Acharya Nagarjuna University

HISTORY 
The name, Nagarjuna University is quite significant in that the great Buddhist preceptor and Philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna founded a University on the banks of river Krishna some centuries ago and made it a great centre of learning, attracting a large number of teachers and students form distant parts of the world.  The University was established by Act 43 of 1976 of A.P. State Legislature and Governed by Act 4 of 1991 covering 6 Universities of the State. The present Acharya Nagarjuna University is not very far from the haloed spot, as it derives its moral and intellectual sustenance from Acharya Nagarjuna in which context the University has been renamed Acharya Nagarjuna University through the A.P. Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2004, promulgated by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
The aspirations of the southern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh to pursue Post-Graduate education nearer their homes resulted in the establishment of Acharya Nagarjuna University. In 1976, Andhra University started a Post-Graduate Centre in Nallapadu, Guntur Dt., Andhra Pradesh, as an Extension Center to cater to the needs of higher education of the people of this region. It is in the fitness of things that a University should grow from this Center to fulfill the desire of the people of this belt. Accordingly, Nagarjuna University came into being in August 1976.

INTRODUCTION
Acharya Nagarjuna University has completed three decades of its existence.  It was inaugurated on 11th September, 1976 by the former President of India, Sri Fakruddin Ali Ahmed.  There have been many problems, difficulties and teething problems in its onward march.  In the course of the last 30 years, the University has successfully overcome most of the initial problems and is moving forward with determination, enthusiasm and hope.
From the corridors of a local polytechnic college in Nallapadu to the imposing buildings in Nagarjuna nagar, the road was very long.  Sacrifice, service and commitment marked the growth of Acharya Nagarjuna University.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Acharya Nagarjuna University, an affiliating University established in 1976, started with only 10 post-graduate courses in the University College.  Since then, it has achieved tremendous progress through quantitative expansion and qualitative improvements on various academic fronts.  This has been possible by the efforts of its dedicated faculty, an efficient team of supporting staff and high quality student input.  The Acharya Nagarjuna University at present offers post-graduate education in 47 courses (39 on the University campus, 4 at University PG Campus at Nuzvid and 5 at University PG Campus at Ongole) besides Post-graduate courses in affiliated colleges.

DEVELOPMENT OF POST-GRADUATE CENTRES

                  The University has two post-graduate centers one at Nuzvid, Krishna District and the other at Ongole, Prakasam District.  For the Post-Graduate Centre at Nuzvid.

Affiliated Colleges

University has got over 450 affiliated colleges in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam Districts. Details of the colleges

Affiliated Colleges.

                    Acharya Nagajuna University since then has grown into a large University with 39 Academic Departments, including several self-financed courses, which started operating since 1992. Its jurisdiction was extended to three districts now having over 450 affiliated colleges offering Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate, Engineering, Education, Law, Pharmacy and Oriental Languages courses. Now it has 39 Post-graduate teaching-cum-research courses on the campus, while 71 affiliated colleges offered P.G. courses.  The University runs two P.G. centers-one at Ongole (a fully self-financed center) and another at Nuzvid (aided).

The University has been continuously achieving progress during these 30 years, in terms of introducing new subjects in the University College.  For instance, two new P.G. courses, in Hindi, and Tourism & Travel management were introduced last year.  New courses were started from the academic year: B.P. Ed. and M.P. Ed in the department of Physical Education, while M.B.A. in Health Administration, M. Ed in the department of Education and M.Sc. in Medical Technology are jointly awarded by A.N.U. and N.T.R. University of Health Sciences.  Five year Integrated M.B.A., Programme in International Finance is started.  This University has also pioneered the introduction of self-financed courses in the country, which is in conformity with the thinking of the national education policy makers such as the University Grants Commission.  The University is making concerted efforts towards resource mobilization on different fronts.

The policy of the University is to encourage the University College and the affiliated colleges to introduce job-oriented courses at the Degree and Post-Graduate levels.  Academic autonomy was extended to four of the colleges as per the directions of the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.  The University has ensured that, while there is a need for quantitative improvement with the increasing demand for higher education, from the community at large, the quality of education offered at various levels is also maintained at a high level.  The University has been striving to maintain high academic standards in consonance with quantitative increase in the number of students being enrolled every year.

Teaching and Research are the two eyes and twin goals of the faculty in the University College.  The research programmes carried out in the various Departments cover both fundamental and applied areas.  The academic Departments seek to find a reasonable and useful balance between the world of knowledge and its use and application in a more concrete and realizable form.  The research programmes and course content focus on these issues and attempt to find solutions, so that feedback obtained by such an interaction could be used to bridge the gap between learning and its utility value.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Departments in the Campus have been engaged in the task of studying the many socio-economic problems.  Besides general areas, the research projects also cover a study of the problems of women, the oppressed classes of the society (both social and economic) and the problems of governance.  The interaction between the funding agencies and their beneficiaries and the managerial problems in industries form other research pre-occupations of the University.  The need for providing legal advice to the needy is winning the attention of the researchers.

The Science Departments are engaged in carrying out work related to the growing scientific knowledge in solving the problems of society, like the study of pollution hazards and their prevention during development by isolating and characterizing the active principles from both floral and microbial sources; finding alternative energy sources, development of new varieties and hybrids in chilies, computer applications and software development augmenting and preserving fuel supplies and other bio-mass sources, defense research, exploring non-conventional energy sources,  aquaculture development, liquid crystals preparation and study of their physical properties,   microbiology and psychopathology,  etc., all of which have a bearing on the day-to-day problems of society.  Knowledge is thus not merely an end in itself but also a means to serve the society which funds the educational institutions and this practical side has not been ignored by the University.  Emphasis on research,  especially with a strong socio-economic bias has also made the University initiate schemes and projects of practical utility.

Andhra University

Andhra University is not just one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, but is also the first to be conceived as a residential and teaching-cum-affiliating University, mainly devoted to post-graduate teaching and research.

      The people of the State have an emotional attachment to the institution, since it came into being after a prolonged and collective struggle of the Telugu elite for a University in the educationally backward northern Circars and Ceded districts of the erstwhile Madras Presidency.

      Andhra University was constituted in the year 1926 by the Madras Act of 1926. The 86-year-old institution is fortunate to have Sir C.R. Reddy as its founder Vice-Chancellor, as the steps taken by this visionary proved to be fruitful in the long run.

Former President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was one of its Vice-Chancellors who succeed Dr. C. R. Reddy in 1931. The University College of Arts was inaugurated on 1 st July, 1931.  The inaugural courses were Telugu language and literature, History, Economics and Politics.  A year later, the College of Science and Technology came into being with Honours courses in Physics and Chemistry.   The University pioneered in introducing many new courses in Science, Arts, Management and Engineering in the country.

      The leaders of the university always believed that excellence in higher education is the best investment for the country and   engaged the services of famous educationists such as Dr. T.R. Seshadri, Dr. S. Bhagavantham, Professor Hiren Mukherjee, Professor Humayan Kabir and Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, to mention a few who set high standards for teaching and research. Nobel Lariat C V Raman was the proud alumnus of the University and closely associated in laying research foundations in Physics. Padmavibhushan Prof. C R Rao, the renowned statistician of the world, was also the proud alumnus of the University.

      Keeping in pace with the global needs and challenges under the leadership and guidance of successive Vice-chancellors, the University is offering several new Courses of relevance and Contemporary significance.

      Ever since its inception in 1926 Andhra University has an impeccable record of catering to the educational needs and solving the sociological problems of the region.  The University is relentless in its efforts in maintaining standards in teaching and research, ensuring proper character building and development among the students, encouraging community developmental programmes, nurturing leadership in young men and women and imbibing a sense of responsibility to become good citizens, while striving for excellence in all fronts.

      As a sequel to this, the University has always subjected itself for continuous self-evaluation for maintaining standards and to reach set targets.  Further, to assure quality in Higher Education the University has gone through the process of assessment and accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in April 2002. The Peer Committee has analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the institution and has assessed the University with ‘A’ grade awarding it with the best percentage among the State Universities of Andhra Pradesh. The University designed and implemented Quality Management System successfully and became the first general University in the country to get ISO 9001: 2000 Certification in 2006.

      The University Presently is Offering 313 Courses in Arts, Commerce, Management, Science & Technology, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy and Education. The University has five constituent colleges and four AU Campuses.   The Colleges of Arts and Commerce is the biggest constituent college in the University with 26 Departments offering 42 courses including four Diploma Courses.  The College of Science and Technology has 21 Departments, which offers 63 Courses including one PG Diploma.  The College of Engineering has 15 Departments offering Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research Programmes.  The College of Law has been identified as an advanced Center in Law by UGC.  The college of Pharmaceutical Sciences is first of its kind in South India, which is offering one UG Programme and six PG Programmes, besides Research Programmes leading to Ph.D. Degree. The AU campus at Kakinada (East Godavari District) has  five Departments and the AU Campus at Etcherla (Srikakulam Dist) has Eleven Departments. The AU Campus at Tadepalli Gudem has four departments and AU Campus at Vizianagaram has five Departments.

The University is spread in a sprawling campus of 422 acres dotted with 121 buildings of Academic, Administrative and support services with a plinth area of about 20 lakhs sq.ft., and 324 staff quarters.  Presently the University catering the Educational needs of five green districts of Andhra Pradesh namely Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Vizinagaram and Srikakulam.

      The University campus is having 23 hostels for men which can accommodate more than 3200 students and 10 hostels exclusively for women with a capacity of more than 2000 seats. Two Hostels are specially constructed for foreign students. The University has also two Residential Health Centres one at south campus and the other at north campus and a homoeo  Dispensary.  The University has four Guest Houses, Central Canteen and four canteens at various locations, Press and Publication division, Women Waiting Halls, Faculty Club and Schools for Employees Children.

      The University is also having student  services and welfare centres in the campus like post and Telegraph office, Banking facilities, University employment and Guidance bureau, training and placement centre and a sports complex including a Gymnasium Hall.

      The other infrastructural facilities available in the University include Academic Staff College, Computer Centre and Press & Publications division. The University is also having 25 Research centers/institution in the campus like Agro- Economic research Centre, Centre for Religious studies, Centre for Women s Studies, Delta studies Institute , Institute of public sector management, Institute for yoga and Consciousness and population Research Centre, OASTC, Bay of Bengal, etc.,

      The University has started school of Distance Education in the campus in 1972. It offers Courses ranging from Certificate Courses to Post Graduate and Professional Courses. The School of Distance Education presently offering 4 UG Programs, 18 PG Programs, 5 Certification Courses, 9 PG Diploma Courses, 15 Professional Courses and 7 Collaborative Courses through Distance Education Mode.  The School has 35 study centres across the State.  The enrolment in UG, PG, and Professional Programmes in the School of Distance Education is about80,000 students. The School has 23 permanent faculty. It is Equipped with the latest infrastructure.

      The University has well experienced and export faculty known world wide for their research contributions. There are 354 Professors, 198 Associate. Professors and 115 Asst. Professors serving the University. Organization of International and National events is a regular feature of the University.   There are more than 2500 support staff working in the University.

      The alumni of the University occupy important positions in government administration, Industry and research organizations with in and out side the country.  The Government of Andhra Pradesh has appointed the professors of the University as chairman and vice-chairman of the APSCHE and presently ten Universities had Vice-chancellors from Andhra University.

      The University has recently organized the 95 th session of the Indian Science Congress, from 3 rd to 7 th January, 2008.  The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh has inaugurated the Congress and in his address he refered to the University as a Magnificient University and has all appreciation for the way the mega event was organized.

      There are 636 affiliated colleges spread across five districts under the territorial jurisdiction of Andhra University.  The enrolment in Affiliated Colleges is more than 1.5 Lakhs.

Osmania University

Osmania University, established in 1918, is the seventh oldest in India, the third oldest in south India and the first to be established in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. Through out its existence of over eight decades, it has shown remarkable progress and sustained an integrated deve- lopment of all faculties. It has significantly contributed to the academic and economic development of not only the region but also of the Country. Its alumni have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally in various spheres of life and are spread far and wide around the world.

The University has a vision of developing, enhancing, and improving the quality of human resources to meet the challenges of regional, national and global socio-economic changes.  It’s mission is to achieve excellence in teaching and research and to create opportunities for the students to contribute to the national and regional development.

Osmania University is re-accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (an Autonomous Institution of the University Grants Commission) as ‘A’ Grade University.

Kakatiya University

The Establishment of Kakatiya University on August 19, 1976 signified the fulfillment of a long cherished aspiration of the people of Telangana. Emergence of this University was in fact a historic event in the sense that it heralded a new era in the realm of higher education catering to the needs of North Telangana.

The University began with only four Departments, viz. Telugu, English, Chemistry and Mathematics in 1968, Departments of Physics, Botany, Zoology, Commerce and Public Administration were added later. The Department of Economics was started in 1974. B. Pharmacy course which was started by OU in 1974 was shifted to KU in 1975

The Post-Graduate Centre was accorded autonomy in administrative and academic affairs by OU on April 30, 1976. Eventually, it was upgraded into Kakatiya University on August 19,1976. The University is 28 years old now and it is all set for academic excellence. The University also celebrated in a grand way its Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 2001.

To begin with, jurisdictional area of the University was confined to the municipal limits of Warangal only. With the expansion of jurisdictional area of the University in 1988, it has now in its fold 321 colleges (171 old govt. aided, private unaided degree colleges, 66 new colleges in 2005, 48 B.Ed. colleges, 14 pharmacy colleges, 3 law colleges, 3 engineering colleges, including Kothagudem Engineering College, 11 university PG colleges, 29 colleges offering MBA, and 32 colleges offering MCA),  located in the Northern Telangana districts of Karimnapr, Khammam, Adilabad and Warangal offering a number of programmes at the Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate and Research levels in Professional as well as Non-Professional courses.

The University has a network of eleven constituent colleges with 24 Departments. During 2004-2005, the total enrollment of students for under-graduate programmes was around 90,000, while it was 6,500 for the post-graduate courses. About 175 research scholars are registered for Ph.D. programmes in different faculties.

At present the University has its Post-graduate Colleges at Nirmal, Karimnagar, Godavarikhani, Subedari (Hanamkonda), Khammam and Kothagudem in addtion to the main campus. Kothagudem School of Mines has been elevated to the status of University Engineering College, Kothagudem.

After the formation of the University, M. Phil. and Ph.D Programmes were started. Facilities for research have been expanded by strengthening the Library and Laboratory facilities. A Central Instrumentation Centre has also been established to pool up the common facilities required by all the Science Departments.

The Kakatiya University is now offering programmes in Engineering, Pharmacy, Law, M.C.A., M.B.A. Education. Science. Arts, Commerce. Oriental Courses in University, constituent and affiliated Colleges in addition to a large number of around 60 programmes under distance mode through SDLCE. First time in AP, PG courses in Science for inservice teachers and government employees, M.L.I.Sc and MCJ, Diploma in Mimicry, Certificate Course in Communication Skills in English, M.Sc. (Environmental Science) and M.Sc.(Psychology) have been introduced recently.

Plan Grants
The University was given a grant of Rs. 335.38 lakhs during the IX Plan period and the same has been allocated to various departments towards purchase of books, journals, equipment and construction of various academic buildings. The University Grants Commission is very much impressed with the performance and services of Kakatiya University and allocated an amount of Rs. 3.85 crores to the University during the X Plan period.

Schemes Sanctioned
The Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, has identified the Departments of Botany, Chemistry and Pharmacy of Kakatiya University under FIST and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 93.00 lakhs to implement the scheme for a period of five years. The UGC, New Delhi, identified the Departments of Botany, Pharmacy and Economics at the DRS level under Special Assistance Programme (SAP) and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 80.00 lakhs to implement the schemes

Apart from the above, the Centre for Women’s Studies and the Yoga Centre are running in the University with the financial assistance provided by the UGC.

The Commission has recently sanctioned three new schemes to the University for the benefit of SC/ST students for a period of three years: (1) Dr. Ambedkar Studies Centre (2) Coaching for Entry in Services for SC/ST students (3) Coaching of SC/ST students to prepare for National Eligibility Test (NET)

A Special Development Grant ofRs. 70.00 lakhs was also sanctioned to the University under the Scheme of Special Development Grant for Universities in Backward Areas.

The Taskforce of HRD of DBT has recently approved our proposals of Rs 83 lacs for  M.Sc. (Bio-technology). The University will be getting a matching grant of Rs 25 lacs to the Funds mobilized from different sources.

Research Programmes
The research programmes are being implemented as per the time frame.  An amount of Rs. 243.00 lakhs has been received from other funding/supporting agencies like UGC,CSIR, DST, DBT, AICTE, DRDO, MHRD, Planning Commission, ICSSR and ICHR for various research programmes of the faculty and scholars.   About 65 research scholars/students are pursuing their research/PG course with the financial assistance received from UGC, CSIR, ICHR, AICTE, DST.   Apart from these there are about 28 Projects Fellows/Associates working under the Major Research Schemes sanctioned by different funding agencies to the teachers of University departments.  The amount sanctioned by the UGC for research activities and internet connectivity through and INFONET programmes is Rs.10.00 lakhs.  We are planning for Campus Networking connecting all the departments and administrative offices with a total outlay of Rs. 20.00 lakhs sanctioned by UGC.

Spectrum of Activities
The University is sincerely attempting to emerge as one of the premier academic institutions in the country.  The observations of the Rationalization Committee that visited our University under the Chairmanship of Prof. Ananda Krishnan, recently have been very positive and they assured us a very fair deal for Kakatiya University.

On academic front, the impression of all academicians and intellectuals who visited our University on different assignments has been excellent and the number and quality of the seminars, symposia, workshops and refresher courses conducted by all the departments vouchsafe the same. We will further strengthen our academic programs, teaching learning process, attendance in the class rooms, facilities in the laboratories in future.

The Kakatiya University does not mean that the campus colleges and the colleges in Warangal, but all of its colleges in four districts of its jurisdiction. We shall focus our attention for the all-round development of all the colleges and the students of theses colleges are provided with the same amenities and academic environment.

The academic soundness of an educational institution is reflected in a well-equipped library. We have been over the years strengthening the library by purchasing textbooks, reference books and subscribing national and international journals in all disciplines. In 2004, we made e-journals available to our students, scholars and teachers. Further, we have initiated action to develop campus networking.  There are plans to extend the facility to all colleges in Warangal and we have already provided dial-up network facility to all colleges outside Warangal.   The University Library caters to the needs of 350 teachers, 650 research scholars and 1803 students with a collection of over 1.18 lakh books, 255 Indian and foreign journals, 25400 back volumes and 2000 theses/dissertations.  The library works for 12 hours from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.  Apart from this, the readers from Khammam, Karimnagar, Warangal and Adilabad Districts also use KU Library as a reference library.

The Directorate of Students Welfare Centre (SWC) has undertaken student welfare activities aimed at developing overall personality of students. SWC could train some of our students to bag state and national awards.   The Directorate brings out a newsletter entitled ‘MAS’.

The Placement Cell is helping students in procuring several jobs in leading companies and organisations. It has organized industrial visits and campus interviews inviting well-known institutions of Insurance, IT, Banking, Communications, Women Service Societies, NGOs, Pharmaceutical Industry, Public sectors in Mining and Engineering, etc. ATM facility is provided by State Bank of Hyderabad, KU Branch for the benefit of all.

The Music Club, Science Club, Forum for Social Studies, Industry-Institution Interaction Cell,. Tribal Museum, Yoga Centre, etc., have paved way for the all-round development of the students. Very strong alumni associations have also been established for two constituent colleges with foreign branches.

The University has won All India Inter-University Gymnastic Championship continuously for three years, i.e., 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 achieving hat-trick. It is a historic achievement, not only for Kakatiya University but also, for all South Indian Universities, as till to date only Kakatiya University has won Team Championship for three consecutive years in entire South India since introduction of this event in All India Inter-University competitions. Our students have fared very well and bagged 11 gold medals, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals.

The NSS Cell, Kakatiya University has been rendering commendable job and also bringing awareness among the rural folk on Literacy, AIDS, Superstitions and Child Labour. The NSS, Kakatiya University spread its tentacles of social service in its jurisdiction. More than 33,000 students pursuing their studies in various educational institutions have enrolled themselves as volunteers in NSS. The awareness programmes organized by the NSS Volunteers has brought awareness about the Environment, Sanitation, Afforestation, General and Community health among the Rural folk of Northern Telangana districts.

The Kakatiya University  is located in the historical town of Warangal was the erstwhile seat of the Kakatiya rulers and is an important town in north Telengana Region.  The University has completed 29 years of its existence and is now marching towards academic excellence under the dynamic leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. V Gopal Reddy.

The University also promotes individual and collective research by the faculty and the scholars. The students of the University have the distinction of becoming active part of the HR of the corporate world.  The University is committed to meet the augmented demand in the expansion of specialized courses form time to time, and is striving hard to provide appreciable scholastic activities to the increased number of students.

Since its establishment in 1976 several steps were taken for the overall development of the infrastructure facilities in order to cater to the requirements of faculty, staff, students and research scholars. The vast area of 650 acres of land is being used effectively and efficiently for the developmental activities from the available sources and funds from the UGC, State Government and other sources. The various departments on the campus are well accommodated in different buildings of their own with lawns.   They have well-ventilated classrooms with audio-video facilities, seminar halls, computer labs, and faculty rooms. The laboratories in the science departments are equipped with the state of the art equipment to facilitate advanced research.

The faculties of all the departments, with 248 teaching staff and 622 non-teaching staff, are committed to excellence in respective subjects. They have excelled in imparting quality education and also represented their respective departments in many National and International Seminars and brought laurels to the University for their excellent research.

In spite of its vast development academically, it has been the long cherished dream of the University to have a centralized AUDITORIUM of its own on the campus that could accommodate about 1200 persons.

‘Inter-University National Youth Festival’ sponsored by Association of Indian Universities was hosted successfully by the University in February 2003.

The departments of the University and other offices like, Placement Cell, Kakatiya Adhyayana Kendram, Students Welfare Center, Women’s Study Center and Minority Center are actively organizing regular Seminars, Symposia, Interactions and other Programs that are of Local, State and National level and a need for a centralized auditorium is strongly felt.

A well-planned auditorium has been designed and developed by the University Engineers. The estimations of the same are standing at Rs. 2.91 crores. As the university has a limited budget of its own that can hardly cater to the academic needs, we are approaching state and central governments through MLA and MPs for the construction of a full-pledged Auditorium on the University Campus

Sri Venkateswara University

Sri Vekateswara University, Tirupati , is established in 1954 in the world famous holy temple town of Tirupati on the sprawling campus of 1000 acres with a panoramic and pleasant hill view. The University stands as a testimony to the wisdom and foresight of great visionaries Late Sri Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, the then Chief Minister of Andhra and Late Sri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, to cater the educational needs and aspirations of the people of Rayalaseema area. With a great wisdom, the founder of this University have rightly coined the motto Wisdom lies in proper perspective for it. The University has grown excellently from strength to strength over the past 60 years, as a premier institute of higher learning under the able and committed leaderships of successive Vice-Chancellors starting from Prof. S. Govindarajulu to the present Vice Chancellor Prof. W. Rajendra. It has gone through greater strides in the transformation of the University with acquiring necessary and modern sophisticated instrumentation to catch up with the world competition in academic and research programmes.

Right from its inception, the University has been laying more emphasis on teaching, research and extension activities in different subjects. The range of subject departments, courses and research programmes undertaken and promoted during the last 60 years reflect Sri Venkateswara Universitys commitment in promoting socially relevant and inter-disciplinary programmes. The University was started with six departments of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Economics and Philosophy. The University has 4 constituent colleges concerning various conventional and advanced subjects, in order to provide good academic and smooth administrative service to one and all. The University has 54 departments, where in 72 different PG Courses and several Diploma and Certificate courses are being run with a total academic faculty strength of around 400 and 1500 non-teaching and a student strength of 5000, including research scholars. Several novel and newly emerging PG courses have also been introduced during this academic year. The University has been moving forwards in achieving academic excellence with a strong commitment and dedicated approach, by clearly setting up of a vision of its own. The initiatives taken by the Vice-Chancellor have already started yielding excellent results, in terms of research funding, extension activities keeping the University on the path of excellence.

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

Situated in the heart of the city at Kukatpally a major landmark- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad has an environment of academic excellence with ‘A’ Grade accreditation by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). Bringing the spark of knowledge to young minds and instilling a new confidence and vigour to face the world,it is providing quality education for nearly 4 decades.
Districts
The territorial jurisdiction of the university covers the areas of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar districts of Telangana State.

Administration

This university has been deemed an autonomous one after Act No 30 of the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Universities Act, 2008 which came into force on 18th August, 2008. It is a teaching cum research oriented university consisting of the constituent and affiliated colleges. The main officers and councils of the university are Chancellor, Vice-chancellor, Rector, Executive council and Academic Senate. The Governor of Telangana shall be the Chancellor of the university. The first vice-chancellor of the university is Dr.D.N.Reddy a brilliant administrator and widely read scholar.

Constituent Units

Picking out bright students from the rural backgrounds through its impartial selection system and honing them according to the needs and requirements of today’s cut-throat competitive world, thereby preparing them for a challenge called “life” is what this university excels in.

Fully autonomous now, after an act of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Bills 1&2 with effect from 18th August 2008,the colleges that come under this university are :

• JNTU College of Engineering,Hyderabad(CEH)
• JNTU College of Engineering, Karimnagar
• JNTU College of Engineering, Manthani
• JNTU College of Engineering, Sulthanpur
• JNTU School of Information Technology (SIT)
• JNTU Institute of Science and Technology (IST)
• JNTU School of Management Studies (SMS)
• JNTU Academic Staff College (ASC).

A premier institution with academic and research -oriented courses, the B.Tech programs (Undergraduate programs) are about 25. Major branches among them are Aeronautical Engineering, Automobile, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Electronics, Electrical, Instrumentation &Control, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Bio-medical, Civil and many more. A few courses are also offered through the correspondence cum contact mode. The Post-Graduate programs form about 77 in number namely M.Tech, MSIT,MBA,MCA and MSc. The major branches are Bio-Technology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Remote-Sensing &GIS, Electronics& Communication Engineering, Water Resources, Mechanical Engineering, Nano-Technology, Energy Systems, Environmental Studies, Microbiology, Food-Technology and many more like Management, Computer Applications, Pharmaceutical Sciences etc.

Global Colloboration

To make our students get a wide global exposure, a few collaborative programs with International Universities of repute have been designed. Some of them are 1)School of Information Technology (SIT) with Carnegie Mellon University, USA, 2)School of Management Studies with Central Michigan University,USA 3) JNTU College of Engineering, Hyderabad with Kansas State University USA 4) JNTU Hyderabad with Blekinge Institute of Technology,Sweden.

Knowledge has no barriers -indepth exploration of it is essential to discover hidden areas. Keeping this principle in mind the university offers Research -Oriented courses like Master of Science(MS) in Engineering, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Science and Humanities and Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) in all streams.The admission procedure centres around merit.The admission to B.Tech courses are through the ranks acquired in the State wide common entrance examination i.e Engg Agriculture Medicine Common entrance examination(EAMCET exam) conducted by the A.P. State Council for Higher Education.

Entry to the post-graduate courses like MBA and MCA are by the scores in the ICET examination. Admission to M.Tech programs are based on the GATE or an entrance test conducted by the university with the basic eligibility criteria being a Bachelor’s degree in the appropriate field. For admission to Research programs, stringent rules are followed. Admission to MS course which is a Research degree in Engineering consists of an Entrance test and Interview. M.Phil is offered through an interview mode, for post-graduate holders. The theory exam has to be cleared followed by submission of thesis based on their Research work. The Ph.D program is flexible in nature with full-time and part-time external programs. Admission is for candidates possessing post graduation in the concerned area followed by a written test and interview. Passing the Pre Ph.D exam is a must followed by submission of research work. For external registration the candidate must be employed in any Research& Development organization with permission to use the library facilities. Along with this a Research Supervisor must be chosen from his parent organization and another one from the university.

“Reading makes a man wise” goes a saying. In tune with this, the university library enhances learning through its collection of 20,000 books and subscribes to 95 technical journals. It also has abstracts of 120 journals with the National Centre for Science Information, IISc, Bangalore through INFLIBNET. In addition to this, an audio-visual library is installed containing colour T.V ’s and VCR’s with video tapes on various subjects. Field-based learning like Current Affairs, Reference services, Online searching are provided. Upgradation plans are also in store like creating a computerized database in the fields of science, Engineering, Technology and Management. Bringing the wealth of knowledge from the comfort of the library to the masses is another venture by its participation in the local area computerized network systems to share information resources.Industrial knowledge forms a part and parcel of JNTU,Hyderabad. An Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) was established by the Department of Science and Technology to create a business-oriented environment, to promote small and medium Enterprises(SME’s) and NGO’s, to organize lectures,T.V. and Radio talks, skill development training program etc.To get a hands-on experience of the industry,the JNTU Bureau of Industrial Consultancy Services(BICS) was formed to aid in the Human Resource needs, to identify R&D developments, to engage in entrepreneurial opportunities and to Icoordinate with organizations like HUDA, MCH, APSRTC, APSEB, BHEL, NTPC, ONGC, Telecommunications Department,MES,South Central Railway, Airport Authority of India and many others.

Even though Research constitutes the academic framework,the university has an exclusive R&D cell which monitors all the research activities and coordinates them through the recommendations of faculty members. Extension activities form part of campus life, apart from academics. The National Service Scheme(NSS) is introduced with an aim to help students develop a humanitarian temper. Commendable work done were laying of roads, Janmabhoomi Clean &Green program, Famine and Cyclone relief work.Society is an integral part of our lives and our contribution however small matters a lot. A coordinator is posted at the NSS cell to undertake social service activities. A Grievance Redressal Cell is established with the motto of looking into the complaints and suggestions by staff and students. A director is appointed for this purpose. Backward section students are given utmost care and privileges.JNTU Hyderabad has a separate SC/ST cell to look after them. Scholarships too are provided from time to time.

Right career directions should be provided in order to explore one’s talents fully.In keeping with this,a Centre for Career Advancement and Resource Development (CARD) has been established. Some of its goals are to prepare the students for competitive exams like GATE, ECET, EAMCET with the assistance of Social and Tribal Welfare Departments Govt of Telangana, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,Govt of India. Additional facilities are the Bank, Post-office and Health-care centre.

Grooming students for placements and helping them make a fruitful career is the topmost priority after learning.World famous companies like Wipro, Infosys, Satyam, Tata Consultancy Services(TCS), Birla Soft,Yahoo,Google and many others walk out with brilliant talent in exchange for huge pay packets and dynamic careers giving the university its due credit of a fulfilling future.

Fine-tuning the skill of the faculty is a regular feature here. For this purpose,the Academic Staff College(ASC) was instituted which conducts Refresher courses for Principals, Heads, Lecturers and also to evaluate, plan and implement innovative teaching methods.

As a consecutive whole, JNTU Hyderabad helps build many a bright and ambitious career. Hence, Walk in with dreams and Walk out with reality!

Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Open University

Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), formerly known as Andhra Pradesh Open University, is located in the city of Hyderabad. With a wide network of 206 study centers spread throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh, the University has for its motto “Education at Your Doorstep”.The University, the first of its kind in the Country was brought into being through an act of Andhra Pradesh State Legislature in August,1982.

Dr. BRAOU follows a multi-media teaching-learning approach which broadly comprises self-learning print material, supported by audio, video lessons and regular broadcast of lessons through All India Radio. From November, 1999 the University started Telecast of Video lessons through Doordarshan Regional Channel. On Sundays the University has Interactive Teleconferencing on the Regional Channel of Doordarshan.

BRAOU Offers Equal Access to Higher Education:

Open University system is flexible in terms of admission, choice of Programs, duration and age requirements, teaching methods and evaluation procedures. Thus it offers an alternative channel to those who missed the opportunities for higher education. The University caters specially to women, working people and those who want to improve their academic qualifications and professional skills. The University lays special focus on socially disadvantaged and geographically isolated people who never had access to higher education earlier.

Indira Gandhi National Open University

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, has continuously striven to build an inclusive knowledge society through inclusive education. It has tried to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by offering high-quality teaching through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode.

The University began by offering two academic programmes in 1987, i.e., Diploma in Management and Diploma in Distance Education, with a strength of 4,528 students.

Today, it serves the educational aspirations of over 2.7 million students in India and other countries through 21 Schools of Studies and a network of 67 regional centres, around 2,667 learner support centres. The University offers about 228 certificate, diploma, degree and doctoral programmes, with a strength of nearly 283 faculty members and 256 academic staff at the headquarters and regional centres and about 33,212 academic counsellors from conventional institutions of higher learning, professional organisations, and industry among others.

The mandate of the University is to:

• Provide access to higher education to all segments of the society;
• Offer high-quality, innovative and need-based programmes at different levels, to all those who require them;
• Reach out to the disadvantaged by offering programmes in all parts of the country at affordable costs; and
• Promote and coordinate the standards of education offered through open and distance learning in the country.
• To achieve the twin objectives of widening access for all sections of society and providing continual professional development and training to all sectors of the economy.

The University uses a variety of media and latest technology in imparting education. This is reflected in the formulated vision of IGNOU, keeping its objectives in focus, which reads:

“The Indira Gandhi National Open University, the National Resource Centre for Open and Distance Learning, with international recognition and presence, shall provide seamless access to sustainable and learner-centric quality education, skill upgradation and training to all by using innovative technologies and methodologies and ensuring convergence of existing systems for large-scale human resource development, required for promoting integrated national development and global understanding.”

The University has made a significant mark in the areas of higher education, community education and continual professional development. The University has been networking with reputed public institutions and private enterprises for enhancing the educational opportunities being offered by it. As a world leader in distance education, it has been conferred with awards of excellence by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada, several times.

The University is committed to quality in teaching, research, training and extension activities, and acts as a national resource centre for expertise and infrastructure in the ODL system. The University has established the Centre for Extension Education, National Centre for Disability Studies and National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education, to focus on specific learner groups and enrich the distance learning system.

With the launch of EduSat (a satellite dedicated only to education) on 20th September, 2004, and the establishment of the Inter-University Consortium, the University has ushered in a new era of technology-enabled education in the country. Emphasis is now being laid down on developing interactive multimedia and online learning, and adding value to the traditional distance education delivery mode with modern technology –enabled education within the framework of blended learning.

Over the years, IGNOU has lived up to the country’s expectations of providing education to the marginalised sections of society. Free of cost education is being provided to all jail inmates across the country. A large number of SC/ST students have been admitted to various programmes of the University.

Madurai Kamaraj University

Madurai Kamaraj University, established in 1965, was named after the historical city of Madurai. Originally named as Madurai University, it was changed to Madurai Kamaraj University to honor one of the most illustrious sons of our country Karmaveerar K. Kamaraj, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who brought radical reform in education in the state. The foundation stone for the current campus was laid by Dr.Zakir Hussain, the then President of India. The campus has grown into a beautiful University township with an extensive area of about 750 acres and named as “Palkalainagar”.

      Madurai Kamaraj University is a statutory University owned and funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu with the recognition of University Grants Commission. Madurai Kamaraj University has 20 Schools, 75 Departments, 14 centres, 77 affiliated Colleges and 19 approved Institutions. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has student strength of about 1.30 lakhs. The University was accorded the status of University with Potential for Excellence by University Grants Commission and many Centers for Excellence in specialized interdisciplinary areas.

Motto:

       The motto of the University is “To seek truth is knowledge” and University is committed with the tasks of:

• disseminating and advancing the knowledge through teaching, research and extension;
• establishing Departments and Centers required for higher education and research in various disciplines in science, humanities, administrative studies;
• taking necessary measures for promoting interdisciplinary research and education in specific thematic and thrust areas for the development of highly skilled manpower;
• establishing inter-institutional and inter-national collaborations in the University with a view of inculcating international understanding and holistic perspective amongst students;
• providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure for students and teachers from various parts of the nation and foreign countries to participate in the academic programmes and the activities of the University;
• being a nodal centre for fostering national and social integration, democracy, and to provide scientific approaches to the problems of society;
• nurturing the composite culture of India through the establishment of appropriate Departments or Centers as required for the study and development of the languages, arts and culture of India;
• promoting an awareness and understanding of the social needs of the country in the students and teachers and prepare them for fulfilling such needs.

The various items shown in the coat of Arms of the Emblem signify and represent the following :

• Pandya Gopuram – Represents Madurai as an Ancient City of learning in Tamil Nadu.
• Burning Lamp & Open Book– Represents knowledge.
• Elephant Rocket– Represents ancient tradition and modern technology.
• Lotus– Represents purity and clarity.
• Two fishes– Represents the symbol on the Flag of the Pandya King.

Courses offered

• Under graduate courses
• Post graduate courses
• Professional courses
• Research oriented courses
• Job-oriented courses
• Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma and P. G. Diploma courses