ndhra University is set to gain in both academics as well as university management from the universities in Singapore. The universities there have agreed in principle to collaborate with the university, Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju has said.
Briefing media on the outcome of the delegation on higher education from the State, led by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, to Singapore, the Vice-Chancellor said a foundation was laid for future research collaborations. The delegation had visited National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Nanyang Technical University and Singapore Institute of Management and had fruitful interactions with them there.
The announcement of Times Higher Education report was timely as it helped the Singapore universities to appreciate the high academic standards of Andhra University, he explained.
The NUS has agreed to help AU in establishing a School for Public Policy and it would be operational by next academic year. The NUS also agreed in principle to offer internships to AU students, host academic conferences jointly and also send visiting faculty.
The two universities were exploring the possibilities of joint research and dual degree programmes, he said.
The NUS has agreed to help in identifying key indicators for performance assessment of faculty like publication of useful research and citation index, among others. The NUS would help in training AU faculty to bring in a change in their mindsets towards academic performance and leadership.
Unlike Indian universities there, the academic leadership was not based on tenure but on academic brilliance and they have a small percentage of ‘permanent’ faculty most of them were part time or visiting faculty, the Vice-Chancellor said.
Faculty recruitment
“The State government is awaiting the recommendations of the committee on status of higher education in the State. The report is expected to be submitted in a day or two and in all likelihood by next week there will be clarity on the way forward,” the HRD Minister said.
Taking note of the number of complaints in the past about recruitment, the government was keen on establishing a transparent system of recruitment, the Minister said.
Given the urgency of NAAC accreditation of Andhra University, he promised to take steps to enable the university to fill the faculty vacancies.
Getting the 11th rank in India is a result of the efforts of the university’s entire team including those who retired
— G.S.N. Raju, AU Vice-Chancellor
