B.E. civil, mechanical courses in Tamil from coming academic year

CHENNAI: Tamil as a medium of instruction will be introduced in B.E civil and mechanical courses in colleges affiliated to Anna University from the coming academic year on an experimental measure. Tamil Nadu will be a pioneer in the country in providing engineering courses in the mother tongue, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a discussion on demands pertaining to his department, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education was preparing the textbooks.

For the convenience of students, question papers would be both in English and Tamil and students would have the option of answering in Tamil or English. These measures would encourage Tamil medium students in higher secondary schools to join engineering colleges.

Hereafter, it would not be possible to obtain a degree in arts and science subjects without studying Tamil owing to introduction of the choice-based credit system. Tamil had to be taken as one subject in undergraduate courses and degrees would be awarded only if the student passed in Tamil.

In view of the demand for polytechnic courses, it was proposed to start eight government polytechnic colleges in Dharmapuri, Karur, Perambalur, Theni, Tiruvarur,Tiruvannamalai, Madurai and Villupuram districts.

Mr. Ponmudy said the government had directed all universities, except Anna University, to complete their examination schedules before April 15 every year and declare results by May 31 from the coming academic year to enable students of one university in the State to apply for postgraduate courses in other universities.

Claiming that a silent revolution was on in higher education in Tamil Nadu, the Minister said there was a steep increase in enrolment of students in higher education in the last four years. From 2.82 lakh students enrolled in academic year 2005-06, enrolment had increased to 5.42 lakh in 2009-10. This included students admitted to various arts, science, polytechnic and engineering colleges.

The government's aim was to achieve the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 25 per cent by 2020.

Replying to Congress member S. Peter Alphonse's demand for action against deemed universities, which were collecting exorbitant fees and admitting students much more than the prescribed numbers, the Minister said the State had no powers as they were all controlled by the University Grants Commission. Unless education was brought from the concurrent to State list it was not possible to take action against them.

Anna University-Madurai would start functioning from the coming academic year and colleges in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganaga districts would come under its jurisdiction.

Science park

Other announcements made by the Minister were a science park in the name of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Vellore at a cost of Rs.298 lakh, development of infrastructural facilities in 19 government colleges at a cost of Rs.188.99 lakh, construction of additional laboratories at a cost of Rs.200 lakh in 10 government colleges, construction of additional classrooms in government colleges, a world class auditorium in Madurai-Kamaraj University at a cost of Rs.700 lakh and new library buildings in 18 government colleges at a cost of Rs.1,080 lakh.

B.E. civil, mechanical courses in Tamil from coming academic year

CHENNAI: Tamil as a medium of instruction will be introduced in B.E civil and mechanical courses in colleges affiliated to Anna University from the coming academic year on an experimental measure. Tamil Nadu will be a pioneer in the country in providing engineering courses in the mother tongue, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a discussion on demands pertaining to his department, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education was preparing the textbooks.

For the convenience of students, question papers would be both in English and Tamil and students would have the option of answering in Tamil or English. These measures would encourage Tamil medium students in higher secondary schools to join engineering colleges.

Hereafter, it would not be possible to obtain a degree in arts and science subjects without studying Tamil owing to introduction of the choice-based credit system. Tamil had to be taken as one subject in undergraduate courses and degrees would be awarded only if the student passed in Tamil.

In view of the demand for polytechnic courses, it was proposed to start eight government polytechnic colleges in Dharmapuri, Karur, Perambalur, Theni, Tiruvarur,Tiruvannamalai, Madurai and Villupuram districts.

Mr. Ponmudy said the government had directed all universities, except Anna University, to complete their examination schedules before April 15 every year and declare results by May 31 from the coming academic year to enable students of one university in the State to apply for postgraduate courses in other universities.

Claiming that a silent revolution was on in higher education in Tamil Nadu, the Minister said there was a steep increase in enrolment of students in higher education in the last four years. From 2.82 lakh students enrolled in academic year 2005-06, enrolment had increased to 5.42 lakh in 2009-10. This included students admitted to various arts, science, polytechnic and engineering colleges.

The government's aim was to achieve the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 25 per cent by 2020.

Replying to Congress member S. Peter Alphonse's demand for action against deemed universities, which were collecting exorbitant fees and admitting students much more than the prescribed numbers, the Minister said the State had no powers as they were all controlled by the University Grants Commission. Unless education was brought from the concurrent to State list it was not possible to take action against them.

Anna University-Madurai would start functioning from the coming academic year and colleges in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganaga districts would come under its jurisdiction.

Science park

Other announcements made by the Minister were a science park in the name of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Vellore at a cost of Rs.298 lakh, development of infrastructural facilities in 19 government colleges at a cost of Rs.188.99 lakh, construction of additional laboratories at a cost of Rs.200 lakh in 10 government colleges, construction of additional classrooms in government colleges, a world class auditorium in Madurai-Kamaraj University at a cost of Rs.700 lakh and new library buildings in 18 government colleges at a cost of Rs.1,080 lakh.

Fire safety awareness programme launched

CHENNAI: To improve the preparedness of occupants of multi-storeyed buildings in the event of a fire accident, a ‘High-rise safety programme' was held here on Tuesday.

The event, organised by St. John Safety and Health Society and SSI Development Society in the backdrop of the recent fire tragedies in Bangalore and Kolkata, is a run-up to the Fire Safety Week.

Pointing out that most high density commercial establishments in the city are not safe enough, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Director R. Nataraj said, “Any building that is taller than 15 meters is categorised as a high-rise building. Such buildings must conduct regular awareness drills and also an annual fire safety audit. But this is not being widely implemented.”

According to National Crime Records Bureau statistics, seven per cent of accident deaths are fire related. Last year, 21,840 fire accidents in Tamil Nadu resulted in the death of 127 persons.

Stressing that simple measures such as using fire retardant casing for electrical wiring could greatly reduce the chance of a spark spreading rapidly, Mr. Nataraj said, “small oversights lead to big tragedies. Close to 70 per cent of fire accidents are caused due to electrical short circuit.”

He said that in order to improve awareness levels, plans are afoot to teach basic safety measures to small teams of students in all 48,000 government schools in the State. In turn, the team members would impart training to other children.

“We also want to initiate fire brigades at college-level,” he said.

Builders Association of India (South) Chairman M. Mohan said, “Apart from builders strictly adhering to safety requirements, occupants must also participate and sustain the efforts. Fire exit stairwells should not be the place where unwanted items get dumped. Building associations must also insist on dedicated lift operators.”

Mr. Nataraj released a handbook detailing first aid measures and other safety related aspects.