Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala University budget presented at the senate hall here on Friday has announced new teaching departments for Marxian studies, Sreenarayana thoughts and geographical studies. The budget presented by finance committee convener K.H. Babujan has proposed Rs 459.7 crore for converting the University into a Centre of Excellence (CoE). The budget expected revenue of Rs 457.69 crore, expenditure of Rs 459.70 crore and a deficit of Rs 2.01 crore.
The budget has decided to give emphasis to start facilities for stem cell therapy and genetic collection of rare species of plants found at Andaman and Nicobar Island at Karyavattom campus. The present Kerala Studies centre would be converted into a teaching department concentrating on the study of culture and language. New building for the distance education centre will be started at Kariavattom. A campus directorate will be started to coordinate the works of various teaching departments.
New building for University engineering college, multipurpose convention centre, academic complex, gymnasium, new laboratories in various departments, butterfly park, an open air auditorium modelled on Nishangandhi auditorium, moderanisation of libraries, biogas plant and trauma care pink rooms are other projects announced in the budget. There are also plans to start integrated courses in various teaching departments.
