About Us

Dr. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM UNIVERSITY (AKU) is unique among the educational institutions in the world. It arose not from some chance of history or local patriotism, but from a view of life which has been of vital importance in the development of our modern society. It was born out of the liberal, progressive movement. The founders of it sought to establish a non – traditional institution of higher learning, which would be free from the social exclusiveness, and academic traditionalism prevailing and which would promote the growth of a free academic society.

AKU believes that access to higher education is a key ingredient in the promotion of world peace and global economic development. It views higher education as a basic right and believes that it can both transform the lives of individuals and be an important force for societal change. AKU believes that education plays a fundamental role in strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in promoting understanding and tolerance, like Dr.Abdul Kalam.

The basic principle, which the institution contributes to modern thought, is that higher education should be available to all who could profit by it, without distinction of any kind. And remains dedicated to its founding principle, that a liberal education teaches disciplined reasoning, effective communication, and love of learning. This broadening of the basis of entry, bring about the reform of education on the whole, for the people who want studies to be open to all. Of course, the degree of success of the individual will depend on how appropriately one assimilates, adapts and practices the educational in puts.

The mission of AKU is to offer affordable, quality, online, non-traditional degree-granting educational programs to any student who could profit by it. AKU is based on the belief that education is a basic right for all applicants, not just for a privileged few. The University works to open the gates of higher education to students anywhere in the world by offering its programs through distance learning and by making this opportunity affordable.

AKU creates a global community by making its academic programs, educational services, and employment opportunities available to individuals from all over the world, and by providing, learning opportunities that engage students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. AKU, additionally, expects its students to take responsibility for their education, and to pursue their studies diligently and with the seriousness of purpose. AKU provides a high-quality, online liberal education suitable in scope and depth to the challenges of the 21st century.

AKU online is run by a team of globally distributed academicians, staff, volunteer faculties and subject matter experts.

AKU caters to the need of managers, administrators, officers, students, and functionaries who have received little or no formal training, in terms of imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes, in a professional manner, with specifically focused programs.

AKU is committed to providing quality online educational programs globally at an affordable cost to students through a unique educational methodology.

The mandate of the AKU University is to:

§ Provide free, non-credit bearing, non-traditional degree programs to all segments of the society.

§ Offer free, innovative and need-based programs at different levels, to all those who require them.

§ Reach out to the disadvantaged students who further do not wish to proceed to either a traditional college or traditional university qualification or other jobs that require traditional degrees, but wish to only graduate to enhance their knowledge, upgrade their entrepreneurial skills, have new careers, increase their chances of employability, advance in job with promotions, improve their self, which could lead them to more money, more security, and a better way of life, by offering free programs.

About Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam better known as A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (/ˈæbdʊl kəˈlɑːm/) 15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015), was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned statesman, Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts. He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal organizational, technical, and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.

Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the then-opposition Indian National Congress.

Widely referred to as the "People's President," he returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service after a single term. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. While delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015, aged 83. Thousands including national-level dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony held in his hometown of Rameshwaram, where he was buried with full state honors.