Pre Budget Byte 2022: Ganesh S, CEO, Top Freshers Technologies

Budget 2022

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January 31, 2022

As all eyes are on Union Budget 2022 that is all set to be announced on February 1, 2022, Digital Learning spoke to a few industry experts about their expectations from the Union Budget 2022.

Thousands and thousands of crores, is being pumped into the education and skill development ecosystem every year. Just the budgetary allocation towards Skill development alone is over Rs.21,000 Crores in the last ten years.

Having invested several crores over the years, it leads to few questions like;

A. What are the tangible outcomes?

B. What is the positive impact on the economy?

C. Has the spending addressed reducing unemployment or un-employability issues?

If we deeply dive into figuring out the answers for these questions, the answer remains gloomy or without enough data to prove the outcome.

Having said this, I expect the following ten expectations being addressed in the budget 2022, which should also spell out the outcome;

1. The spending on skill development with focus on engineering skills remains negligible, which needs attention and more spent.

2. Content and Delivery are the key to effective training, the government should allocate a considerable amount towards content standardisation and E-learning content delivery with the best of Subject Matter Experts (SME), which can elevate the delivery standards and also address scalability.

3. Training on E waste management focusing at the Bottom of the Pyramid and an ecosystem should take care of the challenges that are emerging out of poor eWaste Management practises in India.

4. Online skilling portal with Content/ training accessible to all should be available.

5. Industry should be incentivised when they hire candidates with Sector Skill Council certifications and tag this to the PLA scheme criteria.

6. Encourage industry for NAPS adoption and enhance scheme outlay.

7. More focus on Center of Excellence tagging to the cluster based development should be the right approach.

8. Skill Gap Analysis was last done in the year 2011-12, which is outdated and investment should be done with an outlook for next 5 years.

9. Focus on future skills and training aligned to New Age skills like Smart Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, Industrial IoT, VR/AR, MR, AI, etc.

10. The skill assessment patterns with more emphasis on practical elements rather than the theoretical components.

Hope these elements are looked upon in the forthcoming budget and a positive impact on the spending of Public money towards the growth of the economy and the society is addressed through this budget.

Pre Budget Byte 2022: Paridhi Khaitan, Managing Director, ProTeen

Budget 2022

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

As all eyes are on Union Budget 2022 that is all set to be announced on February 1, 2022, Digital Learning spoke to a few industry experts about their expectations from the Union Budget 2022.

Access to equitable education supported by robust career counselling services is the need of the hour, and the expectations from the Union Budget 2022 must support this requirement. To create an environment of ‘high-quality education for all’, we need to focus on building digitally supportive infrastructure at a grass root level in India. Reducing the GST from its current high slab of 18% on core educational services would help greatly in this regard. This will be a significant step towards dissolving the financial and geographical divide among students through digital technologies, and thereby, make academic and professional support, including counselling services, more affordable for all strata of society.

The education sector is expecting the Budget to implement guidelines that turn the NEP 2020 vision into reality. Academia should follow suit and redesign its curricula to accommodate career counselling and skill development at its core. This structure will be highly effective in addressing the skill gap that’s prevalent in the current employment landscape while also navigating students towards the right career choice to increase their employability in the 21st Century.

Furthermore, we welcome the establishment of a robust regulatory framework in the EdTech ecosystem to protect the rights of all learners and ensure ethical practices to provide quality education for all.

Singapore based Edtech company Cialfo raises $40 million

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

Singapore-based edtech Cialfo has announced that it has raised $40 million in Series B funding, led by Square Peg and SEEK Investments. The round, that also saw participation from returning investors SIG Global, Vulcan Capital, DLF Ventures, January Capital and Lim Teck Lee, brings Cialfo’s total raised so far to $55 million, including a $15 million Series A announced in February 2021.

The company currently has more than 170 employees in Singapore, India, the United States and China, and is partnered with about 1,000 universities around the world, including Imperial College London, the University of Chicago and IE University in Spain.

Cialfo was founded in 2017 by Rohan Pasari, Stanley Chia and William Hund. It is said that Pasari was prompted by his own experiences as a student. He grew up in India and his high school didn’t have a career counselor. As a result, students were left to navigate the college application process on their own.

Pasari originally wanted to go to a four-year university in the United States, but his parents could not afford the high international student fees, so he applied to schools in Singapore instead, getting a full scholarship to Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Before graduating, Pasari helped his sister and some of his friends through the college application process, which planted the idea of launching a business in his mind.

Pasari originally started an education consultancy firm with Chia, working with about 200 students at its peak.

Also Read: Edtech Innovator Square Panda India wins National Startup Award 2021

But the two wanted to use tech to scale up their operations, so they sold their education consultancy in 2017 and used the proceeds to launch Cialfo.

The company operates on a B2B model, selling subscriptions to schools. College counselors then invite students onto the platform, which parents or guardian have access to as well.

The new funding will be used to grow Cialfo’s global user base, add more features and look at potential acquisitions.

Pre Budget Byte 2022: Nishant Agarwal, Founder, Proctur

Budget 2022

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

As all eyes are on Union Budget 2022 that is all set to be announced on February 1, 2022, Digital Learning spoke to a few industry experts about their expectations from the Union Budget 2022.

The education industry has swiftly shifted in the last two years as students and instructors turn to digital learning during the COVID-19 epidemic. Although budget 2021 was adequate in light of the digital revolution, budget 2022 is predicted to be a more advanced and strong budget with appropriate tax incentives, a solid network infrastructure, and strict data protection regulations, which might alter the educational IT industry.

In addition, to address the increased demand for at-home learning, the edtech sector has adopted new technology and approaches. However, online classes were hampered by an adequate internet connection, digital devices, or computer systems. The edtech ecosystem anticipates that the government will make government services available to both applicants and edtech companies. The next budget is projected to place a greater emphasis on improving internet connectivity infrastructure across the country, promoting last-mile access, inexpensive 5G devices, and, most crucially, assisting EdTech enterprises with robust data protection legislation.

The progress in GST treatment is another essential expectation for Budget 2022. One of the most critical areas which required improvement, in my opinion, is the GST treatment of print vs digital educational products. We’ve seen how online educational content has the potential to improve educational access and quality. From this year’s budget, there is a hope that the GST will be cut, allowing more individuals to invest in digital education.

Pre Budget Byte 2022: Brijesh Karia, Chief Operating Officer, Singhania Education Services Ltd.

Budget 2022

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

As all eyes are on Union Budget 2022 that is all set to be announced on February 1, 2022, Digital Learning spoke to a few industry experts about their expectations from the Union Budget 2022.

As per the present circumstances, online learning would be crucial for enabling schools to continue with Hybrid learning. This budget is crucial for the ed-tech sector in order to be able to build an infrastructure to ensure education is accessible to all. To support online learning, the government should partner with private players for helping schools set up better internet connectivity, SmartClass, and other tools that will assist schools to become future-ready. The government should assist the education sector in technological adoption. This assistance might take the shape of tax breaks, no-interest loans, or any other ways which will help boost the sector.

Also Read: Pre Budget Byte 2022: Mukesh Sharma, Chairman, Prometheus School, Noida

IGNOU launches two new BA courses in Urdu and Sanskrit for the 2022 session

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

New Delhi

The school of humanities at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced two new programmes, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Sanskrit (BASKH) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Urdu (BAUDH). These would begin from the January 2022 academic session. The candidates interested in the programme can visit the university website and admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and can register themselves.

Through his official statement, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU Nageshwar Rao said that in our day-to-day life we use many Urdu words and the blending and amalgamation of the languages makes our culture unique.

A project steering committee will monitor and assess the program’s success. Representatives from both the varsity and the skill ministry will serve on the committee.

An MoU has been signed by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and IGNOU with the aim to create work opportunities for India’s youth and further strengthen the vocational and technical training framework. The MoU was signed for a term of 10 years and is subject to reciprocal renewal. According to the official statement, nearly 32 NSTIs, 3000 ITIs, 500 PMKKs, and 300 JSS will be associated with the varsity as registration, examination, and work centres.

Pariksha pe charcha registration date extended to February 3

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 29, 2022

New Delhi

The deadline for programme Pariksha Pe Charcha has been extended till February 3. This has been mentioned in an official communication by the Ministry of Education.

The registration for the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been further extended till February 3. This is the second time in a row.

The Ministry of Education official statement mentioned the date has been further extended and also elaborated on the usefulness of the programme. “The last date to participate in the fifth edition of Pariksha pe Charcha has been extended till February 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceptualised the unique interactive programme, wherein students, parents and teachers from across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss and overcome the stress emerging out of examinations in order to celebrate life.”

The format of this programme is proposed to be in the online mode like in 2021. An online creative writing competition is being conducted on various topics to select the participants. The questions asked by the selected winners will be featured in the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme”.

Pre Budget Byte 2022: Mukesh Sharma, Chairman, Prometheus School, Noida

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 28, 2022

As all eyes are on Union Budget 2022 that is all set to be announced on February 1, 2022, Digital Learning spoke to a few industry experts about their expectations from the Union Budget 2022.

Digital transformation has become the way forward today. Startups are increasingly bringing in new technologies and innovation to foster digital excellence. The government is also surely stepping up in facilitating and furthering the same, along with private initiatives. With the vision of Digital and Startup India, the coming years would witness a boom not just in harbouring a digital ecosystem but also helping startups in ease of business – India having the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, is testament to the same.

Boosting the startup ecosystem is a pivotal aspect, especially with the upcoming Union Budget. Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister – Commerce and Industry, also recently shared his views on how startups need to “leverage modern technologies for local and global markets”. With the government helping startups via simplification of taxes and compliances, boosting such an ecosystem in India would prove beneficial in the years to come.

With the onslaught of the pandemic, Unicorn startups have seen a boom – with over 42 startups being born in just one year – but there is still a long way to go for building a more robust architecture and enhancing investments. The upcoming Union Budget would play a conducive role in augmenting the startup ecosystem in India with the recommendations suggested by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Boosting the startup ecosystem will not just help India lead the entrepreneurial development but also help in increasing jobs and digital transformation. My hope is to see how the Union Budget puts key focus on this facet and realizes the vision of Digital India by supporting niche startups.

Delhi government plans to set up smart boards in 20,000 classrooms

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 28, 2022

Delhi government plans to set up smart boards

New Delhi

The Delhi government has started working on its plan to set up smart boards in 20,000 classrooms in the state government schools. In the first phase, the government is installing them in 16 classrooms in a North Delhi school.

The 16 “Smart Classrooms” have been set up at Shaheed Amir Chand Sarvodaya Vidyalaya located in Shankaracharya Marg. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, while reviewing these smart classrooms, said cameras will also be installed in these classrooms to record classes.

“These smart boards are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This would not only make the teaching-learning process a joyful one, but also help children learn better. With the integration of technology, children will have access to all online learning resources. Along with this, modern cameras for recording will also be installed in classrooms so that live recording of the class can be done. These recorded videos can be further accessed by students and teachers for educational purposes, whenever required,” Sisodia said.

He further stated that the Delhi government has constructed more than 20,000 classrooms in its schools in the last few years and it plans to convert all of these into “smart classrooms” in a phased manner, as well as those under construction. He also said that teachers will be given “special training” to make better use of the boards.

HR College gets students and faculty vaccinated through NSS and Rotaract Club

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digitalLEARNING Network

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January 27, 2022

Mumbai, Maharashtra

As education institutes are ready to re-open as per the government guidelines, there is a higher risk of being exposed to the virus due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai. Thus, to ensure minimal threat (in case of exposure) and safer travels, the Rotaract Club and the NSS Unit of HR College of Commerce and Economics, decided to shoulder the responsibility of encouraging students and faculty to get vaccinated.

Witnessing the spike, Mumbai’s one of the prominent colleges under the HSNC Cluster University, observed the necessity to be fully vaccinated. For seamless operation, HR College conducted the vaccination in collaboration with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the college premises.

Commenting on this initiative Dr. Hemalata Bagla, Vice-Chancellor – HSNC University said, “This was an attempt to move towards a COVID free India”. She supported this statement with Henry Ford’s quote, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

This organized effort was undertaken on 21st January, 2022, where all the unvaccinated students, teachers and staff members were encouraged to take the shot. More than 100 people benefitted through this noble initiative.

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