Family Background:
| Father: |
Rev. T. V. Thomas (late);
Thanuvelil of the Mundupalathinkal Family, Kaungumprayar |
| Mother: |
Mrs. Mary Thomas (late);
Kizhakkethalackal, Edathua |
| Wife: |
Mrs. Annie Philip (daughter
of late Rev. Dr. K.C. Mathew, Karimpanamannil, Punnaveli,
and Mrs. Achamma Mathew, Kannothra, Kottayam) |
| Daughter: |
Ms. Anju Mary Philip -
currently doing her PhD at the Dept. of Biology, University
of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in the area of Molecular
Medicine. She was a student at UCC for both BSc (Biological
Techniques and Specimen Preparation) and MSc (Biotechnology)
securing Distinction and First Rank for both Degrees. |
| Son: |
Mr. Thomas T. Philip (Ajit)
- currently in the 4th Semester BTech (Civil Engineering) at
SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Karukutty,
Ernakulam Dist. |
We belong to the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
Career
My schooling was in various places,
mostly in North Kerala because of the transfers of my father to various
parishes.
After my BSc I got admission to MBBS at
Calicut Medical College on merit basis, but I decided not to continue
there because of ragging. I then joined for MSc Zoology at the Dept. of
Zoology, University of Calicut, from where I obtained my MSc in Aug.
1980. On Dec. 1st of the same year there was an interview at UCC for the
post of Junior Lecturer in Zoology, and I was selected. That was how I
joined UCC.
After 3.5 years, the Management of UCC
graciously granted 5 years of Leave without Allowance (LWA) to pursue
higher studies in Canada (University of Guelph, Ont.), starting Fall
1984. By the Grace of God, I finished my PhD in Immunoparasitology in a
little over 3 years, and was awarded a Post Doctoral Fellowship in
Molecular Parasitology in the same University.
| Immunoparasitology - a
branch of immunology that deals with animal parasites and
their hosts (Merriam Webster Dictionary) |
Then I received a communication from UCC
that if I rejoin the College after my 5 year- leave and teach for a
term, I may be given another 5 years LWA for higher studies. So, we
returned (my wife and I had gone to Canada after 2 years of our
marriage, and in 1985, our daughter was born), taught for a term, and
went back to Canada to continue my Post doc at Guelph. Then I received
the offer of another Postdoc at Univ. of British Columbia, BC, in Stress
Physiology (1991-1994). Our son Ajit was born while I was a Post doc at
Guelph (1990). So, we went to Canada as two and came back after 10 years
as four!
I have always been interested in studies
and in research. By the Grace of God, both my parents placed great
emphasis on education. My Dad had his Master’s from US from Bob Jones
University, S. Carolina during 1953-55, and my mom was the Head Mistress
of a nursery school run by Indian Air Force, in Madras. So, that was a
great inspiration for me.
I was (and am) always interested in the
field of Medicine. And even though I had to discontinue my studies in
the Medical College, God gave me the opportunities, while in Canada, to
study and do research in fields in Medicine. I also got the opportunity
to teach both medical students (human) and veterinary students in
Canada, as my PhD is in Immunoparasitology. God was merciful to me by
enabling me to pursue my life’s ambition to study in these areas.
The time when I discontinued my coveted
medical studies and sat at home forgoing 1 year of study, with people
taunting “medical collegil ninnum pedichu ponnathanu,” was an important
phase in my life. Only God, my parents, and very very few people could
understand that I did the right thing in not being conforming to the
general crowd’s thinking. This was a time when I had ample time to
review my life and to take some very very crucial decisions about how I
should proceed in life from there, and also about the importance of God
in my life. When I look back on those times, I can say with full
confidence that Romans 8:28 is absolutely true in my life, as it has
been through the centuries.
| “We know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are called according to his purpose.” ROM 8:28 (KJV) |
| Commentary from Life
Applications Bible on ROM 8:28
God works in “all things” – not
just isolated incidents – for our good. This does not mean
that all that happens to us are good. Evil is prevalent in
our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance
around for our long range good. Note that God is not working
to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that
this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by
those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
Those who are “called” are those that Holy Spirit convinces
and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new
perspective, a new mind set on life. They trust in God, not
life’s treasures; they look for their security in heaven,
not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and
persecution because God is with them. |
My impression and
views of UCC are as follows:
The ideals on which UCC has been founded
and the rich tradition it has is most praiseworthy. The daring and
vision of the Founding Fathers is simply astonishing and impressive.
However, during the latter period, inundation of cheap politics into the
ranks of the staff and the students have led to a downward shift of
UCC’s profile and performance. This has to change. We have excellent
opportunities, and the Blessings of God and a very large number of
people (alumni, well wishers) spread across the globe. We must bring
back UCC to its premier position as a Lead Institution. And I am
committed, relying on God’s grace, to do whatever it takes to achieve
that goal and to fulfill what the Founding Fathers envisioned.
I would very much like to see UCC as a
Centre of Excellence in our country in Academics, Morality, and Social
Commitment. UCC must have the necessary infrastructure, the ambience,
and the facilities to achieve this. When I retire I would want to see
UCC like this.
See Also:
CV of Dr. Thomas Philip
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