Telangana formation has raised the hopes of prominent engineering colleges planning to convert into universities due to their academic strength.
The new State, they feel, will provide them with this opportunity as the new Government will focus on selling ‘Brand Hyderabad’ across the country, and education will be one of the key factors that Hyderabad can throw up as a destination for Indians.
Already, the city is known for its national research institutions and also names like the ISB, IIT, IIIT and IMT are a big draw here.
Software giant Mahindra Tech has recently started an engineering college, which it plans to upgrade into a world-class institution pumping more than Rs. 200 crore.
“Hyderabad has the potential to be a big player in the education sector and it should be fully exploited by the new Government,” feels D.N. Reddy, member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
“The Metro Rail will only enhance the city’s image. Moreover, the large IT industry has the potential to attract and absorb the best thus attracting India’s best talent.”
A correspondent of a prominent engineering college sees a renewed hope for deemed universities or private universities.
“It will be in the interest of students, institutions, and also Brand Hyderabad,” he affirms.
Private universities in North India made a huge difference to the quality of education and Noida and Chandigarh are sought-after places for education, he points out, adding that “if a positive signal is sent top institutes will respond.”
About 10 colleges have been lobbying with the government to bring the Private Universities Act into force and among them are institutions like CBIT, Malla Reddy group, Anurag, Holy Mary and Aurora.
Panel report
A report submitted by the then APSCHE chairman K.C. Reddy on setting up private universities is lying with the government but the political turmoil in the last few years put the policy on the backburner.