Forman Christian College

Forman Christian College was founded in Lahore, British India by Presbyterian Christian missionary Charles William Forman as Rang Mahal School, a Christian mission school. Forman arrived in Calcutta in what was then colonial India in 1847 and, two years later, settled in Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan). The school added a college department in 1865 which later became a university in 2005 known as Forman Christian College University. It started offering an American-style world-class education in Pakistan. FCCU started new postgraduate courses along with MBA in 2007. In 1972, the government in Pakistan took over all private schools, including the one linked to Forman. In 2003, the school was given back to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Nowadays, a group of Pakistani Christian leaders oversees the college. In 2004, FCCU became a chartered university. This means they can create their own lessons, hold exams, and give out degrees. As of the fall of 2022, over 9,000 students are enrolled at the university. Native to Lahore, Surendra Kumar Datta was a professor of history and biology from 1909 to 1914 and served as the principal of Forman Christian College from 1932 to 1942, later becoming the president of the All India Conference of Indian Christians and representing the Christian community of colonial India in the Round Table Conferences. One of Forman's faculty members, Prof. Arthur Compton, conducted the bulk of his research on cosmic rays at FCC University for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1927. One of Professor Compton's former students Professor Piara Singh Gill taught at the college as lecturer in Physics between 1940 and 1947. Two alumni, Sir S. S. Bhatnagar and Bashir Ahmad, laid the foundation for scientific and industrial research in both parts of South Asia by establishing ICSIR and PCSIR respectively. The first two Science graduates of FC College University were also the first Science graduates of the University of the Punjab (1900–1902). In this way FCCU was the first to establish, in this part of the sub-continent, Departments of Biology (1898), Greek, Latin and Hebrew Languages (1895–96), Industrial Chemistry (1917), Geography (1924), setting up the Experimental Psychology Laboratory, introducing the tutorial system (1908), appointing Deans of the Faculties introducing co-educational system (1902), and establishing an alumni Association (1896). Besides this FCCU also started Software engineering, CS, and IT in 2006. == Campus ==

Forman Christian College University has a 108-acre vast campus. As student enrollment continues to rise, ongoing efforts are directed toward improving the facilities. This includes renovations and expansions in administrative and academic buildings, as well as faculty and staff housing. Notable additions on the campus following denationalization include the Armacost Science Building, Hope Tower, Mercy Health Care facility, the Light of Hope Elementary School, and the Media Center. All of these structures signify the institution's commitment to modern education and research. In addition, the men's hostels, originally built in the 1940s, have undergone complete renovations, now offering modern amenities and comfortable living spaces. The institution overall has four hostels for intermediate students, two for graduate and undergraduate male students and one for female students, the Hope Tower built in 2014. Recently, the institution has constructed a Campus Center. This multipurpose facility features an auditorium, Forman Business Incubation Centre, a dining hall, meeting rooms, and offices. the Mian Nisar Elahi Pharmacy Labs. The project was completed with the assistance of the ATS Group of Industries and is expected to enhance pharmaceutical education in the University. ==Achievements==

Achievements of other Formanites, as the graduates are called, include: • Its Principal J. C. R. Ewing was knighted for his services to humanity and education. He served as Vice Chancellor of the Punjab University for seven years. • Formanite—alumnus and teacher of the college—Muhammad Yusuf Hashmi became the first Indian Principal of Madrasa 'Aliya in Calcutta, was recognized as an educator of distinction in British India and was titled Khan Bahadur by the British Crown. Later he was recognized in Pakistan also for his contributions to education and the Pakistan Movement. • Principal C. H. Rice and a faculty member, Khairat M. Ibne Rasa, became vice chancellors of the Punjab University. • Justice Sir Mian Abdur Rashid, who was a Formanite and also the first chief justice of Pakistan, administered the oath of office to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the first governor general. • The English poet and scholar Alamgir Hashmi served as lecturer in English at Forman Christian College (early 1970s) and as faculty advisor to Folio. ==Accreditation==

The university has designed its four-year bachelor's degree program in accordance with the standards for accreditation in the U.S., and is seeking accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). ==Commemorative stamp==

Forman Christian College has received a commemorative postage stamp in the celebration of completing the successful 150 years. Issued by Pakistan Post, The stamp highlights a Sinclair Hall which was built to mark the centenary of FC College and was named after a devoted Principal Dr EJ Sinclair who served FCC for many years as a faculty member and Principal. == Tradition ==

Forman Christian College University alumni and faculty buried a time capsule in 2014 during their 11th Alumni Association Reunion, marking the university's 150th year. The capsule, containing items like publications, mugs, and personal notes, was sealed in a glass cube and buried in a lined pit next to Sinclair Hall's fountain. It will be opened in fifty years. == International linkage ==

Global Liberal Arts Alliance The Council of Independent Colleges - USA Association of American International Colleges and Universities New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) ==Notable alumni==

Politicians • Surendra Kumar Datta, president of the All India Conference of Indian Christians who represented the Indian Christian community in the Round Table Conferences • Farooq Leghari, former president of Pakistan. • Syed Afzal Haider, former Pakistani law minister • Balram Jakhar (1923–2016), an Indian politician, parliamentarian, and former governor of Madhya Pradesh. • Rafique Rajwana, Governor of Punjab. • Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of Mian Nawaz Sharif • Pyare Lal Kureel, Indian politician, Dalit activist and Urdu poet • Yashwant Singh Parmar, founder and first chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, India • Syed Abid Hussain Shah, landlord and Pakistan's central and provincial minister Bureaucrats and diplomats • Roedad Khan, former Secretary General Ministry of Interior. • Jamsheed Marker, United Nations Under-secretary General, Ambassador at Large of Pakistan (honorary doctorate) • Sajjad Saleem Hotiana, civil servant of Government of Pakistan in Grade-22 Judiciary • Justice (retired) Wajihuddin Ahmed, Former Candidate for Presidential Election against Pervaiz Musharraf, Former Supreme Court Judge • Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Former Chief Justice Peshawar High Court, Supreme Court of Pakistan Judge • Sir Abdul Rasheed, First Chief Justice of Pakistan • Justice (retired) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Educators and scholars • Kauser Abdulla Malik, secretary of the National Commission on Biotechnology. • Eqbal Ahmad, post-colonial scholar and writer • Ishtiaq Ahmed, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Stockholm University and Honorary Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore • Cecil Chaudhry, a decorated war hero, who served as the Principal of St. Anthony's College (Lahore) • Mohini Maya Das, associate national secretary of the YWCA for India, Ceylon, and Burma • Bipan Chandra, eminent historian • Anwar Nasim, nuclear scientist and molecular biologist • Georg Pfeffer (1943–2020), German anthropologist • Rama Tirtha, Indian teacher of the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta • Khan Bahadur Muhammad Yusuf Syed-Al-Hashmi, educator, mentor, reformer, All India Muslim League and Pakistan Movement leader • Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Pakistani educationalist and Urdu language expert - A Formanite received Best Green-Tech Award at 1st Climate Action Conference at Ministry of Planning from Chief SDGs Unit Mr. Ali Kemal Industry • Chaudry Ahmed Saeed, CEO of Servis Industries • Lord Paul, Swaraj Paul, founder and CEO of Caparo Group • Sir Mohammad Pervaiz Anwer, Co-founder & Chairman, United Bank Limited. Journalism • Mushtaq Minhas, Provincial Minister for Information and Communication AJK Assembly, anchor of Bolta Pakistan on Geo TV • Kuldip Nayar, Indian author and journalist Literature and arts • "Agyeya" (real name Sachchidananda Hirananda Vatsyayan), modernist Hindi author and journalist • Anwar Kamal Pasha, pioneer Pakistani film director and producer. • Krishan Chander, short story writer • Mehr Lal Soni Zia Fatehabadi, Urdu poet and Major General of Pakistan Army • Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan, and former chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army == Sports ==

FCCU offers a variety of intramural sports clubs, including basketball, cricket, football, hockey, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, and wrestling. Both men and women actively take part in these sports on campus. The sports facilities at FCCU are impressive, with an 8-lane standard grass track for running, a swimming pool for shorter races, six tennis courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, and dedicated grounds for cricket, football, hockey, and handball. There's also a table tennis hall for enthusiasts to enjoy their games. ==References==