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The Printing Industry plays an important role in the dissemination of knowledge
and information. It is also an excellent tool of spreading literacy and
knowledge. To keep up the standards of printing high, the University had to
have its own printing unit. Installation of a press in Andhra University is the
brainchild of late Dr. V.S. Krishna, the then Vice-Chancellor during 1949-61,
which has come to reality in 1962 during the period of Dr. A.L. Narayana,
Vice-Chancellor. Founder Director Sri B. Muthuswami, Reader from English
Department was appointed as Special Officer and became the Director of the
Press. The Press was designed by Sri B. Muthuswami, keeping in view, the
University teachers who produce valuable books through their research works,
printing of journals, maintaining confidentiality in statutory meetings, agendas
and minutes apart from meeting the needs of examination stationery. Latest
automatic and fastest machines like Victoria Front from Germany (two machines),
PD-5 from USSR of Double Demy size, Jobber (Double Crown), Russian Platen and
two Grafo Machines were procured. For quality binding, Perfecta Cutting Machine
(fully automatic), two Folding Machines, Double headed and Single headed Pinning
Machines, Three-sides Trimmer, and other binding equipment like Ruling Machine,
Cover making Die cutting Machine, etc., were also installed. To support the
traditional Composing Unit, Linotype, a fastest Mechanical Composing Machine was
added in 1970. A small Offset Machine and Block-making Unit were also added
subsequently. This unit, started with an initial strength of 20 employees had
emerged as one of the best presses in Andhra Pradesh in quality; with a
workforce of 140. In the year 1990, under the directorship of Prof. D.V. Krishna
Rao, modernization of press was contemplated and funds were granted for the
equipment by Prof. K.V. Ramana, the then Vice-Chancellor. HMT Invicta, of double
demy size and Swift 150 (10" x 15") Offset Machines, DTP Unit with 5 terminals,
and one Xerox Machine were installed and inaugurated on 11-8-1990. After two
years, another Offset Machine, PO-25 was added to cater to the printing needs. In
the year 2000, Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao, the then Director felt the necessity of a
Copier Machine for printing job works of urgent nature such as small Leaflets,
Brochures, Invitations, Sports & Merit Certificates, etc., and procured the
machine.
The Press had a succession of able Directors after Sri B.
Muthuswami. Dr. C. Borreswara Rao from Geology Department, Prof. V. Subba Rao
from Marine Engineering, Prof. Y. Ranga Rao from Commerce, Prof. K. Subba Rao
and Prof. D.V. Krishna Rao from Physics, Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad from
Geophysics, Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao from Chemistry and the present Director Prof.
D. Nageswara Rao from Mechanical Engineering Department have succeeded in
upholding the ideals of the Founder Director and put the Press into smooth
sailing and also into transformation from traditional to modern technology.
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