₹1 cr Alumnus Contribution to Help OU Build Mining Infrastructure
Principal P. Chandra Sekhar termed the donation “a major boost” for teaching, learning and research, while Vice-Chancellor kumar molugaram said it would help align academic research with the evolving needs of the mining industry.
HYDERABAD: A contribution of more than ₹1 crore from a nonagenarian alumnus of Osmania University is set to strengthen infrastructure and research facilities for engineering students, particularly in the department of mining engineering, which alumni say has long lacked a dedicated academic building.
The university announced that Tella Gopal Rao, a 1960 graduate and one of the earliest students of the mining engineering department at the University College of Engineering (autonomous), donated $110,000 (about ₹1.05 crore) through the Tella Sakamoto Foundation, USA. Of the total amount, $100,000 has been allocated to the department of mining engineering and $10,000 to the department of electrical engineering.
A native of Rayapatnam in present-day Khammam district, Rao had a distinguished career in the mining sector and retired as director (technical) of Singareni Collieries Company Limited. He is now settled in the United States with his family.
“Mining shaped my life and career. Whatever I achieved came through this discipline and through Osmania University. When I learnt that the department still needed dedicated infrastructure and better facilities, I felt it was my responsibility to contribute. I hope this support helps future generations of students,” Rao said in a message shared through family members.
According to the university, the mining engineering allocation will support infrastructure for digital mining technologies, advanced research, mine safety, sustainable mining practices and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in mining operations.
Bikki Ramesh Jumar, retired director (operations), SCCL, fellow alumnus and cousin of Rao, said the contribution was the culmination of years of alumni efforts to strengthen the department. He noted that many activities had to be conducted using facilities in other departments due to inadequate infrastructure.
Principal P. Chandra Sekhar termed the donation “a major boost” for teaching, learning and research, while Vice-Chancellor kumar molugaram said it would help align academic research with the evolving needs of the mining industry. The funds have been handed over through the University College of Engineering Alumni Association for implementation of the proposed works.