Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) is a state public university located at Nagarjuna Nagar, near Guntur in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Named after the ancient Buddhist philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna, the university serves as one of the major affiliating and teaching universities in coastal Andhra Pradesh, with academic jurisdiction extending across the Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu and Prakasam districts.
| Name | Acharya Nagarjuna University |
|---|---|
| Type | State public university |
| Location | Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Named after | Acharya Nagarjuna, Buddhist philosopher |
| Country | India |
| Language of instruction | English, with Telugu in select programmes |
The university was established to provide higher education and research opportunities in the Guntur region, which had until then depended on institutions affiliated to Andhra University in Visakhapatnam. It was originally founded as Nagarjuna University and was later renamed Acharya Nagarjuna University in honour of the 2nd-century philosopher associated with the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism, who is traditionally linked to the Krishna river valley and to ancient Buddhist sites such as Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.
The main campus lies along the Guntur–Vijayawada highway, situated between the two cities and close to the Krishna river. It is a residential and affiliating university offering postgraduate, doctoral and certain undergraduate programmes on campus, while affiliating a large number of degree, professional and postgraduate colleges in its territorial jurisdiction.
The university is organised into faculties and departments covering a broad range of disciplines:
In addition to its on-campus colleges, the university operates a Centre for Distance Education that offers programmes through study centres across Andhra Pradesh and beyond.
As a major affiliating university, Acharya Nagarjuna University oversees a wide network of constituent and affiliated colleges, including arts and science colleges, engineering colleges, pharmacy and management institutions, and teacher-training colleges in its jurisdiction. The university conducts common examinations, awards degrees and regulates curricula for these institutions.
The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities. Several of its departments and affiliated colleges have been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The Nagarjuna Nagar campus houses academic departments, administrative offices, libraries, hostels for men and women, sports facilities, a health centre and faculty residences. Student activities include cultural events, sports competitions, and the National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) units.
Acharya Nagarjuna University plays an important role in higher education in the Krishna–Guntur region, which is historically significant as a centre of Buddhist learning and as part of the Amaravati cultural zone. Through its teaching, research and large affiliating role, the university is a principal provider of postgraduate and professional qualifications in coastal Andhra Pradesh.