KOCHI: The state government has decided to transfer all assets and liabilities of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) to the Union government as part of the proposal to elevate the varsity to the status of Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology ( IIEST). “The decision was taken after the Union human resource minister asked the state government to handover Cusat to uplift it to a national institute,” chief minister Oommen Chandy said.
Meanwhile, Union minister for science and technology Vayalar Ravi said nine departments of three universities — Cusat, Kerala University and MG University — will get Rs 27 crore in the next three years as scientific research grants. “A Nano Mission Centre and A Molecular Research Centre to aid drug discovery is also being planned in the state. About Rs 58.64 crore will be earmarked for science projects,” he said.
Head of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Technology Transfer Group John P Zachariah stressed the need to find out ways to pillage Moon for helium. “Just 100kg of helium can meet the power needs of the state for a year,” he said.