Nirma University
Nirma University (NU) is a private university in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, India. It functions under the aegis of the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). Nirma University is a statutory university established under Gujarat state act.[1]
 | |
| Motto | तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय (Sanskrit) |
|---|---|
Motto in English | "From darkness, lead me to light" |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 2003 |
| President | Karsanbhai Patel |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | nirmauni |
History
Dr Karsanbhai K Patel, the founder of the Nirma Group of Industries, established the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF) in 1994 with a vision to promote higher education and provide excellent educational facilities to India's youth.
In 1995, Nirma Institute of Technology started in a rented premise with five undergraduate engineering programmes affiliated to Gujarat University. In 1996, the institute started functioning in the new and current campus. The same year led to the establishment of Nirma Institute of Management.
Thereafter, in 1996, the Institute of Management was established. In 1997, the Institute of Diploma was established to offer multidisciplinary diploma programmes in Engineering.
In April 2003, Nirma University was established by the first three institutions, under a special act passed by the Gujarat State Legislative Assembly. The University Grants Commission (UGC) recognised it under section 2 (f) of the UGC Act. Since then, Nirma University has developed and maintained itself as one of the best universities with state of the art infrastructure and facilities [2].
Subsequently, the university established the Institute of Pharmacy in 2003, the Institute of Science in 2004, the Institute of Law in 2007, the Institute of Architecture & Planning in 2014, Institute of Commerce in 2016 and Department of Design in 2017.
Nirma University discontinued the diploma engineering programme to qualify for University accreditation as per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms thus the intake of students for Diploma Engineering had stopped since 2013.[3]
Constituent institutes
Eight constituent institutes are running under the faculties that operate undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes at Nirma University.
Institute of Technology
Established in 1995, the Institute of Technology, Nirma University (ITNU) is the first self-financed engineering college of the State of Gujarat. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Computer Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
The institute also has a department of mathematics and humanities that offers courses on mathematics, language and literature, communication, management, design thinking, etc. for the overall development of the student.
Four undergraduate programmes of the Institute of Technology, viz., Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Chemical Engineering, are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) under Tier-I category.
Institute of Management
The Institute of Management, Nirma University (IMNU), earlier known as Nirma Institute of Management, came into existence in 1996. Embodying the principles of entrepreneurship, excellence and professionalism, it imparts top-class business education and has produced new generation leaders and managers over the years.
IMNU offers a two-year residential MBA programme, MBA in Family Business & Entrepreneurship, MBA in Human Resource Management, a five-year Integrated BBA-MBA Programme, and a Doctoral Programme in Management as well as an Executive Diploma Programme, in-house training programmes, Management Development Programmes and Consulting Services.
Business India magazine gave the institute an A+++ rating in its Best B-School Ratings 2019. In 2019, the post-graduate MBA programme of the institute was accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA). The Outlook-ICare India MBA Rankings of 2020, ranks the institute as the Best Private MBA Institute in Gujarat. The institute also received SAQS (South Asian Quality Assurance System) accreditation in 2017 by Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA), an international association, and a "SAARC Recognised Body".
Institute of Pharmacy
Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University (IPNU) was established in 2003 to develop able professionals in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. In a short time, it has become one of the leading institutions in the country, offering pharmaceutical education at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral level.
Recently, the institute initiated its Executive Diploma Programme in Pharmaceutical Management. The institute was ranked 5th in India Ranking 2016 by Ministry of Human Resource Development, (MHRD), Government of India in its National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Institute has also been awarded Five Star rating institute by Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) and ranked 1st by GSIRF in 2020. The BPharm Programme is accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in 2019 for three years (2019–2022).
The institute offers BPharm, MPharm, full-time and external PhD as well as postdoctoral programme. The institute adopts outcome-based education (OBE) to advance the development of professional knowledge, employability skills in addition to the development of character and social responsibility. Hence, to achieve this, the vision and mission of the institute were defined in line with the university's vision and mission. The institute has also set its programme educational objectives and programme outcomes. The institute has more than INR 8 crores grant from government agencies and has a collaboration with various research centres and industries. The institute houses state-of-the-art instruments, like supercritical fluid extractor and chromatogram, HPTLC, HPLC, MPLC, GC, Fluorescence Spectrometer, Raman Spectrometer, UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer, FTIR, DSC, ELISA, PCR, Electrophoresis, Texture Analyser, Automated Dissolution Apparatus, Extruder-Spheronizer, Multiple diffusion Assembly, High-Pressure Homogenizer, Particle Size Analyser, Microwave synthesizer, Stereotaxic apparatus with Microdialysis, etc. The institute has software like iWorx, Gold Suit, eCTD, Design Expert, etc.
The institute has a two-storied animal house facility registered with the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Government of India. It also has a medicinal plant garden 'Nirma Herbal Wealth' expanding area of 3356.5 sqm with around 150 genera and 500 plants.
ISCBC-NIPiCON-2020 26th Indian Society for Chemists and Biologists Conference Jointly organised with 5th Nirma Institute of Pharmacy International Conference "Integrating Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Innovations in Health Care" January 22-24, 2020.
Institute of Science
Established in 2004, the Institute of Science (ISNU) offers postgraduate programmes in MSc (Biotechnology), MSc (Biochemistry), and MSc (Microbiology). The institute also offers doctoral programmes and emphasises on research.
The institute also caters to the needs of industry, academics and research institutions by producing quality professionals ready for challenging career opportunities. In a short time, the institute has emerged as a leading research organisation, networked with several national and international institutions and industries. The major research themes at the institute include infectious disease immunology and vaccine development, cancer cytogenetics, diabetes and neurobiology, microbial physiology, plant-microbe interactions, environmental bioremediation and membrane trafficking.
The institute houses research facilities like Animal House, Bioinformatics Lab, Cell Culture Facility and many more. The central and state government agencies like DST, DBT, ICMR, AYUSH, ISRO, GSBTM, GUJCOST etc. fund the research projects at the institute.[4]
Institute of Law
The Institute of Law, Nirma University, was founded in 2007 on the vision of Padmashri Dr Karsanbhai K Patel. The institute focuses on offering a basal shift in the delivery of legal education in the country. It aims to add newer dimensions in legal education that would incorporate international standards and provide an environment for innovation and a dynamic pursuit of thought. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and executive diploma programmes in law.
The institute has multiple linkages on cooperation in sharing of resources and faculties with leading foreign law schools and universities. The institute provides an opportunity for the students to test themselves in different environments and cultures. It also focuses on Student Exchange Programme thus helps the students in developing and honing their skills in a completely different environment. It also has collaboration with various Law Firms, Government and Non-Government organisations.
To enhance research skills and promote research activity, the institute has established research centres like Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, Centre for Criminal Law and Justice, Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution, Centre for Corporate Law Studies, Centre for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, Centre for Social Justice, Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Centre for Environmental Law, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Law, Centre for Competition Law, Centre for Energy Law, Policy and Strategy.
It imparts quality legal education and has produced new generation lawyers, leaders, and policymakers over the years embodying the principles of justice education, excellence and professionalism.
Institute of Architecture and Planning
The Institute of Architecture and Planning at Nirma University (IAPNU) was founded in the year 2014 to impart high-quality education in the field of built environment and human settlements through the disciplines of Architecture and Planning.
The institute offers a five-year undergraduate programme in Bachelor of Architecture which is duly recognised by the Council of Architecture (COA). In 2015–16, the institute initiated its doctoral programme in architecture comprising urban ecology, disaster management, developmental planning, urban open spaces, urban forestry, etc. In 2016–17, the institute also started a four-year bachelor programme in planning.
To enhance research and enrich educational programmes, the institute has signed MoUs with leading national and international institutes/universities. The institute regularly organises expert lectures, workshops and events related to architecture and planning and allied fields.
IAPNU was awarded 10th Rank in the category 'Super Excellence' and 2nd Rank in Western Region category by Global Human Resource Development Centre Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, and was listed in 10 most Prominent Architecture Institutes of 2019 by The Knowledge Review Magazine.
Institute of Commerce
Founded in 2016, the Institute of Commerce, Nirma University (ICNU) symbolises the principles of brilliance, excellence and professionalism. It aims to impart top-class education in the fields of Accounting as well as Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector. It offers an undergraduate honours degree in Accounting and BFSI.
Apart from an excellent learning environment in the classroom, the institute offers a multitude of learning opportunities through internships, industrial visits, guest lecturers and co-curricular activities. The institute has entered into MoUs for academic collaboration with stakeholders like GIFT SEZ, Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) and Trusst 24. The institute is in the process of finalising MoUs with foreign universities to provide students with international exposure.
The students who opted for placement have been successfully placed with companies such as KPMG, EY, Nielsen, IIFL, S&P Global, Federal Bank, TresVista to mention a few.
Department of Design
Department of Design, Nirma University (DoDNU) commenced in 2017. Being the youngest programme on the university campus, it started with Nirma Management's vision to complete the circle of educational avenues open to students seeking higher education. In today's Information Age, increasingly, there is a need for inter-disciplinary orientation. Business, Research, Industry, Governments- all are looking for the systems thinking approach in their endeavours and ‘creativity’ and ‘visual thinking’ methods are sought along with digital technology, for problem-solving and new opportunity mapping.
Department of Design offers two disciplines of learning - industrial design and communication design. The four-year undergraduate programme begins with a foundation year in design that is common for both the courses. Learning happens not only in the classrooms but also in studios, workshops, internships, apprenticeships and through fieldwork. In the last semester, the students undertake a four-month Industry project, basis which they receive the degree certificate.
The programme is research- and industry-oriented, with students getting a chance to work with leading Industries of the country in Digital Media, the varied Manufacturing sectors, Retail Industry, Social organisations, Independent Design Studios, Educational Services, Advertising & Media Services, etc. The philosophy of the programme is inclusive design with a focus on universal as well as cultural and contextual needs. Being located in Ahmedabad, the design capital of the country, the programme draws from the expertise of hundreds of design practitioners and design academics resident in the city.
Centres
Center for Entrepreneurship
A concept taken up the university to ignite the hidden potential for entrepreneurial development in the students. Workshops are held year-round consisting of speaker sessions, innovative games, competitions to enhance their competitive game and also train them by providing necessary resources for networking, consultancy and seed-funding. The plan ahead for the center is to arrange interaction with successful entrepreneurs to emulate others who aspire to be there one day.[5]
Rankings
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| General – India | |
| NIRF (Overall) (2019)[6] | 151–200 |
| NIRF (Universities) (2019)[7] | 101–150 |
| Engineering – India | |
| NIRF (2019)[8] | 136 |
| Law – India | |
| The Week (2019)[9] | 18 |
| Outlook India (2019)[10] | 7 |
| Business/Management – India | |
| NIRF (2019)[11] | 40 |
| Pharmacy – India | |
| NIRF (2020)[12] | 17 |
The university was ranked in the 101–150 band among universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2019[7] and in the 151–200 band overall.[6] It was also ranked 136 in the engineering ranking,[8] 40 in the management ranking[11] and 17 in the pharmacy ranking in 2020.[12]
The Institute of Law, Nirma University was ranked 7 in India by Outlook India's "Top 30 Law Colleges In 2019"[10] and 18 in India by The Week's "Top Law Colleges In 2019".[9]
Notable alumni
- Pranav Mistry, computer scientist[13]
- Minal Rohit, scientist and systems engineer[14]
References
- "Nirma University of Science and Technology Act | State Enactments | Law and Policy | Legislation and Parliamentary Affairs Department". lpd.gujarat.gov.in. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- "Infrastructure of Nirma University". CollegeSearch.in.
- "No more diploma courses at Nirma University". Syndication DNA. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- http://science.nirmauni.ac.in/ ISNU Institute of Science
- "NIRMA VARSITY TO SET UP ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE". Times of India. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2018.http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story//articleshow/35766693.cms
- "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019 (Overall)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 2019.
- "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019 (Universities)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 2019.
- "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019 (Engineering)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 2018.
- Pushkarna, Vijaya (8 June 2019). "Best colleges: THE WEEK-Hansa Research Survey 2019". The Week.
- "Outlook India: India's Top 30 Law Colleges In 2019 Outlook India Magazine". Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019 (Management)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 2019.
- "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2020 (Pharmacy)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 11 June 2020.
- Singh, Tushar Deep (6 September 2013). "Palanpuri boy reinvents the humble watch | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- Joshi, Manoj; Srikanth, B. R. (26 February 2017). "India's rocket women". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
