CUSAT plans new courses in space science, aircraft maintenance

Kochi, Mar 31 (UNI) Re-orienting its curriculum towards the need of hi-tech industries, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) today announced plans for new courses in Space Science and Aerospace and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering this year.

Presenting the budget proposals for 2006-07 to the university syndicate, finance committee convenor K Mohammedali, MLA, said the university was planning to start B.Tech and M.Tech courses in these subjects and also in Food Science and Technology. A post-graduate course in Tourism also was on the anvil, he said.

University vice-chancellor P K Abdul Azis presided over the syndicate meeting.

In other major proposals, the University plans to upgrade its 'Science Park' to a full-fledged 'Science City' and also set up a Patent and Design Centre focusing on advanced research for product development.

While the total income of the university for the new financial year was estimated at Rs 89.13 crore, the expenditure was estimated at Rs 83.48 crore.

While the University would get Rs 31.54 crore from the Centre and Rs 18.36 crore from the state government, the remaining income would be generated through internal resources.

The university was also expecting additional assistance to the tune of Rs 22.77 crore from the union human resource development ministry, which has selected CUSAT among the universities to be upgraded to IIT level.

To increase its partnership with the industry, CUSAT was planning to set up an 'Industry-University Interactive Cell' (IUIC).

The Marine Engineering complex would be completed this year at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore.

UNI ARC DK1622