News and views about the Education in India

Weekly news updates on trends and happenings in the Indian Education scene

Andhra high court asked to clear plea against Muslim quota law

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Andhra Pradesh High Court to dispose of by Oct 31 petitions challenging the state's law for four percent reservation to Muslims in professional and educational institutions.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice R.V. Raveendran issued the directions, adding that in case the high court is not able to adjudicate the petition by Oct 31, it should make some interim arrangements regarding the admission of students in various colleges.

The bench, however, refused to annul its interim Sep 28 order, restraining the government from taking on further admissions of Muslim students against the quota. The Sep 28 order, however, allowed the government to go ahead with the admission of those Muslim students who had already been taken in against the reserved seats.

The court then also sought the state government's explanation for the rationale adopted for listing Muslims within an exclusive sub-category of the socially and educationally backward classes for giving them reservation.

October 13, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

India to teach Afghanis

An Indian educational research organisation has taken the responsibility to train teachers of Afghanistan and help boost its school system as part of India's efforts to rebuild the war-ravaged country.

As many as 40 academicians from Afghanistan are already here attending a 40-day training-cum-workshop at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

Mir Haroon Ahmedi, a member of the delegation, said that with the help of NCERT, they would develop a newly designed Teacher Training Curriculum for their two-year teachers' training programme.

October 11, 2007
Source: educationtimes.com

Quota Law should be equal and fair to all – Supreme Court

The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the centre whether the law providing 27% quota to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has been formulated on the basis of any authentic data on OBC population.

The bench further said there should be equality and fairness in the law. The Bench said traditional occupation by which a person's caste was recognised could not be the ground in the present scenario to identify his or her backwardness.

Responding to this stand, the bench told the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) that the Centre had no data to prove that the OBC strength was either 52% or 41% of the total population.

October 11, 2007
Source: educationtimes.com

Stanford in India

Stanford is soon coming to India. The Stanford School of Engineering, California, plans to hold its first executiveeducation programme titled 'Design, Innovation and Manufacturing' in Pune this month.

The programme will be held from October 15-19 at Tata Management Training Centre (TMTC), which has joined forces with Stanford in the endeavour.  

October 11, 2007
Source: educationtimes.com

India's first high-security lab on infectious organisms coming up

After debating for over two years, the Indian government has approved construction of the country's first high-security facility for handling and doing research with highly infectious organisms causing diseases in humans.

The facility would be set up in Andhra Pradesh, in the "industrial area" about three kilometres from CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology), on a five-acre land given by the state government.

India has a BSL-4 laboratory for handling deadly animal pathogens in Bhopal.

The immediate priorities are HIV that causes AIDS, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, hepatitis and bird flu. The facility would have collaborative programmes with pharmaceutical companies.

The original proposal submitted by CCMB to the government said that "being the first of its kind in India, the BSL-4 facility would be of world class and international standards".

October 11, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

IIT-K to inaugurate country's second 'Digital Innovation Lab'

The country's second Digital Innovation Lab has been established at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) in collaboration with a US and Singapore-based software company 'Autodeck'.

"The lab, which is equipped with modern software and 3D studios, would facilitate the B.Tech, M.Tech and research students in their practicals besides helping them know about various researches from across the globe in the fields of technical education," said K V Satyamurthy, Associate Registrar of IIT-K.

Students can now avail the facilities of latest software tools, graphic work station and 3D studio under a single roof, Satyamurthy added.

October 12, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

Haryana Govt. signs MoU with US-based Montgomery College

The Haryana Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Montgomery College of United States. The US-based College has agreed to provide financial assistance to the universities of Haryana for advancement in the field of higher education.

As per the MoU, Montgomery College will help Haryana universities through the provision of professional development, curriculum sharing, strategic planning, budgeting, institutional advancement, faculty and students' exchange and articulation etc.

The MoU will further help to prepare new curricula for a government polytechnic to be jointly developed in Manesar.

October 13, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

Haryana to provide free computer education to school students

In a bid to raise the computer literacy rate in the state, the Haryana Government will launch a new scheme under which all students of Government-aided schools from class VI to XII will be imparted computer education free of cost.

Education Minister of Haryana Mr. Mange Ram Gupta said that all expenditure for the scheme would be borne by the state government.

Mr. Gupta added that two private service providers will be selected and they would work under the Director, School Education. They would impart computer education in schools both in Hindi and English.

October 10, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

IGNOU to conduct improvement test for academically deprived students

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is soon going to introduce a provision for improvement of students in the bachelor and masters degree courses. The students who did not get first class or second class degrees for few marks would now be able to get it by appearing in a test.

It is a matter of fact that students without first or second divisions face problem in their professional and academic career. Now they would not face any such problem if they score well by appearing for improvement test.

Among other academic improvement initiatives, the IGNOU has already started giving a two percent grace to those students who fail in an examination. The varsity has also introduced a provision for early declaration of results.

October 8, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

Making studies profitable

CII wants greater FDI in higher education, hike in fees and better deal for faculty.

Pushing for greater private sector participation in the sector, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Council for Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER) have now proposed a slew of measures to revitalise the higher education sector. The thrust, undoubtedly, is on capitalising on the opportunities offered by a more liberal and encouraging investment climate.

So, here are the key recommendations of a joint study conducted by CII and ICRIER: facilitate private sector entry; set up a uniform ratings and accreditation system; extend autonomy to institutions in administration and curriculum design; liberalise Foreign Direct Investment in higher education; ensure that the country becomes a global education service provider; rationalise fee structure on the basis of user charges; develop a vibrant credit market to finance higher education; establish world class institutes through greater public investment; make admissions through national-level entrance examinations; and upgrade faculty conditions.

The CII-ICRIER study is confident that the private sector can raise huge funds. It is here that the study makes its incisive comment on “profit” as an incentive for growth.

October 8, 2007
Source: hindu.com

Learning to save lives

Teaching first aid procedures at the school and college level could greatly alter the way people respond to emergency situations and result in more lives saved. With emergency medicine gaining sufficient prominence, several private institutions have started setting up training rooms with mannequins. By simulating real-life situations, doctors, nurses, paramedics and students are encouraged to learn how to handle emergency procedures such as resuscitation, and incidents such as choking and heart failure. Of late, private institutions have begun training even lay people to provide basic life support to prevent unavoidable loss of life.

October 8, 2007
Source: hindu.com

CBSE schools abroad can now fill up registration forms online

In a significant move, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce online registration system for its affiliated schools located outside India. The system will start from the next academic year itself and students who are appearing for the 2008 Board paper can get its benifit.

The CBSE affiliated schools in other countries were earlier facing a lot of difficulties in registering their students. They had to send applications by post which was time taking. Again compiling the data and issuing the admit cards were also being delayed.

As a solution to this problem the CBSE decided to introduce online registration system. Now, from 2008 onwards all affiliated schools outside the countries can apply online which will ensure accuracy and timely receipt in India.

October 8, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net

Animaster to tap Kerala market for animation training

Animaster, a leading animation training academy, has drawn up ambitious plans to tap the Kerala market.

According to Sebastian Thomas, general manager, Animaster, channel development, Kerala is a key market for their national expansion plan.

Students in Animaster are taught the latest technologies in animation like Toon Boom, US Animation, Maya, 3D Max, Combustion and Adobe After Effects, along with executing live international projects.

Animaster has collaborated with Algonquin College in Ontario, Canada, to offer a three-year advanced diploma in animation for the first time in India.

The company, established in 2003 in Bangalore, currently runs 35 centres

October 8, 2007
Source: indiaedunews.net