VISA Episode # 23 | A Report

 

VISA – Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad

23rd Edition Report

Date:10 September 2025

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Organised by: Office of International Programmes, Madras Christian College

 The 23rd edition of the VISA Programme was conducted on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 by the Office of International Programmes in collaboration with the Department of Botany. The session aimed to provide guidance and motivation for students aspiring to pursue higher studies abroad by sharing the academic journey and personal experiences of distinguished alumni.

 The programme commenced with a welcome note by the MC, Ms. Aleena Johnson, followed by the college prayer. Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes, delivered the welcome address, appreciating the value of alumni mentorship in guiding students towards international academic opportunities.

 The guest speaker of the session was Ms. Sreeranjini Rameshkumar, an alumna of the Department of Botany who completed her B.Sc. (2019–2022) at MCC and is presently pursuing her Master’s in Plant Sciences at the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn, Germany. In her talk, Ms. Sreeranjini expressed her gratitude to MCC for providing her with a strong academic foundation and for the encouragement received from her professors to explore higher education abroad. She began with an interest in Biotechnology, which later evolved into a passion for Molecular Plant Sciences, and explained how she carefully shortlisted universities in Germany and Italy based on academic requirements. She elaborated on the preparation process, which included taking IELTS, enrolling in online courses, completing a five-month research project, and learning basic German, all of which equipped her with valuable skills and confidence.

 The speaker emphasized the importance of early planning, consistent skill development, and proactive learning through internships and projects. She highlighted thriving research areas in Botany such as molecular genetics, systematics, and plant biotechnology, encouraging students to pursue opportunities in these emerging fields. Following her address, an interactive Q&A session was conducted where Ms. Sreeranjini responded with patience and clarity to the queries posed by students.

 The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Prisella. Associate Dean, Prof. Arun Kumar Joseph, then shared formal announcements regarding upcoming events. With this, the programme came to a close.