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Thursday, 14 February 2013

India, France sign pacts on space research, education, culture

France President Francois Hollande who is on an official visit to India is heading a high-level delegation, including six ministers and a 50-member trade delegation. For Hollande, who became president last May, this is his first bilateral state visit to Asia, and on a personal level, his first visit to India.

He will be accompanied by his companion Valerie Trierweiler — a journalist. They are the first unmarried couple to represent France.

While the two big ticket deals with France — the over $10-billion contract for the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets and French reactors for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant — are not ready for being inked during the visit, Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are to discuss the status of the contracts during their delegation-level talks Thursday.

http://www.firstpost.com/world/live-french-president-hollande-meets-president-pranab-625273.html

Madrasas to be linked to mainstream education system

The age-old system of madrasa (religious schools) and maktabs (primary schools) teaching is set to undergo an overhaul with the state government planning their modernization and linking them to the mainstream education system.

The scheme will introduce vigorous reforms in the age-old system to enable the madrasas to keep pace with the modern world and bring its graduates closer to job opportunities. Similar schemes have been planned in other states in the backdrop of charges that madrasas have become breeding grounds of 'conservatism'. However, while the allegations brought the spotlight back on the system,
the efforts to link madrasas to modern educational system has, in general, found opposition from community scholars for the fear that such a move will ensure madrasas lose their independence.

A meeting was held on Monday to discuss the modalities of the scheme that will affect more than two lakh students of madrasas across the state. As part of the scheme, the government will ensure systematic improvement in the infrastructure of residential madrasas, living facilities and educational methods being adopted at madrasas in every district. The scheme will be drawn on the lines of similar projects introduced by the Centre. The state will hold a video-conference of various religious heads and scholars before finalizing it.

"Madrasa education is limited to religious scripts and teachings of Islam. However, there are some madrasas (such as Darul-uloom at Deobund) that have been at the forefront in introducing modern curriculum and education. If this could be emulated elsewhere, lakhs of children can be pulled into the mainstream society and system," said chief secretary J K Banthia.

The government will also carry out registration drives for madrasas as several operate without government verification or accreditation. This, officials said, could be out of fear of losing their autonomy to state authorities.

Muslim scholars welcomed the move but said the government must ensure that it did not interfere in the management. "If they want to teach modern languages and computer studies, we have no problem. But they should assure us they will not touch our curriculum. As it is, we are answerable to tax authorities and the charity commissioner," said Maulana Sayed Ather Ali, member of Muslim Personal Law Board.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-12/mumbai/37058191_1_madrasa-education-mainstream-education-system-muslim-personal-law-board

Thursday, 7 February 2013

CA Technologies Announces Centre Of Excellence

CA Technologies has announced the establishment of the Centre of Excellence (COE), to be housed in Chitkara University in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. As part of this collaboration, CA Technologies will be setting up the centre to help drive the adoption and awareness of CA Technologies solutions from the root level.

Under the agreement, Chitkara University will roll out CA Technologies programs, at the Undergraduate level. The programs would be embedded in various course schemes or as value add-ons to students. The institute will feature courses on CA Spectrum and CA Applogic in Computer Science/ IT/ Computer Application curriculum as either elective or as add-on courses. Experts from CA Technologies will train the faculty of the university on the CA curricula.

“This is a great opportunity for us to influence the growing minds of future IT professionals and future leaders,” said Sunil Manglore, Vice President, CA Technologies, India. “In the present day scenario, where India has a pool of untapped potential, it is exciting for us to partner with an established institute like Chitkara University. This move reinforces our commitment to developing an ecosystem that would ensure students gain proficiency and competitive advantage using leading edge technologies. This is just one step closer towards creating a brighter India.”

Founded in 1998, Chitkara University focuses on the pursuit of excellence in all fields of education and adheres to the highest standards of academic rigor in all its work. Leading in the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains, the university offers a combination of theoretical and applied computer science. This results in the creation of exciting, secure, scalable, highly effective and innovative solutions in an extremely responsive agile manner. Learning institutions such as Chitkara University are building a remarkable pool of talent for the Indian software industry.

“Chitkara University produces self-confident, well-equipped, job-ready graduates. We have established an unassailable reputation for very strong on-campus recruitment on the sheer virtue of our intensive focus on making all our graduates ‘industry-ready’. We aim to provide resources to succeed in tomorrow’s changing global job market and are committed to help our students attain a position best suited to their long term career goals. Our degree programs focus on both academic and professional training. Collaboration with CA Technologies will facilitate our learning-centric teaching approach, which lays emphasis on enhancing knowledge, skills and understanding through practical experience”, said Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University.

http://biztech2.in.com/news/education/ca-technologies-announces-centre-of-excellence/153552/0

Sharjah education show to host the Great India Education Fair

For the first time ever, India's most popular education event that is held across Asia is coming to the UAE - the Great India Education Fair will be held in Sharjah from February 20 to 22, 2013.

The Great India Education Fair, one of the largest and most sought-after Indian education fairs, will be organised along with the ninth edition of the International Education Show at Expo Centre Sharjah.

"The Great India Education Fair is the largest gathering of Indian educational institutions under a single roof and is a regular event in countries like South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Now, it will be held for the first time in the GCC in Sharjah," said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

With the Great India Education Fair on board, the exhibition space for the International Education Show is also set to almost double this time. While more than 100 leading regional and international higher educational institutions have confirmed their participation for the International Education Show, the Great India Education Fair will feature 65 top boarding schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions from India.

The Great India Education Fair will be organised by AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media Pvt. Ltd (from India) in association with Expo Centre Sharjah.

"The Great India Education Fair will showcase the strength of the Indian education system and will enable students and parents from the UAE and the region to gather greater knowledge about the Indian education system and allow greater interaction between institutions' representatives," said Mr. Vivek Shukla, Director - Marketing & Projects, AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media.

The Indian expatriate population in the GCC countries stands at nearly six million, with a big chunk of the student population often deciding to complete their higher secondary education and graduation in India.

"Together, the International Education Show (IES) and the Great India Education Fair (TGIEF) will attract the whole Indian population looking at options for higher studies for their wards. While IES will offer them options within the GCC and across the world, TGIEF will open up the entire Indian education system for those who are interested in higher studies there," added Mr. Midfa.

TGIEF will feature residential schools offering Indian national curriculum of ICSE and CBSE along with the option of international baccalaureate, IGCSE 'A' & 'O' level of international curriculum, engineering colleges, medical & dental colleges, B-schools & management colleges, deemed universities, distance learning universities and professional & vocational institutions.

Besides, the fair will offer quality education at affordable cost, spot counselling by experts, introduction to career options, a series of seminars on 'Studying in India' and further information on Indian institutions and educational procedures.

In another first, the International Education Show will also be held alongside the 15th National Career Exhibition, which will enable the national graduates visiting the career fair for banking and financial institutions to check out higher educational options at IES.

The International Education Show will feature higher education institutions from all over the world, including Malaysia, Oman, Jordan, the US, the UK and the UAE, which will present programmes ranging from traditional fields like medicine, engineering and management, to new age career-oriented programmes.

The show will be open for both students and public from 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm and on Friday from 4pm to 8pm.

http://www.menafn.com/menafn/1093606924/Sharjah-education-show-to-host-Great-India-Education-Fair

New policy needed to make agriculture education more attractive: Expert

BHUBANESWAR: There are few takers for agriculture as a career option of late. So it is high time proper policies were formulated to make agriculture education more attractive and contemporary, said R B Singh, president of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) here on Wednesday on the eve of XIth National Agricultural Science Congress. The theme of the congress is 'Agricultural education: shaping India's future'. It will be held at Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here.

"You name a challenge, it is there in the agriculture education sector. The first career choice of any bright student is either medicine or engineering or management. Agriculture rarely figures in the top five. This has resulted in shortage of human resources in the field. We need to address this problem on a priority basis," Singh said while addressing the media.

Other major challenges faced by the agricultural education are lack of commitment of government towards the subject, growing level of depression among agri-professionals, fragmentation of universities and shortage of faculties, he maintained.

Former vice chancellor of OUAT and convener of the congress D P Ray echoed the same views.

The three-day congress will chalk out a road map to meet challenges relating to food and nutritional security, livelihood to rural people, profitability and sustainability of agriculture in globally-competitive scenario.

As many as 655 scientists from India and countries like the US, France, Brazil, Japan, and Netherlands will participate in the annual meet.

"NAAS is the apex body of scientists and think tanks in the agriculture sector in the country, whose suggestions are very important for policy making. So the discussions in the congress are very important for the country, especially Odisha which has an agriculture university," Singh added.

There will also be an exhibition of scientific developments in agriculture sector and interactions with farmers during the conference.

"This is probably for the first time in Odisha that so many institutes of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) are putting up stalls to display growth and development of agricultural science and technology," said Ray.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/New-policy-needed-to-make-agriculture-education-more-attractive-Expert/articleshow/18374668.cms

Shy Indian education sector shuns branding

 When one thinks of the education sector in India, the first few names to come to mind are IIT, IIM, DPS followed by others. Linked to a social status, quality education or branded name, all these associations sum up to a perceived achievement.

What are the associations one has with these institutions and equally importantly, why?

The Indian education sector’s market size in FY’12 was estimated to be Rs 341,180 crore and is expected to grow substantially to Rs 602,410 crore by FY’15 in response to a strong demand for quality education. However, the list of recalled institutes is not very exhaustive. For a country the size of India, with about 550 million people in the age group of 5-24 years, the largest in the world, there are very few renowned names and what they deliver is even less.

From an outside-in perspective, in economic terms, education in India operates as a sellers market. The demand for education far exceeds the availability of seats. Due to the vast gap of quality between the top institutes and the newer private education institutions, we have a situation of too few seats being chased by too many people in some institutions. On the other hand, some institutes are unable to attract students and have been forced to close down. Since 2011, over 225 B-schools and 50 engineering colleges have shut down across the country. The key factor for the failure of such institutes is the quality and service of education they offer which affects the students largely in not securing jobs. What an Irony!

The education sector in India is undergoing a significant change with a rapid increase in the number of private players entering the sector. Private education revenue is growing fast at 19% and is expected to reach Rs 239,197 crore in FY’15 from Rs 159,465 crore in FY’12. Education now, is no longer a social service, but slowly becoming a business.

Most parents or students today will vouch for the fact that it is a money-making business barring few centres of learning. Most educational professionals too, will shudder at the thought of their institution as a “brand” and students or parents (in case of schools) as their customers as they are tutored to think that it is a social service.
Unfortunately this is a myth. Any business which exists with a consideration (however small or big) needs to orient itself to serve its customer. Defining your students or parents as a customer only improves the service delivery and levitates the sector as a whole.
Understanding and catering to this customer is the need of the education sector. So how does our tune into being customer friendly? The 5 crucial factors central to the education sector are the 3 E’s & 3C’s.

The cornerstone for any good business is a good product, in this case, the quality of education. Without delving into all the parameters that define quality, suffice to say that like every product which needs to undergo change and development over time, it is imperative that quality of education imparted should also continuously evolve.

Most often, in many institutions, faculty members take comfort in using content they are familiar with and not necessarily that which is updated and most relevant. So any institution that does not deliver excellence is bound to cause customer dissonance.
http://www.asianage.com/ideas/shy-indian-education-sector-shuns-branding-996

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

India vs China- Economic Growth and Higher Education

India and China are battling to overtake one another in terms of economic growth in the coming decade. However, higher education enrollment is the principal indicator of economic growth as per World Bank statistics. When a nation significantly increases the number of university students it educates, that nation is likely to see an increase in economic growth in the decade that follows, reports William H Avery for the Economic Times. The same was witnessed in case of Japan and Korea in the early and late 1980s respectively.

China is noted to have an annual $250-billion investment in higher education, which will reward them soon. China has increased the number of institutes of higher education two-fold and increased the enrollment by five times in the last decade.

26 percent of China's university-age population is enrolled in an institution of higher education, while it is just 18 percent in India. However, in 1990 and 2000 India had outdone China in university enrollment rates.

In India the IITs and IIMs are considered as the driving force of higher education, but they reach a ridiculously small section of students and higher education for the masses is not well delivered. On the other hand China provides quality and quantity in terms of higher education to the masses.

http://www.siliconindia.com/news/general/India-vs-China-Economic-Growth-and-Higher-Education--nid-140241-cid-1.html

US official visiting India to enhance educational partnership

 With the focus on helping India build up its community colleges, a senior US official is visiting the country to enhance an educational partnership between the two countries.

The US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine, during her three-day visit beginning today will highlight the breadth and depth of the India-US people-to-people relationship, particularly the strong educational partnership, the State Department said.

In New Delhi, Sonenshine will lead the US delegation to the conference ‘Mainstreaming Skills in Education’ on February 6-7, where she will deliver remarks on US support for India’s development of community colleges and the expansion of skills development education.

In a statement, the State Department said, the US delegation to this conference will include representatives from 12 community colleges.

During her travel, Sonenshine will meet with India officials to discuss US-India education collaboration.

She will also meet with Fulbright-Nehru scholars and will tour Indian historical preservation projects that receive funding from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/us-official-visiting-india-to-enhance-educational-partnership/article4381548.ece

Sunday, 3 February 2013

Education Fair Across India Conducted By IDP Edu'n

The IDP Overseas Education India, which is the leading student placement service provider has organized education fairs in 11 cities for students aspiring to pursue education in Australia.

As per the schedule the fair is taking place from January 29 till 13th February. This fair will bring together prominent universities and educational institutes from Australia under one roof. The fair starts from Kolkata-29th January and ends in Coimbatore on Feb 13, 2013.

The major cities where the fair is held are Kolkata, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

40 Australian institutions are participating in the fairs. It is a free platform for all students to gauge their prospects of studying in Australia, apply directly to the institution of their choice and get first hand information on courses, scholarships etc

Fair Highlights

  • Application fee waiver
  • Interact directly with faculty and international representatives from 37 Australian institutions
  • For spot admission*, please bring original and photocopies of your education certificates
  • Scholarship for qualified students at venue* Priority processing for pre-registered student at the venue.

Now get up to 4 years of post study work rights after completing your education in Australia Course Work Rights Bachelors Degree and Masters by Coursework Degree 2 Years Masters by Research Graduates 3 Years PhD Graduates 4 Years.

The fairs will not only help students get a waiver on the application fee but also the privilege of getting scholarships being extended by participating universities to qualifying students at the venue. Students are advised to bring along their educational certificates in original along with photocopies.

Read more at: http://education.oneindia.in/news/2013/02/01/education-fair-across-india-conducted-by-idp-education-003888.html

Towards an online educated rural India

The development of technology has influenced every field known to man, including the educational system. India has an enormous appetite for quality education and the introduction of online learning has changed the entire face of the Indian educational system, so much so that the advancement in the education system is not just restricted to providing education, but also includes professional skill-based training for out-of-the-box career options. Quite evidently, the online learning program has reached to the most mature level of methodological learning.

India's online education market size seems to grow with a rapid pace, which could result in fetching a sea change to the country’s educational landscape. India, like any other economy, depends on the development of its educational sector because of its critical role played in any economic and social growth of a country.

Therefore it becomes even more important because it not only increases the productive skills of an individual but also enhances his earning power. Gladly, since the last decade when internet knocked our doors, we have moved a long way from conventional learning, and now, people can access knowledge online to keep pace with the latest developments. Although, India had woken up to the online learning trend quite late because of misconceptions like qualification certificates acquired online will hold no value compared to a certificate earned in a customary manner, but this was gradually proved baseless. In this present technologically advanced society, students who shaped their career by joining distance education classes have attained employment in top-notch companies.

One of the major problems faced by India is that almost all highly skilled professionals are based in bigger cities thus depriving the rural population from getting educated through them. But now tremendous opportunities exist in the untapped rural areas as online education is at its nascent stage in India. There is a huge student segment in India in the age range of 16 to 35, who are willing to learn online. Online learning simplifies this process by taking the knowledge to masses through internet connectivity available in their neighborhood.

There is a great demand for skilled labor from India’s industries. But workers from rural areas often lack the skill sets required for these upcoming job opportunities. Hence, the Indian Government is targeting to train 500 million people by 2022 and is encouraging participation of entrepreneurs and private organizations in the space. On the other hand, the rural India is embracing online learning in a big way. Moreover, several corporate, government, and educational organizations are taking up a plethora of endeavors to educate, train, and generate skilled workers. They are also creating a paradigm impact on employment generation with growth of a significant industry around it. Job oriented vocational courses are offered online and enable the students to complete their learning in a stipulated time. Since online courses are student centered and not time bound, it enables blended learning.

In my opinion, the time has come when, instead of segregation, integration of the education and career options shall take the front seat in rural India.

Sometimes the rural regions of India face the basic issues of accessibility and affordability of quality education and training. Studies have shown that rural youth face multiple challenges in migrating to urban areas.

This included poor net income in urban area due to high cost of living, social isolation from family and village life, and difficulties in adjusting to the urban way of life. This led to poor retention of trainees in the jobs in which they were placed in urban areas. But fortunately, in this increasingly interconnected world, technology no longer allows geography to pose a barrier in terms of education, skill development, and job opportunities in rural India.

During 2012, online education enrollment witnessed a considerable growth rate against a poor growth rate in overall higher education. This trend can be expected to continue in near future as the technological services become easier to distribute. And, there are no second thoughts on the fact that online training possesses tremendous potential to improve the lives of many people, and bridge the existing educational and cultural gap.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/308689/towards-online-educated-rural-india.html

Minority educational institutions under government scanner

Minority educational institutions running professional courses have come under government scanner.

Following complaints that minority institutions are giving seats to deserved beneficiaries and misutilizing government schemes, the higher education department has constituted an inquiry panel involving commissioner for collegiate education, director for technical and medical education to probe the allegations.

"Of the 17 engineering and 9 medical aided minority institutions many are violating admission procedures. Deserving students are not given seats and often sold to non-minority candidate for higher price. Even the government schemes meant for minority students are reaching. The probe panel has been asked give the report within April and if colleges are found guilty, the government will black list them and withdraw all the government schemes," higher education minster CT Ravi told reporters on Friday.

The minister said the government would revise the policy for seeking minority status and it will also revise guidelines for functioning of institutions.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-01/bangalore/36684099_1_minority-status-minority-students-higher-education

Distance education students can pursue two degrees

In a fillip to distance learning programmes in the country, the Distance Education Council (DEC) has decided that though students cannot pursue two degree programmes simultaneously, they can pursue two programmes simultaneously through distance or combination of distance and regular modes.

Uttar Pradesh Rajashri Tandon Open University PRO Prabhat Mishra in a press release said the DEC has decided to allow students to pursue two or more programmes simultaneously in various combinations.

According to the decision of the DEC communicated to UPRTOU vice-chancellor Prof AK Bakshi, while a student cannot pursue two degree programmes simultaneously, he can do the same through distance or combination of distance and regular modes from the same or different university/institution in various combinations.

The DEC has also mentioned some of the combinations which students can opt for. These include one degree and diploma/postgraduate diploma/certificate. Likewise, a student can pursue one postgraduate diploma and one diploma/certificate, one diploma and one certificate, two postgraduate diplomas, two diplomas and two certificate courses.

"There are large number of students in our institutions who wanted to pursue more than one course at a time but were not able to do so because of various constraints. But after the DEC decision, students can get admission in more then one course," said Prof Bakshi.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-02/news/36703404_1_degree-programmes-distance-education-council-diploma