Haryana’s Governor Appreciates MRCE Students’ innovations at the IITF

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November 28, 2013

Engineering students from Manav Rachna College of Engineering (MRCE) and Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Manav Rachna International University (MRIU) once again bagged an opportunity to showcase their selective unique innovations at the Haryana Pavilion-India International Trade Fair (IITF) inaugurated today in the capital city. Shri Jagannath Pahadia, the Governor of Haryana, on visiting the MRIU’s stall, congratulated them and appreciated their innovative concepts.

The students are displaying some of their most innovative project that have won laurels nationally and internationally namely, Driver Fitness Tester, Smart Skull Device, Pick n Place Robot, Tractrobot and The Blind Man’s Stick. These models are designed keeping in mind human interest and will be of help to the general public in some way or the other. On the accomplishment, Prashant Bhalla, Chancellor-MRIU, said “It is indeed a moment of pride for us to be a part of the International Trade Fair. This is the second time that we have been chosen by the Haryana Government to be a part of their pavilion and showcase the contribution that we intend to make towards society”. “A platform of this stature to showcase talent motivates students to do better each time they target something”, adds Bhalla.

The model ‘Blind Man’s Stick’ being the limelight of the pavilion has been specially devised for the visually impaired. It is fitted with a sound alarm, a voice navigator and an emergency SMS service. It is powered by GPS through smart phone. In fact, it can integrate with smart phone to provide voice based navigation for predetermined locations. The user can program the stick for various locations with its inbuilt Braille signals. On display at the stall was also a ‘Smart Bin’ which produces social messages when trash is thrown inside and encourages people to put all the garbage in the dustbin rather than on the floor. Another functional item was the ‘Pills Box’ designed to help patients take the right dose of medicine at the right time through audio visual reminders. The Pills Box is USB & Bluetooth Compatible and its scheduling can be done using Smartphone Application or PC.

‘Driver Fitness Tester’ is another innovation that caters to the much needed concentration on averting road accidents. The device assesses the driver’s ability to drive through the following, heartbeat pulse rate sensor, alcohol detector sensor, weight sensor and seatbelt sensor. If any of the tests result for the above shows positive, the car would not start. The installation of the device in the car is very economical, convenient and no huge alteration in the design of the car is required. The device’s usage is not only restricted for cars, it can also be alternately installed in buses, trucks, bikes/scooters and even in offices to keep a check on the employees. At the stall, ‘Pick n Place’ robot also garnered much attention What set the Pick ‘N’ Place robot apart was the fact that its arm could move 180 degree in both vertical and horizontal axis with a capacity to lift 500 gms of weight. It could perform autonomous operations like delivering documents and serving drinks.

‘Smart Skull’ is a life saving ‘in-helmet’ device for motor bikers and has a crash detection system which is paired with the rider’s smart phone. In emergence of an accident or crash, the device gets activated and through the smart phone can automatically make a call to the victim’s family/relatives and thus can inform them about the mishap. The ultra-light weight device consumes minimum power of about 3.3 volt and is equipped for an impact detection of up to 200 gm force. The device would help in decreasing the mortality rate and neurological disabilities relating to traumatic brain injury from road accidents as a result of inadequate safety protocol. The application has bluetooth connectivity, cloud connectivity, GPS interaction, sensor device communication, past history availability and user authentication too.

MHRD to Provide for 5000 Faculty Positions in Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 28, 2013

The Ministry of Human Resource Development proposes to provide for 5000 faculty positions in the higher education under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) during the current Five Year Plan, ending 2017. Support will be provided to fill positions in the category of Assistant Professors or equivalent cadre against vacancies. A fixed amount of Rs 5.8 lakh per year for each faculty position will be given by the Centre and any excess over and above this amount due to higher scales, grade pay or DA increase has to be borne by the State Government. The 99,000 crore rupee programme was approved by the Union Cabinet last month to boost the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 30% by 2020 from the present about 19%.

All the State universities will be eligible to receive grants under this programme. The recruitment process will have to adhere to UGC norms and regulations. The funding priorities are as follows:

• Commitments of States to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme (after 5-8 years, depending on the year in which such positions are sanctioned).

• Priority will be given to those states where more recruitment has taken place in the universities and colleges during the last 3 years.

• Lowest number of unfilled faculty positions.

• Better student-teacher ratio.

• Priority will be given to new institutions.

• Second priority shall be given to those states which have a faculty-student ratio between 15:1 to 20:1.

• States with more than 20:1 ratio will have to first commit to sanction and fill positions to bring down the faculty-student ratio ration to 20:1.

Chennai to host Worlds Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) 2014

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November 27, 2013

Rajalaskmi Institutions, Chennai has won the bid to host Worlds Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) 2014 at Chennai. There are 371 Teams from 49 countries participating for the championship.

With its emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, independent research and teamwork, debate teaches skills that serve the urban youth well in school, in the workplace, in political life and in fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens of democratic societies. For many, debate tournaments are a rare opportunity to connect intellectually with their peers and to have their ideas about important
issues considered seriously by adults.

Last year WUDC 2013 was held at Berlin, Germany and the coming year – Malaysia has won the bid to host WUDC 2015 in their country. This year Rajalaskhmi Institutions has won the bid to host the WUDC 2014 here in Chennai from December 29th, 2013 to January 2, 2015. Students from Oxford, Harvard and Yale to participate in the British Parliamentary Debating format here in Chennai.

RUSA gives a hope to North East

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November 27, 2013

States like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura have very few universities, colleges and institutes offering higher and professional education. The thick forest and lack of proper funding make things even more difficult for improving higher education system in these regions. These were some of the grievances raised at the recently All-India conference of higher education ministers on the Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). It is a tedious job to set up a college in these areas which is 60% covered by forest. Moreover it requires atleast two years to get approval for the land and the state government has to pay the market value for it, says Bipradas Palit, director, higher education, Tripura.
RUSA has come up as a ray of hope for various states grappling with the problem of higher education. The flagship scheme focusing on state universities and institutions through a central plan has brought together many stakeholders in higher education from various states. Naxal-affected states and states with a high percentage of SC, ST and tribal population will get the priority in fund allocation under RUSA.

Universities of UK campaign to attract Indian students

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November 27, 2013

The universities of UK are attracting Indian students to study in UK by launching a film on the process of applying for higher education in the leading universities of UK. The film aims to break the myth of both prospective international students and their parents about application process and the UK’s student visa system.
The film is a joint collaboration between the universities of UK, the British Council in Delhi and the home office for studies. It is made by the Indian filmmaker Ravi Lehki and directed by Nichola Carslaw an experienced BBC journalist and commissioned by The University of Sheffield. The film features two Indian students who are applying for student visa for higher education in UK. The film shows the student’s aspirations to study in UK and parent’s apprehensions for their children’s well being in a foreign country. At present both the Indian students are pursuing their education in the UK. The film will be made available to Indian students and their families via YouTube and through links from UK university websites, as well as from those of partner organizations.

HRD Minister proposes higher investment in education

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November 27, 2013

Emphasis should be given to substantially step up private and public investment in higher education and optimally utilize the resources to improve the quality of education, said Pallam Raju, Union Minister for Human Resource Development at the All India conference of higher education ministers. The minister also said that the state investment on higher education should be increased from 18%to 25% of the budget on education.
Talking about the new initiative Rashtriya Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the minister said that under the scheme greater autonomy would be provided to the state and central universities and colleges for equity based development and improvement in teaching and research. About 300 universities and 8,500 colleges would be covered under the scheme with 90% of funding from the central government to some of the needy states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, North east states and Uttarakhand and 65% to other states and Union territories.
Addressing the conference, R.V.Deshpande, Minister of Higher education of Karnataka said that the states should formulate the perspective plan to qualify for the RUSA funding scheme which is an opportunity to set up more universities. He further added, RUSA fund should be used for introducing innovative projects in higher education.

HRD Minister asks Industry to Join Hands to Boost Skill Development

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 27, 2013

The HRD Minster Dr MM Pallam Raju has asked the industry to participate more vigorously with government in skill development. Speaking at a conference on Government public initiative for skill building in information technology and telecom sector in New Delhi, he said that we have to provide necessary skill to one crore twenty lakh youth joining the work force every year to take full advantage of demographic dividend. He said that Industry has to contribute in achieving the target of skilling 50 crore youth by 2022.

Stressing the need for putting skill in education, he said we need to periodically revise curriculum to make it more industry friendly. Dr Raju said, it will also enhance the employability of our youth and their income. Speaking on the occasion the Communication and Information Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal said there has to be a paradigm shift in our education sector following fast paced technology changes. He said skill requirement cannot be adequately met through usual university system. Asking for a tripartite system for skill development, Sibal said that skill development system needs to work closely with all the sectors of the economy to meet their peculiar requirements.

Pushing for PPP model the Minister said the country has to be ready for cyber space. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary (Higher Education) Ashok Thakur said that all the centrally funded Institutions, right from IIT to polytechnique, will have to co-opt the community colleges to meet skill development at the community level by the end of current five year plan in 2017. Expressing satisfaction over development in community colleges area, he said that funds have been released to 120 community colleges this year. The Secretary said Universities have started implementing National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) guidelines and they will work with 200 medical colleges for skill development.

An MoU was also signed between AICTE and NIELIT – National Institute of Electronics and Information and Information Technology on the occasion to establish a new specialization under the IT/IITs sector of NVEQF namely NIELIT certified IT professional (NCITP). Under NCIPT, the NIELIT O & A level courses are proposed to be aligned to level 5 and level 7 of NVEQF.

The one day conference was organised by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) of Department of Information and Technology.

HRD Minister proposes higher investment in education

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

November 27, 2013

Emphasis should be given to substantially step up private and public investment in higher education and optimally utilize the resources to improve the quality of education, said Pallam Raju, Union Minister for Human Resource Development at the All India conference of higher education ministers. The minister also said that the state investment on higher education should be increased from 18%to 25% of the budget on education.
Talking about the new initiative Rashtriya Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the minister said that under the scheme greater autonomy would be provided to the state and central universities and colleges for equity based development and improvement in teaching and research. About 300 universities and 8,500 colleges would be covered under the scheme with 90% of funding from the central government to some of the needy states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, North east states and Uttarakhand and 65% to other states and Union territories.
Addressing the conference, R.V.Deshpande, Minister of Higher education of Karnataka said that the states should formulate the perspective plan to qualify for the RUSA funding scheme which is an opportunity to set up more universities. He further added, RUSA fund should be used for introducing innovative projects in higher education.

STIR Education Empowers Teachers through National Micro Innovation Selection

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 27, 2013

Twelve of Britain’s leading boarding schools has announced that they have expanded their scholarship offering to more than 7 Crore Rupees for Indian pupils to come to study with them.

Anglo Schools International Services (ASIS), which has pulled this new Federation of British schools together, also announces today that it has reached agreement with Pearson VUE, the global leader in computer based testing, to offer entrance exams for interested pupils in 16 locations across India.

Commenting on today’s announcement, which coincides with the launch of the Anglo Schools website ( www.angloschools.co.uk) , ASIS Principal, David Boddy said: “As the Federation was forming I was hopeful that the UK schools would be generous with the scholarships for Indian youngsters, but I am overwhelmed. The scholarships and other financial help on offer does not just cover one year – it covers all the years the pupil is at the British school. It is an extraordinary opportunity.”

Pupils who wish to compete for the scholarships register via the Anglo Schools website. There is a one-off registration fee of £250 – representing a saving of around 2 Lakhif parents were trying to register independently at each school. The first round of entrance exams, conducted in Pearson VUE test centres, will commence in February and March next year for entry into UK schools in September 2014. Registration is now open to confirm a place at those exams. Scheduling of individual’s exam times will occur in late January.

“ It has never been easier for Indian families to find their way through the entrance procedures. And the reward has never been greater,” said David Boddy.

The schools forming the Federation cover from south to north of England. They are:
Kings College Taunton, Somerset; Warminster School, Wiltshire; St James Senior Boys’ School, Surrey; Farringtons School, Greater London; St Christopher School, Hertfordshire; Langley School, Norfolk; Rendcomb College, Gloucestershire; Bredon School, Gloucestershire; Moreton Hall, Shropshire; Oswestry School, Shropshire; Rishworth School, West Yorkshire and St Bees School, Cumbria.

“British boarding schools have always been located in the most idyllic settings. With first class road and rail networks, all the schools are within easy reach of airports serving India. ASIS will also be providing travel services to help the journeys,” said David Boddy.

Youngsters aged 11, 13 and 16 on or by the 1st September in the year of entry are eligible to apply for scholarships and other financial help at these schools. Fee paying places are also available. The ASIS website gives a full guide to all the schools and the scholarships they are offering.

The website makes the applications process clear and easy and gives details of the entrance examinations. It is expected that 1 in 10 of the applicants could be offered scholarships or a fee paying place.

“ It is really important for people to register early to take these exams,” said David Boddy. “We have a limited number of places and once our limit is reached, we are going to have to stop taking registrations and start forming a waiting list.”

MHRD approves IIT, IIM and 3 central Universities for Seemandhra

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 26, 2013

In the backdrop of the centre’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, HRD Ministry has given its nod for an IIT, an IIM and three central universities among other institutes for the Seemandhra region. The move is aimed at striking a balance between the two regions, Telangana and Seemandhra, in the establishment of premier institutes, though the bigger objective is to ensure that students from both the regions have equal opportunities and can reap maximum benefits.
Approximately Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 crore would be spent for establishment of the institutes in the Seemandhra region. The HRD Ministry has communicated its decision to the Home Ministry, the decision would be placed before the GoM for consideration. The ministry has also cleared an IISER and an IIIT for the region. Different stakeholders have been making representations to GoM for separate institutes for the region as the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh will leave the Seemandhra region without any of the elite higher educational institutes which are mostly concentrated in Hyderabad in the Telangana region.

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