As the convener of the SAVE CUSAT FORUM, I am here with submitting the following points for your kind consideration and further perusal. The Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of INDIA, has approved the recommendations of the Ananthakrishnan Committee appointed by the Ministry in connection with the establishment of 5 new Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) by converting various institutions in the country. Making us believe that CUSAT is going to be elevated to IIT status, we were compelled to support the move. But now it is understood that the conversion is to an engineering institute, at the level of NIT s (Former REC s). This is a type of deceit. We feel the people of Kerala are discriminated against, when we understand that other institutions selected for the process are mere engineering colleges.
The following points are worth consideration while perusing our request to spare CUSAT, as it involves various social issues.
CUSAT is a full fledged University, which was functioning at par with even IIT s, with regard to post graduate education and research under the faculties of Science, Social Science, Humanities, Law, Environmental Science, Marine Science, Atmospheric Science and technology.
CUSAT gives admission to 2250 students annually and enrolls 150 researchers for Ph D degree, out of which 60 – 70 % are females students. CUSAT awards Ph D degree to 70 – 75 students every year. In the proposed IIEST, the annual intake is only 1320 per year. Out of this, students from Kerala will get only 660 seats.
CUSAT provides preferential opportunity to students from religious minorities like Muslims (8 %), Latin Catholics (2%), Nadar Christians and other back ward Christians(1%), besides giving admission to students belonging to the depressed casts of the Hindu community. Reservation exists for Ezhavas (9 %), SC (8%), ST (2%) and other backward Hindus (5 %).
In the employment sector, reservation exists for Ezhavas (14%), Muslims (12%), Latin Catholic (4%), Viswakarma (3%), Nadars (1%), Dheevara (1%), OBX (1%), OBC (4%), SC (8%), ST (2%). Such cast based reservation system exists no where in India.
This assumes significance when the Central Government is frantically trying to implement the recommendations contained in the Sacchar Committee Report as well as backward cast reservation for admissions in Academic Institutions under the Central Government.
The stalemate can be cleared if the Central Government decides to spare CUSAT and convert the two engineering colleges under CUSAT to IIEST as has been done in the case of BHU, Andhra University and Osmania University. BESU is nothing but an engineering college (It was conferred with University Status in 2004 only).
The entire academic community in the State Vehemently opposes the move to down grade CUSAT into an engineering institute. Those who support the move are the teachers of the two self financing engineering colleges functioning under CUSAT (Their service conditions are not defined yet) and a few others who believe that their retirement age will get enhanced to 65 years and will get Dearness Allowance at Central Government rate.
Under the circumstances, we request Your Esteemed office to intervene in this issues and to take necessary steps to MHRD Ministry to stall all the proceedings of conversion of CUSAT to an IIEST.
Thanking You, Yours sincerely,
Kochi – 22 Prof.(Dr.) R.Sasidharan
17th December, 2007 Convener, SAVE CUSAT FORUM

plz don't ad those Puppet Organization who are fulfilling Only Personal Interests.Like Most of the so called organization with Schools/Colleges have become Personal Banks .The Directors of these Organization are found Misusing Very Valuable Money of Ummah which is given to these People in the Form of Zakat.
They have made BIG bungalows and Luxury Cars by this Money.
Thanks