IIT Hyderabad & NMDC launch 5-year incubation and fellowship program

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November 6, 2020

Country’s premier institute Indian Institute of Hyderabad (IIT) Hyderabad & NMDC Limited has collaborated and launched a 5-year joint Incubation and Fellowship program. The program would commence from November 2020.

The initiative titled NICE Program aims to support deep-tech startups by providing them incubation and fellowship support. Students who want to apply for the program can visit the official site of niceprogram.in to apply.

The main objective of NICE is to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in the country and to support the Startup India movement.

Also read: IIT Hyderabad partners TalentSprint to equip young talent in AI

The five-year program would support 5 fellows and 15 startups by providing them financial aid, mentoring support, co-working space, other infrastructural benefits, and many more. With the total program budget of INR 10 Crores funded by NMDC, NICE aims to support 5 startups every year with the financial aid of up to INR 25 lakhs to convert their proof of concept into a scalable business.

The program was launched on November 6 by Sumit Deb, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NMDC Limited in presence of Prof B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad. The launch program was conducted virtually that was attended by students, faculties, and team members of the organizations.

Prof B S Murty, IIT Hyderabad Director said, ““The vision of IIT Hyderabad is to be the cradle for inventions and innovations. This joint program is one important step taken towards the vision of IITH and the commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovations. This program would also act as a template for Industry-Academia collaboration to enrich the Startup India initiatives.”

Prof Hiren Doshi joins SAGE University as Pro Vice Chancellor

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November 6, 2020

Prof Hiren Doshi has joined SAGE University, Indore has its new Pro Vice Chancellor. Prof Hiren Doshi has huge experience in working in education industry. He is skilled in lecturing, curriculum development, public speaking, drug design, natural product, chromatography and bioremediation.

Earlier, he was campus director, Ratnamani Education Campus for two years. He was also Dean science and agriculture in Madhav University for three years.

Also read: Dr Sanjay Kumar Mallick joins DY Patil International School, Bokaro as founder principal

SAGE University is amongst Premier Private Universities, where a unique fusion of technology, innovation and creativity works effectively towards preparing professional graduates for significant roles in business and society globally. It is promoted by the Management of Sagar Group of Institutions which has earned an enviable reputation as an award-winning Education Group through its achievements in winning a host of prestigious awards at national and international levels.

SAGE University’s sound approach to nurturing school leavers into qualified professionals will result in our graduates being highly sought after by the employers.

Dell Technologies, AIF, NSDC launch “Project Future Read” to impart career skills to 1 lakh students

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November 6, 2020

IT major Dell Technologies in partnership with American India Foundation (AIF), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and University of Mumbai has launched ‘Project Future Ready’ to equip the workforce with career skills.

The project is set to impact over 1 lakh students in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, of which 60 per cent are females.

The project launch was graced by the presence of Alok Ohrie, President and Managing Director, Dell Technologies India Mathew Joseph, Country Director, AIF, Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC, and Suhas Pednekar, Vice Chancellor, University of Mumbai,.

Also read: Yocket to host 7 days virtual meetup to help students study abroad

The project aims to provide skills development for these students through career mentoring, leveraging online skilling platforms and providing market aligned skills training for employability and inculcating entrepreneurial mind-set.

On completion of the program, the students will receive a certification from NSDC and University of Mumbai.

Alok Ohrie, President and MD, Dell Technologies India said, “Technology is a powerful tool that can break down barriers and create new possibilities.”

Mathew Joseph, Country Director, American India Foundation said, “A rapidly evolving employment landscape, brought on by the global pandemic, has necessitated that skilling be reoriented towards the needs of the hour.”

Dr. Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “The young workforce requires skills for the jobs of the future. Core functional knowledge and competencies enhances individual’s ability to secure a job, offering them an edge in the work environment too.”

UGC releases guidelines for reopening of higher educational institutions

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November 6, 2020

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released guidelines advising higher education institutions, outside containment zones, to reopen in phases. The regulator stated that the institutions must start opening with research, masters and final-year undergraduate students. However, the number of students attending classes on campus, at a given time, should not be more than half the total student strength.

Higher institutions and schools across the country are closed since March 16. Last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed state governments to decide on phased reopening after October 15.

Aside from standard precautions of regular disinfection of premises and screening of teachers and students on campus, the higher education regulator has also suggested institutions extend teaching hours and follow a six-day schedule to accommodate students in batches and ensure social distancing.

Also read: UGC extends application deadline for scholarship programmes

Wearing a mask is mandatory for all teachers and staff on campus. Attendance for students will be voluntary. Universities have been asked to continue online classes for students who wish to study remotely.

Residential campuses will be allowed to operate hostels where it is necessary, but sharing of rooms has been forbidden.

“Isolation facilities for symptomatic persons and quarantine facilities for those who were in contact with the positively tested persons should be there on campus or a tie-up may be made in advance with some Government hospital or approved premises or as advised by the local authorities so that, in case of necessity, prompt action may be taken. Proper arrangement of safety, health, food, water etc. should be ensured for those in quarantine and isolation facilities,” the guidelines also stated.

Delhi HC seeks replies over non-payment of DU staffers’ salaries

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November 5, 2020

The Delhi High Court Thursday sought response of 12 Delhi University colleges, which are fully funded by the AAP government, on a plea challenging the decision asking the institutes to pay outstanding salaries of staffers from the Students Society Fund (SSF).

Justice Jyoti Singh issued notices to the 12 colleges and asked them to respond to the petition filed by Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), which has challenged the October 16 order of Delhi government asking the institutes to pay the salaries of over 1,500 staff — both teaching and non-teaching — from the students fund.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on November 9, when another similar petition is to be heard.

Also read: Schools asked to refund access fee: High Court to Delhi government

“Let some money come to these colleges and teachers also,” the judge orally observed.

The high court said the October 23 interim order, putting a stay on the decision asking the 12 DU colleges to pay outstanding salaries of staffers from the students’ fund, will continue till further orders.

The 12 colleges which are affiliated with the Delhi University and are fully funded by the Delhi government are Acharya Narendra Dev College, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, Bhagini Nivedita College, DeenDayal Upadhyaya College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya Women’s College, Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Maharaja Agrasen College (DU), Maharshi Valmiki College of Education, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women and Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies.

The high court had on October 23 issued notice to the Directorate of Higher Education, Delhi University and Delhi government and sought their replies on the petition by DUSU.

Punjab govt constitutes school education reform teams

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November 5, 2020

Punjab government has constituted District School Education Reform Teams to monitor the activities of schools.

According to Information and Public Relations Department Punjab, a spokesperson of the school education department said that the concerned District Education Officer (Sec. Edu.) would be the head of the District Education Reform Team. These teams will coordinate to the respective DM/BM of their district and assist in the qualitative improvement of education by formulating its plan in line with the activities of ‘Parho Punjab, Paraho Punjab’.

Also read: Punjab government to appoint 8,393 pre-primary teachers

According to the spokesperson, these teams would assist in the successful completion of ongoing projects like Punjab Achievement Survey, Smart School Project, English Booster Club, Welcome Life, Buddy Group, Mission Shat-Pratishat and enrolment drive. These teams will motivate school principals, teachers and others to transform their schools into smart schools. At the same time they will guide the school heads to follow the instructions issued by the government regarding Covid-19.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Mallick joins DY Patil International School, Bokaro as founder principal

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November 5, 2020

DY Patil International School, Bokaro, Jharkhand has appointed Dr Sanjay Kumar Mallick as its new founder principal. Dr Mallick is having 32 years of experience in the education sector. He has also served 18 years in the Indian Air Force.

Dr Mallick is a psychologist, motivator, author, certified career counsellor, and trainer. Earlier, he was principal of Sant Nandlal Smriti Vidya Mandir for more than four years. He has served in DPS, Bokaro for 8 years.

Also read: Bhimaraya Metri appointed as new director of IIM Nagpur

DY Patil International School, Bokaro is one of the oldest groups in the country. The campus is clustered among old trees and lush greenery, creating a pleasant and inviting learning environment. ICT at DYPIS is a valuable tool that supports learning, communication, thinking, planning and problem solving for all students across all curriculum areas and is integrated into everyday learning. The School is Wi-Fi enabled.

Rajasthan College Education Department inks five MoUs

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November 4, 2020

In a major development, Directorate of College Education, Rajasthan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 5 institutions for quality improvement in education. College Education Commissioner Sandesh Nayak signed these MoUs on behalf of the department. He said that the quality of education remains a pivot in the new education policy. Unless education becomes a matter of concern and efforts, it will be difficult to establish qualitative changes in it, he added.

He also said more than 12 lakh students studying in 332 government and more than 1700 private colleges in the state, has been given voluntary organizations to provide employment skills training, train teachers and pave the way for the development of institutions. The govt is eyeing to bring it together.

Also read: Rajasthan CM inaugurates nine higher and 10 technical colleges

On the other hand, the Manav Nirman Sansthan, Jaipur has entered into MoU to prepare the youth for competitive examinations for participation in the implementation of various programs and schemes for character building and institutional development among the youth.

Dr Vinod Bhardwaj, Officer-in-charge of Innovation and Development in the Commissionerate of Operations of the program. During this period, Additional Commissioner of College Education BL Goel and other officials were present.

Not possible to conduct upcoming CA exams online, ICAI tells SC

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November 4, 2020

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) told the Supreme Court that it cannot hold the upcoming CA exam online as suggested by some of the candidates, in view of COVID-19, as it tests the analytical capabilities of the examinees.

The ICAI said its 3-hour exam is of a different pattern altogether, which have descriptive answers and not tick marks.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna asked the ICAI to publish on its website the steps taken for students welfare with regard to COVID-19 and disposed of the petition seeking a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the examinees in the upcoming CA exams. The Chartered Accountant exams are scheduled to be held on November 21 to December 14.

During the hearing, senior advocate Ramji Srinivasan, appearing for the ICAI, said that they don’t have any isolation room as examination centres and don’t have the facilities for doctors.

Also read: ICAI to SC: Will assess feasibility of conducting CA exams

He said that as directed by the top court in its last hearing, they have examined all the suggestions given by advocate Bansuri Swaraj, representing the petitioners.

“There was suggestion that can we hold an online exams. Ours exams has different pattern and therefore we cannot hold the online examination”, he said, adding that they test the analytical capabilities of examinees. The bench then told Swaraj that petitioners need to be reasonable in their demands and it was not satisfied with their responses.

Srinivasan further said that transport and accommodation was also sought by the petitioner but that is not possible.

Prasar Bharati to launch 51 education TV channels

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November 4, 2020

India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati inked MoU with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to launch 51 direct-to-home (DTH) education TV channels.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Prasar Bharati and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology aims to bring quality educational programmes to every household, including those in rural and remote areas.

Also read: AP CM launches Jaganna Vidya Kanuka scheme

“Under the ambit of this MoU, 51 DTH education TV channels comprising Swaymprabha (22 channels) (M/o Education), e-Vidya for classes 1 to 12 (12 channels) of NCERT, Vande Gujarat (Govt. of Gujarat) (16 channels) and DigiShala under M/o Electronics and IT (1 channel) shall be available as DD co-branded channels to all DD FreeDish viewers. This move aims to bring quality educational programmes to every household, including those in rural and remote areas,” it said.

The services will be available free of cost for all the viewers 24×7, in line with government’s commitment towards skill development and providing quality education to the last person in the country, it said.

“This government initiative will go a long way in achieving Government’s goal of providing education to all,” the statement said.