Fujitsu Announces10 new Affordable Notebooks in India

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February 28, 2012

Fujitsu India announces a range of over ten notebooks with configurations specifically designed for SMB/ Commercial customers. These products, over five of them, now available ex-stock in India, are available at price-points starting from Rs 21,995 plus.

Speaking on the occasion, Alok Sharma, Country Manager, Workplace Systems for Fujitsu India said, “The broad Fujitsu Lifebook portfolio offers a range of entry-level and more powerful, individual solutions for growing organizations. Every Fujitsu Lifebook delivers highest reliability, driven by a unique combination of German precision engineering and Japanese quality, supported by 30 years of experience. This unbeatable combination is now available at very affordable price-points, ex-stock in India.”

“The Fujitsu client products with their promise of quality are available through a wide network of partners in the country. Fujitsu India partners with four leading distributors in the country and this has further enhanced product availability in leading metros as well as Tier 2 cities via our partner network” said Ramprasad Lakshminarayan, General Manager, Channel Business at Fujitsu India.

The Fujitsu Lifebook LH531 is the all-purpose notebook. Weighing 2.2 kg this 35.6 cm (14-inch) notebook is small and light enough for every trip and at the same time big enough to check emails, surf the web, edit pictures or watch a movie conveniently. With the optionally integrated Blu-ray Disc drive one even can enjoy high-definition entertainment at its best. This lean notebook boasts an HD anti-glare display with LED backlight, integrated 1.3 Megapixel webcam and digital microphone, Anytime USB Charge to charge phones/media devices even when the system is turned off.

The compact Fujitsu Lifebook SH531 is designed for everyday mobile users at home, office, school and colleges. With its 33.8 cm (13.3-inch) display this 1.9 kg notebook is small and light enough for every trip. Staying connected becomes a breeze with family and colleagues via WLAN, and it is easy to upgrade the Lifebook SH531 with an external UMTS solution in its 34 mm ExpressCard slot.

The Fujitsu Lifebook AH531 is a solid and reliable notebook in a classy black high-gloss finish. Its high-definition anti-glare 39.6 cm (15.6-inch) LCD is perfect for outdoor working. Thanks to integrated WLAN, Bluetooth and embedded 3G/UMTS helps the user connect and work remotely.

The Fujitsu LIFEBOOK E751 is the 39.6 cm (15.6-inch) display with its modular bay allows adding extra memory or a second battery to increase flexibility. Moreover, advanced security features protect valuable company data.

Education quota for OBCs Increases from 21% to 27% in Delhi

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February 28, 2012

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has increased the education quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Reservation for OBC applicants in government-aided and unaided institutions in higher education and technical education institutions will increase from 21 per cent to 27 per cent the next academic session (2012-13).

“The government has fulfilled its commitment to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBC students. The decision will go a long way in imparting higher education to students from weaker sections,” Dikshit said

UGC May introduce Degree in vocational education in 2012

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February 28, 2012

University Grants Commission (UGC) may introduce a bachelor’s degree in vocational education in its affiliated institutions in 2012. The standing committee of UGC has formally approved a proposal to introduce a bachelor’s degree in vocational education.

Final nod from the commission is still awaited. Once approved, a college student can pick up a bachelor’s degree in art, science, commerce or vocational education. “We propose to add vocational education as one of the specific degrees of UGC from 2012. The finer details are however being worked on,” acting chairman of UGC Ved Prakash quoted in the Hindustan Times.
The All India Council of Technical Education had earlier written a letter to UGC requesting them to introduce vocational education at college level. AICTE chairman S S Mantha said that the curriculum of the new courses will be put on the website by March 10. The initiative intended to boost employment for college graduates. The student will have to choose a sector and a specific specialization from each sector. Initially 10 sectors have been chosen including tourism, construction, printing, telecom, IT, mobile and communication.

NCERT to Celebrate 2012 as the National Year of Mathematics

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February 28, 2012

Educationists, mathematicians and National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) organised a meeting to create a roadmap for a national-level initiative to celebrate 2012 as the National Year of Mathematics.

NCERT will be doing a series of activities focused on popularizing mathematics in the country. The objective is to spread awareness about mathematics education and research, an NCERT official quoted in the Times of India.

As part of this initiative, NCERT will conduct are workshops for teachers and students for understanding abstract concepts in mathematics through experimentation, quiz, poetry.

Virtual Labs Project Launched by MHRD under NMEICT

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February 28, 2012

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India has launched Virtual Labs — a collection of ninety-one virtual laboratories containing hundreds of experiments in nine disciplines of science and engineering recently. As part of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)’s National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT), Virtual Labs is part of a comprehensive undertaking to provide easily accessible and high quality education throughout India.

Virtual Labs’ primary focus is to provide graduate and undergraduate college and university students with the ability to perform their required laboratory experiments using only the World Wide Web, a standard computer, and an Internet connection. Virtual Labs allow students to practice and better learn the science and engineering behind the experiments that they are required to perform. Virtual Labs also allows the sharing of costly equipment across the country, and in very rural areas, students will be able to perform experiments that they would not otherwise be able to access.

Nearly 300 department heads, faculty, and staff representing 152 institutions have been trained across India. Over 20 Nodal Centres have been created, institutions who have expressed their interest to champion Virtual Labs in their organisations and geographical areas.

The Pilot Phase of the Virtual Labs project started in April 2009. During this phase, approximately twenty labs were developed as proof of concept. The Main Phase began in April 2010. So far, over 80 Virtual Labs have been developed, and are undergoing field trials in various parts of the country.

Two types of virtual labs have been developed under this project. In the Simulation Based Virtual Labs the experiments are modeled using mathematical equations. The simulations are carried out remotely at a high-end server, and the results are communicated to the student over the internet. Simulation based Virtual Labs are scalable and can cater to a large number of simultaneous users.

Using the Remote Triggered Virtual Labs the actual experiments are triggered remotely. The output of the experiment (being conducted remotely) is communicated back to the student over the internet. This class of Virtual Labs gives the student the output of real-time experiments. Typically, time-slots are booked before conducting such experiments.

All Virtual Labs can be accessed through a common website: www.vlab.co.in. At the user end, a PC and broadband connectivity enables the user to access Virtual Labs.

These Virtual Labs will be very useful for Engineering College Students who do not have access to good lab-facilities, High-school students, whose inquisitiveness will be triggered, possibly motivating them to take up higher-studies, Researchers in different institutes who can collaborate / share equipment and engineering colleges, who can benefit from the content and related teaching resources.

Currently 85 Virtual Labs have been developed comprising of 769 experiments. Trainings and workshops have been held all over India to disseminate knowledge of these Virtual Labs. Future efforts will involve development of virtual labs in different subjects and wide dissemination of this knowledge.

A Collaborative Platform for Development of Virtual Labs has been created that assists the faculty with authoring and maintaining Virtual Labs. The platform hosts over 825 experiments developed by many of the partner institutions. The Collaborative Platform provides the server side architecture for ensuring that virtual labs run securely, can effectively serve thousands of students simultaneously, and reserve time slots for experiments that require scheduling. The Collaborative Platform also provides tools to help teachers monitor their students’ progress and make changes to the instructional material.

With the launch of Virtual Labs Indian students will have easy access to an encyclopedia of science and engineering knowledge presented in a way that is engaging, immersive, and enjoyable. Virtual Labs will allow students to explore, discover, and learn wherever they are and at their convenience.

Pearson launches Cogmed working memory training program

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February 28, 2012

Pearson Clinical & Talent Assessment (PCTA), a global test publisher and leader in psychological assessments launched Cogmed, an evidence-based working memory training program. Cogmed is a computerized cognitive training program that improves working memory in school children, working professionals as well as any adult who has a working memory constraint. Working memory is a fundamental brain function controlling attention and is critical for academic success, workplace performance as well as social competence. Cogmed has been launched successfully in 30 countries around the world. The India launch is significant due to the large school and adult population in India that could potentially benefit from training with Cogmed.

Cogmed is a unique learning solution in the ICT space because of its focus on addressing a difficulty in learning rather than enhancing the mode of learning.
Cogmed is a cognitive training program that improves attention in those with working memory constraints, using an interactive digital platform and a highly animated user interface. Cogmed is a fusion of cutting-edge research on memory with innovative computer game design and close professional support.

Cogmed was founded by Professor Torkel Klingberg, a world-renowned neuroscientist from the famed Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, the home of the Noble Prize for Medicine. Nearly a decade of rigorous scientific research has been conducted on Cogmed at leading universities such as Havard University, John Hopkins University, University of California – Davies, and published in leading, peer-reviewed scientific journals, notably Science and Nature Neuroscience. This research has demonstrated that Cogmed training is effective. No other brain-training product in the world has Cogmed’s extensive foundation of research validation.

Cogmed was launched by Sushil Eapen, Managing Director, PCTA in the presence of Dr Keshav Kumar, Associate Professor, NIMHANS, Bangalore; Dr Akila Sadasivan, Child Neuropsychologist, Bangalore; Dr Vijaya Raman, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, St John’s Medical College and Hospital; and other eminent dignitaries including psychologists and educationalists.

Speaking during the launch of Cogmed, Eapen, said: “The introduction of Cogmed in India will raise the bar for cognitive training since Cogmed is a scientifically-created and evidence-based computerized training program that will benefit millions of school children who struggle academically or adults who are overloaded with information at the workplace. Cogmed will be available throughout India from an extensive nationwide network of Cogmed Practices. Each Cogmed Practice will be led by a trained Psychologist who in turn will supervise the delivery of Cogmed to schools and individual users, through trained Cogmed Coaches.”

Expressing her optimistic views on Cogmed, Tina Tarre, Business Development Director – Cogmed, Pearson Clinical Assessment, stated: “Cogmed has a record of successfully transforming the lives of students and adults when used in schools and by private practices in other parts of the world. With today’s launch of Cogmed Working Memory Training in India, we will be able to reach many children and adults who need help building the working memory capacity that will allow them to succeed academically and professionally.”

IGNOU’s Degree of Social Work may get Recognition in US

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February 25, 2012

A US delegation of 16 members headed by Dr Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers, USA visited Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Addressing the delegation, Prof M Aslam, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU stated that Distance Education is a modality that provides immense benefits not only to the learner population but also to the society as a whole. He also expected that Degree of Social Work, IGNOU may be recognized in US and both US and India share their experiences.

Prof Aslam said that Social Work is now a global profession. Social workers have a common core values around the world yet social work may be practiced differently in different countries. Across nations, there may be similarities in social problems, but the focus of concern can differ within borders and within cultures. As a result, competency in social work today requires an understanding of the global context of rights and social justice.

Prof Gracious Thomas, Director, School of Social Work, IGNOU said, “School of Social Work aims to meet the education and training requirements of lifelong learning, particularly in the areas of Social Work and related areas of social intervention. The School has addressed certain select areas of concern in the field of social work, HIV/AIDS, counseling, philanthrophy and correctional Social Work by offering programmes leading to award of certificates, diplomas and degrees”

This delegation of professionals with expertise, experience and interest in social work have been selected to exchange ideas and address common issues with their professional counterparts in India, under the auspices of People to People Ambassador Programs.

It is intended that these exchanges will facilitate increased learning for both the host professionals and for the U.S. delegation, and will contribute to international understanding at the career and personal levels for all.

Single Entrance Test for Under Graduate Science and Engineering admission to come soon

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February 25, 2012

Education Ministers of states will decide on the Centre’s move to hold a single entrance test for admissions to under graduate science and engineering programmes across the country on Wednesday.

According to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal says 11 education boards in the country have unanimously supported the move and the government now intends to seek the views of other boards in this regard.

The proposed entrance test, Indian Science – Engineering Eligibility Test (ISEET), is likely to be conducted in April or May next year and will have two parts — ISEET main and ISEET advance.

MICA unveils Executive Programme in association with Hughes Communications

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February 25, 2012

Hughes Communication India Limited has announced that it has partnered with Mudra Institute of Communications Ahemdabad (MICA) to launch Post Graduate Certification Program on Advertising Management and Public Relations (PGCAMPR).

The one year program will start from April 2012 and will bring together MICA’s reputed faculty to help students across India with course content specific to Public Relations and Advertising to help create a successful marketing and communication professionals tailor-made for the Indian corporate ecosystem.

Using a pragmatic and result-oriented philosophy, MICA professors will employ a variety of teaching methodologies that will include formal lectures, case studies, team and individual presentations, role-play and negotiations, action learning, group-discussions and workshops on specific aspects of communications and creative brief writing. Students will also get to learn and use numerous tactical/implementation modules related to advertising and public relations including consumer behavior, marketing research, digital marketing and media management.

Additionally, the programme provides participants an opportunity to interact with industry thought leaders to get practical perspectives and tips on managing brands. Students will also get opportunities for discussions with professionals and peers from organisations facing a diverse set of brand positioning and marketing communication challenges. In just one year, this intensive programme will aim at filling in the knowledge gaps in essential communication disciplines to facilitate the transition of functional specialists into more all-rounded generalists with a host of general marketing skills.

Speaking on the occasion Rajpreet Singh, Director Marketing and Sales of Hughes Global Education said, “India is the next big battlefield for global public relations and advertising firms when it comes to brand building and marketing. The public relations and advertising scene in India have undergone a metamorphosis both in terms of the hugely diverse audiences and the sheer number of platforms available for dissemination of news, information and corporate messaging. The program aims to develop a strong set of communications and marketing professionals with the skill-sets and ability to plan and execute diverse positioning and communication strategies for brands and organizations.”

Added, Prof Falguni VasavdaOza, Programme Director, Mudra Institute of Communication Ahmedabad, “The specialized one year PGCAMPR programme combines with MICA’s best-in-breed teaching-learning methodologies to equip students with specific communications and advertising insights and learning’s. The focus is on imparting lessons through courseware that includes real life case-studies and practical sessions to ensure that students emerge as skilled professionals, armed with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage brands in the digital-age.”

The PGCAMPR course will be offered through the Interactive Onsite Learning (IOL) platform of Hughes Global Education, a leader in Executive Education in India. The platform seamlessly integrates the strengths and advantages of the traditional method of education with the latest in technology. Using a very powerful interface, Hughes Global Education enables the education community to reach out to students, corporates and working professionals throughout India with highly interactive sessions using video, voice and data.

AllSchoolStuff.com Expands its Senior Management Team

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February 25, 2012

AllSchoolStuff.com has expanded its senior management team to this effect, with the appointment of Sushma Katyar, as Director – Merchandising. Sushma is a veteran of the retail industry and joins AllSchoolStuff.com from Reliance.

Announcing this appointment, Manoj Chandra, Founder and CEO, AllSchoolStuff.com said, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sushma. She is an outstanding professional with in-depth knowledge of Retail Supply Chain. As a member of the Senior Management Team, she will play a key role in helping to lead the company through merchandising, right set of product offerings, supply chain and anticipate future challenges as we move ahead to create a dominant brand in India’s $10 billion educational supplies market.

Over the past Four months, since we started, we have created a new brand in the Indian retail environment, providing convenience to hundreds of consumers across the” country, offering over 15000 different school products from leading brands, all under one roof.

Sushma Katyar joins AllSchoolStuff.com from Office Depot Reliance Supply Solutions (P) Ltd., where she served as Category Head – General Office Supplies Category. There she has spent over Four years, being responsible for driving the Merchandising function. Prior to this, she was holding the position of Chief Manager at Reliance Retail. There she was overseeing the growth of the company’s entire stationery vertical across all formats. Also, previously she has headed the merchandising & buying division of Valdel Retail Pvt. Ltd. where she was taking care of multiple categories as furniture, apparels, toys, stationery, books, music, footwear, etc. During her career span of 13 years, she has been holding lead positions across multiple functional areas like Buying, Merchandising, Product Planning and Controlling in challenging Retail and Manufacturing environment.

Accepting the appointment, Sushma Katyar said, “I am pleased to join AllSchoolStuff.com, a first ever online platform for School Supplies. I look forward to experience the next phase of growth of the company which has already witnessed steady growth since its inception.”

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