Who We Are
Centre of Excellence - Kerala Institute of Science Technology and innovation
Established in 2025 by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) with funding support from the Government of Kerala, the Centre of Excellence - Kerala Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (CoE-KISTI) is a visionary research institution dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary science, technology, and translational innovation. Functioning as an autonomous Centre of Excellence under KSHEC and located within the campus of Mahatma Gandhi University, KISTI operates with academic independence while fostering seamless collaboration across universities, research institutions, industry, and communities throughout the state and beyond.
Governed by a council chaired by the Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education, KISTI is committed to strengthening Kerala's scientific ecosystem through cutting-edge infrastructure, ethical research practices, and innovation-driven knowledge creation. The institute is equipped with advanced molecular biology laboratories, next-generation sequencing platforms, and high-end bioinformatics capabilities, enabling impactful research in genomics, microbial sciences, plant biotechnology, health sciences, and AI-enabled data analytics.
Our interdisciplinary teams of scientists, project associates, and technical experts work on nationally relevant themes including antimicrobial resistance, microbial and genomic surveillance, plant-microbe interactions, agricultural resilience, and precision diagnostics. As part of KSHEC's network of Centres of Excellence, KISTI emphasizes open knowledge exchange through workshops, capacity-building programs, policy engagement, and collaborative research initiatives.
Academic Training & Capacity Building
KISTI also plays a significant role in academic training and human resource development. We provide intensive research training, dissertation projects, and hands-on laboratory exposure for undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), FYUGP, and PhD scholars. In addition, we offer specialized bioinformatics and microbial genomics services to academic and research institutions across the country, strengthening national research capabilities.
Institutional Coordination
Currently coordinated by Dr. Radhakrishnan E.K., KISTI operates with institutional support from Mahatma Gandhi University and foundational funding from KSHEC. With a long-term vision of emerging as a global hub for transformative science, KISTI bridges discovery with real-world impact—driving innovation for sustainable and equitable progress.
The Mahatma Gandhi University Advantage
KISTI's operational and intellectual vitality is amplified by its privileged location within MGU—a globally ranked institution celebrated for its academic excellence.
MGU's legacy as a top-tier research university amplifies KISTI's mission through:
World-Class Infrastructure
Access to MGU's advanced labs, innovation hubs, and interdisciplinary research centres.
NAAC A++ & UGC Recognition
Collaboration with a university celebrated for its Category 1 autonomous status, rigorous academic standards, and high-impact publications.
Grassroots Innovation
MGU's proven track record in nurturing community-driven innovators and startup incubators (technology parks, rural cells) aligns with KISTI's focus on equitable solutions.
Talent Mobility
Shared faculty expertise, student exchange programs, and joint supervision of research projects bridge theoretical and applied science.
The Institutional Vision
To stand as an internationally recognized nucleus of academic and scientific rigour, fostering interdisciplinary discoveries that address vital ecological and material issues of the state and the global community.
The Strategic Mission
To equip scientists with high-performance computational resources and material laboratories; to synthesize regional scientific data for policymaking; and to train doctoral scholars under strict peer-reviewed criteria.