We are pioneers in incorporating new technology in our education system - Manickam Ramasamy

What makes an institution stand apart from its peers! It’s not a couple of contributors but an amalgamation of several elements like quality of education, infrastructure, sports facilities, faculty-student ratio, etc. which come together at their best to make what they call – one of the best institutes. Rathinam Educational Institutions, Coimbatore has grabbed one of the top spots in the top 100 colleges list. Manickam Ramasamy, CEO, Rathinam Educational Institutions shares more details with Meha Mathur.

Excerpts from the Interview:

Careers360: What are the strengths and USPs of your college, which have enabled it to become one of the top 100 colleges of the country?
Manickam Ramasamy: Rathinam College of Arts and Science (RCAS) is affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. The college is in a spacious 70 acre campus with cricket ground, football ground, Volley ball ground and Basket Ball Ground. RCAS is accredited by NAAC with “A” grade and ranked within Top 100 colleges in All India Ranking for two consecutive years by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework), Govt. of India. It is also recognized with autonomous status by UGC (University Grants Commission) with 22 UG programmes, 8 PG programmes, and 7 Research programmes with active student strength of about 3500 students. The college is recognized by UGC, New Delhi under Section 2(f) & 12 (B) UGC act to receive grants. The college also has a DSIR recognized research center. In addition, the college successfully runs an AICTE Sponsored Entrepreneurship Development Cell in the field of IT with active involvement of its Alumni with a central grant of Rs. 5 lakhs from AICTE.

In addition to the above, the following are the strengths and USPs of our college Multi Institution Campus (School, Arts & Science College, Engineering College, MBA Institutions and School of Architecture) College Annexed with IT Park and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for IT/ITEs with 19 corporate and located @Techie Location within Corporation Limit. 93% of the sanctioned seats are filled during admission. 48% of the admitted strength is women students. 20% of the admitted strength is above 90% marks in HSC and 25% of the students within range 80%. Totally 45% of the students admitted in the range of 80% marks.

Pioneer in implementing new technology in all the possible areas like Academic and Administration (ERP, College Management System, Alumbook, Myklassroom (Social Learning Platform), OBE (Outcome Based Education), CBCS (Choice Based Credit System) and Placement) Rathinavani – 90.8 community radio station which is run by Visual Communication Department.

• Decent Placement (90%) in the past two years.

• Consistent IQAC meetings and guidance of advisors from IIM and IIT.

• EDII recognized Rathinam as Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• Merit and Sports Scholarship: FULL TUITION FEE waive off.

• Institution membership with ICT Academy, ACCA ( Association of Charted Certified Accountant) UK, Insurance Institute of India, CII, IIT, and CMA .

• 5% of International Students

• 20% students from other state

• 50% students from villages with economically backward

• NITI AYOG selected Rathinam for the establishment of ATAL Incubation Centre.
  Careers360: What are the popular courses?
  Manickam Ramasamy: Out of 22 UG courses, 8 PG Courses and 5 Research Programmes, the following are the popular courses in our institutions:

1. B.Sc. Visual Communications and E-Media

2. B.Sc Micro-Biology

3. B.Sc Bio-Technology

4. B.Com with ACCA (Association of Charted Certified Accountant) UK

5. B.Com with B&I (Banking and Insurance)

6. B.Com Professional Accounting

7. B.Sc Computer Science specialization with Cloud Technology

8. B.Sc Information Technology specialization with Data Science

9. B.Sc Psychology

10. M.Sc Data Science and Business Analysis specialization with Business Analytics

11. M.B.A specialization with Digital Marketing and Remote Infrastructure Management

Careers360: How has the college kept pace with the new pedagogical and technological advances, and with infrastructure requirements?
Manickam Ramasamy: The following are the initiatives and measures taken by the college to pace with the new pedagogical and technological advances.

• College adapted Flipped class concept in teaching and evaluation

• ICT Enabled class rooms

• Wi-fi Enabled Campus to facilitate the students to access E-Learning content from Learning Management System (LMS), Internship and Project @ IT Park, Credit Earning through SWAYAM and MOOC

• College entire management through ERP named as College Management System from Admission to Placement

• Visual Studio, Computer Labs, Physical Science labs and Life Science Labs are upgraded as per the need of Industry with capital budget

• 24 Hours working Library with Digital facility and DELNET, Inflibnet, Nlist, HBR, Case centre like EBSCO, etc.,

• Alternate (Renewable energy) electricity is generated by implementing Solar Panels.

• Guest Lectures from Industry and Alumni, Seminars, Workshops, and Various Technical Symposium organized for the betterment of students and faculty in various areas.

• To build the rapport between students, Staff and Management the communication portal has been developed (HUBFLY) for Feedback, CICULAR, appreciation, NEWS & EVENTS, Poll, Stories, Idea generation and Peer Learning.

Careers360: What kind of cultural and sports life can students expect in your college?
Manickam Ramasamy: The following clubs are engaging the students in various activities to become responsible citizen

• NCC

• NSS

• Natural Club

• Techno Club

• Cultural & Language Club

• Media Club

• Consumer Club

• Ramanujam Club

• Fine Arts Club

• YRC, RRC

• Management Club

• SPORTS

• Students shall participate in the following Sports Activities

• Volleyball Team was trained and guided by the Coach Mr. Sridhar, who was the coach for Indian Volley Ball Team.

• Basket Ball

• Cricket

• KABADI

• FOOT BALL

• Boxing

• Ball Badminton

• Kho-Kho

• Athletics

Careers360: What are the challenges before the college?
Manickam Ramasamy: Some of the challenges include:

• Growth of Online and MooC courses

• Drastic change in Industry needs (changes development tools, requirements, Process) which leads to drop in value of higher Education.

• Technology implementation challenges specifically on platforms become obsolete.

• Lack of initiative and innovations in School Education system.

• Lack of involvement in R&D.

Average number of faculty only updates their knowledge in Current Industry Trends.