Department of English, Sardar Patel University

Two interesting developments led to the establishment of Sardar Patel University in 1955 and the Department of English by it in 1958. The Mahagujarat Movement was at its peak in the mid-1950s. The bifurcation of the then Bombay Province into Gujar bifurcation of the then Bombay Province into Gujarat and Maharashtra had begun to appear to be a distinct possibility. Our leaders had the foresight to envision that the state of Gujarat, as and when it was carved out of the province, would need new institutions of higher learning and new universities to take care of its needs. Driven by their missionary zeal, they responded to this new felt need by taking the initiative of establishing Sardar Patel University as a rural-based university in 1955. One of the immediate felt needs was an institution of higher education, a Postgraduate Department of English, which would impart instruction and training in English not only as a specialisation but also as an important component of the curricula. This was based on an indigenous model of education, in anticipation of and in preparation for fulfilling the needs of the region for English Studies as it were before the founding of the state of Gujarat on 1 May 1960. The department enjoys the honour of having the privilege of being among the first few Departments to be established by this University in its early years of existence. It was our good fortune that the Department was blessed with three scholar-administrators as Heads in the first 50 of its more than 60 years of existence. These men of great vision helped build the Department and brought it to the enviable position it occupies today not only within the state but also in the western region and at the national level. A commitment to the imparting of education and training of national standard, and persistence in striving for excellence in an effort to reach our ultimate goal of meeting international standards in English Studies in Sardar Patel University. To cater to the needs of the region by revising our curricula as well as initiating necessary changes in teaching, learning and evaluation processes To strengthen research in English Studies by being in tune with the emerging trends both at the national and international levels To nurture inquisitiveness, positive cultural growth and attitude among students to fortify democratic spirit to literature. Our resolve is to remain steadfast in our commitment: to undertake research in new and upcoming areas, and to extend our services to other academic institutions as and when requested to enable our students to stand on their own in the contemporary times of tough competitions.