KOCHI:
The Chancellor’s Award for the best University in the state for 2016-17 will be awarded to Cusat at grand function to be held on 16th of January at the Cusat Seminar Complex at 3.00 pm.
The Award for the best emerging University will be awarded to Kerala Vetinery and Animal Sciences University in the same function by Chancellor, said Dr. Letha, Vice Chancellor of Cusat at the press meet organized in this connection. Award carries a prize money of five crores and a citation.
Dr. Letha said it was only because of the concerted and effort of the university community that we could win this award. The criteria for the award included achievements in the field of research and teaching, expeditious publication of research outcome and a visit and evaluation by an expert committee.
The plan proposed for utilization of prize money includes constituting a chancellor’s chair, construction of a ladies hostel etc. The vision for next five years is to elevate the university to the stature of an International University by availing the “Institution of Eminence” of MHRD, Govt. of India. In the project report the University has included projects worth 1500 crores spread over next fifteen years. If University is selected, Cusat will be awarded 1000 crores rupees which can be spend towards developmental activities. University has initiated a patent monitoring committee to streamline the process of patent filing and also to sensitize the University community about the importance of patents. In reply to a query, Vice chancellor said that the process of filing is a laborious and time consuming process and hence Researchers prefer to publish thesis than filing patents.
Vice Chancellor said that in future, University will look forward to have more collaboration with Industry and as a first step University will hold a meeting of aluminizes at the University level other than from the present practice to hold the meeting at the department level. This is indented to make use of diverse experience of the Alumni, who are well placed Nationally and internationally.
Dr. Letha also said, the dearth of teachers was a major challenge for starting new courses. As on now around 90 new faculty members were inducted as a remedy to this and the process of filling up of the balance of the vacancies is in the full swing. As a result from the next Academic Year University is starting five new courses. University is making a novel approach in the state by starting interdisciplinary courses in basic science. This model has been adopted from IISER and various Central Universities.
Dr. P. G. Sankaran Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. David Peter Registrar, Dr. Sunil K. Narayanankutty, Controller of Examinations and Dr. K. Girish Kumar, Director IQAC also spoke at the Press meet which held at the media room of the seminar complex of the University.
