Steps completed for setting up seven Centres of Excellence for advanced research in specific areas

The Kerala government has completed the steps needed for launching seven Centres of Excellence in the State focussing on specific areas of advanced research and training, according to R. Bindu, Minister for Higher Education.

The autonomous institutions include the Kerala Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation; Kerala Institute for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities; Kerala Network for Research Support in Higher Education; Institute for Gender Equity; Centre of Excellence for Teaching, Learning and Training; Centre for Indigenous People’s Education; and the Kerala Language Network.

The administrative sanction and fund allocation process for establishing the centres had been completed, she said in her presidential address at the conclusion of the higher education conclave titled ‘Shaping Kerala’s Future—International Conclave of Our Next-Gen Higher Education‘ at the Cochin University of Science and Technology on Wednesday.

As per panel recommendation

She said that the centres had been set up as per the recommendations of the Commission for Reforms in Higher Education, chaired by Shyam B. Menon, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Delhi. The aim was to establish linkages with national and international institutions, she said.

The Kerala Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation will explore advanced scientific fields such as sustainable fuels, waste management, nanotechnology, advanced materials, systems biology, big data analytics, robotics and energy engineering. The Kerala Institute for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities will focus on in-depth research into Kerala’s history, culture and socio-economic issues.

Research infrastructure

The Kerala Network for Research-Support in Higher Education will augment research infrastructure across the State by providing centralised support for research activities. The Institute for Gender Equality will focus on advancing interdisciplinary research in gender studies. The Centre of Excellence for Teaching, Learning and Training will focus on improving the quality of education through continuous teacher training, curriculum design, and technology-enabled pedagogical methods. The Centre for Indigenous People’s Education will address the educational needs of indigenous communities. The Kerala Language Network will promote the study of various languages, including Malayalam.

The Minister also stated that a Bill related to making necessary amendments to the laws of various State universities would be introduced in the next legislative session.

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