Maulana Azad College Alumni Association
Preparatory Committee for Centenary Celebration, 2025-2026
MAC Ex-Students' Reunion
February 23, 2025
Welcome Note
Dear Alumni,
We welcome you on behalf of the Preparatory Committee set up by the MAC alumni association to plan and execute a series of academic, social and cultural events to celebrate the centenary of our alma mater. The Preparatory Committee decided to kickstart the process with today's reunion. The objective is to have a free exchange of ideas among the alumni and form a broad based coalition of those willing to actively contribute in organising a memorable centenary celebration. We feel that MAC centenary offers a unique opportunity to not only cherish fond memories and recount past glories, but also to invest in the future of this iconic institution, which has played a role in shaping the lives of each one of us.
Historical Outline
The foundation stone of the college was laid on December 9, 1924. Initially named as the Islamia College, the institution started admitting male students from 1926. It was renamed as Central Calcutta College after independence and finally renamed as Maulana Azad College in 1960 after the secular icon of the freedom struggle and the first education minister of independent India.
Since then, MAC evolved into a reputed centre for undergraduate learning in the humanities and sciences, and later also the commerce stream. The institution has also nurtured a culture of unity in diversity within the entire MAC community. The college became co-educational in 1990, opening its gates for women. Subsequently, several departments started post-graduate programmes.
Opportunities and amenities for the students have expanded in recent times, as reflected in the recent A+ NAAC grade for MAC, but issues remain. The role of the alumni association was appreciated by the NAAC team.
The centenary can become an occasion to introspect upon the century-long journey of the institution, to preserve its soul and distinct identity. It is also important to identify areas where the institution can develop further in future, academically as well as in the spheres of creative arts, sports and culture.
MAC Alumni Association
The MAC Alumni Association was registered in the year 2010-11. It has a functional executive committee with 9 office bearers and 11 more members. Over the years, the alumni association has contributed significantly to the betterment of the institution through various activities and initiatives, like providing scholarships to toppers of various departments, publication of alumni magazine titled Alma Mater etc.
Providing scholarships to more students, large endowments to academic departments, improving placement/employment opportunities and skill upgradation of the present generation of MAC students are the obvious areas where MAC alumni can show more initiative. The distinguished alumni can and should play a constructive role alongside the college administration and faculty, in evolving a vision for the next hundred years of MAC.
The alumni association organised a Centenary Walk in the college neighbourhood on December 9, 2024 to observe the hundredth foundation day of MAC, which received an encouraging response from the alumni. Subsequently, the alumni association decided to intensify its outreach and involve broader sections of the alumni in the centenary celebrations. The Preparatory Committee for Centenary Celebration was an outcome of that process.
The purpose of the Ex-Students' Reunion is to further broaden participation from different sections of MAC alumni, spread across West Bengal, India and the world. Wholehearted participation of the alumni can make the centenary celebrations a grand success.
Initiatives & Events: The Preparatory Committee is placing a proposal for a few alumni initiatives and events in 2025, as part of the centenary celebration. The proposals are intended to generate discussion and adoption through consensus. We are open to fresh ideas and initiatives.
Formation of MAC Alumni Centenary Celebration Committee [MAC_ACCC]: The Preparatory Committee is also placing a proposal for an inclusive and broad based Centenary Celebration Committee, in which any alumnus/alumna can volunteer to be included. The Centenary Celebration Committee shall be formed today to organise the approved events through its various committees and sub-committees.
Thanking You,
Regards,
Tanweer Ahmed Khan,
General Secretary,
MAC Alumni Association