University of Allahabad

The University of Allahabad is a public state university located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established on 23 September 1887 by an act of Parliament and is recognised as an Institute of National Importance (INI). It is one of the oldest modern universities in India.[4] Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt. Governor of North-Western Provinces Sir William Muir in 1876, who suggested the idea of a Central University at Prayagraj, which later evolved to the present university.[5][6] It was known as the "Oxford of the East".[7] Its Central University status was re-established through the University of Allahabad Act 2005 by the Parliament of India.

University of Allahabad
Seal of the University of Allahabad
MottoLatin: Quot Rami Tot Arbores
Motto in English
"As Many Branches So Many Trees"
TypePublic
Established23 September 1887 (23 September 1887)
ChancellorAshish Chauhan
Vice-ChancellorSangita Srivastava[1]
RectorGovernor of Uttar Pradesh
VisitorPresident of India
Academic staff
310[2]
Students17,727[3]
Postgraduates9,447[3]
588[3]
Location
Prayagraj
,
Uttar Pradesh
,
India

25.466523°N 81.859423°E / 25.466523; 81.859423
CampusUrban
Colours 
Affiliations
Websitewww.allduniv.ac.in

History
Vizianagaram Hall, Faculty of Science

The foundation stone of the Muir Central College was laid by Governor-General of India, Lord Northbrook on 9 December 1873. The college was named after Sir William Muir, Lt. Governor of United Province, who was the key person in its foundation. The building was designed by William Emerson, who also designed Victoria Memorial in Kolkata and Crawford Market in Mumbai in a combination of Indo-Saracenic, Egyptian and Gothic styles.[8]

Initially, it functioned under the University of Calcutta and later, on 23 September 1887, the University of Allahabad was established, making it the fifth university established in colonial India after Calcutta university, Bombay university, Madras university, and Lahore's Punjab university.

It began as an affiliating and examining body for graduate and postgraduate degrees with a classical orientation and the responsibility for secondary education as well. Between 1891 and 1922, Government Science College, Jabalpur, the oldest science college of India was affiliated to the university. By 1904 the university established its own teaching departments and instituted doctoral research programs. The University Senate hall was opened by the lieutenant-governor, Sir John Hewett, in 1912.

In 1921, with the announcement of the Allahabad University Act of 1921, the Muir Central College merged with the university, which was reorganized as a unitary teaching and residential university. Over the next few years its affiliated colleges were transferred to Agra University and the task of conducting secondary-level examinations was relocated.

Night view of Vizianagaram Hall, University of Allahabad

In 1951, the university (while maintaining its fundamental unitary character) recognized certain local institutions as associated colleges authorized to teach undergraduate courses under the Faculty of Arts, Commerce, Science, and Law.

In view of these achievements, as well as its position among the universities of Uttar Pradesh, the state government accorded it formal recognition in July 1992 as a 'premier institution' (Vishesh Agrani Sanstha). During the university's centenary celebrations in 1987 there were demands from students, faculty, and employees for the granting of status as a central university.

In 2003 the union cabinet decided to restore the central universality status of the university.[9] This central university status was finally restored in 2005, through The University of Allahabad Act by the Parliament of India, which also declared the university an Institution of National Importance.[10]

It has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.[11]

Campus

The campus is spread around the city of Prayagraj across the area of Old Katra and Bank Road. It consists of major five faculties, namely Science, Arts, commerce, law, management faculties with the arts faculty housing the Administrative Block of Chatham Lines. It has numerous residential hostels for students.

  • Vizianagaram Hall in 2007 (since renovated): part of Faculty of Science
    Vizianagaram Hall in 2007 (since renovated): part of Faculty of Science
  • Aerial view of Senate Hall, University of Allahabad
    Aerial view of Senate Hall, University of Allahabad

Organization and administration

Governance

The president of India is the visitor and the governor of Uttar Pradesh is the chief rector of the university. The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university while the executive powers rest with the vice-chancellor. The Court, the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Board of Faculties and the Finance Committee are the administrative authorities of the university.

The University Court is the supreme authority of the university and has the power to review, the broad policies and programs of the university and to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the university; The Executive Council is the highest executive body of the university. The Academic Council is the highest academic body of the university and is responsible for the co-ordination and exercising general supervision over the academic policies of the university. It has the right to advise the Executive Council on all academic matters. The Finance Committee is responsible for recommending financial policies, goals, and budgets.[12]

In November 2020, Professor Sangita Srivastava was appointed as the new regular vice chancellor of Allahabad University. She was the first woman elected to this post at the university.[13]

Colleges

The following colleges are component of Allahabad University:

  • Allahabad Degree College
  • Arya Kanya Degree College
  • Chaudhary Mahadeo Prasad Post Graduate College
  • Ewing Christian College (Autonomous Minority College)
  • Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute
  • Hamidia Girls' Degree College
  • Ishwar Saran Degree College
  • Jagat Taran Girls' Degree College
  • K.P Training College
  • Rajarshi Tandon Girls' Degree College
  • S.S. Khanna Girls Degree College
  • S.P.M. Govt. Degree College

Affiliation

There was much controversy related to the merger of the Motilal Nehru Medical College with the university, which was later resolved. The High Court of Allahabad passed an order directing that the integration of the medical college with the university should be completed by 1 October 2006.[14]

Academic profile

Rankings
University rankings
General – international
QS (Asia) (2020)[15]401–450

Allahabad University has been accessed and accredited to grade "B++" by NAAC with a score of 2.84 CGPA.[16] The university was ranked 401–450 in Asia by the QS World University Rankings of 2020.[15]

Notable alumni and faculty members
Main articles: List of University of Allahabad alumni and List of vice-chancellors of the University of Allahabad

References
  1. Srivastava, Sangita, "Message from the Vice-Chancellor", University of Allahabad, retrieved 8 June 2021
  2. "NIRF Data For the Year 2021" (PDF). www.allduniv.ac.in. University of Allahabad. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. "allduniv – University Student Enrolment Details". www.ugc.ac.in. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  4. Handbook of Universities, Volume 1. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1 January 2006. p. 17. ISBN 81-269-0607-3. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  5. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Muir, Sir William" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. "In 1885 he was elected principal of Edinburgh University"
  6. History Archived 25 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine Allahabad University website.
  7. Allahabad Varsity to become a central university The Times of India, 11 May 2005.
  8. Muir College The Hindu, 9 June 2006.
  9. "Allahabad University gets Central status | India News – Times of India". The Times of India. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  10. "University of Allahabad Act, 2005". Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  11. "AU's 10-year-long wait for NAAC accreditation ends, retains 'B++' rating". The Times of India. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  12. "Allahabad University Act".
  13. "Prof Sangita Srivastava appointed first woman VC of Allahabad University". Hindustan Times. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  14. "Delivered by Hon'ble Ravindra Singh, J. – Allahabad High Court" (PDF).
  15. "QS Asia University Rankings 2020". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2020.
  16. "National Institutional Ranking Framework Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India Welcome to Data Capturing System: OVERALL" (PDF). allduniv.ac.in. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  17. "Who was Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, freedom fighter and educationist". The Indian Express. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  18. Mohanty, Basant Kumar (5 February 2019). "Yogi govt moves to rename Allahabad University". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  19. "Ranganath Mishra passes away". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  20. "Members Bioprofile".
  21. "Meet IPS Sanjeev Yadav, who is set to receive President's Gallantry Medal for the 11th time". DNA India. Retrieved 26 January 2022.

Further reading
  • The Muir Central College, Allahabad: its origin foundation, and completion, by William Henry Wright, published in 1985, Govt. Press, North-Western Provinces and Oudh (Allahabad).
  • Materials and Motifs of the Philosophical Traditions of Allahabad University, by Sangam Lal Pandey. Published by Ram Nath Kaul Library of Philosophy, University of Allahabad, 1981.
  • Hundred years of Allahabad University, by Moti Lal Bhargava. Published by Ashish Pub. House, 1987. ISBN 81-7024-162-6.
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