Incubation centres proposed in all universities in A.P.

Incubation centres in all universities, concept of student entrepreneur-in-residence, 30 smart campuses and online exam in at least one subject, are among the major higher education reforms proposed to be introduced in Andhra Pradesh.

The Joint Working Group for revamping higher education met under the chairmanship of Sumita Dawra, Secretary Higher Education, and discussed the reforms. The group aims to drive a series of reforms to bring out innovators and technology entrepreneurs among students. The changes include upgrading curriculum to make the course content industry-relevant. A Core Committee meeting will be held by April end to finalise and approve the changes suggested by the Universities, according to an official release here. The group also discussed the need to set up a formal mechanism at university level for industry to closely work with the academia. The other proposals include having wi-fi across the campus in all universities with a 1 GBPS to 10 GBPS internet speeds. Apart from 30 smart campuses, State will have 100 smart classrooms. Along with high speed wifi, cyber security guidelines are being set-up to ensure safe and secure access.

The other issues include standardised content and mechanism to deliver the MOOCs as electives, Universities to host Centres of excellence in areas such as Social Media, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, 3D printing, and Automation of Knowledge. Online exams to be conducted at least for one subject starting next academic year.

The group also discussed proposal for universities to introduce the concept of Student Entrepreneur in Residence. Outstanding students who wish to pursue entrepreneurship can take a year’s break, after the first year, to pursue entrepreneurship full time. This may be extended to two years. The need for all educational institutions offering under-graduate courses to implement a mandatory internship/ apprenticeship in the last year of the course in association with the industry was also suggested.

The group consists of education experts and industry leaders such as B.V. Mohan Reddy, Chairman, Cyient Technologies, Dr. Krishna Tanuku, Executive Director-ISB, Dr. Sandhya Chintala, Vice-President, NASSCOM and Srini Koppula, Chairman, Hyderabad Angels

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the reforms would give a major boost to the Andhra Pradesh Innovation and Startup Policy and help the State create a world-class technology start-up ecosystem by fostering entrepreneurship and culture of innovation. The State government will form sub-committees to implement these reforms and continuously update the progress to the Joint Working Committee.

Joint Working Group discusses reforms in higher education