IIM proposed at Visakhapatnam

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken initiatives to set up an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Visakhapatnam, said chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Speaking at the inauguration of Ceratec-2007, an international ceramic seminar at Andhra University on Monday, he said the government had already requested the Centre to set up an IIM in the state.

The state government was also taking steps to set up an 'education district' in Visakhapatnam in about 1,000 acres, where foreign universities would be invited to set up centres, he said.

The government would provide all facilities to the international universities that set up their campuses in the proposed education district. The state government was keen on upgrading the Andhra University Engineering College at Visakhapatnam to IIT standards, he stated.

He also said that for a better industrial growth, there should be cooperation between universities and industry. The state was offering power to industries at the lowest tariff in the country.

Very soon, the availability of natural gas in the state would grow significantly. And a good number of engineering colleges and other educational institutions would make sure that a vast talent pool is available in the state. These factors would ensure a tremendous industrial growth in the state in the coming years, he said.

The three-day seminar is being jointly organised by the Indian Ceramic Society, All India Pottery Manufacturers' Association, Indian Institute of Ceramic, Andhra University and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.