Individuals of Indian origin residing or working outside India, particularly those from the Kerala diaspora, who are actively engaged in academic, research, or higher education-related roles in universities, colleges, research institutions, think tanks, or similar organizations.

It offers profile creation, availability calendars, collaboration invites, location filters, notifications, and real-time updates for smooth diaspora scholar-faculty interaction.

To offer services to an institution in Kerala through the Scholar Connect app/web platform, a foreign diaspora scholar should:

• Download the Scholar Connect application from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) or access the Web Application.
• Create a profile on the Scholar Connect mobile/web application.
• Update their availability calendar with their arrival and departure dates, and visit location in Kerala.
• Select their preferred event types and subject areas from the drop-down menu.
• Await invitations from Kerala institutions, which they can then accept or decline directly through the app.

To ensure secure and meaningful engagement, please note that only verified faculty members from recognized higher education institutions in Kerala will be able to express interest in your visit or request your academic support through the Scholar Connect platform. Each institutional user is authenticated by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), and all interactions are designed to uphold transparency and academic integrity. Diaspora scholars have full control in reviewing requests before confirming any engagement.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kerala can engage diaspora scholars through the Scholar Connect platform. Here is a breakdown of the process for institutions:

• Download the Scholar Connect application from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) or access the Web Application.
• Find Relevant Scholars: They can utilise the app's filter feature to search for diaspora scholars based on expertise, location, and availability.
• Initiate Collaboration Invites: Once a suitable scholar is identified, faculty can send out invitations for various types of engagements including virtual or in-person lectures/webinars, mentorships, symposia, research collaborations, and other academic events.
• Coordination and Confirmation: If a scholar has entered their arrival and departure dates, and visit location in Kerala, the host faculty will receive automatic alerts and updates.
• Financial Support: After KSHEC's approval of the collaboration, faculty can download a proforma via the app/web application to apply for financial support from the KSHEC.
• Post-Visit Documentation: After the programme, institutions should submit reports through the Scholar Connect Platform online for documentation purposes.

Verification and Engagement Policy: All institutional users on the Scholar Connect platform are required to undergo a verification process administered by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). Only authenticated faculty members from accredited universities and colleges in Kerala are permitted to interact with diaspora scholars.

Only verified faculty members from higher education institutions in Kerala are permitted to send requests to diaspora scholars. These users are authenticated by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) before receiving access to the platform. Diaspora scholars retain full control over whom they engage with and may review all institutional details prior to confirming any activity.

It helps scholars showcase their expertise, plan engagements in Kerala, and stay updated on academic events and collaboration offers.

Yes. Scholar Connect is available on Android, iOS, and the web, with identical features across platforms.

Faculty can easily find, connect, and collaborate with experts visiting Kerala.

Yes. Diaspora scholars can select preferred event types from a detailed drop-down menu.

Yes, it ensures data protection, confidentiality, and secure communication for all users.

Yes. Scholars receive alerts about invitations, schedule updates, and reminders through email.

Diaspora scholars enter their arrival and departure dates, along with their visit location in Kerala. Host faculty in Kerala institutions receive automatic alerts and updates, allowing timely coordination of meetings and events with the visiting scholar. If multiple expressions of interest are received, the diaspora scholar retains the final decision. KSHEC will play a mediating role by advising scholars to consider engaging with a wider range of institutions during their visit.

Yes, upon KSHEC approval, host faculty at institutions in Kerala can download a proforma through the Scholar Connect mobile app or web portal to apply for expenses, subject to the guidelines.

No. Foreign academic diaspora visiting through the Scholar Connect platform are not eligible for financial support under this programme. However, host institutions in Kerala may, at their discretion, offer local support such as accommodation, meals, or local transportation, based on mutual agreement with the visiting scholar.

Absolutely. The programme supports virtual lectures, webinars, mentorships, and symposia for remote academic engagements.

Yes. The calendar feature reflects real-time availability of diaspora scholars for scheduling the programmes.

Yes. Diaspora scholars can modify collaboration types, subject areas, and host institution preferences anytime through the drop-down menus.

Yes. There is a built-in feature to recommend new diaspora scholars for inclusion in the app.

Yes. Use the filter feature to find scholars by expertise, location, availability, and academic preferences.

Scholars receive invitations from the institutions in Kerala and can accept or decline them directly through the app interface.

Yes. Institutions can submit reports, videos, and photos online after the programme for documentation purpose.

Yes

All EOIs are received and processed through KSHEC's online evaluation form system.

The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) evaluates all EOI applications through an online evaluation form.

Host institutions are selected based on two equally weighted criteria:

• Expected Outcomes (50% weight)
• Equitable Distribution (50% weight)

All applications are scored on a 1-3 point scale for each criterion, with 3 being the highest score.

This criterion assesses the potential impact of the proposed engagement between the diaspora scholar and the host institution in Kerala.

• 3 points: High potential for measurable, sustainable outcomes
• 2 points: Some potential for positive outcomes
• 1 point: Low or unclear potential for meaningful outcomes

1. Alignment of Expertise and Institutional Needs: Explain how the diaspora scholar's specific areas of expertise directly meet the needs of the host institution.

2. Potential Impact: Describe the potential outcomes of the proposed programme on students, faculty, and the broader development of the institution.

This ensures fair allocation of diaspora scholars across different institutions in the State.

• 3 points: Institution has hosted 0-1 diaspora scholars in the past 1 year under Scholar Connect
• 2 points: Institution has hosted 2-3 diaspora scholars in the past 1 year under Scholar Connect
• 1 point: Institution has hosted more than 4 diaspora scholars in the past 1 year under Scholar Connect

The past 1 year from the date of submission of the online application.

No, only participation specifically in the KSHEC’s Scholar Connect programme is considered.

Total Score = (Expected Outcomes Score × 50%) + (Equitable Distribution Score × 50%) Maximum possible score is 3 points.

The application with the highest weighted total score is prioritised for approval.

The KSHEC will request supplementary information from the host institutions to make the final decision.

The Scholar Connect programme offers a meaningful opportunity for diaspora scholars to contribute directly to Kerala’s higher education ecosystem. The programme is flexible so that visiting scholars could propose engagements of different durations based on their teaching, research, training, or collaborative plans. Host institutions provide accommodation, local travel, and full logistical support. Domestic air travel(economy class) within India is supported under the programme.This ensures a smooth and well-organised visit.

The Scholar Connect programme offers a valuable opportunity for universities and colleges to host distinguished diaspora scholars and strengthen their academic ecosystem. Through short-term visits, institutions could gain access to fresh perspectives and potential long-term collaborations that can enrich teaching, research, and innovation.

Host institutions can design engagements based on their specific academic needs -- lectures, workshops, or capacity-building activities. This flexibility allows each institution to shape a visit that creates maximum academic impact.

KSHEC provides financial support to host institutions for organising the programme. This includes support for domestic economy-class air travel for diaspora scholars travelling within India. The host institution will also receive financial support to arrange suitable accommodation; provide local transportation for the visiting scholar; office and administrative expenses related to conducting the programme, as outlined in the scheme guidelines.