The state government will formally demand a sum of Rs 100 crore from the Centre’s Plan Fund to upgrade the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (Kufos), Fisheries Minister K Babu has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the seven schools of Kufos on the varsity campus on Monday.The minister also handed over the university statute to Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodhana Kurup.
“With the establishment of the university statute, a new era has commenced in the history of Kufos. The varsity can now enjoy autonomy in several respects. The decentralised form of governance can drastically improve the functioning of the university. The establishment of the statute will also help in getting additional funds from Central agencies like the UGC,” he said.
The Fisheries Ministerpointed out that with effective intervention, the government could restore the alienated university land in Puthuvype.
Speaking on the occasion, Madhusoodhan Kurup said that Kufos has the potential to become the fisheries hub of the country.
“Our dream is to make the university an excellent institution, with international standards. We are planning to focus more on postgraduate training and advanced research.
“We are aware that a healthy fisheries sector is crucial for maintaining food security,” he said. The newly-inaugurated schools at Kufos include Aquaculture and Biotechnology, Fisheries Resource Management and Harvest Technology, Aquatic Food Products and Technology, Ocean Studies and Technology, Ocean Engineering, Fishery Environment and Management and Entrepreneurship.