4.1 cr released for SPMVV’s women biotech incubator

Inter-varsity south zone fest from today

• 3-year project helps in refurbishment of labs: V-C
• 1,250 students from 38 varsities to participate in 5-day event

Tirupati: The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India released Rs 4.1 crore to the Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) for setting up ‘Women Biotech Incubator,’ said SPMVV Vice-Chancellor Prof V Durga Bhavani.

It came into effect from October 1 and will continue for three years. It supports the varsity for strengthening of infrastructure, refurbishment of laboratories, and creating employability opportunities.

Addressing the media on the eve of ‘Padmotsav’, the inter-university south zone festival to be organised by the SPMVV from October 7 to 11, she said that the biotech incubator was one of the varsity’s achievements during her three-year stint as V-C which comes to an end on October 25.

At the Chinthalapalem village of Yerpedu mandal, the AP government has sanctioned 10-acre for the varsity’s Rural Women Technology Park sponsored by Department of Science and Technology under which faculty and students from various departments have been conducting a survey in the surrounding villages to identify talent and increase skill among them.

These type of extension activities have received a major boost in her regime, she said.

Two hostels were being constructed in the campus through which more students can get accommodation with Rs 27 crore Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) funds.

The V-C claimed that the faculty appointment process could not be completed due to various legal and administrative reasons at different stages.

On the Padmotsav, Prof Bhavani has said that about 1,250 students from 38 universities are going to participate in the prestigious event.

The SPMVV is holding for the second time. Competitions will be held in several categories in five events–music, dance, literary events, theatre and fine arts.

These competitions will be held simultaneously at five different venues which will be judged by a panel of judges drawn from across the country by Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.

She said that AIU conducts these type youth festivals at four regions–North, East, South and West and the winners of various events at these regional levels will participate at the national event.

For the inaugural event, Ministers Kollu Ravindra. N Amaranatha Reddy, K Atchannaidu, Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Bhuma Akhila Priya were invited which will take place on Sunday evening.

Prior to the inaugural function, a huge cultural rally with all the participants will be held from the University.

Rector Prof V Uma, Registrar Prof DM Mamatha, organising secretary Dr U Himabindu, Prof C Vani, Prof S Jyothi, Prof D Sarada, Dr T Shobha Rani and other faculty were present.