M Devraj Takes Helm as Principal Secretary of Technical Education

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September 4, 2023

M Devraj, an experienced officer of the Indian Administrative Service batch 1996, has been appointed as the Principal Secretary of the Technical Education Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. He was previously working as CMD, at UPPCL. M Devraj brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. He has served as the Collector & District Magistrate in ten districts across Uttar Pradesh, overseeing populations ranging from 2 to 4 million people.

M Devraj has an extensive background in policy-making, spanning various sectors including Agriculture, Rural Development, and Education—primary, secondary, higher, technical, agricultural, and medical. His work in Public Works and Land Revenue Administration also equips him with a holistic understanding of governance.

Specializing in Agriculture, Rural Development, Water & Sanitation, Health, Education, Public Policy Advocacy, Planning and Implementation, Developmental Issues, and Intellectual Property Rights/Law, Devraj is known for his versatile skill set. His latest achievements include successful policy implementations in rural infrastructure and innovative educational programs.

This appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and vigor to the Technical Education Department, benefitting from Devraj’s multi-sectoral expertise.

UGC restricts Universities From Printing Aadhaar Numbers On Degrees, Certificates

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September 4, 2023

The University Grants Commission (UGC) directed Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to rigorously follow the rules and regulations established by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Specifically, HEIs are asked not to print the entire Aadhaar card number on students’ degree certificates.

According to the UGC, and some news reports, some state governments are considering printing the full Aadhaar number of university students on provisional certificates and degrees issued by the universities for subsequent use in verification of the said documents during recruitment or admission.

“As per norms, no entity in possession of Aadhaar number shall make public any database or record containing the same unless the number has been redacted or blacked out through appropriate means,” UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said in a letter to varsities.

“Printing of Aadhaar numbers on degrees and provisional certificates is not permissible. The higher education institutions should strictly comply with the rules and regulations of UIDAI,” he added.

Printing the Aadhaar number on provisional certificates and degrees is not permitted under the present legislation. The UGC has consequently recommended that Higher Education Institutions carefully follow the rules and regulations of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Ministry of Higher Education grants NCERT Deemed-to-Be-University status

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September 2, 2023

Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been conferred with the prestigious deemed-to-be-university status by the Ministry of Higher Education on its 63rd Foundation Day. The announcement was made by Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, who emphasized the pivotal role played by NCERT in shaping India’s educational landscape.

NCERT, known for its remarkable contributions to research, school education, teacher training, and adult literacy, will now have the opportunity to expand its horizons globally and actively engage in collaborations that contribute to the global educational arena.

Union Minister Pradhan likened this achievement to the stature of the Indian Institute of Science, highlighting the significance and impact of NCERT’s transformation.

During the event, Pradhan introduced ‘Jadui Pitara,’ a play-based learning-teaching material designed for children aged 3 to 8 years. This innovative educational tool is set to revolutionize the learning experience for an estimated 10 crore children, particularly those entering the play-based learning system in anganwadis or pre-primary sections of schools, leading up to Class two.

Considering that a significant portion of brain development occurs by the age of 8, Pradhan stressed the importance of creating content in regional languages to maximize its effectiveness.

Furthermore, Pradhan proposed the establishment of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence labs in all seven regional centers of NCERT. Multinational IT company Hewlett Packard is collaborating with NCERT to bring this vision to fruition. Pradhan emphasized the need for these centers to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and future-ready infrastructure to position India as a global hub for research and innovation.

He also urged NCERT to standardize the Teachers’ training curriculum in alignment with NCERT’s Early Childhood Care and Education syllabus.

Pradhan suggested enriching textbooks by incorporating a chapter on the evolution of Chandrayaan 3 and agreements from the G-20 summit. Additionally, he announced NCERT’s initiative to develop educational materials in all 22 Indian languages, leveraging software such as Anuvadini and Bhashini.

With the conferred deemed-to-be-university status and these visionary initiatives, NCERT is poised to play an even more significant role in shaping the educational landscape of India and contributing to global educational advancements.

IIT Delhi Invites Applications for Online Certificate Programme on Design Thinking and Innovation

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September 1, 2023

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is now accepting applications for the sixth online certificate programme on Design Thinking and Innovation. The newly launched programme is under the Continuing Education Programme (CEP), an initiative of IIT Delhi that aims to cater to the training and development needs of working professionals.

The 20-week programme covers 14 modules, including human-centred design, innovation, user needs identification, storytelling, agile design, and more. With over 150+ video lectures, assignments, quick quizzes, and two weekly faculty office hours, along with live webinars, this programme offers a comprehensive learning experience. Moreover, it will allow the candidates to work on real-world projects with industry partners.

Completion of the course with at least 60% marks in all evaluation components and the capstone project will earn participants a certificate from IIT Delhi.

The programme is designed for a wide range of professionals, including designers, creative managers, entrepreneurs, product managers, marketing managers, and more. To be eligible, candidates must have a graduate degree or diploma from a recognized university with at least 50% marks and a minimum of one year of work experience.

Eligibility to Apply

To be eligible for application, candidates must possess a graduate degree (equivalent to 10+2+3) or a diploma (equivalent to 10+2+3) from a recognized university in any field. Additionally, they should have attained a minimum of 50 percent marks and have at least one year of prior work experience.

The course is scheduled to commence on December 28th, 2023. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to submit their applications through the official website, iitd.emeritus.org, by September 13th.

New colleges to be set up in Maharashtra at 1,499 locations

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September 1, 2023

In Maharashtra, 1,499 additional college locations have been granted approval for the next five years, while the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED) has accepted the state’s five-year (2024-29) perspective plan for non-agricultural institutions.

Following the submission of proposals from all non-agricultural universities across the state, a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed that there were a total of 1,537 suggested locations in the five-year plan for 2024-29. During the meeting on Wednesday, 1,499 venues were identified and approved. Proposals for educational institutions wishing to establish themselves in those regions will now be considered.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Opposition Leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, and senior education department officials attended the meeting at the Sahyadri Guest House.

The meeting also directed that action be taken against colleges that have not yet begun the process of obtaining National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) ratings in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The state’s higher and technical education department issued an ultimatum to colleges earlier this year to obtain authorised.

Ministry of Education Unveils Smart India Hackathon 2023 Initiative

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August 28, 2023

In a significant development, the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell at the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced the sixth edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2023. Notable figures at the launch event included Shri K. Sanjay Murthy (IAS), Secretary of Higher Education; Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE; and Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, who shared their perspectives.

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy expressed his excitement for this year’s Hackathon. He praised the commendable efforts of the Innovation Cell, led by Dr. Abhay Jere, in organizing the Hackathons. He also highlighted the recent UNESCO India–Africa Hackathon, which provided a platform for Indian students to collaborate with peers from 22 African countries. Shri Murthy underscored the value of the KAVACH Hackathon on cybersecurity organized in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam, AICTE’s Chairman, stressed the crucial role of innovation in shaping the future. He noted that innovation lays the foundation for the future and with over 7500 Innovation Institutes nationwide, the Smart India Hackathon offers a unique opportunity to address challenges put forth by various government bodies.

Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, highlighted the Hackathon’s evolution, marking its transformation into a global innovation hub since its inception in 2017. He lauded the platform’s inclusivity, covering a broad range of themes from agriculture to health tech.

The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). This year, SIH 2023 features an impressive lineup of 239 problem statements, spanning software and hardware challenges. The event has garnered participation from 26 Central Ministries, 6 State Ministries, and 4 Industry partners, underscoring its collaborative nature.

Additionally, following the success of the SIH Junior Edition in 2022, the second edition of the Junior Hackathon 2023 has been launched. Aimed at students from 6th to 12th grade, this edition empowers young innovators to showcase their creativity across diverse themes.

The themes for SIH 2023 encompass a wide array of societal needs, including Agriculture, food tech and rural Development, Blockchain and cybersecurity, Clean & Green Technology, Disaster Management, Fitness and sports, Heritage and culture, MedTech / BioTech / HealthTech, Renewable / Sustainable Energy, Robotics and Drones, Smart Education, Smart Vehicles, Transportation & Logistics, and more.

Some intriguing problem statements include the development of a Blockchain-based e-vault system for legal records by the Ministry of Law and Justice. Another challenge involves predicting Cloudbursts in hilly areas using meteorological data, presented by the Ministry of Power. The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) has issued a challenge to devise a Ransomware Readiness Assessment tool to combat ransomware threats.

For the senior SIH, Idea Submission is open until September 30, 2023, while for Junior SIH, the deadline is October 30, 2023. The grand finale for Senior SIH is tentatively scheduled for the first week of November 2023, followed by Junior SIH in January 2023.

MoE’s major move; Board exams to be conducted twice a year

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August 24, 2023

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has stated that Board examinations would be held twice a year, and students will have the option of keeping their top score, moving toward a more inclusive and easily accessible educational system. With its innovative National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023, the Ministry hopes to reduce the immense pressure that is typically associated with taking one exam every year.

“To provide students the time and opportunity to prepare adequately, board exams should be given at least twice a year. The NCF document, which was made public on August 23, 2023, states that students can thereafter show up for a Board examination in topics they have finished and feel prepared for. The goal is to provide students with plenty of time and opportunities to succeed. This way, students can opt to take board exams in subjects they have covered and feel prepared for, fostering a more favorable learning environment.

NCF states that Class 11 and 12 students will need to learn two languages, at least one of which must be an Indian language. According to the new framework, students in grades 6 through 10 should study at least two Indian languages, while those in grades 11 and 12 should study at least one. According to the NCF, learning different languages will “broaden students’ horizons” and aid in forging closer ties to the nation.

The NCF also suggests doing away with strict divisions between the arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and career and academic pathways. It also suggests that classes 11 and 12 students be given the ability to choose any subject they like, rather than being limited to options in the arts, sciences, or commerce. “School boards must eventually build the capacity to provide ‘on demand’ tests. Before beginning this task, test developers and assessors will also need to complete university-certified courses, it stated.

The decision to abandon the tradition of “covering” textbooks in class has been made clear in the new framework. The Ministry also underlined the need to minimis textbook costs in order to maintain universal access to high-quality education.

UGC introduces Life Skill courses aligned with NEP for undergraduates

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August 23, 2023

As part of its Quality Mandate, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has made Life Skills courses available to undergraduate students enrolled in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The goal is to give students the necessary soft skills that improve self-esteem and employability. Communication, interpersonal relationships, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership skills, and universal values are all included in this list of skills.

Both students and staff are encouraged to actively participate in the program. The courses include exercises like oral presentations, discussions, team-building activities, projects, and psychometric analysis. The program’s goals include developing emotional intelligence, leadership qualities, stress and time management skills, and human values.

In addition to Communication Skills, Professional Skills, Leadership and Management Skills, and Universal Human Values, the Life Skills curriculum provides a number of other courses. Together, these courses seek to improve students’ overall growth as well as their emotional, intellectual, professional, social, and self-competency.

Students who enroll in the ‘Communication Skills’ course explore a variety of aspects of effective communication, including nonverbal communication, digital literacy, social media use, digital ethics, and writing in many modes. This 30-hour, 2-credit course equips students with a broad range of communication skills necessary for both personal and professional development.

The ‘Professional Skills’ course is broken down into two sections: ‘Career Skills’ and ‘Team Skills,’ each of which is worth two credits and takes up a total of 30 hours. The course “Career Skills” focuses on developing resumes, interviewing skills, participating effectively in group discussions, and researching career options. ‘Team abilities’ explores both cognitive and non-cognitive abilities such as presenting proficiency, trust-building, teamwork, effective listening, brainstorming, and social and cultural etiquette.

Also Read:- UGC releases guidelines to recognise foreign degrees

The two credit hour ‘Leadership and Management Skills’ course covers leadership, managerial skills, entrepreneurial skills, innovative leadership, design thinking, ethics, integrity, and managing personal finances. Students are given the necessary tools by this extensive curriculum to lead and manage effectively in a variety of situations.

The NEP 2020’s emphasis on well-rounded learning experiences and the UGC’s dedication to holistic education are both supported by these Life Skills courses. They encourage students to improve personally, professionally, and socially by giving them the confidence to face problems in life.

AICTE partners with Jio Institute to launch an innovative faculty development programme centered around AI

Higher Education

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August 22, 2023

The purpose of this strategic alliance is to provide academic administrators and academics with in-depth knowledge of these cutting-edge technologies. This immersive five-day residential faculty development event will be hosted by Jio Institute, which is famous for its groundbreaking AI and Data Science efforts.

An important step has been taken toward promoting excellence in the area of AI education with this collaboration. A comprehensive faculty development program that offers a thorough understanding of AI and data science will be introduced as a result of the combined effort.

The curriculum intends to convey thorough knowledge and understanding of AI’s applications and ethical implications, according to TG Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE who officially launched the program.

The faculty development program aims to involve 40 chosen individuals from AICTE, including academics. This comprehensive training course will cover a wide range of crucial subjects, including Data Visualisation, Natural Language Processing, Time Series Analysis, Optimisation, and the ground-breaking ideas of Large Language Models and Generative AI.

The curriculum will examine the profound impact of AI and data sciences across various industries, such as science, engineering, healthcare, and the liberal arts, with a focus on transdisciplinary impacts. The curriculum will delve into new prospects inside the fast changing technology world in addition to exploring established applications.

This partnership between AICTE and Jio Institute establishes a transformational precedent in providing educators with the knowledge and resources necessary to support innovation and growth in AI and Data Science education as industries continue to be altered by AI and data-driven solutions.

Delhi to get new model schools with advanced facilities; 20 crores allocated for renovation of schools

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August 21, 2023

MCD intends to establish a concept for model schools with a variety of cutting-edge amenities. The Delhi Municipal Corporation has set aside 20 crores for school renovations. Schools like Moldband Okhla Urdu Jaitpur Ali Gaon Sangam Vihar Ji Block in Central Zone are among the ones that require extensive repairs. The “schools of specialised excellence” established by the Delhi government will be followed in the construction of these schools, according to senior officials in the MCD’s education department. The corporation currently runs two types of schools: conventional schools and Nigam Pratibha Vidyalayas.

Additionally, it is necessary to increase the available resources. The Delhi Government needs to provide a 200 crore rupee money, according to the Education Department. The organization will begin the process of constructing these schools as soon as it receives the necessary funding. The engineering department is now building nine new schools, according to an MCD official, while spending about Rs 4 crore on minor repairs to 191 existing schools. Additionally, Rs 24 crore has been allocated for significant repairs, which the department is also carrying out.

The brand-new network of these concept schools will feature cutting-edge teaching methods, smart boards, sizable playgrounds, and sporting facilities. According to a senior official in charge of the initiative, the curriculum will be modified, and teachers will receive training from recognized universities. The next month, the regulations for the new model schools would be written.

Separate building blocks for each of the two specialities, each of which will have 240 classrooms, will be prepared in this school hub, which will be constructed with STEM and Humanities specializations in mind. All of these classrooms will be furnished with the most up-to-date teaching tools. The government claims that these schools have high admittance rates. In the 1,535 primary schools run by MCD over 12 administrative zones, there are more than 800,000 pupils registered in classes up to the fifth grade, taught by 18,158 teachers.

According to the first official, the civic body has already begun skill-upgradation training at the IIMs to create mentor instructors. The official went on to say, “A second batch of 50 teachers will depart for IIM Kozhikode on August 21, and more batches are in the works.” According to MCD’s education department, 198 structures will need minor repairs in 2022 (16.7%), while 368 locations will need severe repairs (31.05%). The state government and MCD have also begun collaborating in an effort to close the teacher shortage for municipal primary schools.

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