Christ University's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

CHRIST University (Deemed to be University) was founded in 1969 as Christ College. It has been a pioneer in Indian higher education, introducing innovative and modern curricula, emphasizing academic discipline, providing holistic education, and adopting global best practices with the help of its creative and dedicated staff. One of the first institutions in India to be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 1998, Christ University has maintained its high standards, earning reaccreditation in 2004, 2016, and 2022. It is currently accredited with an 'A+' grade, one of the highest possible ratings. Christ University offers its programs at four campus locations: Bangalore, Karnataka; Lavasa, Pune, Maharashtra; and Ghaziabad, Delhi NCR.

But, things often appear better on the surface than they are beneath. Apart from all the rosy things that this university claims and boasts, there are serious incidents that make us question their virtue and goodwill. The issue of harassment at Christ University is not an isolated topic! According to top media sources, students have come forward reporting a series of instances of mistreatment by staff in the past. These reports include a 50-year-old head of department calling parents "characterless" because their daughter wore leggings. Not only that, there have been other scandals and cases involving Christ University, such as the allegations of plagiarism against a former vice-chancellor. 

Any institution is responsible for providing a safe and respected learning environment for all students, and it is critical that all students are treated equally and with dignity. Let’s go into the details!

Christ University Rankings: From Good to Better!

In 1997, Christ University became the first institution in Karnataka and one of the first 14 in India to be certified by NAAC. In 2004, it was also the first college in Karnataka to be given Autonomous status by the UGC. In 2005, it was the first institution in South India to be re-accredited with an NAAC A+ grade. Below are some significant rankings achieved by Christ University:

Aside from the NIRF Rankings, Christ University has featured in other ranking categories such as:

• Ranked #651-700 in Asian University Rankings 2023 by QS Top Universities.
• Ranked #=174 in Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2023 by QS Top Universities.
• Ranked #801–1000 in Impact Rankings 2023 by Times Higher Education. 

Our Take:

These accomplishments and rankings are a source of pride for the university and its surrounding community. They show that Christ University is a premier higher education institution in India. The institution has made significant investments in its facilities and academics, and these investments are paying off. Christ University is presently one of India's most respected universities, and its graduates are in high demand by industries.

Christ University Academia & Batch Size

Christ University is an Indian private institution that provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programmes in a number of areas. The university is well-known for its outstanding education and big batch sizes! 

Courses Offered

Christ University is primarily a liberal arts institution, but it also offers a wide range of other programmes (53 bachelors, 53 masters, 19 MPhil and 23 doctoral programmes) in a variety of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, sciences, commerce, management, law, engineering, architecture, and education. The academics at Christ University is divided into 9 schools, namely:

• School of Architecture
• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Business and Management
• School of Commerce, Finance and Accountancy
• School of Education
• School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Law
• School of Sciences
• School of Social Sciences
• School of Media, Communication and Design

In its own subject, each school provides a choice of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programmes. The School of Business and Management, for example, provides programmes in business administration, accounting, finance, and marketing. Computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering are all available through the School of Engineering and Technology. The School of Law provides law and legal studies programmes.

Our Take:

We think that Christ University is a unique and appealing alternative for students interested in following a range of various professional pathways because of its programme diversity. Christ University's schools are all highly recognised and respected in their respective professions. Employers strongly value the university's graduates, and many go on to successful jobs in a range of areas.

Overall, Christ University is a reputable university with a great academic reputation. However, according to suspected sources found on social media, it is necessary to be informed of the potential contraries before applying, such as the exorbitant fees, demanding workload, and more! 

Faculty

Christ University is a higher education institution with more than 20,000 students and around 800 faculty members. Christ University's faculty are usually well-regarded among students. Many students value their professors' knowledge, skill, and commitment to teaching. According to prominent media sources, however, some students have complained that some teachers are demanding and that the homework may be overwhelming.

Our Take:

Christ University's faculty is generally of excellent calibre. The fact that the University students have a generally favourable impression of the faculty indicates that the university is devoted to providing its students with a high-quality education. The university makes significant investments in its professors and has a rigorous recruitment and hiring procedure.

It is important to remember, however, that the student experience varies based on the particular student and the lecturers they have. As a result, there have been several reports of students having unfavourable interactions with staff. 

Batch Size

The number of students in each batch at Christ University varies based on the programme. However, batch sizes are generally rather huge. For example, the undergraduate BBA programme normally has a batch size of roughly 100 students. The postgraduate MBA has an average batch size of roughly 60 students and sometimes more or less. The doctorate PhD programme normally has a batch size of roughly 20 students.

Our Take:

Students at Christ University have mostly voiced their concerns about the large batch sizes. They believe that in such huge batches, it might be difficult to gain individual attention from lecturers. They further contend that big batch sizes make it harder to form relationships with classmates and engage in class discussions.

Christ University Global Collaborations

Participating in an exchange programme has various advantages, including academic, social, personal, and cultural advantages. Christ University has collaborations with universities all across the world. Students can thus engage in exchange programmes with these universities. 

Student Exchange

Christ University students have the opportunity to visit partner universities for two weeks for exposure or collaborative programmes. The students are responsible for their own travel expenses, but the partner university provides accommodation and subsidized food. Partner university students also visit Christ University, and the university provides them with accommodation. The exchange students participate in joint programs with Christ University students, such as theatre performances, collaborative service learning projects, and internships.

Our Take:

In our opinion, these exchange programme initiatives are a great way for students to learn about a new culture, meet new people, and develop new skills. They can also be a valuable addition to a student's resume.

Faculty Exchange

Faculty members from partner universities can spend two to eight weeks at Christ University. Christ University offers these visiting faculty members with accommodation and local transportation. Christ University faculty members can also visit partner universities at any time of year, from June to March. Christ University pays for faculty members' travel expenses, while the partner university provides lodging and subsidised meals.

Our Take:

These faculty exchange programmes, in our opinion, are an excellent opportunity for faculty members to learn about innovative teaching and research approaches, cooperate with colleagues from different universities, and broaden their professional networks. They can also provide an excellent opportunity for academic members to travel and learn about various cultures.

India Gateway Program

Christ University offers tailor-made courses on business, culture, and society in India to groups of students from partner universities. These courses are taught by Christ University faculty and include lectures, field trips, and industry/corporate visits. Groups can have 15 to 25 students, and the cost of the programme is covered by the students of the partner university.

Our Take:

Christ University's tailor-made courses are an excellent method for students from partner universities to learn about India in a thorough and interesting manner. Experts teach the courses, which feature a range of learning activities.

Research

Christ University and partner university faculty members work on cooperative research, social impact, and artistic initiatives. Students may be involved in these initiatives. 

Our Take:

This partnership allows academics to share their knowledge and skills, and it helps students learn from prominent researchers and practitioners in their area.

Christ University Infrastructure

Christ University is proud of its eco-friendly, calm, and peaceful atmosphere, and it is sincerely devoted to sustaining the values system; thus, it expects its students to behave themselves in a worthy manner in their attire, demeanour, and sense of discipline. Christ University Bangalore has a large campus with a variety of facilities to support its academic and extracurricular activities. Here are some of the facilities that students at Christ University can enjoy:

• Libraries: The Main Library and the Law Library are both located at Christ Bangalore. The Main Library has over a million books, while the Law Library has over 100,000 books. Electronic resources such as journals, databases, and e-books are available in both libraries.

• Classrooms: Christ University has smart classrooms that are equipped with overhead projectors (OHPs). Students will study several academic modules through audio-visual exposure. The audio-visual aids are useful for conveying complicated concepts using 3D models.
• Labs: The university houses a variety of laboratories, including computer/IT labs for teaching and research. The laboratories are outfitted with cutting-edge technology and equipment.
• Sports Facilities: Christ University Bangalore houses a football pitch, a cricket ground, a basketball court, a tennis court and a swimming pool among its sporting facilities. There is also a gym and a fitness centre at the campus.
• Cafeterias/Canteens: Christ University Bangalore offers several canteens that serve a variety of meals. The canteens are open to students and staff all day.
• Hostel: Christ University has one boys' hostel on campus, Jonas Hall, and one girls' hostel, St. Kuriakose Elias Hall. The university also has three residence halls for boys, Block A, Block B, and Block C, which are located near the campus. There is also a girls' hostel called CST Vidyabhavan, which is located off campus and is run by Catholic nuns. All of the hostels are equipped with all the basic amenities that students need, including comfortable beds, study spaces, and dining halls. The hostels also have a variety of amenities for students to enjoy, such as gyms, and common rooms. 

Our Take:

As per our research, the overall feedback of students on the infrastructure at Christ University seems to be positive. The university's commitment to upgrading its infrastructure demonstrates its dedication to students and its goal of fostering a supportive and enriching learning atmosphere. However, some students have expressed their deep concerns about the lack of parking on campus and issues like the absence of a mess facility in the residence halls of the students. Students have also raised issues such as the high costs, the small rooms, and the strict rules and regulations in the hostel facilities.

Christ University Placements and Internships

The placement office at Christ University claims to help students explore career and internship opportunities and develop their professional skills. It also provides counselling to help students choose the right careers for their interests, aptitudes, and abilities. 

Placements

The Placement Office offers training in employability enhancement skills such as resume building, interview skills, group discussion techniques, logical reasoning, and aptitude skills. This helps students land their desired jobs and apply to prestigious postgraduate and professional schools. 

Christ University Bangalore has not released the official placement report for the year 2023 yet. However, as per the latest placement report in 2022, the highest package offered was INR 21.46 LPA for MBA students. A total of 1,698 and 1,304 UG and PG students were placed, and 79% of students were placed during the Christ University Bangalore placement drive 2022. In addition, out of 516 recruiters who visited the campus during the placement drive in 2022, 65 were new recruiters. The key highlights of placements are mentioned below:

Note: Christ University offers a variety of courses at the UG and PG level, including BTech, MBA, BBA, and MCA. However, the highest package of INR 21.46 LPA was offered to MBA students during the placement drive in 2022.

Top Recruiters

Over 500 companies visited the Christ University campus during the 2022 placement drive, including 451 regular companies and 51 new recruiters. Here is a list of a few of the top companies that participated:

Our Take:

A placement rate of 79% in 2022 appears to be a very outstanding placement record, indicating that Christ University Bangalore is a well-respected university by companies. The university's dedication to offering a high-quality education and strengthening students' employability skills is reflected in their placement outcomes. But, we cannot ignore the fact that the overall placement rate at Christ University Bangalore decreased by 11% in 2022 compared to 2021. Having said that, when compared to 2021, the top package provided during placement 2022 increased by 65% and the number of PG students placed during placement 2022 has also increased by 3%.

Internships

Christ University is committed to the holistic development of its students and therefore requires them to complete an internship during their course of study. This internship provides students with hands-on, real-world experience.

The internship must be at least 30 days long, and students are assigned a mentor to guide them through the process. The university does not provide internship opportunities directly, but placement representatives elected from each batch reach out to different companies to find internships for students. Students can also apply to off-campus companies of their choice or participate in campus-provided internship opportunities. During the internship, students work under a coach at the organization. At the end of the internship, students are required to submit a report and give a presentation to showcase the knowledge and skills they gained.

Our Take:

On the plus side, many students appreciate Christ University's requirement that they complete an internship. This allows individuals to obtain hands-on experience in their industry while also learning from pros in the workplace. Furthermore, Christ University's placement office does an excellent job of reaching out to businesses in order to locate internship opportunities for students. Some students, however, have stated that the internships they were assigned were neither difficult nor gratifying. Others have stated that the companies where they interned did not offer any help or direction.

Student Diversification at Christ University

Christ University claims to have a diverse student body, with students from all across India. The university is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and it provides a number of programmes and services to help students from diverse backgrounds.

Gender Participation as per NIRF 2023

Demographic Representation as per NIRF 2023

Our Take:

Christ University's student body is quite diverse and the university is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. However, some students believe that the university can do more to encourage diversity and inclusion at different levels of study.

Christ University Administration/Management

Christ University is run by the CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Trust, which is part of the CMI congregation, a Catholic religious order under the Syro Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church. The head of the university is always the rector of Dharmaram Pontifical Seminary, a Catholic seminary in Bengaluru. The current vice-chancellor is Dr. Fr. Joseph C.C. 

• The university faced controversy over allegations of violations in the appointment of its new vice-chancellor (VC). The former VC, Father Abraham VM, was retired, and his replacement, Father Joseph C, was appointed. However, there are concerns about inconsistencies in the appointment process, and some people believe that the university's management, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), may be violating the rules set by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for VC appointments.

Our Take:Although the CMI has denied any wrongdoing, this controversy has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the VC appointment process at Christ University.

• In June 2021, the university was embroiled in controversy after a female student accused a proctor of inappropriate behaviour during an online exam. The student shared screenshots on social media showing the proctor allegedly calling her "baby" when she asked about submitting her answers in PDF format during an end-semester exam. The screenshots quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage.

Our Take: The event triggered a discussion on the importance of internet safety for students, as well as the need for the university to have clear rules and processes in place to handle staff misconduct.

• An anonymous blog post claimed that the professor was fired for questioning the university's marking scheme and for refusing to announce a new dress code rule in class. The Bannerghatta campus, which caters primarily to management students, had imposed a dress code that some humanities students felt was unfairly applied to them.

Our Take: Students and professors were outraged by the blog post, accusing the university of academic interference and retaliation against the professor for speaking out. The university rejected the allegations, but the episode ignited questions about Christ University's free speech and academic freedom.

Christ University Location

Christ University's main campus is located in the central part of Bangalore city, on the extension of Hosur Road (NH 7) opposite the Bangalore Dairy Circle Flyover. It is spread over 25 acres and is part of the 100-acre Dharmaram College Campus. The campus is close to residential localities such as BTM Layout, a residential and commercial area; Koramangala, another large neighbourhood; and Jayanagar, one of the largest residential neighbourhoods in Bangalore.

The campus is well-connected to public transportation, with several bus and metro stations located nearby. It is also home to a variety of amenities, including a library, cafeteria, sports facilities, and student hostels.

Our Take:

Here is our judgment on Christ University's location based on the opinions and feedback gathered from the students:

Pros:

• The campus is located in the heart of Bangalore, making it easily accessible to public transport and other services.
• The university is close to various residential areas, making it easy for students to obtain nearby housing.
• The campus is in a safe and secure neighbourhood of the city.

Cons:

• During peak hours, the region surrounding the university faces traffic congestion.
• Bangalore's cost of living is relatively high, particularly in places near the university campus.
• The city might suffer from air pollution, particularly during the winter months.

Christ University: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

Students who chose Christ University often have high expectations of the institution. They anticipate receiving a high-quality education, having access to modern facilities, and being a part of a lively student community. The university is among the well-ranked universities in India that normally satisfies its students' expectations. It has a definite academic reputation, and its faculty is highly qualified and experienced. In addition, the university has a well-developed infrastructure, which includes modern classrooms, labs, and libraries. 

The cost of attendance is relatively expensive. Hence, the university provides a number of scholarships and financial assistance programmes to assist students in covering the expenses of their studies. The hostels are generally clean and well-maintained, but there have been many complaints about small rooms and highly strict rules and regulations. Students are usually pleased with the campus's location. They value the central position, proximity to residential areas, and safe and secure surroundings. Some students, however, find traffic jams and the expense of living to be a hardship.

Final Verdict: Christ University is an excellent choice for students seeking a high-quality education, a well-developed infrastructure, and an active hustle-rich student life (this can also be overwhelming for a lot of students, igniting anxiety and stress). It is important to remember that Christ University is a private university with partially hefty tuition fees and mediocre placement stats. Furthermore, in recent years, the university has been framed in a number of controversies which pose a serious question on the administration and integrity of the university! 

Final Review Checkbox!