AU focuses on three verticals as part of its centenary celebrations

Visakhapatnam: Andhra University officials are planning to fly down to foreign destinations to engage with the alumni and ink MoUs for infrastructure development and skill enhancement. Sharing it with The Hans India ahead of the centenary celebrations in an interview, AU’s Vice Chancellor GP Raja Sekhar agreed that alumni continue to play a key role in reaching out to the 100-year-old varsity but quickly added that there is, however, more potential to tap. “However, a section of people are criticising that the centenary celebrations are not happening to the desired level. Those who criticise are non-academicians. The real picture is visible when you compare other institutions celebrating centenary,” the VC reasoned.

Including a bunch of activities, cultural programmes, national and international conclaves, food festival and workshops, AU started off its centenary celebrations with a curtain raiser event on April 26, 2025. The celebrations largely focused on three verticals -- academics, infrastructure and outreach.

On the academic front, the AU hosted conferences, involving eminent experts from various domains and featuring international and science conclaves. “It was a rare scenario that five Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees visited the campus during a conclave and interacted with our students,” the VC recalled. Even as B.Tech (Quantum Computing) was introduced last year at the university, the VC underlined the need to strengthen the area by setting up a lab and informed that proposals have been made for the purpose. “Also, there is a need to improvise research labs at the campus. Proposals are submitted for seven departments, seven more in National Quantum Mission broached and they are in evaluation stage,” the V-C informed.

AU is bracing for a coastal atmospheric research testbed facility in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) to the tune of Rs.180 crore. “Initially, project work to the tune of Rs.60 crore will be grounded. Rest, will be carried out in a phased manner,” Prof. Raja Sekhar mentioned. With an outlay of Rs.5 crore, AU is setting up BioNest incubation centre supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the department of biotechnology. “Of the 14 institutions granted across the country, AU is one of them to house the BioNest centre,” the VC stressed.

With the government announcing faculty recruitment drive, the VC expressed confidence that relief is in the offing shortly.

Barring a few, kitchen and dining facilities at various blocks are getting a facelift. A part of centenary celebrations, a series of run-up events are lined up next, including an exclusive women rally. On April, 26, 100th Foundation Day celebrations will be hosted at AU Engineering Grounds.