Acharya Nagarjuna University, named after the illustrious Buddhist philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna, was established in 1976 and is strategically located between Vijayawada and Guntur on the Kolkata - Chennai National Highway (NH 16). The university was inaugurated on 11th September 1976 by the former President of India, Sri Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, and celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2001. Notably, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) awarded “A+”-grade accreditation to Acharya Nagarjuna University, reinforcing its status as a premier institution.
The university's origin traces back to 1967 when it began as a Post Graduate Centre of Andhra University. It later evolved into a full-fledged center of higher learning, fulfilling the aspirations of the people in the southern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. The establishment of the university was driven by the need for accessible postgraduate education in the region, and in August 1976, Nagarjuna University came into being. The university is not far from the historic site where Acharya Nagarjuna founded a center of learning on the banks of the Krishna River centuries ago, drawing scholars and students from distant parts of the world.
Over the years, Acharya Nagarjuna University has achieved remarkable progress, expanding its academic offerings and enhancing the quality of education through the relentless efforts of its dedicated faculty, successive Vice-Chancellors, and efficient support staff. Today, the university offers a wide variety of programs, including Engineering, Education, Law, Pharmacy, Science, Commerce, Management, and Arts, through its different academic departments and advanced research centers.
The university’s 293-acre campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a central library, internet access, well-equipped laboratories, an instrumentation center, and comprehensive student services such as hostels, a guest house, bank, post office, telecom center, health center, staff quarters, and transport facilities. Additionally, the university provides recreational amenities, including a canteen, playground, gymnasium with the latest equipment, an indoor stadium, and a student center, making it a vibrant hub for academic and personal growth.
Acharya Nagarjuna University continues to uphold its legacy by providing a nurturing environment for learning and research, driven by the values and teachings of its namesake, Acharya Nagarjuna. The university remains committed to its mission of delivering quality education and fostering an environment that encourages academic excellence and holistic development.
Acharya Nagarjuna University, an affiliating University established in 1976, started with only 10 post-graduate courses in the University College. Since then, it has achieved tremendous progress through quantitative expansion and qualitative improvements on various academic fronts. This has been possible by the efforts of its dedicated faculty, an efficient team of supporting staff, and high-quality student input. The Acharya Nagarjuna University at present offers post-graduate education in 47 courses (39 on the University campus, 4 at University PG Campus at Nuzvid, and 5 at University PG Campus at Ongole) besides Post-graduate courses in affiliated colleges.
Recognizing the evolving landscape of higher education, Acharya Nagarjuna University established the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) in 2003 to cater to the needs of learners seeking flexible and accessible education.
