One of the largest universities in Asia, the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) is all set to expand its functions, separating into four parts which will be set up at different parts in the State.

Earlier, JNTU was to be tifuracated and start functioning from three centers in the state. Even before the Government gave its consent, JNTU came up with a proposal to set up a fourth, i.e., Architecture and Fine Arts Division at Masab Tank Campus, Hyderabad.

Chief Minister Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy announced that JNTU, which had become synonymous with the success of software professionals in the United States and other parts of the world, would be trifurcated for establishing ‘JNTU South’ at Ananthapur, ‘JNTU East’ at Kakinada, ‘JNTU north’, existing campus at Kukatpalli and ‘JNTU west’ at Masab Tank. Another JNTU campus would be located in Hyderabad for administrative convenience.

Ever since the Chief Minister’s announcement on the issue, confusion has prevailed amongst students, staff and other educationists as to whether JNTU trifurcation is feasible or not. The Career Guide had a tête-à-tête with the Registrar of JNTU to ascertain the details and reasons behind the idea of trifurcation of JNTU.

The Career Guide: What is the main reason to trifurcate the world’s largest University, JNTU?

Lal Kishore: Well, the State Government had taken the decision to trifurcate JNTU and now it will be expanding into three parts for administrative convenience. 

TCG: Where would the new JNTU centres be set up in the State after the trifurcation?

Lal: We had decided to set up at Kakinada as ‘JNTU east’, Ananthapuram as ‘JNTU south’. As per the latest changes, the Kakinada centre would emerge as the University, which will be covering coastal region while Ananthapuram centre would serve the Rayalaseema region. The Hyderabad JNTU would only admit Telangana region students.  

TCG: Why did you take the JNTU trifurcation decision?

Lal: As per the Knowledge Commission Recommendations, as many as 1500 universities would be setup in the country to make higher education accessible for rural area students. According to the commission’s study, only 20 per cent of the students pursue higher education after graduate courses. With the latest decision to increase more universities, the number will touch at least 50 per cent and many rural students can opt for higher education.

TCG: How many colleges are affiliated to JNTU?

Lal: As many as 429 colleges are affiliated to the JNTU as of now with a majority being engineering, Pharma, while the remaining are MCA, MBA and Architecture colleges.

TCG: Are there any plans to increase the number of affiliated colleges and introduce new courses or any proposed changes in the fee structure?

Lal: Once the Government issues the ordinance for trifurcation, we would take a decision to increase the number of affiliated colleges and other issues like new courses and fee structure as well.

TCG: When will the Government issue the ordinance?

Lal: We are expecting the release of the ordinance within one month. Once the ordinance is delivered by the Government, functions would be started from all campuses.

TCG: What is meant by trifurcation?”

Lal: Trifurcation means there would be three different universities at Kakinada, Ananthapuram and Hyderabad and three different Vice-Chancellors, who will monitor the institutions.

TCG: JNTU also planned to divide Architecture and Fine Arts under the trifurcation mode?

Lal: Well, the Government had taken a decision to divide Architecture and Fine Arts and it will start operations from the Masab Tank campus.

TCG: Are students panicking over the issue of certificates after the trifurcation?

Lal: There is no panic among students. If JNTU is trifurcated, students will get their respective certificates from the varsities, where they studied. For instance, students who complete their studies in Kakinada would be given a certificate from the relevant university.

TCG: Students, meanwhile, are scared that the latest certificates may not be valued when it comes to job opportunities?

Lal: I assure students, who are scared about the matter that even if they get certificates from their respective universities after the JNTU trifurcation, they will get good jobs and the brand name of JNTU would help them to obtain better opportunities.

TCG: Is it true that the JNTU has taken its decision to trifurcate inspired by Anna University?

Lal: The idea of division is apparently taken from Anna University in Madras that has a centre in Trichy and other areas. The JNTU name had become an issue earlier also when colleges in some districts in Telangana were shifted from Osmania University to the newly formed Telangana University.

What do they say ?
JNTU former Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Raja Gopal:
“For administrative convenience, the JNTU will be trifurcated. There will be three universities, and three vice-chancellors will monitor the administration. As per the latest decision by Government, many rural area students can get admission at their native regions

“As per University Grants Commission (UGC) and Knowledge Commission recommendations, the JNTU would trifurcate for the administration convenience and strengthen the higher education system to provide better teaching methods.”

The former Vice-Chancellor feels that students need not be afraid about issuance of certificates, if JNTU trifurcated and that there is no need to worry. Whatever facilities are implemented in JNTU Hyderabad, the officials would enforce the same in newly set up centres too.

“Many overseas experts visit and many firms bee line every academic year-end to choose students under the campus recruitment. The same process will be continued at the other campuses too after trifurcation,” the former Vice-Chancellor explains.

“I expect that the ordinance will be released by middle of June by the Government and admission will start as per new system of the trifurcation,” he feels.

Student’s opinion:

Hari Krishna, a B.Tech student from Kurnool, says that students feel the JNTU brand name ensures smooth admission in the United States for higher education apart from getting good weightage during job interviews. “In fact, students under JNTU Ananthapuram and Kakinada would be at disadvantage. “It is better not to divide JNTU under the trifurcation. Officials say it is only for administrative convenience. What about the benefits for students if they divide JNTU,” he asks.

Another Pharma student, Ashok Kumar Reddy feels that if JNTU is divided into three parts, many students can get admission. Seats in colleges or likely to increase and new courses will be introduced in new centres. He also feels that certificates only show the study details but one should have some talent to get a job after completing studies.