Quality education to villages by IGNOU and Sahaj

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July 11, 2009

Srei Sahaj e-Village, a subsidiary of Srei Infrastructure has partnered with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to offer distance learning programmes in villages, with an aim to take international quality education at affordable costs for the rural India. Higher education would be made available to the villagers through 27,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs), which are set up in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir. All courses will be accredited to IGNOU. Srei Sahaj will administer the programmes including enrollments, registration, fee collection, evaluation and will also do the certification online or manually.

Presently, there is a huge gap in the educational status of boys and girls within the rural sphere of the country, as against the urban youth. The net enrollment ratio of the rural youth stands at a mere 7.48 % for boys and 4.5 % for girls, which is remarkably lower than 17.84 % and 16.9 % respectively for urban boys and girls. However, with the use of modern ICT platform of Sahaj available at 12,000 Gram Panchayat units, the prestigious IGNOU higher education will be made available to the rural youth in digital format at the Sahaj Common Service Centers (CSCs). The rural youth would have unprecedented prospects to acquire IGNOU's internationally recognized certification, diplomas, degrees right in their village within a distance of three kilometers from their homes at the ICT backed, computerized Sahaj CSCs.

Sibal: Private investment in Education sector

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July 11, 2009

Human resource development minister Kapil Sibal told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that there was a need to expand the education sector. Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on demand for grants for the HRD ministry, Sibal made a strong pitch for greater private investment and allowing foreign universities with necessary regulatory mechanism in the sector. The minister said expansion was necessary but the government's reservation policy had to be followed. If there is one legacy of his predecessor Arjun Singh that Sibal has been virtually silent about it is reservation for socially and educationally backwards. Sibal has been lukewarm to the idea of extending reservations in the private unaided educational institutes. The Bill to extend reservations to the private unaided institutes is pending though it has been vetted by a group of ministers in the previous UPA administration. Given that reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs are now required to be given by law in centrally education institutes, it would seem that the minister was now perhaps considering extending the same to the private unaided and foreign universities.

Sibal was reiterating the principal of national treatment. As per WTO obligations, national treatment is an accepted principle, where foreign players are treated on a par with domestic players. Any exception to the national treatment principle would have to be as a bilateral agreement with India, and this would be at the discretion of the Indian government. As part of his reply, the minister announced that the government would introduce Right To Education Bill in the current session of Parliament and plans to go in for an overarching body for regulating higher education. The minister said the required expansion would require investment from the private sector. Government has allocated INR 85,000 crore for higher education in the 11th Plan.

Vietnam seen as potential are for IT growth by Aptech

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July 11, 2009

10 years of success in Vietnam was commemorated by Aptech Limited, the global retail & corporate training solutions major. Since 1999, Aptech has been training the Vietnamese youth on state-of-the-art IT education through its network of 38 training centres. Aptech, Vietnam has trained over 40,000 students in areas of Software Education, Animation & Multimedia and Hardware & Networking, since it's inception.

Speaking during his visit to Vietnam to celebrate Aptech's 10th anniversary in the country, Ninad Karpe, CEO & MD, said, 'Vietnam is one of the most important emerging IT markets in Asia. The country's IT sector has grown more than 20 percent annually. This country has a wealth of talent, and Aptech is committed to scale up its offerings to foster talent in Vietnam for global IT industry.' Aptech's flagship ACCP program is among the most popular IT training programs in Vietnam. Aptech has localized its course curriculum by translating it into Vietnamese. Aptech has been rated No 1 IT Training organization in Vietnam for six consecutive years (2003-2008), by IDG and Ho Chi Minh Computer Association. In 2008 Aptech Vietnam won ICT Gold Medal for Highest Turnover & top ICT Training Cup, conferred by Ho Chi Minh Computer Association and in 2007 it was honored with VINASA (Vietnamese Software Association) Award. With active support from the Vietnamese Government, Aptech continues to grow with centres in all the key cities including Cantho, Quy Nhon, Vinh City, Hue, Danang & Hai Phong.

NIS Sparta to open 50 Community Colleges with IGNOU

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July 11, 2009

NIS Sparta, Asia's leading Training, Education and Learning Solutions Provider has been selected as a leading partner by IGNOU, India's leading Open University to offer Education through Community Colleges in India. As a part of this collaboration, over 50 NIS Community Colleges will be opened across the country. The concept of providing skill based courses through community colleges is new in India and is all set to take Education to new Mile. NIS Sparta will offer Certificate courses, Diploma Courses and Associate Degree programs under this initiative. Admissions have begun and programs will be offered starting July 2009 across India. Both IGNOU and NIS Academy are known for the roles they have played in the education sector. This new initiative will further their visions to provide affordable employability linked education to the local communities. 'We are very happy to be a part of this fantastic initiative by IGNOU. NIS Community Colleges will serve as an alternative system of education and aim to empower individuals through appropriate skill development leading to gainful employment. This collaboration will create a bridge between the local industries and the community and ensure the reach of education to the last mile, said Muralidhar Rao, President & COO, NIS Sparta. 'The focus will be to help individuals in developing skills for employment in the burgeoning service industries such as Retail, Finance & Telecom amongst others,' said Manoj Chawla, Senior VP and Head Employability Solutions Group, NIS Sparta.

Students after completing their 10th standard can also join for a two year Associate degree course after completing the one-year “Basic Preparatory Program” (BPP) of IGNOU. This two year Associate Degree programme will be available to more than 2000 students initially. NIS Sparta, under the agreement will provide the out-reach network, make available classrooms in over 50 cities and deliver the program through certified faculty. IGNOU, in turn, shall conduct the examinations and award the Certificate, Diploma or Associate Degree as the case may be. The fees of the program which is outlined on making it affordable will be determined jointly by NIS Sparta and IGNOU. The beneficiaries under this NIS Community College initiative will be, be school drop-outs, late entrants into higher education, and working people who find entry into the formal system rigid. The students would be allowed to pursue continuing education through all meaningful formats

INR 55 crore to the Budding Scientists

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July 11, 2009

While inaugurating a three day conference of 4th Indian Science and Technology Entrepreneurs' Parks and Business Incubators Association (ISBA) on 8^th February 2010, Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, mentioned that much potential is still there, talking about harnessing technologies and brining them to markets and converting our country's yuong technology entrepreneurial capacities into job creators than seekers.

Chavan further told that under a newly introduced scheme called Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), the government haa a plan to select at least one best talented student for scientific studies from every school in the country who pass out 10th and 12th standard. On this occasion, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for INR 55 crore fund for financial year 2011-12 to be allocated to ISBA member incubatee companies. Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary DST and Dr. S.K. Brahmachari, Secretary, DSIR also addressed the participants. R.M.P. Jawahar, President, ISBA, Dr. Rajendrea Jagdale, Secretary General, ISBA and Prof. Arun Nigavekar, Mentor Academia-R&D workshop, ISBA were also present.

CISCO to support Governments Educational Reforms

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July 11, 2009

Cisco today announced two major collaborative initiatives with the Moroccan government, the launch of the Cisco Networking Academy program in Morocco and Cisco's appointment as strategic technology advisor to the Moroccan government. A ceremony to mark the collaboration, held at Cisco Expo Morocco 2009, was attended by Ms. Latifa El Abida, the secretary of state for the ministry of national education. A milestone in Cisco's ongoing commitment to work with the government, businesses and citizens of Morocco to help build the future through the intelligent application of information and communications technology (ICT), using the network as the platform. Cisco will work with Morocco's Ministry of National Education to introduce the Cisco Networking Academy program into the curriculum in K-12 schools, as well as colleges, universities and other educational institutions throughout the kingdom of Morocco. As the government's strategic technology advisor, Cisco will help to formulate and develop Morocco's ICT strategy. This collaboration will enable the government to benefit from Cisco's experience in setting up similar programs and educational networks across the globe and particularly in Africa and the Middle East.

The Networking Academy program provides ICT skills to students globally to improve their career and economic opportunities. It operates in high schools, colleges, universities, technical and military schools, community-based organizations and government bodies. Its curriculum combines the theory and practice of designing, developing and implementing the networks that underpin businesses and other organizations. In addition, its advanced technology curricula in areas such as security, wireless and Internet Protocol (IP) telephony provide exposure to the latest technology skills in those fields. It also has a module teaching basic ICT skills. The Networking Academy is present in 41 countries in Africa, with 41,000 students taking classes and 92,000 students since its inception. There are 760 instructors in 350 academies.

Cyberkids Camp 2009 by Maxis

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July 11, 2009

MAXIS recently held the Maxis Cyberkids Camp 2009 for 112 secondary school students from Selangor and Pahang. The camp is part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme called Maxis Bridging Communities that aims to reduce the digital divide among urban and rural communities across the country. A total of 42 schools from Sabah, Sarawak, Perlis, Selangor, Malacca and Pahang and 336 participants are involved in the programme this year. The Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Selangor and Pahang camps have already been conducted while those for Perlis and Malacca will be held in the coming months.

Students will be exposed to ICT knowledge and technology systems that will enhance the students learning skills via the Internet. The schools that will be participating in the camp are mostly rural schools that have poor ICT exposure. So far, the Maxis Cyberkids Camp has reached out to more than 5,000 children and 2,500 teachers across the country. Maxis has conducted 93 Cyberkids programmes since its inception in 2002. The schools were selected from the Education Ministry's list of schools with rural ones being given priority.

Civil Services Main Exam 2008 results out

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July 11, 2009

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the results of the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2008. This result is based on the written part of the examination, held by the UPSC in October-November, 2008 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March-April, 2009. The result is available through www.ExamResults.net. Selected candidates have been recommended for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS); Indian Foreign Service (IFS); Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group 'A' and Group 'B'. A total number of 791 candidates have been recommended for appointment including 364 General (including 13 Physically Challenged candidates), 236 Other Backward Classes (including 07 Physically Challenged candidates), 130 Scheduled Castes and 61 Scheduled Tribes candidates. The number of vacancies reported by the Government for the Indian Administrative Service is 120 (60 General, 33 Other Backward Classes, 17 Scheduled Castes and 10 Scheduled Tribes); for the Indian Foreign Service is 26 (13 General, 08 Other Backward Classes, 04 Scheduled Castes and 01 Scheduled Tribe); for the Indian Police Service is 130 (65 General, 36 Other Backward Classes, 20 Scheduled Castes and 09 Scheduled Tribes); for the Central Services Group 'A' is 546 (282 General, 146 Other Backward Classes, 81 Scheduled Castes and 37 Scheduled Tribes) and for Central Services Group 'B' is 59 ( 34 General, 13 Other Backward Classes, 08 Scheduled Castes and 04 Scheduled Tribes). This includes 20 vacancies for Physically Challenged candidates.

In accordance with Rule 16 (4) & (5) of the Civil Services Examination Rules 2008, the Commission is maintaining a consolidated Reserve List of 180 candidates which includes 90 General, 74 Other Backward Classes, 11 Scheduled Castes and 05 Scheduled Tribes candidates ranking in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under respective category. UPSC has a 'Facilitation Counter' near Examination Hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitments during working hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543. Appointment to the various services will be made according to the number of vacancies available with due consideration to the provisions contained in Rules 2 and 19 of the Rules of the Examination and subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court / High Court / C.A.Ts. on the S.L.Ps. / R.As/ W.Ps. O.As. pending therein. A total number of 3,18,843 candidates applied for this examination. 1,67,035 candidates appeared for the Preliminary examination. 11,849 candidates qualified for the Main written examination held in October-November, 2008. 2140 candidates were selected for the Personality Test conducted in March-April, 2009. The successful candidates include 625 male and 166 female candidates. The top 25 candidates include 15 males and 10 females. Educational qualification-wise they comprise of 12 candidates belonging to Commerce, Mangement, Humanities, Science & Social Sciences; 9 candidates belonging to Engineering and 4 candidates belonging to Medical Science background.

IIT Kharagpur and Railways partner to promote research

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July 8, 2009

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Indian Railways and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K) to support and promote research and development in the organisation, announced the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, after inaugurating a computerised reservation counter in southern part of Kolkata. The minister announced two new trains for West Bengal. She said the railways would also provide its land for setting up 372 diagnostic centres, 44 first-class hospitals and 88 second-class hospitals across the country.

MoU between IIT Allahabad and Sahyadri College

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July 8, 2009

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad (IIIT-A) and Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management. The MoU has been signed to enable 10 students and 5 faculty members of the college to carry out mini-projects at IIIT-A during summer and winter. Sahyadri College is a unit of Bhandary Foundation.

M.D. Tiwari, Director of IIIT-A said, 'All these students will be allowed to participate in the placement pool of IIIT-A. They can also pursue their higher studies at IIIT-A.' The national and international seminars funded by IIIT-A will be organized at the college in Mangalore.

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