KOCHI:
Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad(CUCEK), Pulincunnu captures attention with its commitment to community engagement.
The students are trying to solve Kuttanad’s ever-larger social problems such as waste disposal, mechanization in agriculture and small-scale automated signaling systems as their projects. Students projects presented at the University’s Sastrayan Science Exhibition like the model of a village that is self-sufficient in energy use, water safety
and waste management, projects like low cost biogas plant, small farm equipments like micro tiller , floating bridge, magnetic train, spindle bridge, agricultural robot were designed keeping with these objectives. The faculty and students of the college are also trying to accomplish such projects.
The students and teachers of CUCEK were actively involved in the renovation work of the Alappuzha Canal under the leadership of Mumbai IIT, KILA and Canalpy. Since 2017, CUCEK has been providing technical assistance to the Alappuzha canal renovation works. CUCEK provided temporary shelter for more than 1,500 people during the 2018 flood and organized a large medical camp for the affected. Students were able to apply their knowledge gained from the Soil Stabilization Projects in the post-flood reconstruction activities.
Under the leadership of the college’s Flood Volunteers, each of the area’s soil structures was examined and a suitable construction strategy for each area was fixed. Houses and buildings were built with a lightweight roof and a false ceiling. Officials including Alappuzha Sub-Collector Krishna Teja have appreciated the students’ efforts, including the ongoing work in Kainakari and Manaladi.
Students in CUCEK visited over 17,000 homes after the flood for collecting water samples and all these water samples are under examination. A research project for a decentralized project to purify wastewater and convert it into fresh water and fertilizer is also in progress. A Start-up and Innovation Cell has also been started by CUCEK to bring student’s technical ideas into action.
In collaboration with the National Center for Aquatic Animal Health of CUSAT, a decision has been taken to construct aquaculture lakes and complexes for research purposes. Civil engineering students designed the aquaculture lakes as part of their final year project for the 2017-2018 academic year.
The building complex of the International Sustainable Aquaculture System instituted by the National Facility for Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems has also been designed by the Civil engineering students. CUCEK has also begun researching a new material to build and strengthen the bunds of paddy fields and lakes.
The newly opened M.Tech and Diploma courses in the field of aquaculture are opening up huge career opportunities in the field. An automatic sensor which senses water lever in the paddy fields and gives notifications in mobile phones developed by the students and faculty is also a very helpful invention for the farmers.
The alumni including Isha Priya, Sub Collector of Kottayam, are working in the top positions of both public and private institutions inside and outside the countrys. Hundreds of students from all over the country come every year to this institute of academic excellence which is a launching pad to a high profile secure career.
More than 100 companies visit the Campus annually. Similarly, this committed rural center of the Cochin University, which directly and indirectly provides employment to hundreds of children, has become a significant factor in the development of Kuttanad, particularly Pulinkunnu.
