IIT boys develop potato sowing machine

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October 25, 2011

With the objective of assisting the farmer community, two students of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, have developed a unique 'potato sowing machine' that can be attached to a tractor in a farm. The machine has been designed and fabricated by Nivesh Pandya and Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi, first year students of M.Tech. in Design Engineering at IIT-Delhi, who claim there is no such appliance in the market. 'There are many wheat sowing machines available. This is the first time that someone has developed a potato sowing machine,' claim the duo, who displayed the project at 'I2Tech Open House 2009' this past weekend. Explaining the working, Nivesh said, 'Potato is produced in a large quantity in our country and it is sown manually. This machine will be a big boon for the farmers. The machine will be powered by the tractor it is attached to. Potato seeds are placed in the hopper of the machine. Through a belt and cup arrangement, the seeds are picked up and dropped in the field. The machine also has furrows, and as the tractor moves ahead the furrows will cover the soil over these seeds. The machine also has a pump to spray insecticides on the soil before the seeds are placed.'

The machine has been designed in such a way that the right distance between the seeds is maintained. The equipment is light in weight and costs INR 10,000 to INR 15,000. It can be used to sow other large-sized seeds also. 'If three such machines are attached to a tractor, seeds can be sown simultaneously in three parallel lines. Therefore, it makes the manual sowing of potatoes completely automatic and only one person is required for driving the tractor. We will file a patent for our machine in July,' said Nivesh.

Ceeco Launches ELearn

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October 25, 2011

With a vast experience in innovative technology solutions, ELearn offers a revolutionary concept combining the best ICT training tools, Smart School K-12 content and assessments. ELearn's Intelliclass -an unmatched e-learning suite provides comprehensive top of the line hardware and software ICT solution for next generation classrooms. The 100 percent school owned solution is helping convert the convectional class to ICT enabled Intellicass. It supports a unique approach to meet the varied needs of schools and pre-schools.

Intelliclass offers implementation of technology-enabled classrooms equipped with the best infrastructure including Digi-Annotate (a portable interactive device), 88 inches Projection Board, High Resolution WXGA Projector, Dual Core PC, UPS and a compact and powerful eduVOX Audio System.

The high definition Smart School 3D and mapped content delivers in depth explanation of the latest CBSE Curriculum. The beautifully designed and thoughtfully constructed Intelliclass k-12 content, reviewed by education industry experts will definitely improve the student's concentration in the class and help them learn the fun way. Moreover student Ids are provided to enable students to access Smart School server from the comfort of their home.

With the latest e-learning technology the focus is on a holistic and balanced education. Intelliclass e-learning solutions not only offer excellent academics but also include a range of extra-curricular activities thus encouraging the students to realise their full potential. The curriculum is regularly updated with a huge array of practice exercises, comprehensive quizzes and creative modules.

ELearn's Intelliclass Solution is available for schools through a nationwide network of dealers and resellers. Whether you need to convert only one classroom or more, “Intelliclass” will more than meet your expectations.

EuroKids to build 13 more K-12 schools in India

K-12

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October 22, 2011

EuroKids International or EuroKids, Mumbai-based play school chain majority owned by Educomp Solutions, is planning to raise up to Rs 240 crore in two years to build 13 more K-12 schools in India to expand its chain to 30 from the present 17.

Kapil Sibal Calls for Sustained Drive for Awareness on RTE

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October 22, 2011

There is a need for a sustained campaign to create awareness in every school, among those who need to be brought into school and among those who implement the Right to Education Act as to the various provisions of this Act, stated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development at a meeting of State Education Ministers on the subject of community mobilisation and public awareness for Right to Education (RTE). Sibal expressed confidence that he would get support from the State Governments in this effort. Shri Sibal underlined that the Central and the State Government have to work together so that RTE does not falter.

Sibal outlined some of the work undertaken in the RTE in the country. Stating that 20 States have notified rules, he pointed out that in states which have not done, so it is the children who are suffering. He has also said that the teachers' eligibility test has been undertaken and eight years academic cycle has been brought in by the states. But he emphasised on the continuing need for the Government and the civil society to carry the message that education is a right to all people. The community mobilization and public awareness programme for RTE will commence from 11th November wherein a national event will be held in Nuh in Mewat in Haryana on 11th November. Similarly, events are expected to be held in every state and district of the country on that day.

Prof M Aslam appointed as acting VC of IGNOU

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October 22, 2011

Prof. M. Aslam has taken over as the new acting Vice Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) after taking charge from Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, former Vice Chancellor of the university who completed his five year tenure on 20th October 2011.

Prof. Aslam was serving the university as a Director of the School of Continuing Education (SOCE) and professor of Rural Development since 1992. He was also the Director for National Center for Innovations in Distance Education (NCIDE) of the university for over 3 years.

He has rich and varied experience both at national and international levels in University Administration, ICT, Communication and Extension, Distance & Continuing Education, Multi-Media in Distance Education, Training Methodology, Rural Development, Training skills, Monitoring and Evaluation, Panchayati Raj and Social Change from his 33 years career in the field, (20 years as Professor) out of which he spent about 8 years abroad on an international assignment as Director (Trg) CIRDAP between 1981-88.

He has been consultant to various international/ UN bodies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, UNDP and EDI of the World Bank.

He has worked as a Project Director for Panchayati Raj Project, developed a Multi-Media Distance Education package for Panchayati Raj functionaries elected throughout the country. The package was introduced among 58,000 elected functionaries of Panchayats in four selected districts of Madhya Pradesh and has been conferred COL President's Award of Excellence at PAN Commonwealth Forum in March, 1999.

Prof. Aslam is an M.A. in Sociology with first division and second position (1973). He got his M.Phil in 1975 and Ph.D. (Sociology) in 1978.

CM to distribute laptops in Assam

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October 22, 2011

Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, Assam has announced computers and laptops for school students. Computers would be given to those students who secure 50 per cent marks in school board examinations from next year.

While addressing the Anundoram Barooah Award 2011 he said that government has all along given thrust to education because this alone can solve problems of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.

GMAC gets an Indian website

Higher Education

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October 21, 2011

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) that administers the GMAT exam launched its India-specific website mba.com-India. The website has been designed exclusively for Indian aspirants and lists a detailed classification of the top business schools in India.

Indian B-schools accepting GMAT score and placements offered by B-schools accepting GMAT scores globally.

“We've seen a dramatic growth in the number of Indian candidates interested in pursuing management education over the last several years,” said Ashish Bhardwaj, regional director for South Asia at GMAC. “With significant growth in acceptance of the GMAT at Indian business schools, these candidates have more choice. This new site will help them navigate the path to a quality graduate management degree with content designed specifically for this market.”

Mba.com hosts information around funding options, cost implications and the prospective return on investment. The portal also runs a thread of video testimonials by Indian students, narrating their journey and experiences from preparing for GMAT and making it to the business school of their choice.

Open House Session at IP for admission seekers

Higher Education

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October 20, 2011

Indraprastha (IP) College for Women on Tuesday conducted a special Open House session for admission seekers and their parents. IP College offers Bachelor of Mass Media and Mass Communication (BMMMC) with 46 intakes, inclusive of all quota. Admission will be based on entrance examination and interview. Students and parents inquired about the course and placement during the open house session.

The entrance examination for the course will be conducted on June 20. The entrance exam will have two components an objective test on English and general awareness worth 100 marks. A 150-mark creative ability exam to judge the aptitude of the girls that will be conducted on June 27. The girls who clear these two exams will be called for an interview that has a weightage of 50 marks on July 2 and 3.

Open University Malaysia goes international

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October 17, 2011

With a delivery system based primarily on Information and Communications Technology, the Open University Malaysia (OUM) has ventured into the international arena.

The first university in Malaysia to provide courses entirely via open and distance learning, OUM has not only managed to attract individual international students, but also provided consultancy and training services on e-learning to countries like Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Said OUM President and Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Anuwar Ali: 'OUM has been mindful of the fact that international cooperation is seen as an instrument for capacity building, for finding new ways to manage open and distance learning in higher education, as well as for testing new or established practices in many aspects of teaching, consultancy and research.'

With that in mind, the seven-year-old Kuala Lumpur-based institution recently launched OUM International as its brand name and focus point for its international endeavours.

'OUM International is the reference point for all international contacts with OUM as well as the unit responsible for the conceptualisation of projects to meet the needs of international clients,' explained Prof Anuwar.

OUM International was officially launched by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

In his speech, the minister said: ''Borderless education' has become a new buzzword amongst educators, and as such, universities in recent years have expanded their international reach. It is reasonable to conclude that such expansion has changed society's perception of academia and at the same time, encouraged the university to have a new outlook about itself.'

Khaled added that for internationalisation to be meaningful, it should not only be seen as a set of activities catering for international clients, but also a process of integration in all spheres of university management so that the institution is internationally oriented in all its operating procedures.

'I believe that by going international, a university can maintain and benchmark its competitiveness and at the end of the day, achieve international standards and become a respected global player.'

According to Prof Anuwar, OUM has established partnerships with the Arab Open University in Bahrain, the University of Science and Technology in Yemen and Universitas Riau, Indonesia, to offer postgraduate degrees. The university will soon be offering undergraduate, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and competency-based certificate courses in collaboration with local partners in Vietnam and the Maldives.

IGNOU Provides Skills Development Opportunities for Disabled

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October 16, 2011

Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU's) National Center for Disability Studies (NCDS) is going to establish a first of its kind of a resource centre for the differently-abled in its university campus.

The program would be undertaken with the technical support of Society for Promoting Alternative Computing and Employment (SPACE), Trivandrum.

The university in collaboration with SPACE will also launch a certificate programme on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the visually impaired as part of providing exclusive skill development courses for the disabled.

This course will enable a visually impaired person to access information on the internet, 'read' scanned pages of printed material on the computer, create digital information and communicate with others using ICT. The course is expected to benefit the blind in ways such as improving their educational performance, self reliance and confidence.

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two, the resource center for the disabled in the capital will be modeled after the center that SPACE is operating in Trivandrum. It will act as a coordination center for all the training programmes held for the disabled in Delhi and Haryana. An estimated budget of Rs. 35 lakhs is required for the center to come up in the capital.

SPACE on behalf of IGNOU shall also be establishing the resource centers in other states of the country. Such centers shall act as learning cum ICT related activity hub for the differently abled (blind, deaf and mentally challenged like autistic, learning disbility, etc.).

“Within two years, ten more centers will be established in the country. The centers will also undertake production of audio content such as audio books, provide public internet access to the visually challenged, act as technology support centers and thus evolve into activity hubs for the visually challenged in the future,” said Prof. Arun Banik, Director, NCDS, IGNOU.

The course as well as the research center will leverage on a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). This will ensure that students will have the freedom to copy the software and share it with their friends. This also makes technology accessible and affordable. The center will distribute software and learning materials in digital format for free to the students who will have the right to further distribute and use them.

“Higher education is largely visual. There are lots of IGNOU learners who are blind; we thus need to follow five important steps to include them in the arena of education: provide access to their physical/ mental disability, give them acceptance, appreciate that different people have different talent, understand the diversity in our student population and implement an attitudinal change,” said Dr. Latha Pillai, Pro VC, IGNOU.

Buata, a Ph.D. scholar from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is a visually challenged student from Mizoram who feels that, “The development of physically challenged people is one of the criteria for the development of any university today.” He emphasized upon focusing these facilities and technologies particularly in the north eastern states.

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