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Silver Oak University

Silver Oak University
Mottoज्ञानं परमं भूषणम्
TypePrivate
Established2009
FounderMr. Shital O. Agrawal
AccreditationNAAC Grade A
AffiliationsUGC
PresidentMr. Shital O. Agrawal
Vice-presidentMr. Janak P. Khandwala
ProvostDr. Saurin R. Shah
Students25000+
Location
Nr. Bhavik Publication, Gota
, , ,
23°05′30″N 72°32′06″E / 23.091730452114128°N 72.5349336098118°E / 23.091730452114128; 72.5349336098118
NicknameSOU
Websitewww.silveroakuni.ac.in
Map
A campus landmark featuring the university's tree sculpture at Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Silver Oak University is a private university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The university was recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2019 after being declared a State Private University under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2009. Its origins trace back to 2009 when it was established as an affiliated college. Over time, it expanded into the Silver Oak Group of Institutes and later evolved into a multidisciplinary university.

The university offers diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across engineering, technology, management, commerce, design, law, science, humanities, healthcare and allied disciplines. More than 25,000 students study across its constituent colleges and institutes.

In May 2025, Silver Oak University received Grade A accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university describes itself as the youngest university in Ahmedabad to achieve this distinction.

Silver Oak University has received several academic rankings and recognitions. It was ranked 7th among the Top Engineering Colleges in India by The Times of India. It was also recognised as the "Most Innovative Engineering College" by 94.3 My FM. The university received the Times Education Icon Gujarat 2024 Award for Excellence in Innovation. Silver Oak Institute of Design, a constituent institute of the university, received the Times Education Icon Gujarat 2024 Award for Promoting Indian Arts. The university and its constituent institutes have also earned recognition under the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) and various research and innovation initiatives.

The university has also been featured in regional and national rankings. THE WEEK ranked it 12th among colleges in the West Zone. Its engineering institutions have received recognition under the Gujarat State Institutional Ranking Framework (GSIRF)[1].

History

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Silver Oak University traces its origins to 2009, when it operated as an affiliated group of colleges in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, known as the Silver Oak Group of Institutes. In 2019, it was recognised as a State Private University under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2009, and was listed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Motto and Identity

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The university's motto, Gyanam Paramam Bhushanam ("Knowledge is the Highest Virtue"), is drawn from Sanskrit and reflects its stated academic philosophy. The university also has an official Kulgeet (institutional anthem) performed at convocations and major institutional events.

Academic Structure

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Silver Oak University is organised into faculties and constituent colleges/institutes offering undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, diploma, and vocational programmes across the following broad disciplines "150+[2]:

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computer Applications
  • Management (including PGDM and MBA programmes)
  • Commerce
  • Science (Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Humanities and Social Science
  • Design (Fashion, Interior, Product, Communication Design)
  • Animation and Multimedia
  • Aviation Technology (DGCA-approved programmes)
  • Pharmacy
  • Nursing
  • Physiotherapy
  • Allied Health Sciences (Optometry, Medical Laboratory Technology, Public Health)
  • Law
  • Liberal and Professional Studies
  • Vocational Education

Recognitions and Regulatory Approvals

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According to the university, its constituent institutes hold approvals/recognitions from the following bodies:

  • University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
  • Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
  • Indian Nursing Council (INC)
  • Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
  • National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
  • Bar Council of India (BCI)
  • Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

Campus

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The university campus is located in the Gota area of Ahmedabad and includes academic buildings, laboratories, a library, hostel accommodation, and student activity facilities.

Research Centres

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Students receive practical training on a Royal Enfield motorcycle engine at the Royal Enfield Centre of Excellence at Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad.[3]

The university operates several industry-affiliated "Centres of Excellence," reportedly in partnership with companies including Intas Pharmaceuticals[4], Royal Enfield, Fronius, and UltraTech Cement, focused on pharmaceutical training, automotive engineering, welding technology, and construction materials respectively[5].

Student Life

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Students in traditional attire participate in a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad.

Silver Oak University organises a range of annual student activities, documented on the university's official galleries page.[6] These include:

  • Junoon — an annual cultural festival
  • Kalpvruksh — a multidisciplinary technical and innovation conclave[7][8]
  • Rangmanch — a performing arts event for first-year students
  • Prarambh — an induction/orientation programme for new students
  • Raas Rasiya — an annual Navratri celebration[9]
  • Convocation — annual degree ceremony[10][11][12][13]
  • Foundation Day and Independence Day celebrations[14]
  • Activities through the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG)[15]
  • Graduates pose with their medals during the 2nd Convocation Ceremony at Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad.[16]
    A Sports Gallery documenting inter-collegiate and institutional sporting events[17]

Controversy

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In January 2022, Silver Oak University was the subject of protests against charging its students unlisted fees for ID cards.[18]

On 7 September 2022, Silver Oak University was raided by the Income Tax Department on suspicion of tax evasion and undocumented contributions to political parties.[19][20] These investigations were conducted shortly before the school's graduation ceremony, expected to be held on 24 September.[21] Students had been placed on leave and the campus evacuated as investigations continued on the university's campus.[22][23]

References

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  1. Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework, GSIRF (30 May 2022). "GSIRF(Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework)" (PDF).
  2. University, Silver Oak. "Best Private University in Ahmedabad Gujarat". Silver Oak University. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  3. centre of excellence. "royal enfield centre of excellence".
  4. Kishan Prajapati (18 August 2025). "ઇન્ટાસ ફાર્મા અને સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીએ સેન્ટર ઓફ એક્સેલન્સ સ્થાપવા માટે સમજૂતી કરાર (MoU) પર હસ્તાક્ષર કર્યા".
  5. divyabhaskar. "સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીની અંજની હલાઈ રાજ્યકક્ષાની સ્પર્ધામાં ત્રીજા સ્થાને:IIT ગાંધીનગર ખાતે બાયો-એબ્સ્ટ્રેક્ટ રાઇટિંગમાં મેળવી સિદ્ધિ".
  6. "University Galleries – Silver Oak University". silveroakuni.ac.in. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  7. "કલ્પવૃક્ષ 2024 કોન્ક્લેવ: સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીમાં યોજાયેલી કોન્ક્લેવનું 'કસુંબો' ફિલ્મની સ્ટારકાસ્ટ સાથે ધમાકેદાર સમાપન થયું - Ahmedabad News". Divya Bhaskar (in Gujarati). 10 February 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  8. divya bhaskar (12 March 2026). "સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીમાં 'આવિષ્કાર 2.0':પ્રોજેક્ટ અને PBL આઈડિયાઝનું પ્રદર્શન યોજાયું".
  9. gujaratijagran. "સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટી દ્વારા નવરાત્રિ નિમિત્તે ભવ્ય રાસ રસિયા 2024ની ઉજવણી, ભક્તિ, ગરબા અને ઉત્સાહનું અદ્ભુત મિશ્રણ જોવા મળ્યું".
  10. divyabhaskar. "ત્રીજો દીક્ષાંત સમારોહ:સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીનો દીક્ષાંત સમારોહ યોજાયો, મુખ્યમંત્રી ભૂપેન્દ્ર પટેલ મુખ્ય મહેમાન બન્યા".
  11. ahmedabadmirror. "Silver Oak Uni 3rd convocation: 3,906 students awarded degrees".
  12. Silver Oak University 4th Convocation (28 February 2026). "Silver Oak University 4th Convocation | Grand Ceremony Highlights, Gold Medalists & Fireworks".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. 4th Convocation (28 February 2026). "4th Convocation - Silver Oak University".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. divyabhaskar. "સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીમાં જામ્યો દેશભક્તિનો રંગ:76માં ગણતંત્ર દિવસે NSS-NCC કેડેટ્સની પરેડ યોજાઈ, સાંસ્કૃતિક કાર્યક્રમો સાથે તિરંગો લહેરાયો".
  15. Yoga For Healthy Aging: PIB, NSS Celebrate Intl Yoga Day In Ahmedabad (22 June 2026). "સિલ્વર ઓક યુનિવર્સિટીમાં આંતરરાષ્ટ્રીય યોગ દિવસની ઉજવણી:'Yoga for Healthy Aging' થીમ પર PIB, NSS દ્વારા આયોજન".
  16. Convocation Ceremony. "Convocation Ceremony".
  17. "Sports Gallery – Silver Oak University". silveroakuni.ac.in. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  18. "Students Claim Gujarat's Silver Oak University Has Fleeced Them Of Over Rs 2.10 Crore". Vibes of India. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  19. "7 રાજ્યોમાં 100 સ્થળે ITના દરોડા:પોલિટિકલ ફન્ડિંગ મામલે કાર્યવાહી, રાજસ્થાનમાં ગેહલોત સરકારના મંત્રી રાજેન્દ્ર યાદવને ત્યાં પણ રેડ" [Red Of IT At Silver Oak University In Ahmedabad, With A Number Of Admissions, Transactions Are Likely To Have Increased.]. Divya Bhaskar (in Gujarati). Ahmedabad. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  20. "Day In Pics: September 7, 2022". Outlook India. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  21. "Press Release".
  22. "Blog".
  23. Soni, Tanvi (7 September 2022). "IT team conducts raid at Silver Oak University in Gota, Ahmedabad Gujarat". News Waali. Retrieved 7 September 2022.