BHARATH INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), also known as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and informally as Bharath University, is a private deemed university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 1984 by S. Jagathrakshakan as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology, originally called Bharath Engineering College, and was among the first autonomous engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. It was first affiliated with Madras University and later Anna University. In 2002, the University Grants Commission (UGC) granted it deemed university status, leading to its renaming as Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research. It was briefly called Bharath University from 2006 to 2017, before reverting to its current name following a UGC directive and Supreme Court order. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in science, technology, engineering, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, nursing, arts, and management. It operates five campuses—four in Chennai and one in Puducherry—including institutions such as Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital and Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital. It has received awards such as 'Best Private University of the Year' (2014) and 'Best Multi Stream University' (2014). In 2024, NIRF ranked it 91st overall and 73rd among universities in India.