Space crunch hits JNAFAU plans of launching new programs

Severe space constraints at JNAFAU have stalled plans to introduce new programmes such as cinematography and filmmaking. Lack of land, infrastructure limitations and withdrawal of additional campus space have forced the university to put expansion plans on hold.

Hyderabad: Space constraints have come to scuttle the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University’s (JNAFAU) ambitious plans of introducing new programmes in the emerging areas.

Following demand from students, the JNAFAU, which is one of its kind universities in the country, made plans to offer programmes in cinematography and filmmaking, and several other areas. However, these proposals continue to remain on the paper as there is no scope for construction of the new academic blocks in the present campus.

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The last set of new courses – BTech Planning, BDesign Interior Design, BTech Digital Techniques for Design and Planning – were introduced when the university was established in 2008. These programmes, along with fine arts courses, are being offered by the university ever since it came into being.

Acknowledging the space issues, the JNAFAU officials said that infrastructure, including classroom rooms, labs and workshops, are already full and cannot accommodate even one new course.

A minimum of 100 acres of land is required to establish a university. However, the JNAFAU had been set up in just 13.87 acres. Adding to the space constraints, the university’s Nagarjuna block is occupied by the Telangana Council of Higher Education and Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee offices, which further reduced the available space.

In a move to expand the university campus, the State government had allocated 10 acres of land for the JNAFAU in Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) campus in 2024. However, the BRAOU students and staff staged a series of protests, demanding that the government revoke the land allotment order stating that their university requires expansion to cater to growing needs of students. The protests forced the government to retract the land allotment order to the JNAFAU on BRAOU campus.

“There is a lot of demand for cinematography and film making programmes from students. We have planned to launch but held them back due to lack of space for construction of new academic blocks in the present campus. We also tried to go vertical on the existing academic block. However, it is not feasible. We will again request the government to provide land for the university expansion,” said officials.