Kurukshetra University

About Kurukshetra University

The Kurukshetra University was established in 1956 as a unitary residential University and its foundation stone was laid by late Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. Located in the holy city of Kurukshetra, land of the historical battle of 'Mahabharata' and the great message of Bhagwad Gita, its campus is situated on the western bank of Brahm Sarover (the holy tank) and extends over an area of over 400 acres. Starting with only the Department of Sanskrit, it has grown into a multi-faculty University as one of the premier centres for advanced study and research in the region.

While the foundation stone for the University was laid on 11 January 1956 by the Late Dr. Rajendera Prasad, the first President of India, the Kurukshetra University Act was passed in May 1956. Starting with only the Department of Sanskrit, it developed into a multi-faculty University within four years. In June 1974 the residential status of the university changed to an affiliating one. Today the University imparts instruction and provides facilities for research in many areas in faculties of Arts and Languages, Social Sciences, Indic Studies, Science, Law, Education, Commerce and Management. The University offers courses in Engineering & Technology, Medical & Dental Science and Ayurvedic Medicines in the affiliated colleges

At present, there are 39 postgraduate departments on the University campus. It has 106 affiliated colleges from the districts of Kurukshetra, Karnal, Jind, Ambala, Hissar, Kaithal, Fatehabad, Panipat, Panchkula, Yamuna Nagar and Sirsa.

About 90,000 students are enrolled in the colleges in addition to 5000 students on the campus. It has 106 affiliated colleges. The combined programme options include Ph.D. in 48 subjects, M. Phil. in 140 Masters degree in 57 undergraduate programme in 25 PG Diploma in 10, UG Diploma in 6 subjects and Certificate Courses in 5 subjects. The university also runs Master’s courses in Business Management, Business Economics, International Business, Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, M.C.A., M.Sc. Software, besides courses in traditional subjects.

Vocational Education - The University has also made efforts to provide vocational education and encouraged offering a number of self-financing courses in both the university and the affiliated colleges. With assistance from UGC, it has introduced

• B.Sc. with Agro-sciences
• Electronic Equipment Maintenance
• Industrial Chemistry
• Industrial Microbiology
• Computer Science
• Communicative English
• Biotechnology
• Functional Hindi
• Office Management & Secretarial Practice
• Tax Procedure & Practice, Tourism & Travel Management
• B.Tech. Instrumentation
• B.C.A.
• B.B.A. courses at the undergraduate level.

D.E.P. - The University offers 48 courses in the distance education programme. These are organised under the Open University scheme through Zee TV. Almost all operations of the Directorate of Correspondence Courses have been computerized. The Team found that the working of the distance education system is efficient and provides easy access to education for the needy in professional courses also.

Departments / Faculty

1. Arts and Languages
2. Sciences
3. Social Sciences
4. Indic Studies
5. Pharmaceutical science
6. Education
7. Engineering and Technology
8. Medical
9. Commerce & Management
10. Law
11. Life Science

Facilities

Hostel - Providing accommodation to about 2500 boys and girls is an extraordinary feature of the university. The hostels are well maintained with healthy surrounding and well-managed arrangement of supply of food.

Library - The library building is impressive and it is in regular use. It is supported by computer facility, but it needs modernisation. The library staffs are not familiar with the maintenance of archives, and upkeep of previous literature and manuscripts of historical importance is not satisfactory. The computerization of information about books is cumbersome and not much user friendly.

Computer Centre - The Computer Centre organises courses for teachers of the University every year. Up to the rank of Reader, all teachers are covered under the faculty development programme

Research - Overall achievement in research is excellent. Departments like Chemistry, Education, Botany, Zoology and Physics, research publication in international journals is good. Teachers in these science departments have published their research findings in many international journals of repute, currently research activity is not on the rise. Infrastructural support is amazing in many of the departments of University. Creation of Dr. Radha Krishnan Foundation for promoting research in different disciplines is a positive step.Departments like Education, Chemistry and Commerce have earned special assistance of the UGC for their efforts in teaching and research.

Scholarships and Aids - The University provides a number of scholarships and fellowships. It has created Dr. Radha Krishnan Fund to support research facilities in different disciplines. There is also a Goel award in Science sponsored by an NRI. The University also provides loan facilities to students. There is also special aid for SC/ST/BC students from the State Government.

Health facilities - The University Health Centre looks after the Medical needs of the student, staff and their families of the campus. Medicines are given in the University Health Centre round the clock. Homeopathic medicines are also given in the Health Centre. Complete Physiotherapy Unit, Computerised ECG, EEG and Spirometry, X-Ray Ambulance facilities, laboratories facilities with Auto Analyser etc. Ultrasound and Dental facilities are available in the University Health Centre.

Welfare - The University has developed many welfare schemes for students, teachers and other workers. Provisions for advances of loans to them are quite good.

Seminars/Conferences - These are organised by the University out of its own funds for the benefit of faculty and students in addition to others funded by the UGC. Faculty are encouraged to participate in national and international seminars/workshops.

Sports Facilities - These are much better than those generally offered by many universities. This is also reflected in the performance of students in various games and sports meets. For example, several Arjuna Awardees are from the University.

Leisure - Teachers Club, Faculty Lounge, Community Centre and University Auditorium are other significant facilities provided in the campus.

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Information compiled from: Kurukshetra University Website