Founding of RGUKT

Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) is a technical university established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through Act No.18 in 2008 at three locations: Nuzvid (Krishna District), RK Valley (Kadapa District) , and Basara (Adilabad District). However, following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014, the campuses were divided between the two states—Nuzvid and RK Valley remained with Andhra Pradesh. To extend quality education to more students, the Andhra Pradesh government established two additional campuses in Ongole and Srikakulam in 2016.

RGUKT offers a six-year integrated program (two years of pre-university course and four years of engineering) in a fully residential mode, making it the first of its kind in the country. The first two years of the six-year integrated program at RGUKT provide a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and life sciences, blended with courses in humanities, computer science, and social sciences—essential for pursuing a modern four-year engineering degree. About 90% of RGUKT students are gifted children from Andhra Pradesh who may otherwise be deprived of opportunities for high-quality technological education. Admissions are based on the merit of students' Class 10 performance, with additional weightage given to the students from government schools of Andhra Pradesh. The campuses are fully residential, fostering the all-round development of students in a healthy and supportive environment. The academic program is rigorous and modern, with an engineering curriculum comparable to that of the prestigious technical institutions like the IITs. All students are provided with a laptop upon joining, ensuring digital literacy from the outset.

RGUKT is now recognized under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 and is accredited by NAAC. The university is committed in producing engineers with excellent domain knowledge, strong work ethics, and core values. It follows a unique ICT-based pedagogy emphasizing self-learning through video lectures by distinguished professors from India and abroad, and interactive live sessions conducted by faculty recruited from top institutions like IITs, IISc, and other premier institutes. The curriculum focuses on conceptual learning, problem-solving, extensive laboratory practice, and high computational skills, ensuring that education is learning-centric and participatory rather than examination-focused. The impact of these innovative practices is evident in the numerous national and international awards won by RGUKT students.

Currently, RGUKT operates four fully residential campuses, with approximately 26,000 students enrolled in the six-year integrated PUC cum Engineering (B.Tech) program, offering seven engineering branches—making it the largest university in Andhra Pradesh. RGUKT also offers M.Tech programs in six specializations at RK Valley and Nuzvid. In 2024, RGUKT introduced a doctoral program in various engineering disciplines.

RGUKT Educational Objectives

To provide high-quality professional and technical education to the rural youth of Andhra Pradesh.

To impart broad skills in each student for Learning to Learn, Learning to think, and Learning to Live

To reinforce core values of integrity, respect for all, and environmental responsibility.

To disseminate and advance knowledge in emerging fields such as Information Technology, Nanotechnology, and others.

To make special provisions for integrated courses in Humanities, Social Sciences, and other interdisciplinary areas to provide broad-based education, including soft skills.

To function as a resource center for knowledge management and entrepreneurship development in emerging technologies.

To establish strong industry linkages and make teaching and research at the university relevant to national and global economic needs.

To leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for scaling learning environments by one to two orders of magnitude.

To incorporate advances in learning sciences and exploring the uses of modern cognitive science tools in education and learning.

To facilitate "Learning by Example," "Learning by Doing," "Problem-Based Learning," and "Self-Paced Learning" by providing every student an individual access to personal computers, laboratories, national and international journals, digital libraries, seminars, workshops and conferences.

Management of the University

The university is honoured to have the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Kotha Madhu Murthy, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), who serves as the Chancellor, guiding the institution with his profound wisdom and unwavering commitment to excellence. The university is led by Prof. M. Vijaya Kumar, a distinguished academician and accomplished administrator, serving as the Vice-Chancellor (FAC).

The Registrar of the university, Dr. Amarendra Kumar Sandra, oversees academic administration, regulatory compliance, and institutional governance.

The university has appointed committed academicians as the heads of its four campuses.

• Prof. Amarendra Kumar Sandra – Director, RGUKT Nuzvid
• Prof. A. V. S. S. Kumara Swami Gupta, Director, RGUKT RK Valley campus
• Prof. Bhaskar Patel, Director, RGUKT Ongole campus
• Prof. K. V. G. D. Balaji, Director, RGUKT Srikakulam campus