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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
At convocation, sports varsity unveils expansion
plans
It confers honorary doctorate on Viswanathan Anand
CHENNAI: A modern library, world-class cricket pitch, synthetic
track and hockey field, swimming pool and new administrative
buildings are among the future plans of the Tamil Nadu Physical
Education and Sports University.
Some of the university’s expansion plans were unveiled
at the first convocation, which was presided over by Governor
and Chancellor S.S. Barnala at the Raj Bhavan on Monday.
The highlight was the honouring of world chess champion Viswanathan
Anand with the degree of a Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa)
as recommended by the Syndicate.
The Governor awarded the degree to the parents of Mr. Anand.
In his convocation address, Minister for Higher Education K.
Ponmudy said it was a privilege for the university to honour
a world champion like Anand at its maiden convocation. He urged
the graduates from various disciplines to aspire to be world-class
athletes.
The Minister expressed confidence that Tamil Nadu would produce
world-class athletes by tapping rural talents. Sports should
no longer remain an urban phenomenon, he said, and rural youth
should be able to access good sports infrastructure.
Mr. Ponmudy said the Government was taking steps to promote
sports and would continue to encourage sporting excellence among
the youth. Last year alone, the Government had given out Rs.
2 crore for honouring sportspersons.
The Governor gave away degrees to 503 candidates (28 in person
and 475 in absentia).
Vice-Chancellor R. Thirumalaisamy said it was proposed to introduce
a Village Placement Programme as a compulsory course under the
choice-based credit system for students. Under this, the second
semester students would stay for a week in different villages
and undertake activities for rural development.
As part of a rural coaching programme of its Department of Advanced
Training and Coaching, the university had identified sports
talent in rural youth and conducted coaching camps and contests
in Tiruchi, Tiruvannamalai and Ariyalur.
The university, which has 11 departments offering innovative
and job-oriented courses in areas allied to physical education
and sports, is expected to be given 125 acres at Kancheepuram
shortly.
Courtesy: The Hindu
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