Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh has underlined the decisive role of universities in building a knowledge-based society, calling Vice-Chancellors not just administrators but ambassadors of reform. Addressing a review meeting with Vice-Chancellors of public universities in the state, Lokesh said transforming state-run institutions into globally competitive universities is the government’s long-term vision. The meeting was chaired by Governor Abdul Nazeer, whose commitment was praised by the minister for attending the session even on his birthday.
Lokesh said his interactions with youth during his padayatra revealed a worrying gap between degrees and real-world readiness. Many students, he observed, hold certificates but struggle with clarity and employability after completing higher education. This disconnect, he said, prompted him to take charge of the challenging education portfolio, reflecting the state’s seriousness about reforming higher education.
The minister identified five core challenges facing public universities. The first is outdated teaching that fails to match current and future needs, resulting in degrees with limited global recognition. Stressing the need for continuous curriculum renewal, he cited international universities that regularly redesign their syllabi to stay relevant. The second challenge is the growing number of degrees that do not lead to jobs, largely due to weak industry linkages, inadequate internships, apprenticeships and placement systems.
The third concern, Lokesh said, is research that lacks practical impact. He noted that innovation ecosystems, startups and meaningful knowledge transfer remain weak in many institutions, reducing the social and economic value of academic research. The fourth issue is excessive focus on administration at the cost of academics, driven partly by legacy problems such as faculty shortages and governance constraints. He urged Vice-Chancellors to spend more time strengthening academic standards and to adopt data-driven decision-making.
The fifth challenge relates to student experience, where gaps in guidance, welfare and mental health support are becoming increasingly evident. Lokesh stressed that equality and sustainability in student support systems must be a priority in higher education.
Highlighting future opportunities, the minister said universities must move towards financial self-reliance by leveraging alumni networks and institutional strengths. He pointed out that alumni from Andhra Pradesh universities, including Andhra University, occupy leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, and this global network should be used to strengthen institutions financially and academically. He also called for focused efforts to address regional, social and gender disparities within the higher education system.
Lokesh emphasised that universities must act as bridges between education and employment. He noted that while some graduates struggle to find jobs immediately, short-term skill training outside the university system often makes them employable, calling this a failure of institutions rather than students. Internships, apprenticeships, industry-driven courses and alumni mentorship, he said, should become integral to university education.
On research and innovation, the minister urged universities to move beyond academic publications towards solution-oriented research that addresses real issues such as water scarcity, climate change, agricultural productivity, public health and nutrition. He said patents, startups and technology transfer should become key outcomes of university research, strengthening both society and the education ecosystem.
Lokesh also stressed the importance of governance, leadership and faculty capacity, while urging universities to engage directly with students. He proposed weekly “open house” sessions where Vice-Chancellors spend dedicated time listening to students, warning that even prestigious institutions risk losing relevance if student experiences are ignored.
Reiterating the state’s ambition, the minister said Andhra Pradesh aims to build world-class public universities under the guidance of the Governor as Chancellor. Assuring autonomy, recognition of talent and institutional support, Lokesh called on Vice-Chancellors to deliver measurable results and begin this transformation immediately, stating that the success of this reform journey will define the future of higher education in the state.
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Universities Must Shape a Knowledge-Driven Future: Nara Lokesh
