KERALA UNIVERSITY OF FISHERIES & OCEAN STUDIES, PAPANGAD, KOCHI - 682506 (KERALA)
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), established under an Act of the Government of Kerala on 20th November 2010, the first Fisheries University in India under the Ministry of Fisheries and fifth in the world, started functioning from 1st April 2011 with its headquarters at Panangad, Cochin in the erstwhile campus of College of Fisheries sprawling over 80 acres.
KUFOS is the primary and principal institution of Kerala State in providing human resources, skills and technology required for the sustainable development of the Fisheries sector. It acts as a centre of excellence for human resource development in Fisheries and Ocean Studies and the nodal agency to establish relationship with institutions and universities functioning at national and international level.
KUFOS has made tremendous achievements in the areas of education, research, extension and in the development of infrastructure facilities within a short span of the last four-and-half years.
The academics of this university is well planned and highly systematic in order to fulfil and cater to the need of the industry and research in fisheries and ocean studies and to create an impressive future generation equipped with skills, research attitude and foresight to develop the fisheries sector.
KUFOS attained a tremendous progress in the Academic field by initiating a number of programmes in fisheries and ocean sciences. The inception of new postgtaduate programmes are going on in tune with the goal fixed in "Vision 2020" document. At the time of inception of KUFOS, there was only on UG and four PG programmes. During the short span of two years the number of courses has increased exponentially to one UG and 33 PG pgorammes.
The number of students are also accorded similar improvements, which is raised from 298 to 610 with an improvement in student intake from 53 to 328.
In an effort to broaden the student base of the University and with a view to popularise fisheries, and marine education, KUFOS recently started Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in 23 disciplines.
Apart from the Academic field, KUFOS has recorded tremendous achievements in Infrastructure development, Research and Extension activities.
Infrastructure developments include the construction of five-storeyed academic complex, Ocean Science campus at the Fisheries Station in Puduveypue, swimming pool, state-of-the-art laboratories etc.
KUFOS played a crucial role in rejuvenating the shrimp farm industry in the State by introducing, at the first time, the farming of Vannamei shrimp in Kerala. KUFOS successfully developed the farming model of the shrimp suitable to the conditions of the State's ecosystem.
KUFOS is marching towards a great mission of ushering in the Second Blue Revolution in the country. Since it is the only available alternate food production system in the country, KUFOS is actively involving in the process of developing a Blue Economy to help the country to uplift its economy on high note. As part of this venture, KUFOS is organising an International Conference on Blue Economy in Kochi from February 6 to 8.
Prof. (Dr.) B Madhusoodana Kurup, the founder Vice Chancellor of KUFOS, is the vibrant force behind all these remarkable achievements of the Varsity. He is leading from the front to realise varsity's objectives one by one within a fixed timeframe.