Latest news with #ManonmaniamSundaranarUniversity
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Former VC, educationist V Vasanthi Devi passes away
Chennai: Former vice-chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, and human rights activist V Vasanthi Devi, who contested against J Jayalalithaa from R K Nagar in 2016, passed away following cardiac arrest at her native place Vilachery, Madurai, on Friday. She was 87. Born in 1938 in Dindigul, Vasanthi Devi moved to the then Madras at the age of 15 to complete her higher secondary education. She graduated in history from Presidency College, Chennai, and moved to Philippines in the 1970s for her PhD at the University of the Philippines. After returning to India in the 1980s, she worked as a professor at Queen Mary's College, Chennai, and was subsequently appointed principal of Govt College for Women, Kumbakonam, between 1988 and 1990. In 1992, she became the first vice-chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, a post she held till 1998. She was the first woman vice-chancellor of any state university (barring Mother Teresa Women's University). Between 2002 and 2005, she served as chairperson of the Tamil Nadu state commission for women. Her father P V Das was a freedom fighter and ardent follower of Chittaranjan Das; he named her Vasanthi Devi, Tamil version of Basanti Devi, wife of Chittaranjan Das. Vasanthi Devi was attracted to Marxism during her college days and was known for playing a vital role in many demonstrations for education and human rights. She wrote half-a-dozen books including 'Sakthi Pirakkum Kalvi', 'Kalvi Or Arasiyal' and 'Makkal Mayamaagum Kalvi'. She is survived by a son Narendra Subramanian, a political scientist and professor at McGrill University, Canada, and a daughter Ajantha Subramaniam, professor of anthropology and south Asian studies, Harvard University. "While this is an immense loss to all of us, we remember her as a remarkable person who was deeply engaged in various fields — the teachers' movement to start with, the movement for the right to education and the broader struggle for human rights," said human rights activist Henri Thiphagne in his condolence message. Chief minister in his condolence message said, "Vasanthi Devi continuously fought against communalising and commercialising of education and against Union govt's centeralisation of powers." Other political leaders also condoled Vasanthi Devi's death.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
An uncompromising voice for the marginalised: A tribute to V. Vasanthi Devi
V. Vasanthi Devi was a sincere and deeply committed educationist and activist who dedicated her life to the cause of children, dalits and most marginalised communities. Highly educated yet grounded, she never distanced herself from society and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of people. Despite her intellectual brilliance, she remained deeply connected with the common people. That conenction made all the difference. She was active with Palli Kalvi Pathukappu Iyakkam ( movement for saving school education) till her last days. She strongly opposed the National Education Policy and advocated free and equitable education for children. Vasanthi Devi had also pushed for empowerment of School management committees. She firmly belifeved that schools, particularly in rural areas, must function with greater autonomy. She ensured that teachers and parents of underprivileged children were part of such committees. Fearless in her convictions, Vasanthi Devi contested a by-election against former Chief Minister Vasanthi Devi was the most active chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women. She conducted numerous public hearings and exposed atrocities committed against women and also visted women's prisons in the State. She approached every petition with utmost sincerity and dedication. She never sought rewards for recognition. As the first vice chancellor for Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, she brought in several reforms. Her vision was pragmatic and rooted in empowerment. Even in her final days, our conversations were about society at large. She remained lively and always seeking to empower people. She was a close friend of veteran Marxist leader, Mythili Sivaraman and a mentor to many, including me. In keeping with her ideals, she had willed her body to be donated to the Kilpauk Medical College. I recall how she ensured that I completed the procedures for her donation two years ago. She lived by the principles she advocated. All her works, including research papers, have been given to Roja Muthiah Library. We were working to create a digital archive in her name. (Advocate Sudha Ramalingam is a close friend of Vasanthi Devi)
New Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Renowned academic and former VC of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Vasanthi Devi passes away
CHENNAI: Noted academician and former Vice-Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Dr. V. Vasanthi Devi, passed away on Friday. She was 86. Vasanthi Devi suffered a cardiac arrest at her residence in Velachery around 3:30 p.m. Born in 1938 in Dindigul, Devi led an illustrious life. She was not just a firebrand academician but also a leading voice in Tamil Nadu advocating for progressive reforms in the education sector. Devi served as the second Vice-Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University from 1992 to 1998, and as the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women in Tamil Nadu between 2002 and 2005. According to sources, Devi complained of uneasiness at her home in the late afternoon and passed away within minutes, before she could be rushed to the hospital. As per her wishes, arrangements were made to hand over her body to Kilpauk Medical College. Even after retirement, Vasanthi Devi remained vocal about the rights of teachers and various issues related to education. She consistently expressed strong opinions on the causes of Dalits, women's rights, and human rights. Devi also contested the RK Nagar Assembly constituency in 2016, taking on then Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa as a common candidate of the People's Welfare Alliance.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
MSU convocation in third week of August; candidates can apply till July 25
The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University has proposed to conduct its 32nd annual convocation in the third week of August in the MSU campus at Abhishekapatti. In a statement, Registrar, MSU, J. Socratees said candidates of university departments, the affiliated colleges and Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education of MSU, who have successfully passed in April 2025 examinations and the supplementary examinations and the Ph.D. scholars, who have completed their viva-voce examination from October 1, 2024 to July 20, 2025, are eligible to receive the degrees. Ph.D. scholars and the candidates, who have secured first rank (gold medalists) in various disciplines are eligible to receive the degrees in person during the convocation ceremony while others will get their degrees in absentia through their respective colleges. For obtaining the Ph.D. degrees in person during the convocation ceremony, the scholars should pay Rs. 1,000 through online and apply through the MSU website till July 25. After successfully uploading the application, the candidates should download the same and send a copy with passport size photograph and a copy of the provisional certificate to the Controller of Examination, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, before July 28. For the candidates who have completed their degrees through Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education of MSU, the date of submission of application will be intimated later, Dr. Socratees said.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MSU Senate comes down heavily on inordinate delay in issue of semester mark statements
The Senate meeting of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University witnessed intense arguments for a while over the unreasonable delay in giving the semester mark statements to students which has badly affected their higher education prospects. Raising the issue at the MSU's 46th Senate Meeting held on its premises at Abhishekapatti on Thursday, member J. Vijaya Xavier Parthipan said the university, as per the University Grants Commission norms, should give the mark statements to the students within 15 days from the date of publication of results. However, the students, who had completed their degrees in May 2025 were yet to receive their mark statements for semesters 3 to 6 even as they had to apply for higher studies. Those who applied for temporary mark statements for submitting it for postgraduate admission have been asked to pay an additional fee of ₹ 1,000. 'While the MSU is unable to give the mark statement to the students within the stipulated period, it is also collecting additional money from the already affected students, which is unethical and atrocious,' said Mr. Vijaya Xavier Parthipan. Backing him, member G. Neela Krishna Babu said a serious administrative flaw of MSU had severely paralysed the students' higher education ambitions as they could not attach the mark statements along with their applications. Instead of finding early remedy, the MSU was penalising the students for its blunder. 'The Vice-Chancellor should allay the fears of the traumatised students and return the amount collected from the students for issuing temporary mark statements,' Mr. Neela Krishna Babu said. Vice-Chancellor N. Chandrasekar said the change of vendor, who had been entrusted with the job of printing the mark statements, had resulted in the delay of handing over of the vital document. 'The backlog is being cleared by getting the mark statements from the vendor and verifying it with our registers. Once this task is completed within next 15 days, the students will get the mark statements for Semesters 3 to 6,' Mr. Chandrasekar and Controller of Examination Balasubramanian said. When the Senate members wanted the MSU to return the additional fee of ₹1,000 collected from the students for issuing the temporary mark statement, Mr. Chandrasekar agreed to it and assured that the MSU would never allow the higher education dreams of its students to get dashed. When an adjournment motion was later moved by Dr. Neela Krishna Babu, he insisted that the Senate should resolve to publish the 'odd semester results' on or before December 30 and the 'even semester results' on or before June 30 and give the mark statements to the students within next 15 days, which was unanimously approved by the members. Another issue came up for discussion in the meeting was the alleged leak of 'Industrial Law' question paper meant for third year students on May 31 last. 'It was not an incident of question paper leak. One of the 104 affiliated colleges, which had to conduct this exam on May 31, mistakenly conducted it a day earlier and hence the question paper was out on the day prior to the actual conduct of the examination as per the timetable prescribed by the MSU. We came to know about it when the police started investigation based on the complaint from the University. Appropriate action will follow based on the police probe findings,' Syndicate member Nagarajan assured. The Senate expressed grave concern over the 'adverse developments' in the administration of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai. 'Since the college administration refused to cooperate with the MSU's inspection committees which had visited the college on three occasions to inquire about the problems in the college, the MSU should not sanction any new courses to the college,' the members suggested. When one of the members went on to suggest the cancellation of college affiliation, a few members turned it down. 'We need to take a right decision to set things right in St. Xavier's College, which should not affect the 3,000-odd students,' they said. When the Senate was informed that the MSU had not given approval to St. Xavier's College for any new course, the members disproved it instantly saying that the college had admitted students in a new course on artificial intelligence, for which no reply was given. A section of the Senate members also condemned the 'pathetic functioning' of Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi, with less number staff for handling more number of courses by burdening the teachers more. 'A person heading the History Department of Kamaraj College is handling the Bachelor of Public Administration subjects. Just 14 staff of Computer Science (Batch I, II and III), Bachelor of Computer Applications (Batch I and II), Computer Science, Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Master of Computer Applications are handling all these programmes. Did the MSU inspect this college also allegedly collecting excess fee? Couldn't you find anything fishy there?' wondered Mr. Neela Krishna Babu. When he was told that the MSU had not received any complaint from the students or the teachers in this connection, he retorted: 'The MSU should have moral responsibility... Instead of waiting for any complaints or petitions from the victims, try to act on your own on finding any academic issues in the affiliated colleges'.
