Campus Connect - Tiruchi - The HinduUpdated - September 21, 2026 05:45 pm ISTStudents preparing seed balls as part of World Ozone Day activities at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: Special ArrangementColleges observe World Ozone DayWorld Ozone Day was observed by many colleges in the region last week. As part of the programmes, a mass preparation drive of 75,000 seed balls to be sown in Pachamalai Hills, was organised on the campus of Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in collaboration with the Department of Forest Affairs, Tiruchi, and Global Nature Foundation to observe World Ozone Day. Inaugurating the exercise, S. Krithiga, District Forest Officer, Tiruchi, encouraged the students to plant more trees and work together to save forests. She explained how simple techniques like seed balls help department efforts to restore green cover on degraded hill slopes. J. Naveenkumar, Forest Range Officer, Thuraiyur, and Naveen Krishnan, founder, Global Nature Foundation, Tiruchi, spoke.An awareness programme and seminar on the topic “El Niño, Climate Crisis: Know it, Act Now” was organised by the SHEPHERD Extension Department of St. Joseph’s College in association with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to mark World Ozone Day and Zero Emission Day. Prof. Jegankumar, head, Department of Geography and School of Earth Sciences, Bharathidasan University, spoke on El Niño, climate change, and its environmental impact. Tree plantation, signature campaign, vehicle-free day, a poster-making competition, and an environmental awareness street play were conducted.The Hale Bopp Club of the PG and Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women, held a quiz programme for students on “Our Ozone Our Future”.Cultural meetThe student team from Madras Christian College (Aided) won the overall championship of ‘Catharsis 2K26’, a national cultural meet for budding social workers organised by the PG and Research Department of Social work, Bishop Heber College, recently. The first and second runner-up prizes were won by Madras Christian College (Self-Finance) and Bharathidasan University respectively. A variety of competitions, including group song, documentary, photography, and street play were held to provide social work students with an opportunity to reflect on various issues prevailing in society and to showcase their creativity. In his address, P. John Paul, actor, shared his experiences and encouraged students to develop their skills. Social work professional and actor R. Jayachandran delivered the valedictory speech.Stylish victoryStudents of the Department of Fashion and Costume Designing at Holy Cross College won the first prize in mehendi, fashion quiz, fashion show, and second prize in the Designer Contest, at the ‘Fassionaren 2026’, a State-level inter-collegiate fashion meet organised by Bon Secours College for Women, Thanjavur recently. Contestants showcased their creativity, technical skills and fashion expertise across various competitions during the programme.Computer science symposiumThe winning team of SWAP 2K26 organised by Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTComputer Science Engineering students of MIET Engineering College, Tiruchi, won the overall championship at SWAP 2K26, a national inter-collegiate technical symposium hosted by the Department of Computer Science, Jamal Mohamed College, recently. The Mr. SWAP 2K26 award was bagged by student P. Hariharan of the same college. A total of 250 students from 20 educational institutions participated in the symposium.Lessons on staying safeB. Veena Nirudhiya, advocate, was the resource person at an awareness programme for teaching and administrative staff on cyber safety and prevention of child sexual abuse organised by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Shrimati Indira Gandhi College recently. In her address, Ms. Nirudhiya sensitised the participants to cyber threats, online safety, responsible digital practices, child protection, and key provisions of the POCSO Act.Clean-up driveA total of 750 students and 75 faculty members of Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College participated in a massive cleanliness drive titled “75 Cultural Spaces - One Mission: The Great Clean-Up” as part of Swachhata Hi Seva – 2026 during the institution’s platinum jubilee year, highlighting its commitment to community welfare and the protection of historical sites. The drive was carried out in collaboration with local village panchayats, non-governmental organisations, and residential welfare associations. A total of 75 temples across the Tiruchi district were cleaned during the programme. Students cleared garbage, removed plastic waste, and cleaned the premises to restore the sanctity of the cultural spaces.Alumni talkIn an interaction with students of the Departments of Commerce, Economics, and Business Administration, Indian Revenue Service officer S. Manikandan, an alumnus of Nehru Memorial College, Puthanampatti, advised students to accept their mistakes, identify the reasons for their failures, and make conscious efforts to correct themselves. He emphasised the importance of developing proficiency in English and overcoming self-doubt. Mr. Manikandan urged aspiring civil servants to develop a strong sense of social responsibility and, upon entering public service, to remain committed to the welfare of society and the nation. The interaction was held as part of the college’s Success Story Series of Alumni programme. Alumni of the Commerce batches of 1996–1999, 1997–2000, 1998–2001 and 1999–2002 were honoured. Pon. Balasubramanian, president of the college committee, spoke.Quantum biology conferenceThe role of quantum dynamics in living organisms was the focus of a conference organised by the Departments of Physics, Botany, Biochemistry, and Seafood Processing and Preservation Technology at ADM College for Women in Nagapattinam under the DBT STAR College Scheme recently. Special lectures and research presentations covered quantum biology, quantum physics, neuroscience, value-added products from algae and scientific research initiatives. Out of 174 research abstracts , 22 were selected for presentations, and 14 for poster presentations.Vulture declineS. Jayakumar, assistant professor, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology of A.V.C. College, Mayiladuthurai, delivered a lecture on the decline of vultures in India and its ecological consequences during a programme to mark World Vultures Day recently. The speaker attributed the decline in vulture populations to several factors, including habitat loss, climate change, the use of manja (glass-coated kite strings), and the increasing use of pesticides. He particularly highlighted the impact of certain veterinary painkillers used for livestock, whose residues could remain in the carcasses of treated animals and prove toxic to vultures feeding on them.Student outreachAn outreach initiative organised by the National Service Scheme unit, Youth Red Cross, and Anti-Drug Club of J.J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukottai, in association with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Tiruchi, aimed to educate youth on consumer rights, cyber security, and social welfare. Guest speaker Shivasankar Sekaran, Consumer Advocacy Group (CAG) Member representing TRAI, presented an in-depth orientation on body’s mandates and regulatory mechanisms designed to safeguard telecom and broadcasting consumers. R. Karuna Karan, Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Pudukkottai, delivered a presentation on the menace of sophisticated cyber fraud. Mohandass spoke on the destructive influence of substance abuse.Anti-drugs programmeAn event on the theme ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ to educate the youth on the harmful effects of substance abuse while promoting a healthy, responsible, and drug-free lifestyle, was held at the National Institute of Technology Puducherry (NITPY) recently. Held under the My Bharat initiative, the programme featured a series of student-centric activities, including an anti-drug pledge, a signature campaign, and an awareness speech.Literary perspectivesComparative perspectives in literature were examined at a conference conducted at Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women’s College, Mannargudi, recently. Jointly organised by the Departments of English and Tamil, at least 90 academicians from regional and global institutions presented their papers at the two-day programme. M.Balaganapathy, assistant professor and academic advisor, Department of English, Sambhram University, Jizzax, Uzbekistan, spoke on the topic ‘Code-Switching Literary Expressions:Points to Ponder.’ G. Ramesh, professor, Department of Tamil, School of Social Science and Humanities, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur, delivered the keynote address.The mathematical linkAt a training programme organised by Vivekananda College of Arts and Science for Women, Sirkali, recently, over 300 students and faculty of regional colleges were given orientation on the mathematics behind artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Arokiya Aruldoss, assistant professor of Mathematics, St. Joseph’s College, Cuddalore, and R. Irene Hepzibah, assistant professor of Mathematics, TBML College, Poraiyar, explained the mathematical foundations of AI in their technical sessions.Published - September 21, 2026 05:44 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }