KOTTARAKKARA: Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised the significance of technology-driven job opportunities by inaugurating the state’s inaugural Campus Industrial Park and R&D Centre at the College of Engineering, Kottarakkara. This groundbreaking initiative, a collaboration between Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), and Zoho Corporation, aims to cultivate local talent in cutting-edge technologies.
With a space spanning 3,500 sqft, the Park plans to train around 5,000 youngsters in industry entrepreneurship over five years. The Chief Minister highlighted the need for engineering colleges to provide robust foundations for youth to tackle evolving challenges in the technology sector.
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The initiative aligns with the government’s focus on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with plans to scale up 1,000 MSMEs into Rs. 100 crore businesses in four years. Vijayan expressed gratitude to Zoho Corporation for establishing the R&D facility and envisioned similar endeavours in all districts.
Minister for Finance, K N Balagopal, lauded the initiative as a milestone in Kerala’s industrial landscape, envisioning it as a hub for research and development. The R&D facility will commence operations soon, with a recruitment drive scheduled for February 21 targeting BSc, MSc, AI, and machine learning graduates.
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This collaboration is set to accelerate Kerala’s transformation into a global design and prototyping hub, fostering a Knowledge Economy. The Campus Industrial Park, known as Zoho R&D Labs, will nurture rural talent, offering opportunities for R&D activities and entrepreneurship in the MSME sector.
With plans for internship programmes, workshops, and networking opportunities, the Park aims to empower local businesses and invest in promising startups, driving Kerala’s economic growth and technological innovation.