# Annamalai University

> state public university in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India

**Wikidata**: [Q3275551](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3275551)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annamalai_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/annamalai-university

## Summary
Annamalai University is a state public university located in Chidambaram, within the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1929 by Annamalai Chettiar, it is a major higher education institution affiliated with the University Grants Commission. The university serves a large student body and holds membership in international educational consortia.

## Key Facts
*   **Location:** The university is located in Chidambaram, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India (Coordinates: 11.390845, 79.714758).
*   **Type:** It is classified as a state public university and an academic institution for further education.
*   **Founding:** The institution was founded by Annamalai Chettiar. Sources list inception dates of 1929 (Wikipedia) and 1928 (AISHE).
*   **Student Population:** The university had a student count of 37,444 as of 2013.
*   **Native Name:** It is locally known as அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம்.
*   **Memberships:** The university is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education and the e-ShodhSindhu consortium (as of 2023).
*   **Affiliation:** It is affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC).
*   **Identifiers:** The university holds a GRID ID (grid.411408.8), ROR ID (01x24z140), and AISHE code (U-0443).

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Annamalai University located?
A: Annamalai University is located in the town of Chidambaram, which lies within the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India.

### Q: When was Annamalai University founded?
A: The university was founded by Annamalai Chettiar. Academic sources and records list its inception year as 1929, though some government databases cite 1928.

### Q: Is Annamalai University a public or private institution?
A: It is a state public university, funded and administered by the state government of Tamil Nadu.

### Q: What distinguishes Annamalai University in terms of academic scope?
A: The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission and is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, reflecting its role in both traditional and distance learning formats.

## Why It Matters
Annamalai University serves as a pivotal educational hub in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, providing access to higher education for tens of thousands of students—recording over 37,000 enrollees in 2013 alone. As a state public university, it plays a critical role in the regional educational infrastructure, bridging the gap between secondary education and advanced academic or professional careers.

Its foundation in the late 1920s places it among the older established institutions in the region, contributing to nearly a century of academic continuity. The university's affiliation with the University Grants Commission ensures that its degrees meet national standards, while its membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education highlights its capacity to reach students beyond the physical campus. This combination of historical significance, public accountability, and modern distance learning capabilities makes it a relevant institution for students seeking flexible yet accredited higher education options in India.

## Notable For
*   **State Public Status:** Operating as a state public university, serving the educational needs of Tamil Nadu.
*   **Distance Education:** Membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education indicates a significant footprint in remote learning.
*   **Historical Foundation:** Established in the late 1920s by Annamalai Chettiar, making it a long-standing institution in South India.
*   **Scale of Operation:** Managing a student body exceeding 37,000 individuals (as of 2013 data).
*   **Cultural Identity:** Maintaining a distinct native Tamil identity (அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம்) while engaging with global academic networks.

## Body
### Location and Campus
Annamalai University is situated in Chidambaram, a town in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The precise geographical coordinates are 11.390845 latitude and 79.714758 longitude. The campus is sometimes referred to by its location alias, Annamalainagar. The Administrative Building serves as a central visual landmark for the university.

### History and Governance
The university was founded by Annamalai Chettiar. Sources regarding its exact inception year vary slightly, with citations pointing to both 1928 and 1929. It operates as a state public university, functioning under the governance of the Tamil Nadu state authorities. It is officially affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India.

### Academic Profile
The institution is classified generally as a university and specifically as a state public university. As of the 2013 data point, the university supported a student population of 37,444. It maintains a category specifically for academic staff and alumni, indicating an organized tracking of its academic community.

### Memberships and Consortiums
The university actively participates in academic consortia. It is a member of **e-ShodhSindhu**, an Indian initiative for providing access to electronic resources to universities. Furthermore, its membership in the **International Council for Open and Distance Education** (ICDE), verified as recently as April 2024, underscores its involvement in global distance learning networks.

### Associated Personnel
Knowledge records associate several individuals with the university, including:
*   **Anand Babu Periasamy:** A free software contributor, entrepreneur, and angel investor.
*   **Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj:** An Indian researcher (born 1986).

### Identifiers and Technical Data
The university is cataloged in numerous academic and global databases:
*   **AISHE Code:** U-0443
*   **GRID ID:** grid.411408.8
*   **ROR ID:** 01x24z140
*   **ISNI:** 0000000123697742
*   **VIAF ID:** 156678763
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n80032711

## References

1. [State Public University. Department of Higher Education](https://dashboard.aishe.gov.in/hedirectory/#/hedirectory/universityDetails/U/02)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](https://ess.inflibnet.ac.in/member.php)
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407191925/https://www.icde.org/members-community/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
7. GRID Release 2015-12-14
8. GRID Release 2016-12-06
9. Quora
10. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
11. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
13. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)