Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research

Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), also known as Bharath Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) or informally Bharath University, is a private deemed university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It was founded in 1984 by S. Jagathrakshakan as Bharath Engineering College, one of the first autonomous engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, initially affiliated with Madras University and later Anna University. It gained deemed university status in 2002, was renamed Bharath University in 2006, and finally became Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research in 2017 following a Supreme Court directive. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in science, technology, engineering, medicine (including dentistry, physiotherapy, and nursing), arts, and management. It received the 'Best Private University of the Year' award from the World Education Congress in 2014 and the 'Best Multi Stream University' award from ASSOCHAM the same year. The university operates five campuses—four in Chennai and one in Puducherry—hosting various affiliated colleges. In 2024, NIRF ranked it 91st overall and 73rd among universities. Notable alumni include motorcycle racer Naresh Babu, actress Suruthi Periyasamy, and actor Kanna Ravi.