The allocation of more funds for higher education by the Union Government will raise its quality, especially when Indian higher education is really at the crossroads. The policy makers in the Govt. and the educationists of the country can think of raising the Human Development Index (HDI) of our nation, by taking urgent steps to alleviate the poverty of the masses and empowering them by providing education to them.

  This quarter, in SASTRA's usual style, was filled with a number of events that the readers would love to read about.

  On 4th September, 2005 SASTRA honoured itself by honouring one of the illustrious sons of modern India, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan with an honorary Doctor of Science degree. SASTRA is always aware of its responsibility to give a global exposure to its students. As one of our ongoing global initiatives, SASTRA signed an MoU with Stevens Institute of Technology, USA on 16th September, 2005.

  As part of our MoU with Swiss German University, ten Final Year B. Tech students have been sent to German industries for a five-month internship programme. Four M.Tech students have gone to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore for their project work.

  It was a wonderful moment for SASTRA when its First set of B.Tech students, received their degrees in the Convocation held on 6th August 2005.

  The inauguration of the NCC Air Wing Unit at SASTRA by Air Marshal S.Y. Savur on 18th August 2005, the handing over of Community shelters to the tsunami survivors at Pazhayar by Dr. R. Chidambaram on 19th August 2005, and endowment lectures by Dr. Kazuzaki Miyamoto and Dr. K. Suresh are the other highlights of this quarter. 

I wish all the readers of ITIHAS a very happy Diwali.

Prof. R. SETHURAMAN

Vice - Chancellor

SASTRA honoured Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the world renowned Agricultural Scientist for his outstanding contributions to the field of Indian Agriculture with the conferment of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree on 4th September, 2005 at Srinivasa Ramanujan Centre, SASTRA, Kumbakonam. SASTRA felt pride in giving this honour at his home town, to the living legend, who has received more than 50 honorary Doctorate degrees from Indian and foreign universities. Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chairman, UGC, handed over the degree on Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, at a special convocation.

Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai in his special convocation address said Education is a means to substantive human freedom and individual human security, which ultimately leads to society's overall development. The very purpose of education is to enhance the quality of life and life management systems. Education reinforces the socio-economic dynamics of society towards equality, promoting a social order that facilitated an equalitarian ethos. 

  Dr. M.S. Swaminathan receives the degree and the citation from Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai.

Prof. R. Sethuraman, welcomed the gathering and Prof. K. G. Seshadri proposed a vote of thanks.