Kochi: Jain Group of Institutions, one of India’s leading education conglomerates, has announced plans to establish a private university, Jain Global University, in Kerala with an initial investment of Rs 350 crore. The news broke during the Invest Kerala Global Summit held recently, marking a significant step for higher education within the state.
The university will be headquartered in Kozhikode and aims to set up sub-campuses across various locales including Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, and Kannur. The establishment of the Jain Global University is rooted in the recently approved Kerala State Private University Act, paving the way for private educational institutions to flourish.
Dr Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of Jain Group, emphasized the university's mission, stating, "The university will focus on skill development, job creation and research-driven education, aligning with the Future Kerala Mission, an initiative aimed at improving education, entrepreneurship, and employability in the state." This mission highlights the university's commitment not only to academic excellence but also to addressing the pressing needs for skilled professionals within Kerala.
Kerala has been working strategically to offer high-quality education locally, with the hope of reducing the number of students seeking higher educational opportunities outside the state or abroad. According to Dr Roychand, "Kerala is working to provide world-class education within the state, reducing the need for students to seek higher education abroad." This initiative aligns well with the state’s ambitious goals of creating sustainable job opportunities and driving economic growth through education.
Jain Group has over 30 years of experience in the educational sector, managing more than 80 institutions across India, including two established universities. Notably, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, which has been operational since 2019 at its Kochi campus, has received NAAC A++ accreditation and Category 1 Graded Autonomy status from the University Grants Commission (UGC). This background lends considerable credibility to the academic rigor expected from Jain Global University.
Dr Tom Joseph, Director of New Initiatives at Jain University, expressed optimism about the impact of the new university on Kerala's educational environment. He stated, "The new Jain Global University and its sub-campuses will bring transformative change to Kerala's education sector." This sentiment reflects the overarching goal of the institution to not only provide education but also to create innovative solutions to local educational challenges.
Jain Global University’s curriculum is set to be engineering-focused, aimed at equipping students with relevant skills for the modern job market. The university is poised to blend technology-driven and practical approaches to learning, ensuring students are well-prepared for global career opportunities.
With Jain Global University on the horizon, Kerala is witnessing the inception of what could be the next level of higher education, ripe with opportunities for research-driven curriculum, skill-focused learning, and citizen engagement. The development of these educational institutions aims to place Kerala firmly on the world map as a hub of quality education.
By establishing the Jain Global University and its network of sub-campuses, the Jain Group seeks to address historical trends of student migration for advanced studies. The initiative stands to benefit the local populace, increasing access to higher education and cultivating homegrown talents within the state.
Jain Group's commitment to Kerala marks not just an institutional expansion but also promises pivotal changes for the educational framework within the state. With ambitious plans laid out at the Invest Kerala Global Summit, stakeholders are hopeful for swift advancements toward realizing these goals.