Overview

• Official Name: International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology
• Common Name: ISP, ISOP
• Type: University Department (State University - Cochin University of Science and Technology, a State Public University)
• Established: 1994
• Campus: Kochi, Kerala
• Affiliations & Approvals: Recognized as a department of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) – UGC recognized as a State Public University (UGC Official List), NAAC Accredited with Grade A in 2023 (NAAC Portal)
• Official Website: https://isp.cusat.ac.in

Quick Facts

• Founder: Prof. K.V. Sivanandan (Founding Director)
• Director: Prof. P.K. Nair (Faculty Page)
• Student Population: Approx. 200 (postgraduate and research students)
• Departments/Faculties: Photonics department under School of Engineering, focused on photonics and related research fields
• Contact:
  Phone: +91 484 2577348
  Email: isp@cusat.ac.in
  Address: International School of Photonics, CUSAT, Thrikkakara PO, Kochi – 682022, Kerala
• NAAC Grade: A (2023)
• Ranking: Cochin University of Science and Technology ranked within 100-150 band in NIRF 2023 Engineering category (NIRF 2023)

Courses & Programs

• Faculty: Science and Engineering with specialization in Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Popular Courses:
  • M.Tech in Photonics – Duration: 2 years – Mode: Regular – Intake: Approx. 15 students
  • Ph.D. in Photonics and related fields – Duration: 3-5 years – Mode: Regular
  • Postgraduate Diploma and Short-term courses offered occasionally (check official announcements)

Admissions

• Admission Modes: Merit-based, primarily through CUSAT Common Admission Test (CUSAT CAT) for M.Tech and research programs
• Accepted Entrance Exams: CUSAT CAT (M.Tech), GATE scores considered for M.Tech admissions, interviews for PhD admissions
• Admission Timeline: Typically admissions open May–July annually (CUSAT Admissions Page)
• Application Process:
  1. Visit CUSAT official portal
  2. Register and fill online application form for CUSAT CAT
  3. Upload required documents and pay application fee online
  4. Take entrance test / upload GATE score (if applicable)
  5. Check merit list and attend counseling
  No offline applications accepted routinely—confirm latest updates on official portals.

Eligibility Criteria

• M.Tech Photonics: B.Tech/B.E. in Electronics/Instrumentation/Physics or related fields with minimum 50% aggregate marks
• Ph.D.: Master’s degree in Physics/Optics/Electronics or related discipline with a valid entrance exam / interview as per CUSAT norms
• Documents Required:
  • Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
  • Qualifying degree certificates and mark lists
  • Category/Community certificate (if applicable)
  • GATE scorecard (if applicable)
  • ID proof (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.)

Fee Structure & Scholarships

• M.Tech Photonics Fees: Approx. ₹40,000 per semester (tuition + university fees)
  Hostel and exam fees extra as per university regulations
• Scholarships:
  • Central and State Government Scholarships (e.g., SC/ST/OBC/EWS reserved category scholarships)
  • CUSAT Merit Scholarships (Official Scholarship Info)
  • Student loans and need-based financial aid generally available

Placements & Career Outcomes

• Placement Highlights: Placements primarily through CUSAT Central Placement Cell
• Placement Percentage: Approx. 70-80% students placed in related industries
• Average CTC: ₹4–6 LPA; highest varies based on sector and research
• Top Recruiters: DRDO, ISRO, TCS, Wipro, Philips
• Placement Cell Contact: CUSAT Placement Portal
• Internship Support: Industry and research internships facilitated through department projects

Campus & Facilities

• Hostels: Separate hostels for men and women on or near campus
• Mess: Multi-cuisine cafeteria with subsidized rates
• Sports Facilities: Outdoor and indoor sports amenities
• Labs & Libraries: State-of-the-art photonics labs, Central University Library with access to digital resources
• Healthcare: On-campus health center and tie-ups with local hospitals
• Transport: Regular buses connecting Kochi city with campus
• Wi-Fi: Campus-wide high-speed internet access
• Research Centres: Specialized photonics research units and collaborations
• Student Clubs & Festivals: Technical and cultural clubs organizing annual events and conferences

Faculty & Research

• Notable Faculty: Prof. P.K. Nair (Director), Dr. Anitha Pushkala, and other prominent photonics researchers
• Research Centres: Centre for Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Major Grants: Projects funded by DST, DRDO, and ISRO
• Patents / MoUs: Ongoing collaborations with national labs and industries; specific MoUs listed on Research Section

Rankings & Reputation

• NIRF Ranking 2023: CUSAT ranked 101-150 band in Engineering (NIRF Official)
• NAAC Accreditation: Grade A (2023) (NAAC Portal)
• India Today & Outlook: Not available on official sources as of 2024-06-01

Results, Cut-Offs & Seat Matrix

• Results Publication: Available on CUSAT Exam Results Portal
• Seat Matrix: Approx. 15 seats for M.Tech Photonics (Open and reserved categories as per Kerala Govt rules)
• Cut-Offs: Varies yearly based on CUSAT CAT scores; typical qualifying marks are 50 percentile and above
  For latest cut-offs visit CUSAT Admissions Page

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (approx. 25 km from campus)
• Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town (around 15 km from campus)
• City Connectivity: Frequent buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws connect campus to Kochi city center
• Local Transit: Public bus services and shared autos available; CUSAT runs shuttle services during the semester

FAQs

• Q1: How can I apply for M.Tech in Photonics at ISP?
  A: Apply online through CUSAT official site via the CUSAT CAT entrance exam.
• Q2: What is the eligibility criteria for Ph.D. at ISP?
  A: Master’s degree in Physics/Optics or related field with a valid entrance/interview.
• Q3: Does ISP offer scholarships?
  A: Yes, both government and institute merit/need-based scholarships are available.
• Q4: What is the intake capacity for M.Tech Photonics?
  A: Approximately 15 seats per academic year.
• Q5: Are there hostel facilities on campus?
  A: Yes, separate hostels for men and women are available with mess facilities.
• Q6: Which entrance exams are accepted for admission?
  A: CUSAT CAT and GATE for M.Tech; CUSAT research entrance and interview for Ph.D.
• Q7: When does the admission process usually start?
  A: Usually from May to July every year; check official admission timeline.
• Q8: How can I contact the ISP department for queries?
  A: Email at isp@cusat.ac.in or phone +91 484 2577348.
• Q9: Does ISP facilitate internships?
  A: Yes, through industry and research collaborations.
• Q10: What is the average placement package?
  A: ₹4–6 LPA; varies by company and student profile.