In an effort to address the scarcity of industrial land and bridge the gap between academia and industry, the Kerala government has launched a groundbreaking initiative to establish industry parks within educational institutions across the state. This ambitious program, inaugurated by Kerala Law and Industries Minister P. Rajeev on Wednesday, is set to transform the future of industries in Kerala.

Minister Rajeev highlighted that 80 educational institutions have already shown interest in setting up campus industry parks. This year, permissions will be granted to 25 institutions, with the possibility of approving more if they demonstrate exceptional promise. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the state’s industry and higher education departments, which conducted a land mapping exercise to identify excess land in educational institutions suitable for industrial development.

The high cost and non-availability of land have been significant obstacles to developing industrial infrastructure in Kerala. This innovative approach of utilizing campus spaces for industry parks addresses these issues, Rajeev stated. The decision followed extensive consultations with industry experts and district-level discussions to understand the needs and challenges of the industrial sector, leading to a comprehensive industry policy.

The initiative identifies 22 key sectors suitable for Kerala's unique conditions, aiming to establish campus industry parks alongside private industry parks, a pioneering move in India. These parks are designed to strengthen academic programs by offering students practical, hands-on training and opportunities to commercialize their research projects.

Students will benefit from the direct exposure to industrial practices, enhancing their course-related training and job readiness. The program is inclusive, allowing government, aided, and self-financed institutions to participate, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The government will also support these institutions with infrastructure development incentives, amounting to Rs 1.5 crore per institution.

Minister Rajeev emphasized that this historic initiative would not only foster industrial growth but also create a symbiotic relationship between education and industry, paving the way for a more skilled and industry-ready workforce in Kerala.