Date:05/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090554502400.htm

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An illustrious centenary and after

The university started the new millennium with five-star accreditation from NAAC

— Photo: The Hindu Archives

Nobel Laureate C.V. Raman speaks at the University of Madras.

The university celebrated its centenary in 1957, with alumnus and President S. Radhakrishnan delivering the Centenary Convocation address. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the Centenary Building. The building was completed in 1961, in time for the visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. Dr. Mudaliar led efforts to expand medical education, the introduction of Tamil medium in undergraduate courses and sports activities at the university lev el.

In the 1970s, the university became the first in the country to start the autonomous college system. Vice Chancellor Malcolm Adiseshaiah initiated the semester pattern of education with a system of continuous assessment.

Soon, Anna University was established, removing technical education from the purview of the University of Madras. In 1988, the MGR Medical University did the same for medical education. The Institute of Correspondence Education was started in 1981 to enrol students from across India, and several parts of the world.

The University of Madras started the new millennium with a five-star accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The University Grants Commission gave the university the special status of “University with Potential for Excellence.” The university’s year-long sesquicentennial celebrations have included the renovation of the Senate House, launching of Centres of Excellence, the 150th Convocation, establishing Endowment Chairs and a number of conferences and seminars.

The celebrations conclude with this special convocation on Teachers Day, 2008, with the awarding of honorary doctorates to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Director General Kandeh K. Yumkella. Foundation stones are being laid for commemorative buildings at all three major campuses of the university, as well as for an entrance arch at the Chepauk campus. They will serve the university well as it enters a new chapter in its history.

Special Correspondent