IIMs Directors to approach Ministry with recommendations of RC Bhargava led IIM

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May 4, 2009

All the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) Directors has been asked by the Ministry of Human Resource Department (HRD) to approach them with recommendations of the R. C. Bhargava-led IIM review committee on Wednesday. The recommendations offered by the Bhargava committee were not completely approved by most IIMs. The meeting was held to discuss the mentoring of new IIMs proposed to commence this year with the assistance of existing IIMs. The IIMs were earlier reluctant towards the recommendations citing the resource and faculty crunch. However, the IIMs had taken a strong exception to the key recommendation of the Bhargava Committee that proposed a pan-IIM board be created to synchronize amongst all the seven existing IIMs and the upcoming IIMs.

The 40-page report was packed with 22 recommendations, mentioning clearly that IIMs cannot expect to become completely independent of the government. The IIM Directors are expected to register their reservation against the pan-IIM board concept; they may even decide to follow up on some other recommendations of the committee when they will submit their perspective to the ministry by the end of this month.

Encouraging e learning at Primary level

Policy Matters

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 4, 2009

School children are going to be taught how to use websites like Google Earth and Wikipedia in a huge overhaul of primary education. Computing skills will become as important as English and maths under plans about to be unveiled by the former schools inspector Sir Jim Rose. And teachers are expected to be given extra training to help them stay one step ahead of 'computer-savvy' students. Becta, the Government's technology agency, warned Sir Jim that if information and communication technology (ICT) is not built into the curriculum there is a risk that a 'digital underclass' will emerge. Becta chief executive Stephen Crowne said, 'Without an appropriate emphasis on technology from an early age there is the risk of a digital underclass developing, lacking opportunities for wide-ranging use of technology, which puts them at a disadvantage in a world where ICT surround us.

'The traditional core skills of reading and writing must always remain at the heart of primary teaching, but we must also recognise that there is a wealth of technology available today which, when used effectively and imaginatively, can complement the traditional skills and aid teaching.' The report is also expected to give more information on proposals to scrap individual subjects in place of six new 'areas of learning.' Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said, 'Ministers need to make sure that the new primary curriculum is rigorous and protects proper subject teaching. The suggestion of merging proper history and geography lessons into vague humanities 'themed learning' would take primary education in the wrong direction.'

International support for e-Framework initiative

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 4, 2009

New Zealand's Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Netherland's SURF Foundation have been formally welcomed as Partners in the e-Framework Initiative, now undertaken by the JISC and Australia's Department for Education, Science and Training (DEST).< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The e-Framework is an ambitious and far-reaching programme, exploring more flexible approaches to the technical infrastructures for e-Learning, e-Research and e-Administration. The initiative is now attracting growing international support, from national education and research bodies as well as commercial IT suppliers worldwide. Murray Leach, representing the MoE, commented that joining of New Zealand and Nether Land in the initiative signals a timely and strategic investment for the country. Speaking on behalf of the JISC-DEST Cooperation Partnership Board, Sarah Porter said that they were particularly pleased to welcome colleagues from SURF and the New Zealand Ministry of Education to assist them. Both SURF and the MoE have impressive records in developing IT solutions for education and information environments. Their experience will provide valuable perspectives in developing the e-Framework.

IT aid for Chinese teachers from Satyam

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May 4, 2009

Hyderabad-based Satyam Computer Services has announced that it is providing free data management solution and IT services to the National Office of Project Hope Teacher Training Centre, which is sponsored by China Youth Development Foundation. < ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Satyam volunteers take their time off during weekends to teach IT skills like e-mail and web surfing to school lteachers in western China. In addition, Satyam's data management solution give enhanced visibility to Project Hope's systems. The solution will also generate statistical reports automatically allowing Project Hope instructors to focus on mapping out plans and implement programs. The Project Hope Teacher Training program is one of the important initiatives to liaison with the government and support underprivileged children with primary education. Regional manager and head of Satyam, China, Raghavendra Tripathi said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Satyam is committed to reaching out to people in China through volunteerism.

DU sets up Quality Assurance Cell

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 4, 2009

To keep a tab on the quality of the academic as well as administrative activities, Delhi University (DU) has setup a Quality Assurance Cell. The cell will first have a check at the existing quality parameters in curriculum, teaching-learning processes, infrastructure and research in various colleges and departments. Self-evaluation will be conducted first and a report will be submitted which will be analyzed for the existing quality standards maintained. 'Evaluating where we stand right now will be the first step. We will keep in mind at the standards that are in place and form some realistic and achievable benchmarks,' said A. K. Bakshi, DU Director of Life Long Learning.

The Quality Assurance Cell will evaluate the current examination system, learning resources like computer laboratories and libraries, classrooms and facilities for teachers and students, research and consultancy activities, etc. The cell has been established as an answer to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country. Accreditation by NAAC has been refused several times by the teachers and executive council members of DU.

Admission Helpline by Delhi University

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May 4, 2009

With only a month left for the admission season to begin, Delhi University on Monday launched its admission helpline to inform students about various undergraduate courses and sale of admission forms. On the first day itself, student counsellors received over 450 calls, mainly from students inquiring about the cut-off percentages of various colleges, hostel facilities and entrance examinations for different courses. Several parents called up to find out various details.

The helpline numbers for the North Campus are 27662507 and 27662508. For the South Campus, students can call on 24119832 and 24114634. The helpline will be manned by a team of over 20 student counsellors assisted by some faculty members. The admission helpline will be available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on all weekdays till July 3.

Government sector in India spurts desktop sales in public sector

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May 4, 2009

The government's initiative on connecting the country through e-governance programme is likely to shoot the rate of desktop buyers in the next two years. Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) in its industry performance review 2005-2006 stated that consumption in government sector has increased by 33 per cent.

The industry performance review revealed thatThe number of desktop buyers in the government sector will increase due to the e-governance programme roll-out. MAIT said that compared to other three sectors- factory locations, office locations and outlets, the number of desktop buyers in the government sector is low. According to the survey the government sector contributed 3 per cent among the desktop buyers. With the penetration of kiosks and personal computers in the rural areas, this sector will witness a steady growth in the next 2 years. Consumption in the factory locations grew by 46 per cent, retail outlets recorded a growth of 127 per cent.

Dayanidhi Maran, Minister for Communications and IT had announced that Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh has proposed for broadband connectivity to the Secondary and Higher Secondary schools in the country by 2007. All public health care centers and Gram Panchayats would also be provided broadband coverage, which would give boost to the desktop sales. The sales of notebook is also likely to grow more with the education institutes making its compulsory for students to own a notebook. Not only the management institutes, other educational institutes are also insisting on one notebook for one student.

Sibal in for Nobel Prize winners senate

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May 4, 2009

Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (MHRD) has been inducted into the honorary Senate of the Foundation Lindau Nobel prize winners meetings at Lake Constance. This induction, along with the one other induction of Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, was done during the opening ceremony of the 59th Lindau meeting of Nobel Laureates, in Lindau, Germany on 28 June. The laudation read out on the occasion described Sibal as an ardent advocate for technology interventions, especially in the field of education and health. It also said that he holds that technology can provide affordable solutions to the problems of the common man. While giving his acceptance speech, Sibal underlined the issue of equity vis-

IIT entance cleared by over 10,000 applicants

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 4, 2009

It was announced on Monday that as many as 10,035 candidates have cleared the Joint Entrance Examination-2009 (JEE-2009) for admission to undergraduate courses in 15 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The 10,035 candidates – 1,048 girls and 8,987 boys – have been declared successful to seek admission for 8,295 seats in the IITs at Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Patna, Punjab, Rajasthan and Roorkee, said a statement released by IIT Delhi.

At least 384,977 students – 286,949 boys and 98,028 girls – appeared in JEE-2009 on April 12. The number was 24 % higher than previous year. Nitin Jain, who appeared from IIT-Delhi zone, topped the 2009 examination while Kritika Singh from IIT-Kanpur zone, with an All India ranking of 56, topped among girl candidates. The counselling of successful candidates for allocation of seats will be held from June 9-16. The course allocations will be declared on June 24.

HNGE plans satellite-based learning centres across India

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May 4, 2009

HughesNet Global Education (HNGE) is using a satellite-based interactive technology platform to run a range of education and training programmes. HNGE is a division of Hughes Communication India Ltd and entered the satellite-based distance learning space in 2002-03. < ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The company has entered into partnerships with several premier management institutions across the country. In these tie-ups, HNGE acts as a technology and process partner, while each educational institution designs its own courses, determines the entrance procedures and ultimately awards certificates to students who successfully complete the course. It has created the infrastructure to bring real life, interactive education over a satellite connection from the educational institute to a student located anywhere in India. At the heart of HNGE's system is a satellite-based technology platform that links studios in several cities with around 50 learning centres or classrooms across the country. Teachers from various educational institutions come to a studio and take a class just like they do back in their regular classrooms. The live video and audio content of each session is then carried over a satellite network to classrooms across India. Students can attend classes at HNGE's learning centres across the country. On their computer screen, students can see and hear the teacher. They can interact with classmates using a private messaging system. The company is also looking at establishing classrooms in the offices of large companies and offering specially developed distance education programmes for the employees of these companies.

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