THE COLLEGE
Mar Athanasis College for Advanced Studies (MACFAST), Tiruvalla, is a Post Graduate institution started in 2001, with the objective of offering specially designed courses in Biosciences such as Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Plant Biotechnology, Food Science & Technology and Phytomedical Science & Technology in addition to MBA and MCA. MACFAST is owned and managed by Corporate Educational Agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tiuvalla, with His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Archbishop as President and Patron. In the past 75 years this agency has contributed to the establishment of a large number of schools, colleges, hospitals, medical and paramedical institutions throughout the country. The college is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and located in the commercially active town of Tiruvalla.
MACFAST SCHOOL OF BIOSCIENCES
The MACFAST school of Biosciences conducts post graduate teaching and research in different disciplines such as Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Plant Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology and Phytomedical Science and Technology. The department has been also recognized as a centre for research and development by the M.G.University, Kottayam. Accordingly, Ph.D. programmes in Biosciences are being initiated. The School of Biosciences besides offering consultancies in food enterprises, environmental issues etc. also undertake quality analysis of food, water and ayurvedics. Various research schemes funded by State and Central Governments are being operated in the centre. Apart form the academic activities, MACFAST School of Biosciences has also entered into commercial ventures such as development and marketing of value aded food products, organic cosmetics and high yielding tissue cultured horticrops. The centre constantly organizes local, regional and international conferences and symposia as a common platform for scientists and academicians to share knowledge and innovative ideas. MACFAST has also initiated collaborative research programmes with international universities and institutions such as Ryerson University and Universty of Quebec, Canada.