The Mahatma Gandhi University (formerly Gandhiji University), with B+ accreditation of National Assessment and Accreditation Council, was established on 2nd October 1983, as the fifth University in the Southern most State of Kerala,India.

Hiving off the territorial jurisdiction of the mother institution - University of Kerala, as per the Mahatma Gandhi University Act, 12 of 1985,enacted by the Kerala state Legislature, the twenty-two year young University caters to the development of higher education of Central Kerala. Higher learning in the Revenue Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, Kozhencherry, Mallappally, Thiruvalla and Ranni Taluks of the Pathanamthitta District and Kuttanad Taluk of the Alapuzha District comes under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi University.

The University has a sprawling 110 Acre main Campus in Athirampuzha, a hamlet 13 Kms. off Kottayam town. Apart from this, the University has 7 Satellite Campuses at Pullarikunnu, Soorya Kalady Hills, Nattasserry, Puthuppally, Gandhinagar and Cheruvandoor in Kottayam, Thodupuzha in Idukki District and Chuttippara in Pathanamthitta District.

The University enrolls 1,50,000 students on an average every year to its 410 Courses in graduate, post graduate and M.Phil/Ph.D. programmes through 22 University Departments, 22 Engineering Colleges, 1 Law College, 3 Medical Colleges, 20 Nursing Colleges, 7 SME Nursing Institutes, 4 Pharmacy Colleges, 4 Dental Colleges, 3 Ayurveda Colleges, 2 Homoeo Colleges, 1 Music and Fine Arts College, 121 affiliated Arts and Science colleges, 37 Education Training Colleges and 12 University Colleges of Teacher Education. Mahatma Gandhi University has made its presence outside its territorial jurisdiction through the 72 off campus centres - 55 centres within Kerala, 9 outside Kerala and 8 abroad.

Mahatma Gandhi University has 10 Inter disciplinary Schools of teaching and research and 12 schools of higher learning in Applied Science and Professional Studies, with academic autonomy. The courses in the Departments are conducted in the credit and semester system. The Schools have tied-up with UGC, FIST, DRS, DST, ISRO, COSIST, CSIR, DAAD, STEC, ICMR, BARC, MOEF, ICCSR, ICHR and IED and taken up 70 Research Projects. In order to facilitate inflow of cutting- edge technologies and methodologies, the University Departments have commenced collaborative efforts with CIRAD, Mont Pellvier, France, EHESS, Paris, French Institute, Pondicherry, Toronto University, Bucknev University, Catholic University, Belgium, Max Plank Institute of Technology, Germany, California, Institute of Technology, USA, University of Nantos, France, Edinburgh University, City University, USA, and Ruth Cohn Institute of Theme Centred Interaction, Switzerland.

The School of Chemical Sciences of the University has advanced commendably in their research pursuits by developing a host of new technologies indigenously, which has enabled the institution to net 6 U.S. Patents and 12 Indian Patents. The Department has initiated dialogue for transfer of these technologies to the Industry and an M.O.U. in this regard will be inked soon with a leading research industry in the world.

The University has awarded 865 doctoral degrees for the research activities undertaken by the scholars in various disciplines and published over 5000 papers in research journals of international repute.

At present, Mahatma Gandhi University offers research facilities and guidance in over 40 disciplines through its own Departments as well as 114 approved research Centres. The University is in the process of setting up a dedicated Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre, in order to promote research, acquisition of IPR’s and technology transfer.

Mahatma Gandhi University boldly took a lead to initiate the Self-financing Stream in the University system in 1993 and was able to carve a niche, especially in professional and job-oriented education in the State. Now, the University has 24 Self Financing Institutions under its orbit, offering Engineering, Applied Sciences, Nursing and Allied Medical Courses. Revolutionising the professional learning scenario, the University was able to open new vistas to young aspirants, to pursue career-oriented programmes in Kerala State, curbing the resource outflow to other parts of the Country.

The University is having a web-enabled Central Library and 21 Departmental Libraries, 4 Study Centres and 6 Information Centres. The Central Library is linked to the U.G.C. sponsored INFLIBNET enabling on-line subscription of over 2500 National and International research journals.

Mahatma Gandhi University has published 53 titles in Malayalam, 38 titles in English and 16 titles in Hindi. The University is also engaged in co-publishing with leading publishers like Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, BI Publications, DC Books, Modern Book Centre and Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula.

Mahatma Gandhi University has been able to become a role model in the Country in extension activities. The Kottayam Literacy Campaign, the first of its kind in India (1989 ) was a project of this University. The Nalpathimala Grama Vikas Kendra, within the University Campus, has evolved as a nationally accepted model for Campus-Community partnership, which won the first Indiara Gandhi NSS Award in 1993. The Vocational Rehabilitation Centre under the School of Behavioural Sciences has opened a new pathway in reaching the masses.

National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps, University Students Union and College Union are very active, in chanalising the creativity sparks of the students. A full-fledged Students Service Department looks into the student amenities. The Employment and Guidance Bureau offers regular programmes for students to prepare for the UGC, NET, CSIR and other competitive Examinations.

The students have been consistently contributing to the image of the University through their outstanding performance in Inter University Youth Festivals, Sports, Games and Intellectual pursuits. Our sports stars, Mrs. Shiny Wilson, Mr. Manju Lal, and Ms. Chitra K. Soman were able to enter into the international athletic circuit and represented the Nation in the various Olympics.

Mahatma Gandhi University has honoured the famous Malayalam writers - the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Shri. M.T. Vasudevan Nair , the Dada Saheb Phalke award winner and world-renowned film maker Shri. Adoor Gopalakrishnan with D.Litt. . Seminars, colloquiums and workshops of international stature is a regular feature in the University, besides hosting annual memorial lectures in honour of the late literators and scientists.

Mahatma Gandhi University has made a significant turn when Dr. Jancy James, assumed its charge on 16th November 2004, becoming the first woman Vice -Chancellor of the State.