Hit by fee cut, famed Vasavi college to shut

Vasavi Engineering College, one of the oldest private institutions established in 1981 in the combined Andhra Pradesh state, has expressed its intentions for closure.

This autonomous body is located in Ibrahimbagh near Golconda fort. Vasavi Academy of Education, the trust that runs the college is reportedly facing some problems. Firstly, the managing committee is yet to come to terms with the big cut in the annual tuition fee for B.Tech courses. Against the existing fee of `1.15 lakh, the college sought a fee rise up to `1.6 lakh. The fee regulatory panel fixed the fee at `86,000, almost half of what Vasavi management wanted. Also, the pending fee reimbursement dues (`23 crore) had pushed the administration into a tight corner.

The college spends nearly `2.2 crore per month just on staff salaries. Being one of the oldest players in private sector, its salaries for staff is on par or more than what is being given in state varsities. Of late, differences have cropped between college faculty and the management regarding hike in salaries.

When contacted OU Registrar Prof. Ch. Gopal Reddy confirmed that they received a closure letter, but it was not in proper format. The letter should carry society resolutions and relevant documents to back their claim, he said. The varsity cannot decide in haste as it involves future of students, faculty and others, he said.

K. Rakesh Reddy, Director of Saipragathi Constructions Private Limited and an alumnus of this college, said he was shocked because Vasavi college was one of the premier engineering colleges.

“It is painful to learn that my alma mater would cease to exist,” said, Mr Rakesh, who studied B.Tech from 2002 to 2006 in this college.

Prof. G.V.K. Reddy, a senior professor from a private engineering college, said that this development was very fortunate. Vasavi was one of the first private colleges.

Some of its faculty members have been working there for well over two decades, he said.

M. Krishna Murthy, Secretary, Management Committee, said that he cannot speak on behalf of the committee, which is a collective body.

Although, Vasavi expressed its intent for closure, it will function till the present batches (first to final year) complete their four-year study.