Hyderabad, February 23: The controversial Knowledge and Innovation Park (KIP) proposed by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) remains a non-starter as the university management is likely to initiate a dialogue with those opposing the project only after a new vicechancellor is appointed.
“We have put it on hold and the matter would be taken up only when the new vice-chancellor takes over next month.
My term is almost over and I do not intend to start any dialogue with the local community.
But I clarified that the project cannot be shelved altogether as demanded by them,” Prof Syed E Hasnain, chairman, AP Biotech Advisory Council and vice-chancellor, UoH told Express on the sidelines of BioAsia 2011.
Biotech and pharmaceutical companies are not coming forward to set up operations in the KIP due to the ongoing controversy between the protestors and the university management over allotment of land for private companies on a commercial basis. “There have been no formal requests from companies for land allotment and there have been no land allotments since March, 2010,” Hasnain said.
Last year, UoH had put the project on hold following protests from the staff and students.
–Agencies