Students frisking allowed to British teachers

K-12

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November 24, 2010

Soon Britain is to roll out new rules according to which school teachers will be allowed to frisk students for mobile phones, electronic gadgets and even pornography and cigarettes in a bid to prevent disruption in classrooms. The same would be inclusive highlights of an education White Paper that are to be published next week outlining the new rights for teachers to be able to search students for any item that can potentially interrupt lessons. Confiscation of mobile phones, MP3 players and other electronic gadgets will be allowed in case of need by the school staff. There are also included in the same plans to simplify rules on the use of physical force, giving teachers greater powers to take disruptive children out of classrooms without fear of legal action.

The reforms will also give staff the power to search students for items including pornography, cigarettes and fireworks. Earlier, teachers could only search students' clothes and bags for weapons, drugs, alcohol and stolen goods if the student did not give consent to the check.

City schools to inculcate moral education says Dikshit

Policy Matters

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit recently talked about the role of moral education in schools, and noted that society needs “honest and upright” citizens to take the country to greater heights, in an address, following the Indira Awards 2010 on the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to best schools, teachers and students, including special children. Dikshit lauded the role of the teachers in making the government-run schools in the city better than the private ones through their 'hard work and commitment'.

With focus on achieving the goal of universalization of education in Delhi, she mentioned that the government schools are being refurbished under 'Roopantar' scheme and also efforts are on to provide infrastructure to these schools. She mentioned that aspects such as moral education and personality development should be given top priority by the teachers.The chief minister also presented the 'Best School Chief Minister's Trophy' to SCSDG Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Rohini.

Double profits in 3Q for Global Education

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

Recently Global Education & Technology Group Ltd., a provider of education services including foreign language training and test prep, announced its third-quarter profits. It was mentioned that the profits nearly doubled on a boost in revenue. The company is based in Beijing and earned 24.6 million renminbi, ($3.7 million, or 7 cents per American Depository Share), up from 12.6 million renminbi, a year prior. Revenue rose 47% to 127.8 renminbi ($19.1 million) from 86.8 million renminbi. The company launched its IPO in October. Additionally the test preparation course enrollments rose 41% to 51,907 during the quarter and the company had 317 learning centers, up from 292 a year prior.

Feb 20 to see the first management Aptitude Test

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

The apex body of the management sector known as the All India Management Association (AIMA) has launched a Management Aptitude and Skills Test (MAST) in order to assess management students across the country. The first test will be held on February 20, 2011. The importance of MAST was emphasized upon by Punjab Technical University (PTU) Vice Chancellor Rajneesh. He added that the test will be beneficial for the employers also since they will also get a choice to pick right students with required skills fro a given job, making the recruitment process cost effective and efficient. MAST is a computer-based test, which will test students on the parameters of general ability, domain knowledge and personality traits.

INR 450 investment sought by CORE Projects

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

CORE Projects and Technologies Ltd, a technology provider to educational institutions, recently disclosed that it is planning to open 30 schools, with an initial investment of INR 450 crore. These schools are to include some of the schools that are to offer an international baccalaureate curriculum. The plans are in line with the recent trend of for-profit companies from the so-called organised sector entering the business of education. Additionally the firm is bidding to set up 50 schools in partnership with the Rajasthan government, and wants to partner the Central government to establish more schools across India.

With a specialty of implementing information and communication technology projects in educational institutes, the company is listed at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), with a market valuation of more than INR 3,000 crore. It has a presence in the US, the UK and Africa as well where it has been providing education technology contents in the K-12 segment and vocational training courses. CORE plans to set up three kinds of schools: high-end ones in the metropolitan cities that offer the popular international baccalaureate (IB) curriculum; residential schools with sports academies; and schools offering a CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) curriculum, catering to middle-class families in smaller cities. The first IB school will be ready by 2011. The company is also interested to participate in state and central governments' plans to open schools through public-private partnership (PPP). In Rajasthan, where CORE Projects is bidding to open 50 schools under such a scheme, it has already carried out feasibility studies in a few districts. Implementing ICT projects includes computerizing the school, digitising parts of the course curricula and training teachers on how to use computers. CORE Projects is also in contention for ICT contracts in Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Delhi University and Hero Mindmine Institute launch courses for assured banking and insurance jobs

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the University of Delhi (DU), Centre for Professional and Technical Training and the Hero Mindmine Institute Ltd (HMIL) have jointly launched a Certificate Course in Sales and Relationship management, assuring jobs for the DU students in the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance sector (BFSI). This unique initiative has been undertaken with a focus on creating assured employability. Both past as well as present students of University of Delhi can apply for the 'Sales & Relationship Management Program' in the Banking, Insurance and Financial (BFSI) sector. On the introduction of the new initiative, Akshay Munjal – Chief Operating Officer, HMIL said, 'This is the first time that such a program is backed by an assurance of 100% placement of students on successful completion of the program in the BFSI sector. We at Hero Mindmine have been actively providing end-to-end services including Competency mapping, Resourcing, Recruitment assessment, Pre-process training, Leadership development workshops, Train-the-trainer programs etc. to large corporate houses and SMEs across the industries & business verticals, for years. This partnership with University of Delhi will go a long way in ensuring suitable employment for the youngsters.'

Dr Savita Datta, Director – Campus of Open Learning, University of Delhi, said, 'We are delighted to have Hero Mindmine as our partner in this initiative. I am sure this programme will benefit students immensely in finding gainful employment after the completion of their course. This is a pioneering endeavour to provide employment-focused education to meritorious students – an objective that most educational institutions in our country have not been focusing on.' As per a report of the National Skill Development Corporation on Human Resource and Skill Requirements in the BFSI Sector, this sector is poised for an exponential growth and is expected to create an incremental demand of approximately 4.2 million people between 2008 and 2022. The HMIL program aims to provide a qualification to ensure a steady stream of industry-ready professionals at the entry level.

Hero Mindmine's Sales and Relationship Management Program has been developed with vital inputs from leading organizations in the Banking and Financial Services Industry. This program has a unique methodology, which not only imparts teaching to the student but also encourages him/her to practice through knowledge-based role-plays using video recording for feedback. It also includes industry specific on-the-job- training with the leading organizations. The program will enhance the incumbents' domain knowledge, selling, customer service & communication skills besides grooming their personality adequately.

School of tomorrow aims to bring progressive change in school Education

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

iDiscoveri, the innovative education enterprise focused on learning and leadership, brings forth the second edition of 'School of Tomorrow', an XSEED annual international conference on education to be held on December 7, 2010. It will be held simultaneously across New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. XSEED, the flagship program from iDiscoveri, is a path-breaking and comprehensive solution for quality teaching and learning in K-12 schools, which now reaches over 400 schools across India. Eminent speakers like former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Prof Peter Senge from MIT, Prof David Perkins from Harvard University, Gurcharan Das, author and ex- CEO P & G, would provide simple yet powerful and actionable vision for the schools of the future from an Indian and international perspective. Slated to be the biggest confluence of education leaders in this part of world, School of Tomorrow will offer a platform to schools to engage in a high-quality dialogue with thought leaders from all walks of life and thereby create a momentum for progressive change in school education. The programme will be seamlessly integrated across four cities using Internet and videoconferencing technology.

According to Ashish Rajpal, CEO ,iDiscoveri Education, 'This event is an unprecedented effort to bring together over thousand leaders of the most respected schools across four Indian cities together with international education experts, entrepreneurs and policy makers to give shape to the future of school education. The objective of such a conference is to inject the schools domain with cutting edge ideas from thinkers and practitiioners across the world on what possibilities exist for schools to redefine teaching, learning and leadership practices and to get connected to the changing demands of society on the schooling system.' School of Tomorrow will open with two enlightening key note addresses – Dr. Abdul Kalam will outline his vision for the kind of citizen India needs to emerge as a knowledge super power, while Prof David Perkins will speak on effective schools of future. Each city will feature two facilitated panel of experts – education domain experts and business and government leaders who will discuss micro and macro trends that can transform school education.

The first edition of School of Tomorrow hosted in 2009 witnessed participation from more than 250 schools. The conference engaged the audience in a high quality interactive dialogue on school education. Prof. Howard Gardner of Harvard University presented the keynote address via live video link from the United States. The unique 'Adopt a School program' which allows corporates to directly participate in improving the learning outcomes in low income schools across the country was also launched.

Raisoni Group and CIIE introduces R Idea, a National level ace business plan hunt

Corporate Updates

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November 24, 2010

Raisoni Group in association with CIIE (Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship) of IIM Ahmedabad and Pmanifold introduces 'R-Idea.' This national level competition is an ace business plan hunt with an objective to harness entrepreneurship and business planning skills within B-school students. Raisoni Group, CIIE IIMA and Pmanifold came together on one platform to propose a once in a lifetime opportunity to the B-school students with their R-idea initiative. R Idea is an out of classroom program that has listed growing sectors in India as categories for business plans (B- Plans) such as Agri business, Go Green/ Clean Technology, Information Technology, Education, Health Care & Hospitality and Social Business.

A Three month process is designed to benefit every participant. The Entry level elevator pitch received will be filtered by a review committee on various parameters like USP, strategy, practicality and time management. Short listed participants will receive mentorship from CIIE IIMA. P Manifold, a Business Solutions Company, will prepare due diligence reports for filtered B-Plans. Selected pitches that make it for the semi final round will detail their business plans and submit it for the finale round. Pranay Gupta, Joint CEO, IIM Ahemdabad – CIIE commented saying, 'Business in reality differs from bookish knowledge plans. This programme will help each participant to travel progressively from their classroom confined power point presentations to execution for survival and profits.'

Addressing the media, Siddharth Raisoni, Group Director, Raisoni Group of Institutions said, 'This R idea B- Plan hunt will test the mettle of aspiring businessmen who are currently undertaking various business lessons from courses like MBA and Bachelor of Business Management. The service sectors in India that majorly contributes to India's GDP (Gross Development Product) require seasoned entrepreneurs. Sustained businesses in these sectors will create better employment opportunities. With our knowledge and incubation partner, we will select the best business plan submitted by the students and showcase it to the investors.' This is the first year of 'R-Idea' as a national level event for B-School students across India. Prominent names from the corporate world are associated in the B-Plan hunt like Angel Investment Partners, PManifold, Management Consultant Company is the knowledge partner and CIIE of IIM Ahmedabad is sealed as the Incubation Partner. The event will announce winners on February 2011. Three best B-Plans winners will be awarded a six figure cash prize.

Educomp showcases Smartclass digital content

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

Educomp Solutions Ltd today showcased the new Smartclass program now fully calibrated and aligned to the curriculum framework prescribed by ICSE board at the ASISC meet held at Powai, Mumbai. Educomp Smartclass is a digital initiative pioneered and invented by Educomp, India's no 1 education company and has already been adopted by over 4500 progressive schools, 5 million students across 35000 classrooms in almost every district across India. Smartclass is transforming the way teachers teach and students learn in schools. Over 300 Schools affiliated to the ICSE board have already adopted Smartclass. Speaking on the occasion, Divya Lal, Vice President, Academic Support said, 'We are pleased to present our Smartclass program with high quality digital content before this august gathering of principals of leading ICSE schools across India. This content has been mapped as per ICSE board text books and the well structured, customized content will aid the teachers tremendously in classrooms.' Educomp Smartclass is credited with improving teacher effectiveness and productivity, bringing abstract and difficult curriculum concepts to life, making learning an enjoyable experience for students, enabling multi-sensory learning in classrooms, improving academic performance of students and enabling instant assessment of learning outcomes in class.

The program enables teachers to use digital resources such as graphics, animations, 3 D Images and Video clips in addition to the chalk and talk methods of teaching in their day to day teaching life. This results in a completely new multi sensory learning experience for students and helps them to improve their academic performance. The Smartclass content repository consists of thousands of highly animated, lesson specific, 3D and 2D multimedia modules built with an Instructor-led design that allows the teacher to effectively transact the lesson in a typical classroom of diverse set of learners. 'It is a new age technology movement that is fast becoming an imperative for schools. Soon it will touch every class and every progressive school in India' added Lal.

38% Teachers in Azerbaijan to pass ICT training says Education Minister

Policy Matters

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2010

It is expected that around 38 % of teachers in Azerbaijan will pass trainings on ICT in 2010, as described by the Azerbaijani Education Minister, Misir Mardanov, in his address at an international conference on 'Economic development through education and technology'. He explained that in recent years the pan is to increase the figure to 67%, which implies that 114,000 teachers will pass trainings. In future it is being anticipated that multi-stage training will be sought for teachers. The event was attended by the Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov, UNESCO's advisor on ICT Marius Lukosiunas, representatives of Microsoft and the University of Edinburgh.

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