Profile
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 Legislature, the 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 main Campus in Athirampuzha, a hamlet 13 Kms. off Kottayam town. Apart from this, the University has 8 Satellite Campuses at Pullarikunnu, Soorya Kalady Hills, Nattasserry, Puthuppally, Gandhinagar and Cheruvandoor in Kottayam, Thodupuzha and Nedumkandam in Idukki District, and Chuttippara in Pathanamthitta District.
The University enrolls 1,50,000 students on an average every year to its 250 Courses in graduate, post graduate and M.Phil/Ph.D. programmes through 21 University Departments, 26 Engineering Colleges, 1 Law College, 4 Medical Colleges, 21 Nursing Colleges, 8 Nursing Institutes under School of Medical Education, 3 Centres of School of Technology & Applied Sciences, 5 Pharmacy Colleges, 7 Dental Colleges, 3 Ayurveda Colleges, 2 Homoeo Colleges, 1 Music and Fine Arts College, 128 affiliated Arts and Science Colleges, 43 Education Training Colleges, and 12 University Colleges of Teacher Education. Mahatma Gandhi University has made its presence outside its territorial jurisdiction through the 75 off campus centres – 63 centres within Kerala, 4 outside Kerala and 8 abroad.
The 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 25 Self Financing Institutions under its orbit, offering Engineering, Applied Sciences, Nursing and Paramedical 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.
As per the directives of the UGC, the University has introduced Choice Based Credit Semester System and Grading in its UG programmes during the avademic year 2009-10.
Mahatma Gandhi University has 10 Inter disciplinary Schools of teaching and research and 11 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 more than 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, Institute of Political Studies of Rennes, France 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, enabling 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 more than 1100 doctoral degrees for the research activities undertaken by the scholars in various disciplines and published over 6500 papers in research journals of international repute. The approved theses for which the University has awarded Ph.Ds. have been digitally archived and open access provided through Internet. The online theses of MGU have turned out to be one of the top visited web resources. INTUTE, the consortuum of UK based Universites has rated the as one of the “very best” research source enabling the University to excel itsa pursuits in the acdemic field. The Former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. Richard Matthew Stallman has lauded this unique initiative.
At present, Mahatma Gandhi University offers research facilities and guidance in over 40 disciplines through its own Departments as well as 202 approved research Centres. The University has set up a dedicated Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre, in order to promote research, acquisition of IPR’s and technology transfer. Under the ageis of the Centre a unique five year integrated, inter disciplinary MS programme has been introduced.
The University is having a web-enabled Central Library and 21 Departmental Libraries, 4 Study Centres. The University Library is a member of UGC infonet digital library consortium and has access to more than 4500 online journals and databases. The Information and Public Relations Department caters to the information dissemination requirements of the University. Besides the Main Enquiry, PRO and RTI sections in the University campus, 7 Regional Information Centres shoulder the responsibility to reach the academia, student community and the general public.
The University has published 83 titles in Malayalam, 53 titles in English and 18 titles in Hindi. This includes 13 text books and Vaikom Satyagraha Rekhakal and the reprint edition( 1861) of Rev. Richard Collins Vyakaranam 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, Macmillan, Nature Book and M.G. University Central Co-operative Stores.
The 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 channelising the creativity sparks of the students. A full-fledged Students Service Department caters to the student amenities. The Employment and Guidance Bureau offers regular programmes for students to prepare for the UGC, NET, CSIR and other competitive examinations. M G University has been ranked 16th in the nation and third in South India, in the UGC-CSIR-NET examinations during the last five-year figures.
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, Ms. Chitra K. Soman and Ms.Siny K. Jose were able to enter into the international athletic circuit and represented the Nation in the various Olympics.
The University has honoured the famous Malayalam writers – the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Shri. M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Shri. Adoor Gopalakrishnan with D.Litt. Seminars, colloquiums and workshops of international stature are regular feature in the University, besides hosting annual memorial lectures in honour of the late litterateurs and scientists.
