2 weeks ago
Andhra University Start-Up Centre Closure Raises Innovation Concerns
Andhra University has decided to close a centre that helps new businesses get started.
The centre gives entrepreneurs workspace, technical help, mentors and guidance.
It was created in 2000 with support from NASSCOM and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
About ₹27 crore was invested in building it.
In the last four years, it has supported about 40 new ventures.
Teachers and business founders are worried that closing it could make it harder for students and researchers to develop ideas.
They say the decision does not fit with the National Education Policy-2020's focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
They want the university to study the centre's achievements before making a final decision.
Andhra University has directed its start-up incubation centre to vacate its premises and issued notices to resident start-ups.
The centre was established in 2000 through an agreement involving Andhra University, NASSCOM and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
About ₹27 crore was invested in creating the centre to support technology innovation and entrepreneurship.
Over the past four years, the centre has incubated around 40 ventures across several sectors.
Entrepreneurs and academics are urging the university to reconsider, warning that closure could weaken its innovation ecosystem and disrupt opportunities for young innovators.
- Who
- Andhra University authorities, start-ups operating at the centre, entrepreneurs and academics.
- What
- The university has directed its start-up incubation centre to vacate its premises, prompting calls to reconsider the closure.
- Where
- At Andhra University.
- When
- The centre was established in 2000 and has incubated around 40 ventures over the past four years; the timing of the closure decision is not specified.
- Why
- The university's reason for ordering the centre to vacate was not stated; critics say closure could undermine innovation, entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration.
Key facts
- Centre established
- 2000
- Founding arrangement
- A tripartite agreement involving Andhra University, NASSCOM and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Investment
- About ₹27 crore
- Ventures incubated
- Around 40 over the past four years
- Support provided
- Infrastructure, technical support, mentorship and guidance
- Immediate action
- The Vice-Chancellor directed the centre to vacate its premises, and notices were issued to resident start-ups
- Policy concern
- Stakeholders say closure conflicts with the National Education Policy-2020's emphasis on research, innovation, industry-academia collaboration and entrepreneurship
Sources
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