The higher education sector in the State is set to get a major boost with the clearance of several ambitious projects by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Concerned over the fall in quality of higher education, the government has embarked on a mission to improve physical infrastructure in universities and higher educational institutions.
The proposal to develop the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) as an international centre for excellence in academics and research has got high priority among the proposed projects. Steps are afoot to enhance facilities at the university to make it a hub for world-class research and a preferred destination for international academic community.
According to official sources, two sub-projects for the purpose have been approved by the KIIFB at a total outlay of ₹241.72 crore. While the civil and electrical work of the project will be undertaken by the special purpose vehicle, Roads and Bridges Corporation Kerala, at ₹99.48 crore, the university will be entrusted with procuring sophisticated equipment at ₹142.24 crore.
As part of the project, new laboratory facilities will be established for research and development. Multilevel buildings to accommodate a centralised laboratory and academic facilities have also been proposed on the main campus and on the lakeside campus.
Equipment will also be purchased for atmospheric sciences, biotechnology, materials and chemistry, chemical oceanography, marine geology, and polymeric science and rubber technology laboratories of the university.
Colleges
Augmentation of infrastructure in selected government arts and science colleges, government engineering colleges, and government polytechnics has also been envisaged under the KIIFB-funded project at a total outlay of ₹320.30 crore.
The beneficiaries of the funding will include Kunnamangalam Government Arts and Science College, Chathamangalam (₹9.045 crore); Government College Thalassery, Chokli (₹9.043 crore); Sri C. Achutha Menon Government College, Thrissur (₹10.49 crore); Government Engineering College, Thrissur (₹7.57 crore); and Government Engineering College, Kannur (₹9.60 crore).
The allocations aimed at addressing various inadequacies, including the lack of dedicated blocks for various engineering streams, hostels, academic blocks, canteen-cum-amenity facilities, laboratories and libraries.