CHENNAI
“The purpose of education is to instil confidence in students and enable them to think innovatively and motivate them to become innovators and job creators rather than job seekers,” said Dr Elizabeth Verghese, Chairperson, Hindustan Group of Institutions, while delivering the presidential address at the inauguration of the KCG Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (IIEC) and the Office of Student Affairs and International Student Services (OASIS) at KCG College of Technology.
Stressing the need to collaborate with leading universities across the globe in the area of research and highlighting the importance of staff and student exchange programmes, Dr Anand Jacob Verghese, CEO, Hindustan Group of Institutions, listed the various initiatives taken by the institution to sign MOUs with globally well-known universities and bring visiting professors to interact with faculty and students.
Speaking on the activities of the Office of the International Student Services, Dr Subbaroyan, Head, International Affairs, highlighted the visits of academics and representatives from various universities to the institute and the signing of MOUs with the universities. He also added that eight students had been selected to attend the World Festival of Youth organized by the Moscow Aviation Institute at Sochi, Russia and they would participate in “Aviation of the Future – Perspective Directions for the Development of the Aircraft Building Industry” programme from 15th to 21st October.
Dr Anita Manuel, Dean, Student Affairs, said that the Office of Student Affairs had been set up with manifold objectives with the primary focus on the welfare of students on campus. Stating that inculcating in students the habit of lifelong learning is the need of the hour and stressing the need to facilitate learning beyond curriculum, she listed the various flagship events, co-curricular activities and contests organized by her office. She added that the annual Hindustan Young Leaders Conference attracted delegates from different parts of India and offered a platform for delegates to discuss global challenges, in the process developing a high degree of communication skills as well as leadership abilities. She also mentioned how the twenty different clubs offered a vibrant space for students to have constructive fun as well as hone their talents.
Presenting the activities of the Higher Education Cell (HEC), Dr Albert P’Rayan, said that the Cell organized a number of events to create awareness among students about the importance of pursuing higher studies, scholarship opportunities to study abroad, education system in different countries, and preparing for Civil Services. He stressed the need for giving career counselling to the students and conducting regular training sessions and workshops on preparing students for examinations such as TOEFL, IELTS, CAT, GMAT and GATE.
Vice-Principal Dr Sumathi Poobal who also heads the KCG Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (KCGIIEC) said that the Centre would support students and alumni of KCG and other colleges in Tamilnadu, local community entrepreneurs and startups from idea stage to market ready business. She added that KCGIIEC would strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region by providing shared resources within local ecosystems and identifying and addressing unexpected market inefficiencies faced by the SMEs. The KCGIIEC would focus on thrust areas such as manufacturing, renewable energy and sensor technology.
Director Dr Annie Jacob and Principal Dr G Prabhakaran were among other dignitaries who were present on the occasion.