Devi Ahilya University

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), formerly known as University of Indore, is a state university located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, established in 1964 and later renamed in honor of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the great Maratha queen and administrator who ruled Indore with wisdom and compassion, and has grown into one of Central India's largest and most prestigious universities offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across diverse disciplines including arts, science, commerce, law, management, engineering, education, social sciences, and performing arts through its constituent colleges and affiliated institutions.

The university began with just a handful of affiliated colleges and has expanded significantly over the decades to now oversee over 150 affiliated colleges spread across Madhya Pradesh, while its main campus in Indore known as Takshashila Campus houses various teaching departments, research centers, administrative offices, library, and other facilities spread over a substantial area providing an academic environment conducive to higher learning and research.

DAVV offers a wide spectrum of academic programs including B.A., B.Sc., B.Com at undergraduate level, M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, MBA, MCA, M.Tech at postgraduate level, integrated five-year programs, diplomas and certificates, and Ph.D. programs in virtually all disciplines, with teaching departments covering subjects ranging from traditional fields like Hindi, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology to professional areas like Management, Computer Science, Journalism, and Social Work.

The academic curriculum is designed according to UGC guidelines and incorporates choice-based credit system (CBCS) in many programs, providing students with flexibility to choose electives, interdisciplinary courses, and skill enhancement courses alongside core subjects, with emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical application through laboratory work, fieldwork, internships, projects, and seminars.

The main campus features academic buildings housing various teaching departments, well-equipped laboratories for science and technology programs, computer centers with adequate systems and internet connectivity, central library known as Vikram Jain Library which houses an extensive collection of over 2 lakh books, journals, periodicals, and digital resources, auditoriums and seminar halls for conferences and cultural events, administrative block, student amenities, and green spaces that create a conducive academic atmosphere.

The faculty across various departments comprises qualified professors, associate professors, and assistant professors holding Ph.D. degrees from reputed universities, many with significant teaching and research experience, publications in national and international journals, participation in conferences and seminars, and involvement in academic committees and professional bodies, bringing both subject expertise and pedagogical skills to their teaching.

DAVV maintains its commitment to research and innovation through encouragement of research activities in various departments, establishment of research centers and labs, provision of research grants and fellowships, organization of national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops, publication of research journals, and collaborations with other institutions and industries for collaborative research projects.

The university has tie-ups with various organizations and industries facilitating internships for students, industrial visits, guest lectures by professionals, and placement opportunities, with many departments having dedicated placement cells that coordinate campus recruitment drives where companies visit to hire graduates for various positions in their organizations. Student life at DAVV is enriched through participation in various extracurricular and co-curricular activities including cultural festivals, technical fests, sports competitions, NSS and NCC programs engaging students in community service and character building, departmental associations and clubs pursuing special interests, debates and quiz competitions, arts and music performances, and youth festivals where students from affiliated colleges participate in inter-collegiate competitions.

The university holds recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC), is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with B+ grade, and several of its programs hold professional accreditations from respective councils like AICTE for technical programs, BCI for law programs, ensuring that degrees awarded meet national standards and are recognized for further education and employment.

DAVV provides various student support services including scholarship schemes for meritorious and economically disadvantaged students under state and central government programs, examination and evaluation systems with transparency and redressal mechanisms, student grievance cells, anti-ragging committees, women's cells promoting gender equality and safety, career counseling services, library services with digital resources and e-journals access, hostel facilities for outstation students in some affiliated colleges, and sports facilities promoting physical fitness and competitive sports.

The university plays a significant role in higher education in Madhya Pradesh and Central India by providing access to quality education to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, contributing to human resource development in the region, engaging in extension activities and community outreach programs that benefit society, promoting research and knowledge creation across disciplines, and maintaining academic standards through its affiliation and examination systems that govern affiliated colleges.

With a legacy spanning over five decades, DAVV has produced thousands of graduates who have gone on to successful careers in various fields including civil services, teaching, business, law, science, technology, arts, and social work, with alumni holding prestigious positions in India and abroad, contributing to the university's reputation and continued relevance. Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya continues to evolve with changing educational landscape, adopting new pedagogies, introducing relevant programs, leveraging technology for teaching and administration, promoting research culture, and working towards achieving excellence in higher education, making it a significant institution for students in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states who seek quality university education across diverse disciplines in arts, science, commerce, and professional studies at affordable costs and with the credibility of a well-established state university.