Apar Technologies have been promoted by Apar Industries (www.apar.com), a US$ 900 million group listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Basil Capital Partners (www.basilpartners.com), a Private Equity Fund that invests only in niche IT Services companies. The company is headquartered in Singapore with offices across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, US, UAE and India offshore facilities in Noida, Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The company focuses on:
• Working with enterprises to transform their existing business to a Digital business
• Helping emerging companies to convert their disruptive ideas into Digital business reality – rapidly using an agile approach across Applications, Infrastructure, IT & Information Security.
• In the area of digital business transformation of applications, our key strength lies in the areas of
• Social Collaboration – incorporating the ease of use and intuitiveness of Social Media tools to enterprise applications.
• Enterprise Mobility (& IoT) – extending enterprise applications, seamlessly, to smart phones, tablets and wearables • BusinessAnalytics – leverage existing DW & BI tools for enterprise benefit
• Enterprise Cloud adoption for contemporary enterprise applications and Cloud-based DevOps for minimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and maximizing ROI.
Be it developing Value-added Solutions over partner platforms or delivering customized solutions to enterprises, we deliver business value in the most cost-effective manner, without compromising the big picture of the Digital Economy – secure, scalable solutions.
Be it developing Value-added Solutions over partner platforms or delivering customized solutions to enterprises, we deliver business value in the most cost-effective manner
End-to-end Coverage of Enterprise IT Landscape With over 2,200 employees, we offer our services / solutions around the following models, based on client situations and requirements.
Dr Manjula Pooja Shroff, MD and CEO, Kalorex Group
The advanced technology is changing how the young India is applying geometric formulas or balancing chemical equations. Some of the best minds in the education sector believe that the use of technology in classroom is necessary as we prepare our students for the global economy, writes Dr Manjula Pooja Shroff, MD and CEO, Kalorex Group for Elets News Network (ENN).
T he world today is witnessing disruptions that are impacting various aspects of the economies of the nations. We see emergence of many unique business models riding on the back of innovations. ‘Uberisation’ of the world, as we may call it, has been a revolutionary idea. The AirBnB concept has captured the interest of tourists all across the globe and has had deeply impacted the hospitality industry. The social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc, are influencing politics and businesses equally.
Besides this, Artificial Intelligence in the form of robots is likely to be a reality in the future classrooms. Drone technology is another matter that education will have to deal with and harness to imbibe in everyday living.
In this view, the out-of-box thinking and the ability to address the needs of the consumers in unexpected ways have now become all the more important for businesses today. Since education is expected to help develop these new skill sets, these technological changes will have a direct impact in the way education is being delivered.
The age of startups has led to emergence of young entrepreneurs who have the ability to take risks unabashedly and also face their failures fearlessly, encouraging hundreds of others to follow them. These ideas are increasingly receiving encouragement in the realms of conventional education now.
India is modernising at a fast pace. Modernisation has touched not just urban centres but also small towns and villages. Technology is aiding farmers positively and improving their yield.
India is also experiencing these revolutionary changes and is trying to keep up with the momentum. While in the developed world, the educational reforms have kept pace with the changing needs, India too is feeling the need to fill the gaps between education and industry. While reforms in the old education systems are being brought about, science and technology is racing ahead with boundless energy and challenging the brightest of minds.
India is modernising at a fast pace. Modernisation has touched not just urban centres but also small towns and villages. Technology is aiding farmers positively and improving their yield. Many institutes are offering futuristic courses for modernisation of Indian agriculture. The next decade, it seems, will witness a generational shift in technology to fill the existing gaps.
Education is creating the necessary environment for the development of a futureready workforce that can get the benefits from ICT infrastructure.
With the Internet having far bigger access to influence than teachers, EdTech is taking the front seat, taking India’s education story one step forward, writes Jairaj Bhattacharya, Founder & MD- CG Slate (ConveGenius Group).
As with most of the sectors, technology has pervaded the education space, thus, challenging traditional structures and service delivery pipelines that had begun to edge on the cosy and comfortable, hence, stifling the possibility of spurring innovation without a substantial overhaul of the existing mindset.
With the Information and Communication Technology boom, the first challenge that looked to be addressed was the unavailability of quality educational content, which also led to the streamlining of the delivery of such content, effectively reducing, and more clearly defining the role of the teacher, who had now become more of a facilitator.
The Smart Class model was a notable innovation in this phase, and EduComp, a major player. Due to low penetration of ICT infrastructure in the country, the cost for setting up a smart classroom was, till a few years ago, prohibitively expensive. Also, the maintenance of such infrastructure was not a cakewalk. Even now, only the biggest names invest in such technology, but they have proven to be very effective.
The second major innovation phase was spurred on by data and analytics. With the ability to assess performance in an unbiased and convenient manner, assessments became technology-intensive.
Even after the 2nd phase, the dependence on infrastructure, primarily desktop computers and reasonably quick internet, led to such interventions being inherent for ones at the top of the socioeconomic pyramid. This is what the current phase looks to solve.
The major innovation in our phase is adaptive learning algorithms using advanced machine learning techniques, to create a self-learning environment using strong feedback loops.
We are in the third phase of innovation, facilitated by the profusion of mobile devices and 2G/3G connectivity across the country, bringing to mind a popular tagline ‘Kar lo duniya mutthi mein’ (The world, in your palm) by Reliance Telecom. Indeed, the world is now at one’s fingertips.
It presents other players in EdTech space an opportunity for a substantial contribution in ameliorating quality and affordable access to education for end-user be it child, school or learning centre.
Stronger encryption capabilities and cheaper flash memory-based devices, such as pen-drives and SD Cards, have obliterated the need for fast and stable internet connections, and high associated costs, to access high quality learning content. Data syncing and analysis, however, are still internetdependent, but are minimal due to the stronger processing powers of mobile devices at present.
Also, education on personalised devices, such as tablets and smartphones, is an immense opportunity to personalise education for the enduser. The major innovation in our phase is adaptive learning algorithms using advanced machine learning techniques, to create a self-learning environment using strong feedback loops
For larger organisations which have chosen to digitise their data, decision-making capabilities have improved manifold. These include high-end schools, and large NGOs. A robust and unbiased data collection system at the field level, linked to an MIS system, ensures that the upper echelons in an organisation are sufficiently informed about ground realities, and help them take major steps in improving the performance of their.
Jairaj Bhattacharya, is the Founder & MD- CG Slate (ConveGenius Group) Visit www.cgslate.com for more details.
Airpay helps to facilitate online and offline payment options, which enables parents to pay fees, miscellaneous charges, etc. at the convenience of being at home or office.
Parents and students can access the payment options, across screen like (PC, Laptop, Tablets & Mobile). Fees can now be paid, using Credit Card or Debit card or on the campus using m-POS.
Parents can also make the payments using their own personal online banking accounts.
We provide highest level of security for online transaction processing, as Airpay follows PCI guidelines and DSS Level 2 certification.
Airpay resolves challenges faced by institutes as listed below.
Reconciliation- level-Each institution maintains multiple bank accounts, which would have to be reconciled daily at school/college level and chain level. All transactions done can be viewed under single live dashboard to capture data analytics along with real time confirmation of the fee payments along reconciliation reports for management.
Operational level-Payment- counters now open 24x7x365 (whole every for full day) and areconnected all the time. There is no more need to stand in queue. You don’t have to operate separate bank account to pay fees or bank coordination required. Our engine has ‘Dynamic Payment Gateway Switching’ functionality enabling the merchants to dynamically switch and toggle between multiple acquiring bank payment gateway interfaces
Cost- No additional cost would be incurred to install payment gateway and customisation of Dashboard can be done as per the institutional requirement for free. Parents will be able to save on penalty / late charges, as the fees can be paid anytime. No further technology investment for our payment solutions Technology – We operate on open architecture which can be integrated with the current school / college ERP or provide our own SAAS solution,Schoolpay. We do the settlement of the fees to institutes in T+1 days. No issuing cheque for payments, Lost Cheque, Cheque returned due to errors. And we help to monitor productivity of the schools/colleges real-time and give the management a bird’s eye for major decisions.
Petals is offering franchises of its preschool, child care, teachers’ training, after school activities and K-12 school verticals. We are looking to setup 100+ schools over the next four years, says Preeti Kwatra, Director, Petals Group of Schools, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
How Petals Preschool is occupying a distinct place in the industry?
Petals is an innovative, vibrant, creative and energetic organisation where each one of us strives through our practices to whole heartedly serve children and make every learning moment a joyful, effective and meaningful one.
A combination of highly experienced corporate sales and supports team, highly qualified educationists and trainers, child centric curriculum along with high end technology and best business practices offers a huge competitive edge to Petals when compared to the other service providers. We are the most awarded and preferred preschool of Delhi where all the training and academic resources are provided by UK.
How are you trying to expand the horizon of your chain of schools?Are you also exploring some possibilities in Ladakh?
To expand its base throughout the nation, Petals is offering Franchises of its Preschool, Child Care, Teachers’ Training, After School Activities and K-12 School verticals. We are looking to setup 100+ schools over the next four years. The target market for a brand like Petals would be a market covering all towns and cities across the country with a basic business mindset. We have already signed one franchise in Ladakh which is going to be launched on coming 15th August.
In this modern era of innovations, where early stage of education is garnering special attention of educators, what special methodologies have you adopted?
Modern teaching style of kids also helps in various ways –cross-curricular connections, inquiry-based learning, emphasis on understanding of concepts, linking curriculum with life, emphasis on skill building, life skills and values, differential learning, and problem-based learning.
The Smart Learning approach provides learners of all ages and walks of life with a framework and a host of Smart Thinking Tools that motivate higher levels of understanding.
How would you narrate the significance of ‘smart’ classrooms and modern teaching style for kids?
Technology benefited us in every aspect of our life right from communication to education. New methods of teaching have been introduced which is known as smart class. It uses instructional material, 3D animated modules and videos, and all the renowned schools are using this concept.
The Smart Learning approach provides learners of all ages and walks of life with a framework and a host of Smart Thinking Tools that motivate higher levels of understanding. Through the process, learners activate and build background knowledge, process information, transform their learning into a product that shows what they know, and reflect on their learning.
How much inclusive role do you see of parents in children’s initial stages of learning?
Although a parent’s role in their children’s learning evolves as kids grow up, one thing remains constant: we are our children’s learning models. Our attitude about education can inspire theirs.
In the early years, parents are their children’s first teachers. The first five years are particularly important for the development of the child’s brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture.
Anju Sharma, Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat
Gujarat is the first State where an end-to-end ecosystem development approach has been adopted and three different support schemes by Department of Education, S&T and Industry have been put in place, says Anju Sharma, Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, in conversation with Hemangini Kant Rajput of Elets News Network (ENN).
What steps are being undertaken to make higher and technical education in Gujarat achieve global standards?
We are focusing on, accreditation and assessment, reforms in governance system, faculty development programmes, research and innovation, industry academia collaboration, career guidance and employability skills, promotion of government initiatives like Skill India, Digital India, Startup India, etc., use of ICT, internationalisation of higher education, addressing regional disparity.
Can you share some initiatives undertaken by the Higher Education and Technical Education Department to promote them?
We have introduced Academic and Administrative Audit, a unique initiative which evaluates, assesses and accredited Higher Education Institutes and awards grade to them.
We are also focusing on governance system of Education. The university Acts framed for two new universities namely, Bhakta KaviNarsinh Mehta University, Junagadh and Shri Govind Guru University, Godhra has introduced drastic changes in the governance system of the university, giving more autonomy and power to the Vice Chancellor.
Faculty Development Programs are held at regular intervals focusing on ICT Education, over 4,000 faculty members have been trained.
How do you view Digital India and Skill India initiatives?
Digital India campaign has been started to ensure services get electronically available. With Digital Education, classroom will be more interactive and students will be more attentive.
Tell us more about the unique initiatives undertaken for Startup ecosystem to encourage them?
Gujarat is the first State where an end-to-end ecosystem development approach has been adopted and three different support schemes by Department of Education, S&T and Industry have been put in place and positioned in such a manner that they complement each other.
A dedicated strategy has been put in place to cater to the need of innovation culture building and pre-incubation while primarily involving youth to create a strong pipeline for next stage of Gujarat Start-up ecosystem. Student Start-up & Innovation Policy, SSIP has mandated Rs 200 crore support system for this through Education Department from this financial year.
We are focusing on, accreditation and assessment, reforms in governance system, faculty development programmes, research and innovation, industry academia collaboration, career guidance and employability skills, promotion of government initiatives like Skill India, Digital India, Startup India, etc.
Academic start-up push has been significant in Gujarat, more than 10 out of 12 DST, and GOI supported TBIs/Incubators are in universities in Gujarat and nearly 18 out of 20 NIs of GOG are in academic environment.
India is moving at a tremendous speed in digitalisation, what ICT initiatives are being undertaken by the Education Department for being more efficient?
• ICT has an impact on nearly every aspect of our lives – from working to socializing, learning to playing. The digital age has transformed the way young people communicate, seek help, access information and learn. We must recognise that young people are now an online population and access is through a variety of means such as computers, TV and mobile phones. ICT will help to increase the scope of learning as well as educational administration.
• This will enable teachers to learn new pedagogical tools and ways of teaching across the Gujarat.
• SANDHAN, initiative by Government of Gujarat, offers an extensive platform for the use of Audio Video tools, multi-media to teach in an innovative and interesting manner. Out of 16 Satellite Channels, 11 Channels have been allocated to Education Department by Government of Gujarat. Live and recorded Lectures have been broadcasted through these channels.
• ICT based programmes have been organised by the Technical Education department for Faculty development and improvement
Each Safari kid school is intended to excite the imagination of the children attending, and provides a stimulating learning environment, says Jitendra Karsan, Chief Executive Officer, Safari Kid, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
What is the philosophy followed by the group for imparting quality education to its students?
Safari Kid considers every child is unique and has a unique learning curve. At Safari Kid, we ensure all students are taught based on their abilities and interests. We employ practices like Semi Structured Recreational Physical Activities and Creative Literacy Integration. These activities foster self-help skills and self-regulation along with boosting confidence and inculcating communication skills amongst children. At Safari Kid, creative literacy helps children learn the art of viewing the subject through many perspectives.
As a brand, how do you differentiate from the various other preschool brands operational in the country?
Safari Kid believes in the four Cs – Communication, Curriculum, Customisation and Care. Our qualified and well-trained team communicates with children based on their abilities and interests. We update our curriculum regularly with emphasis on experiential learning rather than rote learning and to make it interesting for every child. Empirical studies have shown that Safari Kid curriculum is far more effective, for all round development of a child.
We update our curriculum regularly with emphasis on experiential learning rather than rote learning and to make it interesting for every child. Our curriculum is based on Dr Howard Gardner’s research that has been scientifically proven effective for development of a child.
The school franchise business is blooming rapidly and a lot of new players are joining the fray, how does Safari safeguard the interests of the partners?
Our franchise model is unique, where by the operational aspects of the business are handled by the brand. Right from selecting a location to hiring staff and ensuring the preschool operates at maximum efficiency is our responsibility.
How does the brand ensure quality of its all partner schools?
With our best in class technology for both mapping student progress as well as business growth, gives our partners a complete and in-depth analysis of the operation. Our online training platform for the teaching and non-teaching staff as well as a strong personal follow up by our trainers ensure standardised and qualitative delivery of services throughout all our centres.
What is the vision behind the brand and what are the expansion plans from country’s point of view?
Currently Safari Kid is present in more than 40 locations across 7 countries. Our endeavor is to reach out to more students, more communities to change the paradigm of preschool/early education and Day-Care. In India, we are present across multiple locations in Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru, and by 2017 end we will launch our centres in Delhi/NCR too. We are focusing only on Metros for now and are expecting to sign up with more partners in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Money in the education ecosystem flows in many forms. How the boost in digital payments help the students, their parents and institutes in quick and safe money management, explores Vishal Maru, Head-Merchant Services, Digital Payments and Loyalty, Worldline South Asia and Middle East, for Elets News Network (ENN).
Vishal Maru, Head-Merchant Services, Digital Payments and Loyalty, Worldline South Asia and Middle East
Digital payments, going cashless and demonetization have been the talk of the town after the government annulled 86% of the country’s currency in November last year. Ever since then, every industry, company and individual has been trying to understand and adopt different forms of digital payments. Cards have been around for a few decades now, seeing moderate penetration in India. Given the consumer behavior and push from the government, debit cards have had more success than credit cards in the recent past.
Some sectors like transport, retail and entertainment have been proactive, accepting digital payments in other form factors than the traditional credit and debit cards. It is now becoming a habit for consumers to pull out a prepaid card of a particular retail store to make purchases or a prepaid metro card to enable their daily commute. However, a few sectors have only now taken to payments apart from cash, cheques and DD (demand draft). Amongst those new emerging segments, the planned townships and education sectors have witnessed substantial growth in digital payments of late.
Education represents an expansive sector that could contribute significantly to making a less-cash economy. Recently, the government has directed educational institutes to discourage cash payments for fees. CBSE schools have been advised to accept only online and non-cash modes of payment and pay salaries/wages and vendors through digital means. There are various ways that educational institutions can go digital. Colleges and now schools are issuing student identity cards that are combined with access and attendance. Card registration happens through the college administration. Like for any other facility, once the student is enrolled, an ID card is issued with personal details. The card not just identifies the student but automates the attendance process, doing away with copious paperwork. With access control, it marks attendance and records the entry and exit time of each student. Access control allows authorities to grant access to particular areas of the college to authorized students. For example, access to the Chemistry lab can be given only to those students who have chosen the subject and need to enter the lab. This prevents unauthorized access and potential mishaps.
Increasingly, educational institutions are recognizing the advantages of automating processes to reduce manual labor and paperwork, saving the time and effort of the college administration. Institutes are now issuing closed loop prepaid cards that can be used within the college campus and vicinity. This card can be loaded like any other prepaid card and used at multiple acceptance points. Students can pay in the cafeteria for meals as well as use it at stationery and grocery shops within their campus. The same card can also be used to pay a course fee, lab dues, tuition fees, administrative charges and any other expenses that a student may bear within the college. They can load the prepaid cards through debit cards, credit cards and internet banking, similar to loading a mobile wallet.
These cards generally do not require a PIN or password for transactions so it is up to the cardholder to keep it safe. In case of theft, the good part is that the exposure is low as students normally load small amounts into the card. Also, the closed loop card can be only within a specific campus, thus reducing the chances of usage after theft. The school or college authorities are provided with an administration module through which the card, when reported as lost or stolen, can be blocked immediately and a new one issued. Service providers also have their own contact centers where the same can be done.
Digital payment in education is in the sunrise stage and has a lot of potential. Service providers must have a compelling proposition and robust use cases to drive adoption of digital payments and automation in the education fraternity. While there are challenges in driving large scale adoption, sensitizing parents and students to digital payments is necessary and the first step in making education a digital-first sector.
S K Rathor, Founder and Managing Director of Sanfort group
Sanfort Preschool is all about bridging the learning gap that seems to be ever-widening in the early learning space. How the brand reached to 21 States and to two international locations and has a good alumni base in less than eight years, S K Rathor, Founder and Managing Director of Sanfort group, one of the most successful preschool brands, reveals the success story in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Describe the need that Sanfort fills in communities. Today’s parents are more concerned than ever about their child’s education. In an increasingly competitive landscape, children need to acquire a multitude of skills to become successful adults; from communication, to coping with stress, to innovation and many others. It is a known fact that the majority of children in India are not ready for school. SANFORT curriculum is designed to bridge the learning gap and prepare children for the life.
What is Sanfort doing to set itself apart from the competition?
Our learning environment takes a 21st century approach and a process-oriented model. No other school has innovative curriculum like we have. We take effective, time-tested elements of traditional learning, and infuse them with cutting-edge technology and resources. We have a unique Smart Learning System with Touch ‘N’ Learn technology. Though our curriculum is based on the UK Concept of preschool education but we have never left our Indian values behind. Everything is designed to be at the teacher’s fingertips; the learning content, student progress, and parent communication are all managed within a mobile application. We are pioneer partner of Trinity College, London for English language development at preschool level.
What is the reason behind tapping the franchise model for expansion and how has franchising helped you to grow your business?
I strongly believe that Franchising is the most powerful recipe for scalability in the entire business world and it is a winning formula for franchisors and the franchisees both. It is a great way to expand our network as we have people to manage our locations, without paying salaries who will work much harder than employees and we can grow the number of locations without tapping much of our own capital because franchisee owns the cost to open and operate the branch.
We have a unique Smart Learning System with Touch ‘N’ Learn technology. Though our curriculum is based on the UK Concept of preschool education but we have never left our Indian values behind.
In a franchise model, a lot depends upon your franchise partner what is your criteria to choose the right franchise partner and how well you bond with them?
In a franchise model success or failure of a brand depends on the success or failure of the franchisees. So, it is very important to choose right partner, we look into their financial status and social reputation. Their educational background and passion towards the education profession is also very important. Once we choose a partner we give them proper training and inputs to run the business and complete hand-holding to make the venture successful.
What message do you want give to a potential franchisee?
We have a brand and strategy that has been proven successful to attract and retain students, as well as excite and engage parents. We have strong branding, strong demographics research, and child-centric curriculum that parents love, which are the key factors, required to establish a successful preschool.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 25: Union Minister of Parliamentary affairs M Venkaiah Naidu at the Parliament House during Budget session on February 25, 2015 in New Delhi, India. After introducing the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, Government looks set to bring the Coal and Citizenship Bills in Lok Sabha that will replace the ordinances brought by it in this regard earlier. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu, on Teacher’s Day, will confer the National Awards to Teachers 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The meritorious teachers will be awarded to recognise their contribution in primary, middle and secondary schools .
The award ceremony will be organised on September 5. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has already released the list of awardee teachers for the National Award to Teachers 2016. Teachers will receive the award money of Rs 50,000 along with a medal and certificate. The official website of MHRD will also webcast the award ceremony.
Along with teachers from government schools, teachers from Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Central Tibetan School Administration (CTSA), schools affiliated with CBSE, CISCE, and schools run by the Atomic Energy Education Society are also conferred with the awards. Each State/Union Territory/Organization has an earmarked quota based on the number of teachers.
Instituted in 1958, Altogether there are 374 awards out of which 20 awards are reserved for Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic teachers. From 2001, “Special Awards” (a total of 43) have been instituted for teachers promoting inclusive education in schools and the education of children with disabilities in regular schools. “Special Awards” are conferred on the teachers in the categories: Teachers with disabilities working in mainstream schools and Special teacher or trained general teachers who have done outstanding work for Inclusive Education.
