The government has given in-principle approval to start five new schools of learning in traditional and emerging areas at Mahatma Gandhi University by 2019.
It include School of Economics, School of Hindi, School of Nanoscience and Technology, School of Energy Materials, and School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The government’s no-objection certificate is expected by the start of the academic year 2019-20, people close to the development told The Hindu.
The five new schools were part of the 10 proposed by the varsity earlier. Besides the five that have received the government nod, the other new centres recommended included School of Geology, School of Commerce, School of Mathematical Science, School of Theatre and Writing, and School of Psychology.
The members of the varsity Syndicate, who had met K.T. Jaleel, Minister for Higher Education at a recent meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram, had pointed out the need for increasing the number of departments in the varsity.
Positive stance
Despite carrying out several new initiatives in recent times, the varsity’s scale-up was hit by the lack of adequate departments.
The government is learnt to have taken a positive stance on the demand. While the sanction for the five new schools will be given next year, the chances of other five getting approval subsequently are higher, it is learnt.
The varsity, which was established in 1983, has only 18 schools of learning. A document highlighting the academic and infrastructure gains earned by the varsity showed that the number of departments was low compared to other varsities. This had affected research and academic initiatives. The rolling out of new schools is expected to boost the image of the varsity at national and international levels.
The proposed schools have been designed in tune with the popularity among aspirants.
The varsity wanted to tap on the growing opportunities, both job and researchwise, being offered by niche areas like Nanoscience and Technology, Energy Materials and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. It had taken into account studies and assessments that indicated the increasing demand for trained professionals, especially in areas like Nano science, Energy Materials, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
The authorities had taken care to include courses that have considerable potential for research and learning. The idea of having schools in Economics, Hindi, Geology, Commerce and Mathematical Science had been there for long.