Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) has been established under THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI UNIVERSITY ACT, 1999.an Act of the J&K State Legislature (ACT No. XII of 1999 dated 12th May 1999) as an autonomous, highly Technical & fully Residential University.
The University started functioning as an academic unit in Aug 2004 when it was inaugurated on 19th August 2004 at the hands of the then Hon’ble President of India Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. Dr. Kalam also delivered the first lecture to the students of the University.
The University is approved by UGC under Section 2(F) & Section 12(B) of UGC Act of 1956.
The technical programs of the University are recognized by AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education) while Architecture program is recognized by Council of Architecture.
The University receives funding from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, an autonomous Board set up in August 1986 under the provisions of The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986 of J&K State Legislature. The University also gets funds from J&K Government. University is also a participating institution under the World Bank assisted TEQIP-III Project of MHRD, Government of India and has been getting funds under this scheme.
The Design of the logo looks like a Lotus, a symbol of regeneration or a flame. If we see it from a particular angle, it also looks like ‘OM’, the Supreme Word. The three green bars are symbolic representation of three holy peaks of Trikuta Hills and / or the three ‘pindies’ in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The Sun, the giver of Light, Warmth, Time, Direction, Life Force, Energy, Power, Radiance and Enlightenment have been shown surrounded by radiating rays going out to nine planets of the Solar System. All this is , however, left to the imagination of the viewer.
The English version of the motto is “GOD (BRAHMA) IS SCIENCE”. ‘Brahma’ has been defined as something or someone who nourishes the universe and makes it grow. Science matches the definition wonderfully because science over the years has also done the same. If the world population is any indication, science has done very well indeed. We have not only become the dominant species, we also have grown to an unprecedented numbers. Moreover, the reach of the modern scientists has spread much beyond the sun and the moon and they are now eyeing the far-reaches of the universe from where even the light takes years and centuries to reach the earth. Science has given man god-like powers to create and destroy and so for he has used these powers more or less responsibly. Let us hope the good sense continues to prevail and the mankind continues to expand the boundaries of Human Knowledge, so that science and the spirituality ultimately meet in a confluence of superhuman achievements.