Tiruchi professor in Marquis Who's Who

Updated on: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The name of P. Calduwel Newton, 33-year-old Assistant Professor in Computer Science, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchi, has been listed in the eleventh edition of Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering 2011-2012.

A subsidiary of News Communications, Inc., Marquis Who's Who, the American publisher of a number of directories, contains biographical information on outstanding achievers worldwide in a wide variety of professions and virtually every important field of endeavour. Marquis Who's Who books are often found in the reference section of libraries.

Selection of individuals for listing in publications of Marquis Who's Who is based on reference value. Individuals become eligible for listing by virtue of their positions and/or noteworthy achievements that have proved to be of significant value to society. The citation awarded to Prof. Calduwel states that inclusion to Marquis Who's Who is limited to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their own fields of endeavour and who have contributed significantly to the betterment of contemporary society.

The added significance in Prof. Calduwel's case is his ability to achieve, overcoming physical deformity. A polio attack in both legs at the age of just two years rendered him immobile. He had to surmount enormous difficulties to complete his schooling and college studies. During schooling in Ariyalur district, he had to either crawl or be carried every day to the school by his friends or siblings.

At Bishop Heber College where he pursued his undergraduation and at the Puducherry University where he completed his M.Sc. Computer Science, he had able support of his friends and teachers. Prof. Calduwel went on to complete his M. Phil, and subsequently completed MCA through correspondence from the Periyar University, Salem.

Recognitions are not new to Prof. Calduwel, son of very supportive retired teacher-parents Gabriel Pitchai and Selvamani. Prof. Calduwel secured school second rank in Class X and stood school first in Class XII. During 2008 he received the Special Teacher Award from the District Collector.

In the subsequent year, he was given the AbleStar Award for outstanding achievement in research activities from the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust and Need Trust, Chennai. In 2009, the All India Radio (Kodai FM Channel) aired an exclusive interview given by him in a special feature on ‘Differently-abled persons and their achievements'.

Ten of Prof. Calduwel's articles have appeared in national and international journals. In 2009, Spring Journal carried his article. Last month, Prof. Calduwel visited China, with the support of the college and a Chinese sponsor to make a presentation on Mobile Networks, his area of specialisation, as one among 21 chosen from all over the world.

In the last few years, he had also visited Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, South Korea and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka in 2009, he was given Young Scholar Award for completion of a training course on Basics of Communication Policy Research.

Under the guidance of L. Arockiam, Professor, Department of Computer Science, St. Joseph's College, who was quick to identify Prof. Calduwel's potential, the latter is on the verge of completing his Ph.D. on the theme: Quality of Service in Mobile Network.

Thanks to the support provided by the management of Bishop Heber College, and the enormous confidence he has gained from his mobility made possible by a customised two-wheeler and a powered wheelchair, Prof. Calduwel also visits other colleges to deliver lectures on his subject specialisation and motivational talks.

Prof. Calduwel's advice to students is this: “Never allow your weakness to determine how you lead your life. Just focus on strengths.”

For counselling support, mail to [email protected].

Tiruchi professor in Marquis Who's Who

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