CM asks JNTU to take lead in giving a boost to IT

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 7. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Saturday reiterated his Government's resolve to make Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh, the ``best Information Technology (IT) services hub.''

Inaugurating the administrative block of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) on its campus at Kukatpally, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said with a large reservoir of talent especially in IT, the State had immense potential. Even in the U.S., 23 per cent of the software professionals hailed from the State.

The administrative block was built at a cost of Rs. two crores, in a record nine months, reducing the cost by six to eight per cent. Half of the amount for the multistoreyed complex having 50,000 square feet of space, has come from the University Grants Commission.

Mr. Naidu wanted the JNTU to take the lead in tapping the IT potential, collaborate with the best universities of the world, conduct electronic classes and organise guest lectures by the best faculty to benefit the students. Internet access should be provided to students in the classrooms and hostels for updating their knowledge. One of the main objectives of hiring the KU band from the Indian Space Research Organisation was for enabling such distance education.

He said among all universities, JNTU was close to his heart, because it promoted technology. Going by the Vice- Chancellor's contention, the JNTU was among the ten best technological universities in the country, ``but I want to see it reach the top,'' he added. He also emphasised the need for carrying out evaluation periodically.

Mr. Naidu spoke of providing Internet access to villages and many of the Government services through Internet besides e-commerce and telemedicine facilities. ``With greater fibre optic connectivity, a day is not far off when people can study and work from home.''

The Higher Education Minister, Mr. K. Ramachandra Rao, complimented the JNTU for signing seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with different universities and institutions. He wanted the university to relate its courses to the contemporary requirements of society.

The Roads and Buildings Minister, Mr. K. Vijayarama Rao, said it was at the Chief Minister's initiative that the technical education, especially IT, got a boost. He too wanted the JNTU to offer courses in tune with the field requirements. He had a word of praise for the university for construction of the administrative building at a reduced cost.

Dr. Y. Venkataram Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, said in accordance with the recommendations of an Expert Committee, which visited many universities in the U.S., the entire course structure for B.Tech had been revised and it was received well. It had entered into seven MoUs. These include the one with the CMU of U.S. for conducting the MS (IT) programme, with ECIL for designing Aircraft Disaster Management Information Systems, with the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, on Spatial Information Technology and with Michigan University for introducing post- graduate programme in management.

Almost 90 per cent of the students from the electrical, electronics and communication engineering and computer science and engineering obtained jobs through campus placements, he added. The Chief Minister felicitated the contractor, Mr. Subba Rao, for constructing the building complex in nine months. Prof. B. Ranga Rao, Registrar, proposed a vote of thanks.

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