Cyberlaw to transform education and promote justice: Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, Technolex

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May 4, 2023

Marching ahead toward Education 5.0 due to the fast intervention of Technology, AI, Block-Chain, AR, VR, and Quantum Computing in higher education. Therefore we should have a purposeful approach to learning that lines up with the futuristic curriculum and pedagogy aligned with the concept of sustainable development, shared Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, Founder and President, Technolex in an exclusive conversation with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets Technomedia. Edited excerpts:

From the doors of Aligarh Muslim University to becoming a Cyber Law expert and Founder & President of Technolex, your journey must have been incredible and full of challenges. Tell us about the same.

When I started my research in Cyberlaw in 1995 at AMU Aligarh during my 1st year of Law graduation program, there were only 3 companies offering mobile services and the internet that just entered India. Being a science graduate, I was so curious to understand the nexus of law, Science and Technology and it further inspired me to take IPR( Intellectual Property Rights) course at the LLB level and do my LLM dissertation in Cyberlaw and do my Ph.D. on technology convergence and focussing on IPR in Cyberspace. In 2008, when the IT Act 2000 was going to be amended in India, I felt a great need to start the awareness program in cyberlaw that has given the birth of Technolex. Technolex is focussing on capacity building in cyberlaw to transform education and promote justice.

India and UAE are all set to sign an MOU for academic collaboration between higher education institutions in both countries to offer twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programmes. How do you think it can benefit both countries?

India and UAE signed MoU in 2015 which was renewed in 2018 and after that various other MoUs were signed for the promotion of Education. However, the recent MoU which is already approved by both the Govts will be focussing on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), joint degree, and dual degree programs, especially in light of the NEP 2020 by the Government of India. I am sure it will rejuvenate educational cooperation and increase academic mobility between India and UAE.

How is Technolex providing a fair analysis and awareness of legal issues for the understanding of people at large?

Technolex does an analysis of various fake news and complicated issues of cyberlaw and provides real pictures to the readers through its Technolex blog and Technolex YouTube Channel. It also provides awareness about the education technology to improve learning outcomes, consultancy and promoting the concept of ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) to ensure justice for the masses.

Technolex is dedicated exclusively to the areas of Intellectual Property Law & Cyberlaw. Let our readers know more about the same and other significant domains that your company caters to.

A lot of Intellectual Property Rights are violated and cybercrimes are committed due to a lack of awareness. Therefore, Technolex does aware of the fair use of IPR and justified use of rights, liberties, and liabilities on the Internet. It further trains people that how they can safely and securely use the technology and Internet to be out of the clutches of cyber criminals. They are further trained that how they can resolve their disputes if any cybercrime is committed against them.

World Education Summit 2023 in Dubai aims to unlock fresh strategies and foster new approaches to build a future-ready education ecosystem. How do you think such conferences help to uplift education standards at a global level?

As we are marching ahead toward Education 5.0 due to the fast intervention of Technology, AI, Block-Chain, AR, VR, and Quantum Computing in higher education. Therefore we should have a purposeful approach to learning that lines up with the futuristic curriculum and pedagogy aligned with the concept of sustainable development.

These platforms like World Education Summit 2023 in Dubai are excellent opportunities for global education leaders to discuss and find out the viable solution for future education that should provide the individualistic approach and self-learning to produce future-ready professionals.

I take this opportunity to thank Elets for regularly holding world Education Summits in different countries. I feel proud to be a regular speaker at the World Education Summits.

Kerala launches KIRF; India’s first state to launch its own institutional framework

Higher Education

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May 4, 2023

The National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF) has been the inspiration for the creation of the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF). The framework, the first of its type in the nation, was introduced by higher education minister R Bindu on Wednesday at a ceremony held on the Kariavattom campus of Kerala University.

The state higher education council has proposed a state-specific institutional ranking scheme that intends to offer a more democratic and secular approach when assessing the higher education institutions in the state. “The KIRF would become the state’s standard of excellence for schools of higher learning. The state’s higher education institutions would be objectively evaluated on the basis of their academic prowess according to the cutting-edge ranking system, the minister said, adding that the KIRF reflects the social justice, scientific temper and secular mindset followed by Kerala.

By integrating the ranking structure in the state government’s 100-day plan, it was made public. According to Bindu, the ranking mechanism would significantly boost the state government’s attempts to transform Kerala society into a knowledge society.

The minister claimed that the KIRF rating would aid the state’s higher education institutions in raising their institutional position in the national and worldwide rankings frameworks. While choosing a college and programme, students looking for modern, cutting-edge courses will be able to do so with knowledge thanks to the ranking.

The higher education minister claimed that the KIRF adheres to the same fundamental principles and tenets as the NIRF. Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR), Knowledge Dissemination and Research Excellence (KDRE), Graduation Outcome (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), Scientific Temper and Secular Outlook (STSO), are the five main pillars on which it is based. The KIRF’s extra characteristics include scientific temperament and a secular outlook (STSO).

The 12 areas that make up the general classification of the institutions being evaluated are universities, colleges, engineering, management, architecture, health care, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, law, and teacher preparation. The higher education council conducts the ranking based on information submitted by the relevant institutions through a website — kirf.kshec.org — that is under the council’s management.

A group led by Gangan Prathapan, a former director of both CUSAT and the CSIR, created the framework.

Teachmint launches ‘Changemakers’; a widespread programme to honours in k-12 educational sector

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May 3, 2023

The developer of the Integrated School Platform, Teachmint, has unveiled Changemakers, a widespread initiative in India that honours innovators in the K–12 educational sector. Its purpose is to honour those who have pioneered new educational techniques, established industry standards, and paved the road for others to follow. According to a press release, Teachmint asserts that Changemakers is the first project in the Indian K–12 ecosystem that focuses on the development and successes of principals, administrators, and school leaders at all levels.

The basis of the Indian K–12 education ecosystem is made up of principals, administrative leaders, and school management, which enables comprehensive student development. Teachmint Changemakers is a celebration of K–12 teachers who put forth unrelenting effort to change education. According to Teachmint’s chief product officer Payoj Jain, these experiences should motivate the upcoming generation of educators to build schools that are prepared for the future and improve learning results for all students.

According to an official release, Teachmint’s goal with Changemakers is to compile a huge collection of stories showing how educators have changed the learning experience by combining visionary leadership, individualised learning approaches, technology, and other cutting-edge practises.

This is Teachmint’s second notable programme honoring educators’ contributions to the K–12 environment in India. According to the firm, the “Teacher of the Year” awards were the first ones in India to recognise the accomplishments and development of teachers at all levels when they were first introduced in August 2021.

UGC launches CU- Chayan; a faculty recruitment platform for central universities

Higher Education

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May 3, 2023

According to Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, University Grants Commission, a unified recruiting platform called CU-Chayan has been developed for the recruitment of faculty in central institutions. According to Kumar, the portal will totally move the hiring process online and offer a centralised location for posting job openings across all central universities (CU).

“The portal will offer candidates looking for positions in core universities a centralised platform. They will sign up for an account on the portal and design a dashboard that is unique to them. They will be able to move their applications to any CU that has published faculty jobs, track them in real-time, and continuously updating them. Additionally, automatically generated emails will be sent to registered candidates alerting them to any CU’s new job postings, Kumar said.

Universities can track applications in real-time thanks to the portal. Additionally, real-time analysis and insights into the application process will be provided by the portal. The screening committee of the relevant university can inspect the applicant details and cross-reference each entry with the uploaded document. The webpage can also be used to record the points and remarks of the screening committee, he added.

“The UGC will collect data on how many positions are filled, how many vacancies there are, whether reservations are being made in accordance with the law, etc. using backend data analytics on the CU-Chayan portal. This will enable UGC to support CUs in accelerating the hiring process, according to the UGC chairperson.

Also Read:- UGC proposes Earn-while-Learn scheme for ‘Disadvantage Group’

Currently, each of the 46 central universities conducts its own recruitment procedures through a separate portal and posts job openings on its official website and in newspapers.

He said that with CU-Chayan, the central institutions would maintain their current practise of publishing newspaper adverts but would “have to deactivate their recruitment portals”.

Significance of experiential learning, and why does it matter?

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May 2, 2023

Nowadays, new technology is spreading widely across the spectrum by introducing various tools into the traditional academic curriculum, enhancing the educational experience. One of the ongoing additions to the generic form of learning is experiential learning. This form of learning has emerged as a powerful approach to education, bringing the classroom to life and immersing students in meaningful, real-world experiences. “Through various experiences comes greater knowledge”; during a child’s academic years, they have the ability to fail and learn simultaneously. Absorbing knowledge via textbooks and lectures does not serve the purpose of learning today. The path of experiential learning works better in a fast-paced world of advanced technology.

Challenges of inculcating and introducing experiential learning at schools
Although most schools recognize the value of experiential learning as an educational approach that engages students in active, hands-on learning, allowing them to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations, problem-solve, and reflect on their experiences, it is also a challenge to get the upcoming generation to embrace this format. This generation is busy with their gadgets and social media, and the era has changed drastically. In contrast, the previous generation, the millennials, were more attuned to the world of experiential learning. The diversity in resources makes it difficult for schools and parents to inculcate substantial value into a child’s growth.

How to make it inclusive?
To make experiential learning inclusive, schools can use a curriculum that explores the transformative impact of experiential learning on students’ academic and personal growth and delves into how it prepares them for the complexities of the modern world. From scientific experiments and field trips to community service projects and entrepreneurship initiatives, experiential learning at school sparks curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and nurtures a lifelong love for learning. Be it through outdoor adventures, collaborative group projects, or internships, experiential learning empowers students to become active participants in their education, paving the way for a brighter future.

Why does it matter?
Experiential learning matters because of its ability to engage, inspire, and challenge students in meaningful ways, becoming a driving force in shaping the educational landscape and preparing students for success in the 21st century. Through experiential learning, schools are creating dynamic, immersive, and hands-on learning experiences that empower students to explore, experiment, and discover. From science labs and outdoor adventures to entrepreneurship initiatives and community service projects, experiential learning engages students in authentic, real-world experiences that cultivate their knowledge, skills, and character. Education is no longer confined to the walls of a classroom. Today, schools are embracing a powerful approach that brings the curriculum to life through hands-on experiences.

How does it help the children?
Experiential learning can have many benefits for children, including:
1. Active engagement: Children are actively engaged in the learning process, which helps them to better understand and retain information.
2. Improved memory: Experiential learning allows children to make connections between new information and their prior experiences, which can improve their memory.
3. Critical thinking: Children are encouraged to think critically and problem-solve during such activities, which can help them to develop important skills that would benefit them throughout their lives.
4. Confidence building: Experiential learning can help children to build confidence in their abilities, by providing opportunities to try new things and learn from their mistakes.
5. Motivation: Children are often more motivated to learn when they are actively engaged in the learning process, which can lead to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of the subject matter.

Adapting experiential learning for school kids can provide an efficient and effective way to keep up with the fast-paced world. By incorporating hands-on experiences and real-world applications, students can enhance their skills and knowledge to prepare for their future.

Views expressed by Shally Gandhi, Principal, Orchids The International School, Rohtak

PM Modi’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ completes 100 episodes; achieves enormous goals of transforming education

Government News

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May 1, 2023

According to an official statement, the 100th episode of the monthly radio show “Mann Ki Baat” featuring ideas from Prime Minister Narendra Modi has helped to achieve the enormous goals he has set before the country to improve education.

The 100th episode of Mann ki Baat aired on Sunday, and at this point, the program’s influence on the Indian educational system is highlighted by glimpses of the many initiatives of the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Government of India, and its several autonomous institutions.

The Ministry of Education launched a number of initiatives, including Kala Utsav to find young artists, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programmes, the National Yoga Olympiad, Pariksha pe Charcha, NIPUN Bharat for early literacy and numeracy, the National Digital Library for Schools, NDEAR for digital education, Manodarpan and Sahyog, PM e-Vidya, SWAYAMPRABHA channels, and many more. Many of the concepts that the Prime Minister raised with academics and professors at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also inspired them. To give them a tangible form, different initiatives were necessary.

In the previous episodes of June and July 2020, he had already talked about being Vocal for Local and discovering ways to be engaged at home during the national lockdown through traditional games.

“National Education Policy 2020 too emphasised joyful learning. These were taken very seriously by the Ministry of Education and within two years, through toy-based pedagogy the message to promote Indian toys has reached every household,”, according to an official statement.

The National Curriculum Framework for Foundational stage and the Draft National Curriculum Framework for School Education, the learning-teaching materials for Foundational stage, the Handbook of Toy-based Pedagogy for all stages and subjects of school education, the organisation of international webinars, national and regional seminars and webinars, toy hackathons, national toy fairs for school education, and including a separate section on the National Curriculum Framework for School Education are all examples of things that are being done. As a result of his vision for incorporating traditional Indian games and toys into the classroom for school activities the idea has penetrated into the system.

The nationwide Yoga Olympiad was proposed by the Ministry of Education for schools in all age groups, and the NCERT has been running this three-day nationwide event since 2016. Hundreds of kids compete at the national level beginning with competitions at the school, district, and state levels while they are between the ages of 10 and 18 (Class VI-XII).

Education is acquiring a whole new dimension: Dr. Sunita Singh, IES University, Bhopal

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May 1, 2023

AI is gaining popularity for solving modern education challenges such as bridging the gap between students and teachers, continual assessment in a manner allowing remote learning, and developing quality data and information solutions for the modern education process, shared Dr. Sunita Singh, Co-Founder, Pro Chancellor, IES University, Bhopal and IHEC Member, AIIMS Bhopal in an exclusive conversation with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network. Edited excerpts:

University Grants Commission (UGC) revealed a draft regulation on the ‘Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India’. How do you see this move and what can be the plausible opportunities and challenges that can come along with it?

The setting up of Foreign Higher Education Institutions in India will create a healthy competition among Institutes. The percentage of students going for Higher education abroad is negligible compared to the entire student population in India so the students opting to study here will surely benefit. Our Higher education System is governed by statutory councils like AICTE, NCTE, MCI etc., the Foreign HEIs should also be governed by them. The policy for teachers qualifications, student intake, Student Faculty Ratio (SFR) for Indian HEIs and Foreign HEIs must be same and all rules should be applicable to the foreign HEIs too.

Presently, most of our Institutions are Not-for-profit Institutions run by societies and trusts; they are not funded by the Government. Given that, Government must allow only those foreign HEIs which are also run by charitable societies / trusts to be set up in our country. It is recommended that Foreign HEIs allowed to open their Campus in India on a trial basis, should be from among the top 50 Global / QS rankings. Also, There is Fee Regulation on Indian HEIs as per balance sheet and State Government policy on expenditure. The foreign HEIs coming to India must come under the same fixation rule.

Apart from the basic courses in engineering and medical, what courses does the university offers? Tell us about your future plan to launch Fashion Design & Technology courses.

IES University, Bhopal is a multi-disciplinary University running courses in Engineering and Medicine along with other Departments like Paramedical sciences, Department Of Pharmacy, Department of Education, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Department of Hotel Management, Department of Library Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Department of Nursing, Department of Ayurveda (BAMS), Department of Law, and many more. University is also running several Skill Development courses inline with the demands of the industry and will also launch Design and Fashion Technology course to enhance the scope of students with creative flair. Recently, when I was Governor’s Nominee on the Expert Scrutiny Committee for conferment of Honorary Degree at the 22nd Annual Convocation of VTU, Belagavi, Karnataka; it inspired me to also plan such honour for eminent deserving citizens contributing to society.

As IES tie-ups with leading organizations such as Microsoft, IBM India, NASSCOM, CII, NITTR, etc for career opportunities and growth of the university. To what extent, industry-academia collaborations can help students to grow and excel?

IES University is having excellent Training placement records since the past two decades. Definitely industry-academia collaborations give students additional opportunity to participate in internship, visit, training as well as placement. IES is also focusing on research and has MOUs with top ranking Universities and Institutes like NITTTR Chennai; Chennai, Shoolini University, Solan; Chitkara University, Chandigarh; Ganpat University, Mehsana Gujrat; Central University, Chandigarh. IES is also working for International Collaborations and has signed MOU with City University of Seattle and we are working for associations with Universities in Japan, Uganda and France.

World Education Summit 2023 in Dubai aims to unlock fresh strategies and foster new approaches to building a future-ready education ecosystem. How do you think such conferences help to uplift education standards at a global level?

The policymakers were concentrating so heavily on graduation rates, and attainment levels so far, and ignoring danger signs that the amount that students learn in college may have been declining over the past few decades especially in terms of hands-on skills and needs of the industry as well as society. However, with the implementation of the NEP 2020, it will change. Such world education summits will prove most useful in fostering a fresh, updated approach to building student’s skills. Of course, this summit will unlock new strategies to build an effective education ecosystem and take the higher education to a new level.

The advent of technologies like AI, ML, and Automation is transforming the education ecosystem globally. How is technology intervention in education helping your institution?

Education is acquiring a whole new dimension thanks to technology. At IES we are using AR / VR to facilitate learning; our faculties use Virtual labs and simulation technology for training of students in various courses; students are taking training in AI & ML for preparation of professional careers and they receive additional credits for same. AI is gaining popularity for solving modern education challenges such as bridging the gap between students and teachers, continual assessment which allows remote learning, and developing quality data and information solutions for the modern education process.

Making global learning happen with technology: David Boddy, Anglo Schools International Services Ltd

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April 29, 2023

Every child out of school, or not in touch with regular school-based education, is a serious waste of human potential. A fresh global initiative, perhaps led by the United Nations, needs to address this issue. The number of girls out of education is a serious issue for the development of global society as a whole shared, David Boddy, Chairman, Anglo Schools International Services Ltd and Head, City of London Freemen’s Global Programme in an exclusive conversation with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network. Edited excerpts:

How do you see global collaboration in education? Do you think it can help the foundational stages?

We are witnessing more regional collaborations happening, especially since the pandemic which stimulated the value of online learning across the world. However, there are only a handful of global collaborations, and they are mainly directed towards the secondary or high school levels. City of London Freemen’s, a top 5 UK boarding and day school, has been leading the innovation with the development of a ‘global classroom’, teaching advanced levels and providing enrichment programmes to students in partner schools in the Far East and Europe. Managing time zones is a major blocker. But the technology is available to make it happen. Freemen’s is using the state-of-theart digital immersive learning platform, originally developed by X20 Media for Harvard University. Bringing teachers and teams along with a global perspective is a harder job, and until that happens, technology will continue to outpace human software which is the essential ingredient to make global learning happen across age groups.

Some two-thirds of the world’s school-aged children do not have an internet connection in their homes. Do you think the digital divide can be a major drawback to the digitisation of education?

Fortunately, the technology is moving so fast that I predict within five years the problem could be solved, financial support permitting. ASIS Education (www.asiseducation.co.uk), a division of Anglo Schools which works to bring education to remote areas, is in discussion with Elon Musk’s ‘Starlink’ company about providing cost-effective satellite dishes, which in turn can provide internet services via a string of low-orbiting satellites. It will not be the digital divide which will impede progress. It will be a shortage of competent teachers to work in the digital space. This is one reason why I have been proposing that ‘Learning to Teach in the Digital Space’ should become a key part of modern teacher training, at all levels.

244 million children and young people are out of school globally, of which 118.5 million are girls. Apart from several other concerns, this is the major concern seen in school-age students. Your comments please.

Every child out of school, or not in touch with regular school based education, is a serious waste of human potential. A fresh global initiative, perhaps led by the United Nations, needs to address this issue. The number of girls out of education is a serious issue for the development of global society as a whole. There is so much evidence, not least of all in Afghanistan for example, which shows that the whole of society is made poorer when girls and women are not provided with formal education, comparable to that given to boys. So for the economic and social health of a nation, girls must be given the chance to learn in school. If the UN and others can tackle this problem with new vigour, so many other issues will be solved too, not least of all in public health and the elimination of poverty.

According to UNICEF, over 600 million children and adolescents worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics. What do you consider to be the main issues in developing foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.

My response to this maybe surprising. The family unit across so many societies, especially in the West, is breaking down. That, combined with the fact that teaching is no longer regarded as a ‘vocation’, which in turn creates shortages of great educators; these are two critical factors in our young people growing up without the necessary reading and numeracy skills. Every child needs access to parental figures and teachers – and when anyone of these is absent, the child inevitably suffers. Basic literacy and numeracy are learned on the laps of mothers and fathers, and in the early years of education, in a loving, caring and intelligent educational setting. Although I have spent most of my educational experience in the secondary sector, I still firmly hold the view that the most important time for education is between the ages of 0-5. If a warm-hearted environment can be created at home and at school – even if it is conducted under a tree – then the basics of literacy, numeracy and transmission of good values can take place.

My critics will shout: ‘What about the need for more resources?’ Of course, they are necessary. But the root cause of this problem is more subtle than that. That is why I have argued for governments to provide more resources to support families and early stage education.

An estimated 93 million children worldwide live with a disability and these children are overlooked while making educational policies. What are the programs you have at your school for these differently-abled children.

As a Headmaster, I spent time with my teachers delivering a single-message, first and foremost: “Every child – every child – every child – has the potential for brilliance”. And then I told them to find that brilliance and work out ways to bring that brilliance to the surface. Now, that’s the same challenge I pose to every teacher I meet. From that approach, for example, we developed a programme whereby our Art & Drama teachers worked in the same class at the same time as our English and Maths teachers, ensuring that the knowledge content was delivered in a way most suitable for the learner. And the results were brilliant. Two of our pupils, for example, who came to us as “rejects” from other schools, finally found their own talents and ended up at Oxbridge. Of course, special programmes are helpful, but the most important thing is how the teacher views the pupil. Change the teacher’s viewpoint, and the child can fulfil their brilliance.

Enlarging the horizons of education on a global level: Fauzan Qazi, Harvest Private School

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April 29, 2023

Governments and developed country leaders have an obligation to help poorer nations eliminate the root causes that lead to the crisis in educational levels. More investments and reforms are necessary in this area shared, Fauzan Qazi, Managing Director, Harvest Private School, Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE in an exclusive conversation with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network. Edited excerpts:

In April 2022, enrolment in Dubai’s private schools crossed 300,000, the highest ever in history. Do you think improved enrolment is directly proportional to quality education?

Most definitely that is one aspect, however, the main reason for the improved enrolment is the growing attractiveness of Dubai for expats as a lifestyle, business and investment destination, which has encouraged families from across the world to relocate to the city. Naturally these families enroll their children in schools causing the rise in numbers.

The advent of technologies like AI, ML, and Automation is transforming the education ecosystem globally. How is technology intervention in education helping at your school?

Keeping a step ahead of technology and ensuring it is implemented correctly so as to prove beneficial to the education process is quite a challenge. At Harvest Private School we are moving from a very traditional system with basic technology to the implementation of a comprehensive school operations and integration system, advancements in the internet and networking infrastructure and the introduction of BYOD(Bring your own device) and smart board systems. The school is also working on Virtual Reality and the use of Artificial Intelligence robotics in a few advanced subjects.

According to UNICEF, Over 600 million children and adolescents worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics. What do you consider the issue in developing foundational skills in literacy and numeracy?

The World is facing many issues, one of which is increasing levels of poverty. Many children around the world are taken out of foundational development by their parents who themselves are uneducated or people of determination and depend on their children to contribute to the family income. Hence these children have to drop out of schools to support their families, which is causing a massive inequality in access to education. Governments and community leaders have an obligation to help the poorer nations eliminate these root causes that have led to the global crisis in educational levels. More investments and reforms are necessary in this area if this situation is to be alleviated.

An estimated 93 million children worldwide live with special needs and these children are overlooked while making educational policies. What are the programs, you have at your school for these differently abled children?

We made a deliberate decision and developed a road map to improve this aspect of education at the school. This has included the hiring of staff to oversee the inclusion department. Having an inclusion-focused person enabled our school to complete a comprehensive evaluation and thereby identify students needing attention. We then hired several LSAs and shadow teachers to improve the educational program for students of determination. Now, I am proud to say that we can call ourselves an inclusive school that caters to students with various levels of needs and abilities.

Apeejay Education launches social awareness initiative C-20 Samajshala

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April 26, 2023

C-20 Samajshala, a massive awareness initiative, was recently launched by Apeejay Education and the Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN) under the auspices of the G20, an intergovernmental organisation made up of 19 nations and the European Union that works to address important issues relating to the global economy. The event was held in the Apeejay School auditorium in Panchsheel Park, New Delhi.

The programme, which was attended by a host of dignitaries, was also attended by prominent academics, government officials, members of civil society, teachers, and students. Shri Vijay K. Nambiar, C20 – Sherpa (Principal Co-ordinator), a former ambassador of India and under-secretary general of the United Nations, served as the occasion’s chief guest.

Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairperson of Apeejay Education, Co-Founder and Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, and Chairperson and President of Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, was honoured on this occasion by Shri Vijay K. Nambiar. The event’s Guest of Honour was Mrs. Berlia. She received recognition for her exceptional work in establishing the crucial synergy between industry and education for the purpose of nation-building. Shri Nishant Berlia, Co-Promoter, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, also attended the ceremony.

“Right from the beginning it was ingrained within us, in our DNA, that whatever you do, whatever you earn, at least spend some on philanthropy,” Sushma Paul Berlia said in her speech. Our organization’s core value is social responsibility. Mrs. Berlia emphasised the value of charitable giving by stating that “helping someone is something that each and every one of us has the ability and power to do, no matter what our resources.”

She further said, “We have been trying to do sewa through our institutions and organisation as well and be involved even while working. We have framed a curriculum where we talk about yoga, meditation, exposure to comparative philosophy, finding uniqueness in different religions and the similarities and being able to think critically and in that process learn to introspect.”

Also according to Berlia, “My father, Late Dr. Stya Paul, who is the Inspiration behind all Apeejay Education Institutions, always taught us that we are only stewards of the wealth we create and that there is a big difference between the concept of wealth and money.” She outlined the social relevance of wealth creation, pointing out that it benefits not just the individual but also the members of an organisation and society as a whole.

“The sewa bhav must emanate spontaneously from within each individual and be reflected in each’s practical commitment towards fellow citizens,” the chief guest,

Vijay K. Nambiar, said. The tremendous emphasis on community services in all of our areas has always impressed me. He added, “Dr. Stya Paul has to be the epitome of ‘sewa’ if there is such a thing. Additionally, Sushma Paul Berlia has made significant contributions to education.

According to Santosh Gupta, CEO of ISRN and the India Coordinator-C20 Sewa Working Group, “Civil20’s goal is to make it easier for various civil society organisations to express their opinions. These are then turned into policy and presented at a gathering in July 2023 after more deliberation. The G20 will then receive these in September.

One of the G20’s official engagement groups, C20 India 2023, gives Civil Society Organisations (CSO) from all over the world a forum to express the goals of their constituents to the G20’s global leaders.

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