NITI Aayog selects Shiv Nadar, nine other varsities to host Atal Incubation Centre

By

-

July 4, 2017

NITI Aayog has selected Shiv Nadar University (SNU) along with nine other institutions to host the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) to boost innovation in the country.

Shiv Nadar University will receive financial support for setting up this start-up hub in the focus areas of ‘Health & Pharmaceuticals/New Materials’ and ‘Education’

The Government of India has set-up the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog in 2016 with the overarching purpose of promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. This was done to address the need to create high-class incubation facilities across various parts of India with suitable physical infrastructure in terms of capital equipment and operating facilities, coupled with the availability of sectoral experts for mentoring the start-ups. The identified sectors included manufacturing, transport, energy, health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation etc.

NITI Aayog received a total 1719 academic and 1939 non-academic applications for the grant. Ten institutions were selected from across the country after a four-stage evaluation process.

Shiv Nadar University had submitted its application for the grant in the focus areas of ‘Health & Pharmaceuticals’, complemented by ‘New Materials including Nano Materials’ and ‘Education’, and has been recommended funding to cover the capital and operational expenditures of running the Centre.

The Incubation Center at the university will serve as an active knowledge and resource catalyst for the development of promising entrepreneurs and to incubate and accelerate their early stage organizations from ideation to marketplace success.

Commenting on this achievement, Shiv Nadar University vice-chancellor Dr Rupamanjari Ghosh said, “We are honoured and excited to be one of the ten institutions chosen for this grant in the very first round, and will direct all our efforts to put India on the global innovation map. Our intent is to provide all the core ‘start-up phase’ support and expertise that entrepreneurs need to go from Ideation to Commercialization. This will be a game-changer.”

UCLA in partnership with Northwest launches management programme in India

By

Akash

-

July 4, 2017

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson Graduate School of Management in association with Northwest Executive Education has launched its postgraduate management programme for professionals in India.

The global general management programme – UCLA PGP PRO, is focused on an extensive immersion in entrepreneurship and global management for professionals, managers, executives and general management.

The PGP PRO builds the flagship UCLA PGPX program for senior executives available in India since 2015.

There will be five extensive online modules with regular live faculty interactions. Out of five modules three will be foundational modules and two will be classroom immersions for learning advanced concepts. Along with this several weekend master classes and leadership labs will also be conducted throughout the programme.

“UCLA PGP PRO is an effort to bring top-tier business education within logistical and financial reach of a large number of working professionals. Our faculty has put in significant efforts in creating the curriculum and content for this blended program,” said UCLA Anderson senior associate dean Alfred E Osborne.

Revealing the fee of the programme, Mohit Jain from Northwest Executive Education said that the programme fee has been kept at $ 10,000 or about Rs 6.5 lakh. The programme will be held from January 2018 to December 2018.

Maharashtra Board likely to scrap internal exams in schools for SSC, HSC

By

Akash

-

July 3, 2017

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) may scrap the internal exams in its schools for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) from 2018-19.

A senior official from the department quoted, “The department is planning to change the marking scheme, discussions have begun, it will be finalised in the next couple of days and we will issue a circular.”

“We met recently to discuss the proposals, but I cannot comment on it until the department announces it publicly,” the official added.

The MSBSHSE is an autonomous body established under the provisions of the Maharashtra Act No 41 of 1965.

Through its nine Divisional Boards located at Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Pune, Nasik, Latur, Amravati, and Ratnagiri, The board conducts HSC and SSC examinations across the Maharashtra. Approximately 14 lakh appear HSC exam every year and around 17 lakh candidates appear for SSC examination.

IGNOU to exempt transgender from course fee

By

Akash

-

July 3, 2017

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced the fee waiver for transgender students.

The initiative was announced by the University’s Vice Chancellor Ravindra Kumar during 22nd Prof G Ram Reddy Lecture, said a release.

In the memory of founding vice chancellor Prof G Ram Reddy, IGNOU, on July 2 every year, organises the lecture. The lecture witnesses eminent educationists and scholars to deliberate lecture on higher education, especially in the open and distance learning domain.

The chief guest at the lecture, JNU Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, asked the teaching community to give precedence to quality of life rather standard of living.

Former VC of Telangana’s Kakatiya University Y Vaikuntham was also present who advocated to spend at least 6 per cent of the GDP on education.

“The government should give freedom and spend 6 per cent of the GDP on education. Main thrust should be to devise effective strategies to address the challenges to the growth of education in India and to realise the potential of the country’s demographic dividend as envisaged in the national education policy of 2016,” said Vaikuntham.

Government to set up 20 world class research institutions

By

Akash

-

July 3, 2017

Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has recently announced to set up 20 world class research institutions in the country to promote research and innovation in India.

While speaking at a recent event in IISc Bengaluru, Javadekar said, “The government has decided to establish 20 world class institutions across the country to encourage the young talent do research and promote innovation in science and technology.”

To achieve sustainable prosperity, it is important that more and more students take admission in research related courses, the minister said. To avoid financial crunch at the IISc, the institute would be adequately funded, he added.

“GST (Goods and Services Tax) will enable the government to provide more funds to health, education, research and innovation,” reiterated Javadekar.

BHIS: Fostering Innovation and Quality in Learning

Interviews

By

Akash

-

June 28, 2017

160311-school-stock — Children are raised hands in classroom.

It is important for to adopt latest technology and teaching methodologies in the school for improved and quick learning among the students. Moreover, students’ progress must be monitored and shared with their parents regularly, says Sharmila Chatterjee, Principal of Billabong High International School, Noida, in a conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What are the methodologies followed at your school to embed best future practices and innovation with the teaching-learning process?

The school follows child centric curriculum with Inter disciplinary approach. Research-based curriculum has always been at the core of our teaching. The complete curriculum from Pre-primary to Grade VIII is based on Multiple Intelligence and Blooms Taxonomy.

The best practices followed to improve teaching-learning process at our school are:

Brain based learning based on latest brain research & pedagogy
Integrated, innovative, multidisciplinary curriculum is flowed through out the most formative years of learning
Crafting opportunities for movers, lookers and listeners
Linking learning to practice

We at Billabong High International School (BHIS) value a stimulating and dynamic curriculum developed by Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd (KKEL) for the preschool and the primary school. While the curriculum is designed in association with Billanook College, Melbourne, adequate attention has been given to incorporate Indian knowledge base and value system.

The teaching-learning methods employed at the school are:

We want our student to strive for PCCE – Passionate, Creative, confident and Ethical- Passion or love for learning, Talent for thinking, love for hard work.
The learning becomes interesting when students are provided with opportunities to explore, investigate, research in stress free, supportive environment.
All this makes our learners ongoing and lifelong learners

It is important to monitor innovative progress, performance and behaviour of every student at school. What initiatives have taken by your school in this regard?

One of crucial element of any school’s growth is progress of its learners. Learners at BHIS are nurtured with care. The progress of a student is monitored with continued comprehensive assessments. The behavior of children are monitored and counselled by the school psychologist & student counsellor if required.

At BHIS, it is mandatory to share students’ progress report with parents through Parent Login system. Overall progress and the problem areas if any are discussed with parents in Parent Teacher Meetings (PTMs) which are held on a regular basis. Besides the PTMs the school also organise Open House for Parents to share and discuss their concerns if any.

For Innovation in school it is very important to have skilled teachers. What measures have taken at your school to improve the teaching experience?

Technology-assisted learning tools are quickly changing the face of education, transforming the classroom learning environment to online or blended online learning experience. The possible challenges instructors and learners face in an e-learning environment must be considered in order to ensure learner success. All our teaching staff is well qualified and professionally trained teachers. The teachers are skilled and further nurtured to deliver the innovative curriculum of the school.

The school is also a centre for Kangaroo Kids Institute for Teachers Development & Research. The teachers are provided with:

Initial Induction into the KKEL curriculum & pedagogy
Regular training for effective communication & ICT is provided
Supervised field training & Consistent quality checks to improve their learning application
Regular training workshops on classroom teaching and soft skills
Every teacher is encouraged for 150mins of self-learning & learning sharing every week within the school hours

For holistic development of children, what extracurricular activities are conducted at the school?

At KKEL, all students including special, differently abled and self-paced learners are entitled to equal opportunities to discover, enhance and maximise their potential. Thus all students are given equal opportunities and 100% participation. As per the policy and the belief of the school, we provide early morning sports training, a skill building activity without any discrimination.

The teams for various sports are formed at school or Inter House level. Inter Section events also include special or differently abled learners to offer equal space and opportunity. Sensitisation of students and teachers towards special children helps improve the learning process and the social connect.

PPS: Infusing Global perspectives in Education

Interviews

By

Akash

-

June 28, 2017

Suma Das Image — Woman holding earth front of blackboard

We imbibe progressive ideas and new age teaching learning concepts through links with educational institutions across the world. The teachers and the students are exposed to a plethora of educational, cultural and social practices prevalent in different parts of the world, says Suma Das, Principal, Panwar Public School, Bhandup, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN)

What are the methodologies followed at your school to embed best future practices and innovation with the teaching learning process?

Panwar Public School (PPS), Bhandup, acknowledges the humungous role of the use of innovations in pedagogy to make the lessons interesting, effective and engaging. The teachers always walk the extra mile to ensure that they do not stagnate and hence adopt relevant and appropriate innovations in pedagogy in order to achieve better learning outcomes. Multimedia Presentations and Videos are shown on the Smart boards installed in every classroom to increase student engagement.

Some examples of innovative pedagogical practices adopted in the school are as follows:

Car Exhibition: Grade 10 – Innovative lesson in Mathematics and its application in daily life:

The Mathematics department of PPS, Bhandup designed an innovative strategy to help the students in understanding the concepts of topics like Sales Tax and Compound Interest. An “International Car Fair” was organised by the students under the guidance of teachers. The students themselves played different roles – that of a customer, seller, banker etc. Money exchange counters were set up to facilitate customers from various countries to exchange currency. This activity helped the pupils to understand the necessary calculations involved.

Global Scholars Programme: Secondary Section (2015-16)

The Global Scholars Programme is a Distance Education Programme by the US involving students from across the world to discuss the issues that affect the student community globally.

This collaboration included classes from Athens, Barcelona, Boston/Medford, Denver, Dubai, Istanbul, Jacksonville, Jakarta, London, Madrid, Mumbai, New York City, Shanghai, Volgograd and Warsaw.

“Desh Apnayen” content: Secondary Section

PPS Bhandup has tied up with the “Desh Apnaye” foundation for promoting citizenship education. Through the use of various day-to-day activities, the Desh Apnayen lesson modules help the teachers to make Civics as a subject more meaningful and lively for the pupils.

Science Lesson on Super Senses – Primary Section:

An extension activity was done after completing the topic “Super Senses” in Grade 5 Science. This innovative approach ensured the successful accomplishment of the learning outcomes.

Mathematics Lesson on Average – Primary Section

Each student of Grade 5 recorded the weight of five of their classmates using the weighing machine and calculated the average weight. They also found out the average age and average weight of their family members.

Lesson on Shapes: Pre Primary Section

The students learnt various geometric shapes like square, circle etc., through an interesting activity.

It is important to monitor innovative progress, performance and behaviour of every student at school. What initiatives have been taken by your school in this regard?

In order to monitor innovative progress, projects and assignments are given. Students who score average marks in the examinations may also come out with innovative ideas in the projects. Inter-house competitions like Science and Maths model making, “Trash to Fashion” etc, helps students to showcase their innovative ideas to others. Students are also given opportunities to give shape to their innovative ideas during the assembly programmes. The students perform skits, sing or dance to project their talents in front of their peers. These are conceived and organized by the students themselves under the guidance of the class teachers.

In order to monitor a student’s performance, various formative and summative tests are conducted throughout the academic year. The formative tests include open book tests, aural tests, verbal tests and activity based tests. This caters to all kinds of learners – visual, auditory, kinesthetic etc. The teachers pose questions to the students and continuously interact with them in every period to find out the extent of the student progress. The Term end papers help the students to build their scholastic abilities over the years. At the end of each term, a progress report is given to the parents on the Open Day. Thus the school, besides keeping track of the students’ performance also keeps the parents updated about it.

For innovation in school, it is very important to have skilled teachers. What measures have been taken at your school to improve the teaching experience?

The teacher is the dynamic force behind any school. A school without quality teachers is like a body without a soul. PPS Bhandup recognizes this aspect; hence the school administrators provide experiences for all teachers to grow as teachers and leaders. The institution offers numerous opportunities for the professional development of the teachers. Also revision of the teaching learning strategies from time to time helps the teachers to rediscover themselves and play their roles in the classrooms more effectively.

Workshops, Seminars and Refresher Courses for Teachers:

Teachers are lifelong learners. Workshops, seminars and training courses, help teachers stay up-to-date with new trends and learn fresh strategies, techniques and methods for classroom challenges. The increased knowledge gained through the workshops helps teachers improve student achievement.

Teachers at PPS Bhandup are provided with ample opportunities to conduct and attend Workshops, Seminars and Refresher courses – both in and outside the school premises. In addition, Resource persons are invited for talks as well as, presentations which help in the empowerment and capacity building of the teachers.

Interactive Boards for teaching:

The teachers in all the Grades use Smart boards installed in the classrooms which makes the teaching learning process very interactive and effective. Multimedia presentations and creative lessons take the students through the lessons in an interesting and engaging manner.

Lesson Observations:

A stringent system of lesson observations by heads of departments, coordinators, heads of various sections and principal has been chalked out and implemented in the school. This is followed by a prompt feedback and discussion with the higher authorities which ensures that the highest standards of teaching are maintained.

This system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of teachers keeps them well prepared for effective teaching. Suggestions are provided for betterment in classroom performance of the teachers.

Encouragement to Teachers for higher education:

At PPS Bhandup, teachers are encouraged to pursue higher education and acquire the qualification required to meet the demands of evolving educational environment. Teachers are given special allowances and are allowed to avail of leave facilities for the preparation of exams, so that they can complete the courses in a stress free manner. The teachers who have successfully completed the courses are also acknowledged for the same.

Exchange of knowledge and information:

At PPS, we believe in bartering of ideas with other institutions. The faculty is always willing to help teachers from growing institutions with their expertise. At the same time, PPS teachers do not hesitate to visit / contact veterans in various educational institutions. The following bears testimony to this fact:

ICSE cell meetings and Training Programmes:

Cell Meetings are an integral part of Teacher empowerment. They serve to orient newly recruited teaching staff members towards the curriculum, handling of the topics, setting of question paper and evaluation so as to achieve the desired learning outcomes successfully.

It is very important for the school and parents to be in sync for the holistic development of children. Please share the process you follow for it.

It is recognized that parent engagement is a key factor in the enhancement of student achievement and well-being as well as the performance of an Educational Institution. When parents involve themselves in the school programmes and activities, they develop a positive attitude towards the school; this leads to a positive attitude in the student. Students are more likely to be motivated, to earn higher grades, to display better behaviour and social skills, and to continue their education to a higher level when their parents are actively engaged in supporting their success at school.

Pawar Public School, Bhandup believes that the collaboration of the school with the parents can work towards the betterment of the institution. The school, the students and the parents mutually benefit during the synergistic interactions.

Google Future Classroom to provide holistic education in Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City

By

Akash

-

June 28, 2017

Google Future Classroom solutions has been adopted by the Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) to provide holistic education to its students.

Managing Director and CEO GVSCCL M Hari Narayanan said, “Under the Smart City initiative, our vision is to transform conventional classrooms by empowering teachers to integrate digital tools and aids seamlessly in their teaching process. Our aim is to accelerate learning for students and encourage creativity and critical thinking. Google India and IL&FS Education are our valuable partners in our journey as their open web technologies coupled with the training and certification provides us with a solution to enable both the students and teachers.”

GVSCCL has entered into a three-year partnership with IL&FS Education and Technology Services Ltd, a premier education partner of Google for Education, India to provide education solutions. The solutions will include hardware, software, training and certification to schools in the city of Vishakapatnam.

Head of Education Google India Bani Paintal Dhawan said, “What’s coming next in technology will shape our future. We are committed to empowering schools and teachers with 21st century learning skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. We are delighted to support the state’s Smart City initiative by enabling the creation of future classrooms”

Initially, 31 schools are being enabled with this solution. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the India Foundation Day for Smart Cities Mission held in Visakhapatnam.

The solution is in line with the Smart City mission to create internet-connected, future-ready classrooms. The future classroom lab setup blends the needs of a digital classroom through the use of K-Yan, an integrated computer projector and personalized learning through the use of Chrome-books for each student.

Under the partnership, the schools will be provided Chromebooks with GSuite for Education. The content on the Chrome-books will be available in both English and Telugu.

The partnership includes skills training for teachers to enable them to effectively enhance the classroom experience. Finally, teachers will be certified on two educator level certifications to introduce ed-tech led teaching-learning in classrooms.

Managing Director and CEO IL&FS RCM Reddy said, “We are committed to empowering and developing the social infrastructure of the country. With the focus on providing Edu-Tech led solutions to schools to take the teaching-learning spectrum to greater heights, we are thankful to GVSCCL for the valuable partnership to carry the vision to transform the education delivery in the classrooms. With Google coming in with its technology coupled with professional development program for teachers, we are confident of smart city initiative of Visakhapatnam in Education acting as a torch bearer for the state.”

Google is committed to cultivating a new generation of problem-solvers, storytellers, and creative minds to tackle the next problems at scale. It’s not just about coding and programming computers, but about helping students learn skills they’ll need to approach problems in a fundamentally different way across every discipline from business to engineering to the arts.

IIT Kharagpur introduces nine-day induction programme for freshers

By

Akash

-

June 28, 2017

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, from next month, is going to organise a nine-day induction programme for freshers.

Students enrolled in the academic year 2017-18 will be introduced to various departments, facilities and life on the campus of premier engineering institute through the programme. IIT-Kharagpur is planning to introduce similar programmes to hold round the year for senior students as well.

“Students usually come with preconceived notions about the discipline which they have enrolled in and its scope. This causes some initial misconceptions regarding career opportunities available in those disciplines,” said IIT Kharagpur Director P P Chakrabarti. Explaining more about the programme, he added that an interactive session will also be included in the induction programme to know aspirations and career choices of new students.

“We would like to interact with them, understand their preferences and may be able to guide them towards opting for flexible courses like minors, micro-specializations or micro-credit in their preferred disciplines,” he said.

He said that through the programme, students will be made aware about the “flexibility” to choose subjects or to pick any subject as per their talent or interest parallel to their major discipline. The induction would also serve as a space of interactions and introductions to familiarize students with their class and hall mates.

The refurbishing programmes for seniors will help second year students to assimilate the departments and academics and third year students to be re-oriented for pathway choices. As far as fourth year students are concerned, they will undergo a de-induction programme that will help them to prepare for the world beyond family and education institutions.

UPSC’s new member, former VC at Dr Ambedkar Open University

By

Akash

-

June 28, 2017

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has appointed former Vice Chancellor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Dr Manoj Soni as one of its members.

Soni took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member of the UPSC on Wednesday. UPSC Chairman Prof David R Syiemlieh administered the Oath was by the.

A scholar of Political Science with specialisation in International Relation Studies, Dr Soni was Born on 17th February, 1965. The youngest ever vice chancellor (in Independent India) earned his doctorate in “Post-Cold War International Systemic Transition and Indo-US Relations” from Sardar Patel University.

Along with the rare honour of “Honorary Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge” by Mayor-resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the US, he is felicitated with several awards and recognitions. He is also the recipient of World Education Congress Global Award for Distance Learning Leadership.

LATEST NEWS

Top Trending News

Top Trending Categories