Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 29 (IANS) Now you can enrol for professional magic courses at Kerala University as courses conducted by the Magic Academy have been recognised by the university here.

The courses have been recognised by Kerala University’s Centre for Adult Continuing Education Extension (CACEE).

In the initial stage, a 100-hour certificate course and a diploma course having 200 learning hours will be conducted.

The academy will invite application forms and run the classes but the CACEE will conduct the examinations.

The three-month-long certificate course in Magical Art and Science will comprise of the history of magic, science of magic, showmanship, close-up magic and conjuring magic.

The diploma course will have the art and science of magic.

Those who have passed senior secondary or equivalent examination are eligible for admission to the certificate course.

Only those who pass the certificate course or those who have started performing magic on stage can join the diploma course.

A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed Wednesday between Gopinath Muthukad, the executive director of the academy, and K.A. Hashim, registrar of Kerala University.

Established by ace magician Gopinath Muthukad, the 14-year-old academy is Asia’s first and has been offering a plethora of services to the magicians.

The academy pioneered the idea of using magic as an efficient medium for spreading public service messages including national integration, Gandhian thoughts and communal harmony.

Classes are slated to begin by the end of this year. Application forms will be available by October.