Focus on promotion of shrimp farming

The introduction of nearly 30 new postgraduate courses and the promotion of Vannamei shrimp farming top the list of key achievements recorded by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) in its race to bag the best varsity tag.

“In the last four years, the varsity has offered 30 new programmes in diverse areas of study.

Student intake

“The student intake has gone up from 160 to 700,” said B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice Chancellor.

Demonstration of pioneering technology for promoting Vannamei shrimp farming remains a major research achievement of KUFOS. Farmers have been empowered to explore the immense possibilities of vannamei shrimp farming. A technology suitable for the backwaters has also been developed as part of the initiative, he said.

Cage culture

The varsity has also listed its Samagra Matsyagramam project among the achievements in research.

The cage culture of popular variety of fish helped about 30 to 40 families in the region earn more for their catch.

Asked about a project that could not take off as expected, the Vice Chancellor said they had decided to launch massive open online courses (MOOCs) by August.

“It will be now ready by November.

“We will offer nearly 20 online courses,” he said.