Gauhati University, the oldest in the Northeast, and Dibrugarh University, the easternmost in India

Background

Gauhati University was established on 26 January, 1948, and is the oldest public university in Assam. It describes itself as the oldest and the largest university in the entire Northeast, on which other academic institutions of Northeast India built their own beginnings. Krishna Kanta Handique was its founder Vice-Chancellor and Phanidhar Dutta its first Registrar; the first convocation was held on 3 February 1951. At founding in 1948 the university had 18 affiliated colleges and 8 Post-Graduate Departments. Its motto is Vidyaya Sadhayeta, rendered as achievement through learning, and its anthem, Jilikaba Luitare Par, was composed by Bhupen Hazarika. The demand that produced it was old: the first public demand for a university in Assam was made at the annual session of the Assam Association held at Sivasagar in 1917. Dibrugarh University, the easternmost University in India, was established in 1965 consequent upon the provisions of the Dibrugarh University Act, 1965, enacted by the Assam Legislative Assembly.