AUTONOMOUS - Madras Christian College

QUARTOSEPTCENTENNIAL SPECIAL SOUVENIRNational Conference on ‘IndianHigher Education: ContemporaryChallenges and Perspectives’.Madras Christian College as part of thequatroseptcentennial celebrations conducted a NationalConference on ‘Indian Higher Education: ContemporaryChallenges and Perspectives’ from July 23 -25 ,2012, at thecollege premises. The deliberations of the conference werepertaining to various current topics that concern IndianHigher Education such as privatisation of higher education,internationalization of higher education, new methods ofassessment & accreditation, accessibility and sustainabilityof higher education.Prof. M Anandakrishnan, Chairman, the Board of Governors,Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and former ViceChancellor, Anna University delivered the key note address.He expressed hope that the new educational institutionswould help bridge imbalances and address the specialeconomic, social and technological needs of different regionsof the country.Dr William Sweet, Director of the Centre for Philosophy,Theology & Cultural Tradition at the St. Francis XavierUniversity, Canada, present at the inaugural function, saidthat the biggest challenge is the accessibility of highereducation to everyone and not just to a few elite. Mr. MikeNithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner inChennai also delivered a talk at the inaugural of the threeday conference.The inaugural function was marked by two more verymemorable and cherished moments namely the release ofthe Commemorative Special Postal cover which was done byMr. Kulbir Singh, Post Master General, Tamil Nadu Circle andreceived by former Principal Dr. Mithra G Augustine and thepresentation of a Quarter Anna Copper Coin minted of 1835by Mr. R S Upadhaya, Chairman and Managing Director ofHenkala Hotels & the Bhats Group received by the PrincipalDr R W Alexander Jesudasan. In addition a sapling wasplanted near the examination hall by the dignitaries.Informationbrochure on theconferenceReception of the dignitaries in thePrincipal’s roomLighting of the lamp at theinauguralDignitaries on the daisA snapshot of the gatheringInvitation to the conferenceDr Gabriel, HOD, Philosophy & Convenor of the conference, handing overmemento to Dr William SweetPlanting of sapling by dignitaries36