Kochi | Education & Research

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Oommen Chandy makes IIT promise


Any chance for Kochi?

During UDF Rule in 2006, the consensus was to establish IIT in Kochi. Then later it was changed to Trivandrum CET. But CET is already a prestigious college and has its own strong name and was wooing for becoming Kerala Technology University. In 2006, the original plan was to convert CUSAT into IIT, which ran into extreme bad weather. Then it was modified to make into IIEST, which too went into deep freezer when LDF came to power.

This time, I give only 50:50 chance. One reason is UDF is more keen in developing Malabar, particularly Malappuram, Kannur and Kasargod this time. Moreover already paper works for upgrading CUSAT into IIEST started. So finding new land would be a difficult task.

But I believe, the Kochi lobbies, within Ministry can work well. Amballur/Piravom side has huge tracts of underutilizied land, which can be considered, giving a huge boost to Southern Ernakulam, along with Kottayam.... Otherwise Model Engineering college in Thrikkakara has to be converted into IIT, which is equally a good option. But I doubt about land availablity....

Lets keep the fingers crossed.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kerala's apex Judicial and Law training body- Kerala Judicial Academy gets more spacious land and facility in the law capital of the state-Kochi

The state government has allotted five acres of land to establish a judicial academy in Kochi. The decision has been taken based on the former Ministry’s decision to allot the land at a village in Nedumbassery, said Collector P I Sheik Pareeth.

The land has been leased out for 30 years from September 15. The papers regarding this were accepted by the High Court Officials from the Revenue Officers on Wednesday

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/land-allo...52-60-122.html

I wonder, what they going to do with current Judicial academy campus- the Ram Mohan Palace, which was old seat of HC?

[vu3nnn]

I wonder, what they going to do with current Judicial academy campus- the Ram Mohan Palace, which was old seat of HC?

I think the Ram Mohan Palace is history, demolished to construct the new bar association building! (or does the palace still stand by its side, obscured? correct me if I am wrong.)

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

I think the Ram Mohan Palace is history, demolished to construct the new bar association building! (or does the palace still stand by its side, obscured? correct me if I am wrong.)

In my last visit, the palace was intact. The new Bar council Bldg came in parking grounds of Ram Mohan Palace. Don't know whether is demolished or not. I don't think, they can demolish the structure, being a classified heritage structure. I think, it would be wise to shift Law college to Ram Mohan Palace, once Judicial Academy moves to Nedumbassery.

I heard next year, Districts courts are going to move to newly built Court complex in Kalamassery. So what they are going to do with Huzur Cutchery Buildings, where the courts are functioning now? Thats too one of the most prominent heritage structure?

[vu3nnn]

I heard next year, Districts courts are going to move to newly built Court complex in Kalamassery. So what they are going to do with Huzur Cutchery Buildings, where the courts are functioning now? Thats too one of the most prominent heritage structure?

There's a big complex coming up adjacent to the Huzur Cutchery building, where the old Government press stood. It has the looks of a court complex, but don't know what's its real purpose.

There is a long-standing demand that the court complexes, when vacated be added on to Maharaja's College. It would go a long way in making Maharaja's college a stand-alone university.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kerala government will provide 60 acres of land for setting up a full-fledged national maritime university in Kochi, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced here on Sunday.

He was speaking after laying foundation stone for Indian Maritime University's Kochi campus. The land for maritime university will be identified and handed over to the Central Shipping Ministry authorities soon, he said.

Chandy made this assurance following a request from Chennai Indian Maritime University (IMU) vice-chancellor Dr P Vijayan at the function. Dr Vijayan said that Parliament standing committee had recommended setting up of five IMUs - one each at Chennai, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Calcutta and Kochi. IMU, Chennai was established in 2008 as the first experiment. Its success has inspired the shipping ministry to start the other four IMUs as well, depending on the availability of land, he said.

"We will submit a proposal to the Kerala government for setting up a full-fledged IMU in Kochi this week itself. Money will not be an issue for the university as the Central government will sanction funds. The shipping ministry has already allocated Rs 25 crore for setting up the Kochi campus of IMU,'' Dr Vijayan told TOI later.

Kochi IMU campus has already been offering courses in disciplines like nautical sciences, ship repair and ship building, port and shipping management and marine engineering. Plans to start courses in maritime law and dredging are on the anvil, he said.

Emphasizing the job opportunities in the maritime sector, shipping secretary K Mohandas said the man-power supply to the maritime sector from India is only sever percent. A smaller country like Philippines is the leader now, in terms of man-power supply to maritime sector. Moreover, nearly 90 percent of the global trade is happening through water, and this trend is to continue in the future as well, considering the growing fuel cost. This in turn, indicates that shipping industry will continue in the growth path, Mohandas said.

The Chief Minister also said that the state would bring in the legislation for constituting a state maritime board soon.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10034498.cms

[mohammedirshad06]

Director Kumar Shahani will be the “Scholar In Residence” for the Erudite programme organised at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). Shahani will be the chief guest for the programme organised by the Department of Youth Welfare from September 24 to 30.

The Department will organise various seminars on Cinema/Theatre culture, interactive sessions with students and teachers, screening of famous movies and Theatre performances in connection with Shahani’s visit.
Kumar Shahani is one of the most significant filmmakers working in India today.

He has developed an epic idiom that engages with contemporary issues. Shahani’s films explore cultural memories embedded in classical Indian art forms, texts and objects. His visual explorations of Indian music and dance, the classical Indian epic and contemporary literature mark his practice as unique in the history of Indian cinema.

Shahani also engages with European cinematic traditions. His first feature, Mirror of Illusion (Maya Darpan) 1972, is regarded as India’s first formalist film. His oeuvre is considered alongside renowned directors - Pier Paolo Pasolini, Andrei Tarkovsky, Stanley Kubrick, Jacques Rivette and others - whose work is similarly entwined with the visual arts.

Musical performances, interactions with film personalities and other cultural programmes are also included in the list of programmes. For participation and more details: 9447508345. The details are also available on the website: www.welfarecusat.org.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kumar-sha...72-60-122.html

[mohammedirshad06]

The Cabinet has decided to identify 60 acres of land in Ernakulam district for upgrading the Kochi campus of Indian Maritime University to a full-fledged university, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr. Chandy said the Ernakulam Collector would be asked to identify sufficient land for the purpose. The Cabinet, he said, had decided to identify land for the maritime university on the basis of the assurance that the campus in Kochi would be elevated to the status of a university if sufficient land could be provided. This was in response to his plea for a maritime university in the State after laying the foundation for the administrative and academic blocks of the Indian Maritime University's Kochi campus on Sunday, Mr. Chandy said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2472159.ece

[mohammedirshad06]

It seems, Kerala has to leap in quality higher education, which is prerequiste for establishing knowledge based industries in Kerala. I feel, Kochinites must chart out a plan to lobby for some of the following actions, to ensure, our city doesnot leave in race of getting quality educations.

While Govt must focus on establishing regional balance, there is enough scope to expand our educational and research sector with help of Central Govt and Private ventures. I would like to share some of my visions for upcoming plans

1. Establishment of Kochi Educity, where Govt sets up a large Land bank with host of common facilities like stadiums, Library, recreational centers etc, while institutions can own piece of land. They can get a host of premium amentities at less establishment costs.

2. When CUSAT gets bifurcated, the technology education will become IIEST, while the govt must plan to establish a new university for all its social sciences faculties as Cochin University of Social Sciences. The Management School- SMS, has a long history and repute, for being the first B-School in South India and pionner in Management education, must be converted into Cochin Management University-SMS. This will enhance the quality of business education in the state

3. A state of the art Institute of Marine Sciences must be considered, considering the fact, Kochi is leading point in fisheries and several species getting extinct faster

4. The Model Engineering College in Thrikkakara must be upgraded to NIT levels, so that it increases the value of technical education in the city.

5. The Maharajas college and RLV has be given Deemed university status, to increase its cultural and social value.

6. The Govt must consider establishing satellite campus of IIM-Kozhikode and NIFT-Kannur, being a major business and fashion hub of Kerala.

7. Kochi can be lobbied for hosting campus for ISB-Hyderabad, just like how Mohali did recently

8. The Govt must scot for a suitable partner for establishing an Aviation University in Nedumbassery, so that qualitative Aviation Manpower can be generated in the state.

9. The State govt must consider an up-gradation Center for Heritage Studies-Hill Palace as an autonomous Historical research Institute or even upgrade it as Muziris University of History and Antiques Studies

10. One of the oldest Govt owned Journalist Institutes- Kerala Press Academy, must be upgraded as Kerala Media Journalism University or could be named after any famous journalist, with its HQ at Kochi and campus in Trivandrum, Kottayam, Kannur and Palakkad.

The govt's eariler proposals to establish an NRI University as well as SMART University in Kochi, must be conceived and established in the city.

[mohammedirshad06]

The Directorate of Shipping is considering introducing a premium for those marine engineering institutions which are having a placement record of above 90-95% success rate. These institutions will be issued Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) directly even before the students clear their exam, if the colleges have a good track record. The certificates will be handed over to the students along with their course certificate, said S B Agnihotri, director general of shipping.

He was speaking after inaugurating the passing out ceremony of the 4th batch of students of B Tech Marine Engineering of the Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).

"We are considering giving premium benefits to such institutions, and their names will be put on the website. If they fall in standard, they will go down in the ranking. This will enable parents and students to check for themselves which are the best marine engineering institutions in the country,'' he said.

Praising the Kunhali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering for its 100% placement in the last four years, he suggested that logistic training courses should also be introduced so that several more vacancies could be filled with the growth of the shipping industry in the country.

He acceeded to the demand of the KM School to increase the number of seats from 40 to 80. "As long as the quality of education is maintained, we have no objection in increasing the seats,'' he said. Later, in his address, L K Panda, principal officer, Mercantile Marine Department, asked the students to be true to their country but when working with international citizens, one had to give respect. "Be ready to do any work so that when you become a chief engineer, you would have learnt every aspect of the job. Engineer Antony Prince, president, GTR Campbell Marine Consultants, Bahamas, in his address, spoke of his experiences in the field which saw him rise from being a seafarer to owner of the company.

Ramachandran Thekkedath, vice-chancellor of Cusat, Godfrey Louis, pro vice-chancellor, N Chandramohanankumar, registrar, and Prof K A Simon, director, KM School of Marine Engineering, were also present on the occasion.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10098486.cms

[Malayaali]

Maritime varsity gets approval

The Union Shipping Ministry has given the go-ahead for setting up a Central maritime university in Kochi, the work on which is expected to begin within two months.

The university will be named Indian Maritime University Kochi, after the example of the Indian Institutes of Technology, which are identified by their locations.

The university, the establishment of which is estimated to cost around Rs.100 crore, will come up on 60 acres allotted by the State government at Panangad, close to Kerala University's Fisheries College campus on National Highway 47.

Officials from the Shipping Ministry visited the three plots that were offered for the project by the State government and the authorities have made their choice already, sources in the Ministry told The Hindu here on Saturday.

It is now only a question of measuring the land, fixing the boundaries and the road approach to the plot chosen for the Central University, said a Ministry official after visiting Panangad.

Shipping Ministry officials are learnt to have praised the State government for the promptness with which it allotted land for the project, which adds prestige to Kochi as an emerging maritime hub in India.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had promised the Union Shipping Ministry on September 18 that land would be identified for establishing the university, after Union Shipping Secretary K. Mohandas said that there would be no problem in establishing a Central University if the State government allotted sufficient land.

The work of identifying a suitable piece of land for the university was done at record speed, said a Union Shipping Ministry official on Saturday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, Chennai, P. Vijayan said that Kochi's would be a full-fledged Central University with the Kochi campus of the Indian Maritime University, currently under construction on land allotted by Cochin Port Trust, attached to it.

The foundation for the academic blocks and administrative building of the IMU Chennai's Kochi campus was laid by the Chief Minister on September 18.

The Hindu

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Maritime varsity gets approval

Its something huge and big, which all Kochinites can cheer about it.

I believe, there next set for lobbying should aim to get Indian Aerospace University at Nedumbassery, for which the support of Central Government is inevitable.

I also believe, one of the university, which is least recollected- Sankaracharya University in Kaladi, must be handed over to Center, to make it on likes of Banaras Hindu University..... The university has a huge potentiality to become, the largest Oriental University, atleast of South India. But its potentiality has been least looked upon, as most of the interests of state government and ruling parties were in politics of university than academics.

If its taken over by Center, the scope and value will increase and it would gain an national importance.....

[mohammedirshad06]

I had an interesting update from a relative of mine in educational dept...

The govt is seriously thinking about conferring deemed University status to 4 colleges in Kerala, a marked policy change from any previous govt....In that process, Kochi seems to gain 2 new universities. In all probablity, Kochi's St.Albert's Group of Colleges and Sacred Hearts are likely to be conferred Deemed university status.

The biggest advantage for St.Albert's group came, when its flagship college- St.Alberts has been recently accredited as A Grade with potential for being center of excellence tag from NAAC-UGC, making it recommendable for deemed university status. While, Sacred Hearts, have cleared all formalities years back and where in strong chances to be one of Kerala's first Christian Managed Deemed university.

St.Albert's for past few years, have restructured all the colleges coming under Archdiocese of Verapoly, under St.Alberts, barring a few institutions like St.Teresa's, St. Xaviers etc. The group now has an Management school, an engineering college, a medical school and institution, arts and science college, a computer education center, a teachers training institute and adult education continuing center, all based in Kochi.

For past few years, the group has been strongly fighting for deemed university tag, after it involved into a strong feud with MG University- the affiliated university. It seems, the church is strong gripping its hands around the govt, for the tag......

Hope Kochi makes a strong gains out of this..........

[mohammedirshad06]

One of India's largest and most advanced Fashion Institute- JD Institute of Fashion Technology, announced the opening of their Kochi Campus. The JDIFT, is one of the largest networked fashion institute, operating for past 29 years in 23 centers of India, will now serve, Kerala's fashion hub-Kochi, offering 5 diplomas in Fashion Design, Jewellery Manufacturing, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Management and Events Promotions and Garment Manufacturing.

The diplomas are 3 tiered courses with Basic, Intermediate and Advanced modules. The Institute has been one of the most respected name in fashion technology and constantly worked with leading companies like UTV, Sahara, Dharma Productions and Sun Productions in area of film industry and number of event management companies for various fashion areas.

The campus is located in Panampally Nagar at JD Villa, near Center Hotel.

[mohammedirshad06]

Renowned academics from across the country will meet in Kochi in November to discuss steps to improve mathematics education in the school and the higher education sectors.

The National Initiative on Mathematics Education (NIME) 2011, a southern regional conference on mathematics education to be held from November 11 to 13, will provide an input for the national presentation of India at the International Congress on Mathematics Education (ICME) scheduled in Seoul in South Korea from July 8 to 15 next year. The event is being jointly organised by the Kerala Mathematics Teachers Association, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of India.

A. Vijayakumar, regional convener and academic secretary of the Kerala Mathematics Teachers Association and faculty member of the Department of Mathematics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, says the programme will bring together on a single platform the important and significant innovations and efforts to improve mathematics education in school and in higher education. This conference aims to build awareness of such efforts in the community of mathematics educators in the southern region — Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala. The proceedings of the conference will be an input for a report on the status of mathematics education in India, he said.

Referring to the importance of ICME, Prof. Vijayakumar says the national presentation is one of the important academic activities of ICME.

Representatives from various countries will make presentations on the current status and trends in mathematics education in their regions. Exhibitions and video shows are also held as part of the national presentations.

ICME, which is being held every four years, will discuss the current status and trends in mathematics education research and in the practice of mathematics teaching at all levels. The International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI), a constituent of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), has been organising the ICME. Prof. Vijayakumar says the congress will gather a broad spectrum of participants, such as researchers in mathematics education, teacher educators, practising teachers, mathematicians, and others interested in mathematics education.

Stating that mathematics is part of the core curriculum for a wide range of basic and professional courses, Prof. Vijayakumar says that many teachers, educators, and mathematicians have responded to the challenge of teaching mathematics effectively in diverse ways. Some have developed powerful pedagogical approaches or learning materials; some have introduced innovations in their teaching; some have worked with teachers; some with students; and some have taken up research to understand more deeply the teaching and learning of mathematics.

http://www.thehindu.com/education/sc...cle2482247.ece

[mohammedirshad06]

India is at the forefront in using wireless technology, but lack of government participation is preventing the country from achieving the true growth it deserves, said Dr Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, editor in chief of International Journal on Smart Sensing and intelligent Systems.

An expert in the field of sensors and sensing technology, and associate professor of Massey University, New Zealand, Mukhopadhyay was in the city to deliver a lecture during the International Seminar on Wireless Communication and Mobile Computing organized by Toc H Institute of Science and Technology.

Talking to TOI, Dr Subhas called attention to the fact that wireless technology has grown beyond a stage of just being a mobile phone or a data card. "We are watching the growth of a technology which even at this early stage has made an impact in every aspect of human life. Be it a natural hazard, climate monitoring, physiological observation, wireless technology is fast growing and contributing to humanity. Unfortunately, India's social and political condition prevents it from achieving rapid growth, while foreign nations including developing countries are fast making strides in technology," he said.

Speaking on new technological advances made using wireless, he said, "There is a concept called 'smart homes' which is currently in developmental process. Based on wireless technology it is a sensor which is installed in homes located in earthquake prone locations. The gadget can sense the possibility of an earthquake before it takes place by sending information through text messages. Being wireless, the sensor has an edge over wired networks," Subbas said. According to him foreign nations are working on the technology with the aid of private organizations.

"India which is susceptible to natural disasters like floods could easily gain advantage from such a technology. Unfortunately such type of a public-private association seldom happens, due to which people are apprehensive to accept something proposed by a private organisation. This should change and government should actively participate and lack of funds should never prevent its development and utilisation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10134217.cms

[mohammedirshad06]

Swimming came to the rescue of the victims of the tragic school van mishaps on the Parvathy Puthanar in Thiruvananathapuram. This also brings to light the guideline issued by the government after the Thattekad boat tragedy in April 2007. Mohammed Hanish, the then Director of Public Instruction, directed the department to ask the school authorities to encourage students to learn swimming. But this is yet to become a reality.

Only a few schools in the city are equipped with swimming pools although many students are interested. In Rajagiri Public School, students are encouraged to learn swimming. “Swimming is offered from LKG onwards but it is not made compulsory,” said father Painadath, Principal, Rajagiri Public School. Global Public School, Gregorian Public School, Assisi Vidyaniketan Public School, Nava Nirman Public school, to name a few, have swimming pools.

But there are many schools which have to build the pool. “We are planning to introduce swimming,” said Maya Mohan of Chinmaya Vidyalaya. Swimming is also a good exercise.

Choice School too offers swimming. “Swimming is offered to students from Class V onwards,” said Molly Cyril, Principal, Choice School. Students who are passionate about swimming and are not able to learn them at the school resort to courses offered at the Regional Sports Centre at various hotels and go for private tutorship.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/schools-t...90-60-122.html

I believe, the govt must make Swimming mandatory in syllabus from Grade 1 onwards. In Kerala, finding a water source is not that difficult. Perhaps in Cities, there might be a requirement of swimming pools, while in most of non-city areas, there are large ponds/river bodies, canals etc, where training can be imparted, including govt schools. Even in cities, most of the large temples have their own temple ponds, which can be used for training, which would generate some additional income for temple to keep the ponds clean and nice.

For example, in Kochi, we have a large temple pond in the heart of the city at Shiva Temple, used only for few days in a year or for priests bathing, that too a small portion of pond... The rest of the pond is merely wasted, only to be infested with alage and water lillies. If its open to govt schools and those schools that donot have huge money to train students in swimming pools, surely helps students in learning art of swimming as well as keep ponds neat and clean.

Likewise we have Ravipuram Temple pond, which is spread around 30 cents of land, ponds in Vytilla, Maradu etc.

Afterall, everyone cannot afford swimming at expensive pools and our heritage itself demands ponds for bathing!!!

[mohammedirshad06]

The Union HRD Ministry, announced the upgradation of CUSAT to IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology), a national institute of engineering excellence, will be included in the upcoming 12th 5 Year plans. The Central Govt is expecting to take over the institute by end of next year for its conversion into IIEST.

This was informed to Kerala govt, by Kapil Sibal, as his reply to State Govt's request for reviving the old proposal.

[mohammedirshad06]

I believe, now Kerala is going to have two National level technology institutes, to be included in 12th Five year plan. IIT-Palakkad and IIEST-Kochi. Surely this is going to make a revolutionary change in education sector of Kerala. The immense talents that these two national centers of excellence is going to produce surely helps for a rapid take off of Cochin-Coimbatore Industrial corridor.

What now is required, a strong academic linkages within the state, to ensure their is exchanges of ideas, visions and technology know-hows within the state and increase in research papers. What I visionize is that, Kerala govt has to classify engineering colleges based on the quality of education and research papers produced, so that a strong academic linkages can be established. Premium engineering institutes, like NIT-Kozhikode, IIEST-Kochi, IIT-Palakkad, Amrita Engineering-Kollam, and CET-Trivandrum (likely to be KTU), must form a network within themselves and use resources commonly and encourage all the units within the network to maximize engineering/technology research outputs.

Such network is common in Gujarat, particularly Ahmedabad, helping the investors/entrepreneurs getting best of innovative thoughts.

[sakrishna]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06;84206414
What now is required,[B

a strong academic linkages within the state, to ensure their is exchanges of ideas, visions and technology know-hows within the state and increase in research papers.[/B] What I visionize is that, Kerala govt has to classify engineering colleges based on the quality of education and research papers produced, so that a strong academic linkages can be established. Premium engineering institutes, like NIT-Kozhikode, IIEST-Kochi, IIT-Palakkad, Amrita Engineering-Kollam, and CET-Trivandrum (likely to be KTU), must form a network within themselves and use resources commonly and encourage all the units within the network to maximize engineering/technology research outputs.

and IIIT -Kottayam