Dr. P. Prakash, an alumni of Osmania University, Hyderabad, did research work on "Post Harvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables" for his Ph. D. Dissertation. Did post - doctoral research work on "Biological control on Soil Borne Microbes / Pathogens" at Humboldt University. Berlin {Germany}. Recipient of National Scholarship of CSIR having qualified NET and recipient of Young Scientist award of Indian Botanical Society. Published many scientific papers in Peer reviewed Journals and chaired many national /International Symposia/Conferences/Workshops apart from participation in Radio and TV Programmes. Done Post – Graduate teaching at Osmania University, Hyderabad, before joining UGC. Contributed immensely for Tertiary Education, Planning, Policies and Coordination particularly in the context of maintenance of quality education in Higher Education apart from specific reference to budget allocation, budget projection and budget expenditure for various schemes. As Member Secretary of Curricula Committees, formulated curricula for Undergraduate / Postgraduate subjects. Being Member of various Board of Management of Educational Multi Media Centres and few Governing Board of NIITs/Deemed Universities, facilitated in decision making process for Higher Education Policies.

With innate and ardent academic stint facilitated in capacity building of myriad facets of higher education. The coordinated endeavours facilitated in designing the state-of-art Architecture in launching network of academic institutions in the country and some innovative programmes viz. e-journals scheme, Multimedia, e-content and e-learning etc. Facilitated in provision of academic and logistic support to Commonwealth of Learning (COL) workshops, Audio-Visual and Multimedia Technologies, e-content development for e-learning. The coordinated endeavors accomplished in designing the State of Art Architecture in university Network of Indian universities (UGC-INFONET) and e-journals consortium of academic rich journals for research and development apart from launching SITs for EDUSAT programmes.

Served as Registrar, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad (A.P.). and shouldered the responsibilities: to frame the policies and projects of the University and implement the same, custodian of all official records, authority to issue notices to convene the meetings of the Court, the Executive Council, the Academic Council, Board of Studies and other committees; to prepare the minutes of above Committees and arrange to execute the orders, authorized to do all official correspondence to apex organizations like University Grants Commission, Ministry of Human Recourses development, NCTE, DST, etc and to perform such other duties as may be specified in the Statutes, the Ordinances or the Regulations or as may be required, from time to time, by the Executive Council or the Court. Since Registrar is the official custodian of the University he needs to appraise the developments to the Vice -Chancellor, Chancellor and the Visitor (The President of India). Played a pivotal role as Registrar of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad and facilitated in hosting the Commonwealth Vice Chancellors Conference alongwith University of Hyderabad during the year 2008.

I have lived in Germany for two years for post doctoral research work. Led UGC delegation in PIHEAD Programme to Syria and Dubai a delegation of UGC and CEC sponsored by Commonwealth of learning (Canada) to Malaysia and Singapore Institutes/Universities for Academic Interaction in e-content, learning object repositories and e-learning concepts. As Registrar, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad visited Hongkong for augmenting the Media Centre with various Audio Video Gadgetry. Possess wide experience with social systems prevailing in several parts of developed and developing world that enabled me to work in several cross cultural ambience.

My interests have been in the field of Art, Music and Literature. I am also a vivid reader of books and articles. I enjoy gardening. As an amateur, won few awards in quiz competitions and sports like Cricket, Table Tennis and Chess.


Dear Learners

At the outset let me greet you all and extend my best wishes. As you all know, I assumed charge as Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University on July 25, 2011.

I would like to thank His Excellency the Governor and the Chancellor, the Hon'ble Chief Minister; the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister & Minister for Higher Education who have given me this opportunity to serve this university, which is the first Open University in the the Country and founded by Late Prof. G. Ram Reddy, a distinguished social scientist, academician and institutional builder. It is also befitting that the Govt.of A.P. in the year 1991 has renamed the University after Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, the great social reformer and champion of the downtrodden.

I am happy to note that the University would be completing 29 years of its dedicated service and will be entering into 30th year this month. The Academic and Administrative progress made by the university during these years is a matter of great pride and satisfaction to all of us and specially, to our distance learners who are spread in every nook and corner of this State. I am equally happy to note that the University functions through a network of 219 study centres and RCCs in the State and that it has opened exclusive study centres for prisoners who persue their studies at Central Prison - Cherlapally, Warangal, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam and Kadapa.

In the academic year 2011-12, the admissions for various U.G., P.G., Diploma and Certificate Programmes are in progress. In its academic endeavours, the varsity has made many strides and in this year Three New programmes are being introduced. 1. PG Diploma in Culture and Heritage Tourism, 2. Certificate Programme in Literacy and Community Development and 3. Certificate Progamme in NGO's Management. It also envisages many new academic programmes at the anvil of 12th Plan period.

The present issue of 'Opvarsity News' (April - June, 2011) will cover events that took place during the last quarter and also information about admissions, contact classes examinations and other essential information.

I take this opportunity to solicit the cooperation of the Executive Council, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff in particular and learners in general to make this University a Centre of Excellence by imparting quality education.

With best wishes to all learners in their academic endeavours.