Naidu Pushes AU as Innovation Hub, Announces ₹500 Crore Boost
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said universities must transform from degree-awarding institutions into centres of innovation that can shape society and drive economic growth. He described them as national assets that require sustained protection and development.
He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam. During the event, he inaugurated the AU AI Factory and Network Centre, established at a cost of ₹64 crore, and laid the foundation stone for nine development projects worth ₹112 crore, including new hostels, a convocation hall, and allied infrastructure.
Addressing students and alumni, Mr. Naidu urged the youth to prioritise knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry and encouraged students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
“Ordinary individuals can become extraordinary through knowledge and innovation. The objective should be to create opportunities for others,” he said, assuring full government support for such initiatives.
Highlighting the university’s legacy, he said Andhra University has played a key role in shaping leaders, academicians, and entrepreneurs, with several prominent personalities, including former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, among its alumni. He also noted the global presence of AU graduates across sectors.
Mr. Naidu cited the university’s NAAC A++ accreditation, NIRF rank of 41, and fifth position among public sector universities, adding that it has made significant contributions to the Telugu language, literature, arts, and culture.
Announcing a major push for higher education, the Chief Minister said ₹500 crore would be allocated to Andhra University along with a matching corpus fund. He expressed confidence that the institution would emerge among the top five universities in India and eventually secure a place in the global top 100.
Calling AU a century-old institution with a strong academic legacy, he said it should lead in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and data science. He also emphasised expanding international collaborations and attracting students from over 100 countries.
Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is moving towards a knowledge-driven economy under the vision of “Swarnandhra 2047,” aligned with “Viksit Bharat 2047,” and urged students to make Andhra University the starting point of this transformation.
The event was attended by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Governors, Union Ministers, State Education Minister Nara Lokesh, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas, and other dignitaries.