Kalam calls for World Knowledge Platform
President A P J Abdul Kalam has called for a World Knowledge Platform, comprising renowned scientists, ‘to ensure development of people and participating nations’.
During his visit to Singapore, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, he had put forward the concept of ‘World Knowledge Platform’, aimed at integrating the core competencies of the partner countries to develop knowledge products. The World Knowledge Platform May take up issues- ICT , Energy, Agriculture and Food Processing, Water, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Materials. The World Knowledge Platform would also evolve a virtual design centre with the participation of collaborating countries.
India gets Creative Commons chapter
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is setting up a chapter of Creative Commons with the aim of providing easier access to educational and other content.
Creative Commons offers a content licensing system that gives copyright owners the option to reserve only some of their rights. The organisation was founded in 2002 by Lawrence Lessig, a law professor at Stanford University, to make more creative work available legally to others to share and build on.
In the first phase, the Creative Commons licenses are likely to be more attractive for educational content than for India’s large film industry, popularly known as Bollywood. People working in education and government-supported research in India are far more open to exploring new concepts such as Creative Commons. The Indian chapter of Creative Commons is already working on drafting versions of licenses that are more in tune with Indian culture and the legal system.
Applications of EAMCET to become online
The Government is toying with the idea of allowing students appearing for Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) and Integerated Common Entrance Test (ICET) this year to download application forms from the web and also register online. However, they have to send the hard copies of the applications to the respective convenors.
The convenors of EAMCET-2007 and ICET-2007 would prepare a concept note on this and based on their report a decision would be taken soon. The issue of submitting application forms online was also discussed with the State Bank of India authorities and the ESeva officials but nothing concrete came out.
C-DAC launches open source enterprise software applications
The Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has launched five new open source products, including a directory of open source projects, a network security tool, and a supply chain management solution for SMBs.The five products are Bharat Operating Systems Solutions (BOSS), Network@Guard Enterprise Edition, Area Traffic Control System (ATCS), e-SAVYA and Bangla-Assamese-Manipuri Speech Corpora.
Pune University goes digital
The University of Pune (UoP) will bring one single digital platform in all its 408 affiliated colleges across the three districts, Pune, Ahmedabad and Nashik by using existing satellite, broadband and other terrestrial network. The University panel is planning to connect all colleges in three terms of component video, voice and data. The project named Triple Connectivity Project (TCP) will include various features like virtual classroom for students, teachers and student friendly measures like online application and admission procedures.
AP to forge ties with MIT for open source software
The Andhra Pradesh government is forging ties with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States, for collaboration in the areas of e-governance, data standards and service-oriented architecture. MIT will provide funding and technological assistance for developing and promoting different software components including an open source platform.
To encourage the IT sector, the government is also planning to extend its IT education programme for students to regular degree colleges. Currently, there are 86 such centers covering 240 engineering colleges. This year, this has been extended to degree colleges in four districts – Kadapa, Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Vizag.
Orissa promotes Mid-day-Meal scheme in schools
The State Government is trying to keep their eye on Akshaya Patra model of mid-day meal (MDM) scheme in Orissa, India.
Bnagalore based voluntary organisation Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF) has started the programme in Puri, Orissa. The Orissa Government has decided to put the model of MDM programme in other districts also after the success of programme in Puri. APF is feeding about 2800 school children daily in 190 primary schools of Puri. The State Government has invited APF to partner with it in implementing the MDM programme. Now, Government is providing food to 500 children in Government schools.
Kerala to set up higher education council
Kerala government will soon set up a higher education council for addressing the problems that are being faced in the higher education sector.
The information to this effect was provided by State Education Minister M. A. Baby. The minister also disclosed that the government is contemplating of instituting scholarship scheme in the state education to encourage talented and meritorious students.
Kerala plans technical university
A new technical university is to come up in Kerala as part of the government’s attempt to overhaul the educational sector.The proposed university will be the umbrella body for all science and technological institutions in the state. The government also wants to convert 104 government schools as model institutions with the full support of parents, teachers and students.
IIM-A lines up string of foreign tie-ups
Some internationally acclaimed B-schools from around the world will soon tie up with IIM-Ahmedabad for student and faculty exchange programmes, apart from sharing modules and case studies. Among them is Columbia Business School, which will tie up with IIM-A for student exchange programmes and case research. Many international colleges and institutes have been showing interest in collaborating with IIM-A in the last few months.
India’s education budget about three times less than defense
Planning Commission of India announced the increment in allocation of education funds by 2% of India’s GDP which was INR 24,115 crore (6.70 billion US$) whereas the defense budget at the same time was INR 83 crore (19 billion US$).
The defense budget announced for next fiscal year by the Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram by an increase of 7% stood at INR 89 crore (20.11 billion US$). According to a press report, the Planning Commission of India said fund allocation for the education sector would have to be raised to six percent of the GDP in the 11th Plan from the current four percent.
Rajiv Gandhi Technical University launches website to connect students with administration
The Rajiv Gandhi Technical University (RGTU), India is planning to launch website which will offer students to get in touch with authorities directly. The administration is aiming to establish a better understanding between students and authorities to help students to sort out their problems regarding educational and other matters.
The website will see the students of all parts of the state. The website will help the students to view forth their complains regarding academics and other administrative problems.
Madras University initiates digital record system for examination
The University of Madras is planning to use digital encoding and encryption of examination answer sheets to prevent cheating.
The university administration is establishing e-Governance initiatives in university campus. . The University administration is talking with HCL technologies to set the modalities. The digital records of all mark
sheets would be stored in future for next 10 years.
