Our Collaborating Institutions

Indo-US knowledge initiative Programme

To bring the marine biotechnology education and research in the Cochin University of Science and Technology and the country to a world class level, collaborative research efforts under the Indo-US knowledge initiative was commenced with the support of University Grants Commission, Govt.of India in 2015.

Under this programme, the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH), in collaboration with the Centre for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego and Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (VSAREC), Virginia Tech, has undertaken independent collaborative programmes meeting the common objective entitled “Indo-US initiatives on innovative reforms in marine biotechnology education and research, and development of sustainable aquaculture production systems for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development” As an outcome of the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative, the curriculum of M.Tech. Marine Biotechnology programme has been re-structured with inputs from US collaborators to meet the International Standards.

Knowledge Initiatives Under
Indo-US Programme

Innovative and integrated approaches in marine bio-prospecting and natural product discovery towards bio-fuel, and bioactive molecules towards human and aquatic animal health.

National Facility for Marine Extracts and Genetic Resources for Bioactive Molecules

The National Consultation on ‘Pharmaceuticals and Bio-fuel from marine Biological Systems – Status, Constraints and the Way Forward’ convened from 1st to 3rd February, 2016by National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, CUSAT, sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and University Grants Commission under the 21st Century Indo – US Knowledge Initiative ended with the recommendation to establish a National Facility for Marine Extracts and Genetic Resources for Bio-active Molecules at Cochin University of Science and Technology. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA, the Global leading Institution in Marine Natural Products, shall impart the technical know-how and help in setting up the facility and to augment research on focused areas of National importance having Global impact.

National Facility for Sustainable Aquaculture
Production Systems
(NaF-SAPS)

As part of Indo – US 21st Century Knowledge Initiative project sponsored by the University Grants Commission, Government of India, during the National Workshop on Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems, convened, from 22nd to 24th, July 2016, a National Facility for Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems was established at the Centre for Developing, Standardizing and Popularizing Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture Systems (IMTA), Zero water Exchange Aquaculture Production Systems (ZWEAPS) in the Country. The facility is envisaged to catalyze the rapid spread of intensification of aquaculture with sustainability. As the need of the hour is intensification of aquaculture production inclusive of the same in small holdings, wherefrom much of the fish biomass used to be generated, novel, user friendly and economically viable intensive aquaculture technologies were to be developed befitting to the diverse, but at the same time ecologically sensitive aquatic environment. Under the facility, ‘High Density GIFT Culture under Recirculation Aquaculture System mode’ developed by the Centre has been transferred to society and over three years, 85 Recirculation Aquaculture Production units have come in to existence in the State of Kerala and several other systems are under implementation in different parts of India

Academic Exchange and Training

Field Visit toKawaratti Island, Lakshadweep

Visit to Centre for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, Sad Diego, USA by faculty Members of NCAAH