Fine arts festival

Thanthai Hans Roever College won the overall championship at the BDU Festival, the annual fine arts festival of Bharathidasan University, recently. The college won the “Fine Arts Championship” and the “Theatre Arts Championship,” thereby securing the overall championship, according to a press release from the college. K. Varadharaajan, Chairman of Roever Educational Institutions, and John Ashok Varadharaajan, Vice Chairman, felicitated the students.

 Chemistry competition

St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi, emerged winner and Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Research and Technology, Perambalur, finished runner-up at TECHEMTOPIA’26, an inter-collegiate competition, hosted by the Department of Chemistry, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, in collaboration with Rotary club of Tiruchirappalli Gems Innovators. Chem Quiz, Chem Connection, Chem Charades, Chem Burst, Chem Poster, and Chem Draw, were among the competitions held, testing the participants’ scientific knowledge, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and innovative skills.

Faculty development

The expanding landscape of geospatial sciences was explained in detail by Mohamed Kasim Khan M, National Coordinator & Senior Research Scientist- Space & Geospatial FOSSEE at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, at a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) at Jamal Mohamed College. The FDP on “Opportunities in open source software and geospatial science & technology,’ was hosted by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college in association with the FOSSEE project, IIT  Bombay under the aegis of the National Mission on Education through ICT.   Addressing the gathering under the theme “Space for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” Dr. Khan highlighted how open-source software can be effectively leveraged for advanced academic research, regional planning, and developing sustainable technological solutions. The programme aimed to equip faculty members with contemporary digital competencies and encourage cross-disciplinary research in space technologies.

Technical symposium

The School of Engineering and Technology of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, Perambalur, organised the national-level technical symposium ‘ZORYNX-26’ to enhance students’ technical knowledge, creativity, innovative thinking, and research skills.  D. Dinakaran, Assistant Engineer, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Tiruchi, R. Brinda, Assistant Professor Anna University,  BIT Campus; B. Ramesh, Professor, Annapoorna Engineering College, Salem; and N. Moradanch, Assistant Professor, SASTRA Deemed University, shared their expertise in diverse engineering disciplines. A. Srinivasan, Chancellor, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, presided over the programme.

Signal processing

Researchers, academicians, industry professionals, research scholars, faculty members and students from various institutions came together to discuss recent developments and emerging technologies in signal processing, computer vision, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their applications at an international conference on signal processing and computer vision hosted by the National Institute of Technology Puducherry. About 110 research papers were received for the conference and 30 of these were selected for presentation and publication. The selected papers are scheduled to be published through Atlantis Press, part of Springer Nature, in its computer science publication series, subject to the publisher’s final review and indexing processes.

The importance of communicating scientific and technological developments to farmers in Tamil, their mother tongue, was emphasised by N. Felix, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Nagapattinam, while inaugurating the 11th national conference on Agricultural Scientific Tamil hosted by the varsity in association with The Agricultural Scientific Tamil Society, New Delhi. Disseminating scientific knowledge in a language familiar to the people would enable them to understand and apply scientific information more effectively, Dr. Felix said, underlining the need to develop Tamil as a language of science globally. The Agricultural Scientific Tamil Society has been organising the conference at agricultural universities to promote the use of Tamil in scientific disciplines such as fisheries science, crop science, and veterinary science. It also seeks to communicate scientific discoveries, innovations, and technological advancements in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries to farmers, fisherfolk and rural communities in their mother tongue.

Farmer outreach

Farmers at Athikarapatti and Poovampatti in Pudukottai district were distributed natural biocare products at an outreach programme of the Jenner Club and Department of Microbiology at J.J. College of Arts and Science recently. M.Sc. Microbiology students and faculty members had prepared the biocare products, namely Panchagaya and Amirthakaraisal, under faculty guidance, and distributed them to farmers to promote sustainable agriculture and enhance the well- being of the rural community by distributing eco-friendly farming inputs.

Top scientists

K. Ravichandran, Principal of Thanthai Hans Roever College, and M. Govindarajan, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Kumbakonam, have been included in the Stanford University and Elsevier Ranking 2025 list of top 2% of scientists in the world for the seventh consecutive year.  Dr. Govindarajan has made significant contributions to the eco-friendly control of mosquitoes using medicinal plant extracts. They are also useful for controlling pests. More recently, he has been working on marine biopolymer-based hydrogels for healing diabetic wounds and controlling drug-resistant microbial infections, according to a college press release. Dr.Ravichandran has published over 250 research articles in reputed international journals, which garnered more than 7000 citations, a release from Thanthai Hans Roever College said.

Published – October 12, 2026 04:46 pm IST

Colleges sign MoUs

Periyar College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PCPS), Tiruchirappalli, strengthened its academic, industrial, and healthcare collaborations through a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with reputed institutions and organisations recently. PCPS has signed MoUs with Emmchak Formulations; K. S. Varier’s Ashtanga Ayurvedics; Aruna Clinical Laboratory and X-Rays, Puducherry; Siddha Forest; Jamal Mohamed College; HarshaMitra Oncology, and GRT Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Tiruttani. The collaborations are aimed at providing enhanced opportunities for industrial and healthcare exposure, internships, practical training, research, skill development, and professional development for students and faculty. Principal R. Senthamarai signed the MoUs with the respective heads and authorised representatives of the partner institutions and organisations.

Shrimati Indira Gandhi College (SIGC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S.-based University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), aimed at establishing a strategic academic partnership focused on collaborative research, teaching, and international engagement between the two institutions. The MoU was formally signed and exchanged by SIGC chief executive officer K. Chandrasekharan and Ramana Vinjamuri, Associate professor, UMBC. 

Seminar organised

Developments in biotechnology, molecular science, nutrition and dietary health were the focus of a State-level seminar organised by the Departments of Biotechnology and Food Service Management and Dietetics, Cauvery College for Women recently. R. Parimalavalli, professor and head, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Periyar University, Salem, and P. Suresh Kumar, principal scientist, Crop Production and Post Harvest Technology, ICAR – National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchi, were the resource persons. The technical sessions were helmed by subject experts from colleges in the city. As part of the academic programme, 35 participants delivered oral presentations, sharing their research findings, and innovative ideas related to bio-nutrition and allied areas.

Zebrafish culture

A workshop-cum-training programme recently organised by Research Department of Zoology and the Department of Biotechnology, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, highlighted the importance of zebrafish culture and its applications in scientific research. K. Dinesh, G. Jeeva, and M. Aravindhan, Research Scholars/Project Assistant, Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, imparted the training sessions.

Mathematical modelling

Students gained exposure to mathematical modelling and statistical computing at a two-day academic event organised by the PG and Research Department of Mathematics at Holy Cross College recently. In a symposium titled “Mathematical Modelling: from Equations to Intelligence,” V. Veerra Mani, Assistant professor of Mathematics at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Salalah, Oman, delivered a session on artificial intelligence tools for mathematical modelling. Nallapan Gunasekaran, associate professor, Department of Natural Sciences at the Eastern Michigan Joint College of Engineering, Gulf University, China, gave session on machine learning and control systems. Antonyraj Martin, lecturer in the Sciences and Mathematics Unit (Department of Supportive Requirements) at the UTAS, led the practical session. Participants received training in executing data analysis using the JAMOVI statistical software suite.

Leadership training

Self-awareness, healthy mental habits, resilience, attention, creativity, decision-making and relationships were the key focus areas of an eight-day programme on “Brain, Beauty, Bharat” linking youth wellbeing, neuroscience and art held for student council leaders at the Leaders’ Choice Art Wellness Centre, St. Joseph’s College recently. The sessions were conducted by Hermon Carduz, neuroaesthetic trainer and director of the Leaders’ Choice Art Wellness Centre. “When young leaders learn to observe their thoughts, emotions, responses and choices, they become better equipped to influence their communities positively,” Prof. Carduz said.

Skill development

A skill development orientation programme titled “Lab to Launch” created awareness about the significance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and employability skills among students of Government Women’s Polytechnic College, Karaikalmedu, Karaikal district, recently. In his session, resource person P.J. Suresh Babu, head, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, E.G.S. Pillay Engineering College, Nagapattinam, highlighted the need for students to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications.

Digital classes

A.D.M. College for Women, Nagapattinam inaugurated two digital classrooms provided by Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB), Tiruchi region, recently. In his address, the bank’s regional manager Saravana Perumal emphasised the importance of digital classrooms in the contemporary technology-driven world. He also encouraged the students to make effective use of the employment opportunities offered by the bank through campus recruitment.

Talent fiesta

The student team from Sribharathi Arts and Science College for Women, Pudukkottai, won the overall championship of ‘Bio-Spark 2K26’, an inter-collegiate science competition co-hosted by the Wilmut Club of Biotechnology and the Sumner’s Club of Biochemistry of the Departments of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, J.J. College of Arts and Science recently .The runner-up trophy was awarded to the team from Bon Secours College for Women, Thanjavur while students from SRM Pavender Bharathidasan College, Tiruchi, secured the third place. The competitions included on-stage, hybrid-mode and off-stage events, such as quiz, rangoli, short films, model making and flameless cooking. Principal J. Parasuraman gave away the prizes.

Intelligent mobility

A two-day mconference organised by Department of Computer Science of Thanthai Hans Rover College, Perambalur under the AICTE–VAANI scheme, focused on smart cities and intelligent mobility in Tamil Nadu, on the theme of ‘Smart Cities and Intelligent Mobility for Sustainable Digital India’. In his technical session, M. Durairaj delivered a lecture on important concepts, recent research, and technological advancements related to smart cities and intelligent mobility. Technical sessions were held on a variety of topics during the programme.

Published – August 31, 2026 05:14 pm IST

Eco-friendly bags

Students of Shrimati Indira Gandhi College (SIGC) learned how to make cloth tote bags at a workshop organised by the Department of Fashion Technology, Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC), and Institutional Innovation Council (IIC) recently. Participants were trained in the complete process of designing and stitching eco-friendly tote bags, gaining practical knowledge in fabric selection, pattern making, cutting, stitching, finishing, and decorative techniques. The session emphasised the importance of reusable bags in reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability.

Nanotech in focus

The applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology were the focus of a workshop titled “Unleashing the Power of the Small – Nano Jatha” organised by the PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Cauvery College for Women, with the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, recently. S. Angappane, Scientist F, CeNS, Bengaluru, and S. Kiruthika, Assistant Professor, SASTRA Deemed University, were the resource persons. Demonstrations on gold nanoparticles, graphene-based circuits, humidity sensors, electrochromic glass, and sodium-ion batteries were among the highlights of the programme.

College inks MoUs

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by the Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College (SRC) with various institutions in order to promote opportunities for students’ skill development and employment opportunities recently. Of these, the Department of Computer Applications (Self-Financed), in association with Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and Abacus Club, signed an MoU with UK Info Tech aimed at strengthening industry–institution interaction. The MoU focuses on providing students with opportunities for internships, industrial training, workshops, guest lectures, certification programmes, live projects, and placement support.

An MoU was signed between SRC and Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan, Tamil Nadu Chapter, to work together in areas of mutual interest, including research activities, seminars, workshops and academic development initiatives.

Jimnesia festival

Team ‘Laynez’ emerged as the overall champions while Faber secured the runner-up position among the six participating teams, in ‘Jimnesia 2026’, a three-day programme of management competitions and cultural events, organised by St. Joseph’s Institute of Management (JIM), Tiruchi, recently. The festival provided students with opportunities to demonstrate their creativity, analytical skills, team coordination, and innovative thinking.

Investment workshop

Students were given an overview on good investment practices at a workshop jointly organised by PG and Research Department of Commerce, National College, Tiruchi, and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), Mumbai, recently. In his session, resource person D. N. Sundar, empanelled trainer for SEBI SMART, gave an overview of the fundamentals of the stock market, risk management, portfolio diversification, and the importance of informed financial decision-making.

Talk on competition law

The growing relevance of competition law in ensuring fair markets and protecting consumers was highligted by Sukesh Mishra, director (Law), Competition Commission of Indi (CCI), in a lecture on “Enhancing understanding of competition laws” hosted by the Department of Law at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Tiruvarur, in association with the CCI. Earlier, Sulochana Shekhar, Vice-chancellor (in-charge); R. Thirumurugan, registrar and senior faculty members held a discussion with Mr. Mishra on strengthening institutional collaboration, advancing multidisciplinary research in competition law, and exploring avenues for sustained academic engagement between the CUTN and CCI.

Special lecture

A. Mohamed Riyaz Khan, assistant professor at the College of Economics and Business Administration, University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Oman, spoke on job prospects for economics during a special alumnus lecture held at A.V.C. College in Mayiladuthurai recently. The talk was organised by the PG and Research Department of Economics. In his address, Mr. Khan said Economics graduates should complement their academic qualifications with professional competencies, including digital literacy, English communication, analytical ability, and leadership skills, to remain competitive in the global job market. Principal R. Nagarajan spoke.

Industrial visit

In an effort to bridge classroom learning with practical industry exposure, a group of 54 Biochemistry students from J.J. College of Arts and Science, Sivapuram, Pudukkottai, went on an educational industrial visit to the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture, affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU) in Tiruchi recently. The cohort interacted closely with resident scientists and technical experts who detailed the commercial production cycle, water quality analysis, and the latest technological advancements driving the blue economy. Technical sessions focused on the vital role of scientific testing in maintaining aquatic health, feed formulation protocols, and large-scale culture systems, among other topics.

Student exhibition

Chettinad College of Engineering and Technology in Karur organised ‘Polyfest’, an exhibition to display showcasing innovative and educational concepts recently. In his inaugural address, T. Senthilkumar, dean, University College of Engineering, BIT Campus, Anna University, Tiruchi, spoke on the importance of getting updated on artificial intelligence, and coding languages, in order to increase their employability. Principal A. Punitha spoke.

Graduation Day

Continuous learning, technological transformation and ethical leadership would help excel in an increasingly dynamic and innovation-driven business world, NASSCOM Talent Council director, V.Udaya Sankar said while speaking at the Graduation Day ceremony held at the Gnanam School of Business, Sengipatti, recently. GSB Governing Council chairman, Reverent Father N.Casimir Raj, SJ, the chairman of GSB, S.P.Selvaraj and others participated.