The Hindu Business Line : CUSAT to showcase 36 courses at UGC fair in US

THE Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has proposed 36 new short-term courses for participation in the educational fair organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as part of its Promotion of Higher Education Abroad (PIHEAD) programme in the US in May.

The University will present these courses for foreign students at an exhibition to be held at Baltimore. The exhibition is expected to provide an opportunity for Indian educators to market the institution and courses.

Brochures and video clippings explaining available academic and other facilities of the university will be showcased in the exhibition. The UGC will provide the financial assistance for participating in the annual fair organised by NAFSA (Association of International Educators).

For participation in the programme, UGC has short-listed 25 Universities, which will be encouraged to participate in a series of exhibitions to be held abroad in the coming months. The Centre for MHO Co-operation of CUSAT offered two courses of six weeks duration.

The courses include providing regional training programme in design, installation, administration and maintenance of network systems and programme on ocean management and sustainable resource development in Indian exclusive economic zone.

The School of Marine Science has proposed nine short-term programmes, including Aquaculture Medicine, Aquatic Health Management, and Biotechnological Method of Waste Water Treatment.

CUSAT has suggested a combination of courses focusing on the expertise available in each department.

UGC has asked the participating Universities to offer a package that would attract more students from abroad.

The Universities were directed to focus on newer needs of education, especially in knowledge-based emerging disciplines.

The International School of Photonics has offered a three-week course on fibre optics and application, nonlinear phenomenon on non-linear optics and opto-electronics.

The school has also offered collaborative research programmes. To highlight courses based on traditional industries in Kerala, the School of Engineering has offered a one-year diploma in coir technology and diploma in application in coir geotextiles.

It has also offered a short-term programme on `vastuvidya'. The Department of Chemical Oceanography has recommended a four-week programme on "To know Kerala and Kerala Development Scheme".

The School of Industrial Fisheries has offered a PG diploma programme in sustainable shrimp farming techniques and environmental impact.

Cochin University has offered short-term courses on Kerala culture. The UGC has suggested that universities come up with unique courses on order to attract more students.