The 6th Convocation of the AMET University, Kanathur, Chennai was held on 3rd August 2016 at KamarajarArangam, Teynampet, Chennai.
Dr. J. Ramachandran, Chancellor of the University, presided over the function and conducted the proceedings of the Convocation.
Col. Dr. G. Thiruvasagam Vice-Chancellor of the University welcomed all the dignitaries and participants of the Convocation and presented the Activity Report of the University for the year 2015-16. In his Report, Col. Thiruvasagam informed that an importantmilestone has been achieved in the history of the University during the year under report that the National Assessment and Accreditation Council has made a visit to AMET during the month of October 2016 and awarded the grade of “GOOD”, which is the penultimate rank in its grading system of Educational Institutions. The Vice-Chancellor lauded the enormous efforts taken by the Chancellor of the University to get this coveted rank.
He stated that the University has filed and published 21 Patents till 2015 and six more patents are ready for filing during the year 2016. In all 694 Scopus Journal articles, 108 High Impact Factor Journal articles have been published and the total number of research publications comes to 1177 till 2015.
He further informed that AMET University is taking special care in educating its students is also taking much care for their placement. As such, the University has achieved the target for getting placements for this year more particularly to achieve 95% placement for Nautical Science cadets and 85% per Marine Engineering cadets. Besides, the world renowned Shipping Company MAERSK visited our campus and identified 500 first year students for placement after successful completion of their graduation. Further
as per the instructions of the UGC, the University has introduced Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for all the courses for which the Curriculum Development Cell of the University is actively involved in designing of curriculum and syllabus as per CBCS mode, he added.
Dr.Thiruvasagamfurther announced that the University has introduced two new part-time e-learning courses viz. B.Sc. Ship Operation Management and B.Sc. Ship Operations Technology for the benefit of seafarers having HND to enable them to become graduates. Besides, the following new courses have also been introduced from the academic year 2016-17 viz. B.Sc. Marine Catering, B.Com. Computer Applications & Logistics, B.Tech.Food Processing Technology, B.E. Mining Engineering and Diploma I Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering.
On this occasion, Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Degrees were conferred on the following dignitaries in recognition of their exemplary services to the society at large.
- S.Satheesh Chandra Shenoy, Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) Hyderabad & National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
- SamuelOkudzetoAblakwa, Hon’ble Deputy Minister for Education, Government of Ghana.
- Francish Joseph, Managing Director, Herning Shipping Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore.
- K.Vivekanand, Pioneer in Maritime Education and Training Chennai
- G. Ramaswamy, Honorary Consul for Republic of Angola and CEO, SeaTeam Management India (Fronline Group)
While the Vice-Chancellor read out the Citations on them, the Chancellor Dr.J.Ramachandran awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degrees to them.
In his Convocation address, Dr.Shenoi pointed out that the AMET University has distinguished itself as an eminent institution for technological study, especially in maritime education. He further stated that in these days, globalization has created interlinked world generating opportunities and at the same time throwing up stiff challenges as well. Universities are now developing skills to cope up with these challenges and advised the students to grab the opportunity.
He has pointed out that as a society, we traditionally valued and nurtured the knowledge building activity. The perennial source of human capital of India has to be trapped and converted into value. Current age provides a new opportunity for India to play an important role in shaping the destiny of the world. Excellenc of Indian professionals in all fields are sought after everywhere.
Dr.Shenoi further emphasized that Education is not just the amount of information tht is put into a child’s brain undigested, unrelated and unassimilated. The very essence of education is the concentration of mind and not mere collection or collation of facts.
He has further pointed out that the unprecedented climatic events and the projections made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) pain a very frightening picture of the future and are threatening the survival of our existence. In fact, the many impacts of climate change will impede the economic growth itself. Such development that erodes its own base cannot be sustainable.
He added that thus it is our moral duty that we should leave enough resources by its judicious use, through a sustainable development model that supports conservation of resources and health environment for future generations. Therefore, today, one of the biggest challenge before us is to model a sustainable development to check the run-away climate. There is an urgent need to accelerate development and use of renewable sources of energy namely hydroelectricity, solar, wind and biomass, etc.
Mr.Rajesh Ramachandran, Pro Chancellor of the University felicitated the recipients of the Honorary Degrees as well as graduates. In his Felicitation Address remarked that a graduation ceremony is always a special occasion for the graduands as the culmination of years of hard work enabled them to achieve the success.
All the recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Degrees in their acknowledgement speech thanked the University, more particularly Dr.J.Ramachandran, Chancellor of the University in recognising contributions and services in their own field of speciality and honoured them with the award of the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa)
Capt. Francis Joseph is chairman of the Singapore Maritime Federation(SMEF), an organisation of ship mangers whose membership represents over 800 vessels and 30000 seafarers. By using his good offices, has played a vital role in getting MoU being signed between AP Moller Singapore and AMET which resulted in a cascading effort on more than 300 Indian students per year, to study a dual cadet program leading to the award of B.E Marine Technology degree at AMET , as sponsored candidates of the Copenhagen- headquartered AP Moller – Maersk Group upto the year 2010-11. His efforts not ceased with just making these Indian Students as trained and qualified mariners but also seen them occupying exalted positions with lucrative salary component as seafarers in various Singapore based Shipping Companies including MAERSK.
Mrs. Susheela Ramachandran, Managing Trustee and Mr.S.Karikalan, Trustee of the AMET University, besides the Members of the Board of Management, Faculty and Students have participated in the Convocation Function.812 students have received their Under-graduate and Post-graduate degrees in various disciplines and 8 candidates have been conferred with Doctorate Degrees of Ph.D.
The function concluded with the recitation of the National Anthem
