CHENNAI: It is a classic case of "good fences make for good neighbours." On Monday, when the University of Madras and Anna University officially ended a 27-year-old dispute regarding ownership of the Alagappa College of Technology, it was time for good cheer and bonhomie all around.

Led by the two Vice-Chancellors, staff of both universities came together to celebrate the reunion, which was described by Madras University Vice- Chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan as a "mother-daughter bond."

The patch-up was facilitated by a 2003 Government Order which stipulated how both institutions should co-exist as neighbours.

The friction started in 1978 when Anna University was set up in a property previously owned by the University of Madras. While the chemical engineering, textile engineering, leather technology and architecture courses of the latter's Alagappa college were transferred to the former, the title of the building itself was not transferred.

As a result, Madras University continued to occupy the college, leading to a clash of interests between the two institutions.

As per the new agreement, all eight of the remaining Madras University departments — geology, applied geology, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and polymer science — will be moved out of the college and the building handed over to Anna University. The latter, in turn, will construct a 6,500 sq.m. building of international standards, costing Rs. 6 crores, and hand it over to the parent institution.

Anna University will hand over two hostels to Madras University, apart from three acres of land in the A.C College playground. Madras University will transfer 33 endowments for engineering subjects, estimated at Rs. 22 lakhs, to Anna University.

Shifting charges of laboratories and hostels will be borne by the respective universities. Anna University will construct a fence clearly demarcating both properties.

The patch-up started in right earnestness when Anna University Vice-Chancellor D. Viswanathan assumed charge recently.

"There was some misunderstanding between previous Vice-Chancellors of both institutions. All that is solved now,'' S.P. Thyagarajan said.

"It is now much easy to carry out collaborative academic projects as we would both be sharing the same campus,'' D. Viswanathan said.

And to sign off, all 22 universities created out of Madras University will come together in a `Remembering the Mother University' programme during the university's 150th year celebrations next year.

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