Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College
Encyclopedia
The Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC) is the arm of theological education under the Senate of Serampore College (University)
. BTESSC was formed in 1975.
The Senate of Serampore College (University)
under which the BTESSC was constituted is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the University Grants Commission
Act, 1956 (as modified up to 20 December 1985).
In fact, Serampore was the first institution to be given the status of a university in India
.
The current President of the BTESSC is Rev. Dr John S. Sadananda.
The BTESSC is one of the major representative bodies of churches legally constituted and responsible for administering theological education in South Asia
In matters of theological education, the BTESSC acts as an "advisory body" of the Senate of Serampore College (University)
and the Senate is its voiceop. cit. pp.10–11.
Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, West Bengal, India.Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university....
. BTESSC was formed in 1975.
The Senate of Serampore College (University)
Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, West Bengal, India.Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university....
under which the BTESSC was constituted is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the University Grants Commission
University Grants Commission (India)
The University Grants Commission of India is a statutory organisation set up by Union government in 1956, for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education. It provides recognition for universities in India, and provides funds for government-recognised...
Act, 1956 (as modified up to 20 December 1985).
In fact, Serampore was the first institution to be given the status of a university in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
The current President of the BTESSC is Rev. Dr John S. Sadananda.
Membership
The BTESSC is a participating member in the World Conference of Associations of Theological InstitutionsHistory
Serampore was the only means of validating theological training in India until 1978. The Union Biblical Seminary, Poona was constituted in 1953 as an evangelical theological college at B.Th. and B.D. levels. It was accredited by the Board of Theological Education of the National Council of Churches in India in 1964 which was formed in 1955 to bring together the unaffiliated Bible schools and seminaries. UBS was affiliated to Serampore in 1973 at B.D. level. After a series of joint consultations with Serampore, the Board of Theological Education of NCCI decided in favour of the formation of one national structure for Theological Education in India. When Serampore accepted the proposal, a joint structure was formed in July 1975 as the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College.Its functions
The functions of the Board as given in the Constitution of the BTESSC (revised and adopted on 3–4 February 1994 portray its mandatory role in the promotion of theological education in the country, viz.,- Reflection and pioneering on new methods and style in theological education in relation to the need of the country and of the Churches
- Production of theological literature in general especially in regional languages
- Promotion of the welfare of theological teachers and students
- Development of ecumenical cooperation among theological institutions and their libraries
- Promotion of relationship between Churches, Theological institutions and study centres
- Any other issues related to theological education
- The Board shall recommend names of persons to be considered by the Senate for nomination to be appointed as Senators.
In matters of theological education, the BTESSC acts as an "advisory body" of the Senate of Serampore College (University)
Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, West Bengal, India.Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university....
and the Senate is its voiceop. cit. pp.10–11.
Administration
- President – Rev. Dr John S. Sadananda
- Secretary – Rev. Dr James Massey
- Treasurer – Dr R. L. Hnuni
- Director for Research & SATHRI – Rev. Dr Samson Prabhakar