NELLORE: Higher Education Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Sunday launched the Ph.D programmes in Vikrama Simhapuri University (VSU) in Nellore district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underlined the need for scientific research which was useful for society and appealed to the VSU management not to compromise on quality and award the doctorates accordingly.

Stating that Nellore district was going to be an entrepreneurship hub in the coming future, he asked students to take up research programmes on pollution control and environment protection as many industries were being set up in the district.

The Minister assured to provide all support from the government for the development of the university and complimented Vikrama Simhapuri University Vice-Chancellor C. R. Visweswara Rao and Registrar V. Narayana Reddy for successfully sending the first batch students from the new university with good results. He assured to organise the convocation officially as per the request of the staff.

Poor enrolment

Expressing concern over the poor enrolment (12.1 per cent) in higher education in the country, which was about 60 per cent in European countries, the Highe Education Minister sought the cooperation of the degree, Post Graduation and universities' staff to increase the enrolment percentage in colleges.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that 37 per cent of the candidates passed in the Ph.D entrance test organised by VSU recently.

He explained the activities and the future plans of the university. Nellore Mayor N. Bhanusri, Town MLA Mungamuri Sridharkrishna Reddy, Rural MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy, D.K.W. College Principal A.Sarada Devi and other staff attended the programme.