International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi: Admission, Courses, Fees, Placements

The International School of Photonics was set up in 1995 as a part of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT),Kochi, Kerala. Established as a fast-growing specialty institution, this school focuses on both the researches and development of photonics and optoelectronics. Being a school located and functioning in the city of Kochi in southern India the school is in a strategic position as it is affiliated to CUSAT – a premier university institution in India exclusively catering to higher education. This means that its programmes undergo delivery standards that meet quality as well as relevancy standards as set by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

The International School of Photonics offers various modern amenities strategy that students in the school get to benefit from. The school has a well-endpoint library that contains over 3,500 books and 18 journals that will be useful in research activities. The school has a friendly information technology base with sixteen internet computers and three special stations available to the students to allow them to have smooth learning process. The institution rightfully boasts of having 4 departmental laboratory and 4 research laboratory to enable the students gain practical experience in diverse areas in photonics and optoelectronics. For the learners who need to be accommodated the school’s facilities are; boys ‘hostel and girls ‘hostel, so as to avail house the learners from all part of the country. There are also sport complex, which helps students to have conditional sport activity during studying and provides balanced students’ life.

The specialisations of the International School of Photonics include a narrow range of three courses in photonics. These are a full time M.Tech. in Optoelectronics and Laser Technology, integrated M.Sc. in Photonics and PhD in Photonics. M.Tech programme offered in 18 seats are restricted to learners who are interested in gaining focused knowledge in practical application use of photonics and laser technologies. The integrated M.Sc programme, with a cohort size of 20 students, offers a broad based education in photonics over five years. For those interested in working as researchers in the field, there is an oppurtunity in the Ph.D. programme to cover more complexity level in the area of photonics. Altogether, the school can that can be used to admit 38 students into the masters’ programmes per year under conditions of intensified studying with tight contact with the professors.

That is why the admission procedure in the International School of Photonics differs in the respective fields. For the course M.Tech in Optoelectronics and Laser Technology the admissions are done mainly on the basis of GATE score of the candidate. Where there aren’t enough GATE qualified candidates, then the school sets a Department Admission Test (DAT). The integrated M.Sc Photonics programme employs the CAT, undertaken by CUSAT Directorate of Admissions. This exam ascertains the ability of the candidates in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Plus Two level. For the Ph.D. programme, the aspirants have to pass a two phase Departmental Admission Test written test and interview test. The school is also endowed with active alumni base, and the school ensures that current students have links to working professionals within the photonics industry. Unfortunately, detailed information regarding the scholarship offered at this particular institution was not available; however, since the University is affiliated to CUSAT, students may be able to avail themselves such scholarships as commonly provided by the public universities of India.