Latest news with #DravidianUniversity


The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dravidian University gets government nod for engineering college, courses to begin this year
Dravidian University in Kuppam is spruced up for the launch of its engineering college after the State government on Friday approved its proposal, and paved the way for the university to commence technical courses from the academic session 2025–26. This marks a significant initiative towards expanding higher education options at the tri-State Kuppam junction. The initiative is directly supported by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the MLA of Kuppam Assembly constituency since 1989. Dravidian University, which remains a traditional university for language studies and subjects of the humanities division, will hereafter make a strong presence in professional technical education. As part of the initiative, the engineering college will offer two undergraduate engineering courses, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and CSE with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) in the first phase, with 60 seats available in each stream. This arrangement will benefit local students, who can now save time by avoiding travel to longer distances such as Tirupati, Chennai, or Bengaluru to pursue professional studies. The university authorities thanked the State government and acknowledged the Chief Minister's role in the sanction. 'This long-awaited dream that came true would not only galvanise the institution's academic scenario but also open great avenues for the students of this rural region. It would also enhance the reputation of the university and provide a big scope for students not only from the Kuppam region but from elsewhere in the southern States,' said Mr. Kancharla Srikath, MLC from Kuppam and government chief whip.


Hans India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Dravidian University in Kuppam adds Engg wing
Kuppam (Chittoor district): Dravidian University in Kuppam is set to establish its own dedicated engineering college, marking a major milestone in the institution's academic journey. The move, which gives further boost to higher education in the State, comes following an initiative by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who represents the Kuppam constituency in the State Assembly. Though the town of Kuppam already has a private engineering college, this marks the first time Dravidian University will have an engineering college under its own administration. The University currently offers a variety of programmes in arts, science, technology and management, but lacked a formal engineering stream until now. In a circular issued on June 27, 2025, the University announced the approval from the Government of Andhra Pradesh to launch the new engineering college. The institution will begin operations from the 2025–26 academic year with two BTech programmes: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and CSE with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML). Each programme will accommodate 60 students per year. The University expressed gratitude to the State government, particularly Chief Minister Naidu, for sanctioning the much-awaited college. 'We take pride and pleasure in sharing this historic development with all teaching and non-teaching staff,' the circular stated. 'We thank the State government for supporting the institution's growth and commitment to academic excellence.' Welcoming the move, MLC and Government Whip in the Legislative Council Dr Kancharla Srikanth described the announcement as a key step in strengthening the educational landscape of the region. 'The students of Kuppam have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,' he said, thanking CM Chandrababu Naidu and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh on behalf of the local community. Leaders of the TDP and residents of Kuppam also hailed the decision, calling it a timely intervention that would bring quality technical education to the doorstep of meritorious students.

The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dravidian University in Kuppam faces backlash for selling trees, sparking environmental concerns
Dravidian University in Kuppam is now caught in a row over the alleged indiscriminate felling of trees on its 1,100-acre campus. Established in 1997 with a mission to promote Dravidian languages, culture and heritage, in coordination with the southern States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, the university is facing severe public criticism that the administration is selling mature trees to private parties in Karnataka since a couple of months. Srinivasavanam project The campus is known for its lush greenery and panoramic view of hillocks surrounded by dense woods. The Srinivasavanam project, a unique initiative sponsored by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), is credited with the success of the greenery story on the campus for more than a decade. The green and healthy trees are now being chopped down and disposed to private parties at cheaper rates ₹3,000 per tonne, as against ₹5,000 per tonne five years ago. Since April, the drive is said to have generated a revenue of ₹7 lakh this way. A senior official of the university defended the move, saying that a severe financial crunch along with poor financial support from the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala prompted the university administration to resort to felling of trees, at least to generate minimum funds. The official maintained that funds meant for the maintenance of greenery on the campus, ₹50 lakh per annum from the TTD, are now being used to meet the escalating electricity bills. On the flip side, the university officials are said to have used a partial amount from the proceeds of tree felling to purchase two vehicles to manage campus upkeep. Nature lovers cry foul Nature lovers and local youth of Kuppam, who are accustomed to frequenting the panoramic landscapes in and around the university, deplored that the felling of healthy trees is a brazen act of ecological rupture. A revenue official in Kuppam said that though efforts were made to dissuade the university management from stopping the felling of trees, no concrete measures have been initiated to stop the destruction. A couple of NGOs in Chittoor district said that they would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has been the MLA of Kuppam since 1989, and demand a high-level inquiry into the environmental damage on the university campus.

The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
A.P. CM takes part in Gangamma temple jatara in Kuppam, offers silk vastrams to deity
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari participated in the annual jatara at Sri Prasanna Tirupati Gangamma temple in Kuppam on Wednesday. The couple landed at the grounds of Dravidian University on the Kuppam outskirts by helicopter from Bengaluru. Mr. Naidu was accorded a warm welcome by the officials, people of Kuppam Assembly constituency and the TDP cadres. Mr. Naidu reached the Gangamma temple, where the temple priests welcomed him with a traditional Poornakumbham. He offered prayers and presented silk garments (pattu vastrams) to the presiding deity. Mr. Naidu exchanged pleasantries with the TDP cadres before leaving for Bengaluru airport from the helipad. District Collector Sumit Kumar, SP Manikanta Chandolu, and senior TDP leaders were present. The Kuppam Jatara is a major festival of Sri Prasanna Tirupati Gangamma, considered the sister of Lord Venkateswara. The history of the jatara dates back to the 17th century and the festival has been receiving the patronage of the rulers of Telugu, Kannada and Tamil dynasties, followed by the British Raj. On Tuesday evening, a palanquin carrying the idol's head was taken out in a grand procession from Pedda Bavi at Pathapeta to the main temple. The procession will continue for over 24 hours, covering all wards in the Kuppam municipality. An estimated 3 lakh people from Kuppam, and neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka thronged the venue during the festival. Till Wednesday noon, thousands of villagers offered prayers to the processional deity. The festival was concluded with the Viswaroopa Darshan of the Goddess on Wednesday.


Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CM Chandrababu to visits Chittoor to attend Gangamma Jatara
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is set to visit Chittoor district today alongside his family. His itinerary includes a visit to Kuppam, where he will attend the Gangamma Jatara. During the festivities, CM Naidu will offer traditional silk garments to the goddess Prasanna Tirupati. In preparation for this visit, the Chief Minister's wife and family members have also made plans to present silk clothing to the presiding deity of the Tirupati Sri Gangamamba Temple. Senior officials, including Government Whip and MLC Kancherla Srikanth, District Collector Sumit Kumar, and Superintendent of Police Manikantha Chandolu, have conducted a thorough review of the arrangements for the occasion. To ensure the safety and security of the Chief Minister, authorities have reviewed the Advanced Security Licensing (ASL) policies and established a helipad on the grounds of Dravidian University. Additionally, the Collector and Superintendent of Police have put traffic regulations and security measures in place at the Prasanna Gangamma Temple. Following his visit, CM Chandrababu Naidu is expected to return to Amaravati in the evening.