Latest news with #UniversityofCalicut


The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on Indian knowledge systems in Calicut varsity: decision left to V-C
Even as classes for undergraduate (UG) students began in colleges affiliated to the University of Calicut on June 2, a decision is yet to be taken on following the textbook on Indian knowledge systems prepared by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). The multidisciplinary course is mandatory for third-semester students in the four-year programme. According to official sources, a steering committee on UG courses, which met last week, has left the decision to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C). There was some confusion among a section of teachers about the course after the KSHEC recently brought out the textbook titled Knowledge Systems of Kerala, because the university had already prepared its own syllabus on this much before. The KSHEC released its publication in both English and Malayalam, covering Kerala's traditional knowledge, including its performing arts, oral narratives, cultural practices, and documented literary sources. V-Cs of universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider this as a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. However, some teachers had claimed it was 'an infringement' on the authority of the statutory academic bodies that are tasked with curriculum development. They pointed out that the syllabus prepared by the university for the course on Kerala Knowledge Systems in 2024 was in line with the National Education Policy framework. It had been vetted by the academic council and the faculty members, too. Also, textbooks had been prepared and classes had begun based on the syllabus prepared by the university. It was claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus that will have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages was against the concept of academic autonomy.


New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Calicut University researchers develop LED tech using gold-copper alloy nanoclusters
MALAPPURAM: Researchers at the University of Calicut have made a significant breakthrough in next-generation light-emitting diode (LED) technology by engineering an innovative LED device using gold-copper alloy nanoclusters. The cutting-edge research, spearheaded by Dr Shibu Sidharth and his PhD student Dr Rival Jose from the Department of Nanoscience and Technology, has resulted in the creation of a nanocluster-based LED (NC-LED) that delivers a saturated pure red emission with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 12.6%—among the highest ever recorded for its class. This remarkable discovery has been published in Advanced Materials (Wiley), a globally acclaimed journal in materials science with an impact factor of 27.4. This marks the first time a research article from the University of Calicut has appeared in such a high-impact journal, cementing the institution's rising stature in global scientific research. The innovation centres on atomically precise nanoclusters made of a few metal atoms -- specifically, a gold-copper (Au-Cu) alloy. These tiny clusters, although invisible to the naked eye, exhibit extraordinary photophysical properties such as intense light emission, high thermal and photostability, and strong environmental compatibility. Unlike conventional LEDs, this new device does not rely on toxic or expensive materials and is fabricated through a simple, solution-processed, and eco-friendly method -- making it both sustainable and scalable. Dr Shibu Sidharth, the lead researcher, emphasised the dual significance of this work: 'Not only have we pushed the frontier in nanocluster-based LED efficiency, but we've also demonstrated that high-impact innovations can emerge from Indian state universities. This is a proud moment for the University of Calicut and for India.'


The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Senate members seek clarity on picking minor courses for FYUGP in Calicut varsity
A group of Senate members in the University of Calicut has sought clarity on the recent direction from the Higher Education department on picking minor (subsidiary) courses for four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUGP) in affiliated colleges. In a letter to Vice-Chancellor (V-C) P. Raveendran, Senate members V.M. Chacko, P. Sulfi, E. Sreelatha, Manoj Mathews, R. Jayakumar, and G. Sunil Kumar pointed out that according to the clause 7.2.13 of the regulations for the FYUGP, students in 34 departments including English, Malayalam, Hindi, Arabic, Commerce, Economics, Biotechnology, Hotel Management, Tourism, and Afzal-ul-Ulama were earlier allowed to study minor courses in a discipline different than their major (main) courses from the same departments. They claimed that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had not barred granting major and minor courses in more than one subject from the same department. However, a controversy was created by calling this option 'self minor course', and the university had been directed to change the provision, the Senate members said. They alleged that the issue had not been properly discussed so far in the elected bodies of the university, and subject experts had not been consulted either. They said the confusion arose from equating various departments with distinct disciplines, whereas a single department could encompass multiple disciplines. For example, the Department of English could include disciplines such as English Literature, Functional English, and Cultural Studies. Each of the 34 departments mentioned above could similarly contain different disciplines. It was up to the academic forums of the university to define the term for the purpose. The Senate members added that the university was not mandated to accept any decision that contradicted this. At Mahatma Gandhi University, they claimed, students are allowed to pursue minor courses within the same department in which they are studying their major. Expert committees are constituted for various disciplines to offer both major and minor courses. The Senate members urged the V-C to allow students to choose minor courses aligned with their major subjects. Otherwise, students would be forced to study subjects they were not interested in. They said this goes against the UGC's directives and the National Education Policy. 'The issue is likely to be taken up at the Senate meeting scheduled for June 25,' claimed sources.


The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Researchers from Calicut varsity develop cost-effective nanoclusters
Researchers from the Department of Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Calicut have developed a novel device based on gold–copper alloy nanoclusters, a ground-breaking advancement in next-generation light-emitting diode (LED) technology. E.S. Shibu, Assistant Professor at the Smart Materials Lab attached to the department, and Rival Jose, his PhD student, are behind the initiative. They claim that although invisible to the naked eye, these clusters display exceptional photophysical properties, including strong light emission, excellent photo and thermal stability, and environmental compatibility. These qualities make them ideal for future applications in sustainable lighting, display technologies, and biomedical imaging. According to Mr. Shibu and Mr. Jose, what sets this innovation apart is its fabrication method—a simple, solution-based, environmentally friendly process that avoids the use of toxic or expensive host materials. This makes the technology both sustainable and cost-effective. The core of the invention lies in atomically precise nanoclusters made of just a few metal atoms, they say. The newly developed nanocluster-based LED emits pure red light and achieves an external quantum efficiency of 12.6%. Mr. Shibu says that this is among the highest performances recorded in the category of nanocluster-based, solution-processed, non-doped LEDs with saturated red emission. Their findings were published in Advanced Materials (Wiley), one of the most prestigious journals in the field of materials science, with an impressive impact factor of 27.4. This also marks the first-ever publication from the University of Calicut in such a high-impact journal. The achievement was made possible through national and international collaborations with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Tampere University, Finland, and Hokkaido University, Japan. The research was primarily supported by funding from the Department of Science and Technology- Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence, with additional support from Science and Engineering Research Board-Startup Research Grant, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment-Science Research Scheme, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vedan's song included in Calicut University syllabus
The University of Calicut has included Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna idam, a Malayalam rap song by rapper and songwriter Hirandas Murali, aka Vedan, in the syllabus of the fourth-semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course. A powerful commentary on global issues, the song has been included in Introduction to Comparative Literature, under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends). Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna Idam is a rap song that reflects on global crises, from the Syrian war and Palestinian genocide to the death of Aylan Kurdi and the brutal murder of Asifa in Kashmir. The lyrics goes like Bhoomi njaan vaazhunnidam anudinam narakamaayi maarunnidam... (Earth is where I bide, which is closer to hell with each passing day...), highlighting the collective suffering of the people of the world. It will be taught alongside Michael Jackson's They Don't Care about Us, which tackles racial injustice, as part of a comparative study of Malayalam and American rap cultures. Vedan who came to the limelight with his debut music video Voice of the Voiceless in 2020, is widely known for his politically charged lyrics, often rooted in his identity as a Dalit man and reflecting the struggles of the marginalised. 'Today's culture is predominantly shaped by digital media, and it is important to incorporate these changes into the curriculum,' said M.B. Manoj, head of Malayalam and Kerala Studies department, University of Calicut. Inclusion of songs 'Many tend to oppose the inclusion of songs in the Malayalam literature syllabus, but to ignore them is to resist cultural shifts. By including these works, we encourage students to critically engage with them rather than remain passive viewers,' he said, stressing the importance of adapting to the changing times. The module also includes comparative study of Kathakali Padam (Kathakali song) Ajita Hare... Madhava by Muringur Shankaran Potti and its modern rendition Ajita Hare by Gouri Lakshmi, analysing how classical art forms have evolved in the current era. Dr. Manoj said that the department had also included Malayalam film songs in its multidisciplinary course (MDC) Cinemayum Sahithyavum (Cinema and Literature), featuring tracks ranging from the classic Pennale Pennale... from Chemmeen to Nadin Nanmakane Ponmakane Muthayavane... from the 2024 film Aavesham.