American College to conduct project survey.

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The New Indian Express, Wednesday, 27 January 2010.

American College will collaborate closely with the India-based Neutrino Observatory Project with baseline survey and other public awareness programmes, including the curriculum of particle physics, in the college in preparing the students for INO, Dr. T. Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar, Principal and Secretary of the College, said here on Tuesday.

            Talking to media persons after the Republic  Day function at the college where Naba K Modal, spokesperson, INO Project, was the chief quest, the principal said that the college will conduct the baseline survey, including the issues of land, water, socio-economic conditions of the region for the project which be conducted in the phases, he said.

            An INO cell, consisting of local academicians, public with social concerns and others, will be formed in the college and he would act as the chairman of the cell,  Dr. T. Chinnaraj said. The cell will create public awareness about the mega project and hold various seminars and workshops.  Schools will also be involved in the process, he said.

            Service Learning Programme which is in the curriculum of the college will now focus on creating awareness about the INO where the students will reach out to communities and society through this programme.  A Rs 3 Lakh budget was sanctioned for the service learning programme where 120 students have already registered themselves, he added.

            In the long term aspect, the college will frame special curriculum in particle physics which includes neutrino physics.

            Commenting on the meeting at Theni Collectorate, Dr. T.Chinnaraj said that various aspects have been explained to the people who were mainly concerned about the pollution and environmental aspects.  On the concerns of the people about the debris management during the construction of laboratory, it has been suggested that a part of the revenue by selling the boulders which will be excavated during the process will be used for the development of the nearby villages, he added.

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