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Students question HRD minister over 8 new IITs

[email protected] (TNN)
June 7, 2014

Pilibhit, Jun 7: Union human resources development minister Smriti Irani's decision to set up eight new IITs has sparked an interesting debate. Students from the older IITs have begun an online petition seeking review of the move, and 6,000 signatures were gathered in less than a week.

The petition, submitted to the minister online by IIT Kharagpur student Digvijay Patil, sought that the infrastructure of existing IITs — there are now 16 of them — be strengthened and upgraded first, before new institutes are started.

HRD ministerThe petition received overwhelming support from the student community, and messages have been pouring in endlessly on social websites like Facebook and messaging network Whatsapp.

IIT students are making all out efforts to project nationwide unanimity in this matter. Among the issues raised by the students are acute shortage of competent teaching staff, and inadequate facilities.

Available reports indicate that existing IITs in India have 6,591 sanctioned posts. Only 4,079 have been filled, a mere 62% of total requirement. Among these faculty positions are also teachers on visiting, adjunct and contratual arrangements.

What is more, the eight IITs set up in 2009 have not yet shifted to permanent campuses.

Students fear that if eight new institutes are set up in such a situation, they will be no better than the eight struggling IITs set up in 2009. Such a state of affairs would result in the dilution of the IIT brand, said Manu Agarwal, a student of IT at the Benaras Hindu University-IIT.

Agarwal pointed out that the average strength of any IIT is around 1,000 students, while the eight IITs set up in 2009 have confined the maximum number of students to 500.

What this means is that these eight IITs have been running at half capacity because of the lack of teachers and necessary infrastructure.

In many IITs, students share rooms meant for single occupancy in the hostels, and three students are sometimes expected to live in rooms meant for only two. Laboratories and classrooms are inadequately furnished, Agarwal said.

Given that the HRD minister has expressed willingness to scrap the controversial four-year undergraduate study programme in Delhi University, IIT students too hope their petition will be heard.

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News Network
August 9,2020

The core objective of the new National Education Policy (NEP), which has given freedom for amalgamation of different concepts, will be translated into action through the National Curriculum Framework, CBSE director said on Friday.

CBSE Director Biswajit Saha made the comments during an e-conclave on the new NEP organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“The core objective of the policy will be translated into action through the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which needs more participatory approach. The policy has given freedom for amalgamation of different concepts and multidisciplinary approach. The NCF will give a roadmap for implementation of reforms laid down in the policy,” he said.

Saha said the training required for competency-based education and learning outcomes can be achieved with progressive participation of stakeholders.

“There could be a debate about the training required for competency-based education and learning outcomes but once we have decided we want to do it, it can be achieved with progressive participation of stakeholders. It is a forward-looking policy,” the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) director said.

The NEP approved by the Union Cabinet replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education framed in 1986 and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower.

Choice between 3 or 4 year undergraduate courses, multiple entry and exit options in degree courses, adding 3.5 crore seats in higher education institutions, which will now have a single regulator, discontinuation of M.Phil programmes and fixation of fees are among the higher education reforms outlined in the new NEP.

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Media Release
March 3,2020

Mumbai, March 3: Mumbai-based Ed tech startup Caymus Tech Ventures has announced inclusion of courses and programs from Harvard Business School, Chicago Booth, Harvard Kennedy School, Harappa Education, The Wharton School, and Stanford Online.

Lore.online users can now discover, compare, and enroll in both online and offline courses and programs including the following:

●  HBS online programs such as Business Analytics, Management Essentials, and Disruptive Strategy.

●  Select courses from the Harappa Habits framework such as Writing Proficiently, Managing Teamwork, and Negotiating Wisely.

●  The Wharton School and Chicago Booth offline executive education offerings, delivered in an face-to-face format, and that touch on topics such as Global Strategic Leadership, Private Equity and Digital Marketing for Executives.

Emerging leaders can tap these offerings to build skills to complement their formal education and experienced professionals can leverage them to hone new age skills required to manage a younger, more globally aware workforce.

Kavita Mehta, Founder CEO, Caymus Tech, says, “Giving our learners the best-fit options has always been our driving factor, which is why we are excited to announce that learners can now access Harvard Business School's highly coveted online programs on Lore and avail quality learning options from anywhere in the world.”

“We are continuously adding quality course providers like INSEAD and Stanford, whose select courses are also live on the platform”, she adds.

Lore.online has also integrated an assessment system in their Learning Pathways, where after undertaking each course, a report is generated which outlines learners technical and non-technical strengths and weaknesses. The platform now also shows open jobs for which a learner can also apply.

Caymus’ enterprise platform LoreForTeams, which was rolled out in Nov 2019, has been updated with additional features.

The new look now comes with a dashboard, new UI for Lore-curated learning lists, discussion features and a personalised learning feed. LoreForTeams, a learning experience platform (LXP), is aimed at working professionals in mid size companies. By adding the LoreForTeams functionality layer, Caymus aims to offer a revolutionary platform for skilling. This segment is seeing tremendous growth as more working professionals look for learning options to upskill themselves and stay relevant in shifting employment and business environments. The global demand for such platforms is north of $200 billion and in India, demand is nascent yet growing and expected to reach $10 billion by 2025.

Kavita Mehta, Founder CEO, Caymus Tech, says, “We heard what our customers and users were telling us. They want a real time view of what their teams are learning, a two way feedback system, and a more focused curation of learning options. Thus, we decided to add these features in LoreForTeams platform so that learning never stops and working professionals continuously find relevant courses to upskill themselves. Our vision is to democratize learning so that everyone has equal access to the best options out there.”

About Caymus Tech Ventures

Caymus Technology Ventures (Caymus) is a Mumbai-based ed-tech start-up focused on bridging the massive skill gap in the global workforce. The Company was founded in 2018 by Kavita Mehta, who earlier led Asia’s leading education consultancy. Caymus, with its expansive, integrated, and holistic perspective, believes in driving empowerment on the bedrock of education, skills, and technology. The Company‘s robust machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) powered platforms help recent graduates and experienced individuals identify targeted opportunities for personal and professional development.

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Media Release
March 10,2020

The Alumni Association members along with the members of Women’s Cell organized a programme to celebrate Women’s day and felicitate the student achievers in various fields.

The programme began with a prayer song by the members of the Women’s cell. Among the dignitaries were Sr Dr M Jeswina A.C, Principal, St Agnes College, Mrs Geanette Dsouza, Vice President, Agnesian Alumni Association, Ms Vivid Dsouza, Convenor of the programme and Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association, Mrs Jyothi Cutinha, Joint Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association. 

The college president, Ms Jerusha Maben welcomed the gathering followed by a welcome dance. The student achievers of the college were honoured by the Agnesian Alumni Association;

Agnesian Outstanding Leader Award sponsored by Mrs Carol Pais in honour of her parents Mr Philip and Mrs Mariette Pais is awarded to Ms Jerusha Maben of III BCom.

Agnesian All-Rounder Award sponsored by Mrs Marjorie Texeira is awarded to Ms Anna Una Crasta of II MA English.

Agnesian Scholar Award sponsored by Dr Meera Aranha is awarded to Ms Shane Joveeta Jovet of III BCom.

Agnesian Best Sports Woman Award sponsored by Mrs Daisy Coelho is awarded to Ms Anusha K.J of III BSc.

Agnesian Best NSS Volunteer is awarded to Nerissa Clementina Noronha of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Army Wing) is awarded to CPL Melani Lobo of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Air Wing) is awarded to CWO Vanditha Anusha Dsouza of III BSc.

Sr Dr M Jeswina AC presided over the programme congratulated all the student achievers and wished them the best.

Mrs Carol Pais compered the programme and Ms Vivid Dsouza, Secretary of Alumni Association proposed the vote of thanks.

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