Preparation of the GCE Newsletter is in full swing. The Principal has entrusted the responsibility to me and has given full freedom in the bringing out of the first volume.
I have formed a core group, comprising two first year students, one second year student, two third year students and two final year students. I'm proud that they are a very enthusiastic group and we have already decided on the content groups. We meet every Monday, from 4.15p.m. to 5.40 p.m. This week Uday, one of the Student editors brought two packets of biscuits, which went a long way in calming the late evening hunger pangs. Work expected to be completed by next week was charted out. We shall meet again next week. Ooohh...I just love this work. Tough, but hoping to bring out something good. Keeping my fingers crossed...

A brainwave!
Hope it doesn't suffer a short circuit.
The Principal today mentioned conduct of week long courses, general and otherwise.
Would it not be possible to conduct an online course in English for Professional needs, Teaching with Technology and Teaching Methodologies, offering course materials and self-study materials, complete with ppts, notes and e-handouts, followed everyday be a questionairre of sorts and a feed back form that will allow the organiser to understand whether the objective is being reached?
Perhaps, on the last day, a video conferencing can be facilitated and interaction with an expert like Dr.Meenakshi Sundaram or Arthi Rajaratnam, Clinical Psychologist be made possible.
Hmm...exciting thought.
But, can I do it?
It should be possible and if accepted may mean hours and hours of preparation of materials and making sure that they are accessible to all registrants online, offline or on the Intranet. But, it would save teachers the problem of attending lectures of experts,  especially if they had their own classes to take.They could read the lecture notes, watch ppts, watch interviews, watch recorded lessons on their computers at their own leisure...
Am keeping my fingers crossed.

 The new Principal, Prof. Kavimani, assumed charge today.

He was given a warm welcome by all HODs and Faculty members.

In the evening, the new Principal met all the faculty members and addressed us.

He confessed that it was a homecoming for him, since Salem is his home-town. 

He then outlined some of the initiatives that he wanted to take and expressed his hope that he would be able to complete them with the co-operation of us all. He thoughtfully thanked the former Principals, Prof.Ebenezer Jeyakumar and Prof.S.R.Damodarasamy for having given the institution its identity and how that made his job easier.

Prof.Kavimani, wanted Industry-Academia interaction to be strengthened since he had seen first hand how the industry was ready to co-ordinate with us, as exemplified during the NBA and Autonomous visits. 

His second suggestion was that the institution must look at revenue generation as a component of Sustainable Development. He appreciated the Department of Civil Engineering for their contribution and exhorted faculty to look at projects from DRDO etc.

Next, the Principal wanted all departments to utilise resources like Networking with better application. The Intranet has to be explored for the benefits it could offer by way of speeding up the admin and desk jobs.

The Principal also suggested that a Newsletter would better highlight the achievements of the college among students, faculty and the public. 

His next focus was on creating a Green Club in the college  and taking measures like planting saplings and their maintenance being given over to the NCC cadets.

He stressed on the importance of a Litter Free GCE and underscored the point that such efforts would benefit the institution in many ways. 

He wanted to usher in technology by installing an LED Message Board which could flash information for the stakeholders - that is - the students and their parents. 

Finally, he wanted to resurrect the defunct Staff Club which would usher in a sense of participation and would be a platform to share the joys of all. 

I believe that these ideas, simple though they are, will  help future generations of learners to come into a GCE that will be greener, cleaner and smarter.

Principal, Professor S.R. Damodarasamy retired yesterday from a service that began in 1977. 

In the morning the faculty hosted tea, during the course of which, encomiums were paid by the Heads of Departments on  his commendable contribution to the development of the college.

• getting accreditation for all courses - U.G. and P.G., except CSE - an accomplishment not seen in any of the other colleges,
• bringing in major reforms in academics by bringing autonomy to the institution and making sure that it got off to a flying start by noticing anamolies, making suggestions for changes to all departments,
• establishing the Digital Library, a state-of-the-art one and ensuring that it is used actively by making journal study compulsory for the post-graduate students,
• creating the language lab right from scratch and making it one of the best in the state,
• rejuvenating the pride of the institution - the Planetarium and effecting major repairs and maintenance,
• installing interactive white boards in all seminar halls,
• facilitating vidoe conferences with experts,
• inviting companies for placement,
• helping to effect the sixth pay commission recommendations for the teaching faculty 
• replacing the antique high rise drawing tables in D1 and D2 halls with modern, comfortable and sturdy drawing tables, installing rotating wall fans to offer respite from the non-rotating old ceiling fans that did not cool any candidate during exams, 
• initiating academic management system for all departments
• introducing steam cookers, chapathi and dosai makers, solar water heaters, a well equipped gym with introduction by a well known trainer in Salem

...these are but some of the notable achievments of Prof.S.R.Damodarasamy, which were highlighted during the farewell hosted by the teaching faculty.

Everyone appreciated his sharpness, his eye for detail, his adherence to the rules and regulations of purchases, his aesthetic sense, his acumen, his ability to arrive at quick but correct decisions, his concern for the welfare of students, his sternness when it came to dealing with indiscipline, his energy and enthusiasm for his work, his perfection and expectation of the same from all around him, his humane attitude in recommending an increase in remuneration paid to part-time teachers to higher authorities and the long hours of work he put in everyday.

Within a short span of two years, this Principal has made a difference to GCE and for that he deserves all appreciation and  praise. We all wished him a very happy and productive post retirement period.

Now I know why a vacation is necessary for a teacher...the frenetic pace at which lessons, tests, assignments, entry of marks (internal and external), setting up question papers, valuation, preparing proposals, quotations, passing bills, coming up with solutions for dya-to-day problems like getting HCL, Numeric, Cooltec, Globearena and Young India Films to get computers, keyboards, monitors, software and other technical glitches working right, monitoring their work, setting up exam schedules, conducting practical examinations, running up and down staircases and floors to meet colleagues, students, electricians, office staff, counselling a few dejected souls, meeting parents, saying goodbye to the final year students who visit the department, writing in their autograph books, stopping to chat with alumni while on the run to the Mechanical Department from the Admin Block, noticing increasing use of plastic in the campus and editing and proof reading theses and papers of friends, verifying stocks, preparing attendance records and all...all these and more demand the athleticism of a long jumper, the stamina of a marathon runner and the strength of a weight-lifter. 

Now, I'm determined to find time to complete my papers, started about a year ago and in various stages of completion, complete the book I've been writing a word in a week, water the plants at home and clean the chimney in the kitchen that is grease stained and say hello to my long neglected neighbours ( before they think that I am the new tenant at my house)...

Graduation Day 2010 went off smoothly, except for a few bumps here and there...

The first bump, and a scaredy one at that, till 4.30 p.m. registered graduands hadn't turned up and there were blocks of empty chairs staring at us...tension piled up, till like with a wave of a magic wand, chairs filled and at 4.40 p.m. the hall was choc-a-bloc with black gowns and those neck sashes. Proud parents watched on as their children proudly marched to the podium to receive their degrees from Dr.Shanmugavel, Registrar, Anna University, Chennai.

And then, at 4.45p.m. they were asked to disperse for tea and be back for the procession by 4.50. Just imagine, the procession was to start at 5.00 p.m. sharp and they were all outside. They were herded in with a little bit of cajoling, hard pushing and promises and threats. Hah..ha...

The procession started on the dot and the whole ceremony went off beautifully, in solemn silence and appreciation.Everything went off, like clockwork.  The Chief Guest was astounded by the dignified and silent way in which the graduands behaved during the entire ceremony. 

As always, for me, it was a touching moment, because as a parent I know that it is a fulfilling and defining moment, when we know that one of the prime duties as a parent is fulfilled and that we are now formally turning them over into the hands of future.

This time, the role of student volunteers, in various committees, headed by Paracharan, must be mentioned. Silently, behind the curtains, they worked like ants, doing thankless jobs, which were all essential and significant in the completion of the ceremony. But for them, I would say, things would not have worked so smoothly. 

The only other bump was that Karuppurwalas entered the open air catering area, dressed as students and hogged away the food, leaving us short by about 100 plates. How I hate these nameless guys who are making GCE their playground , just because they are allowed access to the GCE campus to reach the main road. 

However, apart from this, I would say, the Graduation Day was a grand success, in terms of turnout, participation and conduct. The principal was indeed a very happy person, as his efforts to make the function successful and a signing off event, were achieved. He retires in May after a very successful, eventful and  significant,  development-filled tenure  that contributed in no small measure to the growth of the institution.

It was Gecofest time again. Right from the tastefully and visually well designed card to the 75 onstage and off-stage events conducted to the closely fought out battle between the second and third years, GECOFEST 10 was at its best. 
Student Secretary Vinoth, ably assisted by his friends from the various associations had gone to great lengths to make the two days memorable for his friends and juniors. 
Allwyn Subash was an instant hit with the audience as he ably, humorously and cheerfully acted as Master of Ceremonies. I see a great future for this young man who led the audience willingly by its nose, not an easy task, considering the diverse interests at play there. 
Volunteers, like ants, spread out to conduct events off-stage and on-stage. I always marvel at how students come up with stellar performances with the least interference from grown-ups. 
V.D.Kirupanithi and his team of musicians played the anthem music and the CD of the same was released at the inaugural function. 
Once again, new talent in singing, dancing and acting was unearthed. Snekalatha, a 1st year student sang mellifluosly and earned the appreciative grunts of the audience. Artists came up with beautiful collages and paintings and pencilwork. Gopi, Santhosh and  Prashanth could easily be called the artists of the year. SathyaJothi showed her artistry in handwork of different kinds. 
Dancers donned special costumes and wowed the audience with their choreography. 
A special feature was the short film category. There were three entries and I watched openmouthed as all three were good attempts and our boys were natural actors. The cinematography in one had special angles and beautiful locations; I'm sure such kids have a special talent and an eye for detail. 
The variety entertainment and the e-fest events were runaway hits as boys wooed girls and discussed ways and means to capture the elusive God of love at Siva's bar ( all in the skits and plays, of course). There was shadow dance, something new and the girls produced a theme that was appreciated. There was a mime show by the first year boys that produced goosebumps and tears- one of the most original and well directed patriotic themes I've ever seen in GECOFESTS.
A year to go for the next one. Mmmm....long wait that. Wish we had quarterly fests like this.

Mekchat 10 was organised by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. It was a two day affair, but my classes took all my time and I couldn't visit them to appreciate their innovative designs display. ECE had their COMPCOM10 and we attended the inauguration. Women's Day was celebrated on the 8th. The Chief Guest, Ms. Latha, Director/Employment was a facile speaker and held the attention of the audience. And then, we had Vidial, the TLA's annual  celebration. Suhana, oops, sorry, Sahana 10, the Ladies' Hostel Day was celebrated too. This week, we have GECOFEST10. I intend to attend this function atleast, cos I have missed all the above mentioned due to classes and other department work. Horrible. There are many new events and there's bound to be some excellent stuff coming out. And on Friday, the Boys' Hostel Day is scheduled. 

So, the calendar for March is rather full. However, it's all good, cos all these activities tend to bring out the hidden talents of our young people.

The new Commissioner of Technical Education, Shri. Kumar Jayanth, IAS, visited the college this morning. He spent some time in the Digital Library and then met the HODs and the Principal in the new conference hall. 

What I loved most about his informal interaction with the faculty was that he asked whether there were non-engineering books in the library and I was dying to tell him that we have some of the finest collection of good fiction, some of them rarely seen anywhere else. The long and short of it is that he urged teachers to encourage students to go beyond their text books and to develop a holistic attitude to life with a complete development of their personality. He wanted students to take part in sports and games. He suggested that students be given some awareness about making the right career choices and suggested that they be encouraged to take up research and  teaching as careers with a lasting value. 

Having come from a school that lays great importance to building lasting relationships with the faculty ( my school principals knew everyone in everyone's family and became one of the family for all of us), I used to find it an encouraging gesture when Commissioners interacted informally and desired to help us do our best. When a sense of loyalty and belongingness comes in one's teaching  job, then, I believe, only the best effort comes, much to the benefit of students. 

Today, the EEE students made their maiden ppt presentations. Some very interesting presentations were made...some of our students are naturals at facing an audience. There was Manikandan who simply gave some examples to explain inflation. There was a group that presented their guidelines for a wonderful college life that was as interesting as much as it was inofrmative. There was another group that presented their ideas on the 'sensational youths' as they called it...an amateur attempt that was sweet in its implicit trust in the ability of students to change the world. Only young people have this idealistic belief.

Powercuts are killing us in the college. We end up sweating and steaming through the classes, perhaps losing more water from the body as through a sauna. Hah...wish we had a cooler clime in Salem through the year.  

Saw a white hawk on the tree behind the Admin block. It was a rare sight. And, it really is funny, whenever I go to the ECE block and start talking, I hear two birds making raucous calls...children are sighting snakes. Rats are entering staff rooms...squirrels are becoming more and more daring as they boldly fight for the small balls of rice or chappathis that are offered. I do miss Shaan, the one legged raven who used to frequent the window sill of the English department. The fish in the small ponds at the entrance have become bigger and developed longer whiskers...the brilliant red beetles that are found in the pathway between the Admin block and the CSE block are slowly becoming lesser in number as the cold wave is hitting Salem...we seem to be becoming a haven for birds and all forms of God's own creatures.

On a more serious note, L&T has taken in three of our students. Kudos to them. But why such small numbers? Heart aching. But then, I always console myself, the companies are the losers...they don't know what wonderful candidates they are missing by under estimating the strength and potential of our students.

TCS selected 61 of our students...and around another 40 have been selected by core companies.
I was personally hoping that TCS would take in more...but then, 61 out of a shortlisted 74 is not really that bad, I guess. However, as a human being, one wishes as always for more and the heart yearns for a bigger number...L&T is coming tomorrow. CSC is expected...Even while accepting sweets from those selected, my thoughts were on the ones not selected and who must be going through throes of doubt and low self esteem...all I can say is, GCEians are the best and will definitely find their way through these bad times...

Life appears to have stood still, but how deceptive that is...cos while lessons, timetables, classes and tests were going on, recruitment has also been going on slowly and surely. Just today, Ramanujam, my EEE friend told me that 24 of his friends have been placed in core companies and that he has been taken in by Vedhantha groups. God bless these kids. Tomorrow TCS is coming and elaborate arrangements are being made as a large number of students is appearing for the tests. I saw Shankar and Shankarlingam ferrying printers and all to the Seminar Halls...once again, I pray for these children.

Had the joy of meeting a bunch of old students back at college for a good purpose - to train our students in interview techniques and GDs and other soft skills. They had come from Chennai and Bangalore, taken a day or two off from their precious projects to be of help to the final year students. I feel this is a wonderful gesture, selfless and thoughtful. God bless them all.

A very bad attack of viral fever had left me incapitated for almost ten days and I look forward to getting back to work.

Life is so busy...there is no time to sit down to read or write anything of academic interest...a sad state of affairs, I feel.
Today, most of the day was spent in exam related work, hall arrangements for the English exam, which once again requires seminar halls with good audio facilities. It is a repeat story of the last two years, but compounded by the fact that we have an additional 120 students due to increased intake (60 in Civil and 60 in Mechanical). However, 6 halls have been identified. Tomorrow it will be testing the PCs and audio systems in the halls. And, on the 17th students take up their exam under autonomous status.
Whew...

The Board of Studies for English approved the syllabus and curriculum for the First Years.
The syllabus was appreciated by other board members who wanted to know details about the syllabus and appreciated the efforts.

The long processs of framing the syllabus requires mutual extension of help among departments and I find that there is more collaboration and friendly help now more than ever. Changes entail more responsibility and more commitment...
During this process, I have found help from the most unexpected quarters - from department heads, from colleagues and from the head of the institution hemself. A proactive principal achieves more through precept and leading from the front and I see in Prof.SR.Damodarasamy, a readiness to accept new challenges with gusto and sensitivity to those who need help and support. What could've been a painful and arduous transition has been smooth, atleast outwardly. Because , behind the smooth change, there were unseen difficulties - the road taken was bumpy, full of unexpected twists and pitfalls and but for some exemplary direction shown, the moveover to autonomy would not have been pleasant for anyone in the different departments. I also observed how the expereince of the heads of departments and the co-operation of the faculty invested with several responsibilities made it all a learning expereince. I've learnt a lot of lessons in this one year of empowerment through autonomy.
The Board of Studies meets tomorrow and again the input from experienced faculty will be of immense help.
Autonomy is good for the institution, but bad for the health, because it has meant extra work, bigger burden and greater stress due to time frames, meeting the schedule and being constantly on one's toes, in addition to all the academic class work. But then, no pain, no gain.

The First Academic Council Meeting was held on 5.12.2009 to approve Regulations 2009. Eminent academicians were invited. It feels good to see how the faculty are today directly involved in the process of framing the curricula and syllabi for the students...I mean, I fully understand the meaning of the word 'autonomy' as applied to academic reforms. Introduction of new subjects that are relevant to knowledge acquisition, getting far fetched ideas grounded by the sound reasoning of a helpful Academic Council, learning to be more aware of the needs of the students now more than ever...these, I observed, are an integral part of autonomy in academic decisions. Wow, I am zapped.

Board of Governors Meeting was held in the college. Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Technical Education as Chairman of the Board visited the institution and shared his views on how higher education and research should be the focus of GCE in the next few years. He suggested that the best talent be lured to take up PG studies as they would get a stipend of Rs.10,000/ and also go in for research to improve the quality of teaching. He suggested close interaction with the alumni in order to foster development . He also strongly advocated Industry-Institution interaction to lead to better infrastructure and better student resources. The best part of his talk was that he wanted GCE Salem to emerge as a Centre of Excellence in the region, as it is well located with industries in its vicinity.
Can GCE students work the magic? I believe they can.

We bump into so many of our past students every day that it almost seems as if they haven't left us at all...I sometimes feel Time steals memories too, for I always forget whether the students I meet in the corridors and lounges are from the first, second, third or fourth year. It never strikes me that sometimes these are students who have left the classrooms for distant lands and new jobs.
And then, there are those who give me news of their classmates and sometimes, siblings who had also been my students. There's the P.D. brothers (as I like to call them), both of Mech, both with brilliant musical talents and while one is still in the final year, his elder brother is already in TCS, where he is working away at debugging and left his keyboard and guitar clean and shiny in their cases. There are some who come back with news of their wedding..some from boys who had vowed to remain bachelors till eternity! There are some who call up to say that the rough course of love that they had had to weather was now all good and promising and that life was good after all. There are children who lose their parents in accidents or to illnesses and I see them determined to take up their new responsibilities as the young shoulders on whom everything at home rests with a smile and my heart melts. There are those who have had to search for jobs and on successfully bagging one or on successful completion of a year or appreciation from a manager call up to share in their happiness.
I see in GCE life itself...there are the experiences of life in its diverse moods and it all moves forward and backward like the eddies of the ocean. God bless GCE.

8 of our students, 2 from Civil, 2 from Metallurgy, 1 each from CSE, ECE and EEE were the proud recepients of the O.P.Jindal memorial Scholarships awarded by JSW Steel Works as part of its social commitment. This is an annual award and is an inspiration for many students.

The selection of the candidates rests with a committee that selects students with several selection parameters - academic performance, NSS and NCC achievements, voluntary blood donation, participation in sports and paper presentations. All the eight students deservedly won the scholarships - there were two first generation learners, two wrestlers, gold, silver and bronze medallists, winners at paper presentations, a tennis player, an Under Secretary of NCC, a Rajya Purashkar President award winner and all were academic performers.

The function was organised in the Metallurgy seminar Hall. Dr.Vijay Sharma, JMD and CEO, JSW Steels was the Chief Guest. Mr.Jayant Sathaye,Executive Director of JSW, Salem Works, Mr.Alok Mehotra and Mr.Kannan were the other JSW executives. It was a pleasure to introduce the Chief Guest to the gathering.

Dr.Vijay Sharma reminded students about the mission of O.P.Jindal who wanted to help the society with what he had. He exhorted them to do their best at whatever they did. He wanted them to adapt themselves to changes - a reference to the economic recession. He asserted that it was a temporary phase and that India had weathered the recession much better than most countries. He assured the gathering that JSW was committed to its recruitment of students from GCE this year too. That drew a loud round of applause. His brief three minute speech was noted for its simplicity, conviction and reassurance.

The press, The Hindu and CTN, were there to cover the presentation of scholarships. I think that more such acknowledgements from the industry of the value of GCE as a partner in social responsibility and commitment will benefit the student community and open up possibilities of industry - academia interaction in enhancing the quality of life for the society we live in.