The Government Arts and Science College at Manalmedu, announced by the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the recent Assembly session, is likely to be started within the current academic year itself.
Though the Government Order is yet to be issued by the authorities concerned on establishment of a new government arts college, it is said that it will be done within 10 days enabling the Higher Education and Bharathidasan University officials to take necessary steps to start the college immediately.
It is expected that the Principal will be named shortly to take steps for admitting students. Until the college gets permanent building, it will function in a rental building.
In the beginning, it is proposed to start non-laboratory courses such as B.A., B.Com. and others. It will be a co-educational institution.
A team consisting of Minister for Fisheries K.A. Jayapal, Collector T. Munusamy and Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University V.M. Muthu Kumar inspected a few places at Manalmedu, which is about 14 km from Mayiladuthurai.
A defunct spinning mill and a newly constructed school building were among those inspected by the team. It is said that the spinning mill premises, which has many unused buildings, is likely to be selected as a temporary campus for the college. The Public Works Department officials have been asked to prepare an estimate to carry out repairs and rehabilitation works.
When contacted, the Vice-Chancellor told The Hindu that priority would be given to complete all formalities to start the college immediately.It would be affiliated with the Bharathidasan University. An affiliation committee would be constituted to complete the process soon after the receipt of application.
