Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, which got its name after the popular Tamil Scholar Professor P. Sundaram Pillai was formed in the year 1990 on the 7th of September. The university was established mainly for the purpose of meeting the educational needs of the people of southern most districts in the state of Tamil Nadu, namely Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.

The university was approved by UGC to getting financial assistance on the 29th of March 1994 and it was awarded five star status by UGC. The university has 24 academic departments and apart from direct education, the university also offers distance education through directorate of distance and continuing education, which is recognized by Distance Education Council of India. The district-wise list of colleges affiliated to the university is given below:

Tirunelveli District:

• Ambai Arts College Ambasamudram

• P.M.T.College, Melaneelithanallur

• Sri Paramakalyani College, Alwarkurichi

• St. John’s College Palayamkottai

• The M.D.T. Hindu College, Tirunelveli

• Thiruvalluvar College V.K.Puram, Papanasam

• T.D.M.N.S.College, T. Kallikulam

• St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai

• Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtallam

• Arulmigu Pannirupidi Ayyan College of Arts and Science, Nanguneri

• Sadakathullah Appa College Rahmath Nagar, Palayamkottai

• Sarah Tucker College Palayamkottai

• Sri Sarada College for Women Sarada Nagar, V.M. Chatram P.O

• Sardar Raja Arts & Science College, Vadakkangulam

• Rose Mary College of Arts & Science, Munnerpallam, Palayamkottai

• Perarignar Anna Science College, Dharugapuram, Tirunelveli

• Sriram Nallamani Yadava College of Arts and Science, Tenkasi

• C S I Jeyaraj Annapackiam College, Nallur, Tirunelveli

• Annai Hajira Women’s College, Melapalayam, Tirunelveli

• Rani Anna Govt. Constituent College for Women, Tirunelveli

• GovtCollege of Arts & Science, Surandai

• Mano College, Cheranmahadevi

• Mano College, Puliyankudi

• J. P. College of Arts & Science, Ayikudy

Thoothukudi District:

• Aditanar College of Arts & Science, Tiruchendur

• P. C. Mahalaxmi College for Women, Tuticorin

• Kamaraj College, Tuticorin

• Nazareth Margochis College Pillayanmanai, Nazereth

• Pope’s College Sawerpuram

• Sri K. G. S. Arts College, Padmanabamangalam

• St. Mary’s College Tuticorin

• V.O.C. College, Tuticorin

• Holy Cross Home Science College

• Sri Sankara Bhagavathi Arts & Science College, Kommadikottai

• Govindammal Aditanar College for Women

• G.V.N. College, Kovilpatti

• Bishop Caldwall College, Maravan madam

• S.S. Duraisamy Nadar Mariammal College, Kovilpatti

• K.R. College of Arts & Science, Kovilpatti

• Wavoo Wajeeha Women’s College, Kayalpatnam

• M. S. University Constituent College of Arts & Science for Women, Sathankulam

• Mano College, Nagampatti

Kanyakumari District:

• Arignar Anna College, Aralvaimozhi

• Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam

• Lakshmipuram College of Arts & Science, Neyyoor

• Pioneer Kumarasamy College, Nagercoil

• Sree Ayyappa College for Women Ayyappanagar, Chunkankadai

• Sree Devi Kumari Women’s College, Kuzhithurai

• S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil

• St. Jude’s College, Thoothoor

• Vivekananda College, Agasteeswaram

• Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil

• Holy Cross College, Nagercoil

• Sivanthi Aditanar College, Pillayarpuram

• Scott Christian College, Nagercoil

• Udaya College of Arts & Science, Vellamadi

• Muslim Arts College, Thiruvithancode

• Annai Velankanni College Tholayavattam

• Malankara Catholic College, Mariagiri

• Noorul Islam College of Arts and Science, Kumaracoil

• V.T.M College of Arts and Science, Arumanai

The main aim of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is to pursuit excellence in the field of education by promoting human values for social harmony, by encouraging innovation in extension, research and teaching activities and by providing quality education to the rural population. One of the most valuable examples for the collaboration of the university with industries is the Sri Paramakalyani center for environmental sciences working under the university at Alwarkurichi.

Moreover, the Center for Marine Science and Technology at Rajakkamangalam is doing wonders in studies in coastal area. The research projects of the university are being funded by a number of agencies all over the world. The university has designed its courses considering the emerging needs and changing times of the region. Apart from graduation and post-graduation courses, the university is also offering Ph.D. and M. Phil courses.