Pachhunga University College

Pachhunga University College is the oldest and premiere college in Aizawl,Mizoram,India.The College was inaugurated on the day of 11th Independence Day of the country on 15th Aug., 1958 at Aizawl Theatre Hall, then called AIJAL COLLEGE.

The then District Council of Lushai Hills allotted a plot of land towards the eastern periphery of Aizawl town and Mrs Chawngi, wife of Pu Pachhunga the first College Management Board Chairman, came out with a very substantial contribution for the construction of the fledging College and the College was renamed after him as PACHHUNGA MEMORIAL COLLEGE.In 1965, when the Assam Government took over the College under its direct management, the Institution came to be known as PACHHUNGA MEMORIAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE.

On 19th April 1979, the College was taken over by North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and upgraded to a constituent College - the only one of its kind under NEHU, and again rechristened as PACHHUNGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. With the setting up of Mizoram University on 2nd July 2002, this institution has become the only constituent College of the New University

Courses of Study: The College conducts Honours Course in 18 subject areas of Arts, Science and Commerce Stream offering the following Honours subjects

Arts: 1 English 2 Mizo 3 Economics 4 Education 5 History 6 Political Science 7 Sociology 8 Geography 9 Psychology 10 Philosoph Science: 1 Physics 2 Chemistry 3 Botany 4 Zoology 7 Statistics 6 Geology 7 Statistics Commerce:

Three more subjects, namely, Computer Science, Public Administration and Bio – Technology are being introduced from the 2005 – 2006 academic session. Remedial Course in Functional English has also been started

College Enrolment & Results: The total number of students in 2003 was 688 and in 2004, it was 697.

Faculty Position: The College at present has 91 teaching posts out of which 42 teachers have doctoral degree and 6 of them have M.Phil as their highest qualification. At present 8 teachers are pursuing their studies leading to Ph.D degree.

Library Facilities: One of the largest institutional Libraries in North Eastern India with a rich stock of books, journals, magazines and Newspapers. Open-shelf system gives the students easy access to books. Spacious Reading Circles help the scholars to browse through books and journals at leisure. Yet to be computerized, the vast and varied areas for improvement are not overlooked and measures are being taken for up-gradation and modernization of system in the library.

Laboratory Facilities: All the seven Science Departments have functional laboratories. The laboratories are being equipped with sophisticated instruments to enable the students to carry out practicals not only at the honours level but even at the advanced level of experimental work. Practical facilities for Geography and Psychology have been updated.

The 60 lakh project ‘ Seismological Observatory’ has been functioning since 2002 with ultra-sensitive recorder and highly advanced computerized processing instruments.

Infrastructure Development: The original buildings of the College are no more in sight at present. In 1981 the main building was gutted by fire at the hands of some miscreants. Since then, construction of buildings was carried out in a phase manner. The present infrastructure consists of the following :

(a) Administrative Building :This is a two storeyed RCC building housing the Principal’s Chamber, the Vice-Principal’s Office, the Assistant Registrar’s Office, Establishment Section, Finance Section, Lecturers’ Common Room and twelve Departmental rooms.

(b) Academic Block-I  : This three storeyed academic Block consists mainly of class rooms, Departmental staff rooms for three subjects and Practical Rooms for Physics, Geography and Geology.

(c) Academic Block-II : This three storeyed buildings is used mainly for classrooms, Psychology Practical room and an extended shed at the ground floor for Carpentry works.

(d) Academic Block- III : Also called Science Block accommodates all the science students. Apart from Laboratories, it includes Departmental Staff rooms for Zoology, Botany and Chemistry.

(e) Library Building : The College has a separate Library building away from the administrative Building and other academic buildings. A fairly rich collection of books to the tune of 40,000; select references, elevated porch as reading circles for Lecturers and students separately add to the value and attractiveness of the library.

(f) Hostel : An eighty seater Boys’ Hostel has been functioning since 1975, meeting the accommodation needs of students from remote areas. Girls’ Hostel with a capacity of 48, already constructed is yet to be occupied. A new 50 seater RCC type Hostel building is under construction likely to be completed in a few months’ time.

(g) College Canteen : This Assam-type building is conveniently located between the Arts and Science Blocks. There has been a proposal to construct a new Canteen of larger dimension having separate enclosures for Teaching and Non- Teaching Staff away from the students General Hall.

(h) Students’ Common Room : This is an Assam type building in which all the indoor games other then Badminton are played during the College Week. Two Table Tennis Boards are placed in the room. The Room can also be used for holding minor functions and for examination purpose.

(i) Seismological Observatory : Within the Campus in a relatively isolated mound is located a Seismological Observatory, the only one of its kind in Mizoram, manned by Geology Department of the College and sponsored by Department of Science and Technology ( DST ), Delhi. This Observatory has been in operation since 2002.

(j) Other buildings : Scattered here and there within the College Campus are the Principal’s Quarters, five Teachers’ Quarters, Students’ Union Office, Drivers’ Room and few Non- Teaching Staff quarters.

(k) Future Projects :The Advisory Committee for the management of Pachhunga University College has passed for the construction of one more Academic Building during the 10th Plan period. A Master Plan for the maximum utilization of the 760 acre Campus is also being drawn up.

Research and Allied Activities: The Department of Botany took up a research project during 1998-2004 sponsored by ST and E, Government of Mizoram. Department of Physics undertook a research project under UGC during 2001-2004. During the same period, the Department completed another project sponsored by D.A.E. The Department of geology is having research collaborations with IIG, NGRI, CMVAACS, (Manipur University) and DST (Delhi). The Seismological Observatory planted inside the Campus started functioning since 2002 gathering informations that are highly significant for research purpose.

Details of any specific Teaching Equipment acquired by the Department/Research facilities created in the College

The College takes pain to procure a number of sophisticated instruments for science laboratories of different subjects. As for research facilities, the College land itself, the College library and Science laboratories offer room for researchers for consultation and experimental works.

Any other/highlights/activities of the College

(a) Students’ Union  : An active Students’ Union, of which all the students are members, provides a forum for democratic governance of corporate activities. The Students’ Union conducts the Annual College Week, Freshers’ Social and publishes Annual Magazine apart from other activities

(b) Co-Curricular Activities : The NSS (National Service Scheme) of the College has a high profile and a fairly long tradition. In addition to NSS, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Youth Adventure Club, and a host of newly formed clubs cater to the special interest areas of individual students. The Evangelical Union (E.U.) too, provides spiritual support to students, promotes fraternity and establishes healthy atmosphere.

(c)Incentive Schemes:

(1) Student Merit Awards are given to toppers and high achievers in the Annual and University Examinations.

(2) The College sends out every year two batches of students for educational tour to visit different places of India for which selection is made primarily on the basis of good attendance and contribution in voluntary activities.

(3) As part of syllabus for Degree Science as well as Psychology and Geography students, field studies are organized every academic session.

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