Cusat Budget Proposes High Quality Research

KOCHI:
Cusat will strengthen and ensure high quality research in order to attain a remarkable position within first 100 ranking of World class institutions.
Dr. N. Chandramohanakumar, Convenor, Standing Committee of the Syndicate on Finance and Purchase presented the university budget 2018-19. Vice Chancellor Dr. J. Letha presided over the Budget session of the Syndicate.
Out of the KIIFB funding of Rupees 242 crores an amount of 142 crores will be earmarked for purchase of sophisticated lab equipments and 100 crores for the infrastructure development. Nodal Officers will be nominated from each department and two experts from other departments will form a research group to monitor the requirement and purchase of lab equipment listed in the website and a proposal with details of use of the equipments will be made before 12 th April. Those proposals of equipment purchase not ensuring a continuous utility of minimum five years will not be considered, disclosed the Vice Chancellor.
The budget aims to establish five inter disciplinary centers in areas such as Science, Engineering Science and Technology, Scientific Computing, Marine Science, and Humanities and Social Science. The present teacher-student ratio of 1:16 (UG) and 1:8 (PG) is proposed to be brought down to 1:10 and 1:6 respectively. For this purpose, experts from Industry and retired teachers will be appointed as Adjunct Professors. Engagement of teaching assistants from among the students within the respective department will also be considered. Tenure track teachers will be appointed in lieu of contract teachers. The extension to these teachers will be strictly based on their academics including research projects.
A high level committee headed by Vice Chancellor, namely Planning and evaluation committee with representatives from reputed Alumni, Key recruiters, Senior academicians and Researchers will be setup. Meritorious students including foreign students will be awarded scholarships. A special social media portal for alumni for increased interaction with Cusat community will be set up.