Mahatma Gandhi University - Kerala

About Mahatma Gandhi University - Kerala

The Mahatma Gandhi University was established on October 2nd 1983 by the Government of Kerala through an Act of the Legislative Assembly. It was formally inaugurated by Sri. Gyani Zail Singh the H.E, President of India on 26th the same month. It was formerly known as Gandhi ji University. The University is funded by the University Grants Commission and Government of Kerala. It is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Spread over Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and some parts of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts, the M G University is the largest of the seven Universities in Kerala having affiliated colleges. Kottayam, the first town in India to achieve total literacy, has been playing a pioneering role for the spread of higher education in Kerala, a state that has achieved total literacy. Presently the University has 21 teaching and research departments/schools and 183 affiliated colleges, six information centres, three study centres and several campuses. The University Library is the first in Kerala, to set up the on-line information retrieval facility Entire Revenue Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki and a few taluks of other Districts like Alapuzha (Kuttanad Taluk), Pathanamthitta District (Kozhancherry, Mallappally, Ranny and Tiruvalla Taluks) come under it's jurisdiction. The University has a sprawling 110 Acre main Campus in Athirampuzha, a hamlet 13 Kms. off Kottayam town.

The University enrols 1,50,000 students on an average every year to its 410 Courses in graduate, post graduate and M.Phil/Ph.D. programme. 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 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. 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. 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 Kottayam Literacy Campaign, the first of its kind in India (1989 ) was a project of this University. National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps, University Students Union and College Union are very active, in channelising the creativity sparks of the students. A full-fledged Students Service Department looks into the student amenities. 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.

Location and Transportation - The University campus is located at the Priyadarsini Hills which is 13 km away from Kottayam Railway Station and 4 km away from Ettumannoor. In order to reach the campus one should take deviation from Ettumannor or Gandhi Nagar (from M. C. Road). The nearest airport is at Cochin (Nedumbassery) which is about 80 km away.

Constituent Institutes

1. Engineering Colleges - 22
2. Law College - 1
3. Medical Colleges - 3
4. Nursing Colleges - 20
5. SME Nursing Institutes - 7
6. Pharmacy Colleges - 4
7. Dental Colleges - 4
8. Ayurveda Colleges - 3
9. Homoeo Colleges - 2
10. Music and Fine Arts College - 1
11. Affiliated Arts and Science colleges - 121
12. Education Training Colleges - 37
13. University Colleges of Teacher Education - 12 The courses in the Departments are conducted in the credit and semester system.

Departments

It has 22 Departments

Facilities

Schools - 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.

Satellite Campuses - 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.

Vocational Rehabilitation Centre - The Vocational Rehabilitation Centre under the School of Behavioural Sciences has opened a new pathway in reaching the masses.

Off Campus Centres - 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.

Library - 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.

Self-financing Stream - 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.

Research -University offers research facilities and guidance in over 40 disciplines through its own Departments as well as 114 approved research Centres. Research facility is available in the University and the eligibility: 55% marks for Post Graduation Degree Examination provided one has passed the aptitude test for research candidate must have applied for research within five years from the date of publication of the result of the aptitude test. The SC/ST candidate need only 45% in science and 40% in Arts and Social Sciences. They have to qualify the aptitude test in order to apply for research.

Employment and Guidance Bureau - The Employment and Guidance Bureau offers regular programmes for students to prepare for the UGC, NET, CSIR and other competitive Examinations.

Sports and Culture - 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.

Awards - Cash Awards are given to outstanding sports participants, first place winners in Youth Festival - individual item and the winning team in group, Cultural Scholarship and JRF given by University.

Achievements

• B+ accreditation of National Assessment and Accreditation Council
• 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 Nalpathimala Grama Vikas Kendra, within the University Campus, has evolved as a nationally accepted model for Campus-Community partnership, which won the first Indira Gandhi NSS Award in 1993.
• 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.

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Information compiled from: Mahatma Gandhi University - Kerala Website