2nd annual ‘Next BIG Idea Contest’ begins

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August 4, 2014

The 2^nd Edition of the Next BIG Idea Contest has been announced by Zone Startups / India, a joint venture between Bombay Stock Exchange Institute and Toronto- based Ryerson Futures Inc, in collaboration with the Government of Ontario, Canada and IBM Global Entrepreneurship Program. The competition seeks to discover India’s 5 most innovative technology companies who are looking to leverage a presence in Ontario, Canada, as a vehicle to expand to North America.

The winners will incubate their company for two weeks in the globally ranked 5 University Business Incubator in the world, the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) at Ryerson University, in Toronto, including flights and hotels. Using the DMZ as a landing pad, the entrepreneurs will receive mentorship, business development advice and valuable international experience. The competition opened online on July 30, 2014 and closes on September 15, 2014.

“We are thrilled with the quality of technology startups applying to be part of the Next Big Idea contest. We strongly believe in the global sharing of experience and networks for success, and look forward to hosting this year’s winners in Toronto.” Says Matt Saunders, President of Ryerson Futures and Zone Startups.

Mr. Ambarish Datta, MD & CEO – BSE Institute Ltd said “As the old saying says – All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come. Through last year’s Big Idea contest we have seen this happen in reality and witnessed some great ideas being transformed into reality at Zone Starups India. This year we hope to identify, encourage and accelerate many more ideas that can potentially change the way we live our lives. I look forward to seeing many bright young minds participate in this year’s Next Big Idea contest”, .

“This contest is an opportunity for best-in-class Indian start-ups to get an introduction to the North American market, and valuable new business connections,” says Jens-Michael Schaal, Senior Economic Officer, Ontario International Marketing Centre. “Ontario is a leader in innovation on the global stage, and we welcome pioneering companies and ideas to add to our innovation ecosystem.” Jens adds.

IBM Global Entrepreneurship Program has extended their partnership to this edition of the Next BIG Idea Contest. “IBM has a deep commitment to the entrepreneurial community, and that prompted us to partner with Zone Startups on the Next BIG Idea contest. Since launching the IBM Global Entrepreneur Program in 2010, IBM has helped launch more than 500 new businesses in key areas such as green energy, health care and transportation. We strongly believe that innovation from the startup community is critical to building a smarter planet”, says K. Radhesh, Country Lead – Global Entrepreneur Program, IBM India.

DU introduces environment science for undergraduates

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August 4, 2014

The University Grants Commission asked Delhi University to introduce environmental science as a compulsory subject for the undergraduate students from this year following a mandate from the apex court.

In 1993, the Supreme Court had directed Delhi University to frame a compulsory core four-credit course for undergraduate programme in the country.

To create awareness among the students about the earth and its resources this subject is necessary, observed MK Pandit, head, department of environment sciences,Delhi University. The courseware is divided into 25 percent for projects and 75 percent of field and theoretical understanding.

The subject will include topics on ecosystem, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, biodiversity and conservation, environmental pollution, environmental policies and practices and human communities and students will be taught through lectures, seminars, video presentations, field visits, excursions, project work, report writing and presentations

Indian-Japan researchers to build Disaster Information Network

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August 4, 2014

Struck by natural disasters in the recent both researchers from India and Japan have joined hands to build an information network to mitigate and recover natural disaster in India.

The five year project DISANET (Information Network for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery in India)which started in 2010 is in its final stage. This Rs 35 crore project is co-founded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japan Science and Technology Agency. In two months the pilot testing is scheduled to begin on Chennai’s Marina Beach.

The project is expected to end in March 2015.

Researchers developing the technical bases for communication are from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH); National Geophysical Research Institute; IIT Kanpur; IIT Madras; International Institute of Information technology; Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad; IMD, Pune, and the University of Tokyo and Keio. This project aims for the immediate rescue and post disaster restoration.

Strong motion sensors have been deployed in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the foothills of the seismically-active Himalayas, while building sensors have been installed in Chandigarh.

1.3 million Minority Students Pursuing Higher Education: Irani

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July 31, 2014

Over 1.3 million students from minority communities are pursuing higher education in India, HRD Minister Smriti Irani has informed the Rajya Sabha. According to findings of an All India Survey on higher education for the year 2011-12, the number of minority students pursuing higher education in the county is 13,22,332, the HRD minister informed Parliament. The information was based on response from 611 universities, 21,443 colleges and 5,542 standalone institutions.

Various measures have been initiated by the ministry like establishment of model degree colleges, women’s hostels and polytechnics in Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) to encourage the minority youth to pursue higher education. The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Minority Affairs ministry have also been implementing various schemes for the upliftment of minority communities, the HRD minister further informed the Parliament.

Institutes like Aligarh Muslim University have also set up centres in places like Mallapuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Kishanganj (Bihar) for more students to get enrolled in higher education. Academies for professional development and training of Urdu medium teachers have also been set up in three central universities which include Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Irani said.

‘Kerala to Become International Education Hub’

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July 31, 2014

The Kerala government is in plans to turn the state into an international education hub, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said. The state government is also in plans to improve the performance of the higher education sector in the state, he added.

Despite Kerala being the highest literate state in the country, its performance in the higher education sector is relatively poor, the CM noted.

Giving autonomous status to colleges is the first step towards bringing changes in the higher education sector and there is need for discussions with experts to further plan on it, he said at a function to announce the autonomous status for the Rajagiri College of Social Science in Cochin on 29 July.

Punjab Signs MoU with NSDC

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July 28, 2014

The Punjab government has entered into a partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to create employment opportunities for the state’s youth by imparting vocational training and making them employable through industrial training inputs and exposure. The state government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect.

The programme assures guaranteed employment to the senior secondary pass-outs of the vocational school, according to an official release. Around 100 schools have been identified where the state is going to initiate exclusive vocational education programmes, the release added. Special vocational education for class 9 to 12 students for the 2014-15 sessions in the state is also going to be included under this partnership.

Keeping in mind the requirements of various industries, the programmes have been prepared by experts from the IITs and IIMs. Teacher requirement guidelines will be set by the NSDC to ensure best-fit candidates with high quality. Each school will get two trades which include health care, IT, retail, automobile, security and beauty and wellness.

MP govt imposes fine on six private medical colleges

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July 28, 2014

The government of Madhya Pradesh has imposed a fine of Rs 13.10 crore on six private medical colleges for allegedly filling the MBBS seats under government quota through the management quota during the 2013-14 academic session.

The complaint was filed by Indore based Dr Anand Rai, and based on it , the Madhya Pradesh Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (MPAFRC) has imposed fine on these colleges for allegedly breaking the rules by filling up 158 seats through management quota, a committee official said.

Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science, Indore has been asked to pay Rs 40 lakh, Chirayu Medical College and Research Centre, Bhopal (Rs 2.25 crore), Index Medical and Research Centre, Indore, (Rs 5.50 crore), L N Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal (Rs 2.45 crore), Peoples College of Medical Science, Bhopal (Rs 2.15 crore) and R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain (Rs 35 lakh).

If the colleges fail to deposit the amount within two months, they will be fined 12 percent interest per annum says MPAFRC Secretary, Dr Sunil Kumar.

He further added that the payable amount by these colleges will be deposited in the Higher Education Loan Fund of the state government which will be utilized to help students who seek loan to pursue higher education.

European Universities Look to Woo Indian Students

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July 28, 2014

In an attempt to attarct Indian students to institutes located in countries across Europe, universities of Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy are now gearing up to offer programmes in English.

US, UK, Australia and Canada have traditionally been the most favoured nations for Indian students to pursue quality higher education due to the presence of top-notch universities, a wide range of courses offered and high paying jobs. The most important factor behind Indian students being attracted to these nations is that the medium of instruction is English, which most Indian students speak fluently.

Universities in most of the European countries like Institut d’etudes Politiques de Paris (Paris Institute of Political Science), ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, are highly rated but not on the radar of Indian students. Most countries are now coming up with the idea of offering English-medium courses which is the result of efforts of different countries to internationalise education, said Naveen Chopra, chairman of overseas educational consultants The Chopras.

Ryan International School launches Kaspersky Kid

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July 26, 2014

Ryan International Group of Institutions has been chosen to support Kaspersky Kids in the campus. The schools will support Kaspersky Lab’s efforts to educate their students to enjoy a safe internet experience. Kaspersky Lab aims to deliver online safety education through various touch points which includes daily blog, online newsletters specially meant for the young audience, training modules which can be monitored by the school’s computer instructor and also on-ground engagement events and contests.

Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, who is also the brand ambassador of Kaspersky Lab, officially launched Kaspersky Kids in the school. He announced the auction of one of his signed cricket bats to support the noble cause of creating awareness among the kids. Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and CEO of Kaspersky, who was also present at the occasion, said that their mission is to save the world from all kinds of cyber threats and he wants to make the Internet the greatest innovation which is safe for everyone.

Speaking on the occasion, Ryan Pinto, CEO, Ryan International Group of Schools, assured that all students across 49 cities in 16 states will be made aware of the merits and demerits of being on the Internet. He further added that children today are prone to playing games on their parents’ smartphones and laptops without the basic knowledge of what to click and what to avoid. So, a basic understanding of the principles of Internet safety is a must for the kids.

Cheap Medical Education in China Attracts Indian Students

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July 25, 2014

China has emerged as a centre of attraction for Indian students who opt to pursue medical education. The reasons could be low grades in competitive exams and availability of limited seats in India. What is attracting students from India is the absence of donation fees and no entrance examination to get admission to colleges in the neighbouring country.

The cost to pursue medical education in China and some other countries like Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Philippines, Georgia, Tazakisthan and Central America is Rs 15–25 lakh.

The selection of candidates is based on their intermediate marks, whereas in India one has to go through a lengthy admission procedure.

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