AP pushes for higher education transformation through collaborations

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh has called for a comprehensive transformation of its higher education system, urging universities to move beyond traditional teaching models and emerge as centers of research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

Dr. H. Purushotham, Secretary of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Government of Andhra Pradesh, outlined this vision while delivering a keynote address at the Economic Times Education Chancellors Conclave 2026, held at Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort under the aegis of the Government of Goa.

Speaking on the theme, “Leadership to Legacy: Redefining the Future of Higher Education,” Dr. Purushotham highlighted the need to reshape universities to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy driven by technological change, scientific discovery and industry innovation.

Dr. Purushotham said the Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was committed to strengthening collaboration between educational institutions and industry. He emphasized that closer partnerships between universities, research institutions and businesses were essential to translate scientific discoveries into practical industrial applications.

He stressed that students must receive not only quality academic instruction but also practical, skill-based education that improves employability and prepares them for emerging professional opportunities. He called on universities to establish stronger links with global educational institutions, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote collaborative research across disciplines. 

The emphasis on technology-driven learning, he said, should be accompanied by investments in modern research infrastructure, laboratories and innovation ecosystems that enable students and researchers to develop solutions to real-world challenges.