Bhopal University or Barkatullah University (BU) Hindi: बरकतउल्लाह विशवविधालय is an Indian university in Bhopal, renamed after the great freedom fighter, Prof. Barkatullah, who was born there. It is the main university of the capital city and provides degrees to most of the non-technical colleges in and around Bhopal. Funded by state government, the university has a residential campus and serves as affiliating university for colleges of seven other districts. The university affiliates the colleges of Bhopal district and other neighbouring districts like Sehore, Vidisha, Raisen, Betul, Hoshangabad, Harda and Rajgarh. Barkatullah University has been accredited as a B category university by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university was established in 1970 as Bhopal University and was renamed Barkatullah University in 1988. The university is a teaching and an affiliating institution. In 1974-75, the Institute of Open and Distance Education was established with the permission of UGC for distance education. The campus of Barkatullah University covers 360 acres (1.5 km). It is on the National Highway 12 which passes through Bhopal.