Kerala - Kochi   

Ernakulam out of race for world class university

KOCHI: Ernakulam district seems to have lost out in the race for setting up a ‘world class university’ proposed by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD).

Ernakulam and Thrissur were in the final leap for establishing the university.

It is learnt that the proposed university will now come up in Thrissur district.

Reliable sources in the Higher Education Department told The Hindu that three sites have been identified in Thrissur for the project.

They said that Ernakulam lost out as the district administration could not locate suitable sites for the project. Sources said that village and taluk officials failed to identify more than one site for setting up the university.

Illithodu near Malayattoor was one such site proposed for the project.

Koratti was one among three sites identified in Thrissur district.

The estimated land required for the project is about 700 acres.

Sources said the site in Thrissur would be finalised keeping in mind the directions given by the MHRD regarding the location of the university.

According to the Ministry, the site for the world class university should be near to the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery.

The locations have been decided keeping in mind the connectivity and the infrastructure, which such universities need.

A high-level meeting will soon be held in Thiruvananthapuram to finalise the proposal to set up the university in Thrissur.

Education Minister M.A. Baby, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran, and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom will attend the meeting.

The meet is likely to take a decision on the best site available in Thrissur for the project, sources said.

Kerala is among 14 States shortlisted by the MHRD to have a university with world class standards.

The Planning Commission has allocated Rs 2,800 crore for establishing world class universities in the country.

Modelled on the recommendations made by the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), these universities will train students in a variety of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, commerce and professional subjects, at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

They will admit students on an all-India basis.

At the undergraduate level, a nationwide test that objectively measures the verbal, quantitative and analytical abilities of the applicants will be administered by an independent testing body.

Admissions will be based on a combination of Class XII results, scores from the nation-wide test, application materials including written work and personal statements, as also interviews.

At the post-graduate level, admissions will be based on a combination of the applicant’s academic record, application materials, interviews and academic or professional references that indicate his/her aptitude for further studies in the relevant discipline.

Undergraduate degrees in these universities will have a duration of three years so that these are in conformity with similar courses elsewhere in India.

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