Cusat gets a fat PURSE for research

Kochi: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) got a boost on Wednesday with the award of Rs 17 crore under the PURSE programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It was also  made a partner in the Newton Fund Global Research Partnership (GRP) in Aquaculture and sanctioned Rs 75 lakh under the programme.

The funds under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme are granted to select universities across the country considering their research profile and to improve infrastructure.

“We had received Rs 9 crore under the first phase and this new component gives immense strength to our scientists to pursue research. The university is being given the discretionary power to allocate the funds among different departments,” said Cusat Vice-Chacellor Dr J. Letha.

The  Newton Fund Global Research Partnership programme is aimed at developing aquaculture for food security and  development and poverty reduction in developing countries. It is being implemented in India through the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Cusat's National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health becomes a partner in this and the other partners are Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. The project aims at evaluating costs and benefits of prophylactic health products and novel alternatives on smallholder aquaculture farmers in Asia and Africa. Stirling University, Scotland, Royal Veterinary College, London, John Innes Centre and Institute of Food Research, Norwich, are among the international partners in the project.