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Updated on: Monday, September 05, 2011

Food for thought

As part of the `Food and Nutrition Day', Stella Maris College has plans to organise a year-long awareness on the growing crisis of food insecurity and the need for environmental safety. Among students, the importance of nutritious consumption will be spread. On day one, the students took oath to protect the environment, eat right and help empower the less fortunate. After this, ‘Say No to Plastic' campaign was launched.

Then awards were presented to a select group of individuals who have been silently doing work for the cause of food security, nutrition and environmental safety. There were movie screenings and a workshop on vermicomposting for students from neighbouring schools apart from stalls and exhibits put up all around campus by the various departments, focusing on spreading awareness on the stated causes.
A fresh start

“It is crucial be innovative in your approach towards life and careers,” said Meenakshi Kumar, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry - Puducherry Region.

Addressing ‘Lumiera 2011' - the first day function for freshers at Pondicherry Engineering College, Mr. Kumar said engineering students should strive to develop soft skills which would make them employable. The college principal V. Prithviraj introduced students to the college, its achievements and future plans. Then, the new students were shown around the campus and they had a chance to interact with their seniors during the event, which was followed by a cultural program.
Business as usual

Banks play a key role in fostering entrepreneurship. At Ethiraj College, the Department of Bank Management organised a national seminar on ‘Entrepreneurship in global Economy' to channelise the youth towards setting up of their own business enterprises.

In a state of transition, many developing nations are striving to move from a subsistence oriented, inward looking local economy to a surplus seeking, market-led outward looking global economy. Such a transition is possible with the emergence of multitude of micro-enterprises in different parts of the country which requires the building up of wider base of population capable of entrepreneurial behaviour.

There was an unconferencing session with a simulated exercise where the students interested in becoming entrepreneurs went through a brainstorming exercise where they came out with different innovative ideas in a short span of time. They also discussed and deliberated on issues relating to entrepreneurship like technical feasibility and financial viability. College principal Jothi Kumaravel gave a special address on ‘social entrepreneurship' and its importance in transforming the society.
Helping hands

The major issue plaguing the success of Self Help Groups (SHGs) is marketing of their products. With the concept of helping the SHGs, Vels Institute of Business Administration (VIBA) offered a platform for the women groups to exhibit various products in the university campus.

Apart from the brisk sale, the SHG members coming from various places listened to a lecture from Amutha, a Canara Bank executive, on how to obtain capital from banks at low and subsidised rates. Many of the groups have ideas but fail to implement them due to lack of funding, said Y. Laxman Kumar, director of the school. Besides, the management students imparted the SHG members with fresh ideas about product development and market presentation to help them flourish in their business.
Quality is beautiful

The quality movement in Anna University picked up pace with the inaugural function of Students Quality Club activities for 2011-12

In his inaugural address, C N Prasad, group president and CEO, Sundaram Clayton Limited, gave a presentation on how `Quality is beautiful' by elaborating on the relationship between quality and customer delight.

Releasing the official bimonthly newsletter of the club ‘Quality Express', university registrar S. Shanmugavel emphasised on the role of the newsletter as a technology elucidation channel between the corporate and the students.

Announcing the launch of a new certificate course ‘Total Quality Management' for students, M. Sekar, Dean, College of Engineering, Guindy, stressed upon the need for students to learn the concepts of TQM so that they are able to apply it to the real world problems and situations when they pass out as professionals. The quote of the day came from AU vice chancellor Mannar Jawahar: “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skilful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

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