Ahmedabad University[2] is a private, non-profit research university located in Gujarat, India. Established in 2009 by the Ahmedabad Education Society, it comprises six schools and ten centres.[3] The university offers a liberal education focused on interdisciplinary learning, research thinking, and experiential learning. Ahmedabad University provides diverse programmes across the humanities, arts, natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and management.[4]
Ahmedabad University was established by the Ahmedabad Education Society (AES), a non-profit educational foundation that has founded several prominent Indian academic institutions. The University's foundation is rooted in the vision of Kasturbhai Lalbhai, a distinguished figure in the Indian textile industry, and is guided by the motto of continuous progress of self and society.[5]
Ahmedabad University's governance structure includes a Board of Governors comprising industry and academic leaders. As of 2025, the Board includes Sanjay Lalbhai (Chancellor, Chairman, and Managing Director of Arvind Limited) and Pankaj Chandra (Vice Chancellor),[6] in addition to Naushad Forbes (Co-Chairman of Forbes Marshall), Punit Lalbhai (Vice Chairman of Arvind Limited), Sudhir Mehta (Chairman Emeritus of Torrent Group), Naishadh Parikh (Chairman and Managing Director of Equinox Solutions Ltd.), and Pankaj Patel (Chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences), among others.
The Board of Governors, along with the University's deans and an academic board of scholars, oversee academic decisions, curriculum development, research initiatives, and other university-related matters.[7]
Campus
Aerial view of Stepwell from The School of Arts and SciencesArboretum and University CentreFabrication Lab
The Ahmedabad University campus[8] is situated in the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, often referred to as the "University Area." The 158-acre campus features the internationally recognised University Centre,[9][10] an urban forest with diverse flora and fauna, seven cafeterias,[11] and various academic resources,[12] including laboratories,[13] high-performance computing system,[14] and libraries.[15]
Ahmedabad University provides comprehensive student facilities, encompassing on-campus accommodation, sports facilities,[16] recreational spaces, and a wellness center.[17] Ahmedabad University is an eco-friendly campus that has implemented sustainability strategies[18] to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, reduce water runoff, and expand green spaces for the university community and surrounding area.
Academics
Undergraduate programmes
The university provides multidisciplinary undergraduate programmes[19] in arts, sciences, humanities, technology, and management. A mandatory Foundation Programme,[20] consisting of four studio courses focused on diverse aspects of society, precedes major[21] declaration. All undergraduate students are encouraged to undertake a capstone project or engage in undergraduate research project[22] to develop academic research skills. These undergraduate programmes[23] offer students the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses to make learning interdisciplinary.
Graduate programmes
Ahmedabad University offers interdisciplinary, research-driven, and practice-oriented graduate degrees.[24] Current offerings include programmes in business administration,[25] heritage management,[26] economics,[27] and quantitative finance], and technology with specialisations [28] composites,[29][30] computer science and engineering,[31] and microelectronics and semiconductors.[32]
Doctoral programmes
The university provides interdisciplinary PhD programmes[33] in management,[34] arts and sciences,[35] engineering and applied science,[36] and public health.[37]
Continuing education and executive programmes
Ahmedabad University offers continuing education and executive programmes[38] designed for professionals. These programmes include the Global Executive Master of Business Administration in Pharmaceutical Management,[39] Transforming R&D in Indian Firms,[40] and the GROW Executive General Management Programme.[41] These programmes aim to provide advanced knowledge and skills for career advancement.
Certificate programmes
Ahmedabad University offers certificate programmes[42] that enable participants to enhance their professional portfolios. Current offerings include programmes in business analytics,[43] financial analysis,[44] digital marketing,[45] physiotherapy for the visually impaired, translation and creative writing, and composites.
Admissions and scholarships
Admission to Ahmedabad University's programmes[46] requires the submission of an application form. For undergraduate programmes, applicants are evaluated based on their Grade XII test scores, application materials, and a personal interview. Graduate programme admissions consider applicants' academic performance in prior graduate studies, competitive examination scores (where applicable), application materials, and a personal interview. The university employs a holistic review process to assess applicants' fit with the University's culture and academic environment.
Scholarships
Ahmedabad University offers both merit-based and need-based scholarships to eligible students.[47]
Awards and recognitions
Recognised by the Government of Gujarat as a Centre of Excellence[48]
Accredited with an 'A' grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
Awarded a 5-star rating, one of the highest awarded in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) for 2021-22 by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Department of Education, Government of Gujarat[49]
Recognised by the UGC under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, making it one of the few private research universities to have been awarded this recognition for select research universities[50]
Recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023[51]
Awarded the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Innovations That Inspire Award 2023 for its Foundation Programme[51]
Awarded Platinum Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for achieving the Green Building Standards at our University Centre[52]
Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024 for our University Centre[53]
Ranked 6th in India and 18th in South Asia for climate action in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024.[54]
Schools
Amrut Mody School of Management
Amrut Mody School of Management[55] at Ahmedabad University advances an understanding of management through interdisciplinary inquiry. It offers programmes across levels with interdisciplinary inputs and liberal perspectives to develop solutions to contemporary problems. The School works closely with industry partners to balance rigorous practice and strong conceptual education. The School fosters entrepreneurial thinking that transforms business and society.
Bagchi School of Public Health
The Bagchi School of Public Health[56][57][58] builds on Ahmedabad University’s unique strengths and interdisciplinary education to train individuals and enable problem solvers to develop contemporary, wholistic, and innovative solutions for public health through education, research, and practice.
School of Arts and Sciences
The School of Arts and Sciences[59][60] follows a pedagogical approach, enabling collaborative and interdisciplinary learning and fostering a holistic educational experience. The School has five academic divisions: Biological and Life Sciences, Humanities and Languages, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Performing and Visual Arts, and Social Sciences.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
The School[61] of Engineering and Applied Science[61] delivers undergraduate and graduate engineering programmes with extensive student-centric pedagogies. It employs a project-based educational approach to shape dynamic and proactive graduates with capabilities for lifelong learning, complex problem-solving, design and innovation, and technology adoption towards meeting society's needs.
Research centres
Ahmedabad Design Lab
Ahmedabad Design Lab is a research, practice, and teaching space that helps understand the societal challenges facing and find concomitant innovative solutions. Through design, the Lab integrates systems of knowledge from multiple disciplines. It focuses on the issues of Ahmedabad city in the social, economic, and governance domains, enabling it to become one of the country's most vibrant cities in the world.
Centre for Heritage Management
The Centre for Heritage Management fosters critical engagement with heritage and strategic management interventions in various heritage sectors. It does so through academic programmes. The Centre hosts the secretariat of a university network called ‘Asia Pacific Higher Education Network for Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (APHEN-ICH). It has been on the executive boards of another university network supported by UNESCO and ICCROM–Asian Academy of Heritage Management (AAHM). The Centre and its faculty collaborate with UNESCO to offer several capacity-building programmes and MOOC courses.[62]
Centre for Inter-Asian Research
Established in August 2021, the Centre brings together scholars and practitioners to reimagine the Inter-Asian century, spanning areas such as modes of everyday living, forms of organisation, institution and network creation, technology development and deployment, economic and social decision-making, reimagining political and economic structures, and experimenting with diverse artistic forms. The Centre focuses on collaborative research projects across India and Asia and teaching across the various Schools at Ahmedabad University.
Centre for Learning Futures
The Centre for Learning Futures (CLeF) designs and implements initiatives to support teaching and learning at the University. The Centre offers academic reading and writing courses and workshops in study skills. Through its Learning Initiatives, the Centre provides opportunities for curricular experimentation and pedagogic innovation as platforms for integrating learner-centric technological solutions in higher education.
Global Centre for Environment and Energy
The Centre produces interdisciplinary research to advance the scientific understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation with a strong focus on sustainable development, including, and especially, equity, poverty alleviation, clean air, energy security, and employment.[63]
The Centre drives cutting-edge research in the areas of Space, Astrophysics, and Cosmology; trains the next generation of researchers; advances the public understanding of the Physics domain; and disseminates essential developments in these areas amongst the general public. The Centre [65] works in collaboration nationally and globally with colleagues having related interests.
Physiotherapy College for the Visually Impaired
The Centre, spanning two campuses – the Blind People's Association and the School for the Deaf and Mute Society, supports the programme in physiotherapy with cutting-edge resources. Started in August 2005, the Centre endeavours to build visually impaired learners' careers and prepare professionals to meet society's challenges.
Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health
Ahmedabad University’s Bagchi School of Public Health partnered with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) to establish Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health. The collaboration combines strengths in health promotion, research, training, epidemiology, community empowerment, and outreach.[66]
The Climate Institute
The Climate Institute[67] at Ahmedabad University facilitates the development of solutions for climate, energy, and environmental challenges in the Global South by integrating local, national, and international resources. The Centre achieves this through education, research, and strategic partnerships, accelerating the implementation of innovative and impactful solutions.[68][69]
VentureStudio
VentureStudio,[70] the innovation and startup incubation centre[71] at Ahmedabad University, was established in collaboration with Stanford University Design School in 2011. Since its inception, the Centre has supported over 150 startups in diverse science and technology domains such as Healthcare, BioTechnology, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Engineering, Agriculture, Fintech, Hardware, Industry 4.0, and Enterprise Software, among others.[72] In 2017, the Department of BioTechnology chose the Centre to support BioIncubation activities in Gujarat.
Collaborations
Ahmedabad University has entered into collaborations with several international research universities for academic development. These include:
Stanford University's Center for Design Research to help develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem through VentureStudio[73]
Olin College of Engineering, USA for accelerating project-based learning specifically in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.[74]
MoU with Bronx Community College (BCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) to promote and develop academic cooperation, including student exchanges, summer schools and faculty-led programmes, and joint research, conferences, and workshops.[78]
MoU with the University of Sussex Business School and the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Economic Research (CTIER) in Pune, India to further mutual interests in education and academic research between the UK and India.[79]
School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University partnered with Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) have joined hands to advance education, research and development, and provide services to the industries in these domains.[80]
MoU with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) focusing on talent development, research, and startup support within the fields of fintech and international financial services.[81]
MoU with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai to enhance national and global health through collaborative research and training, focusing on facilitating doctoral research initiatives.[82]
School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University signed an MoU with the Composites Excellence Center of Asia (CECA) to create a highly qualified workforce in composites, including design evolution, research and development, creation of tool designs, and promotion of appropriate manufacturing methodology.[83]
School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University signed an MoU with KUKA India Pvt Ltd. to establish the Advanced Industrial Robotic Centre of Excellence at the varsity campus, enhancing academic prowess, training, and industry-academia collaboration.[84]
MoU with Physical Research Laboratory to promote joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and access to resources and facilities.[85]
A consortium of Ahmedabad University, IIT Gandhinagar, and UC San Diego,[86] in partnership with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), launched the GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI)[87] to establish India as a global leader in fintech by delivering advanced training and research programmes.[88]
Notable faculty
Ahmedabad University's faculty comprises approximately 200 academics and industry professionals with expertise in management, technology, humanities, arts, public health, and related fields. Many faculty members hold doctoral degrees from internationally recognised institutions and engage in interdisciplinary research both within the university and through external collaborations.
Ahmedabad University, located in India's first UNESCO World Heritage City, provides students access to cultural and historical resources. Students have opportunities to participate in intercollegiate competitions, music and performance festivals and explore historical sites and markets.
Housing
Student residencies offer comfortable, safe, and secure living accommodations that foster a sense of community and celebrate diversity in ideas, lifestyles, and cultural practices.[120]
Athletics
Ahmedabad University offers a comprehensive sports and games programme. Activities available include indoor and outdoor sports such as basketball, badminton, chess, cricket, carom, football, frisbee, shooting, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball. The University Centre features a gymnasium with modern equipment and a trained instructor.[121]
Student Organisations
Ahmedabad University has nearly 30 student clubs and associations, designed to facilitate participation in co-curricular, academic, and social events. These enhance the student experience, enabling students to develop their skills, pursue interests, and build networks.[122]
Student Support
The university's Circle of Care programme provides incoming students with a support network consisting of faculty advisors, senior student mentors, and peer groups. This programme aims to assist students with their transition to university life by offering academic and personal guidance. The university counsellor and career development centre provide additional support.[123]
Ahmedabad University's Career Development Centre assists graduating students in preparing for professional careers. The Centre provides resources to support students in exploring, developing, and pursuing their career goals. It also facilitates connections between students and industry, aiming to align with individual student aspirations.
Ahmedabad University student community comprises 4000 students with more than 100 students pursuing PhD.
Notable achievements
Soham Payal Pathak from Amrut Mody School of Management and his co-founder, Payal Pathak, won a Shark Tank deal in 2023 for their venture, The Simply Salad, a subscription-based model of salads with an Indian touch.[125]
A team of students from the Amrut Mody School of Management (Meha Parekh, Soham Pathak, Juhi Saluja, and Mansi Tiwari) secured third place in the MSIM Global Case Competition, organised by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.[126]
Freya Shah, from the School of Arts and Sciences, received the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for the summer of 2024 to work on a Quantum Machine Learning project at the California Institute of Technology.[127]
Devanshee Kansara from the School of Engineering and Applied Science was selected to participate in the highly competitive scholarship and technical mentorship program, Women Engineers, supported by Google.[128]
Zeel Rajodiya and Aadya Chinubhai from the School of Engineering and Applied Science were selected as contributors for the Google Summer of Code (GSoC) programme.[129]
Students from the Amrut Mody School of Management and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (Aditya Dave, Maharsh Patel, Devam Bhatt, Zeel Devvadia, Hanish Lodha, and Hetvi Rajgor) designed a robot to inspect sewage pipelines, identify areas needing cleaning and detect defects before they cause breakdowns.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
