Visakhapatnam: The Joint Action Committee comprising Andhra University teaching, non-teaching and hostel employees’ association on Friday strongly condemned the remarks made by Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan on Andhra University.
Pawan Kalyan made critical comments against the university during his public meeting at Jagadamba Centre here on Thursday evening.
Demanding a public apology from Pawan Kalyan, JAC president Ravi Kumar said Pawan Kalyan spoke without having any knowledge about higher education. Regarding a fall in AU’s ranking among universities as stated by Pawan Kalyan, Ravi Kumar said Andhra University competed with IITs, central universities and deemed universities and a difference of two ranks would be 2.5 to 4 marks only.
He said Andhra University set a record in campus recruitment compared to 2018. The recruitment increased by 25 per cent in 2023. The highest salary package was Rs 4 lakh per annum. The highest package was Rs 22 lakh in 2018.
Ravi Kumar said only meritorious students get admission into various courses at AU. Of late, the university started establishing start-ups and incubation centres, the first such by any state university. “So far, 124 start-ups are functioning on the campus.”
Andhra University also won 14th rank in National Institute Ranking Framework for the start-ups while the first 13 ranks were won by IITs, he said.
He said Andhra University also tied up with reputed public sector, central government and defence undertakings for research and development activities.
