Date:31/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/31/stories/2006033118000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Colleges should set up knowledge centres: M.S. Swaminathan

Staff Reporter

They will provide data on entrepreneurial skills, job opportunities

TOPPER HONOURED: M. S. Swaminathan confers a degree on Aishwarya Padmanabhan, university first-rank holder in M.A. Human Resources Management, at the Dr. MGR Janaki Arts and Science College convocation on Wednesday. Principal R. Rukmani and Correspo ndent Latha Rajendran look on. — Photo: K.V.Srinivasan

Chennai: Colleges should set up knowledge centres to continue providing guidance and opportunities to their alumni, especially women students, renowned agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan said here on Wednesday.

At the convocation ceremony of Dr. MGR Janaki Arts and Science College here, Mr. Swaminathan said that these knowledge centres would be a "single window" for information on employment opportunities, higher education and research prospects for women who might have had to take a break from college or career due to other commitments.

Women's colleges should also maintain a database of their alumnae, who could themselves be a resource network for new opportunities, he recommended.

While women could outshine men during their education, there were still very few occupying top seats in their chosen field, Mr. Swaminathan said. This is probably because women often have to take a break when family and social commitments take precedence.

College knowledge centres could be a step to help women get back to education or their career by providing useful data on entrepreneurial skills and job opportunities for continued excellence, Mr. Swaminathan said.

The M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation would offer expertise in setting up such centres, he added.

The scientist conferred degrees and presented medals to top-ranking students of the college.

The college has bagged two Madras University first ranks. K. Sharadha of M.Sc. Bio-informatics and Aishwarya Padmanabhan of M.A. Human Resources Management bagged the top honours.