Adikavi Nannaya University has been introducing new courses every year to extend its purview in East and West Godavari districts. About 420 undergraduate colleges and PG centres were affiliated from Andhra University about two years ago, but there are two engineering and pharmacy colleges yet to be affiliated.
Introduction of new courses without proper employment or post-graduation opportunities is inviting a lot of criticism from different quarters.
“Being a new University it should consolidate in all aspects, particularly in view of the welfare of the student and offer courses which suit the order of the day,” said Principal Secretary of Government, Education, Sumita Dawara. Instead of hurrying to introduce new courses, the people who run the University should concentrate on getting 12B from UGC, she added.
The University was established in March 2006.
Director of Admissions, Prof. Matta Reddy, said they were running eight courses in arts, six in sciences on the University campus. Four courses were been added this year in arts and eight in science taking the total number to 26 courses. “We added 12 new courses keeping the market demand in view and assurance from some Executive Council members that they will offer jobs to the students who complete courses like aquaculture,” he added.
Vedic Studies course
The new courses introduced included biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer sciences, applied mathematics, applied geology, aquaculture, and MBA (Finance). The Vedic Studies course, started with the support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, is yet to receive any response.
Some of the courses have the required faculty, facilities like labs, infrastructure and also expertise.
“Each department requires one professor, two assistant professors and four associate professors and some of the universities like Nannaya are not following these norms which UGC requires to issue 12B to get financial benefits,” said Prof. Srinivasa Rao, UGC Coordinator, Andhra University.
The Nannaya University has introduced B. Tech (Electronics and Instrumentation) this year amid severe criticism as the course was not a success in other universities. “When I was in Osmania University, we suddenly withdrew the course as the student has to do M. Tech compulsorily and if he or she does so, there is no guarantee for job in the market,” said Prof. VSS Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, JNTU-Kakinada.
Y. Ramakrishna, Additional Secretary, Finance, A.P. Government, and Executive Member of the Nannaya University, said that approval was necessary to recruit even ad hoc faculty or outsourcing staff in the university by the State Finance Department though it is approved by the executive council.
Responding on behalf of the University, Prof. S. Teki, Head of Academic Affairs, said they were starting from the scratch and hoping for the good in niche marketing than going for mass marketing through M.B.A. Finance course. The Big Data Analysis, which the University is offering, will be useful in the near future and all the courses will create a new job market than traditional courses.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. Mutyala Naidu said they would provide all infrastructure like science bloc, women’s hostel, and software technology park. “But my only concern is that the government has to release Rs. 20 crore that we have spent and Rs. 10 crore it has given to all new universities,” he added.
Consolidation
The university was established in March 2006
About 420 colleges and PG centres were affiliated from AU about two years ago
