Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101569981000.htm

Tamil Nadu

VC welcomes move to open more engineering colleges

Special Correspondent

Says it will benefit poor and meritorious students

— Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

Vice-Chancellor, Anna University, Chennai, D. Viswanathan (left), arriving at the Good Shepherd International School at M.Palada, near Udhagamandalam, on Sunday to participate in its 31st Founder’s Day celebrations.

Udhagamandalam: The move of the Government to bring into being 20 more engineering colleges is most welcome, said D.Viswanathan, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.

At the 31st Founder’s Day celebrations of the Good Shepherd International School, Mr. Viswanathan told media persons that the proposal would benefit to a considerable extent poor and meritorious students.

When asked about the growing number of vacant seats in the existing engineering colleges, he said that if the standard of education improved in the schools all the engineering colleges would be full.

He said that at the all India level out of 1,600 engineering colleges, Anna University stood first. Employment was guaranteed for all those who passed through the portals of the university.

Anna University students were the first choice at campus interviews conducted by multi-nationals. Pointing out that a great deal of importance was being given to communication and soft skills, he said that they had been made compulsory in the University and all the affiliated colleges. At the international level, Anna University had signed Memoranda of Understanding with 35 universities. They would facilitate joint research, exchange of faculty and students.

Among the countries were the United States of America, Norway and Germany. It was the first Indian university to sign Memoranda of Understanding with five American universities viz Stevenson, Michigan, Nebaraska, Texas and Houston.

Adverting to the University’s plan to improve infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor said that work on constructing buildings on over 15 lakh square feet at Rs. 200 crore would be taken up soon and completed within about 18 months.

Better facilities

It would provide better facilities for coaching students in nano, bio and information technologies.

The modern facilities provided in the class rooms would be on par with international standards.

A cultural programme was presented by the students of the Good Shepherd Academy of Educational Institutions. Founder of the Academy P.C.Thomas welcomed the gathering.