Kerala government has launched an ambitious programme to establish campus industry parks across educational institutions in the state. The initiative, inaugurated by Kerala Law and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, aims to address the challenges of limited land availability for industrial infrastructure development and to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Minister Rajeeve hailed the programme as a historic step that will reshape the industrial landscape of Kerala. He announced that 80 educational institutions have already expressed interest in participating, with 25 set to receive approvals this year. The minister emphasized that this number could increase if more institutions present exceptionally promising proposals.
The programme emerged from a collaborative effort between the State Industries Department and the Higher Education Department, which conducted a comprehensive land mapping of educational institutions in Kerala. The mapping revealed that many institutions have excess land beyond what is required by governing authorities, presenting an opportunity to utilize this land for industrial development.
‘In Kerala, the non-availability of land and its high cost are major obstacles to industrial infrastructure growth. By establishing campus industry parks, we can effectively utilize the surplus land in educational institutions,’ Minister Rajeeve explained.
The decision to launch the campus industry parks followed extensive deliberations and consultations with various stakeholders, including industry experts and district-level discussions. The government identified 22 key sectors suitable for Kerala’s unique conditions, prompting the inclusion of these sectors in the initiative.
The primary goal of the campus industry parks is to strengthen academic-industrial collaboration. Students will gain practical, hands-on experience by working in these parks, where they can commercialize their research projects and receive course-related training. This initiative is expected to provide a significant boost to both students and industries, fostering innovation and real-world application of academic research.
Minister Rajeeve highlighted that the parks would be open to all eligible institutions, regardless of their type—government, aided, or self-financed. The government will support these institutions by offering infrastructure development incentives, amounting to Rs. 1.5 crore per institution.
Taking to X, he wrote, ‘Embracing a new era with Kerala’s Campus Industrial Park initiative, fostering stronger industry-academia ties. This initiative empowers students with entrepreneurship opportunities, encourages patent work, and part time jobs mirroring top global universities. Govt invests up to ₹20L/acre & ₹1.5Cr/park for vital infrastructure like electricity, water, roads, labs. Transformative for Arts & Science Colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs, and more. Apply online with Higher Education Dept NOC. Let’s innovate and drive industrial growth together!’
This pioneering initiative marks the first time such a comprehensive approach has been taken in India, setting a precedent for other states to follow. The Kerala government’s proactive measures to foster industrial growth and academic collaboration are poised to bring significant benefits to the state’s economy and education system.
