More government higher education institutions need higher NAAC grading: Vijayan

Our Correspondent

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has emphasised on the need for the Universities and government-aided colleges to obtain a higher NAAC grading as only such institutions were eligible for funds from the Central Government under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).

Inaugurating 47 different building projects that were completed at various institutions of higher learning in the State, the Chief Minister said: “These projects were commissioned as part of the Government’s commitment to improving the basic infrastructure and the standard of the higher education sector in the state while ensuring social justice. About Rs 64 crores were spent on these projects spread across the State. The projects include world-class standard buildings, smart classrooms, labs, libraries, hostels for girl students, solar energy labs, incubation centres and community skill centres. Several other similar projects are also being completed at the institutions of higher learning and at Universities. At present, only 29 government colleges have NAAC accreditation and the numbers have to be increased. This is the reason why the government is improving the basic infrastructure and the study environment at the higher educational institutions in the State.”

These projects include one each at CUSAT, Kannur, MG and Calicut Universities, nine institutions under IHRD, three Community Skill Parks under ASAP, 15 Government Arts & Science Colleges under the Education Department; two Engineering Colleges, three Polytechnic Colleges and five Technical high schools under the Technical Education Department.

The Chief Minister also informed that a state-level quality assurance cell has been set up under the Department of Higher Education. KIIFB funding has been sanctioned for projects worth Rs.700 crores for the infrastructure development and academic development of colleges.