Cusat all set to take up the challenge
|
Vice-Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis spells out Cusat's plans to implement the proposal mooted by the MHRD.
|
The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has laid out an ambitious plan to implement the proposals mooted by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) for being upgraded into an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST). Cusat is among the five educational institutions in the country identified by an expert committee for being upgraded into an academic centre of national importance.
"It is a big moment for the university," Vice-Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis told The Hindu-Educationplus. "Cusat has come third in the ranking given by the expert committee appointed by the MHRD. We will soon prepare a master plan explaining in detail the steps to be taken as part of the upgradation process," he said. Dr. Azis said that Kerala would occupy a major space in the national and international educational scene once the proposal for becoming an IIEST gets implemented.
To become an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, the Government will have to give a letter of consent addressed to the MHRD agreeing to change the status of the university from a State entity to a national entity. After transformation as an IIEST, Cusat should phase out all four-year B.Tech. programmes in favour of five-year integrated dual degree B.Tech.-M.Tech. courses. The self-financing programmes will have to be discontinued after the existing batches graduate.
The expert committee has recommended that the Kuttanad campus of Cusat could become a separate college and affiliated to one of the State Universities. The Lakeside campus of the university might continue as part of the IIEST. The scientific departments should offer five-year integrated M. Sc programmes besides two-year M.Sc. courses. Considering the present level of output of Ph.D.s at about 36 per year with 151 faculty members having Ph.D.s, the committee feels that there is considerable scope for improving the Ph.D. pattern.
It has recommended that 100 institutional Ph.D. fellowships be made available on transformation as IIEST. The number has to touch 300 by the end of 11th Plan period. The admission to Cusat should be based on all-India examinations, such as JEE or GATE or other tests common to all IIESTs as determined by the authorities concerned. Elaborating on the budgetary proposals, Dr. Azis said that the total recurring expenditure allocation for Cusat is Rs.231.5 crore for five years. The non-recurring grant is estimated at Rs.119.56 crore.
A total non-recurring budget of Rs.62 crore has been earmarked for the development and modernisation of the departments and administration. An amount of Rs.20 crore has been set aside for establishment of two centres of excellence within Cusat campus. The committee has also suggested that marine pharmacology or wireless and mobile computing could be considered for the development of a centre of excellence on the basis of a detailed proposal approved by experts in the field.
Elaborating on the plan of action to be implemented, Dr. Azis said that Cusat would evolve conventional and innovative faculty development programmes. These programmes would be effectively networked. In the beginning, the programme would have a focus on the existing faculties. An effective documentation system to assist all those who perform academic functions will be developed.
G.K.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
Kerala
