Dr. Mariazeena Johnson : a revolutionary educationist with great vision

Dr. Mariazeena Johnson was christened as Anbu Nila by Dr. MGR at the time of her birth. Born to the politician turned philanthropist Colonel Dr. Jeppiaar, she follows her father’s footsteps in embracing a holistic approach to education • With the whole-hearted support of her husband, Dr. Johnson, she also spearheads the foundation which aims at helping the under-privileged • She has gained a doctorate from the University of Madras for her research on Recent Developments in Women Entrepreneurship

A multifaceted personality,she is a revolutionary educationist with great vision of redefining the way of entire education system works on creating effective curriculum. Her exceptional organization skills and commitment towards effective functioning of the University has taken it to newer heights. Under her leadership, the dynamic institution has grown by leaps and bounds from college to life changing university, from small edifices to super structures . The pioneer in the world of education has set a trend by implementing 5 hrs of Professional education + 2 hrs of practical training in Sathyabama University (Employability skills+ life skills) .The university has received various outstanding awards including the Econs - Excellence in Education, The Times Groups - Edupreneurs Award for exemplary commitment and impactful positive contribution to education in Tamil Nadu, S. Chand Group - Indian Education Awards, Council of Architecture – Excellence in Architectural Thesis, Indian Red Cross Society – Award of Excellence for donating maximum number of blood units and Assocham National Education Excellence Awards - Best Engineering College in South India .

She is a charismatic speaker whose extraordinary public speaking skills, sense of humour and the rich knowledge about the subject of talk made a mark of worth listening to .A great humanitarian and a social reformer who is easily approachable and ready to extend her hands to help people who desire. Her contribution in taking higher education to the under-privileged students is a commendable one. An Iconic feminist who spreads the women empowerment and motivates women to go for greater heights through lot of Women Empowerment programs .A Thought-provoking and students’ friendly person who believes in the younger generation’s capacity and keen on inspiring them and provide all support to develop them as a great assets to the country and to the society.

She has made the university an inclusive one by offering arts & engineering courses to differently abled students. The applications for the University are also available in Braille. She introduced the MY SATURDAY SCHOOL initiative, a fun loving educational program for school students. She enables education for  500+ first generation engineers every year under Anbu Scholarship Scheme. As an eco warrior, she allocated a land for agriculture within the campus. Every year, she provides free education for around 500 less privileged and deserving students and 500 students who excel in sports. She Launched 15 student development clubs in the university to emphasize practical education. She has Established Child Care Centre facility for the University staff members .She has  made a landmark with FEMFEST, a cultural event for women, hosted every year in a true measure of celebration, validation and recognition of womanhood across the country

She also initiated the “WOW” (Will On Wheels) project in association with Arjuna Awardee Ms. Deepa Malik that was undertaken by a crew of students to promote ‘ability beyond disability’ which was the longest Pan India drive by a paraplegic woman and was recorded in the Limca Book of Records • Guinness Book of Record was granted for the Longest Painting measured 2,235m which was created by the students from the Department of Architecture in Chennai, India on11th January 2003 that was done under her motivation • With her support, the department of Architecture organized a workshop on the theme “BIZARRCH” as part of South Zonal NASA Convention “Apologue 2013” and created the largest bizarre arts-cape using recyclable materials covering an area of 9757.44 sq ft and 11 ft height, using 650 kg of cartons, 264 kg of newspaper, 181 kg of waste papers, 819 kg of wooden waste and 2088 pet bottles collected from the University premises and entered into the Limca Book of Records in 2013 • Sathyabama University feels proud to have the World’s Largest Solar Steam Cooking System in the campus which was an initiative of our director Dr. Mariazeena Johnson. We have 110 concentrator dishes with an area of 1100 m2 (World’s largest installation in terms of the number of dishes and square metres of the reflecting concentrator dishes) Eminent Records Contribution

With her SCHOOL ADOPTION initiative in association with World Vision’s “Support My School” project, the University has adopted 5 panchayat schools • She is a patron of around 30 renowned foundations & trusts • Educates rural fisherwomen on technology pertaining to their livelihood for an alternative income generation through seaweed cultivation and solar lamp making • As a great philanthropist she serves the society in large from needy children to destitute women • Currently working on a thematic convergence project titled “Women Empowerment Bureau for the district Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu” sanctioned by the National Mission for Empowerment of Women(NMEW) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Resource Centre for Women •

Introduced the “Inspiring Icon Awards” to honor women whose pioneering work include scientific breakthroughs, life-saving discoveries, invention of new technologies, creation of organizations, and the promotion of women empowerment at FEMFEST .She has Sponsored books to set up inclusive library for the visually challenged students for the 50th year of RYA BOOK BANK. She initiated EARN WHILE YOU LEARN program for school dropouts. She introduced vocational courses for RURAL UPLIFTMENT •She extends support to children of war widows .She sponsors daily meals for 7 orphanages. She supported various social causes like the Eco Rally, Earth Hour, Pinkathon and many more. Sathyabama University won the overall maximum number of participants trophy at Pinkathon – A Breast Cancer Awareness Run consecutively for the 2 nd year in 2015.

S.R. Trust, Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai • Saranya's children home, KSCCW, Bangalore • World Vision India, Chennai • Help a Child of India, Chennai • Minds and Souls, Kolkata • Poovanam, Chennai • Christian Missions Charitable Trust, Chennai • Summanahalli Society, Bangalore • Support my School NDTV with World Vision • The Banyan, Chennai • Little Hearts, Chennai • Lawrence Charitable Trust, Chennai • Agaram Foundation, Chennai • Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai • Indian Vision Foundation, Delhi • Tamilnadu Blind Association, Chennai • Little Sisters of the Poor, Chennai • Annai Fathima Child Welfare Centre, Chennai • S.D. Louis New Life Home, Chennai • New Life Vision Home, Chennai • ECI Magilchi Illam, Chennai • Smile Foundation, Delhi • Swiss Emmaus India, Delhi • NAAM Foundation, Chennai • Ability Foundation, Chennai Research Thrust aresome of the organizations she supports .

She has organized several research activities including Skill Development Program for Unemployed Women with Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) , Self Help Groups in association with TNCDW, NABARD, EDI , Technology Business Incubator in association with Department Science and Technology (DST) , Students Enrichment Program with Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) and Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) , Risk and Disaster management in association with BHAVINI, Entrepreneurship Awareness Program in association with Canara Bank, India Bank, EDI, Training Program in association with Postal department, Government of India

She is an active member participant in various programs ,Education - Towards India 2020 at the National Seminar on Politics, Democracy and Governance • Addictions: Drugs, Alcohol, Digital at Radiant Wellness Conclave, Panel Speaker • IEEE WIE Leadership Summit - Need To Push Global Leadership For Women In The Field Of Education • Quality Sustenance and Development In School Education” at the National Level seminar at M.O.P. Vaishnava College for Women • March for Change – Can Women Have it All at JFW Women’s Summit • Rising Phoenix – Re-Imagining Education at Tedx Mambalam • Family Next – New Gen Entrepreneurs/Edupreneurs – Their challenges and Opportunities at Tiecon • Invasion towards Innovation at IIT Madras • In the making of Innovative Engineers at RAIF • Green Technologies for Automotive sectors at CII • Panel Member at Spark - the Annual Rotract Conference

 She has received several notable Awards such as Times of India - "EDUPRENEURS" Award for exemplary commitment and impactful positive contribution to Education in Tamil Nadu, JFW Women Achiever Award 2014 for Excellence in Education.

JFW Women Achiever Award 2014 for Excellence in Education , Indra Gandhi Seva Rathna Puraskar, “Bharat Jyoti Award” for Meritorious Services, Outstanding Performance and Remarkable Role, Lions Club International - Life Time Achievers Award for the exemplary services rendered to the cause of the Differently- Abled People , Certificate of Excellence Award for Education • RITZ Women of Merit Award , Raindropss Saadhanai Pengal Award for Social Initiatives & Women Empowerment  and is a Lifetime member of Ficci Ladies Organisation.

Adding another feather to her cap, she has been recognized as the most influential women in education sector by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, among the 100 women achievers this year. She has been honored by the President of India Mr.Pranab Mukerjee as a special guest at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.