EDITORIAL

Time to Turn the Tide

COVER STORY

Grassroots to Galaxies

Education for Empowerment

Education Beyond Stereotypes

Towards a Smarter Generation

ICT With a Mission

Minority Education – The Road Ahead

WORLD EDUCATION SUMMIT AWARDEES

The Game Changers

LEAD FEATURE

Looking Down the Barrel

‘Limited Impact of ICT on Quality of Education’

The Challenge Lies in the Mindset

‘Progress Slow Due to Lack of Funds’

‘Technology is Empowered by the Teacher who Uses it’

INDUSTRY SPEAK

‘Strong Focus on the Enterprise Space’

‘Education has to Converge on a Device’

ADVERTORIALS

e-Solutions for Academic Excellence

Being literate in the traditional sense is no longer sufficient for success in the 21st century workplace, believes Sunaina Singh, Vice Chancellor, English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU). In an interaction with ENN, she says that apart from students benefitting from the use of technology, there is a perceivable change in teachers’ attitudes towards teaching, knowledge and learning

As an institute involved in teaching and training of languages, how relevant is the use of technological tools and ICT in the field of education for you?

As a teacher, I am aware of the constantly shifting paradigms in education – many of us are caught in a situation where digital immigrants teach digital natives. It would not be wrong to say that many of our students are more tech-savvy than the teachers, and comfortable with their own set of digital practices. To reach out to a group like that, we need our teachers to engage with ICT and new tools. But more importantly, as academicians we need to be aware that technology is no longer a ‘nice-to-know skill’, it is an ‘essential- to-know skill’. Being literate in the traditional sense is no longer sufficient for success in the 21st century workplace. Newer definitions of literacies are being explored and hailed globally as essential workplace skills. Digital literacy that goes beyond basic skills to include information, technological, and visual know- how, is one such core essential skill.

There has been a concerted push from the HRD ministry towards technology enabled learning. What is the progress at your university?

Following directives from the MHRD, and based on the observations made by the Honorable President and recom- mendations made during the Vice Chancellor’s Conference 2013, our University has consolidated and strengthened its initiatives in the use of technology in education to assist both students and teachers. There is more e-content being generated both in our distance mode programmes and also as support to face- to-face classrooms. Conscious adoption of web 2.0 tools by many of our teach- ers has made the teaching-learning process more seamless. EFLU has always laid emphasis on providing access to learning opportunities for all students. An area emphasised by my administration was enabling our differently-abled students to move forward with ease in e-learning.

Are there any other initiatives that you have streamlined with regard to tech-enabled learning?

Apart from providing empowering technology tools to our Disabled Cell, we have made significant efforts in restructuring courses in terms of content and delivery, to make them simpler, yet more efficient. The EMMRC, School of Distance Education and several programmes in foreign languages are using technology both as an agent for content presentation as well as a medium of delivery. Our teachers welcome opportunities for content updation of face-to-face courses to ensure their currency – some of our courses deliver the latest in the field of ICT in language sciences like Use of web 2.0 tools, Game theory, Digital literacies, Digital artefacts etc.

What in your view is the impact of the use of ICT on the quality and accessibility of education? How has it helped the students and faculty at your institute?

Technology makes possible concepts that we have always upheld as educators, like learner autonomy and lifelong learning. It facilitates a move away from a perception of education as something that happens within classroom walls at specific times and allows individualised learning in the truest sense. Many of our course instructors use social networking sites and 2.0 tools like wikis, penzus, blogs, voicethreads, etc. The af- fordances offered by such digital learning environments include multiple entry levels and individualised learning paths. Additionally, they also allow multimodal assessment patterns, promote higher or- der thinking skills, encourage creativity and facilitate collaborative and interactive learning paradigms. And it isn’t just our students who have benefitted, there is a perceivable change in teachers’ at- titudes towards teaching, knowledge and learning; our teachers have started thinking of newer pedagogies, reinter- preting research methodologies, and designing new modes of assessment.

Any plans to collaborate with private players?

Several linkages to establish collabora- tive programmes with industry in the field of language research and pedagogi- cal innovations are already in place and more are being planned. The intention is to introduce multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity to our programmes so that our students gain opportunities to ideate and innovate. A second area where we would benefit interfacing with industry is in developing translit- eracy skills in our students. The ability to acquire and present information in multiple forms, I feel is best achieved in authentic contexts. We are seeking industry partnerships for such digital- ly-situated student development pro- grammes.

What are your priority areas in the near future?

Scoping future trends and opportunities, I think as educators and administrators we need to think of ways to promote and support digital learning in continuous and sustainable ways. My goal is to think of embedding digital literacy as an edu- cational approach and a norm rather than an exception restricted to a work- shop or a few courses. I read a survey report somewhere that an average per- son now changes at least 10 professions in his/her lifetime. In such a scenario, what is it that we can teach to enable our students to be future-ready? There is the danger of dwelling too closely on the use of technology and tools. As the head of a language university I find this unrewarding. Instead, what is more es- sential is a change in our attitudes to use of technology in the classroom, a com- mitment to think of education in a new perspective – one that is no longer hand- ed down by the teacher, but one that is more collaborative and interactive in na- ture; one that is not compartmentalised, but aimed at developing transferable skills. Now, all these mean incorporat- ing newer elements into teacher train- ing programmes – we need to encourage the teacher to come out of his/her com- fort zone and address teacher anxiety. We plan to design confidence-building sessions to demonstrate that technol- ogy can never replace teachers, that technology is empowered by the teacher who uses it. Which is why I feel blended classrooms should be given priority. Secondly, I am also interested in providing authentic contexts for practice of digital literacy skills so that our students are in- dustry-ready by the time they complete their education. And finally, we would also like to build on our online courses and encourage wider dissemination of courses and lectures to make them ac- cessible to the general public.

Although the university is all geared up to deliver tech-enabled education, difficulties often arise in its adoption, says Nupur Prakash, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women. In an interaction with ENN, she says that the bottlenecks arise either in the form of infrastructure or on account of the closed mindset of teachers and students who still believe that the chalk and talk method is the best mode of education delivery

As a premier institute for women in the field of technical education, how well do you think has the university succeeded in addressing the gender gap observed in the workforce at tech companies?

Every year, 300 women engineers pass out from this University and get placed in prestigious Indian companies and abroad. Most of the companies visit our campus to recruit our girls to correct their skewed gender ratio.

There has been a concerted push from the HRD ministry towards technology enabled learning. Being an engineering institute, what are the initiatives that you have streamlined at your university in this regard?

We have recently got high-speed National Knowledge Network (NKN) connectivity on our campus which can be used to stream live lectures and Webinars. We have introduced electives in our B.Tech, MCA and M.Tech programmes where students can opt for digital lecture series from NPTEL (National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning) which provides e-learning through online Web and Video courses in engineering, science and humanities streams.

Any plans to engage with private players to take technology enabled learning to the next level?

No, not in the near future. However, we are looking for cloud-based campus management solution for automating different activities of our University.

“The bottlenecks are due to inadequate infrastructure and the closed mindset of teachers and students who still believe that the chalk and talk method is the best mode of education delivery”

What in your view is the impact of the use of technological resources and ICT on the quality and accessibility of education? How has it helped the students and faculty?

We are able to offer more number of electives using ICT as good quality lectures and course material is available online these days. Moreover, students can enroll for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and take lessons any- time, anywhere on the subjects of their interest.

How well is your university geared to imbibe this new phenomenon of tech-enabled education? What are the major challenges or bottlenecks that you have faced while implementing the same?

We are geared up to deliver tech-enabled education, but often face difficulties in terms of adoption. The bottlenecks are sometimes due to inadequate infrastructure and sometimes on account of the closed mindset of teachers and students who still believe that the chalk and talk method is the best mode of education delivery.

What are the other priority areas for the university in the near future?

We would like to upgrade the existing lab, buildings and IT infrastructure of our campus to improve the overall academic ambiance of the campus. We have recently started doctoral programmes in various branches of engineering, sci- ence and technology and would like to improve upon our research culture, industry tie-ups and academic alliances.

There are steps we have initiated in line with the government’s push for technology enable learning, says M C Dileepkumar, Vice Chancellor, Sree Sankaracharaya University of Sanskrit. However, the progress has been slow due to the paucity of funds. Excerpts from the interview

The vision of your university talks about a blend of the study of Sanskrit with modern science and technology. How relevant do you find the use of technological tools in education?

It is very relevant for our university to link with modern science and technol- ogy. Sanskrit is the first language accept- able to computer software. Unfortunate- ly, we have not yet exploited the scope of this language in technology.

There has been a concerted push from the HRD ministry towards technology-enabled learning. How have they progressed at your institute?

The steps initiated by the HRD minis- try in this regard are appreciable. We are taking steps for its implementation. However, due to lack of funds, the prog- ress in this field is slow.

How do you view the impact of the use of technological resources on the quality of education?

Without the use of technology, develop- ment becomes slow. To attain progress, de- velopment of new technology is essential.

What are the challenges with regard to the introduction of ICT in education?

As a state university, we have a process where we need to obtain permission from the government. All this (engage- ment with private players) depends on fund allotment.

Schools, colleges and institutions of higher learning are not what they used to be five years ago. Today’s classrooms are undergoing a huge transformation, thanks to the use of digital technology by schools and higher educational institutes. The nominees and the award winners at the recently concluded World Education Summit (WES) 2014 reflected this emerging trend. The WES Awards 2014 recognised several initiatives and developments at the grassroots that will ignite minds, skill Indians better and aim for a sustainable environment. These ideas that we hear succeeding today are a result of a vision that the best brains had a few years ago. However, the scale at which we are witnessing this revolution has been possible only due to the innovative learning solutions eyeing 70 million students as their potential market. Innovation and competition in the solutions market is fuelling education and propelling them into an higher orbit. Those who miss the bus now may not see themselves grow or contribute to India’s growth story. We have witnessed the emergence of several niche players dedicated to providing innovative solutions to enhance outcomes in education. With a staunch belief in last mile connectivity, the WES Awards recognised the importance of government initiatives in several verticals. Here is a look at the awardees at the prestigious World Education Summit held at Hotel Eros, New Delhi, on August 7-8, 2014.

Government Initiatives in Education

Boosting Agronomy

Organisation: Kerala Agricultural University e-Agri-Tech Platform for Open and Distance Education.
Website: www.celkau.in
Project: Centre for e-Learning.
Description: Speedy dissemination of timely knowledge in English and Malayalam, information and advice related to farming practices, technology and business.
Target Group: Farmers, extensionists, researchers, students, line departments, commodity boards, importers and exporters of farm commodities, private agencies, input dealers, SHGs, Farmers’ Consortiums, NGOs, LSGs, job seekers, job providers.
Achievement:
The end-users span all over the world.

India’s First University on Cooperatives

Organisation: Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management.
Website: www.argucom.org.in
Description: To establish state-of-the -art facilities for Cooperative education and training to sustain the cooperative movement.
Target Group: Students from Assam, Delhi & Shillong.
Achievement:
The Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management commenced on 28th December 2010 and it is the first University in India dedicated to cooperatives’ studies.

Empowering Rural India through Digital Learning

Organisation: CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd.
Website: www.cscacademy.org
Project: E-Inclusion.
Description: Innovative online and off-line Learning Management System to cater to the rural needs.
Target Group: To train and empower 45,000 rural SC/ ST Women beneficiaries across 12 States.
Achievements:
• Scenario based local language eContent and interactive learning through Learning Management System.
• Blended learning approach with large emphasis on self-learning.
• Regular tracking of the learning progress and completing the training within stipulated time.
• Online monitoring of the beneficiary registration, learning progress, course completion, etc. with the click of a button.

Making Higher Education Affordable

Organisation: Karnataka State Open University.
Partner: Schoolguru Eduserve Pvt Ltd, Mumbai.
Website: www.karnatakastateopenuniversity.in
Objective: Online programmes to ensure access to higher education at an affordable cost.
Target Group: Students.
Achievement:
Inclusiveness in Education through open learning.

Learn Anytime, Anywhere

Organisation: The M.S University of Baroda,Vadodara.
Website: www.msubaroda. ac.in
Project: E content generation of Adult and non-formal education courses.
Partner: This project was sponsored by MHRD, New Delhi, under NMEICT (Sakshat) initiatives for E-Content development.
Description: Technological innovations and rapid economic growth have created demands of skilled workers. The Institute is making all round development through quality education.
Target Group: Students.
Achievement:
Each course is divided into small modules.

Marching Towards Knowledge Society

Organisation: NIIT Ltd, Thimpu, Bhutan
Website: www.niit.com
Project: Chiphen Rigpel (Enabling a Society Empowering a Nation)
Objective: Aims to provide IT Knowledge to citizens in Himalayan Kingdom.
Description: Provides IT skills for policy makers, empowers teachers and provides IT skills to youths.
Target Group: All Bhutanese Citizens
Achievements:
• Enabling E-Governance, Extensive Integration of ICT in Education, successful indigenization and knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrated impact of playground learning stations on english, science and math scores.

Best Private University in North India

Imparting Quality Education

Organisation: Amity University, Rajasthan – Best Private University
Website: www.amity.edu/jaipur/
Description: Amity University Rajasthan is part of the Amity Education Group, which has more than 80,000 students, 3500 eminent faculty and scientists, 150 Institutions of Excellence and conducts over 240 Programs in campuses spread over 13 cities across India.
Target Group: Indian and International students.
Achievement:
Amity has under its umbrella a wide range of activities apart from education that underlines its vision of nation building. At Amity, the core faculty comprises distinguished academicians from the best institutions and leading professionals from the corporate world with rich industry experience.

Innovation in Open and Distance Learning

A Voice For The Voiceless

Organisation: Dr C V Raman University, Bilaspur
Project: Literacy campaign through community radio in Central India on legal, health and educational rights.
Website: www.cvru.ac.in/
Project: Literacy campaign through community radio in Central India on legal, health and educational rights.
Target Group: Tribals and socially back- ward people in Kota.
Achievement:
Free Radio sets distributed to increase wider accessibility to learning.

Use of Technology in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions

Stress Free Learning

Organisation: Bannari Amman Institute of Technology.
Project: Creative Learning Methodology (CLM).
Website: www.bitsathy.ac.in/
Description: CLM is a student centered approach. It consists of six major steps namely alpha breathing, evocation & subject introduction, brain activation, reading and discussion by students, drawing mind map by students and faculty, presentation of summary by students.
Objective: Engage every student in creative learning.
Target Group: Students.
Achievements:
• Application oriented learning
• Personality Development and Self-learning ability.

Technology Integrated Education

Organisation: Dr KN Modi University, Rajasthan
Projects: Use of Technology in Teaching and Learning by Higher Education Institution
Website: www.dknmu.org
Description: DKNMU uses cutting-edge technology to improve transparency, convenience and to sharpen the student’s professional skills to improve their spirit of inquiry.
Partner: ERP has been put in place by Ellora Eduventures Ltd.
Target Group: Students
Achievement: DKNMU is selected to participate in the QEEE Pilot program in the first phase of 100 Colleges/Universities.

Interface between Academia-Industry

Preparing for Future

Organisation: Ganpat University, Gujarat.
Project: Preparing Industry Ready Employable Skilled manpower.
Website: www.ganpatuniversity.ac.in
Description: The project is aimed to promote industry linked programs, to promote research & innovation by filling the industry – academia gap, to develop competent skilled manpower ready for employment.
Target Group: Students.
Achievements: GU offers unique industry-focussed programs with strong industry linkages by involving industry in programs & content designing, class room delivery, resource development, research and faculty development.

Technology in Testing in Assessments in Higher Education Institutions

Managing Examinations for Error-Free Evaluvation

Organisation: Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences & NIMHANS.
Website: www.svimstpt.ap.nic.in
Project: Transformation in Examination systems.
Description: Migrating examination process from pen and paper to computer-based model in colloboration with NIMHANS.
Target Group: Students and teachers.
Achievements:
• Error-free examinations, benchmark for medical entrance examinations.
• Streamlining processes has ended in faster results.

Technology Solution Provider

New Tools for Evaluation

Organisation: TRS Forms And Services Private Limited, Chennai
Website: www.trsforms.com
Project: Auto Dummy Numbering Process
Description: The process which was manually done in all Universities and education boards is now automated with this technology. This has proved to be a boon with the increase in volume of students.
Target Group: Educational institutions
Achievement:
Initiative has automated the process of laborious evaluavation of examination sheets.

Global Collaborative Learning

International Exposure Programme

Organisation: Hindustan University, Chennai.
Website: www.hindustanuniv.ac.in
Project: Global Exposure to Business School Students.
Description: Enriching learning experience in foreign universities and learning to be a global citizen.
Objective: The faculty-led study abroad program provides a uniquely immersive international experience.
Target Group: Teaching faculty and students.
Achievement:
• Global Networking
• International placements in global MNCs.

Global Exposure, Global Learning

Organisation: Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar.
Website: www.iitgn.ac.in
Project: Globalising the IIT Gandhinagar Curriculum. Strives
Description: Undergraduate students receive study abroad opportunities due to established partnerships and exchanges with international institutions besides a vibrant visiting faculty.
Target Group: Students
Achievements:
Strives to expand collaborative classroom offerings with student exchanges and joint and simultaneous course offerings with international institutions.

Public Private Partnership in Higher Education

Nation Building Exercise

Organisation: Gujarat Technological University.
Website: www.gtu.ac.in
Project: Personality Development Program I-Become–an educational service provider specialising in nation and citizenship building initiatives. The project is funded by the Adani Group as a part of their CSR initiative.
Description: To inspire the students to develop a larger vision of their own career and nation building.
Target Group: Teachers and Students
Achievement:
Bringing in a ‘purpose-orientation’ into the graduates of the country rather than just an ‘examination orientation’.

Innovation by Engineering Institutes

Innovation Initiative

Organisation: SAL Institute of Technology & Engineering Research.
Website: www.sal.edu.in
Project: Hybrid Desert Cooler.
Description: It is basically a combination of an air cooler and air conditioning.
Objective: The main aim behind this venture is generation of education and research as a blend for Rajasthan at large.
Target Group: From commercial to non-commercial zone. Achievement: Low power consumption, cools at lower cost.
Achievement:
Low power consumption, cools at lower cost.

Teach Better, Learn Better

Organisation: Padmashree Dr. D Y Patil Institute of Engineering & Technology.
Website: www.engg.dypvp.edu.in
Project: Class for Learning.
Description: Boring lectures were replaced by interactive learning by involving every student.
Target Group: Academically weak students .
Achievements:
• Increase in attendance
• Better academic results and team work.

Skilling Students

Organisation: Chiripal Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad.
Website: www.scs.edu.in/Chiripal-Group.htm
Project: Innovating a guaranteed six months paid internship for better iIndustry relevancy & higher placeability.
Description: The internship provides the students an opportunity to test their interest in a particular career before permanent commitments are made. It develops skills in the application of theory to practical work situations.
Target Group: Target students of Shanti Business School.
Achievement:
A 100 per cent placement track record
for successive years since its inception.

Engineering Rural Punjab

Organisation: Swami Parmanand College of Engineering & Technology, Mohali.
Website: www.spcet.org
Project: To develop a technically sound skilled force in Punjab by making them technical compatible with the help of technologies like VOIP, Wi-Fi, higher speed internet facilities and smart class rooms.
Target Group: Rural youth.
Achievement: Generating jobs for the rural people.

Innovation in Open and Distance Learning

Digitally Simple

Organisation: SAL Lovely Professional University, Punjab
Website: www.lpu.in
Project: e-Connect
Description: User friendly online platform for Distance Education any time any where.
Target Group: Students
Achievement:
Currently handling 91,000 users with 20 terrabyte storage which is scalable to 180 terrabyte.

Virtual Classroom Provider

Smart Learning, Quick Learning

Organisation: AuthorGEN Technologies Private Limited – WizIQ Virtual Classroom
Website: http://www.wiziq.com
Project: To increase quality access to education for anyone, anywhere. It enables educators and learners from all over the world to connect with each other over internet in real-time.
Description: It is aimed at democratising education.
Target Group: Learners at all levels. Achievement: WizIQ hosts more than 4500 live classes daily in the WizIQ Virtual Classroom and has already served over one billion minutes of live online learning.

Enterprise Resource Planning

From Kerala to Kenya

Organisation: Foradian Technologies Fedena.
Website: www.foradian.com
Project: Multipurpose school management software.
Description: Installed in over 40,000 institutes world-wide and powers over 20 million students and teachers. It allows easy and complete customisation. Target Group: Schools.
Achievements:
Present in more than 100 countries, Fordian helped in implementation of Project Sampoorna of Education Department of Government of Kerala, to automate the system and process of over 15,000 schools in the state.

Startup Educational Institutions

Empowering Tribal Girls

Organisation: Himalayan University, Itanagar.
Website: www.himalayanuniversity.com
Project: Community oriented approach toward sustainable development in tribal region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Description: Offering quality higher education under the segment of career-oriented programs.
Target Group: Girl Empowerment
Achievements:
• 200 scholarships mainly for tribal girls.
• Introduction of E-learning.

School for Change

Breaking Sterotypes

Organisation: Royal Global School, Guwahati.
Website: www.rgs.edu.in
Project: Establishment of a world class progressive school in remote North East.
Target Group: North-East.
Achievements:
• Readiness of the society, parents and community at large to accept the initiative with an open mind.
• Encourage the individuality of every child and prepare them to face new challenges and urge them to seek originality.
• Build a sense of global citizenship through cross cultural dialogue, exposure to discussions on international issues.

Innovation in Education Practices

Imparting Quality Education

Organisation: American Institute of Enrichment.
Website: www.theaie.org
Project: Innovation In Pedagogical Practices.
Target Group: Schools.
Achievements:
The AIE aids schools in curriculum design and implementation with the latest techniques and effective methods of classroom implementation.

Testing and Assessment Solution Provider

Spicing It Up

Organisation: Ginger Webs Pvt. Ltd.
Website: www.gingerwebs.com
Project: Innovative softwares to evaluate exams done both on paper-pencil and online.
Description: Establishes student-centric, participatory classroom.
Target Group: Education Institutes.
Achievement:
First company to offer technology for taking assessment on paper, computer, mobile & tablet devices.

Technology Solution Provider

Engineering Excellence

Organisation: Globarena Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Website: www.globarena.com
Project: Designed to facilitate self-paced learning, the content is accessible 24 x 7 in the college LAN or over Internet and on various devices including tabs.
Description: Establishes student-centric, participatory classroom.
Target Group: Engineering Faculty and Students.
Achievement:
Implemented in 2 Universities JNTU Hyderabad and JNTU Kakinada. Reached out to over 4.6 lakh students spread across over 500 colleges.

Innovation in Education Practices

Self Paced Learning

Organisation: Impartus Innovations Pvt. Ltd.
Website: www.impartus.com
Project: BlueBook Lecture Capture – Innovative Technology which brings videos into mainstream learning.
Description: Taking learning beyond classrooms.
Target Group: Students
Achievement:
Learning available on all popular devices (laptops, tablets, mobiles) and platforms (Android, iOS, Windows).

Competition Master

Organisation: Mahendra Educational Pvt Ltd.
Website: www.mahendras.org
Project: Online mock test provider for different competitive examinations. prestigious Educational Institutions across India.
Description: DIGIUNIV Education Management Solution is a Web-based Online ERP Software which is used by prestigious Educational Institutions
across India.
Target Group: Job seekers.
Achievement: Four lakh candidates registered on a pan-India level.

Enterprise Resource Planning

Going Digital: The Way Forward

Organisation: Nysa Communications Pvt Ltd.
Website: www.digiuniv.com
Project: DIGIUNIV: Give your Institution the digital Edge.
Description: DIGIUNIV Education Management Solution is a Web-based Online ERP Softwarewhich is used by prestigious educa-tional institutions across India.
Target Group: Universities as well as colleges.
Achievement:
Catering to 10 leading universities, implemented in more than 500 colleges and user base more than 10 lakh.

Non-Government Sector Initiative in Education

Virtual Classroom Provider

Transforming Teachers

Organisation: Transform Educational Society.
Website: www.sane.at.org
Project: Make teachers value added assets for their organisation and the nation.
Description: Lift standard of education by working upon teacher’s teaching style.
Target Group: Teachers.
Achievement:
Customised Workshop.

Smart Class Solution Providers

Learn to Retain

Organisation: Smartur 3D.
Website: www.smartur3d.in
Project: Experiential Learning using Augmented Reality for students to get first hand experience of science.
Description: The tool provides real life models covering science topics from class 6 to 12.
Target Group: School Students.
Achievement:
Presenting learning in 3D in a real life environment enhances better understanding and aids in long term retention.

Vocational Education & Training and Skill Development

Linguistic Proficiency

Organisation: Station-e Info Service Pvt. Ltd., Rajkot
Website: www.station-e.com
Project: Digital Language Lab for Skills Development.
Description: Digital Language Lab is a one-stop solution for training the youth for communication proficiency in English. Digital Language Lab is a man and machine combination providing training through innovative pedagogy and advanced technology.
Target Group: Students.
Achievement:
There are 30 Centres of Digital Language Lab across the country and more than 10,000 youth trained. Addressed the requirement of diverse sections of the market

Vocational Education & Training and Skill

Securing the Virtual World

Organisation: Cyberfort Technologies.
Website: www.trsforms.com
Project: Cyber Security Training and Consultancy.
Description: CYBERFORT Technologies is a Boutique Training and Consulting Firm specialising in Information Security. It seeks to impart quality Information Security programs that would equip Information Security professionals with the necessary tools and education to help them avert cyber-crimes.
Target Group: IT professionals, IT companies , government bodies, universities and colleges.
Achievement:
First company to launch MBA in Cyber security with strategic alliance with MGU.

Skills for Jobs

Organisation: NIIT and NSDC.
Website: www.niityuvajyoti.com
Project: Transforming Lives Through Technology Enabled Skill Development NIIT Yuva Jyoti.
Description: With more than 60 percent of the Indian population below the age of 25, there is a strong need to ensure that the youth of the country are adequately skilled as per industry re- quirements, in order to effectively utilise this ‘demographic dividend’ to power the growth of the Indian economy. NIIT Yuva Jyoti – Skills for Jobs, an initiative between NIIT and NSDC (a Public- Private Partnership (PPP) not-for- profit company promoted by the Union Ministry of Finance, with 49 per cent equity held by the Government of India) conceived with the vision of providing job oriented skills training of the highest quality to over 70 lakh youth by 2022, in different services sectors, which have a high potential for growth.
Target Group: Class X/XII pass, Diploma Holders.
Achievements:
• First of its kind Video Log technology for evaluating students performance.
• Impacted the life of over 15,000 students, and created a skill registry database of more than 1.2 lakh students.
• Placement with over 325 industry tie ups like Reliance Retail, Kapsons, Aditya Birla Retail, Sparsh (BPO), Vishal mega mart.

School Education

Green Initiatives by Educational Institutes

Green Campus of the Year

Organisation: Suryadatta Education Foundation, Pune.
Website: www.suryadatta.org
Project: The Foundation has embarked a dozen projects in order to make living on our planet sustainable.
Description: Clean and Green Environment.
Target Group: Pune and Maharashtra citizens.
Achievement:
Created an eco-friendly campus, tree plantation and drinking water project in Pune.

A Tool for Social Change

Organisation: Gundecha Education Academy, Mumbai.
Website: www.gundechaedu.org
Project: Zero Garbage School.
Description: Managing waste generated by it, instead of depending on municipality. Students are taught the segregation, pre-recycling procedures and composting in order to accomplish a successful waste management. It also emphasises the social responsibility of the school by explaining how the benefits from such waste management practices are passed over to the underprivileged sections of society.
Target Group: Students, parents and the neighbouring community
Achievement:
Several channels for recycling set up.

Creating a Better World

Organisation: Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre, Kanpur.
Website: www.spsec.co.in
Project: Educating students about environment, conservation, recycling, renewability and reuse within a clean – green environment.
Description: To give a feel to students of being ‘In Nature’s Lap’ so that they may feel connected to the environment while attaining an education.
Target Group: Classes 1 to XII.
Achievements:
• Reducing the soil loss from erosion by developing lawns across the school campus.
• Adopting green practices by recycling and reuse.
• To reduce the soil loss from erosion by developing lawns across the school campus.
• Optimum utilisation of renewable resources.

Innovation In Pre-School Education

Best Practices in School

Organisation: Smartkidz Educare India Pvt. Ltd.
Website: www.smartkidzindia.com
Project: Emphasis on interaction between adults and children.
Description: To develop five major skills required for children i.e. Social, Physical,Intellectual, Cognitive and Emotional  which we simplify as SPICE.
Target Group: Children between the age group of two to five and a half years
Achievements:
• Holistic development among children.
• Reduces stress in children

Enjoyable Learning

Organisation: School Of Scholars
Website: www.mgsnagpur.org.in
Project: The Hub System.
Description: Introduction of hubs for different subjects. Each and every child gets a chance to attend every hub and the activities are prepared well
in advance.
Target Group: Children between the age group of two and five years , Teachers & Parents.
Achievements:
• To teach the child in the way they will like and remember.
• At the beginning of each school year faculty discuss the challenges that are being faced by children and teachers.
• Children became more responsible and independent. They learned in each domain how to work alone and in groups.

Global Collaborative Learning Initiative

Learning for Life

Organisation: Manav Rachna International School.
Website: www.mris.edu.in
Project: The Learning Center approach
Description: Opportunities for hands on concrete learning, social interactions, real life problem solving, fine and gross motor development, literacy and numeracy and open-ended activities.
Target Group: Pre Kindergarten.
Achievement:
Children are happy to be in school.

Going Global

Organisation: G D Goenka School.
Website: www.gdgoenka.com
Project: Promoting the spirit of internationalism.
Description: With the aim of strengthening the spirit of internationalism in the school, GD Goenka School is collaborating with other schools in areas of best teaching practices and projects. Involving the entire school community in the initiative and imparting ICT training and educating everyone besides
coordinating, collaborating, collecting and submitting/ uploading reports/pictures on various media and web channels for the whole school.
Target Group: Learners of Grade 6 to grade 12.
Achievement:
Accredited with British council International School Award 2013-16 and there is an exchange programme with Oban High School. Oban, Argyll, Scotland.

Innovation in Pre-School Learning

Greening Future

Organisation: DCM Public School, Jammu.
Project: Experiential learning.
Description: Taking children for a nature walk in the middle of various fields, leaving them to play in the sand pit but monitoring side by side with the aim that children should understand and acquaint themselves with the environment and nature they are growing in.
Target Group: Pre-Primary school children.
Achievements:
• Learning by doing.
• Enhancing the curosity.
• Taking out the leadership.

E School initiative

Greening Future

Organisation: KMV Red Hills High School, Bangalore.
Website: www.redhillshigh.com, www.livingtree.com
Project: A secure social communication platform to improve parent involvement and community engagement.
Description: Schooling does not happen in a vacuum. We deal with parents, children and teachers. We deal with their emotions and apprehensions.
Target Group: Parents, students and teachers.
Achievement:
The project has been able to bring all the parents, students, teachers, school staff together and engage to create a vibrant community with a true sense of togetherness.

Full Use of ICT in School Management

Organisation: Cambridge International School – Dasayu
Website: www.cisdasuya.com
Project: Full use of ICT in School Management
Brief Description: There is full Use of ICT in School Management and imparting education, recognising its diverse uses with multi-pronged strategies to support movement towards a variety of educational goals.
Target Group: School Students.
Achievement: The project’s reach is all over India, as well as UAE. ICT has helped in extending the boundaries of the school as well as facilitate innovation.

Innovations in Pedagogical Practices

The Hub of Innovation

Organisation: Children’s Academy, Ashok Nagar Mumbai.
Website: sites.google.com
Project: Innovation in Pedagogical Practices.
Description: Transforming teaching and learning process.
Target Group: Education institutions like universities, professional examination bodies and education boards.
Achievements:
• Changing attitude of teachers from quantitative to qualitative teaching.
• Enthusiastic response from teachers and students.

Building Vocabulary

Organisation: Kothari International School Noida.
Website: www.kotharischool.edu.in
Project: Enhancing English-speaking skills through a reward system.
Description: To encourage students to speak in English.
Target Group: Grades 4 and 5.
Achievements:
• Students built up their vocabulary bank gradually and began showing interest in reading so as to improve their vocabulary.
• Students began correcting each other’s sentence structures while speaking leading to better grammar concepts, both in the oral as well as written work.

Excellence in Education

Organisation: Indus World School
Website: www.indusworldschool.com
Project: Innovation in Pedagogical Practices.
Description: The Practices include emotional corners in class, home visits by mentors, starting the day by setting the agenda and ending the day with a closure, QCT (Quality Circle Time) which encourages self discipline and self esteem.
Target Group: Children and parents
Achievement:
Google Apps have helped in creating effective communication channels. This has also helped reduce the use of paper.

Innovation in Science, Maths & Languages

Producing Polygots

Organisation: DAV Public School Sreshtha Vihar, New Delhi.
Website: www.davsreshtha.com
Project: Multilingualism.
Description: Multilingualism has become a way of life in our school as students are actively involved in the multi-lingual projects. The projects include the four languages taught in the school namely English, Sanskrit, Hindi and French.
Target Group: Class 5-12.
Achievements:
• Students are given ample opportunities to apply their knowledge in creative ways by giving them an exposure to activities like radio shows, crosswords, spell bees, skits and multilingual assemblies.
• Multilingual prayer has become a regular feature of the school.

Beyond Sites and Skies

Organisation: Ryan International School, Noida
Website: www.ryaninternational.org/risnoida/
Project: Innovation in Science Education.
Description: Efforts to sensitise the young minds with scientific temperament by using the universe and sky around us as one of the powerful tools. Our students have been actively participating in all astronomical events as members of the school astronomy club. This is one of the most interesting and regular events in which the students of our school are regular and active participants.
Target Group: Students of classes 6 to 12.
Achievement:
Students study about the asteroids and try to discover the undiscovered ones with the help of a software Astrometrica, USA.