Call to include local knowledge, modern tech in fisheries studies

Fisheries Minister K Babu has said that the syllabus for studies in fisheries sector should include local knowledge as well as modern technologies. He was speaking after launching new undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) here on Friday. He added that the Kufos senate will come into existence this year itself.

 “Various agencies are ready to extend financial assistance to the university. Financial aid of Rs 69.16 crore has been sanctioned for the university this financial year. This includes Rs 48.91 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard),” the minister said.

The fund allotted by Nabard will be utilised for construction of an academic block, guest house, hostel complex and common amenities centre. Rs 1.21 crore will be allotted for directorate of research extension, he said.

The minister released Kufos News, a news letter of the university, and brochure of the university.

Kufos will offer the following courses from the next academic year: MBA in fisheries management and   finance/marketing/HR/rural management, MSc in physical oceanography and ocean modelling,   MSc in biological oceanography and  biodiversity. MFSc in fish nutrition and feed technology and MFSc in fisheries economics.

Delivering the presidential address Kufos Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodana Kurup said that the target is to develop the university as a centre of excellence. Kufos governing council members Dominic Presentation MLA, V N Sajeevan, K K Ramakrishnan, Vakkachan Ambookkan and S Syama, Kumbalam grama panchayat president Joseph Master, Fisheries dean K V Jayachandran, management school director M S Raju, registrar Abraham Joseph and controller of examinations Victor George spoke on the occasion.