Kerala Higher Education Minister R. Bindu announced major progress in the state's higher education sector on Wednesday. She inaugurated the renovated AR Centre (Oriental Block) at University College, Thiruvananthapuram, along with new college buildings across the state. "The State is making remarkable strides through infrastructure development and comprehensive curriculum reforms," said Dr. Bindu. The government has invested ₹6,000 crore over the past four years to improve college facilities. The shift to a four-year undergraduate program is changing education content and methods. The new curriculum focuses on boosting student employability and promoting research skills. The Minister stressed the need to support the idea of ‘work while studying’ to help students become entrepreneurs and job creators. Under the ‘Scholar Connect’ scheme, students now engage with diaspora experts working abroad. At University College, ₹22 crore worth of upgrades funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board were completed. This includes the carefullly renovated heritage Oriental Block, a new Language Block, and a Laboratory Block. Infrastructure improvements were also unveiled at Government Victoria College, Palakkad; Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Memorial Government College, Thalassery; and several other government arts and science colleges across Kerala. The event was presided over by University College Principal Santhosh Kumar K.R.