Goa University

About Goa University

Goa University was established under the Goa University Act of 1984 and commenced operations on 1st June 1985. The University is moulded around the nucleus of Centre for Post Graduate Instruction and Research of the University of Bombay in Goa. It is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It has 23 PG Departments and 2 Centres of studies offering academic programmes leading to masters and Ph.D. degrees in various disciplines. The University also offers PG Diploma programmes in selected disciplines. The master’s programme in Biotechnology is supported by DBT since inception of the course. As many as 46 professional and non-professional colleges/institutions, for undergraduate teaching are affiliated to the University. In addition, 8 research institutions are recognised by the University for research in various disciplines. It is spread over nearly 173 hectares of land. The various faculties of the University are housed in separate buildings, possessing considerable architectural distinction.

Location - The University Campus is located on the scenic Taleigao Plateau, overlooking the scenic Zuari River joining the Arabian Sea which is in the outskirts of Panaji, the capital city. Click here for Google Map Location.

Faculty and Departments

Language & Literature

• Department of English.
• Department of French and Francophone Studies.
• Department of Portuguese.
• Department of Hindi.
• Department of Konkani.
• Department of Marathi.

Social Science

• Department of Economics.
• Centre for Latin American Studies.
• Department of History.
• Centre for Women Studies.
• Department of Political Science.
• Department of Philosophy.
• Department of Sociology.

Natural Sciences

• Department of Mathematics.
• Department of Chemistry.
• Department of Physics.
• Department of Compute Science & Technology.
• Department of Earth Science.
• Department of Electronics.

Life Science & Environment

• Department of Zoology.
• Department of Botany.
• Department of Biotechnology.
• Department Microbiology.
• Department of Marine Science.

Commerce

• Department of Commerce.

Management Studies

• Department of Management Studies.

Medicine

Design

Education

Engineering

Facilities

Hostels - The University has full fledged hostels both for the men (about 113 beds) and women (200 beds) students. The hostels are located in close proximity to the Department and are well equipped with all modern facilities. There is a separate hostel for research students with limited accommodation. The students interested in seeking admission to the hostel are required to apply separately in the prescribed application form available from the respective Hostel Wardens. A new hostel building for men will be operational soon. Students studying in the post-graduate courses of the University will be accommodated in the hostel, subject to availability of seats, There is also limited hostel accommodation possible for research students. Hostel Fees Amount is Per Semester 2,150 Rs, Deposit (Refundable) 3,000 Rs. Total fees = 5,150 Rs. Hostel Mess charges would be approximately Rs. 1500/- per month

Library - The Library has more than 1 lakh books, and 200 journals of both, technical and general interest. The Library has presently 1,04,651, books whose particulars are already stored on magnetic media. The Library also houses special interest collections and rare and antique manuscripts. The Library also has a large collection of titles in Konkani, the state language of Goa and a foreign language section which includes titles in Portuguese, French and Spanish. It also receives more than 150 periodicals gifted by various organisations and institutions. Goa University Library is a designated repository Library of United Nations publications since 1996. Teachers, Students and Scholars in and around Goa now have access to this vast database from their departments over a campus wide network.

Computer Centre - The University has Central Computing facilities at its Computer Centre. The Computer Centre extends required assistance to the teachers, students and Research Scholars in Computer related activities. The Computer Centre takes up any kind of DTP jobs, on request. Good quality of Laser printing facility, black or colour, is available in the Computer Centre at nominal charges. The Computer Centre is mostly involved in computerization of various activities of Administration, Finance, Academic and Examination. Besides that, the Computer Centre is also maintaining the University network, Internet services and the University Web site.

Campus Network and Internet Facility - All the administrative sections and academic departments on the campus are connected through the campus wide network, currently operating at bandwidth of 100 Mbps. The entire network has been set up using standard fibre optic backbone technology for long haul links and cat V structured fibre/copper cabling within the building. Unlimited 24 Hrs internet connectivity is available through 512 Kbps SCPC VSAT provided under the UGC-Infonet scheme. The University has also a fully equipped UGC sponsored Internet Centre. Those, who do not have departmental facility to access the Internet services, can access the same at the Internet Centre. The entire University network, Internet services as well as the Internet Centre are managed by the University Computer Centre.

ASC - The Academic Staff College supported by UGC conducts refresher/orientation courses for college/university teachers. ASC at Goa University is located on the second floor of the University Library in the campus of Goa University. The Academic Staff College has the following facilities: Five independent rooms for Director, Reader, Lecturer, Non-teaching staff, Xerox facility, Store-Room, Library, Lecture Halls, Computer Laboratory.

Admission for Foreign Students - Foreign students desiring to take admission in Goa University and colleges affiliated to this University are required to apply through the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Education, Government of India, New Delhi or contact the Foreign Students Advisor, Goa University.

Admission Guidelines

• A certain percentage of seats are specially reserved for Foreign Students at Goa University. As per the student visa policy introduced by the Government of India w.e.f. 23 July 1992, regular visa will be given by the Government only to prospective college students who have firm letters of admission from Indian Universities/recognised Colleges/Educational Institutions. The recognised institutions would be those included in the list issued by the Association of Indian Universities, Department of Education and Ministry of Health (Medical Council of India).

• Foreign students who do not have such firm letter would be given provisional students visa by the Government of India Missions abroad only on the basis of production of provisional admission certificate issued by such recognised Universities and/or affiliated Institutions. In both types of student visa the name of the University and the college where the students has secured admission should be mentioned in the visa of the foreign students. The practice of issuing ‘X’ Entry visa to prospective foreign students who do not have firm letters of admission has been discontinued.

• No admission to foreign students is given if their passport shows any type of visa other than students/provisional students visa. Students having ‘X’ Entry visa have to go back to their countries even if they get admission in Indian Universities etc., at the expiry of the initial period of stay allowed in their original visa. Hence, under no circumstances, a change of purpose of visit to India be allowed. Nor any change of institution (other than that mentioned in the students visa/provisional students visa) will be allowed. A foreign student will be permitted to take admission at this University on the basis of a visa granted to study at this University (Ref. letter No. FSDI/RVR/1/92, dated 6th November, 1992, from Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Azad Bhavan, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110002).

Foreign Students’ Advisor:

Dr. B. F Rodrigues (Reader, Department of Botany, Email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]).
Tel (O):+91-832-6519345,
Mobile : 9422446359, Fax: +91-832-2452889.

SIP - Study India Programme is offered to foreign students wanting to pursue study in India to earn credits. The Universities/Institutions desirous to send a batch consisting of five or more students are required to contact the SIP Coordination Committee to prepare and sign a Memorandum of Understanding containing the course outline, time-schedule, credit transfer and fee structure. The MOU is a prerequisite for launching the SIP. The University does not entertain inquiries of students not forwarded by their respective Universities / Institutions.

Contact:

Programme Director,
Study India Programme,
Goa University,
Taleigao Plateau,
Goa - 403206.
Tel: (+91) – (832) 6519025.
Fax:(+91) – (832) 2451184, 2452889 , 2452889.

Interactive Distance Education programme - In January 2004, Goa University-IIT Bombay Interactive Distance Education programme in Information Technology was launched. Goa University in collaboration with the University of Salzburg, Austria has launched the online programme in Geographic Information Science (GIS) in April, 2005. The Third Batch of students from Nihon University, Japan completed the semester programme under Study India Programme (SIP) from September 2005 to February 2006. With financial assistance from UGC the Internet bandwidth of the LAN network was upgraded to 512 kbps in 2002. The Central Library receives e-journals regularly as part of the Goa University-UGC-ERNET MoU. The DEITI (Distance Education Information and Training Infrastructure) Studio up linked to ‘Edusat’ in August 2004 is regularly telecasting educational programmes and programmes of general interest through the 27 DRS Centres. This Studio was used by the Education Department of the State to train about 1200 primary teachers under ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’. A series of programmes will be broadcast as part of the AIDS awareness campaign.

Awards / Scholarships - The University provides various Awards/Scholarships/Prizes/Medals to the students securing highest marks in the qualifying examinations, subject to other conditions specified by the Donors.

Some of these are:

• Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India Gold Medal - M. Pharm.
• Coca-Cola Merit/Scholarship/Award Students of the Departments of Chemistry /Commerce - M.Sc. Part I & II, M.Com. Part I & II.
• Colgate Gold Medal - B.D.S.
• Doctors Goa , USA Prize - M.B.B.S.

Research - University's PG departments, over the years have developed excellent facilities for research. Seven of the Science Departments are currently supported by DST under FIST (Funds for Infrastructure in Science and Technology) with grants ranging from rupees 25 to 50 lakhs. Four Science Departments receive research grants under SAP (Special Assistance Programme) of UGC. OSTC (Ocean Science and Technology Cell) attached to the Department of Microbiology receives special grant from DOD (Department of Ocean Development) for its research activities. These are in addition to 50 research grants awarded to individual faculty members by UGC, CSIR, DST, ICMR, DBT, DOD, ICHR, etc.

Directorate of Student Welfare and Cultural Affairs - The directorate organizes inter- collegiate and inter - University activities such as Youth Festivals, Workshops, Competitions ,Seminars etc. in  the field of art, music, dance, theatre, literature, social services etc. The students are prepared and helped for participation in the student's activities organized by the Universities, Government and Semi-Governmental Institutions.

Activities of the Directorate

• Earn While You Learn - The Directorate has introduced a scheme of "Earn while you Learn" to meet the financial  needs of the deserving students on the campus of Goa University.

• Students Aid Fund - Under Students Aid Fund, the deserving students are given financial assistance to meet their expenses on tuition fee, examination fee, purchase of books, etc.

• Plateaunica - It is an Inter Faculty Youth Festival, organised by the Post Graduate Students Union. The festival offers an opportunity for the Post Graduate Students to exhibit their talents in the  field of Art, Culture & Literature. Generally the plateaunica will be held for 2 or 3 days in the  first week of February on an annual basis.

• Students Safety Insurance Scheme - All Students of Post Graduate Departments and Under Graduate students of College are insured under this scheme and the students receive insurance benefits at the time calamities such as accident, loss of part of body, death etc.

Counselling, Career Guidance and Employment Cell - Counselling, Career Guidance and Employment Liaison Cell was established in November 1997.The Cell offers Counselling to students on matters affecting studies, health, performance in class, exam, living accommodation and personal issues, future prospects & helps them lead a normal students? life. Its aim is to offer guidance in appropriate careers and assist them in securing gainful employment. The cell has initiated process of creating 1) Data bank of various academic programmes & courses available in Goa and elsewhere by contacting persons involved in career guidance professionally 2) Organises career workshops on competitive exams 3) It has initiated the process of creating a Data Bank of students seeking employment and liaison with Industry, Business & other Organisations 4) The cell regularly circulates information to each department pertaining to scholarships, IAS, NET/SET exams and employment opportunities 5) The CCGEL has set up a Career Information Desk at Goa University Library to familiarise students on careers in other universities in India & Abroad.

Sports - The Sports Section looks after Sports of the post-graduate students as well as of the colleges affiliated to our University. Sports Section also deputes various Goa University teams to participate at the Inter-University tournaments. The University has a standard football ground at the Campus.

The Sports Section conducts 19 various events as Inter-collegiate tournaments which are divided into 2 phases.

1. The First Phase starts from the last week of July and ends in the first week of October.
2. The Second Phase starts from the last week of November and ends in the first week of February.

Extra Mural Studies and Extension Services - The Directorate of Extra-Mural Studies and Extension Services is involved in development activities for the betterment of adults, school drop-outs, professionals, housewives, slum population, street children and a host of learning groups who need not necessarily have a formal qualification to learn certain essential inputs.

USIC - University Science Instrumentation Centre is a central facility of the University consisting of Electronic, Mechanical and Glass Blowing workshops manned by faculties, officer and trained technicians. It has it's own independent building with 250 sq. mtrs, housing above mentioned workshops. The main aim is to strengthen the laboratories of science department by way of equipment maintenance, calibration of test and measuring instruments, fabrication of gadgets and instruments, attachments required for some imported instruments to adopt them to Indian power standards etc. The Glass Blowing workshop is mostly involved in design and fabrication of glass apparatus as per the requirement of researcher, which are otherwise generally not available in the market.

Health Centre - The University has a minimal Health Centre Facility located at the premises of the Guest House. This is open to all the students as well as Staff (also families) and is open on all working days from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Alumni Association - Goa University has started an association for post-graduate alumni named as Goa University Alumni Association, Goa (GUAAG). This is a registered body and has enrolled ex-students of Goa University as well as the erstwhile Centre of Post Graduate Instruction and Research (CPIR) as life member with a membership fee of Rs. 250/- only. The main aim of the association is to create and develop a healthy co-operation between Goa University and the community in general.

UGC-NET and SET - This College has been functioning at the University campus since 1988 and is providing the well needed Orientation, Refresher and other Courses for the teaching faculty at PG Departments and affiliated Colleges/Institutes of Goa University and other Universities in the country. Being one among 50 similar colleges set up and funded by the UGC in different Universities, this College has played a major role in the training of University/College teachers in a commendable way. The College is also well equipped with many technical facilities, which are being regularly updated. Besides, the college is now preparing itself to launch hands-on type courses with practical orientation to teachers under the UGC programme of Career Orientation at First-degree level.

IPR Unit - The Unit encourages Faculty members and research scholars to file patent and copy rights, and also to increase their awareness in this field. The Unit provides all assistance to apply for patents, copy rights to the Controller of Patents and the requisite registration fees are paid by the University.
      
Publication Unit - The Publications Unit brings out publications such as the Annual Hand Book, Annual Report, Pocket Telephone Directory etc. It undertakes publications of an occasional nature and also publishes the Monthly News Bulletin on the activities of the Goa University. The Unit is in the process of acquiring infrastructure to boost its activities.

National Service Scheme - The scheme operates under the Ministry of HRD, New Delhi, and the Directorate of  Youth Affairs, Govt. of Goa (State Liaison Office). NSS works with the objective of Selfless Service. It involves students in the service of community, while undergoing instruction in educational institutions. Goa University has 25  Units of NSS, in various affiliated Colleges in the State. The main activities taken up are blood-donation, tree plantations, campus cleaning, Cleanliness drives, awareness about Malaria, AIDS, and Sanitation etc. A Special camping Programme is also organised by every unit.

Guest House - there are 40 odd rooms in the Guest House comprising AC, VIP and Standard guest rooms. The Guest House rooms are mainly reserved for the academicians coming on the official work of Goa University. However if rooms are available they are also given to officials from other Universities, Institutions, Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations etc. The tariffs for such kind of accommodation are different. The University has a Guest House with an attached dining hall for visiting faculty and other guests, and also campus housing for teaching/non-teaching staff. There is also provision to give rooms of the Guest House to non-academic persons on availability of rooms at different tariff. The University Guest House is 8 kms from Panjim Bus Stand, 3 kms from Goa Medical College, Bambolim. It is about 35 kms from Margao Railway Station, 30 kms from Vasco Railway Station, 20 kms from Karmali Railway Station and 28 kms from Dabolim Airport, which is the only airport in Goa.

Placement Cell - The Department has a very active Placement Cell and many reputed companies come for campus recruitment almost one and half year in advance. Majority of the students get their placement offers in the fourth semester itself. Some of the Companies that have visited for Campus Recruitment are TCS, Mumbai, Cognizant Technology Solution, Pune, Infosys, IBM, PSPL etc.

Other Facilities - In addition to canteens located at various points in the campus, there is also a Public Call Office with STD/ISD facility, a post office, Xerox facilities etc. The State Bank of India has a branch located in the Campus. There is also a Ocean Science and Technology Cell and Goa University Consumer Co-operative Society Ltd.

Achievements

• In 2001 the University was accredited with Four Star rating on a 5-point scale by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council).