The Kerala government has initiated steps to formulate a K-TEEN project to expedite efforts towards its goal of attaining a knowledge economy through engineering and technical education.
The policy address presented by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in the Assembly on Thursday also highlights the government’s intention to elevate the Nodal Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Government Engineering College, Thrissur, as a Centre of Excellence for AI.
Further augmenting efforts to enhance the skill pool in emerging technological areas, Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) Kerala will establish Centres of Excellence in 5G and communication, drone technology, and additive manufacturing.
The government has also decided to introduce legislation in order to grant permission to set up private universities in the State.
The address also makes note of other reforms, including the development of a Higher Education Curriculum Framework, introduction of four-year undergraduate courses and steps to facilitate inter-University transfer and credit transfer for students.
The Industry On Campus (IoC) programme, which has been fostering collaboration between industry and academic institutions, and paving the way for various commercial opportunities, also finds mention in the policy address.
The government has also been supporting over 50 high-quality research projects in science, engineering, and technology, along with the upgrading of science laboratories in government schools.
Anticipating the role of science parks in attracting high-end research and industries, the government is investing ₹600 crore in establishing three such facilities in the State. The Global Science Festival Kerala (GSFK), Asia’s premier science exhibition, is under way, the Governor added.
