Think Tank @ MCC | Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

22nd July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Invitation for Tomorrow’s Edition of Think Tank – The Staff-Student Study Circle – Reg. 

Cordially invite you for tomorrow’s [Wednesday, 23rd July 2025] edition of Think Tank – The Staff-Student Study Circle, at 3 pm, at Writers’ Nook, MMIP.

The theme for tomorrow’s discussions is –

“What ails academia? Bringing back academics to academia: Reassessing the Purpose and Pathways to Excellence”.

Prof. Sujitha, Assistant Professor of French, and a renowned Classical Dancer herself, will be giving a talk on ‘Classical Dance as Therapy’.

Prof. Angeline, Assistant Professor of English [SFS] will be giving a talk on ‘Bringing academics back to academia’.

Ms. Srija Dutta, II MA History, who’s been an active participant of Model United Nations, is presenting her ideations (continuing the ideations done by Ms. Tejaswini last year), in coordination with Prof. Vijay Adarsh.

Mr. Sanjo Thomas, III BA Economics, will be giving a talk on “Ways to bring back distracted pupils to the benches”.

Ms. Keren Susan Ebenezer, III BA Economics, will be giving a talk on “Do some wanderers really get lost? Is this generation of students and teachers lost?”

Ms. Aarthi KPB and Ms. Venkata Vishnupriya. D from I MA English, will be the Event Managers, coordinating tomorrow’s Edition of Think Tank.

Any of you interested in presenting your original, innovative ideations, may please get in touch with Ms. Lekhaa, on or before 9 pm today.

Looking forward to your participation.

Best wishes,

Dr. Rufus

Pitch Your Ideas, Get Marks @ MCC ❤️

MCC in Today’s Newspapers

21st July 2025

#newspaper 

Times of India & The Hindu

Two insightful news articles in today’s newspapers assume significance for the MCC community, for two unique reasons.

One is an article in today’s Times of India, that is highly appreciative of MCC’s move to make one internal assessment ‘ideation based’, with valuable inputs from our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson.

The other article is in today’s The Hindu, by our former Principal Dr. Alexander Jesudasan, that foregrounds a few salients on how Indian educational institutions can attract foreign students.

The article in Times of India –

To encourage arts and science students to come up with innovative ideas, Madras Christian College has decided to devote one of the internal assessments to assess the ability of students to ideate. Students can present their ideas at the open house conducted every semester at MCC-MRF Innovation Park in the presence of industry experts and domain specialists.

“Based on the evaluation of the experts, they can win an opportunity for receiving the seed fund to the tune of ₹1 lakh to validate their proof of concept. On the other hand, they can submit the evaluation in their department and get marks in place of one of the internal assessments,”

said Paul Wilson, principal of the college.

As part of the formative assessment, students have to give three internal assessments in a year.

“We are also thinking of giving an option for students to defer a semester to devote their time to the proof of concept or prototype towards venturing their startups while pursuing the degree programmes,” Wilson said.

It will not be considered as students having arrears. They will do internals and take semester exams one semester later.

Students can also take up innovation as one of the cocurricular activities during the programme. Students can devote up to 120 hours, like NCC and NSS, in a year.

The college is also conducting hackathons for students to shortlist potential ideas to incubate the innovation park.

“We are planning to conduct hackathons in medical tourism, functional foods, and waste recycling to select ideas to incubate at the innovation park,” said C Aarthi Ram, head, operations, MCC MRF Innovation Park.

Students can also directly walk into the innovation park with their ideas, and they will conduct crash courses for students to take their ideas to the next level.

MCC-MRF Innovation Park and TT Skills conducted a hackathon on logistics and supply chain.

Two student teams, Ruramed from MCC Boyd Tandon Business School and DROR Tech from MCC, were selected for incubation.

Three startups, FreshCon Agritech, Truckrr, and Ellan Tech, were also selected. These teams were awarded ₹1 lakh each,

says the article.

The second article in The Hindu goes thus –

 Welcome them here

 How Indian higher education institutions can attract foreign students

 R.W. Alexander Jesudasan

 For several decades, meritorious Indian students have migrated to pursue higher education overseas. The reverse — foreign students coming to India for education purposes — has largely been of short duration and to complete specific tasks.

In its 2022 notification, the University Grants Commission (UGC) encouraged the establishment of foreign universities in India and increased the number of seats in various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes by 25%.

The latter aims to enhance enrollment of foreign students in institutes of higher education in India. Further, the UGC has also asked institutions to adopt a smooth and simple admission process for international students based on the equivalence of entry qualifications.

In this situation, it is worth considering what can help attract foreign students to Indian varsities.

Strategies

The first involves strengthening our traditional arts and cultural studies with appropriate internships. Indian institutions should capitalise on the country’s history, culture and traditions by offering programmes and educational trips and exposure to the country’s diversity.

Another is the provision to appoint chair or research professors or professors of practice, especially with regard to indigenous technologies.

Foreign students can be offered internships in areas connected to local knowledge systems and the development of new products with the help of such specialists.

Thirdly, institutions need to upgrade the standard of hostels, as these vary depending on the institution. Attention must also be given to the creation of outdoor and indoor sports and recreation areas.

Fostering cultural exchange programmes is another way to attract foreign students to India. Apart from presenting various aspects of Indian regional cultures, institutions can also encourage foreign students to share details of the food, games, festivals from their own countries.

Finally, the most important part is scaling up the standard of higher education in our institutions, especially the course content and practical aspects of education. This will not only ensure that foreign students come to India but also encourage our students to stay back for higher education, research, and employment.

The writer is former Principal and Secretary, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and former Pro Vice-Chancellor, HITS, Chennai. Email alexjesu62@gmail.com

‘What’s your name? Don’t tell me you are Shakespeare’ ❤️

International Confy @ MCC

A Report

21st July 2025

The first day of the Two-Day International Conference hosted by the Research Department of English, MCC, got off to a grand start today in the Anderson Hall.

Dr. Franklin Daniel, our vibrant Head of the Department, set the tone and the tenor for the Conference with his lovely words of introduction.

“This conference is the result of meticulous planning. On March 5th we had Dr. Greg hosted by the Dept of English on ‘Heidegger’s Typewriter’, which in fact set the spark for this great event today”.

“Truth emerges in conversation, and understanding is a process of becoming. Literature is a dialogue across time between the author, the text and the reader. Let us keep listening, interpreting, reading”, he noted.

Speaking at the Conference, our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson reiterated on reimagining hermeneutics for the 21st Century.

We need to keep decoding traditions. Sometimes the traditions are real legends. So we need to differentiate between tradition and legend. Try to use value as a keyword to authenticate and curate traditions.

When you say ‘traditions’, they are always value-based. I keep reading the Life and Legacy of MCC book, to see how these traditions always had some value and objective to bring uniformity.

Anderson, wanted to educate people, but when Miller came, he saw education as the importance of ‘teaching the minds of the learners to grow’.  So truth is not dumping, but exercising the mind / training the mind to know knowledge / truth / reality for themselves.

Truth is not objective but is a formation of various social structures, that makes truth possible.

Today, India is in the 39th Position in the global Innovation Index, starting from 80th position, seven years ago. Is it because of the policies we have, or the innate tendencies in us to innovate?

In the next five years, we might even touch the top ten in the Innovation Index, 

he opined.

Speaking next, Dr. V. Rajagopalan, the former Head of our Department, and presently, Dean with SSN University, Chennai, gave an inspiring talk that foregrounded the theme of the Conference.

Prof. Monsingh Daniel, President of ELF introduced Dr. V. Rajagopalan.

Excerpts from his talk –

I hope you must have read the famous essay titled, ‘The Unexpected’ by Robert Lynd. It is an essay that explores the theme of how nature often surprises us with its unexpected beauty and pleasures, particularly when we approach it without fixed expectations.

Translation is interpretation. Translation is understanding. There is a big difference betwen literary hermeneutics and biblical hermeneutics.

In 1989 I attended a Refresher Course spanning 28 days in Hyderabad. We had a grammarian, a very great scholar by name Prof. Thirumalesh who was our Resource person. This was his second class with us.

A small group of people always had the habit of coming late to class.

A gentleman walked in late, and Prof. Thirumalesh asked him,

‘What’s your name?’

‘Bernard Shaw’ he replied.

He went and sat.

After sometime another gentleman came in late.

Prof. Thirumalesh asked him,

‘What’s your name? Don’t tell me you are Shakespeare.’

Now everybody laughed.

So what really happened there?

The first person who came in, his name was really Bernard Shaw. Prof. Thirumalesh thought that he was joking.

Somewhere communication was lost. So we are always in the midst of understanding. We are always in the midst of interpreting…

To be continued…

Dr. Greg Emery then gave an insightful key-note address.

(updates follow).

The first Technical session followed at 11.15 am in the Anderson Hall.

So happy to note that, each technical session spread over various venues, had just five paper presenters, and so everyone of them could speak for at least ten minutes. Many from among the participants asked very insightful questions to the paper presenters, which led to a lot of valuable takeaways and enriching insights.

I was so delighted to chair one such paper presentation session, where the presenters presented on postcolonial hermeneutics, folklore and hermeneutics, psychoanalytic hermeneutics, feminist hermeneutics, Dalit hermeneutics, etc.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Gopikarani, a student at University of Hyderabad, pursuing Masters in Sociology for presenting a paper on “From Fat to Fit: A Feminist Hermeneutic Reading of Bodily Transformation in Hollywood Films’’.

Hearty congratulations to Prof. Pavithra Mahendran, on presenting an insightful paper titled, “Subalternity and Ambivalence in select poems of Jacinta Kerketta”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Lara Violet, II MA English, on presenting a lovely paper titled, “INTERPRETING FOLKLORE IN AFRICAN AND INDIAN LITERATURE”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. S. V. Nivedhaa on presenting a paper titled, “Dalit Women’s Testimonies: Reading Resistance in Bama’s Sangati”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Nandini Sukumar, on presenting a paper titled, “Echoes of Womanhood: Confronting Trauma, Tradition, and Transformation in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The Dream Count”.

On an added note of appreciation, haven’t seen a conference of this calibre and import anytime in the recent past.

Everything went like clockwork.

All the events happened on time (on the dot), and the organising team – our vibrant research scholars left no stone unturned in the process.

This Conference I’m sure would be a benchmark in the annals of the Dept of English, MCC.

Up Up MCC!

On an added note, our hearty congratulations to Ms. Pearlina and Ms. Keerthana from III BA English, on having presented their papers in the International Conference at St. Xavier’s College, Palayamcottai. We are so proud of you our dear students. Keep it up.  

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️ Five-Day Webinar @ Nilgiri College of Arts & Science ❤️

 

A Five-Day International Webinar

At

Nilgiri College of Arts & Science (Autonomous)

The Nilgiris

on

Research Methodology and Academic Aspects

for a Paradigm Shift in Higher Education Institutions

To Register, CLICK HERE

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

 

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️ The Event Schedule... ❤️

 

In Awe! ❤️

In Awe! ❤️

MoU Signing with Daystar University, Kenya 

Think Tank | S A College | VISA Programme 

Today in my I MA English Literature Class, we had a discussion time on the difference between form and structure, and their function in poetry.

A student Swarna Rekha also presented her microteaching in class today. She did it exceptionally well, with confidence and poise.

Then, came to our Office and ensured that all arrangements are in place for the signing of MoU via Zoom Meet, with Daystar University, Kenya at 11.30 am.

At 11.30 am sharp the MoU signing ceremony started in the Council Room in the presence of the Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, and the Principal of MCC, amongst a host of dignitaries from both sides. This is our first MoU from Kenya.

Our vibrant interns Catherin, Lindsay, Zibiah and Alphy did an amazing work in coordinating the programme today. Dr. Ashik Bonofer, IQAC Coordinator who was present in the function said that, the interns did a phenomenal work, coordinating the programme so gracefully. More power to you our dear kids. We are so proud of you all.

After the MoU signing got over, I had to come to S. A. College of Arts and Science, Poonamallee, as part of University deputation, to do some official perusal.

Prof. Thangakumaran was there right at the entrance to the building, to receive me.

Felt so glad to meet with him after a long time. I remember having been his viva voce examiner for his MA Project with the University of Madras in 2014.

He reminisced on that occasion with such nostalgia. He also added, ‘Sir, your book NET SET GO, that you had given me in the year 2015, helped me clear my NET in my first attempt. I still have that book, sir’, he said.  

Felt so glad to hear that. He is now heading the Department of English at S. A. College.

The Principal Ms. Malathi Selvakumar welcomed me warmly, and we had an engaging discussion that lasted for almost 30 minutes.

Then, after completing the formalities, came back to MCC, in time for a rendezvous with the legendary T. M. Krishna, who was in MCC today.

I was so happy to know that he studied in Rishi Valley School, and he had known J Krishnamurti ever since his childhood. When my turn to interact with him, came, I congratulated him on his famous Porombokku Paadal.

[Poromboke is an old Tamil word for shared community resources like water bodies, seashore and grazing lands that are beneficial in a collective sense but are not part of anyone's  private wealth.

Today, it has acquired a pejorative connotation and is used to denote a kind of valueless ness, or worthlessness, in a person or place.

Chennai Poromboke Paadal is part of a campaign to reclaim the word and restore its worth. It was created in association with environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman.

It’s larger aim is to bring focus to the acres of land which are being encroached at the Ennore Creek, which is  an important ecological area for the city’s environmental sustenance.

The land has become uninhabitable and the people living in the surrounding areas are affected severely due to the pollution and the dumping of fly ash.

Over time, this has hindered rainwater runoff and drainage, apart from polluting the environment. It has also substantially diminished the livelihood of the fisher folk and has created health hazards that are fatal].

He also added that he is now working on yet another project with Ashoka University, titled, ‘Ashoka and Ecology’, due to be completed in August 2025.

Interestingly, T. M. Krishna’s grand-uncle, T. T. Krishnamachari, was a famous Indian politician who served as Finance Minister of India, twice.

Then, we moved on to today’s edition of Think Tank: The Staff-Student Study Circle.

Today’s edition was coordinated by Ms. Lekhaa and Ms. Stephanie.

More than 30 students and seven staff members participated.

The topic for today was on ‘Mental Health’.

Many staff and students gave valuable suggestions. (being documented by Ms. Lekhaa).

Ms. Monica Rachel gave her maiden speech today, on Implementing Gatekeeper Training Programmes. She spoke very well.

Ms. Parvathy then spoke so well on ‘Fostering Critical Thinking & Civic Awareness Among Students’. She also gave a proposal for starting a Debating Club as part of Think Tank.

Ms. Lekhaa then spoke on her noble ‘Story Share’ initiative, which aimed at a book drive for RSL School.

Ms. Daphnie spoke very well on the topic, ‘Mental Wellness: The Ultimatum to Peace’. She said that, cultivating a gratitude journal every day, can lead to reducing stress in our lives.

Then came the cream of the session, by Ms. Meenatchi, who spoke on ‘Silambam: A Weapon of Discipline, Strength and Heritage’. An internationally acclaimed Silambam artist, Meenatchi said that, she can teach Silambam to our students as well.

The programme got over by 4.45 pm, followed by a rewarding session of coffee and cakes at PapaDos Korean Café.

That’s when I chanced upon a student sitting all alone in a chair reading a book, over her coffee.

In awe, I called out for her, and asked her to join in the cuppa time with all of us.

She said that she was busy preparing for the upcoming Conference.

I was extra-curious when I saw a lot of colourful bookmarks stuck all over the edges of the book that she was reading. [Paradise Lost]

When I asked her about it, she said, the colours don’t have any signification as such, but for every bookmark, she has written some critical comments on those pages as part of her conference preparation work, she said.

Felt so very proud of her. More power to you, dear Catherine.

Catherine is also an avid vlogger and blogger as well.

Added, she also showed me her wonderful art work that she’s been so consistently doing for years now. I took a snapshot of her lovely art work for our blogpost’s sake, and she gladly agreed to it.

Catherine’s got her own YouTube Channel which is a real treat to the art connoisseur. You may want to check out her YouTube Channel HERE.

And her blog HERE. And a candid interview that I had with her, in April 2025, HERE. 

After Think Tank got over, we had the 16th Edition of VISA – Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad, at 7 pm today.

Ms. Elka Mariam Thomas, who’s now with Hoseo University, beautifully outlined the rubrics for studying in South Korea. This was followed by a series of engaging interactions with Ms. Elka which she answered so gracefully.

VISA Programme | Episode #16 | Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

 

16th July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Invite for VISA Meet – today, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, 7 pm – Reg.

We cordially invite you for the VISA Meet Episode No. #16 with Ms. Elka Mariam Thomas, [Alumnus of the Department of Commerce] today, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at 7 pm, via Zoom Meet, as part of our ‘Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad’ Series.

Ms. Elka will be giving an orientation on the entire process of studying abroad, with special reference to South Korea, and on finding the right kind of placements abroad.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3186192180?pwd=M2l6N2F0aFJpcGhtMDBEQXUyL0gyUT09

Meeting ID: 318 619 2180

Passcode: chemistry

Students can interact with Ms. Elka during the Q & A Session and have all their doubts clarified on the occasion.

Office of International Programmes

MCC

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

15th July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Invite for Think Tank Weekly Rendezvous – Reg.

Think Tank: The Staff-Student Study Circle will be meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at 3 pm, at the Writers’ Nook, MCC-MRF Innovation Park. 

The topic for discussion for tomorrow is –

Behind the Smile: Unmasking the Mental Health Crisis

Ms. Veda will be reviewing their latest book (jointly published with Ms. Lekhaa), titled, The Art of Carrying Pain.

Ms. Daphnie will be giving a talk on ‘Mental Wellness: The Ultimatum to Peace’.

Ms. Meenatchi, a National-Level Silambam Champion will be presenting her Proposal for teaching Silambam to College Students.

Ms. Lekhaa will be giving a talk on their ‘Book Drive’ titled, ‘Story Share’ for RSL School, as part of their SLP.

Ms. Monica will be giving a talk on ‘Implementing Gatekeeper Training Programmes’.

Ms. Parvathy will be giving a talk on Fostering Critical Thinking and Civic Awareness Among Students’.

There will be a debate anchored by Ms. Veda and Mr. Jijo titled, ‘Cultivating a Sense of Purpose and Meaning in College Life Beyond Academics’.

Students interested in presenting their ideations may please contact Ms. Lekhaa by 10 pm tonight.

Looking forward to your participation.

Dr. Rufus 

Visit of Students & Staff from Asia University, Taiwan | A Report ❤️

Visit of Students & Staff from Asia University, Taiwan

In Tandem Inaugural 2025-26

The Day Today | #reflections

14th July 2025

This morning, we got the news that our third student from Sri Lanka had just arrived in Chennai. So we made arrangements for her enrollment in College and then in the Women’s Hall.

Today we also had a visiting team of two professors and 12 students from Asia University, Taiwan.

Our relationship with AU goes back to the year 2009, and I am so glad to note that it continues to flourish till date. We had a brief welcome meeting with the visiting dignitaries in the Council Room. Happy to note that we have been collaborating with Hindustan University as well, as regards the visit of the AU delegation.

Later, at 11.35 am, the Orientation Programme by the visiting dignitaries started in the Blue Whale Hall, MMIP.

Ms. Steffi and Mr. Bill who had been part of a three-student team to Asia University, Taiwan to do their 45-Day Internship at Asia University, Taiwan, presented their experiences during the Orientation Programme in such a beautiful, inspiring manner.

On an aside, I was so happy to know that Ms. Steffi had finished her MA Philosophy in MCC and then joined MSW in MCC because of her great passion for Social Work.

When I asked her why she opted for MA in Philosophy, she said, 

‘Sir, I didn’t get MSW in MCC, the first time I applied. I got the letter from Stella Maris and from Pondicherry University, but I didn’t want to go there. I wanted to continue my PG in MCC. 

I was previously the General Secretary of Martin Hall. So I decided to do MA in Philosophy in MCC. Once I completed it, I again gave it a shot yet again. This time I got into MSW in MCC, and I got the field of my choice as well. Now I’ve successfully completed my Postgraduation in MCC, after a rewarding internship with Asia University, Taiwan’,

said Steffi.

So proud of you Steffi. More power to you.

Later the Professor Liao, Shu-Cuan, from Asia University, Taiwan, gave an impactful orientation on studies in Taiwan, with special reference to Asia University.

Dr. Sudharsan, Assistant Professor, Dept of Social Work, Coordinated the Programme, while Dr. Serena, Associate Dean of International Programmes (SFS) did the MC. Prof. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean of International Programmes (Aided), did the announcements, while Dr. Rufus, Dean IP welcomed the gathering.

This was followed by a fellowship lunch in the MMIP with the visiting delegates, interns and professors. Ms. Anarsha Panicker from III Vis Com did the Report Writing of the Programme, while Ms. Sai Sneha, II BSc Geography, coordinated the programme.

So happy and proud to know that Mano has been selected for Lawn Tennis. So proud of you Mano.

Later in the evening, our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson welcomed the visiting professors from Asia University, to his residence, in the presence of the Dean IP and Dr. Sudharsan. Possibilities for collaborations between the two institutions were also discussed during the occasion.

Then, at six pm today, we had the First In Tandem Colloquium for the new academic year.

Today we have completed 111 years, and entering the 112^th year, said the Principal Dr. Uma Maheswari. I am so happy to note that In Tandem is starting their vibrant literary activities on this auspicious day, she opined.

Many of the Patrons of In Tandem were in attendance, and gave their heartfelt laudations for the consistency with which the In Tandem sessions are being organised over the years.

Hearty Congratulations to the ever-vibrant Dr. Preethi Srinivasan, HoD, English, Queen Mary’s College, Chennai, for steering forward In Tandem with such dedication and vigour over the years. Also, so happy to see a few of our students – present and past – in attendance at In Tandem! So proud of you guys! Keep up the spirit.