Telugu varsity struggles to regain glory after split

Rajamahendravaram: Potti Sriramulu Telugu University (PSTU) has lost its sheen after the bifurcation of the state as it has not been divided fully by the Central government by because it still is in the list of Tenth Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014 (APRA).

The three peetams located in  Rajamahendravaram (for Telugu and Telugu literature courses in MA and M.Phil), Srisailam (for History, Sanskrit, Epics and Culture) and Kuchipudi (for Kuchipudi dance courses including diploma and certificate courses) are in dire straits with lack of development.

After the state division, Telangana state government adopted the rules for PSTU and Prof Satyanarayana is working as vice-chancellor for Telangana region while the Andhra Pradesh government appointed Prof V Durga Bhavani of Sri Padmavathi University as vice-chancellor in October this year for Andhra region.

PSTU has only 10 teaching and 30 non-teaching staff with students numbering between 50 to 80.  At about 10 acre of university’s land was given to NAAC, 1.5 acre to a petrol bunk and 13 acre is was under the government and currently the university is in possession of only 20 acre.

Speaking to The Hans India, PSTU vice-chancellor Prof. D Durga Bhavani said university would take up admissions on its own in all courses from next academic year. She said admission notifications were delayed earlier and remedial steps would be taken in this regard.

Seventeen students are studying first and second year MA and three are doing M.Phil but there were no admissions in Ph D in the last three years. Teaching and non-teaching posts also have to be filled next year, she added. 

Prof Durga Bhavani said the Andhra Pradesh government sanctioned Rs 4.50 crore for the year 2018--2019 for the maintenance of the university. “Currently the university has NAAC ‘B’ grade status and steps will be taken to obtain 12B status from University Grants Commission (UGC) to get funds to the university,” she said. .

On the directions of the state government, district administration conducted survey of land which was under government control and it will be returned to the university. 

The VC said necessary repairs would also be taken up to administrative block, hostels, classrooms, etc. to give a facelift to the buildings. Now the VC is functioning out of Acharya Nagarjuna University campus in Guntur. “Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is particular to strengthen the university and help it regain its past glory,” Prof Durga Bhavani said.