Campus Connect- Madurai

History Association of Saraswathi Narayanan College was inaugurated by K. Sakthivel, Assistant Director (in charge), Archaeology department, Madurai region, recently. M. Ravichandran, Head of the Department of History, delivered the welcome address. M. Kannan, Principal, presided over the event. Mr. Sakthivel said students must play a proactive role in preserving monuments. Madurai had important archaeological wonders such as Tirupparankundram temple, Yanaimalai and Alagarkoil temple, he said.

Postgraduate and Research Department of Economics, Government Arts College, Melur, in collaboration with MAGARAM Foundation, organised a workshop on entrepreneurship development on July 22. M. Murugan, Head of the Department, in his address emphasised that students must be employers and not employees. A. Ganeshwari, Principal, urged the students to tap small business opportunities available in villages. M. Subburaj, the chief guest, elaborated on subsidies the government offers for entrepreneurs in the field of agriculture. Poornam of MAGARAM Foundation stressed that more women entrepreneurs were necessary to reduce gender inequality in society.

Girl students should have self-confidence to protect themselves from violence against women, said A. Kathir, executive director of Evidence, a human rights organisation based in Madurai. He was addressing the students of Women’s Studies Centre of Thiagarajar College, during an awareness programme titled ‘Raise the cudgel against violence on women’ held in Madurai on July 25. He said parents must be open to discuss harassment that their daughters faced in society. Nearly 200 students interacted with Mr. Kathir and expressed their desire to see more workshops to sensitise students to gender issues. Subathra Devi, director of the centre, elaborated on health hazards faced by women. I. Chitra, coordinator of the centre, proposed the vote of thanks.

Saplings planted

A. Mahalakshmi, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Lady Doak College, and Sujatha, programme officer of Lady Doak Eco Brigade, organised a sapling planting drive on the college’s satellite campus on July 24. Roopa Ravikumar, Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, spoke about the history of the campus. Pasumai Hari Babu of Government Higher Secondary School in Anaiyur spoke on the importance of trees.

Fatima College has introduced a French course for women, which will commence on August 1. The course has no upper age limit and students, professionals and homemakers can join it. The college, joined hands with Alliance Francaise, is organising the course. The students will also be engaged through role plays, discussions, dialogues using audiovisuals to help the students learn the correct pronunciation. On completion of the course, students can appear for international exams like DELF conducted by the Ministry of Education of France. DELF certificates are essential for jobs, studies and immigration to France and Canada. The classes are conducted by faculty members with 15 years of teaching experience in Alliance Francaise.

The Entrepreneur Development Cell of N.M. S. Sermathai Vasan College for Women conducted vocational training classes on July 24. Classes on silk thread-bangle making, cooking, painting were conducted. S. Arockiaselvi, who holds a diploma in Fashion Technology, was the trainer for jewellery making. A. Gowsalya Devi taught hairstyles that students can practise at home with ease.

The Department of English of Ambika College of Arts and Science for Women organised an orientation programme on the importance of English language for first-year students. S.S. Kavitha, Assistant Professor at Thiagarajar College, the chief guest, spoke on how communication through English had become a norm in all walks of professional life. She also stressed that English has become the prime language for primary and higher education in the country. The growing importance of English has also provided a range of job opportunities, she said. The principal, S.A. Razeeda inaugurated the programme. Aarthi, Assistant professor, proposed the vote of thanks.