Union Minister George Kurian to lay foundation stone for new academic block at Central University of Kerala

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian will lay the foundation stone of a new academic block at the Central University of Kerala in Kasaragod on October 30, which will be an important step in expanding the infrastructure of the university.

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has allocated ₹ 52.68 crore for the project under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, Managing Registrar R. Jayaprakash said at a press conference in Kasaragod on Monday, October 27, 2025.

The ceremony will be held at Periya campus at 10:00. It will be chaired by CUK Vice-Chancellor Siddu P. Algur. Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan, Uduma MLA CH Kunhambu and others will participate.

four storey block

Designed in the Kerala architectural model, the four-storey academic block will house the departments of Management Studies, Tourism Studies, Commerce and International Business under the School of Business Studies. Spread over 7,500 square meters, the building will include 25 smart classrooms, department libraries, computer laboratories and office rooms. There will also be a 50 kW solar power plant, a 1 lakh liter rainwater collection tank and a seminar hall with a capacity of 500 people.

This marks the largest funding the university has received from a ministry other than the Ministry of National Education. Earlier, the Ministry of Minority Affairs financed the construction of the university’s hostels, sanctioning ₹19.13 crore for girls’ hostels and ₹22.26 crore for boys’ hostels in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Both hostels were inaugurated in June 2023 by the then Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla.

Currently, Periye campus has 12 academic blocks, 26 departments, 10 hostels, a private library and a recently opened administrative center. Facilities such as a health center, guest house, faculty and staff lodgings and a common hostel canteen are also in operation.

The university has implemented four-year undergraduate programs in line with the National Education Policy and plans to open additional courses in the coming years.

At the press conference, Dr. Jayaprakash, Treasurer Rajendra Pilangatta and Public Relations Officer K. Sujith were present.