Central Information Commission provides relief to IGNOU students

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June 5, 2009

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has brought a ray of hope for the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) students that were enrolled for the Higher National Diploma (HND) and B.I.T. courses, which the university is running in association with Edexcel, a UK-based university. Even after waiting for years, many students who had pursued the courses did not receive their certificates from Edexcel, which turned all their hard work futile. The IGNOU on the other hand does not have any answer as to why Edexcel has not issued certificates to these successful students. Sailesh Gandhi, Information Commissioner CIC has asked the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of IGNOU Professor Rajasekharan Pillai to look into the matter and send a report to the Commission by April 30. Many students have been facing this trauma of not receiving any information related to their certificates either from IGNOU or from Edexcel.

The matter came into the notice of CIC after Aslam Ansari filed an application about his son Obaidurrahman who had successfully pursued the HND and B.I.T. courses from IGNOU in 2005-06 and completed his course in December 2005. Some of the students had received their certificates by Edexcel while others did not. No reason was provided to the rest of the students for non-issuing of certificates. Even after Aslam Ansari gave an application to CIC in September 2008, no response was given by IGNOU initially. However, after some time IGNOU replied that the Edexcel University would issue the HND certificates. It further said that it was in constant touch with the Edexcel authorities related to the issue and trying to fix a meeting between authorities of both the bodies and sort out the all the issues relates to issuance of certificates. A meeting is soon expected. However, as there were no steps taken by IGNOU for few months, CIC has expressed its dissatisfaction towards IGNOU for not helping out its students. While Edexcel and IGNOU have no explanation for the lapse, the Edexcel course continues to run in India.

Disable friendly software at DU to ease the admission process

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June 4, 2009

Adding another feature to its effort for making the admission process a lot more student-friendly for the differently-abled candidates, < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Delhi University this year has introduced JAWS computer software for the benefit of visually challenged applicants. JAWS is a software programme designed to work with a speech synthesiser, converting an ordinary computer into a talking computer. Last year, the University had introduced Braille forms to enable the visually impaired to 'feel' the form, even though their admission applications were filled by the student counsellors. 'Last year, we got some students who did not know Braille. They had studied JAWS software, following the computer's instructions. We decided to get that software so that the blind students can hear the vast choice of courses and colleges available to them,' said Seema M. Parihar, Deputy Dean of Students' Welfare, on Monday.

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'However, the forms will be filled by our student counsellors only as these candidates will need counselling and advice in terms of college location and other things. Besides, their parents also need counselling,' added Parihar, who herself undertook training in that software. The same rationale had been applied behind the introduction of the Braille forms. 'Through Braille forms, we wanted them to be a part of the admission process. These forms were designed only for the purpose of making blind students understand for themselves what awaits them on the campus in terms of options for courses and colleges, said Swati, a student counsellor. A team of 15 counsellors will be manning the registration centre for the physically challenged candidates at the office of the Dean of Students' Welfare on the North Campus. Mamta, who is hearing-impaired and works as a sign language interpreter with the Equal Opportunity Cell of Delhi University, will also be present at the centre. The disabled students can fill up to 30 preferences in different colleges. The University is offering more than 1,500 seats for such students this year. However, out of 1,200 seats available in 2008, only 356 had been taken up.

Micronet International College launched HND in computing

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June 4, 2009

Micronet International College launched Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council's (BDTVEC's) Higher National Diploma in Computing at the Business Centre, Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong. < ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The guest of honour was Deputy Minister of Education Pengiran Dato Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman. The guest of honour highlighted the importance of new technology in raising the quality of education. The use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) in education can potentially enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching. Second is the availability of Internet resources to support teaching and learning within our education institutions. Brunei Darussalam is determined to improve access to ICT facilities in the country as a tool not only for accelerated socio-economic development but also for the promotion of friendship, mutual cooperation, peaceful coexistence, and cultural and social stability.

UGC guidelines on NET may lead to faculty crunch in colleges

Higher Education

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June 4, 2009

While the Delhi University (DU) has increased the seats in its colleges by 7,000, taking the total to 49,000, the University Grants Commission's new guidelines on making National Eligibility Test (NET) mandatory for college teachers may result in a `faculty crisis' in DU. According to the All India University Researchers' Association officials, DU's over 700 ad hoc teachers and guest faculty will face the axe because of UGC's new provision and there won't be enough teachers to conduct the classes, which begin from July 16. Prior to the guidelines, MPhil or a PhD degree holders were exempted from NET and could teach in colleges.

With the new rule in place, only those with a PhD have been exempted, that too in `special cases'. Also, the new guidelines would even apply to those who have completed their research and are already teaching on temporary basis. Speaking about the crisis, vice chancellor of DU, Deepak Pental, said, 'This sudden change making NET mandatory would definitely pose some problems, but the university would plan accordingly before the start of the session. The teachers might have to take a few extra classes for a short period.'

Online admissions to DU

Higher Education

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June 4, 2009

If you are an outstation student, you can now take admission to Delhi University sitting at home. Going tech-savvy, colleges are not only accepting online application forms for admission to courses, but also hostels. Indraprastha College for Women (IP), St Stephen's College, Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), Hansraj College, Miranda House, Hindu College, Ramjas College, Kirori Mal College and Sri Venkateshwara are among the colleges to which you can apply online. 'In IP College, all the forms for BA (hons), BA Programme, B Com (hons), BSc (hons), computer science, sports quota and the hostel application are online.' said Manasvini M Yogi, media coordinator Indraprastha college. 'Only the Bachelor's of Mass Media and Mass Communication, which has an entrance exam does not have an online form. A student only needs to come during time of payment of fees.' However, the downside is you can only apply to one course per form, the cost of which is INR 100.

Though most college charge hefty fees for those using the convenience of online forms, LSR makes sure outstation students do not have to burn a hole in their pockets. 'We do not charge any fees for online applications, and a student can apply to three courses per form. Though we prefer that students come and visit the college and attend counseling sessions before applying for a course in the college, we realise not everyone can do so,' said Kanika Khandelwal, media coordinator, LSR College. Yet, colleges find online applications still comprise a small number of applications received. Colleges maintain online forms are a foolproof method. 'We have never received complaints from students who submitted forms online,' said SR Arora, Hansraj College.

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council revamps website homepage

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June 4, 2009

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, UK, has revamped its website homepage to make it easier to find out about its services.< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport Cllr Denise Jeffery said that they have listened to comments from citizens about what they thought about the homepage. It is now much easier to navigate with drop down menus of how to find out about our services and is more dynamic than before. Visitors will find it easier to browse as the new design lists links without making the page feel cluttered. The new homepage is the first of many changes to the Wakefield Council site over the coming year and will make it simpler to connect with the Council. There is significant increase in the unique visitors over the last year. The homepage features a new search facility to give improved results.

National Mission on Education through ICT to bridge urban-rural gap

Policy Matters

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June 4, 2009

The National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project will bridge the gap between urban and rural institutions as more than 6,000 colleges will be networked across the country through the UGC-INFONET, said Jagdish Arora, Director of Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, UGC Ahmedabad. The mission with two major components- content generation and connectivity-will provide access to electronic journals and information that is required for collegiate education.

It will also provide high quality personalised and interactive knowledge modules through the internet for all the learners in higher education institutions, he said. Already an amount of INR 25 crore has been allocated for the first phase. The scheme, submitted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), will leverage the potential of information and communication technology and is expected to be a major intervention in enhancing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period as also recommended by the Oversight Committee and the National Knowledge Commission (NKC). He said that the Department of Information Technology has initiated a INR 100 crore project to network all the research institutions and universities by providing connectivity and increasing the capability of the existing networks. Stressing on the need to digitise libraries, Arora said that the figures indicated that the increasing information flow has generated an increase in the number of articles and research papers. The INFLIBNET has already networked 157 universities including 12 private ones in different gradations. He said that the first 50 universities have access to 5,000 electronic journals, the second 50 to about 4,000 and the last 57 as per their requirement. The private universities are part of a consortium and they pay for their subscription.

Teachers to protest against irregularities in OBC quota

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June 4, 2009

The All India Backward Students Forum of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and the Academic Forum for Social Justice, of Delhi University (DU) teachers will take out a protest march against irregularities in implementing the 27% reservations for OBC students at the Delhi University. The march beginning from the Arts Faculty will culminate in a dharna at VC's office. Nearly 200 people including teachers from DU, JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia will participate.

Committee to Discuss components of new ICT Policy

Policy Matters

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June 4, 2009

Broad components of the much awaited new Information and Communication Technology policy of the state government has been brought out by the IT department of Orissa. A committee of six members is to meet in the first week of September this year to discuss the features which would be incorporated in the new ICT policy. The committee comprises of officials of the State IT Department, Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), the Technical Directorate of the State IT Department and representatives from the IT units and the academia engaged in IT education. The new ICT policy which was to be modeled on the best IT practices of IT friendly states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal was set to be finalised by November this year.

Apart from including the best IT practices of states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and positioning Orissa as a favourable destination for IT investments, the new policy would also contain enabling measures for growth of IT SMEs (small and medium enterprises). The state IT department is set to formulate a new ICT policy after a gap of five years. The new policy assumes significance as the state had emerged as one of the attractive destinations for the IT sector. The proposed IT projects were facing delay as the IT majors were going slow on construction work in the aftermath of the global economic meltdown. The state IT department was planning to review the progress of these projects in October this year.

NET Linking 150 colleges, 6 Universities

Higher Education

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June 4, 2009

The six universities and 150 colleges in the state will be netlinked soon. This will make it easier for the educational institutions to exchange the information and make each other aware of the activities. The Cochin University of Science & Technology (Cusat) will be the nodal agency and will coordinate the networking of information. A proposal has been sent by the state government to the Ministry of Human Resource Development for clearance. The Officials said that the project would be started soon. Meanwhile, the Cusat is all set to launch a knowledge repository which will link all the state and central institutions situated in Kochi. 'We are negotiating with the scientific institutions in Kochi and we will provide a platform for the common public as well as industries who are on the lookout for information,' said Registrar, N Chandramohankumar. He said that the Cusat would showcase information which would benefit the local self-governments, industries and members from the common public looking for information of any technology, expertise or any ongoing work. The Cochin University has been ranked nine in the list of the 175 universities and institutions using e-journals through the UGCInformation and Library Network (INFLIBNET).

'We rate them according to the usage of the e-journals used by the staff and students of the institutions,' said Jagdish Arora, director, UGC-INFLIBNET. The Cusat was ranked 13th last year and 41, the year prior to the lastyear. If one has to look at the numbers of new works presented, you will find that it is directly linked to the information search done by the individuals by way of references. The knowledge networking programmes got a boost when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared the proposal for National Mission on Education through the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), submitted by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, a few months back. According to the Mission, high quality personalised and interactive knowledge modules over the Internet/ intranet will be made available for all the learners in higher education institutions in anytime anywhere mode. This is expected to help in improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education by five percentage points during the eleventh five year plan period and in ensuring access and equity in higher education.

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