The organisers of an international meet on environment on Monday showered praises on Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao. Stating that he was a towering personality, easily accessible and ever-smiling, AU College of Engineering Vice-Principal P.S. Avadhani said they were feeling proud that Mr. Rao, an alumnus of the university, had become a Minister holding higher education portfolio.

Greeting him with Telugu couplets, Prof. Avadhani said they had high hopes on Mr. Rao for promotion of higher education. The function was held at Y.V.S. Murthy Auditorium, which is named in memory of a former student. Dr. Y.V.S. Murthy Charitable Trust contributed Rs.2 crore to construct ultra modern auditorium with a seating capacity of 300.

AU Engineering College principal Ch.V. Ramachandra Murthy said they were proud of former students and mentioned how they were second in the country to start chemical engineering in 1933 and formed AU College of Engineering with four departments in 1955. He said they had got 27th ranking in the entire country.

Incidentally, Mr. Rao is not the lone alumnus to hold an important office in the legislature. Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vizag, and Anakapalle MPs K. Haribabu and M. Srinivasa Rao are products of Andhra University.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – June 30th, 2014