Mahatma Gandhi University, one of the four affiliating Universities in Kerala, is the premier educational institution that strives to fulfill the higher educational needs of the people of Central Kerala. Set over 100-acre Priyadarsini Hills Campus at Athirampuzha, 13 kms off Kottayam, the University also has ten satellite campuses. The University was established on 2nd October 1983 and has jurisdiction over the revenue districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and parts of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. The University that conducts a range of programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, M Phil and doctoral levels through its 18 University Departments, 1 International Inter University Centre, 6 Inter University Centres, 8 Inter School Centres, 36 Self-Financing Departments, 75 Aided Affiliated Colleges (of which five colleges have become autonomus), 220 Unaided Affiliated Colleges and 273 Recognized Research Centers.