Naidu vows to bring world’s top universities to Amaravati

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said the TDP-led coalition government was determined to attract campuses of globally renowned universities to the capital city of Amaravati.

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Siddhartha Academy of General and Technical Education, he said Amaravati already hosts reputed private universities such as VIT, SRM and Amrutha, and asserted that the government was ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that the world’s best universities establish their campuses in the capital.

Referring to the Google data centre coming up in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion, Mr. Naidu said that immediately after the Centre announced the National Quantum Mission, the State moved to establish a quantum computer in Amaravati, which would become operational within six months. Courses on quantum algorithms were also being conducted for students and professionals, he added.

The Chief Minister lauded the Siddhartha Academy for its significant contribution in transforming Vijayawada into a major educational hub and said it had shaped the future of lakhs of students across the State. Highlighting its scale and impact, he said the Academy operates 18 colleges, including engineering, medical, law, B.Ed., hotel management and pharmacy institutions, with nearly 28,000 students. He assured full government support for the Academy’s proposal to establish an agriculture college.

Emphasising the importance of value-based education, Mr. Naidu said the government was working to instil moral values among students. As part of this effort, “Mega Parent–Teacher” meetings were being conducted twice a year to strengthen engagement among parents, students and teachers.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to building a world-class capital in Amaravati, he alleged that some individuals, driven by jealousy over the rapid pace of development, were attempting to obstruct the city’s progress. He said Amaravati had been sanctified as a people’s capital with sacred water and soil and asserted that its progress was unstoppable.

Mr. Naidu said Vijayawada, Guntur, Mangalagiri and Amaravati together would emerge as one of the best livable urban regions in the country. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working relentlessly to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, while my government is aiming to transform this region into Swarna Andhra by then,” he said.

Recalling that his earlier focus had been on promoting Information Technology, the Chief Minister said he was now concentrating on Artificial Intelligence and quantum technologies. Along with establishing a quantum computing centre, the State also plans to manufacture quantum computers within the next four years, he added.

He said two satellite companies had come forward to set up a Space City in Tirupati and that a Drone City was being established in Kurnool. Medical equipment, defence and semiconductor industries were also being developed in Andhra Pradesh, he said, adding that technology-enabled governance was improving public service delivery, including the creation of digital health records under the Sanjeevani initiative.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan, Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad, Siddhartha Academy president M. Rajaiah, secretary P. Lakshmana Rao and others were present.