Having made a humble beginning as the Christ College in Bengaluru with just 350 students and 18 faculty members in 1969 the Christ (Deemed to be University) is making its mark as a renowned multi disciplinary university with a holistic approach. As the institution gets ready to celebrate its golden jubilee, it has come a long way and has more than 21,000 students at present.
As one enters its sprawling campus in Bengaluru, one is awed by the harmonious multiculturalism exuded by the students from India and around 60 other countries. The varsity has also begun operations at two newly opened campuses in Lavasa near Pune and Ghaziabad near Delhi from this academic year.
"Christ (Deemed to be University) prides in imparting holistic learning with an emphasis on whole person education. The rich diversity of staff and students on campus augments the teaching-learning processes. Since research is the backbone of any university and our objective is to attain the next growth curve through research-led, research-informed and research-based academic initiatives. Christ campus will continue to be a space for free and independent thinking, the spirit of inquiry permeating its air," Fr Abraham V.M., the Vice Chancellor of Christ (Deemed to be University) told THE WEEK.
Fr Abraham further aims to expand and enhance the research atmosphere at the university. In this regard, the construction of a new multi-storied research block will commence soon. The research block will have laboratories and facilities to promote high-end research. Interestingly, the Christ (Deemed to be University) is one of the first institutes in south India to introduce imaginative undergraduate courses.
The university offers triple major degrees with interesting subject combinations and also latest courses in performing arts, theatre studies and western music. The institution publishes six peer-reviewed research journals and has published more than 300 books in Kannada and English. A promoter of sports, music and literary activities, this university is a nurturing ground for creative excellence. The university also has active collaborations with over a hundred international universities across the US, the UK, Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, among others.
also read
- Bengaluru crime: Bike-borne duo open fire at Kodigehalli jewellery, 2 injured
- Bengaluru blast: NIA nabs Ballari man suspected to have plotted terror attack
- Bengaluru cafe blast: Photo of 'accused' without cap, mask shared on social media
- Bengaluru water crisis: Government to regulate private tankers
Going by its glorious history the Christ (Deemed to be University) was born out of the educational vision of S. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, an educationalist and social reformer of the nineteenth century in south India. He founded the first indigenous Catholic congregation, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), in 1831, which administers Christ. The institution has undertaken different unique initiatives in Indian higher education with the introduction of innovative and modern curricula, insistence on academic discipline, imparting of holistic education and adoption of global higher education practices. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India had conferred Autonomy to Christ College in 2004 and identified it as an institution with Potential for Excellence in 2006.
In 2008, under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) declared the institution a Deemed to be University, in the name of and style of Christ University. It is also one of the first institutions in India to be accredited in 1998 by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and subsequently, in 2004 and 2016, the institution gained the top grade A on a 4-point scale.
