Campus Connect – Tiruchi – The Hindu

Biotech conference

“Insectifica,” an AI-powered insect identification mobile application, was launched during ‘BIO-VISION–2026: Biotechnological Innovations for Vitalisation’, a conference organised by the Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, St. Joseph’s College recently. C. Aiyavu, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College, spoke on the role of biotechnology in addressing pressing societal and healthcare challenges. Research excellence awards were presented to faculty members in four categories, along with the Best Alumni Award and the Young Research Excellence Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions to research, innovation, and academic excellence.

Financial literacy course

Over 3,000 students of Holy Cross College, Tiruchi, received their certification at the valediction ceremony of ‘PassportT 2 Earning – Your Passport to a Dream Career’, a financial literacy value-added course offered by the Audacious Dreams Foundation in collaboration with the Commonwealth and UNICEF recently. The course, successfully completed by 3,843 students, featured interactive modules that enhanced the knowledge of the students on how to master personal finance, budgeting, and responsible economic engagement. Dinesh Gajendran, Catalyst and Executive Director of Audacious Dreams Foundation, Vellore, awarded a certificate of completion to the principal, Sr. Dr. Isabella Rajakumari.

Khadi fashion show

Participants of the khadi fashion show with organisers at the Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, Tiruchi.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The student team from Kongu Arts and Science College, Erode, won the first place in a fashion show to promote khadi conducted by the Department of Fashion Technology, Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, in association with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises recently. Teams from NIFT-TEA College of Knitwear, Tirupur, and Maruthupandiyar College of Arts and Science, Thanjavur, shared the second prize, while the third place was won by students of Lady Doak College, Madurai. In his inaugural address, KVIC state director B.N. Suresh outlined the initiative’s mission and the crucial role of MSMEs in empowering rural artisans. He encouraged students to support khadi artisans through their purchases and highlighted key government schemes promoting grassroots entrepreneurship. College students presented a dance as a prelude to the fashion show.

Textile industry in focus

The environmental challenges faced by the textile industry, sustainable solutions, and the role of innovation and policy in promoting sustainable textile practices were highlighted by S. Grace Annapoorani, Head, Department of Textiles and Apparel Design, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, while delivering a special lecture at the Department of Fashion Technology and Costume Designing, Jamal Mohamed College, recently. The speaker highlighted eco-friendly fibres, green processing techniques, circular fashion concepts, and the role of innovation and policy in promoting sustainable textile practices.

AI career prospects

Umagine DX, a structured industry–academia engagement programme organised recently by Kings College of Engineering, Pudukottai, to prepare students for future career prospects, discussed emerging technologies, industry perspectives, and innovation-driven thinking. In a panel discussion, industry experts Arul Nambi, PMO Operations, HCL Technologies, and Mano Sundar, Director – Operations, eSales Technologies, spoke on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in product innovation, service design, and real-world industry challenges. As part of the event, seven student batches presented their innovative solutions and ideas, demonstrating creativity, problem-solving skills, and practical application of AI concepts.

Student contests

Some of the prize-winners of the ‘Vyuhaa ‘26’ competitions at Chettinad College of Engineering and Technology, Karur.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Students showcased their skills by participating in an inter-departmental competition titled ‘Vyuhaa ‘26’ at Chettinad College of Engineering and Technology, Karur, recently. Contests were held in short film, mime, instrumental music competitions, face painting, craft work, fireless cooking and dance, among others. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Department won the overall champion’s trophy.

Rank holders

Sir Issac Newton College of Engineering and Technology, Nagapattinam, has produced four Anna University Rank Holders for the 2020–2024 batch. Three students are from the B.E. Agricultural Engineering programme, and one student is from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme.

In the B.E. Agricultural Engineering programme (Batch 2024), out of 604 students, MGR. Harini secured the 6th rank, while M. Kanmani and S. Karthika secured the 20th rank. In the Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme (Batch 2024), out of 2,684 students, P. Venkateswaran secured the 22nd rank. The college management and faculty members congratulated the rank holders on their achievement.

Science exhibition

Students of Annai Vailankanni Arts and Science College, Thanjavur, showcased their innovations across a diverse range of fields, spanning from Agriculture to Artificial Intelligence at a science exhibition organised on the campus recently. In his inaugural address, P. Mariappan, associate professor and head, Department of Zoology at Rajah Serfoji Government College, traced the history of science outreach in India. The exhibition drew a significant crowd from the colleges and schools in the region.

Published – January 12, 2026 06:42 pm IST