University of Kerala

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University of Kerala
Kerala University Emblem.png
Former name
University of Travancore
Mottoकर्मणि व्यज्यते प्रज्ञा
Karmaṇi Vyajyate Prajñā (Sanskrit)
Motto in English
Wisdom manifests itself in action
Type State University
Established1937;87 years ago (1937)
Founder Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Affiliation UGC, NAAC, AIU, ACU
Chancellor Governor of Kerala
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal [1]
Location,
India

8°30′12″N76°56′50″E / 8.50333°N 76.94722°E / 8.50333; 76.94722
Campus Urban
Website keralauniversity.ac.in
University Building UoK Building.jpg
University Building

University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is a state-run public university in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma who was also the first Chancellor of the university. C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer, the then Diwan (Prime Minister) of the State was the first Vice-Chancellor. It was the first university in Kerala, and among the first in the country. It is accredited by NAAC with highest grade of A++ and scored 3.67 points out of 4. [2]

Contents

The university has over 150 affiliated colleges and has sixteen faculties and 43 Departments of teaching and research. The Governor of Kerala serves as the Chancellor of university. [3]

History

The history of the University of Kerala is integral to the history of the state itself. One of the first 16 Universities in India, the University of Kerala was founded in 1937. It was formerly called the University of Travancore in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore (now southern part of Kerala and some neighbouring parts of state of Tamilnadu). The University came into being by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Sri ChithiraThirunal Balarama Varma who was also the first Chancellor of the University. Sir C. P Ramaswamy Ayyar, the then Diwan (Prime minister) of the State was the first Vice-Chancellor. He was an eminent scholar and an able administrator. It is said that the Government made an unsuccessful attempt to invite Albert Einstein to be the first Vice-Chancellor. The University was modelled after the best Universities of the United Kingdom, and even today retains some of these features. The affiliating system of the University however evolved differently from the college system in British Universities.

The earliest origins of the University may be traced back to two institutions of modern learning in Kerala - the University College Thiruvananthapuram and the Trivandrum Observatory. The University College was initially founded as the Maharaja's Free School by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal in 1834, with Mr John Roberts, a Christian Missionary as Headmaster, and soon grew into a college in 1866, affiliated to the Madras University. When the University of Travancore was founded, the departments of the college became University departments, only to switch back again when the transformation to University of Kerala happened in 1957. The University College still retains its connection with the University as an affiliated college. The Thiruvananthapuram Observatory was founded in 1838 and had an internationally reputed scientist, John Caldecott FRS as its first Director. It became a part of the Travancore University, but was administered as an independent government institution for some time. It is now the oldest institution under the Kerala University. [4]

Organisation and administration

Governance

The Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice- Chancellor, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and the members of the Senate, the Syndicate and the Academic Council constitutes the governing body of the university. The Governor of Kerala is the Chancellor of the university while Education Minister of Kerala is the Pro-Chancellor of the university. [5]

Affiliated colleges

Rankings

University rankings
General – India
NIRF (Overall) (2023) [6] 47
NIRF (Universities) (2023) [7] 24

It was ranked 24th among universities. [7] and 47th overall by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2023 [6]

Notable alumni

Notable alumni includes tenth President of India K. R. Narayanan, renowned theoretical physicist Thanu Padmanabhan, geneticist M. S. Swaminathan, ISRO former Chairman G. Madhavan Nair, INSA scientist Perdur Radhakantha Adiga, former Supreme Court judges, Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Fathima Beevi, legal luminary N. R. Madhava Menon, Indian film actor Mohanlal, Malayalam poets O. N. V. Kurup, Sugathakumari, Music composer G. Devarajan, historian M. G. S. Narayanan, cricketer Sanju Samson and many other eminent personalities.

Others

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travancore</span> Kingdom in southern India from 1729 to 1949

The Kingdom of Travancore, also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor or later as Travancore State, was kingdom that lasted from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At its zenith, the kingdom covered most of the south of modern-day Kerala and the southernmost part of modern-day Tamil Nadu with the Thachudaya Kaimal's enclave of Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple in the neighbouring Kingdom of Cochin. However Tangasseri area of Kollam city and Anchuthengu near Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram were parts of British India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1829–1846

Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma III was the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore. He was a great musician and composer who has to his credit over 400 classical compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma</span> Last ruling Maharajah of Travancore from 1924–1949

Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, popularly known as Sree Chithira Thirunal, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Indian princely state of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and later the Titular Maharajah of Travancore until 1991. His reign is known for several notable reforms that have indelible impact on the society and culture of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temple Entry Proclamation</span> 1936 order in Kerala, India

The Temple Entry Proclamation was issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma on November 12, 1936. The Proclamation abolished the ban on the backward and marginalised communities, from entering Hindu temples in the Princely State of Travancore, now part of Kerala, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moolam Thirunal</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1885–1924

Sir Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma VI (1857–1924) was Maharajah of the princely state of Travancore between 1885 and 1924, succeeding his uncle Maharajah Visakham Thirunal (1880–1885). Moolam Thirunal is considered as the first in India to implement the concept of public participation in governance through the formation of Travancore Legislative Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sethu Lakshmi Bayi</span> Regent Maharani of Travancore from 1924–1931

Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi CI was the monarch, though designated as the Regent due to British policy, of the Kingdom of Travancore in southern India between 1924 and 1931. She, along with her younger cousin, Moolam Thirunal Sethu Parvathi Bayi, were adopted into the Travancore royal family and were the granddaughters of the celebrated painter, Raja Ravi Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakham Thirunal</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1880–1885

Sri Padmanabha DasaSir Sri Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma VFRAS, also known as Rama Varma the Learned, was the Maharaja of Travancore from 1880 to 1885 AD, succeeding his elder brother Ayilyam Thirunal on the musnud, or throne. He was a noted scholar of Sanskrit and literary composer in Malayalam, who reversed his brother's policy, liberally patronizing poet Kerala Varma, while hostile to painter Raja Ravi Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma</span> Maharaja of Travancore (1922–2013)

Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma was the titular Maharaja of Travancore. He was the younger brother of the last ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Travancore, Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kowdiar Palace</span> Residence of Travancore Royal Family

Kowdiar Palace is the official residence of the Travancore Royal Family, situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It was built in 1934 by Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, on pallikettu (wedding) of his only sister, Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi with G. V. Raja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travancore royal family</span> Ruling family of Travancore

The Travancore royal family was the ruling house of the Kingdom of Travancore.The Travancore royal family signed a treaty with the British in 1788, thereby adopting British dominance. Later, in 1805, they revised the treaty, leading to a diminution of royal authority and the loss of political independence for Travancore. They had to give up their ruling rights over the common people in 1949 when Travancore were forced to merge with Independent India and their political pension privileges were abolished in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University College Thiruvananthapuram</span> Constituent college of the University of Kerala

University College, Thiruvananthapuram, often abbreviated as UCT, established in 1834, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in India. The college has been accorded “College with Potential for Excellence” (CPE) status by the University Grants Commission. University College is identified as a heritage institution by the Government of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swathi Thirunal College of Music</span> Music college in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Swathi Thirunal College of Music is a music college in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1939. It was first named as "The Music Academy". The name was renamed as Swathi Thirunal College of Music in 1962. The founder of this institution was the last reigning King of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1939. The administration of the institution was under the control of the Travancore Royal Family earlier. Eminent musicians like Muthiah Bhagavathar who was the first Principal, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, etc. have served as Principals of this college.

Thirunal is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma</span> Maharaja of Travencore

Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma is the current incumbent to the throne of Travancore. He is the youngest of the four children of the former titular Maharani of Travancore, Sree Padmanabhasevini Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi and her husband, Prince Consort Lt. Col. G. V. Raja of Poonjar Royal House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi</span> Maharani of Travancore

Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi (1916-2008) was the only sister of the last ruling Maharajah of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and of his successor, Sree Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Under the matrilineal Marumakkathayam system of inheritance prevalent in the kingdom of Travancore, it was her children who were heirs to the throne. She therefore held a very special place in the Travancore court, superior to the Maharaja's wives, and was termed the Rani of Attingal in her own right. In 2013, her only surviving son duly succeeded his uncles as titular Maharaja of Travancore and is known as Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sethu Parvathi Bayi</span> Junior Maharani (Elaya Thampuratti) of Attingal & Queen Mother (Amma Maharani) of Travancore

Moolam Thirunal Sethu Parvathi Bayi (1896–1983), better known as Amma Maharani, was the Junior Maharani (Queen) of Travancore as well as a promoter of Indian Classical music. She was the mother of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last King of Travancore. She was the president of the National Council of Women in India in 1938–1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koyi Thampuran</span>

Koyi Thampuran was the title of the Prince Consorts of the Queens and Princesses of Travancore. The Koyi Thampurans' gained prominence and prestige in Kingdom of Travancore as they were the fathers of the then reigning Kings. In Travancore, there were ten clans of Koyi Thampurans. The most ancient were the ones settled at Kilimanoor ; others were Kirthipuram, Pallam, Paliyakkara and Nirazhi, Ananthapuram, Chemprol, Cherukol, Karazhma and Vatakkemadham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSS Hindu College, Changanassery</span> Education institute in Perunna, Changanassery, India

NSS Hindu College, Changanassery (NSSHC) is one of the oldest and largest institutions of higher education of Nair Service Society was established in 1947 by Indian social reformer and freedom fighter Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai and is located on par with its central headquarters at Perunna, Changanassery. The college is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with 'A' grade.

References

  1. "Vice Chancellor". www.keralauniversity.ac.in. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. https://www.keralauniversity.ac.in/home [ bare URL ]
  3. https://www.keralauniversity.ac.in/home [ bare URL ]
  4. "University of Kerala".
  5. "Kerala University Act 1974" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023 (Overall)". National Institutional Ranking Framework . Ministry of Education. 5 June 2023.
  7. 1 2 "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023 (Universities)". National Institutional Ranking Framework . Ministry of Education. 5 June 2023.