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2. Genesis and Growth

Ever since its inception in 1926, Andhra University has an impeccable record of catering to
the educational needs of the Andhra region, in the erstwhile British Raj. The University is not just one
of the oldest educational institutions in the country, but is also the first to be conceived as a residential
and teaching-cum-affiliating University, mainly devoted to postgraduate teaching and research. The
people of the State have an emotional attachment to the institution, since it came into being after a
prolonged struggle of the Telugus for a University in the educationally-backward northern districts of
the erstwhile Madras Presidency.

Andhra University was constituted by the Madras Act of 1926. The 92-year-old institution is
fortunate to have Sir C.R. Reddy as its founder Vice-Chancellor, as the steps taken by this visionary
proved to be fruitful in the long run. Former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, was the
successive Vice-Chancellor, who strengthened the University with his impeccable planning and
vision. Besides, over time, several visionaries and Vice-Chancellors were instrumental in
strengthening this Magnificent University. The University started its research academic programme in
1936, with six students assisted by a handful of teachers. The strength of the students increased to 17
in the second year. The student strength rose to 2800 in 1966 and now to the 12,000 mark. The
University is spread in a sprawling campus of 531.0 acres dotted with 121 buildings of Academic,
Administrative and support services with a plinth area of about 20 lakhs sq.ft., and 324 staff
quarters. Presently, the University is catering mostly to the Educational needs of Visakhapatnam, and
Vizianagaram, besides students from other parts of India and the world. There are 368 affiliated
colleges spread across five districts under the territorial jurisdiction of Andhra University. The
enrolment in Affiliated Colleges is more than one lakh.

Since the day of its inception, the University has been keeping up with its tradition of meeting
global interface. The University has developed network with industry, business, NGOs and
Government organizations. Many academic departments take up consultancy works in the form of
projects, training, advisory, counselling, design, and so on. The University has established a
University Development Centre to coordinate consultancy services and to act as liaison between the
University and the client. The natural beauty of the campus with the serene blue waters of the Bay of
Bengal on one side and the lush green Kailasagiri Hill on the other beckons academic enthusiasts to
the University.

Thus, with all the 92 years of its existence, individual achievements and positions occupied
by the faculty and alumni, academic achievements, research output coupling with starting new
innovative courses, centres and institutes for the first time in the country, Andhra University has an
impeccable record of catering to the educational needs and addressing the sociological problems of
the region. It is relentless in its efforts in maintaining standards in teaching and research, ensuring
proper character building and development among the students, encouraging community
developmental programmes, nurturing leadership and patriotism in young men and women and
imbibing a sense of responsibility to become responsible and responsive citizens of the country, while
striving for excellence in all fronts.

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