Private Varsities, an abode of Innovation

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May 13, 2014

India is among the youngest countries in the world, with every third person being a youth. This young population is the reason why economists and policy leaders are optimistic about India’s future, and youth is expected to drive the country forward.

Though India set up centers of excellence after independence to nurture its young, their rising numbers surpassed the seats available in these institutes. The situation now is such that only those with more than 90 percent can hope to get an admission in the premier colleges. The solution to this, as proposed by educationists, is allowing private players to set up Private or Deemed Universities.

It is only in the last ten years that the sector has attracted significant capital. In fact, the Indian educational landscape today is dotted with Private Universities, many having achieved acclaim for raising the bar for educational standards.

The journey cannot be completed without the inevitable support from the Private and Deemed Universities. Equipped with the global best practices, technology-enabled pedagogy and linkages with the industry, Private Universities have the potential to take the Indian higher education system to new heights.

With this background, we have come up with a special edition on Private Universities. This issue highlights the viewpoints of Vice Chancellors and Chairman of various Private Universities on the key issues plaguing the education sector and the opportunities to address these. The issue also carries a special feature on new IITs and a course curriculum on Fashion Designing.

We are also proud to announce the fourth edition of World Education Summit (WES) 2014 (http://wes.eletsonline.com/), scheduled for August 2014, New Delhi. This will carry forward the incredible success of the 2013 Summit. This year, the Summit will highlight innovations and best practices in the education sector. The Summit will gather together ministers, policy makers of education from various countries, stakeholders from civil society organisations, educationists, academia, corporate houses, international and national developmental organizations, donor agencies and decision-makers from the education industry. It will aim at enriching global efforts towards an inclusive education and analyzing the role of governments in the development and implementation of education policies.

We hope to have you at this year’s WES, where education leaders from around the globe are expected to gather. The conferences, exhibition, workshops and the award ceremony at the WES will provide a wonderful opportunity to stakeholders in the field of education, all over the world, to create opportunities of progress at all levels, namely – global, national, and regional.

I invite all to join in this platform and be a part of the resurgence in the education sector.

Fashion Designing: blend of talent and glamour

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 13, 2014

“In the fashion industry we require students who are passionate about their future and are not afraid to take the road not taken. It is also important to have a positive attitude in addition to a desire to excel” Sanyogeitaa Chadha, Head of the Department of Fashion Design, Pearl Academy.

What is the current market trend of Fashion Designing studies in India?

Gone are the days when Fashion designing was considered as soft option for making a career or livelihood. It is a tough business now and there are numerous players in the market who are not only very well established but also making their presence felt in international markets.

Additionally, with plethora of career avenues in the domain of lifestyle services or products, such as, Product Management, Brand Management, Marketing Consultancy, Sales & Marketing and Retail Management among many others, the courses in fashion offers students with comparatively higher paid job opportunities in the rapidly growing luxury and retail spaces. So, it’s not just about fashion any more. The specialized courses that offer entry to the related business of fashion industries are in demand more than ever.

Please share about the various programmes structured in your institute?

At Pearl Academy, we believe that students need to have a clear vision about their future, honing their skills are our responsibility. We provide students with focused career related courses which empower students to gain expertise in the field of their choice.
Pearl Academy has innovative Under-graduate courses such as Design, Fashion, Interior Architecture & Design, Fashion Business Management, Communication Design and Luxury Brand Management among many others. In addition to which the institute also provides a range of Post graduate diploma courses and masters courses for students to choose from.
In the duration of their course, the institute hones creativity, innovation and judgment along with intellectual acumen to formulate, develop and communicate conceptual arguments rooted in the context of their related fields. Students are trained to develop into budding professionals who understand their field well.

All Under-graduate courses at Pearl Academy are for duration of 4 years and are validated by Nottingham Trent University (NTU), UK. Also, the Masters courses with duration of 2 years are validated by NTU. Domus Academy, Milan, validates all post-graduate diploma courses both for 1 year and 2 years duration. The courses are further divided in course modules where students are trained in specific areas of their courses.

For whom is the programmed best suited and what are the key skills that you sought in a candidate?

Professional courses require students to be highly proactive and in alignment with latest business trends. It is necessary for our students to have the basic level of communication skills which is later polished to prepare them for the industry that they choose to have a career in. Students at Pearl Academy also have expert analytical and computational skills in addition to observational skills which help them become efficient time managers. The candidates must have an innate ability to learn and unlearn. Our faculty molds the students through a continuous process of exposing them to innovation complemented by rigorous practical application.

We look for students who are passionate about their future and are not afraid to take the road not taken. It is important to have a positive attitude in addition to a desire to excel.

What is the scope for Fashion Designing in India?

With the rising standard of living and awareness of designer clothes or stylish clothes in India, the demand of fashion designing professionals is certainly there and will be there. However, looking at the current scenario of fashion industry which is witnessing an aggressive and more robust approach from foreign brands to create distinction in the consumer market, I think the designers need to explore these new opportunities as well. The more diversity you offer to your consumers, more delightful you will make them. For instance, being a designer you aspire to have your own label which has the essence of your soul creativity in that. But, to foray into parallel domains such as collaboration with retail houses, designing accessories, or say exploring foreign shores is not a bad idea.

TERI University introduces department of regional water studies

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 12, 2014

TERI University in collaboration with Coca-Cola Foundation will launch the department of regional water studies. The department is to be name “Coca-Cola Department of Regional Water Studies”, It will examine water issues in an interdisciplinary framework, bringing cultural, educational and scientific factors as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal institutional and economic dimensions towards a better and holistic approach in water management.

Arun Kansal, professor and head, Coca-Cola department of regional water studies, TERI, University stated that, apart from the academic value-addition, the department would help strengthen regional co operation around water resources by establishing networks of water management
The courses which will be offered are water quantity and resource assessment, water quality and treatment methods, water economics and financial management, water law, policy and governance and sustainability aspects.
After completion of the course students have the scope to serve in MNCs, NGOs, consultancies, grass root organizations and research institutes.

IIT Bombay launches MOOCs

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 12, 2014

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), for the first time launches massive open online course (MOOC) in three courses. The session for two of the courses i.e. Introduction to Computer Programming (part one) and Thermodynamics will commence from July while the third course, Introduction to Computer Engineering (part two) will begin from September.

Professor Deepak Phatak, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay stated that the MOOCs will allow students to learn anything from anywhere at a convenient speed.

The courses will be delivered in sessions grouped into several themes or topics. Each session will be made up to two to four 15-20 minutes episode. Each episode will consist of a video recorded lecture of about eight to ten minutes which will be followed by some problem solving and quizzes.

There will be additional reading material, references which the participants can use for greater clarity, if required. Plans are also on to introduce regular interactive sessions through discussion forums, video conferencing and other such technologies.

Osmania University degrees blacklisted in UAE, Iran

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 9, 2014

Several countries in West Asia have blacklisted Osmania University and do not recognize the certificate issued by it to students of both distance education and regular stream.

Many students including foreigners have been refused jobs in the United Arab Emirates and Iran. A Dubai based recruitment agency stated that, OU is blacklisted because those who completed the distance education course pass themselves off as regular day scholars at the varsity. Moreover, these students do not have the basic standards required to perform well in a job.

Disappointed students are of the view that their fate is sealed due to the same certificates issued for both distance and regular courses. While on the other hand OU authorities stated that, they are not aware of the blacklisting by UAE and according to the requirement of these countries, they will distinguish between the regular and distance mode courses in the certificates issued for the benefit of the students.

Petition seeking pre-school education in govt schools filed in Madras high court

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 9, 2014

A petition has been filed in Madras high court asking the Tamil Nadu government to include pre-school education in government schools. They are seeking to introduce LKG and UKG in the government schools.

The additional government pleader Sanjay Gandhi took notice, when petition by Parents Union for Students Educational Rights in Virudhachalam came up for the hearing before a bench comprising of Justice R Sudhakar and Justice K K Sasidharan.

The petition submitted stated that, most of the nursery or kindergarten schools were being run by private agencies or voluntary organizations which charge very high fees. As a result children belonging to the rural and poor families do not enjoy the benefits of these pre- schools. So the petitioner has sought direction to the school education authorities to include it in government run schools.

The Booming Industry of Fashion Designing

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 8, 2014

“Apart from basic qualifications, one of the key aspects that a student much have is passion for fashion and a desire to succeed”, says Meghna Ghai Puri, President of Whistling Woods International.

What is the current market trend of Fashion Designing studies in India?

In a highly competitive 21st century market, competence alone can no longer guarantee sustained success to a professional. The fashion industry is no exception to this trend. The Indian Fashion Industry is evolving and so are the opportunities to make a career in this industry. People are realizing the importance of professional training before entering the business. Along with fashion designing, niche subjects like fashion forecasting, fashion merchandising, pattern making & illustration, fashion marketing, fashion writing, and celebrity styling too are gaining popularity.

Please share about the various programmes structured in your institute?

The two-year Diploma in Fashion provides an all-round knowledge in every aspect of Fashion, Design & Business, as well as opens avenues to the many fast growing & multiple career options in the industry, apart from creative design. Keeping in mind the latest trends, we have introduced specialized courses like Celebrity Styling for Films and Television, Draping, Pattern Making and Apparel Construction, and Digital Fashion Using CAD, and Illustration. Other weekend short programmes include Fashion Marketing, Pattern drafting and sewing techniques, Couture finishing and customization, Fashion writing, Personal Styling And Grooming, Fashion Photography, and Fashion Hair and Make Up. We will soon be introducing more of such unique long-term and short-term programmes.

For who is the programmed best suited and what are the key skills that you look for in a candidate?

Apart from basic qualifications, one of the key aspects we look for in our candidates is a passion for fashion and a desire to succeed. Apart from just academics, we look at what students have done with respect to extra-curricular activities. The school provides good exposure to students at an early stage and hence we need to ensure that the candidates we take will make the most of it and be great flag-bearers for the school in the long run.

What is the scope for Fashion Designing in India?

India is now the centre of attraction and several international brands are putting up stores across the country and putting Indian consumers on global platform. The sector is seeking a talented workforce. A student of fashion groomed correctly can get placed under various streams, depending on his/her interest and expertise. The entry-level salary can range anywhere between Rs. 15,000-25,000 per month. Free lancers can make anywhere between Rs. 5,000-15,000 per day depending on the chosen stream. Further success and growth depends on each individual’s hard work and talent; the sky is the limit in this industry.

Ryan International School (ICSE), Malad awarded NABET accreditation

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 8, 2014

Ryan International School (ICSE), Malad is the Ryan Group’s second school to receive the coveted NABET (National Accreditation Board for Education Training) Accreditation. The school was awarded for the Quality School Governance Accreditation for Quality School Governance System.

The school was assessed by NABET on 50 parameters for the accreditation, including governance, educational and support processes, curriculum, examination and assessments, financial resources, infrastructure, health and safety etc.

Ryan International (ICSE), Malad has the distinction of being one of the very few schools in India to receive the accreditation standard by the Quality Council of India this year. Snehal Pinto, Director, Ryan Group received the accreditation certificate at the National Quality Conclave conducted by Quality Council of India from Mr Amarjit Singh, Additional Secretary, MHRD at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Grace Pinto, Managing Director, Ryan International Group of Institutions expressed her happiness and gratitude on receiving the accreditation and thanked the almighty and also appreciated the dedication of the staff and support, parents and well wishers

VIT University students create robot to climb up and down the stairs

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digitalLEARNING Network

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May 8, 2014

Students of VIT University in Vellore have come up with a new creation of an autonomous robot that can climb up and down the stairs. With the purpose to deliver packages in multi-storey buildings, the students have developed this robot. Since multi-storey buildings require number of human couriers to transfer files and packages, so using a robot to perform the task would reduce the cost operations of businesses housed in such buildings.

Two final year students from the school of electrical engineering developed this robot under the guidance of faculty member Mathew Mithra Noel.

The students stated that to create such a robot is a challenge, since it has to climb up and down the stairs without falling while simultaneously following a line on the floor for guidance.

The robot has been build at a cost of Rs 25,000 with an additional Rs 12,000 for manufacturing. It is based on a supervised model. The Chancellor of VIT, G Viswanathan stated that the university is open to encourage its students to invest and become entrepreneurs.

VIT University students create robot to climb up and down the stairs

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

May 8, 2014

Students of VIT University in Vellore have come up with a new creation of an autonomous robot that can climb up and down the stairs. With the purpose to deliver packages in multi-storey buildings, the students have developed this robot. Since multi-storey buildings require number of human couriers to transfer files and packages, so using a robot to perform the task would reduce the cost operations of businesses housed in such buildings.

Two final year students from the school of electrical engineering developed this robot under the guidance of faculty member Mathew Mithra Noel.

The students stated that to create such a robot is a challenge, since it has to climb up and down the stairs without falling while simultaneously following a line on the floor for guidance.

The robot has been build at a cost of Rs 25,000 with an additional Rs 12,000 for manufacturing. It is based on a supervised model. The Chancellor of VIT, G Viswanathan stated that the university is open to encourage its students to invest and become entrepreneurs.

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