Dr. Paul P. Appasamy M.S.(Chemical Engg.), M.B.A., Ph.D
Vice Chancellor

Dear Graduates of 2008,

            Let me first congratulate you on successfully completing your UG / PG programme at Karunya.  We feel immensely proud of you as you go out into the world to become leaders in business and industry.  We hope you will maintain your links with your alma mater, whether you are inIndia or abroad. A few words about the activities we have planned for 5^th July 2008.

Thanksgiving Service (9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m.) 

The Controller of Examinations, Dr. Joseph Kennady has already given you the logistical details about the Convocation.  There will be a Thanksgiving service in the morning at 9.30 a.m. on 5^th July 2008.  The Chancellor Dr. Paul Dhinakaran will be giving the message and then praying for the graduating students.  This function will be held at Emmanuel Auditorium.  Graduating students will sit in front while the parents if they wish to attend will sit at the back.  Please wear your University blazers since this will be your last formal function at Karunya.

            The Thanksgiving service will include the alumni induction program.  This will be followed by a rehearsal of the convocation proceedings so that you can be better prepared for the function.  Please proceed for lunch at one of the messes.  Two tickets will be given to each student for your parents / guests.  The convocation will start precisely at 2.30 p.m.  So please take your seats well in advance in the new auditorium.  Parents can sit immediately behind the students in the centre section, while other guests can sit on both sides of the auditorium.

            Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai,  Distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller R&D, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence has kindly consented to be the Chief guest and will deliver the convocation address.  Arrangements have been made to photograph every student when he/she receives the degree certificate from the Chancellor.  While we would like the convocation to be a celebration of your success, we request that the proceedings be conducted with dignity and decorum.  Please follow the dress code and the other instructions given by the controller. You can celebrate with each other after the function is over.   Once you receive your degree, you become Karunya Alumni!

Alumni Association

For any University and particularly for Karunya, the alumni are a valuable resource.  We are in the process of setting up an alumni desk which will be a nodal point for all alumni activities.  Please give your contact details to the Alumni Coordinator so that we can have a good alumni database.  Alumni will be assigned individual email IDs which you can use to contact us.  We can also send you newsletters and other relevant information from time to time. We plan to have active Alumni Associations in major cities in India and overseas.  Whenever you move please be sure to let us know so that we can have your current contact details.  Alumni are most welcome  to visit Karunya at any time by themselves or with their families.

There are many ways that you can help us as alumni:

·        By recommending Karunya to your colleagues and friends who have college age children.  Some of you may wish to return to do a PG degree or Ph.D in Engineering or Management.

·        By recommending faculty, particularly in engineering disciplines where we have an acute shortage of faculty at the higher levels.

·        By speaking to our current students on the opportunities in the market place and your own experiences in the job.

·        By mentoring young graduates when they move to a new city, particularly in foreign countries.

·        By instituting scholarships for deserving students.

·        By serving on our Boards of Studies so that we can constantly update our syllabi to make our courses relevant.

Reflections

            As you leave the Karunya campus, I am sure you will have a flood of recollections of your life here.  Those of you who like to write can send me your reflections by email (askvc@karunya.edu). We may also contact you for an interview. Please reflect on your stay in Karunya and let me know how we can improve the administration to make Karunya an outstanding institution.  Your comments and suggestions will help us to make the Karunya experience more enjoyable and profitable for future students.  If there are deficiencies, we can take the necessary steps to correct them.  However, please overlook any flaws in the system and keep the banner of Karunya flying high!

            I look forward to meeting each of you on 5^th July.

Paul P. Appasamy,
Vice Chancellor.