Goa University, Amaravati

Though Goa University was established in 1985, its genesis dates back to post-Liberation era when the Post Graduate Centre of Bombay University was established in Goa in 1966. Though the Post Graduate Centre of Bombay University met the immediate requirements of Goan students at a time when educational resources and avenues in Goa were limited, an acute need was felt for Goa's own university that would promote interest in the life, literature, languages and cultures of the people of Goa. Envisaged as an instrument of socio-economic development and empowerment, Goa University was thus established in 1985 by incorporating the then existing Centre for Post Graduate Instruction and Research of the University of Bombay. Over the past 25 years, the University has steadily expanded its reach, both in terms of the number of colleges affiliated, as well as the diversity of courses offered. Presently the University has 24 Post Graduate departments and 3 Centres of Studies offering academic programmes leading to Masters and Ph.D. degrees in various disciplines. The University also offers M. Phil and Post Graduate Diploma programmes in select disciplines. 48 professional and non-professional colleges/institutions, for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching are affiliated to the University. In addition, 10 research institutions are recognised by the University for Research in various disciplines.

The Post Graduate Departments and Centres at the University, and the affiliating professional and non-professional colleges provide diverse learning opportunities through degree, diploma and certificate courses, reaching out to students across the state as well as to students from other parts of the country. Close to 1200 students study at the post graduate departments of the University, and about 24,000 students are enrolled in the affiliated colleges at the graduate level.

The University has made a significant impact at the national level in various areas of specialization and draws students in select disciplines from across the country. Geographically, Goa is located in an ecologically sensitive region along the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Goa University has appropriately emerged as an important resource centre for research in the field of flora and fauna endemic to this region, as well as the marine environment. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has recognized Goa University's significant contribution in this domain, as a consequence of which a Centre of Excellence has already been established in Marine Microbiology.

The Postgraduate departments at the University have developed excellent facilities for research. Seven of the science departments are currently supported by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, under FIST (Funds for Infrastructure in Science and Technology). Several science departments have received research grants under SAP (Special Assistance Programme) of the UGC. OSTC (Ocean Science & Technology Cell) attached to the Department of Microbiology has received a special grant from DOD (Department of Ocean Development) for research activities. These are in addition to the research grants awarded to individual faculty members by University Grants Commission (UGC), Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Ocean Development (DOD), Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), etc. For a relatively small university, Goa University attracts a generous funding of research projects from national funding agencies, which reflects upon the high quality of research undertaken at the University.

In addition to the conventional graduate and post graduate programmes, Goa University has also taken initiatives to provide innovative programmes. Some noteworthy initiatives are the Interactive Distance Education programme in Information Technology, online programme in Geographic Information Science (GIS) in collaboration with the University of Salzburg, the Study India Programme with Nihon University of Japan, etc.

The University's green campus at the Taleigao plateau provides an invigorating atmosphere that is conducive to learning. The campus has facilities for accommodation for faculty, non-teaching staff, men and women students and research fellows. The campus has banking facilities, guest house, international guest house, post office, shopping complex, etc.