In the wake of the Government of India granting autonomous status to Andhra University, it will have foreign faculty and research scholars from the next academic year, said AU vice-chancellor G Nageswara Rao.

At a review meeting held on the NIRF ranking to Andhra University, here on Monday, the VC said that the Government of India categorised the university as a Category-I university and also shortlisted it for 'institution of eminence' and also for RUSA funds. Under the 'institution of eminence' category, the university is likely to get Rs 1,000 crore and under RUSA it is likely to get Rs 100 crore.

The vice-chancellor attributed all these achievements to the fact that the AU was given more than 3.5 grade by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC).

Rao said that a patent cell would be established in the university and urged the faculty to go for patents for their research findings.

Later in the meet, the VC congratulated D Lalitha Bhaskari, coordinator, IQAC for getting 22 ranks for the University under NIRF.