Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi

Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) is a university in Kochi, also known as Cochin alias Ernakulam. Founded in 1971, the university consists of three campuses, two in Kochi and one in Kuttanad, about 66 km inland. Nearly 2,000 students engage yearly in various areas of undergraduate and postgraduate study. The university awards degrees in various fields of engineering and allied subjects at the Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral Level. Admissions are based on an All India Entrance Examination known as CAT (Common Admission Test) and is offered to students who have scored fifty percent or more in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Also various departmental tests are conducted for the Post Graduate Courses. This year(2007) around 40,000 students appeared for their admission test making it slowly popular amongst the student community. The prime reason is that the University(CUSAT) is being strongly considered to be converted into an "Institute Of National Importance through an Act of Parliament" on the lines of the 7 IIT's. The Institution will be named as "INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KOCHI"[1] i.e. IIEST Kochi. There are four others to be converted along with this institution. This University will be the 3rd one to be converted. The University has strived hard to maintain its quality interms of Student intake, Faculty and Discipline.

Originally known as University of Cochin, the university came into being in 1971 through an Act of the Legislature that was the result of a concerted campaign for quality postgraduate education in the State of Kerala.

Reorganization of the university into Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) saw the fulfillment of the aspirations of the pioneers who spearheaded the movement for establishment of a science & technology university in the state. The process of reorientation resulted in redefining the objectives as “the promotion of undergraduate and postgraduate studies and advanced research in applied science, technology, industry, commerce, management and social science”

The mission of the university is to make distinctive and eloquent contributions to the cause of higher education in science and technology. CUSAT has pledged to strive to offer teaching of the highest quality and to engage in research and scholarship that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in leaps and bounds.

In keeping with the motto of the university; “Tejasvinavadhithamastu”, which conveys, “May learning illumine us both, the teacher and the taught”, the atmosphere in the campus is vibrant and intellectual. CUSAT is always on the move, girding up its loins with grit and determination to unravel the myriad, unexplored mysteries of knowledge.

There are three separate campuses, two in Cochin and one at Pulinkunnu, about 65 km south of Cochin.

The Main (Thrikkakara)- School Of Engineering Campus

The Main Campus is located ~1 km off the National Highway 47 at South Kalamassery. About 180 acres in extent, it houses the several Schools / Departments, listed below.

There are also 3 mens' hostels .viz. Siberia, Sarovar and Sanathana and 2 ladies' hostels, Aishwarya and Athulya, the Administrative Office, the University Library, and staff quarters besides other support services.

The Main campus Introduced for the first time Engineering degree for IT(Information Technology) in India.

The Main campus has got the placement of above 10 lac p.a. the avg package is 5.8 which is comparable to any of the IIT or NIT. It is famous among North Indians, therefore it has now got about 40% North Indians, in spite of about 3000 km far from the North East or Central India.

The Pulinkunnu Campus

The recently acquired Pulinkunnu Campus in Kuttanad (Alleppey District) is about 65 km away from the Main Campus. Kuttanad comprises Kerala’s serene, picturesque backwaters, the enrapturing scenic beauty of which is to be seen to be believed. The Pulinkunnu Campus is home to the Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad] (CUCEK) and the Cochin University College of Computer Applications (CUCCA).The Campus is surrounded by beautiful villages , temples and churches.Moncompu Bagavathy temple is located close to this campus.

Centre of Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is one of the few institutions in India that have facilities for R&D activities and manpower training in Photonics and related fields. In recognition of the outstanding work carried out by a group of teachers and researchers in photonics and related subjects, the University Grants Commission (UGC) identified CUSAT as a "University with Potential for Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences" in March 2002. Following this selection by University Grants Commission, CUSAT established a separate and independent "Centre of Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences" (CELOS) in the month of July 2002. The activities under the CELOS have been jointly proposed by the International School of Photonics (ISP), Department of Physics and Department of Electronics in CUSAT. Based on the recommendations of the experts, UGC has made a budgetary allocation of Rs. 35.456 million towards the R & D activities at the above Centre.

As approved by the Expert Committee of the UGC, CELOS has established a National Facility centered around “Tsunami” a Spectra Physics make Ti:Sapphire pico/subpicosecond laser system with an amplifier. "Tsunami" is pumped by 5W “Millennium” diode pumped solid state laser. The output from the "Tsunami" seed laser is further amplified by "Spitfire" a chirped pulse amplifer which is pumped by "Empower" a 30W Q-switched DPSS Nd:YLF laser. The final amplified ultrashort pulses have 70 femtosecond pulse duration and an energy of ~ 2.5mJ per pulse at 1KHz repetition rate.

Research activities have been initiated by CELOS in the fields of Optical Fiber Amplifier, Fiber Optic Sensors, Photonic Materials, Microwave Photonics, Laser produced Plasma, Nonlinear Processes, Biophotonics and related fields. At present CELOS has two Research Associates, two Senior Research Fellows and four Junior Research Fellows.

Another major activity of CELOS is the conduct of the five year integrated M.Sc degree course in Photonics. UGC has set apart an amount of Rs. 19.4 million specifically for this purpose out of the total grant of Rs. 50 million. Five batches of 20 students each have so far joined the course and the first batch is now in the ninth semester of the ten semester Integrated M.Sc degree course in Photonics. The first batch would be passing out in July 2007.

The participating schools/departments in CELOS are:

* International School of Photonics, CUSAT
* Department of Electronics, CUSAT
* Department of Physics, CUSAT

School of Legal Studies

A premier institution for legal education in Asia, the School of Legal Studies is located on the serene campus of the Cochin University of Science and Technology. It is located about 15 kilometers north of Kochi city, the Queen of the Arabian Sea. The School was established in 1962 as the Department of Law of the Kerala University. With the creation of the Cochin University in 1971, the School became its integral part.

The School of Legal Studies is also a Centre for Studies in Intellectual Property Rights. It houses a Depository of Intellectual Property Rights Materials sponsored by the Department of Secondary & Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India. The School of Legal Studies is also a pioneer among University Departments in India to start a programme on Human Rights.