Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL)- The English and Foreign Languages University

The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, was founded in 1958 as the Central Institute of English (CIE). Giving shape to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s (India’s first Prime Minister) vision to set up an institution to impart quality tra ion to set up an institution to impart quality training in English for teachers, the mandate of the University is to advance and disseminate “instructional, research and extension facilities in the teaching of English and foreign languages and literatures in India” as well as “to take appropriate measures for interdisciplinary studies and research in literary and cultural studies, and to develop critical intercultural understanding of civilizations.” In addition to regular teacher training programmes, CIE set benchmarks through its various conferences, refresher courses, and syllabus design ventures. During this time, the Institute also initiated indigenous English education programmes by producing school textbooks and later radio lessons. Gradually the Institute extended the scope of its goals, viz. to improve the standard of teaching of English; to undertake relevant research; and, to introduce foreign languages. It was therefore renamed the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL) in 1972 with the addition of three major foreign languages – German, Russian and French. The English and Foreign Languages University, as a national institution with a global outlook, aspires to achieve excellence in the humanities, with a special focus on languages, literatures, and cultures. The English and Foreign Languages University believes in advancing knowledge through innovative training, research and extension education in English and foreign languages, in the fields of teacher education and production of pedagogic materials, literature, language sciences, philosophy, and interdisciplinary humanities that includes collaboration with institutions of international excellence. The long-term goals of the University encompass the development of language proficiency tests and the promotion of critical intercultural understanding of civilizations. The University is committed to providing students with opportunities for holistic development, creating a gender-sensitive, differently-abledfriendly environment, and promoting a sense of social responsibility among students.