100 years strong: AU plans week-long celebrations to mark century of excellence

Visakhapatnam: Andhra University will complete 100 years of its existence on April 26. In the run-up to this historic milestone, the university is gearing up on multiple fronts, including infrastructure upgrades and renovations, enhanced outreach and visibility initiatives, conferences and workshops, academic collaborations, and a range of campus-wide activities. To strengthen engagement with stakeholders, the university has appointed two dedicated Deans for outreach and alumni affairs ahead of the centenary celebrations. While the main centenary day event will be held on April 26, the university is planning week-long celebrations from April 20 at individual constituent college level, featuring academic conclaves, cultural programmes, alumni interactions, and student-led initiatives.Vice-chancellor Prof G P Rajasekhar said the university is working on four major components — academics and research, infrastructure upgradation, student wellbeing, and outreach — ahead of the centenary celebrations. "We have signed a series of MoUs in recent times for infrastructure creation and academic collaboration. For instance, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under Mission Mausam is setting up a Rs 40 crore coastal atmospheric research testbed facility on our campus, and the installation work is already underway. Similarly, Aurobindo Pharma is establishing a pharma skill development centre with an investment of Rs 10 crore, and will soon start a biotechnology skill development laboratory," he told STOI.The National Remote Sensing Centre will also set up a laboratory on the campus, while Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) recently sanctioned a BioNest facility with an outlay of Rs 5 crore. "Under an MoU with the University of Western Australia, we are exploring the introduction of a joint PhD programme and a ‘train-the-trainers' initiative, in addition to organising a joint academic conference," Prof Rajasekhar added.His concern, however, is limited time for comprehensive centenary planning. "At least three years are required for proper planning of infrastructure upgradation, collaborations, and other activities linked to a centenary celebration. A university with such a long history ideally needs that much preparation time, as it is simultaneously engaged in day-to-day academic and administrative responsibilities," he noted.Several alumni have come forward in recent months with proposals and substantial financial contributions running into crores of rupees. Alumni are also supporting the setting up of laboratories for the recently launched BTech programme in quantum computing, in addition to assisting with teaching. Another group of alumni has proposed the establishment of a semiconductor laboratory in the coming years. "Apart from outreach activities aimed at alumni and industry, we have planned capacity-building programmes for faculty members of affiliated colleges. The university has also launched a rural outreach programme as part of its centenary celebrations. Under this initiative, university officials will visit rural areas in the region to create awareness about higher education opportunities among school and college students," the vice-chancellor said.Established in 1926, several heritage buildings on the campus now require major maintenance owing to leaking roofs, structural wear, and age-related deterioration. For this, the university has drawn up an extensive set of development proposals aimed at comprehensive campus modernisation. "The focus is on strengthening core infrastructure, upgrading hostels, improving academic facilities, and enhancing the overall campus experience for students and staff. Once these proposals receive approval from the executive committee, they will be forwarded to the govt for funding," Prof Rajasekhar added.The academic and outreach activities will continue for a year even after the centenary, while infrastructure upgrades are expected to take one to two years.