Former students of Thiagarajar College of Engineering, belonging to the 1960-1965 batch, came together to celebrate their golden jubilee reunion at the college premises here on Monday.

“I am meeting some of my friends after fifty years. It feels great to recollect our college memories,” said S. Nambi Narayanan, retired director of Indian Space Research Organisation and an alumnus.

Around 20 former students from different cities in India and abroad had converged at the college for the reunion. They toured the campus and honoured retired faculty members.

“It is very exciting to visit the college again and meet our friends after five decades,” said Ravi Ravindran, a retired scientist from Bell laboratory, USA.

The former students also expressed jubilance over the developments that had taken place at the college over the years since they had graduated.

“We feel happy to take note of the developments in the college. They are beyond our imagination,” Dr. Nambi Narayanan said. Mr. Ravi Ravindran urged the students to improve their skills to shine in any field.

V. Abhaikumar, Principal of the college, welcomed the alumni to visit the college and share their experiences with the students. “Alumni visiting the college at least once in a semester and sharing their stories on success and struggle will motivate not just students, but young faculty members as well,” he noted.

He also stated that the college is focusing on becoming a research-based institution. “We are looking for more involvement from industries in curriculum development and syllabus formation,” he added.

Former principal Maria Louis spoke on the importance of value based education. “College managements should inculcate the sense of responsibility in students. Most educational institutions, barring a few like TCE, have become commercialised,” he noted. Secretary of the college Uma Kannan interacted with the alumni.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by M. Vandhana / Madurai – December 09th, 2014