Mumbai, Aug. 27 -- The Centre has approved a proposal by the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) at Fursatganj in Amethi to expand its aerospace activities on an additional 500 acres and has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to make the land available, the university vice-chancellor said. He said the federal approval has been communicated to state authorities and a survey of the designated area is currently under way. The vice-chancellor added that the survey results will guide the preparation of detailed plans and enable subsequent phases of development.

He said a centre of excellence would be developed on the site once the state government provides the land, and that plans envisage laboratories, research facilities and other infrastructure to support advanced instruction and applied studies. Officials said the facilities will support both theoretical instruction and practical research projects.

The university outlined a development model intended to raise student strength to 17,000 by 2033, up from 595 currently enrolled at the autonomous central university. RGNAU is also pursuing affiliation with institutions across the country to broaden its academic reach and to offer courses and programmes in emerging areas of aeronautics, avionics and aerospace engineering. Administrators said the expansion will enhance faculty recruitment and provide infrastructure for doctoral and postdoctoral research. They said the initiative aims to attract research collaborations and industry partnerships.

Established in 2013 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the university remains the country's only dedicated institution for aviation and aerospace education and research. Officials indicated that once land transfer formalities are completed the next phase of detailed planning and funding allocation will proceed, with surveys informing site design and infrastructure sequencing. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has overseen the university since its inception and officials said it will continue to support the development.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.