Annamalai University has acquired a truly international character with students drawn from various parts of India and also from the United Kingdom, the U.S., Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria and South Africa placed on its rolls, said P.Mannar Jawahar, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.

Mr. Jawahar was delivering a speech on the occasion of the commemoration of the 104th birth day of Rajah Sir M.A.Muthiah Chettiar, second founder Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University on the university premises at Chidambaram on Tuesday.

He said Muthiah Chettiar was a multi-faceted personality whose interest included diverse fields such as education, banking, industry, music and fine arts, politics and social work.

Inheriting the mantle from founder Pro-Chancellor Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Muthiah Chettair held the position of Pro-Chancellor from 1948 to 1984 and studiously nurtured the growth of the university.

During his tenure the Faculty of Medicines and the Directorate of Distance Education were inaugurated.

Dr Ramanathan, Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University, also spoke.