Dr. B. SUNIL KUMAR graduated with a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Kerala in 1985. In 1987 he completed his Master’s Degree in Town and Country Planning from the School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Madras. Following this, he later acquired his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Kerala in 2011.
Prof. Sunil started his academic career in 1987 at his alma mater, T.K.M. College of Engineering, whereupon following more than 30 years of service he retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering in 2019. During his tenure, he was known for his initiatives in transforming conventional pedagogical practices into learner-centric ones. He additionally played an active role in the implementation of outcome-based academic practices within the institution. Following his retirement from T.K.M. College of Engineering, he joined the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC).
His key research area is Sustainable Urban Development, where he is credited with multiple journal publications and conference proceedings. On 10th April 2018, Prof. Sunil presented a paper on ‘Sustainable Housing for the Weaker-Section of Society’ at the United Nations Conference on ‘Skills and Technology Advancing Rapid Transformation: The Case of Kerala’ at the U.N. Headquarters, New York, U.S.A. He is a Doctoral Committee Member of Kerala Technological University, resource person for Faculty Development Programmes and a leading building consultant.
As a member of the Spatial Planning Committee from 2005 to 2010, he was involved in the preparation of the ‘Kollam District Development Plan’, as initiated by the Kerala State Department of Town and Country Planning. Additionally, Prof. Sunil has been involved in the overseas outreach program devised by the Education Consultancy India Ltd. (EdCIL), under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. He was a member of its delegations to Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Prof. Sunil is a Fellow and Chartered Engineer of the Institution of Engineers (India). He is a member of the Institution of Town Planners (India); Indian Society for Technical Education; Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems (IGLUS), EPFL, Switzerland.
Prof. Sunil has assisted as secretary of the OISCA International Kollam Chapter from 2010 to 2011. His hobbies include shuttle-badminton, where he previously reached the title of District Doubles Masters Champion. He is now an avid promoter of the game in his position as senior vice-president of the Kollam District Shuttle Badminton Association.
A skilled population is imperative for the socio-economic development of any country in the world. This is observed as critical for our nation too, for harnessing the demographic dividend from the world’s largest youth population that we possess. Our National Skill Development Policy-2009 was well articulated, targeting comprehensive empowerment of our human resources and building their competitiveness to global standards.
The state being a key stakeholder in skill development has set up Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE), the State Skill Development Mission of the Government of Kerala, under the Department of Labour and Skills, for implementing various skill development initiatives to help develop an industry‐ready workforce. Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC) is one of the major initiatives in this line for creating skilled manpower for the infrastructure and construction sector.
IIIC is fast evolving as a skilling hub of Kerala, duly accredited by NSDC with all state-of-the-art facilities and well managed by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS). We have meticulously formulated tailor-made courses to address the emerging and dynamic needs of our infrastructure and construction industry. An array of courses is being offered at IIIC to suit freshers from schools and colleges as well as for upskilling of professionals who are already placed in the construction industry and government departments. With great honour and pride, I invite the youth of our state and working professionals to take advantage of this skilling ecosystem and contribute to our nation-building.
