| Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU), established by an Act of the Tamil Nadu State Assembly in October 2002, is determined to take quality education to all those who, by virtue of possessing the basic prerequisites, aspire for it - no matter who and where they are.
The academic operations of the University began in 2003 in right earnest with about 20 Programmes, each comprising a number of traditional as well as innovative Courses, in a wide range of areas. Though the University is hardly two years young, it has registered an impressive growth. That it has a cumulative student-strength of about 20,000, a significant number indeed, is but one indictor of its growing popularity among the higher education aspirants in the State of Tamil Nadu. The confidence the society at large has reposed on us further strengthens our resolve to achieve equity in access and quality.
Let me take this opportunity to inform our current and potential student community that you are very special to us and that work is in train to put in place low-cost, appropriate technologies to add value to the Courses and enrich your learning experiences. And, it is to meet this goal of quality student services, we have recently established a unit to exclusively address student concerns.
In closing, I must say that this Web Site is a modest beginning. Soon, we will add more features in order that all of us will be in touch with one another.
Long live lifelong learning!
Best wishes,
M.S. Palanichamy
Vice-Chancellor
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| Dr. M.S.Palanichamy had early education in Government High School in his native place Rajapalayam and St.Xaviers College, Palayamkottai. After his graduation in Civil Engineering from P.S.G. College of Technology in 1967, he served for about 1 year as an Engineer in Tamil Nadu Cement factory, Alangulam where he executed the construction of the staff colony.
Recognizing his own latent interest in teaching as a profession, Dr M.S.Palanichamy started his teaching career in 1968 at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. After a brief stint there, he joined IIT Madras for higher studies and obtained his M.Tech. in Structural Engineering in 1971. With sustained interest in research, he continued for his Ph.D. Programme in Applied Mechanics in the same institute. After completing his Ph.D, at IIT Madras, he joined as a faculty of Civil Engineering in 1975 in College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, where he served for 10 years till 1985.
With the rich experience in various fields like teaching, research, administration and construction engineering gained at Madras, Dr M.S. Palanichamy joined as Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi in the year 1985. Due to the high academic standard and team spirit developed by him in the Department of Civil Engineering and due to the high discipline and excellent infrastructure developed in the college, National Board of Accreditation awarded ‘A3’ grade to the Civil Engineering programme of Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi in 1998 and ‘A5’ grade in 2002. The Department has also been awarded the “Best Department” title in 2002 and recognized as a Ph.D. research centre by Anna University. In addition, he assisted the Principal and Management in developing the infrastructure at a cost of Rs. 40 crores. In August 2002, he assumed charge as the Principal of Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi. He was appointed as the First Vice Chancellor by the Government of Tamil Nadu in Tamil Nadu Open University and now he is heading the University having assumed this office on 06-02-2003.
In Tamil Nadu Open University, he is taking steps to provide Higher Education under the guidance of Government of Tamil Nadu to the disadvantaged groups living in rural areas such as widows, housewives, working men and women, disabled and for those who are denied Higher Education due to family and social reasons. He has established study centres at 10 important towns of Tamil Nadu & 300 Information Centres at Taluk levels and is taking keen interest to provide education through Radio Channel “Gyan Vani” and Video Channel “Gyan Darshan” in these study centres. He is giving importance to introduce job-oriented certificate courses in Engineering, Technology, Computer Science, Nursery, Nursing and Catering Technology. 14 Programmes have been launched in Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate and Certificate courses. Recruiting of 20 teaching and 27 non-teaching staff is under process. A Grant of Rs. 1.80 Crores from Government of Tamil Nadu and about Rs.75 to Rs. 100 lakhs from Distance Education Council are expected for providing strong foundation for Tamil Nadu Open University due to his efforts. In view of the above the Distance Education Council of Indira Gandhi National Open University has commended highly about the ground work done by him in Tamil Nadu Open University and appreciated for launching 14 courses within a period of 6 months from the date of its operation.
He has published 6 text books through Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co., New Delhi. Also he has published 53 papers at National and International journals and conferences. Currently five candidates are doing their Ph.D under his guidance.
In addition to academic work he has rendered consultancy services to many leading organisations which include Indian Tourism Development Corporation, Mahabalipuram, Southern Structurals Limited, Madras, Pallavan Transport Corporation, Madras, SPIC, Tuticorin, Madras Cements, R.R. Nagar, Railways, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu Housing Board, Virudhunagr, Municipalities of Rajapalayam, Sivakasi, Sattur and Aruppukottai and Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board, Aruppukottai and Watrap.
He maintains Life Memberships and Fellowships in 18 professional bodies which include American Society of Civil Engineers, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers, American Concrete Institute, Institute of Engineers, Indian Society for Technical Education, Indian Roads Congress, Indian Buildings Congress, Institution of Public Health Engineers, Indian Geotechnical Society, Indian Society of Earthquake Technology, Indian Concrete Society, Institution of Environmental Engineers, Institution of Valuers, Indian Concrete Institute, Indian Institute of Public Administration and Indian Society of Theoritical and Applied Mechanics.
He was a Governor Nominee to the Academic Council, Board of Studies in Civil Engineering, Research Committee and Sports Committee of Anna University, Member of Board of Studies in Civil Engineering, CIT, Coimbatore and one of the assessors of NBA, AICTE for evaluation of Technical Institutions of India.
He was the coordinator for the completed research project on “Computer aided instructional resources production centre for Civil Engineering Department” sponsored by AICTE with a grant of Rs. 5 lakhs given in 1997. Now, he is the coordinator for a project on “Dynamic Testing facilities for blast prone fireworks industrial structures in rural Tamil Nadu” sponsored by AICTE in 2000 for Rs. 10 lakhs.
He visited Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong and New Zealand. He organized 45yh ISTAM International Conference in Dec. 2000 as Organising Secretary. He went to Australia in September 2000 with travel grant from DST & COSTED to present his research paper in the International Conference IMPLAST 2000.
Dr. M.S. Palanichamy is happily married to Dr. Jayalakshmi, M.D., D.G.O., a leading Gynecologist at Rajapalayam and blessed with a daughter who is also a doctor married to a doctor, both of whom working in Tamil Nadu Medical Services.
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