A new online tracking system has been launched by Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University, on June 14, 2010, in order to equip students to get information regarding the status of their applications, allotted test centres and interview dates. Simi Malhotra, a university spokesperson, reported that JMI is the first university in India to have introduced an online system for students to track their admission status on the internet, just by entering their roll numbers. It was further reported that the university had received around 29,000 applications for admission into the B.Tech course, which has only 350 seats. The online system has been developed by the FTK Centre for Information Technology.
Boost to performance of Bionic devices through New Bioplastic
New type of conductive bioplastics has been fashioned by a young researcher, that is to boost the performance of bionic devices, electronic devices and mechanical parts that assist humans in performing difficult, dangerous, or intricate tasks, such as the cochlear ear and the proposed bionic eye. Rylie Green, Biomedical Engineer, University of New South Wales (UNSW) explained that this plastic will enable reach to smaller devices that utilise safer smaller currents and encourage nerve interactions. At present, the electrodes they use are made from metals such as platinum and iridium.
Conductive plastics or polymers are an alternative to metals. They have rough surfaces which encourage the attachment of cells, meaning they offer potential for improved performance and longevity when implanted in the body as electrodes. Additionally, the highly textured polymer surface can pass electrical current to cells more efficiently than smooth metals.
Mobiles to track child’s school progress
Now elders, especially parents can track progress of their children at school and also receive regular updates and circulars through a new device. On June 15, 2010 Pinnacle Teleservices launched R-Fi, a device that will enable parents to get regular information and updates about their school-going kids on their mobile phones, along with other relevant information from the school like notices and circulars. The service charges for the same range from INR 600 to INR1,000 per year.
Abhinav Bansal, Regional Head (north) of Pinnacle Teleservices described the device as a bridge between the parents and educational institutes in the city. For testing the device implementation with students, six schools all over India have been given this device. Two schools in the capital city of Delhi, Vishal Bharati PublicSchool and Jain Bharati Model School, have started using it.
Chandigarh Class 11 admissions to go digital
Now students from various government schools, seeking admission into Class XI, can now submit their forms at the five schools selected by the education department, UT. Candidates can opt for 10 schools of their choice on the form that would be available on the website, chdeducation.gov.in, till June 14. For the first time, such effort has been made whereby the government schools would be offering online forms that could be submitted with INR 100 as fees. Candidates can visit government senior secondary schools situated in sectors 10, 23,32, 37 and Modern housing complex in Manimajra to submit forms and fees, mentioned Chanchal Singh, district education officer, UT. Helpline and counsellors will be deployed at the Government Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 10 from June 14 onwards. But the forms have to be submitted by hand at any of the selected schools. The last date for submission is June 23.
Interactyx expands eLearning Software
Recently, an announcement was made of partnership between Interactyx Limited and Udutu Online Learning Systems Inc. in order to combine two award winning services into one great social eLearning software offering. TOPYX is an affordable eLearning software as a service (SaaS) solution with integrated social learning, mobile learning and eCommerce functionality; fulfilling the modern eLearning needs for any size business, academic institution, or association. The myUdutu course authoring tool makes it easy and affordable for anyone, whether a department head at a large corporation, professor, teacher or a small business, to create, deliver and manage effective online training and learning.
By using TOPYX with the embedded myUdutu course authoring tool, TOPYX/Udutu's Web based training solution can be wholly online or a blended learning course by providing the online software to create interactive training, simulations, and online case studies and assessments.
Elearning Centre to Limpopo
An eLearning programme is to help in introducing technology for both teachers and learners, mentioned DiData's Andile Ngcaba. The eLearning programme by Dimension Data has been extended into the Limpopo Province, by establishing an e-learning centre at the Hudson Ntsanwisi School, recently. This is the sixth province included in the company's programme, which focuses on using technology to improve education in underprivileged schools. The objective of the programme according to DiData is to have 40 000 learners throughout SA on its e-learning programme by 2015.
Each e-learning centre includes a trolley equipped with computer equipment that can be moved around the school; connect to the Internet; and features education software aligned with the Grade 10, 11, and 12 maths, science, English, and life skills curricula. It was reported that the Dimension Data, during the past three years has implemented its e-learning programme in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Eastern and Western Cape, and the North West Province. This has introduced over 10 600 Grade 10, 11, and 12 students and their teachers to the advantages of online and computer-assisted learning.
Everonn and QAI partner
The largest VSAT eductaion network company, Everonn Education, recently announced its partnership with QAI Global Institute, a global workforce development leader, to offer certificate programmes for students in India. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by P. Kishore, Managing Director, Everonn Education and Navyug Mohnot, Chief Executive Officer, QAI, signed a) with respect to the above. It was mentioned by Kishore that the partnership would work towards increasing the employability quotient of students graduating from various academic institutions. Everonn's vast network of educational institutes would help QAI reach out to students and professionals and would bridge the existing skill gap. Together the companies aim to reach out to over 1,500 Everonn powered colleges and an estimated 50,000 students in the next three years. Both Everonn and QAI are to offer QAI's globally recognised certifications, trainings and mentoring to students through digitally enabled lecture platforms, campus adoption programmes of Everoon and industry academica exchanges.
IGNOU Water harvesting programme to start soon
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is to soon start a certificate programme in water harvesting from this academic session to train people in techniques of water harvesting. The programme will be coordinated by Sanjeev Pandey, who mentioned that this is a six month course to train people for handling situations related to water crisis, particularly in urban areas.
The main objective of the programme is to sensitise and educate learners on augmentation and utilization of water resources and to impart necessary skills and expertise to understand water harvesting techniques. The fee of the course is INR1,600 and is open to those who have passed standard tenth.
Honing communcation skills of doctors to be
Orientation course in English will be offered to hone the communicative skills of would-be-doctors, particularly from the rural areas, by the premier Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) at Lucknow. It was reported that initially, the course would be of three months' duration. However, after completion, students would be free to continue it if they are not satisfied with their performance or simply want to have more practice lessons for sharpening their communication skills. The course would commence from the next academic session, the officials said. Though the course is being launched primarily for freshers, senior students interested in the programme can also enroll themselves to improve their communication skills.
High Number of DU admission forms sold
This year the Delhi University (DU) sold around 200,000 application forms for admissions to its undergraduate courses. They outnumbered their own record they held in past by selling of more than three times the number of seats offered by the varsity. The sale of application forms, which began on May 28, culminated on Friday.
Last year, the number of seats offered by DU was 49,000 and in 2008 it was 42,000. Of the total number of forms sold, 143,224 forms were filled and submitted to the university. As compared to 405 forms sold last year to physically handicapped students, 443 forms were sold and submitted this year. The announcement for the first cut-off list for various courses in the colleges will be made on June 22. The academic session will begin in July.
