Kochi: Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has secured Rs 1.19 crore under the Ministry of Education's Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) for a major Indo-Korean joint research project, officials said on Thursday.

The collaborative initiative aims to develop an advanced technology platform combining marine-derived antimicrobial peptides with cutting-edge photocatalytic nanomaterials to improve water purification and enhance disease management in aquaculture.

Swapna P Antony, Assistant Professor in CUSAT's Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, will serve as the principal investigator and coordinator of the Indian research team, with Prof T P Sajeevan as co-investigator. The South Korean team is led by Prof Hyunwoong Park, Professor at Kyungpook National University (KNU), Daegu, and Director of its Industrial Technology Research Centre.

CUSAT officials said the project is expected to contribute significantly to improving water quality, reducing disease incidence in aquaculture, and reducing reliance on conventional antibiotics. The collaboration integrates expertise in marine biotechnology and advanced materials science to develop innovative solutions for sustainable aquatic health and environmental protection.

The initiative also aligns with the broader objectives of the SPARC scheme, which aims to strengthen India's research ecosystem through international academic partnerships. By facilitating joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building, the scheme seeks to enhance India's research output, innovation capabilities, and global academic visibility, authorities added.

Officials said the project marks a key step in fostering Indo-Korean scientific cooperation and promoting high-quality research with practical applications in aquaculture and environmental management.