Amal Jaffer Altooq
Qatar University
Amal Jaffer Altooq
On 13th of February, I and nine other students of different nationalities went to India to attend a special Doha Debates. Although the trip was only for five days, it was full of enjoyment and learning. Indeed, we visited many beautiful places like Humayun’s tomb, and a great Delhi market . However, in this journal, I would like to focus on St. Stephen’s College.
On the first day, we went to St. Stephen’s College, where the debate was held, in order to have a look at the place and to meet some of the Indian students. In fact, the college was amazing because it was old and full of green. It provides degrees in many specializations, like philosophy, economics, and English language.
St. Stephen’s College is the oldest college in Delhi, built in 1881. The College was established by a Christian mission from Westcott House, Cambridge. The Rev. Samuel Scott Allnutt was its Founder and first Principal. The anniversary of his death is observed as Founder's Day on 7 December every year.
The college accepts its students based on a quota where Christians compose 70% of the accepted students and 30% for other religions. Foreign students from outside India are also accepted.
Of course, the college is composed of many buildings. There are two hostels: one for males and the other for females. It is interesting that females are not allowed to be out of the hostel after 10 pm while males have more freedom. There is a building where the students can get their meals in. One of the buildings is a computer lab. Also, there is a very unique church inside the college.
One of the interesting things in the college is that dogs are everywhere. We saw two students who were reading while two dogs were sleeping on the turf next to them.
The students of St. Stephen’s College are very friendly and hospitable. They gave each of us a present. Moreover, some of them were invited to the hotel where we stayed in order to have a debate together. The debate was about if terrorism is a justified means to face oppression or not. Actually, the debate was very useful and full of enthusiasm.
I really like the nature and the architecture of the college. Maybe ,in the future I will my Masters there. Who knows?!!
