UPES starts regional centre in KG basin

Hyderabad, Jan 23: With Krishna-Godavari basin turning into 'Energy hub' with new gas finds by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the Dehradun-based University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) will set up its Oil and Gas campus in Andhra Pradesh.

Taking into account that gas production by major players would start by mid 2008 with the Reliance alone planning to invest over six to seven billion US dollar over next two to three years, the UPES, approved by the University Grants Commission, decided to locate the campus between Rajahmundry and Kakinada to produce technical and managerial manpower to cater to the energy infrastructure in the region, according to University Vice-Chancellor Parag Diwan.

The University, accredited by the UK-based Energy Institute, has plans to start its campuses in the Eastern and Western regions of the country as also in West Asia and Africa, he informed.

Showcasing the University's programmes in Andhra Pradesh, he said 300 to 400 students would be admitted into B.Tech (Applied Petroleum), M.Tech (Gas Engineering), BSc (plant and operations), BSc (Plant Management), BBA (Petroleum marketing) courses.

The University was also planning to start a law course relating to the energy field, the Vice-Chancellor added.

Speaking on the occasion, Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Minister G Surya Rao said the state government would extend all help for the successful functioning of the UPES regional campus, which, he hoped, would cater to the overall development of the Konaseema region as well.

UNI