First Christian university in India marks 100 years

Sam Higinbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad (SHIATS) last week celebrated the completion of 100 years with thanksgiving and prayer.

The institute was founded by Dr. Sam Higginbottom who was inspired by the Gospel as he contributed greatly towards enhancing agriculture production in the country.

The centenary celebrations from Oct. 25-29 were attended by alumni, students, faculty, scientific fraternity from across the world, and common masses. The family members of Dr. Sam Higginbottom were invited as honoured guests.

"Completing a century of service to the society is a rare achievement for an institution, which has ascended like a crescent moon. Established in 1910, SHIATS has grown, weathering many storms and passing through various vicissitudes from an Institute to a degree awarding Institution with a loyal alumni network in the country and abroad," said the University Registrar, Prof. AK Lawrence.

Prof. Lawrence said the establishment of the Institute was an important landmark in expanding traditions of scientific research in India during twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

"SHIATS being a professional Institution enjoys 100 years of Lord's amazing grace and has served the mankind globally. The Institute has always been an enduring symbol of the very best in Indian scientific research and has maintained the highest standards of academic excellence," he informed.

Formerly Allahabad Agricultural Institute, the institution, one of the oldest agricultural institutes in South Asia and first Christian university in India, became a Deemed University in the year 2000. It was established as an ecumenical institution of Christian churches and church organisations.

Dr. Sam Higginbottom, an English-born Christian missionary, came to India as part of the North India Mission of the Presbyterian Church. It was his dream to establish a school that would train young men to work in villages as well as do research in practical agricultural problems of the villagers.

During the first four decades, the institute pioneered the advancement of agriculture, including introducing pest-resistant high yielding-seeds and improved farm implements and extension programs for farmers.

Although Dr. Higginbottom's commitment to the institute was total, he and his wife still found time to administer a leprosy colony at nearby Naini. They collected funds to build brick houses, a 50-bed hospital, a well equipped dispensary and a separate home where the inmates' disease -free children were given vocational training.