Gujarat Vidyapith


Gujarat Vidyapith is a deemed to be a university in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was founded in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, and deemed a university in 1963.

Etymology

"Vidyapith," in many languages of India, means university.

History

The university was founded on 18 October 1920 as a 'Rashtriya Vidyapith' by Mahatma Gandhi, who would serve throughout his life as the kulpati.
The Gujarat Vidyapith was started in Dahyabhai Mehta's bungalow behind the Kocharab Ashram.
Its purpose was to promote educational institutions run by Indians for Indians outside the financial and governing control of British authorities. The university helped nationalists establish a system of education for all Indians, thus proving the country's independence from British-run institutions and de-legitimizing the British Raj. Its foundation was one of the important event of an initiative satyagraha launched by Gandhi as a means to peacefully terminate British rule in India.
The vidyapith's foundation was emulated by nationalists in Benares, Bombay, Calcutta, Nagpur, Madras and in many cities across India. Answering Gandhi's call to boycott British institutions, influences and goods, many thousands of students and teachers left British colleges to join the Vidyapith.
People like Jivatram Kripalani and Nanabhai Bhatt volunteered to teach.
The Gujarat Vidyapith became a 'deemed university' in 1963. It is funded and governed by the University Grants Commission, under the Union Ministry for Human Resources Development in New Delhi. Although considerably modernized in its structure and curriculum, the university maintains its commitment to Gandhian ideals, human studies, social service and development work.

Goals

The institution officially embraced Gandhi's goals as its mission:

Colleges

The colleges and institutions with the university are
The university offers a wide range of degrees, including Ph.D programs and doctoral studies. It continues to emphasize social service, Gandhian studies and subjects associated with religion, human studies, culture and public service.

Departments and centres

B.voc
food processing technology