Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) is planning new projects to generate interest in fisheries among the youth.
It has proposed to set up Centre for Advanced Training in Entrepreneurship Development in Fisheries and Ocean Resources with the support of KSIDC and Kitco; a business incubation centre, startup villages in collaboration with industrial bodies; and an entrepreneurship development centre.
Kufos, in its annual budget, presented today, has proposed to start new fisheries colleges in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Kollam. With a total budget outlay of Rs 274.89 crore, it plans to start two regional centres for research in Kumarakam in Alappuzha, and Kannur.
It has allocated Rs 13.23 crore for setting up a polytechnic college and for starting new postgraduate and online courses. An MSc course in marine chemistry, MBA in energy management, four new MTech courses in fisheries engineering, biofuel, coastal and harbour engineering, ocean and coastal safety engineering, and a postgraduate diploma in Law will be offered from the next academic year.
To popularise fisheries' education, it has proposed to start massive open online courses (MOOCs) in biodiversity assessment and management, food science and technology, bio-informatics, brackish water aquaculture, marine ornamental fish culture and marine technologies.
New research centres
It has allocated Rs 205.16 crore for intensifying research by establishing new research centres and for constituting a university chair in relevant areas.
These research centres include Centre for Aquatic Toxicology and Germ plasm Conservation, Centre for Vembanadu and Shasthamkotta Lake Ecosystem Assessment and Conservation, Centre for Advanced Research in Food Safety, Food Microbiology and Quality Assurance, Centre for Advanced Faculty Training (CAFT) and Centre for Ocean Science Education Excellence.
The varsity will set up a chair on Oceanography in the name of Professor NK Panikkar, renowned oceanographer, and a Centre for WTO studies to facilitate academic intermediation, promoting international trade in fisheries and for addressing trade-related issues at the domestic and international level.
