The Higher Education Review

Dr. M. Karunanithi is a well-known educationist, philanthropist, chemist, and industrialist. For his contributions to women empowerment, he has been conferred with the honor "Vidhya Rathna" in 2007 by the world Friendship Council in the United Arabic Emirates. He has earned numerous such accolades in his lifetime, including being awarded D.Litt, by the Tamil University in 2008, for his outstanding service rendered to women's education.

Around 6 km away from Tiruchengode, a Block in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu State, Elayampalayam village was no different from those uncountable numbers of Indian villages - noticeably falling behind in the race of development in terms of education and empowerment. With the aim of changing the educational scenario of that entire region, the visionary educationist and philanthropist Dr. M. Karunanithi in 1995 embarked unto the journey of commencing Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences for Women (VICAS), focusing on the upliftment of the socio-economic status of girls in rural area through providing them the invaluable gift of quality education. An autonomous and ISO Certified Institute, VICAS has been re-accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC considering its positive contribution to the country's women education.

Dr. M. Karunanithi proudly says, "Two decades ago, this western region, where our college is located, was a backward area. Tertiary education was unreachable. Today, we boast on churning out around 3000 graduates every year, who are instilled with the most demandable skills of the present day." Established firmly on Dr. M. Karunanithi's belief that only proper collegiate education can adorn the girls with dignity and self-worth, the institute offers a wide range of courses – over 63 - including UG, PG, M.Phil and Ph.D. programs.

As the institute focuses on empowering the students and enabling them to earn their own livelihood, VICAS also conducts a good number of add-on courses, certificate and diploma programs, which are meant to foster employability skills among the students. In order to let the students experience a memorable education life along with obtaining a fruitful degree, the institute has been endowed with state-of-the-art facilities in its campus, which houses about 7000 students.

"From modern classrooms, laboratory equipments, computer labs with high-speed internet connectivity to well-stocked library, captivating sports facilities, and modernized cafeteria, the students are assured to get everything under one roof"

From modern classrooms, laboratory equipments, computer labs with high-speed internet connectivity to well-stocked library, captivating sports facilities, and modernized cafeteria, the students are assured to get everything under one roof. "Going beyond is the watchword of our institution. Concerted efforts are taken continuously to excel in every way possible and to establish our institution as a unique model institution to be emulated," shares Dr. M. Karunanithi. Taking a step forward for achieving the highest standard of education, the institute has signed 57 MoUs with various multinational companies, laboratories, Universities and professional bodies coupled with extending collaboration with Dhaka University by signing an MoU. Alongside, for making sure the students are rendered the latest version of education, the faculty members regularly attend the Infosys training program as part of the "Train the Trainers programme"

Widening the Success Rate

Dr. M. Karunanithi claims, "Preferred to be known as life-long learners, our faculty members regularly involve in FDP programs, National and International conferences, workshops and so on. Having on board a team of highly qualified faculty members, we ensure a comprehensive and holistic educational experience to our students." Apart from facilitating students with substantial practical skills, VICAS students are also developed into individuals with strong

human values and professional ethics. Matching with the dynamic industry requirements, the most significant measure that the institute takes up is Material Production, where the faculty members under the guidance of authors of international fame prepare books for foundation English. The entire syllabus is however strategically designed to include soft skills which will eventually help the students to excel in their workplaces.

Individual care, counseling, additional coaching, close monitoring of academic progression, honing entrepreneurship skills are some of the highlights which attract the student community to pursue their education at VICAS. "Our Placement Cell puts unparallel emphasis on intensifying the employability quotient of the students. They conduct several grooming sessions throughout the year," pinpoints Dr. M. Karunanithi. The institute also takes the effort to keep the final year of the students spaced with mock programs that would render a sense of confidence in its future women leaders. Being inclined towards raising the women education scene of the region, the institute extends ample financial assistance such as fee concession for the alumni, free education for parentless children and cent percent fee concessions to the students who pass the talent examination conducted by the college and also provide free transport to all day-scholar students with 150km radius and covers 8 Districts.

At VICAS, every department has a Placement Coordinator who is always in contact with the Placement Cell for paving a seamless training and employment path for the ongoing students. "Apart from jobs, our students are also provided guidance in competitive examination preparations," adds Dr. M. Karunanithi. Given the wholesome training received during their course tenure, the students of VICAS get recruited by corporate giants like Infosys, Hinduja Global Services, Capgemini Finance, First American, Alcance Technologies, ICICI and many more. "Though we render NSDC programmes to our students, our upcoming plan is to offer a range of corporate courses that are extended by the industry itself," concludes Dr. M. Karunanithi.