Chennai, June 2024: PALS, a voluntary initiative led by alumni of IITs under the affiliation of IITMACT, conducted an event to mark the valediction of various programs it implemented in the academic year 2023-24.

The valediction ceremony held at IIT-Madras witnessed active participation of students and faculty from partner institutions, industry partners, IIT professors and distinguished IIT alumni. Professor Haridoss Prathap, Dean, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras was the Chief Guest and Mr. Suresh Raman, Vice President of TCS was the Guest of Honour.

PALS Chairman Palghat Mohan said, “The PALS annual valediction ceremony is a very important event in the PALS calendar which students, faculty and management of our partner institutions look forward to with great anticipation. This is the valediction of continuous and deep engagement with PALS, where the best get recognized and acknowledged, a big motivating factor.” 

He added “PALS recognition gives great confidence and builds personality of students. This is also an opportunity for PALS to recognize the faculty coordinators of the PALS program as well as to thank our Industry partners.”

In his address, Professor Haridoss Prathap, Dean, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras said, “How we think about education, and how we are delivering the same makes a big difference to the GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) which is a primary indicator for a developed country. The ratio has people educated and people eligible for education 15-25 bracket. The challenges faced in reaching out to the right age group is huge. To respond we need to create new delivery mechanisms to improve inclusivity. PALS for all should become your endeavour to reach all. (Anaivarukkum PALS).”

During the valediction event, students and faculty of partner institutions were felicitated and awards were presented to colleges which have excelled in PALS activities during the year.

In recognition of outstanding participation in PALS Offerings for the academic year 2023-24, several institutions were honoured with the Award of Excellence. This accolade was presented to DR.M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Sairam Group of Institutions Chennai, GRT Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tiruttani, Tagore Engineering College, Chennai, CK College of Engineering & Technology, Cuddalore, M.A.M College of Engineering and Technology, Trichy, and Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi.

Additionally, the Award of Excellence for Great Performance in the same offerings was conferred upon KCG College of Technology, Chennai,  Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Chennai, SRM Institute of Science and Technology Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women, Namakkal, and KIT – Kalaignar Karunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore. 

Furthermore, the prestigious title of PALS Partner Institute of the Year 2023-24 was awarded to Rajalakshmi Institutions, Chennai and Velalar College of Engineering and Technology, Erode acknowledging their exceptional collaboration and contribution throughout the year. These recognitions highlight the dedication and commitment of these institutions to excellence in education and active engagement in PALS initiatives. 

PALS aims at adding value to engineering education for students of Tier 2/3 engineering colleges with objective of making the students ready to work in Industry or as startup entrepreneurs. PALS currently has 44 partner institutions in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Nepal.

PALS is a social outreach bridge for IIT Madras and other IITs to reach out to other engineering colleges. PALS brings the resources of IIT to the doorstep of partner institutions.  To this end, PALS conducts a series of programs throughout an academic year targeted at students, faculty and management of engineering institutions who partner with it. 

These programs are in the form of lectures, case studies, innovation and creativity-oriented programs and competitions, Lab to Market support, FDP etc. The culmination of the year long running programs was the valediction, the last event of the academic year 2023-24. To know more about PALS, please visit www.palspgm.com