Are Indian and foreign corporate entities treating State universities and public-run higher educational institutions unfairly in the two Telugu States? It seems so. These entities from various fields such as infrastructure, finance, banking, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, aviation, and project consulting have been operating in Hyderabad for many years. While some provide internship opportunities for students, none of them have established endowments or chairs for studies in any field.
This issue is supported by the Vice-Chancellors of State universities from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They have observed that Indian entities engaged in steel manufacturing and large infrastructure projects are more likely to establish chairs of studies and endowments in foreign universities, rather than supporting their own State universities.
A senior official from the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) also points out that these companies do contribute to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and projects. However, they tend to shy away from supporting impactful fields of study and research in State universities and colleges. They mainly support institutions like IITs, NITs, and national and Central universities.
For example, a multinational consulting firm and a real estate infrastructure development Indian company have been operating in the Telugu States for many years. They have executed government infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores. However, they show no interest in supporting the establishment of chairs of studies, research, or scholarships.
Academicians and university officials are disappointed with these discriminatory practices. They feel that these corporate entities follow different rules for local State-run institutions compared to institutions abroad that use foreign currencies.
