Pettigrew College has come a long way since its inception in 1965 with just 23 students. Today, it’s a thriving institution with over 1,118 students and a dedicated team of 53 teaching and 6 non-teaching staff.
EKHON
Ukhrul, 27 October 2025 – Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, marked a major milestone on October 25, 2025, celebrating six decades of dedication to education and community development. Let’s look at 60 years of Pettigrew College in a nutshell.
Pettigrew College, established in 1965, is a co-educational institution in Ukhrul district of Manipur, India. Named after Reverend William Pettigrew, a British Baptist missionary, it started with 23 students in shared classrooms. Today, it’s a recognized government college affiliated with Manipur University, proud of its 60-year history. The college promotes quality education, fostering creative individuals who drive social change. Located in Meizailung, 7 km from Ukhrul town and 90 km from Imphal, it spans 26 acres, offering a serene learning environment.
Reverend William Pettigrew, a British missionary, arrived in India in 1890 and began working with the Tangkhul Naga tribe in Ukhrul, Manipur, in 1897. He pioneered education, establishing schools and spreading Christianity. Pettigrew authored Tangkhul primers, translated the Bible into Tangkhul, and created a Tangkhul grammar and dictionary. He’s remembered as the “father of education and Christianity” among the Tangkhul Nagas.
Reverend William Pettigrew’s pioneering work in education and missionary services in Ukhrul laid the groundwork for the establishment of Pettigrew College. His introduction of formal education in the late 19th century inspired the Tangkhul Nagas to pursue higher learning.
Pettigrew’s vision of education as a foundation for personal and societal progress resonated with local elders in the 1960s, sparking a transformational shift towards establishing a higher learning institution in the district. This collective effort culminated in the founding of Pettigrew College in 1965.
Pettigrew College’s establishment was driven by local leaders’ vision for educational upliftment and community unity. In the 1950s and 1960s, Manipur had few colleges, forcing students to travel far for higher studies. A group of elders, recognizing this hardship, came together to establish a college in Ukhrul.
On August 16, 1963, a landmark meeting of respectable elders formed a College Committee, led by L. Ragui, H. Hongray, and Ahao Luikham. The committee worked tirelessly, broadening its membership and seeking government recognition. Affiliation was applied to Gauhati University in 1963 and approved in 1965.
A Site Committee, led by Vareisui Kaping, selected Phungrei as the college site. Twenty-five philanthropic landowners donated their land, demonstrating remarkable generosity. The college’s establishment was a collective effort, with contributions from individuals, government employees, and households in Ukhrul.
The establishment of Pettigrew College was a collective effort, with the College Committee mobilizing support from churches, civil bodies, and Christian organizations. The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) organized a meeting in 1964, appealing for funds, and various ‘Variety Shows’ were organized to raise funds between 1963 and 1964.
Government and civil bodies, including Ukhrul Higher Secondary School and Assam Rifles, contributed to the effort. Individual contributions were also significant, with Tuisem A. Shishak garnering funds from the USA and Aring Leisan donating Rs.1000, the highest individual donation.
Notable figures like Rishang Keishing and Yangmaso Shaiza, veteran Tangkhul legislators, played a crucial role in forming a “Fund Drive Committee” in 1976, pooling resources to support the college’s growth.
Pettigrew College began its academic journey on March 1, 1965, with 23 students in borrowed rooms at Ukhrul Higher Secondary School. The college’s early students became teachers, officers, and community leaders. Initially, it offered Pre-University Course (PUC) in Arts, later introducing BA (Arts) in 1976 and Science stream in 1986.
Over the years, there has been 19 principals starting from H. Paul (1965) and P.R. Yangkahao (1966-1985) till the present, Dr. Ringkahao Horam.
Pettigrew College’s infrastructure has evolved significantly since its inception. Key developments include:
– 1965: Began operations in shared space at Ukhrul Higher Secondary School
– 1978: Relocated to permanent campus at Phungrei (Meizailung)
– 1987: Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels inaugurated by Chief Minister Rishang Keishing
– 2022: Major infrastructure project approved under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
– Ongoing: Construction of Academic Block, hostels, boundary wall, and playground
Capacity-building initiatives include:
– Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC)
– Institutional Biotech Hub
– Remote-Sensing (Drone) Facility
– IT-ITES Courses under RUSA
These developments aim to enhance academic growth, research, and employability.
Pettigrew College encourages students to participate in sports, extracurricular activities, and community service, promoting holistic development. Key initiatives include:
– NSS and NCC events
– Students’ clubs and cleanliness drives
– Tree plantations and environmental initiatives
– North East College NSS Festival (hosted in September 2025)
– Eco-Club’s Nature Camp at Shirui (October 2025)
These programs foster environmental awareness, scientific curiosity, and community engagement. Students gain discipline, leadership skills, and civic awareness through these activities.
Pettigrew College’s library and canteen facilities support student life.
– Library: A Model E-Library building, sanctioned in 2016, is nearing completion, addressing past funding challenges. It will provide extensive access to information and reading materials.
– Canteen: Operational for years, offering affordable food and beverages. It’s a popular space for socializing and collaboration.
Pettigrew College has achieved numerous milestones since its founding on March 1, 1965.
Academic Milestones
– Affiliation: Initially affiliated with Gauhati University in 1965, and later with Manipur University in 1981
– Programmes: Introduced BA programme in 1976, Science stream in 1986, and (link unavailable) programme in 1996
– NAAC Accreditation: Awarded B Grade in January 2024
– Fourth-Year Honours: Offering 4th-year BA/(link unavailable) Honours from academic session 2025-26.
Academic Achievements
– Ringsala Hongray: 9th rank in BA (General) Political Science, 2007
– Mirinyo Zingkhai: 3rd rank in BA (Hons.) English, 2024
Pettigrew College has come a long way since its inception in 1965 with just 23 students. Today, it’s a thriving institution with over 1,118 students and a dedicated team of 53 teaching and 6 non-teaching staff. The college has consistently produced top-performing students in Manipur University, showcasing its commitment to quality education and holistic development.
The college’s focus on fostering leadership, civic responsibility, and social engagement has earned it a strong reputation and community trust. Pettigrew College remains dedicated to empowering students to tackle contemporary challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
(This article is an adaptation from ‘Brief History of Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, Manipur’ from History & Souvenir, dated 25 October 2025.)
