Aizawl Theological College

Aizawl Theological College
Motto	Service to God and Humankind
Established	1907
Principal	Rev. Dr. C. Lalhlira
Location	Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	Senate of Serampore College (University), Serampore 712 201, Hooghly District, West Bengal, India

Aizawl Theological College is an ecumenical seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Aizawl, Mizoram, India. It is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).^[1] The college is owned by the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and administered by the Mizoram Synod through its Theological Education Board.^[2] Hundreds of pastors and church leaders have received their academic training and ministerial formation under the standards laid down by the Senate of Serampore College since its inception in 1907.

Location

The college in located at the top of a mountain, north of Aizawl, the state capital of Mizoram. Aizâwl is easily accessible by road and air. There are several public transportation such as taxi, bus and other services from Guwahati, Shillong, Churachandpur and Silchar to Aizawl and vice versa. Aizawl is connected by air-flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal.

History

Aizâwl Theological College was started by Rev. D.E. Jones, popularly known as Pu Zosâphluia among the Mizos, in 1907 as a humble theological school to train native Christians for various ministries of the church. It was originally named "Aijal Theological School". In 1924, the theological school was shifted from Aizâwl to Durtlâng at the present site of the Presbyterian Hospital. Rev. F.J. Sandy managed the administration. But Sundy unexpectedly died and the school was moved back to Aizawl proper, and headed by Rev. E.L. Mendus. The school was closed in 1937 affected by circumstances of the Second World War. It was revived in 1964 to become a proper theological college. Rev. J.M. Lloyd became the first designated Principal and the college was located at Mission Vêngthlang, Aizâwl. The Senate of Serampore College granted affiliation to the college at the level of Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.) in 1965. The college was then officially named "Aizawl Theological College." When Rev. J.M. Lloyd returned to Wales he was succeeded by Rev. C. Pazâwna who became the first Mizo Principal of the College. He remained in office for seventeen years. In 1971, the College was upgraded to the B. Th. level by the Senate of Serampore College, replacing the L. Th. diploma course programme. In 1994 that the Senate of Serampore College allowed Aizâwl Theological College to start the B.D. programme. In June 1998 the Council for Academic Affairs of the Senate of Serampore College granted Aizâwl Theological College the status of a full-fledged B.D. College. The Master of Theology (M. Th) programme in Christian Theology had been introduced since 2002 and M. Th. (New Testament and Missiology) and Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) respectively are also being introduced from 2007 academic session.^[3]

List of Principalships

(Name of the Principal, Period,)

Rev. D. E. Jones,
Rev. F. J. Sandy,
Rev. E. L. Mendus,
Rev. J. M. Lloyd,
Rev. C. Pazâwna,
Rev. Lalsâwma,
Rev. Lalchhuanliana (1981-1986),
Rev. C. Biakmawia (1986-1990),
Rev. H. Remthanga (1990-1993),
Rev. C. Rosiama (1993-1994),
Rev. Dr. Zaihmingthanga (1994-1999),
Rev. Dr. H. Vànlalauva (1999-2007),
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad (2008-2010),
Rev. Dr. Vanlalchhuanawma (2011-),
Rev. Dr. C. Lalhlira

Courses offered

Certificate Course in Christian Studies
Bachelor of Christian Studies
Master of Christian Studies
Bachelor of Divinity
Master of Theology
Doctor of Theology

Publications

The Mizoram Journal of Theology, an academic journal is also published bi-annually since 1999.
Didakhe, a bimonthly theological journal has been published since 1972, with a circulation of 4,700 copies. This is an important medium by which theological discussions on relevant issues are kept alive.

References

↑ "Graduate & Post-graduate Colleges". Senate of Serampore. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
↑ "ATC run by Mizoram Synod". Synod Info. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
↑ Vanlalauva, H. "Aizawl Theological College-in Kum 100 hmel a hmu ta" [Aizawl Theological College has turned 100] (in Mizo). Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod. Retrieved 12 January 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aizawl Theological College.

Official site of Aizawl Theological College

Coordinates: 23°45′42″N 92°44′06″E / 23.7616°N 92.7350°E / 23.7616; 92.7350

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