Hoary campus sprouts wings of glory

Maharaja’s College which has been assured of a Rs 105-crore grant will be raised to international standards. Digital campus, a museum , well-equipped sports facilities are part of the plan.
Hoa
Hoa

KOCHI: If no hiccups arise, the 141-year-old Maharaja’s College will receive a Rs 105-crore grant from the Kerala government. The college which is on its way to beat institutions of international repute was assured of the covetous package by the Finance Minister Thomas Isaac last week.

According to him, the college has to submit a detailed project report after which the final nod from the government will be granted by December 31. The minister also promised to saction the funds mobilised by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
As part of its plan, the college has already charted a 20-year programme which includes transforming the college into a digital campus.

The grant plan
The plans for the college has been divided into four categories- infrastructure, academics, student amenities and general amenities.

Academics
Rs 30 crore worth works have been alotted for academics alone. Improvement of library resources, launch of smart classrooms, language labs, science labs and computer labs are high on the college’s priority list. Rs 20 crore has been allocated for an integrated science lab which will be home for labs of all science subjects.

The college will seek creation of 30 more posts to support human resource needs. New M.Phil, honours/add on courses in film, media, journalism will also be initiated. “ Conventional type courses are being taught. The decision to introduce new courses is a welcome change,” said Hari Kumar TG of the English department. More than 2,500 students are currently studying in 20 under graduate, 20 post graduate, 12 PhD courses. 185 permanent teachers around 20 guests teachers are working here.

Infrastructure
At least Rs 5 crore has been allocated for strengthening the existing infrastructure. Another Rs 45 crore has been alloted for constructing new buildings. A new academic block (Rs 10 crore), library and research centre (Rs 13 crore) and two hostels for boys and girls (Rs 10 crore for each) will also be built. “The college boasts of several heritage blocks. So construction works should be done as per the norms of the archeological department,” said Hari Kumar.

Student amenities
Rs 11 crore worth projects are being planned to improve the student amenities. Major chunk of the amount will be used to construct sports facilities in the college. Rs 10 crore will be used to construct an indoor stadium, hockey turf and basket ball court. Synthetic track maintenance cost is also included in the project. Toilet facilities with retiring rooms, drinking water facilities and a recreation centre will also receive funding. The college will also be turned a physically handicapped freindly zone.

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