NAU signs MoU to develop professional courses

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June 5, 2017

The National Aviation University (NAU) has signed an MoU with the Bird Worldwide Flight Services (India) Private Limited to develop professional aviation and aerospace education programmes.

The MoU will benefit the Indian civil aviation industry in research and development. MoU provisions also include internships and campus placements for eligible students.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is encouraging industry participation to ensure employability of the persons on the one hand and sustainability of skill development programmes on the other.

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Bird Education Society for Travel & Tourism have also signed an MoU aimed at training, skilling and empowering more than 30,000 unemployed youth across every Indian state over the next six years.

The focus of the skill development programmes would be on quality of skilling as per the guidelines of the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). Supportive measures will ensure the creation and implementation of efficient and effective training modules along with assessment and certification for skill development and placement of skilled and certified workforce. It includes conducting Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training programmes across public and private civil aviation enterprises. It is also proposed to set up Centres of Excellence in different parts of the country in cooperation with NSDC and the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC).

CBSE sought data from private schools on fee structure to cub overcharging

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Akash

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June 5, 2017

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked private schools to provide data related to fee structure and hike carried out in recent years.

The step has been taken by the CBSE to curb charging of “unreasonable” fees other “hidden” costs charged by the private schools.

A few weeks ago, the board has also warned private schools against turning into “shops” by selling uniform and books in their premises.

“We have told the schools that they should not charge unreasonable fees. The charges should be reasonable and there should be no hidden costs as that is the more irritating part for the parents,” said Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar.

He said, private schools are ordered by the CBSE to reveal their fee structure and increase in fees. “Many schools have sent it and the data is being analysed. Schools which haven’t sent it, have been sent reminders and penalised,” he added.

The minister, however, did not throw light on the penalty measures for schools found guilty of overcharging and having hidden costs in their fees structure.

Parents often raise concerns about the overcharging and hike in fees every year by the schools. “We value private investment as it contributes to the GDP, but schools should not be overcharging,” Javadekar said.

World Environment Day 2017: SFI to plant 5 lakh saplings in educational institutions across Kerala

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Akash

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June 5, 2017

Students Federation of India (SFI) will plant 5 lakh saplings in educational institutions across Kerala on the occasion of World Environment Day 2017.

Based on the slogan – Preserve the goodness of nature and its water resources, the student body will also dug 5 lakh rain pits act along with planting the saplings. The theme of World Environment Day for 2017 is – Connecting People to Nature.

Kerala Government’s minister of welfare and culture AK Balan has inaugurated the State level programme held at Palakkad Victoria College.

According to an official statement by the organisation, seminars and debates related to Environment Day are also conducted.

World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action and takes place every year on June 5. Canada is the host country for this year’s event and has chosen the theme – Connecting People to Nature. Canada will be at the centre of celebrations around the planet.

Snapdeal partners with online course provider edX

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Akash

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June 2, 2017

Snapdeal has partnered with leading open online courses provider edX to offer to its users. edX is a joint venture of MIT and Harvard.

The partnership between the two will help Snapdeal users to access the Ivy League education offered by institutes like Harvard, MIT, Oxford University, IIT Bombay, The Wharton School, Microsoft etc on edx.org.

Commenting on the same, Vishal Chadha, Chief Business Officer, Snapdeal said, “We are very excited about this collaboration with edX, a pioneer in the field of online education. We are confident that our consumers will find immense value in earning certifications that are well regarded by industries around the world, along with the convenience and flexibility of learning at their own pace. At Snapdeal, we are committed to bring the best in every sphere, to our consumers. Our partnership with edX is another step in that direction.”

These certified courses on edX are available at a price as low as Rs 3400 in different disciplines. Learners can buy courses in streams like business, engineering, arts, law, communication skills etc through Snapdeal. The courses are accessible from PC or Mobile at their own pace and convenience.

Amit Goyal, India Country Head edX, added, “Snapdeal has become a household name across India and we’re excited to partner with them. This association will help us to further the edX mission of increasing access to high-quality education for everyone, everywhere. By offering courses in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, communication skills, leadership, business and management subjects that relate to the most in demand fields of today’s workplace, we are enabling learners to gain the skills and knowledge needed to launch or advance their careers.”

ICSI announces fee waiver scheme for north east students

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Akash

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June 2, 2017

slika_graduation — Silhouettes of Diverse International Students Celebrating Graduation

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has announced 100 per cent fee waiver scheme for north eastern students.

The scheme is available under company secretaries’ foundation and executive programme for a limited period. ICSI president Shyam Agrawal said, students from the north eastern region may avail the benefits of fee waiver scheme by registering under the ‘Swavlamban-Samagra Shiksha, Samagra Vikas’, from June 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

In line with Central Government’s guidelines, the policy is for inclusive growth of all parts of the country, Agrawal said adding “Through this proactive move, the institute is expecting to empower the students of the region.”

It will also increase the representation of students from the north east and the increased number of students may result into set up of an examination centre in the state.

“We are also launching career awareness programme in various schools and colleges in the state,” he added.

According to vice-president of ICSI Makarand M Lele, “the institute has been playing a catalytic role in promoting governance and creating awareness on various critical issues of corporate governance in the country”.

Haryana government relaxes norms for J&K students’ admission

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Akash

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June 2, 2017

The Haryana Government has decided to provide concessions to the students belonging to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for their admission in the colleges and universities of the state.

The government’s initiative will integrate the students of Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream education space.

According to a spokesman of higher education department, the concessions include up to 10 % relaxation in cut-off percentage subject to minimum eligibility criteria along with increase in intake capacity up to 5 %, course-wise.

He said that In Other concessions, at least one seat will be reserved under merit quota of technical and professional institutions waiving of the domicile requirements. Moreover, a grievances redressal mechanism will be set up for the students of J&K in every institution, the official added.

The state government in this regard has sent a letter to all vice-chancellors of state and private universities, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and principals of government and aided colleges for compliance.

UGC to make father’s name on degree certificates optional

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Akash

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May 31, 2017

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to make father’s name on degrees optional.

The commission may soon start working on a proposal in this regard as Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) agreed to the suggestion made by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi.

“We are okay with the idea. Whether the student wants to mention mother’s name or father’s name should be his or her choice,” said Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar.

“We like the concept and have no objection to it. The UGC will work on it soon,” he added.

Recently, Gandhi wrote a letter to Javadekar after single mothers raised raised the rule that requires father’s name to be mandatory mentioned on a student’s degree certificate.

“I have been approached by several women who are separated from their husbands and who face problems getting degree certificates issued for their children without their father’s name,” Gandhi had said in her letter.

According to Gandhi, breakdown of marriages and separation between husband and wife is a reality nowadays in our country and our rules must reflect the same.

“Keeping in view the sensitivity of the single/separated mother, we need to make a provision for this purpose by changing rules/guidelines,” the letter added.

‘Indian Online education industry to be $1.96 bn by 2021’

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Akash

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May 31, 2017

Online education is expected to become a $ 1.96 billion industry by 2021, a joint report by Google and KPMG revealed.

The report titled as “Online Education in India: 2021”, is based on a comprehensive market research conducted by KPMG, along with a primary research and combined with insights from Google search. The report finds that from 1.6 million paid users in 2016, the same may grow by 6 times in 2021 and expected to reach about 9.6 million users.

According to report, in last two years, online searches have grown by double and searches from mobile devices have seen a three times growth. Out of total education searches, 44% are now coming from the top 6 metros and education content consumption on YouTube has seen a 4X growth in last one year.

Highlighting the segment wise growth in the online education space, the report highlights that reskilling and online certification is currently the largest. In 2016, it was valued at USD 93 million, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 38% to reach 463 million by 2021. As per the report, the primary and secondary education category has the largest addressable audience with a student base of around 260 million when compared to the other categories. Owing to this, the primary and secondary supplementary education segment was the second largest category in 2016, and will grow at a CAGR of 60% to reach $773 million, making it the largest category in 2021. The test preparation which is a small segment as of today is likely to grow at an impressive CAGR of 64 per cent to become a USD 515 million category in 2021.

Speaking about the key findings of the report, Nitin Bawankule, Industry Director, Google India said, “The online education segment is set to become a multi-billion dollar opportunity in India. There are many factors driving this growth including the perceived convenience, increased reach and personalisation offered by online channels. It is also interesting to note, that high growth in education search queries is now coming in from Tier 2 and 3 cities such as Patna, Guwahati, Aligarh and Kota – which points to the opportunities that growing penetration of smartphones and improving quality of internet have opened up.”

Talking about the future of the online education industry in India, Sreedhar Prasad, Partner, KPMG India said, “There are several evolving trends in the Indian online education segment that are contributing to the growth opportunities ahead. These include emergence of hybrid learning channels, continuous need for working professionals to learn new skills as well as emergence of technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence that is enabling online education vendors to design customized content. At the same time, it will be critical for players to deliver differentiated offerings for consumers to see continued value in online education channels.

India needs to boost women participation in Jobs: World Bank

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Akash

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May 31, 2017

Women-Work-Business-Nice-Shake-Hands-Spry — Businesswomen shaking hands

World Bank advised India to boost women’s participation in the job market. In order to achieve its ambition of double-digit growth, it is must for India to reverse the falling trend of women’s participation in jobs.

India is among the world’s one of the fastest growing economies, but the country has one of the lowest rates of female employment, a trend that has worsened over the last decade.

In its latest report, marking it as a “serious concern”, the World Bank revealed that only 27 percent of Indian women were working or actively looking for a job that was holding back economic growth.

There is a downfall in female participation in India’s workforce since 2007, particularly in rural areas. One of the many reasons behind it is the women are staying in education for longer. Moreover, only 34 per cent of those with a degree are working while others are staying out of the workplace, the bank said.

“(A) higher level of women participation in the economy can help propel India closer to double digit growth,” said country director of the World Bank Junaid Ahmad.

Strong fundamentals of India’s economy kept the inflation under control and restrict the impact of “Demonetisation”, the Word Bank said in its report. Strong monsoon last year had boosted agriculture and rural consumption, estimating growth at 6.8 percent for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, the report added.

According to the report, “Goods and Services Tax” is due to be introduced on July 1 would that will increase state revenues in the long term and “yield substantial growth dividends from higher efficiencies”.

“India’s female labour force participation rate is uniquely low for all levels of education,” said senior World Bank economist Frederico Gil Sander.

“Sixty five percent of Indian women with college degrees are not working, whereas in Bangladesh 41 percent and in Indonesia and Brazil only 25 percent of women graduates are not working.”

HRD ministry not to intervene in Moderation Policy row: Prakash Javadekar

By

Akash

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May 29, 2017

Human Resource and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has denied his ministry’s intervention in the ongoing moderation policy row.

“We will not intervene in the moderation policy issue. Itis an academic call which the boards need to take,” Javadekar said. The minister said that any “change” should not be “abruptly” implemented in middle of academic session.

Moderation policy refers to a practice in which students get extra marks in subjects regarded ‘unusually difficult’, or if there have been differences in the sets of question papers.

The HRD Minister’s comments came against the backdrop of an order by Delhi High Court directing CBSE to continue with the moderation policy. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) along with 32 other boards scrapped the moderation policy last month after forming a consensus on the issue.

While CBSE declared its results for class XII examination recently following the moderation policy, there is no clarity about the fate of the six state boards – Rajasthan, Karnataka, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Haryana – which announced their result prior to the Delhi HC order as their students may suffer in undergraduate admissions.

“Boards had taken a decision in consultation with each other, they will decide further. But I believe that for any change to be implemented, it is not wise to do it abruptly mid way but from next academic year,” the minister said.

Delhi High Court had also said that the decision by the CBSE “would have a drastic effect on the students” and “rules can’t change once the game has begun”.

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