VIT University chancellor Dr G Viswanathan gives away degrees to meritorious students as former Madras University vice-chancellor Prof A Gnanam (third from right) looks on during the university’s 28th convocation on Saturday. VIT University vice-presidents Sankar Viswanathan, Sekar Viswanathan and G.V. Selvam are also seen. — DC
Vellore:
Emphasising the need to merge all kinds of educational disciplines under one roof in the university system, former Madras University vice-chancellor Prof A. Gnanam said the time had come for state government to make all universities comprehensive with all disciplines, academic or professional.
Delivering his convocation address at VIT University here on Saturday, Prof. Gnanam said the current trend to establish mono-faculty institutions should be reversed.
Referring to Tamil Nadu’s higher education system where every discipline had a separate university, he pointed out that institutes like VIT should diversify to have medical, agriculture, law, architecture, arts, sciences and other faculties along with technology. The former NAAC chairman said universities should have a student population of not less than 25,000 like VIT, and like those in western countries.
Hailing VIT University as the Mecca for all those who aspire to excel through formal learning, Prof Gnanam said that the Indian higher education system was on the way to become world class but needed to be fortified with top line amenities and state of the art facilities. “I see that all such requirements are fulfilled elegantly here (VIT),” he said.
VIT chancellor Dr G. Viswanthan noted that VIT had surpassed all deemed and private universities in research publications. “For the third consecutive year, VIT has published more research papers according to the Scopus research index,” Dr Viswanathan said.
Flaying the university affiliation system in India, Dr Viswanathan said that India had followed an outdated affiliation system since Independence. “The affiliating university spends all its time on resources, preparing question papers, conducting exams, mass evaluation of answer sheets and declaration of results. In some universities, declaration of results is delayed by a year or two,” he added.
As many as 5,237 undergraduate, postgraduate and 102 research scholars received their degrees and doctorates on Saturday.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / September 01st, 2013
You had heard of human soccer players participating in various leagues. Robot soccer players are not far behind. Students of IIT Kharagpur have been developing robot soccer players that are participating in FIRA – the world’s most prestigious robo-soccer championship – in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The championship that started on August 21 will be on till August 29.
A team of 40 students from the institute – KGP Cubs – has gone to Kuala Lumpur to take part in the championship. Of the 36 robber soccer teams from tech schools across the world, the only two teams from India that have been selected to participate in the FIRA championship are IIT-Kgp and IIT Madras.
It took the IIT Kharagpur boys four years to make these robots. And no ordinary robots these – each a soccer dynamite! Now armed with these robots, the KGP Cubs, as the team has been christened, has gone to participate in the world’s most prestigious robo-soccer championship – FIRA – that is at the moment on in Malayasia’s Kuala Lumpur. The championship started on August 24 and will be on till August 29.
At least 36 robo soccer teams from tech schools across the globe are participating in the championship. The only two teams from India that have been selected to participate in the FIRA championship are IIT-Kgp and IIT Madras. While the IIT-Kgp team is called KGP Cubs, the IIT Madras team has been named Sahas.
The selection is done on the basis of technological specifications provided by FIRA. The robots have to be built in accordance and should be able to perform soccer specific feats as specified.
In the past, IIT-Kgp had participated in the championship just once in 2009. However, the robots were not indigenously built then and much of the technological inputs had to be imported and assembled on campus. This did not deter the team’s entry into the championship but it did disadvantage the team’s position when it came to critical scores since teams that built their own robots naturally had an edge.
Over the last four years, the IIT-Kgp robot soccer team, consisting of 40 students from across departments, has been perfecting its own robots so that this time they can take on a level playing field.
“We are thrilled that for the first time we are being able to play with our indigenous robots. This time our students have been able to make two-wheeled robots that can perform all the feats but are yet to look like the traditional robots that have human-like limbs and are able to use them. Hence, they are participating in the Mirosot Robocup tournament which offers the second highest level of difficulty. We hope to improvise on the robots by next year to enter the most difficult level as well,” said Jayanta Mukherjee, head of the computer science department of the institution and the guide of the team.
The field and the ball for the tournament are provided by FIRA and the robots of the challenging teams fight each other on this field. Almost like a five-a-side tournament played by humans, only five robots from each side will play each knock-out game.
“Apart from the robots, there is a server and a camera that we have developed, just like other teams. The camera placed just above the robots sends the image to the server that directs the robots to deal with the challenges on the field. This might sound complicated but actually takes a split second to happen,” said Harsh Surana, a student of manufacturing engineering, who is the leader of the institute’s team. The robots defend their goal, dribble the ball and pass it to their team members and try to outdo their opponent teams much like human footballers.
The KGP Cubs are divided into three sections mechanical design, embedded electronics and artificial intelligence. These involve expertise from the departments of electrical, mechanical, computer science and electronics, aeronautical and even naval architecture and hence the team has students from across these departments.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kolkata> IIT Madras / by Jhimli Mukherjee Pandey, TNN / August 27th, 2013
The Chennai Corporation has begun a green drive to retrieve the palmyra and the move has received appreciation from tree-lovers and environmentalists.
Called the Karpaga Virutsham, the palmyra was once abundant in the city. In the last two decades it has vanished due to rapid urbanisation.
“The palm tree is drought-resistant and requires little water. Even saline water will not affect its growth,” says ‘Nursery’ Rajendran, a tree-lover who supplies saplings.
However, the IIT Madras campus has a large number of this indigenous species.
Listing many places from where the palm has disappeared, he said Siruseri and Oragadam were such places. “I was asked to assist in cutting palm trees in Siruseri. But, I have opted out,” he recalls. Each and every part of the tree is useful but its slow growth deters people from rearing it though it does not require maintenance.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / August 30th, 2013
The College of Engineering moved to its current location in 1920 / Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
Unlike many heritage buildings in the city, the stately, yet functional arches and corridors of the college do not seem like an anachronism
Unlike many heritage buildings in the city, the stately, yet functional arches and corridors of the College of Engineering, Guindy do not seem like an anachronism. The rectangular scarlet structure of one of the country’s oldest technical institute effectively encases not just an architecturally fine courtyard and corridors, but also the evolution of technical education in the city.
On a brisk Monday morning, this busy institution, it seemed, had no time for nostalgia. Under the high ceilings, and arched passageways, students huddled in groups with books, and professors stood on pedestals in classrooms naturally lit by the spacious windows.
What started as a survey school with eight students in 1794 at Fort St. George, shifted to several campuses including Kalas Mahal in Chepauk before moving to its current premises on what is today the Anna University campus in 1920, according to ‘Glimpses of 200 years of history of the College of Engineering, Guindy’ by Er. C.S. Kuppuraj. Today, nearly 10,000, students study here, said dean, C. Chellappan. The original survey school became a civil engineering school, civil engineering college and an engineering college before becoming the College of Engineering, Guindy.
The active alumni of the college take heart in the fact that the main building still retains its heritage character. B. Karunakaran, secretary, Alumni Association, College of Engineering Guindy who passed out in 1969, said that as students, they loved the spacious campus. A lot of things have changed too, he noted. “For instance, there was only one girl in my batch. Now, of course the ratio has drastically changed,” he said.
Mr. Chellappan, said that maintaining the heritage nature of the building was a top priority and they planned to convert the clock tower into a heritage centre. “The college has a rich history and has produced notable alumni. We want to showcase the evolution of the college to the students,” he said.
82-year old N. T. Swaminathan, who passed out in 1955, said the clock tower was the main time-keeper for students. “Few wore watches and when we heard the bell toll, we rushed to class, which began at 7 am. Back then, there was a tennis court very close to the main building. As it was far away from the city, it used to be calm and green,” he recalled.
“The masonry arches, interspersed with stone and brick, are identical. Even with modern equipment, it would be difficult to construct something similar.,” said M. Sekar, former dean and president of the alumni association.
WCC students being trained by American faculties as a part of the transfer program
Building on the transfer program that they started with the Concordia College, New York, last year, the Women’s Christian College has now launched a teaching initiative with academicians from the US at the helm.
Six faculty members of the Concordia College along with the president, Viji George are now handling a series of one-week courses for over 350 of their undergraduate students at the WCC campus in Nungambakkam. The courses carry one credit (under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)) and offer Business, Psychology, Special Education, Life Sciences and Humanities as options.
WCC began the transfer program last year with the reputed American institution, which encouraged a mutual sharing of students, resources and knowledge between the two.
This year, the professors from Concordia are here to further their academic relations and hone their teaching expertise with a new set of students. Jim Burkee, associate professor of History and Economics said, “This is a unique opportunity for me as an American faculty member to share my passion for my discipline (entrepreneurship) with the students of WCC. I will walk away from this experience immensely enriched.”
Ridling Margaret Waller, principal of WCC, said that collaborations of this nature reflected the functional and meaningful ways of sharing expertise across institutions, thus providing a pathway for exchange of ideas between people.
source : http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / August 15th, 2013
PSG Polytechnic College, and PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, signs MoU with Ugam Solutions to create a Retail and Analytics Elective.
Ugam Solutions has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PSG Polytechnic College and PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, to expand their student training opportunities by creating a new industry elective for retail and analytics. The college will work closely with Ugam Solutions to develop a business-based elective that will prepare students for specific and highly marketable skills within the retail and analytics fields.
(Left to right)Dr Rudramoorthy Principal, PSG Polytechnic college and Mr Sunil Mirani, CEO Ugam Solutions exchanging the MOU
The MoU was signed by Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy, Principal of PSG College of Technology and Polytechnic College, and Mr. Sunil Mirani, CEO Ugam Solutions, at the college on Monday 12th August 2013. Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy presided over the signing ceremony. Other dignitaries attending included Ms. S. Sharmila, Head of Department – Information Technology, and Mr. Dharmesh Mistry, Chief Talent Officer, Ugam Solutions.
Commenting on this new academic offering, Mr. Sunil Mirani said, “While students today come well equipped with the technical skills, the application of the same in the business context is missing. With this new elective, Ugam will impart the practical understanding of the application of analytics and technology in the world of retail, thereby making students more employable”, Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy added, “Bridging the gap between academics and industry is one of the major trends of PSG polytechnic college. This MoU targets the final year students to fulfill the expectations of the industry and make them industry ready.”
source: http://www.itnewsonline.com / IT News Online / Home / by Business Wire India / August 14th, 2013
A group of seven fashion designing students from Madurai have made the city proud by showcaseding their women’s wear collection at Vibes 360 Degrees , a fashion show that happened in Chennai last week.
Last Saturday seven girls from Madurai made a mark with their prêt line at a national level fashion show held in Chennai. The eighth edition of Vibes 360 Degrees showcased over 500 ensembles designed by 100 fashion students from all over the country. Among them were 36 designer dresses from Madurai that stormed the ramp.
Fashion collection by Madurai students
Every set of garments was theme-based and the girls also created the ramp-music and mood-story.
“It was heartening to see students from smaller towns taking part in the event. The collection from Madurai was received with much applause,” beams Thangarajeshwari, Head of Madurai Centre, Dream Zone School of Creative Studies. The girls completed their Master Diploma course in fashion designing here and were part of the annual design contest of Dream Zone (CADD Centre).
Fashion collection by Madurai students
Flower-power
Theme: Dominance
Inspiration: The shapes and colours of flowers
Collection: With frills, tucks, pleats and emphasis work, the six party gowns under ‘Dominance’ are simple bold and beautiful. A riot of floral motifs, circular ruffles and shapes inspired from the petals and sepals of flowers is noticeable in every ensemble and it’s that typical girly short gown that a woman would prefer for parties.
Colour palette: Bright shades of blue, orange, red and pink with a minimal tinge of black
Fabrics: All the six garments have bits of lycra with velvet for that glossy touch and a major portion of chiffon and tissue to complement compliment the party appearance.
Designer’s take: “I am a party lover basically and that’s where my idea came from. I have kept the length of all the dresses short so that they can be worn in place of hot pants and are perfect for party dancing,” says Reena. “It took me two months to complete the entire collection. Fabrics were sourced from Chennai and Bangalore.” “I want to open a boutique and launch a label,” she adds.
Ethnic chic
Theme: Contrast
Inspiration: The sepia-toned rural landscape and colourful people of Rajasthan
Collection: How about a Cocktail dress with Rajasthani kamarbandh and tukdi work? That’s what the line is about – contemporary and yet traditional – toeing the theme ‘Contrast’. Every garment under the collection has some Rajasthani touch. Belts resembling Kamarbandhs and waist coats designed like cholis make the entire set quirky.
Colour palette: Sky-tones, hues of nature and earth-tones – blue, green, ochre and red
Fabrics: Nets, crochet, lycra, velvet and everything flashy and shiny form the body of all the dresses while hints of cotton patch work and silver piping give the Rajasthani feel.
Designer’s take: Deshna and Gitanjali say they share a common sensibility and taste and they want to launch a label in Madurai. “I believe in innovation,” says Deshna, showing a short skirt made of handmade paper and a crochet waistcoat. “Fashion doesn’t just mean expensive clothes. I want to make fashion that’s affordable.” Gitanjali says, “We both think a bit ‘Hatke’ and we have tried to incorporate some funky element in all our garments.
Shade-play
Theme: Colour gradation
Inspiration: The shades of sky and the hues of rainbow
Collection: Here’s an exclusive set of garments meant for just shopping! Pockets, pouches and buttons and zips would help you keep cash, cards, that lip-gloss, and eye-liner and everything that you may need while shopping. Every garment is a one-piece monochrome with movement designs done in light and dark shades of the same colour.
Colour palette: Baby pink, sky blue, pista green and rainbow colours
Fabrics: Every ensemble is made of Satin, sateen, rexin and velvet. The aim is to add sheen to your shopping. Bows, buttons and Velcro is also used in many places.
Designer’s take: “I have added a utility value to all my garments apart from the aesthetics and look aspect of it. Women’s dresses hardly have pockets and pouches and this was purely an experiment,” says Priyanka Hiran. “Shopping need not be always done with a bag. Small and impulsive shopping is what my dresses are meant for.” She adds, “I aim to become an ace women’s wear designer someday.”
Fashion collection by Madurai students
Zig-zag zing
Theme: Asymmetry
Inspiration: Geometrical polygons and innovative shapes
Collection: Layers, tucks, darts and frills are the highlights of ‘Asymmetry’. It’s a peppy set of clothes with one-shoulder, zig-zag patterns and an unbalanced usage of colour. Some are printed, dotted and striped while others are plain with patchwork, stone work and other surface embellishments.
Colour palette: Peach, green, blue, yellow, red and white
Fabrics: Layers of crush, frills of net, straps of velvet and glazed synthetic cotton blend are used
Designer’s take: “I care about innovation than practicality. My collection is only meant for ramp shows. They cannot be worn everyday or even for occasions, though trendsetters can do so,” asserts Pooja. “I want to become a celebrity stylist so that I can design garment for Bollywood stars. And that’s why all my clothes are funky and high-funda.”
Glassy-glossy
Theme: Transparent
Inspiration: The delicate shapes and feel of wine glasses
Collection: Simple, elegant and transparent is the mantra of this women’s party wear collection. From bustline to waistline, every garment has a see through material so that you can flaunt off your assets! Balloon skirts, puffed sleeves and skin-hugging tops make the clothes standout. Solid plain blocks of colours with no prints and patterns complimented with a little skin-show add that dramatic effect!
Colour palette: Red, black, white, gold, pink and yellow
Fabrics: Gauze, net and rustle tissue form the see-through parts while shimmering raw silk, crush chiffon and crepe dominate the body of all dresses.
Designer’s take: “Transparent portions in a dress give visual relief to the eye. Moreover, it’s a subtle way of adding glamour,” says Payal. “I have designed the clothes keeping in mind a high profile party-going fun-loving girl. My future plan is to open a designer store in big cities.”
Fashion collection by Madurai students
Texture-mixture
Theme: Crush
Inspiration: Textures of nature – parched earth, leaf veins, water ripples and tree barks
Collection: One unique aspect of the ‘Crush’ collection is the usage of fabric textures. Earthy colours and free-flowing silhouettes make the ensembles long, layered and elaborate, but they are all wrap-around types that can be effortlessly fastened with a lace, belt or buckle. The longish gowns are versatile and can be worn for office and parties!
Colour palette: Brown, turquoise, golden yellow, green and blue
Fabrics: Ribbons, bows, tassels and frills are seen in crepe and crushed organza while the base is made of cotton, muslin and raw silk.
Designer’s take: “I have worked on the easy-to-wear (wrap) concept. My collection can be draped and gives a desi Indian feel when worn,” says Neha Jain. “I have also used Indian elements like the glass bangles and thread-ball-pompoms. In times when people are crazy about western outfits, I thought this would be a head-turner.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Fashion / by A. Shrikumar / Madurai – July 18th, 2013
The Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur launched its first Technical Fest ‘Epiphany’ on Tuesday. The event drew in over 2,000 students from various colleges and schools in Chennai.
The fest was inaugurated by T J Kotteeswaran, director, Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalapakkam and M Sai Baba, associate director, Resource Management Group, Indira Gandhi Center of Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, in the presence of C Muthamizhchelvam, director, Engineering and Technology, SRM University.
TJ Kotteeswaran said that Kalpakkam will soon emerge as a front runner in nuclear programs in India.
The highlights of the fest was youth nuclear summit and an exhibition by Indira Gandhi Center of Atomic Research (IGCAR).
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai /by Express News Service – Chennai / August 15th, 2013
PSG Polytechnic College, and PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, signs MoU with Ugam Solutions to create a Retail and Analytics Elective.
Ugam Solutions has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PSG Polytechnic College and PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, to expand their student training opportunities by creating a new industry elective for retail and analytics. The college will work closely with Ugam Solutions to develop a business-based elective that will prepare students for specific and highly marketable skills within the retail and analytics fields.
The MoU was signed by Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy, Principal of PSG College of Technology and Polytechnic College, and Mr. Sunil Mirani, CEO Ugam Solutions, at the college on Monday 12th August 2013. Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy presided over the signing ceremony. Other dignitaries attending included Ms. S. Sharmila, Head of Department Information Technology, and Mr. Dharmesh Mistry, Chief Talent Officer, Ugam Solutions.
Commenting on this new academic offering, Mr. Sunil Mirani said, “While students today come well equipped with the technical skills, the application of the same in the business context is missing. With this new elective, Ugam will impart the practical understanding of the application of analytics and technology in the world of retail, thereby making students more employable”, Dr. R. Rudhramoorthy added, “Bridging the gap between academics and industry is one of the major trends of PSG polytechnic college. This MoU targets the final year students to fulfill the expectations of the industry and make them industry ready.”
About Ugam Solutions
Ugam Solutions is a research and analytics firm providing cutting edge solutions to global retailers, brands and insights-based consultancies that improves their business performance. Ugam’s analytics solutions for pricing, assortment, and content decisions help retailers and brands grow and retain their customers. Nine of the largest 25 on the Top 500 internet retailer companies are benefitting from these solutions that combine the best of domain consulting, analytics expertise and a proprietary big data technology platform. Learn more at www.UgamSolutions.com
About PSG Polytechnic College
PSG Polytechnic College, established in the year 1939, a pioneer institute in the field of Technical Education and Research is a Government aided, ISO 9001 certified institution with Autonomous status from 1976. This aids it to have a flexible curriculum and updated syllabi. The Polytechnic College has the best laboratories with free access to the students and prepares them with the latest method of learning industrial practices. The industry attachment Programme, compulsory for all courses provides the students an exposure for current industrial practices. The college is located in the same campus as the PSG Industrial Institute.
source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl / Home> News> Business / by Business Wire India / August 14th, 2013
It is to improve the performance of Coimbatore Corporation school students
The American India Foundation (AIF) is going to launch a ‘DE Tuition Centre’ here on Wednesday to improve the academic performance of Coimbatore Corporation school students of Classes VI to IX.
The centre is coming up under the Digital Equaliser (DE) initiative of the civic body under which information technology and activity-based approach are adopted to make the curriculum easier for children to comprehend.
V. Alexander, Regional Coordinator (DE) – Tamil Nadu of the AIF, which has a tie-up with the Coimbatore Corporation, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the tuition centre was aimed at achieving a 20 per cent increase in marks in the examinations.
Initially, 20 students in Classes VI to VIII would be given training in one subject a day, after which the project would be scaled up.
An audio–visual classroom would be utilised to develop subject knowledge during the tuition classes, which would also feature group discussions to improve collaborative learning. The sessions would focus on developing concentration, self confidence and increase the Intelligence Quotient level of the students.
He said that the classes were structured to enable the students to have a better conceptual understanding. The classes were open for students of all the Corporation schools. The student’s assessment will be made though tests held on weekly, monthly and term basis.
Mr. Alexander said that the tuition centre was coming up at the DE office in Corporation Elementary School at New Siddhapudur.
The classes would be held daily from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. except on holidays. The DE coordinator would conduct the classes. This project was part of ‘Digital Equaliser’ Programme – for which the civic body had inked a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (2012-15) with the AIF under which subject content was provided in Tamil language through technology. It covered all the 10 high schools, 16 higher secondary schools, and one special school of the Coimbatore Corporation, which had provided 464 computers for the project.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by R. Sairam / Coimbatore – August 14th, 2013
