Date:15/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121553560500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Central varsity to be ready from next academic year

Staff Reporter

Some 750 acres being allotted for university at Sabbavaram

Union Human Resources Development Ministry to release funds for Central varsity
Sabbavaram to be developed as education district

VISAKHAPATNAM: A world-class Central University proposed in the city will be operational from 2009-10 academic year, AP State Council for Higher Education Chairman K.C. Reddy said here on Sunday.

In a chat with reporters, he said the land identification was over and an area of 750 acres was being allotted for the university at Sabbavaram. Near Central University, a Law University will be established.

Prof. Reddy said the Ministry of Human Resources Development would release the required funds for the Central University and initially it would be functional with one or two courses. The creation of a satellite campus would take sometime, he added.

The controversy over shifting of the Central University’s location from Visakhapatnam to Kadapa came to an end due to public outcry. Following strong criticism from the academic community, political parties and local public, the State Government had made a categorical statement that the State Cabinet’s decision to change the location of Central University would not be implemented and the university would come as per prior announcement by the Ministry of Human Resources Development in Visakhapatnam. The proposal earlier got the approval in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Sabbavaram area will be developed as an education district. A proposal made by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to set up Indian Institute of Management in the city is under consideration of the Central Government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his last visit to the city described the request as ‘genuine and legitimate’ and promised to ask Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh to give a serious thought to it.

There are also proposals to invite reputed business schools to the city. The Indian Maritime University has already announced to establish a regional centre in the city.

A proposal is also under active consideration of the Ministry of Shipping to merge National Ship Design and Research Centre with the Indian Maritime University, headquartered in Chennai.