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Cochin University of Science and Technology
Cochin University of Science and Technology
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Administrative office [4]

Key Information

Main gate of Cochin campus (CUSAT)

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is a state government-owned autonomous university in Kochi, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1971 and has three campuses: two in Kochi (Kalamassery and Ernakulam) and one in Kuttanad, Alappuzha, 66 km (41 mi) inland.

The university was founded in 1971 as the University of Cochin through an act of the Kerala Legislature, which was the result of a campaign for postgraduate education in the state. It was renamed as Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in February 1986. Its goals are to promote undergraduate and postgraduate studies and advanced research in applied science, technology, industry, commerce, management and social sciences.[5]

Admissions to both undergraduate and postgraduate courses are based on the Common Admission Test (CAT). Departmental Admission Tests (DAT) are conducted for some postgraduate courses. As of 2019, the university has 29 Departments of study and research, offering graduate and post-graduate programmes across a wide spectrum of disciplines in Engineering, Science, Technology, Humanities, Law & Management. The university has academic links and exchange programmes with several institutions across the globe.[6]

A new species of amphipod collected from the Cochin backwaters was named Victoriopisa cusatensis after the university in 2018.[7]

The motto of the university is Tejasvinavadhithamastu, which is taken from the Vedas and conveys "May the wisdom accrued deify us both – the teacher and the taught - and percolate to the universe in its totality".[1][8]

Student Amenity Center

Campuses

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The university has three campuses: two are in Kochi, and one is at Pulinkunnu, Kuttanad, Alappuzha about 65 km south of Kochi in the state of Kerala.[9]

Main (Thrikkakara) Campus

[edit]
Guest House at Kalamassery
Seminar hall
Students Amenities Centre Inside View.

The main campus is 1.5 km (0.93 mi) off the National Highway 47 in South Kalamassery. The 180-acre (0.73 km2) campus includes the School of Engineering (SOE Campus), Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering, School of Management Studies, various Science departments, and the School of Legal Studies.[citation needed]

Lakeside Campus

[edit]

The Lakeside campus, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from the main campus, is set on Fine Arts Avenue in Cochin city on the waterfront of the estuary. It includes the School of Marine Sciences, School of Industrial Fisheries, Department of Physical Oceanography, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Chemical Oceanography, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, and the Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics. The School of Marine Sciences library is one of the largest marine science libraries in Asia. The school also has a research vessel for coastal water studies, and has academic interactions with other universities and research institutes within and outside India.[10]

Pulincunnu Campus

[edit]

The Pulincunnu campus in Kuttanad, Alappuzha District is 65 km from the Main campus. It is home to the Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad (CUCEK) and the Cochin University College of Computer Applications (CUCCA).[9]

Faculties

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CUSAT is structured into nine faculties:[11]

Signboard in the university showing different departments.

Faculty of Science

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Department of Physics

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The Department of Physics of the Cochin University of Science and Technology was founded as the Department of Physics of the Ernakulam Centre of the University of Kerala in 1963 by Prof. K. Venkateswarlu. It is now a centre of excellence, well known within India and abroad for its contributions to teaching and research in both experimental and theoretical physics. Areas of interest include nanoscience and technology, optoelectronic devices, quantum computing, semiconductor devices, solar cells, holographic materials, high density storage batteries, astrobiology and quantum optics. Research is sponsored by agencies including UGC, AICTE, IUCAA, DST, DRDO, CSIR, IUAC, DAE, and KSCSTE. The department has extensive instrumentation, which is made available to outside users at a nominal charge.

The department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of MSc (Physics), M.Phil. (Physics) and PhD.

The Department of Physics conducts a science awareness programme in physics[12][13] and the National Space Olympiad[14][15][16] in association with the IUCAA Resource Centre, CUSAT and Edumithra Intellectual Services.

Faculty of Technology

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Department of Electronics

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The Department of Electronics was established in 1975. Research areas include microwave electronics, microprocessors, underwater acoustics, ocean electronics, microwave propagation antennas, microwave image processing, pattern recognition, microprocessor applications in signal processing and display devices. Research is sponsored by external agencies including the DST, ISRO, AICTE, DOE, DRDO, MOD and the state government. The department has international collaborations with Delft University (Netherlands), PolarizOne Corporation (Malaysia), University of Kent (UK) and University of Surrey (UK).[17]

The department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of MSc (Electronics) and MTech (Electronics) with specializations in Microwave & Radar Electronics and Digital Electronics, and PhD.

The department conducts two national symposia as biennial events: the National Symposium on Antennas & Propagation (APSYM),[18] and the Symposium on Ocean Electronics (SYMPOL).[19]

Department of Instrumentation

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The Department of Instrumentation was established in the year 1995 as an outgrowth of the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC), which offers instrumentation services including design and fabrication, glass blowing, and carpentry to science and technology departments of the university and external organizations. As an academic department, it now has research programmes in the areas of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, sponsored by external funding agencies including DST, DAE, UGC, AICTE, KSCSTE and TWAS. It also offers consultancy for the design and fabrication of experimental systems for teaching, research, calibration and industrial applications. [20] The department offers a four-year BTech (Bachelors) course in Instrumentation Technology, two-year MTech course in Instrumentation Technology and two-year MSc course in Instrumentation.[21]

K N Madhusoodanan, professor of Department of Instrumentation was appointed vice-chancellor (VC) of CUSAT on 25 April 2019 by Governor P Sathasivam.[22]

Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology

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The Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology (P.S. & R.T.), established in 1971, is a pioneer in the areas of education and research in polymer science and engineering. Its BTech programme began in 1972, in collaboration with the Rubber Research Institute of India. It is funded by agencies including Nuffic (MHO, The Netherlands), Volkswagen Foundation (Germany), MHRD, AICTE, DRDO, DST, and UGC.

Department of Ship Technology

[edit]

The Department of Ship Technology was founded in 1974 and is one of the pioneers in the field of Naval Architecture education in India. Its BTech programme in Naval Architecture and Ship Building began in 1975. The Naval Architecture programme is run in collaboration with the University of Rostock, Germany, and its graduates are in demand for positions in the shipbuilding industry, ship classification societies, R&D organisations, and the Indian Navy. The Ministry of Shipping (Government of India) approved the BTech course for the M.O.T. Certificate Examination, and the Indian Navy has recognised this department as a centre for the higher education of their officers.[citation needed]

The Society of Naval Architecture Students in the department publishes an annual Technical Magazine, SHIPSTECHNIC.

International School of Photonics

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The International School of Photonics (ISP) was founded in 1995. Research activities include the design and fabrication of various laser systems and laser components, investigations of non-linear phenomena in different materials using photothermal, photoacoustic and related techniques, time- and space-resolved studies on laser-induced plasmas, design and characterization of fibre-optic sensors, fabrication and characterisation of polymer fibres, preparation and investigation of photonic materials and studies on photonics theory, sponsored by funding agencies including DST, AICTE and UGC.[23] The University Grants Commission designated Cochin University of Science and Technology as a "University with Potential for Excellence in the Field of Lasers and Optoelectronics Sciences" in March 2002, and provided a grant of Rs. 5 crore that was used to establish a Centre of Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronics Sciences (CELOS). The Centre later merged with the International School of Photonics.

The department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of MTech (Opto Electronics and Laser Technology) and PhD.

Department of Computer Applications

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The Department of Computer Applications (DCA) was established in 1994. It offers a Masters in Computer Applications programme with the financial support of UGC and the Department of Electronics, Government of India. Research areas include information security, simulation and modelling, cryptography and coding theory, language computing, algorithms, pattern recognition, Web mining, applications of graph theory, image processing, data mining, networking and software engineering.[24] The department also provide MSc Computer Science with Specialization in soft Computing from 2016. The aim is to prepare the students with both theoretical and practical foundation in soft computing. The curriculum includes exposure to the current technologies like Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, AI, Big Data Analytics etc.

Department of Computer Science

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The Department of Computer Science (DCS) focuses on academic programs in Information Systems, but also includes research on high-speed computing, human-computer interactions, information security, networked embedded systems, natural language processing, software engineering, and very-large-scale integration. It was instrumental in establishing the university computer centre and the CUSAT Intranet.

The department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of MTech (Computer & Information Science), MTech (Software Engineering) and MTech (Computer Science with Specialization in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence), MSc Computer Science ( Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) and PhD (Computer Science / Computer Engineering or Information Science).

Research laboratories include:

1. Artificial Intelligence & Computer Vision Laboratory (AICV)

2. Bioinformatics Laboratory (BI)

3. Cyber Physical Systems Laboratory (CPS)

4. Natural Language Processing Laboratory (NLP)

5. Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL)

Faculty of Engineering

[edit]

School of Engineering, Thrikkakara

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The School of Engineering was established in 1979 to offer part-time MTech programmes in the major disciplines of engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering) for practising engineers in and around Cochin. In 1995 the School introduced BTech programmes in Civil engineering, Mechanical engineering, Electronics and Communication engineering, Computer Science & Engineering and Information technology. Safety and Fire Engineering was added in 1996 and Electrical & Electronics Engineering in 2003.

In 1981 the School added PhD programmes. As of 2019, the School had produced 53 PhDs and over 250 candidates were registered as research students. External funding for research activities is provided by agencies including DST, the Central Water Commission, ISRO, AICTE, Coir Board, and the Kerala State Coir Corporation.

The BTech programmes offered by the school are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) under the Tier-I system.[25] The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) is a permanent signatory to the Washington Accord that sets standards for engineering undergraduate degrees in a number of countries.[citation needed]

Undergraduate BTech courses (student intake in parentheses)[26]

Software Engineering block

Postgraduate MTech courses[27]

Full Time

  • Information Technology (Software Systems) (18)
  • Computer Science and Engineering (Networking Systems) (18)
  • Civil Engineering (Geo-technical Engineering) (18)
  • Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Engineering) (18)
  • Electronics & Communications Engineering (Wireless Technology) (18)

Part Time

  • Civil Engineering (18)
  • Mechanical Engineering (18)
  • Chemical Engineering (18)
  • Electrical Engineering (18)

PhD programmes are available in all areas mentioned above.

Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering

[edit]

The Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering offers a BTech programme in Marine Engineering. This is a full-time compulsory residential programme. Students wear Merchant navy Cadets' Uniform for classes. Physical training is compulsory for the cadets.[citation needed]

The intake for BTech Marine Engineering is 80 per year. In 2014, a full-time two-year MTech programme in Marine Engineering (80 students) was added.[28] The School also provides short term courses in an Engine Room Simulator for students preparing for competitive examinations conducted by the Directorate General of Shipping.

Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad

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The Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad was established in 1999 and is owned by the Cochin University of Science and Technology. It is situated in a 42-acre campus in Pulincunnoo, Kuttanad, about 75 km away from the main campus at Thrikkakara. It is the only campus of CUSAT that is outside the Ernakulam District. BTech programmes are offered in:[26]

Faculty of Environmental Studies

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School of Environmental Studies

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The School of Environmental Studies, a Centre for higher learning dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development, was established in 1983. The School is funded by grants from the Department of Science and Technology and the University Grants Commission.[citation needed]

The National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH), attached to the School of Environmental Studies conducts a two-year MTech programme sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India under its network programme in human resource development in biotechnology.[citation needed]

The MSc in Environmental Technology is offered with specializations in two disciplines:[citation needed]

Stream I: Environmental engineering

Stream 2: Environmental biotechnology.

Doctoral programmes are offered in the areas of: environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental photocatalysis & sonophotocatalysis, environmental microbiology, Environmental Management, environmental toxicology, environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering and remote sensing.[citation needed]

The School conducts UGC sponsored refresher Courses for university and college teachers, and offers consultancy services in climate resilience, environmental surveys, pollution monitoring, water quality management, water treatment, disease diagnosis and management of aquaculture systems, and environmental impact assessment. The School participated in the environmental impact assessment for the Metro Rail Project of Kochi city.[citation needed]

Faculty of Humanities

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Department of Hindi

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The Department of Hindi, established in 1963, is one of the oldest departments of the university. It was originally part of Kerala University but moved to the University of Cochin in 1971. It is the only department in South India with Department Research Support (DRS) and Department Special Assistance (DSA) programmes in Hindi supported by UGC.[citation needed]

Hindi Department

The department's research includes areas such as ancient and modern poetry, fiction, drama and theatre studies, criticism, grammar, linguistics, comparative studies of languages and literature, folk literature, translation, and computer aided language teaching.[citation needed]

Programmes of study and research:

  • M.A. Hindi Language and Literature
  • M.Phil. P.G. Diploma in Translational and Functional Hindi
  • PhD
  • Short Term Course in Computer-based Training and Teaching in Hindi

Department of English and Foreign Languages

[edit]

The Department of English and Foreign Languages was initially established as the Department of Foreign Languages in 1976. The department's main focus is the teaching of languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian. In 2012 the department was named the Department of English and Foreign Languages, to signal the special importance of English language teaching.[citation needed]

Faculty of Law

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[edit]

The School of Legal Studies was initially established as the Postgraduate Department of Law of Kerala University in 1962. The first Chair of the department was the late Dr. A.T. Markose, an internationally reputed jurist who was the founding Director of the Indian Law Institute and Deputy Judge at the International Administrative Tribunal.[citation needed]

The school maintains an Intellectual Property Rights repository consisting of rare books and journals, with help from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a component agency of the United Nations, has donated its major publications to this repository. The MHRD has sanctioned a chair for Intellectual Property studies.[citation needed]

A Human Rights Chair in the name of late Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer has been established at the school to encourage interdisciplinary research into human rights.[citation needed]

The school offers a 3-year LL.B. programme, a 5-year B.B.A, LL.B. (Hons) programme, and a B.Com. LL.B (Hons.) programme.[26]

Inter University Centre for Intellectual Property Rights Studies

[edit]

The Centre for IPR Studies established in the School of Legal Studies of the Cochin University of Science & Technology in 2003 is converted into an Inter University Centre in 2009 to encourage multidisciplinary teaching and research in the area of intellectual property rights. This is an autonomous Centre at CUSAT established by the Government of Kerala envisaged to be a research hub and resource centre facilitating interaction between researchers from different universities in Kerala and outside. This is one of the Inter University Centers conceived and implemented by the Department of Education, Government of Kerala.[citation needed]

Centre for IPR Studies was originally established with Dr. K.N. Chandrasekharan Pillai, Dean, Faculty of Law as the Director and Dr. N.S. Gopalakrishnan as the Coordinator. The centre is also supported by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, which has already established a Chair on Intellectual Property Rights in CUSAT in 2003.[citation needed]

The centre is offering multi-disciplinary PhD Programme with scholarships in IPR related areas to encourage researchers from different disciplines like law, economics, political science, history, science and technology etc. to undertake policy research. There are several research scholars working in different areas. The availability of primary research materials in the depository makes it possible for the researchers to bring out mimeographs on vital topics in the area of Intellectual Property Rights. The centre, in association with the School of Legal Studies, also offers courses on Intellectual Property Rights for the LL.M programme of the School.[citation needed]

The IUCIPRS is administered by a Governing Council with the Hon’ble Minister for Education and Culture, Government of Kerala as chairman. There is an executive committee with the Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT as chairman and a Faculty Committee to manage the administrative and academic activities of the centre. Dr. M. Bhasi is the Director of the centre.[citation needed]

Courses Offered

[edit]

1. LLM (IPR) PhD Integrated (5 Year)

2. LLM (IP) PhD Integrated (5 Year)

3. LLM (IPR, 1 Year)

4. BBA LLB (5 Year) 5. B.Com LLB (5 year)

DDU KAUSHAL Kendra

[edit]

UGC has introduced DDU KAUSHAL KENDRAS (DDUKK) for promoting vocational education in continuation to its initiatives for introducing community colleges and B.Voc Programmes realizing the importance and the necessity for developing skills among students, and creating work ready manpower on large scale.

It is one of the pioneering institutions in vocational education in higher education sector in the country. DDUKK CUSAT aims at providing quality vocational education through DDUKK combining class room centered formal education and training with experience sharing of Industry practitioners and internships in business houses.[29][30] The focus is towards integrated knowledge acquisition and upgrading human skill towards creating a new league of employable youth.[31] Teaching and training methodology of courses offered under DDUKK are designed accordingly.

DDUKK was originally established with Dr. Zakkariaya K.A (Professor, School of Management Studies, CUSAT) as the founder director in the year 2015.

Courses offered: 1. M.Voc in Technology and Management Consultancy 2. M.Voc in Mobile Phone Application Development 3. B.Voc in Business Process and Data Analytics

Faculty of Marine Sciences

[edit]

School of Industrial Fisheries

[edit]

The Department of Industrial Fisheries was established in 1976 and upgraded to a school in 1995 to recognize its academic and scientific achievements. It has five divisions:[citation needed]

  • Aquaculture and Capture Fisheries
  • Fishing Technology
  • Fish Processing Technology
  • Fisheries Economics
  • Fisheries Management.

Department of Atmospheric Sciences

[edit]
Advanced Center for Atmospheric Radar Research at CUSAT

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences is a centre of excellence in teaching and research in the field of Meteorology/Atmospheric Sciences. It is located in the Lakeside Campus of the Cochin University of Science and Technology.[citation needed]

The department was identified by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as one of the Centres of Excellence for the Government of India's New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) on mesoscale modelling for monsoon-related predictions, along with other premier centres such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune; the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; C- MMACS, Bangalore and the National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore.[citation needed]

The department offers post-graduate coursework leading to the degrees of MSc (Meteorology) and MTech (Atmospheric Science).[citation needed]

Department of Chemical Oceanography

[edit]

The Department of Chemical Oceanography focuses on teaching and research on the chemistry of aquatic systems. This is a core discipline for research across the various disciplines of marine sciences.[citation needed]

Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry

[edit]

The Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry is one of the foremost academic centres in marine biology in the country.[citation needed] It was founded in 1938 and immediately established a research programme. Over 100 PhD students have graduated from the department.

The department offers post-graduate coursework leading to the degrees of MSc (Marine Biology) and M. Phil.(Life Sciences).

Researchers from the department named a new species after the university, Victoriopisa cusatensis[7].

Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics

[edit]

The Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics was one of the first departments in the country to recognize the importance of geology and geophysics in environmental and developmental issues. The postgraduate programme in Marine Geology began in 1976.[citation needed]

The department offers post-graduate coursework leading to the degree of MSc (Marine Geophysics).[citation needed]

Department of Physical Oceanography

[edit]

The Department of Physical Oceanography was an outgrowth of the Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography of the University of Kerala. A postgraduate programme in Oceanography began in 1965, which later moved to the Physical Oceanography and Meteorology Division (POMD) of University of Cochin. In 1996, the Department of Physical oceanography was founded.[citation needed]

The department offers post-graduate coursework leading to the degrees of MSc (Oceanography) and MTech (Ocean Technology).[citation needed]

Faculty of Medical Sciences and Technology

[edit]

Department of Biotechnology

[edit]

The Department of Biotechnology, established in the year 1991, focuses on research in Microbiology, Virology, Microbial Ecology, Neurobiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering, Plant Biotechnology, Bio-electrochemical systems and Microbial Genetics.[citation needed]

The department offers post-graduate coursework leading to the degree of M.Sc. Microbiology (started in 2018), M.Sc. (Biotechnology), Integrated MSc in Biological Sciences (Started in 2021) and PhD in Biotechnology [citation needed]. Prof. (Dr.) Parvathi A. is currently serving as the Head of the Department.

Faculty of Social Sciences

[edit]

Department of Applied Economics

[edit]

The Department of Applied Economics focuses on the economics of technology, econometrics and operations research. The city of Kochi has an industrial belt and a coastal area that supports fishing. Industry and fishing have contributed considerably to environmental pollution in the area. Therefore, the department takes a particular interest in the technology problems of industry and the fisheries sector, and the economics of the environment.[citation needed]

The department offers postgraduate coursework leading to the degree of M.A. (Applied Economics) as well as M.Phil. and PhD programmes.[citation needed]

School of Management Studies

[edit]

The School of Management Studies (SMS) is one of the oldest academic units of the university and was one of the first five management schools to be established in the country. It was founded in October 1964 as a part of Kerala University, under the leadership of Professor Emeritus M. V. Pylee and located in the premises of the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. It became part of the University of Cochin in 1971, which later became Cochin University of Science and Technology. The school pursues four areas of academic activity: teaching, training, research, and consultancy.[citation needed]

SMS offers postgraduate coursework leading to the following degrees: MBA, M.Phil. (Commerce) and PhD[citation needed]

Rankings

[edit]
University rankings
General – international
Times (World) (2024)[32]1201-1500
Times (Asia) (2024)[33]301-350
General – India
NIRF (Overall) (2024)[34]51
NIRF (Universities) (2024)[35]34


CUSAT was ranked in the 1201-1500 band by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024[36] and in the 301-350 band in Asia.[37] The NIRF ranked it 34th among universities and 51st overall in India in 2024.[38]

Centres

[edit]

Centre for Science in Society

[edit]

The Centre for Science in Society (C-SIS) was established in 1991 with partial financial assistance from Cochin Refineries Limited. The Centre aims to make science and technology more accessible to children. The government of Kerala has approved C-SIS as a training centre for high school science teachers under the "Sastraposini" Programme.[citation needed]

The Science and Technology Park of C-SIS includes a Space Pavilion donated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) that includes models of their space rockets and of the lunar probe Chandrayaan, and videos of rocket launches from Sriharikota. Students can see demonstrations of trajectory monitoring and error correction in the process of satellite launching. The park also includes an electronics exhibit from the U.S based (IEEE) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 'E –Scientia'.[citation needed]

Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre

[edit]

The Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre (STIC) is a joint venture of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).[39] Its goals are to provide advanced instrument facilities for analysis testing, measurement, and calibration to users from industries, academic institutions, and R&D establishments; develop novel instruments in areas relevant to industries in the State; and offer training in the operation of these instruments for industry and academic institutions.[citation needed]

National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health

[edit]

The National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH) was formerly the Centre for Fish Disease Diagnosis and Management. It is situated in the Lakeside Campus of the university. The centre was established in 2000 to support aquatic farmers in protecting the health of growing stocks. It includes research laboratories in bacteriology, virology, animal tissue culture, immunology, genomics, proteomics, fermentation, and bioassays.[40] The centre offers an MTech programme in Marine Biotechnology sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology of the Government of India.[citation needed]

Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy

[edit]

The Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) was founded in 2009. It performs research into social exclusion, focusing on digital exclusion, housing and basic amenities exclusion, socio-cultural and structural determinants of exclusion, spatial exclusion, and demographic dimensions of exclusion.[citation needed]

Women's Studies Centre

[edit]

The Women's Studies Centre (WSC) was started in 2010 with financial assistance from the University Grants Commission with a view to build up Women's capacity for empowerment. Since then the centre has been striving hard to achieve the goals. The centre has conducted numerous seminars and outreach programmes.[41][42]

Inter University Centre for IPR Studies

[edit]

Inter University Centre for IPR Studies (IUCIPRS) is an autonomous institution established by the Department of Higher Education of the Government of Kerala, within the Cochin University of Science and Technology. It was founded in 2003 to encourage multidisciplinary teaching and research in the area of intellectual property rights.[citation needed]

IUCIPRS's governing council consists of 12 members with the Minister for Education and Culture, Government of Kerala as chair and the Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT as vice-chair.[43]

International Centre for Economic Policy and Analysis

[edit]

The International Centre for Economic Policy and Analysis (ICEPA) emerged from international collaborations led by the Department of Applied Economics in the 1990s and 2000s. ICEPA was established in 2004 to focus on the analysis of economic issues and develop guidelines for policy decisions. The Centre collaborates with national and international NGO's as well as with industries and governments.[citation needed]

The centre has performed studies relating to the World Bank, the European Union, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Development Research Institute of The Netherlands, the Tilburg University, the Ministries of Agriculture and of Plantation (Government of India), and the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd.[citation needed]

Tech Fest Incident in 2023

[edit]

The CUSAT stampede was a fatal incident that occurred on 25 November 2023, at the CUSAT in Kochi, Kerala. Four students died and 64 others were injured when a crowd of people tried to enter an open-air auditorium where a concert by singer Nikhita Gandhi was about to begin, as part of the university’s annual tech festival ‘Dhishna’. The concert was organized in collaboration with Realme, a smartphone brand. The stampede was triggered by a sudden rain and a lack of proper crowd management, as only those with passes and ‘Dhishna’ T-shirts were allowed inside the auditorium, which had a single entrance/exit gate.[44][45]

See also

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Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is a state government-owned located in , , , , initially established as the University of Cochin on 10 July 1971 through an Act of the Government and reorganized as CUSAT in 1986 to emphasize advanced studies and research in applied sciences and . The institution operates as a federal science and university, accredited with an 'A+' grade by the (NAAC), and focuses on fostering innovation through graduate and postgraduate education, industry-academia partnerships, and knowledge transfer in fields such as , marine sciences, , , and studies.
CUSAT's foundational schools trace back to earlier establishments, including the School of Marine Sciences in 1938 and the School of Management Studies in 1964, which were integrated into the university framework to support interdisciplinary research and practical applications in technology and industry. The university has expanded to include specialized departments like Polymer Science and Rubber Technology (1971), School of Engineering (1978), and International School of Photonics (1995), contributing to national initiatives such as the "Make in India" program through facilities like the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research. In recent rankings, CUSAT achieved 6th position among state public universities and entered the top 50 overall in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, reflecting improvements in teaching, research output, and outreach from prior years' standings. Notable research accomplishments include faculty securing international fellowships, such as a €2.03 million Marie Curie grant, and domestic funding like SERB research grants, alongside collaborations for dual-degree programs with foreign institutions. While primarily recognized for its technical and scientific advancements, the university has faced scrutiny over administrative decisions and campus events promoting gender segregation, prompting official denials and legal responses to maintain institutional policies.

History

Establishment in 1971

The University of Cochin, predecessor to the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), was established on July 10, 1971, through the Cochin University Act, 1971 (Act 30 of 1971), enacted by the State Legislature. This legislation incorporated the university as an autonomous teaching and affiliating institution aimed at advancing higher education, with a primary focus on postgraduate teaching and research in applied sciences, technology, industry, and commerce. The establishment addressed a recognized need for specialized postgraduate programs in , stemming from a concerted campaign by academics and stakeholders for dedicated facilities in technical and scientific fields, amid the state's growing industrial base in . Initially, the university operated from temporary facilities, with its core mandate emphasizing interdisciplinary research and applied knowledge to support regional , including sectors like marine sciences and reflective of Cochin's port-city context. At , the of Cochin enrolled fewer than 500 students, primarily in select postgraduate programs, marking a deliberate shift from general toward specialized, research-oriented instruction. The founding statutes outlined governance through a , , and academic council, ensuring academic while aligning with state oversight, and positioned the institution as a funded primarily by the .

Renaming and Expansion Phases

The University of Cochin underwent a significant reorganization and renaming to Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in 1986, enacted through the Cochin University of Science and Technology Act, 1986, which redefined its mandate to emphasize graduate and postgraduate studies alongside advanced research in applied sciences, , industry, , , and social sciences. This shift marked a deliberate pivot toward technological and applied disciplines, aligning the institution more closely with emerging industrial and scientific needs in . Expansion efforts commenced shortly after the 1971 establishment, with rapid growth in academic departments and infrastructure during the mid-1970s. In 1975, the university added the Department of Electronics and the Department of Ship Technology, alongside establishing the Cochin University Library to support burgeoning activities. By 1976, further diversification occurred with the creation of departments in Industrial Fisheries, Applied Chemistry, and , Mathematics and , and Foreign Languages, expanding the scope beyond core sciences into interdisciplinary and resource-oriented fields reflective of Kerala's coastal economy. The late and early represented a consolidation phase, introducing specialized engineering and research units. In 1978, the School of Engineering was founded to offer part-time M.Tech. programs, catering to working professionals, while the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) was set up to provide advanced analytical facilities. Ph.D. programs in engineering followed in 1981, enhancing research capacity, and the School of Environmental Studies was established in 1983 to address ecological concerns amid industrial growth. The Department of launched in 1984 with an M.Tech. program, anticipating the digital era's demands. These developments grew the initial enrollment of approximately 500 students and few departments in 1971 to a more robust structure by the mid-, laying groundwork for post-renaming autonomy. Post-1986, expansion accelerated with targeted centers, including the in 1991 and the of Photonics in 1995, fostering high-tech research collaborations. The first off-campus extension, Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad (CUCEK), opened in 1999, extending reach to rural areas and contributing to the university's three-campus network spanning 226 acres by the early 2000s. Later initiatives, such as the 2011 Centre of Excellence in , underscored ongoing infrastructural and programmatic scaling to support innovation in .

Key Milestones in Growth

In 1975, the University of Cochin expanded its academic scope by establishing the Departments of and Ship Technology, alongside the Cochin University Library, which facilitated enhanced and technical education capabilities. These additions represented early milestones in diversifying beyond initial science programs, aligning with the institution's emphasis on postgraduate studies in applied fields. The university underwent reconstitution in February 1986, renaming to Cochin University of and (CUSAT) through an act that redefined its objectives to prioritize , , and interdisciplinary , while incorporating undergraduate programs. This shift broadened its mandate, enabling greater integration of engineering and marine sciences, and set the stage for subsequent infrastructure developments. Further growth occurred in 1990 with the inauguration of the Computer Centre, which supported emerging computational needs across departments and bolstered in . In 1991, the was founded, introducing advanced biological sciences programs and fostering collaborations in health and environmental . The establishment of the campus in 1999 extended physical infrastructure to support specialized studies in aquatic and agricultural sciences. The year 2000 saw the creation of the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, enhancing CUSAT's leadership in marine biotechnology and disease management for industries. Student enrollment expanded markedly from under 500 at in 1971 to over 9,000 by the 2020s, reflecting increased capacity and international appeal with students from more than 25 countries. In recent years, CUSAT achieved NAAC accreditation with an 'A+' grade and entered global rankings such as and starting in 2017, underscoring infrastructural and academic advancements. By 2024, it ranked among India's top 10 state public universities in the (NIRF), driven by research output and faculty expertise.

Governance and Administration

Leadership and Statutory Bodies

The Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is the Governor of , currently Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who assumed the position on January 2, 2024. The serves as the ceremonial head and possesses powers including the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and oversight of university statutes. The Vice-Chancellor, the , is Prof. (Dr.) M. Junaid Bushiri, who assumed office on September 21, 2024. A senior professor in the Department of Physics, Bushiri chairs and directs academic and administrative functions. CUSAT's principal statutory bodies include , , and Academic Council. The functions as the chief executive authority, managing finances, properties, and policy implementation, with 21 members comprising the Vice-Chancellor, government nominees such as the Director of Technical Education and secretaries from higher education and finance departments, elected academics, and student representatives; it convenes monthly. The acts as the supreme legislative body, deliberating on broad university policies and comprising elected faculty, alumni, and nominees. The Academic Council oversees curricula, examinations, and research standards, integrating input from faculty boards of studies. These bodies derive authority from the CUSAT Act of 1986 and subsequent amendments, ensuring structured governance.

Administrative Challenges and Reforms

The appointment of university leadership has faced significant hurdles at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), mirroring broader governance tensions in Kerala's higher education sector. In September 2024, the interim Vice-Chancellor M. Junaid Bushiri was appointed unilaterally by the , drawing condemnation from the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) for bypassing established procedures and undermining academic . This issue contributed to ongoing vacancies, with the expressing concern in June 2025 over 12 of 13 state universities, including CUSAT, lacking regularly appointed Vice-Chancellors, leading to administrative delays in and operations. Student unrest has highlighted operational shortcomings, such as restricted access to facilities and poor maintenance. In September 2025, students affiliated with the Kerala Students' Union (KSU) protested day-and-night over issues including limited access to the university sports ground and uncleared waste in hostels, prompting administrative intervention to clear debris and negotiate access agreements, which resolved the standoff. Similarly, investigations into a 2024 campus stampede have dragged on for over a year, with families of victims reporting unresolved compensation and unfulfilled promises like scholarships, exacerbating perceptions of administrative inertia. Proposed structural changes, such as converting the School of Engineering's divisions into seven departments, remained pending government approval as of April 2023, stalling academic reorganization efforts. In response to these challenges, CUSAT has pursued targeted reforms to bolster oversight and operational integrity. Following unauthorized use of its name and emblem in a controversial September 2025 event involving gender segregation, the university announced plans to seek intervention, emphasizing that no external entity can conduct events without permission, thereby reinforcing institutional branding protections. Administrative streamlining includes reconstituting the Planning Committee with the Registrar as Secretary, ratified by , to enhance coordination. Recent initiatives, as outlined in the 2022-2023 Annual Report, focus on systems to improve academic efficiency, while the 2025-26 budget allocates funds for student insurance and industry collaborations to address practical gaps. These measures aim to mitigate delays and foster resilience amid persistent leadership and procedural frictions.

Campuses and Infrastructure

Main Thrikkakara Campus

The Main Campus of Cochin University of Science and Technology is situated in South , , , , approximately 1.5 kilometers east of National Highway 47 between and . This primary campus, established alongside the university's founding as the University of Cochin in 1971, occupies 180 acres of undulating terrain featuring verdant landscapes. The campus infrastructure centers around a main administrative building constructed in traditional Kerala architectural style, encompassing the university's administrative office, central library, and computer center. It hosts the majority of the university's academic departments and schools—excluding those focused on marine sciences—along with laboratories, workshops, and specialized facilities such as the School of Engineering. Key establishments include the Department of , relocated here in 1967 as the Ernakulam Centre of University, and subsequent additions like the Departments of and Ship Technology in 1975. Student and support amenities on the campus comprise multiple hostels, including three for men, canteens such as Triveni Coffee House, and the University Employment Information and Guidance Bureau operational since January 10, 1973. Additional centers, like the Centre for Science in Society established in 1991, contribute to interdisciplinary activities. The layout supports academic pursuits through integrated green spaces and proximity to transportation links, facilitating access for over 161 faculty members across its programs.

Lakeside and Pulincunnu Campuses

The Lakeside Campus is situated at Fine Arts Avenue, Pallimukku, approximately 12 kilometers from the main campus, on the estuarine waterfront in . It hosts the School of Marine Sciences, encompassing departments such as , Atmospheric Sciences, and , as well as the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences conducts research on stratosphere-troposphere interactions, dynamics, and variability. In July 2025, faculty opposed proposals to relocate the Atmospheric Sciences department to the main campus, citing synergies with proximate marine research facilities. The Pulincunnu Campus, located in , , lies about 65 kilometers from the main campus and functions as a rural outpost focused on . It accommodates the Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad (CUCEK), established on 21 1999 as a department, initially admitting 192 students across four B.Tech programs in , and Communication Engineering, , and Production Engineering. The campus also supports the Cochin University College of Computer Applications (CUCCA), offering postgraduate programs in computer applications. CUCEK emphasizes professional training in a 42-acre setting, with infrastructure including laboratories, hostels, and connectivity extended across CUSAT's campuses.

Facilities and Recent Developments

The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) maintains a 180-acre main in , , encompassing administrative offices, academic departments, laboratories, workshops, and the School of . Key support facilities include a central , computer center, health center, gymnasium, and multiple canteens such as Triveni Coffee House. supports networked computing across departments, with dedicated labs for specialized research in areas like physics (including Nd:YAG auditorium, lab, and lab) and (featuring FTIR spectrometers and gas permeability testers). Residential facilities comprise separate hostels for students, designed to provide secure and conducive environments, with amenities including bedding, study furniture, laundry services, and access to campus-wide internet. Sports infrastructure features grounds and arenas for , , , and , alongside organized inter-collegiate events coordinated by the department. In recent years, CUSAT has expanded computational capabilities with the of the ₹26 hybrid supercomputing facility "Tejaswi" on October 27, 2025, aimed at advancing AI-driven research and complex scientific simulations. The School of Marine Sciences introduced a ₹35.57 instrumentation facility in October 2024, equipped with 29 advanced tools for marine research. These additions align with broader efforts, though reports from August 2025 noted challenges in matching facility expansions to new academic programs, prompting university assurances of sufficient classroom availability. CUSAT also achieved a 6th among state in the NIRF 2025 assessments, reflecting improvements in overall institutional parameters including .

Academic Structure

Faculties and Departments Overview

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is structured academically into eight principal faculties: , , , , Social Sciences, Marine Sciences, , and . Each faculty encompasses multiple departments, schools, and specialized centers responsible for delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, as well as conducting research in their respective domains. These faculties are led by appointed deans who coordinate curriculum development, faculty appointments, and academic policies. The faculties emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in science and technology-oriented fields, aligning with the university's mandate established under the Kerala University Act of 1986. For instance, the Faculty of Engineering includes the School of Engineering with sub-disciplines in , electronics, and , while the Faculty of Science covers departments such as Physics, Chemistry, and . The Faculty of Technology focuses on applied areas like and ship technology, and the Faculty of Marine Sciences addresses and fisheries. This organization facilitates specialized academic governance and resource allocation across approximately 30 departments and centers as of 2023. In addition to core faculties, CUSAT maintains affiliated programs under emerging areas like Medical Sciences and , integrated through relevant departments to support health-related and . Faculties collaborate on cross-disciplinary initiatives, including industry partnerships and funded projects, contributing to the university's output of over 1,000 research publications annually. This structure ensures focused expertise while promoting innovation in technology-driven fields central to India's .

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science at Cochin University of Science and Technology comprises departments dedicated to core scientific disciplines, including the Department of Applied Chemistry, , Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics, Department of Statistics, and the Centre for Integrated Studies. These units emphasize both theoretical foundations and applied research, contributing to the university's mission in advancing scientific knowledge since its reorganization in 1986. The faculty is overseen by a dean, with Dr. K. Girish Kumar, a in Applied Chemistry, having served in the role from June 2019, focusing on and interdisciplinary integration. Programs offered span integrated master's degrees, such as the five-year Integrated M.Sc. in , Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics, designed to provide continuous progression from undergraduate to advanced levels without intermediate breaks. Standalone M.Sc. programs are available in fields like Applied Chemistry, , Electronics, Instrumentation, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics, typically spanning two years and admitting students via the (CAT) conducted by CUSAT. Doctoral programs (Ph.D.) are pursued across all departments, emphasizing original research in areas such as , bioinformatics, and statistical modeling, with supervision by faculty holding advanced qualifications. Research within the faculty prioritizes empirical advancements, with the Department of Physics specializing in material science, lasers, , , and nanostructures. The Department of Applied Chemistry focuses on electrochemical sensors, biosensors, coordination chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and . Biotechnology research addresses , , and , while and Statistics departments contribute to computational modeling, optimization, and applications. The Centre for Integrated Studies facilitates interdisciplinary programs, including forensics and , fostering collaborations across science domains. Outputs include peer-reviewed publications and patents, supported by university-funded projects and national grants, though specific metrics vary by department and require annual reporting from the Internal Quality Assurance Cell.

Faculty of Technology

The Faculty of Technology at Cochin University of Science and Technology comprises departments focused on specialized applied technologies, distinct from core engineering disciplines, and offers B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc., MCA, and Ph.D. programs emphasizing practical innovation in electronics, instrumentation, polymers, naval architecture, and computing applications. Established to advance technology education aligned with industrial needs, the faculty supports research in areas such as sensor development, material processing, and software systems, with admissions primarily through the CUSAT Common Admission Test (CAT). The current dean oversees curriculum updates, including outcome-based education frameworks implemented from 2020 admissions onward. Key departments include:
  • Department of Electronics, founded in 1975, which provides B.Tech (part-time), M.Tech in and Communication Engineering, and Ph.D. programs, with research in , VLSI design, and ; it maintains labs for and experimentation.
  • Department of Instrumentation, established in 1995, offering B.Tech in (40 seats, revised effective 2020) and M.Tech programs, concentrating on control systems, biomedical , and sensor technology; the department emphasizes industry collaborations for practical training.
  • Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, delivering B.Tech in and Engineering (revised to outcome-based curriculum from 2020-21) alongside M.Tech and Ph.D. options, with focus on rubber processing, nanocomposites, and sustainable materials; research output includes patents in applications.
  • Department of Ship Technology, initiated in 1975, granting B.Tech in and Ship Building (40 seats, including reserves for naval personnel) and M.Tech degrees, specializing in ship , hydrodynamics, and marine structures; it features labs and industry ties with shipyards.
  • Department of Computer Applications, created in 1996, administering MCA, Integrated MCA (five-year program, syllabus updated 2025), and Ph.D. courses, targeting , data analytics, and theoretical computing; the department fosters interdisciplinary projects in AI and cybersecurity.
These departments collectively enroll over 1,000 students annually and contribute to CUSAT's technology research portfolio, including funded projects from agencies like the Department of Science and Technology, . Faculty members, numbering around 100 across units, hold Ph.D.s and publish in peer-reviewed journals on topics like thin-film sensors and composites.

Faculty of Engineering

The School of Engineering, the primary constituent of CUSAT's Faculty of Engineering, was established in 1978 to offer part-time M.Tech. programs in , mechanical, electrical, and for practicing professionals in the Cochin region. It expanded to include Ph.D. programs in 1981, full-time B.Tech. degrees starting in 1995 across , mechanical, , , and disciplines, and B.Tech. in and in 1996. As CUSAT's largest academic unit, it enrolls over 3,000 students and functions through divisions in , , electrical and , , , , , and applied sciences and . The faculty delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral education in core fields, with all seven B.Tech. programs approved by AICTE and accredited by the (NBA) under Tier I until June 30, 2025. These programs span eight semesters and emphasize practical training through well-equipped laboratories. Intake capacities vary by discipline, as detailed below:
ProgramIntake Capacity
90
143
Electrical and Electronics Engineering60
Electronics and Communication Engineering90
90
90
Safety and Fire Engineering60
Postgraduate offerings include six full-time and three part-time M.Tech. programs, such as , industrial safety, and in , with the latter three accredited by NBA until 2026; specializations cover areas like , , and instrumentation across departments. Doctoral research focuses on applied challenges, supported by funded projects from agencies including the Department of Science and Technology, Indian Space Research Organisation, AICTE, and UGC. The Faculty of Engineering also encompasses the Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad (CUCEK), established in 1999 at CUSAT's Pulincunnu campus, which provides B.Tech. programs in civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics, and engineering to extend access in rural areas. Faculty research contributes to consultancies and publications in peer-reviewed journals, with institutional support for industry collaborations enhancing employability and innovation in sectors like marine and . The unit's programs align with national standards, though specific engineering outcomes are reflected in CUSAT's overall NIRF rankings, where it placed 6th among state public universities in 2025.

Faculty of Environmental Studies

The Faculty of Environmental Studies at Cochin University of Science and Technology primarily operates through the School of Environmental Studies, established in 1983 following conceptualization in 1980 during the VIIth Five Year Plan, with Dr. K. P. Balakrishnan serving as the initial Special Officer and Head. The school aims to advance environmental protection, sustainable development, public awareness, specialist training, and consultancy services in areas such as environmental science, law, management, technology, and economics. It maintains a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to address ecological challenges, supported by state-of-the-art laboratories in environmental chemistry, engineering, biology, toxicology, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, and remote sensing. Academic programs include the M.Sc. in and , initiated in 1987 as M.Sc. in and restructured in 2020 to emphasize technological applications for resolving . Doctoral programs are offered in specialized fields such as environmental , chemistry, , , , , and engineering, with over 150 Ph.D. degrees awarded to date. The curriculum integrates practical training, with more than 450 students enrolled and competence-based consultancy extending to socially relevant extension activities. Research efforts concentrate on core areas including algal biotechnology, environmental biology, , environmental microbiology, and related disciplines, funded by agencies such as KSCSTE, DST, DBT, UGC, ICAR, DOD, Wellcome Trust, and OPCW. The school has produced over 200 publications and fostered international collaborations, notably a bilateral agreement with the and TU Delft in the 1990s for and faculty training. Student achievements include awards such as best paper recognitions at conferences like the Lakeview Envirothon Conclave 2022 and UGC-NET JRF qualifications. The faculty comprises 2 professors, 1 associate professor, and 5 assistant professors, contributing to ongoing projects in and .

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities at Cochin University of Science and Technology primarily comprises language-oriented departments, emphasizing literary studies, , and proficiency within a science and technology-focused institution. It includes the Department of and the Department of English and Foreign Languages, offering specialized postgraduate and certificate programs rather than broad undergraduate degrees. These offerings support linguistic research and practical skills development, with a total of around 200-300 students annually across programs, though exact enrollment figures vary by year. The Department of Hindi, established in 1963 as part of the former Kerala University and integrated into CUSAT in 1971, stands as one of the university's oldest units. It delivers a two-year in Hindi Language and Literature, focusing on classical and modern Hindi texts, , and . Additionally, the department provides a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in , , and Hindi Language , equipping students with bilingual (Hindi-English) translation skills, journalistic writing, and basic computing for language processing. PhD programs emphasize research in , including emerging fields like green literature and eco-criticism in Hindi and contexts. In 2021, the Centre for Green Literature Studies was launched to explore environmental themes in regional literatures. The department has produced over 200 PhD scholars and maintains a collection spanning , , and social sciences. The Department of English and Foreign Languages offers part-time certificate and diploma courses in foreign languages such as French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian, typically spanning one year and requiring a for eligibility. These evening programs, including short-term three-month online options, aim to build communicative proficiency for professional and academic purposes. Complementary courses include a Post Graduate Diploma in Communicative English and specialized training in language skills like Japanese for business contexts. Admissions for these programs occur annually, with classes held on the campus. Faculty across these departments, numbering approximately 5-10 core members, engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, though the humanities segment remains modest in scale compared to CUSAT's dominant and faculties, reflecting the university's technological mandate established in 1971. Research output includes publications in and , but funding and infrastructure prioritize over expansive humanities inquiry.

Faculty of Law

The School of Legal Studies serves as the primary constituent of the Faculty of Law at Cochin University of Science and Technology, focusing on , , and training in areas such as , , , , , maritime law, and law. Established in 1962 under the , it was integrated into CUSAT upon the latter's formation in 1971, becoming one of India's oldest law schools with over 60 years of contributions to legal scholarship. The school emphasizes practical training alongside theoretical instruction, with English as the and mandatory attendance for lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions. Undergraduate programs include a three-year LLB degree, initiated in 1994 as an evening course and restructured into a full-day, semester-based format aligned with norms. Five-year integrated honors programs, such as BBA LLB (introduced in 2009) and BCom LLB (launched in 2013), combine business, commerce, and legal studies over 10 semesters, admitting students via the CUSAT (CAT). Postgraduate offerings feature a two-year LLM with dual specializations, while doctoral programs encompass full-time and part-time PhD research on contemporary legal issues, with ranklists for 2025 admissions released in September. The faculty comprises qualified academics, including Director and Associate Professor Dr. Preetha S., alongside Associate Professors such as Dr. Seema P. S. and Dr. Sreejith S. (specializing in ). Research initiatives prioritize socially relevant and emerging legal domains, including corporate criminal liability and trans-boundary hazardous goods movement, positioning the as a pioneer in postgraduate legal studies. In the (NIRF) 2025, the School of Legal Studies achieved an all-India rank of 13th among institutions, reflecting strong performance in , , and metrics. The school also publishes the Cochin University , with Volume XLIX issued in 2025 and ongoing calls for submissions.

Faculty of Marine Sciences

The Faculty of Marine Sciences at Cochin University of Science and Technology, operating through the School of Marine Sciences, traces its origins to 1938 with the establishment of an Oceanographic Laboratory under the former University, evolving into a dedicated academic unit by 1971 upon CUSAT's founding. This school represents India's largest dedicated facility for marine sciences education and , encompassing interdisciplinary studies in , , and fisheries across its Lakeside Campus departments. It offers postgraduate and doctoral programs emphasizing empirical oceanographic , modeling, and applied marine resource management, supported by fieldwork in the and coastal ecosystems. Key departments include the Department of , which focuses on , coastal processes, air-sea interactions, ocean waves, , acoustics, and engineering applications such as submerged . The Department of Chemical Oceanography investigates marine geochemical cycles, nutrient dynamics, and pollution impacts through analytical chemistry and fieldwork. The Department of and Geophysics, initiated with a master's program in 1976, specializes in , paleoceanography, seismic studies, and geophysical surveying of continental margins. Complementing these, the Department of , Microbiology and Biochemistry continues from the pre-CUSAT Department of Marine Biology and Fisheries, covering microbial , biochemical pathways in marine organisms, , and fisheries resource assessment. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences addresses tropospheric dynamics, variability, and climate-ocean linkages via numerical modeling and satellite data integration. The School of Industrial Fisheries, integrated within the faculty, provides specialized training in fish processing technology, harvesting methods, and economics, with M.F.Sc. and M.Tech. programs aimed at sustainable fisheries development. outputs span over 70 years, including funded projects on marine hydrodynamics, for ocean structures, and surveys, often leveraging CUSAT's coastal proximity for real-time data validation over theoretical modeling alone. Achievements include national awards for faculty , international collaborations (e.g., with Czech institutions), and placements in marine tech firms and global universities, though program expansions have occasionally strained amid rising enrollment. Doctoral theses emphasize causal mechanisms in phenomena like upwelling-driven , prioritizing verifiable fieldwork metrics over uncalibrated simulations.

Faculty of Medical Sciences and Technology

The Faculty of Medical Sciences and Technology at Cochin University of Science and Technology integrates sciences with technological applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to medical and . Established as one of the university's nine faculties, it supports programs that address the convergence of , regulatory frameworks, and technological tools in healthcare. The faculty offers the Advanced Certificate Programme in , and , a 6-month course designed for graduates seeking expertise in ethical, legal, and research aspects of medical practice. This program accommodates 24 seats and requires a with at least 50% marks for eligibility, focusing on practical training in regulations, bioethical principles, and . Leadership of the faculty is provided by the Dean, who concurrently serves as Principal of Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Centre, facilitating potential collaborations between technological education and clinical institutions, though specific affiliations remain under for medical degrees. The faculty's scope aligns with CUSAT's broader emphasis on applied sciences, prioritizing technology-driven solutions in health domains over traditional clinical training.

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Cochin University of Science and Technology comprises the Department of , School of Studies, DDU Kaushal Kendras, and Centre for Budget Studies, emphasizing research in , education, vocational training, and analysis. These units contribute to the university's interdisciplinary approach by integrating applied economic modeling, , skill-based programs, and policy-oriented budgetary studies, with a focus on regional development in and national economic challenges. The Department of , established in March 1979 as a research-oriented unit under the , initially offered M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs in areas such as , quantitative methods, and . It branched from the School of Management Studies in the early 1980s while maintaining collaborative ties, and by the department's records, it has awarded Ph.D. degrees to 52 scholars, with engaging in international research collaborations on topics including poverty alleviation and . The department continues to prioritize doctoral-level inquiry over undergraduate teaching, aligning with CUSAT's science and technology mandate by applying econometric tools to real-world from Indian censuses and surveys. The School of Management Studies, one of India's older schools with over 50 years of operation, delivers postgraduate programs including a full-time two-year MBA covering foundational disciplines and specializations in , , , and ; a three-year part-time MBA for working professionals; and an executive MBA blending on-campus and online formats for flexibility. Admissions require valid scores from national aptitude tests such as or Kerala-specific exams, followed by group discussions and interviews to assess analytical and decision-making skills. The school emphasizes through industry internships and placements, preparing graduates for roles in consulting, banking, and corporate strategy amid Kerala's service-sector growth. DDU Kaushal Kendras, launched in 2015 under the University Grants Commission's initiative, operates within the faculty to bridge academic training with , offering M.Voc. degrees in fields like banking and finance, consultancy management, and software applications, alongside B.Voc. programs in . These curricula integrate 40-60% practical components, including internships and modules like Kaushal Ideate, targeting youth skill development in line with national priorities for job-ready graduates in service industries. The Centre for Budget Studies, founded in 2012 on the main campus, specializes in dissecting budgets, fiscal policies, and their socioeconomic impacts through empirical analysis and data-driven reports. It supports advanced programs such as M.Sc. in and , utilizing tools for predictive modeling of public expenditures and revenue streams, and maintains a dedicated for budgetary documents to facilitate on efficiency. The center's outputs, including policy briefs on state finances, inform debates on fiscal sustainability in , drawing from primary data like union and state budget archives.

Research and Specialized Centers

Research Output and Achievements

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) maintains an aggregate of 116, reflecting cumulative research impact across its departments, with earlier Scopus data indicating an of 102 as of 2021. Faculty members published approximately 2,400 research papers between 2017 and 2021, accumulating 8,625 citations, as reported by university officials. Notable outputs include a 2023 publication in Reviews of Modern Physics ( 54.49) by researchers Dr. K. K. Anoop and Dr. Riju C. Issac on advanced physics topics. The university has secured 25 patents, encompassing applications in and technology, such as a polymer film for shielding, the Farmchain Intelligent Network System for agricultural monitoring, and antibacterial photoluminescent films. These filings demonstrate practical innovations stemming from departmental research in , , and . Funded research initiatives total 137 projects in the 2022–2023 , supported by government and non-government agencies. Major grants include Rs. 20 from the (KIIFB) for a Translational Research Centre in 2023, Rs. 8.8 from the for the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Research (ACARR) in December 2023, and Rs. 2.03 via a Fellowship for biomedical projects. Additional funding covers studies (Rs. 30 lakh from SERB) and (Rs. 1 ). Key achievements encompass faculty awards like the DRDO Academy of Excellence Award in 2020 and multiple Kairali Research Awards, alongside contributions to national priorities such as atmospheric monitoring and sustainable materials development. These outputs align with CUSAT's emphasis on and technology, though metrics like aggregate departmental efforts without independent verification of individual contributions' novelty or real-world application.

Key Centers and Initiatives

The Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) specializes in atmospheric radar technologies for weather and climate studies, contributing to national research efforts in radar-based atmospheric monitoring. The Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM), established in 2011, coordinates interdisciplinary research in materials science, aiming to develop innovative applications through collaborative projects across university departments. The Centre for Neuroscience (CNS), founded in 2000, conducts molecular-level investigations into brain functions and neurological disorders, fostering advancements in through dedicated research programs. The Interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Ethics and Protocols (ICREP) focuses on and research methodologies, offering master's programs in and integrated diplomas in to promote ethical standards in scientific inquiry. In October 2025, CUSAT launched the Tejaswi hybrid supercomputing facility, designed to enhance computational capabilities for complex simulations in , sciences, and data-intensive research, supporting needs across disciplines. A Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Technology was initiated via a 2025 with Limited, emphasizing software development, , finite element analysis, and skill-building for green maritime technologies. The Kerala state budget in February 2025 allocated ₹69 crore for a Centre of Excellence in Neurodegeneration and Health, targeting into cognitive decline and neurological therapies to address aging-related brain disorders. The Centre for the Development of e-Content (CDeC) drives initiatives by creating educational resources, enhancing access to science and technology curricula through technology-enabled content production. In 2024, India established a Centre of Excellence on campus for training in advanced air-conditioning technologies, equipping students with industry-relevant skills in refrigeration and HVAC systems to meet global standards.

Criticisms of Research Focus and Funding

In the early , Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) faced significant shortfalls that constrained its activities, with a reported deficit of Rs 50 prompting the university to withdraw funds from employees' to sustain operations. External declined sharply from Rs 19.93 in 2011-12 to Rs 13.03 in 2012-13, reducing the overall share from 17.29% to 13.32% of the total university . These constraints were attributed to heavy reliance on allocations, which proved insufficient and delayed, exacerbating operational strains and limiting new project initiations. Faculty shortages further hampered focus, with over 56% of teaching posts (328 vacancies across , associate, and assistant levels) remaining unfilled as of , leading to dependence on 245 contract-based assistant professors. The retirement of senior faculty from the 1980s cohort disrupted ongoing projects, as they shifted to co-investigator roles without adequate replacements, contributing to a drop in PhD enrollments from 114 in 2010-11 to 85 in 2012-13 and a national ranking decline from 11th to 49th. Reduced publications and post-doctoral output in turn diminished eligibility for University Grants Commission (UGC) funding, creating a feedback loop that prioritized teaching over sustained endeavors. Critics highlighted weak emphasis on applied and , evidenced by zero patents secured in 2012-13 despite applications for four, alongside a collapse in industry linkages from 34 to none in the same period and negligible consultancy revenues compared to peers like , which secured 151 in project sanctions and 54 for industry initiatives in 2013-14. The university's industry-incubation center operated sluggishly, underscoring limited prioritization of and commercialization, which hindered diversification of funding sources beyond government grants. These issues reflected broader structural challenges in aligning priorities with practical outcomes, though subsequent efforts like panels for program redesign in 2023 aimed to address such gaps.

Rankings and Academic Reputation

National and International Rankings

In national rankings, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) placed 51st overall in the (NIRF) 2024, administered by India's Ministry of Education, reflecting improvements in , learning, and metrics from prior years. In the NIRF 2024 university category, it ranked 34th, driven by scores of 69.81 in , learning, and resources, and 54.56 in and professional practice. For NIRF 2025, CUSAT advanced to 6th among state public universities, attributed to enhanced graduation outcomes and outreach efforts, though specific overall or university category positions remain in the top bands without precise numerical ranking disclosed yet. ranked it 7th overall among Indian universities in 2025, evaluating factors like academic reputation and faculty quality. Internationally, CUSAT entered the 1001–1200 band in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, an improvement from 1201–1500 in 2025, with scores of 40.3 in , 29 in environment, and 75.2 in industry . It did not feature in the top tiers of 2025 but ranked within the top 1000 globally in QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, emphasizing environmental and social impact metrics. U.S. News & World Report placed it 2150th in Best Global Universities, based on bibliometric data and reputational surveys.
Ranking BodyCategoryPosition (Year)Key Metrics
NIRFOverall51st (2024)Score: 55.95; improved perception and outcomes
NIRFUniversity34th (2024)TLR: 69.81; RPC: 54.56
NIRFState Public University6th (2025)Enhanced GO and OI scores
Overall7th (2025)Faculty and infrastructure focus
THEWorld1001–1200 (2026)Industry: 75.2; Research Quality: 31.6
QSSustainabilityTop 1000 (2025)Sustainability performance
U.S. NewsGlobal2150th (Latest)Research output and citations
These positions highlight CUSAT's strengths in applied sciences and regional impact but indicate room for growth in global research visibility compared to institutions.

Factors Influencing

CUSAT's academic reputation benefits from improvements in national rankings, rising to 34th among universities and 51st overall in the NIRF assessment, reflecting strengths in teaching, , and graduation outcomes. Its NAAC A+ in the third cycle underscores institutional quality, with re-accreditation emphasizing and programs. productivity contributes positively, as indicated by an institutional of 118, derived from citation impacts across disciplines, alongside collaborations with entities like and . Industry engagement enhances perceptions, with centers like the Centre for Innovation, Technology Transfer & Industry Collaboration (CITTIC) enabling technology licensing and joint projects, yielding direct revenue and practical training opportunities for students. Placement records support this, recording over 600 offers in 2024 with a highest package of INR 25 LPA and average of INR 7.32 LPA, though core engineering branches report more variable outcomes compared to IT sectors. Faculty expertise, often highlighted in departmental reviews for blending theoretical and applied instruction, further bolsters program credibility. Challenges temper these gains, including infrastructure shortcomings such as poorly maintained buildings, insufficient hostels, and space constraints exacerbated by new course introductions without proportional expansions as of August 2025. Domicile reservation policies restrict enrollment diversity, limiting attraction of non-local talent and potentially diluting peer academic caliber. Frequent disruptions from student politics and strikes, common in state institutions, interrupt schedules and contribute to perceptions of inconsistent academic rigor. These elements, alongside critiques for including outdated topics, influence views among and stakeholders. Despite such issues, CUSAT maintains regional prominence, partly due to its unitary structure and historical ties to Kerala's industrial hubs.

Admissions and Enrollment

Entrance Examinations and Process

Admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) primarily rely on the , a computer-based test conducted annually. For the 2025 cycle, online registration for CAT opened on February 6 and closed on March 10, with the exam held on May 10, 11, and 12 as a multiple-choice format assessing subject-specific knowledge. Candidates apply online via the Directorate of Admissions portal, submitting personal details, program preferences (up to five test codes), and paying fees ranging from ₹700 for Kerala Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates to ₹1,500 for general category applicants, plus additional charges for extra test papers. Eligibility for B.Tech programs requires a minimum 50% aggregate in , , and at the level from a recognized board, with 5% relaxation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and pass marks for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. The CAT for B.Tech (Test Code 101) consists of 225 questions over three hours, covering Physics, Chemistry, and , with scoring of +3 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones to deter guessing. Post-exam, rank lists are published based on normalized scores, followed by online option registration where candidates prioritize branches and quotas. Seat allotment occurs in multiple rounds via centralized counseling, prioritizing CAT rank, category reservations, and preferences, with subsequent document verification and fee payment at designated centers. For postgraduate admissions, such as M.Tech, valid scores receive preference, while non-GATE candidates take a Departmental Admission Test (DAT); MCA relies on CAT Test Code 501 (150 questions on mathematics and ), and MBA uses scores from KMAT, CMAT, or IIM CAT supplemented by group discussion and personal interview. Eligibility for PG programs generally mandates a with at least 50% marks in the relevant field, with similar category relaxations. Counseling emphasizes merit via entrance scores over 10+2 marks alone, with allotments published online and spot rounds for vacant seats, ensuring transparency through real-time updates on the admissions portal. Special provisions apply for foreign nationals, & migrants, and sports quotas, verified during physical reporting. The process integrates reservations under state norms, including 40% for merit, 20% each for /Thiyya/ and Muslim communities, and 10% for others, alongside 7.5% all-India quota for certain PG seats via CUET-PG. Delays or discrepancies in rank lists have occasionally prompted candidate grievances, addressed via official appeals.

Reservation Policies and Merit Considerations

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) implements admissions reservations in accordance with the Government of 's policies for higher education, applying them primarily to the state merit quota seats allocated to Kerala residents. For professional programs such as B.Tech, 50% of seats fall under this state merit category, within which 8% are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), 2% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 40% for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), subdivided as follows: /Thiyya/Billava (9%), (8%), Other Backward Hindus (3%), Latin Catholics and Latin Christian Scheduled Castes (3%), Other Backward Christians (1%), Dheevara and related communities (2%), Viswakarma and related communities (2%), Pearlshell Fishermen and related communities (1%), and (1%). These percentages ensure communal representation while requiring candidates to possess valid certificates verifying Kerala origin and category status, with non-creamy layer certification mandatory for SEBC eligibility. An additional 10% of seats are reserved as supernumerary for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), applicable horizontally across categories and requiring income-based certification per government norms. Supernumerary quotas also exist for Differently Abled Candidates (DAC) at 5%, candidates (typically 2 seats per program), and niche groups such as quota or children of defense personnel, filled after general and reserved seat allotments. For non-professional postgraduate programs, reservations may reach 20% for SC/ST combined within applicable quotas. All India Merit seats (40% in B.Tech programs) and NRI-sponsored seats (10%) generally do not apply these reservations, prioritizing entrance exam performance without category preferences. Merit for all admissions is assessed primarily through the CUSAT (CAT) or equivalent exams like for PG programs, with rank lists generated based on normalized scores. Provisional category-wise rank lists are published separately to enforce reservations, enabling lower-ranked candidates in reserved categories to secure seats unavailable to higher-ranked general merit applicants due to quota exhaustion. Tie-breakers include qualifying exam marks, age (favoring older candidates), and . This structure results in disparate ranks across categories—for instance, general merit cutoffs for popular B.Tech branches often exceed 1,000-2,000, while reserved category cutoffs can be several times higher—reflecting prioritization of demographic equity over uniform merit thresholds.
CategoryReservation Percentage (State Merit Quota, Professional Programs)
SC8%
ST2%
SEBC40% (sub-divided by community)
EWS10% (supernumerary)
DAC5% (supernumerary, horizontal)
Candidates claiming reservations must submit originals during verification; failure leads to reallocation to general merit or cancellation. While this system complies with constitutional mandates under Articles 15 and 16, it inherently modulates pure exam-based merit by capping general seats, potentially influencing cohort academic profiles as evidenced by varying category cutoffs in annual rank data.

Student Life

Campus Facilities and Hostels

The Cochin University of Science and Technology's main campus spans 180 acres in South Kalamassery, Kochi, and features essential infrastructure including an administrative office, computer centre with free internet access, laboratories, workshops, canteens such as the Triveni Coffee House, a guest house, and playgrounds. A dedicated health center offers primary medical services, reachable for emergencies at 0484-2862092. Banking facilities include a State Bank of India branch (IFSC: SBIN0070235) and ATMs from SBI and Bank of India, alongside an on-campus post office (PIN 682022). Recreational amenities comprise a campus park, a Miyawaki mini forest with 1600 saplings on 400 square meters, and the Cusat Pond measuring 47.5 meters in top diameter. Transportation options feature the MYBYK bicycle sharing system with rates such as ₹2 per hour or ₹199 per week. The central library functions as the primary information hub, fully computerized with an online catalog, e-gateway for digital resources, and special collections encompassing doctoral theses, patents, and documents. Sports infrastructure includes playgrounds and a sports arena overseen by the department, supporting events with participation from colleges statewide. Dining options extend to the Campus Cafe, operating from 8 AM to 8 PM and serving Indian and at subsidized rates. Hostel accommodation is managed through 14 facilities under the Central Office for University Hostels, consisting of 8 for male students and 6 for female students, primarily on the main campus with additional options at the Lakeside campus for marine sciences. These hostels house approximately 600 male and 700 female undergraduate, postgraduate, and research scholars, with priority for full-time regular students. Named examples include men's hostels Sanathana, , Sarovar, and Post Metric, and women's hostels , Athulya, Anaswara, and Post Metric. Rooms accommodate two to three students each, furnished with beds, study tables, chairs, cupboards, and features like good ventilation and surrounding greenery. Common amenities encompass 24-hour and , water coolers, TV rooms, mess halls operated on a no-profit-no-loss basis, and playgrounds, supervised by assistant wardens, managers or matrons, and cleaning staff. Hostels close during summer vacations except for research scholars' blocks, and eligibility excludes part-time students and post-doctoral fellows.

Student Organizations and Politics

The Cochin University (CUSU) serves as the primary elected body representing students, governed by university bye-laws that outline its functions, including organizing youth centers, groups, clubs, debates, and welfare activities. Elections for CUSU occur annually, with seats allocated across general, reserved, and departmental categories, often contested by politically affiliated groups. Dominant student organizations include the (SFI), linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Kerala Students' Union (KSU), associated with the . SFI maintained control of CUSU for approximately 30 years until December 2024, when KSU secured 13 of 15 general seats without alliances, marking a significant shift amid concerns and prior SFI strongholds. Other groups, such as the (ABVP), affiliated with the , participate marginally, often raising issues like event permissions. Campus politics have been marked by recurrent clashes between SFI and KSU activists, including violent incidents leading to injuries and suspensions. In June 2023, five SFI members were suspended following an assault on KSU affiliates, contributing to the university's negative perception. November 2023 saw four KSU activists hospitalized after a hostel brawl with SFI, one sustaining an . Earlier patterns, documented in 2017 petitions, highlight SFI's aggressive tactics in elections and disputes, such as ragging prevention efforts intersecting with political hubs. These events reflect broader campus dynamics, where student groups leverage affiliations for influence over welfare, events, and administration, occasionally prompting university interventions like legal actions over unauthorized activities.

Extracurricular Activities and Incidents

The Department of at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) oversees a range of sports clubs and activities, including chess coaching and tournaments, camps, fitness programs incorporating and in partnership with the United Taekwondo Association, and routine sessions for students and staff. The department also maintains a with equipment accessible to the university community and hosts intercollegiate meets, adventure sports, and coaching camps to prepare teams for South Zone and All India Inter-University Championships. In June 2022, it organized the Kerala State College Games Championship, attracting over 400 participants from colleges across . Cultural extracurriculars include annual events such as the University Youth Festival, Talent Time, and Anchorage, which draw participation from affiliated colleges and emphasize artistic and performative talents. The Department of Youth Welfare coordinates (NSS) units, established on September 24, 1969, focused on community service under the motto "Not Me But You," alongside National Cadet Corps (NCC) programs involving training, counseling, and youth projects. These initiatives support broader student engagement, with facilities like sports arenas and playgrounds available across the main campus. In September 2025, students affiliated with the Kerala Students' Union (KSU) staged a day-and-night demanding improved access to the sports ground and other facilities, which was resolved following negotiations with administration, resulting in agreements on enhanced extracurricular infrastructure. This incident highlighted ongoing tensions over for sports and related activities. Following the 2023 tech fest stampede, faculty members in January 2025 voted to refrain from coordinating student events on campus, citing accountability concerns raised in official investigations.

Controversies

2023 Tech Fest Incident

On November 25, 2023, a occurred during the annual tech festival Dhishna at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in , , resulting in the deaths of four students and injuries to over 60 others. The incident took place around 7 p.m. in an open-air auditorium on campus, just before the start of a featuring playback singer , amid reports of as thousands of attendees, including students from other institutions, rushed to enter through a single entry-exit point. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic pushing and trampling, exacerbated by the auditorium's location on lower ground adjacent to a main and inadequate barriers or measures. The victims included three CUSAT engineering students—Athul Thambi, Ann Rifta Roy (a 20-year-old and Communication student), and Sara Thomas—and one external attendee, Alwin Joseph; all were pronounced dead on arrival or shortly after at Medical College Hospital, with initial reports confirming at least 15 in intensive care and 44 admitted. Police investigations attributed the to lapses in event , including to secure permissions, assess venue capacity, or implement proper safety protocols despite the event's scale. A three-member government committee was formed to probe the incident, recommending structural modifications to the auditorium such as additional exits, reinforced fencing, and enhanced lighting to prevent future overcrowding. In January 2025, filed a against three individuals—a former principal of the CUSAT School of Engineering, the event's faculty coordinator, and a student organizer—under sections for not amounting to and endangering human life due to rash acts. The , in December 2023, ruled that student organizers bore no criminal liability, emphasizing institutional responsibility for venue assessments, a stance contested by faculty members who petitioned to quash the against them, arguing it fell under engineering department oversight. Following the , CUSAT faculty resolved to cease coordinating student events, citing undue legal exposure. The incident prompted broader scrutiny of campus event management at CUSAT, with delays in victim compensation and unresolved family grievances persisting into late 2024.

2025 Gender Segregation and Alumni Association Events

In September 2025, a controversy arose at (CUSAT) over an event organized by the Islamic Students Organisation (WISO), a youth forum affiliated with the Mujahid movement, featuring gender-segregated seating arrangements. On , the group held a titled ", and " at a community hall near the CUSAT as a promotional session for the upcoming Professional Students Global (ProfCon). Participants reported that males were seated in the front rows facing the stage, while females were placed in the rear rows, separated by a cloth that obscured visibility between the genders, prompting comparisons to restrictive practices in certain fundamentalist contexts. CUSAT officials denied any affiliation with or permission for the event, stating that no such program named ProfCon was scheduled on or off under auspices. The administration emphasized its commitment to equality and inclusivity, describing the circulated images and videos as misleading and announcing plans to pursue legal action against the organizers for unauthorized use of the university's name, including filing a police complaint. Registrar Dr. S. Harikrishnan clarified that the university would convene senior officials to address the misuse and uphold institutional values against gender bias. The incident drew sharp criticism from student groups like the (ABVP), which filed a with the Vice Chancellor demanding an investigation into how the event gained access to campus-adjacent facilities and alleging it promoted discriminatory norms that undermine women's visibility and participation. ABVP State Joint Secretary R. Aswathy condemned the segregation as "gender discrimination" and called for stricter oversight of external groups. Some claims exaggerated the event's scope, with fact-checks confirming that certain viral videos of partitioned classrooms originated from unrelated locations outside , though photos from WISO's own page ('wisdom_cusat') verified the cloth partition at the September debate. Separately, the Cochin University BTech Association UAE chapter (CUBAA-UAE) faced backlash for a May 25, 2025, event in honoring Pakistani cricketer shortly after the April 11 Pahalgam terror attack, which critics linked to broader concerns over engagements potentially endorsing controversial figures amid sensitivities. However, this gathering involved no reported gender segregation and centered on cultural and sports-themed activities, including an inter-collegiate dance competition, rather than religious or segregative elements. The event's stemmed primarily from geopolitical timing rather than direct ties to the September incident, though some observers grouped both under critiques of regressive influences in CUSAT-affiliated circles.

Broader Issues in Campus Politics and Administration

Campus politics at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has historically been dominated by student organizations affiliated with major political parties, particularly the (SFI), backed by the , which controlled the students' union for approximately 30 years until December 2024. The Kerala Students' Union (KSU), affiliated with the party, secured 13 of 15 general seats in the 2024 elections, marking a significant shift and ending SFI's long-standing influence. This dominance by SFI has been characterized by tensions and occasional violence, including clashes between KSU and SFI activists on campus in November 2023 over election-related disputes. The (ABVP), linked to the , maintains a presence but has secured fewer seats historically, winning only one seat in the 2019 elections compared to SFI's three. These politically affiliated unions often extend national ideological conflicts to campus governance, influencing decisions on events, facilities, and protests, which can prioritize partisan agendas over academic priorities. For instance, student-led agitations have addressed administrative restrictions, such as a September 2025 protest over limits on food delivery to women's hostels after 11 p.m., resolved only after negotiations with university authorities. Broader Kerala campus politics, including at CUSAT, frequently involve confrontations among SFI, KSU, and ABVP, contributing to a culture of unrest that disrupts normal operations. Administratively, CUSAT has faced challenges with delayed responses to incidents and perceived political interference, exemplified by the year-long lag in investigating the 2023 tech fest , which left victims' families without resolution as of November 2024. KSU alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) meddling in the probe, claiming it undermined credibility and prompting appeals to the . A filed in January 2025 implicated the former principal among others in the stampede case, highlighting lapses in event oversight. Such delays and external pressures reflect systemic issues in university administration, where student politics intersects with state-level influences, potentially compromising in handling and regulatory matters. Earlier unrest, like the 2016 controversy over banning sites on the internal network, further illustrates administrative decisions sparking widespread student opposition.

Notable People

Alumni Achievements

Alumni of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), particularly from its School of Management Studies, have attained prominent positions in , , and academia. Tom Jose, who obtained an MBA from CUSAT in the operations and marketing stream, rose to become Additional Chief Secretary in Kerala's Labour Department and served as the state's Chief Secretary starting June 2018. M. Rajeshwar Rao, another graduate from the same school, held the role of Deputy Governor at the , overseeing key regulatory functions. Abraham Koshy, an alumnus of the School of Management Studies, advanced to become a professor of marketing at the , where he co-authored influential textbooks including a South Asian perspective edition of with and contributed to corporate training programs until his retirement in 2018. In business leadership, alumni such as Deepak L. Aswani have served as Chairman of the Lachmandas Prestige Group, while K. Sanath Kumar acted as Chairman and Managing Director of the . Anandakuttan B. Unnithan progressed to Professor and Dean at the . From the Department of Physics, alumni include M.K. Jayaraj, who was appointed Vice Chancellor of the in 2020, and K.N. Madhusoodanan, former Vice Chancellor of CUSAT itself. CUSAT's Distinguished Alumni Awards, instituted to recognize excellence across categories like academic research, business innovation, and social impact, have highlighted recent achievers such as Aneesh Mohan for contributions in social engagements via his service. The university's network supports ongoing recognition through events and projects aimed at fostering professional excellence.

Faculty Contributions

Faculty members at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) have advanced research in atmospheric sciences, polymer technology, and , securing national funding, patents, and international awards for innovations in systems, predictive modeling, and . Prof. K. Mohankumar, a in , led the establishment of India's first university-based Stratosphere-Troposphere (ST) Radar facility at CUSAT, securing ₹20 crore in funding from the Department of Science and Technology in the early 2000s, enabling real-time monitoring of atmospheric dynamics over the Indian region. His work has produced over 175 peer-reviewed publications with 1,711 citations, focusing on variability and tropical . In 2022, he received the National Award for Excellence in and Technology from the Indian Meteorological for these contributions. Dr. S. Abhilash, Director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Research since 2023, developed an indigenous coupled multi-model ensemble prediction system for extended-range over , improving onset predictions integrated with national meteorological services. He earned CUSAT's Best Young Faculty-er Award in 2019 and an international award in January 2025 for advancements in sub-seasonal forecasting and radar-based atmospheric studies. Prof. Honey John, Head of the Department of and Rubber Technology and Honorary Director of the Inter University Centre for Nanomaterials and Devices, co-developed an energy-harvesting technology based on polymer nanocomposites, granted Indian Patent No. 569569 in September 2025 for flexible, self-powered sensors. Her research on conducting polymers and organic solar cells has garnered over 3,028 citations, with early recognition including the KSCSTE Young Scientist Award in 2003 and DST Women Scientist Fellowship in 2006. In marine sciences, Dr. A.A. Hatha, former Head of , contributed to microbial ecology and aquaculture pathogens, ranking in Stanford University's top 3% global scientists list in 2023 based on citation impact and interdisciplinary influence. These efforts underscore CUSAT faculty's role in applied research addressing regional challenges like climate variability and sustainable materials.

References

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