SCHOOL OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Profile of the School

    At the initiative of Dr. (Mrs.) Kalyani Mathivanan, the dynamic Vice-Chancellor, the School of Youth Empowerment was established in May 2013. The School has the following two Departments namely Department of Youth Welfare Studies, Department of Art History , Swami Vivekananda Higher Research and Education Centre and Center for Competitive Examination.

    The Department of Youth Welfare came into being in the Year 1971 at the instance of the then Department of Education and Youth Welfare, Government of India. This was established as a nodal Department by Dr. M.Varadarajan, the Second Vice-Chancellor of the University to design, develop and offer various types of Human Resource Development programmes to students primarily in the affiliated colleges. The Departmental activities have substantially contributed to youth empowerment and social wellbeing through thoughtful and meaningful youth and community empowerment programmes.

   The Department twice achieved national Championship in National Youth Parliament Competitions among Universities from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India. Over the years the Department’s contribution to dissemination of the values of parliamentary democracy among youth and public are commendable.

   The Department of Youth Welfare has been upgraded as Department of Youth Welfare Studies in 2011 under the Youth Empowerment Programme of the University by Prof.R.Karpaga Kumaravel, former Vice-Chancellor. In consequence a much sought after new job oriented P.G Course namely M.A Administrative Studies has been introduced under the initiative of Dr. PP.Chellathurai in 2011.

   The Department is housed in a three-storied building constructed out of the funds mobilized by Dr.PP.Chellathurai, in the University main campus with all facilities required for running the P.G programme in M.A Administrative Studies – an innovative and job oriented course first of its kind in the country. The Department has a Professor and Head, one Assistant Professor, Guest and Visiting faculty members including serving IAS, IPS and IRS officers. In addition to teaching and extension activities, the Department has research programmes leading to Ph.D.

    The Department of Art History was Established in May 2013 as a part of the School of Youth Empowerment. This Department would study the evolution and development of Indian Arts as an integral part of Indian culture. Studies on temples mosques churches, etc and case studies on Artists are the focused areas of research to promote inter-faith relationship. The faculty of this Department would also teach the students in the M.A Administrative Studies and IAS Coaching programme.

    The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr.Puratchi Thalaivi Amma announced in the floor of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in April 2013 that in Nine State Universities, Swami Vivekananda Research and Education Center would be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 lakhs for each University.

    Accordingly Swami Vivekananda Research and Education Centre has been established in the Madurai Kamaraj University, The Professor and Head, Department of Youth Welfare Studies, School of Youth Empowerment, is in charge of Swami Vivekananda Research and Education Centre.

    The Department established a Centre for Coaching for IAS and other competitive exam in 1992 under the dynamic leadership of the then Vice-Chancellor Dr. M.D.K. Kuthalingam, Dr. P.P. Chellathurai, Professor and Head, Department of Youth Welfare who organized the IAS Coaching Centre was nominated as founder Co-ordinator. Since then several students have been empowered to get into Central and State Civil Services. In recognition of its meritorious services, the Government of Tamil Nadu sanctioned Anna Centenary Coaching Centre for Civil Services exams with recurring funds, which is functioning well in the Department.