The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : I wish to be a student all my life: Ishari K. Ganesh

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Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

I wish to be a student all my life: Ishari K. Ganesh

Meera Srinivasan

He recently took over as Chancellor of Vel’s University

Ishari K. Ganesh

CHENNAI: “It does not matter if I hold the post of chairman and chancellor. I wish to be a student all my life,” says Ishari K. Ganesh, founder-chairman of the Vel’s Group of Institutions.

Having taken charge as Chancellor of Vel’s University recently, he has several plans for the institutions that he began in memory of his father.

At 41, Dr. Ganesh is not only one of the youngest chancellors, but also an earnest student. After completing his masters in commerce, a B.L. degree and Ph.D in politics and public administration, he is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Madras.

“I started our first college at a rented space and offered pharmacy education in 1993. Then, we had 36 students,” he recalls. Now the group has expanded and has as many as 15 institutions, including schools and colleges, with a total strength of 12, 800 students.

Now with University status, the institutions will have a little more flexibility. He plans to tweak the curriculum a bit to update it and match the inputs to the requirements of the industry.

“All the courses we offer are job-oriented. By the time a student finishes his or her final year, they will be placed well. Many of our alumni are doing very well in leading organisations,” he said.

To ensure that students were trained in soft skills, the University has tied up with leading HR trainers.

Dr.Ganesh is also considering introducing courses in nanotechnology and aeronautical sciences. The institution has signed an agreement with the South Indian Artists’ Association (SIAA). From this academic year, they will jointly offer a three-year B.Sc programme in film technology.

“The course will cover aspects such as directing, acting and the technology in film masking.”

Apart from that, a one-year diploma course in acting will also be offered. “My objective is to make Vel’s the best University in the country,” he says.

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