India Reports: Education portals tie up for wider reach

The Indian education sector is witnessing activity. Revisions in curricula and norms are pointer to changing trends, which hopefully will lead to improvement in quality of education. USA continues to be a popular educational destination for Indian students. Indian educational groups are making international acquisitions and online education portals are looking for diversification and tie ups for wider reach.

-Chillibreeze Business Research Team

Trends
Hotel management schools add terror fight in syllabus
UPTU sets norms to improve quality of technical education

Plans-Academic Institutions and Corporates
Indian education group to invest Rs 2,640 mn in Malaysia
Manipal Education buys out Antigua University
ICFAI sets up mgmt institute
Edurite set to foray into formal education sector
Catura introduces Topchalks.com; Classroom without walls
ICAI gets offers for TV channel venture
Nalsar, IAAM sign agreement

Surveys and Reports
Better edu opportunities in US attracting students: Study

Technology Assisted Learning
Anna University automates examination management system
Macmillan Publishers, Edurite tie-up for education drive

Trends

Hotel management schools add terror fight in syllabus
Shaken into action mode by the 26/11 Mumbai tragedy, hotel management institutes in Chandigarh, which attract youth from the entire north, have decided to include in their syllabus strategies to fight and handle terror attacks.

Most heads of the management institutes said they have charted plans to impart some form of the combat training. The new courses, they said, would include rescue operations, fire drills and first aid techniques. It would start immediately from the next session.

December 6, 2008
Source:Economic Times
URL:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Education/Hotel_management_schools_add_terror_fight_in_syllabus/articleshow/3800724.cms

UPTU sets norms to improve quality of technical education
In a major decision which may check unplanned growth of technical education sector as well as improve quality of existing technical institutes in the state, the executive council of the UP Technical University (UPTU) decided to make `academic excellence norms' mandatory for all the 428 institutes affiliated to the university having over five lakh students.

This means that all the colleges, both private and government, affiliated to UPTU will be ranked on the basis of their academic performance, placements, infrastructure, student intake and output, research status, libraries among other things. It would be just like the assessment of conventional universities and colleges done by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), a subsidiary of the University Grants Commission.

UPTU had introduced academic excellence awards last year to motivate colleges to improve quality. However, only 30-odd colleges applied for it, of which the best performing ones were awarded. Majority of the remaining colleges shied away from an assessment. Another problem cropped up in the meantime. The total number of colleges swelled to 428 in 2008 from 290 in 2007 with 138 new colleges coming up in last one year.
December 4, 2008
Source: The Times of India
URL:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/UPTU_sets_norms_to_improve_quality_of_technical_education/articleshow/3789958.cms

Plans-Academic Institutions and Corporates

Indian education group to invest Rs 2,640 mn in Malaysia
As part of its expansion plans in Malaysia, an Indian education group has earmarked to invest Rs 2,640 mn by 2015 for various educational projects in the country. With an investment of 100 mn ringgit (Rs 1,200 mn) initially, the Vinayaka Missions University has decided to open its engineering, management and technical campuses in Iskandar of southern Johor state.

The university, which currently manages 21 colleges and universities in India, Canada, USA, Thailand and in Penang in Malaysia, sees great opportunity in attracting students, not just from Malaysia but also from the entire region, he said, adding that the proposed branch campuses will widen access to affordable education.

December 7, 2008
Source: Economic Times
URL:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Education/Indian_education_group_to_invest_Rs_2640_mn_in_Malaysia/articleshow/3804554.cms

Manipal Education buys out Antigua University
In one of the biggest cross-border deals in the education space, Manipal Education has acquired the entire shareholding of American University of Antigua (AUA) from New York-based Greater Caribbean Learning Resources.

Manipal Education confirmed the buyout, but did not disclose the transaction size. However, sources said the company has raised $115 million debt financing from ICICI Bank in recent weeks, which will be ploughed into the buyout as well as capex requirements for ramping up the campus.

AUA currently has over a 1,000 students on campus; the number will go up to 2,500 after Manipal builds a new campus in the near future. The US is currently short of over 75,000 doctors, and Manipal is keen on exploiting this opportunity by focussing on the Caribbean education industry.

Coupled with proximity to the US mainland and the secular nature of the US medical education system — which allows even AUA students to take the US Medical Licensing Examination — the Caribbean has become a cost-effective alternative for US students to secure a medical degree.

The deal marks Manipal Education’s third M&A in 18 months. It had earlier acquired U21 Global, an online varsity, and MeritTrac, a skills assessment and testing firm. Manipal Education, in which the promoters hold 82% stake, has attempted to raise between $100 and $150 million from private equity investors. Before the market meltdown, banking sources said, the company’s valuation was placed at around $1.2 billion, making it probably the most valuable privately-owned education asset in the country.

Manipal Education, which is primarily into medical education with campuses in Malaysia, Nepal and Dubai, is estimated to end the current financial year with a topline of $200 million.

December 5, 2008
Source: Economic Times
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Education/Manipal_Education_buys_out_Antigua_University/articleshow/3794485.cms

ICFAI sets up mgmt institute
ICFAI National College (INC) has set up Adam Smith Institute of Management (ASIM) to provide academic support and placement assistance to students interested in pursuing MBA programme of the ICFAI University, Tripura. The institute would be developing an integrated student-centric learning approach designed to improve the understanding of students during the two-year programme.

December 3, 2008
Source: The Hindu Business Line
URL: http://www.blonnet.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120451351900.htm

Edurite set to foray into formal education sector
Bangalore-based Edurite Technologies, provider of technology-enabled education services, is planning to enter the school management space and setting up its own network of schools. TutorVista, an international player in the web-enabled education services segment, which acquired the company in 2007, is expected to assist in Edurite’s expansion plans through a round of funding it is considering.

TutorVista, operates an online tutoring portal catering to the US and UK markets and is learnt to be considering a round of strategic investment for which it is looking at raising $ 12-15 million (Rs 60 crore-75 crore) for its expansion plans abroad as well in India through Edurite. The break-up of fund for both the companies is still being worked-out.

December 3, 2008
Source: Business Standard
URL: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/edurite-set-to-foray-into-formal-education-sector/00/06/342005/

Catura introduces Topchalks.com; Classroom without walls
Topchalks.com is a property of Catura Broadbands systems Pvt Ltd., a three year old company with offices in Gurgaon, Haryana & Santa Clara, California, USA. The company's vision is to democratize education in India, to truly empower every aspiring student and professional to be able to succeed in their educational and career pursuits.

The Portal www.topchalks.com was recently launched as a part of bigger vision of promoting company Catura Broadboand Systems Pvt Ltd that envisions to liberalise education and make it more student friendly at all levels. As a first step to meet its commitment of making available course materials of almost any courses (at any academic level, starting from the board exams to SAT, GMAT, CAT, Engineering, Medical- practically anything) the company has an offer of comprehensive curriculum based and instructor led course for CBSE XII board exam for the science stream.

The USP of Topchalks.com lies not only in its easy usability, but also in the price that a student needs to pay to access it. A student needs to pay just Rs 99 per chapter, for whatever subject in CBSE XII that the student is studying with a month long unlimited access. Keeping pace with its innovative strategies, Catura has signed MOU with chipmaker Intel Technologies India Pvt Ltd. and has joined Intel Powered Classmate PC WW Alliance partner Progam to offer Catura's e-learning solutions on Classmate PC which is functional and affordable notebook for learning designed specifically for students. Both Topchalks.com, an internet based e-learning platform for students and Powerchalks, an in-class content solution for teachers will be available for consumption on the intel powered classmate PC.

Its continuous effort to improve the quality, breadth and depth of content would transform the educational landscape and create virtual education and training destination in Topchalks.com for the benefit of the country and the world.

December 2, 2008
Source: Economic Times
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Education/Catura_introduces_Topchalkscom_Classroom_without_walls/articleshow/3785645.cms

ICAI gets offers for TV channel venture
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has received many offers from various TV channel operators for its proposed ICAI Channel.

The institute wants to have a pedagogic channel to help students and members. It wants to piggy-ride on the infrastructure of another channel and is mulling an arrangement under which the host channel would be called ICAI Channel for 14 hours a day. The programmes aired would run uninterrupted by commercials, so that students and members get full benefit of the time. The costs will be met out of the institute’s funds.
A notable feature of the proposed channel is that it allows two-way communication. Video, of course, would be one-way, but if a student could ring-in or email a query it will be answered on air.

December 2, 2008
Source: The Hindu Business Line
URL: http://www.blonnet.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120251681900.htm

Nalsar, IAAM sign agreement
Nalsar University of Law has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Applied Aviation Management (IAAM), Kozhikode, for introduction of a one-year post-graduate diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management. The programme will meet the aspirations of students and professionals pursuing engineering, MBA, law or aviation-related courses and serving aviation professionals to acquire a value-added qualification without jeopardising their curren t pursuits.

December 1, 2008
Source: The Hindu Business Line
URL: http://www.blonnet.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120251601900.htm

Surveys and Reports

Better edu opportunities in US attracting students: Study

A majority of Indian students going to the United States are attracted by better educational opportunities, primarily in the fields of engineering, computer science, business and management, physical and life sciences, according to a study by the US Consulate.

A recent count showed that 94,563 Indian students study in US colleges and universities in various disciplines. Since 2001, the trend has shown no sign of abating. However, the number of American students studying in India was small in comparison at just 2,627, the consulate said.

It said that many in India are unfamiliar with the American community college system, which at relatively low cost, allows students to complete the first two years of the typical four years of undergraduate study.

Many American students in India focus on the study of Indian civilisation -- its languages, literature, history, religions, among others. Colleges and universities in both countries benefit from the presence of international students, who contribute to an intellectual and cultural ferment on campus and in the wider community.
The Consulate study also revealed that the trend toward studying abroad has myriad benefits.

The United States India Education Foundation had recently organised a digital video conference in association with Loyola College and University of Dayton, Wright State University and Sinclair Community College, all in Ohio in US. The discussion focused on the relative strengths and costs of study in US private universities, public universities and two year colleges.

December 6, 2008
Source:Economic Times
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Education/Better_edu_opportunities_in_US_attracting_students_Study_/articleshow/3800930.cms

Technology Assisted Learning

Anna University automates examination management system
Anna University, Coimbatore, has taken the lead in automating Examination Management System (EMS).

The solution implemented by Mindlogicx Infotech aims to generate hall tickets virtually for the management students of Anna University and its affiliated colleges across eight districts in western Tamil Nadu.

With this, Mindlogicx has completed the first phase of implementation of intelliEXAMS (an EMS for universities) for Anna University.

The process involves online exam application, fee payment and verification, attendance entry and multilevel approvals. The hall tickets generated by the system contains embedded photographs of students, exam schedule and exam centre details. Hall tickets are generated at the university end and is printed and distributed by all colleges.

December 6, 2008
Source: The Hindu Business Line
URL: http://www.blonnet.com/2008/12/06/stories/2008120651551900.htm

Macmillan Publishers, Edurite tie-up for education drive
In an initiative to make learning in the classroom interesting and interactive, two pioneers in the education sector, Macmillan Publishers India and Edurite Technologies have joined hands to offer high quality visual learning aids for schools in India.

Edurite Technologies, the Indian arm of TutorVista, global leaders in the field of technology enabled school education will use its patented DigitALLy, while Macmillan Publishers India with its 116 years heritage of providing high quality educational materials in India, will be reaching DigitALLy to thousands of schools, under its Macmillan School Support program.

Using DigitALLy, teachers can impart education in the classroom through a combination of text, animations, videos and images projected on the screen. The use of audio-video will capture the imagination of children and help them to understand and appreciate various topics thus making the learning experience fun and interesting.

December 4, 2008
Source: Business Standard
URL: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/macmillan-publishers-edurite-tie-up-for-education-drive/18/57/50641/on