India's first Centre for Biopolymer Science and Technology has been inaugurated at Udyogamandal in Kochi. The unit of the Chennai Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology was opened jointly by Union Fertilisers and Chemicals Minister M. K. Alagiri and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. It will be conducting MSc on Biopolymer Science and Doctoral programmes in collaboration with Cochin University of Science and Technology. The capital outlay of 30 crore rupees for setting up the Unit will be shared equally by the central and state governments.About 20 students will be taken for MSc degree course and 12 for doctoral programme at the centre initially.Alagiri said during the 12th plan the central Institute is aiming to train around over 2.15 Lakh students, about a lakh more from the those trained in the present plan.