Local skill sets are advanced through several vocational programs such as paramedical courses using the on-site hospital facilities.[3][4]
Campus
Pondicherry University is located on a campus spread over around 1,000 acres (400 ha), facing the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road. It is accessible from Chennai (168 km [104 mi]) and Bengaluru (326 km [203 mi]).
Hostel facilities are available on the campus for both males and females. Students from distant places will be given preference on a first-come, first-served basis. The university has a hostel for foreign students that can accommodate more than 30 students. Girls are given rent-free accommodation. All physically challenged students get free education, including free board and lodging in hostels. The university provides free transport off campus and within campus.
The university which was in B grade for 20 years, in 2007–2012, when Prof. J. A. K. Tareen was vice chancellor. Over 300 new faculty and 22 new departments were started and new campuses at Karaikal and Andaman. It became an A grade, and in the first NIRF ranking, it came in the top 11 of Indian universities.
Organisation and administration
Schools, departments and centres
The entire academic structure was reorganized during the tenure of Prof J. A. K. Tareen, who established over 20 new departments and new schools with over 80 new programs. The university has 14 schools and 52 departments distributed across Pondicherry and Karaikal campus. The following is the list of the schools, departments and centres:
Subramania Bharathi School of Tamil Language and Literature
The Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) was established in the university as the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) in 1992 under the UGC Plan Scheme. It housed three facilities – Mechanical Shop, Glass blowing Shop and Electrical Shop, to provide support in the repair and servicing of scientific equipment. Fabrication of components for experimental setups is undertaken.
The USIC has executed design, development and fabrication works ranging from custom designed sample holders/cells to electronic instrumentation and control modules.
In 2005, the centre was reorganised into Central Instrumentation Facility under the School of Physical, Chemical and Applied Sciences and analytical instruments are added to provide analytical service, in addition to the workshop facilities.[8]
The university library, named after Ananda Ranga Pillai, was established in September 1986 with one deputy librarian and two assistant librarians. It was moved to the present locale as an independent building in July 1990. The library is renowned for its disabled-friendly modern infrastructure spanning 80,000 sq. ft. It is fully air-conditioned and Wi-Fi enabled, offering services for the visually challenged, along with proactive services utilizing RFID technology. Additionally, it provides 24/7 remote access to a collection of 4.97 lakh resources, including 2.51 lakh in print and 3.40 lakh in e-resources.[19][20]
Clubs and extracurricular activities
PU SHARE
PU SHARE is a community initiated by a group of students from Pondicherry University to share goodness through charity, on and around the university campus. This organization has been active in volunteering for social causes since 2016. Their major aim is to uplift the children at "Snehalayam" (a standalone orphanage near the Pondicherry University campus) by helping them in academics as well as their necessities. A few other programmes organised by them include the monthly food donation drive every month of the academic year, blood donation at nearby hospitals and free tuition classes for kids at the orphanage.
"INSPIRE" is the annual event that aims at promotion as well as fundraising for PU SHARE activities.
SPECTRA
SPECTRA provides a space for LGBTQIA+ students to share and discuss their experiences. SPECTRA was founded on 15 August 2014 and has been conducting events ever since. One of the first Campus Pride events in India was organized successfully in 2018 at Pondicherry University by SPECTRA.[21]
Earth Sciences Club
The Earth Sciences Club was founded in September 2013. It conducts field trips, screens documentaries, organize debates, quizzes, treasure hunts, and others. It is also involved with organising the annual event "Mrittika" in the Department of Earth Sciences.
Pondicherry University Quiz Society
The students started the Pondicherry University Quiz Society (PUQS) in June 2012.[22] The inauguration of PUQS was held on 1 August 2011 in Pondicherry University/Lecture Hall Seminar-I. The event was inaugurated by the Director of Education of Pondicherry University, Prof. M. Ramadass.[23] The first quizmaster of the show was Nikhil Kurien Jacob. The tagline of the Quiz Society is "It's all about Quizzing."
Community radio station
Puduvai Vaani, the community radio station (CRS) established by Pondicherry University with the support of UGC located in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India. It works under FM 107.8 MHz a frequency, which is currently extended to a catchments area of 20 km (12 mi) radius from the university campus. The test transmission of Puduvai Vaani – Community Radio Station was started on 23 August 2008. This was an initiative by Prof. J. A. K. Tareen. It was inaugurated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Planning & Parliamentary Affairs on 27 December 2008 in the presence of Shri P.Chidambaram, Hon’ble Union Home Minister. The full-time transmission started on 1 January 2009.[24]
The valedictory of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Pondicherry University was held on 18 October 2010. Dr. C Rangarajan, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, delivered the keynote address. Lieutenant governor of Puducherry, Iqbal Singh, who was the Chief Rector of the university, was present at the function. Professor J. A. K. Tareen, Vice Chancellor presided over the function.[25]
