University of Calicut
The University of Calicut, also known as Calicut University, is a state-run public university headquartered in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1968, it is the first university to be set up in northern Kerala. The university is coordinated by the University Grants Commission (re-accredited by NAAC with 'A' grade). It is headquartered at Tenhipalam, about south of the city of Calicut and about from the city of Malappuram located in the Malappuram District. Calicut University, created by bifurcating Kerala University, is the second university to be set up in Kerala . M. M. Gani, 1969–75, was the first vice-chancellor of the university. Its primary catchment area is the northern districts of Kerala. Calicut University has nine schools and 34 departments. As of 2018-19 Calicut University had 301 undergraduate students and 1799 post-graduate students. The number of full-time doctoral students was 581. The university was ranked 54th among Indian universities by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2020 and 76th overall. Calicut University manages around 400 independent affiliated colleges spread across northern Kerala. It also conducts examinations for the students of the affiliated colleges. It is also  the largest 'affiliating' university in Kerala. History. Calicut University was created in 1968, during the tenure of the (2nd E. M. S. Namboodiripad Ministry). The university was established through a Kerala government plan bifurcating the Kerala University. As per the plan, the four post-graduate departments of the Kerala University operating in Calicut were annexed to the new university. Campus. The main university campus is located at Tenhipalam, south of the city of Calicut and about from city of Malappuram. Most of the teaching and research departments, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, and the Administration Block are situated on  the main campus. The university also has two off-campus centres, one at Thrissur and the other, specially meant for tribal empowerment, located in the Western Ghat area of the state, Wayanad. Besides these, there are self-financing centres located in different parts of the area of jurisdiction. Central facilities. The following are the central facilities in the University of Calicut. Organisation and administration. Governance. A Vice-chancellor is the head of the university. M. K. Jayaraj is the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calicut. Endowment. Salaries and pension alone contribute to 63.03% of the total expenditure. Departments . Each school in Calicut University comprises a group of related departments, headed by director. Each department in the school has separate head of the department. There are nine schools, 34 departments with three centres and 11 chairs. The university has two off campus centres, one at Thrissur and the other in Wayanad. Affiliated colleges. Its current jurisdiction extends to five central and northern districts of the state. The university currently has about 391 'affiliated colleges'. These colleges are spread over Malappuram district (122), Kozhikode district (105 colleges), Thrissur district (74), Palakkad district (73) and Wayanad district (17). It also conducts  examinations for the students of the affiliated colleges. A total annual intake of students in the affiliated colleges is nearly 100,000. Most of the colleges are Self Financing Colleges and the rest are Government or Aided Colleges. Most of the colleges offer only under-graduate degrees, while around 100 colleges also offer post-graduate degrees. Subject-wise they comprise 254 Arts & Science Colleges, 63 Training Colleges, 40 Engineering/Technical Colleges, 10 Law Colleges, 33 Arabic/Oriental Title Colleges, 11 I. H. R. D. Centres, eight Management Studies Colleges, one Music College, one Fine Arts college, two Colleges of Physical Education , two colleges for Hotel Management. Classification based on funding. The university publishes a list of affiliated colleges and courses. Student life. Cultural festival. The annual 'Interzonal' cultural festival, 'kalolsavam', is held during the months of January - April or in between. The Interzones are conducted among students from the independent 'affiliated colleges' spread across five northern Kerala Districts. The various Kerala Districts conducts different zonal competitions and the winners gain entry to the 'interzonal' event. The festivals goes on for a week at the most (offstage and onstage). Sports competitions. The annual sports competitions also takes place between the inter colleges  among the zones as well as among the zonal colleges. The sports event follow the cultural event and go on for a week.