Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

University seeks Rs.52 crore as 11th Plan grant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The University of Kerala has asked for a 11th Plan allocation of Rs.52.26 crore from the University Grants Commission (UGC). This request was placed before the 11-member UGC team that began a three-day evaluation tour of the university here on Wednesday.

While Rs.42.31 crore has been sought as development grant, Rs.9.94 crore is for various schemes. Included in the second category are requests for grants under the ‘rejuvenation of old universities’ scheme (Rs.3.3 crore) and for the construction of a women’s hostel (Rs.2 crore).

In a presentation made to the UGC team, the varsity outlined its thrust areas for the 11th Plan. This was billed as the university’s response to the UGC’s own thrust areas of access, equity, relevance, quality and excellence.

The varsity proposes to enhance intake in existing programmes as part of improving access to higher education. The distance education programme would also be strengthened . On the equity front, the university proposes to set up a Competency Training Centre, a ‘Sthree Jyothi’ project to enable women in information and communication technology and institute remedial coaching facilities for backward sections of society. A women’s hostel too would be built.

As part of its 11th Plan initiatives to provide relevant education, the varsity would set up a finishing school, strengthen university-industry interaction, redesign existing programmes and commence new programmes.

To ensure quality and excellence in higher education, the university would set up a Curriculum Development Centre, introduce e-governance in its administration and develop e-content.

While the University was allocated Rs.4 crore during the 10th Plan period, it received only about Rs.3.6 crore.

Following the presentation and an interaction with top officials of the university, the team split up and visited various teaching departments on the Palayam campus. A couple of members also visited the University Library. On Thursday, the team will visit the departments in the Kariavattom campus. On Friday, the team, headed by UGC member Ramamoorthy Naidu, will conclude its visit by finalising its 11th Plan recommendations for the University.

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