Governor congratulates vice chancellors

Thiruvananthapuram: Governor P. Sathasivam has congratulated the Vice Chancellors of Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT] and University of Kerala on their varsities receiving the PURSE aid of the Union Department of Science and Technology.

The Promotion of University Research and Scientific excellence (PURSE) scheme that focuses on rejuvenation of research had recently chosen these varsities using the Scopus database during 2002–2012. Scopus covers over 20,000 peer reviewed publications in scientific, technical, medical and social sciences categories. The selection was based on the impact of university research publications in terms of productivity and citations.

Of the 30 varsities selected nationwide, Mahatma Gandhi University ranked eighth and Cochin University of Science and Technology ranked 10th.  University of Kerala held the 15th position. Under Phase-2 of the PURSE program, Mahatma Gandhi University received Rs.9.90 crore, Cochin University of Science and Technology Rs.17 crore and University of Kerala, Rs.7.25 crore for improving research facilities in the next four years.

Vice Chancellors Dr. Babu Sebastian (MGU), Dr. J. Letha (CUSAT) and Prof. P.K. Radhakrishnan (KU), had briefed the Governor at Kerala Raj Bhavan today about projects for improving university research infrastructure. Dr. Davendra Kumar Dhodawat, Secretary to Governor also was present.