo Merina, M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D.	Dr. R. Medo Merina has 13 years of teaching experience. She has published 8 papers and attended more than 25 national and international seminars. She has guided 28 M. Phil. Scholars. Her field of interest is Microbiology and Plant Biotechnology.
Assistant Professor	Dr. J. Chandra Saleride M.Sc., M. Phil., B. Ed., (SET)	Dr. J. Chandra saleride is working as Assistant Professor in Women′s Christian College, Nagercoil from 2015 onwards. Previously she worked in Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam. She has guided 8 M.Phil scholars.
Assistant Professor	Dr. R. Jacklin Jemi M.Sc., M.Phil., M.Ed., Ph.D	Dr. R. Jacklin Jemi is working in Women′s Christian College since 2015. Her field of research is Phytoplankton Diversity. She has published 6 papers and attended 16 seminars. She has also worked as a Junior Research Fellow under UGC Major Project.
Assistant Professor	Dr R Subitha Shajini M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D.	Dr R Subitha Shajini a poised and systematic personality is an alumnae of this college( Women,s Christian College, Nagercoil). Her PhD topic was Medicinal Plants used in the endemic Art of Travancore. Subitha has published more than 5 papers. She has presented three papers and participated in more than 10 seminars. Subitha has guided 3 M.Phil scholars. She has served as an Assistant Professor in Botany at Nesamony Christian College, Marthandam for over one year for almost 2 years. She joined this college in 2017 and is since working here. Subitha is a member of Doctoral committiee for PhD candidates at the MS University.
Assistant Professor	Dr J Joselin M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D.	Dr J Joselin a calm and smiling personality is an alumnae of this college( Women,s Christian College, Nagercoil). Joselin has secured the fifth rank from MS University for her UG and PG courses. Her PhD topic was on Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the common weed Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit. Joselin has served as an Assistant Professor in Botany at Nesamony Christian College, Marthandam for over two years. She joined this college in November 2018. She has more than 12 paper publications in reputed journals and has presented papers in seminars. She has attended as many as 17 conferences which include both International and National.
Assistant Professor	Dr Josphin Mini M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D.	Dr Josphin Mini a personality who do her work systematically completed her PhD from Madras Christian College Chennai in 2015.Josphin has cleared the SET exam in 2016. Her PhD topic was the study of Anatonomical and Bioactive studies in Walsura trifoliata. Josphin has served as an Assistant Professor in Botany at Nesamony Christian College, Marthandam for one year. She joined this college in November 2018 and is since working here. Josphin has 3 paper publications in reputed journals to her credit and has presented papers in seminars. She has attended as many as 17 conferences which include both International and National.
Assistant Professor	Dr. R.R. Sheeja M.Sc., M.Phil.,PhD, M.Ed, M.Phil., NET(Edn).	Dr. R.R. Sheeja is working in this college since 2019. She is an alumnae of this college. Her PhD topic was Phytochemical and Molecular Analysis of Stevia rebaudiana, a rare medicinal plant. She has 4 publications in journals and has presented papers in seminars and conferences.
Assistant Professor	Mrs. C. Jemila Roshini M.Sc., M.Phil.,.	Mrs. C. Jemila Roshini has been working in this college since 2011. She has attended 12 seminars and published two papers.

Awards

Dr. Bensam scholarship awarded to the student who secures highest mark in the part III subject in the first five semesters.
Pioneer Kumaraswamy Memorial Prize to the best student in I BSc Botany.
Mr. & Mrs. Christudhas Memorial Prize to the best student in I MSc Botany.
Prof. Joy Mohandhas Endowment is awarded to the I PG Botany student who secures the highest mark in UG and was a student of WCC in UG.

Departmental Activities of the academic year 2020-2021

The Department of Botany organized an Association meeting on 06-03-2021.It was inaugurated by Dr. Rekha, Assistant Professor of Botany from Rani Anna College. Dr. Rekha delivered a talk about the GMO- Good or Evil? She explained about the Techniques, Purpose of GM plants, its successful traits and advantages.
The Department of Botany conducted a floral arrangement and vegetable carving competition on March 16, 2021 for blooming buds of the Botany Department to bring out their creative talent. It was a beautiful display of creativity, symmetry and blend of colors. There were 38 participants who actively participated with high spirit and co-ordination.
A Quiz Competition was organized by the Department of Botany, on 22 March 2021. It lasted for 3 hours. It was a 3 stage competition which covered the areas of Plant Science and General Knowledge. There were a total of 25 participants called Plant Kingdom. Each teamwas given a name as Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Every team had 5 members who were from II & III U.G and II P.G. The Algae team was declared as the winner of the Quiz Queens-2021 competition with 60 points and was handed over a trophy with 5 certificates.
Our department also maintains a good herbal garden which help the students to get familiarize with medicinal plants and their uses.

Departmental Activities of the academic year 2016-2017

The students of II PG were taken to the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology (RGCB) and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) Trivandrum on 19/08/2016. The students were accompanied by two staff members Dr. N. Renuka Bai and Dr. Beena Lawrence. The students gained knowledge about tissue culture, gene transfer in plants, transgenic plant production etc.

Departmental Activities of the academic year 2018-2019

The freshers joined with new hopes and expectations in the I B.Sc. course on 25-06-2018.
The Botany Association was inaugurated on 26-07-2018. Dr. N. Renuka Bai, formerly Head of Botany Department, WCC, Nagercoil, enlightened and challenged the young botanists to popularize ‘Air Purifying Plants’. She highlighted that nature has provided many ways to manage and solve issues of air pollution.
The Students of I B.Sc. and I M.Sc. went on a technical field visit to collect ‘algae’ specimens in places like Rasthcaudu, Vattakottai and Kanyakumari on 29-08-2018.
With a view to encourage and motivate the students about the scope of entrepreneurship in botany, a special entrepreneurship development programme was conducted on 30-08-2018. Prof. Joy Mohandhas, formerly Head of Botany Department, WCC, delivered a simple but absorbing lecture on ‘Flower arrangement and its entrepreneurial scope’.
An industrial visit to the Tea factory at Dodabetta and SIMS park at Conoor was undertaken from 10-9-2018 to 13-09-2018 by the III B.Sc. and II M.Sc. Students.
A special counseling programme was organized for the benefit of the students on 12-12-2018 by Dr. R. Mary Christi, formerly Associate Professor of Botany, WCC and a leading youth counselor on self-discipline, decision making, issues being faced by the youth etc.
The students of I M.Sc. made a technical visit to the ‘Athmanilayam’, a nursery garden at Siruvarakonam, Kerala on 10-01-2019.
The P.G students also visited Aavin milk production processing plant at Nagercoil on 19-02-2019.
The Alumnae Meeting organized on 30-01-2019 was attended by about 30 alumnae.
The students of II M.Sc. went on a ‘field visit’ to Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute at Palode, Trivandrum on 15-02-2019.
A National Seminar was organized by the Botany Association on the subject ‘Women in Biodiversity’ on 8th March 2019. The renowned scientist Dr. A. P. Lipton, formerly Principal Scientist, CMFRI, Cochin and Dr. J. K. Reshma, Head of PG department of Environmental Science, All Saints College, Trivandrum served as resource persons.
Dr. Mofanato S. K. Kala Kumari, Assistant Professor, Botany Department, received a certificate of appreciation from the Honourable Minister Shri.Pon Radhakrishnan, for the excellent initiatives of the NSS in the Swacch Bharat movement of the GoI.
12 students of II M.Sc. Botany participated in the Drawing and Hand writing competition organized by “Agathiya Maamunivar Kalai Ilakkiya Panpadu Ayvoo Mayyam” on 31-08-2018. The participants were honoured by awarding the title “Kalai Chemmal Viruthu”.
Juwairiya Nazreen, secured the University Gold Medal in the B.Sc. Botany Course for the academic years 2014-2017. Subi. S. E, secured University third rank in the B.Sc. Botany Course for the academic years 2014-2017.
Juwairiya Nazreen. J, Subi. S.E and Anulin Abiya of the department participated in ‘PHYTO-FEST 2019’, an inter-collegiate competition organized by Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, on 25-01-2019. They won the first prize in Quiz competition and third prize for Photography.
A ‘thought for the week’ was introduced from the beginning of the academic year. A competition was held on 01-04-2019. Cash prizes were given to the winners who reproduced maximum number of ‘thoughts for the week’. Consolation prizes were given to all the participants.

Departmental Activities of the academic year 2019-2020

The inauguration of Botany association was held on 01.08.2019. Dr. C.Pragasa Nithyavathy, retired staff, Department of Botany, Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil was the resource person. She delivered a motivational speech on the environmental issues, the traditional practices and the plant resource management. She insisted the students to practice the usage of eco-friendly jute bags to carry things, rain water harvesting, setting biogas and the banana leaves with an enjoyment.
A one day workshop on Mushroom Cultivation was conducted on 22^nd August 2019. Dr.Usha Raja Nandhini, Head, Department of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa University, Kodaikanal delivered a lecture on “Techniques in Mushroom Cultivation”. She explained about the cultivation method and the funds available for small scale mushroom cultivation.
This academic year, we organized a trip to Ooty, Rasthacadu, Vattakottai, Arokiapuram and Kanyakumari, Nikki Garden and an Orchid farm with final year students of U.G and P.G, and first year UG, second year U.G. Students observed flora, medicinal plants in Botanical Garden, medicinal plant distillation at Nilgiris and collected some algae like Caulerpasps, Sargassumsps, Padinasps and Dictyotasps. It was a great experience to see the algae growing in between the rocks where the waves continuously slashes.
A one day National seminar on Biotechnology in Today’s World was organized by the Department of Botany, Women’s Christian College Nagercoil on 08-01-2020. Dr. Vivek, Head, Department of Botany and Dr. Resmi, Assistant Professor in Botany from Sree Neelakanda Government Sanskrit College, Pattambi, Palakad, Kerala were the resorce persons. Dr. Vivek delivered a lecture on Molecular Biotechnology - Past, Present and Future.Dr. Reshmi explained about the Plant –Microbes interaction – an inseparable component of Plants.

Alumnae

To take a walk down the corridors of nostalgia, the alumni meet was graced by the alumni members ranging across various batches from different institution. It was matter of great pride for Botany Department that its Alumni are holding positions of responsibility in various Government organizations, Private sectors and Academic Institutions. The Alumni interactions were done for the improvement of the department and in good relationships. The event was stimulating and enjoyable and simultaneously profitable as all members shared their views ideas and good numbers of new ideas, information and insights came up. The association is hopeful to run and successfully structure and position itself into a fully functional global platform for Department of Botany Alumni.

Gallery

Departmental Activities of the academic year 2017-2018

The Botany Association meeting was inaugurated by Dr. Mary Christi, retired staff in the Department of Botany, Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil on 04.08.2017. She delivered a motivational speech on the necessity for the conservation of nature and natural resources. She listed out some rare and endangered plants with beautiful features and how it can be conserved through modern technology.
Field trip was organized to Ooty on 27th-30th of August 2017 with final year students of U.G and P.G. Students observed flora, medicinal plants in Botanical Garden, medicinal plant distillation at Nilgiris, Chocolate Factory, Tea Factory at Dodabetta and SIMS Park at Conoor.
A Field trip was organized to collect algae for departmental purpose, herbarium for students and pictures for field report. We visited the places like Rasthacaudu, Vattakottai, Arokiapuram and Kanyakumari and collected some algae like Caulerpasps, Sargassumsps, Padinasps and Dictyotasps. It was a great experience to see the algae growing in between the rocks where the waves continuously slashes. A picturesque view of both the sea on the one side, and the hills (Western Ghats) on the other were noted.
An Association meeting was organized to to conserve nature from external factors. So a Lecture was delivered by Dr.M. Glory, Associate Professor in Botany, St. Mary’s College, Tuticorin, on 4th Jan.2018. Students of botany department participated in the discussion and she focused on conservation of earth naturally and ended the session with a quote, It is time to repent to change, to protect, to stand by and to love the nature.

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