Kollam: Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today inaugurated the state’s first Campus Industrial Park and R&D Centre at College of Engineering, Kottarakkara. SaaS provider, Zoho Corporation has set up the park that aims at harnessing local talents by training them in cutting-edge technologies.
In his address, the Chief Minister said, “The government is fast-tracking the project to set up campus industrial parks in colleges across the state to sharpen Kerala’s competitive edge.” He thanked Zoho Corporation for setting up the R&D facility at the Park for training youngsters in innovative technology and added that similar facilities can be established in all districts.
The Park has 3,500 sqft of space and around 5,000 youngsters will be trained in the industry entrepreneurship sector in five years.
Noting that Kerala has brilliant talent and an R&D pool, Founder of Zoho, Sridhar Vembu said the state needs to leverage it to improve the quality of life and contribute to the nation’s development. He added Kerala’s peaceful atmosphere and potential of youth attracted Zoho Corporation to set up the R&D facility at the Park.
To begin with, around 30 students will be hand-picked from the applicants for on-the-job training with a stipend. Based on their performance and potential, they will be inducted for future openings. Zoho Corporation has invited applications for internships at the R&D centre.
The Campus Industrial Park Project aims to create new entrepreneurs in the manufacturing of tools and other power tools for the MSME sector. The industrial park will also collaborate and invest in potential local startups.
Finance Minister, Shri K N Balagopal and Minister for Higher Education, Smt R Bindu, were among those present on the occasion.