The Mahatma Gandhi University was established on October 2nd 1983 by the Government of Kerala through an Act of the Legislative Assembly. It was formally inaugurated by Sri. Gyani Zail Singh the H.E, President of India on 26th the same month. The University is funded by the University Grants Commission and Government of Kerala. It is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Vision

"Mahatma Gandhi University envisions to excel in the field of higher education and cater to the scholastic and developmental needs of the individual, through continuous creation of critical knowledge base for the society's sustained and inclusive growth."

Mission

• - To create an environment that would foster higher education in its area of jurisdiction
• - To create educated individuals qualified in specialized areas of knowledge
• - To plan and implement academic programmes of the highest quality that would foster the holistic development of individuals who will be empowered to act as the  conscience of society
• - To conduct and support undergraduate, postgraduate and research-level programmes of quality in sciences, the humanities, social sciences, and the professional disciplines
• - To foster research and extension activities directed at the reorganization of existing knowledge and the creation of new knowledge for the development of society
• - To help in the creation and development of manpower that would provide intellectual leadership to the community
• - To provide skilled manpower to the professional, industrial and service sectors in the country so as to meet  global demands
• - To help promote the cultural heritage of the nation and preserve the biodiversity of the region
• - To promote national development by imparting education and culture to the people of the areas coming under the jurisdiction of the University
• - To develop itself into an institution with the highest standards of excellence without losing sight of the importance of social equity.