Digital Learning Helping Indians to Augment their Skills and Employability

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August 28, 2017

The seamless accessibility and anytime, anywhere proposition make digital learning an exciting proposition in India. Little wonder, then, that the sector in India is growing from strength-to-strength and is projected to more than double in size to touch $5.7 billion by the end of this decade, writes Kevin Hanegan, Vice President of Knowledge and Learning, Qlik for Elets News Network (ENN).

The ongoing digital revolution has completely transformed the way services are delivered, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the education sector. Over the last decade and a half, several innovative pedagogical developments such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), online peer-to-peer learning, and infotainment websites/apps have taken the education experience out of the classrooms and projected it onto the screens of learners.

Skilling India: How digital learning is aiding the country’s growing workforce

Kevin-Hanegan — Kevin Hanegan, Vice President of Knowledge and Learning, Qlik

Many service providers are tapping into the disruptive potential of digital technology to allow working individuals and aspiring professionals to upgrade their existing skill-sets relevant to their job profiles. This approach not only helps them in developing their competencies for their current roles, but also in raising their employability and unlocking better job opportunities for their future career growth. Economic growth also receives a major shot in the arm, as skill gaps are addressed and the demand for professionals with relevant, industry-specific competencies is met.

For example, the data analytics space, with data footprint across the globe increasing at a pace that makes the word exponential seems inadequate, the demand for data professionals is expected to grow by 28% by 2020. Despite the surging demand for data experts, many professionals and businesses still do not fully understand the concept of data analytics, or how critical a role such competencies can play in deriving tangible value from the available data and drive substantial growth. This low level of data literacy is one of the prime factors behind the data science talent crunch; India alone is estimated to face a shortage of 2 lakh data analytics professionals by 2020.

To address this growing demand-supply gap we have expanded our Qlik Academic Programme which aims to raise data literacy amongst students and young professionals by helping them ramp up on their analytical skills. Professors, researchers, and students are provided with ready-to-teach, free resources – such as instructor-led content, in-class activities, and student assignments – along with Qlik licenses and complimentary learning resources. Many leading institutes in India including IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, SP Jain Global Institute of Management, Xavier Institute of Management, and IIFT are already a part of the programme, which has been adopted by more than 850 universities in over 65 countries.

Tech-driven, tech-led: The way ahead for digital learning

With the growing adoption of digital technology, the global education landscape will be significantly overhauled in the next couple of decades. Digital learning is expected to play a major role in that transformation by giving the next wave of professionals the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance their employability. Today’s workforce has access to the resources and the capabilities that can help them in not only taking on the challenges of a digitally-led, technology-driven world, but also in shaping its future.

Student loans: Banks can submit interest subsidy claims till Nov 23

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digitalLEARNING Network

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August 28, 2017

Now, students who have taken education loan from government-owned banks can submit a request to claim interest subsidy from Canara Bank.

“Government-owned banks can submit a request to claim interest subsidy for education loans from Canara Bank till 23 November 2017,” said an official.

Canara Bank, the nodal bank to facilitate ease of claiming education interest subsidy, will open a special portal for banks for this purpose.

“The Ministry of Human Resource Development has recently advised Canara Bank to open the web portal for banks to submit their claims for interest subsidy on education loans between August 23 to November 23,” said K Srinivasan, convenor of Education Loan Task Force (ELFT) and a former banker.

Students who have taken loans to pursue professional and technical courses and whose parental income is less than Rs. 4,50,000 per annum, are eligible to apply for interest subsidy.

The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has instructed banks to provide training to its employees handling education loan in submitting claims on time without any error, Srinivasan added. Also, the students can approach and take legal help through District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum for deficiency of service claiming damages and compensation.

Students can also approach the Banking Ombudsman for redressal of grievances, if any bank fails to submit the claim.

No proposal to cut or stop funding to women’s study centres: UGC

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digitalLEARNING Network

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August 25, 2017

Amid speculation over fund cut, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced there was no proposal to stop funding to women’s study centres.

These centres, under the plan head from the Sixth Plan onwards, had been established and sustained by special grants and support given by the UGC.

According to the UGC public notice released on March 29 this year, the continuance of ongoing UGC schemes under the plan head after September 30, 2017 would depend on the outcome of a review by the UGC. Hence, the Indian Association for Women’s Studies (IAWS) expressed concern over the future of women’s study centres in universities and colleges across the country.

“There is no such proposal to cut or stop support to such women study centres,” the commission’s secretary, P K Thakur, said.

NTTC, AICTE & ICT Academy start skill-oriented training in IT sector

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digitalLEARNING Network

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August 25, 2017

Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) in association with AICTE & ICT Academy commenced the skill-oriented training programme in IT sector which has been aligned to the skill India vision of the Government of India.

“The programme aims to enhance the competency and employability skill of technical students,” The NTTC said.

Under the programme, NTTC students would be trained as per the national norms and standards and would be provided better platform for placement. It would keep them abreast of industry and market demands across the country.

NTTC, Dimapur was established in 2006 by the Government of Nagaland with the assistance from the The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Presently, NTTC also offers various short-term courses on CAD/CAM including AUTOCAD, CNC programming & operation, basic & advanced machine operations, basic welding & sheet metal fabrication, diploma in computer application, diploma in graphic designs, diploma in video editing, diploma in web designing, advanced diploma in multimedia, certificate in hardware and networking, etc.

MHRD puts common engineering entrance examination on hold

Government News

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Akash

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August 24, 2017

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has decided to scrap the plan of introducing a Common Engineering Entrance Exam (CEEE).

As per the announcement made by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) – country’s technical education regulator, in March, a single entrance exam was to be conducted for admission to all engineering colleges in the country from next academic year.

However, the ministry has decided review the success of National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) giving the green signal to CEEE.

“It has been decided that there will be no common engineering exam next year. However, the idea has not been completely discarded. The AICTE will submit a report about the feasibility of conducting the exam in future,” a senior official said.

Presently, for admission to NITS, IIITs and other engineering colleges, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts Joint Entrance Examination (Mains) every year. Over 12 lakh students appear for it every year. Moreover, along with JEE Main, a number of states conduct their own entrance tests as well, while some colleges grant admission based on the marks of class 12 board exams. Several private colleges also conduct their own entrance examinations.

There are over 3,300 approved engineering colleges in the country with an annual intake of around 16 lakh students.

Adobe India’s ‘Women in Technology’ scholarship programme announced

Corporate Updates

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Akash

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August 24, 2017

Adobe India has announced Women in Technology Scholarship Programme for female graduates.

The scholarship programme is aimed at recognising extraordinary female students in the fields of science and engineering. Winners of the programme will get an opportunity to pursue an internship with the company in 2018, said a statement released by the software giant.

Adobe will also sponsor tuition fees to the remaining award recipients’ for their university courses – B Tech, M Tech or Dual Degrees, upto a maximum of 2 years.

The winners of the Adobe India’s Women in Technology Scholarship will also be felicitated in an Adobe India-wide program and will also get an opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference, said the statement.

Abdul Jaleel, Vice President, People Resources India, Adobe said, “Adobe India’s Women in Technology Scholarship Program is a platform for female students in the field of technology to demonstrate their exceptional skills and get a chance to contribute in an environment that thrives on innovation. We are excited to empower the selected candidates with necessary resources and mentorship to shape them into creators and leaders of a better tomorrow.”

“With a passion for transforming the world with cutting edge digital experiences, we at Adobe take pride in our diverse workforce that comprises of some of the most talented minds across universities in India, and support their potential by providing them with opportunities to nurture their intellectual curiosity,” he added.

In order to avail the scholarships, all applicants must intend to be enrolled as full-time students at a university for the 2018-2019. All submissions will be evaluated basis Statement of Purpose, resume, academic transcripts from the applicant’s current and/or past institution, and one reference from a Professor.

DSSSB teacher recruitment put on hold

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Akash

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August 24, 2017

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has approved to hold the recruitment of around 9,000 teachers to the city’s government schools.

According to an advertisement by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) for recruiting the teachers, the online application for the same is to be started from August 25.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had written to Lt Governor Anil Baijal to halt the recruitment process following a resolution has been passed in the Delhi Assembly for earlier this month. The process has been halted to formulate a policy for giving weightage to the work experience of guest teachers for recruitment.

The DSSSB has issued a notice, following requests from the Directorate of Education to put the process on abeyance till further instructions mentioniing that the advertised vacancies are being withdrawn.

“On appeal from Delhi govt and Delhi Assembly, LtGovDelhi holds teacher recruitment. Am sure Guest Teachers regularization will get justice now (Sic),” Mr Sisodia tweeted.

The Delhi Government has been insisting that the work experience of around 17,000 guest teachers employed in Delhi government schools be given weightage in the recruitment process of DSSSB.

Punjab to have tie up with UK based skill centres for youth

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digitalLEARNING Network

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August 24, 2017

The Punjab technical education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has met a delegation led by the British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, Andrew Ayre for Skill training and placement of Punjabi youth for overseas employment.

After the meeting with the delegation of one of the UK’s premier agency ‘UK Skills’ working in the filed of Skill Development, Channi said that both sides have in principle given approval for an agreement for setting up of Skill Centres for providing Skill development training and placement of youth of the state for overseas employment.

He said that terms and conditions of the agreement were thoroughly discussed in the meeting and the final draft of the agreement would be signed next month. Channi said that Punjab Government is committed to provide best quality skill training to the youth of the state and ensure their placement across the globe. He said that Punjab Government has earlier signed a MoU with the UK government in this regard and this agreement is an another step forward as per the MoU signed for providing Skill Development training and overseas employment.

The Minister asked the officials of the Skill Development mission during the meeting to empanel more renowned Skill Development partners with the Punjab Skill Development Mission. He also asked to associate more overseas partners for Skill Training so that the Punjabi Youth can be easily placed in the overseas companies.

He further directed the officials to launch a statewide awareness campaign regarding the training and placement programmes of the Punjab Skill Development Mission. He said that all mediums such as social media, traditional media, electronic media and print media should be fully utilized for making youth about all the training programmes of the Skill Development mission.

Amongst others prominent present on the occasion included British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, Tejwant Chhatwal MD & CEO UK Skills ltd., Jeff Ross (UK) Director, Madhu Advisor British High Commission Chandigarh senior officials of the department G Vajralingam Additional Chief Secretary, Bhawna Garg Secretary Technical Education, Parveen Thind Director Technical Education, Mohanbir Singh Sidhu Additional Director Technical Education.

Delhi Government plans to take over 449 schools for not refunding excess fee

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Akash

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August 24, 2017

The Delhi government is planning to take over 449 private unaided recognised schools which have failed to refund excess fee charged by them despite government order.

The government has proposed to take over the management of the schools. A show cause notice will also be issued to the schools faltered in refunding excessively charged fees from the parents. Delhi’s lieutenant governor Anil Baijal has also approved the proposal.

“These schools have been sent notices in the past, yet they are not complying. We have two options as per rules. Either take over the school or derecognise them. The second option will leave hundreds of students without a school so the government has decided to take them over,” said Atishi Marlena, adviser to education minister Manish Sisodia.

According to Marlena, 449 schools including the top private schools of Delhi, have to refund over Rs 300 crore to the parents.

After some parents through, an NGO, approached The Delhi High Court constituted constituted Justice Anil Dave Singh committee in 2009 after some parents approached the court through an NGO – Delhi Abhibhavak Mahasangh. The committee aims to determine the need for fee hike and for examining the records and accounts of unaided private recognised schools.

The committee in its 10 interim reports and monthly reports of June 2016 to October 2016 recommended refund of the excess fee charged from the parents, in addition with 9% interest per annum. The committee also recommended special inspection of 249 schools on the grounds of non-production of relevant documents or incomplete documents.

Marlena said the schools need to reply to the show cause notices within two months and comply with the orders. “Otherwise after two weeks, Delhi government will take over these schools,” she said.

NITI Aayog invites applications for ‘Mentor India’ to guide students

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digitalLEARNING Network

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August 24, 2017

To give a boost to the strategic nation building initiative ‘Mentor India’, NITI Aayog has invited applications from leaders who can guide and mentor schools students in 900+ Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL).

The ‘Mentor India’ is a initiative taken under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Government of India’s flagship program to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

“The deadline for submission of applications to join Mentor India is September 30, 2017,” NITI Aayog said in an official statement. Interested corporates, professionals, academicians, students etc. can submit their applications at http://aim.gov.in/mentor.php.

‘The aim of the programme is to engage leaders who can dedicate 1–2 hours every week in one or more such labs and enable school students to experience, learn and practice future skills such as design and computational thinking,” NITI Aayog said.

ATLs are dedicated works spaces where students (from Class 6th to Class 12th) learn innovation skills and develop ideas that will go on to transform India.

More than 30 top thought leaders have already signed up as brand ambassadors for the initiative.

Possible areas of contribution from mentors include technical knowhow, innovation and design, inspirational, and business and entrepreneurship.

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