JNTUA organises Mega Academic Leadership Meet

The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA) held its Mega Academic Leadership Meet on Saturday at the Aryabhata Auditorium on campus. The gathering aimed to develop a plan to support students and faculty in innovation, entrepreneurship, technological progress, and skill development. JNTUA Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Sudarsana Rao addressed the attendees, urging educational institutions to provide opportunities that promote problem-solving abilities, innovation, entrepreneurship, technical expertise, and leadership among students.

He highlighted the importance of recognizing real-world challenges and offered students mentorship, institutional backing, and connections to industry professionals. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Education Minister Nara Lokesh for their vision and backing that made the event and the JNTUA conference possible.

JNTUA Registrar Professor B. Durga Prasad called on all affiliated institutions to collaborate and invite talented students and innovative teams to participate in the conference. He advised principals to identify these students and teams, support their involvement in the conference, and give them guidance before, during, and after the event.

Prasad emphasized that this conclave should be seen not just as a two-day program, but as a step towards building a long-term system that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and industry connections. The event featured a 36-hour hackathon with a prize fund of ₹9 lakhs, discussions with entrepreneurs, capital partners, and policymakers, a startup exposition for chosen startups, a school innovation expo for students in grades 6-10, and a 'Pitch Floor' where startups would present their ideas and receive guidance on creating a roadmap.