Vikarama Simhapuri University, Nellore

Vikarama Simhapuri University, Nellore Vikrama Simhapuri University (VSU) is a public state university located in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Established in 2008, it offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including degrees in B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.Tech., M.A., M.Sc., MBA, M.Tech., and several others. The university is currently in the process of constructing its own campus on 87 acres of land provided by the Andhra Pradesh government, located in Kakuturu Village, about 13 km from the district headquarters.

Campus

Initially, VSU did not have its own dedicated campus and operated from temporary premises. Its administrative office was located in Dargamitta, Nellore, and regular classes were held at V.R. High School (formerly the Old Law College Campus) in Nellore. Over time, the university shifted to its own buildings. The administrative building was named Potti Sriramulu Block, and classrooms were housed in the Abdul Kalam building. Boys’ and girls’ hostels are also situated in Kakuturu.

Academics

VSU is a comprehensive institution, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It also conducts its own entrance exams, VSURESET (for undergraduate courses) and VSUPGCET (for postgraduate courses), each year. The courses include a wide array of disciplines, such as:

Undergraduate: B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.B.A., B.C.A., B.B.O.L., L.L.B., B.Tech.
Postgraduate: M.A., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.C.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

The university has expanded its reach through affiliations, particularly with various colleges in the Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, which were previously part of Sri Venkateswara University.

History

In 2010, the Andhra Pradesh government issued a directive that all colleges in Nellore district previously affiliated with Sri Venkateswara University would now come under the jurisdiction of VSU. This move added several colleges, including the SVU PG Centre in Kavali and the V.R. Law College, to VSU’s network. While some institutions later shifted affiliations, this decision marked a significant step in the university’s growth.

Administration

As of 2021, the Vice Chancellor of VSU is Budithi Rajasekhar IAS, and L.V. Krishna Reddy serves as the registrar. The university’s administrative functions are overseen by these officials, who manage the academic and operational aspects of the institution.

Criticism

VSU has faced various criticisms regarding its administration and recruitment processes:

Recruitment Issues: There were allegations about improper recruitment practices, especially under the leadership of former Vice Chancellor G. Rajarami Reddy. For example, there were concerns about the qualification requirements for faculty positions in the departments of Tourism and Biotechnology, leading to scrutiny of the university’s hiring processes.
Faculty Recruitment Controversy: The university’s recruitment of 19 teaching faculty members in December 2013, and 45 non-teaching staff members in June 2014, was controversial. The recruitment occurred during a period when a recruitment ban was in place in Andhra Pradesh, leading to widespread criticism. Some staff members were appointed despite lacking qualifications specified by UGC norms.
Website and Degree Misuse: In 2014, the university’s official website was not properly secured, leading to the abuse of the previous domain by fake degree racketeers. This raised concerns about the authenticity of degrees granted by VSU, and the government of Chhattisgarh blacklisted VSU degrees as a result.
Student Discontent: There have been reports of declining student enrollment at VSU. Some students have attributed this to administrative policies, while others have pointed to the lack of support for research scholars. A distressing incident occurred when a research scholar attempted suicide after VSU refused to recommend his name for a UGC fellowship.
Cybersecurity Failures: VSU’s website was hacked by terrorists, exposing vulnerabilities in its cybersecurity protocols. The breach compromised confidential administrative information and raised questions about the university’s ability to safeguard its digital infrastructure.
Information Mismanagement: K. Narasimha Rao, an assistant professor, served as the university’s public information officer for many years. He was criticized for providing incorrect and inadequate responses to Right to Information Act (RTI) applications, further highlighting administrative inefficiencies.

Despite these challenges, VSU continues to function and expand its academic offerings, with ongoing efforts to improve its infrastructure and reputation.