(image for representation)
| Photo Credit: S. GOPAKUMAR

The Kerala government has set ambitious plans to position the State as a global hub for higher education.

The policy address presented by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the Assembly on Friday (January 17, 2025) reiterated these goals, as he announced the launch of the ‘Study in Kerala’ initiative in the 2025-26 academic year, aimed at attracting international students to the State.

This initiative will be complemented by the introduction of Centres for Skill Development Courses and Career Planning in all higher education institutions, aligned with the recently implemented Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP).

Inclusivity and quality

The Governor emphasised that the government’s approach to higher education focusses on both inclusivity and quality. The key pillars of this vision include skill development, improved connectivity between educational institutions and industries, and enabling students to become entrepreneurs. The government is also revising curricula to meet contemporary needs, with the overarching goal of transforming Kerala into a knowledge society within the shortest possible time.

Mr. Arlekar also credited the government for the notable progress made in the higher education sector, driven by the recommendations of the Commission for Reforms in Higher Education. The successful implementation of the FYUP and the introduction of a unified academic calendar have been key milestones. The calendar streamlines the processes of examination, evaluation, and result declaration.

The policy address also highlighted Kerala’s significant achievement under the PM-USHA scheme, with substantial grants awarded to selected universities and colleges to bolster the state’s higher education infrastructure. Moreover, the introduction of K-Reap, an advanced enterprise resource planning software, aims to enhance governance and administrative efficiency in universities.

The State’s higher education sector, Mr. Arlekar added, has seen remarkable progress, with most State universities achieving high National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grades. Four public universities have made it to the top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings for 2024, while 16 colleges secured positions in the top 100 and 42 colleges in the top 200. Besides, all government engineering colleges in the State have obtained NBA accreditation.

The Governor also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and the quality of education by focussing on academic and infrastructure development, research, and student mentoring. As part of this effort, seven Centres of Excellence will be established to foster innovation in teaching, learning, training, and research.