It was the visionary thoughts of leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Homi J Bhabha that CLRI came to be established as a constituent laboratory under the CSIR. Dr AL Mudaliar, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras was instrumental in bringing this institute to Chennai. He offered space within the University premises and also went on to start a degree program in leather technology.
The Leather Technology Course at the University of Madras was unique in that it brought a rare synergy between the researchers of CLRI and the academics of the university. This partnership has today blossomed to a trinity partnership of academy – research – industry. The course is now a part of the Anna University, with the scientists of CLRI serving as honorary teaching staff of the University.
As a mark of respect to Dr AL Mudaliar, the Director and Staff of CLRI chose to institute an Oratorical Contest in 1968 as a mark of respect to the great visionary who himself was a great orator |