After imparting higher education for 150 years, the University of Madras is all set to modernise. ?The university has mooted a year-long plan to modernise the institution. Upgrading infrastructure is the primary objective,? said Prof S Ramachandran, vice-chancellor, University of Madras.

Three new facilities are being set up at the cost of Rs 35 crore at the varsity?s Chepauk, Guindy and Taramani campuses. The remnant of the then Madras presidency?s colonial past is poised to align with modern educational requirements.

The varsity is setting up a 75,000-square feet centre for nano technology; has planned a 2.5-lakh-square feet built up space for humanities? studies, and another 75,000-square feet for basic medical sciences. He said: ?We are upgrading existing buildings, wherever renovations are required.?

Moreover, new buildings are under construction for biotechnology, biochemistry and instrumentation, he added. The university is also upgrading its hostel facilities.

The centre for nanotechnology is the first-of-its kind in the country, said Prof Ramachandran. The university was the first to introduce three-year MSc and MTech courses on nanotechnology last year. ?Now, we are starting job-oriented courses including PG diplomas in emerging industries such as stencil technology and tissue engineering,? he said. New courses including food science, fashion technology, apparel technology, folk arts and arts and crafts are planned in the varsity?s affiliated colleges.

About 15 new courses have been planned along with five-year integrated courses in MSc computer science, BTech and MTech on nanotechnology, and plant technology, he said. The university already offers about 500 elective subjects. The University of Madras is among the three oldest varsities in the country.

The premiere university has established its study centres in all the five continents. Madras university also has collaborations with over 75 international universities. The tie-ups enable exchange programmes for students, faculties, scholars and research fellows. The varsity has signed about 35 agreements with international institutions in the past 15 months alone.

?This academic year about 100 faculties have visited the university from several institutions abroad. They have taken part in seminars, symposiums, have visited our laboratories and worked with our faculties,? said Prof Ramachandran.

Apart from bringing in foreign faculties, the university is also strengthening its staff headcount. By May, about 80% of the vacant positions would have been filled, he asserted. The dearth of experienced faculty is set to be compensated by the virtual university programme. The varsity plans to introduce the programme among its constituent and affiliated colleges and its centres across Africa.

The institution is now looking for private partners to set up the required infrastructure. Tenders are being floated and the programme is expected to be working by January 2009, Prof Ramachandran said. The university is doing everything in its capacity to make students ?industry-ready?, the vice-chancellor said. For the first time in the country, soft skills? training has been made compulsory in all of its campuses, constituent and affiliated colleges. The training will include language, communication and personality development and managerial skills.

Currently, all postgraduate students of the varsity are made to undergo industry internships, he said. From the next academic year, internships will be made compulsory for undergraduate students as well, he added. The university is working closely with various industries to make students employable as well as extend the institution?s research capabilities to various businesses, the professor stressed.

The benefits of the new initiatives reach the students at no extra cost. The university has not increased fees for the past several years. ?The purpose is to serve the society and to extend higher education to the lowest strata of the society,? said Prof Ramachandran.