Government Brennan College basking in 125 years of glory

KOZHIKODE: The Government Brennan College, one of the premier educational institutions in Malabar, is celebrating its quasquicentennial anniversary (125th jubilee) and has   already started one-year programmes for it. 

Governor P. Sathasivam will officially open the celebrations on Monday at College in Thalassery.

Brennen College was developed out of a free school established in 1862 by Edward Brennen, a Master Attendant of Thalaserry port.  

It was elevated to the status of a second grade college in 1890 and first grade in 1947.  It was shifted to the new building at Dharmadam from Thalassery town in 1958.

“As part of celebrations, we have conducted many programmes and are now organizing ‘Brennen Expo 2016’, an education fare in association with various government agencies like tourism, archaeological and archives departments. Academic seminars, alumni meets, felicitation of former teachers, various cultural events and literary conclave are being organised,” said History Department HOD and Programme Committee Convener Dr A. Valsalan.

Many eminent personalities from various walks of life have studied and taught in the Brennen College.

The alumni include V.K. Krishna Menon, Sri Narayana Guru’s last direct disciple Swami Ananda Theerthan, musician K. Raghavan, Keltron founding chairman K.P.P. Nambiar, CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader K. Sudhakaran.  

Among those who taught in the college are O.N.V. Kurup, M.N. Vijayan, M.K. Sanu and  Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri.

In January 2011, the institution was accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council with A Grade. The college was granted  Rs 1.5 crore aid by the UGC in 2015 under the Heritage College Scheme to preserve its valuable assets.

Minister for Culture K.C. Jospeh will preside over the function. Kannur MP P.K. Sreemathi, Rajya Sabha MP K.K. Ragesh and  Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Dr M.K. Abdul Khader among others will attend.