In a proud and inspiring ceremony held at VIT-AP University, 50 meritorious students from rural government Junior colleges across all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh were awarded free laptops under the university’s prestigious STARS (Support the Advancement of Rural Students) initiative.
This program, launched in 2017 by the visionary Chancellor of VIT, Dr. G. Viswanathan, aims to bridge the educational divide by providing full financial and academic support to top-performing students from government junior colleges. Each year, 26 boys and 26 girls—one from each district—are selected based on their outstanding academic performance.
Since its inception, the STARS program has supported over 300 students (146 male and 154 female), offering 100% tuition waiver &, hostel facilities, and basic healthcare entirely free of cost. In 2025, the intake has doubled from its initial cohort of 26 to 52 students, reflecting the growing impact and commitment of the program.
“At VIT-AP, we firmly believe that talent should never be limited by financial constraints,” said Dr. S. V. Kota Reddy, Vice Chancellor of VIT-AP. “STARS program the brain child of Dr.G. Viswanathan – Hon’ble Chancellor of VIT University reflects our mission to empower bright minds from rural areas and provide them the tools to succeed.
To date, 115 STARS students have graduated from the university between 2021 and 2025 and have gone on to successful careers, proving the transformative power of this initiative. Currently, 184 students are actively pursuing their degrees under the STARS program.
Speaking at the event, Registrar Dr. Jagadeesh Chandra Mudiganti - Registrar added, “The STARS initiative is not just about education—it’s about building a more inclusive and progressive society. By supporting these students, we are investing in the future of our nation.”
The event concluded with the official distribution of laptops by the Vice Chancellor and Registrar, who congratulated the students and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity.Dr.D.Venkata Laxmi – Coordinator of STARS Program, admission team, PR team members were also present on the occasion.