VIT Chennai campus celebrates University Day

VIT Chennai celebrated University Day on March 25, 2025. The event was presided over by VIT Founder and Chancellor Dr. K. Viswanathan, with VIT Vice-Chancellor Dr. G.V. Selvam also present. Special guests included Australian Consul General Katharina Knapp and TCS Chief Human Resources Officer (Designate) Sudeep Kunnumal. Dr. T. Thiagarajan, Associate Vice-Chancellor of VIT Chennai, presented the annual report.
Speaking at the event, Katharina Knapp highlighted the strong educational ties between India and Australia. She noted that thousands of Indian students travel to Australia every year for higher education, with the current number exceeding 100,000. She emphasized the importance of skill development and encouraged students to embrace change, stating that the world is evolving rapidly and that the skills they acquire today will shape their future. She urged them not to fear choosing a new path and to face challenges with confidence.
VIT Chancellor Dr. K. Viswanathan spoke about the need for increased investment in education. He pointed out that India's gross enrolment ratio for higher education is only 28%, whereas in countries like Australia and South Korea, it has reached 100%. He stressed that India should allocate at least 6% of its GDP to education, as recommended by the New Education Policy and the Kothari Commission. However, the current allocation is only 2.5%. He also compared India's healthcare spending with other nations, stating that while some countries allocate up to 9% of their GDP for healthcare, India spends only 3%. He expressed his hope that one day, the government would take greater responsibility for education and healthcare, as these are essential for national development. He emphasised that only education can ensure good governance and better politics.
TCS CHRO (Designate) Sudeep Kunnumal praised the dedication and hard work of students, stating that the awards given at the event were a recognition of their efforts over the past months. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between students and teachers in achieving success and expressed confidence that VIT students would continue to make their university proud.
Students who excelled in academics and sports, along with those who maintained 100% attendance, were honored with awards and prizes. A total of Rs.60 lakhs was distributed as prize money. The ceremony was attended by Dr. PK Manoharan, Additional Registrar of VIT Chennai, faculty members, and a large gathering of students.