The celebrations brought together students, parents, faculty members, senior administrators and distinguished guests through formal inaugural ceremonies, addresses, cultural performances and student engagement activities. The programmes introduced freshers to campus life, academic opportunities, student activities and career-focused learning at VELS.
The VELS mascot Velu was among the highlights of the celebrations, generating excitement among students. Representing wisdom, strength, learning and perseverance, Velu added a vibrant element to the programmes, with students enthusiastically interacting and capturing moments with the mascot.
At the Pallavaram Campus, the flagship campus of the VELS Group of Institutions, Freshers’ Day programmes were held on August 3 and 5 for students from diverse academic disciplines. The programmes introduced students to the University’s academic ecosystem, research and innovation opportunities, student clubs, sports facilities, placement initiatives and co-curricular activities.
Dr. Irai Anbu, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, attended the August 3 programme as Chief Guest, while Mr. Sylendra Babu, IPS (Retd.), Former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, was the Chief Guest at the August 5 programme. Both dignitaries shared insights on discipline, lifelong learning, leadership, goal-setting, personal development and responsible decision-making during the formative years of students.
The Periyapalayam Campus hosted its Freshers’ Day programme on August 10 for students pursuing Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy. Dr. V. Ganesan, Academic Director, Vijaya Medical & Educational Trust, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and addressed students on academic excellence, professional ethics, discipline and holistic development in building meaningful careers in the healthcare sector.
The programme also highlighted professional knowledge, compassion, responsibility and continuous learning for students preparing to enter the healthcare profession.
At the Thalambur Campus, VISTAS conducted the Freshers’ Inauguration on August 7 for students pursuing Nautical Science and Marine Engineering. Shri K. Saravanan, Registrar, Indian Maritime University, attended the programme as Chief Guest and encouraged students to embrace discipline, integrity, innovation and excellence as they prepare for careers in the global maritime industry.
The programme highlighted the campus’s emphasis on academic learning, professional development, leadership, sports and extracurricular engagement, while introducing students to the opportunities and responsibilities associated with careers in the maritime sector.
At the Thiruvanmiyur Campus, Freshers’ Day programmes held on August 12 and 14 reflected the University’s focus on technology-driven education, industry exposure and AI-integrated learning. Students were introduced to the campus’s academic ecosystem, innovation initiatives, emerging technology opportunities and career-focused learning pathways.
The School of Aviation hosted Capt. Albert Tiong Kung Yung, Captain and Aviation Lead Instructor, Asia Aeronautical Training Academy, Malaysia, and Mr. Teng Keng Peh, Director, Alpha Aviation Group, Indonesia, as Chief Guests for the respective programmes.
The School of Computing Sciences welcomed Ms. Padma Jayaraman, Senior Associate Director, Movate, while the School of Management and Commerce hosted Ts. Dr. Suvarmani Subban, Chief Academic Officer / Administrator (DG), Malaysia, as Chief Guest. Their participation provided students with industry perspectives and insights as they began their higher education journey.
Addressing the freshers, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder Chancellor, VELS Group of Institutions, emphasised discipline and maintaining a balanced college life. He encouraged students to learn with dedication, participate in sports and cultural activities, explore innovation and entrepreneurship, and make full use of the opportunities provided by VELS.
Addressing the parents, he assured them that “their children are in safe hands”, reaffirming VELS’s commitment to nurturing students academically, professionally and personally and preparing them to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice President, VELS Group of Institutions, highlighted VISTAS’s academic standing as one of Chennai’s prominent deemed-to-be universities, with NAAC A++ accreditation and UGC Category-I status. She encouraged students to participate actively in academics, research, innovation, sports, cultural activities, clubs, internships and leadership initiatives.
She emphasised four essential investments for a successful life: Knowledge, Health, Relationships and Character, while encouraging students to build meaningful friendships and make full use of the opportunities available on campus.
The Freshers’ Day 2026 celebrations also enabled students to familiarise themselves with their respective campuses, interact with faculty members and senior students, and discover academic, extracurricular and career-development opportunities available to them.
With a continued focus on academic excellence, industry integration, research, innovation, international exposure and employability, VELS Group of Institutions remains committed to creating an environment where students can discover their strengths, pursue their aspirations and prepare for a rapidly evolving professional world.
The celebrations concluded with students embracing their new identity as members of the VELS community and beginning their academic journey across the institution’s campuses in Chennai.
VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) continues to be recognised as one of the prominent deemed-to-be universities in Chennai, distinguished by its NAAC A++ accreditation and UGC Category-I status. Home to over 20,000 students and supported by a dedicated faculty strength of 1,220 members, VISTAS offers more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Management, Law, Mass Communication, Maritime Studies, Aviation, Physiotherapy and Computing Sciences, among other disciplines.
With its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and holistic development, VISTAS remains a destination for quality higher education in India.
About The Author
.jpg)
Comment List