The
Mahatma Gandhi University (formerly Gandhiji University),
with B+ accreditation of National Assessment and Accreditation Council,
was established on 2nd October 1983, as the fifth University in the
Southern most State of Kerala,India.
Hiving off the territorial jurisdiction of the mother institution
– University of Kerala, as per the Mahatma Gandhi University
Act, 12 of 1985,enacted by the Kerala state Legislature, the
twenty-two year young University caters to the development
of higher education of Central Kerala. Higher learning in
the Revenue Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, Kozhencherry,
Mallappally, Thiruvalla and Ranni Taluks of the Pathanamthitta
District and Kuttanad Taluk of the Alapuzha District comes
under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi University.
The University has a sprawling 110 Acre main Campus in Athirampuzha,
a hamlet 13 Kms. off Kottayam town. Apart from this, the University
has 7 Satellite Campuses at Pullarikunnu, Soorya Kalady Hills,
Nattasserry, Puthuppally, Gandhinagar and Cheruvandoor in
Kottayam, Thodupuzha in Idukki District and Chuttippara in
Pathanamthitta District.
The University enrolls 1,50,000 students on an average every
year to its 410 Courses in graduate, post graduate and M.Phil/Ph.D.
programmes through 22 University Departments, 22 Engineering
Colleges, 1 Law College, 3 Medical Colleges, 20 Nursing Colleges,
7 SME Nursing Institutes, 4 Pharmacy Colleges, 4 Dental Colleges,
3 Ayurveda Colleges, 2 Homoeo Colleges, 1 Music and Fine Arts
College, 121 affiliated Arts and Science colleges, 37 Education
Training Colleges and 12 University Colleges of Teacher Education.
Mahatma Gandhi University has made its presence outside its
territorial jurisdiction through the 72 off campus centres
– 55 centres within Kerala, 9 outside Kerala and 8 abroad.
Mahatma Gandhi University has 10 Inter disciplinary Schools
of teaching and research and 12 schools of higher learning
in Applied Science and Professional Studies, with academic
autonomy. The courses in the Departments are conducted in
the credit and semester system. The Schools have tied-up with
UGC, FIST, DRS, DST, ISRO, COSIST, CSIR, DAAD, STEC, ICMR,
BARC, MOEF, ICCSR, ICHR and IED and taken up 70 Research Projects.
In order to facilitate inflow of cutting- edge technologies
and methodologies, the University Departments have commenced
collaborative efforts with CIRAD, Mont Pellvier, France, EHESS,
Paris, French Institute, Pondicherry, Toronto University,
Bucknev University, Catholic University, Belgium, Max Plank
Institute of Technology, Germany, California, Institute of
Technology, USA, University of Nantos, France, Edinburgh University,
City University, USA, and Ruth Cohn Institute of Theme Centred
Interaction, Switzerland.
The School of Chemical Sciences of the University has advanced
commendably in their research pursuits by developing a host
of new technologies indigenously, which has enabled the institution
to net 6 U.S. Patents and 12 Indian Patents. The Department
has initiated dialogue for transfer of these technologies
to the Industry and an M.O.U. in this regard will be inked
soon with a leading research industry in the world.
The University has awarded 865 doctoral degrees for the research
activities undertaken by the scholars in various disciplines
and published over 5000 papers in research journals of international
repute.
At present, Mahatma Gandhi University offers research facilities
and guidance in over 40 disciplines through its own Departments
as well as 114 approved research Centres. The University is
in the process of setting up a dedicated Intellectual Property
Facilitation Centre, in order to promote research, acquisition
of IPR’s and technology transfer.
Mahatma Gandhi University boldly took a lead to initiate the
Self-financing Stream in the University system in 1993 and
was able to carve a niche, especially in professional and
job-oriented education in the State. Now, the University has
24 Self Financing Institutions under its orbit, offering Engineering,
Applied Sciences, Nursing and Allied Medical Courses. Revolutionising
the professional learning scenario, the University was able
to open new vistas to young aspirants, to pursue career-oriented
programmes in Kerala State, curbing the resource outflow to
other parts of the Country.
The University is having a web-enabled Central Library and
21 Departmental Libraries, 4 Study Centres and 6 Information
Centres. The Central Library is linked to the U.G.C. sponsored
INFLIBNET enabling on-line subscription of over 2500 National
and International research journals.
Mahatma Gandhi University has published 53 titles in Malayalam,
38 titles in English and 16 titles in Hindi. The University
is also engaged in co-publishing with leading publishers like
Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, BI Publications,
DC Books, Modern Book Centre and Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula.
Mahatma Gandhi University has been able to become a role model
in the Country in extension activities. The Kottayam Literacy
Campaign, the first of its kind in India (1989 ) was a project
of this University. The Nalpathimala Grama Vikas Kendra, within
the University Campus, has evolved as a nationally accepted
model for Campus-Community partnership, which won the first
Indiara Gandhi NSS Award in 1993. The Vocational Rehabilitation
Centre under the School of Behavioural Sciences has opened
a new pathway in reaching the masses.
National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps, University
Students Union and College Union are very active, in chanalising
the creativity sparks of the students. A full-fledged Students
Service Department looks into the student amenities. The Employment
and Guidance Bureau offers regular programmes for students
to prepare for the UGC, NET, CSIR and other competitive Examinations.
The students have been consistently contributing to the image
of the University through their outstanding performance in
Inter University Youth Festivals, Sports, Games and Intellectual
pursuits. Our sports stars, Mrs. Shiny Wilson, Mr. Manju Lal,
and Ms. Chitra K. Soman were able to enter into the international
athletic circuit and represented the Nation in the various
Olympics.
Mahatma Gandhi University has honoured the famous Malayalam
writers – the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Shri.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair , the Dada Saheb Phalke award winner and
world-renowned film maker Shri. Adoor Gopalakrishnan with
D.Litt. . Seminars, colloquiums and workshops of international
stature is a regular feature in the University, besides hosting
annual memorial lectures in honour of the late literators
and scientists.
Mahatma Gandhi University has made a significant turn when
Dr. Jancy James, assumed its charge on 16th November 2004,
becoming the first woman Vice –Chancellor of the State.
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