India framing national mission for ICT in education

The Indian Government is developing a National Mission on ICT aiming to create a national IT platform connecting all schools, providing students and teachers with opportunities to collaborate and share knowledge.

Through this mission, the Government is looking to take on a learner-centric approach in delivering education by facilitating the provision of infrastructure that will connect the schools to internet at minimum 10 mbps.

Radha Chauhan, Joint Secretary of Secondary Education, Government of India, shared, “Latest technological innovations will be used to share multimedia and web content through the platform. Apart from creating a better governance system for the schools, we are aiming to deliver quality education to all students in the country through the National Mission by equipping both students and teachers with technology.”

The government is also weighing the provision of mobile devices such as tablets to all students at the high school level. Other than ICT, the framework is also looking to bring transparency to governance in the schools.

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2013/sep/27/india-framing-national-mission-ict-education/

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Link education with socio-economic development: Veep

Graduating students of Central University of Bihar (CUB) were advised by the Vice-President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, to become ambassadors of peace, goodwill and harmony between communities and regions.

Addressing the students at the CUB's maiden convocation on Thursday, Ansari quoted Aristotle as saying, "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

Altogether 156 students of various master's programmes of the 2009-11, 2010-12 and 2011-13 batches received their degrees. Altogether 134 were present while the rest received their degrees in absentia. Three students, one from each batch, received the best university graduate award, named 'Chancellor gold medal', for scoring the maximum marks across all streams.

Focusing on scientific and technological development, Ansari said the CUB should evolve new formats to link education with social and economic development. "In the Indian context, quality, affordability and accessibility should be adopted to develop the education system," said Ansari, adding, "I am confident that Bihar would get a boost on its journey of progress from the contributions of CUB and its alumni."

Terming human rights a social duty, Ansari said, "Our point of reference should be the Constitution of India and we are duty bound, legally and morally, to address the lacunae in the policies and institutions pertaining to human rights."

Recalling Emperor Ashoka's edicts on human rights and the views of United Nations' former general secretary Kofi Annan on the issue, Ansari covered several aspects of individual rights. "We will not enjoy security without development. We will not enjoy development without security and, we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights," Ansari quoted Annan. He added, "In recent years, many new agenda have come under the ambit of human rights, such as conflict over natural resources or issues of gender equality."

Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who is also the CUB chancellor, appreciated the proposed five-year integrated master's programme in arts and crafts. "In my knowledge, the course is probably a first in the country that would help renew the forgotten crafts of India," she said.

That both the CUBs (at Gaya and Motihari) would be situated at rural location, Kumar hoped that the university would succeed in bridging the urban-rural divide in education. "Only education has the power to bring about a peaceful revolution. It should not be limited to the higher classes if the Indian democracy is to be empowered," said Kumar, an MP from Sasaram.

Also present on the dais were CM Nitish Kumar, education minister P K Shahi, CUB vice-chancellor Janak Pandey and registrar Mohammad Nehal, among others.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Link-education-with-socio-economic-development-Veep/articleshow/23117853.cms

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India lacks quality education: Pranab Mukherjee

President Pranab Muk­herjee on Wednesday expressed concern over lack of quality education in India and said  Indian universities did not figure among the top-ranked universities in the world.

Addressing students on the 23rd convocation of the Pondicherry Cen­tral University, Muk­herjee said the country’s ancient education system had dominated the world for about 1,800 years ago from the 6th century B.C. during which ancient Indian varsities like Taksh­ashila, Nalanda, Vikra­m­ashila, Valabhi, Soma­pura and Odantapuri were the seats of world class education centres.

“There is a dearth of quality academic institutions to prepare our next generation. The central importance of higher education in a country’s development is well recognised. If we are to grow as a nation, the education system has to figure prominently in the template of progress. Right to Education has become a reality. We have to now stress on Right Educ­ation,” he added.

Mukherjee said teaching and research were the two eyes of a university. While high standards in teaching have to be achieved, high quality research that will push knowledge frontiers and evolve technologies for development have to be promoted.

Local technological needs have to be addressed by our universities, he said, by creating research and development centres for such technologies in the campuses. “India is an aspiring nation. We can reach the zenith but it requires everyone’s sacrifices. You are all capable and intelligent minds. It is your duty to take our country forward. Do all that is necessary to realise our country’s goal.”

Lt Governor and varsity’s chief rector  Viren­dra Kataria, chief ninister Rangasamy, Uni­on minister of state in PMO V. Narayansamy and Rajya Sabha MP P. Kan­nan also participated.

Pranab Mukherjee lauds Aurobindo centre

President Pranab Mukherjee stressed the need for a world safe from violence and also a world where one can pursue one’s legitimate dreams. Addressing students of Sri Aurobindo Internat­ional Centre of Education here, he highlighted the importance of Puducherry as a city which hosts an ever-growing number of visitors who come in quest of both peace and knowledge from the spiritual ambience of the place.

Mukherjee said this was the place where Sri Aurobindo had visualised the future of man. He lauded the international character of the centre and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This liberality of approach and vision unique to Aurobindo and his ashram stands as a symbol of hope for conflict ridden world and must be protected, he said.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130926/news-current-affairs/article/india-lacks-quality-education-pranab-mukherjee

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Recession boosts investment in management education

NEW DELHI: At the times of economic gloom, it is boom time for B-schools. And India is the driving force in the increase in number of application in 24% of the 683 management programmes across 42 countries.

In the US 52% of the full-time management programmes have seen increased interest, while in the Asia-Pacific region it is 53%. The biggest draw however is Europe with 73% of the programme receiving more applications than in 2012.

Back home, CAT 2013 has so far received 1,93,596 registrations till Wednesday. Registration ends on Thursday midnight.

As per Graduate Management Admission Council's 2013 Applications Trends Survey more full-time MBA programmes worldwide saw increases in the number of applications this year compared with that of last year. According to GMAC, which administers Graduate Management Admission Test ( GMAT), full-time, two-year MBA programmes in the US show an upswing, as 52% of programmes report application increases over 2012— the first time since 2009.

This year's survey included 683 graduate-level programmes in business and management at 328 B-schools in 42 different countries. In Europe, Master in Management programmes continue to show strength, as 73% of programmes report application increases from 2012. Meanwhile, 38% of Europe's full-time one-year MBA programmes showed application gains this year, comparable to the 37% in last year's survey.

India drove the greatest increase in source of talent 24% of the 683 programmes received higher number of applications from the sub-continent. According to Bibek Banerjee, director, Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, this is a common phenomenon and the reason for increased number of application from India is due to limited number of quality B-schools in the country. "It is basically economics of opportunity. It is a worldwide phenomenon, where demand, especially for management education, goes up during recession. Whenever the market is drying up it is good to invest in education. In the context of India, after 60 years of independence, we still have no good management university with the exception of a few IIMs, ISB and the likes of IMT which can recruit just around 8,000 candidates annually. In India the gap between the top tier and middle rung institutions is enormous. So what is the alternative, but to explore opportunities abroad," said Banerjee.

Recession spells boom for management education said GMAC vice president, research and development, Lawrence Rudner. "In 2008 and 2009, early in the Great Recession, there was impressive growth in the proportion of full-time MBA programmes showing increase in applications. In 2010 and 2011, there was a subsequent decline, but full-time programmes began to rebound in 2012 and look even sturdier today," said Rudner.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Recession-boosts-investment-in-management-education/articleshow/23137614.cms

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Indian students make for second largest chunk in online education

More than a year after Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology launched edX, their massive online education initiative, India has shown the second highest number of enrolments with more than 150,000 students from the country taking various courses on the online platform. Of the 1.2 million students on edX from all countries, 30% are from the US while 13% are from India.

EdX offers MOOCs or massive online open courses and interactive online classes in subjects including law, history, science, engineering, business, social sciences, computer science, public health and artificial intelligence. At present, there are 70 courses on edX.

“Engineering courses were in high demand initially and then subjects in public health became very popular with Indian students,” said Anant Agarwal, president, edX, and added that the courses that can be taken online now were available earlier only in the brick-and-mortar mode.

While close to 30% Indian students opt for courses in circuits and electronics, 21% are going for subjects related to computer graphics and a similar number for courses in artificial intelligence.

EdX is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is governed by MIT and Harvard. The two institutes had pumped in $60 million into the platform last year. EdX courses are open to everyone and are free of cost.

In June this year, IIT Bombay became an edX partner and Agarwal added that the platform will now tap into corporates to get more funds.

“EdX recently welcomed IIT Bombay to our X consortium. Joining the X consortium enables IIT Bombay to develop next-generation online and blended learning courses, as well as fill a specific professional development need in India: Training engineering teachers,” said Agarwal.

With approximately 5,000 engineering colleges in the country and student enrolment in these colleges now over 1.25 million, IIT Bombay will use edX’s open source platform to increase the number of qualified and experienced engineering educators in India and beyond.

On completing a course which includes taking online exams, participants receive a certificate of achievement which certifies that one has fully participated in an edX course made available through one of its institutions.

“Today, the certificates of achievement are free. This may change in the future to help cover our costs. Going ahead, the certificate might be charged but the course will continue to be free,” Agarwal said.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/indian-students-make-for-second-largest-chunk-in-online-education/1172704/0

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Why Mahindra's foray into engineering education is unique

A close look at the Mahindra Group's foray into an engineering education in tie-up with one of Europe's oldest and most reputed universities reveals a larger design - an ambition to transform engineering talent into business leadership. This objective, at a time when the right combination of technical acumen and leadership skills is woefully short in the Indian higher education sphere, runs throughout the concept and curriculum of Mahindra Ecole Centrale (MEC), set up in the Tech Mahindra's sprawling campus at Bahadurpalli in Hyderabad.

Consider the facts: Only 25 per cent of technical graduates and 10-15 per cent of other graduates are considered employable in the IT/ITES sector. Experts predict a shortfall of 2.5 million employable engineers in India by 2020. There is a 35 to 40 per cent shortage of faculty in state and central universities. While enrolment in higher education has grown six times, faculty strength has grown just four times. MEC tries to mend this in more ways than one. The courses on offer at the college, which will take its first batch of up to 300 students starting the next academic year for the five year course, provides a blend of technical learning with loads of industry exposure and a critical array of soft skills.

For the first two years, students, who will be chosen through the IIT selection format, will undergo courses in Mathematics, Physics and Humanities (comprising literature and philosophy, among others) and some introduction into engineering, before they move into specialisation. The faculty, at a ratio of one for every 15 students, would be a mix of Indian and French, including a Dean drawn from the Ecole Centrale's faculty in Paris.

India has a peculiar higher education system, where the placements in managerial posts do not exactly correspond to the curriculum. CP Gurnani, MD & CEO of Tech Mahindra, explains this through his own story. "I trained as a chemical engineer, but except for the first year, I have done nothing on chemical engineering.' Most IIT engineers have chosen to become leading managers. What is required therefore, is a journey in which a person is exposed to all disciplines of engineering and related fields, he says. "What we will have at MEC is the global experience of Ecole Centrale, combined with the global ambitions of Mahindra Group."

Ecole Centrale, founded in 1892, has a presence in 36 countries in the world. In China, it has a six year engineering course, with the first year a preparatory one where students are introduced to the French language, and even a few engineering lessons taught in that language. "There is a need for managers with soft, human sciences skills, who can work anywhere in the world, for the global market," says Christopher Cripps, Dean of International Affairs, Ecole Centrale Paris. 'At the Hyderabad campus, we will have a unique, harmonious curriculum that blends scientific education with management."

It seemed natural that Tech Mahindra, the $2.8 billion IT arm of the Mahindra Group should take up this not-for-profit initiative. 'We were anyway into technology in a big way, with around 20 per cent staff working overseas," says Vineet Nayyar, Vice Chairman of Tech Mahindra and Chairman of the MEC. 'This is a first step, and many more will follow." But the students who pass out of the centre will be available to the industry at large, he said. The management did not reveal the fees for the course, although it is believed it would be on the higher side. MEC has roped in Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) too as partner to design the curriculum.


Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahindra-mahindra-engineering-college-mahindra-ecole-centrale-tech-mahindra-tech-mahindra-college-campus-ecole-centrale/1/311223.html

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Education essential to make India superpower: Kalam

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam on Sunday emphasised the importance of education in making India a superpower by 2020. Kalam attended the 126th birth anniversary of Dr Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil, the founder of the Rayat Education Society, here on Sunday, along with Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

"Students should work to imbibe qualities like moral leadership, temperament and an attitude for research. They should always try to learn modern technology and keep learning so that their knowledge would make India empowered and a superpower," Kalam said in his address at the event.

"Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil's mission was to spread education, so that no village in the state remains without a school, no school in the village without a teacher and no student be deprived of education. His vision resulted in four lakh students learning through 674 schools and colleges from 14 districts in the state," Kalam said.

"There is a need to develop a good education model, so that students can participate in the economic development of India. In today's world, students should be taught to implement and manage the knowledge and the information they get everyday. They should use new technology to learn new things. Along with this, there is need to develop entrepreneurs through the education system. We should succeed in imparting this confidence among students," he said.

Citing the examples of great scientists like Thomas Alva Edison, the Wright Brothers, Graham Bell and S Chandrasekhar, the former President said that the contribution of such stalwarts to the growth of science and technology is great. "We must gain inspiration from them. Students must work hard, be open to acquire knowledge round the clock. No one can stop you from becoming another Graham Bell, if you have all this in you," Kalam urged his audience.

Sharad Pawar spoke of Karmveer Bhaurao Patil's "major role" in empowering Maharashtra. "He was a pioneer in the education sector and worked throughout his life to spread the importance of education," Pawar said.

Kalam inaugurated the core banking process of the Satara District Central Cooperative bank on Sunday.

"With increased use of technology in the banking sector, rural customers are being able to avail good service. The benefits of technology should reach the rural population and should bridge the gap between urban and rural India," he said.

Kalam also reminded the gathering of students of the famous verses of 13th century Persian Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi and asked them to recite with him:

I will fly and fly

"I am born with potential.

I am born with goodness and trust.

I am born with ideas and dreams.

I am born with greatness.

I am born with confidence.

I am born with wings.

So, I am not meant for crawling,

I have wings, I will fly

I will fly and fly"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/Education-essential-to-make-India-superpower-Kalam/articleshow/22910886.cms

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IBM Helps Indian Universities Prepare Students For The Future

IBM has announced that leading universities across India are using IBM's technologies to improve the quality of the education process, introduce new curricula and prepare their students for jobs in the future. IBM has played a pivotal role in providing innovative technology solutions to the Indian education sector. Zinnov, a leading advisory firm, recently recognised IBM India as the leader amongst MNC (multinational) Technology Centers that have contributed significantly to the development of the University Ecosystem in India, for the third consecutive year.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, Karunya University – Coimbatore, and the Shiv Nadar University (SNU) have selected IBM High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, IBM System x iDataPlex servers, IBM PureSystems, IBM Power servers and storage solutions, virtualisation equipment and software to aid high end research, refine processes and elevate the IT infrastructure in the universities.

"With education being high on the public agenda, and with students, professors and the society calling out for new ideas and solutions for better and new skills, the agreement between IBM and these leading universities in India, recognises the increasing relevance of smarter computing as an approach to IT," says Tobby Kakkamthottil, Midmarket and Inside Sales Leader, IBM India/South Asia. "IBM's smarter computing approach helps clients address increasingly more sophisticated workloads and applications, efficiently. It enables organisations of any size – from midmarket clients to large enterprises, leading universities or the state administration - to optimise their business processes and gain competitive advantage, spurring growth."

The education sector in India is at the brink of IT enabled transformation. IBM Research is also working on technologies for intelligent, interactive content, learning content management and delivery, as well as personalised education, which, once mature can plug gaps that result from challenges in reach and scale, engaging content and lack of personalisation.

Supercomputing can be used for everything from weather forecasting to searching for a cancer cure. With data starting to flow, we are quickly approaching the exascale barrier. However, today an exascale computer would require approximately 100 MW power - an equivalent to that used by more than 100 000 homes in India, In order to reap the economic and scientific benefits from the super computing, capabilities that offer highest computing capacity per watt, become instrumental. In that space IBM's Smarter Computing approach to IT becomes increasingly relevant.

Advancing scientific industrial and life sciences research, the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhopal (IISER Bhopal)  and Shiv Nadar University all turned to HPC (High Performance Computing), implementing the country's largest supercomputing clusters within the education sector. These three universities are playing an important role in shaping India's national research agenda.

"In high-energy physics and bio-medical research, for example, simulation has become an integral part of science alongside theory and experimentation. Trial run for years, generating enormous volumes of data to process, and complex modelling that integrates mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology with advanced, high performance computing and engineering." says Prof. Sunil Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. "If universities are to produce highly qualified students in the various branches of science, they need to focus on integrating science education and research with advanced information technologies - i.e. they need to consider adding supercomputing capacity."

As part of today's news, IBM is also announcing that Karunya University, one of India's top engineering universities has selected IBM PureSystems solutions to improve online student services by more effectively processing applications, such as handling online enrolment, exam scheduling, virtual campus management, etc.

http://biztech2.in.com/news/education/ibm-helps-indian-universities-prepare-students-for-the-future/165222/0

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Girl education to bring social revolution: Nitish Kumar

After a gap of two years, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has resumed blog writing. His latest one posted on Thursday is about girls' education which is ushering in a social revolution in Bihar. Referring to his Independence Day speech this year in which he announced scholarship for all girls studying in class I to X in different government schools, he wrote that it was an important decision to further boost the girls' education.

"What is significant about this decision is that schoolgirls from all sections of society, regardless of caste, creed, community and economic background, will benefit from it. The only criterion is that the beneficiary should be a student of a government school. That's all. This, in my opinion, is a revolutionary step which will give a tremendous boost to women's education in the state," Nitish blogged.

The CM hoped that this scheme may turn out to be an equally significant decision not only because it will encourage families to send their daughters to school but also because it will act as a catalyst for social change in the long run. "I have always believed that educating a girl means educating an entire family," he said.

Disclosing his decision to establish a high school in each panchayat, the CM wrote that there was shortage of about 4,500 high schools in the state. The cabinet has already approved setting up of 1,000 high schools in the current financial year. "There are other burning social issues such as child marriage and gender inequality which are reasons behind several social problems. These, too, can be tackled through girls' education," he said.

Expressing concern over the female population going down because of rampant foeticide, he said at present, the male-female ratio is 1,000:916 in Bihar which needs to be improved. "I am of the view that proper and holistic education of girls will definitely help reverse this unhealthy trend as well. In my opinion, an educated girl will never allow female foeticide," he wrote.

Nitish, in his blog, also referred to the success of uniform and bicycle schemes. He said the cycle scheme not only saw a drastic increase in enrolment of girls but brought a newfound confidence in them leading to a social transformation. Prior to the scheme implementation, a large number of girls used to drop out of their schools after Class VIII but these schemes reversed the trend, he added.

"The cycle scheme brought about a social revolution and made the cycle-riding schoolgirls a veritable mascot of Bihar, especially in the rural areas. The success of that scheme could be gauged from the fact that altogether 9,61,109 students, including 4,92,899 girls, availed of the scheme in 2012-13," the CM remarked.

He further wrote that the bicycle project has heralded a silent revolution in the hinterland of Bihar as far as women empowerment is concerned and has instilled a sense of confidence in the girls. "The sight of girls going to their schools from their villages on their bicycles bears ample testimony to that. It is a kind of social revolution which has altered the way girls' education has been looked at in Bihar, historically. I am certain the impact of this revolution will be felt in the long run when women would be truly empowered."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Girl-education-to-bring-social-revolution-Nitish-Kumar/articleshow/22776990.cms

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Worlddidac India 2013 and Asian summit on education and skills 2013

MUMBAI, INDIA: The fifth edition of Worlddidac India and Asian summit on education and skills, the country's only exhibition and conference on educational material, training and technology based solutions for all levels and sectors, proved to be a grand success and ended as being the most productive three days of the year for the entire education and training fraternity.

The theme of the summit was ‘Confronting Complexities for Effective Policy Implementation'. The summit brought together the policy makers and eminent educationists from all over India and other Asian countries, during which issues such as symmetric regulation among public and private sector, optimal utilization of 21st century technology, and developing sustainability through partnerships and collaborations were addressed to bridge the policy implementation gap.

During the summit, S.S. Mantha, chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said: "Several changes have been made in the past and various initiatives have been planned for the future to make a well-defined formal education system and making all courses more employable."

http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/195948/worlddidac-india-2013-asian-summit-education-skills-2013

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