Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University shortly called as SMDVU was established under an Act of Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature as a residential and autonomous technical university. The university was inaugurated by the then President of India Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam on the 19th of August 2004. The University is approved under sec 2 (F) and 12 (B) of the University Grant Commission Act and the architecture courses offered by the university are approved by Council of Architecture, while the technical courses are approved by All India Council of Technical Education. The university receives fund from University Grants Commission and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The mission of SMDVU is the pursuit of research, scholarship and education at the highest international levels of excellence. The university’s vision is to attain excellence in technical education to nurture young talented human resources for serving the country and to preserve the sanctity and integrity of human values. The list of colleges coming under the jurisdiction of this university is given below:

• College of Engineering

• College of Sciences

• College of Management

• College of Humanities & Social Sciences

The main objective of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is to offer training and education of high quality both at UG and at PG level. The other objectives of the university includes ensuring that international standard is maintained both at the research and teaching conducted by it; To motivate close collaboration with industry and to facilitate the application of research both for the benefit of society and for commercial purpose and to promote study and research in emerging and new areas of technical education. The campus of the university is located at an area of 470 acres of land at about 2700 feet above the sea level. The pyramidal type of architecture of the campus building combines beautifully with the ambience of the surrounding hills.