Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya

Infobox_University
name = Gurukul Kangri University


motto =
established = 1902
chancellor = Mr. S. K. Sharma
vice_chancellor= Prof. S. Kumar
city = Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
type = Public
campus = Rural, Urban
affiliations = UGC
website = [http://www.gkvharidwar.org www.gkvharidwar.org]

Gurukul Kangri University or Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya ('गुरुकुल कांगड़ी विश्वविद्यालय') is a Deemed University located in the city of Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

History

The Institution was founded on March 4, 1902 by Swami Shraddhanand (1856-1926), a member of the Arya Samaj, with the aim of reviving the ancient Hindu educational system of residential schools or "gurukuls" imparting esoteric knowledge under the direct guidance of a guru or adept as an alternative to the Western-oriented system of Education imposed on India by Lord Macaulay. The impetus for the foundation was found in the teachings and activities of Dayananda Saraswati, founder of the Arya Samaj. The original campus situated on the banks of River Ganga, at Kangri village, Bijnor district, was flooded when the river changed course in 1924, the new (present) campus was built subsequently [ [http://www.bihartodayonline.com/2008/09/why-rivers-decide-to-run-away-by-divya.html A submerge University] ] .

The campus has also been visited by British Trade Union leader Charles Freer Andrews and British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald , to study the unique Gurukul based education system. Mahatma Gandhi visited the campus three times during his lifetime [http://haridwar.nic.in/gurukul.htm Gurukul] Official website of Haridwar.] , and stayed for extended periods of time, most notably during the 1915 Kumbh mela [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Story_of_My_Experiments_with_Truth/Part_V/Lakshman_Jhula Kumbh Mela 1915] The Story of My Experiments with Truth/Part V/Lakshman Jhula.] , followed by a visit in 1916, when on March 20, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary [ [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mahatma_Gandhi%27s_life/India_1916 Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916] Wiki Source.] .

In 1962, it was accorded a Deemed University Status by University Grants Commission [ [http://gkvharidwar.org/history_gkv.htm History] Official website of Gurukul University.] .

In 1922, a sister-institution, the Kanya Gurukul Mahavidyalaya, was founded at Dehradun to cater to the needs of girls, which shifted to its new campus alongside the Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar in 1993.

Its 'Archaeological Museum', (estb. 1945) [ [http://www.indiatourism.com/uttar-pradesh-tourism/archeological-museum-haridwar.html Archeological Museum, Haridwar] indiatourism.com.] houses some rare statues, coins, paintings, manuscripts and artefacts, starting from Harappa culture (c.2500-1500 BC).

The institution now is legally styled as a Mahavidyalaya (university) rather than a Vidyalaya (school). The present Vice-Chancellor of the university, is Prof. Swatantra Kumar.

Among its noted alumni is the late Rama P. Coomaraswamy, third son of the Indologist Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy.

Faculties

The university provides education in modern sciences, technology and management, as well as covering traditional subjects such as Vedic literature, Indian philosophy and culture.

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology provides B.Tech. degrees in the following subjects
* Computer Science and Engineering
* Electrical Engineering
* Electronics and Communication Engineering

The Faculty of Management Studies provides the following PG degree programs in the area of management, finance and economics -
* Master of Business Administration (with electives in HR, Marketing, Finance, Production & IT)
* Master of Business Finance (with electives in Investment, Banking & Insurance)
* Master of Business Economics

Research and Cunsulting facilities are also available in the department.

Further reading

* "Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar ka Sau Varsh ka Itihas", by Jayadev Vedalankar. Bhartiya Vidya Prakashan, Delhi, 2002.

References

External links

* [http://gkvharidwar.org Gurukul Kangri University Official Website]
* [http://haridwar.nic.in District of Haridwar Official website]