Central team studies locations for Petroleum University

• Union govt to fund its establishment
• Classes likely to begin at GIFT campus temporarily from next academic year

Rajahmundry: A two-member Central Committee in East Godavari district arrived on Saturday to identify the place for new Petroleum University in the district. The team members inspected several places in Rajahmundry and also in Kakinada. The committee was entrusted to locate a site for constructing permanent buildings and also temporary buildings to run classes from next academic year, starting from July 2015.

Speaking to media persons after the visit, Prof G J Gupta, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh and advisor S P Mathur said the government would run classes from next July-August in temporary buildings. However, several aspects were to be taken care of for establishing the University. Hiring of highly qualified faculty, infrastructure and equipment along with recruitment of students were the important aspects to be considered, Prof Gupta said. He said modalities like number of branches to be introduced, mode of enrolling students were to be decided. It was yet to be decided whether to enrol students through existing entrance examination for IIT-JEE or separate entrance. He said the Central government would provide funds for the University in accordance with the AP Reorganisation act. The team reported felt that GIFT campus was an ideal place for conducting classes for the time being from next academic year. The team also felt that 700 acres of forest land, adjacent to the GIFT, may be denotified for establishing university, it is learnt.