Women's Christian College (WCC)

  Women's Christian College (WCC) was founded in 1915 by the combined effort of 12 Missionary Societies of inter-denominational and international nature located in Britain, Canada and the United States of America with a mission to provide higher education to the women of India in liberal arts and sciences. The mission of the college is to provide “a complete, meaningful and relevant education to women so that they are intellectually well-trained, morally upright, socially aware and spiritually inspired.”  

  A year after its inception in the leased premises of Hyde Park in 1915, the College moved to Doveton House, a stately colonial mansion built by Benjamin Roebeck circa 1798.  The Doveton House, which serves as the Administrative Block and had witnessed many significant moments in the century old journey of WCC, had its own place in the pages of history even prior to 1915.  A magnificent three-storey garden house in Nungambakkam and the second to be built on the banks of the 72 km long River Cooum, it is named after John Doveton, a Lieutenant General with the Madras Cavalry of East India Company.

  WCC, known for the architectural elegance of its buildings, is also a standing testimony to the selfless contributions and service of many in its early years. While the purchase of Doveton House was made possible by the generous donation from the legacy of Ms. Laura Spelman Rockefeller, the Main Hostel and the Science Block were the result of the educationists’ efforts and the committed fundraising initiative of Miss Lucy Peabody, a renowned American teacher and missionary leader.
 

  The Chapel, one of the most cherished buildings on campus and located at its geometric centre, was the generous and anonymous gift of an American friend, a lady who remains unknown to this day.

   The Clock Tower, standing tall from across Doveton House with its four clock faces that can be viewed from any direction, and erected in honour of Miss McDougall by her brother in 1937, is yet another feature that adds to the beauty and legacy of this beautiful campus.

  Legend has it that Tippu Sultan’s sons were entrusted to the care of Doveton in this very mansion, when they were taken hostage after the Third Mysore War. It is also claimed that Edward Clive, Robert Clive’s son, who was the Governor of Madras from 1798 to 1803, used Doveton House during the weekends
  On record, Doveton House served as the ‘prison’ for the Gaekwad of Baroda’s internment in 1875, for an attempt on the life of the British Resident in his State. The building also houses the tallest Elephant Porch in the city. It is referred to thus, as the Gaekwad of Baroda is said to have stepped straight out of his howdah onto the first floor of Doveton House in the days when royal elephants stood at a shoulder-height of 12 feet.
  When the Government acquired Doveton House in 1893, a Judge of the High Court, Sir Ralph Benson and his family were the residents of this mansion for the next ten years.

  In 1914, a session of the Indian National Congress was held in a pavilion erected on the grounds.

   In 1916, Miss Eleanor McDougall, the first Principal of Women’s Christian College bought Doveton House along with 11 acres of land for the princely sum of Rs. 63,000 ($25,000), and it remains the pride of the Institution to this day.

  Women’s Christian College, placed first among all women’s colleges in South India by the MHRD in the NIRF rating in 2017, is known for its high standards of education and outstanding achievements in teaching-learning, research and extension activities.

   At its inception, the College had 41 students and 7 members of staff. Today it has over 4000 students, 185 faculty members and 110 non-teaching staff. Autonomous since 1982, the College is affiliated to the University of Madras. It was accredited by NAAC with an A+ Grade in 2019. The College was awarded the prestigious status of College with Potential for Excellence by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2016, a fitting testimony to the remarkable progress made in the last century.

   WCC offers a wide range of metacognitive and need-based programmes at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research levels to women from national and regional communities and varied socio-economic backgrounds. With its introduction of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in 2004 and the Semester Abroad Programmes in the last decade, WCC caters to the wide range of interests among students today.

  At WCC, students get the opportunity to get a job offer through the on-campus placement drives/programmes organized by the placement coordinators.  The students have managed to get placed in some of the top ranked companies in India, having been offered jobs in various sectors ranging from Banks, IT Companies, ITES, KPOs and educational institutions. They have been recruited in various jobs in different levels in these organisations.

  As the demand for access to academic and cross-cultural learning are increasing, WCC has been responding to the growing need and provide the students access to an affordable range of diverse study opportunities across the world through the linkages established with other institutions.  This paves the way for students to experience life and learning outside India and become globally competent.  With a keen eye to enter into Internaional Collaborations, WCC has tied up with many top notch international universities to promote and facilitate academic and cross cultural learning and academic mobility through innovative and affordable exchange and study abroad programmes.  Over 100 students have benefitted from this and have had opportunity to receive education from some of the finest institutions around the world.

   One of the most striking features of the Women’s Christian College campus is its tree cover. Stepping through the gates of the college, any visitor to the college is undoubtedly struck by the numerous trees that line both sides of the driveway. WCC displays an astonishing diversity of trees, with more than 100 species of native and exotic trees growing in the  Green campus.  Trees are a part of the history of the college, as well as an indisputable part of the sentiment that students and faculty attach to the institution. The magnificent Tabebuia rosea near the clock tower was planted by the first Principal of the college in 1915. It is the oldest tree on campus and is a witness to campus history.  The campus itself is a picture of serenity in the heart of the bustling city.

  WCC encourages involvement in both curricular and extra curricular activities to allow students to explore various opportunities based on their interests and requirements.  In line with its Vision, MCC provides Physical Education, Extension activities, clubs, college play & choir, NCC, student leadership programs, value education, career guidance, student counselling,  Innovation Counsil,  Certificate course and Swayam. 

   Strengthen and integrate academic excellence, social responsibility, environmental stewardship and Christian values.

    Create an environment that values intellectual curiosity, augmenting a technologically enhanced learning community that engages in scientific research, humanistic scholarship, artistic creation, global awareness, and skill development.

    Foster nation-building and rededicate itself to women’s education and empowerment.

   The College aims to provide a complete, meaningful, and relevant education to women so that they are intellectually well-trained, morally upright, socially aware, and spiritually inspired.

  All the eligible applications will be arranged according to their merit under various categories mandated by the Tamilnadu Government (Open category/ BC/ MBC/DNC/ SC/ST) and sent to the respective Departments.

Departments will select eligible candidates according to merit in various categories and send it to the Scrutiny Committee.

  Further checks on authenticity and eligibility will be done by a 3 to 4 member Scrutiny Committee comprising senior faculty from various departments and recommended to the Admission Officers.

  Admission Officers will check the format and send the selected lists for display in the online portal.

  Simultaneously candidates will receive SMS and email. Provisional Selection Notice can be downloaded from the candidate login in our college website. If the fee is not paid online within the stipulated date, the candidate will forfeit the seat. The seat will be allocated to the candidates in the next list.

   Students will have to report on the registration date for certificate verification with the documents mentioned in the Provisional Selection Notice.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Campus Placements

  At WCC , students get the opportunity to get a job offer through our placement programmes and our students have managed to get placed in some of the top ranked companies in India. 

  The on-campus recruitment drives were organised by the placement coordinators. Our students have been offered jobs in various companies which range from Banks, IT Companies, ITES, KPOs to educational institutions. They have been recruited in various jobs in different levels in these organisations.

Email: cgc@wcc.edu.in

Some of the companies that have visited our campus for recruitment since 2002

 As the demand for access to academic and cross-cultural learning are increasing, WCC has been responding to the growing need. WCC provides the students access to an affordable range of diverse study opportunities across the world through the linkages established with other institutions.  

 This paves the way for students to experience life and learning outside India and become globally competent.  WCC has tied up with many top notch international universities to promote and facilitate academic and cross  cultural learning and academic mobility through innovative and affordable exchange and study abroad  programmes. 

 100+ students have benefitted from and have had opportunity to receive education from some of the finest institutions around the world.

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Scholarship

1. Central Government Scholarship 

  Post Matric Minority Scholarship  This scholarship is offered by the Central Government to students belonging to minority communities like Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians etc. Scholarship is offered based on the income of the parents. Announcements are made by the Government through an advertisement in the newspaper. Students can apply online through the

2. Government of Tamil Nadu 

Shift 1

SC/ ST Scholarship

BC/ MBC/ de-notified communities Scholarship

Shift 2

SC/ ST Scholarship

3.Management Scholarship 

  Management scholarship is a merit cum means scholarship and it is sanctioned based on the recommendations of the department and discretion of the Principal.

4. Scranton Scholarship

5. Blue Oval Scholarship

  No 4 & 5 – based on the criteria mentioned by the Donor students are chosen through a selection process

 Library

  The Information Resource Centre (IRC), the erstwhile library, was initially located in the upper floor of Doveton House with the collection of donated books by friends of the college. Mrs. James Sidney Allen, President of the American Association Board, laid the foundation stone of the new library building on 28th January, 1966 and a time capsule, the second of its kind in WCC, with the signatures of staff and students, buried in the foundation. The American Associate Board and the UGC helped with funds for this project, and the alumnae of Mount Holyoke College generously equipped the library with books, periodicals and journals.

   Currently, the 91345 sq.mt library building of 420 seating capacity houses 92000 plus print documents and wide range of e-resources. The library works from 7.30am to 6.00pm on all working days and is open for all students and staff of the college. Apart from the required standard infrastructure, the library is Wi-Fi enabled, and has a fully automated Library Management System with bar-code/RFID facility.

Career Guidance

Email: cgc@wcc.edu.in

  The Career Guidance Cell has been developed in WCC with the primary objective to provide career counseling and employment guidance which assists students to make informed decisions regarding shaping their own future.  It helps the students realize their own potential by instilling soft skills, managerial skills, the ability to communicate and enhancing their personality, all of which will make them better employable.

  Since its inception, the Career Guidance Cell has placement coordinators from Shift I and Shift II who collaborate with various corporate firms and training agencies to facilitate training needs, internships and on- campus/ off-campus recruitments. This is done by interfacing with student representatives from each department for all the students of WCC, which encompass a diverse population.

  The Career Guidance Cell conducts recruitment drives with Corporate firms. Every recruitment process incorporates the following:

Pre-placement talk about the organisation

Aptitude test (online or written)

Group discussion

Telephonic interview

Technical interview

HR interview

  Over the years, students have been successfully placed in the following companies through the campus recruitment process. The list of companies include Deloitte, Cognizant, Wipro, Infosys, Ernst- Young, Sutherland, HCL, Zoho, Amazon, YES Bank, ICICI, Standard Chartered, Kotak Mahindra, Indian Public School and  DOMEX.

  The Career Guidance Cell caters to the needs of students by conducting Workshops and Seminars on Personality Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Communication Skills, Interview Skills and Presentation Skills to encourage the holistic development of individuals.  Students have also participated in Education Fairs which create awareness about the importance of higher studies abroad.  

Student Counselling

Vikaas – The Student Counselling Centre

  As students embark on a journey to personal excellence and empowerment, Vikaas – The Student Counselling Centre of WCC is well equipped to offer students a plethora of services that aim to develop in them a will to win, an urge to learn and a desire to grow towards reaching their full potential. 

About Vikaas

  Vikaas, the Sanskrit equivalent for “overall development” is the Student Counselling Centre of WCC.  The unit was started in 1985 as a Project of the Department of Psychology. The counselling services at Vikaas are aimed at enabling students to lead a fulfilling, fruitful and responsible life and to be effective contributing members of the society. 

Mission

  To provide professional counselling services in a confidential setting for the psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing of students as they pursue academic goals and explore personal growth.

Objectives of Vikaas

  The goal of Vikaas is to provide students with holistic development through academic, career and personal counselling and is achieved through the following objectives:

  To help students identify and attain their educational and career goals

  To promote personal growth and social development of students

  To guide students in becoming active, responsible and self-disciplined citizens

  To encourage and assist students in making informed personal and professional choices

  To equip students with essential skills such as personal independence, confidence, self-sufficiency, motivation and resilience through developmental workshops

Hours and Location

  The counselling services are offered to students of  Shift I and Shift II from 9 am to 12.30 pm and 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm respectively.

  The counselling services are offered in a place which is not associated with the Psychology department to avoid the stigma associated with seeking counselling.

  It also ensures anonymity to students. The counselling room is a large well-ventilated room, with comfortable seating arrangement. Privacy is maintained as the entry to the room is regulated. Counselling is usually offered by appointment; except in cases of emergency.

Activities of Vikaas

Orientation Programmes

  The first years of UG and PG courses from the Aided and Self-Financed streams are given an orientation programme about the counselling services of Vikaas. The counsellor meets with the respective departments of the Aided and Self-Financed streams of the College to give the induction programme. Students are encouraged to visit the centre and make use of the services provided at Vikaas. They are given a brief overview about the various activities of Vikaas. 

Individual Counselling

  Psychological Counselling is offered to individual students relating to issues like concentration, time management, study habits, shyness, insecurity, self-confidence, exam fear, communication skills, interpersonal relationships, family, career and health. 

Workshops on Life Skills

  Workshops on Life Skills are conducted on a regular basis for students on personality development with the aim to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills and values that would enhance their overall functioning 

Psychological Assessments

  Psychological Assessments on personality, intelligence, vocational interest & aptitude are available at Vikaas. The centre is equipped with 12 such assessment materials and students are encouraged to take these tests to be more aware of their skills and attributes. Psychological assessments serve as an instrument for students to achieve self-improvement and personal growth. 

Library

  Vikaas has a small library that has about 255 books on self-help. Students are encouraged to borrow these books and be benefitted by them. 

Healthy Practices

Assembly Programme

  An Assembly hour is included in the regular timetable as a weekly feature. A special committee arranges interesting and meaningful programmes in diverse fields to provide students an overview of social, cultural, political, environmental, and global issues. Students are expected to attend all programmes. 

Advisor – Advisee System

  Faculty Advisors are assigned to groups of students to counsel them on curricular, co-curricular and personal matters.