Kerala Governor Inaugurates Country’s first Digital Varsity at Technocity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala made a major step forward in its progress towards a knowledge society with Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurating country’s first Digital University, based in Technocity at Mangalapuram near here on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presided over the function, where the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (KUDSIT), unveiled the University Plaque.

Both the Governor and the Chief Minister addressed the function through videoconferencing.

In his inaugural address, Khan said that the launch of the Digital University is part of the state’s resolve to embrace new technologies and desire to use them for bringing positive changes in the life of people and become a global hub for higher learning and technology.

Congratulating the State Government for recent initiatives in higher education including the launch of Sree Narayana Guru Open University, the Governor said “In any aspect of life, knowledge brings courage, understanding, acceptance, unity and also liberates us from the clutches of ignorance.”

Noting that changes in the fourth industrial revolution is gearing up to disrupt conventional modules of work and business, Khan said, “The society expects the Digital University to provide intellectual support to lap up the new world of opportunities arising through artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Data Analytics and other digital transformation courses.”

In his presidential address, the Chief Minister said the launch of the first Digital University in the country will open tremendous opportunities for youngsters.

“There should not be digital divide in the society. The government is involved in the efforts of attaining digital excellence in various fields. We need to foster technically-talented people in accordance with the changes in the new world,” Vijayan said.

“The Digital University aims at utilising the developments in digital technology for social progress. The benefits of digital technology should be made available for people in various walks of life,” the Chief Minister added.

Minister for Higher Education Dr K.T. Jaleel, in his special online address, said the launch of KUDSIT, happening close on the heels of the inauguration of Sree Narayana Guru Open University, is a proud moment for the state, adding, this will be marked as a milestone in the knowledge sector.

Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly V. Sasi also spoke. A recorded audio message from Adoor Prakash MP was played at the venue.

Madhavan Nambiar, Chairman, Board of Directors, IIITMK, presented the vision of the university while Dr Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, KUDSIT, delivered the welcome address.

Digital University is set up by upgrading two-decade old Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K), a center of excellence in information technologies established by Govt. of Kerala.

It is formed with a vision of creating a futuristic institution of higher learning, aspiring to set a global benchmark in Digital technologies and its management. Its focus is on Post Graduate programmes and research besides building strong industry-academic and academic-academic linkages with leading institutions in India and abroad.

The university is starting with five schools of knowledge–School of Computer Science and Engineering; School of Digital Sciences; School of Electronic Systems and Automation; School of Informatics; and School of Digital Humanities and Liberal Arts, covering science, technology and humanities aspects of the Digital world.

Each school will be offering master level programmes in computer science, informatics, applied electronics and humanities with various specialization of the industry 4.0 world. The adoption of technology in design, pedagogy, assessment etc. is also a key driving factor for the new University, which focuses on early learners and re-learners with a host of programmes in cutting edge areas of technology. Towards this, specialized centres in areas like Blockchain, AI&ML, Cyber Security, Bigdata analytics, Biocomputing and Geospatial analytics are to be set up in collaboration with leading international academic, research and industry bodies.

The University will also lead the Digital Transformation Initiatives announced by the Government of Kerala in the Budget 2021.

Sprawled across the 10-acre campus in Technocity, the first phase of the university has been completed with an academic and a hostel block. Once fully developed,it will provide education to 1,200 residential scholars from its campus in addition to numerous learners, who will be associated with the University through various technological means.

Others who attended the inaugural ceremony include Hariprasad, President, Block Panchayat; Suma V, President, Grama Panchayat; M. Jaleel, Member, District Panchayat; Shaheen. M. A, Member, Block Panchayat; and Khuraisha Beevi, Member, Grama Panchayat.

Dr Elizabeth Sherly, Director, IIITM-K proposed a vote of thanks.