Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will soon come up with an exclusive hostel for transgender students as part of efforts to provide them with a safe, friendly, and supportive learning environment.The move forms part of the varsity’s intent to increase the enrolment of transgender students by offering them an inclusive environment. Senior varsity officials said they had identified spaces that could be converted into exclusive hostel facilities for transgender students joining various programmes in the new academic year.“The varsity has currently one transgender student in its rolls. Though we had offered an exclusive place for stay on the campus, the student later opted for an accommodation outside the campus,” they said. The varsity’s Budget for 2026-27 had included a proposal to set up a dedicated hostel for transgender students. It was listed among the various student-centric initiatives for this fiscal.The authorities pointed out that the government had sanctioned two seats exclusively for transpersons in all courses run by universities and affiliated arts and science colleges in the State in 2018 aimed at empowering the transgender community. The Department of Higher Education had asked State universities to adopt a transgender policy to address academic and other issues faced by transgender students.An exclusive hostel for transgender students was proposed in Cusat to help them pursue academic programmes without fear of discrimination or isolation on the campus. Mahatma Gandhi University had launched an exclusive hostel for transgender students last year with the broader vision of promoting social justice and gender equality. Published - June 02, 2026 08:23 pm IST