SRM University-AP

Non-profit SRM Institute of Science and Technology Trust set up its first university in Chennai. Three others followed across India – most recently SRM University-AP, in 2017. 

The “AP” stands for Andhra Pradesh, a state in South India. The university is near its capital city, Amaravati, surrounded by hills and verdant countryside; study halls look out over a wide expanse of countryside. 

Undergraduate degrees are offered across five schools: engineering and sciences; liberal arts; business; AI technology institute; and quantum technology institute. 

A directorate of entrepreneurship and education encourages innovation among students by helping them to turn ideas into viable enterprises. It provides seed funding and incubation facilities to nurture ideas, as well as mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry representatives. There are also networking opportunities, workshops and bootcamps to support students.

On-campus single-sex hostels provide facilities including a gym, post office, pharmacy, 24-hour health centre and indoor games.  Rooms range in size and occupancy: some are shared between two students, while others sleep as many as 10. Some – but not all – have airconditioning. 

SRMAP has a Hindu temple, Christian chapel and site for Muslim prayer on campus. It also offers 38 student clubs and societies, spread across categories that include technology, arts, entrepreneurship and community service. Arts clubs include dance, fashion, anime, bakery and photography. Technical and science-minded students can participate in hackathons, coding challenges and tech fests, as well as joining space club. Sports activities run the spectrum from fitness bootcamps to yoga sessions.

SRMAP also runs workshops led by industry experts and academics, which allow students to combine classroom knowledge with practical skills. Recent topics include “How to build a telescope” and “Biomolecular simulations and drug discovery”.