Research Activities

A sound scientific temperament and quest for continous innovation drives both faculty and students to keep pursuing research activities at the institute.This infuses an investigative spirit even among under-graduate students and motivates them to take up various challenging projects.To conduct and to promote research activities, the University has a Directorate of Research and Consultancy headed by a Director who is assisted by two Assistant Directors. While one Assistant Director looks after the Ph.D. programmes and the projects funded by the external funding agencies like DST, UGC, CSIR, AICTE, ISRO etc. the other deals with consultancy work, collaborative research work and MOUs with other Universities – both National and International.

A Research Board with the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman advises the directorate through periodic reviews of the research projects and the consultancy works.

Student R & D

• In-house projects..

When students come up with innovative ideas in product development,they are encouraged to prepare their proposals, if need be, by taking the help of faculty members, and submit it to their respective Head of the School. The Head forwards it to the University Research Board after discussing the feasibility of the project with other senior Professors of the school. If the proposal is found to be a sound one, then the university research board approves it for funding and sanctions the required fund from the university annual research budget. A senior teacher is attached to each in-house student project in order to guide them on aspects related to financial expenditure and project time schedules.During the years 2006-08, 21 such projects were completed. Currently,i.e.,in the year 2009, six projects are in progress.

• Projects with high social relevance

As part of research and extension work, the students are encouraged to take up R&D projects which help in the development of villages around the institution. Such projects are submitted to the A.P. State Council of Science and Technology (APCOST). During the years 2006-08, 19 such projects were completed in different areas of Engineering. Currently, in the year 2009, four APCOST projects are being pursued.

Research Activities of Faculty Members

The faculty has some identified thrust areas for research in-line with the list suggested by UGC and DST. There are strong research groups in each department with each group working on the problems identified in the thrust areas.The faculty members address their research proposals for funding by AICTE (under Research Promotion Scheme, Seminar Grant), DST, UGC or ISRO. At present,in the year 2009,four AICTE and one ISRO sponsored projects are on hand. One project on Hybrid Powered Vehicles has been submitted to DST and its sanction is awaited.

The University provides necessary facilities and incentives to students and faculty in pursuit of research and extension work.