New BIO HUB for Kerala
REPORT ON Date: 17-06-2008

With the inauguration of four important institutions of scientific research in June – the School of Mathematics at Kozhikode, Centre for DNA Barcoding at Puthenthope, Thiruvananthapuram, a new campus for the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) at Aakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and the establishment of a Centre for Traditional knowledge in Food and Medicine, a Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Science and Engineering, a Centre for Minerals and Nano Technology at Kollam within the next three years Kerala will emerge as a centre of scientific research in the country. It is after 25 years that new institutions of science and technology are being set up in the State. Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment has succeeded in ensuring assistance and cooperation for these institutions from premier research organisations of the country and abroad. These brave new attempts of the Left Democratic Front Government under V.S. Achuthanandan are sure to give a long-awaited fillip to Science and Technology sector in the State... more..

The inauguration of Kerala School of Mathematics in Kozhikode is set for June 3. It will offer facilities for advanced research in Mathematics. Set up with assistance from the Department of Atomic Energy, the School is located on 4.5 acre campus in Kozhikode. The construction of buildings has been completed.

The facility will offer Ph.D and Post doctoral research programmes and training courses for researchers and maths teachers in Universities. A master’s programme is being considered. Also on the anvil is a scheme to offer mathematics-oriented courses for children from class X with an aptitude for the subject. According to KSCSTE “the idea is to make mathematics an attractive career”.

Kerala School of Mathematics will be equipped with facilities to host international conferences. The centre will have 20 permanent staff, with the rest of the faculty members comprising visiting professors.

The inauguration of the Centre for DNA Barcoding of Life Forms in the Western Ghats and Kerala at Puthenthope, Thiruvananthapuram is slated for June 11. This institution is part of a major initiative by the KCSTE to promote research activities in biotechnology. The facility is being set up on a sprawling campus at Puthenthope that will be developed as a biotechnology hub.

The proposed relocation of the NATPAC from the KCSTE headquarters to new premises at Aakulam will provide the institution with facilities for research and scope for future development. Apart from the new building the waterfront site facing Aakulam lake will also house an open air museum and an eco-biopark where each institution under the council would have an area to showcase their achievements. The Chief Minister is to lay the foundation stone for the new campus on June 4.

The Centre for Traditional knowledge on Food and Medicine for which clearance has been availed will be launched soon. The Government of Sweden has expressed willingness to collaborate in the establishment of the Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Science and Engineering.

KCSTE has drawn up plans to set up a Centre for Minerals and Nano Technology in Kollam and a Centre for Bamboo under the Kerala Forest Research Institute. All the new institutions are expected to become operational in a couple of years.