Brief History

          Established in 1949 under the Gujarat University Act, the Gujarat University is largest and oldest university of the Gujarat state.  The idea of setting up the university conceived in 1940s and the seed of inceptions was laid down by Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel under the chairmanship of Mr. G. B. Mavlankar in consultation with Mr. Kasaturbhai Lalbhai and Acharya Anand Shankar Dhruv. Gujarat University is affiliating university, having more than 350 affiliated colleges, 35 post graduate departments and more than 50 affiliated post graduate centres with diversified courses in faculties of 1. Arts, 2. Commerce 3. Science 4. Education 5. Law 6. Medical and 7. Dental.  The university spans over eight districts like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara, Panchamahal, Dahod, Mahisagar and two union territories.  Therefore, it covers a significant geographical area of the state and provides expressions to the educational aspiration of about 2 Crore Urban, Rural and Tribal communities of the region. Starting with the only university in the region during the erstwhile Bombay Province, at present almost all 10 universities of the state have evolved from Gujarat University.

           The glory of university is reflected in some of the eminent alumni like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Shri Narendra Modi (Prime Minister, India), Dr. K. Kasturirangan (Former Chairman, ISRO), Dr. Ila Bhatt (SEVA), Justice Ahmedi (Former Chief Justice of India), Mr. Pankaj Patel (CEO, Zydus Cadila), Mr. Kharekwala (Wockhardt), Dr. Ravindra Dave (Former Chairman, UNESCO) and many others.As the paradigm shift in social political and economic policies took place from the early nineties, university has maintained pace with the changes by introducing and number of programmes in emerging inter-intra disciplinary areas with promising employment opportunities which geared the evolving needs of the society at large. Some of these programmes are:
Animation, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Technology, Biotechnology, Climate Change Impacts Management, Clinical Research, Food Science and  Nutrition, Forensic Science, Human Genetics, Infrastructure Management Services, Information Technology, Mobile Applications & Developmental Management, Maritime Management, Creative Science, Financial Services, Performing Arts, Networking and Communication, Web Technology, Communication & Journalism, PGDIFA, PGDFMI, PGDPM, PGDCSA, PGDACCP, PGDCR, etc. The academic capability and potential of the university is recognized by the globally reputed research organizations like PRL, ISRO, Plasma Research Institute, Entrepreneur Development Institute engaged in extended research activities of the university. The university has organized more than 200 seminar/symposium/workshop/conference/training course/conference/congress, etc. in collaboration with the state or central funding agencies. The university has a state of art Convention Centre with three exhibition halls to cater the needs of social/academic/industrial organizations to organize academic and industrial summits and conventions.

           There are about 40 ongoing major and minor research projects funded by UGC, DBT, DST, CSIR, SAC/ISRO, MoES, MHRD, GUJCOST, GSBTM, central and state government etc. in various teaching departments amounting to a total budget about Rs.700 lacs.  Three Departments are facilitated under DST-FIST programme and one department is recognized as a Centre for Excellence for research by Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), Gandhinagar. Jan Shikshan Sansthan established before 35 years ago, provides extension social and entrepreneurship activities at community level. The Health Centre provides basic Medicare where professional specialists are invited on consultation basis. The university has introduced an innovative programme for NRI and foreign students as Study Abroad Programme (SAP) to facilitate international collaborative education. Rollwala Computer Centre has emerged with novel self-designed programme for confidential and smooth functioning of examination related work. Timely declaration of the results and prompt awarding of mark sheet is carried out. To address the grievances of the students, Student Information Centre is established. Women’s Development Cell and Anti-Raging Cell are also constituted as per UGC guidelines. The lush green campus of the university considered as the lungs of the city-Ahmedabad in the middle of the concrete establishments.The university faced several academic as well as administrative challenges during this journey but has been able to maintain standards of higher education and also has a perspective plan for institutional development as envisaged in the vision and mission statement of the university