Brief History of NGM College, Pollachi (Summary)
NGM College, Pollachi, originated from the vision of the “Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam” in 1957, established to provide higher education to students from Pollachi and Udumalpet Taluks. Under the guidance of key figures like Founder Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder and Patron Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, the institution rapidly evolved from a Pre-University College into a full-fledged academic centre, achieving autonomy and offering a diverse range of UG and PG courses.
Founding and Early Leadership
- Establishment: “Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam” was constituted in 1957.
- Objective: To provide facilities for higher education.
- Inauguration: College started functioning on July 12, 1957, with 160 students in the Pre-University Course (PUC).
- Key Founding Members (1957):
- President: Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder (Chief Donor & Founder)
- Vice-President: Thiru V.K. Palanisamy Gounder
- Treasurer: Thiru M.S. Palaniappa Mudaliar
- Secretary: Thiru N. Mahalingam (later Patron, Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam)
- Asst. Secretary: Thiru S.A. Ramachandran
- Patronage: Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam’s benevolent guidance was instrumental in initiating degree courses and the college’s overall growth.
Major Milestones & Course Introductions
| Year | Event / Course Introduction |
|---|---|
| 1957 (July) | College inaugurated with Pre-University Course (PUC). |
| 1959 (July) | Degree courses in Economics, Mathematics, and Physics introduced. |
| 1960 (July) | Science Block opened. |
| 1965 (July) | B.Sc. Chemistry introduced. |
| 1968 (July) | B.Com. introduced. |
| 1971 (July) | B.A. English Literature introduced. |
| 1972 (July) | B.A. History and B.Sc. Botany introduced. |
| 1972 (Sept) | “Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam” renamed to “Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College Kalvi Kazhagam” (NGMCKK). |
| 1974 (Mar) | New block constructed with UGC grant, opened by Madras University Vice-Chancellor. |
| 1975 | Co-education introduced. |
| 1976 | Semester system introduced. |
| 1979 | Post-Graduate (PG) Course in Mathematics introduced. |
| 1980 | PG Course in Physics introduced. |
| 1981 | PG Course in Commerce introduced. |
| 1982 | B.Sc. Zoology introduced. |
| 1984 (Feb) | Silver Jubilee Celebrations; foundation stone laid for Silver Jubilee Block. |
| 1986 | B.Sc. Computer Science introduced. |
| 1987-88 | Autonomous system introduced, restructuring courses and syllabi for progressive education. |
| 1994 | Vocationalisation of B.Sc. (Physics), B.A. (Economics), and B.Com. |
| 1998 (Jan) | Centenary celebration of Founder Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder. |
| 2001 (Mar) | Mahakumbabhisekam of Sri Maha Vidya Ganapathy & Sri Viyakiana Dhakshinamoorthy Temple. |
| 2001 (Nov) | New mega building (MCA & UG Computer Centres, classrooms) opened. |
| ~2001-2003 | World-class Biotechnology Block designed and constructed. |
| 2003 (Apr) | Dr. N. Mahalingam’s Sathabhishekam; Computer Science Block renamed “Dr. Mahalingam Centre for Research and Development (MCRD) Block”. |
| 2005 (Sept) | Thiru. S.P. Krishnaswamy Gounder Science Block dedicated. Local Area Network (LAN) with Internet Connectivity inaugurated. |
| 2007 (Mar) | Awarded ‘A’ Grade by NAAC accreditation. |
| 2007 | Inauguration of Sri M.S. Palaniappa Mudaliar Block, Prof. M. Alkondan A/c Hall, Internet Centres, Language Lab, Virtual Classroom, Modernised Digital Library, and more. |
| 2008 | Bharathiar Arangam (Yoga/Human Excellence hall) opened. |
| 2009 | Vivekanandar Arangam (A/c hall for academic meetings) constructed. Founder Amarar S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder’s statue unveiled (July 20). |
| 2013 (Mar) | Re-accredited with 3.33 CGPA ‘A’ Grade by NAAC. |
Self-Financing Courses Introduced
NGM College has consistently expanded its offerings to include a wide array of job-oriented self-financing courses:
- 1980s-1990s:
- 1982: B.Com.
- 1990: M.C.A. (Master of Computer Applications)
- 1996: B.B.M., B.Sc. Computer Science
- 1999: B.Sc. Mathematics
- Early 2000s:
- 2000: B.C.A., B.Com. C.A.
- 2001: M.A. English
- 2002: M.I.B., M.A. Tamil
- 2003: Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
- 2004: B.A. Tamil
- Mid-to-Late 2000s – 2010s:
- 2008: Additional Section in B.Com. (CA), B.Sc. Information Technology
- 2009: B.Com. E-Com. & M.S.W.
- 2010: Additional B.A. English Literature, B.Com. Finance & M.Sc. Computer Science
- 2011: B.Sc. C.T. & M.Com. C.A.
- 2012: B.Com. Professional Accounting and Banking Insurance
- 2014: B.Com. Business Process Service
- 2015: M.Sc. Chemistry and M.Sc. Botany
- 2017: B.Com. International Business
- Early 2020s:
- 2022: B.Sc. Computer Science with DA, B.Sc. Computer Science with AI & ML, B.S.W.
College Milestones and Enhancements
The college has continuously evolved, marked by significant infrastructure upgrades, educational reforms, and prestigious recognitions.
Key Developments (Chronological):
- 2009: Library Modernization & Renaming
- A new 8000 sq.ft wing was constructed, modernizing the library.
- Rechristened as “Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Centenary Library” in memory of former Finance Minister Dr. C. Subramaniam.
- Inaugurated by Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam on December 21, 2009.
- 2010: Meritorious Service Award
- Received the “Meritorious Service Award” from the Rotary Club of Pollachi on June 20, 2010, for distinguished service in education since 1957.
- 2013: Sports Facilities Expansion
- UGC-funded Indoor Stadium opened for students.
- A floodlit Basketball Court was constructed.
- 2017: Diamond Jubilee Celebration
- Unveiled the Swami Vivekananda Statue by college students on June 28, 2017.
- Srimath Swami Yathunathananthar (Ramakrishna Mission, Chennai) delivered a speech.
- Function presided over by Dr. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, with Thiru M. Balasubramaniam and Thiru S. Sivakumar in attendance.
Academic Reform: Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
- Introduction: Implemented in the Academic Year 2004-2005.
- Revised System: New CBCS adopted from 2008-09, following directives from the Tamilnadu State Government, TANSCHE, and Bharathiar University.
Objectives of CBCS:
| Objective No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Provide students with the option to choose their own courses of study. |
| 2 | Allot credit points to each paper based on the weightage of teaching and learning experience. |
| 3 | Expand students’ knowledge through Core, Interdisciplinary, Value-Based Education, Foundation, and Diploma courses. |
| 4 | Enable fast learners to earn extra credits by opting for advanced courses. |
| 5 | Maintain the total credit points of each program on par with International standards. |