Kerala Knowledge Valley: government kick-starts process to identify locations, establish linkages

The Kerala government is considering locations in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode to set up its ambitious ‘Kerala Knowdge Valley’ initiative that aims to transform the State into a global higher education hub, bringing top-tier foreign universities and premier Indian institutions together in a single ecosystem.

The initial plan is to allocate about 100 acres for the project announced in the Revised State Budget 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister V. D Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on June 19, 2026. The Kerala Knowledge Valley has been envisaged as a “world-class higher education hub, bringing together the most contemporary academic programmes, state-of-the-art research parks, and dynamic centres of excellence under one umbrella.”

The Revised Budget had earmarked ₹100 crore towards the project. The amendments in the Private Universities Bill 2025, required as part of drafting the legal framework for the initiative, are likely to be introduced in the next Assembly session. In his Budget speech, the Chief Minister had stated that the project will be guided by a specialised legislative framework. He said that the amendments to the Private Universities Bill will be implemented on war footing.

“We have already opened discussions on how to bring leading universities, both in the country and abroad to become part of the Kerala Knowledge Valley,” Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John told The Hindu on Friday. “People who have linkages with prominent higher education institutions abroad are helping us with the process,” he said.

To reverse trend

He said that the government wanted to reverse the trend of students migrating outside for quality higher education. The Knowledge Valley initiative will be instrumental in achieving this goal as it would help in providing world-class opportunities for the young aspirants.

The Knowledge Valley will operate under the strategic guidance of an advisory committee comprising individuals of profound academic excellence and scientific expertise. It will forge robust industry-academia linkages in active collaboration with leading institutions in India and abroad aimed at creating a vibrant and self-sustaining ecosystem.