Various innovative projects proposed by Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies have got a major boost as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has sanctioned an amount of Rs 44 crore for implementing them.
The development projects include a five-storied Academic Complex at the headquarters (Rs 40 crore), an Ocean Studies Campus (Rs 2.93 crore) and a hatchery for grey mullet (thirutha) (Rs 1.19 crore), both at the Fisheries Station of the varsity in Puthuveypu, KUFOS said in a release here.
This is the largest financial support KUFOS is receiving since its inception in 2011.
KUFOS is constructing a five-storied academic complex on 12175 square metres in six phases.The construction of the five phases is in progress by using the Rs 20 crore funding support from the State government.
"KUFOS is building the academic complex to provide adequate physical support for the newly started PG courses. Now the University offers 34 PG programmes and one UG course and 10 more PG programmes are proposed to start in the next academic year. The complex will have all modern amenities to increase the quality of education in fisheries, ocean science and allied areas," Vice Chancellor of KUFOS, Prof B Madhusoodana Kurup, said.
A separate hatchery for producing seeds of grey mullet (thirutha) which is proposed to be set up at the Fisheries Station in Puthuveypu is one of the dream projects of KUFOS.
According to the release, the grey mullet hatchery is the first such in the country.
"With the establishment of the hatchery in KUFOS,India could achieve a remarkable growth in the production of the grey mullet along with other Asian nations," he added.
The establishment of a-state-of-the-art Ocean Studies Campus is another flagship project of KUFOS.
The first phase of the Campus is under construction using the fund granted by the State government earlier. School of Ocean Science and Technology and School of Ocean Engineering and Underwater Technology are the two Schools which will be housed in the Ocean Science Campus.
An academic complex for academic and research purposes is being built up in the campus presently. The State government has granted Rs two crore for setting up the hostels and library at the campus.
