Christ University
Christ University is a UGC recognised deemed Private university in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Founded in 1969 and it is managed by the priests of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), the first indigenous Syrian Catholic religious congregation in India. With over 16,000 students and more than 1000 faculty members, it is one of the top ranked universities in the country.[4] In 2016 India Today-Nielsen survey, Christ University was ranked in the top 10 in Science, Arts, Commerce, Hotel Management, Computer Science, Mass Communication and Law. In 2016 India Today ranking, Christ University ranked 1st in BBA, Ist in BCA, 2nd in Mass Communication, 3rd in Arts, 3rd in Science and 3rd in Commerce and 7th in Law.[5] The university offers nationally and internationally recognised undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes in academic disciplines including Law, Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences.It offers professional courses in fields including Business Management, Computer Application, Hotel Management, Mass Communication, Social Work, Engineering and Tourism. It has a foreign student community of 2,384 in 2014.[6][7] It was rated an A+ institution by the NAAC and was recognised as a College with Potential for Excellence but in the recent NAAC Survey, Christ University has been accredited with a B rating in November 2015.[8]
Christ University was formerly Christ College (Autonomous) affiliated to Bangalore University. Established in July 1969, Christ College became the most preferred educational institution in the city of Bangalore within the first three decades. Initially founded as a constituent college of Bangalore University, it was exclusively meant for providing college education to the seminarians. However, due to the quality of training and infrastructure, many students from outside started showing interest in joining the college. Thus the college started accepting non-seminarian students. Christ College was recognized by the University Grants Commission of India, (UGC) on 17 June 1972. It was accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), a UGC-funded body, in 1998 and re-accredited in 2005 and 2015. Christ College was the first college in the state of Karnataka to be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council for quality education. From 1990 onward it scaled from heights to heights. By the introduction of innovative and modern curriculum, insistence on academic discipline, imparting of Holistic Education and with the help of the creative and dedicated staff, Christ College has been continually rated among the top 10 educational institutions of the country. It has the rare distinction to be the first institution in Karnataka to be accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) UGC for quality education. On 7 October 2004, UGC has conferred Autonomy to Christ College (No. F.13-1/2004). Later, Christ College was granted 'Deemed to be University' status in 2008 under the recommendation of UGC.[4]
The university has around 16,000 students from all over India and the world, and around 700+ faculty members.[14] The University is managed by the Christ University Trust, which in turn is organized and funded by the CMI congregation. The Chancellor of the university will be always the rector of the Dharmaram Pontifical Seminary. Thus, by assuming the rectors seat, he also assumes the position of the Chancellor as well. Since the position is more of titular in nature, he usually doesn't interfere in the day-to-day activities of the university. Under him comes the Vice Chancellor. He is the one who takes all the decisions which can affect the day to day administrative matters of the university. The present vice chancellor Dr Fr Thomas Mathew holds his doctorate in Chemistry from USA. Though the vice chancellor's position is usually assumed by a priest from the congregation, the person appointed thus will be having all the qualifications and academic experiences as required by the UGC.[15] Under the vice chancellor comes the registrar. Currently, the registrar is Dr Anil Pinto. The financial matters of the university is managed by a Chief Finance Officer. Various deaneries and departments are headed and represented by deans and department heads.