Microsoft to train 900 faculty members from top institutes

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August 25, 2020

Tech giant Microsoft said it will train 900 faculty members from top Indian institutes. The US-based firm is launching a new programme to build quantum computing skills and capabilities in the academic community in India.

Microsoft is organising a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme in collaboration with Electronics and ICT Academies at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur and National Institute of Technology, Patna.

This programme will train 900 faculty members from universities and institutes across India through E&ICT Academies at institutes of national importance such as IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, MNIT Jaipur, NIT Patna, IIIT-D Jabalpur, and NIT Warangal, equipping academics with the required skills to start building their quantum future.

Also read: CBSE, Microsoft join hands to train school teachers in using technology

Quantum computing applies the properties of quantum physics to process information. Quantum computers will enable new discoveries in the areas of healthcare, energy, environmental systems, smart materials, and beyond.

Key themes that will be covered include an introduction to quantum information, quantum concepts such as superposition and entanglement, processing of information using qubits and quantum gates, as well as an introduction to quantum machine learning and quantum programming, the statement said.

Council of Architecture releases NATA 2020 admit card

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August 25, 2020

Providing huge relief to lakhs of students, Council of Architecture has now released the NATA Admit Card 2020. Students who will appear for the examination can download the admit card through the official site of NATA on nata.in. The exam would be conducted on August 29, 2020 at various centres across the nation.

The Council has already conducted the mock test from August 21 to August 22, 2020. The mock test was mandatory for students who would appear for the first phase exam. Part A Test (Drawing Test) will not be a paper-based drawing test but as a preferential choice type test which is to be answered on a computer.

Also read: CoA postpones NATA first and second test

The examination is of 3 hours and will be conducted between 10: 00 AM to 1:15 PM with a 15 minutes break between the MCQ test and the Drawing paper.

Steps to download NATA Admit Card 2020:

-Visit the official website- nata.in.

-Find and Click on the “Admit Card” link.

-Enter the Application number and password.

-Click on the “Submit” button.

-NATA admit card 2020 will be displayed on the screen.

Union Education Minister reviews activities of NIOS

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August 24, 2020

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank reviewed various activities of NIOS. The meeting was attended by Secretary, School Education and Literacy, Anita Karwal, Joint Secretary, School Education, Sweety Changsan and senior officials of NIOS.

During the meeting Pokhriyal stressed on transparent working of the Institution so that it may produce better results. The Minister also discussed on strengthening the examination mechanism. He said that if we found some irregularities within the institution then we should take tough actions against the culprit. He directed NIOS officials that that if you receive any complaint against NIOS examination centres then you should resolve the complaint as soon as possible.

Also read: Pokhriyal: Universities not to affiliate over 300 colleges

The Education Minister said that NIOS is the world’s biggest open schooling system and we should use it more effectively to provide education to the grass root level. He said that we should also use its network to provide literacy to illiterate people of our country. He directed officials to form a team to review the possibility on this matter.

Pokhriyal also reviewed the courses offered by NIOS for their students. He was briefed that NIOS is offering multiple subjects for their students. The Minister suggested that we should make NIOS syllabus on the line of NCERT so that students can get better understanding of the subject.

Dy CM Narayan: Karnataka to be the first state to implement NEP

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August 24, 2020

Deputy chief minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said Karnataka would become the first state in the country to implement the new National Education Policy.

“The state government is making all preparations to bring in administrative reforms and amendments to the laws which are essential to implement the national education policy. The state would become the first state in the country to implement the policy,”said Narayan.

The deputy CM also said while addressing the inaugural session of a five-day online workshop on Highlights of the national education policy and its implementation.

“The workshop is being organised by the Bangalore University. The deputy chief minister said the state government is going ahead with regard to this with specific goals and a clear agenda.

Also read: Pokhriyal holds meeting over NEP with officials

“A high-level task force was constituted immediately after the draft of the policy reached us and this committee has already held several meetings,” Narayan added.

The committee has already come out with suggestions to implement the policy in a phased manner and only the recommendations of the final stage are awaited. The administrative and legal steps would be taken as soon as the final recommendations are made, Narayan explained.

The new policy would make high-quality education available to all students benefitting the whole system with quality teaching, Narayan said.

UGC asks higher education institutions to deploy RT-PCR machines in hospitals

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August 24, 2020

To fight against COVID-19, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher education and research institutions to facilitate deployment of RT-PCR test machines available with them at nearby district hospitals and government labs conducting COVID-19 tests.

The higher education regulator has noted that temporary deployment of such machines can create additional facilities for around 60,000 tests per day.

UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said, “In order to address the increasing demand for COVID-19 testing, it is essential that the test centers are strengthened further by the addition of more RT-PCR machines. There are a large number of machines available with educational and research institutions under various departments and are capable of performing RT-PCR tests and currently, not being used in any critical area.”

Also read: SC reserves order over UGC final year exams

“It has been elucidated that by temporarily deploying such machines in district hospitals and government laboratories, additional testing facilities of about 60,000 tests per day can be created. “In view of this, all higher education institutions and research institutions are requested to facilitate temporary deployment of machines from the institutes in consultation with the department of health research in district hospitals and government labs performing COVID-19 tests by August 31,” he added.

NTA releases details of exam centres for NEET 2020

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August 24, 2020

National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the exam center details for NEET 2020 exam. Candidates who will appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2020 can check their exam center through the official site of NTA NEET on ntaneet.nic.in. The admit card is expected to release soon on the official site.

The examination will be conducted on September 13, 2020. Students have been protesting against the conduct of the examination amid this pandemic. Petitions were filed by parents and students to cancel the examination, which was later rejected by the Supreme Court on August 18.

The Agency has informed that the allotment of Centre City would be done in advance to the applicants which would be updated on the official website. This would be done to avoid last-minute problems for the candidates. It is well known that the candidates would have to travel amid lockdown conditions in various states thus an advance notice on the centers would be helpful to them.

Also read: NTA releases protocol for JEE Main, NEET 2020 exams aspirants

The Agency has also released a detailed safety plan for the exam that will be conducted in September. The comprehensive plan and the advisory has been devised based on various instructions, guidelines, and orders issued in regard to the pandemic.

Itisha Peerbhoy, Head-Marketing, Ken42: Ed-tech firms will make learning easy

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August 24, 2020

1. How is your journey so far in the ed-tech industry?

The Ed-tech industry is coming of age with several new players entering the market with solutions for institutions to tackle the current crises. So far, we have seen a lot of innovation and tech, but there is a gap for a strategic solution that pre-empts the future and solves institutions’ problems on the whole, rather than in current times.

2. What are your plans for Ken42 in the coming days?

Ken42 is already being implemented in six premier institutions. We’re well on our way to signing up with several more and plan to go overseas in 2021. There will be over 1,00,000 students using Ken42 by September 2020.

3. How COVID-19 has changed the dynamics of ed-tech firms in India?

Ed-tech firms are seeing a huge uptick in demand and download. This is fueled by anxiety around job retention and creation when shelter-in-place ends. There is also increased usage among students of all ages who are looking to curb learning loss and remain in touch with the syllabus. While ed-tech firms found themselves going after consumers, they now see consumers approaching them. The current situation has also created the need for better content, as the hook for consumers is content over tech.

Also read: Ed-tech startup LEAD School raises Rs 210 cr

4. How ed-tech firms are planning to penetrate rural areas?

The low-hanging fruit in rural areas for ed-tech is STEM content in Indian languages. In addition to making exposure to technology at a young age, ed-tech will have to make learning easy to access via low bandwidth and limited gadgets. Another interesting trend already being implemented is the ‘school on wheels’ formula with which students in rural areas are able to get exposure to learning technology on a regular basis.

5. Will distance learning be the next big things; what are your plans to tap the huge market?

Distance learning has been around for decades and will continue to remain so. However, there is a difference between the distance learner and the on-campus learner and their needs. Institutions stand for more than just the impart of education, it is also about the experience of the campus, the networks, and the interaction with educators. Ken42 enables institutions of all kinds to deliver better learning outcomes for their students, improve staff productivity and facilitate essentials processes so that the university can focus on syllabus formation, policy-making, and building a brand among other functions, enabling them to grow in size and reputation. This includes distance learning institutes, brick and mortar institutes, coaching centres and more.

NEP Implementation: Education ministry seeks suggestions from teachers

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August 24, 2020

To implement the National Education Policy, 2020 the Union education ministry has urged teachers across India to suggest ways. The NEP has been approved by the Union Cabinet recently.

The ministry has introduced a list of questions through which the teachers have been asked to submit their inputs related to school education. A letter was sent by school education secretary Anita Karwal to all states for the suggestions.

“To simplify the process for the teachers, the suggestions are being called on each theme of the NEP 2020 related to school education…through a question-answer process. The questions are framed in such a manner that teachers can relate to them from their experience as teachers and classroom transactions,” an official statement by the government said.

The submitted suggestions will be reviewed by a team of experts from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Many experts while hailing the broad contours in the policy have said that implementation of many projects–as proposed–could be tedious and even difficult.

Also read: Pokhriyal holds meeting over NEP with officials

“Though suggestions are being called in a limited words format, however, for gathering further information, if required, teachers whose suggestions are found useful for incorporating in National Curriculum Framework or in the implementation plan, shall be individually contacted,” said the education ministry.

Through the NEP, the government has proposed some sweeping changes in the school education sector that includes providing early childhood education to young kids through anganwadis and restructuring of the extant 10+2 structure to 5+3+3+4 structure covering ages 3-18.

NTA releases protocol for JEE Main, NEET 2020 exams aspirants

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August 22, 2020

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has created a detailed protocol on how to hold the exercise in which nearly 15 lakh students could participate while also following safety and social distancing norms.

To avoid crowd at the examination centre entrance due to candidates reaching together, they will be given staggered time slots for reporting. In case, any staff person and candidate is observed to be having above normal temperature or displaying any symptom of COVID-19 suspect, they will be placed in separate Isolation Room.

Also read: NTA: JEE Main 2020, NEET 2020 to be held as per schedule

Candidates will be permitted to carry only:

-Mask on face

-Gloves on hand

-Personal transparent water bottle

-Personal small hand sanitizer (50 ml)

-Exam related documents as instructed (Admit Card, ID card, etc)

-Candidate Frisking

-Body pat frisking will not be done.

A table of approx. of around 3 feet width should be kept in Registration room or hall. Candidate will display the documents for Exam Functionary to view without touching the document.

Manual attendance with signature (while wearing gloves) will be taken. No thumb impressions will be taken.

The practice of physical movement of Invigilators inside the room will be minimized.

The practice of water dispenser will be discontinued. Personal water bottles will be permitted at the table and should be brought by the candidate.

The gloves and masks should be disposed in a pedal push covered bin at the Examination Centre and outside the examination hall only, the NTA guidelines say.

CBSE develops manuals for Classes 6-10 for maths, science

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August 22, 2020

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Delhi-based non-profit Central Square Foundation have developed a set of manuals for science and mathematics teachers of Classes 6 to 10. The manual is called ‘Teacher Energized Manuals’ (TERM), these will “help the teachers in aligning their classroom transaction to build competencies”.

The letter also says that CBSE has “dedicated the academic session 2020-21 [to] ‘competency based learning’ where the focus of teaching is on outcomes that students need to acquire”.

Each chapter in the manuals corresponds to chapters in the textbooks developed by the National Council for Educational Research and Training. Traditionally, the CBSE has been an exam-conducting body and not in charge of writing textbooks or deciding curriculum.

Also read: CBSE to conduct virtual inspection of schools

The manuals are linked to the required learning outcomes or standards set by the NCERT. The CBSE has over 21,000 affiliated schools, the vast majority of which are private.

“These manuals will support the teachers to develop pedagogical plans for implementing competency-based learning to equip our students with the requisite skills and competencies pertaining to the subjects,” says the CBSE’s letter.

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