Print Olympiad - South Zone inaugurated

Ludhiana, January 23, 2024: The sixth edition of the Print Olympiad, India’s biggest talent hunt in printing and the only competition of its kind anywhere in the world, is in progress these days. The first round of the competition for the students currently studying in the printing institutions of South India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry) was organised at virtual platform on 21st January. 

As per the standard norms, to select the top student of each of the four zones (North, South, East and West), the regional level competition is to be organized online and will be organised under the supervision of two regional coordinators. The regional coordinators will organise one or two rounds of online competition(s) to select top three to five students of the region. The final round to select the top student of the region, will be organised in the physical mode, under the supervision of a national team where these/five students will have to speak on a given topic for a specific time. This will also involve votes from the audience present on the occasion to get the ‘Top Print Student’ of the Region. After completing the regional competitions, the national finale will be organised in the physical mode at a leading university/institution in the presence of International Jury. 

Prof Kamal Chopra is the brain of the Print Olympiad concept. He conceived the idea of Print Olympiad to drill out the best brains among the printing students and award them handsomely. The first prize is Rs 1,00,000. Speaking about the necessity of the Print Olympiad, Chopra gave a quick brief about the objectives of Print Olympiad, which is to give opportunities to students of printing to highlight their technical knowledge and their technology-readiness. This unique event has attracted the attention of printer associations all over the globe that national associations of various countries have extended their eagerness to join in.

The South Zone competitions are hosted by the Anna University Guindy, Chennai and AGP, Sivakasi. The south Zone coordinators for Print Olympiad are Dr M. Nandakumar, Principal, Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic College, Sivakasi and Dr M Kanchana, Associate Professor, Dept. of Printing and Packaging Technology, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai. This unique event has attracted the attention of the students all over the India to join in Printing Courses. The South Zone attracted considerable number of contestants of around 13 participants in Diploma category and twenty-seven participants in Engineering category.

The Chief Co-ordinator Dr TKS Lakshmi Priya, Academic Consultant spoke about the concept and significance of Print Olympiad. She briefly explained the rules and regulations for the participants to appear in the exam through online. She introduced the Chief Guest and Guest of Honor. The Chief Guest S. Mohan Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Flexibles Private Ltd addressed the audience by his enthusiastic motivational speech. He also highlighted the scope for Printing Technology jobs for budding Diploma as well as Engineering students. Vijayendran Ganesan, Chief Technical Officer, Express Publishing Investment Ltd was the Guest of Honor. He also highlighted the importance of sustainable Printing and Packaging and scope for Printing and Packaging for the budding engineers.

The participating students were supposed to answer the set of fifty questions on a Google form, in 30 minutes, in the presence of eminent judges during this online meet. The entire team of judges and coordinators monitored the test. The students were instructed to keep their cameras and mic open, whereas the use of headphones and ear plugs were not allowed. 

Dr M. Nandakumar introduced the jury members from reputed institutions and organizations: V. Ganeshkumar, Sustainability Expert Independent Consultant, Bengaluru, P. Mohanraj, General Manager, The Hindu, Chennai, Dr K. Senthil Vadivu, Professor and HOD, Department of Printing and Packaging Tech., Anna University, Chennai, Bhuvaneswari, Deputy Works Manager, Stationery and Printing Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Dr B. Kumar, Retired Professor, Department of Printing and Packaging Tech. Anna University, Chennai. All of them appreciated the way of organising Print Olympiad continuously for the sixth time and encouraged all the participants to excel in the field of printing and allied industries. 

The judges analysed the results and declared five students eligible for the next round. Announcing the named of these students, Prof. Kamal Chopra said that the top five best contestants of the first round include two students from Diploma category and three are from Engineering category. All of them are now eligible to participate in the regional finale to be held in physical mode. These students are Janis D and Praveen Kumar M S both from Anna University, Guindy, Chennai; B Madhumitha from Avinashillingam University, Coimbatore; Dinesh Kiruthik G from Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic, Sivakasi and Sreesankar E from Govt. Polytechnic College, Palakkad, Shoranur.