Calicut University Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Calicut University, popularly known as the University of Calicut, is Kerala's largest university in terms of size, affiliated colleges, and degrees granted. It was founded in 1968 as Kerala's second university. The university serves the educational requirements and ambitions of the young in the Malabar area, which includes some of the state's most educationally underprivileged regions. With the motto "Nirmaya Karmana Sree," which means "prosperity will be generated through pure actions," Calicut University has overcome all challenges to become the largest residential-affiliating university in Kerala. The university recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee with the slogan "University to Society."

The university has 34 academic departments on its main campus and two off-campus centres: Dr John Matthai Centre (JMC), a Centre for Teaching and Research in Economics in Thrissur, and ITSR, a centre specifically for tribal empowerment in Wayanad, in the Western Ghats. The university also has 406 affiliated colleges. To meet the challenges of the changing world, Calicut University claims to offer both conventional and advanced programs of study and research. The university is committed to providing quality education to its students and to contributing to the social and economic development of the region.

On the not-so-bright side, students at Calicut University often complain that the infrastructure is old and in need of repair. Some of the facilities are in deterioration, and the classrooms are frequently overcrowded. The university’s administration is often condemned for being ineffective, lazy, and oblivious to student grievances. 

Here is an honest and open review and verdict of life at Calicut University, to help prospective students understand what to expect! 

Calicut University Rankings: Why is There a Drop? 

Here is a quick overview of Calicut University’s NIRF rankings over the recent few years: 

• Calicut University is also accredited with an A Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Our Take:

As we can see, the NIRF Rankings of Calicut University have been declining in recent years. Calicut University's ranks in the NIRF India Rankings - University category are declining for a variety of reasons, including: the infrastructure is antiquated and in need of repair; the university's research output has fallen in recent years; and many more. Although an A-grade accreditation shows that Calicut University is a high-quality university that satisfies the highest academic requirements, student satisfaction with the university has decreased in recent years. 

Calicut University Academia & Batch Size

Calicut University claims to have an excellent academic standing. It is one of Kerala's top universities, renowned for its teaching and research. The university has 34 postgraduate departments and 406 affiliated colleges. The university provides a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programmes. Among the most popular Calicut University courses are in the field of:

• Engineering
• Medicine
• Business Administration
• Law
• Arts and Humanities
• Science and Technology

Calicut University's teaching methodology is focused on a learner-centred approach. Calicut University's most prevalent teaching techniques include:

• Lectures 
• Tutorials 
• Workshops
• Seminars 
• Project work 

Calicut University's batch size varies based on the department and programme. However, Calicut University, like many other Indian universities, has a large batch size. This is due to the fact that Calicut University is a major university with several programmes and departments.

Our Take:

Based on students' overall opinion, Calicut University's academia is found to be decent, but not great. Although the university has a great academic reputation, the quality of the staff and infrastructure varies depending on the department and programme. The batch size is also enormous, which may be both a benefit and a disadvantage. Some students value the opportunity to meet and make new friends, while others struggle to engage in class discussions and seek assistance from teachers when needed.

Additionally, most students at Calicut University are also satisfied with the teaching methodology. They appreciate the focus on learner-centered education and active student engagement. However, we believe that the university can improve in several areas, such as giving more possibilities for student interaction and making lectures more interesting and less conventional or traditional.

Calicut University Infrastructure

The University of Calicut campus is a sprawling 520 acres, with over 2 million square feet of built-up space. The main campus houses the Vice Chancellor's office, the Administration Block, the Examination Hall, the School of Distance Education, 31 Teaching Departments, the UGC HRD Centre, the Educational Multimedia Research Centre, the CHMK University Library, the Central Science Block, and several guest houses. 

• Classrooms: Calicut University's classrooms are spacious and well-equipped, with comfortable seating and cutting-edge teaching tools. Most classrooms have projectors, whiteboards, and internet connectivity. Smartboards and other interactive technologies are also available in some classes. However, most students feel that the infrastructure of the classroom is generally outdated and in need of repair. 
• Library: All 34 departments have KOHA-enabled automated domain-specific academic libraries. The library includes over a million books, journals, and other materials. There are other specialised collections in the library, such as the Rare Book Collection, the Manuscript Library, and the Digital Library.
• Labs: Calicut University provides a diverse set of laboratories to meet the demands of many departments and disciplines. The laboratories are well-equipped with cutting-edge technology and facilities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and conduct research. The following labs are available at Calicut University:
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics 
  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Microbiology
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Science 
  • Language labs
• Hostel Facilities: Boys and girls have separate hostels at Calicut University. The hostels are on campus and can be reached by walking from the academic departments and other facilities. The hostel fees at Calicut University are very reasonable. The fees vary depending on the room type and the duration of stay. The hostels offer a variety of other facilities, including:
  • Laundry services
  • Wi-Fi access
  • Indoor games
  • Outdoor sports facilities
  • Medical facilities
• Sports Complex: Calicut University has some of the best sports facilities in India, including Asia's largest natural stadium with a 1 km circumference. This stadium has floodlights, large pavilions, and galleries with a seating capacity of 1 lakh. It also has athletic tracks, synthetic tracks, and two grass football fields that meet international standards. Other sports facilities at the university include an indoor stadium, gymnasium, health and fitness centre, yoga centre, handball court, Kho Kho ground, handball court, tennis court, and international standard swimming pool.

• Hangout Areas and Cafes: Calicut University has a lively campus with many places for students, faculty, and staff to hang out and eat. Here are a few of the most popular spots:
  • The Central Canteen: This is the biggest canteen on campus, and it serves all sorts of food and drinks, from Indian to Chinese to continental. It's a popular place for students to grab a bite to eat between classes or to hang out with friends.
  • The Coffee Shop: This is a smaller, more cosy cafe that serves a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, and sandwiches. It's a good place to relax and study or to meet up with a friend for a chat.
  • The Open Air Theatre: This is a big outdoor space with a stage and seats for over 500 people. It's used for all sorts of events, like concerts, plays, and festivals. It's also a popular place for students to hang out and relax on sunny days.
  • The Botanical Garden: This is a beautiful garden with all sorts of plants and flowers. It's a popular place for students to take a break from their studies and enjoy the natural beauty of the campus.
  • The Pond: This is a large pond located in the centre of the campus. It is a popular spot for students to go for walks, sit and relax, or even take a boat ride.

Our Take:

In other words, the Calicut University campus is a massive and impressive place, with a wide range of facilities and resources to support its students and faculty. Calicut University has produced many sporting heroes and heroines, including four Padma Shri awardees, one Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, one Dronacharya awardee, and 14 Arjuna awardees. In the 2020-21 academic year, the university's teams won the All India Inter University championships in football, volleyball, and baseball. This indeed tells us that Calicut University provides a supportive environment for nurturing world-class athletes.

But, as per students’ reviews and feedback, many of the classrooms are overcrowded, and basic facilities such as comfortable seats and appropriate lighting are lacking. Some classrooms may include outmoded technology, such as projectors and microphones. Apart from this, many students have shown concern on different social media platforms like Twitter and raised issues of hostels being in poor condition. The hostel rooms are small and the bathrooms are dirty. On Facebook, students have said that the food in the mess hall at Calicut University is not very good. It is often bland and repetitive. On Instagram, we found that the library at Calicut University is very crowded, and it is difficult to find a place to study.

Students on social media usually rate Calicut University's infrastructure as good. However, there are several areas where the institution might need to improve, such as maintaining the infrastructure and the quality of food served in the mess hall.

Calicut University Placements

Calicut University's Placement Cell helps students find jobs in top multinational companies, government organizations, NGOs, and private sector companies. All registered students receive placement assistance, career counselling, and self and social entrepreneurship support. The Placement Cell also provides logistical support to visiting companies and acts as an interface between the industry and students.

According to the NIRF report 2023, during the Calicut University placements in 2022, 151 out of 824 UG and PG students were placed. During placements in 2022, the median package offered to UG (3-year) and PG (1-year) students was INR 2.64 LPA and INR 3.96 LPA, respectively.

Our Take:

When compared to 2021, the median package awarded to UG (3-year) students during placements in 2022 increased by 10%. When compared to 2021, the median package awarded to PG (3-year) students during placements in 2022 increased by 4%. Having said that, the median salaries across courses are quite lower than most government and private universities in India. 

Overall, students rate the placements at Calicut University as below satisfactory than most other universities in India. The university falls short in other areas. Calicut University has a very high level of competition for placements. Students frequently believe that getting a decent job is impossible unless they are among the top students in their class. Students have also expressed their feelings that the Placement Cell can do more to help them in obtaining decent employment.

Calicut University Diversity & Demographics

In terms of student diversity and demography, Calicut University is one of the most varied universities in India. According to the NIRF 2023 study, the institution has a diversified gender ratio (as shown below), with a large female student population that exceeds the national average female student population of 44% in any university.

The student body of the institution is likewise varied in terms of caste, religion, and area. The university's SC/ST/OBC student population is 36%, which is higher than the national average of 28%. The institution also boasts a large number of Muslim students, who make up about 25% of the student body.

Gender Participation as per NIRF 2023

Demographic Representation as per NIRF 2023

Our Take:

Overall, students at Calicut University value its diversity. They feel that diversity improves their learning experience and helps them gain a deeper awareness of the world around them. The majority of students value the fact that they have met friends from all across India and from all backgrounds. We feel that this has helped students become more open-minded and accepting of diverse cultures and points of view. 

Calicut University Faculty & University Administration

Faculty 

Calicut University's faculty is generally liked by students. Most students appreciate their teachers' knowledge, dedication, and willingness to help them succeed. Some professors are particularly passionate about teaching and research, and they are always looking for ways to improve their students' learning experience. However, there are also some negative student reviews of the faculty. Some students complain that some professors are not very approachable and that they don't give students enough feedback.

Our Take:

Overall, students think the faculty at Calicut University is good. However, the university could improve by making sure all professors are approachable and give students enough feedback.

University Administration

Calicut University has created a school system to make it easier for students to study and research different subjects together. Each school is a group of related departments, led by a director. Each department, as mentioned below,  in the school has a head of department to help it run smoothly. 

• School of Language and Literature
  • Department of Arabic
  • Department of English
  • Department of Hindi
  • Department of Malayalam & Kerala Studies
  • Department of Russian & Comparative Literature
  • Department of Sanskrit
• School of Bioscience
  • Department of Biotechnology
  • Department of Botany
  • Department of Life Science
  • Department of Psychology
  • Department of Zoology
• School of Social Sciences
  • Department of Economics
  • Department of Folklore Studies
  • Department of History
  • Department of Philosophy
  • Department of Political Science
  • Department of Women's Studies
  • Institute of Tribal Studies and Research
  • Department of Sociology
• School of Mathematics & Computational Sciences
  • Department of Computer Science
  • Department of Mathematics
  • Department of Statistics
• School of Education
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Physical Education
• School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
  • Department of Chemistry
  • Department of Physics
  • Department of Nanoscience and Technology
• School of Information and Communication Studies
  • Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
  • Department of Library and Information Science
• School of Performing Arts
  • Department of Drama & Fine Arts
• School of Business Studies
  • Department of Commerce and Management Studies
• School of Legal Studies
  • Department of Law
• School of Earth Sciences
  • Department of Environment Science
  • Department of Geology

Our Take:

Calicut University offers several schools and departments that span a wide range of topics. This demonstrates that the administration is devoted to offering a well-rounded and comprehensive education to students. However, it may be challenging for the administration to manage and coordinate the activities of all the schools and departments, and it can also be difficult for students to traverse the university system and locate the resources and help they require.

Calicut University Location

The main campus of Calicut University is located at Tenhipalam, which is 24 km south of the city of Kozhikode, Kerala, India. Kozhikode is a significant economic and cultural centre in Kerala, with magnificent beaches, lush green hills, and a rich history. 

Calicut University students often describe the campus as being very lovely and serene. The university campus is located on the outskirts of the city in a forested region surrounded by lush green hills. A variety of beaches and backwaters are also close to the campus.

The surrounding region of Calicut University is mostly rural, with a few small towns and villages. The university is well-connected by road, train, and air to major towns in Kerala and other areas of India. Kozhikode International Airport is around 30 km from the university campus. However, some students often complain about the hot and humid climate, the heavy monsoon rains, and the limited transportation options.

Our Take:

Here are some pros and cons of Calicut University’s location: 

Calicut University: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

Calicut University says it offers academic excellence, and it usually does. The university has several high-ranking schools and departments, and its professors are highly qualified and experienced. This is backed by its NAAC A-grade accreditation. Calicut University also claims it has a well-developed infrastructure, and it usually tries to deliver on this promise. The university has many spacious classrooms, labs, and libraries, as well as sports and recreational facilities. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of maintaining and repairing the infrastructure and the overall hygiene of the hostel facilities.

Calicut University doesn't have any say in how big its classes are. But the average class size is around 50-60 students, and sometimes more depending on the course. This is higher than the ideal class size of 30-40 students. It claims to be among the top-ranked universities. It is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in India by the NIRF. Calicut University claims to offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in many different fields. It offers programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and medicine.

Final Verdict: Calicut University is a good university that provides students with a high-quality education. However, it needs to give special attention to the hostel facilities, infrastructure, remote location, substandard placement records, and batch sizes.

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