Kuzhali’s love for physics knew no bounds but rarely did she get an opportunity to explore the depths of it in her hometown, Andipatti.
The two-week residential Physics Training and Talent Search (PTTS) programme at Loyola College, however, gave this Lady Doak College (Madurai) student the confidence to pursue research in the field in future.
“I didn’t think that I would get through this programme as my grades were poor and I studied in a government school. These two weeks have proved that my love for Mathematics and Physics can translate into teaching opportunities,” she said.
In his valedictory address to the 32 students who attended the camp, Rajaram Nityananda, a professor at Azim Premji University, said that small sparks of talent lay in unexpected places. “The cut-offs in science institutes should not be very high as some students from rural areas have sound knowledge in the subject. One must also acknowledge the role of some fantastic teachers.”
In its third round this year, PTTS raised funds from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai and Triveni Educational Trust, Allahabad. Student representatives at the M.Sc level from different parts of India attended the camp that focuses on Classical, Quantum and Experimental Physics. The organisers encouraged a steady flow of questions in all their lectures and emphasised on ‘learning to learn’.
“We hosted an entire session on career prospects for the students so that they continue contributing to the country’s Physics community,” said Sivakumar M., the chief coordinator of the programme.
