Visakhapatnam, April 28: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated on Monday that universities should develop into centers of innovation. He emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen these institutions, which he referred to as national heritage.
During the centenary celebrations of Andhra University, the Chief Minister inaugurated the AU Factory and Network Center, built at a cost of ₹640 million. He also laid the foundation for nine development projects worth ₹1.12 billion, which include hostels for boys and girls, a convocation hall, and other infrastructure works.
Addressing students and alumni, Naidu remarked that times have changed, providing ordinary people with extraordinary opportunities. He urged the youth to focus on knowledge, innovation, and startups.
He further encouraged young individuals not to limit themselves to job-seeking but to develop the capacity to create jobs for ten others, assuring them of government support.
Naidu mentioned that laying the foundation stone for a Google data center in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday would mark another historic moment. He highlighted that Google’s $15 billion investment reflects the city’s potential.
He noted that before Google, Andhra University had already connected Visakhapatnam to the world, with students from 58 countries studying there, which is a point of pride for the state and the nation.
The Chief Minister described Visakhapatnam as a global city on the path of development, filled with immense possibilities. He acknowledged that Andhra University has emerged as a prestigious brand over the past century and leads among the state’s 53 universities.
He paid tribute to the university’s first Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy, for laying a strong foundation. He also highlighted that the university’s second Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, later became the President of India.
Chandrababu Naidu referred to Andhra University as a birthplace of leadership, noting that it has produced many distinguished leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics, including former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, an alumnus of the university.
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