The long felt need of the people of Salem, Namakkal, and Dharmapuri was materialised with the inception of the Periyar University on 17th of September 1997. Dr.M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of TamilNadu, inaugurated the University. A postgraduate extension center was functioning at Salem since 1983 with the assistance of the UGC to serve as the foundation for a full-fledged university later, and now it is the nucleus of this new University.

        The faculty of Geology began to function from 1983 under the headship of Dr.D.Jayakumar,who was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University.

        "Periyar University" has been constituted in Salem in the 50th year of Indian Independence and the Universities should serve as centres of drawing required educational schemes based upon our experience in the past.

        We need academicians who develop these ideals and implement them with courage and conviction for the upliftment of economically and socially backward people.

        The Periyar University, which represents a happy blend of modern thinking with social objectives, has been incorporated in the light of rules and recommendations of Gajendra Gatkar Committee. The university shall pave way for removal of regional inequality, upliftment of backward people and present socially relevant educational schemes.

        This university is also an affliliating university catering to the arts, science and engineering colleges of the districts of Salem, Namakkal and Dharmapuri, which are very backward districts, where a majority of the people live in poverty.

        Most of the students in this region are the first generation research scholars. Though educationally and economically backward, they have understood the importance of education and knowledge: notes Dr.Jayakumar, the Vice Chancellor of the University.

        These three districts have rich mineral resources, and the University's Geology department has embarked upon various schemes to improve the prosperity of the region. Proper geological surveys of the structure and use of these mineral resources, estimation of ground water quality in these water scarce areas, improving the drinking water facilities in the region etc. are some of the thrust areas for the Geology department of the University.

        Syllabi has been drawn to the development and empowerment of women, and the abundant flora and fauna in the Shervaroyan hills, known for medicinal herbs is a very good fertile ground for research.

        The existence of a large number of chemical factories in and around Salem helps to promote research in chemical industry. Hundreds of sago industries and other allied agro industrial units give good scope for related research.

        Salem has a good record of the co-operative movement, and it is a big industrial centre, helping the University to undertake research in respective areas. Similarly, the region is known for its rich heritage of historical sites, temples and inscriptions that have to be studied in depth.