Facilities

CANTEEN

The canteen was painted and refurbished in 2017. It has a good infrastructure and the menu is economically viable.

There is an atmosphere of camaraderie in the canteen as students & staffs break bread there.

Canteen Timings: 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Agenda:

• To endeavour to provide wholesome & nutritious food to all the stakeholders of the institution.
• To make the food items economically viable.
• To reduce health-risk factors by fostering桌上fostering healthy food habits.

Activities: Quality Control Activity - student interviews were conducted by Committee members to get feedback on food & facilities provided by the canteen. Meetings were held where the committee members interacted with the canteen contractor, Mr. Umesh Shetty. He was informed about the positives of the canteen as well as the lacunae. He agreed to work on the areas that called for improvement.

CHAPEL

The Chapel at Wilson College serves as a place of worship, private prayer and reflection for the college community. Short prayer service is conducted every day during the afternoon recess in the Chapel. Apart from the prayer service, special services are held during Christmas as well as at the beginning and the end of the academic year. The piano and percussion instruments are particularly suited to the acoustics of the building and are a beautiful addition to the prayer services. As quoted by an alumni, "The sounds of the Chapel are filled with the Wilson Charm." The Chapel also provides counselling services. The chapel organises a festival called the "Chapel-O-Fiesta" with games and events. It also organises various YMCA camps in Maharashtra. The chapel also has a choir which stood and won the intercollegiate carol singing competition at Sophia College in 2010. The 75th jubilee of the chapel occurred in 2010. Chapel attendance is voluntary. Current chaplain is Rev. Arpana Rangayya.

DST – FIST FACILITY

The DST-FIST Facility provides advanced equipment for teaching and research purposes.

For Teaching:

• ELISA Reader (Thermo Make)
• Laminar Air Flow & Biosafety Cabinet (Imset)
• Microscopes (KG 5 Micron with oil immersion lens)
• Weighing balances (Contech Model CA 223 digital sensitivity 0.0001 gm)
• Micropipettes (Bioera)
• Power Packs (Bioera)
• Electrophoresis Unit (Bioera)
• Ice making machine (Blue Star Model SL-90)
• Rotary evaporator (Superfit Make Model PB 018)
• Mini rotary shaker
• Dual Transilluminator (Bioera)
• Cold Centrifuge (Remi Model CM 8 plus)

For Networking:

• 18 Computers: 15 desktops and 3 Laptops (HP Pavilion)
• 04 Printers (HP 2B LJ 1020 Plus)
• 01 LCD Projector (Dell 1220)
• 02 UPS (APC 1KVA)

For E-Learning Room:

• 01 e-podium (ITC Lecturn Model no. 6236B)
• 03 Cybernetics Eyries Interactive (Model 8090 UST)

For Research:

• AAS (Agilent Model 55B)
• Quaternary HPLC (7002 Jasco 014A / Fluorescence detector)
• Air Sampler (Personal Air Sampler with Pump from Swan Environmental Pvt. Ltd.)

Facility Established:

• Centralised Instrument Laboratory which houses advanced instruments like AAS, HPLC, GCMS, Air Sampler, Laminar Air Flow.
• Computer Laboratory with Internet Facility.
• To avail the instrumentation facility, kindly communicate with the coordinator.

MACKICHAN HALL (BOY'S HOSTEL)

Mackichan Hall is the boys' hostel at Wilson College, providing comfortable accommodation for students.

Contact No: 022 2364 9468

Warden: Dr. Ashish Uzgare

History

Mackichan Hall has catered to the needs of thousands of students of Wilson College for nearly a century. The residents have found it not only a comfortable home during their college career but also a training ground to mold them into successful and well-rounded human beings. The Mackichanites of yesterday and today have imbibed an attachment and they are proud to be the inheritors of the fine Mackichan Hall tradition. We are confident that the Hall will grow stronger and stronger in the service of the Student community of Wilson College and fulfill always the spirit and glorious challenge behind the motto "From Darkness Lead Me To The Light."

The Reverend Dr. Dugald Mackichan

Dr. Dugald Mackichan, the founder of Mackichan Hall was also the principal of Wilson College from 1884-1920. He arrived in India in 1874 just before the death of Dr. John Wilson, the founder of Wilson College. Dr. Mackichan was thus associated with Wilson College for over 47 years.

A man of great ability and vision, in 1880 he begun negotiations which led to the acquiring of the present site of Wilson College. Dr. Mackichan was the vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai four times, which is a unique record. He was also one of the few scholars to receive an honorary L.L.D. from the university. Under his efficient principalship the college grew very rapidly.

Dr. Mackichan was an advocate of hostels. The present site of Mackichan Hall was chosen by him and in those days it contained the Riding School of the Governor's Bodyguard. In June 1913, the hostel was open for residence. Dr. Mackichan was presented with the bust which now adorns the main entrance of Mackichan Hall. It was designed and executed by a famous Scottish Sculptor, Dr. MacGillivray in recognition of his work as an educationist.

Building

The building of Mackichan Hall is an exquisite example of outstanding architectural wonder when it comes to aesthetics of design and craftsmanship. Its outstanding features being beautifully designed stone walls and impressive arches that still attract onlookers even after 92 years of its existence. The hostel is divided into three wings, beautified by a garden in its midst, a lawn and a huge volleyball ball court. A new lobby was added later on the north-west side of the hostel.

During its years the building has seen many changes, the first in 1929 when the ground floor rooms of the two wings were converted into a physics laboratory. In subsequent years the demand for hostel accommodation became much greater and in the spring of 1929 the floors of the bathroom block gave way. It was a major operation to take out the floors and renew them, and the chance was taken to improve the bathroom arrangements. Then next major change was the enlargement of the Hall which took place in 1946. Formerly the North-East corner was a games room and a corridor led to the Hall itself. The walls of the games room gave way to a stage, and a new hall was the result. In 1957, room no. 4/20 was converted into an office for administrative work. Since then, there have been many major and minor changes including the shifting of the T.V room from the ground floor to the first floor, because of college classes being organized in the ground floor area. The much awaited hostel repairs were carried out under the supervision of then Principal Dr. V.J. Sirwaiya and Warden Joseph Varghese.

Mackichan Hall is not a building it is a living Organism. Over the years it has grown up to what we call "The Mackichan Hall Spirit", a mixture of energy, vigour, enthusiasm and joy, which manifests itself in every aspect of the life of this Hostel. The hostel should give to students something which the college alone can hardly give, it should teach them the meaning of corporate living, the sense of fellowship of cooperative effort, of unselfish service, of membership in a larger goal and because of this the hostel has made great contribution to the life of Wilson College.

The Coat of Arms

“Argent, a castle triple-towered, on a chief azure a saltire of the first.”

The Mackichan Hall family belongs to the Scottish Clan known as the MacDonalds of Clan Ranald. The 'castle triple-towered' is part of the heraldic shield in honour of the founder Rev. Dugald Mackichan. The college is represented by the St. Andrew's cross, or Saltire, at the top, this upper part of the shield being known in heraldic language as the "chief". The motto on the crest is from an ancient Sanskrit prayer and means "From darkness lead me to the light".

The Coat of Arms of Mackichan Hall thus reminds us of our founder Dr. Mackichan. Our Alma Mater Wilson College, and our Motherland India. Argent and Azure are the heraldic names of silver and blue. "Of the first" means, of the first colour mentioned, namely silver. It was adopted in 1946.

LIBRARY

The Wilson College Library, established in 1832, is one of the earliest educational institution libraries.

• Our Library has an impressive collection of almost 73,000 books and journals going back to the 18th century.
• Digitization of old records and books has been taken up.
• Our collection covers a wide spectrum of subjects.
• The library has a spacious reading area.
• Annual membership of N-LIST for accessing E-resources.
• Subscribed to the first E-Magazine “The Economist”.
• A compilation of E-Books is available.
• SLIM 21 - A software system for Library Information Management has been installed, enabling quick search & details of books on mobile.
• Parasika Project - The library is associated with the prestigious Parasika Project under the aegis of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, preparing an annotated catalog of books on Zoroastrianism and the Parsee community.
• The library has college magazine “The Wilsonian” from 1908 to the present year.
• Library Timings: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Library Activities: 15th Oct is celebrated as “Vachan Prerana Divas” to mark Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary. Competitions like Photography, Book Mark Making, Quiz, Book Cover Making, and Book Display exhibitions are organized.
• The library has microfilms of old Gujarati books.
• The library also has a rare book section which includes books such as Commentary of Newton's Principia, Minute Book – Dr. Machichan's Signature, Italian–English Dictionary (1829), Madras Christian College Magazine 1890–91, The Holy Bible − 1610 A.D., A Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier Williams (1872) and Dictionary of English Language-VOL.II-Samuel Johnson (1773). The library also has a digitalised collection and microfilms of Old Gujarati books. It offers immediate access of books to those pursuing a MA, MSC and PhD and offers open access to staff and students. It also issues books to alumni and retired teachers.

WILSON COLLEGE GYMKHANA

Wilson College has its own Gymkhana, with a wide range of facilities for indoor and outdoor sports. These include Athletics, Football, Cricket, Rugby, Hockey, Badminton, Weight Lifting, Boxing, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Carrom, Chess etc. Founded by former principal, Dr. Dugald Mackichan on 17th March 1910, it is located on Marine Drive alongside popular Gymkhanas like the Hindu Gymkhana and Islam Gymkhana.

During its initial years, two tennis courts situated side by side and a cricket pitch in the center were prepared. Tennis and Cricket were the two most popular outdoor games at the time. However, a need for a pavilion building was urgently felt and efforts were made in that direction. Sir Shapurji Bharucha played a major role in the process, donating INR 10,000/- to meet the cost of construction.

The new pavilion building was opened by Lord Willingdon, former governor of Bombay, on 20 December 1916. Since then, sporting activities of the college have expanded immensely, with the school producing sportspersons at state, national and even international level.

Apart from conventional sports, the college delved into less popular sports like Rugby, Water Polo and Yachting. Rugby was introduced in 1970 by former chemistry professor, Dr. James Barton.

Former Indian Cricketer, Dilip Sardesai; Woman International Master in Chess, Rohini Khadilkar and Arjuna Awardee for proficiency in Yachting, Jeejee Unwalla have all been affiliated to the Wilson College Gymkhana.

On 7th November 1985, former governor of Maharashtra, Kona Prabhakara Rao was quoted saying "In a city like Bombay, provision of sports facilities side by side with education is something which very few colleges can boast of. In this respect, Wilson College, one of the oldest colleges in the city, has been singularly fortunate. They have a Gymkhana which provides excellent sports facilities to their students."

PANDITA RAMABAI GIRL'S HOSTEL

Living in a hostel is an experience one would cherish for a life time. We at the Wilson College provide such an experience for our outstation lady students. The Pandita Ramabai Hostel (PRH) built in 1932 was inaugurated by the lady Governor Madam Sykes on the 4th of February. It is five minute walk from the college and so provides easy access to the institution as well as retains the calm atmosphere every Girl’s hostel needs.

The Objectives of the Hostel are as follows:
1. To provide safe and secure accommodation for outstation girl students.
2. To provide a conducive atmosphere to excel academically so that students fulfill their purpose of coming to Mumbai.
3. To help the students develop holistically by providing various activities and opportunities to develop.

Warden: Mrs. Kshama T Jayaraj

History

At a time when the emancipation of women was a dream undreamt, when their lives were lived within the narrow confines of village and home, and when any suggested infiltration of the same sex into the traditional realms of masculine enterprise, was vehemently and religiously opposed. Indian womanhood at last found its pioneer in the person of Pandita Ramabai.

Deeply sensitive to the sorrows and trials of her sisters, especially the widows, she endeavored to open up for them new vistas of hope and assurance – mainly through the portals of education. It is amazing how contagious is the sincerity, the fervour and the courage of a single soul: amazing again how a single light, oft impeded, penetrates the darkness.

Pandita Ramabai has a host of friends in America, where she had been to pursue further studies. They organized themselves to form what came to be known as the Pandita Ramabai Association, and collected funds to champion the cause of distressed Indian women. In 1922, Pandita Ramabai passed away, but not with her the light she had kindled, and enkindled many more.

To recognize the unique contribution of Pandita Ramabai, her name is given to the road on which our educational institution stands. The Association also placed funds at the disposal of Wilson College, for provision of a hostel for its women students. The Church of Scotland provided a suitable site and the hostel was built by Messrs. Gammon Durkeyley and Co., to the designs of Mr. C. Bately and King. It was opened by her Excellency Lady Skyes, the wife of the then Governor of Bombay on the 4th February 1932; a hundred years after Wilson College was founded and 30 years after the admission of the first women students to the college. Lady Sykes, as it is recorded even played Badminton with the girls in the court.Among the visitors on the opening day were Dr. McKenzie (Principal) and Mrs. McKenzie, Dr. Hiwale, Dr. Taylor, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Sarah Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Dongerkery, Miss E. Mathai. Students came to the residence four months later in June 1932. There were less than 20 students in the first few years and the mess fees came up to Rs. 12/- per month.

The Hostel has been visited by important personalities down the years. Among them were Sarojini Naidu who spoke on the life and contribution of Pandita Ramabai. Ms. Macgregor of the Ramabai Mukti Mission visited the hostel with a group of ladies, some of them had known the Pandita herself. The grand-niece of Ramabai Miss R. Dongre was the assistant warden at one time. The orphanage superintendents visited the hostel and once in a while, students from the Mukti Mission were sent to study in Wilson College and lived in P.R.H.

History has repeated itself when the wife of the Governor’s visited the hostel during their respective terms. In 1940, Rani Maharaj Singh met with the girls along with Pandit Nehru’s sister Mrs. Hathee Singh. The Governors wife also at that time met with the Panditas. Then again in 1955, Mrs. Tara Cherian the next Governor’s wife came during the tenure of Principal Dr. Airan. We see history repeat itself as an invitation has been extended for the forthcoming Pandita Ramabai Exhibition to Madam Prema Krishna, wife of His Excellency, Mr. S. M. Krishna Governor of Maharashtra.

The hostel has seen many fruitful years under the leadership of its eight wardens. Ms. Emily Boyd was the first warden, she taught French in Wilson College. Ms. Abraham was the first assistant warden. Following her was the incredible Dr. E. G. K. Hewat, a teacher in Wilson College too. She was the pioneer of the Wiseacres Club that even today allows students to display their literary skills. She brought out the fun and laughter of P.R.H. in her poetry. In August 1941, a play was enacted on the life of Pandita Ramabai. She hoisted the Indian flag on August 15, 1947. That year Usha Mehta spoke on the role of women in free India.

In 1955-56, Miss Sarah Mathai took over for a year. She introduced tables and chairs for the girls in the dining rooms where previously students sat on low wooden stools called “paats” in Marathi. Mrs. Mathai expired in January 2006 and is fondly remembered by her sister Mrs. Esther Kurian, herself an ex Pandita. Miss Isabelle Ritchie joined as warden in 1956. A young dynamic, she was on the Wilson faculty for Economics. Miss Ritchie along with her assistant warden Kusum Rajhuns are bath as old as the hostel itself. Miss Ritchie work hard to create a lively, homely and Godly atmosphere. She sacrificially gave her contribution and bought a Kashmiri carpet for the hostel prayer room. She continued the tradition of having the girls over for tea at her residence. She left in 1965 for Gangtok as headmistress of a school. In 1932, she was the chief guest for the Hostel Golden Jubilee. We had the honour of having Miss Ritchie in November 2005. She presented P.R.H. with a quaiche made of pewter (a Scottish metallic ornamented bowl). On it was inscribed “Thanking P.R.H. for friend, fellowship, service and love begun 50 years ago in 1955”. Miss Leila David, Professor of English took over for a brief period after this. She was succeeded by Miss S.L.Kalawade in 1965. Mrs. Kalawade was the longest serving warden of the hostel. She was a friend, a guide, Zoology Professor, and a pioneer of exciting excursions and entertainments in the hostel. In 1953, Mrs. Sheeba George shouldered the responsibility after the demise of Ms. Kalawade.

In 1995, after 20 years the hostel days were organized with all the three hostels participating. Mrs. Arpana Sarthy joined in 1998. This saw the arrival of a mega hostel event called ‘Calypso’ where different hostels in the city competed with each other in various cultural events. Celebrities were invited as judges. Pace Setters was another event begun in 2000. This was an inter hostel sports competition previously, P.R.H only played with the M.S.U.W (University Settlement Residents).

In 2003, Mrs. Kshama. T. Jayaraj from the English Department of the Junior College took over as warden. That year the first floor terrace was retiled and water proofing was done. The then Principal also sanctioned a P.C.O. Two extremely useful washing machines and a beautiful 29 inch black beauty Panasonic T.V. We were grateful for his support and encouragement.

P.R.H. remains a place of colour and confidence where students all over the country stay together as one. Extra curricular activities cause them to interact with each other. Inter group competitions make life in the hostel all the more exciting.

I remember a quotation “Age cannot wither her beauty nor custom stale her infinite variety”. The Hostel stands beautiful as ever almost a century young, because of her residents lovely aspiring and lively ladies.

We believe that all the Panditas past, present and those to come will fulfill the destiny which they have been called to and that their stay in the Hostel will leave a positive impression upon their lives.

Compiled by:
MRS. KSHAMA T. JAYARAJ

Hostel Song

We’re together again
All the Panditas
We’re together again
From places near and far.

Something good is going to happen
Something good is in store
We’re together again all the Panditas.

Knowledge Service and Light
That’s what we stand for
Knowledge is what guides
The way we live
In life’s up and downs together
God’s hope and peace keep us strong
We’re together again all the Panditas.

For a friend in need
We’ll lend a helping hand
For a world that’s bleak
The light of faith will stand
Against the odds that face us all along
We’re the Panditas
And so we sing our song

Something good is going to happen
Something good is in store
We’re together again all the Panditas.

Mrs. Kshama T. Jayaraj
Warden (Sept. 2003)

The hostel facilitates 55 students with an occupancy of 3 girls per room, offering a fun-loving environment. Various activities are conducted throughout the year, including:

• Freshers welcome
• Talent evening
• Hostel trip
• Hostel movie
• Dinner
• Sports activities
• Literary activities
• Cultural activities
• Seminars
• Alumni visits

INSTRUMENTAL LISTS

List of Instruments available in the Microbiology department from UGC, DST, and other departmental funds.