University Grants Commission (UGC), National Institutional Ranking Framework(NIRF)
Autonomous
NAAC A
Co-Ed
About Us
Madras
Christian College traces its origin to the General Assembly School founded by
the Rev. John Anderson, a Missionary from the Church of Scotland on 3rd April
1837. Anderson was a pioneer in introducing English medium education in South
India. He was ably assisted by Rev. Johnston, Rev. Braidwood and Margaret
Locher Anderson. Rev. William Miller who arrived in 1862 upgraded the school to
a college by adding F.A. and B.A., courses in 1865 and 1867. Along with a few
other Protestant missions in Madras, Miller transformed the institution and
named it ‘Madras Christian College’ on 1st January 1877. Miller’s bold academic
vision, supported by the generous contribution from his family members, old
students and the Madras Government raised the most impressive array of college
buildings and hostels (student homes) opposite the High Court complex. Miller
was succeeded by worthy leaders like Professors Skinner, E.M. Macphail, Meston
and Hogg.
The
rapid expansion of the College and the congested physical space necessitated
the shifting of the college from George Town to the 400 acre sylvan Selaiyur
forest in Tambaram. The ‘great migration’ took place on 30th
January 1937 with a thanksgiving service in which the Governor Lord
Erskine participated. Professor Edward Barnes and his wife Alice Barnes, who
lived on the campus since 1932, painstakingly shaped and nurtured the campus,
by planting hundreds of rare plants, and carving out dusty roads. Swiss
Architect Henry Schaetti designed the majestic main buildings. The College
hosted the famous International Missionary Conference in 1938. Women students
were admitted from 1939.
Dr
Alexander Boyd, who was the Principal for 18 long years (1938-’56) further
shaped the character and ethos of the College. He was ably assisted by a host
of European and Indian faculty. Professor J.R. Macphail was the last of
the Scottish Principals to have served the college between 1956 and 1962.
A
new era dawned in 1962 (125th Year of MCC) when Dr Chandran Devanesen took over
as the first Indian Principal, who further enriched the academic stature of the
College and broadened the scope of 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.
The
year 1978 was path-breaking as MCC became one of the earliest colleges to be
granted the status of Autonomy. This status enabled the college to introduce
new courses, innovative curricular changes in tune with changing times and
examination reforms with the focus on learner-centred continuous assessments.
Autonomy also enabled the College to introduce diploma and certificate courses
through the School of Continuing Education. The College also introduced
vocational degree programmes in the Departments of History, Zoology and
Commerce in 1994.
The
Self - Financed Stream was started in 1999. Degree programmes of
contemporary relevance and employability are offered in the Self - Financed
Stream. The College now has thirty-two 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, especially interdisciplinary
options and rationalized the workload of each paper in tune with the credits
awarded.
The
Halls of residence for men - Selaiyur, St. Thomas’s and Heber and the Martin,
Margaret and Barnes for women, contribute to the rich diversity and
hustle-bustle of the campus life. The sprawling sports fields, as well as the
cultural ambience of the college, provide impetus towards students’ personality
and their all-round development.
All
key milestones in the history of the college were befittingly celebrated.
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 with the relocation of the college to the
Tambaram campus. In 1962 (125th Year) Dr S. Radhakrishnan,
our distinguished alumnus, visited the college and the MCC
school in his capacity as the Vice- President and the President of India. The
150th year was commemorated in 1987, with the Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi
participating in the main function and declaring open the Miller Memorial
Library. 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
Rajya Sabha and Dr K. Rosaiah, Governor of Tamilnadu graced the occasion.
“Celebrating History and Serving Humanity” was the theme of
the Quartoseptcentennial year.
100
KVA Solar Power Plant, Commerce Block and IGH Extension wing marked the
175th year celebrations. In the year 2013, the College was reaccredited
by NAAC with A Grade (Highest Grade). In 2016 the College was awarded
the status of ‘College with Potential for Excellence’. The College was
ranked 10th in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2018.
Madras
Christian College established the ‘MCC Boyd Business School’ in 2016, which
aims to offer world-class business education.
The
College is first among the Arts and Science colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu
in meeting the Solar Purchase obligation, as it generates 50 per cent of its
power needs through solar energy.
Academic
excellence, spiritual vitality and social relevance have remained the guiding
principles of the Institution down the decades.
The emblem of
the college is a graphic representation of the philosophy of the
college. The hand at the top of the college emblem has three fingers
raised in blessing. The anchor signifies firmness, something on which to rely
in times of storm. The upper part of the anchor takes the form of a cross.
The Latin motto, ‘In hoc signo', is traced to an important event in
the life of Constantine the great (AD 274-337), the first Christian emperor of
Rome. Before an important battle he saw a cross shining in the sky, and these
words: "in hoc signo vinces..." with this on your banner,
you will win!
Vision statement
Madras Christian
College aspires to be an Institution of excellence, transforming lives through
education with commitment to service.
Mission statement
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 in 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. Academic Excellence, Social Relevance
and Spiritual Vitality are the core values of the Institution.