Cabinet approves transfer of 28 acres for digital university's second phase campus
The ownership of the land is being transferred to DUK on a freehold basis on the condition that the university will bear all future Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation (LAR) liabilities. An amount of ₹21.81 crore will be sanctioned for the Technopark to facilitate the land transfer process.
The DUK was set up in the outskirts of the State capital by upgrading the two-decade-old Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management – Kerala (IIITM-K) through an ordinance promulgated in January 2020. The second phase development will lead to an expansion of the infrastructural facilities with the addition of new labs, innovation hubs, and other facilities.
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Kairali AI Chip developers say allegations misplaced, cite support from MeitY and Kerala government
Countering allegations surrounding Digital University Kerala's invention, Kairali AI Chip, its makers have maintained that their invention is an academic research initiative, and not a commercial product. They also emphasised the groundbreaking nature of its achievement of designing a functional AI test chip in-house at a State-funded institution with limited infrastructure and funding. The Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) had raised serious concerns regarding Kairali Chip by alleging a lack of transparency in its development and misuse of public funds. The organisation also claimed that the chip's design was not disclosed, lacked patents and had not been commercially validated. It also questioned why the chip development was not officially communicated to the Central government, particularly at a time when the Centre has invested heavily in India's semiconductor ecosystem. 'Validated through reviews' The developers of Kerala's first silicon-proven AI chip, while denying the allegations, have stated that the project's first prototype was developed by teams of Master's and PhD students, and was validated through multiple reviews under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's (MeitY) Chip to Startup (C2S) programme. Highlighting the prohibitive costs of chip development, ranging from $1 million to over $200 million for high-end chips, the makers pointed out that the test chip was realised with limited resources using programmes such as Efabless platform and open-source tools, including those by Skywater and Google, using a 130nm fabrication process. Under MeitY's C2S initiative, the research team led by Professor Alex James was able to carry out modular tape-outs (manufacturing ready chip designs), publish research and provide real-world chip design training to dozens of students. The university also received support through the GF-Synopsys Pilot Program, giving students hands-on experience in designing chips ready for commercial fabrication. Besides, the Kerala government independently recognised the work of Prof. James by awarding him the Kairali Researcher Award, which further supported research into bio-inspired AI (models that try to mimic biological neural networks, especially useful for low-power AI applications). 'This project too was research-driven, and tackled more experimental architecture and spiking neural models. In addition, the university also received selective access to ReRAM design files from TSMC, a global semiconductor leader, which is currently given only to a very limited set of researchers around the world,' the developers added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Kairali Chip lacks patent, proof or use case: SUCC
T'puram: Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (DUK) is back in the news for the wrong reasons. This time, many are questioning the scientific basis and credibility of its claim that it developed a semiconductor chip (Kairali Chip or K-Chip) billed as the first-of-its-kind in the country. Governor R V Arlekar has already asked the state police to probe the alleged financial irregularities at DUK. He acted on a report from former vice-chancellor (in-charge) Ciza Thomas and also recommended a CAG audit at the university. However, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who serves as DUK's pro-chancellor, dismissed the allegations raised by opposition leader VD Satheesan about the university's functioning. Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) questioned the truth behind the chip development claim. After DUK announced the chip project, IT department gave Rs 25 lakh to Prof Alex P James who claimed he led the research and development. "It is important to note that the so-called 'K-Chip' is not an industrially-viable product. It was only a design entry submitted on a global online platform (supported by Google) meant for education and research training. Thousands of students and researchers across the world use this platform to submit similar designs for skill-building," said SUCC in a memorandum to Arlekar. The claim that Kerala developed a full-fledged chip through this process is misleading. Presenting an academic-level design as a fully developed indigenous semiconductor chip is at best a serious exaggeration and at worst a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and policy-makers, it added. Despite the hype around the so-called 'K-Chip', DUK lacks even the basic infrastructure needed for full semiconductor design, testing or production. No official validation reports, peer-reviewed papers, deployment records or actual real-world uses exist in connection with this chip. Its design has not been patented or shared in any credible scientific forum and there is no proof of any commercial value. Without clear technical backing, calling this India's 'first indigenous chip' was both premature and misleading, SUCC said in the memorandum. "Kerala govt and DUK's reluctance to provide an official explanation or documentation regarding K-Chip even when the Centre is actively investing in chip-making, raises concerns," it added. The memorandum also questioned the academic background of James and claimed that project funds worth crores given to DUK were going to private firms registered in his name allegedly with support from key people in the CMO.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Nivasam' to provide safe stay for women at Kazhakkoottam
Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation is set to extend 'Nivasam', a safe stay initiative for women at Kazhakkoottam, with a four-storey She Lodge due for inauguration by the end of the month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Built at a cost of approximately Rs 4.75 crore, the facility comprises 22 rooms, five of which are air-conditioned. Amenities include dedicated parking and other ancillary conveniences. Located near the corporation's zonal office, the facility is aimed at women and children visiting the area for interviews, examinations, or official personal errands. Medayil Vikraman, chairman of the corporation's public works standing committee, said that minister M B Rajesh would inaugurate the facility. "With Nivasam now extending to Kazhakkoottam, we are ensuring that women arriving in the city for work, education, or family reasons have access to safe, affordable accommodation in all key zones," he said. The other facilities located in Kadakampally and Thampanoor, serve a steady stream of women travellers, volunteers, students and low-income workers, many of whom come on short-term stays. With the Kazhakkoottam lodge the corporation expects improved housing access in north city areas, particularly servicing IT professionals and those visiting Technopark or nearby institutions.
