History
The establishment of the Department of Commerce in the year 1980, with the introduction of the B.Com. Degree Programme is an important milestone in the history of Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli. Beginning with 60 students and a single staff member, the Department of Commerce has now grown into the strongest department of the College with about 850 students and 20 staff members together in the B.Com. and M.Com. Programmes offered by the department.
Due to ever-growing demand for B.Com. Programme, additional sections were started in the years 1982 and 1983.
The B.Com. Programme provides specialised knowledge and skills relating to Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship, Research and other emerging areas in the field of Commerce.
Introduction of the M.Com. Degree Programme in the year 1993 has been a boon in the annals of Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli. The programme provides advanced knowledge and skills in the fields of Marketing, Management, Accounting, Finance and Research. B.Com. with specialisation in ‘Office Management and Secretarial Practice’ was introduced in the year 1995 to fulfil the need for vocationalisation of higher education. Students enrolled in this Vocational Programme were trained in typewriting, shorthand, stenography and office practices. ‘On the job’ training was given to these students through various agencies such as banks, insurance companies and other industrial concerns and the students had better prospects in the employment market.
The Consumer Club was started in the year 2004 as an extension activity of the department and it was further extended to all the students from 2017 onwards under Service Oriented Course (SOC). The aim of the club is to make the students realise the fundamental rights and duties of a citizen and to inculcate the knowledge and skills relating to consumer rights which facilitate them to take effective grievance redressal measures. The Consumer Club of Holy Cross College won the third prize from Food Supply and Consumer Protection Department in the year 2012 for Consumer Protection State Award and Best Consumer Club Award for the year 2015-2016. Along with Consumer Club, the department also started Disaster Management Club in the year 2015 and trained the students in helping the people affected by fire accidents and other disasters.
In 2004, Research Scholars were inducted for the M.Phil. Programme and in the same year B. Com. with Specialisation in Computer Applications was introduced, to meet the demand for computer professionals with accounting knowledge. The department was conferred with the status of PG and Research Department in the year 2010 to prepare the students for high quality research in various fields of Commerce. As an outcome of the ‘National Conference on Financial Literacy in India - Challenges and Approaches’ organised in March 2011, the Financial Literacy Club was started in the year 2011 as an extension activity of the Department of Commerce and it has been incorporated under SOC for all students from 2017 onwards. The objective is to spread financial awareness among the youth and further it was extended to the people living in adopted villages of Holy Cross College.
The department was incorporated under the School of Management Studies from the year 2018 onwards. In the light of the radical and dynamic transition in the business world, Holy Cross College in association with TalentEase, started the Commerce Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Programme in the year 2018. In addition, to develop vocational skills of the students and enhance the employability of the students in the financial sector, B.Voc. (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) Programme was introduced in the year 2018. In the year 2020, one more section of Commerce Stream was added to meet the unabated demand for B.Com. Currently there are four sections in B.Com. Stream, at the UG level along with M.Com. at PG level and Ph.D. Programmes. The curriculum, teaching and evaluation methods of the department are based on Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) approach from the academic year 2021-22 onwards.
The course pattern and syllabi are updated regularly based on objective approach and progressive thinking on the part of our staff members, students, alumnae, professors, industrialists, experts and professionals and feedback from various stakeholders, in pace with the changes and trends in the related fields at national and global levels. Endowment funds for the benefit of commerce students have been created by the retired staff of the department to the extent of a total of ₹ 5,00,000, for economically weaker section students of the College and non-teaching staff for ₹4,01,000 and by alumnae of the department for the benefit of present students and department ₹1,17,700.
The contribution of the Commerce Department in the governance of the College is highly admirable. Our faculty have served as Principals, Vice-Principals, Deans and also as Coordinators of EXNORA, NSS, NCC, Alumnae Association, Quiz Club, Rotaract, Fine Arts, Exam Committee and many others. The college EXNORA unit was solely membered by the commerce students under the guidance of Faculty of Commerce. Faculty and students have received many prizes for their services from EXNORA until it became part of SOC of the college.
We are proud to mention that the department has been endowed with eminent faculty members with more than 25 years of service in our college. To mention: Dr. Sr. G. Sarguna Mary and Dr. Sr. A. Christina Bridget, Former Principals of our college who have served in various administrative capacities in the college and brought laurels to the college through their hard work and dedication; Dr. Valsamma Antony, Former Head of the Department of Commerce for 24 years who played a major role in designing the curriculum of the department under autonomy and also Former Dean of Arts; Dr. SM. Pushparani, Former Dean of Arts, who initiated Consumer Club; Dr. P. Annal Lourdhu Regina, who initiated Financial Literacy Club; Dr. P. Latha Kennin Jes, Former Coordinator of Department of Business Administration; Dr. A. Sahayitta, Former Coordinator of Exam Committee of the college; Dr. S. Lilly Rosari, Former Dean of Extension who served as NCC Officer and NSS Coordinator and Dr. L. Jenitra, HoD and Former Vice Principal and Dean of Arts who initiated Commerce Book Bank. We thank God for their relentless and valuable contributions and achievements.
Prominent alumnae of the department include Honourable Former Mayor of Tiruchirappalli Corporation, Ms. S. Sujatha (B.Com. 1991-1994 batch) during whose tenure, Tiruchirappalli City was ranked 6 th in the national rating of cities under the National Urban Sanitation Policy and Ms. Jecintha Lazarus IAS, (B.Com. 1997-2000 batch) Executive Director (South), Food Corporation of India, Chennai from November 2023, under whose able administration, the district of Churachandpur was bestowed the National Award for the best performing district under MGNREGA for 2009-10 by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
Best practices of the department include: Diversified programmes and courses offered based on the needs of students; Publication of textbooks and other books regularly by the Faculty members; Organising international conferences and undertaking research projects funded by UGC and other funding agencies on a regular basis; Membership of faculty in various bodies as board members, reviewers, domain expert in TNSCERT, etc.; Foreign visits for academic purposes and paper presentation abroad by faculty members; Contribution as assessors for accreditation agencies; Tie up with professional institutes like Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (then Institute of Cost and Works Accountants) of India and FINMARK for training students at different times based on requirements; Providing practical exposure through guest faculty; Regular issue of books from department book bank to students and addition of latest editions every year out of contribution by staff and alumnae and Inculcating the value of helping the needy and the downtrodden by involving students in different forms of charitable work such as payment of fees and other financial and non- financial contributions.
The ever-growing demand for the B.Com. Programme has placed the department in the forefront, with the highest number of students on enrolment in the college, fulfilling the dreams of all the stakeholders. We pray to God to bless our department and our college in all the endeavours in the years to come.
Uniqueness
Comprehensive Curriculum with Industry Relevance: The curriculum offered by the Department of Commerce is constantly updated to meet industry standards and expectations. It balances theoretical knowledge with practical application, covering areas such as accounting, finance, economics, business law, taxation, marketing, and entrepreneurship. This ensures that students graduate with the skills required to excel in the ever-evolving business world.
Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods : The department adopts a blend of traditional and modern teaching methodologies to cater to diverse learning styles. Interactive learning environments foster critical thinking, problem- solving and collaborative skills. Real-world business case studies are used to teach concepts, giving students insights into industry challenges. Active student participation through presentations, group discussions and peer learning exercises are done. To enhance the exposure of the students, numerous guest lectures by professionals are arranged.
Strong Industry Interface : The Commerce Department has developed strong partnerships with leading businesses, financial institutions, and professional bodies, ensuring that students receive real-time industry exposure and insights.
Guest Lectures & Workshops : Regular lectures from industry experts and alumnae sharing their experiences and insights into current market trends.
Internship Programs : A robust internship program that allows students to gain practical experience in top companies, making them industry-ready by graduation through the MoU.
Industrial Visits : Exposure to corporate environments through industrial visits that allow students to interact with business leaders and professionals.
Focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation : To cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, the department provides students with the tools and guidance to start their own ventures. The emphasis on innovation fosters creativity and leadership with the mentorship of Department IIC activities. The Department also offers entrepreneurial development courses to upgrade additional skills and develop them into entrepreneurial ventures.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure : The department provides modern infrastructure that enhances the learning experience. Facilities including LCD projector attached classrooms.
Commitment to Research and Development : The department actively promotes research among both faculty and students. The students are encouraged to participate in various conferences in and off campus and present papers to improve their subject knowledge and research and analytical thinking. Paper presentation is compulsory for PG students and UG students are encouraged to present papers.
Focus on Holistic Development : Beyond academic rigor, the department places strong emphasis on the overall development of students, focusing on building leadership qualities, communication skills and ethical responsibility.
Leadership Programs : Opportunities to participate in leadership training programs and assume roles in student-led activities and clubs.
Soft Skills and Communication Workshops : Training in public speaking, negotiation and teamwork to prepare students for the corporate world.
Ethical Commerce Practices: : Courses and discussions around corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and ethics, ensuring that students graduate as responsible business leaders.
Active Alumnae Network : The department has a vast and active alumnae network that contributes to the growth and development of current students. Alumnae often return to the department to offer mentorship, guest lectures and placement opportunities.
Alumnae Meet : Annual alumnae meet provides networking opportunities for students and keep alumnae connected to the department.
Placement Support : Many alumnae offer internships and job placements for current students, ensuring a high employability rate.
Outstanding Placement Record : The department consistently achieves a high rate of placement in top companies and firms, reflecting the quality of education and industry readiness of its graduates.
Campus Recruitment : Top companies from sectors like banking, finance, consulting, and e-commerce recruit students directly from campus.
Pre-Placement Training : Rigorous training in areas such as interview skills, aptitude testing, and group discussions to ensure students are well-prepared for the placement process.
Entrepreneurial Placements:Some students, with the department’s support, have ventured into their own businesses post-graduation.
Student Support
- As a benign practice, the department of commerce has pioneered the idea of book bank in which the books are contributed by the faculty members, alumnae, and students. The books are issued to the students for each semester at a very minimum charge.
- “Earn while you Learn” – The department provides a platform to the students to exhibit their entrepreneurial skills by putting up stalls of food, handicrafts, etc., made by them.
- Students Support - Encourage the students to do professional courses outside the college.
- ‘Know Your Commerce’ - The department initiates reading skills to the students by providing newspapers (Business Line / Business Standard) on a daily basis.
- To impart professional knowledge for the students, guest faculties are invited (Auditors, Lawyers, and Industrialists) to handle classes.
- The department encourages the students to excel in sports.
- To instil concern for the environment and develop sustainable consumption habits, exhibitions and guest lectures are arranged.
Vision
Empowering the students to be catalysts in building a better society.
Mission
To train the students to become Business Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs in order to bring about a socially conscious business world.