TN: Easwari Engg College student gets TCS award

Chennai, Oct 6: For V Divya, a final year student of Easwari Engineering College, who passed out with distinction a couple of months back, it was a moment to rejoice. The students and faculty of the college gave a standing ovation when Divya was presented the 'TCS Best Student Award-2008' on Monday, Oct 6.

The award was instituted by the TATA Consultancy Services as part of its Academic Interface Programme with 35 leading Engineering Institutions like the IIT, Anna University and PSG in Tamil Nadu.

Of the 35 colleges, TCS used to present the Best Student Award to 15 of them, which included Easwari Engineering College, part of the SRM Group of Institutions.

Ms Divya, B E-CSE, Alumni 2008, has been chosen for the Award for proficiency in Academics and all-round excellence in Curricular, Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular activities.

The award carried Rs 10,000 cash prize, a gold medal and a certificate.

Later, talking to reporters, a jubilant Divya, who has been recruited by the TCS under the campus placement programme, thanked the college management and her parents for their support that helped her to win this honour.

She attributed hard work, dedication and commitment to her success.

Presenting the award, Anna University Vice-Chancellor Mannar Jawahar, who had the audience in splits with anecdotes, highlighted five qualities that helped students face the challenges. ''Hardwork, sincerity, honesty, integrity and involvement are the five important qualities of a good student that will help him face the challenges and win laurels,'' he added.

Speaking on the importance of concentration in studies, Dr Mannar Jawahar said the four years of hard work in the College would decide the next 40 years of life.

''At the age of 16, you are entering the college and at 20 you will join a company and work till the age of 60. Concentrating on studies in these four years is very vital as it will shape your future life for the next 40 years,'' he added.

SRM University Chancellor and SRM Group Chairman T R Pachamuthu, speaking on the occasion, expressed concern over the recent slowdown in the US economy that had sent some IT companies into sleepless nights.

''Whether the IT companies are worried or not, we are more worried about the slowdown because we depend on IT companies for employing students during campus interviews,'' he added.

''If you are affected, we are directly affected, because majority of the students in Engineering colleges are being preferred by IT companies,'' he said.

Mr Pachamuthu said the college management has decided to change the style and functioning of the college to meet the future requirements of the industry, without curtailing the freedom enjoyed by the students.

The change was aimed at bringing in more discipline and make students work hard and prepare them to face the challenges.

Several speakers, including Dr Mannar Jawahar and Mr Pachamuthu congratulated Ms Divya and her parents.

UNI