This is how OU lost the chance to house the state's latest e-hardware incubator

The success of T-Hub, the software, and services startup incubator, followed by the decision to launch another incubator for e-hardware start-ups may have put Telangana in limelight, but Osmania University failed to monetize it. 

Not only was the Central Facilities for Research and Development at the OU campus the first choice of the government for setting up of the incubator, it was also reported that lab would be launched at the varsity during the centenary celebrations. The varsity, however, expressed its inability to vacate the building in the given time frame. Following which last month, Jayesh Ranjan, the state information technology secretary announced that T Works will come up in a private building in Gachibowli.

They wanted a building where we currently have a lab. It's full of heavy equipment. Central Facilities For Research and Development is operational and scientific research is happening there. We can't vacate it all of a sudden

Dr Gopal Reddy, Registrar, Osmania University

Speaking to Edexlive, Dr Gopal Reddy, registrar of the varsity said that there was a proposal from the government. "They wanted a building where we currently have a lab. It's full of heavy equipment. Central Facilities For Research and Development is operational and scientific research is happening there. We can't vacate it all of a sudden. Besides time we also need a place to shift the lab. So we told them that it was not possible and gave them alternatives, which they didn't find suitable." 

With a budgetary allocation of Rs 5 crore, T-Works is expected to be launched by the year-end. Designed on the lines of a prototyping lab, iHub in Los Angeles, which will also share the know-how of setting up the lab, the proposed start of art incubator will provide sophisticated equipment to design hardware and semiconductors. The idea is to attract electronic firms through the available talent pool and entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

OU students, however, are not happy with the missed opportunity and blame the nonchalance of the administration. “This was an opportunity that would have put the varsity on the world map. But the delay and the indifferent attitude of the administration is to be blamed, ” said B Venkatesh, a PhD scholar. “From being known for protests to its reputation of having the worse hostels, this was OUÂ’s chance to be known for something big. But they blew it up too,” said Suresh Rao, another student.