The Ezhimala Naval Academy, a project to conduct a host of training courses, including research, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on January 8, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said today.

"After deciding to set up a full-fledged naval academy at this site in Kerala [Images], we have come to a stage wherein we are ready to commence training at the academy and the Prime Minister will dedicate the academy to the nation on January 8," he told a press conference.

The over Rs 720 crore project, billed as Asia's largest is capable of accommodating 750 personnel and about 500 support staff to assist the day-to-day activities of academy.

Flanked by the Arabian Sea, picturesque hills and inland waters, the Academy spread over a 2,452 acres, will be the only centre in India imparting four-year B Tech courses in

Electronics and Communications, and Mechanical Engineering for all the newly inducted trainee officers.

The syllabi and the curricula have been drafted keeping in mind the current technical advancements and the skill tests that will be required in handling the future acquisition of the Indian Navy, he said.

"The academy would give a lot more thrust on intellectual works and will have a unique laboratory and plans to allow others to do research works here," Admiral Mehta said.

The ongoing works of the project are scheduled to be completed by April end and the full-fledged courses will start in June next, he said.

The entire training sessions, currently being held at Goa's [Images] 'INS Mandovi', would be subsequently shifted to the 'INS Zamorin' at Ezhimala, which is located in Kerala's Kannur district.