The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) presented its annual Budget on Thursday with focus on various ambitious projects to boost value-addition in the fisheries sector, with a total outlay of Rs.96.9 crore. The Budget, presented by Vice-chancellor in-charge P Marapandiyan, has proposals to conduct advanced research for an array of value-additions in fisheries. The varsity will spend `58.27 crore for infrastructure development, while `6 crore has been earmarked for education. The Kufos will also carry out research projects worth Rs.3.80 crore for developing value-added products from farmed fishes, and for converting waste into fish feed. The varsity will develop a rapid detection method for detecting the presence of toxic preservatives in fresh or chilled fish. The university will also conduct research on developing technology for detecting various pathotypes of e-coli in seafood. It will encourage faculty to prepare more research papers in advanced areas of the fisheries and allied sectors. The Budget also proposes projects to standardize the academic input to students. In order to improve the quality of academic activities, the university will forge tie-up with foreign universities and research institutions for academic exchange programmes, collaborative research works and student exchange. The University will also forge tie-up with the Bournemouth University, UK; De Palmas Gran Canaria University, Spain; and the University of Tubingen, Germany. Besides, the Kufos will provide quality facilities to students to imbibe research temper among them, and to better their academic skills. In addition, new disciplines will be added to the existing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). The Budget has also allocated fund to develop various infrastructure facilities at the university, such as academic complex, seminar complex, common amenity center, fish hatchery, flat complex for employees, and indoor substation. Also, programmes like village adoption, farm radio station, fish-cage culture, model processing plant, farm advisory service, field consultancy, fisheries technical port and village knowledge center will be enhanced to reach out to the targeted communities effectively.
2016, The New Indian Express.