Judith Ravin, the consul general of America in Chennai after a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday informed via a CMO release that the United States of America would like to collaborate with the Kerala government in developing the education sector of the state.
“Kerala is going to focus on the higher education sector in a big way. Centres of Excellence are being set up in various subjects including artificial intelligence and pharmaceuticals. The Chief Minister sought support for the state’s move to establish centres of excellence in the higher education sector,” the release stated. The release mentions the initiation of 250 international hostels in the current year with the budgetary help from the U.S. The state also expects the participation of foreign students. Academic support will also be provided to ensure quality education in the state.
The chief minister directed attention to the fact that the foremost digital university in India was established in Kerala. The consul general also delegated that the collaboration with a top U.S institution was being sought with the digital university. He also touched on the fact that the US was also involved in the vaccine production drive in the state and that a large number of Malayalees worked for the health sector in America. Kerala is also known to offer 500 Navakeralam Post Doctoral Fellowships in varied disciplines. Apart from that he also hinted at the possibility of setting up a facility in association with the US embassy at Delhi to cater to a larger audience.
“The Chief Minister also informed the decision to start a Centre for Disease Control in Kerala. The Consul General would explore the possibility of linking this with the CDC in the United States,” the release stated. The US consul discussed the various talks the Kerala government was with the US government to embolden the relationship they shared. The consul general also lauded the efforts of the Kerala government in repatriating the Malayalee students from war torn Ukraine. Officer on special duty of the state government, Venu Rajamani and Chief Secretary Dr V P Joy were also present at the meeting of the US consul general and the CM.
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