A
nnamalai University,
one of the largest
unitary, multi-faculty,
and residential universities
in Southern Asia, is a State
University established in the
year 1929. In the past 89 years,
the University has grown into
a premier institution of higher
learning and research. The
University today is spread over an
extensive campus of more than
900 acres and has the Faculties of
Arts, Science, Indian Languages,
Engineering and Technology,
Education, Fine Arts, Agriculture,
Medicine, Dentistry and Marine
Sciences and in all, comprising 49 Departments of Study. The
University, being unitary and residential in character, has above
30,000 students pursuing various on-campus programmes of study
and more than 10,000 of them are accommodated in its 19
hostels, acclaimed to be the biggest in the country. The University
was accredited with ‘A’ Grade by NAAC in 2014. In the NIRF India
Rankings – 2019, the University is ranked in the band of 101-150
in the Overall Category as well as the University Category. The
University celebrates its 90th Birth Anniversary in 2019.
Prof. V. Murugesan completed Masters & pre-doctoral degree
(M.Phil.) from University of Madras and Ph.D. from Anna
University. Prof. Murugesan worked as researcher at the University
of Pittsburgh, USA during 1992-93. He worked in various positions
at Anna University, Chennai and became a full Professor in the
year 1996. He has over 43 years of teaching experience and more
than 35 years of research experience. He served as the Head of the
Department of Chemistry, Anna University for seven years. During
his tenure as Head, he equipped the Department with state-of-the-
art facilities for research, consultancy and testing through various
grants. The tenure of Prof. Murugesan as Dean, Faculty of Science
and Humanities has seen changes towards the overall improvement
of academic standards.
His major research interests include porous catalytic materials for
fine chemical synthesis, semiconductor photocatalytic mesoporous
and nanostructured materials for pollution abatement. Under the
supervision of Prof. Murugesan, 35 scholars graduated for Ph.D.
degree and over 100 students completed their Masters and M.Phil.
Theses. Prof. Murugesan has published more than 200 research
articles in SCI journals. His research publications in journals of
repute have been cited by several researchers all over the world. He
has very good citation metrics and his present Scopus h-index is 49.
He has been awarded the Thomson Reuters India citation award
2012 for Research Excellence and high citations for his research
articles.
He has established excellent research links with Universities
and Institutes both within India and abroad. Prof. Murugesan has
travelled widely across the globe in connection with participation in
International Conferences and as visiting Scientist under exchange
programs. Prof.Murugesan has been awarded the prestigious STA
and JSPS Fellowships of Japan. In recognition of his significant
contribution to porous materials, the journal ‘Advanced Porous
Materials’ published a special volume commemorating his 65th
birthday. He is serving as an expert in many statutory bodies and
completed many research projects from various agencies.
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY
CHIDAMBARAM
n Prof. Murugesan
Velayutham, Ph.D.,
Vice-Chancellor,
Annamalai UniversityK
amat Hotel India Ltd., one of Asia’s biggest hospitality
chain present in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Goa
Bhubaneswar, Puri has undertaken the initiative to
restore the forestation in Odisha using organically created
seedballs. This initiative is an extention of the brand’s ethos,
which believes in one green family, one green nation.
The seedballs, easier to plant compared to saplings, are made
with mud, organic compost, and seeds. Employees of the
hospitality chain, NGOs and social organsations joined hands
together and made these, the objective being is to rebuild a
green Odisha, once again. These seedballs were planted across the
cyclone devastated lands. Near about 500 volunteers participated
in this Mass Seedball Broadcasting event held on 5th July 2019,
followed by a felicitation ceremony in Konark. Tusharkanti
Behera, Minister IT & Sports, Govt of Odisha, innaugurated the
seedball plantation event at Yatri Niwas, Konark.
Environmentalists insisted on indigenous seeds. Almost 500
of trees such as Peepal, Neem and Banyan were planted. All seeds
are native to India and Odisha which will help birds and animals
in the region as well, said Dr. V. Kamat.
Harsh Bardhan Udgata, DFO, Puri, Saroj Kanta Pradhan,Tourist
Officer, Sabyasachi Mishra, Eminent Odia Actor, Sanjib Pradhan
IIC Konarki Police Station, Basant Mishra, Block Education
Officer, Abhijan Talukdar, Eminent Hotelier, N. Srinibas Rao
NAC Executive Officer, Jyotiprakash Rath Fire Officer, Konark
Fire Station shared the stage and also participated in the
seedball plantation programme.
Dr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, Executive Chairman & Managing
Director, Kamat Hotels India Limited, presided over the function
and distributed certificates and mementos to all the participants,
organizations and esteemed guests. The vote of thanks was given
by Mr. Vishal Kamat, Managing Director, of the group.
This unique initiative is a promising one that would again help
in rebuilding a more green nation.10 LAC TREES PLANTED
TO RESTORE FORESTATION
IN ODISHA
AN INITIATIVE BY
KAMAT HOTELS INDIA LTD