# Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research

Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), also known as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), informally referred to as Bharath University, and formerly known as Bharath Engineering College, is a private deemed university located in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. It is also one of the universities recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

## History

Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research was founded in 1984 as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology by S. Jagathrakshakan. It is among the first autonomous engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. It was first affiliated to Madras University followed by Anna University. The institute was awarded deemed university status in 2002 by the University Grants Commission in recognition of its academic excellence. Hence, the name was changed to Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research. In September 2006, it was renamed as Bharath University per a decree issued by the University Grants Commission enabling deemed universities to include the word "university" in their names. In November 2017, it was again renamed as Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research following a directive issued by University Grants Commission and an order by the Supreme Court of India to all the deemed universities in India.

## Academics

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in fields such as science, technology, engineering, medicine (including dentistry, physiotherapy and nursing), arts and management.

## Awards

Bharath University has won awards in recognition of its academic and research excellence. A few are listed below.
* It was awarded the "Best Private University of the Year" by World Education Congress for 2014.
* The university was awarded the "Best Multi Stream University" in 2014 by ASSOCHAM.

## Campuses

Bharath University has five campuses, four in Chennai and one in Puducherry. The details of the campuses and their departments are in the list below.

### Bharath Institute of Science and Technology

This is the main campus of the deemed university which was established in 1984. It is in Chennai and was initially known as Bharath Engineering College. The name was changed to Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research in 2002 when it attained deemed university status. In 2003, the college was again renamed as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology and brought under Bharath University with the other constituent colleges.
Departments:

### Bharath School of Arts & Science

It was previously known as Sri Lakshmi Ammal Engineering College and later turned into a arts and science college under Bharath Group of Institutions. It is situated in Thiruvanchery next to Selaiyur, Tambaram.
Departments:
Institutions in the same campus:
* Bharath Institute of Law
* Bharath Polytechnic College
* Shree Bharath Vidhyasaram
* Bharath Faculty of Pharmacy

### Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital

This college was established in 2004 and is in Chennai.
Departments:
College on the same campus:
* Sree Balaji College of Nursing, Chennai (estd. 2007)

### Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital

This college was established in 2007 and is in Puducherry.
Departments:
College on the same campus:
* Sri Lakshmi Narayana College of Engineering

### Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital

This college was established in 2002 and is in Chennai.
Departments:
College on the same campus:
* Sree Balaji College of Physiotherapy, Chennai (estd. 2007)

### Bhaarath Medical College and Hospital

Departments:

### Bhaarath College of Nursing

Courses

## Rankings

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has ranked Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research 91st overall and 73rd among universities in 2024.

## Notable Alumni

* Naresh Babu - professional motorcycle road racer