Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and S.S. Sivashankar with the delegates at the conference held in Chennai on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
The surge in engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu can be traced back to the seeds sown by former Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Saturday.
Addressing delegates at the Professional Development Conference and Exposition 2025 organised by International Tamil Engineers Forum (ITEF), he said: “Kalaignar not only facilitated the establishment of these institutions but also played a decisive role in scrapping the entrance examination for engineering, making higher education more accessible to students.”
He pointed out that Tamil Nadu produced the highest number of engineers in the country. “Engineers from Tamil Nadu are spread across the globe,” Mr. Udhayanidhi added.
School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said: “When I think of engineers, I am reminded of the historic Kallanai in Tiruchi and the works of Arthur Cotton.”
MoUs signed
A slew of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were also exchanged in the presence of Mr. Udhayanidhi. The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), the nodal agency for skill development in the State, signed a MoU with Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain, under the Naan Mudhalvan SCOUT (Scholarships for outstanding undergraduate talent in Tamil Nadu) initiative to facilitate global internship opportunities for students from the State.
Around 100 students will be supported every year to pursue international internships at reputed universities and industries outside the country. Government college students in Tamil Nadu will be the primary beneficiaries of this programme.
Under the agreement, Ahlia University will offer short-term training, immersion programmes, and internships, providing students with valuable international exposure and skills.
As part of the agreement, the TNSDC will provide financial support for travel expenses, while Ahlia University will offer on-campus training, accommodation, and related facilities, ensuring comprehensive international exposure for participating students.
In addition, the TNSDC also entered into an MoU with ITEF to expand skilling opportunities and industry collaboration.
Published – September 13, 2025 11:46 pm IST
