Er. Koneru Satyanarayana has been a philanthropist and educational entrepreneur since 1980, with over four decades of experience in educational institutional management and leadership. Shri Satyanarayana has received various national and international awards including the recent Lifetime Achievement Award for the philanthropic services rendered through the educational institution. He received this award from the former Vice-President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu at a function organized by the Lok Nayak Foundation in 2023. Not only building the academic legacy of KL Deemed to be University over the years, but also making it one of the prominent universities in the nation. With around 50,000+ alumni, 1200+ extremely talented and experienced faculty members, world-class infrastructure spreading across campuses in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, the University today stands as a confluence of knowledge and talent in the arena of higher education. Shri. Koneru Satyanarayana has made significant contributions to the Indian education system over the years, and he has been instrumental in changing the technical education landscape.

KL Deemed to be University

What was your core emphasis and mission while building KL Deemed to be University, and how have they evolved over the past 40 years?

KL Deemed to be University’s journey has been quite remarkable since its inception as KL College of Engineering in 1980. Over the past four decades, it has not only grown but also refined its mission to adapt to the changing educational landscape. Achieving autonomy in 2006 and Deemed University status from the UGC and MHRD in 2009 marked pivotal moments. Moreover, earning an NAAC A++ Grade in 2018 and being recognized as a Category I Institution by UGC in 2019 are significant accomplishments. The university has evolved to establish itself as a premier educational institution in India. Nestled within a vast 100-acre campus in Vijayawada, along with off-campus locations in Hyderabad, the university has garnered international recognition, including our membership in the Global Design Thinking

Alliance (GDTA), where we proudly stand as the second institution in India to achieve this distinction. The core emphasis of our mission revolves around several key pillars. At the core, KL Deemed to be University is deeply committed to providing a top-tier education. But it goes beyond that; it’s about promoting innovation and maintaining complete dedication to academic excellence. Our faculty, who bring a wealth of international experience and collaborations with esteemed global universities, ensure that our students benefit from a truly global perspective in their education. Our status as home to Top Ranked Researchers in the World's 2% research category underlines the quality of our teaching staff and our dedication towards research and education.

What is that one value that you always believed and inculcated throughout the organization’s team and culture?

I always emphasize a core value that I hold respect for and continually strive to embed within our organization’s team and culture. To me, it’s the linchpin of a thriving university. Excellence represents the pursuit of the highest standards in everything we undertake, whether as individuals or as a collective force. It’s about setting ambitious goals and putting in the relentless effort needed to achieve them. For a university, excellence is the fundamental key to success, be it in teaching, research, sports, or service. When we infuse every facet of our work with a commitment to excellence, we are, in essence, providing our students with the finest education, equipping them for triumph in their chosen career paths. Our dedication is to cultivate a culture of excellence, ensuring our valued faculty and staff has the necessary resources and support for their success. Our goal is to create a collaborative atmosphere where innovative ideas flow freely, inspiring our students to aim high, set audacious goals, and challenge themselves to break through their boundaries, ultimately realizing their fullest potential. In essence, excellence isn’t just a value; it’s the very essence of our university’s existence, propelling us to ever greater heights.

What measures would you take to ensure that KL Deemed to be University will consistently enhance its higher education offerings and push the bars of quality education for the nation?

It’s evident that modern technology has profoundly reshaped the landscape of education, wielding a pivotal influence on student performance. Beyond merely facilitating interactivity and class engagement, it has sparked a revolution in how the students grasp concepts, participate in practical learning, and manage their time, ultimately heightening their overall productivity. At our institution, we’ve harnessed this technological wave to furnish digitally empowered classrooms, ensuring that education is accessible to all students, regardless of when and where they choose to embark on their learning journey. This accessibility spans across a diverse array of subjects. Through the strategic infusion of technology, we’ve not only widened the horizons of educational accessibility but also strive to ensure a consistent level of engagement among all our students. Instead of traditional tutoring, our students now have the privilege of delving into a treasure trove of online educational resources, promoting an inclusive and immersive learning experience. Our university takes great pride in its state-of-the-art smart classrooms, Centers of Excellence, and cutting-edge laboratories, all of which play a pivotal role in strengthening our students’ capacity for learning and innovation. With technology as an invaluable ally, our students can shape a personalized learning environment that aligns with their individual paces and preferences, creating a truly customized educational journey. This also shows how technology has not just transformed education but has also granted students the autonomy to chart their own course of learning.

Check KL Deemed to be University Courses & Fees

As there are students from all around the world who are studying at KL Deemed to be University, What are your plans to set the institution on par with the level of top international universities and make KL Deemed to be University home for world-class academic offerings?

I’d like to highlight that KL Deemed to be University has a special category for international students, including foreign nationals, PIO card holders, OCI (Dual citizens), NRI students, and NRI-sponsored students. These students have the opportunity to apply under the international student category, where 15% of the university’s seats are reserved. Our university places a strong emphasis on internationalization, forging strategic alliances and connections with foreign universities to ensure that our education standards are globally competitive. We offer a wide range of programs, including Twinning Programs, Semester Programs, Internship Programs, and International study tours as integral components of our curriculum. Twinning Programs, in particular, involve a unique educational experience, where students study partly at KL Deemed to be University and the rest at one of our partner universities abroad. This arrangement allows for seamless credit transfer and the opportunity to receive degrees from both institutions, ensuring that our graduates are recognized and well-prepared for placements and further studies in both countries. 

As a visionary educationalist, how do you see the changes that have happened in the educational landscape in India over the past decade and how do you think the future is going to be?

I’m truly inspired by the transformations that have shaped India’s educational landscape over the past decade. The rapid stride towards digitalization has ushered in a new era of accessibility and flexibility in education, effectively erasing geographical boundaries and opening the doors to diverse learning opportunities. The surge in EdTech start-ups has played a pivotal role in democratizing access to high-quality education, and delivering personalized learning experiences that cater to the unique needs of each student. The National Education Policy 2020 is a significant milestone that paves the way for a more holistic and globally oriented approach to education. It’s a blueprint that places a strong emphasis on skill development and innovation, positioning India on the global map as a hub for cutting-edge education and technology. As we look to the future, the prospects for education in India are undeniably exciting. We can anticipate the continued expansion of online, blended, and flexible learning options, offering students the freedom to tailor their education to their specific requirements. Skill development and entrepreneurship will undoubtedly take center stage, equipping students with practical, job-ready skills, and enabling them to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. Moreover, the concerted push for research and innovation, coupled with increased international collaborations, will solidify India’s standing as a hub for cutting-edge education and technology. This emphasis on sustainability and social impact will cultivate a new generation of responsible citizens who are committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable world. As an educationalist, I view these changes as a golden opportunity to shape a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic educational system that not only equips students for the future but also empowers them to lead and thrive in a world that’s constantly evolving.

Can you describe your future plans for expanding the wings of the organization to provide quality education in other parts of the nation?

Our strategic vision for the expansion of our educational organization is deeply rooted in our commitment to delivering quality education that is not only adaptable and technologically advanced but also attuned to the changing needs of students and the demands of the industry. We are determined to address some of the most significant challenges facing the Indian education system today. As an institution dedicated to nation-building, it is our core mission to broaden the scope of quality education throughout the country and to nurture future leaders. Beginning our journey in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, we have made considerable strides in growth. We have expanded our reach by establishing state-of-the-art campuses in Telangana, including the Global Business School in Hyderabad, launched last year. This institution stands at the cutting edge of modern management education, offering innovative programs such as BBA-IT, BBA-ACCA, and B.Sc. in Animation and Gaming at the undergraduate level, as well as MBA with Multi-Specializations at the postgraduate level. This year, we have inaugurated the KLH Bachupally Campus in Hyderabad, which is dedicated to delivering top-tier technical education to our students. Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to broaden our presence across various states in India, focusing particularly on enhancing our research capabilities and providing high-quality higher education. Complementing our physical growth, we are also expanding our online educational portfolio, adding a broad array of online courses. These enable students to access KL Online, where they can complement their traditional courses with flexible online learning options, thereby seamlessly continuing their education.

What is your vision for the future as President of the organization and what are your focus points going to be?

My vision for the future is centered on the creation of a world-class institution, which is highly committed to innovation in teaching, learning, research, and service. In my view, innovation is the lifeblood that fuels the success of universities in the 21st century, and I’m resolute in my determination to champion the development of new academic programs and research initiatives that push boundaries and spark transformative change. At the core, I envision our university as a vibrant hub where students not only learn but thrive, where faculty members have the freedom to pursue their passions and make meaningful contributions, and where staff members can actively make a difference in the educational landscape. We are firmly on the path of progress, marked by a series of promising collaborations with prestigious institutions and organizations, both nationally and internationally.