Cochin University of Science and Technology eyes 2020 glory with RUSA funding

KOCHI: If everything goes as per plan, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will goose-step into the year 2020 with an invigorated profile becoming both 'centre of eminence' and 'centre of excellence' in science and technology study, research and development. While Cusat is the only university from the state set to get funding of Rs  241 crore from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), along with Kerala University, it is vying to grab an ambitious Rs  1,000-crore financing under RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) from the Union HRD ministry.

The KIIFB project is to make Cusat a Centre of Excellence in Academics and Research while the RUSA scheme is for creating Centres of Eminence. "Under the RUSA project, 32 universities across the country have been shortlisted including Cusat and Kerala University who have come above the rank of 50 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of MHRD in 2016 or 2017. We have been asked to attend a video conferencing on October 25 to learn about the nitty-gritty of the scheme and applying," said Dr J. Letha, Cusat vice-chancellor.

"We are not yet sure how many institutions will get selected. Centrally funded institutions like IITs and NITs are also in the race. But we don't want to leave any stone unturned to let it come our way." Cusat on Thursday uploaded the detailed project report (DPR) of the Rs 241 crore Centre of Excellence on the website of KIIFB for the approval of its 15-member board. 

"We made a presentation before the higher education secretary and Planning Board members the other day before the DPR going to the KIIFB. A sum of Rs 99 crore is for construction works while Rs  142 crore is for setting up a most-modern lab for research purpose," she said. She said RBDCK would be the Special Purpose Vehicle for the construction works. "RBDCK is tying up with KITCO for the project while for the lab part Cusat itself is the SPV," she said. Cusat is getting the opportunity to get KIIFB funding as it was the only university to respond to an opportunity given in this regard by the finance minister last October.