Job-oriented modules for students in MU

Updated on: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Chennai: Students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses at University of Madras may have to study a related, job-oriented diploma module, according to vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam.

Speaking at the distribution of placement orders to those who had completed the PG diploma in immunotechnology here on Tuesday, he said that he would put forth the proposal at the ensuing academic committee meeting.

'These modules can be taught during the working hours without charging any extra fee. We will make it compulsory for undergraduate students. The diploma syllabus will have to be relevant to their degree major and job-oriented. It is my proposal that post-graduate students also be given the opportunity to pursue this instead of spending another year on it after their two-year master's programme,' he said.
The university would also set up a Centre for Basic Science Development to encourage more students to pursue courses in basic sciences. The director for the centre would be chosen soon, Thiruvasagam said.

Inspired by the success of the diploma programme immunotechnology under the department of zoology, the vice-chancellor said it was essential for every department to develop industry-institute collaboration. According to M Arumugam, professor and head, department of zoology, the programme required students to spend one semester at the university and the second semester at a biotech company for industrial training.

'I completed B.Tech (biotechnology) from Vivekananda College, Tiruchengode in 2006 and I was searching for a job for two years after that. I found out about this course in 2008 and am happy that this has proven useful now,' said C Bagyalakshmi, who would be placed as a junior scientific officer.

Her friend Geet Andrea, who completed an M.Sc (biotechnology) from Bharatidasan University, Tiruchi, said she had also spent a year looking for a job after graduation but to no avail. 'This is an industry-oriented course and a specialised field in biotechnology. The company we are placed with specialises in working with monoclonal antibodies and handles different projects sponsored by the department of science and technology. It will be very competitive and also give us a chance to grow. We can also use this experience to pursue our research careers and do a PhD in future,' she said.

Job-oriented modules for students in MU

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