The Anna University, Coimbatore is to give computers at a subsidised rate to Post Graduate students of Distance Education, said Dr R Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating the Interactive Learning Programmes (ILP) for Distance Education here on Saturday.
The computer would make a difference in their learning, Radhakrishnan said, adding that instead of contact seminars, ILP will enable the students to enrich their capability.
Student's Relationship Management will be adopted for ensuring mitigation of grievances immediately. He added that text books have been prepared and supplied by the University as per the norms of the quality council. The curriculum of the courses is designed by bench marking with International standards.
Credit exchange among On Campus, Distance Education and Online Programmes will facilitate switch over from one mode to another mode, he noted. Anna University-Coimbatore started Distance Education Programmes for the academic year 2007-2008 by launching courses in 37 different branches of management, science and engineering including computer science in August 2007. All the programmes have high level of technology orientation.
After evaluation and testing online education will be launched. The first batch of students will appear for the first semester examination in Feb 2008 and Second Semester examination in June 2008. Another batch will be admitted for the year of 2008 commencing from Jan 2008.
Dr Annadurai, Principal, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore felicitated the students. Dr V Balakrishnan, Director, Directorate of online and distance education, presided over the function. Students received books and ID cards on the spot.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Model farm for organic cotton
The South India Cotton Association has developed a model farm here for organic cotton.
According to an association official, the farm is developed jointly with Super Spinning Mills and the cotton varieties Sara 2 and Sara 33 have been sown on 60 cents. The plant is about 80 days old now. From next month, the association plans to invite delegations to the farm.
The demand is increasing in the U.S. and the European Union market on organic cotton and fabric made from it. Awareness about these products is on the rise in the domestic market too. Hence, the association decided to demonstrate cultivation of organic cotton through its model farm.
“It is biocotton. We have used only the natural method for cultivation of these cotton varieties,” the official said. The programme is supported by the Organic Exchange. As many as 13 technologies of organic method of farming have been adopted. Farm yard manure, bio-fertiliser and natural predator pests have been used. All the methods followed are in line with international standards. The total life of the crop is 180 to 190 days, he says. The association has been growing cotton on the plot for the last three seasons to demonstrate different cotton cultivation methods to farmers and the industry.
According to an association official, the farm is developed jointly with Super Spinning Mills and the cotton varieties Sara 2 and Sara 33 have been sown on 60 cents. The plant is about 80 days old now. From next month, the association plans to invite delegations to the farm.
The demand is increasing in the U.S. and the European Union market on organic cotton and fabric made from it. Awareness about these products is on the rise in the domestic market too. Hence, the association decided to demonstrate cultivation of organic cotton through its model farm.
“It is biocotton. We have used only the natural method for cultivation of these cotton varieties,” the official said. The programme is supported by the Organic Exchange. As many as 13 technologies of organic method of farming have been adopted. Farm yard manure, bio-fertiliser and natural predator pests have been used. All the methods followed are in line with international standards. The total life of the crop is 180 to 190 days, he says. The association has been growing cotton on the plot for the last three seasons to demonstrate different cotton cultivation methods to farmers and the industry.
Organic farming in coimbatore villages
Scientists should strive to promote organic farming concepts in villages, S. Natarajan, Director, Centre for Soil and Crop Management Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said here recently.
Sensitisation
Inaugurating a two-day training in organic farming for scientists at the university, he said that they should be sensitised to the concepts and components of organic farming in order to motivate the farmers to take it up.
SRI method
“There is a need for maintaining soil health and producing quality farm products. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method that can be well integrated with organic farming should also be impressed upon the farmers,” he added.
M.V. Ranghaswami, Director, Water Technology Centre, TNAU, explained about the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project funded by the World Bank and implemented by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Key activities
“Promotion of organic farming is one of the key activities of the project. It aims to give widespread awareness about the utilisation of organic manures, green manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in crop cultivation,” he said.
Cluster basis
The project would be promoted in a cluster basis (20 hectares) in each sub-basin and a nodal village would be converted under organic farming under each sub-basin, Dr. Ranghaswami added.
Sensitisation
Inaugurating a two-day training in organic farming for scientists at the university, he said that they should be sensitised to the concepts and components of organic farming in order to motivate the farmers to take it up.
SRI method
“There is a need for maintaining soil health and producing quality farm products. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method that can be well integrated with organic farming should also be impressed upon the farmers,” he added.
M.V. Ranghaswami, Director, Water Technology Centre, TNAU, explained about the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project funded by the World Bank and implemented by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Key activities
“Promotion of organic farming is one of the key activities of the project. It aims to give widespread awareness about the utilisation of organic manures, green manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in crop cultivation,” he said.
Cluster basis
The project would be promoted in a cluster basis (20 hectares) in each sub-basin and a nodal village would be converted under organic farming under each sub-basin, Dr. Ranghaswami added.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Baby care product manufacturing may start in Coimbatore
Saudi Arabia-based Al Batterjee Group will set up a new plant in India at an estimated cost of 25 million dollar to manufacture baby care products.
"The process of identifying the location is on and most probably the new facility will come up in Coimbatore. We have planned to make the new plant operational in a year," Al Batterjee Vice-Chairman Mohammed Mazen Batterjee told reporters today after launching its 'Nunu' range of baby care products at a function here.
He said the new facility would have a production capacity of one billion packages of varying sizes per annum.
Batterjee said 'Nunu' (meaning new born in Arabic) was one of the leading baby care products in West Asia and was being sold in over 37 countries.
The products, first launched in Kerala three months ago, had received excellent response. After Bangalore and Chennai, the products would be next launched in Hyderabad before expanding to the north, he said.
He said the group is targeting a share of Rs 20 crore in the Rs 250-crore market during the first year of operations at the all India level.
Kerala-based Valy Trading Agencies Pvt Ltd is the importer and distributor of the baby care products in India.
Batterjee said the group had also planned to make a foray into IT and hospitality sectors in the metropolis with an investment of 25 million dollar each.
"The process of identifying the location is on and most probably the new facility will come up in Coimbatore. We have planned to make the new plant operational in a year," Al Batterjee Vice-Chairman Mohammed Mazen Batterjee told reporters today after launching its 'Nunu' range of baby care products at a function here.
He said the new facility would have a production capacity of one billion packages of varying sizes per annum.
Batterjee said 'Nunu' (meaning new born in Arabic) was one of the leading baby care products in West Asia and was being sold in over 37 countries.
The products, first launched in Kerala three months ago, had received excellent response. After Bangalore and Chennai, the products would be next launched in Hyderabad before expanding to the north, he said.
He said the group is targeting a share of Rs 20 crore in the Rs 250-crore market during the first year of operations at the all India level.
Kerala-based Valy Trading Agencies Pvt Ltd is the importer and distributor of the baby care products in India.
Batterjee said the group had also planned to make a foray into IT and hospitality sectors in the metropolis with an investment of 25 million dollar each.
Radio City 91.1 FM launched in Coimbatore
Radio City 91.1 FM has launched in Coimbatore. This marks the 13th station of the FM station across the country.
Radio City Coimbatore will kick off Coimbatore mornings with Namma City Special followed by City Spice for Kollywood news coupled with contests.
Endrendrum Punnagai will see Coimbatore unwind while in the evening Silmisha Balbhaje Shikarika Bilaba will take over the listeners. Love Beat will address matters on romance and sun sign predictions, among other interactive content. The weekend special line-up has Pazhamozhi and Tatuvam.
Radio City is conducting an on-air and on-ground contest 'Jeeto Cash Tanaa Tan' starting 19 November, where listeners can win cash prizes on the spot every day for a month.
Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit said, "It is an extremely important market for us and we eagerly look forward to engaging with our listeners here. Combining our musical expertise, innovations and creativity, Radio City brings to Coimbatore compelling content and a music mix strategically planned to uplift the mood of its listeners."
Radio City Coimbatore will kick off Coimbatore mornings with Namma City Special followed by City Spice for Kollywood news coupled with contests.
Endrendrum Punnagai will see Coimbatore unwind while in the evening Silmisha Balbhaje Shikarika Bilaba will take over the listeners. Love Beat will address matters on romance and sun sign predictions, among other interactive content. The weekend special line-up has Pazhamozhi and Tatuvam.
Radio City is conducting an on-air and on-ground contest 'Jeeto Cash Tanaa Tan' starting 19 November, where listeners can win cash prizes on the spot every day for a month.
Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit said, "It is an extremely important market for us and we eagerly look forward to engaging with our listeners here. Combining our musical expertise, innovations and creativity, Radio City brings to Coimbatore compelling content and a music mix strategically planned to uplift the mood of its listeners."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Cisco’s local academy at Karunya University
Karunya University and Cisco Systems inked a memorandum of understanding by which the company will set up its ‘Regional – Local Academy’ in the university campus.
Jegan Jothivel, Cisco Area Academy Manager – India and SAARC, and Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), Karunya University, signed the MoU in the presence of the Registrar, Joseph Thomas, and Director i/c (Computer Science & Technology), Elijah Blessing. According to a university release, the MoU will enable the university to run Cisco-certified programmes such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), Network Security and Wireless LAN.
These certification programmes will commence from January 2008 for the university students. For others, these certification courses will also be run at the Karunya University City Centre.
The university is for developing the school of Computer Science and Technology into a centre of excellence in the area of Networking at Rs. 1 crore.
Jegan Jothivel, Cisco Area Academy Manager – India and SAARC, and Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), Karunya University, signed the MoU in the presence of the Registrar, Joseph Thomas, and Director i/c (Computer Science & Technology), Elijah Blessing. According to a university release, the MoU will enable the university to run Cisco-certified programmes such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), Network Security and Wireless LAN.
These certification programmes will commence from January 2008 for the university students. For others, these certification courses will also be run at the Karunya University City Centre.
The university is for developing the school of Computer Science and Technology into a centre of excellence in the area of Networking at Rs. 1 crore.
Plans to train workforce for the foundries
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute here plans to train workforce for the foundries in a joint effort with the industry.
It had called for applications for “foundry moulder” training. Candidates should have studied at least up to Standard VIII. Over 1,000 applications had been collected. The institute was in the process of formulating the course material, said an official at the institute. The training was likely to be conducted in Coimbatore and Chennai, he added.
This would be a six-month programme and the classes would include theory and practical sessions. The total number of candidates to be trained would depend on the industry’s needs. The institute was in the process of collecting information from the industries on the number of candidates the units would be interested in training. The unit would have to provide accommodation and assistance to the candidates.
Through this programme the trainees would get hands on experience and the units could retain them after the training period too.
The programme was evolved since the industry was suffering from shortage of manpower and had sought trained workforce to be employed in the foundries. The programme was expected to take off in a month, the official said.
It had called for applications for “foundry moulder” training. Candidates should have studied at least up to Standard VIII. Over 1,000 applications had been collected. The institute was in the process of formulating the course material, said an official at the institute. The training was likely to be conducted in Coimbatore and Chennai, he added.
This would be a six-month programme and the classes would include theory and practical sessions. The total number of candidates to be trained would depend on the industry’s needs. The institute was in the process of collecting information from the industries on the number of candidates the units would be interested in training. The unit would have to provide accommodation and assistance to the candidates.
Through this programme the trainees would get hands on experience and the units could retain them after the training period too.
The programme was evolved since the industry was suffering from shortage of manpower and had sought trained workforce to be employed in the foundries. The programme was expected to take off in a month, the official said.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Nilkamal plans @home mall in Coimbatore !!!
Nilkamal Ltd, a major player in the plastic and steel crafted material handling systems, plans to up its turnover from @home business to Rs 600 crore in the next three years.
The company, which diversified into furniture, lighting and home furnishing business two years ago under the brand name @home is keen to ride the realty wave to open 40 @home malls across the country by 2010-11, to touch sales of over Rs 600 crore, Manish Parekh, director, told reporters here. Nilkamal opened its second @home mall (10th all-India) in Pune.
Parekh said there was an increasing preference for acquiring readymade furniture as the high-income working couples don't find the time to get it made in the traditional way, hiring a carpenter. Another important factor, he said was the preference to change the furniture every few years, as against considering home furniture as a life long item.
The company has planned 40 more @home malls by 2010-11 with an investment of Rs 75 crore, Parekh said, adding that the next malls to open would be in Mumbai, Surat, Thane and Coimbatore. "We will also open @home malls in the North and have finalised locations in Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Delhi which will be made operational in the next four months," he informed. The company is in talks for a property in Gurgaon too.
Parekh sad the company would follow a strategy to select locations of 20,000 sft and more for the @home malls. “We will operate the stores ourselves and won’t take the franchisee route,” he stressed.
Parekh informed that the @home division of Nilkamal Limited contributed Rs 29 crore to the company’s business in 2006-07 and it is estimated to notch up sales of Rs 70 crore this year. Thereafter, the revenues will increase at a higher pace as the company will have reached major markets then, he said.
The company imports all its merchandise through a purchase office in China. The merchandise comes from Southeast Asia and Europe.
Parekh said the company would soon open its own design office and get the furniture and other items made according to designs based on the Indian preferences and usage patterns.
A design team has already been hired, he added.
The company, which diversified into furniture, lighting and home furnishing business two years ago under the brand name @home is keen to ride the realty wave to open 40 @home malls across the country by 2010-11, to touch sales of over Rs 600 crore, Manish Parekh, director, told reporters here. Nilkamal opened its second @home mall (10th all-India) in Pune.
Parekh said there was an increasing preference for acquiring readymade furniture as the high-income working couples don't find the time to get it made in the traditional way, hiring a carpenter. Another important factor, he said was the preference to change the furniture every few years, as against considering home furniture as a life long item.
The company has planned 40 more @home malls by 2010-11 with an investment of Rs 75 crore, Parekh said, adding that the next malls to open would be in Mumbai, Surat, Thane and Coimbatore. "We will also open @home malls in the North and have finalised locations in Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Delhi which will be made operational in the next four months," he informed. The company is in talks for a property in Gurgaon too.
Parekh sad the company would follow a strategy to select locations of 20,000 sft and more for the @home malls. “We will operate the stores ourselves and won’t take the franchisee route,” he stressed.
Parekh informed that the @home division of Nilkamal Limited contributed Rs 29 crore to the company’s business in 2006-07 and it is estimated to notch up sales of Rs 70 crore this year. Thereafter, the revenues will increase at a higher pace as the company will have reached major markets then, he said.
The company imports all its merchandise through a purchase office in China. The merchandise comes from Southeast Asia and Europe.
Parekh said the company would soon open its own design office and get the furniture and other items made according to designs based on the Indian preferences and usage patterns.
A design team has already been hired, he added.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
BSNL changes night call charges
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Coimbatore has announced the launch of night calling charges under BSNL mobile cellular service from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. The tariff for this would be 50 per cent of the peak hour charges (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) as per the call charges in the respective plan that was in force for the customer.
The reduction in call charges during night would be applicable for all prepaid plans (except Lifetime Anant) and all post-paid customers with effect from November 1. Call charges for intra and inter-circle calls terminating in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited network at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) call charges in the respective plan.
Local SMS (short messaging service) during off peak hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) charged at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) SMS rate in the respective plan. No fixed charges would be applicable for this facility, according to the announcement that has been made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The offer would be valid for 90 days from November 1. The facility of speaking at night at half rate would not be applicable to calls that were made while roaming. This included both national and international roaming. Local short messaging service (SMS) includes SMS terminating in other telephone networks also.
For further details, contact telephone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006/ 2306600.
BSNL has also announced the launch of “Excel Sumo Plan” which has come into effect from November 1. Under this new plan, call charges would be 99 paise per minute to any local network.
According to the announcement, the cost of the starter pack would be Rs. 249 (inclusive of service tax) with a validity of one year, talk value of Rs. 30 along with starter pack, recharge by top-up cards, friends and family calls to any two BSNL numbers (one landline number compulsory) would be at 50 paise per minute.
Charges after free 365 SMS would be 25 paise. For further details, contact phone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006 or 2306600.
The reduction in call charges during night would be applicable for all prepaid plans (except Lifetime Anant) and all post-paid customers with effect from November 1. Call charges for intra and inter-circle calls terminating in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited network at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) call charges in the respective plan.
Local SMS (short messaging service) during off peak hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) charged at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) SMS rate in the respective plan. No fixed charges would be applicable for this facility, according to the announcement that has been made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The offer would be valid for 90 days from November 1. The facility of speaking at night at half rate would not be applicable to calls that were made while roaming. This included both national and international roaming. Local short messaging service (SMS) includes SMS terminating in other telephone networks also.
For further details, contact telephone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006/ 2306600.
BSNL has also announced the launch of “Excel Sumo Plan” which has come into effect from November 1. Under this new plan, call charges would be 99 paise per minute to any local network.
According to the announcement, the cost of the starter pack would be Rs. 249 (inclusive of service tax) with a validity of one year, talk value of Rs. 30 along with starter pack, recharge by top-up cards, friends and family calls to any two BSNL numbers (one landline number compulsory) would be at 50 paise per minute.
Charges after free 365 SMS would be 25 paise. For further details, contact phone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006 or 2306600.
Training programme using CATIA software
UMS Technologies Training Centre, a division of the G.D. Naidu Group of Training Institutions, is launching an employment-oriented training programme using CATIA CAD/CAM software. This high-end software is used for design and manufacture in automobile and aerospace industries across the world.
According to a release, UMS will provide a number of short-term courses in CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC Lathe and Milling Machinery using Auto CAD, Pro/Engineer, Solidworks, Delcam and Cimatron ‘E.’
Students will be given live projects in modelling and manufacturing and will be given exposure in all areas of the subjects they choose. Apart from the regular syllabus, specific skills sets required in various jobs in engineering design and manufacturing will be imparted to students.
Candidates completing CAD/CAM/CAE courses can opt for jobs as product designers. The institute would also provide placement assistance. For details, contact 9994866844.
According to a release, UMS will provide a number of short-term courses in CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC Lathe and Milling Machinery using Auto CAD, Pro/Engineer, Solidworks, Delcam and Cimatron ‘E.’
Students will be given live projects in modelling and manufacturing and will be given exposure in all areas of the subjects they choose. Apart from the regular syllabus, specific skills sets required in various jobs in engineering design and manufacturing will be imparted to students.
Candidates completing CAD/CAM/CAE courses can opt for jobs as product designers. The institute would also provide placement assistance. For details, contact 9994866844.
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