Kochi: Kerala is moving ahead with discussions to establish a campus of the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) in Kochi, with the proposed main campus likely to come up at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in Kalamassery.
The proposal is currently under consideration by the state government, with discussions between Kerala’s Higher Education Department and UNU-CRIS reportedly at an advanced stage. A final decision, however, is yet to be taken, with Cabinet approval and further discussions involving the Union government still required.
According to officials, the proposed initiative could involve four Kerala institutions — Cusat, the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (Nuals), the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).
The initial academic programmes are expected to focus on areas including public policy, technology, artificial intelligence and international governance, with courses developed in collaboration with participating institutions. Regional centres could also be established at CDS and Nuals, according to the proposal.
The initiative is being discussed in the context of UNU-CRIS’s focus on comparative regional integration and issues relevant to the Global South. Officials said the proposed campus could provide opportunities for academic collaboration, research and international knowledge exchange.
The proposed arrangement is also expected to build on existing academic collaborations. UNU-CRIS and Nuals are already associated with a six-month certificate course in international trade governance, according to reports.
Cusat has emerged as the proposed host institution because of its existing academic and infrastructure facilities. Cusat Registrar Harigovind P C said discussions with UNU officials had taken place under the leadership of the Higher Education Department’s Principal Secretary.
However, the timeline for establishing the full campus has not been finalised. Officials indicated that the institution could take around three to four years to become fully operational, while shorter-term joint courses could begin earlier.
The state government would be expected to provide land and infrastructure and contribute towards management costs. The proposal would ultimately require an agreement between the Government of India and the United Nations University before the campus can be formally established.
If approved, the initiative would add an international dimension to Kochi’s higher education ecosystem, connecting institutions in Kerala with UNU’s global academic and research network.
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