UGCs Centre of Excellence uncertain

KOCHI: The future of the prestigious Centre of Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences (CELOS) at Cusat hangs in the balance as with the expiry of the Eleventh Plan on March 31, the UGC funding for the project will also come to an end.It would be a double whammy for the institution as there were reports that Cusat was reeling under financial crunch. “We are expecting the UGC to extend the project and include it in the Twelfth Plan. We would be able to continue only if we get the concurrence, or else the state government should provide adequate funds. We have sent requests to both and are awaiting a response,” said Cusat Registrar A Ramachandran.A three-member sub-committee has been constituted to study the issue at hand and the proposals will be discussed at the Syndicate meeting on March 15. The sub-committee has two options. “Either CELOS can merge with the International School of Photonics, as both carry out the same work, or continue as a separate entity with government funding,” said Mujeeb, committee convener. CELOS is the only Centre of Excellence funded by the UGC in Kerala, said sources.In recognition of the outstanding work in photonics and related subjects, the UGC has identified Cusat as a ‘University with the Potential for Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences’ in March 2002. The International School of Photonics (ISP), Department of Physics and Department of Electronics, the participating schools of CELOS, jointly propose the activities.CELOS could not tap the UGC funds to the hilt due to regulations and executing procedures of the university. “While universities elsewhere spent funds to the tune of `100 crore, CELOS utilised only very little. We hope the University will include the issue at the budget meeting on March 29,” sources said.CELOS also conducts a five-year integrated MSc degree course in Photonics. Six batches of 20 students each have joined the course. Many have applied through CAT for the 2012 batch.