Dubai: Opportunities in Schools and Private Education

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November 29, 2017

The UAE Embassy Trade & Commercial Office, in partnership with the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA), Government of Dubai is going to organise an event on “Dubai: Opportunities in Schools and Private Education” theme.

The event will feature remarks by KHDA, New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Dwight School and presentations by international K-12 operators and US education industry experts.

Key Discussion Points:

*Dubai – The Land of Opportunities in Education

*How US Companies are Shaping the Future of Education in Dubai

*Growth Opportunities

& many more…

Key Speakers:

*Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, KHDA, Dubai
Dr. Abdulla is responsible for a wide spectrum of education in Dubai’s private sector, spanning early learning, school, and higher education and training Institutes.

*Mark Stapleton, Director of External Relations, NEASC

Mark has visited more than 30 countries, worked on site in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and was education policy advisor to the Minister of Education, United Arab Emirates.

*Kalthoom Al Balooshi, Executive Director of Education Development, KHDA

Kalthoom HAS played a central role in setting up the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau – the first accountable, transparent inspections programme of its kind in the region.

Stephen Spahn, Chancellor, Dwight School, USA

Celebrating a milestone 50 years in education in 2017, Chancellor of Dwight School, Stephen Spahn, is the longest-serving school leader in New York City.

& many more…

Want one-on-one meetings with KHDA?

To schedule a meeting following the event, please indicate your interest in your RSVP.

When: Wednesday, December 6

Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Venue: Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, 3522 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008

Participate Now! To register, click here.

You can also RSVP directly to: trade@uaeembassy-usa.org with a Cc to ForwardEd@khda.gov.ae

If you are unable to join, please feel free to designate a colleague to attend in your place.

Airbnb to support Skill India mission by empowering 50,000 hospitality entrepreneurs

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 29, 2017

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Council (THSC) and Airbnb have inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer hospitality skills training to over 50,000 hospitality entrepreneurs in India.

Under the partnership, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Airbnb, NSDC and THSC, will work together to help hospitality entrepreneurs in offering home stay facilities by developing an accredited skill development module for them. These practices will offer unique accommodations and local experiences to the visitors.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan said, “We believe that this partnership will help to augment Skill India Mission by bringing in global best practices for the training of small hospitality entrepreneurs. The domestic tourism has immense potential in India and this partnership will benefit the ecosystem by creating opportunities for women and youth. We will extend all possible cooperation to make India a tourism hotspot.”

The aim of the MoU is to empower more citizens, including those in rural and underserved areas to join the ‘alternate accommodation’ sector and pursue new livelihood opportunities by sharing their homes. The step has been taken in line with the Government of India’s endeavour to promote entrepreneurship under its Skill India Programme.

According to the terms of the MoU, the three organisations will establish occupation standards and competency matrices for job roles and develop the courses for hospitality entrepreneurs offering homestay and facilities, other unique accommodations and local experiences for travellers.

The three will also look forward to create standards for certification and accreditation as per the requirements and global benchmarks of Tourism and Hospitality industry for hospitality entrepreneurs offering homestay facilities, other unique accommodations and local experiences for travelers.

They have to set the framework for long-term Council-Industry partnership and also strengthen the Skilled Labour Pool required by tourism and hospitality industry.

Pointing out Jayant Krishna, CEO, NSDC stated, “NSDC is committed to create impactful skill development programs for skill seekers across the country.”

Regional Director of Policy for India, Southeast Asia and ANZ, Brent Thomas said, “This partnership will help to create more skilled, digitally-literate hospitality entrepreneurs – especially among the women and those in underserved areas – who can create a homestay in every home, offer authentic experiences in every Indian locality and help spread the benefits of tourism”.

MeritTrac: Empowering Learners, Transforming Lives

Article

By

Akash

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November 28, 2017

MeritTrac is a premier testing and assessment company providing innovative assessment services to leading educational institutions, government organisations and corporate entities. It’s a 100% subsidiary of Manipal Global Education (MaGE), one of the largest education services providers in India.

MeritTrac has introduced assessment processes and patented technologies empowering educational institutions, government organisations, corporate and vocational training providers across the globe in administering high quality tests.

Adopting a three-dimensional approach of design, develop, and deliver, MeritTrac has been creating standardised and customised scientific tests for its clients. MeritTrac has a long-standing reputation for offering services that have exhibited superior quality, reliability, agility and transparency time after time.

As a premier testing and assessment service provider, MeritTrac has been leveraging its ISO and CMMI Level-III certified test processes in transforming the way tests are managed and delivered.

MeritTrac offers high levels of reliability, quality and security for consistently delivering large tests. In addition to computer-based tests and Paper and pen based tests, MeritTrac offers examination services like online application processing, TracMARKS – On Screen Marking (OSM) and online scientific role based assessment solutions.

Leading government organisations, educational institutions, boards and universities have trusted MeritTrac to streamline their examinations – leveraging its rich experience and robust technology framework.

Over the last 17 years, MeritTrac has garnered significant expertise in test research, design, development and its delivery, and administration for computer-based/online tests as well as paper-based tests.

MeritTrac has been developing and administering tests for over 400 clients in more than 350 cities through 2,000+ certified test centers.

The company has over 250 assessment specialists and a network of over 1,500 certified Test administrators across India. Leading educational institutions, examination boards, universities, government bodies and corporates have trusted MeritTrac to streamline its examinations – leveraging its rich experience and robust technology framework.

With a wide range of best in class offerings, MeritTrac has successfully helped organisations automate its examination processes from application form processing to result processing including test administration, candidate authentication and digital evaluation of answer scripts.

MeritTrac is a member of ATP (Association of Test Publishers), USA, which is one of the prestigious associations of test publishing companies. MeritTrac recently partnered with ACT – the US College Admission Test to provide end-to-end examination support and expand ACT’s base in India.

MeritTrac has its largest network of test centres in India. It has high quality assessment labs helping ETS – one of the world’s largest private non-profit educational testing and assessment organisation in delivering their world renowned certifications in India.

Agra varsity to teach nomadic Lauhpita kids

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Akash

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November 28, 2017

DR Bhimrao Ambedkar University of Agra is preparing to launch an initiative of teaching children belonging to nomadic Lauhpita community from next year as part of its social responsibility.

According to university spokesperson Girjashankar Sharma, the initiative has been taken by the vice-chancellor Arvind Kumar Dixit to educate children of the Lauhpita community. It is believed that these people are descendants of Maharana Pratap of Chhittorgarh in Mewar, Rajasthan, and are known by different names in different regions.

“We are conducting a survey to find out the total number of children in this community here. After receiving the survey report, a pilot project will be launched under which we will provide free education to the children at our model school, located on university campus. If we find any youngster who is Class XII pass, we will also help such a student to get registered in our colleges,” said Sharma.

According to the vice-chancellor, the aim of the initiative is to children belonging to the community into mainstream so that they will be enrolled in the model school.

“Under the project, university personnel will counsel parents and motivate them to send their children to our school to study,” Sharma added.

11th elets WES 2017, Dubai: Demystifying Innovative World of Education

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Akash

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November 28, 2017

In a bid to showcase the innovations, initiatives and best practices being followed across the globe in the education space, Elets Technomedia in association with Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai, organised the 11^th elets World Education Summit (WES) 2017 Dubai on 26-27 November.

Inaugurated by KHDA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General Dr Abdulla Al Karam, the summit was divided into segments: School Education, Higher Education, Expo and Awards.

A Special issue of digitalLEARNING magazine: Happy Education –Dubai Inspires the World — was also launched by Dr Al Karam. In his keynote address, Dr Karam said, change is also being driven by top global companies that have “removed academic qualifications from their entry criteria for graduates” and the “university degrees are no longer necessary”.

“They’ve done this because they can see that the types of graduates our education systems are producing are not always the type of graduates they need. These companies are looking for something different. If these big companies are doing this, you can be pretty sure that the smaller ones will follow,” he added.

The 11th WES witnessed insightful discussions on various aspects of school and Higher education for two days. Eduleaders from Dubai and the UAE, India, UK and various parts of the world along with industry leaders deliberated upon the subject of futuristic education spectrum, said Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd CEO and Editor-in-Chief Dr Ravi Gupta.

Speaking on this occasion, KHDA’s Executive Director of Education Development Kalthoom Al Balooshi said: “Dubai is well-placed to lend importance to the right mix of attributes and knowledge, owing to its unique mix of schools and demographics.”

A new trend is seeing Artificial Intelligence (AI) analyse cognitive test results of students to create a profile of their academic strengths and aptitude for certain careers, an exhibitor at the World Education Summit in Dubai said on the first-day of the conference.

This year the school education section of the summit witnessed participation of dignitaries like Mark Beer, OBE, Chief Executive, DIFC Courts, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai; Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Member, National Education Policy Committee, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India; Dr Archana Thakur, Chief Vigilance Officer & Joint Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and K K Nirala, Director, Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, among others.

In the higher education segment was participated by Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Chief, Qualifications and Awards in Dubai, KHDA, Dubai and Dr Amer Sharif, CEO, Education sector, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, along with chairman, directors and vice-chancellors of higher education institutes from across the globe.

The expo witnessed unique yet effective teaching methodologies, networking and product interactions among different sections of the education stakeholders. Over 50 exhibitors showcased their new initiatives in edtech at the summit.

Awards presented to leading schools, higher education institutes and edu-tech corporate during the summit aimed to recognise, highlight, honour and encourage leading models/projects/processes of excellence and sustainable innovations in school and higher education.

The summit concluded on Monday. The next World Education Summit, Delhi is scheduled to be organised in August, 2018.

Propagating K12 Learning in Higher Education

Article

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Akash

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November 27, 2017

Technology-enabled education of LearnEngg is considered as a promising solution for making the students learn effectively and become industry ready, writes Dr S Mohamed Nabi, CEO and Director, LearnEngg for Elets News Network (ENN).

K12 Class Room Teaching has seen vast changes in the last 10 years. Self learning platforms, teaching tools and content have evolved to make students learn holistically. Technology usage has transformed the classroom teaching with focus on in-depth learning.

The K12 education is undergoing a rapid transformation with technological implementation in all its spheres. The students who have undergone digital education till Class 12 have a familiar environment in higher education as the learning platforms and tools remain the same as that of K12 education. However, in technical education, the content is mostly in the form of video lecturers of renowned professors in their respective fields.

In higher and technical education, the content oriented products with explanations and demonstrations as that of K12 segment are very limited. The major reasons are, across the globe, K12 curriculum remains within well-defined boundaries whereas the scenario is totally different in technical and higher education.

The technical education has a vast and diversified curriculum across all the streams and the quantity and quality of content requirements is much more than that of K12 segment. Hence, Edu-Tech corporates are mostly concentrating on K12.

The technical education curriculum revolves around five major branches of engineering namely Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. All other branches are derivative or specialised form of these basic engineering branches. However, in recent years, the focus is shifted on skill training of students to prepare them job ready. Hence, to understand fundamentals and reason behind technical assumptions and Industry applications need to be exploited for better learning.

In the last nine years, “LearnEngg” has evolved itself in line with these trends. It provides 3D/2D visual demonstrations for the concepts in technical education. Main thrust of visual learning solution is to effectively integrate e-Learning methodology and visual medium maximising the learning benefits to students. The visual learning tool combines all four stages of an effective Learning programme: Technology, Tools (S/W), Standards and Content, and customised as per requirements of customer leading to personalised learning.

2D/3D visuals are well annotated in the language easy to understand for the students who have studied in their vernacular language in school. Thus, the tool removes the hurdles of language dependence and enhances the effectiveness of learning and skill acquisition. The skill knowledge, in this system, evolves within the curriculum and not as a separate skill development course after a formal education.

Schools in Kolhapur district get special learning kits

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Akash

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November 27, 2017

Guardian Minister of Kolhapur, Chandrakant Patil, has distributed special learning kits among the students of 200 government-run as well as private schools.

The kits prepared by Chetana Apangmati Vikas Sanstha that contains puzzles, chess, flash cards and other brain teasing games to improve cognitive abilities of the students. The organisation works for the empowerment of the disabled children. The organisation has ordered 1,000 more kits to be distributed among more school children.

According to Patil, the kits will prove very instrumental for children. He also asked the teachers to leave behind the mentality of 10 to 5 job and become more experimental in their teaching. “When teachers see the children smiling, that feeling is invaluable,” he said.

Kolhapur Zilla Parishad (Kolhapur ZP) chief executive officer (CEO) Kunal Khemnar said that the quality of education in ZP schools is improving. “In fact, 1,600 of government-run schools in the region have been transformed to digital schools,” he said.

In order to improve quality of education through several activities in the Zila Parishad, the Kolhapur ZP has also signed an MoU with Rotary club.

Adding about improvement in terms of education, he said that in terms of progressive education index, 80% of the students at Kolhapur ZP schools have been found progressive. “With the help of these special learning kits, the percentage may further increase,” he added.

National Testing Agency may soon conduct JEE Advanced

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Akash

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November 27, 2017

The National Testing Agency (NTA) may soon conduct JEE Advanced exam apart from JEE Main and NEET. Currently, JEE Advanced is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

The Ministry of Human Resource and Development has written to all IITs regarding this but they are yet to take a decision in this regard. A letter has also been sent to the IIMs to check if the CAT can also be conducted by NTA.

“Although the cabinet has decided that initially the NTA will conduct the exams currently being conducted by CBSE, it may be decided whether the IIT system would like to entrust the conduct of JEE-Advanced exams to NTA with a condition that the setting of the question papers and the proctoring would continue to vest with the IIT system,” reads the letter sent by the ministry.

The ministry has asked all the IITs to discuss the matter and convey their decision by December 15. “The NTA is yet to become completely operational and we are not very sure about handing over the charge to them. We have been given time and we will decide by then,” an IIT director said.

According to the letter, NTA was being registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with IITs, IIMs, IISERs and centrally funded universities as joint owners of the organisation. The ministry has already taken necessary steps for NTA to be operational soon and also will provide the necessary support for its effective operation.

“The tests to be conducted by NTA will be online, duly scrutinised and standardised. The test design will be done scientifically and as per user requirements,” the letter read.

Earlier this month, the union cabinet cleared the proposal for the creation of National Testing Agency that will conduct all entrance tests of which mostly are conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Dubai – The Global Education Hub with High Happiness Quotient

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 27, 2017

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has embarked on a unique journey not many countries have treaded in the world. It’s steadfastly acquiring a distinction of being a global education hub with a difference. The country seems aiming for the high happiness quotient to make learning process turn meaningful and futuristic.

We have endeavoured to highlight how the UAE’s new policies are focused on giving back to the world by making happiness and well-being the focal point of everything they do to improve quality of the education. Our digitalLearning magazine’s this special issue being launched on the occasion of 11th Elets World Education Summit, Dubai 2017 – a joint effort of Elets Technomedia and The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) which intends to bringing together various stakeholders from global education sector under one roof – is a step in this direction. The interview of Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, KHDA, in this issue assumes high significance in this regard, offering a clear insight into how the UAE plans to add a sense of happiness to the academic experience of all.

Our cover story, “Happy Education: Dubai Inspires the World”, explores the three key pillars of the UAE’s ‘Year of Giving’ – Corporate Social Responsibility, Volunteering, and Serving the Nation – to develop a knowledge-based economy as the best in the world. It also underscores as to why it has become imperative for the city to innovate in the education space and acquire an edge over other cities to develop a world-class quality education sector.

This issue’s special story “Dubai: World’s Education Hub”, showcases how the Government is focusing on every opportunity to be a top-draw for international students — and Dubai, known for luxury shopping, ultra-modern architecture and a lively nightlife scene, is taking the lead in this field also.

Our special story on “Nurturing Dubai’s 10X Dream through Futuristic Education”, brings into focus how the Government of UAE is thinking 10 years ahead of the rest to build a robust and futuristic education system and prepare for the harsh reality of the future. The 10X initiative is driven by the vision of UAE’s Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has called on all government entities of Dubai to embrace disruptive innovations as a fundamental mantra for their operations and seek ways to incorporate its methodologies in all aspects of their work.

We hope our latest bouquet of special stories, interviews, articles and industry outlook will enable our readers to gain clear insights into various other aspects of UAE’s education sector.

Taking this initiative forward, the 11th Elets World Education Summit Dubai 2017 (WES) aims to recognise, highlight, honour and encourage leading models/projects/processes of excellence and sustainable innovations in school and higher education. The latest edition of WES, a congregation of some of the leading thinkers in the education world, will enable all to understand the challenges and solutions of the education world through a new prism. Over 300 inspirational speakers, not just from Asia znd the Middle Eastbut from different parts of the world, have been invited to participate in the summit.

Elets’ conferences always create a place where the best of learning experiences occur. They also enable networking and product interactions among the educational stakeholders. Over 50 exhibitors will showcase new initiatives in edtech at this WES Dubai.

Looking forward to readers’ invaluable feedback!

NSDC to train over 1 lakh people as GST Account Assistants

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 24, 2017

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) have collaborated to skill over one lakh people comprising students pursing Company Secretary (CS) course, ICSI stakeholders and public as “GST Account Assistants”.

Under the MoU, students will be trained as GST experts who will likely to promote and maintain compliance and transparency in the accounts departments of corporate sector. The MoU will enable students to avail trainings on GST through its pan India training centres and partners of NSDC.

While exchanging the MoUs with ICSI, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde said, “Our partnership with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India is a strategic step of our Ministry to contribute and help enable a historic reform that the government has brought in. Our courses will contribute in upskilling of our resources so that they align to the new regime and help companies in enabling a speedy transition to GST.”

The 100 hour course will be conducted under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). On a full time basis, the course will take 10 to 15 working days in its completion whereas on part time basis, the course will take 25 days to get completed with 4 hours of training regularly.

For the areas that are not covered by the training centres of BFSI Sector Skill Council, NSDC will ensure wide reach and the objective of training candidates across the length and breadth of the country.

Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “With the introduction of new regimes and new technology, along with our focus on skilling freshers, NSDC is also aligned to re-skilling and upskilling those who are already a part of the formal human resource.”

“The youth have to constantly upgrade themselves and adapt to multi-tasking to make themselves competitive in the current market scenario. This is yet another proud initiative under the able guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, from NSDC, which will help scale up our productivity,” he added.

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