Best universities to set up campuses in AP

Vijayawada:Education Minister Nara Lokesh has said the nation’s best universities would be encouraged by the state government to set up their campuses in Andhra Pradesh.

“Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken a keen interest in initiating these prestigious projects,” Lokesh said while introducing the AP Private Universities Establishment and Regulation Amendment Bill 2025 in the state assembly on Tuesday. It aimed to facilitate the establishment of foreign university campuses within the state, in alignment with the central government’s policy of promoting foreign educational institutions in India.

Lokesh explained that the decision to establish private universities was driven by the vision of decentralizing development and fostering educational growth within the region. He cited the establishment of Centurion University in Visakhapatnam as an example of this initiative.

The minister said the amendment bill has been brought forth to facilitate institutional changes for private universities. He noted that 70 acres have been allocated to the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Amaravati. Several other renowned institutions, including Tata, are also showing interest in setting up campuses in the region, he said.

Lokesh affirmed that establishing a Deep Tech University in the state is among the government's objectives, and he highlighted plans for opening an Artificial Intelligence and Sports University in Visakhapatnam. He said attempts were on to set up the best universities in the country.

He said the Private Universities Act was brought in 2016, but the previous government made five amendments to it, which was against the UGC guidelines. “To set up a greenfield university, a joint degree with one among the top-100 global universities is required. UGC regulations are different. The law needs to be fully discussed and amended. We plan to set up an AI university in Visakhapatnam and a sports university in Amaravati,” he said.

Lokesh stated, “Several private universities are in talks with the Economic Development Board. The University of Tokyo and AMA University Philippines have evinced interest. Representatives of other universities are also coming for talks. We will bring universities not only to Amaravati and Visakhapatnam but to all areas. The government is trying to bring universities to Rayalaseema by giving more incentives.”

“We will consider the issue of setting up a triple IT in the Kanigiri area. Andhra Kesari University was established in Prakasam district in 2022 without any sanctioned posts. Due to this, professors and staff are suffering. Donors are also coming forward to strengthen government universities. A special mechanism needs to be in place to develop Andhra Kesari University,” he said.

Earlier, Anakapalle MLA Konatala Ramakrishna asked questions about plans for allowing private foreign universities to function in AP. MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary noted that lakhs of students from the state were going to other countries and other states for higher education. “Due to this, the wealth of the state is also moving to neighbouring states.”

In view of this, he proposed that large numbers of national and international universities be encouraged to function in the private sector in AP.

Kanigiri MLA Mukku Ugra Narasimha Reddy said the previous government neglected the issue of Triple IT in Kanigiri and requested that it be restarted. He proposed developing Andhra Kesari University in Prakasam district.