
The Department of Botany was initiated in Sree Venkateswara University (Accredited by NAAC A+) at the foot hills of Lord Sri Venkateswara in the year 1959 under the stewardship of Founder Prof. Iruvanti Madhusudhana Rao and started offering regular M.Sc. course. Further, the Department made it great leaps and strides under the leadership of Prof. V. S. Rama Das and had been recognized as a strong centre for Plant Physiology both National and International levels along with other distinguished faculty, Prof. A. Seshagiri Rao, Prof. M. V. Nayudu Prof. G. Rajeswara Rao. So far 2000 Post-graduate Degrees, 225 M.Phils and 155 Ph.Ds. Degrees were awarded by the Department. The Department also organized several Refresher Course, Summer School for University and College Teachers. The Department has undertaken several major research projects funded by International Scientific Agencies like UNEP, USDA, IAEA, IFS etc. and National Scientific Organizations like UGC, CSIR, DST, DAE, DNES, MoEF, DBT, TTD, APCOST and A.P. Biodiversity Board.
The Department was recognized as one of the
International Centers for Photosynthesis research under UNEP programme and
achieved indelible mark of Excellence through its pioneering research
contributions. So far about 1200 research papers have been published from the
Department in reputed National and International Scientific Journals. The members of the faculty have received
National and International Awards. Many research students have received Young
Scientists awards from INSA, ISCA, DST, UGC and A.P. Academy of Sciences. The
UGC is awarding Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Research Students;
DST Inspire Fellowship for First Rank Holder in Post graduate in Dr. Moulana
Azad National Fellowship. The Post-graduate Students are also receiving Indira
Gandhi National Fellowship for Single Girl Child. The Alumni of the Department have good track
of carriers and have occupied high positions in reputed academic,
administrative, research and scientific organizations both in India and Abroad.
Plant Physiology has been the
major thrust area of research of the Department. In recognition of its original
contributions made in the recent past, the department was selected for Special
Assistance under DRS Phase I, II & III (1985-2003) and COSIST (2001-2006)
Programmes by the University Grants Commission. The on-going Departmental
Programmes are the DST- FIST, Level-1 (2009-2014) and BSR (Basic Scientific
Research) and UGC-SAP funded by UGC (2012-2013). These programmes made the
Department to strengthen the infrastructural facilities for teaching and
research activities. The faculty members have organized / participated in
several International and National Seminars / Conferences / Workshops.
The Department has been
carrying collaborative research work with National and International Institutes
like IISc., UAS, Bangalore, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, and BIOTRIM, A.P. Forest
Department, Tirupati.
The Department also entered
into MoU with National and International
organizations like A.P. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Board, Hyderabad
(2007-2017); St. Laurent Institute, The
George Washington University, USA (2008-2018);
Yunnan Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China (2010-2020); University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2012-2022).
The Department is strong in the
area of Plant Physiology. Other fields
of current interest in research includes, Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Plant
Pathology, Phytomedicine and Biodiversity & Conservation, Biosystematics,
Plant Breeding, Reproductive Biology.
Since its
inception (1959), 53 Batches of M. Sc. Botany Students nearly 2000 Post
Graduates, 180 Ph. D and 200 M.Phil Degrees were awarded. 25 members of Alumni
students-as faculty in the Department of Botany, S. V. U, Tirupati.; 5 members
in the other Dept. of S.V.U, TPT; 40 members in other Universities in India and
Abroad. 50 students as Scientists in International Institutions, 50 Students as
Directors and Principal Scientists in National and International Laboratories;
50 Members in State and Central Admistrative Officers (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and
Group I, II of A.P State Services). Nearly 1000 members in Teaching Profession
of UG and PG Colleges and in Schools. Nearly 500 Members in Sericulture,
Banking, Public and Private Sector Officers. The UGC Awarded Rajiv Gandhi
National Fellowship for SC/ST Research Students.; The Post-graduate Students
are also receiving Indira Gandhi National Fellowship for Single Girl Child.
Nearly 7 Research Scholars were qualified for CSIR NET, APSET, GATE, (2009-13).
And also received nearly 10 fellowships for research by UGC-BSR, INSPIRE, RGNF,
MANF etc.