Visakhapatnam: With only two state-run universities, Andhra University and Acharya Nagarjuna University, making the cut of the ‘A’ graders’ list in the state government’s rankings, it’s clear that Andhra’s varsities are in a sorry state. Ten varsities are still not accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) as they lag behind in various parametres.
Three universities, Krishna University, Adi Kavi Nannayya University and Yogi Vemana University, were conferred a ‘D’ grade with a score of about 30 points. Some universities scored a zero in key performance indicators, such as establishment of incubation centres and centres of excellence, credited online courses, student exchange programmes, presentation of doctorates and faculty development programmes.
Decreased placements at these varsities are also a huge letdown for prospective students. For example, Andhra University College of Science and Technology, which has an intake of about 2,000 students, saw only 80 students placed through on-campus selections in 2014-15, and 168 in 2013-14.
Similarly, there are 28 departments in the College of Arts and Commerce with a strength of 1,896 students. But only 125 students got placed in the last academic year. The collapse of the premier universities of the state has become more visible after the introduction of the deemed universities. Over the years, many varsities, barring two or three, have lost the plot.
“The very purpose of the state varsity lies in producing patentable inventions and research works rather than producing civil servants. With the introduction of private universities, these may go into oblivion if proper measures are not initiated.
Already the deemed varsities situated in and around Visakhapatnam, Guntur and Vijayawada are attracting a large number of students, claiming 100 per cent placement opportunities. The state varsities have to rise to the occasion before the private varsities wreak unprecedented havoc,” said a retired vice-chancellor of Andhra University.
When asked about the ‘A’ grade for Andhra University, an official said that its MoUs and collaborative research work with international varsities, including the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford, gave it a global look.
An official of a newly established varsity from Rayalaseema said that many of their departments were functioning with temporary staff.
“Citing lack of permanent faculty and research work, the NAAC is refusing to accredit the varsity. In the absence of 12B status from UGD, we can’t take up research works,” he said.
