Gujarat University. Even then, the Gujarat University is the largest university in the state catering to the needs of higher education of more than two lakh students scattered over 235 colleges, 15 recognised institutions and 24 approved institutions. There are 34 Post-Graduate University departments and 221 P.G. Centres. Gujarat University is an affiliating University at the under-graduate level, while it is a teaching one at the post-graduate level. Indeed, the responsibility for post-graduate instruction has been statutorily given to the University, and accordingly it has evolved a plan of co-ordinated instruction under the direct control and supervision of the University so as to ensure efficient and diversified instruction. An important feature of this University is the system of external examinations in the Faculties of Arts and Commerce, both and under-graduate and post-graduate levels. The external examinations were introduced with a view to enabling working students and the others who could not afford the high cost of university education to realize their dream. Gujarat University has developed phenomenally in the last 57 years to be recognized as a premier University in the country today. It provides education in one of the widest range of disciplines to about two lakh students. II.Objectives of the University 1) To provide instruction including correspondence courses, teaching and training in such branches of learning and courses of study as it may think fit, to make provision for research, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge, and to conduct special undergraduate courses for talented students; 2) To make such provision as would enable affiliated colleges, recognized institutions and approved institution to undertake specialization of studies; 3) To establish, maintain, take over by agreement and manage colleges, departments, centers and institutes of research or specialized studies; 4) To organize common laboratories, libraries, museums and other equipment for teaching and research; 5) To establish within the University area or outside that area such field stations, specialized laboratories and other units for research and instructions as are necessary for the furtherance of its objects; 6) To create such teaching, administrative and such other posts as the University may deem necessary from time to time and to make appointments thereto; 7) To institute professorships, readerships, lectureships and other posts of teachers required by the University; 8) To appoint or recognize persons as professors, readers, or lecturers, or otherwise as teachers of the University; 9) To guide teaching and research work in colleges, University Departments, University centers and recognized institutions; 10) To lay down the course of instruction for the various examinations; 11) To institute degrees, diplomas and other academic titles and distinctions; 12) To hold examinations or tests and confer degrees and diplomas on, and gant certificates to, persons who- a) have purchased approved courses of study in the University ore in an affiliated college, unless exempted there from, in the manner prescribed by the Statutes. Ordinances, Regulations and Rules and have passed the examinations or tests prescribed by the University, or b) have carried on research under conditions prescribed by the States, Ordinances, Regulations or Rules; An Overview 1.University Established 23rd November, 1949 2.University Head Quarter Ahmedabad 3.Land-estate of the University Acres 260 4.No. of Affiliated Colleges (2005-2006) 250 5.No. of Recognised Institutions (2004-2005) 15 6.No. of Approved Institutions (2005-2006) 24 7.No. of Examinations held in March/April 2004 230 8.No. of Examinations held in October/November 2004 205 9.No.of Students appeared in March/April 2004 Examination 2,27,812 10.No. of Students appeared in October/November 2004 Examination 36,718 11.No. of University P. G. Depts. (2004-2005) 34 12.No. of University P. G. Centres (Subjectwise) (2004-2005) 221 13.Total No. of University Teachers (P. G. Depts.) (As on 14-6-2005) 205 14.Total No. of Non-Teaching Staff in the University (As on 14-6-2005) 718 15.No. of fresh students enrolled at Under-graduate level (2004-2005) 70,966 16.No. of external students Appeared at U.G. level (April-2004) 5,085 Highlights of the University Oldest and biggest university of the State Most preferred university among students for professional courses Regular and timely conduct of Academic Programs Timely conduct of examinat