Kochi: Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has envisaged a revenue of Rs 55.92 crore and an expenditure of Rs 57.68 crore in its budget for the coming year.

The budget proposed a special project for students belonging to scheduled caste, schedule tribe and backward communities, says Cusat vice-chancellor N Unnikrishnan Nair. For these students, Cusat will start BSc courses in physiotherapy, medical laboratory technology, medical biochemistry, microbiology, medical radiology, ophthalmic assistants, dental mechanics and dental hygiene.

A school of medical science and technology will be formed for conducting these courses. The state government will finance the project. The university had submitted a Rs 1.94-crore project in this regard, says Nair.

The budget also allocated Rs 20 lakh for academic improvement and personality development of students belonging to backward communities. Around Rs 20 lakh will be utilised for student counselling.