This year Freshers’ Day was addressed by industry veterans – B.C. Datta, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Ola Electric and R. Rajesh, Head - International Operations and Senior Vice President - Defence and Power Solution Business, Ashok Leyland.

Ola Electric aims to be India’s largest cell battery maker

Ola Electric Vice President -- Corporate Affairs B.C. Datta exhorted fresh entrants to Thiagarajar Polytechnic to pursue technical education with a mission to contribute to India’s R&D might as India’s ‘Make-in-India’ mission gathers speed.

He spoke about immense possibilities for fresh technical talent in the state with the country’s largest battery cell manufacturing plant being set up by Ola Electric in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. Ola Electric’s gigafactory--capable of producing 10 gigawatt of cell battery—promises to be the largest cell maker in the country, Datta added.

Speaking about Ola Electric’s focus on ‘waste-to-wealth’ and big opportunities for technical talent, Datta lauded the efforts of the 2,500-strong women work force at the Ola factory in Tamil Nadu for producing over 200,000 electric scooters.

He invited Thiagarajar Polytechnic students, especially girl students, for internship and research opportunities to contribute to the e-vehicle revolution being led by Ola Electric.”

C Valiiappa, Chairman, Thiagarajar Polytechnic College said that the Salem based-polytechnic pioneered admission of girl students in the engineering diploma programs in 1976, has seen steady increase in the number of students to 15 per cent of 760 students, this year.

Ashok Leyland offers job to 18 students

Addressing the students as the ‘future of the country’ R. Rajesh, Head-International Operations and Senior Vice President--Defence and Power Solutions Business, Ashok Leyland urged them to make the best of this opportunity to imbibe technical skills from their faculty and peers.

“While the fast-growing Indian economy will present enough job opportunities to talented students who at the workplace need to become a ‘lifelong learner’ who pursues newer technologies to stay employable,” he said.

A highlight of the event was automobile giant Ashok Leyland’s R Rajesh presenting offer letters to 18 graduating students of the polytechnic who will join the company in the coming month. A few hundred Thiagarajar Polytechnic alumni work at Ashok Leyland, including 5 in the top team. Ashok Leyland is the largest recruiter of Thiagarajar Polytechnic students in 2023.

Two graduating girl students – R Kiruthika and K Sowndarya -- spoke of their winning three concurrent scholarships exclusively for women polytechnic students -- AICTE Pragati Scholarship Rs 50,000 per year KC Mahindra Scholarship Rs 10,000 per year and LIC Scholarship Rs 20,000 per year. They were among the 18 students who will start work at Ashok Leyland.

According to Principal Dr V Karthikeyan, Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, is the only polytechnic to have secured a position in the NIRF Ranking 2023 under Innovation Category in the 151-300 band.

Sona group of Institutions’ Vice Chairmen Chocko Valliappa and Thyagu Valliappa outlined the achievements of its alumni, efforts of its faculty in preparing students for the industry and achieving placement for 460 students with 854 offers in 112 companies including 180 double offers, 16 triple offers and 18 four offers.