Madras Christian College (MCC), Chennai

    Madras Christian College (MCC) is a liberal Arts and Sciences college in Chennai, India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. The college is affiliated to the University of Madras but functions as an Autonomous Institution from its main campus in Tambaram, Chennai.

    MCC has its roots in a small school for boys established in 1835 when two chaplains of the Church of Scotland in Madras, Rev. George James Laurie and Rev. Matthew Bowie founded the St. Andrew's School on Randalls Road in Egmore, Madras. At their request, the Church of Scotland sent a missionary to India to govern it. Missionary Rev. John Anderson, set up the institution in1937 as the General Assembly's School, conducting classes in a rented house on the east side of Armenian Street in Georgetown, Madras. He was a pioneer in introducing English medium education in South India who was ably assisted by Rev. Johnston, Rev. Braidwood as well as Margaret Locher Anderson and Rev. William Miller, who arrived in 1862.  The school was upgraded to a college by adding F.A. and B.A. courses in 1865 and 1867, respectively. 

   On 1st January 1877, Rev. W. Miller along with a few other Protestant missions in Madras, transformed the institution and named it ‘Madras Christian College’. The college grew from the school into a 275-acre (1.11 km2) wooded campus under the leadership of educationalist Dr. William Miller, who created hostels and several academic and cultural associations, which shaped MCC into a premier educational institution in South Asia.  His bold academic vision, supported by generous contributions from his family members, old students and the Madras Government, raised the most impressive array of college buildings and hostels (student homes) opposite the Madras High Court complex. Worthy leaders like Professors Skinner, E.M. Macphail, Meston and Hogg succeeded Miller.

   The rapid expansion of the college and the paucity of the space necessitated shifting of the college from George Town  to a more spacious location - the 390-acre sylvan Selaiyur in Tambaram.. Accordingly, the college under the leadership of Rev. William Skinner (principal 1909–1921) initiated the Tambaram Project in 1919. Rev. Gordon Matthew as the town planning secretary negotiated with the government, which set aside 1.6 sq kms of the former Selaiyur forest land in Tambaram. While Mrs. and Prof. Edward Barnes meticulously planted rare trees and worked out the physical landscape, the Swiss architect Henry Schaetti, then based in Kodaikanal, India, designed the buildings. 

   The "great migration" took place on 30th January 1937 with a Thanksgiving service in which Governor Lord Erskine participated. Professor Edward Barnes and his wife Alice Barnes, who had lived on the campus since 1932, painstakingly shaped and nurtured the atmosphere on campus by planting hundreds of rare plants and carving out dusty roads. Swiss Architect Henry Schaetti designed the majestic main buildings.  After 100 years in the heart of the city, the college moved to the sprawling, green campus in Tambaram on the outskirts of Madras in 1937.  Dr Alexander Boyd, who was the Principal for 18 long years (1938-’56), further shaped the character, culture and ethos of the College. A host of European and Indian faculty ably assisted him. Professor J.R. Macphail was the last Scottish Principal to serve the college.  On 30 January 1937, the governor of Madras, Lord John Erskine declared open the first campus buildings.  In 1938, MCC hosted the Tambaram Conference (also called The Madras Conference of Tambaram1938), the third World International Missionary Conference which eventually created the World Council of Churches. Women students were admitted from 1939.

    The year 1962 (125th Year of MCC),  saw the dawn of a new era  when Dr Chandran Devanesen took over as the first Indian Principal. He further enriched the academic stature of the College and broadened the scope of the educational process by taking it to the neighbourhood. Dr Devanesen’s successors have each contributed in their own way to the growth and development of the Institution.

    MCC becoming one of the earliest colleges to be granted the status of Autonomy in the year 1978 was path-breaking, enabling the college to introduce new courses and innovative Curricular changes in tune with changing times and Examination Reforms, focusing on learner-centred Continuous Assessments.  Autonomy also helped the College introduce the School of Continuing Education (SCE) in 1983, providing  students options to acquire one or two diplomas in addition to their regular degree program on a part-time basis, either in the forenoon or afternoon sessions and/or weekends (Saturdays). All the courses also admit those who are not students at the College. The Courses of the MCC SCE are aimed at imparting knowledge and skills which help in getting jobs and enable Self-Employment and Self Improvement. The SCE offers 36 Diploma and Certificate courses.  The College introduced vocational degree programmes in the Departments of History, Zoology and Commerce in 1994.

    The Self-Financed Stream started in 1999. Degree programmes of contemporary relevance and employability are offered in the Self-Financed Stream. The College now has thirty-four departments under both the Aided and Self-Financed Streams offering Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research programmes (M.Phil. & PhD).

   The Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) was introduced in 2003 – 2004, enabling the College to provide more choice for the students by offering interdisciplinary options and rationalising the workload of each paper in tune with the credits awarded.

    MCC Campus is spread across 320 acres with a sprawling scrub jungle provides the essential ecosystem for field study and research. The campus has 33 Academic Departments, 105 Classrooms, 16 Seminar Halls, 73 Laboratories, Instrumentation Facilities, Central Library, modern Cafeteria, Lounge for women students, Centre for Media Studies, College Farm, Solar power plants, Rainwater harvesting system, International Guest House, Sports facilities with Indoor Stadium, 6 Halls (hostels) of residence and residential quarters for staff and uninterrupted power supply. The hostel for men gave way to three halls of residence — Selaiyur, Thomas' and Heber. As women students were being admitted on a regular basis from 1939,  a hostel for them came up in Guindy, Madras in 1950. This too evolved into an on-campus hall of residence for women, Martin Hall, named after Agnes Martin, in 1968, Margaret Hall in 2008 and Barnes Hall in 2016. The Halls of residence for men – Selaiyur, St. Thomas’s and Heber and  and for women - Martin, Margaret and Barnes are active today as semi-autonomous student communities, and contribute to campus life’s rich diversity and liveliness.

    All key milestones in the history of MCC were befittingly celebrated, and the 50th year i.e. 1887, witnessed the birth of Philosophy and History Unions, besides the Tamil and Telugu Associations. The Centenary of the College celebrated in 1937 was marked by the college’s relocation to the Tambaram campus. In 1962 (125th Year) Dr S. Radhakrishnan, our distinguished alumnus, visited the college and the MCC school in his capacity of the Vice-President of India. The 150th year was commemorated in 1987, with Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi participating in the primary function and declaring the Miller Memorial Library open. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, lent his gracious presence at the 170th-year celebrations in 2007 and inaugurated the Centre for International Social Work.  The Quartoseptcentennial (175th) was celebrated in the year 2012. Shri. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, Prof. P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Dr K. Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu, graced the occasion. “Celebrating History and Serving Humanity” was the theme of the Quartoseptcentennial year. 100 kWp Solar Power Plant, Commerce Block and IGH Extension wing marked some 175th-year celebration activities.

    In 2013, the MCC was reaccredited by NAAC with an “A” Grade (Highest Grade). In 2016 the College was awarded the ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ status. The College was ranked 17th in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2020.  Madras Christian College established the ‘MCC Boyd-Tandon School of Business’ in 2016, which aims to offer world-class business education.

    MCC is first among the Arts and Science colleges in Tamil Nadu in meeting the Solar Purchase obligation, as it generates 50 per cent of its power needs through solar energy.

  The MCC-MRF Innovation Park,  inaugurated on 17th March 2021,  is an ecosystem dedicated to fostering advanced research and innovative start-ups and nurturing entrepreneurs. Being one of its kind among Arts and Science Colleges in India, this landmark project funded by MRF Ltd. can host many contemporary laboratories and collaborative spaces for students, enabling them to develop innovative ideations resulting in start-ups. The innovation park is to work in collaboration with different units in MCC, such as MCC Farm, Artisan and Heritage Village, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Centre for Data Analytics, Centre for Media Production, etc., to create the right ambience for the generation of innovative ideas and to enable start-ups.

    The College, with its rich history of Research, embarked into the world of Innovations and Entrepreneurship through the launching of the MCC’s Innovation Council (MCC IIC), MCC Research Colloquium (MCC RC), MCC Entrepreneurship Development Cell (MCC EDC) and MCC Ideation Club during the year 2020. The Best Innovators Award was introduced the following year to encourage the Staff members and Students to engage in active research leading to Innovation.

    Prof Edward Barnes Tree Plantation Drive, which began in 2020, re-emphasized preserving the green cover on campus. Many students were driven with enthusiasm to the newly formed MCC Wildlife Conservation Club and MCC NDLI club.

    New Undergraduate Programmes such as B.Com. (Professional Accounting), B.Sc. Psychology and B.Sc. Hospitality & Tourism were introduced in 2020 and 2021, respectively, apart from the revival of B.A. History (Vocational) programme specializing in Archaeology & Museology.

    MCC spontaneously responded to the global pandemic, viz—Covid-19, through its MCC Covid Task Force, which reached out to the unreached during the neediest time. The MCC Covid-19 Telecounselling Centre was established through a fruitful collaboration with the District Administration. The College received the IMA Tambaram Doctors’ Day Award 2021 for its yeoman services to society during the pandemic.

     The Senate of Serampore recognised MCC to be an Examination Centre for the Bachelor of Christian Studies Programme of Serampore College.

    In 2022 MCC witnessed the dedication of the Meston Centre for Teaching and Learning, MCC-MRF Innovation Park Prototype, Renovated Children’s Park and Research Scholars Chamber. The MCC Community College was recognized as a Training Centre by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Research Paper Publication Awards for Faculty, Scholars and Students were introduced. B.Sc. Computer Science Programme was introduced under Self-Financed Stream.

   The 365-acre (1.48 km2) campus is known for its flora and fauna, notably deer, peacock and rare trees. The college is distinguished by a lake on campus. MCC has actively supported the diversity of flora and fauna on campus. Several eminent staff from various departments have contributed to the development and the upkeep of campus diversity. Professor Edward Barnes (Department of Chemistry), the first curator of MCC Campus (along with his wife) began this process. Dr. K.R. Venkatasubban (Professor and Head, Department of Botany), Dr. P. Sanjeeva Raj (Retired Professor and Head, Department of Zoology), Dr. Gift Siromony (Professor and Head, Department of Statistics), Mr. Giles Lal (Department of Botany) and Dr. C. Livingstone (Department of Botany) have since served as curators on campus and have documented the Biodiversity of the campus as well as other areas in the region.[citation needed].    The college is the second-largest scrub jungle in Asia, actively used by departments like Botany and Zoology for their practical work.  The campus curator maintains these natural resources and ensures that no damage is done through the unauthorized cutting of trees, plants or grass.   The Scrub Society at Madras Christian College, along with other departments and units on the campus, strives for the development, preservation, and protection of this campus for future generations.[citation needed] It was headed by Prof. Dr. C. Livingstone from inception to his superannuation in the year 2007.

   The most recognizable building is the 'Main Building' to which the main entrance leads. It houses administrative offices and some departments as well as lecture rooms. The Miller Memorial Library is another landmark building, built in anticipation of then-prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1987.[citation needed]

   MCC also has a College Union Society in which, all students are members.[citation needed]

   The college has strategically and wisely used the space in campus Public spaces for various purposes :

    Anderson Hall, MCC's largest auditorium, named after its founder Rev. John Anderson, was built in anticipation of the third World Missionary Conference which was held here in 1938. In the words of Bishop Stephen Neill, this event was "the most international gathering held up to that point in the entire history of the Christian Church." The hall also hosted evangelist Billy Graham's visit to the campus in 1956. He delivered his address in this auditorium.[citation needed] The hall is used for a variety of events and has hosted several notable people — the nation's highest leaders, politicians, theologians, preachers, educators, businesspeople, civil servants, etc. — and continues to be the predominant indoor public space on campus.

    The MCC Quadrangle or diamond directly in front of the main building is the largest outdoor public space, used primarily for large student gatherings, such as the shows hosted during the annual Deepwoods intercollegiate cultural festival.

   The Boxing Ring, in front of the Principal's Quarters, doubles as an outdoor stage with green space in the front for a sizable audience, primarily used for student gatherings.

   The  International Guest House which is a modern building, designed by a Swedish architect to western standards, is situated in the midst of a densely wooded area near the athletic fields. Wild deer grazing outside the dining room is not an uncommon sight.

   The Cafeteria and Gutters are the spots students congregate during breaks or free hours. The gutters are popular hangouts for intellectual conversation and often the birthplace of artistic or culturally significant initiatives by students.

   Macphail's Arts Centre - The Fine Arts Centre situated amids the  campus greenery is named after J.R. Macphail.[citation needed]

   Sportsfields and C.A. Abraham Pavillion - The Madras Christian College campus has several sports fields and facilities, including cricket, association football, tennis, basketball (indoor and outdoor), boxing, and others. The cricket pavilion is named after the former physical director of the college, Professor C.A. Abraham.[citation needed] These sports fields used by the student community, especially during the inter hall sports. The sprawling sports fields and the cultural ambience of the college provide impetus towards nurturing students’ personalities and holistic development.

    From humble beginnings as a school for boys, the college has grown exponentially, that, today MCC's Alumni  and Professors include several Civil Servants, Administrators, Educators, Businessmen, Industrialists, Academicians, Celebrities and Political Leaders, around the world.  MCC is the sixth best college in India in the field of sciences according to the India Today 2022 best colleges in India rankings.

    Academic Excellence, Spiritual Vitality and Social Relevance remain the Institution’s guiding principles down the decades.

Mission
   Madras Christian College (MCC) with the inspiration of the love of God offers to people of all communities education of the whole person, which is congruous with God’s revelation in Christ of the true nature of humanity and is appropriate to the needs of India and of the world.

Vision
   Madras Christian College aspires to be an Institution of excellence transforming lives through education with a commitment to service.

   The college offers courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. Students willing to take admissions in undergraduate courses need to pass the eligibility criteria of the Madras Christian College. Candidates must visit the official college portal and get themselves registered for the qualifying examination. As per the MCC admission criteria, students must secure a valid score in the Qualifying examination. For final selection, students have to get their documents verified by the college and pay the fees.

   Students aspiring to MCC PG Admissions are required to sit for the entrance test conducted by Anny University (TANCET) and get a valid score in the examination. For MCC Doctoral admissions students need to take the college entrance examination.

   Management/ Institutional Scholarships are provided to academically deserving and needy students based on the verification of necessary documents. Students can approach Sr. Iona, Finance Officer along with their mentor for details of the same.

Library History
  The College Library was founded in 1863, just a year after Miller arrived. This facility was upgraded to a Consulting Library in 1869, containing dictionaries, atlases, commentaries and books of Reference in every branch of knowledge. This was open for the students of the college for one hour before the commencement and two hours after the college closed. In 1870 about 200 students had free access to the General Library, and over a thousand books were borrowed in a year. It was so efficiently managed that not a single volume was found missing. In 1871, Mrs Margaret Gunn of Latheron, Scotland endowed the Library with a sum of £1000 in memory of her husband Donald Gunn who died in 1869. The interest of this sum was made available for the maintenance of the Library. The Hunter Commission on Education in 1882 gave a high commendation to the richness of the Library, along with that of the Presidency College.

   The system of Class Libraries was introduced in 1886, pertaining to the Departments of Mathematics, Physical Science, Natural Science and Mental and Moral Science. There were more than 100 volumes in each of these class libraries. Miller had a fine library himself which he subsequently donated to the college. A consulting Library was also started with a gift of books from Messrs Blackie & Co. Special class libraries were also introduced, along with an exclusive one for MA students. Interestingly, Professors acted as Librarians in turn. Professor Laidlaw as the Librarian in 1892 printed the catalogue; Professor Kellett in the following year procured several volumes as gifts from prestigious publication houses and individuals, which included the Cambridge University Press, the Clarendon Press; Professor Max Muller himself donated a splendid new edition of his commentary of Rig Veda.

A Reading room where more magazines and periodicals were placed, was opened in 1896. For the first time a full-time official—the Assistant Librarian—P.Rama Aiyar was appointed in 1904. The Library for the Institution’s school was bifurcated with 800 volumes in the year 1909, as until then the Library was also used by the school students of higher classes. With the introduction of the Honours courses in 1911, there were many significant changes, one of which was opening the Library at night between 7 and 9 pm. The Library facilities gradually increased and by 1920 there were more than 7200 volumes stacked in the General Library.

ICT Facilities in the Library
The College Library is partial automated. PALPAP software has been installed with the following five main modules of the library in-house operations.

Acquisition System
Cataloguing System
Circulation System
Serials Control System
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)
Gate Entry Monitoring System

Centres
Institute for Advanced Christian Studies
Institute for Administrative Services Coaching
Dr Devanesen Centre For Human Resource Development
Centre for Peace Studies
Centre for Women’s Studies
Entrepreneurship Development Cell
Ideation Club
Design Studio
Institute Innovation Club
Meston Centre for Teaching and Learning

206,Guduvanchery - Avadi,view

515,Tambaram West - Mamallapuram,view

515,Tambaram West - Kelambakkam Bus Station,view

551,Velachery - T. Acharavakkam,view

515A,Thiruporur To Tambaram West,view

515A,Tambaram West - Vadanemili,view

515A,Tambaram West - Sulerikadu,view

515A,Tambaram West - Kovalam,view

515B,Tambaram West - Thiruporur,view

515A,Mamallapuram,view

55,Tambaram - Vandaloor Gate,view

66,Poonamallee - Tambaram,view

70,Avadi - Tambaram,view

104,Tambaram To Ambathur Estate (Deluxe),view

104,Tambaram - Redhills Bus Terminal (Deluxe),view

105,Tambaram West - Siruseri I.T.Park,view

111,Tambaram - Thiruverkadu,view

118,Tambaram - Maraimalai Nagar I.E,view

166,Tambaram To Tambaram Depot,view

166,Iyyappanthangal - Tambaram,view