VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra University marked its centenary celebrations with a strong push for global academic collaboration, signing three major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for research, technology and scientific development.
The agreements include a partnership with the University of Florida for academic and research exchanges, an MoU with Oxmiq Labs Inc. to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI Systems with an investment of Rs 400 crore, and a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology to create meteorological infrastructure worth Rs 180 crore.
The centenary celebrations, held at the Andhra University Engineering College Grounds, were attended by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and other dignitaries.
During the event, they inaugurated the AU I-Factory and a Network Centre built at a cost of Rs 64 crore and laid foundation stones for nine additional projects worth 112 crore, including new hostels and a convocation hall.
Founded in 1926 under Sir Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy, Andhra University has grown into a premier institution of higher learning. Over the decades, it was guided by eminent personalities such as Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and V. S. Krishna, and has been associated with figures including C. V. Raman, M. Visvesvaraya and Rabindranath Tagore.
The Vice-President honoured distinguished alumni, including former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Odisha Governor K. Hari Babu, G. M. Rao, B. V. R. Mohan Reddy, Satyanarayana Chava and filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas. He also released a coffee-table book on the university's journey.
Vice-Chancellor G. P. Rajasekhar said the university was preparing a Centenary Master Plan to guide its development over the next 100 years.