Serampore College

Serampore College is located in Serampore, West Bengal, India, and was established in 1818 by the Serampore Trio—William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward—with 37 students. It is the fourth oldest college in India and one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutions in the country. The college consists of two entities: a theological faculty and a separate college offering arts, science, and commerce faculties. Degrees in arts, science, and commerce are awarded by the University of Calcutta, while theological degrees are conferred under the authority of the Senate of Serampore College, with which many theological colleges across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are affiliated. King Frederick VI of Denmark granted the college a Royal Charter in 1827, giving it university status to confer degrees, making it the third Danish university after Copenhagen and Kiel. This charter was later confirmed by the Bengal Government Act IV of 1918. After Denmark sold its Indian assets to Britain in 1845, the college continued under British administration, and in 1856 the Baptist Missionary Society took over management. In 1857, it became affiliated with the newly established University of Calcutta. The college's motto, from Proverbs 3:35, is 'Gloriam Sapientes Possidebunt' ('The wise shall possess glory').