IIT Madras to Launch Flagship Centre in Dubai Next Year to Boost Innovation

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October 21, 2024

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is set to expand its global footprint with the launch of its first international research centre in Dubai. The IITM Global Dubai Centre, scheduled to open in early 2025, will focus on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and sustainable energy, aligning with Dubai’s strategic economic goals under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the city’s economy by 2033. The Centre will act as a critical bridge between India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and Dubai’s rapidly growing tech landscape.

This marks IIT-Madras’ first Centre in Dubai, established through an agreement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at GITEX Global. The agreement was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, and Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement at IIT-M. The Centre will operate under IITM-Global, a newly formed entity designed to lead the institute’s international ventures.

Hadi Badri described the collaboration as a significant step toward positioning Dubai as a global hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. “This partnership builds on IIT-M’s global reputation to drive advancements in AI, robotics, and sustainable energy,” Badri noted.

Also Read: AICTE and 1M1B to Offer 1 Lakh Green Internships by 2030

Professor Rengaswamy called the launch a milestone in IIT-M’s vision to expand globally. “The opening of our first international Centre in Dubai is a pivotal moment in our journey to broaden IIT Madras’ international footprint.”

In addition to fostering research and innovation, the Centre will work with local and global institutions to create opportunities for entrepreneurship and upskilling. It will collaborate with Dubai’s higher education sector, providing valuable resources to develop talent in key technological fields.

During GITEX Global, IIT-M showcased 12 deep-tech startups, underscoring its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship. The new Centre will also work closely with the Dubai Future Foundation and other partners to drive research and development (R&D) initiatives, helping Dubai attract global tech businesses.

This partnership reinforces the strong economic ties between India and Dubai, further building on the contributions of Indian businesses and visitors to Dubai’s economy.

AICTE and 1M1B to Offer 1 Lakh Green Internships by 2030

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October 18, 2024

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in collaboration with 1M1B Green Skills Academy, has introduced a green internship program for students enrolled in AICTE-affiliated colleges and universities across the country. By 2030, the 1M1B Green Internship Program aims to provide one lakh internships, with 10,000 opportunities being made available in the first year alone. This initiative is designed to enhance sustainability skills and raise eco-awareness among students.

First announced at the United Nations headquarters in December 2023, the 1M1B Green Skills Academy has already initiated several partnerships. Earlier this year, India’s first Green Skills Academy, aimed at developing climate talent using AI, was launched in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and Salesforce, followed by an MoU with the Government of Meghalaya. Additionally, the first physical Green Skills Centre is being established in Hyderabad to provide practical, hands-on learning experiences.

“The Green Internship Program is a key step towards fostering eco-consciousness and equipping students with practical skills in sustainability. It aligns with our vision of integrating green practices into education, helping institutions contribute to national environmental goals and ensuring our future workforce is ready to meet global sustainability challenges,” said T. G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE.

Also Read: Manish Sisodia Invites Parents’ Feedback on Delhi’s Education System with ‘Shiksha Par Baat’

The launch event, held at AICTE Headquarters in New Delhi, was attended by several notable figures, including AICTE Chairman T. G. Sitharam, NETF Chairman Anil Sahasrabuddhe, AICTE CCO Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, Salesforce India’s Yudhisther Yadav, and 1M1B Founder & Chief Mentor Manav Subodh.

This unique initiative is expected to play a significant role in integrating green skills into the educational framework, empowering students to address global sustainability challenges.

Manish Sisodia Invites Parents’ Feedback on Delhi’s Education System with ‘Shiksha Par Baat’

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October 18, 2024

Senior AAP leader and former Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia launched a new initiative called ‘Shiksha Par Baat’ on Thursday, aiming to involve parents in shaping the future of Delhi’s education policy. As part of this outreach, Sisodia will interact with parents from every constituency, gathering their feedback on the city’s education model and discussing the future of government schools.

The first session, held in Patparganj, saw over 500 parents participating in discussions with Sisodia. Parents shared their thoughts on various initiatives such as modern school infrastructure, teacher training programs, and free coaching for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, and CUET.

Sisodia, in an invitation letter to the parents before the event, said: “When I became deputy CM ten years ago, Arvind Kejriwal gave me one directive – ‘Provide an education system for every child in Delhi, even those from the poorest families, as if you were doing it for your own son or daughter.’ And we have done just that. Today, Kejriwal’s son is studying at a top IIT for engineering, and so is the son of a person who earns his living by ironing clothes on a street corner.”

The letter emphasised the AAP government’s efforts to provide quality education to all children. It highlighted initiatives such as sending teachers and principals for world-class training, regular parent-teacher meetings (PTMs), and implementing innovative curricula. Sisodia also noted the free coaching for exams like NEET, JEE, NDA, and CUET, which has helped Delhi government schools consistently outperform private schools over the last seven years.

“Every year, thousands of students from Delhi government schools pass competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET, advancing to top studies in engineering and medicine,” the letter added.

Sisodia served as education minister from 2015 until his resignation last year following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is credited with doubling the education budget, introducing labs and smart classrooms, and organizing regular PTMs in Delhi’s government schools.

Also Read: CBSE to Hold National Summit on Enhancing School-to-Work Transition on 21st November

Through his letter, Sisodia encouraged parents to provide suggestions for the next five years, focusing on how to further improve government schools and prepare students for the future. “We need to think about equipping our children with the skills needed for tomorrow’s world. Technology is changing rapidly, and many of today’s jobs may not exist in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised the AAP government, stating that despite its promise to open 500 new schools since coming to power in 2015, no new schools have been opened in the last 10 years.

CBSE to Hold National Summit on Enhancing School-to-Work Transition on 21st November

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October 17, 2024

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will host its second National Summit on “Facilitating School-to-Work Transition” in Bhubaneswar on November 21, 2024. The summit aims to address the critical gap between academic learning and the practical skills required in the professional world, inviting school heads from CBSE-affiliated institutions to participate in this important dialogue.

With the increasing demand for skilled professionals in various sectors, CBSE’s initiative seeks to ensure that students are better equipped for the workforce by the time they complete their education. The day-long summit, from 10 am to 5 pm, will serve as a platform for educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to share innovative strategies and best practices for enhancing students’ transition from school to work.

Check the official notification HERE.

Key areas of focus will include training educators in modern teaching methodologies and engaging students in practical skill development programs. The discussions will explore ways to make education more aligned with real-world demands, ensuring students are ready to step into their careers confidently.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Leads Nation with Record Nominations in INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme

In addition to expert presentations from prominent speakers, the summit will also provide schools with an opportunity to showcase their successful efforts in promoting skill-based education. The overall objective is to refine educational programs that prepare students not only academically but also practically for their future careers.

Participation in the event is free, but seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Uttar Pradesh Leads Nation with Record Nominations in INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme

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October 17, 2024

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a leader in the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme, recording the highest number of nominations in the country under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The state achieved a remarkable 2,10,347 nominations for the 2024-25 academic year, setting a new record for the scheme since its inception.

The INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme, run by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, encourages students from classes 6 to 10 to submit innovative ideas. This year’s nomination period ran from July 1 to October 15, 2024, during which all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh reported a significant increase in student participation compared to the previous year.

In 2023, Uttar Pradesh had made 50,329 nominations, but this year saw a massive jump of 1,60,018, reaching a total of 2,10,347 nominations. This milestone is a testament to the efforts of schools under the Secondary Education Department, Junior High Schools of the Council of Basic Education, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Composite Schools, and Sanskrit schools across the state.

Among the top 50 districts in India for the number of nominations, 12 belong to Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kanpur Dehat, all of which contributed thousands of entries. UP’s lead in nominations surpassed that of Rajasthan (1,55,415) and Karnataka (1,05,613), solidifying its position at the top. Nagaland, with minimal growth, finished at the bottom of the rankings.

Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Announces Launch of 3 CoEs for Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities

Commenting on the state’s achievement, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge), Sandeep Singh, credited the success to the collaborative efforts of education officials, teachers, and the wider community. “This accomplishment highlights the innovative potential and creativity of Uttar Pradesh’s students, who are pivotal to the nation’s future development,” he said.

The INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme has grown steadily in Uttar Pradesh over the past few years, as reflected in the rise in nominations:

2019-20: 33,134
2020-21: 25,166
2021-22: 27,108
2022-23: 31,932
2023-24: 50,329
2024-25: 2,10,347

This achievement sets a strong example for educational innovation and highlights Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to fostering creativity in its students.

Dharmendra Pradhan Announces Launch of 3 CoEs for Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities

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October 16, 2024

New Delhi will soon host three new AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) that will focus on the transformation of Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities with advanced AI technologies. This was announced by Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan during an event held yesterday.

The event was attended by K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Sridhar Vembu, Co-chair of the Apex Committee and Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation; senior officials from various ministries from the Government of India, Directors of IITs and heads of higher education institutions, start-up founders and industry leaders.

Representatives of AIIMS, IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar, and IIT Kanpur, the institutions that will lead the CoEs, were presented with saplings and plaques by Dharmendra Pradhan. Addressing the attendees, Pradhan said that the centres are expected to become “temples of global public good,” guiding the world toward AI-powered solutions that benefit society. He further praised the talent and drive possessed by Bharat.

In line with the government’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” the CoEs will be supported by top academic institutions from the country in collaboration with startups and industry partners. The centres will conduct interdisciplinary research, build cutting-edge applications, and provide scalable solutions in healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities.

Also Read: India Offers Quality Education at a Fraction of Costs at Western Institutes, Says President Murmu.

The initiative was first announced under Para 60 of the 2023-24 Budget and has now been officially greenlit with a financial outlay of ₹990 crore, covering the period from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. It aligns with the “Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India” campaign.

Murthy informed that the CoEs will serve the entire nation, and encouraged interdisciplinary research as he believes it can yield optimum results. Dr Vembu remarked that these projects will benefit villages, cities and the entire nation as they will create companies, nurture talent and generate more opportunities.

India Offers Quality Education at a Fraction of Costs at Western Institutes, Says President Murmu

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October 16, 2024

President Droupadi Murmu emphasised India’s ability to provide high-quality education at a much lower cost compared to Western institutions, particularly for the growing number of students from Africa, including Algeria. She made these remarks while receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science from Algeria’s Scientific and Technological Hub, Martyr Ihaddaden Abdelhafid University, in recognition of her advocacy for science and education across all social groups in India.

Accepting the honour, President Murmu expressed her gratitude, stating that the award represented “an honour for India more than for her as an individual.”

During her visit to Algeria as part of a three-nation tour, President Murmu highlighted the increasing opportunities for African students to study in India. “India provides quality education at a fraction of the cost of Western institutions to an ever-growing number of students from Africa, including Algeria,” she said. She also encouraged Algerian institutions, government departments, and youth to make use of the scholarships and fellowships offered by India.

President Murmu reflected on the historical ties between India and Algeria, recalling India’s support for Algeria during its fight for independence. “India-Algeria relations date back to the Algerian liberation struggle against colonial rule when India advocated for Algerian independence at the United Nations and other international platforms,” she noted.

Also Read: MSDE and Meta Join Forces to Integrate AI and VR into Skill India Initiative.

Looking to the future, President Murmu expressed optimism about the potential for stronger bilateral relations. “The current developments are a good beginning. Our relations are a long way from reaching their potential, which can be achieved by the hard-working young people of our two nations. I am convinced of the power of the youth of this country and truly believe in their capabilities to take Algeria on a path of glorious development,” she said.

As President Murmu concludes her three-nation visit to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi, she is set to depart from Malawi on October 19, leaving a renewed hope for deeper collaboration between India and these nations in the coming years.

MSDE and Meta Join Forces to Integrate AI and VR into Skill India Initiative

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October 16, 2024

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has teamed up with Meta to infuse cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) into India’s Skill India initiative. This collaboration is set to enhance digital learning and skill development, providing modern tools to empower India’s youth.

As part of the partnership, an AI-powered assistant will be launched to support the Skill India Mission, while five Centers of Excellence (CoEs) specializing in VR and MR will be established across National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Chennai, and Kanpur.

“Our mission at the Ministry is to empower India’s youth with the skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape,” said Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. “By integrating technologies like AI, VR, and MR into the Skill India ecosystem, we are democratising access to cutting-edge technologies enabling personalised learning pathways for the youth of the country. Today, our partnership with Meta is a significant step towards achieving this goal,” he added.

A key aspect of the partnership is the development of an AI chatbot using Meta’s open-source Llama model, which will be integrated into the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal. This chatbot will provide round-the-clock assistance, giving users access to course information, lecture summaries, and video resources, all available in English, Hindi, and Hinglish, with voice support through WhatsApp.

Sarvam AI, the technical partner for the AI assistant, will develop and pilot the chatbot over the next six months. The initiative also aims to create a collaborative e-governance framework, leveraging Meta’s open-source AI models to promote large-scale socio-economic transformation in line with India’s AI mission.

Additionally, the five CoEs will provide learners and instructors with VR-based training tools, offering immersive and engaging environments for skill development. These centers will facilitate realistic simulations, boosting both accessibility and the overall effectiveness of vocational training programs.

Also Read: India to Become Future Growth Engine: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at USISPF Summit.

Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Meta India, emphasised the company’s commitment to driving India’s digital development. “At Meta, we are committed to leveraging frontier technologies like AI, VR, and MR to create a meaningful impact on the economic development of India,” he said.

“Through the integration of advanced technologies like Open-Source Llama we aim to empower not just the students, but also educators and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital-first world,” he added.

India to Become Future Growth Engine: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at USISPF Summit

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October 15, 2024

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking at the USISPF India Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi, emphasized the transformative role of the National Education Policy (NEP) in shaping India’s future. He highlighted the NEP’s focus on preparing the country’s youth to become responsible global citizens and driving India’s demographic advantage in the coming decades.

“NEP has completed four years. It is a philosophical document to produce, to create globally responsible citizens, because India is a country of town population next three decades, that demographic dividend will be with India. For me, the primary focus of NEP 2020 is to create a vision, create confidence among the students, and develop competency. Because competency is more important than degree and certificate,” he said.

Dharmendra Pradhan projected that India would become the growth engine of the global economy within the next 20 years, thanks to NEP-led reforms in education. “NEP-led transformations are taking place in India’s education system, and their pivotal role is in transforming our young demography into future-ready, responsible global citizens. In the next two decades, India will be the growth engine of the global economy. Priority areas of NEP– integration of technology in education, encouraging learning in Indian languages, fostering a culture of research & innovation, and thrust on competencies and employability skills, places India well to reap its demographic dividend,” he said.

Also Read: IIT Delhi Hosts India’s Largest School Ideathon, Showcasing 1.8 Lakh Young Innovators

“The NEP is set to have a global impact,” Pradhan asserted, underscoring India’s push to collaborate with international institutions and governments to elevate research to global standards. He added that inclusive and equitable education remains a priority, with efforts to make education accessible, affordable, and of high quality for all.

“We have to give opportunity to all our youngsters, equitable education, inclusive education, affordable education, and quality education. We are inviting foreign universities in India to open their campuses in India. Sizable Indian students are going overseas. For Speed, around a million youngsters are going to different parts of the world for higher studies,” he said.

India is also inviting foreign universities to establish campuses within the country to cater to its growing demand for higher education, as over a million Indian students currently seek education abroad.

IIT Delhi Hosts India’s Largest School Ideathon, Showcasing 1.8 Lakh Young Innovators

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October 14, 2024

The 4th edition of ‘Youth Ideathon 2024,’ India’s biggest entrepreneurship competition for school students, concluded in New Delhi, featuring over 1.8 lakh young innovators from more than 5,000 schools nationwide. The Top 100 teen innovators showcased their groundbreaking ideas at IIT Delhi during the grand finale.

Organised by ThinkStartup and the Management & Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) in collaboration with CBSE and IIT Delhi, Youth Ideathon aims to nurture innovation among students from Classes 4 to 12. Key industry figures attended the event, including Prof. Narayanan D Kurur, Dean (Academics) at IIT Delhi, and R K Singh, CGM of SIDBI.

Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director of Skill Education & Training, CBSE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, expressed his excitement, saying, “The overwhelming response to Youth Ideathon 2024 is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth. CBSE proudly supports initiatives like this that foster creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship from an early age.”

Six standout teams received an incubation grant of INR 1 lakh each for their innovative projects. Notable winners included Vidyashilp Academy for a water conservation solution, Sanskriti School for an AI-based multilingual learning platform, and Lilawati Sr. Sec School for an affordable clean-air chimney for MSMEs.

The event also featured real-world entrepreneurship experiences, allowing students to list and raise investments for their ideas through The Kid Company, securing INR 40 lakh in crowdfunding. Dr. Saha praised the initiative for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Also Read: Global Forum Advocates for STEAM Education, Emphasising Arts in Higher Learning

With over 53,000 teams submitting initial ideas and 1,500 advancing to the final stages, Youth Ideathon 2024 highlighted the immense creative potential of India’s youth, continuing to inspire students to turn their innovations into reality.

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