Universities Must Become Hubs of Innovation: CM N. Chandrababu Naidu!

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that universities should evolve beyond being mere institutions that grant degrees and instead become platforms for innovation that shape society. Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Monday, he emphasized that universities are national assets that must be preserved and strengthened. During the event, he inaugurated projects worth ₹64 crore, including an AI factory and network center, and laid the foundation for nine development projects worth ₹112 crore, including hostels and a convocation hall.

The Chief Minister urged students and alumni to focus on knowledge, innovation, and startups, highlighting that the youth should aspire not just to seek jobs but to become job creators. He noted that Andhra University has connected Visakhapatnam globally even before major investments like Google’s proposed data center. Calling Visakhapatnam an unstoppable global city, he said Andhra University should aim to be among the top five universities in India and rank among the top 100 globally. To support this vision, he announced a ₹500 crore grant and encouraged alumni contributions to build a strong corpus fund for the university’s future growth.