What Great Schools do to Maximise Impact?

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November 22, 2023

Greg Parry, Co-Founder and CEO, Global Services in Education shares insights into his journey as an educational leader at the 27th Elets World Education Summit in Malaysia and emphasizes the importance of being an authentic leader who maximizes impact in the education sector. He begins by recounting a pivotal moment in his career when his mentor challenged him to articulate his true motivation, which led him to realize that his passion was to influence the behaviors of a large group of people and make a difference in education.

Parry goes on to describe his company’s work in setting up and managing schools across the world, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between educators and business people to ensure effective school management. He highlights the significance of having a compelling vision and mission as an educational leader, regardless of the specific curriculum or approach a school adopts, and stresses the importance of clear and passionate communication of this vision.

He discusses the concept of “vision and mission integrity” and how educational leaders must ensure that their schools’ practices align with their stated vision and mission. Parry also emphasizes the role of the principal as the instructional leader of the school, with a deep understanding of pedagogy and a focus on maximizing student potential.

Furthermore, he introduces the idea of “signature experiences” that reflect a school’s vision and mission in practice, providing tangible examples of how these experiences should align with the school’s goals. Parry shares his belief in the importance of having a keen sense of the environment and being able to make informed decisions based on instinct and data.

Parry encourages educational leaders to be contrarian and challenge the status quo, advocating for innovative approaches and thinking outside the box. He urges leaders to be proactive in making necessary changes and not to wait when they see opportunities for improvement. Parry concludes by highlighting the vital role educational leaders play in shaping the future generation and driving positive change in the field of education.

NTA announces Abu Dhabi as new examination centre for JEE Main 2024

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November 21, 2023

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that Abu Dhabi will be the new examination centre for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2024. NTA received a request from the Ambassador of India, Abu Dhabi to support the student community of the city.

As per the official notification of the agency website, “Based on the request of the Ambassador of India, Abu Dhabi to support the student community of the city, it has been decided to add Abu Dhabi as an examination city for the JEE (Main) – 2024.”

United Arab Emirates cities Dubai and Sharjah are currently serving as exam locations for the JEE (Main) 2024.

During the correction period, candidates who have already completed the application form can change the city of examination. In due order, the corrective period’s schedule will be announced.

November 1, 2023 marked the start of the JEE Main online registration period, which will end on November 30, 2023. The deadline for completing a successful fee transaction is November 30, 2023. You can pay the costs with a credit card, debit card, UPI, or Net-Banking.

Education Ministry sets 100 crore to introduce Vedas and Indian languages in curriculum

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November 21, 2023

Union Pradhan Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that the Centre has set Rs 100 crore for the projects aimed at launching Vedas and Indian languages in the curriculum.

Students who qualifies for Class X (Veda Bhushan) and Class XII (Veda Vibhushan) examinations offered by Vedic Boards will now be eligible to join any higher education institution including medicine and engineering colleges.

This choice was made in response to the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), a government-designated organization, recently deciding to acknowledge Vedic education.

Students from Bharatiya Siksha Board (BSB), Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Sanskrit Shiksha Board (MSRVSSB), and Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved Vidya Pratisthan (MSRVVP), which are Vedic boards, will gain from the decision as they won’t have to take an additional National Open Schooling Examination exam.

Pradhan emphasized how we may advance social justice, women’s empowerment, and women-led development by absorbing the knowledge, values, and message of the Vedas during the Saturday Sanskrit translation of Laxmi Puran’s release at Central Sanskrit University.

He hoped that the University will make an effort to introduce Sanskrit and other Indian languages, literature, and traditions to younger generations.

Also Read | Dharmendra Pradhan announces Incubation Centre at IIM Sambalpur

The famous saint poet Balaram Das wrote the devotional lyrical poetry Laxmi Puran at Puri, Odisha, in the fifteenth century. Because of his “magnum opus,” or “Ramayan” in Odiya, Balaram Das is referred to as the “Balmiki” of Odisha. He is a writer of Odiya literature from the ‘Panchasakha’ period, which is renowned for encouraging devotion and Brahma Jnana.

Resecurity signs MoU with University of Jeddah to enhance cybersecurity education

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November 20, 2023

Resecurity has announced a partnership with the University of Jeddah to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity talent and foster capacity-building programmes for education.

Resecurity is a global cybersecurity solutions provider protecting major Fortune 100 corporations and government agencies worldwide. With this strategic partnership, University of Jeddah and Resecurity are aiming to enhance cybersecurity education by delivering innovative training programmes and facilitating collaboration in key areas of expertise.

Resecurity and the University of Jeddah recognize that cybersecurity threats are constantly changing, and they want to provide students with the skills they need to handle challenging situations in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber threat intelligence (CTI), digital forensics, and incident response (DFIR). University of Jeddah students will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work directly with industry professionals from Resecurity who possess certifications in CompTIA Security+, CCSP, CISA, CISM, OSCP, CISSP, CTIA, GCIH, and CEH.

The partnership will include the execution of specific training initiatives, the planning of targeted educational workshops, the distribution of software licenses to academic institutions, and the facilitation of student internships. The emphasis on practical experience is intended to close the knowledge gap between academics and practitioners in the field of cybersecurity, protecting businesses and the government from new security threats and problems.

Mohamed Alghamdi, Managing Director, Resecurity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing cybersecurity education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By combining the academic excellence of the University of Jeddah with Resecurity’s industry-leading expertise, we aim to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the evolving challenges in the cybersecurity landscape. We believe that investing in education is key to building a resilient and secure digital future, and this collaboration exemplifies our commitment to that vision.”

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, this partnership represents a shared vision between Resecurity and the University of Jeddah to support the training of cybersecurity professionals and provide a safe digital environment.

IIT Madras signs MoU with SRIHER to announce MD-PhD Dual Degree

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November 18, 2023

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) to offer a postgraduate medical programme — MD-PhD Dual Degree.

SRIHER will grant this postgraduate medical degree, and the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras will confer a PhD. Experts will focus on fundamental clinical, multidisciplinary, and translational research as a result of this collaboration.

The MD-PhD dual degree program aims to develop highly skilled research scientists who would spearhead India’s medical and health sector’s journey toward self-sufficiency. The program will begin to run in the upcoming academic year.

Postgraduate students who are interested in pursuing a PhD and have been admitted to SRIHER through NEET will apply to the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras for the PhD programme at the end of their second year. The Department of Medical Sciences and Technology will choose candidates for the PhD program in accordance with established protocol.

According to the official release, “The MD-PhD graduates, who are known as ‘Physician-Scientists’ are very few. However, a remarkable 37 per cent of the Nobel Prizes in Physiology have been awarded to them. Physician-Scientists establish cause-and-effect relationships such as smoking and cancer and sugar and diabetes.”

Salesforce collaborates with Ministry of Education to skill 1,00,000 students by 2026

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November 17, 2023

Salesforce has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to train and skill 1 lac students by 2026. The students will be trained through Salesforce’s online learning platform – Trailhead on Salesforce skills.

Salesforce, an American cloud-based software company that offers CRM software and apps for sales, customer support, marketing automation, e-commerce, analytics, and application development.

The curriculum for training the students will be made available with nationally recognized, industry-relevant course content for the National Occupation Standards. Along with job connections to Salesforce partners and clients seeking to acquire Salesforce-skilled people, it also contains training modules for instructors. In order for the students to profit from these programs, the Trailhead Module will be customized in accordance with the requirements of the programs offered by the Ministry of Education and other connected departments, organizations, and agencies.

“The Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education has decided to offer industry-related courses on the SWAYAM platform in collaboration with Salesforce with an objective to increase the employability of the students. By combining our resources, expertise, and network, we can create a comprehensive program that empowers students with the skills they need to succeed in the job market. I believe that this collaboration will not only benefit individual students but also contribute to the overall growth of any person participating in these courses,” said Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

A new cloud technology development program was introduced by PwC India in March of this year. It is an 18-month (three semester) credit course that focuses on Salesforce training and is targeted at post-graduates (B.Tech and M.Tech students) and third-year computer engineering graduates. The program’s objective is to give students skills that are applicable in a digital economy and ready for the future. 500 students will be enrolled in the program in its initial phase at five regional engineering institutes, according to a statement from PwC, which did not identify any of these institutions.

Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy suggests $1 billion annual expenditure to train school students

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November 16, 2023

Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy proposes $1 billion a year to train school teachers by 10,000 retired highly accomplished teachers. He also emphasised the need to increase the salaries of teachers and researchers in India, reported PTI.

He further said, “We must show much respect and pay better salaries to our teachers and researchers. We must also provide better facilities to our researchers. We must honour them. They are role models for our youngsters.”

Over a 20-year period, the teacher training program will cost about $20 billion. According to Narayana Murthy, considering India’s planned GDP of USD five trillion, the expense of a 20-year training program won’t be a significant financial hardship for the nation.

Murthy also advocated the establishment of 2,500 “train the teacher” institutes. To expand the implementation of the “National Education Policy,” he proposed bringing 10,000 retired, exceptionally accomplished STEM instructors from the developed world and India to join these colleges.

250,000 primary school teachers and 250,000 secondary school teachers will be trained under this program, ensuring that they are annually prepared for the difficulties that lie ahead in the field of education. Over the course of five years, teachers who receive training under this program can advance to become trainers.

He further stated, “Experts tell me that each set of four trainers can train 100 primary school teachers and 100 secondary school teachers a year. We will be able to train 250,000 primary school teachers and 250,000 secondary school teachers every year by this method.”

Arada partners with Innoventures Education to launch k-12 international school in Sharjah

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November 16, 2023

Arada partners with Innoventures Education

Arada has announced partnership with Innoventures Education to bring new K-12 international school at the Aljada megaproject in Sharjah. The school will have the capacity of 2,000 students and will provide studies in American and IB curricula.

The school will be the first in Sharjah operated by Innoventures Education. Situated on a 480,000 square foot area to the northwest of the megaproject, it is near residential neighborhoods, the Arada CBD business park, and the Zaha Hadid Associates-designed Madar family entertainment zone. Beginning in 2024, construction is expected to be completed by the time the school’s first students arrive for the 2026–2027 school year.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO, Arada said, “We are determined to bring services and facilities representing an exceptional level of quality to the community at Aljada, and this partnership is ample proof of this approach. We look forward to working closely with Innoventures Education to deliver a high-class school that adds to Sharjah’s impressive list of academic institutions.”

Poonam Bhojani, CEO, Innoventures Education also expressed her views and said, “We’re delighted to take our first step into Sharjah at Aljada, where we will establish a new centre of educational excellence. Our mission is to empower students with a holistic, rigorous, and international education for success in an ever-changing world. Our partnership with Arada will allow us to offer that winning proposition to a new generation of learners in Sharjah.”

Raffles World Academy, Raffles International School, Collegiate International School, and nine Raffles Early Childhood Centers (ECC) are among the five schools that Innoventures Education oversees. The organization was founded in 2004. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has recognized DIA Emirates Hills as the first and only IB continuum school that is rated Outstanding. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Order of Merit for Sports Education School was recently given to DIA Emirates Hills, a royal recognition of the sports-oriented culture of Innovative Education schools. These schools educate more than 9,000 students from more than 120 countries under the direction of a committed team of 1,500 international instructors and support staff.

The Innoventures Education school will be the second of Aljada’s three schools. Growing income levels, a sizable expat community, and an increase in Emirati demand are the main factors driving the need for private schools in Sharjah, according to top global strategy consulting firm L.E.K Consulting.

The school will have two swimming pools, an athletic track and pit, basketball and tennis courts, climate-controlled gymnasiums, and a full-sized football field, among other top-notch amenities. In addition, students will have access to dynamic outdoor learning areas, a library, science, design, and technology labs, visual and performing arts studios, a media and recording lab, Arabic and Islamic study rooms, and an auditorium.

Revolutionising Education at INTI: Blended Learning, Gamification, and Global Engagement

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November 16, 2023

With the growing importance of data-driven decision-making across industries, programmes related to data science, machine learning, and data analytics will be introduced, shared Dr. Subashini K Rajanthran, Director of Teaching and Learning Centre, INTI International University, Malaysia in an exclusive interaction with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network. Edited excerpts:

Your university provides courses in all areas from business to multimedia designs. Is there any plan to introduce some new courses as per the current demand of the education ecosystem?

Yes, definitely, with the growing importance of data-driven decision-making across industries, programmes related to data science, machine learning, and data analytics will be introduced.

Additionally, with cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, courses in cybersecurity and ethical hacking have already been introduced. As for AI and Machine Learning applications, these are also expanding rapidly. Some of the new programmes or major areas at INTI are: Data Science and Analytics, Cybersecurity and AI & Machine Learning. In addition, as the healthcare sector increasingly relies on informatics for data management, at INTI we have also recently introduced the Master’s in Healthcare Management.

Southeast Asia, with over 12 million students in 7,000+ higher learning institutions, prioritises education. What suggestions do you have for other regions to strengthen their education systems?

We should embrace the evolving landscape of the new educational era. Our programs should transition away from traditional delivery methods and instead cater to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as working adults. In essence, we should prioritise flexible educational modes. It is imperative that we explore the expansion of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), Micro-Credential Courses (MCC), Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and work-based learning options.

What strategies do you employ to assess and measure the effectiveness of teaching and learning initiatives at INTI International University?

These strategies are in place, and they reflect some of the practices at INTI International University:

1. Student Feedback and Surveys: Collect feedback from students through surveys and evaluations to gauge their satisfaction with courses, instructors, and learning experiences. Analyse the feedback to identify areas for improvement. (Survey on students feedback on their LMS, Survey on Students’ perception of courses, Survey Students’ evaluation on Staff Teaching, and a general survey called INTI Listens).

2. Assessment of Learning Outcomes: Assess whether students are achieving the intended learning outcomes through the OBE Dashboard analysis. Here, every student’s learning outcomes are analysed and students will receive their own “Report Card” at the end of the semester. Benchmark for learning outcome attainment is set at 75%.

3. Programme and Course Review Taskforce: Established to regularly review and evaluate the quality and relevance of course content, instructional materials, and assessments.

4. Classroom Observation and Peer Assessment: Encourage peer assessment among lecturers to promote reflection on their own learning and the learning of their peers. Conduct classroom observations by performance managers to assess teaching methods, classroom dynamics, and the application of effective pedagogical strategies.

5. Alumni Surveys: Conduct surveys of graduates to gather information on their career success, job placement, and the relevance of their education to their professions.

6. Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Encourage faculty and instructors to engage in continuous professional development to stay updated on best practices in teaching and learning.

7. Innovative Teaching Methods: Sharing Sessions innovative teaching methods and technologies, such as flipped classrooms, online simulations, or gamified learning, and assess their impact on student engagement and learning outcomes.

How does INTI International University support professional development for faculty members to stay updated with best practices in teaching and learning?

These are some ways that we support professional development among out staff

1. Workshops and Seminars: Offer regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various aspects of teaching and learning. These sessions can cover pedagogical techniques, technology integration, assessment methods, research and publication.

2. Sharing Sessions/Brown Bag sessions: Encourage faculty members to collaborate and share best practices with their peers.

3. Training on Demand Videos: Create an online repository of training videos and best practices related to teaching and learning. Ensure that faculty members have easy access to these materials anywhere, anytime, anyplace. This is especially for those staff who are unable to attend physical training.

4. International Guest Speakers/Lectures: Invite guest speakers and subject matter experts to deliver lectures, workshops, or webinars on relevant topics in education or any programme specific training, at the same time encouraging internationalisation.

5. Conferences: INTI University organises 4 international conferences annually; International Higher Education Conference (March) , International Green and Sustainability Management Conference (June), International Conference on Innovation and Technopreneurship (Sept) and Asian Social Business Conference (Nov). Faculty attendance at professional conferences and educational events, where they can network, learn from experts, and stay updated on industry trends are highly encouraged.

6. Research Grants: Internal Seed Grants are offered and incentives for faculty members to engage in research related to teaching and learning. Encourage the dissemination of research findings through Knowledge Transfer Projects.

7. Technology Training: Provide training in the use of educational technologies, learning management systems, and digital tools that enhance teaching and student engagement.

8. Professional Memberships: Faculty members are strongly encouraged to obtain memberships in professional organisations and associations related to their disciplines and teaching fields. Membership fees are borne by the university.

9. Teaching and Learning Centers: This centre provides resources, consultations, and workshops related to T&L.

What innovative teaching and learning strategies or technologies have you implemented or plan to implement to enhance the educational experience for INTI’s students?

Some of the innovative teaching and learning strategies and technologies include: Blended Learning, Online Collaborative Tools, Global Learning (outbound study), Gamification in selected courses, Open access textbooks, e-books.

How do you see collaborative platforms like the World Education Summit contributing towards the growth of the education ecosystem?

This collaborative education platform brings together a diverse array of education professionals, administrators, policymakers, and experts, from across the globe, for knowledge sharing. It is also great for networking and forging partnerships within the education sector. It gives participants the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, educational institutions, and organisations, fostering potential collaborations, research ventures, and agreements for sharing educational resources.

Sharjah Education Academy partners with Cambridge to establish Professional Development Centre

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November 9, 2023

Sharjah Education Academy (SEA) collaborated with Cambridge International Education (a part of the University of Cambridge) to establish the Cambridge Professional Development Centre.

The learning community in Sharjah and the UAE will have access to a variety of excellent professional development possibilities thanks to this exclusive relationship in Sharjah.

The center will provide Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Teaching Bilingual Learners, and Teaching with Digital Technologies Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications. Each four-month program is designed to fulfill the professional development requirements of educators and school administrators in Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates. Practitioners who have received accreditation and complete training deliver the programs.

The Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications are intended to support the professional development of both domestic and foreign educational institutions while also improving the quality of instruction. Additionally, they set global standards for professional development that result in worthwhile certification and advancement.

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