Shiv Nadar University is a privatemultidisciplinaryresearch university founded in 2011 in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh in India. It was founded as part of a series of initiatives launched by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation funded by Shiv Nadar, founder and chairman of HCL. The University's stated aim is "to create an enduring, research-led, inter-disciplinary university." The University was established by the Act no. 12 of 2011 of State Legislature of Uttar Pradesh as a State Private University, and was empowered by the UGC to award degrees under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956. The University started the Engineering Majors in the academic year 2011–12 with the approval of the AICTE. The University is currently registered with DSIR, Government of India as a Research Institution. It is currently also recognised as an 'Institute of Eminence' upon recommendation from the University Grants Commission
History
In 1994, Nadar established Shiv Nadar Foundation and created its first initiative in Chennai, the SSN Institutions. The Foundation was a significant driver of social change and education through institutions spanning the education spectrum from schools to colleges. The SNF decided to build a unique research-led interdisciplinary university. In the early 2010s a 286-acre land plot near the town of Dadri was earmarked for building the campus. The university started with an undergraduate curriculum that was unique and unprecedented in India. The curriculum was designed to allow students to major in a particular subject while also studying and experimenting with a range of other minor and elective subjects and getting degrees with minors/ specialisations. Prof. Rupamanjari Ghosh is the current Vice Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University. She took charge as the VC in February 2016. She was preceded by the University's Founding Vice Chancellor Dr. Nikhil Sinha, who served the University for almost 5 years.
Academic organisation
The University has 17 departments across 5 schools.
All the courses at the university are taught in English.
Research
From 2011 to 2016, the University received Extramural Grants of over ₹17.03 crores for more than 52 active research projects, many of which are in collaboration with international universities. Researchers include faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. scholars, visiting scholars and undergraduate students. Shiv Nadar University announced the discovery of a compound that can reverse environmental mercury poisoning by converting it from a highly toxic, volatile and soluble organic form into a comparatively safe, inert and stable form that renders it harmless and insoluble. What is equally noteworthy is that the process of converting organic mercury pollutants from a toxic, soluble state to an insoluble, non-toxic state takes a few minutes to hours depending upon the various forms of organic mercury pollutants. Dell and Shiv Nadar University sign agreement to drive research and innovation
The university is located on a 286-acre residential campus in India's National Capital Region. The University's campus has 8 academic blocks, 154 fully equipped laboratories and studios, 15 student hostels, 3 dining facilities, 8 eateries, 15 sports courts and 2 gymnasiums and an Indoor Sports complex. Shiv Nadar University is the first private university and only the fifth research institution in the country with a ‘High Performance Computing Cluster’ with 30 TeraFlops of peak performance for research requiring advanced computational capabilities. Apart from hostels, a residential complex is built for visitors. Clubs and forums offer various extra-curricular activities for students, faculty and staff.
Academic partners
SNU has collaborated with following international universities for Collaborative Research, Semester Exchange programs, Joint Degree Programs, Joint Research Grants, Curricula and Academic Support.
Babson College: SNU has a strategic alliance with Babson College for entrepreneurship education.
Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania: SNU collaborated with Annenberg School to launch its school of communication.
Duke University: For a broad framework of collaborative academic programs and experiential learning opportunities for faculty and students of both the universities.
Applicants are evaluated on quantitative ability, abstract reasoning, and communication ability through a school-specific Scholastic Aptitude Test. They also take an Academic Proficiency Test in intended major subject areas. For admissions into the graduate programs, each department uses its own process to evaluate applicants.
Awards
Recognized as ‘University of the Year’ at 3rd FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards 2016. The FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards recognize the achievements and work done by institutions and individuals in improving the quality of Higher Education in India.
