Andaman and Nicobar Islands are part of the Union Territory of India. It is known to house the Pondicherry University – Andaman Campus.
Suggested Read: Sea walk in Andaman and Scuba diving in Andaman
Pondicherry University – Andaman Campus
Pondicherry University, a central university based in Puducherry, India, established its Andaman Campus to cater to the educational needs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The campus operates under the jurisdiction of Pondicherry University and extends its academic programs to students in the Andaman and Nicobar region.
The Andaman Campus is located in Port Blair, which is the well-known capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair is situated on the east coast of South Andaman Island, one of the largest islands in the Andaman and Nicobar group. The city is surrounded by lush greenery, and the Andaman Sea provides stunning coastal views. It has significant historical importance due to its association with India’s struggle for independence. The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, was used by the British to house the exiled political prisoners, and it stands as a memorial to the sacrifices made by these fierce souls during Indian struggle for independence.
The Port Blair campus started operating in the year 2000. It has sophisticated laboratory facilities equipped with latest facilities for field investigations in ocean related sciences. These facilities are to impart education and training to the students of Marine Biology and Coastal Disaster Management and for carrying out R & D activities in and around islands and other parts of India.
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The major Departments that this campus offers are:
Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology
The Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology was established in the year 2000 as a Centre of Ocean and Island Studies and upgraded to the present Department in the year 2004. This Department is located in a sprawling campus of its own at Brookshabad in the picturesque and naturally calming environment of Port Blair. The Department has all required infrastructural facilities with laboratories and instruments that cater well to both the academics and research activities with eternal funding from UGC, DST and MoES. The Department operates in its full capacity to train the students by imparting high-level education and field based practical training to the students in the area of Marine Biological Sciences.
The program primarily aims to build a robust and trained manpower with the skills required to cater to the needs in the field of Marine Biology. The department has the permission and clearance to explore the potential of marine living and nonliving resources along with their application, developing sustainable management strategy for the resources, creating a database on all the oceanographic components involving biological, chemical, physical and geological aspects of the Andaman Sea preferentially.
The Department conducts M. Sc. and Ph. D. Program in Marine Biology. The strategic location of the university campus at Port Blair adjacent to the Andaman Sea provides a unique opportunity for the students and researchers to get extensive exposure to a vivid form of marine environmental conditions comprising estuarine, mangrove, Island and marine ecosystems. Students secure admission to the program on the basis of their ranks obtained by the all India entrance examination that is conducted by the Pondicherry University nationwide across the different centres in the country. The students enrolled for the Master degree are offered a student fellowship or stipend of Rs. 1000 per month.
Department of Coastal Disaster Management
The Andaman Campus of the Puducherry University aims to provide higher education opportunities to the students in the region. The campus offers a range of programs at various levels such as undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels across various disciplines. These programs cater to various domains that include arts, science, commerce and other professional courses.
The academic curriculum is designed to align with the university’s standards and cater to the educational needs of the students in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The campus is equipped with classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other necessary facilities to support academic activities. Depending on the available resources, the campus may also have hostel facilities for students coming from different parts of the islands.
Infrastructure Facilities
The Departments in the campus have the following basic and sophisticated equipment to assist teaching and research.
- Hydrolab – Quanta
- Ultracentrifuge, Laminar air flow, Rotary evaporator
- Water and Sediment Samplers and Plankton Nets
- Side Scan Sonar and Total Organic Carbon Analyser
- UV Spectrophotmeter – Double Beam
- Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Current Meter
- Resistivity Variometer and Resistivity Imaging System
- SIR 2000 Ground Penetrating Radar
- Seismograph – Underground field Seismic Imaging System – 12 Channel.
- Electromagnetic Sounder
- Automatic Weather Station
- Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
The faculty members at the Andaman Campus are a group of experienced educators and researchers. They play an important role in delivering quality education and guiding students in their academic pursuits. The faculty members have the privilege to engage in research activities, and they ably contribute to boost the overall academic environment. As part of Pondicherry University, the Andaman Campus students can actively participate in all kinds of research initiatives. This involves collaborations with other academic institutions, research organizations and industry partners.
Research projects may focus on regional issues, biodiversity, marine sciences and other areas relevant to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The campus actively encourages cultural and extracurricular activities to promote an all-round development among its students. Events such as cultural festivals, seminars, workshops and sports competitions are organized regularly as a part of the university activity to provide its students with a view to promote a holistic educational experience.
The Andaman Campus, being part of the local community, aims to engage in outreach programs and community service initiatives. Such activities sometimes include awareness campaigns, skill development programs and collaborations with local organizations for the betterment of the community.
Admissions to various programs at the Andaman Campus are typically conducted based on the university’s admission procedures. The campus is affiliated with Pondicherry University, and its academic programs follow the university’s standards and guidelines.
The Andaman Campus, like any educational institution, strives to undergo development and expansion based on the evolving needs of the region. Initiatives to enhance infrastructure, introduce new programs and strengthen academic and research capabilities has always been be part of the campus’s long-term plans.
The Andaman Campus might have faced challenges unique to its geographical location, such as logistical issues related to transportation and connectivity. At the same time, it presents opportunities to contribute to the sustainable development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by providing quality education and conducting research relevant to the region’s needs.
The Notable Colleges under the University Affiliation
There are some other well-known colleges of various disciplines that are offered in Andaman and Nicobar. Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) is a leading medical institute of India that was established by Andaman & Nicobar Medical Education and Research Society (ANIMERS) under Andaman & Nicobar Administration. There are 114 seats in Government Medical (MBBS) colleges in Andaman & Nicobar.
There is also the Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, a college in Port Blair, which was established in 1967. It is is the oldest college in Port Blair, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This college offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in science, arts and commerce and is affiliated to the Pondicherry University.
Andaman Law College is a government law school in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. It was established in 2016 by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Legal Education Society under the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. This college is entirely government-funded.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, established in 1984, is the oldest engineering college in Port Blair, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. It offers degree and diploma courses in engineering and maritime programmes.
There is one college in Mayabunder too that is named Mahatma Gandhi Government College, Mayabunder (in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India). It was established in 1990 at Car Nicobar as Government College which was shifted to Mayabunder in 1994. It was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi Government College on 5 December 1994. The college has a total strength of 760 with 44 teaching staff, 30 non-teaching staff and there are more than 50 supporting staff. This college is also affiliated to Pondicherry University.
