2025-2026: Seminars/Guest Lectures

2025 - 2026

Orientation Programme

Organized by : Youth Red Cross (YRC) | Date: September 23, 2025

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CTTE College Nurtures Humanitarian Spirit: YRC Orientation Inspires Youth for Service and Leadership  
 

The Youth Red Cross (YRC) of Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women organised an Orientation Programme on 23rd September 2025 to familiarise students with the vision, objectives, and humanitarian spirit of the YRC movement. 

The session proved to be both informative and motivating, enabling participants to develop a deeper understanding of YRC’s commitment to health promotion, service, and social responsibility.

Students were sensitised to the importance of healthy living and natural remedies—particularly the benefits of beetroot for improved blood circulation—as well as the principles of volunteerism, first-aid preparedness, and community outreach.

The guest speaker, Dr E. Yoghitha, inspired participants to contribute actively to YRC initiatives, strengthening their dedication to service, leadership, and ethical citizenship. 

Seminar on Humanities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Organized by : The PG Department of English | Date: September 19, 2025

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Humanities in the Age of AI: CTTE Seminar Sparks Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Ethics, Gender, and Technology  

The PG Department of English at CTTE College for Women organised its Annual Inter-Departmental Students’ Seminar on 19th September 2025 on the theme “Humanities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The event featured thought-provoking presentations from students across various departments and served as a platform for critical engagement with the cultural, ethical, and philosophical dimensions of AI.

The seminar’s concept note drew from John Dewey’s ideals of democracy to examine AI’s role in reshaping civic participation, Mary Wollstonecraft’s feminist philosophy to envision inclusive and bias-free AI systems, and William James’s pragmatism to explore AI as a practical tool for problem-solving and knowledge creation.

Student presentations offered diverse perspectives, ranging from AI’s portrayal in Tamil cinema, manga, and anime, to discussions on ChatGPT and the future of education, AI filters and the concept of beauty, and broader reflections on technological anxiety, gender bias, the feminisation of AI work, women’s agency, and the role of women in STEM.

Mrs. Mary Catherine, IQAC Coordinator and Head, Department of Computer Science, served as the adjudicator and advised students to use ChatGPT wisely to obtain meaningful and responsible outcomes.

Thematic Highlights from Student Speakers:

  • Megha Varshini S (II B.Sc. Psychology) discussed how AI gig platforms in the Global South confine women to undervalued roles such as data annotation and moderation, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating low wages and digital trauma.

  • Jael Salem T & Monika S (II B.Com. A&F) raised concerns about accuracy, bias, academic dishonesty, and the dependency dilemma, urging responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT.

  • Grace Sarah (II M.A. English) highlighted the psychological impact of AI beauty filters in creating unrealistic standards of appearance, influencing self-esteem and identity formation.

  • Lavanya (I M.A. English) explained the role of AI in knowledge organisation and retrieval within digital libraries, contrasting platforms like Google Scholar with newer tools such as Consensus that synthesise research with contextual relevance.

  • Hajira (I BCA) drew on Deweyan philosophy to explore how democratic values can be preserved in an AI-driven society by balancing innovation with inclusivity and ethical safeguards.

  • Andrea Mithra Rajan (II B.A. English) examined how AI systems reflect historical gender biases and proposed the application of Wollstonecraft’s ideals—education, equality, and rational agency—to design ethical and inclusive AI.

The seminar emerged as a dynamic space for interdisciplinary dialogue, showcasing the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking of CTTE College students. It underscored the value of integrating humanities perspectives into conversations on emerging technologies and demonstrated how student-led academic discourse can contribute meaningfully to contemporary debates on AI and society.

Expert Lecture on Intellectual Property Rights: Fostering Legal and Ethical Awareness

Organized by : The Department of Corporate Secretaryship | Date: August 25, 2025

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CTTE College Hosts Expert Lecture on Intellectual Property Rights: Fostering Legal and Ethical Awareness  

The Department of Corporate Secretaryship at CTTE College organized an expert lecture on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on 25th August 2025, aimed at fostering legal literacy and ethical awareness among undergraduate students. The session was delivered by Ms. Swapna Sundar, a distinguished Legal Strategist, Author, and Ethicist, who brought deep insights into the interface between innovation and intellectual property.

Ms. Swapna’s lecture explored the significance of IPR in a knowledge-based economy, outlining the mechanisms through which patents, copyrights, and trademarks function to protect original thought and creative output. She articulated the ethical imperatives of intellectual ownership, cautioning against plagiarism and infringement while stressing the role of law in preserving integrity in corporate and entrepreneurial practices.

Ms. Swapna addressed queries on startup innovation, brand protection, and the implications of digital content creation, highlighting the evolving challenges in the domain of intellectual property.

This academic engagement reflects CTTE College’s commitment to providing value-based education rooted in legal consciousness, ethical responsibility, and interdisciplinary knowledge.

The Silent Witness in the Mind - Lecture by Dr. David Shulman

Organized by : The Departments of English and Psychology | Date: August 19, 2025

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The Departments of English and Psychology at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women facilitated student participation in the Prakriti Foundation’s 25th Year Celebratory Lecture delivered by Professor David Shulman—renowned Israeli Indologist, poet, and peace activist.

The lecture, titled The Silent Witness in the Mind: A South Indian Theory of Conscience, was held on August 19, 2025, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore.

The objective of the participation was to expose students to advanced philosophical discourse, highlight the interdisciplinary intersections of philosophy, literature, and psychology, and provide firsthand experience of academic engagement with internationally respected scholars.

In his lecture, Professor Shulman examined the concept of conscience as a “silent witness in the mind,” drawing upon illustrations from the Kambaramayanam to demonstrate how ethical dilemmas are embedded within Tamil epic literature. He also introduced the audience to Dharmaraja, a 17th-century Advaita Vedanta philosopher from Tamil Nadu, known for his treatise Vedanta Paribhasha.

For students, the lecture offered an interdisciplinary bridge between philosophy, literature, and psychology. It illuminated how classical texts explore moral complexities that remain relevant today, while showcasing how South Indian intellectual traditions are recognized within global scholarship.

Students described the session as intellectually enriching and deeply reflective. It enhanced their understanding of the interconnections between moral reasoning, ancient literary narratives, and contemporary psychological perspectives, aligning with the College’s broader goals of academic excellence and holistic education.

Guest Lecture on “Impact of AI on Tax Compliance and Auditing"

Organized by : The Postgraduate Department of Commerce | Date: August 26, 2025

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The Post Graduate Department of Commerce at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women organised a scholarly guest lecture on the topic “Impact of AI on Tax Compliance and Auditing” on 26th August 2025. The lecture was delivered by Mr. S. Udhayakumar, M.E., Head and Managing Trustee of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Dream Trust, and was attended by faculty members, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and invited academic guests. The session reflected the department’s continued commitment to bridging theoretical learning with emerging industry practices and global technological shifts.

Mr. Udhayakumar articulated the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping the core functions of taxation and auditing in both public and private financial systems. He introduced AI as a technological paradigm that enables machines to replicate human cognitive functions such as decision-making, learning, and pattern recognition. Framing AI as both a disruptive and enabling force, the speaker drew attention to its integration in everyday tools—ranging from recommendation engines and smart assistants to advanced financial software.

Tracing the historical trajectory of auditing practices, he described the transition from manual inspection of vouchers and bills to digitally integrated systems linked with identifiers like PAN and Aadhaar, and now towards AI-powered auditing tools capable of conducting real-time, high-volume analysis with enhanced precision and speed. He provided examples where AI-enabled systems were able to scan and validate over 1,000 invoices within minutes, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional auditing processes.

The lecture provided a detailed overview of the tax compliance cycle—maintaining financial records, calculating taxable income, applying tax slabs, filing returns, and remitting taxes—and mapped the role of AI in automating each stage. The speaker highlighted how AI mitigates the risk of human error, facilitates fraud detection through predictive analytics, and ensures greater compliance with dynamic tax regulations.

Mr. Udhayakumar encouraged students to cultivate a robust understanding of taxation principles while simultaneously equipping themselves with knowledge in emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and Data Analytics, positioning them for future roles in finance, compliance, and forensic auditing. He underscored the importance of skill adaptability in a landscape increasingly driven by digital transformation and regulatory complexity.

The programme aligned with CTTE College’s vision of fostering holistic education, lifelong learning, and future-ready skill development, empowering students to navigate the evolving demands of the global economy.

Seminar on Digital Marketing

Organized by : The Postgraduate Department of Commerce | Date: August 25, 2025

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The Postgraduate Department of Commerce at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, Perambur, organised a Seminar on Digital Marketing exclusively for the II M.Com students on 25th August 2025. The session was led by Mr. Abdul Mazhar R, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Loyola College, Chennai, who shared his expertise on the dynamic and ever-evolving field of digital marketing.

Mr. Mazhar emphasised the growing significance of digital marketing as a core business strategy in today’s competitive global economy. He explained how digital platforms have transformed traditional marketing practices by offering businesses innovative ways to engage with customers, expand their reach, and measure effectiveness. The talk underscored the need for students to equip themselves with digital competencies to remain relevant and industry-ready.

The seminar covered a wide spectrum of topics, including emerging trends in digital promotion such as influencer marketing, AI-powered customer segmentation, and personalised content strategies. It also highlighted the role of analytics and data-driven decision-making in enhancing customer engagement and improving conversion rates. Mr. Mazhar introduced students to updated digital marketing software and platforms that are now integral to campaign management, enabling businesses to design more sophisticated, result-oriented strategies.

The speaker addressed the challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with digital marketing, including issues of data privacy, ad fatigue, and responsible use of technology. This holistic perspective provided students with both an appreciation of the opportunities and an awareness of the constraints in the field.

The session was highly interactive, encouraging students to clarify their doubts and engage in discussions about career opportunities, practical applications, and the relevance of digital marketing within the broader discipline of commerce. Their active participation reflected the effectiveness of the session in sparking intellectual curiosity and professional enthusiasm.

The key takeaway from the seminar was that students gained a comprehensive understanding of the tools, techniques, and challenges shaping the future of digital marketing. The insights motivated them to explore how digital platforms can be strategically integrated with commerce to drive innovation and enhance professional competencies.