Chandigarh schools bid adieu to blackboards

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April 4, 2011

It's time for change in the schools of Chandigarh. It's time to say bye to the traditional chalk-and-talk method and go for the hi-tech multimedia labs. All the laboratories of Chandigarh schools will be computerised and have latest technological tools to aid in teaching English, Hindi and mathematics. To implement the project Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has roped in the Regional Institute of English, Chandigarh. “Multimedia labs in schools will be equipped with 16 computers, 15 for the students and one for the teacher. To make them familiar with this innovative way of teaching, all teachers of these seven schools are being imparted training,” the official added. Initially, the multimedia labs will come up at seven government schools. Once the project is implemented successfully, all schools will boast of multimedia labs. The lab for training at the Regional Institute has 31 computers, hi-tech software and an LCD projector, giving the teachers a feeling of a virtual classroom. “The UT Education Department has plans to introduce multimedia labs in 20 more schools. For this, proposals have been made in the annual budget,” an Education Department official said. As many as 45 teachers are being trained. Before the new session begins in April, all of them will be ready to operate multimedia labs, he further said. The media labs will facilitate computerised listening, speaking and writing. The virtual programme will give the students an option to decide their own rate of speed to learn their lessons,” the official informed.

Everonn reports decent financial growth, projects promising future

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

Everonn, the market leader of ICT in education, has posted a 72% CAGR growth in its topline over the past five years. The government's proposal to increase spending on vocational training across the country and the company's new initiatives to expand its market presence are likely to keep the growth momentum strong. Also, it has reported a consistent improvement in its operating margin. However, uncertain cash flows from its new subsidiaries and fragmented nature of the industry continue to be a concern. Everonn continues to report a decent financial growth over the quarters. During the 12 months ended December 2010, the company's revenue and net profit grew by over 75% each. But its operating margin dropped by 100 basis points (bps) due to the fluctuating operating costs. However, profitability is once again improving. During the December 2010 quarter, operating margin expanded by 300 bps sequentially to 38.1%. The company has invested nearly Rs 40 crore towards its two new subsidiaries funded through internal accruals. During the December 2010 quarter, while the existing subsidiaries reported a decent growth in revenues, the new subsidiaries reported a 76% drop in its EBIDTA. However, the businesses are likely to break even in coming quarters. At the current market price of Rs 568.9, the stock trades at 18.7 times its earnings for the trailing 12 months. The company's future growth looks promising, given its initiatives and the government's thrust on mass education.

HCL Infosystems to provide ICT to Dubai-based GEMS Education

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

IT firm HCL Infosystems MEA has bagged a project to provide ICT products to Dubai-based GEMS Education. GEMS Education, the world's largest private K-12 education provider, will be provided ICT by HCL Infosystems MEA which will enable both students and teachers to effectively utilise a range of ICT resources that will be made available under this project, HCL Infosystems said in a statement. HCL Infosystems will manage GEMS Education's first phase of IT requirements in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA) region by providing and deploying the entire requirement of desktops, laptops and servers, it said. “HCL Infosystems has been focusing on taking its business expertise to newer boundaries by expanding into emerging markets. This partnership with GEMS Education is part of our ongoing effort to cultivate global relationships for empowering students across globe with the most advanced and best-in-class education solutions,” HCL Infosystems Chief Operating Officer (Enterprise Business) Rajeev Asija said. GEMS Education has invested over USD 25 million in technology across its schools over the last five years. GEMS Education has over 10,000 workstations, 200 servers, 27 data centers and over 4,000 internet-ready multimedia class rooms. Shares of HCL Infosystems closed at Rs 104.60 apiece, up 2 per cent from its previous close on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Corporate funding new expansion strategy for IIM-C

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

Indian Institute of Management- Calcutta (Kolkata) has now found a new source of funding from the corporates rather than going for privatizing. IIM-C's chairman of the board of governors Ajit Balakrishnan on Saturday, during the institute's 46th annual convocation, said “under any circumstances, we are not in favour of privatisation of IIMs. We favour corporate contribution for new IIMs as they may not be in a position to generate resources adequately at least in the initial years.” “It is possible to create a corpus outside the government. But entrepreneurs must be allowed to get full tax benefit of the total contribution,” he said. “Currently, Indian tax system does not allow us to create a corpus,” he added. Balakrishnan said the government should also allow tax reduction for a couple of years at the market value from income if a corporate institution contributed to any educational institute, as was done in the US. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, IIM-C director Shekhar Chaudhuri said the institute will soon launch an online general management certificate programme in collaboration with top financial schools. “The IIM-C is providing full support to the new IIM Ranchi, which has been set up six months ago. Most of the courses there are taught by our faculty,” he added.

22nd Convocation of IGNOU held at Kohima

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU) 22nd annual convocation was held in Kohima presided over by Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Public Relation and Economics and Statistics R Tohanba. ''Your success will convey to others that Open Distance Learning has successfully equipped you to face the future'', stated Mr Tobana addressing the convocation. '' He congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and IGNOU fraternity for the achievement made in the field of Distance Education in the country and making its presence felt in 36 countries. He talked about the plans on focusing on Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) to 30 per cent and also said that IGNOU has emerged as the mega university with a student strength of more then 3 million within a span of its 25 years of existence and further lauded the IGNOU for emerging as the global leader in Open Distance Learning. Pointing out that in Nagaland there was only one IGNOU study centre activated under Shillong Regional Centre, NCTE here, Mr Tohanba said that Nagaland has 30 full-fledged Regional Study Centres providing access to higher education to all sections of the society. The Parliamentary Secretary also informed that IGNOU study centres as well as examination centres were activated in all district of the State except in Phek district where the centres offer Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor and Master Degrees at the doorstep of the learners.

MoU signed between AMU, Colombo varsity

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

A MoU was signed by AMU registrar V.K. Abdul Jaleel and the director of Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Dr. R.A. Jayasinghe to enable both institutions to promote individual contacts among scholars, students and faculty and facilitate cooperation and development in the areas of mutual interest and benefit. This MoU seeks to promote links in teaching and research activities by providing opportunities for exchange of staff and students. Under the MoU, the issues related to joint study programmes, exchange of academic materials and sharing of experience and expertise concerning administration and management of the two institutions will be addressed. The MoU also provides for organising seminar, conferences and workshops on topics of general interest. Prof. Shagufta Aleem, dean, faculty of Unani Medicine, Prof. Tajuddin, department of Ilmul Advia, A.K. Tibbiya College, and Dr. M.H.M. Nazeem, head, Unani Section, Institute of Indigenous Medicine were also present on the occasion.

South Point High School gets CBSE affiliation

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 4, 2011

The much awaited CBSE affiliation of South Point School now is set to end with the first batch of students appearing for the board examinations for both classes X and XII in 2014. This affiliation will make South point one of those unique schools in India to offer choice of both State Board and CBSE curricula to its students as the affiliation with WBBSE and WBCHSE will continue along with the CBSE affiliation. ''With the affiliation under both CBSE and WBBSE, South Point High School is uniquely positioned to cater to the requirement of a cross-section of parents, in so far as school eucation is concerned,'' spokesman of the School Krishna Damani said. The school will offer option to the existing students of their choice of the Board. The bifurcation will take place from class VI onwards.

Lucknow school to promote children film in fest

K-12

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April 4, 2011

In a very significant step, a seven day fest, starting from April 5, has been organized by City Montessori School to promote educative cinema among young audiences and also to promote children's film culture. Out of 304 children's films received as participating entries from 31 countries the school would screen 174 films, which will be promoted and awarded, Varghese Kurian, Festival Director of CMS films and radio division said. Film personalities naming Mukesh Khanna, Rajit Kapoor, Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Shyam Benegal will take part in the event.

Simply Teach with New Technology

Magazine

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 1, 2011

Interactive learning is now a part of everyday learning, but the challenge for educators is how they integrate the technology into lessons in a straight-forward way to ensure students are kept interested and engaged

DYMO/Mimio has recognised this and has developed the simplest interactive whiteboard solution on the market, enabling teachers to easily incorporate interactive teaching technologies and methodologies into their existing classroom.

After much observation, interviews and listening to teachers regarding what they need, the company created the MimioClassroom product suite, a collection of innovative and affordable interactive teaching products, purpose-designed and built to enable teachers to do what they do best

3D Covering Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 1, 2011

This new age 3D technology provides a realistic and immersive environment for virtual dissection and exploration of human anatomy

Cyber Anatomy Med VR is a three dimensional, virtual -reality model of the complete human body. More than 13000 body parts are displayed in full colour, with medically accurate details. This enables us to understand the spatial relationship between the bones, muscles, arteries, veins and nervous that one finds in actual cadaver. The 3D model allows multiple students to perform the same exercise. Doctors, teachers, and other health professionals using this 3D product are able to explain the anatomy of human body, without fully relying on actual cadavers or sacrificing precious cadaver organs.

Cyber-Anatomy's real time simulation environment makes a full set of interactive functions available. Rotation, dissecting, zooming in/out are just a few examples of the flexibility allowed to students on global scale. This can meet the shortage of qualified medical faculties at many places now and in near future.

Cyber Science 3D for K-12 Education

Cyber Science 3D, an interactive three dimensional educational K-12 software covers important subjects like Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Micro Biology, Human Anatomy, Mechanical Engineering, Earth Science. This allows virtual laboratories in schools, colleges where there are no laboratories or it is not practical to run and maintain these laboratories at great recurring costs. Teachers, professors can advance students' core curriculum and understanding of the human body and other subjects. Cyber Science 3D real time simulation environment makes a full set of interactive functions available. This can meet the shortage of qualified faculties, fully equipped laboratories, at many places now and in near future also.

Dispro Visual Technologies Ltd proudly offers these 3D Educational products equipped with software/hardware set up catering to different segments as: