In response to the ongoing industry-academic disconnect in Kerala, the state government plans to establish campus industry parks within educational institutions. Kerala’s Law and Industries Minister, P Rajeeve, announced that 80 educational institutions have shown interest in this initiative, with 25 institutions set to receive approval this year.
The primary goal of these campus industry parks is to commercialize student research projects and offer practical, course-related training. This initiative, inaugurated by Rajeeve on Wednesday, aims to address the shortage of land for industrial development and strengthen the collaboration between academia and industry.
Rajeeve described the launch of this program as a landmark moment that could significantly impact Kerala’s industrial future. He emphasized that more parks would be approved if they demonstrate exceptional potential.
A recent land mapping exercise by the industry and higher education departments revealed that many educational institutions have surplus land beyond what is required by regulatory authorities. Rajeeve explained that high land costs and scarcity have impeded industrial infrastructure development, prompting the exploration of campus industry parks as a viable solution.
The decision followed extensive consultations with industry experts and district-level discussions, which helped identify key requirements and challenges faced by the industry. This led to the creation of an industry policy tailored to Kerala’s needs, which includes the establishment of campus industry parks alongside private industry parks—a first in the country.
These parks are intended to enhance academic learning by providing students with opportunities to work on industrial projects and apply their research in practical settings. Rajeeve highlighted that institutions, whether government, aided, or self-financed, can qualify for these parks as long as they meet the necessary eligibility criteria.
To support the development of these parks, the government will offer infrastructure grants of Rs. 1.5 crore per institution.
