Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010259390500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

JNTU Kakinada unveils ‘smart operating model’

Staff Reporter

Aim is to enhance cooperation among constituent colleges

The strategic planning exercise is in the final stages of data gathering
Means to achieve the goals being planned in a series of workshops

Kakinada: JNTU, Kakinada has announced the concept of ‘Eight District Zone of Excellence’ which is aimed at establishing a framework for enhanced cooperation among the constituent colleges and thereby harnessing the strength of interdependence.

It is a ‘smart operating model’ for the University and its affiliated colleges, being developed by the President of Seattle-based Agovia Consulting Inc, Christopher J. Kaufman and Director of Computer Sciences Corporation Director and South Carolina (USA) Higher Education Commissioner Raghu B. Korrapati, who were appointed by the Vice-Chancellor Allam Appa Rao as strategic consultants.

The strategic planning exercise on which JNTU, Kakinada had embarked in September, 2008, is currently in the final stages of data gathering about how the affairs are conducted at present and what should be future course of action. The formal Strategic Plan will be presented in March, 2009.

Thrust areas

The basic idea of Zone of Excellence is to utilise skills and infrastructure available in 170 plus affiliated colleges spread across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts to the maximum use in order to carve a niche for the newly-created University which is dreaming to become a world class institution.

The underlying objective is to develop Centres of Excellence not only at the University campus but transform every college into a model institution in order to bolster the image of JNTU, Kakinada, Prof. Allam Appa Rao stated in a press release.

The strategic planning process has three focus areas: tailoring degree and PG courses to meet global standards in terms of content and delivery, augmenting research activity through individuals and partnerships and encouraging entrepreneurship in order to tap the natural resources that are abound in this region.

Means to achieve these goals are being planned in a series of workshops which are already underway in all the districts concerned in phases. A Strategic Executive Core Team and Strategic Working Committee are on the job under the guidance of the expert consultants who too are visiting affiliated colleges to draw the road map.