Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra courses, ranking and placement

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OVERVIEW

Founded in 1999, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the the rural setting of the medium-sized town of Katra (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Jammu and Kashmir. Officially accredited/recognized by the University Grants Commission, India, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) is a very small (enrollment range: 500-999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 18 years old H.E. institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. SMVDU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sport facilities and/or activities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, commonly referred to as SMVD University or SMVDU, is a university on an 470-acre (190 ha) campus located near Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated near the shrine of the Mata Vaishno Devi, after which it is named. The university is fully residential and provides technical education in the field of engineering, science, management, philosophy and other subjects of contemporary importance, with all technical courses recognised by AICTE, CIC and COA. With the focus on higher learning & research, SMVDU has established itself in the league of eminent institutions of learning in the country.

Located at a distance of 45 km from Jammu Airport and 14 km short of the holy town of Katra, the university is situated on a plateau surrounded by mountains on three sides in the foothills of the Trikuta Range where the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located. It is a self-contained township with most facilities available in-house.

History

Back in 1998 the people of Jammu region supported the establishment of Shri Mata vaishno Devi University. This turned into movement which lasted for around two months. Various students, traders, lawyers and various communities joined this movement. Even a 17-day-long strike was observed for the cause. Ultimately Jammu and Kashmir state government had to give in and State Legislature enacted SMVDU’s act of 1999 which made it a technical and fully residential university.

SMVDU got established as a State University of the J&K Legislature under its Act of 1999 which defines it as a technical and fully residential university. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board owned and Funded the project for construction of University. Hence site spread over an area of 470 acres was procured from Kakriyal village, a flat hill across Jhajjar stream from National Highway 1A(now NH44).

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) has been established under THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI UNIVERSITY ACT, 1999, an act of the J&K State Legislature (ACT No. XII of 1999 dated 12 May 1999) as an autonomous, highly Technical & fully Residential University.

The University started functioning as an academic unit in Aug 2004 when it was inaugurated on 19 August 2004 at the hands of the then Hon’ble President of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. Dr. Kalam also delivered the first lecture to the students of the University.

Recognition

The University is approved by UGC under Section 2(F) & Section 12(B) of UGC Act of 1956.

The technical programs of the University are recognized by AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education) while Architecture program is recognized by Council of Architecture.

University Grants Commission recognises it under section 2(f). First convocation was held in 2008 which got delivered by Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In 2009, UGC granted 12(b) status to the University and it started to get grants from it.

Funding

The University receives funding from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board,an autonomous Board set up in August 1986 under the provisions of The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986 of J&K State Legislature. The University also gets funds from UGC (University Grants Commission).

Campus

University is in the proximity of the Trikuta foothills. The 474-acre (1.92 km²) University campus is divided into various blocks such as the Academic Block, Administrative Block, Central Library, Hostels & Residential Area. The various schools of study consist of well equipped, lecture and seminar halls, conference rooms, departmental lab and computer lab and all modern facilities.^[5]^{[better source needed]}

The Initial campus plan was Designed and Master planned by S.Ghosh & Associates. They were awarded this project through by Winning a national level competition entry. The basic plan got implemented and it was completed by 2006.

Administrative structure

Governor of J&K is nominal Chancellor of the university and the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Executive Council of the University, with Vice-Chancellor as its head, is the supreme body of the university. The Academic Council is the highest academic body and makes recommendations to the Executive Council on academic matters. The university also has a Finance Committee and the Building & Works Committee. The Planning Board helps the Vice-Chancellor in foreseeing the growth of the university.

Admissions

Many students are admitted into the B.Tech / B.Arch programme every year from amongst the high rankers of JEE MAINS through the Central Counseling Board (MHRD) of JEE MAINS (CBSE).

Candidates admitted to M.B.A. programme pass through a three tier selection process based on CAT/MAT Score, Group Discussions & Interviews conducted by panel of academicians from IITs & corporate professionals. Only the selected candidates make it through.

Admissions to other Post-Graduate Programmes (M.Sc, M.Tech,MCA, M. A.) & PhD are made through National level Entrance Tests & Interviews.

Unlike most of the colleges in India, SMVDU has no reservation quota for certain section of students and the students are allotted seats solely on the basis of their merit.

Academics

The university follows the Credit-based programme structure which requires students to earn sufficient credits for degree. Industrial/Corporate Training is also mandatory part of curriculum. Students are encouraged to work on industry sponsored projects. Continuous Evaluation System is followed and Evaluation techniques including Quiz, Assignments, Minor & Major Tests are used periodically. Each school has a Board of Studies consisting of eminent academicians and professionals from industry who update the syllabi to ensure relevance of the content viz a viz the needs of industry as well as Research.

Extensive usage of varied contemporary pedagogy like Multi-media teaching aids including Digital Projectors, OHP, Net Enabled Labs, Video Conferencing, Cut Section Models, Simulation Software are used to enrich the teaching-learning process. Field visits are conducted regularly to familiarise students with real world applications of the knowledge learnt.

Visiting Lectures by a variety of faculty members and professionals are arranged on a regular basis to broaden the scope of learning. The university has an excellent Student Teacher Ratio of 12:1, ensuring sufficient faculty access to the students.

Academics structure

There are four colleges or faculties, with a Dean heading each one of them. Each college consists of Schools of Study, analogous to departments in a university, headed by a Director. Academic de-centralization allows each school to function in an autonomous manner.

The Schools offer various programs of Study at undergraduate, Post-graduate and Doctorate level.

The University has adopted an IIT/UGC pattern of Study with Choice-based credit system and continuous evaluation based on Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 10-point scale.