Five star status symbolises excellence. Normally, it is associated with the hotel industry, but the concept of ranking is fast catching up in other sectors too. In the educational field, such an innovation is something welcome, what with standards falling in so many institutions with a distinguished past. The National Assessment and Accreditation Committee (NAAC) is to visit the University of Madras from August 21 to 24, 2000. The committee will assess the performance of the University, its curricular activities, infrastructure, research and other aspects of teaching and learning, and accordingly rank it. The University of Madras, one of the three oldest in the country, is naturally hoping for the coveted five stars.
Modelled on the London University, the University of Madras was set up on September 5, 1857, by an Act of the Legislative Council of India. However, the need for an institute for higher education in the then Madras Presidency was felt nearly two decades earlier. On November 11, 1839, Advocate General George Norton presented before the Governor of Madras, The Right Honourable Lord John Elphinstone G.C.H, a Public Address signed by nearly 70,000 native residents of the Madras Presidency. It was the first demand for a system of higher education. Lord Elphinstone evolved a plan for the establishment of a Central Collegiate Institution or a "university", with twin departments: a High School for the cultivation of English Literature, Regional language, Philosophy and Science, and a College providing instruction in the higher branches of literature, philosophy and science.
Although the University board was established in January 1840 itself, and the High School (Department of the University) in 1841, a systematic educational policy for India came after 14 years with the historic Wood Education Despatch. It was only in 1923 that the of Vice Chancellor was made a full-time officer. The Act of 1923 also prepared the grounds for the creation of new Universities through encouragement of higher teaching and research centres. Also, the act encouraged the organisation of student unions, extension boards and athletic clubs to promote the corporate spirit among colleges.
The territorial ambit of the University then spanned from Berhampur in Orissa, and included areas that now comprise the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Today the University covers only a few districts of the state of Tamil Nadu. However, it is the Parent University to the popular universities in South India like Madurai Kamraj University, Bharatidasan University and Anna University, among others. Seven private colleges, including what we now know as the Madras Christian College were established between 1858 and 1871. By 1904, there were 62 Arts colleges and 6 professional colleges.
In 1901-1902 only one woman student qualified for the BA degree, but with the effort to promote women's education, three women's colleges were established by 1904. Today 188 colleges come under Madras University. This includes 113 Arts and Science colleges, 56 engineering colleges, eight colleges for Education, three for Arts and Crafts, six Oriental Title Institutions and one college each for law and physical education. More than two lakh students study in these institutions and the number of faculty exceeds 55,000. In 1981, the Institute for Correspondence Education was set up and offers courses in nine subjects. The Institute has 18 full-time faculty. Besides the service of University and college teachers is also taken for preparing study material, and handling classes in the Personal Contact programmes.
What we now recognise as the main campus of the University of Madras, was originally the Artillery Park of the Nawab of Carnatic. Initially the administrative offices of the University were located in the "High School of the University", at Egmore. In 1870, it was shifted to the Presidency College. In 1869, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the stately Senate House. Built by Robert Chisholm, this magnificent building has been described by architects and conservationists as a "work of sheer genius" and perhaps the "finest example of Indo-Saracenic architecture". The Senate House was opened to students in 1879. In 1913, the construction of other buildings, north of the Senate House, started.
Once again the Indo-Saracenic style was used in such a manner that the new buildings would integrate with the splendour of Chisholm's Senate House. However, the work came to a halt when the first world war began and the construction was completed only by 1936. Since the University did not have a home of its own, many 'villas' and buildings were taken on lease. 'Moore's garden' in Nungambakkam served as the establishment for the Professors and Readers of the University. "Limbdi Gardens" and "Thambu Villa" in Royapettah, and small buildings in the Agri-Horticultural societies housed several departments. The 'Marine Villa' which was the Nawab of Carnatic's pavilion by the river Couum was also leased. The University Library building was later constructed on the site of the 'Marine villa'.
An entire generation of students who have passed out of the University of Madras have fond memories of the convocation ceremony held at the University's senate House. For nearly 25 years after Independence, the University went from strength to strength under Vice-Chancellor Lakshmanswami Mudaliar. In 1952, the University Grants Commission was introduced, and the impact on the University's finances was significant. Ample funds were provided for the implementation of various research and development plans. These were made good use of, and the University grew in stature. The Post-Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences was set up in 1969. Later, the various departments were grouped into different schools and campuses. In the 1990s the credit based system was introduced in various University departments. This promotes interaction between departments and encourages students to learn a variety of subjects.
Lack of funds, poor infrastructure, outdated syllabi, and a host of other problems, plague the University today. Some steps like introduction of self-financing colleges have been taken. But a lot more needs to be done. The current state of the University of Madras can be compared to that of its Senate House Building. While the signs of its brilliance and past glory are evident, the building now seems to cry for attention and maintenance. The foundations for the University too are strong, but it is also in a state of neglect. Those in charge need to take remedial steps, stem the rot and take necessary steps to improve infrastructure, funds and modernise the curriculum to suit the needs of modern society. If action is not taken soon, both the University and its Senate hall might become 'glorious ruins'.
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