The last five decades have been witnessing a remarkable and glorious transformation in the educational upbringing of the Muslims in Kerala, traditionally the most backward community in education. The driving force behind this envious achievement has been the committed and tiring toil of THE MUSLIM EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY (MES).
The movement started under the great leadership of late Dr. P.K.Abdul Gafoor in 1964 at Calicut, wholeheartedly supported by a large number of professionals and businessmen and in a short span of time this great movement had its branches spread to all districts in Kerala. As on today, it is the largest Educational organization in our nation with a strength of more than 20,000 active members, 85,000 students and staff members numbering 15000. It not only has Units in each and every District of Kerala, but also has stretched to neighbouring states as well to the Middle East countries.
| Institutions | No. of Institutions |
| Professional Institutions | 10 |
| Arts & Science Colleges | 21 |
| Women’s Colleges | 8 |
| Aided Higher Secondary Schools | 6 |
| Aided High Schools | 6 |
| CBSE Schools | 33 |
| Other Institutions | 66 |
| Total | 150 |
In 1994, it was the setting up of the MES College of Engineering at Kuttippuram in Malappuram District, the first self-financing college in the private sector in Kerala, that kick started an historic revolution that was to follow in the state to promote education to the deprived class and MES has a real right and reason to be proud of this committed initiative to fulfill its mission. How aggressive and consistent was the growth that followed in the educational scenario of the state since then is part of history now . And in 2003, there emerged the MES flagship institution – the MES Academy of Medical Sciences, which now is comprising a Super specialty Post graduate Medical College, Dental College, College of Nursing, School of Nursing and institute of Para-medical sciences. The latest additions to the MES panel of professional institutions are the MES Institute of Technology and Management, Chathannur, Kollam, MES College of Engineering and Technology, Kunnukara, Ernakulam and MES College of Architecture, Kakkodi, Kozhikode.
Our Aided Post Graduate Colleges are accredited by the NAAC. All our colleges, including unaided self-financing colleges have consistently been achieving high percentage of results in the university examinations with many a student securing meritorious ranks.
This is the question that poses every one when MES celebrates the Golden Jubilee in 2014 and we at MES , with all modesty , say that MES has steered through with the deepest conviction and concern for the uplift of the poor and the needy to bring education to their door steps during all these five decades. Golden Jubilee is only an occasion for us to have an introspection and to re-dedicate ourselves for the common people of our nation, and also to pledge ourselves to undertake loftier service for them.
At the time of inception of the Muslim Educational Society, the stratum of the Muslim Community in the state at large was quite disturbing when compared to the privileged classes. The Muslims were extremely backward in the field of Education and they had only 3 Colleges and a handful of Schools under their management. But as a result of the persistent and intense awareness campaigns carried out through Seminars, Symposia, Educational Conferences and similar education promotional programmes , the Muslim Educational Society succeeded in bringing about a radical change in the outlook of the community and this inspired this great organization to take up modern education in a big way. Now it has been found that out of the total population of nearly 70 lakhs of Kerala Muslims, at least, 10 lakhs have been directly or indirectly benefited by the educational activities of the MES. The literacy rate of Kerala is cent percent which is the highest in the country and MES can proudly claim its share of credit for having contributed to it in great measure. Other indices of modernization like low infant mortality rate and high life expectancy etc. are also the highlights of the society in Kerala in which, MES has also played a significant role. It can be proudly mentioned that it was the MES which is instrumental in enhancing the educational status of especially Muslim Women who were behind the doors till then, destined to be the home maker throughout their life. It is gratifying to note that their presence in the educational field which was hardly 1% at the time of inception of MES has now risen to a tempting 70%. Over the years, MES has provided financial assistance to innumerable people affected by various natural calamities and misfortunes at various places in the country. Here it is worthy of special mention that in the recent past, our medical team had visited Assam and UP and rendered medical assistance and solacing services to thousands of refugees there.
The Muslim Educational Society’s commitment towards excellence in the establishment of educational institutions motivated them to take up the challenge of setting up a Medical College in Malappuram District. The college was established in 2003 with an annual intake is 100 students. A 500 bed hospital is attached to the college with all major Super specialties and all medical and surgical specialties encompassing the attendant physical facilities . Right from the setting up of this Teaching Hospital, we are providing treatment, diagnostic tests, medicines, surgery and similar services to the poor and the needy patients, free of cost. On an average, one lakh people per year from various walks of life have been benefited from these charity medical schemes. Last year, the Society has incurred an amount of Rs.9.25 Crs to meet these charity activities in this hospital alone.
In the year 2011, the MES Medical College has been elevated to a Post Graduate Medical Institute offering PG Degree and Diploma Courses in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Microbiology, Pathology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, TB & Chest, Anaesthesiology and Radiology.
Right from the start of the MES Medical College, MES Medicos are securing excellent results in the MBBS examination thereby reflecting the exemplary standard of the academic coaching we provide here through eminent and distinguished faculty members . MES Medicos had bagged first Ranks in First & Final MBBS Examinations in 2009 & 2011, leaving far behind the ‘so called’ meritorious students in Government Medical Colleges in Calicut & Thrissur.
True, MES has made tremendous achievements during a short spell of its existence thanks to the sacrifices as well as the committed and devoted ‘sweat and toil’ of thousands of active grass root level members of this prestigious organization. But we still feel that ‘ we have miles to go before we sleep…” We carry on the mantle of our mission under the inspiring leadership of Dr.P.A.Fazal Ghafoor, President, MES, to uplift the backward segments of the people of our nation educationally, economically and socially so that these segments can also stand on their foot and take control of their due and worthy place in the mainstream of our great nation’s march forward to achieve and fulfill the great dream – any higher aspiration –: a society that both looks forward and onwards as well as holds itself to corrective standards for the whole people of our nation.
(Regd. Under Societies Registration Act XXI 1860 Exempted under section 10(23C) (iv) and section 80G of the income Tax Act 1961)
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