The Central Government has allotted
Rs. 150 crores for the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE),
Visakhapatnam, in the Union Budget 2022-2023. This is the highest
sanction granted ever since its establishment in 2016. Apart from this
institute, the Union Government has also sanctioned funds for other
Central and Tribal Universities. These funds would aid in the faster
development of the respective campuses. Speaking to Yo!
Vizag, Director of IIPE Visakhapatnam, Professor VSRK Prasad, said that
the Union Budget 2022-23 is predominantly focused on making
technological advancements in the country. He opines that technological
growth is the key to the development of the nation. The Director of IIPE
is confident that the institution will serve as an advanced research
centre for solar power. Apart from the Rs. 150 crores sanctioned in the
Union Budget 2022, an initial budget of Rs. 150 crores has been
sanctioned in the past for the construction of a full-fledged campus at
Vangali Village, of Sabbavaram Mandal, Visakhapatnam. Prof. Prasad
aims for IIPE Visakhapatnam to be a centre of excellence and a major
contributor in the field of research. Out of the 200 acres sanctioned
for the construction of a dedicated campus, the institution has received
clearance for 160 acres and is yet to receive permissions for occupancy
of the remaining 40 acres. The Central Government sanctioning funds for
the development of solar energy, 5G technology, installation of
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, and e-passports with embedded
chips is proof that the nation is taking steps to develop
technologically. Prof.
Prasad added that the implementation of Digital Universities is a great
move to revolutionize the education system in the country. He feels
this initiative will enhance the learning ability of students and also
aid the teachers in coming up with effective teaching methods. The
implementation of eco-friendly technology, such as EVs, will reduce the
usage of conventional fossil fuels and establish a pollution-free
environment. Further, he added that the collaboration of educational
institutions and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will result in
outcomes that will benefit the research sector, and eventually the
nation. The IIPE Visakhapatnam campus, which was allocated
200-acres of land by the Andhra Pradesh State Government, is expected to
be fully functional in the next two years. IIPE Visakhapatnam has major
collaborations
with leading international universities such as Texas A&M
University, the University of Houston, and other Institutions of
National Importance specializing in the energy domain. The primary
objective of establishing IIPE is to meet the
quantitative and qualitative gap in the supply of skilled manpower, for
petroleum & energy sectors, and additionally boost the research
activities needed for the growth of the energy sector. Apart from
IIPE Visakhapatnam, the Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Anantapur,
has been allotted Rs. 56.5 crores from the Union Budget 2022. The
Central Government has also sanctioned Rs. 44 crores for the tribal
universities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, jointly. The Indian
Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam (IIM-V), has been receiving funds
through the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), as per an
agreement made in the year 2018. The HEFA allocates funds annually
according to the guidelines set by the Government of India. HEFA
sanctions funds for selected higher educational institutions such as the
Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institutes of
Management (IIM), and the All India Institute Of Medical Science
(AIIMS). |
