The Government of Andhra Pradesh has, appointed me as the Vice Chancellor of Adikavi Nannaya University of Rajamahendravaram for a period of 3 years, I have served this University from 8th January 2020 to 7th January 2023
. This University was established in 2006, hence it is a very young and budding University in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Despite the problem of pandemic during the tenure, the University was driven towards academic discipline, research initiatives and administrative reforms. The university was guided towards achieving all the required HE certifications like ISO, AICTE and NAAC (B+).
During the Covid Lockdown period, the academic programs of the university were kept going, using the online platforms where students were given continuous instruction by the faculty. This period was utilized in a beneficial way, where faculty were instructed to prepare project proposals, publish papers and also were given tasks to prepare the documentation for the above certifications. Besides this, during the pandemic lockdown periods, the Adikavi Nannaya University got a unique distinction of conducting more than 100 webinars in a very short period of 400 days
. This resulted in the recognitions like India book of Records and Asia book of Records. The discipline in the campus was given top priority and the students are ensured a peaceful and active academic environment with zero tolerance for ragging. In the administrative front, many reforms were made towards transparency including payment gateway for online payments, Online question paper delivery and initiatives taken for total computerization of examination and evaluation systems. The Adikavi Nannaya University is having 400+ affiliated colleges and all these colleges were guided towards academic and administrative excellence.
The most important achievements by me are mentioned below:
1. Research and Academics
Motivated faculty and research scholars towards quality research output including providing seed money to the faculty, meeting the expenditure related to paper publications, giving on duty leave for research related travel etc.
Permanent faculty are given encouragement to propose research projects for funding agencies
Entered MOUs with number of research institutes within the country and abroad to improve the research ecosystem within the campus
Initiatives are taken to digitalize the library including subscribing online research resources like JSTOR, JGATE and access was given to teachers, research scholars and students including from affiliated colleges
Liberal funding is provided to various science and engineering laboratories for upgradation
Rs 3 crores were sanctioned to develop centralized science instrumentation center.
An online journal ‘Nannaya Vignana Bharathi’ has been initiated with ISSN number for the benefit of researchers of campus colleges and colleges affiliated to the university.
Library timings have been increased for the benefit of research scholars to utilize the library resources during maximum period of the day time including on holidays.
Research collaboration among nearby universities has been signed which include JNTU Kakinada, YSR Horticulture University, NIT Thadepalligudem and AKNU.
“VINIMAYA Lecture Club” has been initiated where weekly lectures will be given by the faculty on their research activity and academic contributions. All the faculty and research scholars from all the colleges will have to attend.
Part time Dance Diploma and Diploma in Psychological counselling were initiated.
2. Student Centric Programs
Students are provided with improved hostel facilities.
Aggressive online classed during Covid lockdown period.
Free unlimited Wi-fi in all campus buildings and Hostels provided.
To encourage research bent of mind among students, initiatives such as “Wall Journals”, Student Clubs, Innovation Clubs etc. are developed to foster creative thinking among the students.
Open air classroom “Vinuthna” for conduct of classes in an open environment in the University campus and for the benefit of students who can utilize the same, for discussions and discourses have been established.
A permanent counseling center for the students has been established on campus which will extend counseling to the students on campus and to students of affiliated colleges.
Online counseling was given to students during corona period.
Strict discipline among students is enforced with zero tolerance for ragging.
Anti ragging committees and task force were kept in place to monitor the students for any activities, which are unwanted among students.
Students are given an opportunity and provided a conducive environment for learning and making their stay academically rewarding and enjoyable
Established very effective LMS – Learning Management System for the degree students of affiliated colleges where the best Video lessons covering the entire syllabi of BSc, BCom, BA, BCA and BBM programs of the university.
Launched UGC NSQF PG Diploma courses in Arts, Sciences and Engineering streams of AKNU.
Software Incubation Center was established with an MOU with MNC, INFOLOBS, for the benefit of Students on Campus.
Established International Students Cell at Adikavi Nannaya University to help students from foreign pursue their academics in the University.
3. Administrative Reforms
Initiated payment gateway for all types of payments online.
Initiated weekly program of ‘Dial your University’ where all the queries and problems of Stakeholders of the University were sorted out on the spot
To avoid problems in Hard copy Question paper delivery etc., “Online Question Paper Delivery” has been introduced.
Initiatives have been taken for total computerization of examination system from exam application to issue of degree certificate.
High Security certificates have been introduced.
Periodical quality audits in different administrative departments has been introduced.
Non-teaching staff are given professional training in improving their knowledge in computer applications, accountancy, English communication skills etc.
Steps have been taken to follow E-Office procedures (Paperless Office).
4. Campus Improvement
Sports Infrastructure has been given top priority and about Rs 10 crore funding could be obtained from Sports Authority of India under ‘Khelo India’ program. This is being used for the construction of Indoor stadium and swimming pool of International Standards.
Top priority was given to develop the greenery in the campus with the help of state forest department and some of the NGOs. Nearly 30,000 saplings were planted by aggressive green initiatives.
About 50 rainwater harvesting pits have been dug to capture and conserve the rainwater, so that the groundwater levels within the campus can be improved and sustained.
Campus beautification has been given top priority. Efforts have been taken to see that campus is clean and green, and established places for socializing and recreation.
Solar panels have been established on top of the buildings to conserve the energy and save the money from the electricity costs.
Developed Biodiversity park at Adikavi Nannaya University in collaboration with AP Biodiversity Board at AKNU MSN Campus, Kakinada.
Installed Smart Classrooms with Video Capture Technology to facilitate online classes and development of e-resources.
5. Academic Certifications and Records
Attained of ISO 900:2015 Certification for Adikavi Nannaya University
Attained AICTE approval for Adikavi Nannaya University College of Engineering and MCA, MBA programs at MSN Kakinada Campus
Achieved NAAC B+ accreditation for Adikavi Nannaya University
Attainment of Asia Book of Records and India Book of records for being the Fastest University to conduct 100 Webinars
Attainment of ISO 14001:2015 Green and Environment Award for AKNU
6. Other Initiatives
The NSS activities of the campus have been aggressively encouraged and the NSS unit of the campus have taken up a number of societally relevant activities including the development of “Blood Donor Database”, “Swatch Bharath programs”, food donation and other voluntary services during covid lockdown times.
An innovative initiative has been taken where an internal weekly publication by name “Nannaya Vani” has been started to publish all the information pertaining to the events held during that week
. It is an E-Paper which is environment friendly and given excellent visibility to the university not only in this country but also internationally.
Another initiative was the establishment of “Nannaya Bharathi” – a special enclosure within the general library for preserving valuable books, manuscripts and other cultural resources donated by the great writers and citizens of Godavari districts. Nearly 12,000 such volumes have been collected and preserved in Nannaya Bharathi with the names of donors.
Developed Alumni Association ANURAA at AKNU to take the support of the alumni for the benefit of the present students.
