Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government will give permission to 25 higher education institutions across the State to set up Campus Industrial Parks (CIPs) this year itself, from among 80 institutions that have given expression of interest in the path-breaking initiative.
This was announced by the Minister for Industries, Shri P Rajeev while inaugurating the CIP project of the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC), Government of Kerala, here. The Minister also launched the website of the project on the occasion. “This path-breaking project will bring about a historical and revolutionary transformation in government and private academic sector. Educational institutions must consider giving grace marks to students engaged in entrepreneurship through the CIPs.” The standard of an educational institution will be one of the parameters while giving a nod for establishing the CIP.
The state’s Industrial Policy 2023 has identified 22 priority sectors. The government has also finalised policies concerning Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), hi-tech manufacturing, export and logistics sectors.
A P M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary (Industries & Commerce) said the CIP project will significantly boost the startup initiatives of students. The Industries and Commerce Department along with the Higher Education Department will provide critical handholding for this initiative, besides extending help for ventures to scale up.
KSIDC MD and Director of Industries & Commerce, S Harikishore; Director of Collegiate Education, K Sudheer; KINFRA MD, Santhosh Koshy Thomas, and representatives of various educational institutions were present.
Campus Industrial Park project has been envisaged to foster entrepreneurship among students and bolster the relationship between education institutions and industry. Government and private educational institutions including arts & science colleges, polytechnics and ITIs having a minimum of five acres of land in their possession can apply for setting up Campus Industrial Parks. A minimum of two acres of land is necessary to set up a Standard Design Factory (SDF). The developer permit will be allotted for a period of 30 years.
A maximum of Rs 1.5 crore (Rs 20 lakh/acre) will be given to an educational institution for developing infrastructure facilities like road, electricity, drainage, ETP/CETP, laboratory, testing and certification at Campus Industrial Park.