R&D Cell director removed at JNTU Hyderabad

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, has removed its R&D Cell director following controversy over a PhD guideship fee. The move comes after a Telangana Today report and criticism from academics. The university has also revoked the disputed notification

Hyderabad: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) – Hyderabad on Friday removed Dr A Chennakesava Reddy from the position of Research and Development (R&D) Cell director and sent him back to his parent department.

This decision follows the Telangana Today story, highlighting the R&D Cell notification that imposed a Rs 5,000 PhD guideship fee for private faculty for research scholars’ allotment and subsequent criticism from academics, published in these columns on February 11.

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Following the story, the university revoked the notification that was issued on January 29 and disabled the online registration link. Further, the varsity administration postponed the process of recognition and renewal of PhD supervisors until further orders.

As per a Friday order issued by JNTU-Hyderabad Registrar Dr K Venkateswara Rao, Dr A Chennakesava Reddy, R&D director and senior professor of Mechanical Engineering, is relieved and transferred to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JNTU-Hyderabad University College of Engineering Science and Technology.

The university appointed Dr T Satya Savitri, professor of ECE, JNTU-Hyderabad University College of Engineering Science and Technology, Hyderabad, as the new R&D Director until further orders.