Kerala budget announces 'Knowledge Valley' to prevent flow of students to foreign countries; Tribal university in Wayanad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Budget has announced plans to establish a world-class 'Kerala Knowledge Valley' on a war footing to stop the flow of students moving to other states and foreign countries for higher education. The government will bring legislation to bring top universities from India and abroad to Kerala. The Knowledge Valley will be a global higher education centre with advanced courses, leading research parks, and centres of excellence.

An advisory committee with strong academic and scientific expertise will be appointed for the project. The government will create industry-academic partnerships with leading institutions in India and abroad. The project aims to create a strong and self-sufficient environment for Kerala to become Asia’s intellectual capital. An amount of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the project. Another 50 crore has been set aside to start a tribal university and an indigenous knowledge centre in Wayanad.

The government is also considering changes to the private university bill passed by the Assembly if it is returned by the President. The plan was to start more than a dozen multi-disciplinary private universities offering courses in medicine, engineering, law, pharmacy, paramedical studies, and other fields. Since the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the central government support private universities, the amended bill may get approval.

Green signal for foreign university campuses

• The budget has made a favourable announcement for foreign university campuses in Kerala. Foreign universities can start campuses in association with existing medical and engineering colleges.
• Foreign university campuses do not need a state government NOC to get approval from the UGC. Students can study foreign courses in Kerala at a lower cost. Meritorious students will get fee concessions and scholarships.

Higher Education abroad
13.2 lakh students from India are studying abroad in 78 countries.
Around 4% of them are Malayalis.
Nearly 40,000 Malayali students go abroad every year for higher studies.
Indians spend around Rs 2.48 lakh crore annually on foreign education.

“There is a need to bring global-level educational institutions. When the world is moving towards a global education system, closing everything and building barriers will only push more students abroad.”
- Roji M John
Higher Education Minister