Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is a university in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was hived off the Madurai Kamaraj University on 7 September 1990. The motto of the university is "In Pursuit of Excellence". It is named after the Tamil scholar/professor Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai. The university has 24 departments in arts, languages, sciences, engineering and technology. 102 colleges in the Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts are affiliated to it. Campuses Its main campus is a site in Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli where the majority of the university departments function. Another campus at Alwarkurichi houses the Sri Parama Kalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences department and a campus at Rajakkamangalam houses the Centre for Marine Sciences and Technology. Constituents The university has 61 affiliated colleges, 5 Mano colleges and 1 constituent college, with 65,000 students on rolls under its jurisdiction. Foundation Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, named after the famous Tamil scholar/professor M. Sundaram Pillai, was established on 7 September 1990 to cater to the needs of the people of the three southernmost districts of Tamil Nadu — Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. Departments There are 28 academic departments in the university. Animal Science Biotechnology Chemistry Commerce Communication Computer Science & Engineering Criminology & Criminal Justice Science Economics Education English Environmental Science Geo-technology History Centre for Information Technology & Engineering Management Studies Marine Science Mathematics Pharmaceutical Chemistry Physics Physical Education & Sports Plant Science Psychology Renewable Energy Social Exclusion Sociology Statistics Tamil DDCE-B.Ed Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences functioning at Alwarkurichi is an example of university-industry collaboration while the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Rajakkamangalam runs Coastal Area Studies. The departments receive research projects from funding agencies in India, Europe, the United States, Japan and UNO. The university offers postgraduate, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes (part-time and full-time). MSU is the first to offer Choice-Based Credit System. The university has a National Service Scheme and Youth Welfare Department. Accreditations The University Grants Commission, New Delhi has accorded its approval for getting financial assistance since 29 March 1994. The university is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India with 'A' grade status. The University Act authorizes the functioning of the Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education outside the university jurisdiction and the courses offered through this mode are recognized by the Distance Education Council of India. Community colleges The community colleges offer diploma courses of one-year duration to those interested in