University

GUJARAT UNIVERSITY
(Established 23rd November, 1949)

Address:
Gujarat University
Navrangpura,
Ahmedabad - 380 009
Gujarat, India.
Phone : +91-079-26301341, +91-079-26300342/43
Fax : +91-079-26302654
Website :www.gujaratuniversity.ac.in

Brief History of University

The Gujarat University was conceived in the nineteen twenties in the minds of public-spirited and learned men like Gandhiji, Sardar Patel, Acharya Anandshankar B. Dhruva, Dada Saheb Mavlankar, Kasturbhai Lalbhai and many others. However, the University could come into existence only after the achievement of independence.In 1949, the University was incorporated under the Gujarat University Act of the State Government 'as a teaching and affiliating University.' This was done as a measure of decentralisation and reorganization of University education in the then Province of Bombay.

During the course of its life of more than five decades, the University has seen the establishment of seven more Universities which were carved out of the jurisdiction of the Gujarat University, viz., Sardar Patel University, Saurashtra University, Bhavnagar University, South Gujarat University, Gujarat Ayurveda University, Gujarat Agricultural University and North Gujarat University. Even then, the Gujarat University is the largest university in the state catering to the needs of higher education of more than two lakh students scattered over 235 colleges, 15 recognised institutions and 24 approved institutions. There are 34 Post-Graduate University departments and 221 P.G. Centres.

Gujarat University is an affiliating University at the under-graduate level, while it is a teaching one at the post-graduate level. Indeed, the responsibility for post-graduate instruction has been statutorily given to the University, and accordingly it has evolved a plan of co-ordinated instruction under the direct control and supervision of the University so as to ensure efficient and diversified instruction. An important feature of this University is the system of external examinations in the Faculties of Arts and Commerce, both and under-graduate and post-graduate levels. The external examinations were introduced with a view to enabling working students and the others who could not afford the high cost of university education to realize their dream.

Gujarat University has developed phenomenally in the last 57 years to be recognized as a premier University in the country today. It provides education in one of the widest range of disciplines to about two lakh students.

Gujarat University Emblem

The emblem of the Gujarat University symbolically represents both the cultural heritage of Gujarat and the characteristics and aspirations of her people. The most prominent symbols are the dancing peacock and the sculptural architecture resting on two pillars and a lamp suspended from its centre. The dancing peacocks, besides representing its rider, Saraswati, the Goddess of learning in Indian Mythology, symbolizes Gujarat's love for arts and her dignified aesthetic taste. The architecture represents the most characteristic feature of Gujarat's sculpture and is eloquent of her rich heritage; while the two pillars symbolize the solid foundation on which the heritage rests. The lamp suspended from the centre of the architecture is a symbol of learning that dispels the darkness of ignorance and enlightens everything that it encompasses. The lightning at the top of the rectangle and the atomic circles below it symbolize at once the flash of genius and scientific progress and proclaim the avowed ambition of the University to build and maintain a balanced outlook towards Arts and Sciences as indeed towards the life in general.

The motto ( i.e More work and intelligent work alone leads to efficiency and progress ) is a well-known quotation from the Bhagwad Geeta and enjoins the work of the teachers and the students of the University.

Highlights of the University

• Oldest and biggest university of the State
• Most preferred university among students for professional courses
• Regular and timely conduct of Academic Programs
• Timely conduct of examinations and declaration of results
• Internal and external evaluation
• Highly co-operative staff
• Culture of academic autonomy to faculty members
• Introduce market oriented courses
• Participation of students in decision making
• Highest enrolment of students in the undergraduate and post graduate courses in the State.
• External programs are extremely popular in spite of two open universities in the State/City.
• Administration and management of the university with a lean staff, therefore higherproductivity per employee.
• Timely and transparent election to power bodies.
• Well placed alumni all over the globe.
• Socially sensitive institution.
• Facility of Central Consumer Co-op. Store within university building which works as a sales counter for various forms & stationery to students and provision goods to employees of the university. It also has a facility of photocopying for students.
• Banking and Postal facility available at university campus.

Prime recognized Institutes of Gujarat University

Physical Research Laboratory ( PRL )

• A national centre for research in space and allied sciences, supported mainly by Department of Space.
• Research programmes cover astronomy and astrophysics, planetary atmosphere and aeronomy, earth sciences and solar system studies and theoretical physics.
• Manages the Udaipur Solar Observatory.

Space Application Centre ( SAC-ISRO )

• Conducts space applications research and development in satellite communication and remote sensing.
• Design and build communication, remote sensing and meteorological satellite payloads and satellite communication earth station equipment.
• Facilities include mechanical fabrication, electronic fabrication, payload fabrication, MIC fabrication and environmental tests.
• Also operates Delhi Earth Station for satellite communication.
• Achievements include development of communication and meteorogical payloads for INSAT and camera payloads for IRS satellites.
• Currently engaged in development of INSAT communication and meteorological payloads and cameras for IRS satellites.

Autonomous Inter-university UGC Centre at Gujarat University

Information and Library Network Centre ( INFLIBNET )

Information and Library Network Centre is an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. It is a major National Programme initiated by the UGC in 1991 with its Head Quarters at Gujarat University Campus, Ahmedabad. Initially started as a project under the IUCAA, it became an independent Inter-University Centre in 1996. INFLIBNET Centre is involve in creating infrastructure for sharing of of library and information resources and services among Academic and Research Institutions. INFLIBNET works collaboratively with Indian university libraries to shape the future of the academic libraries in the evolving information environment.

Educational Multimedia Research Centre ( EMRC )

EMRC, Ahmedabad, is one of the forerunners among the 17 various multimedia Centres established all over India by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which were known as EMRC's/AVRC's, with the objective of generating quality higher educational software. UGC has initiated an educational television transmission, earlier named 'Countrywide Classroom'. Its original one-hour slot transmission today, has grown into a 24 hour dedicated educational channel, 'Vyas'. Not only this but the programmes generated by the centres are shown on various other channels, which includes Education International on DD Bharti. In the near future, they will be available through DTH and EduSat. Henceforth, we have a big share in television broadcasting and now our vision is in tune with the modern development of webcasting and for this the centre is geared towards multimedia development.