The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) will open its first regional centre at Thiruvallam here to address regional issues in the sector and promote research activities.
The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, would inaugurate the centre at a function here on January 6.
The centre would focus on research activities such as development of technologies, fish processing, fish conservation, fish disease diagnosis and so on, KUFOS Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodana Kurup told a press meet here today.
“The centre will also introduce programmes for the empowerment of fisher folk in South Kerala.
Studies will be conducted to analyse the socio-economic status of the fishermen in the area and will take remedial steps to their upliftment,” he said.
The Kochi-based university had allocated Rs nine crore for the regional centre in its 2014-15 budget, he said.
He said the university would establish more regional centres to deal with regional issues and improve fishery resources in local areas of the state.
The Chief Minister would also lay foundation stone for the administrative-cum-guest house at the centre, Kurup added.