The Facts about CUSAT
- Similar to IIT s and IISc, 100% Professors and Readers of the
Postgraduate and Research departments of CUSAT have Ph. D Degree - Similar to IIT s and IISc, CUSAT is also producing on an average 73
PhD’s per year (according to the annual report of the CUSAT,
2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006) - Similar to IIT s and IISc, CUSAT is also publishing more than 450
Research Papers. (According to Annul Report 2006-2006 the number is
460) - While IIT s and IISc are admitting more Male (80%) students in
Postgraduate and Research programmes , CUSAT is admitting more Female
students (60%) . - While IIT s and IISc are admitting students belonging to upper cast
and upper class, CUSAT is admitting students from all communities. - Male to Female ratio in B. Tech admission at IIT s is ~ 10:1 where
as in CUSAT, it is ~ 4:1
So upon conversion
- Kerala Govt will lose a Science and Technology University of growing international standards with high female student intake and affordable fees.
- The proposed fund allocation does not provide scope for considerable improvement in academic standards and research out put.
- The thrust of IIEST will be for engineering education. The Departments under the faculty of Science, Social Science, Humanities and Law will be at peril. At present, in CUSAT, these are the leading Departments, which have brought fame and glory to CUSAT
- The intake of Kerala students may be reduced from 1520 to 660; in addition to limiting the admission of female students, as in IIT Madras where male/female ratio is about 10:1 or as in IIT-Kharagpur,where it is 20:1
- During the next four years, out of the 5300 seats lost by the Kerala students, 2386 will belong to SC/ ST, OBC, OBH, OBX, SEBC and physically handicapped. This will happen even if the Central Govt. approves our demand for 50 % reservation to the students of the state.
- After the 11th plan, there is no guaranty that the institution will be a public funded one
- De-linking of affiliated colleges may create trouble to the Kerala Govt
- Several Non teaching staff may lose their job while following IIT pattern
- Presence of 30% foreign students in a small place may cause trouble to local people.
The Assets of CUSAT: The State is at a Loss
During the last 36 years of existence of CUSAT, the State Government
has invested about Rs. 3000 crores for building up the infrastructure.
CUSAT has in its possession 200 acres of Land (three campuses at
Thrikkakara, in the heart of Ernakulam City and at Pulinkunnu), with
good buildings and necessary infrastructure facilities including
Computer networking and Internet facility (which is one of the best in
the country) and very good library. The state Government has
invested so much funds for the benefit of the students of the state;
to provide quality education and research opportunities. The common
students of the state were highly benefited by the high quality
education and training CUSAT had offered in various disciplines of
Science, Marine (Ocean ) Science, Social Science, Humanities and Law;
with affordable fees. The fees structure at the proposed IIEST will be
unaffordable to the common students of the state (similar to the IIT
s, IIM s and NIT s). Many of the courses offered by CUSAT are unique
in their structure and content. The MBA and LLM courses offered by
CUSAT are rated best of their kind in the country. Conversion to IIEST
will render these courses to peril. The state will be at a loss if we
hand over the CUSAT to the Central Government for a trifling amount of
Rs. 518 crores.
Admission to IIEST: the Students of Kerala will be at a Loss
The Recommendations of the Ananthakrishnan Committee do not provide
justice to the students of Kerala. It is proposed that 30 % of seats
in all courses will be reserved for foreign students. Even if the
Central Govt. agrees for 50 % reservation of seats for the students
from the state, the number of seats available for students from the
state will be much less than that available now.
Now CUSAT is admitting 2300 students (1200 students in B. Tech, M. Sc,
M. Tech, MCA and Ph. D under regular stream in postgraduate and
research departments along with 1100 B. Tech, BCA and MCA in self
financing stream in SOE, CUCEK and CUCCAK) . Out of this, 90% of
students in the post graduate teaching and research departments
(regular stream) are from the state of Kerala. Here the male- female
ratio is 2:3. In the self-financing B. Tech/ BCA/ MCA stream, the
present percentage of Kerala students is roughly 40%. In this stream,
the male-female ratio is about 4:1.
We can realize that, in an all India competitive examination, the
percentage of girl students passing out successfully will be very
limited. Thus the girl students from the state will be at a much more
loss; now they are at an advantage in CUSAT.
Conversion to IIEST: Social Justice is Denied
The conversion of CUSAT to IIEST will lead to the denial of social
justice, with regard to the admission of students belonging to SC/ ST,
OBC etc. At present, CUSAT is providing admission to all sections of
socially and educationally backward communities of the state. Since
most of the courses offered by CUSAT are classified as professional
courses, distinct percentages of seats are reserved for SC/ ST (20 %),
OBC, OBH, OBX and SEBC (25%) and physically handicapped (5 %)
students. But when CUSAT is converted to IIEST, these reservation
opportunities will be lost. Thus during the next four years, the
number of Seats lost by different categories of students will be:
- SC/ ST : 810
- OBC/OBH/OBX/SEBC : 1313
- PH : 263
———————————————–
Total :2386
Thus out of the 5300 seats lost by the Kerala students, 2386 will
belong to SC/ ST, OBC, OBH, OBX, SEBC and physically handicapped.
Political Consequences
The loss of considerable number of seats by the Kerala Students,
particularly those belonging to the weaker sections of the society
[SC/ ST, OBC, OBH, OBX, SEBC and physically handicapped].
IIEST –A Globalization Agenda
The genesis of IIEST is part of the globalization –privatization
agenda. The present level of employability of B Tech graduates passing
out from the Engineering colleges in India is very poor due to the
pathetic quality of education provided in such colleges. The global
job market demands more percentage of readily employable ( with out
spending much for training) B Tech graduates. For this, the quality of
engineering education has to be considerably improved. INI s like
IIEST may be helpful in producing high quality engineering graduates/
post graduates suitable for the global job market.
The proposal before the MHRD clearly mentions about private –public
participation for setting up IIEST brand of Institutions. During the
11th plan period a lump sum grant of ~500 crores may be given to the
institutions. But the proposal keeps silence about the funding after
11th plan period. It is envisaged that these institutions will be
the first trial dose of private participation as envisioned by the
Higher Education Commission 2002 (Ambani Commission). We have a
bitter experience regarding the former KTDC Hotel at Kovalam.
Conversion to IIEST : Practical Difficulties
The Conversion of CUSAT to IIEST may create some practical
difficulties also. At present, 26 Engineering Colleges are affiliated
to CUSAT. CUSAT takes care of the academic control as well as the
conduct of examinations of these colleges. Once CUSAT is converted to
IIEST, these colleges have to be de-linked from CUSAT. Based on the
workload in connection with the administration of these colleges,
several clerical posts have been created in CUSAT. When these
colleges are de-linked from CUSAT, large number of clerical staff will
have to be redeployed. The number of clerical staff required while
following IIT pattern will be much less than the present staff
strength, many of the clerical staff may lose their job or will have
to be redeployed to other Universities.
Ugradation to IIT status – The case of NIT s
In the year 2002,14 REC s across the country were converted to NIT s
,which was considered as the first stage in elevating these
institutions to IIT level. But during the last five years, no
substantial improvements has occurred to the NIT s. They have not
reached the IIT level. Even though large amount of funds were pumped
into the NIT s, no improvements has been noticed in their research out
puts. In many of the NIT s several instruments/ equipments purchased
out of the funds received are lying idle with out being used. Thus it
is seen that availability of funds alone will not improve academic
standards and research out put.
Under these circumstances,CUSAT should trasfer to central goverment
and It may be good if Cochin Unversity College of Engineering is
converted to IIEST.
http://cucek.cusat.ac.in/ we feel that the Government should not
decline the offer of Central Assistance, but shall accept the proposal
in that way.
Added on 3/07/2012
CUSAT is again being considered for IIEST status….. The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is likely to consider upgradation of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) into an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) under the 12 Five Year Plan. Read more here : http://www.cusatxpress.com/2012/07/cusat-likely-to-be-upgraded-to-iiest-under-12th-plan/
Why can’t convert only the “school of engineering” .Let CUSAT be there…and all affiliated college and other departments like law and all continue like how it is now…
“Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) are institutes proposed by the Government of India to meet the growing demand for engineering and scientific manpower to meet India’s increased industrialization” [from wikipedia]
See IIESTs are institutions for engineering.. So they should only convert SOE. And rest everything should continue like what it is now.
There are about 35 Institute of National Importance. Out of this only 1 i.e NIT calicut is from kerala. Even if there is only 50 % reservation for students from the state for IIEST, it’ll be a great opportunity for students from the state to study in a institute of national importance.
i agree wid u only soe should b converted into iiest so that cusat will remain its status as university
actually there is only one problem that if cusat is converted into iiest then
1.all the keralites will lose thier res
2.all the local staff will lose thier jobs as they r not much qualified for iiest
3.thier will be the student frm all over india which will spoil thier control over it
and i m sure that internal politics will not let it to b iiest
they r realy spoiling the cusat
they hav to understand their will b lots of fund for the university
which will b vry beneficial 4 thousands of student studying there
IIEST can be made out of SOE and CUCEK. Rest of CUSAT should be left out as a state university. People should understand the difference between an engineering college and a university. Other institutions selected for conversion to IIEST are 1. Bengal Engineering College
2. Engineering College under Andhra University
3. Engineering college under Osmania University
4. Institute of Technology under BHU
In the initial list there were two other colleges also
1. Zakkir Hussain College of Engineering of Alighar University
2. Enginnering and Technology departments of Jadhavpur University.
In all these cases, only the enginnering colleges are considered for conversion sparing the mother university.
In the case of CUSAT alone the entire university is taken for conversion.This is an insult and injustice to the state of Kerala.
CUSAT is one among the top ten Universities of India; only below JNU, Univ. of Kolkata, Univ. of Madras, Univ. of Mumbai, Delhi Univ., Hyderabd Univ., Madhurai Kamaraj Univ.etc. For CUSAT, conversion to IIEST is not an upgradation, it is only downgrading the Univ.For CUSAT, SOE and CUCEK are warts, abberations. Let us peel of the warts.
I have some clarifications:
Facts of CUSAT:
1. The male female ratio. Which should be the basis of admissions to a universtiy? Merit or gender reservations? There is a low female ratio in IITs because females are not competitive enough on a national level! you cannot actually blame IITs for low female ratio! What can they do? There’s higher representation in CUSAT ‘cos the competition is WAY low.
2. IITs too have reservation. How can u say that they are not admitting students from all sections of the society while there is an existing reservation system???
3. Complaining that there’s a 20:1 female representation in btech all over the country is like saying the male female ratio in Indian Police service is 100:1. Again, survival of the fittest. U can have gender classifications in sports, but never in academics. Complaining about gender representation here is nonsense.
4. “Kerala Govt will lose a Science and Technology University of growing international standards with high female student intake and affordable fees.”
Research standards in the university are indeed high, and is something we should be proud of. But the Engineering wing is not at all performing at the desired standards ( from what I know. ) . So cut that ‘Technology’ part when claiming about growing international standards. The only international level engg. colleges in the country are the IITs.
5.”The MBA and LLM courses offered by
CUSAT are rated best of their kind in the country”
I don’t know about LLM. But you (the save cusat forum) cannot make any claims on MBA. It is definitely NOT among the top MBA colleges in the country.
6. 30% foreign participation will create problems for the locals? Whoa! If they cannot be accommodated in Cochin, u really think that they can do it in kanpur, Gorakhpur, Guwahati etc? Come on, that’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard!
7. See, reservation is allowed to give SC/ST candidates better opportunities when competing against students from other well to do families. This system of reservation has to stop someday. Even though the total number of seats available to these candidates go down, the ratio never changes. Reservation is needed. But do you really think more and more undeserving candidates should be let in as part of a reservation? Indeed they’re coming from less privileged circumstances. But even then, only the meritorious AMONG their category should be let in. So limited seats does not really endanger the careers of the talented ones.
8. About wasted funds in NITs. Suppose you get a seat in both NIT calicut and SOE, CUSAT. Which one will you go for? I would go for NIT, and I’m sure that most of you will agree with me. Whether the funds are utilised or not, NITs are definitely better than the engg. wing at CUSAT.
The only valid reasons I’ve found are about the clerical posts and Management, law and humanities department. It is indeed a pity that they’ll have to be delinked once upgraded. That sounds bad because MG and kerala universities are not good enuf. So, instead of laying roadblocks for a possible national level insitute, why can’t the so much concerned anti-IIEST activists (and SFI, DYFI and the sort) do something to raise the standard of these universities? Its possible, but never so easy as raising slogans and breaking up things.
Only 32000 students wrote the CAT this year (including me). 1,27000 wrote the kerala engg. entrance. Still think CUSAT engg. department is more popular? (Not that its so bad, but considering your claims of “growing to an international standard”, shouldn’t the figure be higher?)
Our state NEEDS an institute of national importance. As has been already mentioned, the research wing is excellent. Also, the “kerala students will lose seats” claim is like saying “FIFA football world cup should be banned because Asian countries don’t even stand a chance of winning it” 🙂 Also, 75% of graduates in india are NOT worthy of their jobs (says a guy who once came to my school for career guidance). We find ways to crack the system, partly as a result of poor living conditions and desperate needs of a job. Institutes like IIEST are attempting a change in the present conditions. We should support it, not reject it!
So, it seems that the only REAL issue is about the non-teaching staff, which is quite serious. But if they can be redeployed, then there’s no harm as well. If they can displace 1000s for building roads, redeploying some 400 non-teaching staff is not a serious violation. And I think the actual reason the leftists are opposing the move is that external political participation in the campus will almost be non-existent. I heard this rumor from the faculty. Also, when I say CUSAT to someone, the first reaction is: “Oh, strikes all the time.” Strikes are good, if there’s a serious enough reason behind it.
i agree that keralities will lose reservation. Its not that they cant study for engineering. There are many engineering colleges in kerala. Still 50% seats are reserved for keralites. That is a great opportunity for students from the state. Its because IIEST is college of national importance. The present number of keralities studying in a college of national importance are very few. Because there is only one national college in kerala. If CUSAT SOE is converted to IIEST, it’ll be a great opportunity for students study in a national college which will have better placement,better value and better facilities.
And about the local staffs… Its not that they should be thrown out from the job. Government should arrange a transfer to different colleges. For them teaching in CUSAT or any other college wont make any difference.
There will be students from all over india..but it will not spoil their control over it..coz…there are many IITs and NITs running successfully in India..In all of these institutes there are students from all over india. But there is no problem anywhere.
I just finished my +2. I got low marks in Kerala entrance examination. So I joined in a institute for Repeating. I told them i will disjoint if I get admission in CUSAT. But they told me that i should not go to CUSAT as it is not a good college like Govt. engg colleges or TKM or any other. They asked me to study in CUSAT only if I get Marine Engineering. Even my friends say that I should not go to Cusat, Repeating is better and all…..I don’t know why these people are like this. I know CUSAT certificate has its own value. This the reason why there is only 32000 candidates for CUSAT CAT compared to 1,27000 in KEAM.
Many of my friends are Repeating for entrance..when I ask them which college they want to study ,90% of all students say NIT calicut. There will not be a single students who say they want to study in CUSAT after repeating Entrance. See, If CUSAT SOE was IIEST 95% of students will try for IIEST. Its because more than 95% of students want to study in a college of National importance. That is why they say they want to study in NIT
I totally agree with you.. well said
Nice Kevin… 🙂 Thanks for the Info.
Thanx. 🙂 I’ve enrolled for CS at SOE, all because I believe that the current government will support the upgradation. And this time I believe the cut off ranks were way higher since the kerala results are not yet published, and the students are under the impression that the IIEST upgradation is going to happen soon. Students are allowed one entire month to withdraw with a refund of fees, so if no significant moves are made within that time, I think most of the good ones (below 1000 rank) will just go to another college. Anyway, let’s just hope for the best!
Yup! I get the same reaction when I say I’ve joined for engg. at CUSAT. I’m being pressurized to jump to another college like TKM or Model. The only thing I CURRENTLY like about CUSAT is their syllabus. But if the IIEST upgradation happens, TKM and model will be delinked and I don’t want to be in MG or Kerala university.
Well, they’d have seen something good in the university if they’re converting the entire campus!!!! Well, ts kind of true that the so called ‘essence’ of the university MIGHT dissappear. But its just IIEST status. The name remains CUSAT. And one more thing – what exactly is the problem if the entire university is converted? Apart from a difficulty in redeploying the staff, I don’t think there can be a major deterioration in the non-engg. departments. I think people are making fuss about what MIGHT happen. Look at the good side – the university is going to get international exposure (I mean more international exposure than it currently has). If BITS and IIT madras can succesfully run economics courses, IIEST Cochin will be more than ready to take in those other departments.
I dont think that CUSAT will be upgraded this academic year. So , if anyone joins CUSAT this year, I dont think the upgradation benefits them..
thanx dud!
Well, there’d be 3 more years ahed of you still right? The propaganda clearly states that the current students will be benefited as well.
ya…but i heard that the course provided by IIEST will be a 5 year integrated course of Btech and Mtech. So after completing just 4 years , how can they give an IIEST certificate.!?
Really? That’s it? And integrated 5 year MTech? Glad that you said it. Let me get out of CUSAT ASAP!
Ya. For that 5 yr course they are making IIESTs. Otherwise it would be same as that of IITs and there is no need of another Institution family (IIEST)
I’ve cancelled my admission. The upgradation doesn’t bother me anymore. But anyway, I do hope that CUSAT will be an IIEST one day. All the best to my would-have-been friends.
Thanks Kevin and All the best to you too 😀
what about CUCEK ?
Is IIEST upgradation only meant for SOE , not for CUCEK ????
or BOTH ???
Yeah..Y is no one speakin of cucek? wud they get any benefits from this? or r v gointa get de-linked? any news on this?
Read the latest development about the Up-gradation guys : http://www.cusatxpress.com/2011/11/centre-says-no-to-cusat-upgradation-proposal/
Have any body visited any IIT, How you can compare IIT with CUSAT,Where is the position of CUSAT comapred to an IIT
check this out sahil:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cusat-IIEST/speednewsbytopic/keyid-1125332.cms
http://www.cusatxpress.com/2012/07/cusat-likely-to-be-upgraded-to-iiest-under-12th-plan/
its a win win situation for kerala anyhow if it upgrades to IIEST….come on ppl, let thnk straight. Better placemnts, jobs,research,facilities, education….(the only con part is v ll lose r magniloquent policitians)…grow up guys
The best quality of the CUSAT is its research achievements . being an IIEST CUSAT will loose the research wing …. said by one hwo opposing the proposal
Why the hell of you dnt want it to be a central institution????who says other depts of cusat wiill be in peril if it upgrades to an IIEST???? it will get lot more of funds and infrastructure….why the hell do you want to be taught by the less proficient and qualified teachers????don’t you keralites want to appear on the global horizon????have the ppl talking against it being upgraded ever been to an iit or iiest campus????please dnt play foul with the students here….we really want it to be upgraded….and remember our dear elderly politicians ,of course we respect our elders….but if you are going to crash our dreams thn we can revolt too….and you must know that youth is the biggest and strongest power in the world…..