Staff Reporter

MOMENTOUS OCCASION: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam handing over the commemoration plaque to Chancellor T. Kalasalingam, after formally launching an integrated B.Tech programme for hearing-impaired students at Kalasalingam University near Srivilliputtur on Friday. School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Virudhunagar Collector S.S. Jawahar are also in the picture. — Photo: K. Ganesan

SRIVILLIPUTTUR: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Friday launched the nation's first-ever integrated B. Tech. programme for hearing impaired students in Kalasalingam University at Krishnankoil near here.

"This course is only a reflection of the university's education-linked social service," Mr. Kalam said.

He handed over the commemoration plaque to Chancellor T. Kalasalingam to mark the formal launch of the six-year programme in the branches of Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering.

Describing the prospective students of the new programme as those "yearning to reach self-sufficiency," he said they were God's children and their mind was stronger than diamond.

This strength would fetch them victory and with God's grace, nothing but victory, the President said, reading out his poem.

The university framed the curriculum and syllabus to suit the special language needs of the hearing impaired, Vice-Chancellor V. Thangaraj said.

Specially trained teachers

The course aims at providing meaningful employment in industry, government and in the field of education. Specially trained teachers would handle the classes.

The minimum qualification is X standard and admission is based on a test conducted by the university.

Syllabi

In the first two years, the XII standard level syllabi in mathematics, physics and chemistry and introductory level courses in English, computers, hearing impaired study and engineering drawing would be taught.

In the next two years, foundation courses of polytechnic level classes in basic sciences, basic engineering, communication skills and fundamental courses in the major subjects would be taught.

The students would learn the advance level courses in the major and elective courses in the last two years.

Summer semesters

The course has provision for special summer semesters to cater to the needs of academically weak students.

In the event of students not completing the course within the stipulated 10-year-period, a diploma would be awarded if they had completed all foundation courses.