The need of the region comprising South Gujarat to have a separate university was voiced initially by educationists such as Atisukhshankar Trivedi who through public speeches and writings created awareness and gained support for this demand. This was immediately taken up and strongly supported by the Education societies of Surat and Navsari which already supported and managed colleges in various disciplines imparting both Undergraduate and Postgraduate education. Moreover, these were some of the most highly reputed academic centres under both the University of Bombay and the Gujarat University.

* Veer Narmad South Gujarat University is a Semi Urban University located at Udhana - Magdalla road, in Surat city of South Gujarat region.
* The University was established under the South Gujarat University Act – 1965.
* It started functioning as a University in the year 1966.
* It was incorporated as a University in 1967.
* The UGC recognition was obtained in 1968.
* Renamed as Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in 2004.
* Caters to the need of Seven Districts and One Union Territory
* NAAC Grade : B++ (2004)
* Total no. of Departments : 17
* Research Centers : 2
* Total no. of Colleges : 207 (Grant in aid : 78, SFI :129)
* Total no. of PG Centers : 87
* Total student population : more than 1 Lac
* Total faculties: 9
* Total Courses : 131

In consonance with its motto, “Satyam Gnanam Anantham” (Truth and knowledge are infinite), Veer Narmad South Gujarat University has endeavoured to be an institution of excellence in higher education during its 41 years of existence, keeping in view the regional needs and the emerging trends in the global scenario. The University, awarded B ++ by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council in 2004, was originally established under the South Gujarat University Act, 1965 passed by the Gujarat State Legislative Assembly. It became functional from the academic year of 1966 and was incorporated as a University on 23 May, 1967. Recognized by the University Grants Commission in 1968, it was renamed as Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in 2004 after the great Gujarat poet Veer Narmad whose real name was Narmadshankar Lalshankar Dave. The mandate of the University is to meet the developmental needs of the seven districts and one Union Territory in the region and realize their potential in every walk of life ranging from technology, business, industry and commerce to language, culture, and fine arts. The basic objectives of the University as envisaged by the University Act are:

Undergraduate and Post-graduate teaching, maintaining their high standards, and award of degrees to the candidates successful in their respective examinations. Promotion of research and extension activities relevant to the requirements of the region in accordance with the interests of nation building.

The University’s jurisdiction extends to the seven districts of Surat, Navasari, Valsad, Narmada, Dangs, Bharuch and Tapi and the Union Territory of Daman. The University has 78 Grant-in-aid Colleges, 129 Self-financed Colleges/institutions and 87 Post-graduate Teaching Centres attached to affiliated colleges. There are 17 Post Graduate Departments on the University campus that offer various courses with multiple specializations, besides M.Phil and Ph.D. There are 16 self-financed programmes on the campus. The University offers 119 Graduate and 35 Post-Graduate programmes in all, including self-financed programmes. Presently, the faculty consists of 99 permanent teachers and the number of supporting non-teaching staff is 328. There are over one lakh students currently enrolled in various courses in the University.

A semi-urban University located on the outskirts of the Surat city, the University has a campus spread over 210 acres. In its 17 departments, over 3000 students study on the campus. The University has faculties of Arts, Commerce, Science, Education, Management Studies, Rural Studies, Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Law. In pursuance of its vision, the University offers an academic environment conducive for the all-round development of its students. All the departments emphasize interdisciplinary areas of study that can open up possibilities in new fields of research. Several major and minor research projects are underway in various departments. All the departments have their own computer laboratories and departmental libraries. The central library with over 1.75 lakh books subscribe to over 236 national and international journals and 36588 e-journals. Placement cells in departments such as Department of Business and Industrial Management (DBIM), Computer Science, Economics, Human Resource Development help students in securing employment in leading companies. An extension of the State Government Employment Exchange also functions on the campus.
These details are retrieved from www.sgu.ernet.in