Ebix Smartclass Flipping the Education Paradigm

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September 1, 2018

Formal education as we knew it is fast approaching its tipping point. A model that has since inception been dominated by the brick and mortar model is changing so fast, it will be unrecognizable within the next decade. While schools will exist, and teaching will continue pretty much as before, learning will morph dramatically – as evidenced already in the switch to digital technologies.

Digital learning is also changing dramatically. From digital classrooms and customised content and dynamic assessment and instruction, it is now converging to on-demand, real time accessibility. Mobile telephony, tablets, mobile phones, streaming services, internet penetration and smartphones are cumulatively transforming the learning landscape like never before. Students can now learn on the go, learn at will and revise at their own pace.

To this milieu, we can now add a new generation app like Fliplearn Prime, an award winning smart class platform, which has introduced an innovative learning algorithm for customized online education that makes learning a breeze, almost literally. For example, a student can access Fliplearn Prime anytime any place and scroll down its vast resource base of content which includes concept explanations, multimedia graphic presentations of subjects, mock tests, revision papers all in tandem with their specific class course.

Designed by top educationists of the country, Flipelearn Prime is a device agnostic and can be accessed from any android mobile phone or IOS. The content provided is completely mapped to the school curriculum and is available for all subjects, classes, and boards. Over one hundred thousand animation videos and hundreds of practice questions of each chapter, all available at a click of a button. The courses are strategically crafted to ensure understanding of fundamental concepts. It provides mind maps for improving a child’s IQ and comprehensive topic synopsis for quick revision at a moment’s notice.

Principals, Teachers, and academic counsellors have acknowledged the role of apps like Fliplearn Prime in improving academic performance of students. Mrs. Vani Gopal, Principal, St. Philomena Public School, Bangalore says that they found that students exhibit deeper engagement with subjects, more alertness, and a better comprehension thanks to Fliplearn Prime. Students too vouch for its efficacy as their grades improve, their peer group performance collectively rises. Consequently, the class performance and the school’s caliber improve.

In a flipped classroom, students watch online lectures, collaborate in online discussions, carry out research at home and engage in concepts and activities in the classroom with the guidance of a teacher. This methodology helps make the classroom teaching more productive and efficient. Students are deeply engaged in the lessons and fascinated by the information that makes learning so much easier for them.

Fliplearn Prime ushers education into a new era of learning. Students now have the opportunity to improve themselves through personalized learning with a joyful and stress-free learning experience. It stands to reason therefore that in a really short period of time, Fliplearn Prime has become the leading platform for online education in India with over 3500 schools and over 3.4 million students using the platform.

Billabong School: Bringing Change with Students’ Holistic Development

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Akash

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September 1, 2018

Along with an aim to enable students become professionally successful and personally secure individuals, Billabong School is committed to produce individuals who are caring and committed Indians, says Priti Agarwal, CEO & Founder, Billabong High International School, Kanpur, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

How do you develop a curriculum that is both interesting and focused on the holistic development of students?

At Billabong School, an enriching curriculum begins with the planning of coherent and relevant scheme of works and lesson-plans by our qualified teacher. Our curriculum seeks to develop and enrich every student’s subject knowledge. We use an active learning approach, a high level of challenging environment, use of appropriate questions, group work exercises, along with a thrust on digital technologies to keep our students constantly motivated.

A good school must have good student-teacher coordination. What methods are followed at Billabong School to maintain a healthy coordination between teachers and students?

Billabong is truly blessed with teachers who are passionate about teaching, and who continuously create immersive platforms of learning for their students. Our all teachers are extremely committed to the idea of pastoral care in school, and this I believe, paves the way for a strong teacher-student connect.

What strategies do you follow for innovation and reforms in the school administrative system?

We are all global citizens living in a creative society, impacting each other, every second of our existence. The technological revolution in recent times has established best practices in education, which have become a formal template of expected standards, and also an evaluation grid of any organisation in the reckoning. Administration, being a continuous dynamic process, is always a work in progress to us. Thus, we are reviewing and improving our administrative practices all the time.

How does the school meet expectations of parents and government alike (in terms of ensuring essential standards)?

While imparting education, we meet the expectations of parents, Government alike through implementing effective planning in our teaching and learcning and assessment practices. Along with this, a strong co-curricular thrust on creating enrichment platforms in sports, vocational education and transferable skills like work-discipline and language competency also help in this regard.

In order to maintain a good learning environment, what activities, along with studies, are conducted at the school?

Billabong High International School offers a unique and wonderful enrichment platform to all its students. This we do through hosting of our various initiatives that include:

IIMUN – Indian International Model United Nations. This is an organisation based in India which conducts simulations of United Nations and Indian parliament in different cities
BHIS family quiz – The parent and child participate together to turn on their thinking caps. • Cross-over faculty – An initiative under which exceptional teachers travel from the top schools in the UK to teach and mentor our teachers and students
In-service training of teachers – This initiative is executed both in online and offline mode in partnership with Cambridge and Yale – the two world famous institutes
Open day – Open Day provides an opportunity to prospective students and their parents to visit the school and observe the curriculum prior to their actual enrolment
World Scholar’s Cup – Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Annual quiz programme
Guest lecturers/ TED talks
Aerospace & science discovery camp
Vocational courses
Maths online
Career counselling through software like Naviance
Regular debate coaching workshops
World school debate

BenQ’s Environment Friendly Solutions for Enhanced Learning Environment

Magazine

By

Akash

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September 1, 2018

The receding air quality in India’s capital, New Delhi, has raised many concerns over time. According to the latest WHO list, India has the dubious distinction of being home to 22 of the 50 (source) most polluted cities globally. Proper precautions are necessary, especially when we witness such changing times. With air pollution at its peak in India, the need of the hour is to drive damage control excessively.

The Indian Medical Association declared a public health emergency, leading to immediate actions like closing schools. The education sector took a hit despite being a key contributor to the country’s GDP at the turn of the century.

Indian schools have open playgrounds with sand pits, and most classrooms are subjected to no windows or open windows. Adding to this, the AQI (Air Quality Index) levels are higher inside than outside. Keeping pace with the modern times has led to creating greater volumes of educated individuals. According to studies, IIt has been proven over time that uninterrupted learning has been a proven tactic to increase retention and assimilation of information in Indian students. With these standards not being met, the quality of education is lacking considerably; hence, it is time to create and offer a dust-proof environment for the Indian education sector.

The fall in quality of the Indian education system is primarily due to lack of smart solutions along with the rising cost of maintaining them. However, over time Indian schools have implemented smart solutions such as projectors to offer affordable yet an effective education to the masses. 80% of India’s school teachers have agreed to the smart educational system. Recent studies show alarming numbers of dust pollution, and hence, classroom projectors have been adversely affected by dust. Proper dustproof mechanisms will assist in maintaining the lifetime of projectors. Without such mechanism, the maintenance costs will be significantly higher leading to increase in unnecessary overheads.

In the absence of dustproof technologies, projector’s performance could experience the following:

Image Blemish-Image blemish is usually caused by dust accumulation on DLP chips. Due to dust accumulation on internal parts and color wheel sensors, there can be a deterioration in image quality (brightness and color decay,) which can affect the overall classroom experience
Thermal Issue- In the presence of dust, projectors face thermal hikes and results in lagging,which could severely impact the experience and performance drastically
Overheating – If certain amount of dust is accumulated in the filter or the ventilation system, it will lead toprojectors’ airflow beingconsiderably reduced. The reduced airflow may result in overheating, equipment malfunctioning, breakdowns and undesirable maintenance costs
Signal Detection Failure- When dust accumulates on internal parts of projectors; the projection will face delays in visuals, flickering and may shut down without warning.

These can be avoided in the long run by taking corrective measures. BenQ’s Dust GuardTM Series has passed testing in a simulated environment with large amounts of fine dust, soot, and milled cotton lint. It filters out large amounts of dust accumulation, and becomes invulnerable to it. Also, the optical engine is sealed, which enhances to the safety of the projector.

The Dustproof solution ensures optimal reliability and performance by extending projector’s lifeline, reducing maintenance frequency by ? and ensuringhigh image quality without color decay. It also blocks out 90% of particles and PM 2.5. The Dust Guard series is also equipped with smart eco technology, further ensuring reliable eco-friendly operation in classrooms.

The education sector will continue to grow in the next few years. To ensure all Indian students receive the best education, it is time to look for relevant solutions in order for us to define our path to future success.

Bezalel Institute: Exemplifying Life-Skills

Magazine

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Akash

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September 1, 2018

There has been a considerable increase in the number of private educational consultancies on the rise, the major challenge is to make clients realise how different are we from our competitors. Also, another major challenge is to establish our credibility in the market where a few unfortunate cases of fraudulence are still on the rise. Apart from this, another challenge is to show compliance with both the university and Government regulations and this has been achieved by legally registering the company, thereby establishing compliance.

Christopher Prasad Haridass CEO and Founder Bezalel Institute for Higher Education Pvt Ltd — Christopher Prasad Haridass, CEO and Founder, Bezalel Institute for Higher Education Pvt Ltd

In terms of spoken language training centers, a major challenge is being unable to assess individual student’s need and cater to that specific need because unlike textbook-based English learning, spoken language training has to meet the need of students across a diverse age group and competency levels.

In the language training center at Bezalel, the one innovative method we blindly believe is customised curriculum, as this helps in catering to the needs of students, professionals and the like, according to the purpose for which they decide to take up any specific training course. Also a wide range of available techniques and technology is used for achieving maximum results.

In a world of competition, innovation not only helps the organisation but also the students in achieving the maximum return for the money invested. Thus, a user-friendly interface for students and agents to provide a hasslefree process for student registration, university application, document submission, fee payment etc, with individual login is provided. Another service unique to Bezalel is that we provide student support throughout the university tenure including a local guardian.

myskoolbus – A Mobile App for Child Safety

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Akash

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August 31, 2018

With the occurrence of a lot of criminal incidents against innocent children, trackNOW Pvt Ltd has developed a new concept for child safety. myskoolbus -mobile app meant for child’s protection, and mentored by Cherie Blair Foundation (London), observes Elets News Network (ENN).

There is nothing more precious to a parent than a child, and nothing more important to our future than the safety of all our children – Former US President Bill Clinton once said

As we know, India is going through a crucial phase of transition, from being a predominantly rural country to one where most people now aspire to live in cities. While there was 24% increase in crimes against children between 2010-11, it rose up by 52.5% from 2012 to 2013, shows a latest report by Save the Children. The United Nations Children’s Fund (unicef) elucidates child security as “strengthening of country environments, capacities and responses to prevent and protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and the effects of conflict”.

Myskoolbus enables tracking the current location of the mode of transportation used by schools. Today, this app has over 10,000 users with 50+ schools and 8,000 parents on its platform.

For parents, it has become a stroke of luck. The app offers so many benefits like monitoring timing, routes and driving patterns, receiving notification for speed limits or unchartered routes, being informed in case of breakdowns.

It also conveys via SMS, in case of delay in the bus, 5-minute advance notification before the bus arrives, notifies where and when a child gets on or off the school bus and much more. It doesn’t seem less than an amazing app to keep affectionate kids enjoying their childhood without any fear of being harmed.

Also Read: Real-Time Tracking: A boon for Parents

Pooja S Khemka, CEO and Founder, trackNOW Pvt Ltd, says as a mother herself she could relate to other mothers’ plight while waiting for their beloved child to return home safely.

“It’s just like keeping fingers crossed everyday until you see your child coming back from school,” she adds. The fact is there is a requirement to understand that childhood injuries are not usual accidents, they remains in the child’s heart for lifetime. There is need to supervise them as well.

Children are naturally curious and will love to explore the world around them. We need to watch them, as they can wander at the blink of our eye. It is our responsibility as parents/guardians to make their world as safe as possible so that their exploration process is injury-free and full of fun. Keep keen attention on the activities your child does, as he does not understand danger.

After all, the children deserve to be happy, healthy and safe.

“As far as revenue is concerned, we charge a meagre amount from the parents annually and by the schools as their fleet management charges. Larger ecosystem partners are school chains that have multiple branches across the country. Recently, CBSE has made it compulsory for schools to use GPS in their vehicles, which is another boost for us.” adds Pooja S Khemka, CEO and Founder, trackNOW Pvt Ltd.

Shridhar University: Grooming Globally Competitive Leaders

Magazine

By

Akash

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August 31, 2018

With a strong focus on skill development and employment-oriented programmes, Shridhar University aims to nurture its students as globally competitive citizens, says Vijay Pal Yadav, Chairman, Shridhar University, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What are the unique programmes offered by Shridhar University to nurture its students as globally competitive citizens?

Vijay Pal Yadav, Chairman, Shridhar University

In Indian educational system, workforce preparation and skills development are the aspects that are considered as the most important among the lot. Thus, recognising this, a paradigm shift must take place in Indian educational landscape that would also enable our students to be globally competitive.

Shridhar University is educating young people to become global citizens as it allows them to learn about the interdependence of the world’s systems. It believes that solutions to global challenges are achievable. It feels morally-compelled to confront global injustices and takes responsible actions to promote a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

How is the university collaborating with industries to boost employability of students through skill training?

Shridhar University is clearly focused on Workforce preparation and skill development by offering employment-oriented programmes and creating a career path for non-graduate employees through our unique programmes. Apart from the normal skills-related programmes we are also associated with various skill development related departments of India for implementing skill development projects for high school dropout and backward / minority class of people. We are providing skill upgrade options to the formal and informal sectors of the employed category through credential-based educational programs and non-credit oriented training programmes.

What are the initiatives taken by the university to make students competitive amidst such emerging technological trends?

Shridhar University is a technology and livelihood-oriented university. As far as technology is concerned, we are having collaboration in Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and also teach Cloud Computing techniques. However, we have not yet reached the level of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. As of now, we teach web designing, CAD and software programmes related to daily and domestic use. In short, we do cater for practical, livelihood-related and daily useable technology needs as part of our teaching.

Shridhar University is a technology and livelihood-oriented university. As far as technology is concerned, we are having collaboration in Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and also teach cloud computing techniques.

How is the university encouraging its students for research activities?

We put a strong emphasis on research and innovation. This we do, through supporting excellent research within the core academic disciplines across the university, promoting research outcomes and support staff for original research endeavours. We also develop a strong web presence for research, focused around the relevant themes while also linking with the research entries of various departments and centres to ensure academic colleagues, potential collaborators, funders and policymakers are fully aware of the university’s strengths, providing a clear framework in which development of the impact and outcomes from research activities are seen as a priority, with support put in place, to encourage such activities, and promoting activities that communicate our research strengths and successes in engagement with the wider public.

Along with education, career-related guidance is also very important for the youth, what steps have been taken by Shridhar University in this regard?

A placement cell has been established at Shridhar University with an aim to provide career guidance cum placement assistance for all its students. The role of the cell is to provide necessary training to the students to make them suitable for company interviews by enhancing their communication skills, personality development and general knowledge. The cell is also responsible for providing opportunities to students for placement.

Oi Playschool: Preparing Global Leaders

Interviews

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Akash

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August 31, 2018

Our experiential teaching methodology aims to create realistic, interactive and sensory stimulating learning experiences that build curiosity and expands learning, says Prasanna Mandava, Joint Managing Director, People Combine Playschool Initiatives, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What innovative practices are adopted at Oi Playschool to refine skills, nurture curiosity and encourage exploration amongst early learners?

Prasanna Mandava, Joint Managing Director, People Combine Playschool Initiatives

Children learn best by doing and at Oi Playschool we nurture the abilities of our little discoverers at every step. Putting this belief into practice, we provide children with practical learning experiences that instill a lasting love for learning. Our experiential teaching methodology aims to create realistic, interactive and sensory stimulating learning experiences that build curiosity and expand learning.

“Expert Talk Series” from Oi are a series of videos with industry experts on various topics pertaining to parenting and preschoolers, which are of great help to young parents.

Custom-designed ambience of each centre allows us to safely cater to curious minds, with ample ventilation, paramount hygiene, and safety measures such as – lady security guards, no sharp edges and CCTV surveillance.

Experiential learning is important to stimulate a love for learning throughout the life of students, how is it done at Oi preschools?

The curriculum focuses on experiential learning where children take part in activities rather than merely reading about them. Following a thematic curriculum, Oi recreates realistic theme-related environments for children within the school that allow them to gain hands-on knowledge. So when learning about farm animals, they don’t just teach the names of different animals; they have a farm party!These experiences create a love for learning in the child’s mind, so he/she always thinks of learning in a positive light.

By creating a safe and healthy environment that allows children to learn without boundaries, we enable them to explore a world of endless possibilities for themselves.

How does the preschool maintain a safe, hygienic, comfortable yet fun-filled learning environment for its students?

At Oi Playschool safety is a top priority where care is taken that our teachers and staff ensure safety at the premises. By creating a safe and healthy environment that allows children to learn without boundaries, we enable them to explore a world of endless possibilities for themselves.

Maintaining safe and secure environment with hazard-free play and learning zones makes the learning environment fun yet safe.

Parents play an important role in early child learning, what methods are adopted at Oi for significant involvement of parents in the holistic development of their wards?

Parents play a major role in the development of a child as they are one of the greatest influencers. Oi partners with parents, encouraging them to be actively involved in the child’s learning process. Through a series of events and activities over the year, parents and children come together to cherish their learnings and make fond memories. This is how we motivate parents to be an effective partner in encouraging independence, fostering creativity, instilling confidence and developing values of love and trust.

What is the vision and mission for upcoming years?

At Oi, innovation is the order of the day and we are committed to create global leaders, in partnership with parents through our early childhood programme. Through continuous innovation and developing new programmes, we strive to make learning more fun, while staying a step ahead in safety, security and hygiene. We as a brand have received an overwhelming response that encourages us to expand our footprints beyond the southern region in the near future.

CMPS: Nurturing Joy of Learning Among Children

Magazine

By

Akash

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August 31, 2018

Cambridge Montessori Preschool: Incubating Leaders for Tomorrow

Keeping the overall development of the child, Cambridge Montessori Pre School (CMPS) is obligated to ensure an environment of love, compassion, harmony, developing critical thinking and making the child independent, says Pankaj Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Jalsa Ventures Private Limited, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

What practices are followed at Cambridge Montessori Pre School (CMPS) to support children learn, explore and grow in a warm and caring atmosphere?

Pankaj Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Jalsa Ventures Private Limited

The right learning environment combined with the right teaching methods enable the development of students’ emotional and creative abilities. The environment at CMPS is according to the early childhood needs which inculcate lifelong love for learning, exploring, creating, imagining among students and expanding their horizons for gaining knowledge. Our childhood education programme takes cognizance of differences and adapts to the specific needs of every child.

How does the curriculum at CMPS support in nurturing every aspect of holistic development i.e. physical, social and emotional along with educational?

The curriculum at CMPS provides stimulating learning experience that respond to every student’s unique characteristics and learning styles so as to help them reach their full potential. It aims at preparing students for a productive life in which their skills, patterns and attributes are constantly changed or developed and applied as part of their lifelong learning.

It challenges teachers to think differently about the student’s cognitive and effective development, the more so as we believe, we have to inculcate the 21st century skills in our learners.

How are the teachers trained at CMPS to meet the educational needs of every child individually in these critical early years?

Everyone along with teachers plays an important role in a child’s life. At CMPS, teachers are trained and made to work together with colleagues, families, administration, policymakers and community to support young children’s educational needs. Teachers at CMPS are encouraged to participate in regular trainings, workshops, assessments which makes them more efficient in handling grim situations and be able to provide required acumen and resources.

The curriculum at CMPS provides stimulating learning experience that respond to every student’s unique characteristics and learning styles so as to reach their full potential.

Along with Studies, how the CMPS helps its students inculcating independent learning, creative thinking, and excellent communication skills?

CMPS is the perfect blend of academics, culture appreciation and socialisation. The children get benefitted from the learning environment, intrinsically interesting materials and age appropriate designed activities which enhance their creativity, thinking skills and inculcate language abilities. Our goal is to provide a rich environment to allow children to explore the world around them with limitless learning opportunities.

What is the vision and mission of CMPS?

Cambridge Montessori preschool aspires to be amongst the top ten Pre School Chain in the world by 2030. Our mission is to attain this milestone by coordinating with top-notch montessorians across globe, high-end curriculum, strongest possible safety & security measures, affordable and viable business plan and strong operational support.

Little Millennium: Nurturing Innovation in Education

Magazine

By

Akash

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August 31, 2018

Guided by the spirit of every child is unique, Little Millennium has been at the forefront of bringing innovative products in the early childcare space in India for over a decade, says Raman Bajaj, CEO, Little Millennium Education Pvt Ltd, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

How the practices followed at Little Millennium Preschool provide its students with fun learning and allaround skill development?

Raman Bajaj, CEO, Little Millennium Education Pvt Ltd

Little Millennium’s key value proposition and its core differentiator is its scientifically developed “Seven Petal” curriculum, which ensures the overall holistic development of every child, through play activities and collaborative group work. The curriculum’s seven key development areas for children include: cognitive development, fine and gross motor skills, language development, personal awareness, socio-emotional development and nurturing individual potential. The curriculum is delivered using the Eclectic Approach that takes the relevant strategies and methodologies from multiple schools of thought on early childhood from across the world, to improve learning among preschoolers.

A young learner’s day at Little Millennium is a healthy mix of play (structured play and free play), fine motor activities, cognitive activities, language learning and so on. Little Millennium’s sports curriculum called Kickers Club – a first of its kind sports curriculum, is uniquely designed for kids in 3-6 years age bracket. This curriculum helps children inculcate the love for sports at an early age and develop collaborative skills. Also, we foster a love for sports and yoga amongst our young learners through a path-breaking practice called the Story Yoga that combines the joy of listening to stories with desired outcomes by enacting the same through simple stretching exercises and yoga asanas. This ensures the perfect all-round growth of the child’s body and mind.

How the preschool maintains a safe, hygienic, comfortable yet a fun-filled learning environment for students?

As a responsible playschool chain, we have an exhaustive list of safety and security compliance measures which includes measures such as restricted entry into the school premises, police verification of support staff, strict use of Escort cards during dispersals, school premises under CCTV surveillance, training to teachers on incident management and reporting, fire extinguishers and first aid kits, among others. Regular audits by our teams ensure full compliance with all safety measures. In addition, our business partners and teachers are regularly trained on fostering emotional literacy, which caters to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of our children.

How are you ensuring in the curriculum to enable the children become future-ready in career?

We created India’s first scientifically developed preschool curriculum that focuses on the holistic development of each child, based on sequential learning and developmental milestones. Our stimulating environment and scientific curriculum nurtures the roots and lays the foundation to help every child achieve success in all phases of life.

What methods are adopted at Little Millennium to enhance parents’ involvement in holistic development of their wards?

At Little Millennium, we conduct interactive and engaging workshops on joyful parenting, especially for parents. These workshops are aimed to create awareness about the joys of Parenting and are designed to help parents nurture their children through behavioural deviations and habit disorders such as throwing tantrums, anger and aggression, nail-biting, laziness, boredom etc. and give them an environment of positivity that is truly holistic. These interactions cover important topics like the key challenges in parenting, understanding of early childhood years and developmental needs of children.

IIT-Delhi & AIIMS to set up Biomedical Research Park

News

By

Akash

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August 31, 2018

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday have entered into an agreement to set up a Biomedical Research Park in Jhajjar, Haryana, and also start interdisciplinary research on “Robust Healthcare”.

The agreement includes a joint PhD supervision programme and provision for adjunct faculty for the two institutes.

On the association, B R Mehta, Dean Research and Developemnt, IIT-D, said, “The institutes have already started on 20 projects. Their mandate extends to development of a drug delivery system, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, robotics, advanced materials etc.”

“The work on research park is yet to start, but the work on 20 projects is already underway. Both institutes will be using their own funds for research. We didn’t apply for special grants from government since we wanted to begin as early as possible,” Mehta added.

“While the MoU will provide a detailed structure to all the collaborations, it will also open a plethora of opportunities to work together on a larger scale,” a statement by IIT-D said quoting the director.

AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said, “Technology has become an integral part of health care. There is a need to see how this technology can be used.”

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