founder's vision

Rev. Dr. S. Xavier Alphonse, S.J.,


Rev. Dr. S. Xavier Alphonse, S.J., hails from Devakottai, a small town in Ramanathapuram, District in Tamilnadu, India. He was born on the 17th November 1951. He has a Doctorate in Indian English Literature. He joined the Jesuit order in the year 1969 and continues to work for the people of India particularly in the field of higher education and for the dropout children. He has got 33 years of rich experience in teaching, administration and policy making.

Former Principal of Loyola College, Chennai (1992-1995). He was the member of University Grants Commission (UGC) for two terms (2006-2009 & 2009-2012). Member, Executive Board of AIACHE, New Delhi Jan. 2015. He is an authority on College Autonomy and written three books on the subject. He has been nominated by the University Grants Commission nominee as the Governing Body Member of more than 14 Universities and Colleges. He has served many committees such as Union Planning Commission, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Minority Commission, State Governments to help in the Higher Education. He has been invited as the resource person in many national and international conferences on higher education. He is also guiding research scholars and approved guide in Bharathiyar and Anna Universities for Indian Writing in English. He has visited many countries USA, Canada, U.K., Germany, Netherlands, France, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Philippines, West Asia, etc., on educational activities. He was the President of Interfaith Movement for Human Solidarity, Chennai. At present he is the Coordinator for Jesuit Madurai Province higher education commission. 

Founder Director of Indian Centre for Research and Development of Community Education (ICRDCE), Chennai. He is the father of Indian Community College movement in India. He has initiated and implementation of the alternative system of education for the poor and marginalized. Thorough his guidance and inspiration there are 350 Community Colleges in India, 13 C.C's in Papua New Guinea and 10 C.C's in East Africa. He has written 44 books on Community Colleges and published many articles. 
Fortunate to have close association with Mother Teresa for thirty long years. He has written the first biography of Mother Teresa in Tamil Vasanthangal Meendum Varuvathillai” in 1978. He has published a book on the spirit of Mother Teresa “Symphony Goes On”– Legacy of Mother Teresa to the Modern World in 2003. 

His contribution to higher education and community education in India is immense as the recognition of all his services he has received many awards to name a few. 

Seva Ratna Award by the Centenarian Trust presented by Sri Jayendra Sarasvati Swamigal Peedathipathi of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, January, 2004 
- International award as a Leader and Founder of Modern Day Community Colleges in India by Hartnell Community CollegeUSA, May, 2004 
Social Scientist Award – 2007 by Tamilnadu State Council for Science & Technology – August, 2008 
Life Time Achievement Award presented by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Government of India on 9th January, 2015 by United Writers Association and Frank Moraes Foundation, Chennai 
He is the man of social concern and has got heart for the poor. His mission is to reach the unreached and giving the best to the least.  Read More