Researchers involved in the field of drug discovery should focus on drug molecules with lesser side effects, said N. Senthil Kumar, Chief Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Tiruchi, in his inaugural address at the faculty development programme on ‘New perspectives in drug discovery and progressive technological developments (NPDPTD-2015),’ organised by the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology. T. Senthil Kumar, Dean, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology, and P. Senthamil Selvan, coordinator, NPDPTD, spoke.
Graduation Day
A total of 177 graduates received their degrees at the eighth Graduation Day of Oxford College of Education in Tiruchi. A. Jahitha Begam, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Education, Gandhigram Rural University, said that education should help bring about a transformation. Nirmala Subramaniam, secretary, Oxford Group of Institutions, presided. K. Sumathiral, principal, was present.
Annual Day
Positive mind, energy, and observation were key to work smartly, said K. Shankar, executive director, Sanmar Foundries Limited, while speaking at the Annual Day of Rane Polytechnic College. R. Venkatanarayanan, president, Rane Corporate Service, presided. V.K. Raman, Principal, presented the annual report. Mr. Shankar gave away prizes to the students. D. Viswanathan, senior manager, finance, Rane Holdings Limited, distributed merit scholarships offered by Rane Foundation.
College Day
The industry is always looking for knowledgeable candidates, who are capable of applying their subject knowledge practically in their job, said Edward John Bosco, Head- HR & IR, L&T Valves Limited, Chennai, while speaking at the College Day of Holy Angels School of Business in Perambalur. D. Selvaraj, chairman of the institution, presided. M. Ganesh, director, presented the annual report.
Mr. Bosco and K. Victor, Deputy General Manager- HR, TVS Logistics Services Limited, Chennai, presented degree certificates and prizes.
Exploring domain of satellite technology
The SASTRA University in Thanjavur designed ‘BalloonSat-M01,’ a type of miniaturized satellite to study the atmospheric pressure and temperature at various altitudes. The module was designed using a controller board, pressure-cum-temperature sensor and memory card adapter to store measured atmospheric parameters.
Also, a GPS tracker was designed. The entire electronic set-up was enclosed in an EPS thermocol box with suitable thermal packing. A helium balloon weighing 1,200 g was designed to lift this module (weighing 1,500 g) to an altitude of 25 to 30 km. A parachute was designed and attached to the balloon. The balloon was launched from the SASTRA University. The data can be used to study weather pattern at different atmospheric levels. The purpose of this mission is to make the first step towards miniaturized satellite technology and motivate students to explore the domain of satellite technology. The balloon satellite launch was possible with the support of the IAF, the Airports Authority of India and the district administration.
“Undertake extensive research”
The 27th Annual Day of the Periyar Maniyammai University in Thanjavur was celebrated. N. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the march of the first engineering college in the world exclusively for women into a university. V. R. S Sampath, Editor, Sattakathir, and president, Madras Development Society, advised students to utilize all available opportunities to excel in the competitive atmosphere.
R. Veeramani, chief guest and Chairman of GEM Group of Companies, urged the students to possess qualities such as self-confidence, perseverance, integrity and honesty to excel in profession and life. He stressed the need to undertake extensive research on product copyrights. Become entrepreneurs and shore up the economy of the nation, he counselled students.
Techmag 2015, a booklet on the activities of the PMU, was released on the occasion.
Rank holders honoured
The 10th Graduation Day of the Bon Secours College for Women in Thanjavur was held. President of the Management Council Very Rev. Mother Lourdu Mary presided. H. Devaraj, chief guest and Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission, conferred degrees on students and exhorted them to excel in their chosen fields. The emerging world is full of opportunities and it was the individual traits that made a person, he said. Vice-President of the Management Council Rev. Marceline honoured rank holders. Secretary of the college Rev. Jeyarani and Principal Rev. D.Victoria spoke. The college has produced 902 degree holders during the current year under various disciplines and they included 723 graduates, 133 Post Graduates and 45 M. Phil. scholars. The chief guest honoured 32 university rank holders with certificates and medals. R. Saraha Shahana from the Department of Fashion Technology and Costume Designing secured the first place at the university level, R. Janani from Computer Application and D.T. Monisha from the Department of Chemistry, who secured the second place in their respective disciplines, A. Veronica Nancy English Literature, who secured the third place, and A. Abirami of M.A. (English) who secured the first place at the university level, were among those honoured.
Workshop
A workshop on “Stocks and Derivatives” was conducted at the Gnanam School of Business, Sengipatti, by a team of professionals from the ICICI Securities for the benefit of management students. The workshop-cum-training programme was arranged to fine-tune the knowledge of students on stock investments. Practical exposure of the market was given to students and sessions were filled with loads of enthusiasm giving wide scope for students to get hands on training. Trainers designed the programme in such a way that it stimulated the decision making skills of students. The participants were exposed to the advantages and negatives of stock markets and the session ended with virtual trading in stock markets.
Special NSS camp
The Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, conducted a special NSS camp at Kovilur for a week. Dean K.N. Selvakumar inaugurated a special veterinary health camp in which a total of 66 heads of cattle were screened for various ailments and conditions. Forty five goats were de-wormed while pregnancy diagnosis and artificial insemination were performed for a large number of animals. Besides, vaccination was done for poultry birds and dogs. Other activities included training for villagers on preparation of milk and meat products, hygiene and sanitation awareness activities, greening programmes and documentation of indigenous traditional knowledge on cattle rearing. NSS Programme Officer Dr. V. Ranganathan, camp co-conveners P. Sankar and M. Sasikala of the college coordinated the activities.
Job fair
The Vandayar Engineering College in Thanjavur conducted a mega job fair. More than 20 companies participated in it to select students. Major companies including TVS Motors, Sundaram Clayton, Wheels India Ltd, Hero Honda, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Royal Enfield, Ralson, Indian Nippon Electricals Ltd, Webco TVS, ABT Maruthi, TVS Logistics, Johnson Lifts and the like gave job offers to students. Over 625 students got placement offers. Founder and Chairman, Vandayar Engineering College, S.Gunasekara Vandayar, presented the offer letters to selected students in the presence of secretary G. Vijay Prakash.
Focus on teacher education
Teachers could open the eyes of the society by imparting right lessons to their students. Teacher education graduates from the region of Vedaranyam could imbue a spirit of patriotism along with academics, Rajaji’s great grandson and Congress leader C.R. Kesavan told teacher education graduates at the Graduation Day of the Kasturba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam B.Ed. College, Vedaranyam.
Gurukulam Managing Trustee A. Vedaratnam, trustee Chokkalingam, social activist Smita Madhav and Principal Muthuraja participated. More than 200 graduates received their degrees.
Compiled by G. PrasadandL. Renganathan
