Guidelines For Students

This Pontifical Institute of Theology in Alwaye has its Statutes and Rules for its well-functioning and realise its mission. Its students must faithfully observe these rules and regulations especially those with regard to study and discipline. They are also to abide by the specific rules of each Campus, each course and those of the Library. Serious failure in fulfilling the prescribed requirements may lead to their being debarred from examinations or their being suspended or deprived of certain academic rights, or even to their dismissal from the Faculty in case of serious and evident behaviour or dishonesty. Some of the important rules pertinent to the Degree students are noted below.

Admission

The final date for admitting students to the B.Th. programme shall be the fifteenth (15th) class day following the inauguration of the academic year.

Courses

  1. To get exemption from a course, the student has to produce a duly attested certificate and mark list from the Institute where one has studied that subject specifying the hours and credit for the same. The faculty council will take an appropriate decision on the basis of the documents submitted.
  2. The student who is exempted from a course has still to attend the classes. The exemption is only from appearing for the examinations.
  3. The students who rejoints the course after a break should in advance place a formal application to the Campus-Offices.
  4. The medium of instruction of the Institute is English.
  5. It is not allowed that the students concurrently enrol in P.G. courses while doing theology in the Institute.

Attendance

  1. The attendance in the class will be marked for each period. Those who are absent for three periods and more on a day will be counted absent for the whole day. Those who are absent for more than one third of class days of a semester are liable to repeat the semester.
  2. Every absence from classes will be noted and the respective superiors will be informed of the same by the Institute.

Examination

  1. Professors can decide the mode of examination as per the decisions of the Pontifical Institute of Theology in consultation with the students giving priority to the written mode of examination. Oral examination is possible for subjects of 1 and 2 credits and the courses pertaining to the moral theology and canon law.
  2. The answer sheets after valuation are to be returned to the Faculty Office by the teachers latest by 21st October and 31st March, and the declaration of the results is to be on 26th October and 11thApril, after the first and second semesters respectively.
  3. Pass mark is 50% in individual subjects.
  4. The maximum mark given for an exam, scientific research paper, thesis etc. will be 100%.
  5. A teacher is allowed to give a maximum of 25% of the total marks of the subject for internal assessment by way of test paper, written assignment, etc.
  6. One grace-mark by Dean is applicable to the case of passing the individual examination and that too only with his prudent discretion.
  7. Students who could not do the first session examinations due to illness may be given three more chances but will be exempted from rank.
  8. All students in Cycle I who fail in the examinations have two more chances for each failed subject. If he/she does not clear the failed papers in these chances, further chances to take the examinations are granted by the dean at the recommendation
    of the faculty council and controller of the examinations.
  9. Students who fail either component of the comprehensive examinations may, with the approval of the Faculty Council, be permitted to reappear. A student who fails the B.Th. comprehensive oral or written examination in the first session shall take a re-examination at the beginning of the following academic year, concurrently with the second session of the second-semester examinations. In the case of a second failure, the Dean may, upon written request, authorize one additional attempt within two weeks. If the student fails a third time, a final opportunity shall be granted to take the examination together with the B.Th. students of the current academic year.
  10. After completing the first semester, if a student could not finish  the second semester due to any unforeseen reason and not  because of failure of examinations, that case is treated not as  year repetition but as one to be decided by the faculty Council  ad causum.
  11. Students who want to get their mark list and certificate must give a written application at least a week in advance. Certificates shall be issued from the Campus Office at Carmelgiri and Mangalapuzha respectively.

B.Th. Scientific Research Paper

General Requirement

As part of the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) programme, every student is required to submit a Scientific Research Paper. Each student must enrol for the B.Th. Scientific Research Paper by the end of the third semester.

Scientific Methodology and Supervision

The Pontifical Institute follows its own approved Scientific Methodology, which must be observed in all class assignments and in the B.Th. Scientific Research Paper.

The research paper shall be written under the supervision of a Professor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor chosen by the student.

Topic Selection and Schema Approval

  • The student, in consultation with the guide, shall select a relevant theological topic.
  • A schema (outline) must be prepared and submitted to the guide for initial approval.
  • Once approved by the guide, the schema shall be forwarded to the Dean or Associate Dean for final approval.
  • If the schema is found to be unclear, contradictory, or theologically irrelevant, the student will be required to revise and resubmit it.

Submission Deadlines

  • First Chapter: To be submitted to the guide by the end of July.
  • Second Chapter: To be submitted by 10th September.
  • Final Chapter: To be submitted by 10th November, incorporating all corrections to the first and second chapters.
  • Final Submission: Two bound copies of the complete paper must be submitted to the campus office by 10th December before 4:00 p.m.
    1) One copy will be retained in the office.
    2) The second copy will be used for assessment.

Format and Length

  • The main text of the B.Th. Scientific Research Paper must contain approximately 15,000 words (about 30 printed pages), excluding footnotes and bibliography.
  • The paper should be typed in 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing and formatted according to the Institute’s prescribed guidelines.

Supervision Limit

Each professor or assistant professor or associate professor may guide a maximum of four (4) students for the B.Th. Scientific Research Paper during an academic year.

Fees

The annual fee is to be paid by the day scholars before 31st July and the resident students before 31st October. There is an extra fee for the re-examinations (see the Fees Section in This Handbook). A charge is levied also for the certificates.

Class Representatives

The Class Representatives will see to the proper arrangement of the classes, registers and attendance/absence of the students and communicate the same to the Faculty Office.

Cessation of Enrolment as Students

A student ceases to be member of the Pontifical Institute of Theology in Alwaye:

i. at the completion of the course to which he/she has been enrolled, subject to renewal for appearance in examination;
ii. at the enrolment into another ecclesiastical Institute for regular course;
iii. on voluntary discontinuation;
iv. in the case of seminarians and religious students, on the withdrawal of presentation by their Rector or Religious Superior;
v. in the case of non-Catholics, on withdrawal of the presentation letter of their Superiors with whose presentation letter they were admitted;
vi. in the case of non-Christians, on withdrawal of the presentation letter upon which he was admitted;
vii. on dismissal by the President because of grievous reason, such as serious violation of the Statutes or rules of this Pontifical Institute, serious misconduct, etc.

Students’ Council

“Students’ Council” is the body of the students elected by the students of Theology to foster the participation of the students in curricular and extra-curricular activities of the Institute. Students’ Council will function under the guidance of the President, Dean, and the coordinators appointed by the President.

Its members are: the two Student-Senators and one Student elected from each class in both Campuses. The term of office of all the members shall be for one year. The student-senators from Third Theology will function as leaders of the Council in respective Campus.

Meetings: The Students’ Council meets at least twice a year: one, before the President formally meets the students in each Campus, and the other one, before the Senate meeting. In addition to these meetings, the President or Dean or the Coordinators can convene the Council whenever it is required.

The Functions of the Students’ Council are:

  1. to propose creative suggestions about curricular and extracurricular activities of the Institute;
  2. to plan and execute special events or projects of the Institute such as especially Institute Day, Convocation Day, Zacharias Memorial Lectures;
  3. to make proposals for extension lectures, special academic sessions,
  4. to maintain goodwill of the Pontifical Institute among the students;
  5. to accomplish any duty entrusted by the Academic Council or the Faculty Council.

Fr. Zacharias Publication Trust

Fr. Zacharias Publication Trust was registered as a Public, Religious, and Charitable Trust at the Sub Registrar Office, Ernakulam on 30th May 2024. The Trust is entrusted with the responsibility of the publications and distance education programmes of both Pontifical Institute of Theology and St. Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy. It publishes one periodical in English and two in Malayalam:

  1. The Living Word (since 1895) from Carmelgiri Campus.
  2. ‘Mathavum Chinthayum’ (Religion and Thought) (since 1920) from Mangalapuzha Campus.
  3. Preshita Keralam (Missionary Kerala) (since 1948) from Carmelgiri Campus.

Besides, the Trust undertakes the publication of theological and philosophical books.

General Officials

President
Rev. Dr. Sebastian Raju Plathottam

Vice President
Rev. Dr. Joseph (Jijo) Nellickakandathil

Secretary
Rev. Dr. Maria Micheal Felix

Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Augustine Kallely