Senate of Serampore College (University)

Since Serampore was then a Danish colony, King Frederick VI, the King of Denmark, issued Serampore College its Royal Charter of Incorporation on 23 February 1827, in Copenhagen, Denmark (Charter, 1, Charter, 2, Charter, 3). The charter came in response to Baptist missionary Joshua Marshman's visit to King Frederick in August 1826; the charter gave Serampore College the privilege of awarding degrees in Arts and Theology. Baptist missionaries William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and John Clark Marshman (Joshua's son) were designated as members of the first Council. At its opening, the Trio released a prospectus which proposed "A College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in Eastern Literature and European Science." The college was open to all persons of any caste or creed, and the founders ensured that no denominational test would apply to faculty members.

After 22 February 1845 when Denmark sold all of its Indian assets to Britain, the management and operation of the college continued without interruption under the direction of a master and council. In 1856 the Baptist Missionary Society in England took over the management of the college and, in 1857, the college became affiliated with the newly established University of Calcutta and became a constituent college of that university. In 1883 the college closed as an arts college and began functioning as a Christian Training Institution and a theological institute for the Baptist churches in Bengal.

The Royal charter has also been confirmed by the Bengal Govt Act. IV of 1918.

The recognition for theological degrees in India comes primarily from the ecclesiastical bodies which accept and endorse the syllabi of such degrees for the purpose of training their clergy, pastors and laity to serve the Church and society. The theological degrees awarded by the Senate of Serampore College are widely accepted by theological seminaries and universities worldwide. The curriculum contains the syllabi of different courses in religion and culture including the study of Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Theology, Study of other Major Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Pastoral Care and Counselling, Christian Education, Communication, Social Analysis, History of Christianity, Missiology, Contextual Theologies and Christian Ministry.[2][3]

The Senate of Serampore draws its power to award degree from the Royal Charter awarded by King Frederick VI of Denmark, giving the Senate of Serampore College the status of a degree granting university.[4] Through the Danish Charter, Serampore became the first institution[5] in India to be given the status of a university. It confers its own degrees in Theology under the power vested by the Charter and Act of Serampore College.

Senate of Serampore College (University) practices autonomy in the preparation of the curriculum in partnership with the affiliated colleges. National Assessment and Accreditation Council has given its accreditation for secular degree programs of Serampore College which is awarded through the affiliation of University of Calcutta.

Presently, the Senate of Serampore College (University) restricts itself to award of degrees pertaining to theology.

The following are the degrees awarded to students through its affiliated colleges throughout India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka:

• Serampore College[14] (Theology Department), Serampore
• South Asia Theological Research Institute,[15] Serampore

Affiliated centres as of 2014 for the purpose of Diploma in Clinical Pastoral Counselling.

• Karnataka
  • Christian Medical Association of India,[14] Bangalore
• Kerala
  • Life Enrichment Counselling and Training Centre,[14] Idukki district
  • Mar Thoma Hospital Guidance,[14] Trivandrum
  • T. M. A. Institute of Counselling,[14] Kottayam
• Tamil Nadu
• Christian Medical College, Vellore,[14] Vellore

• Official website