CHENNAI: The University Grants Commission has set up a national-level committee to work out guidelines for recognition scholarship and vertical mobility of students of community colleges, going into their second-year degree.

The committee would be headed by Dr. Xavier Alphonse, a member of the Commission.

The role of community gains significance at a time, when the Tamil Nadu Open University has recognised 96 community colleges as vocational programme centres in Tamil Nadu during 2006-2007, Dr. Alphonse said.

Nearly 5,000 students from 67 community colleges appeared for the examinations conducted by the TNOU in job-oriented courses for aspiring pre-primary teachers, health assistants and electricians, which includes 933 tsunami-affected students supported by Indian Centre for Research and Development in Community Education, Chennai.

The second convocation of Tamil Nadu Open University will be held at Kalaivanar Arangam at 4 p.m. on January 11. Nearly 180 rank-holders, 1,500 post-graduates, 180 undergraduates and 10,500 diploma holders will receive their certificates from Governor Surjit Singh Barnala.

Around 37 students from community colleges emerged rank holders.

Sir John Daniel, president and chief executive officer, Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada, will deliver the convocation address on Thursday.

Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi will also participate, said Vice-Chancellor M.S. Palanichamy, addressing a press conference on Monday. Lyricist Vairamuthu would be conferred with an honorary doctorate, in recognition of his contribution to Tamil literature.

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