Development plan worth ₹30 cr proposed for Maharaja’s College

The Higher Education Department will submit a ₹30-crore development plan for the autonomous Ernakulam Maharaja’s College before the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) soon.

A high-level meeting attended by Higher Education Principal Secretary Usha Titus, Director of Collegiate Education M.S. Jaya, and college representatives discussed the first phase of the development project using KIIFB funds here on Thursday.

Officials of Kitco, the agency entrusted with the development of the academic master plan of the college, presented the projects to be undertaken during the first phase of expansion of the State’s only autonomous college in the government sector.

“A ground-level assessment of the projects was made at the meeting. It will now be presented before the board for its approval,” said K.N. Krishna Kumar, Principal, Maharaja’s College.

The first phase of development work with KIIFB assistance includes the construction of an auditorium, modernisation of library complex, rejuvenation of heritage buildings, infrastructure development (lab and construction of academic blocks), and digitisation of classrooms.

Dr. Krishna Kumar said ₹15 crore had been earmarked for the construction of auditorium and library modernisation. The restoration of heritage buildings on the campus will also come under the first component, he added.

The development plan has earmarked ₹10 crore for the construction of academic blocks and improving infrastructure in various departments. The expansion of science and arts departments will be carried out in the first phase. Lab facilities will get a major facelift as the government has already given its nod for stepping up such facilities.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac had earlier asked the college authorities to consider setting up a global-level lab facility at the college. He had also suggested the construction of a modern auditorium which could play host to a series of international and national-level academic workshops and seminars.

The plan has set apart ₹5 crore for the digitisation of classrooms. The campus will turn WiFi as part of the initiative. Smart learning tools will be set up in classrooms. Moreover, students will have the advantage of using advanced Internet facilities and modern technology to improve the quality of teaching-learning process.