By Robin Sam
HENRY Maris comes from a family of teachers. Although both his parents were teachers, he chose to tread the path less traveled and took up engineering after school because he did not want to end up as a teacher by default. In 1990, Maris graduated out of Karunya College of Engineering with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. Later, he did a course in Energy Management in Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi. For the next few years, although he worked as a consultant specializing in design and engineering for power plants in Delhi and Chennai, he found his true calling only in the education sector. Ironically, the man who did not want to be a teacher got married into a family of teachers. His parents-in-law who were teachers themselves are the founders of the Nazareth Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Avadi. At the school, he taught Computer Science for 6 months. That was in 1999. Being a quick learner, Maris quickly understood the intricacies of the education system. A year later, thanks to his initiative the Nazareth College of Arts and Science was born. Life had come a full circle and there was no looking back for Maris. Although Nazareth in Jesus’ time had a bad reputation, for Maris Nazareth College of Arts and Science in Avadi a suburb near Chennai is a place of blessing. The 42-year-old entrepreneur envisions a future where the Nazareth group of institutions will spread its influence across various domains in the educational sector. Despite the success and the accompanying adulations, Maris remains with his feet firmly on the ground. He worships the Lord at the Apostolic Faith Tabernacle Church in Chennai. The Christian Messenger spoke to him recently. Excerpts:
Can you tell us the growth trajectory of Nazareth Arts & Science College?
In 2000, we started with 27 students. The next year we enrolled 74 students. By God’s grace, the growth of the college began from 2003 onwards.
Was it an easy ride?
Not at all. Since we also have a school, I presumed getting schools into our college will be a cakewalk. That was not to be. In those days, around 250 students were passing out of the school. Even if we get 100 of them, the college would be successful was my reasoning. My heart sank when only two students from the school joined us in the first year. It took time for me to realize it is God who gives us the increase and brings in the numbers.
When did you achieve the breakthrough point?
That was in 2007. There was an increase in the number of students who joined the college. From 2003 onwards, we began personality development courses for our students. As an engineering graduate, I found it hard to land a job for over a year. I didn’t want that to happen to any of my students. Through these courses, we groom them to be better equipped for life’s challenges.
What kind of challenges did you face as a college administrator?
In the early days of our college, there was pressure from some political quarters. If a meeting is organized, or if a political leader is passing through the state and happens to be in the vicinity of the college, then local politicians walk in and demand money. They drive in with their cavalcade, plunk themselves in the office and won’t stir out of the room unless their demands are met. Earlier, I was gullible and played into the hands of these guys. However, I have now learned how to say no to them.
Isn’t running a Christian college more difficult than managing a Christian school because you are essentially dealing with youths who feel liberated once they are out of the school?
Yes, it is. But because I have struck a deal with God I have to do it no matter how hard the task is. We organize meetings for the students where though you won’t find in-the-face kind of Gospel proclamation, they are told who God is and why they are in the world. It could be a prayer meeting before the examinations. I make it clear to the speakers at these meetings that the message of salvation has to be given to the students. In the college premises, we also have prayer cells for the students. We have very committed students who lead and attend these prayer cells. Since last year, we have been conducting ‘Breakthrough’ meetings where Christian students are taught how to reach their friends with the message of Jesus Christ.
What new courses are you planning to introduce next year?
We would like to add Master of Social Work at the PG level and Visual Communications at the UG level to the existing courses available at our college. At the UG level, an institution should be broad based; but when a student reaches the PG level he or she can specialize in his chosen domain.
Besides academics, what is Nazareth Arts & Science College known for?
Sports is big time in our college. We are known for our football and handball teams. Right from the early days of our college, sporting activities were encouraged. Students who excel in sports streams are given concessions or scholarships. Sports has an advantage over subjects taught at school in that it teaches one what life is all about. It tells them how to cope with success and crushing defeats. It tells you that there are times when you need to be aggressive and times when you need to flow with the tide. It also teaches you that you need to build up each other to win as a team.
Weren’t you also planning to start an engineering college sometime ago?
I am still visualizing about it. It’s still in the realm of dreams. Hopefully, by 2012 it should be a reality. When a Christian is engaged in business, the realities of the marketplace hit him hard. It’s a tightrope walk between business and the family. Sadly, the more one immerses oneself in the business, the less time one has for the family. Your business engagements eat into your family time. Although, sometime ago we had plans to start a nursing college, I kept thinking why God gave me an educational background in engineering. There must be some purpose, I tell myself. Already, we have identified the land for the engineering college a little away from Avadi.
What are your other immediate plans?
I keep telling myself ‘Give me time until I turn 50. I have another 8 years to go. Within that time, I have to establish an engineering college (laughs). I was a man who never wanted to teach. God has changed me and now I love meeting students. I am more of a life coach to my students. Even two days ago, I got a call from somebody in Infosys. When she identified herself, I recalled that she was somebody who could not pay her fees on time. When she approached me, we waived 50 percent of her fees. She said she was thankful to the institution. At one level, Nazareth is also a channel of blessing. And, I am thankful to God for that. I now want the channel to be widened by God so we can be a greater blessing to others. I always tell my students. The reason why God put you here is not just to study but to know life and that too life in its fullness.
Gone are the days when a college looked for employability skills in students. We are creating entrepreneurial skills and quality leadership in my students. In a year from now, we will be getting into small-scale industries. I have already identified couple of areas to work on – paper bags and hollow bricks. We are going to recruit our own students to look after production, marketing, finance, and distribution. So, you see it’s not just theoretical knowledge that they would get but avenues for practical application of the knowledge.
