Arul Anandar College, Karumathur

Arul Anandar College is an arts and sciences autonomous college affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, situated at Karumathur, Madurai, and administered by the Jesuits. The College name, meaning "filled with grace", refers to John de Britto, the Jesuit saint martyred at Oriyur, Tamil Nadu, India.HistoryThe College was founded in 1970 as De La Salle College by the late Most Rev. Dr. Justin Diraviam, Catholic Archbishop in Madurai, with a pre-degree course and undergraduate courses in economics and philosophy. In 1972 it was renamed as Arul Anandar College and became a Jesuit institution. The college received autonomous status in 1987, and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) 5 Start Rating in 2001. In 2014 AAC received an "A" grade from the NAAC.In 1975 Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, visited the campus. The Alumni Association was inaugurated in 1987. Doctoral programmes in rural development science and economics began in 2001. In 2009 Britto Publishing House was established. After that, an indoor stadium & gymnasium was constructed, a bio-gas plant and model poultry and piggery farm were established, and a student gym was added.