Global Alumni Engagement Series | A Report

Global Alumni Engagement series 

Rendezvous with Dr Merlin Franco 

Report by: Ms Irin Reji Thomas Intern, Office of International Programmes

Guest speaker: Dr Merlin Franco Senior Assistant Professor, Universiti Darussalam, Brunei

M.Sc. Botany MCC (2001-2003)

On the evening of 15th July 2026, as part of the Global Alumni Engagement series, an interactive session with our alumni abroad was conducted by the Office of International Programmes and the Office of Research and Development in the Council Room, Madras Christian College.

Our alumnus Dr Merlin Franco, Senior Assistant Professor, University of Darussalam who did his Masters in Botany in the years 2001-2003 was our guest speaker of the day.

His core areas of focus uniquely intersect the natural sciences and humanities, combining botany and ecosystem management with ethnobiology, biocultural diversity, and ecocriticism. Through an engaging interaction with our students, he gave valuable insights into academic opportunities, student life, scholarships, and career prospects available in Brunei and in the interdisciplinary fields of disciplines.

The session began with an introduction by Ms Meera Hari, Master of Ceremony and intern at the Office of International Programmes. The college prayer was then led by Ms Irin Reji Thomas, intern at the Office of International Programmes. Dr Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes, welcomed everyone warmly to the session and gave a very hearty introduction about our illustrious alumni and mentioned his prolific profile in his field and how he is an inspiration to us and also spoke about the programmes and opportunities offered by the Office of International Programmes.

Following the introduction, Dr Samuel Rufus presented a shawl and Dr S. Kalyani, Public Administration Department, presented a memento to the guest speaker as a token of appreciation for their valuable presence and insightful address, followed by a brief photo session with the guest speaker, faculty, interns and the students present there.

The guest speaker, Dr Merlin Franco, Senior Assistant Professor, Universiti Darussalam, Brunei, took us on a memory lane about his life at MCC, spoke about his adventures and exciting memories in his field of research and how MCC has been a milestone for his ongoing journey and finding new endeavours in academic research in the field of Botany.

Following the address, a Q&A session was held where our students and interns interacted with Dr Franco and enthusiastic discussions were held about the life and career opportunities in Brunei for Indian students, the uniqueness of Brunei, financial expenditures for a student, opportunities for student exchange and many deliberate discussions happened about the culture and research opportunities in Brunei.

Dr. Franco also gave us an insight into research through his experience and gave us much academic knowledge about how to get into a PhD in India and abroad. Dr Vijay Solomon proposed a collaboration with the MCC research colloquium and Dr Franco, as it would be a very exciting and interesting opportunity for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research for the faculty and students at MCC.

It was an insightful and engaging session. Dr Leslie Lawrence gave the closing statements, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms Vishnupriya, an intern at the Office of International Programmes.

Study Abroad Seminar - Singapore Aspirants | A Report

Study Abroad Seminar | A Report

Report by: Ms Meera Hari

Photos by: Ms. Meera Hari

Intern, Office of International Programmes

Guest Speaker

Ms Tanny Htet Htet Myo Myint

Deputy Director - Student Recruitment & Admissions, Nanyang University, Singapore

On the evening of 10 July, the Study Abroad Seminar for students aspiring to pursue higher education in Singapore was conducted by the Office of International Programmes in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Studies at the Chemistry Seminar Hall of Madras Christian College where valuable insights into academic opportunities, student life, scholarships, and career prospects available in Singapore were discussed through an engaging interaction.

The session began with an introduction by Ms Nithiyasri A, Master of Ceremony and intern at the Office of International Programmes. The college prayer was then led by Dr. R. Obed Jackson, Assistant Professor of Tourism and Travel Management.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes, who warmly welcomed everyone and spoke about the programmes offered by the IP Office. Dr Velmurugan, Head of the Department of Tourism Studies, introduced the guest speaker, followed by Dr J. Jannet Vennila, Vice Principal of Madras Christian College, who formally inaugurated the session.

As a token of gratitude and appreciation, mementos were presented to Ms Tanny and Mr Sathya by the Vice Principal, followed by a brief photo session.

The guest speaker, Ms Tanny Htet Htet Myo Myint, Deputy Director - Student Recruitment & Admissions, Nanyang University, Singapore, then proceeded with the seminar. She spoke about the various career options and opportunities that Singapore offers students wishing to pursue their studies there. She also provided an understanding of student life and the academic values upheld at Nanyang University, Singapore.

Ms Tanny further introduced the students to the various scholarships offered by the university, as well as future opportunities for higher education and internships available in Singapore, comparing them with current trends in India. She also highlighted the emerging job opportunities in Singapore in light of recent decisions taken by the Singapore Government.

Ms Tanny then spoke about why Indian students should consider pursuing higher education in Singapore, explaining the advantages and opportunities such a degree can provide. She also highlighted the immense potential available for students in the field of Tourism.

The seminar concluded with Ms Tanny showing videos and engaging the students through a short quiz based on the topics discussed during the session. Overall, it was an insightful and engaging seminar.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms Meera Hari, intern at the Office of International Programmes.

Travelling the Road Not Taken: Dr. CP Anand's Academic Journey in Finland

VISA Report | Episode # 27

Report by: Ms. Meera Hari

Intern, Office of International Programmes

Speaker: Dr CP Anand, Finland

Photos: Dr. Vijay Solomon, Ms. Meera, Dr. Rufus

“The Road Not Taken” was the subtle yet powerful message with which Dr CP Anand began his talk at the 27th edition and the first VISA session of this academic year. Dr Anand completed his B.Sc. Chemistry at Madras Christian College (2015-2018), went on to pursue his M.Sc. in Chemistry at University of Eastern Finland, and recently earned his Ph.D. in Physics from University of Oulu.

On 1 July 2026, the session was held via Zoom and commenced with an introduction by the master of ceremony, Ms Meera Hari, followed by the college prayer by Ms Yogitha, interns at the Office of International Programmes.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes, who warmly welcomed everyone and spoke about the programmes offered by the IP Office.

The first VISA programme of this academic year was inaugurated by our respected Principal and Secretary, Dr Paul Wilson, who recalled encouraging the guest speaker in his academic ventures abroad and gave an overview of MCC & its legacy in sending students overseas for higher education.

Dr Vijay Solomon, Associate Dean of R&D and Coordinator of the MCC Research Colloquium, introduced the guest speaker of the session.

Dr CP Anand began by speaking about Finland’s commendable education system and his eye-opening experiences there. He highlighted various funding opportunities available for students wishing to pursue higher education abroad, mentioning several useful portals. He also explained how work-visa policies, taxation, and social benefits make Finland an ideal destination in Europe, while briefly sharing insights from his eight-year academic journey in Finland.

He spoke about life at Madras Christian College as a defining chapter of his journey, where he developed valuable skills as a resident of Bishop Heber Hall. These experiences paved the way for him to become part of a debate society in Finland, following which he participated in an international debate competition in Paris.

Pursuing B.Sc. Chemistry at Madras Christian College broadened his academic horizons. He also shared how the NIUS Programme introduced him to the field of computational research in Mumbai before he continued the rest of his academic journey in Finland.

He further spoke about his experience of applying to universities abroad and encouraged students to embrace the joy of travelling and discovering their true passions.

He concluded his session with the quote –

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one”.

Dr CP Anand then answered questions from the participants, moderated by Dr Vijay Solomon. The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms Meera Hari.

Dr Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes, formally brought the session to a close.