Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will launch nearly 20 schools of thought in inter-disciplinary areas that will join hands to solve select research problems.
The proposal has found place in the varsity budget that was approved at a Syndicate meeting held here on Saturday. Vice Chancellor J. Letha said that the initiative would be linked with the estimated ₹140-crore international laboratory project proposed on the campus with the backing of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The laboratory is part of the varsity’s ₹243-crore development plan.
Dr. Letha said that the varsity had already published the list of equipment required for the proposed laboratory on its official website. “Three to four research departments have to come together and short-list the equipment they need from the list, which will be of help in finding a solution to research problems identified by them,” she added.
Each department will have to appoint a nodal officer as part of the laboratory project utilising KIIFB aid. The officer has to verify the list of equipment, and the inter-disciplinary research groups will have to submit their reports on the proposed project and the equipment they require before April 12.
Research time: 5 to 6 years
“We have decided that the equipment will not be available for an individual or a research department alone. Only the inter-disciplinary groups will be able to use them to resolve a common research problem. The duration of the research should be at least five to six years,” Dr. Letha said.
The varsity budget includes a proposal to start centres of eminence in science, engineering science and technology, scientific computing, marine science, and humanities and social science. The centres will get initial funding from the varsity for launching various programmes. The Chancellor’s Chair of Excellence involving select departments will also be launched soon.
The budget has also proposed improvement of faculty-student ratio in various departments. Dr. Letha said that nearly 20 chairs of learning and research involving industry and experts will be formed.
Experienced people from industry and academics will supplement the teaching-learning process. The tenure faculty initiative, which was proposed in the last budget but failed to take off, will be taken up again for implementation.
The varsity will seek the help of its alumni network to provide guest faculty members in various departments. The other proposals include a waste management park, rainwater harvesting, and solar panelling.
