Overview

Ahmedabad University is a private, non-profit research university located in Gujarat, India. Established in 2009 by the Ahmedabad Education Society, it comprises six schools and ten centres. The university offers a liberal education focused on interdisciplinary learning, research thinking, and experiential learning. Ahmedabad University provides diverse programmes across the humanities, arts, natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and management. == History == Ahmedabad University was established by the Ahmedabad Education Society (AES), a non-profit educational foundation that has founded several prominent Indian academic institutions. The University's foundation is rooted in the vision of Kasturbhai Lalbhai, a distinguished figure in the Indian textile industry, and is guided by the motto of continuous progress of self and society. Ahmedabad University's governance structure includes a Board of Governors comprising industry and academic leaders. As of 2025, the Board includes Sanjay Lalbhai (Chancellor, Chairman, and Managing Director of Arvind Limited) and Pankaj Chandra (Vice Chancellor), in addition to Naushad Forbes (Co-Chairman of Forbes Marshall), Punit Lalbhai (Vice Chairman of Arvind Limited), Sudhir Mehta (Chairman Emeritus of Torrent Group), Naishadh Parikh (Chairman and Managing Director of Equinox Solutions Ltd.), and Pankaj Patel (Chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences), among others. The Board of Governors, along with the University's deans and an academic board of scholars, oversee academic decisions, curriculum development, research initiatives, and other university-related matters. == Campus == The Ahmedabad University campus is situated in the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, often referred to as the "University Area." The 158-acre campus features the internationally recognised University Centre, an urban forest with diverse flora and fauna, seven cafeterias, and various academic resources, including laboratories, high-performance computing system, and libraries. Ahmedabad University provides comprehensive student facilities, encompassing on-campus accommodation, sports facilities, recreational spaces, and a wellness center. Ahmedabad University is an eco-friendly campus that has implemented sustainability strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, reduce water runoff, and expand green spaces for the university community and surrounding area. == Academics == === Undergraduate programmes === The university provides multidisciplinary undergraduate programmes in arts, sciences, humanities, technology, and management. A mandatory Foundation Programme, consisting of four studio courses focused on diverse aspects of society, precedes major declaration. All undergraduate students are encouraged to undertake a capstone project or engage in undergraduate research project to develop academic research skills. These undergraduate programmes offer students the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses to make learning interdisciplinary. === Graduate programmes === Ahmedabad University offers interdisciplinary, research-driven, and practice-oriented graduate degrees. Current offerings include programmes in business administration, heritage management, economics, and quantitative finance], and technology with specialisations composites, computer science and engineering, and microelectronics and semiconductors. === Doctoral programmes === The university provides interdisciplinary PhD programmes in management, arts and sciences, engineering and applied science, and public health. === Continuing education and executive programmes === Ahmedabad University offers continuing education and executive programmes designed for professionals. These programmes include the Global Executive Master of Business Administration in Pharmaceutical Management, Transforming R&D in Indian Firms, and the GROW Executive General Management Programme. These programmes aim to provide advanced knowledge and skills for career advancement. === Certificate programmes === Ahmedabad University offers certificate programmes that enable participants to enhance their professional portfolios. Current offerings include programmes in business analytics, financial analysis, digital marketing, physiotherapy for the visually impaired, translation and creative writing, and composites. == Admissions and scholarships == Admission to Ahmedabad University's programmes requires the submission of an application form. For undergraduate programmes, applicants are evaluated based on their Grade XII test scores, application materials, and a personal interview. Graduate programme admissions consider applicants' academic performance in prior graduate studies, competitive examination scores (where applicable), application materials, and a personal interview. The university employs a holistic review process to assess applicants' fit with the University's culture and academic environment. === Scholarships === Ahmedabad University offers both merit-based and need-based scholarships to eligible students. == Awards and recognitions == Recognised by the Government of Gujarat as a Centre of Excellence Accredited with an 'A' grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Awarded a 5-star rating, one of the highest awarded in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) for 2021-22 by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Department of Education, Government of Gujarat Recognised by the UGC under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, making it one of the few private research universities to have been awarded this recognition for select research universities Recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023 Awarded the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Innovations That Inspire Award 2023 for its Foundation Programme Awarded Platinum Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for achieving the Green Building Standards at our University Centre Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024 for our University Centre Ranked 6th in India and 18th in South Asia for climate action in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024. == Schools == === Amrut Mody School of Management === Amrut Mody School of Management at Ahmedabad University advances an understanding of management through interdisciplinary inquiry. It offers programmes across levels with interdisciplinary inputs and liberal perspectives to develop solutions to contemporary problems. The School works closely with industry partners to balance rigorous practice and strong conceptual education. The School fosters entrepreneurial thinking that transforms business and society. === Bagchi School of Public Health === The Bagchi School of Public Health builds on Ahmedabad University’s unique strengths and interdisciplinary education to train individuals and enable problem solvers to develop contemporary, wholistic, and innovative solutions for public health through education, research, and practice. === School of Arts and Sciences === The School of Arts and Sciences follows a pedagogical approach, enabling collaborative and interdisciplinary learning and fostering a holistic educational experience. The School has five academic divisions: Biological and Life Sciences, Humanities and Languages, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Performing and Visual Arts, and Social Sciences. === School of Engineering and Applied Science === The School of Engineering and Applied Science delivers undergraduate and graduate engineering programmes with extensive student-centric pedagogies. It employs a project-based educational approach to shape dynamic and proactive graduates with capabilities for lifelong learning, complex problem-solving, design and innovation, and technology adoption towards meeting society's needs. == Research centres == === Ahmedabad Design Lab === Ahmedabad Design Lab is a research, practice, and teaching space that helps understand the societal challenges facing and find concomitant innovative solutions. Through design, the Lab integrates systems of knowledge from multiple disciplines. It focuses on the issues of Ahmedabad city in the social, economic, and governance domains, enabling it to become one of the country's most vibrant cities in the world. === Centre for Heritage Management === The Centre for Heritage Management fosters critical engagement with heritage and strategic management interventions in various heritage sectors. It does so through academic programmes. The Centre hosts the secretariat of a university network called ‘Asia Pacific Higher Education Network for Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (APHEN-ICH). It has been on the executive boards of another university network supported by UNESCO and ICCROM–Asian Academy of Heritage Management (AAHM). The Centre and its faculty collaborate with UNESCO to offer several capacity-building programmes and MOOC courses. === Centre for Inter-Asian Research === Established in August 2021, the Centre brings together scholars and practitioners to reimagine the Inter-Asian century, spanning areas such as modes of everyday living, forms of organisation, institution and network creation, technology development and deployment, economic and social decision-making, reimagining political and economic structures, and experimenting with diverse artistic forms. The Centre focuses on collaborative research projects across India and Asia and teaching across the various Schools at Ahmedabad University. === Centre for Learning Futures === The Centre for Learning Futures (CLeF) designs and implements initiatives to support teaching and learning at the University. The Centre offers academic reading and writing courses and workshops in study skills. Through its Learning Initiatives, the Centre provides opportunities for curricular experimentation and pedagogic innovation as platforms for integrating learner-centric technological solutions in higher education. === Global Centre for Environment and Energy === The Centre produces interdisciplinary research to advance the scientific understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation with a strong focus on sustainable development, including, and especially, equity, poverty alleviation, clean air, energy security, and employment. === International Centre for Space and Cosmology === Source: The Centre drives cutting-edge research in the areas of Space, Astrophysics, and Cosmology; trains the next generation of researchers; advances the public understanding of the Physics domain; and disseminates essential developments in these areas amongst the general public. The Centre works in collaboration nationally and globally with colleagues having related interests. === Physiotherapy College for the Visually Impaired === The Centre, spanning two campuses – the Blind People's Association and the School for the Deaf and Mute Society, supports the programme in physiotherapy with cutting-edge resources. Started in August 2005, the Centre endeavours to build visually impaired learners' careers and prepare professionals to meet society's challenges. === Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health === Ahmedabad University’s Bagchi School of Public Health partnered with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) to establish Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health. The collaboration combines strengths in health promotion, research, training, epidemiology, community empowerment, and outreach. === The Climate Institute === The Climate Institute at Ahmedabad University facilitates the development of solutions for climate, energy, and environmental challenges in the Global South by integrating local, national, and international resources. The Centre achieves this through education, research, and strategic partnerships, accelerating the implementation of innovative and impactful solutions. === VentureStudio === VentureStudio, the innovation and startup incubation centre at Ahmedabad University, was established in collaboration with Stanford University Design School in 2011. Since its inception, the Centre has supported over 150 startups in diverse science and technology domains such as Healthcare, BioTechnology, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Engineering, Agriculture, Fintech, Hardware, Industry 4.0, and Enterprise Software, among others. In 2017, the Department of BioTechnology chose the Centre to support BioIncubation activities in Gujarat. == Collaborations == Ahmedabad University has entered into collaborations with several international research universities for academic development. These include: Stanford University's Center for Design Research to help develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem through VentureStudio Olin College of Engineering, USA for accelerating project-based learning specifically in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. University of Valladolid, Spain and University of Ferrara, Italy for working with the Centre for Heritage Management in developing programmes and research activities in the area of heritage. University of Bradford to promote student and faculty exchange and joint research. Rennes School of Business, France and Amrut Mody School of Management for students' exchange of BBA and Integrated MBA programmes. MoU between Rady School of Management at University of California, San Diego and Amrut Mody School of Management for close cooperation. MoU with Bronx Community College (BCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) to promote and develop academic cooperation, including student exchanges, summer schools and faculty-led programmes, and joint research, conferences, and workshops. MoU with the University of Sussex Business School and the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Economic Research (CTIER) in Pune, India to further mutual interests in education and academic research between the UK and India. School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University partnered with Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) have joined hands to advance education, research and development, and provide services to the industries in these domains. MoU with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) focusing on talent development, research, and startup support within the fields of fintech and international financial services. MoU with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai to enhance national and global health through collaborative research and training, focusing on facilitating doctoral research initiatives. School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University signed an MoU with the Composites Excellence Center of Asia (CECA) to create a highly qualified workforce in composites, including design evolution, research and development, creation