Curriculum Magazine Feb 2019

www.curriculum-magazine.com RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Vol 9 No 4 magazine THE INDIA EDUCATION LANDSCAPE UPDATE February 16 2019 IN BRIEF Education doesn't MSDE, MHRD working to link 40K Colleges to skill demand & apprenticeship Graduates as interns will teach in Bengal find due mention Apprenticeship Schemes fail to take off in a big way, Govt ready to do more if required The West Bengal government is formulating a proposal to in Interim Budget 2019 An abysmal 0.1% of workforce in India comprises of apprentices in recruit graduates as interns for comparison to much higher percentages in other parts of the world. With bulk two years in institutes facing Barely two days after Prime last year, at Rs 80,215 crore, was of the employment (more than 60%) coming from MSME sector (medium & dearth of teachers at both Minister Narendra Modi's less than the allocated. Despite the small sector enterprises), the linkages to apprenticeship have not developed primary and secondary levels. Pariksha Pe Charcha where he hike, the share of expenses on on expected lines despite a liberalized regime of the Apprenticeship Act after Also the stae government is tried to reach out to students, education sector remains the same it was amended in 2014 as apparently neither the industry nor the institutions thinking of rationalizing youth and parents over exam as last year. Interestingly, despite have seen much value in it. deployment of teachers. There stress and related issues , the the government's repeated claim is more than adequate teachers interim budget presented by his on its stress on improving higher Contd P4 in some areas, while there is an government on February 1 didn’t education, the allocation for acute dearth of teachers in show a similar inclination as Higher Education Financing India to take part in PISA test in 2021 many interior pockets of education has been almost Agency (HEFA) has been reduced Sunderbans, Jhargram and omitted from budget speech. from Rs 2,750 crore last year to Rs Indian school students will in 2021 appear for the Programme for Dooars. The interns at the Writing in the Indian Express, 2,100 crore this year. The actual primary level could get Rs. Ashok Thakur, former HRD spend by HEFA last year was just International Assessment (PISA) test, which will help reveal where they 2,000 every month while as at secretary opines thatoOne could Rs 250 crore. secondary level will get Rs not but conclude by the end of the Education experts have called it stand globally as far as learning outcomes are concerned. 2,500 per month. The Budget-2019 speech that big disappointment for education An agreement between India and Organisation for Economic Co- performance of the interns education was no longer the sector . A mere allocation of Rs could be monitored regularly important building block in nation 38,572 crore (only negligible operation and Development for India's participation in PISA was signed and if found satisfactory, he or building that it was once consid- increase of Rs 6,238 crore from she would be considered for ered. previous year) under National in Delhi recently. Government-run Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya regular recruitment. \"We have The government has allocated Rs Education Mission of which only formed an umbrella committee 93,848 crore-3.3 per cent of the Rs 36, 472.40 crore for school Vidyalayas and schools in Chandigarh will participate in the test. having the education minister, total budget expenditure-for the education under the Samagra HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said the participation in PISA 2021 higher education secretary, VCs education sector, over Rs 10,000 Shiksha Abhyan is grossly of Jadavpur and Calcutta crore hike from the revised inadequate to universalise would indicate the health of the education system and would motivate University as members. The estimate Rs 83,626 last year. It's a education up to secondary level in committee will submit a report different matter, the actual spend the country. other states in the subsequent cycles. This will lead to improvement in the soon,\" chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said. Contd P5 learning levels of the children and enhance the quality of education in the National Testing Agency country.OECD has agreed to ask some questions based on Indian context, App he said. India had taken part in PISA in 2009 and bagged the 72nd rank National Testing Agency (NTA) has launched a 'mobile app' among 74 participating countries. PISA is a triennial international survey through which students can practice or take mock tests on in which sudents are assessed in reading, mathematics, science and their own computers or smart phones. In order to ensure that collaborative problem-solving. no student is disadvantaged due to lack of resources, NTA has ASER 2018: established a network of more the usual & familiar story than 4000 Test Practice Centres (TPCs) to acquaint the Signally a marginal as nationally for children in Honda Y-E-S Award given to 14 IITian students aspirants, especially those from improvement in foundational standard III who are able to do at rural areas with Computer skills of rural children in the least subtraction has not changed Contd P 16 Based Tests (CBTs). Students country's 596 districts, this much, from 27.6% in 2016 to across the country can register year's annual status of education 28.1% in 2018. For government New guidelines, framework for JSSs...7 themselves online at NTA report or ASER 2018 by school children, this figure was Tackling deepening agrarian crisis requires Website or 'NTA Students App' Mumbai-based NGO Pratham, 20.3% in 2016 and 20.9% in 2018. comprehensive reforms ...8 for visiting the TPCs. All these shows several states have woken For standard V the reading skills Simultaneous preparation strategy for Boards and JEE services are provided to the up to the challenge of learning percentage of children who can Main (April Session)...10 students free of cost. So far, crisis even though it is a long way read class II level, the increase is The Turbulent revival of Allahabad Univ & controversies-- more than one lakh students to go. ASER 2018 was based on a from 47.9% in 2016 to 50.3% in -12 have registered at these TPCs nation-wide household survey 2018 (Himachal Pradesh, Uttar and more than one crore where children in the age group 3 Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Delhi launches Entrepreneurship students have benefited from to 16 in which 5 to 16 years group Karnataka, Kerala, Arunachal Mindset Curriculum Framework these 'App & Web' services. were assessed one-on-one to Pradesh, Mizoram, Punjab and understand their basic reading Andhra Pradesh lead in showing Under the new curriculum, the government will provide “seed money” of Rs Details of Delhi’s 2500+ and arithmetic abilities. A total of improvement at this level). Also, 1,000 for students of classes IX to XII in government schools and Rs 5,000 to Pvt schools online by 546,527 children were surveyed the proportion of children in college students to “experiment with the entrepreneurial mindset”. The June over September month of 2018 standard V across India who are project is set to cost Rs 40-50 crore. for this purpose. able to do division has inched up “The Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum Framework will invariably DCPCR is reviewing all Delhi ASER 2018 released on January slightly, from 26% in 2016 to bring about a paradigm shift in the education system — in the way students schools on various parameters 15 in New Delhi showed that the 27.8% in 2018. explore and learn and in the manner teachers facilitate and guide these including student vacancies and percentage of all children in ASER 2018 data indicates that of exploratory processes,” said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. EWS inclusion under RTE Act standard III who can read at all children enrolled in standard Officials said they will curate the syllabus and texts required for teaching 12 (1c), safety etc. About 90% standard II level text has been VIII in India, about 73% can read at entrepreneurship-oriented skills over the next few months. A pilot project, of schools under corporations climbing slowly over the past least a standard II level text. This including teachers from 15-20 schools, will be held from April onwards. As which were out of online few years. This figure has number is unchanged from 2016. per the feedback, the project will be executed at the school-level from July. monitoring will be fully online increased from 25.1% in 2016, to The overall performance of A team of 14 people, including mentor teachers, social workers, entrepre- by June this year. 27.2% in 2018. Six states standard VIII in basic arithmetic neurs and members of the State Council of Education Research and Training (Punjab, Haryana, Mizoram, has not changed much over time. (SCERT), are overlooking the syllabi-making process. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Currently about 44% of all children Kerala) show an improvement of in Std VIII can solve a 3-digit by 1- more than 5 percentage points digit numerical division problem over 2016 levels. In simple correctly. While this figure has arithmetic abilities, however, gone down from 2016 to 2018 in there is negligible improvement many states, government school Contd P 4

2 Curriculum February 16, 2018 News Updates Dell launches India's first PolicyHack Budding Chef Cyrene Randrianasolo wears ICAI elects New Team for teachers Young Chef Olympiad 2019 Crown The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a Dell has partnered with the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Six days, four cities and three statutory body established under Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and thrilling rounds later, on the the Chartered Accountants Act, Ignus, to create a platform where teachers, school representatives and evening of 2nd February, 2019, 1949 for the regulation of the a cross-sectional group experts related to education can interact with France was the crowned winner profession of Chartered each other. of the IIHM International Young Accountancy in India elected its The maiden PolicyHackTM in India was conducted at two levels in Chef Olympiad 2019. The new team with CA. Prafulla P. January: over 80 schools Pan-India shared their statements of purpose. winners were announced at the Chhajed as the President and CA. Basis the evaluation parameters, top 20 shortlisted schools presented end of a colourful and grand Atul Kumar Gupta as the Vice- their ideas to the Jury, which comprised of Sanjay Awasthi, Member closing ceremony befitting the President for year 2019-20. Secretary National Council for Teacher Education, Rajive Gulati, standard of the Young Chef Head, Start-Up Incubator, HARTRON, Prof. Dr. Anantha Duraiappah, Olympiad was held at Nicco Park Vidyamandir classes now Director, UNESCO MGIEP, Subir Shukla, Founder, Ignus, Ajay Kaul, in Kolkata. Cyrene also in Gorakhpur Director and GM, Head Government Business, Dell EMC and Ritu Randrianasolo, a student of Gupta, Director, Consumer India, Dell. Albert de Mun Hotel and Vidyamandir Classes opened a Dell plans to present three more PolicyHacks in other regions of the Catering School, beat 49 other new centre in Gorakhpur. As a country in 2019, in an endeavour to foster and cultivate innovative nations and was declared the cutting-edge coaching facility, ideas on how teachers can leverage technology for themselves and for winner of the fifth edition of the this centre will help prepare the the benefit of their students. PolicyHackTM is a global forum of world's biggest culinary region's current and future Public Policy discussions, curated under the umbrella of Realizing extravaganza. She was also the aspirants for higher exams related 2030 - wherein Dell strives to explore and realize the true potential of lucky first to wear the Golden with IIT and medical education. technology to drive human progress. The objective of the PolicyHack Chef Cap given for the first time The centre was inaugurated by is to enable an ecosystem-wide understanding of key problems that this year to the winner of YCO Saurabh Kumar, Director impact the learning journey of a teacher. The maiden hackathon for 2019. The silver trophy went to Romania's Bogdan-Petru-Alin Vandici of Academics Vidyamandir Classes teachers was won by the Government Boys Senior Secondary School ICEP Hotel School and the bronze went to England's Luke Hayward from at Riya Lawn, Hanuman Mandir No 1 Ghonda, Delhi who presented the most promising and innovative the University College of Birmingham. Along with the trophy, Cyrene Road near Beriahata Chowk. ideas and solutions. The teams who were runners up were Indraprastha also bagged a gold medal and was handed over a cheque for $10,000. Saurabh said, “Our new centre in International School, Gyan Devi Salwan Public School and Dr. Shocked and awed at her victory, Cyrene was nervous and managed to Gorakhpur is a key step to reach Sampuranand SKV-1. thank everyone for her win. “I am honoured to win this recognition from out to our young aspirants who Ajay Kaul, Director and GM, Head Government Business, Dell EMC IIHM at YCO 19. I want to thank them all for this wonderful opportunity are devoid of professional said, “Teachers have always played a key role in fuelling curiosity in and I am overwhelmed to have won this trophy and prize,” said Cyrene. coaching and learning skills. This the minds of young students. These students set out to become some of This year, the International Young Chef Olympiad, had an additional centre will help these students the brightest minds in the world. Inspired by teachers' contribution to attraction with a Plate Trophy for countries that ranked between 11 to 20. provide advanced knowledge and our education system, Dell PolicyHack India aims at creating a The plate trophy winner was Matthew Potgieter, a student of South direction and thereby create an platform dedicated for teachers to address their day to day challenges AfricanAcademy of CulinaryArts. environment that not only guides and explore how technology can help enable their success. As a The International Young Chef Olympiad 2019 commenced on January them to the path of success, but company we are focused on transforming education, and our efforts 28th 2019 with a Grand Opening ceremony held at Dr. Sarvepalli also inspires them to recognize with Atal Innovation Mission, EduVision and Dell Aarambh are Radhakrishnan Auditorium in New Delhi. After that, the countries and explore their own potential.” testimony to that. These hacks will add another dimension to our completed two rounds of competition in Delhi, Pune and Bangalore ongoing efforts, and will provide a lot of inputs to the budding edu- before coming to Kolkata for the final round. Christine Özden is the tech communities, by sharing with them real issues faced by adminis- Cyrene bagged the winner's trophy after the final round held at the IIHM new Chief Executive trations and teachers. We are truly thrilled to partner with UNESCO- Global Campus in Kolkata. The final round included preparing a salmon- Cambridge International MGIEP and IGNUS in bringing this PolicyHack for Teachers – and we based dish, a potato-based side and a dessert. Apart from the winner's hope it makes a difference.” trophy Cyrene also bagged an award for Best Hygienic Practice. Cambridge Assessment Dr. Anantha Duraiappah, Director, UNESCO MGIEP said, “We all International Education must move away from the present assessment-obsessed competitive Career Launcher to provide free coaching (Cambridge International) has system to a structure that rewards collaboration, empathy and appointed Christine Özden as its compassion for the social good. Digital pedagogies can help educators to Delhi Govt schools new Chief Executive. Christine develop content that is fun, engaging, interactive and immersive for took up the role on 2 January the user, and reach out to a large pool of students.” Career Launcher has been roped in to start a free-of-cost support to 2019, succeeding Michael train government school students for NEET & JEE entrance exams, O'Sullivan who held the post for Cambridge International collaborates as part of an everlasting social impact activity. nearly six years. As per the agreement between Delhi government and Career with the IAYP Launcher has launched special crash courses to train aspirants for Christine began her career in NEET and JEE entrances. These students are currently studying international education at Cambridge International is collaborating with The International under science stream in class 12th in Delhi Government schools. The Cambridge University Press and Award for Young People (IAYP) to offer Cambridge schools new ways company also organized a special training session for the Delhi in her most recent role before to broaden their curriculum alongside Cambridge academic Government school teachers to help facilitate the students' access and joining Cambridge International, programmes. This new initiative will enhance learning both inside and learning. she was responsible for launching outside the classroom. IAYP delivers the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi also tweeted about upper secondary level qualifica- India. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the world's leading youth the initiative, acknowledging the special guidance provided to Delhi tions in the Middle East andAsia. achievement award in over 130 countries. It is open to all 14-24-year Government school students by the company. olds and has inspired millions of young people around the world to “Since 2015, the number of students getting selected in IIT-JEE have Centres for AI in transform their lives. risen from 40-50 to over 300 selections today. This has been the result Institutions Cambridge International's collaboration with the IAYP will help of constant hard work of the teachers & students of Delhi govt Cambridge schools in India provide students with a holistic education schools. We thank Career Launcher & welcome them in building In view of increasing use of and develop students who are confident, responsible, reflective, upon this success. Preparing for competitive examinations is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovative and engaged. It will also create opportunities for young intended objective, but this exercise will also be intended towards technology across the world, IIT people to develop skills such as teamwork and collaboration, get developing a scientific outlook, through exposure to higher applica- Kharagpur, IIT-Madras, IIIT- physically active, give service to their local community and experi- tions of science in daily life. I really hope the students make the most Kancheepuram, NIT Silchar, and ence adventure. of it.” said the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. NIT Bhopal have set up centres The students will get 130 hours of training, spanning all the four key for Artificial Intelligence. Most Career guidance portal by Rajasthan subjects - Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. of the Higher Educational Additionally, to supplement their learning & get them exam-ready, Institutions viz., IITs, NITs, IIITs, Govt the students will also have access to an Online Test Series and other etc. offer various AI related required course material for studying, all free-of-cost. The Online courses such as Deep Learning In a first in India, Rajasthan government has launched a career Test Series is specially designed to give the students a real experience Foundations & Applications, guidance portal to counsel children on their future and choice of of the exam. Foundations of AI and Machine professional life as they reach their adolescence. The portal has been Learning, Reinforcement launched to bring a range of careers to the students enrolled in schools. Unlimited Cloud Storage to Encourage Content Learning, Probabilistic The UNICEF is supporting the state department of education to Reasoning in AI, Predictive & develop this career guidance portal for children in secondary and Sharing Prescriptive Data Analytics, higher secondary schools. The programme is aimed to address student Deep Learning, System needs in the educational stream so that they are able to choose a career MrOwl, a Social Cloud Storage™ platform, has announced the Identification, Cyber Physical path matching their aspirations, interest, inclination and aptitude, an rollout of free, unlimited cloud storage for content that is shared with Security, Digital Image also to link them with mechanisms such as scholarships, skill the world. MrOwl gives users the capability to more simply store Processing, etc. The Acts and development programs, internship and apprenticeship opportunities their files once and search them infinitely from anywhere at any time. Statutes governing these and the like, in the pursuit of their career choices. With just a few clicks, MrOwl users can upload gigabytes of data that Institutions allow them to have In experts' view, this is expected to ameliorate the high drop-out rates is automatically organized, shareable and searchable. By providing academic and research collabora- observed at various stages in the educational system. It is also aimed at one platform that allows users to access their digital lives all in one tion with Institutions and improving retention in jobs. The portal is expected to benefit approxi- place, MrOwl's unlimited free cloud storage will help solve many of mately 14,290 government schools of Rajasthan and provide career consumers' internet search frustrations. information to 23 lakh students from classes 9 to 12. French



4 Curriculum February16, 2018 News Update Contd from P1 MSDE, MHRD working to link 40K Colleges to skill demand & apprenticeship ASER 2018: The familiar story While this figure has gone down Pratham and man behind ASER ways is promoting governments This is baffling the policy makers, who think that despite government from 2016 to 2018 in many initiative while reflecting on the for looking for answers. doing all it could possibly do to push apprenticeship in the country, why states, government school findings in the accompanying So, this year too ASER, which change has not happened on ground. Accordingly, the supply driven children in some states show comments writes, “If most moved back this year to regular model is being sought to be played around with demand driven by substantial improvements in the children can acquire basic 'basic model' after a gap of a year forging linkages of 40,000 colleges of higher education with local last two years. foundational skills like reading hasn't much to reveal than its industry so that industry and academia forge a relationship that would For the age group 14 to 16, the all and arithmetic by the end of Std previous editions. Has ASER translate into proportionate rise of apprentices in the workforce and help India figure for the proportion of II, then a huge national problem outlived its utility and freshness as in replenishing labor market. This information was given by Rajesh girls who can read at least a of later learning gaps can be ASER findings have become Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, MSDE at an event in New Delhi hosted by standard II level text is very solved. Existing research and common knowledge over the IndiaApprenticeship Forum on Feb 15. similar to that of boys. Both are practice show that effective years? None other than Madhav Aggarwal said that a strong VET (Vocational education & training) and around 77%. In basic arithmetic, programs can be implemented to Chauhan acknowledged this while quality manpower, a hallmark of European countries is achieved however, boys seem to hold a solve the learning crisis early. But declaring that funders were not through dual education system and country's education system was a no substantial advantage. this requires moving away, at forthcoming forASER lately. match. Saying that apprenticeship needs to be evangelized by the Nationally, 50% of all boys in least for part of the school day or It may be mentioned that ASER's industry and eventually it will prove the X-factor in competiveness of the age group 14 to 16 can school year, from the current popularity is also its marketing enterprises. He said it is necessary if country has to hit double digit correctly solve a division curriculum and textbook content strategy and it has consciously growth rate. problem as compared to 44% of to focus on foundations. To stayed out of confronting state or He also made it clear that low wage advantage is a passé and industry all girls. ensure that every child has the using DISE data to validate must embrace productivity, which again is extremely low in case of In addition, for the first time this opportunity to 'catch up' requires findings on inadequate provisions India. year, ASER introduced a series a significant realigning of all including qualified teachers. It is It may be mentioned that government is popularizing apprenticeship of questions on the availability elements of the education system. also not submitting its research through NEEM (National Employment Enhancement Mission).an of sports infrastructure in This 'catch up' will involve methodology for peer review. An National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). There is a target schools and found that about 8 millions of children and hence important link that ASER of having 70 million apprentices by 2020 and therefore there is a reach out of 10 schools had a how to get this done must be the continues to overlook is linking out for promoting a culture of apprenticeship by various stakeholders, playground available for highest priority for policy public funding of education to Sumit Kumar, Vice President- NETAP, TeamLease Services, students, either within the makers, planners, and outcomes and general said,“Apprenticeships are powerful tool to create talent. India has a well school premises or close by. practitioners.” stereotypical budgeting and established and regulated apprenticeship system, however it is highly However at the same time, Delhi deputy chief minister who spending of school education by under-utilized. We need an active participation from employers, youth, physical education teachers are is also the education portfolio the state. India's spending on regulators and academia to scale up the apprenticeship ecosystem in scarce in schools across rural while underlining the education is still under 4% of GDP India. We hope this initiative of ours will translate in building human India. Only 5.8% of all primary responsibility of governments and ever since educational plans capital for the country, bridging skill deficit in industry and enhancing schools and 30.8% of upper towards educational challenges have becoming 'strategic' and youth employability.” primary schools had a physical and highlighting his projects under the The event also had a panel discussion on new age hiring outlook for education teacher available. government's interventions at universalization of elementary apprenticeship programs, opportunities and challenges faced by the Also, sports equipment of some making system responsible for education (UEE) mission, ideals youth; hhiring, attracting & retaining the right talent and the multi- kind was observed in 55.8% of failure than children said that of education have been modal vs. modular training programs. primary schools and 71.5% of even after making corrections in compromised. Otherwise children It may be mentioned that Government has pre-approved all the upper primary schools. making children foundationally are naturally keen learners. Government and Private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) having Importantly, the ASER sound with skills, there is a need Economist and JNU Professor rating 2.0 and above as basic training provider. It will help fresher researchers have come to a to give them the confidence to go Praveeen Jha who has done apprentices to acquire a reasonable ability to handle significant conclusion this year into the real world and that is still research work on public education Instruments/Machineries/Equipment independently prior to moving to that pen-and-paper assessments a national challenge as even provisioning agrees there is a link Shop Floor/Work Area for practical training / On-Job Training under do not make sense for most brilliant students still want a class between financial provisioning National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme under Apprentices Act, children in standard III in India. IV government job if is and learning crisis. “I have been 1961. Understanding their current available? advocating unitary method of Government has taken measures to boost apprenticeship training by level of reading or arithmetic Yamini Aiyar, president of Delhi- arriving at the financial needs of involving all the stakeholders including the State Government and the will need other methods like based think tank, Centre for educating children and whatever private industry. A fully dedicated portal for apprenticeship training is working with them one-on-one Policy Research, who was part of research available, it says more prepared and made functional. with oral, interactive tasks. the Pratham 'alumni' panel that provisioning betters outcomes. Comprehensive changes have been brought under Guidelines for Madhav Chauhan, founder of released the report, said ASER We may continue to brag about National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), Basic Training learning crisis but unless you look Provider (BTP), Third Party Aggregators (TPAs) and framing of courses initiative has been able to at enabling environment, it will be under apprenticeship training program. Industry representative bring stakeholders in always like that. You may need appointed as Brand Ambassadors for promotion and creating awareness hinterland closer to much more than the stated 6% among the all stakeholders for apprenticeship training. understanding expectations GDP spend on education if overall from schooling, sparking education has to become Advertise with us conversations and the qualitative and taken out from this learning crisis has got a public familiar narrative,” he adds. To Book an ad call at 9811824444 recognition, which in some [email protected] 8076071802 9-year-old Mumbai girl youngest to speak at TEDx forum in India Advika Nair, a 9-year-old revolved around 'Possibilities', audience, as her earnest cry of, every adult in the audience topic. Public speaking is a vital tool in student at The Hiranandani and the potential to change the “Why do you want us to stop reconnect with their inner child today's world, and there's no better Foundation School - world inherent in every child, dreaming?” met with pin-drop through a quick shimmy and platform to shine than at a TEDx event. International (HFIS) Mumbai, inspired by her own silence. After all, there's no harm shake, before serenading the ” became the youngest person to experiences and observations in being a dreamer. For her last audience with a rendition of La La With dreams of growing up to be a ever speak at a TEDx forum in of the world at large. point, she highlighted the Land's 'The Fools Who Dream'. professional orator, writer, and film India on Jan 23. Advika's talk Over the course of her speech, advantages of a non-competitive She received a standing ovation director one day, Advika certainly isn't Advika homed in on three key educational system, where the for her speech at the TEDx talk. short on ambition. Advika was one of issues faced by a child on a worth of an individual isn't HFSI Principal Kalyani Patnaik the very few children to participate in a daily basis. The first was determined by their success in an describes Advika as an ace musical play, based on the beloved parental discouragement in the arbitrary set of fields. After all, as student and an enthusiastic Disney animated film-Aristocats in the form of 'no', something every Advika notes, “Only in a non- participant in extracurricular USA. In addition, the 9-year-old spoke child is well-versed with. As competitive system can we be activities, spoke highly of her at the Prahlad Kakar School of she wisely pointed out, “I happy doing what we truly love.” following the event, “We have Branding and Entrepreneurship- know you're trying to protect us, With wit and verve, Advika always been proud of Advika and organised ITCH Summit, alongside but you're also instilling fear in tackled these weighty issues with her accomplishments, and her luminaries such as Piyush Pandey, us. How will we conquer the a maturity beyond her years, speech today only reinforced our Devdutt Patnaik, Falguni Nayyar, Priya world if we have a fear of holding her audience spellbound. opinion of her. She has Dutt, and Dino Morea, amongst others. failure?” The next question cut at To cap off the session, she remarkable insight for a child her We're sure we'll be seeing more of her the heart of every parent in the lightened the mood by helping age, and a true passion for the very soon.

Curriculum February16, 2018 5 Union Education Budget Contd from P1 Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, World University of Design: “Overall, the Interim Budget is focused on people, progress & Union Education Budget: Reactions prosperity and that will lead to the rise of a #NewIndia by 2022. Being an election focused budget, there was no big announcement for the Piyush Goyal announced Industry Reactions: education sector which requires a long term focus. The reduction in the developing the national interest on education loans is a good move towards ensuring education Artificial Intelligence (AI) Puja Marwaha, CEO at CRY – Child Rights and You : “The for all. At the same time, the allocation for Higher Education Financing portal as a part of the Interim Budget 2019 has shown positive trends towards the Agency (HEFA) has been reduced from Rs 2,750 crore last year to Rs National Programme on vulnerable sections of our society, including farmers, small 2,100 crore this year. More focused announcements around skilling and Artificial Intelligence. The entrepreneurs and the tax-paying middle classes. Yet, for almost higher education for youth would have made the Budget more holistic.” government will also 40% of India's population comprising of its children, it failed to Rohit Manglik, CEO, EduGorilla: “In the education sector, the establish the National Centre address the expectations of the nation, as children were neither a government has already implemented various policy reforms. With on Artificial Intelligence and part of the Budget Speech, nor were they visible anywhere in the emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Realty Centres of Excellence for AI 10 point vision for 2030. already making a significant impact in every sphere, the move to launch programme. “National “The first level analysis of the budget documents reveals that the overall the National Artificial Intelligence Portal is a commendable one. The programme on artificial budget outlay for children is just 3.25% of the total Union Budget, with a education sector will receive a boost with the focus on strengthening the intelligence (AI) has been negligible 0.01% increase since last financial year. In gross terms it records digital infrastructure. It can be a game-changer in making education envisaged by the govern- an increase of Rs. 9,358 crores from Rs. 81,235.63 crores in 2018-19 (RE) to affordable and facilitate access to education among youth in every nook ment. National centre on Rs. 90594.25 crores 2019-20 (BE) [Analysis based on Statement -12 and corner of the country.” Artificial Intelligence as a uploaded by MoF]. Tarun Bhalla, CEO & Founder, Avishkaar: Budget 2019 will prove hub along with Centres of “However, it is welcoming that some areas such as the National Nutrition to be a godsend for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector in India. With Excellence has been Mission (NNM) has got an increased boost of 410 crores [from Rs. 2,990 over 200 AI start-ups currently innovating AI-based solutions in the established,” said Goyal in crores in 2018-18 (RE) to Rs. 3,400 crores in 2019-20 (BE)], and Integrated country, they'll help serve the society and help make a marked difference the parliament. Child Development Scheme (ICDS) witnessed an increase of Rs 4,227 in the education, healthcare, transportation, infra and agricultural Experts have been saying crores, [from Rs. 23,357 crores in 2018-19 (RE) to Rs 27,584 crores in 2019- sectors of India. that for the country to touch 20 (BE)]. We hope that the huge vacancy gap in Angawadis as well as Prashant Gupta, Executive Director, Sharda University : 8% growth rate, it will have universalised coverage of ICDS services for children under six years sees a “Reflecting our Government's great commitment to harness the to increase the spending on visible improvement with this additional budgetary allocation. potential of our students/youth and empower their future, the investment education. India is posi- “There is also some increase in the area of protection of children in Integrated of Rs 38, 572 Cr under the National Education Mission, is indeed a tioned much lower than its Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which has received a boost of Rs. 575 welcome move. The initiative of deduction in the interest on education neighbors in the human crores over last year. However, the area of protection, especially prevention loans will make education accessible to all. Additionally, the advancement list (HDI) of crimes against children, is huge and it requires much more resource government's push towards new-age technologies like Artificial which is a marker or allocation. We can only hope that this is adequate enough to address the Intelligence will impart necessary skills and knowledge to the younger indicator of the social sector, burning need of curbing violence against children. generation and will help in preparing the workforce of future.” particularly education, “Last year, three major schemes across the child education sector have been Divya Jain, CEO, and Founder, Safeducate : “With the scheme of employment and so on. consolidated with Samagra Siksha Abhiyan or Integrated scheme of modernizing the villages, and going digital will help in Skilling the Education is needed to education. In this budget, there seems to be nominal increase in the amount of youths in such villages, making them self-reliant and finding develop right kind of money allocated for the Education sector, with Rs. 36,322 crores allocated progressive careers for themselves while contributing to the household attitude, outlook, perspec- for Samagra Siksha Abhiyan a simple replacement exercise for the combined incomes as well. In most of the villages, women are still not allowed to tives and how to learn for sums under the erstwhile Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Rashtriya go out of their homes - Digital villages will help to reach those women life. Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and the scheme for teachers' and skill them. education. Also, other areas such as educational scholarships for Kapil Rampal, Director of Ivory Education: “The Union Budget of marginalized sections, both below and above the tenth standard have shown this year is an interim budget focused at the election. For the education decline.” sector, it is a major disappointment. In order to incorporate the quota, there is a burden on Indian universities to increase their seats by 25% Akhil Shahani, Managing Director, The Shahani Group : without allocation in the budget for enhancing infrastructure, faculty, \"Unfortunately not much benefits offered to the education sector beyond and other resources required. In fact, no additional funds are allocated what was done in previous years. However, the emphasis on internet this year. The marginal increase in allocation is mostly for cost initiates connectivity and low data costs will increase access to online education to such as fancy research projects like IMPRESS, RUSA and Uttar Bharat lesser served locations in India\" Program. National Education Mission, which has always missed its targets, has MODI Govt's Education Top Milestones been given an enhanced allocation of Rs. 38,572 crores from the total budget of Rs. 93,847.64 crores. For the private education sector, the nIn the last about five years, seven IITs, seven IIMs, fourteen IIITs, 15 government continues to bleed the sector with a very high GST rate of 18%, which they do not intend to bring down.” AIIMS, one NIT, and four NIDs have been set up or are in the process of Vineet Chaturvedi, Co-founder, Edureka: Speaking specifically of being set up. But most of them are yet to be functional and suffer from the ed-tech industry, a reduction in GST would greatly help boost a serious shortage of faculty. culture of up-skilling among Indians and this is indeed the need of the hour for India to maintain an edge in technical skills. Education and up- nTwo agriculture universities have been set up in Jhansi and Imphal. Two skilling is no luxury and it should not be taxed as such. Aditya Malik, CEO & MD, Talentedge: This year's budget horticulture universities have been set up in Haryana) and Telangana.The announcement of 1 lakh digital villages to be created by the government National Sports University has been set up in Manipur. The National Rail in the next five years is a very positive sign for us. With the availability and Transportation Institute (NRTI), deemed university set up in Vadodara. of voice and data, digital platforms like Talentedge can reach these The National Centre for Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Special remote regions and provide a much wider access to world class Effects to be set up in Mumbai has not come up yet though Maharashtra government has already allocated 20 education. acres for the project. Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO, and Founder, NextEducation.: Government has taken a welcome step towards it by declaring a nationwide nThe SWAYAM online courses have emerged as a successful massive open online course (MOOC). programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Union Budget 2019. nIn 2018, the University Grants Commission granted autonomy to 60 higher educational institutions, which This programme involves the establishment of a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence along with other centres of excellence, and the maintained high academic standards. The government last year announced granted Institutes of Eminence status development of a national AI portal for the advancement of 9 high- to six universities. priority areas including education. This will help us catch up with the leading nations such as the US and China, who are using AI and data nPandit Madan Mohan Malviya New Teachers Training Programme\" launched to infuse new training tools and sciences to personalising education. Apart from this, the Digital India scheme, with more than 3 lakh common service centres, is aimed at motivate teachers. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has introduced a four-year integrated bringing digital infrastructure to every nook and corner of the country. professional B.Ed course on the lines of universities abroad. The government intends to build 1 lakh digital villages with an internet connection and digital devices in the next few years. This, in nFinalized learning outcomes for each class in Languages (Hindi, English and Urdu), Mathematics, collaboration with EdTech companies like us, will help realise the national vision of 'Education forAll'. Environmental Studies, Science and Social Science up to the Elementary stage. National Survey of more than 20 Shobhit Bhatnagar, Co-Founder, Gradeup: \"The budget lakh children has been conducted to assess the status on the ground. announcement that the Government will set up a national centre for artificial intelligence to look into AI programmes is a welcome move. nIndia has also decided to participate from next year in the much-acclaimed programme for International Student With this, we hope that we get the right set of people, agency and minds to lead this initiative. A policy was much needed from the govt. around Assessment (PISA) usage of data and AI, so that India can lever on its own creation of data and not just be a digital colony. India is fast becoming the largest n62 new Navodaya Vidyalayas announced. Proposed setting up of an Ekalavya Model Residential School by consumer of data in the world and we are generating a lot of data while innovating new products and reaching out to new audiences. If this 2022 at every block with more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons. No tangible policy is made and executed correctly with the right system design, it progress so far. will also be a great value add for consumer startups.\" nSet up HEFA, as a non banking financial company with Canara Bank as its partner-Rs 250 crore from government and Rs 50 crore from Canara bank-for the purpose of mobilizing money through market borrowing and releasing them to government institutions as interest free loans.· n Vidya Lakshmi Portal launched as a gateway to banks for education loan and also with links to National e- Scholarship Portal. ''Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF)'' Scheme to identify 1,000 best B.Tech students each year from premier institutions and provide them facilities to do Ph.D in IITs and IISc, with a handsome fellowship. nSet up of the National Academic Depository (NAD)-a digital depository for School Leaving Certificates, College Degrees, Academic Awards and Mark sheets to be set-up.National Testing Agency (NTA) as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organisation to conduct all entrance examinations for higher education institutions. nRevitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) initiative by 2022.

6 Curriculum February 16, 2018 Useful News IIIT-Hyderabad to STEP program for grade 7-10 students with MOU to create awareness about commodity in focus on computational thinking farmers and students IIIT-Hyderabad will be career the student chooses to For middle school students conducting its annual Student pursue later in life, computational (Grade 7-8), the course The National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) and Technology Education thinking will be an essential (Computational Thinking and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) has signed a Programme (STEP) for school element. Applications, CTA) will be Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with special emphasis students in Grades 7-10 Majority of the sessions will be introductory in nature and deal mentoring Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and allied institu- between 6 May – 31May 2019. conducted by IIITH faculty as with applications of CT. The tions. The mentoring is expected to occur through training sessions, This unique outreach program well as some visiting faculty. The course material has been handholding, and leadership development. by IIIT-Hyderabad is the first of success of this School Outreach developed based on the IRMA is expected to support the training and development needs of its kind and a harbinger of the activity is visible in how children curriculum of Code.org. market ecosystem stakeholders in order to spread awareness about institute's goal for spreading the who've participated in the For high school students (Grade commodity markets with an emphasis on derivative markets. A joint concept of computational program have been able to use 9-10), the Computational certification programme has been envisaged whereby IRMA's students thinking within the larger computational thinking in all Thinking and Problem Solving could learn about commodity markets besides providing training to agro community. aspects of their development, and (CTPS) course is exploratory in sourcing professionals, skill upgrades of government officials, Computational Thinking is a some of the former students have nature, dealing with various supportive awareness programmes, and research. fundamental mental skill, performed very well in and aspects of how CT can help in Speaking on this occasion Prof. Hitesh Bhatt, Director, IRMA said: which should be ingrained in a qualified for the National problem solving. “While organizational encouragement does exist for the setting up of child as early as possible. The Olympiads. All students will receive a FPOs, the latter need support for scale-up and sustainability purposes. STEP curriculum has been Admission to the course is open to certificate at the end of the course. This MoU will enable both parties to instill collaboration with meaning- designed to help build logical any student who meets the age Classes start from 6 May – 31May ful outcomes.” thinking, problem solving and criteria on a First-Come-First- 2019. By conducting many capacity building meetings and training programs analytical skills through Serve basis. The only prerequisite For more information on the with farmer groups, the Exchange has helped farmers connect to theoretical as well as hands-on is an interest in analytical thinking admission process and regulated markets and imparted knowledge about new hedging tools sessions. and a desire to develop such a requirements, see like Futures and Options. As of January 2019, around 67800 farmers These programs are based on thought process. Last date for https://www.iiit.ac.in/step/ have traded on the NCDEX platform through 82 FPOs, and the FPO the premise that whichever applications is 14April, 2019. national footprint has now penetrated to 13 states. Around 2.5 lakhs farmers have registered on The Exchange through 202 FPOs. Such initiatives of the exchange helps in educating farmers about the importance of hedging their price risks in the futures market. NEWS YOU CAN USE Entrepreneur First enters India with $25 Building awareness on School (GIIS having a network including Feb & March, April & million allocated to promote tech startups crucial issues through of 19 campuses across 7 May; June & July and Aug & Multimedia Competition countries has announced a fully- Sept. Semi-final Contest will be Entrepreneur First (EF), a UK based global talent investor has entered funded scholarship of Rs. 4.75 held during the period October & India with $25 million committed from its larger fund, to promote tech Whizjuniors is partnering with crore for students in India. November. Final contest will be startups in the country. EF also announced its first-ever Indian cohort UNESCO Center for Peace and Entering its 10th year, the held between the Top 25 writers of 50 founders who were selected from a pool of 900 applicants. Of the hosting their Worldwide Global Citizen Scholarship of each category and they shall selected cohort 30% are PhDs across various science and technology Multimedia Competition which promises to provide quality submit their 3rd and final entries streams like aerospace, neuroscience, machine learning, electrical will get on board several education to 10 deserving Indian on any 5E themes. Final Contest engineering etc. EF has a unique model of selecting individuals who students from across schools to students for the academic year will be held during the period could be strong founders and helping them find co-founders, work on display their talents in 2019-2021. As one of the Dec 2019. Top 1st, 2nd and ideas and build startups. Uniquely, each cohort member will be paid a multimedia skills and find leading international schools in 3rdwriters from each 8 categories monthly stipend of $2000 during the process of finding a co-founder solutions to looming social India with presence in over 6 will be finally selected and and developing startup ideas in the first three months. EF has created problems with their creative cities across the country, GIIS awarded on 12th January 2020. over 200 companies globally and has helped raise $350 million from narrative of them. has invested around 7.5 million Top 24 writers will be finally investors for its incubated companies. EF has an alumni base of 1200 The UNESCO Center for Peace SGD under this scholarship selected and would be declared people across London, Paris, Berlin, Hong Kong, Singapore. India is and UN organisation brings program and has given wings to on 12th January 2020 in a Mega its new sixth location. grassroots initiatives in over 80 Indian students who are Event. According to Esha Tiwary, General Manager of Entrepreneur First in education, science and culture now placed in top universities India, “We have remarkable talent available in India. Through that invites the youth around the around the world. IMI Delhi admission for Entrepreneur First, we are trying to change the narrative for ambitious world to take part in Multimedia To register for this 2 year the 9th FPM & 2nd E-FPM people in India who have thus far hesitated to start companies due to Competition. The target age scholarship program, all students program in 2019 several reasons such as lack of a co-founder, no big idea, job security.” group for students for this is in India can log onto As part of its pledge, EF will invest in each of the companies devel- between 6-25 years of age who www.giisscholarships.org and International Management oped during its bi-annual Bangalore programme that clear the will showcase their talent in apply before 17th March 2019. Institute (IMI) Delhi is inviting Investment Committee, apart from the monthly stipend paid to cohort areas of essay writing, admission application for the members. EF focuses on deep tech companies that build on defensible photographic storytelling and KRC National writing star FPM/E-FPM programs. The last technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, short-film making, which will contest and Wai Wai date to fill the form for FPM is AR/VR, Robotics etc and in the past has funded companies across a contribute towards Nation's Glocal Teen Hero India March 18th 2019. broad spectrum of industries including space, satellites, medical Sustainable Development Goals 2019 launched The Fellow Program in devices, logistics, marine technologies, insurance, banking, fintech, for UNESCO's 2030 agenda. Management(E-FPM) is IMI- education, agriculture and many more. Finalized startups from EF With its pan-Indian reach, Knowledge Resource Centre Delhi's 36-48 months, AICTE Bangalore will pitch to well-recognized regional and global investors having on board 1130+ schools (KRC) Foundation launched approved full-time doctoral at Investor Demo Day in Asia this July. Also present on the Investor across 130+ cities, it is an ideal KRC National writing star programme and offers Demo Day will be startup counterparts from EF's Hong Kong and and a sought after platform to contest 2019 and Wai Wai specialization opportunities in Singapore programmes. spread the word and gather Global Teen Hero India 2019 on various areas of management. students to showcase innovative January 27 in New Delhi. The Executive-Fellow Program in Entrepreneurship Development bent of mind to solving existing Topics for writing star contest Management(E-FPM) is a 36-48 social, cultural, educational and will be based on the '5E for months' program, which has been Program for PMKVY candidates by other problems. The students Success' philosophy of KRC designed keeping in mind the will get global exposure on a foundation including Education, work schedule of those who are NACER global platform, cultural Employability, Employment, employed and seek to further exchange and recognised by Entrepreneurship and Emotional enhance their academic skills. NACER, the apex body for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes global educationists. The Intelligence. The contest is open Candidates with a valid (RSETIs) under MoRD will provide skilled PMKVY candidates from competition is currently ongoing to all the citizen of India and CAT/GMAT/GRE /IMI-D PMKKs for the 10-day residential Entrepreneurship Development and accepting submissions on will be categorized into 8 internal research aptitude test Program (EDP) at RSETIs. RSETIs shall also support the candidates projects until the 25th February, categories, namely, School scores are shortlisted and then to access loans through credit linkages with public sector banks and 2019. (Class 6-8); High School (Class selected through personal also provide two-year mentorship support to the candidates. NACER 9-12); College/PG/University; interviews. has a strong institutional set up and also provides two- year GIIS invites applications Working/entrepreneurs; 60+ For more details visit mentorship to the candidate post loan linkage & Successful record for for its 10th Global Senior Citizen; Women / www.imi.edu/delhi/fpm availing credit from banks Citizen Scholarship Homemakers; Hindi Language Volunteering Solutions expands their footprints across America and Programme and Bengali Language. The Europe Contest campaign will be held in Gurugram based Volunteering Solutions has now expanded their Global Indian International 4 phases of 2months each footprints across America and Europe, with exclusive educational trips to the USA, the UK, Ireland, and Portugal. The one-of-its-kind Indian organization has already been facilitating voluntourism and foreign service learning trips to students around the world in 30 countries for over a decade. Saurabh Sabharwal, Founder & CEO, Volunteering Solutionssays, “Our initiative has impacted the underprivileged lives across nations

Curriculum February 16, 2018 7 India Skills/entrepreneurships SOAR' to bridge skills NEW GUIDELINES, FRAMEWORK FOR First batch of Care gap of students in India Jan Shikshan Sansthans Workers under TITP Skills provider Arc Skills has Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), imperative for us to stress on New Guidelines going to Japan announced the launch of SOAR instrumental in skill training and skilling our youth in remote in India, a unique and introducing avenues of districts of the country. JSSs can l Alignment of JSS course and NSDC will be sending second batch of integrated skills program for entrepreneurship among the play an important role in bridging curriculum to National Skill 17 skilled candidates to Japan under school students. SOAR, is a socio-economically backward information asymmetry between Qualification Framework the Technical Intern Training Program research backed learning and educationally disadvantaged skill training and market (NSQF) to standardize training (TITP). Amongst the 17 candidates pathway that nurtures values, groups such as neo-literates, opportunities thereby giving an who will be leaving for Japan by end of skills, and career-based semi-literates, SCs, STs, women impetus to the creation of a l Decentralization of powers for February, five candidates have been competencies in a child, at each and girls, slum dwellers, migrant workforce equipped in technology- JSSs- giving more trained as Care Workers, which marks step of their school life. The workers has been brought under driven skills, including in areas like accountability and India's first batch to Japan in this job skills are aligned to the child's the aegis of the national skill health & wellness, tourism, e- independence to district category. The candidates, trained as age and developmental stage, framework. Formerly under the commerce, retail and trade.JSS administration Care Workers by NAVIS Nihongo, so they can progressively Ministry of Human Resources guidelines have been reformed will be interning in hospitals and develop the skills needed for Development, Jan Shikshan keeping in mind the diverse l To identify and promote nursing homes in Japan and will draw present and future. Sansthan was transferred to the stakeholders engaged in running traditional skills in the district stipend as per Japanese wage norms. Kakul Misra, COO Arc Skills Ministry of Skill Development & these institutions, and will bring in through skilling / upskilling; The other 12 candidates will be India says, “SOAR prepares the Entrepreneurship in 2018. greater flexibility, transparency and interning in Machine Maintenance job students for the world of In a bid to boost skill training and uniformity.” l Evidence based assessment category. Earlier in July and tomorrow through an entrepreneurship in the remotest Giving an overview on the direction system September 2018, India had sent integrated and continuous corners of the country provided being given to JSS, Ms. Juthika another group of 17 candidates to learning pathway. With SOAR by Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), Patankar, Additional Secretary, l Easy Online certification Japan, who are currently undergoing programs, we intend to equip a set of new guidelines, aligning Ministry of Skill Development & l Linking JSS to PFMS (Public internship in leading electronic every child in India with much the JSSs to the National Skill Entrepreneurship said, “Today, out equipment and agricultural needed new age skills to Qualification Framework of the 247 active JSS, we already Finance Management system) organisations. develop & confidently grow (NSQF) were released on Jan 24 have 43 JSSs established across 42 maintaining transparency and Talking about the initiative Dr. Manish their strengths with by union skills minister Aspirational Districts identified by accountability of the Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “The understanding of essential life Dharmendra Pradhan during the NITI Aayog and we will soon be ecosystem platform for bilateral collaboration skills,preparing them for National Conference for Jan introducing a few more in the LWE l Creating livelihood linkages offered by TITP will pave the way for future. Shikshan Sansthan (JSSs) which regions to promote skill l Training of Trainers to develop India and Japan to leverage their The strategic blend of was held at the AICTE development of the youth in the the capacity through NSTIs complementary strengths. ” interactive technology, game- Auditorium in New Delhi; and region and help them connect back (National Skills Training based learning, and thought saw a gathering of more than into mainstream economy. I am Institutes) ASDC collaborates with TCS –provoking reflection, enriches 700+ people from JSS across positive of the change that the JSS iON to Skill at Scale the learning experience for India. This marks an important will bring to the ecosystem.” details of finance and expenditure students and help them explore step towards the convergence of JSS portal launch: The Ministry and other ongoing developments Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), new ideas while imbibing key all skilling activities under the also announced the launch of a new along with a public log-in access. skills and dispositions needed aegis of one ministry, bringing in website (www.jss.gov.in); which Blended Training System: The (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) has to thrive in these dynamic transparency and accountability will furnish information on action conference also saw the pilot times.” to the entire skilling ecosystem. plans, database of beneficiaries and launch of Amrita University's announced a partnership between its With SOAR, schools in India Dharmendra Pradhan said “The stakeholders, Blended Training System at Jan now have the opportunity to emergence of the rural industry Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) with e- strategic unit; TCS iON, and the diversify their offering and give as an important growth engine content entailing selected skill students a solid foundation of for the economy makes it an courses. This is a comprehensive Automotive Skill Development self-awareness, socio- ICT -based platform that provides emotional skills, abilities & numerous benefits for trainees and Council (ASDC) to reimagine and career-based skills. trainers . scale ASDC's initiatives to identify Rajeev Vasudeva appointed Centum Learning Chairman potential candidates, equip them Centum Learning Limited with the necessary skills, and match (“Centum”), a leading player in the skill development and them with appropriate job corporate & vocational training space, today announced the opportunities in the auto sector. appointment of ASDC is the first Sector Skill Rajeev Vasudeva, the former global CEO of Egon Zehnder, Council (SSC) embracing this has been appointed as Chairman of skills company, transformation of moving ahead Centum Learning Limited (“Centum”). In addition to with digital transformation of the guiding Centum's future direction, Rajeev will also be a way Skill Council operates in India. major investor in the company, acquiring a 20% equity stake in This collaboration is expected to Centum Learning. The existing shareholders of Bharti Group bring various value propositions for will stay fully committed to Centum for its future growth. “I ASDC such as standardization of am passionate about working with people to support the processes, digital affiliation and realization of their full potential. It's truly exciting to MOU to create awareness about commodity in farmers The Government of India, is making efforts to promote formal financial get an opportunity to impact the instruments and create a complete ecosystem of formal economy. lives of millions by partnering and students Taking financial literacy to the remotest part of the country will help with Bharti through Centum Indian citizens to understand the various facets of the formal economy. Learning,” said Rajeev The National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) and With the growth of commodities as an asset class, there is a huge Vasudeva. Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) has signed a opportunity available in the domains of warehousing, intermediaries, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with special emphasis derivatives trading etc. This unique initiative will pave road for the mentoring Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and allied growth of industry. institutions. The mentoring is expected to occur through training sessions, handholding, and leadership development. Renault-Nissan Alliance in India to upskill workforce IRMA is expected to support the training and development needs of market ecosystem stakeholders in order to spread awareness about for future technologies commodity markets with an emphasis on derivative markets. A joint certification programme has been envisaged whereby IRMA's students In line with the strategy for India, Renault-Nissan Alliance India has could learn about commodity markets besides providing training to agro signed a memorandum of understanding with National Skill sourcing professionals, skill upgrades of government officials, Development Corporation (NSDC) to train its workforce in the Alliance supportive awareness programmes, and research. plant in Chennai for future technologies. Through this partnership, Speaking on this occasion Prof. Hitesh Bhatt, Director, IRMA said: NSDC will assist the Renault-Nissan workforce develop competency “While organizational encouragement does exist for the setting up of standards in emerging automotive manufacturing technologies. In FPOs, the latter need support for scale-up and sustainability purposes. addition, Renault-Nissan Alliance will customise an engagement and This MoU will enable both parties to instill collaboration with skilling action plan along with NSDC's network for program design, meaningful outcomes.” development and employment sustainability from the demand side. By conducting many capacity building meetings and training programs The first year of partnership aims to get 10% of employees trained to be with farmer groups, the Exchange has helped farmers connect to able to support the growth and expansion plans of Renault-Nissan regulated markets and imparted knowledge about new hedging tools like Alliance in India Futures and Options. As of January 2019, around 67800 farmers have Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “The automotive and auto traded on the NCDEX platform through 82 FPOs, and the FPO national component manufacturing industry has been growing steadily over the footprint has now penetrated to 13 states. Around 2.5 lakhs farmers have last few years. Hence, we see tremendous potential to skill and up-skill registered on The Exchange through 202 FPOs. Such initiatives of the the Indian youth and support the sectoral growth. We look forward to a exchange helps in educating farmers about the importance of hedging successful collaboration with the Alliance in India to achieve the their price risks in the futures market. envisioned milestones.”

8 Curriculum February 16, 2018 VIEWS (Edit/Guest Column...) OPINION: Tackling deepening agrarian crisis Ensure civil rights, inclusion of requires political will, management Kashmiri Students Dr. Nitesh Dhawan, Public Servant and Author Just like there was a spike in hate crime after 9/11 The farmers' issues taking a still a need to inform and train marketing of fruits and vegetables. terror attack in USA, a similar trend is being seen centrestage in the recent times farmers about its effective use. There Agro processing, government in India in the wake of Pulwama terror attack in clearly reflect upon the aggravating is a special arrangement of Rs 10,000 procurement scheme, dairy, organic which 44 CRPF men were killed on February 11 when agrarian problem in the national crore to clear fertilizer subsidy due. farming, seed production and one of the buses from their convoy was blown off using scenario. There is no government Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai marketing, fishery and other allied IED. As the terrorist who carried this suicide bombing report on farmer suicides published Yojana is in place to ensure 'more activities are also undertaken by the on behest of his masters across the border was a local since 2016. The National Crime crop per drop' which will cover 28.5 FPOs. According to the Finance Kashmiri youth, Kashmiri students, traders and others Record Bureau data of 2015 shows lakh hectare area under irrigation. Rs Minister, small and marginal farmers in various parts of country faced backlash. Reportedly those as many as 8007 farmers and 50,000 crore earmarked for ensuring benefit from economies of scale when about 300 of them have returned home. 4595 agricultural laborers committed that every farm gets water. Rs 5,000 they come together as collectives. While the outrage over the terror incident is spreading suicide. However, a farmers' suicide crore fund for micro-irrigation have “Majority of land holdings belong to and the government putting blame on the neighboring figure for 2016 was cited in been made available while there has small and marginal farmers. Being country, Pakistan for waging a proxy war through terror Parliament. This provisional data been an encouragement for farmers unorganized, they are unable to groups in India, there is no justification for harassing stated that 6351 farmers and 5019 to install solar pumps for irrigation. realize desired value from their Kashmiri students over it. Ever since, Prime Minister's agricultural laborers committed The current government has taken produce. Organizing them into FPOs Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir suicides. The NCRB data was some important policy initiatives. will benefit them from economies of came into effect, the number of students moving out of criticized for under reporting of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is scale in purchase of inputs, process- the troubled state for education is increasing and in farmers suicides especially women, one such biggest risk cover and ing and marketing of their produce.” 2018 alone about 3000 Kashmiri students fanned to scheduled castes and tribals being left safety net provided by the govern- There is a dire need for wider various higher education institutions because of the out. ment. consultations on recommendations concessions/reimbursements as a result of the scheme. The Centre for Study of Developing National Agriculture Market scheme given by National Commission on Even without the scheme, hundreds of valley students Societies (CSDS), based in Delhi known as e-NAM has integrated 585 Farmers, chaired by Prof. M. S. take admission in various private universities and conducted a study across 18 States markets across 16 states and 2 Union Swaminathan. The Commission has colleges across India, some after selling their precious which found that 76 percent of the territories. More than 164.53 lakh suggested comprehensive and landholdings. Same holds true for petty traders and farmers want to give up farming due to tonnes of farm commodities have valuable inputs on core issues hawkers, who especially during winter months sell poor income, bleak future and been transacted on e-NAM and more affecting the agricultural crisis and shawls and other items in plains to earn a livelihood. By financial stress. The report says that than 87 lakh farmers have been need to be implemented in the right and large, this trend has picked up and become more benefits of government schemes registered. Thus, it is cutting down spirit. The important pointers include- popular either ways in past a few years. mostly go to big farmers having the middlemen in agriculture trading substantial increase in public The trouble as in the past arises when some of the landholdings of 10 acres and above. to facilitate farmer with his due. investment in agriculture related to gullible students while in their own groupings in hostels Only 10 percent of poor and small 22,000 rural haats will turn into infrastructure particularly in or other places resort to mischievous slogans or anti- landholdings of 1-4 acres have Gramin Agriculture Market which irrigation, drainage, land develop- national acts, which gives out a generalized perception benefitted from government initia- will benefit 86% small farmers. ment, water conservation, research about the whole lot of them. It is a fact that almost each tives and subsidies. The surprising Large investment in warehousing development and road connectivity one of them comes to study as there is an education feature is that 70 percent of the and cold chains to prevent post- etc.; low risk and low cost technolo- culture in Kashmiri society as a means of career and farmers have never heard about direct harvest crop losses and value gies which can help to provide social status. However, as youth groups, they also come benefit transfer and have never addition through food processing is maximum income to farmers because with a hangover of street protests that are routine in the contacted any Kisan Call Centers. The also giving the farmers the essential they cannot cope with the shock of valley besides attitudes and an upbringing in a conflict Swaminathan Committee formed in edge on the market. To address the crop failure, particularly those zone that would naturally make them behave at times 2004 examined the problem of price volatility of perishable items associated with high cost technolo- differently. So, any aberration must be seen in that farmers distress and expressed that like tomato, potato and onion gies; State Agriculture Produce context and they be allowed time to assimilate agrarian crisis has led farmers to 'Operation Greens' has been put in Marketing Committee Acts [APMC mainstreaming. commit suicide in recent years. The place. Acts] relating to marketing, storage The proxy war in Kashmir unleashed by Pakistan is a major causes of the agrarian crisis But despite these initiatives being and processing of agriculture produce well calibrated, richly financed and oiled industry that according to the committee are taken across the nation, the overall need to shift to one that promotes markets troubles to attract more local youth to its fold unfinished agenda in land reform, impact on the farm sector have been grading, branding, packaging and so as to sustain and growth for achieving its nefarious quantity and quality of water, inadequate and have failed to development of domestic and mission. So, with the thinking of weaning away youth technology fatigue, access, adequacy strengthen the backward and forward international markets for local from that path, the policy makers had made and timeliness of institutional credit, linkages. The core issues inhibiting produce, and move towards a Single interventions like this scholarship scheme. In the and opportunities for assured and the agricultural growth still remain to Indian Market. medium and long term, these students would become remunerative marketing. Adverse hang around in. The downsizing of A structured income support scheme good and productive citizens and help bringing about a meteorological factors add to these land holdings, water crisis, obsolete was announced for farmers with land positive change in the mindsets in the valley. problems. technology, procedural bottlenecks holdings that are less than two Civility, constitutionality and care would mean that Government has set a goal of doubling in providing institutional credit and hectares in the recent budget of 2019- racial or hate abuses are not allowed to spiral out. Any farm incomes by 2022 and is working ineffective marketing strategies lead 20. Called the Pradhan Mantri Kisaan unlawful act has a well-laid procedure for dealing with with multi-modal focus towards to dismal performance of agricultural Samman Nidhi, rural and poor it and it can be used wherever needed but nobody achieving the same. The government sector. farmers will receive Rs.6,000 per should become a law unto himself/herself. Social has dispatched more than 13 crore soil Farmers Producer Organization year. This will cost the government inclusion is a greater national objective that everybody health cards from 2015 to 2018. Soil (FPO) is a good idea, if implemented Rs. 75,000 crore and will benefit 12 must support while upholding patriotic values. Enemies Health Cards carry crop-specific effectively. NABARD has supported crore farmers. An interest subsidy of of India have always used fault lines with our society to recommendations for nutrients and around 4000 FPOs across the country 2% was announced via the Kisaan create trouble and weaken the nation and they have fertilizers to help farmers improve at the end of FY'18 of which over Credit Card Scheme to farmers been successful many a times. There is a need to look their productivity. Since the govern- 2000 are registered entities actively involved in animal husbandry and towards long term national objectives while developing ment has implemented 100% neem doing business in agricultural other farm-allied activities. These are a response on any development. coating of Urea, it not only resulted in activities. As many as 507 FPOs are welcome steps but the basic questions improving the soil quality but also engaged in bulk input procurement raised by the Swaminathan Printed, Published and Owned by: Avtar Krishen Kaul, Saraswati prevented the diversion of fertilizers and distribution while 223 FPOs are Commission would require focused Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun (Uttrakhand)- to other purposes. Although there is involved in aggregation and 248001 and Printed at Microsoft Technoprint India Private Limited, 37 Old Cannaught Place, Dehradun (UttraKhand) and Published at Editor: Autar Nehru Associate Editor: Suneel Bhan W: www.curriculum-magazine.com REACH US Saraswati Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun Editorial/Marketing : (Uttrakhand)-248001, Consulting Editors: Sudha Passi, M K Bhat, Ramanathan Iyer Circulation [email protected] Dimple Nehru, Ganesh Editor: Avtar Nehru RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Advisory Board Members: Ashok Pandey. Dehradun: A K Koul; Meerut: Uzma Rizvi Prof. Raj Kachroo, Navin Bhatia [email protected] Patna: Manoj Kumar; Jammu: Sandeep Dhar General inquiry Director Outreach: Farindra Pande call us at 011-28051642/22; 9868256512 Associates : Gurbinder Kaur, Akshay Sahu Business Development: Ashok Bhat, Vijay K Rajesh Kaul

Curriculum February 16, 2018 9 Spotlight Development Management as a new DISCIPLINE Bringing back focus to people issues and sustainability By Autar Nehru As compared to academic managers currently and over the clothing than winter disaster that being subsidized by poor of this Director, ISDM said, “Develop- courses such as Masters years to come. Management brought misery on people and on country. Educational racism is ment Management Day marks a in Social Work (MSW) steeped in the idea of universal the currency of cloths built his there and reflects in intellectual new era in the making of conscious, or MA in Development etc being human values, collaboration work. But then if there are no poverty. The opportunity for responsible and professional taught in academic institutions for based on the principle of win-win supporting ecosystems and solutions to diverse problems lies Change Leaders. Development a long time in the country, and not win-lose, systems and recognition of 'non issues' the in empowering the real people.” Management as a new discipline development management is a design thinking for sustainable effort falls flat. He said, \" It is very With 3.3 million Non-Profit would require as its base high novel and innovative concept of development is the goal of such a easy to accept things the way they Institutions (NPIs) employing quality, world class institutions that recent years. In fact, the three-year thought. are and forget about the things that over 18.2 million people, can make a difference to the sector old Indian School of Development The inaugural Development are wrong around us. It is very supported by contributions from and society. These institutions will Management (ISDM) based in Management Day, which important that we throw away our funders, enabling organisations, provide the much needed vibrant & Delhi is perhaps the only disrup- coincided with founders day of distorted lenses and see the the government, and businesses, active learning environment to the tion that is around in the domain. ISDM was an outstanding realities, understand the real the Indian development sector is brightest minds passionate about Mainstreaming 'Development' package of keynotes from India's issues that our people are facing. one of the largest and most active social change. This makes it which otherwise means social three prominent Magsaysay Are the problems because the social economies in the world. extremely important for India and sector in the economic develop- Award winners— Rajendra Singh system has failed? No, it is for us The keynotes were followed by the world to make Development ment must be a priority if systemic (Founder, Tarun Bharat Sangh), to change to be able to change engaging panel discussion in Management mainstream and issues are to be dealt with and Harish Hande (Co-Founder things, raise our benchmarks and which young development sector establish it as a meaningful collective wisdom of people have SELCO), and Anshu Gupta demand more. Our intentions are leaders comprising Khushboo profession. India is one of the best to become part of solutions to so (Founder and Director, Goonj). right and there is no dearth of Awasthi (Co-Founder, Mantra for places to give shape and thought many challenges around us. All the three made several resources in this country, but Change), Padmakshi Badoni leadership for Development Why people are not working in important change making maybe we have not understood the (Azad Foundation), Shubhendu Management Discipline to the rest villages? How come there is not a mentions. actual issues people are facing.\" Sharma (Founder and Director, of the world, thus the most apt place single rural development Rajendra Singh who also goes by Harish Hande, Co-Founder, Afforestt), Wekoweu Tsuhah for celebrating the first ever innovation from ITI system for SELCO, said there is need to (Director Programmes, North 'Development Management Day'.” many years? And, why beneficia- the name of change the way we see 'develop- East Network), Ravali Pidaparthi ries of a plethora schemes and waterman of India ment'. 'Development' is not an (Team Member Udhyam, projects haven't become stake- for his watershed afterthought; 'Development' is a Alumnus ISDM) participated. holders? How about 2500 tree work in Rajasthan, necessity. Saying that Mahatma Bringing up the need of promoting species going missing from said that earth has Gandhi will get nightmares if he the spirit of agile learning and a biodiversity count and forgotten? caught fever and sees the resent missing respect- key performing index and other These and several other questions we must become ability for fellow human beings in management contours, these must waken up our conscious and compassionate to it and give up the society, Hande reminded professionals discussed how challenge our own wisdom to the greedy development. He country ranks at 130th on the leadership can add value to visualize a world and society we lamented how indigenous human development index even development sector. would like to leave for the future knowledge and its system have below Rwanda. “The fact is we are Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and generations. been destructed. “I did my 'PhD' In order to bring to fore such a from a lay person who taught me thinking and underline the need to in just seven words. Those words pursue development management had the power to set me on change as a major study course, Indian despite 377 cases filed against me. School of Development Our dams have no steel or Management initiated and marked concrete and yet they have February 1st as Development withstood all and remained Management Day to highlight the serving. We must see our common importance of this idea and future through our eyes.” celebrate the amazing work done Anshu Gupta, Founder and by development leaders and Director, Goonj recalled how he concluded that it was lack of First International Day of Education: Safety, Sensitivity & System—all challenges for Girl Education in India JANUARY 24, 2019 is a On this occasion the alliance of three voluntary group networks –Right mind and I couldn't follow lessons. So I quit. Now after seven years, my historic day as this day to Education Forum, Campaign Against Child Labor (CACL) and siblings are grown up and I wanted to go back to school and complete marks the first UN- Alliance for the Right to Early Education Development, who together those lost years, but there is no way a 22 year old can go to school,” adds designated International Day of are pushing a public manifesto of education before the upcoming Lalita from Adarsh Nagar of Delhi. Education. In India, the day was national elections, presented a group of girls before the press to Stalking is the ugly truth of home to school distance. Lewd comments also celebrated as the National highlight the issues of girl education in the country. and stalking is common, which prevents many a girls and their families Girl Child Day as it is also the Among girls, the marginalized and those with disability still constitute from continuing education. Safety issues within schools and sexual abuse fourth anniversary of the girl the most disadvantaged segment and call for special intervention. only adds to this menace. child empowerment initiative. According to Anchal (13) who is suffering from cerebral palsy and is a Another facet of this continuous struggle is that of taking back the student of class VI, the struggle from home to school hasn't been easy. drop outs in the system. “I failed twice in a class and after that I was “My family, neighbors were against my joining school as it was not allowed to continue in school despite my pleas,” says another girl. 'useless' in their view. But then I persisted and when my young sister According to Ambarish Rai of the RTE Forum, the issue of girl joined, I walked with her assistance to the school. But the fear of being education is a challenge owing to several factors including the pushed around is still there. Now the thing is our class and library on traditional patriarchy, long distances between school and home, gaps above floors and it is very precarious situation for me,” says she while in primary and secondary education provision and importantly lack of making it clear that she won't give up studies. resources. “As per data 10% of primary schools in the country are Another girl, who is enrolled in remedial education centre and is single teacher schools, only 12% are RTE compliant and education pursing schooling through open schooling narrates how she had to budget is largely drawn from education cess. Unless you address these give up school to take care of her younger siblings after her parents issues, how can you do justice to girl population of this country,” adds passed away. “Initially I tried, but them household work occupied my Rai.

10 Curriculum February 16, 2018 Spotlight/Classroom Get, Set & Go- Simultaneous preparation strategy for Boards and JEE Main (April Session) Ramesh Batlish, With NTA's decision to conduct point of view. the sample papers. This way, you subjective type. There are also IIT JEE Expert, FIITJEE the JEE Main exams twice a year After the first sessions of JEE will be able to revise the syllabus some topics which are part of JEE from 2019, many aspirants are at Main in January recently while taking the sample papers Main but not part of the JEE With JEE Aspirants provided a an added advantage. The first concluded, a hint about the pattern simultaneously. Advanced exam which some second chance to improve their phase of the JEE Main 2019 is known. Here are some tips to 4.Opt the apt study material - In students tend to ignore during scores and ranking in the JEE recently concluded on 12th master the simultaneous prepara- this phase when school students their preparation. Main April session 2019, January 2019 and the results were tion of Board exams and JEE Main are flooded with all kinds of The Common Rank List for JEE simultaneous preparations for declared on 30th January 2019 and (April session): reference books from different Main 2019 will be available in the boards will be an added the students who are not sure of 1.Make a feasible plan - In order publishing houses, it is vital to first week of May after the advantage for them. There is getting a better rank also have a to attain what you aspire for, it is follow the right book without declaration of the results of the hardly any time left for the class second chance inApril. vital to have the right preparation losing the track. NCERT April exam. The better of the XII Board exams and JEE Main strategy and follow it strictly. textbooks serve the best purpose scores of candidates who have (April Session), it is high time Plan your preparations Make the most of the preparation for students. appeared in both JEE Main for aspirants to align their meticulously for Boards and time for board exams to optimize 5.Set the right temperament of January and April will be preparation schedules for better JEE Main your JEE Main preparation. Be exams - Preparing for two exams considered for the ranking outcomes in both the exams. Being a closely packed schedule wise & plan out a well-structured simultaneously needs to be done purposes while the scores of the Utilizing this essential time to for Boards and JEE Main second strategy that caters to the cautiously especially when it candidates who have appeared for score well as well as perfect the session, preparations for these requirement of both Board exams about getting used to the exam just one exam will be used as it is. concepts will be helpful for both needs to be planned meticulously. and JEE Main preparations. pattern. Be aware of the differ- The common rank lists will the life changing exams- Boards Board exams usually kick-start in 2.Focus on the common topics in ences between the board exam denote the All India and Category and JEE Main. Though the month of March while JEE each subject – There are various paper pattern and the JEE pattern. ranks of the candidates in addition preparing for these two exams Main is conducted in the month of topics from each subject that are Do not get jumbled between the to the details of the candidates and at a time seems to be a daunting April. Students need to overcome commonly asked in JEE Main and two. marks obtained. The JEE Main task, a well conceived study the challenge on how to focus and boards, but not in JEE Advanced. 6.Practise more and more mock rank will be the basis for plan will streamline the go about it to emerge victorious in A well strategic planning to cover tests - Taking mock tests will admissions to the NITs, IIITs and complete process to achieve both the exams. the common and important topics acquaint you with your current GFTIs. progressive perfection in their Most of the questions in the boards will be advantageous for both the preparedness and also your preparations. are subjective type and usually get exams. shortcomings. You still have Remember, the grades or marks more weightage from reach 3.Divide your preparation time enough time to mend your ways to that you score in examinations do subject. Certain topics from each wisely - To ensure each subject is success. With JEE Main being play a vital role in determining subject are often ignored by given equal emphasis, it is better conducted in Online mode, your career graph. So, stay students as it is not a part of JEE to divide your preparation time practicing the same mock tests focused on your goal & put your Advanced, but regularly asked in into various sections. Spend will be highly beneficial. best foot forward to bridge the gap the JEE Main exam. It is thus equal time to revise each section 7.Give special emphasis to the between your aspiration and important for the aspirants to and then on the following day, exclusive Board type questions - reality. Just do your best with a cover such questions from each attempt the sample papers of There are certain sub-topics in positive attitude & confidence subject while attempting sample respective subjects. Preparation various subjects which generally and there would be no reason for papers for a comfortable handling should be a mixed basket of get more weightage in the Boards you to stumble. of the descriptive part from boards revision of the syllabus and taking because the questions are CHILDFUND India launches campaign Khilta Bachpan (Blooming Childhood) through preforming arts ‘Artless According to globally in order to promote cognitive, social and emotional learning, encourage societies are acclaimed Kathak dancer, creative expression and inculcate in them appreciation for the richness Shovana Narayan, where art and diversity of arts in India, while giving them a platform and an heartless is not given an appropriate opportunity to “ENGAGE. EXPRESS. EMPOWER!” societies’ place, there is bound to be Saying that the initiative was necessitated to positive distraction in violence against humanity. children, Neelam Makhijani, Country Director and CEO of ChildFund She was referring to certain India is of the view that such a campaign is necessary to bring back parts of the world where human touch and sensitize brain of children. “We believe Art in any form terrorists commit crimes - literature, dance, painting, etc. when pursued with passion gives against humanity without a children an opportunity to channelize their energies positively and access second thought. She said that to unexplored vistas of their personalities by opening doors to untapped Indian civilization has always opportunities. Through Khilta Bachpan we aspire to help children form a placed value on arts and its perspective, lose inhibitions, gain confidence as well as harnesses their soulfulness and that must be potential and incubate their talents,” she added. nurtured. That the image of a “Khilta Bachpan” was launched at a government school in Delhi and is flute playing Lord Krishna or mainly targeted at underserved communities. Apart from confidence, a Natraja Shiva are not only enduring and most recognizable deity awareness about safety etc, the initiative is also meant to boost life skills. images but also are accepted divine forms—all demonstrating how Walter Peter, Theatre Artist has been roped in for theatre part of the divine is best depicted in art form. Art is the rhythm in nature, initiative and there are other partners who are lending the campaign everywhere in daily life in maths, in music, in colors around, in support. shapes. “Sensitiveness and creativity comes through art and therefore A New Year approaches and we present once again what we feel are HR Art must be mainstream and not extracurricular in schools,” she said practices that will be trending in 2019. Some of the projections for 2018 during launch of ART in Childhood campaign “Khilta Bachpan” by such as personalized employee engagement, more intense use of AI, etc., ChildFund India on Jan 31 in New Delhi. will continue to gain momentum next year, but some new trends are ChildFund India launched its nationwide campaign “Khilta likely to take centerstage because of defining events that took place in the Bachpan” that aims to provide children aged 6-18 years, in past year. underserved communities across the country, access to art education,

Curriculum February 16, 2018 11 Campus News Sharda University organises \"Technovation Hackathon\" ABB microgrid to be installed at IIT Roorkee More than 400 students came Rs. 50,000/- for their innovative Asish Tripathi, Saurabh Singha and ABB microgrid with battery energy storage at the campus of Indian Institute together at the first idea under the theme of Security Ikul Kammandua Steve (Sharda of Technology, Roorkee (IITR) will be a reality soon. This is part of the larger “Technovation Hackathon” - & Surveillance. University, Rs. 10,000/-). R&D collaboration outlined in an MoU between ABB and IITR signed in 24-hour hackathon organised The winners under the theme The winners under the theme July, 2018. The agreement for technology collaboration also includes the by School of Engineering and Waste Management were Paresh Energy Efficiency & Green Energy creation of a Smart Grid Resource Center, joint R&D facilities and support Technology, Sharda University, Rawat, Vaishnawi Wats, Alvira were Shubham Rathore and for PhD students. in association with GNIDA. On Faitma and Somya Singh (Sharda Yashpal (Noida Institute of Engg. & The smart campus development, in addition to the microgrid, would include Jan 29 On the occasion of 28th University, Rs. 30,000/-); Devid Technology, Rs. 30,000/-); Rahul technology solutions like smart metering, SCADA, ring main unit (RMUs) Foundation Day of GNIDA, Negi, Chandni, Harshita Kumar Choudhary, Shashank and a backbone of wireless broadband communication platform. It aims to the event which brought Borthekur, Bandeep Kaur and Shekhar and Raviyanshu P. Singh create an operational smart grid network integrating all sources of energy together students from across Swati Sethi (Dronacharya Group (Sharda University, Rs. 20,000/-) including diesel generation and renewable energy. Another objective is to 30 different colleges and of Institutions, Rs. 20,000/-) and and Sumant Raja, Srawan Singh create a research platform to meet the requirements of the evolving grid like universities from different Neha Kandpal, Ritu Rani, Arif Rao and Anshit Bhargava (Noida bi-directional flow of electricity with localized generation and enhance states of the country with an aim Sattar, Geetanjali Anand, Waish Institute of Engg. & Technology, environmental awareness to influence consumer behavior to maximize usage to ideate and create innovative Karan and Vartika Jain (Sharda Rs. 10,000/-). of clean energy.This will serve as one of the pilot projects for Government of solutions for some of the critical University, Rs. 10,000/-). Elaborating on the initiative India's Smart Cities Mission. The project cost is being partially funded by issues faced by the people of The winners under the theme Narendra Bhooshan, IAS, CEO, ABB India under its CSR initiatives Greater Noida. The students Smart Transportation & Traffic GNIDA said, “Technovation worked on projects based on Management were Sandeep Hackathon aims at discovering UoE signs MoU with GD Goenka University relevant themes like Waste Kumar, Sachin Kumar, Shivam innovative ideas from young minds Management, Security & Dharwal, Shruti Gupta and Shruti for problems of the society. The University of Essex, UK signed an agreement in January with the GD Surveillance, Smart Dwivedi (Noida Institute of students will present ideas for Goenka University, Delhi NCR, to collaborate over a wide range of research Transportation & Traffic Engg. & Technology, Rs. appropriate waste management and and academic activities. Management, and Energy 30,000/-); Aman Kumar, disposal, including energy The collaboration between the two universities will focus on areas of Efficiency & Green Energy. Harshita Aggarwal, Anchal and generation, volume minimization, research, staff and student mobility, and progression arrangements for G D Prize distribution ceremony and Prince Kumar (JIMS and incorporation into useful Goenka University students to the University of Essex at post graduate and display of projects at the SMSR Engineering Mgmt & Technical products which can be viable and under graduate level. Auditorium, Sharda University Campus, Rs. 20,000/-) and environment-friendly. One of the This includes supervisor training and development, education and curricu- was conducted. Banoshree Bose, Ashish Tiwari themes includes management of lum development, student exchanges and training, academic and administra- A panel consisting of 8 Senior and Garima Sharma (Sharda our energy resources by making the tive staff exchanges and study tours, summer schools and the possibility of Experts from distinct industries University, Rs. 10,000/-). existing sources more efficient and joint PhD programmes. evaluated the projects. The first The winners under the theme switching to greener energy options prize winner of INR 50,000, Security & Surveillance were to the possible extent. An emerging Pearl Academy launches Media Lab & followed by winners across four Saket Agarwal, Nitesh Kumar city like Greater Noida can make its themes got INR 30,000, INR Jaiswal and Bikesh Kumar Singh own contribution in this area. The online radio channel 20,000 and INR 10,000 per (Sharda University, Rs. 30,000/- students participated at the theme respectively. Anubhav ); Mukul Singh, Deepak Rana, Technovation Hackathon presented Pearl Academy, launched its state of the art media lab in its Delhi campus on Kumar Singh, Samiksha Singh Abhishek Pandey, Ridhi Sethi ingenious projects to cope up with February 6. The two-day event also saw the launch of an online radio channel and Atif Anwar of Sharda and Parul Taneja (Manav Rachna this issue.” which will be managed completely by the students of Pearl Academy. The University won the top prize of University, Rs. 20,000/-) and channel was inaugurated by Delhi's prominent radio jockey Ashish from the popular evening show, DL 935 on 93.5 Red FM who also went live from the IIMB's Prof. Rishikesha T World University of Design Awarded channel for the first time. Krishnan honoured Additionally, the festival also saw a host of workshops by leading creative ERASMUS+ Grant professionals including veteran journalist Rohit Gandhi, Radio Jockey Professor Rishikesha T Naeem Akhtar, standup comedian Sanjay Rajoura, calligrapher and graffiti Krishnan, faculty from the World University of Design has been awarded co-funding under the artist Inku Kumar, Soumya Ramasubramaniam from Change.org and author Strategy area of IIM Bangalore, ERASMUS+ programme of the European Union for their project Alpesh Patel. During their interactive sessions with students, these industry and ex-Director of IIM Indore, titled 'Design and Innovation Capacity Building in India'. EACEA, veterans gave insights into the media industry, shared personal anecdotes as was named the 'Change Maestro the executive body of EU received 874 eligible applications out of well as real examples of some of the challenges that they came across in their and Institution Builder of the which 147 applications were selected world-wide for co-funding. careers and how they overcame these. The aim of the festival was to help Year' at the IAC Awards 2019, WUD will be leading a consortium of six universities including students garner industry exposure and interact with achievers from their an integral part of the Industry Politecnico the Milano of Italy, Brunel University of UK, and the areas of interest. Academia Conference 2019, a Aegean University of Greece as European partners and IIIT Delhi & Commenting on the initiative, Dean, School of Media, Pearl Academy, leading conference committed RIMT University, Punjab as partners from India. The project will be Ujjwal K Chowdhury said, “The advanced Media Resource Centre and Lab to bringing industry and supported by CRETHIDEV from Europe. of Pearl School of Media in Naraina campus of Pearl Academy is the right academia together, and Speaking at this opportunity Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice chancellor, platform to produce multimedia content for digital use and learning. This is acknowledge the contribution of World University of Design said, “We are especially proud as the well suited for a convergence media scenario with audio, video, graphics, stalwarts from these sectors. probability of a scoring an ERASMUS CBHE project award is less images and text merging to produce content.” Prof. Krishnan received the than 15% globally and that we could do it in the very first year of special award from R P Singh, our institution. Erasmus programmes have provided a pathway for IMT Gzb students bag prestigious grant Director Personnel, Powergrid, our students to study in European Union countries, and gain during a ceremony held on mobility across universities there. Since 2008, EU and India have Tushar Vishnoi and Utkarsh Garg from IMT Ghaziabad have been awarded a January 18. Congratulating been engaged in promoting design education. With the launch of the grant of US$ 100,000 to bring their idea for sustainable plastic packaging and Prof. Krishnan on his success, P new Erasmus Plus programme (2014-2020), Erasmus has evolved recycling to life. The India winners have also received an opportunity to start Dwarakanath, said: “Prof. beyond being an educational programme but is more a dynamic their career at PepsiCo India, as Management Trainees. Krishnan's immense contribu- socio-cultural exchange between Indian and European Universities.” PepsiCo's 'Change the Game' initiative, now it its third edition, is a much tion in taking Indian manage- Building innovation capacities in the design sector in India is the sought-after campus challenge that provides young talent a platform to share ment education to the next level main intention of the proposal submitted by World University of creative solutions to 'real-life' problem situations, with a chance to work with and being a source of inspiration Design. The proposal addresses the capacity building aim of the company. The initiative witnessed 11,000 students from top B-schools in for the management education supporting the modernisation, accessibility and internationalisation India putting their minds to make the world a better place by presenting fraternity was acknowledged by of higher education, and the objective of improving the quality of solutions for sustainability. every jury member, and hence, higher education and enhancing its relevance for the labour market The IMT Ghaziabad team's winning idea is a low-cost waste management they unanimously decided that and the society. The proposal will seek to address the lack of solution capable of handling 18 tonnes of plastic annually per equipment he was the most deserving name suitably trained graduates for a rapidly expanding labour market unit, while helping to save time and effort. It involves using recovered plastic for this year's award.” segment expected to require high numbers of new designers by in multiple applications that not only create new revenue streams and savings 2020. There is also a structural issue due to weak links between but also social entrepreneurship opportunities that are in line with the Professor GPS Raghava of higher education and industry. PepsiCo's 2025 SustainabilityAgenda. IIIT-D get ResearchAward EACEA expects the project to gain national visibility and have a Speaking about their achievement, winners Tushar Vishnoi and Utkarsh Garg Professor GPS Raghava, Head notable impact on the university-industry collaborative initiatives that said, “We are thrilled to receive this $100,000 grant from to bring our project of Computational Biology it will enable giving the participating Indian HEIs a competitive to life. The project needs intensive R&D to have a solid foundation. The Department at Indraprastha advantage in terms of responding to labour market demands and needs implementation will require us to first, study the technologies deeper with the Institute of Information of society at large. The Design and Innovation Centres, with their R&D team and modify them to fit our proposed business ecosystem with the Technology, Delhi (IIIT-D) online collaboration platforms, will be adequately promoted among government guidelines in mind. After gathering the design specifications, we received Sun Pharma Research stakeholders will have several prototyping and testing stages before we formalize Award 2018 for his discovery of everything for industrial grade manufacturing. Post that, we will refine our Novel Drug Delivery Vehicle business model with the help of the senior management to get the best out of (cell-penetrating peptides). this initiative once we go live.” During this research work, he ingeniously harnessed the power of Bioinformatics where

12 Curriculum February 16, 2018 Campus Buzz SNU hosts ANNUAL INTER-COLLEGE Eminent speakers and experts including Saurabh Jain, VP Paytm, Anar JD Institute of Fashion Patel, Founder Director - Craftroots & Trustee - GramShree, Dr. Anurag FEST - 'BREEZE 2019' Batra, Editor in Chief, Business World magazine, Saira Shah Halim, Technology Convocation Writer and Activist, Dr. MK Jain, Managing Director, ART Group & Shiv Nadar University hosted “Breeze 2019”, its annual inter- Ancient Wellness, among others shared their views on the topic and ceremony college festival from 9-11 Feb which witnessed some power-packed importance of happiness in life. live performances and an array of cultural, technical and sports Speaking on this occasion, Aishwarya Jain, Founder, I'M Happiness & JD Institute of Fashion Technology events with participation from more than15000 students from over ART group, said, \"Since childhood people are taught social skills, held its 28th graduation ceremony 100 institutes across the country. creative skills but no one teaches brain positive skills. Physical fitness is recently at the Delhi Campus in which The theme of this year's fest was 'Break The Internet'. The idea of paid attention but no one talks about cognitive fitness. People are blamed 300 students from seven different viral content has become the epitome of internet culture and the for being stressed, depressed, but no one talks to youth. Here I wish to be disciplines were conferred degrees. In students wanted to bring the same intensity and community to with youth and train them in the most required skill for future. Cognitive the spirit of promoting Breeze this year. brain fitness helps people stay stable and make better decisions in life and entrepreneurship the institute will The event comprised activities organized by over 50 clubs on career. This is mission of IM HAPPINESS.\" closely monitor the career graphs of the campus. The cultural events included categories ranging from the WHO statistics suggest that, Globally, more than 300 million people of latest batch of graduates pursuing performing arts like dance, music, drama and oration to many more all ages suffer from depression. Unhappiness is one of the major cause entrepreneurship. They will be spheres like business, gaming, literature and art. The India Film that leads to depression, stress, lack of focus, productivity loss and at felicitated with the RC Dalal and Project in collaboration with Shiv Nadar University conducted a worst leads to crimes, domestic & child abuse, suicides at times. Chandrakant Dalal Memorial Award, a workshop on the nuances of film-making. Participants were taken Anar Patel, Founder Director - Craftroots & Trustee - Gramshree, said scholarship of Rs 50,000 will be through the basics of setting up a film, the content and conflicts \"Happiness is very much important to me but joy is more important in my handed over to them at the time of The involved and finally the resolution. Pre and post production aspects life and in my practices. I try to shift myself from, consumption to Fashion Awards which is considered as were also discussed in detail. contribution, scarcity to abundance, transaction to trust, isolation to one of the biggest design event by an Myriad technical events involved activities around coding, design, community. When I started these practices I feel happiness. Now I institution. robotics etc. The zeal of the fest was evident on the field as it was in practice joy. It's more consistent and is cultivated internally.\" auditoriums and halls, with sports including but not limited to Great Lakes Institute of badminton, football, tennis and martial arts as well as indoor sports like chess and table tennis. Management, Gurgaon hosts To add to the excitement, the University hosted performances by renowned artists every evening during the course of the Fest. Shiv Somaiya Vidyavihar – Maker Mela 2019 TEDx with invigorating Nadar University in association with HCL Concerts hosted Mrigya, one of India's most premier and prodigious World-Fusion speaker line-up ensembles on day one. Vibha Saraf performed with the band as a Maker Mela 2019, an initiative of Somaiya Vidyavihar showcased Great Lakes institute of Management, guest artist. She is the voice behind the song 'Dilbaro', from the projects from more than a 100 makers from across India and outside India Gurgaon recently hosted its second movie, Raazi and 'kab se kab tak' (Gullyboy). Day two sawstand-up on Jan 21. From USA to Japan and from Gurgaon to Ahmedabad, edition of TEDxGLIMGurgaon event performances by the Comicstaan duo, Nishant Suri and Rahul Dua. innovators showed their out of the box thinking to tens of thousands at its Manesar campus. TEDx is a The audience also witnessed a performance by 'when chai met toast', visitors in the two day exhibition. 8 years old Veer Bavishi was the star of program of locally organized events the newest band from Kerala with infectious happy music, that show, by getting so much love from visitors as he showcased his low cost that brings the community together to transcends age, genre and even language. home security system. While a physical rehabilitation device Robo- share a TED-like experience. The Rehab was loved by many, the Multipurpose Food Processing Machine independently organized event, IIM Bangalore's PGPEM students received a great response as DharambirJi, its maker distributed pure TEDxGLIMGurgaon, licensed by juices to them. 'Drishti 2019' with alumni TED, had 7 luminaries (Nidhi Goyal, Innovations and artists go together – so from skilling the plastic bags to Students of the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise make exotic bags to shoes made using recycled shoes, that's right! Maker Nishtha Dudeja, Anmol Rodriguez, Lt Management (PGPEM) at IIM Bangalore (IIMB), in association Cdr Pratibha Jamwal, Riya Jain, Dr with IIMB's innovation and entrepreneurship hub, NSRCEL, on Mela 2019 was an explosion of ideas. To add to the excitement was the Feb 11 hosted 'Drishti 2019' – a visionary leadership summit and sessions by eminent speakers including Capt. Raghu Raman, Group Umashankar Venkatesh and Dr Hosne alumni reunion. It is the second edition of 'Drishti'. Ara Begum) sharing their voices and President-Risk, Security & New Ventures, Reliance Industries Ltd. He In addition to the interesting keynote speeches and panel spoke to students and makers about his own experiences in life. He TED talks videos under the theme of - discussions, the event also included workshops on digital marketing Odyssey. and a hackathon night. The industry leaders showed a glimpse of focused on having a disciplined life alongwith curiosity and what the future holds. Professor G. Raghuram, Director, IIM Bangalore, spoke about the imaginations. He spoke about how the coming generation would be AutoCAD Workshop held at new infrastructure being built at the existing and the new IIMB campuses and how they are to be utilised in the best possible shaped by contradictions. He also explained that the coming generation manner. In the panel discussion on 'Dealing with Technological Disruption', would face even stiffer challenges than the previous generation. His key Narasaraopeta Engineering Piyush Chowhan, CIO, Arvind Lifestyle, said, “Disruption is not about technology. It is about reinventing the business model you are message was \"Whenever you fail, don't get discouraged. Always College working on.” Chowhan predicted, 'In 10 years, the regular job of a remember that someone took a punt on you, invested in you\". data scientist will not exist.' The Kids' Panel Discussion attracted a huge crowd. The participants To make the students familiar with were Akshat Singh (1st Indian kid to be invited on Ellen DeGeneres, AutoCAD, a 10-day workshop on Professor Anshuman Tripathy, a faculty member from the ParthSaindane (International Olympiad Master and scored 99.66 “AutoCAD WITH HANDS ON Production and Operations Management department at IIMB, percentile at NAO NASA), Truptraj Pandya (Youngest Tabla Player from TRAINING ” was conducted in moderated the panel discussion on 'Digital Transformation.' India and Guiness Book of World Record holder), and Shrishti Sharma association with APSSDC in Professor Prakash Bagri, adjunct faculty, IIMB, moderated the (Limca Book of World Record Holder for Lowest Limbo Skating under Narasaraopeta Engineering College, discussion on 'Dealing with Technological Disruption.' Professor 6.5 inch). Kids focused on discussing about daily activities that may Guntur during 21st– 30th January - P.C. Narayan, an adjunct faculty member from the Finance and affect their studies and how people & friends treated them after they 2019. The college which has penchant Accounting department at IIMN moderated the panel on came into limelight. They also shared their views on what they wished to for nurturing technical education with 'Alternative Finance', while Madhuvathi Ananth, Head, Seller change in curriculum of schools and the subjects they liked or disliked. their regular workshops thought Marketing - Flipkart Marketplace, moderated the one on 'Women Maker Mela also witnessed a Bio-Fashion Show where the clothes made \"AutoCAD\", is a must know computer Who Took up the Unconventional Path.' of bio-polymers received a great round of applause. Youtubers' Panel software for civil and mechanical discussion was yet another interesting event hosted by Bhumit Shah, a engineers. Happiness Lecture at IIM-A musician, content creator. Melvinn Louis (Celebrity Dancer), Rob M Chakravarthi, Vice-chairman said, “ (MAD stuff artist), Kiran J (Choreographer), Rawknee from The We have been pushing practical An initiative of Aishwarya Jain - I'M Happiness partnered with IIM- Rawknee Show and Slayy Point artists were the panelists in this training among students and Teacher A Chaos for India's first Happiness Lecture 'Optimism is not a gift, discussion. with our workshops. The Auto CAD but it's a business strategy' Winners were announced on the last day of the event. There was a tie software is a crucial tool in planning Happiness, Positivity and Optimism are the most crucial attributes between VeltorX and U-Farm. The prize was divided between them. and designing commercial and public and play an important role in a success or failure of a person in life. While the youngest and the oldest makers got the Metro Couponz worth structures like buildings, roads, Happy and positive individuals keep their surrounds positive, Rs.75,000 as accolade. drainage, pipelines, dams and so on. motivated, cheerful and contribute in forming a happier society. In a Maker Mela by Somaiya Vidyavihar is the premier event for grass root The software has found its application First of its kind, Happiness Lecture was organised at IIM Innovations in India. It is the celebration of arts, crafts, engineering, in manufacturing, mechanical, Ahmedabad Chaos - 2019 on 'Optimism is not a gift, but it's a science, the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and Do-It-With-Others (DIWO) production engineering also. Rapid business strategy on Feb 1'. mindset, and the Maker Movement. Maker Movement is a global social adaption of AutoCAD is a must to movement, where individuals who invent things informally, gets a compete with the global markets” chance to showcase, collaborate, and form communities. Students from Civil Engineering (CE), With a motto of Knowledge alone liberates, Somaiya Vidyavihar Mechanical Engineering, and undertakes various initiatives in encouraging knowledge sharing as part Electrical and Electronics Engineering of its commitment to the community. It hosts various national (EEE) participated in the workshop. conferences to support learning in various fields. Students from all over India can register for upcoming workshops / events. You can check college official website nrtec.ac.in for more info regarding the same

Curriculum February 16, 2018 13 Campus Buzz Sanskriti School wins Delhi Girl's School KIIT World School Gurgaon organizes Ed Tech Updates Football League Sports Day Free learning app for students CEQUIN, in association with Delhi Dynamos and Football India, hosted the first edition of first ever Under-13 Delhi Girls' School KIIT world School organized annual sports day in school premises of Classes 9-12 Football League in Delhi spread over a month. The final match was with great enthusiasm. The school's playground was overflowing played between Sanskriti School and Shiv Nadar School, wherein with zeal, passion and excitement and playful environment. The Vedantu, online tutoring company Sanskriti School on Feb 9 in which Sanskriti School won by 3-2 program began with sports drill in which students showcase their which specializes in LIVE Interactive goals. excitement through dance and warm-up activities. classes with India's best-curated Rahul Bose, Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament and Rod Students mesmerized the audience with their energetic perfor- teachers, launched its Free learning Hilton, Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India graced the mance. The students display a wide range of energy and sports app, It provides free access to event with their presence to support the cause and initiative. events ranging from the spoon and marble, tug of war, display and solutions of textbooks like NCERT, Speaking on the successful completion of this initiative, Sara race. Parents with equal energy participate in various sports along reference books, revision notes, Abdullah Pilot, Chairperson, CEQUIN and Chairperson of the with their kinds. important questions and much more Women's Committee at the AIFF says that, “By promoting football International wrestler Ram Kumar Yadav awarded the medals and curated and created by Vedantu for girls we are shattering gender stereotypes, bringing girls out of certificates to the winner of various sports events. He addressed the Academic Experts. Moreover, this their homes and building their leadership. The growing popularity gathering and emphasized on the importance of sports in child's life. app also provides access to a first of of women's football across the globe presents an exciting possibil- He also suggests parents to give equal importance to the sports. its kind Vedantu LIVE Online ity to kick start equality and bridge the gap of gender inequality.” KIIT mentor Neelima Kamrah said “Annual sports day is much Masterclasses where teachers teach The League witnessed the participation of 32 schools across four awaited day for us and for students as well. It is a platform where concepts for major exams such as zones. Over the past one year, CEQUIN has conducted Football parents and children's get a chance to come along with different CBSE, ICSE, JEE, NEET and much and leadership camps for girls in 25 Delhi Government schools. 10 sports activity. Sports is an integral part of our life, it helps in more. Students can install the App school teams were selected and groomed to form from girls' reducing mental as well as psychological stress. It also helps in and can learn with these expert football team who have participated in this league. The highlight of disciplining our life. Sports helps in developing our personality, teachers at zero cost this League has been its unique inclusive model, witnessing increasing confidence level, physical and mental balance and participation of girls from both, government and private schools, improve self esteem and body image. Sports is a good way for RiseSmart mobile app in India competing to earn an enriching personal, extra-curricular, social children's to make them healthy and it also health in teaching them to and educational experience. Football Delhi's commitment to Highly-integrated RiseSmart mobile scouting 25 talented players from this League for their Excellence work together and developing a spirit of group work and app available in 12 languages, and on Academy, will provide a pathway to hone the talent for the future. friendship. ” both iPhone and Android platforms This initiative further seeks to galvanize girls' grassroots football, effectively gives users a career coach with the vision of international success in the future, as a part of the Day-long session on “Life skills for the 21st in their pocket for on-demand mandate of the National Alliance for Women's Football in India, transition guidance. Participants can Mission 2028. Century” held at LIS schedule coaching meetings, register and view webinars, attend group Paint and Celebrate Patriotism competition Lancers International School, Gurgaon and the University of coaching sessions, and even access hosted by Jaipuria School Sydney jointed hands to hold a day-long collaborative session on job opportunities on a map to estimate “Life skills for the 21st Century” at school campus for students early the impact on their commute. Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Vasundhara , Ghaziabad orga- this month. The session in had many events such as expert talks, nized “Paint and Celebrate Patriotism”- An Inter-School Drawing summer programs, and workshops and was attended by Dr. Michael Angaza ventures into Indian Competition for kids on 27th January 2019 on the premises of the Spence AC (Vice-Chancellor and Principal), Professor Richard school in which students from several schools took part. Especially Miles (Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university), Taniya Rhodes edtech with MindZu app designed competition was divided into three categories- Category Taylor (University Vice-Principal (External Relations)), and . Y.K. 1-Nursery and Prep (3 years to 5 years), Category II- Class I and II Sindhwani (Head of school). Angaza Ltd, a Capetown based (6 years to 8 years),Category III-Class III ,IV and V (9years to 11 The main motive of the event was to equip students for the emerging Edtech Company, has marked its years) with topics 'I Love India', Indian Heritage / Be the solution to careers. Furthermore, the collaboration also intends to guide and entry into the Indian edu tech sphere Air Pollution, My Green Ghaziabad / Today's Kids are tomorrow's empower students as they progress towards their career goals. by launching a disruptive smartphone citizens, respectively. The campus came alive with a colorful Where-in, Professor Miles delivered a short guest lecture on “Life app, MindZu. The app endeavours to ambience and mellifluous music befitting the grandeur of the Skills for the 21st Century” to show the importance of the industrial help 9thgrade students become Republic Day. revolution, job trend that sets the Creativity, emotional intelligence, brilliant at maths. It has been A panel of eminent artists was invited as adjudicators and judged critical thinking, and interdisciplinary knowledge. exquisitely crafted to deliver a the creative work of the students on the basis of their creativity, Students also got an opportunity to have an interactive session with personalised maths learning experi- neatness, relevance to the topic, overall presentation and catchy the delegates wherein the students got answers to a range of ence for the smartphone generation. slogans. This team of judges included Dinesh Kumar Dubey, Nidhi questions from the role of AI in the new job market to the various Users have access to animated Bakshi, Razi Khan,. Shabnam Nadeem and Swati- renowned ways in which emotional intelligence can be enhanced. Students and lessons, each with layers of interac- artists with unparalleled artistic acumen and years of experience in teachers from various other schools also attended the event which tive exercises and motivating game the field of arts. was indeed an enriching experience. missions, which bring learning to life Debapratap Panda from Vishwa Bharti Public school bagged the Rohit Mann, Director, Lancers International School said, “ The idea and make it more engaging and 'Top prize' worth Rs. 51000. The proud achievers of the second is to give students a the glimpse of future from career perspective effective. position- Aditya Sharma, Assisi Kids World St. Francis School, and we are glad that delegates from University of Sydney graced us (category I), Shambhawi Vermaa, Lotus Valley International with their presence to guide these young minds towards the future.” BVRIT to offer Robotic Process school, (category II) Nandini Agarwal ,Father Agnel school, (category III) , were awarded an attractive cash prize worth Rs. LEAPS 2019 held at GIIS Noida Automation 21000. The winners of the third position-Ahmed Sidique, Chhabil Das school and Saurish Chandravanshi , Khaitan Public school, Global Indian International School (GIIS), Noida hosted the 2nd B.V. Raju Institute of Technology (category I) , Arnavi Biswal, Ralli International school and Annual LEAPS 2019, an initiative that aims to bring students from (BVRIT) has signed an MoU with Chaitanya , DPS Indirapuram school, (category II), Merwyn Vaz, various GIIS campuses on a common platform in order to promote Automation Anywhere Enterprise Somerville School Noida and Deepshikha De , BAFA school, innovation, creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship. (AAE), USA to offer Automation (category III) were given a cash prize of Rs. 5000. Consolation This year over 700 GIIS students participated from its 12 campuses Anywhere University “Talent prize of Rs. 2100 was conferred upon 10 students in each category. across India, Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, and Japan. In India, Development Program” known as campuses from cities like Noida, Bengaluru, Surat and Ahmedabad Robotic Process Automation(RPA). and Pune participated in LEAPS 2019. Currently, RPA is the trending aspect This year's LEAPS focused on critical aspects of today's world like of technology, successful in revolu- Swachhta Abhiyan, effects of pollution, Relevance of Gandhian tionizing world in many numbers of values, Smart cities make smart citizens, importance of water, ways. This program helps students patriotism, heritages of India, famous classical dancers and Indian sharpen their skills required to spices to name a few. develop BOTs for process automa- The competition brought the students from different geographies tion. 461 BVRIT students are already together to present their take on creativity, innovation, entrepreneur- certified in two online course ial skills and provide them with a stage that motivates cross pollina- modules held in October 2018. tion of ideas, helps in personality development, teach them impor- tance of team work and inculcates in them the attributes of critical City Innovates launches thinking and problem solving. Students participated in competitions like Junkyard – a Robotics Online Admission Software competition, Ed Talk (free expression of views on topics of Real world challenges), Digital Collage making (Creativity using City Innovates, a digital & technol- technology), GIIS Idol (vocal music competition), GIIS Jhankaar ogy company, launched its Online (cultural group dance fest on tribal dance forms), GIIS Beams Admission Software aimed at (prejudged event on movie making), Start Up (an on-the-spot event automating the admission process for where students make a business plan and present it to the judges), educational institutions through among many others. digitization. The platform captures offline & online leads at one single platform, converts leads into applications, and manages the leads and applications seamlessly. It then integrates with the social websites, cloud telephony, and existing IT-

14 Curriculum February 16, 2018 Interview Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo, Vice Chancellor, Allahabad University The Turbulent revival of Allahabad University continues amidst of controversies The fourth among the first universities set up under British rule, Allahabad University (esb 1887), once famously called as the 'Oxford of the East' for its academic excellence and vibrant campus culture, is struggling to regain its lost glory. Made a central university( An Institute of National Importance) again in 2005 with the objective of improving its funding and working, AU's new innings of last 12 years as central university continues is still fraught with controversies than an enthusiastic revival. Latest in this saga is the decision of Allahabad University Teachers Association (AUTA) and Allahabad University Constituent College Teachers Association (AUCTA) to go on indefinite strike and even repeat a BJP loss in Allahabad constitu- ency as was done to Dr Murli Manohar Joshi in 2004, if union HRD ministry initiates yet another inquiry against the vice chancellor, Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo. In an extensive interview to Autar Nehru, Prof Hangloo some time back talked about the controversy in detail. You took over as the Vice he had no interest and was left the university had two acting same day they were found with were behind these designs. Even the Chancellor of Allahabad himself a very low grade person. vice-Chancellors.who was MHRD minister in pictures near UGC Audit team identified them and University at a time when the Even after retirement he latched neither reputed academicians nor chandauli I thought it was too reported that this group is detrimen- perceptional decline of the on to university repeatedly as had they any knowledge of much and decided to resign but to tal to the progress of the University. Allahabad University was so executive member to protect his university administration they did my surprise I found hundreds of Now, they have been completely obvious that some people had wrong doings. When University not miss any opportunity to teachers and students demon- sidelined and have been handled already started writing its became central another person further mess up things to say the strated and appealed me to stay with resolute will and action. obituary. Was it so bad that you landed as the Vice-Chancellor as least. These were the circum- back they told me this was the had to make a complaint to the Prof Rajen Harshe he had no stances when I joined I discov- pattern adopted earlier also by Your action on hostel eviction and President of India? knowledge of university affairs. ered that there was lot of these criminals. I was hurt subsequent student protests and I had heard lot of great things He totally messed up the corruption and mismanagement because the government should FIR, made headlines. Can you about Allahabad University but university and it really collapsed. so I thought it was better to inform have verified these complaints. I briefly put the events in perspec- when I took over in 2015 all my I give only couple of examples government about the mess give you couple of examples. A tive? perceptions about this institution he promoted some nonteaching created by my predecessors. The complaint was filed against me You see Allahabad University has changed very quickly. There was staff into teaching staff violating University never had vision of a that I spent seventy lakhs on VC very few hostels and I discovered no academic atmosphere there all rules. The case landed into Central University. As a matter of residence renovation. When the that they were occupied by criminals was fear both teachers and litigation and that is how he fact, there were no systems in the matter was looked into it was and these criminals were making nonteaching staff were ruined their career. He ordered University and there was general found that it was only seven lakhs bombs and pistols in the hostels. demotivated and many students construction of buildings with decline in academic, administra- during previous VC in 2013 and They were indulged in crime outside were suffering and were uncared. crores without any budgetary tive and financial system. It was not in my time. Another instance but hostels had become hideouts. Some of the university buildings provision. You can imagine the my duty to inform the Hon'ble is that we conducted selection One student informed court and were illegally occupied. The building that was supposed to be President of India, who is also the committee for faculty in Hindi Allahabad high court ordered us to people holding responsible handed over to university in Visitor of the University about the Professor Kripa Shankar Pandey vacate these criminals from hostels. administrative positions were 2009 has not been done even decadent system. –a mediocre who happened to be We requested the police and got brazenly involved in corruption now. He was really like a joker head of department that time sat in these vacated on the last day when and favoritism. There was no who took nothing serious except You were targeted for taking on selection committee with Tarachand hostel which had become academic routine and calendar. learning music at his residence a system where vested inter- honourable presidents nominees den of criminals was vacated these Each institution has a dignity and and remained surrounded by a ested have entrenched for too subject experts, Dean and others criminals mobilized anti social and grace of its own and Allahabad bunch of fools. After him Prof long. Now do you stand who were part of the process total burned some cars in university and University had lost that. There are A.K.Singh a reputed scientist of absolved of the allegations eight people for almost a week Allahabad city and conducted number of factors responsible for Bombay IIT became a vice- against you? regularly signed all papers and all violence. When media reported the that it is not that all teachers and chancellor. He tried his best but Yes I was given lot of trouble sections were done in camera and same criminals again represented students were responsible for its due to the actions of previous because when I tried to put the he signed on all papers like others MHRD and asked them to send decline. Basically before the vice-Chancellors the university system in place those vested without any unhappiness and enquiry. Since it was court backed university became a central had already lost the academic interests sent scores of false protest but after this when people eviction and for betterment of University there was a Vice- atmosphere and had become a complaints to PMO, MHRD, joined he began to harass them students MHRD should have Chancellor named as Chuni Lal battle ground where caste, Honourable President and other and wrote to MHRD and other thought it before ordering enquiry Khetrpal he not only neglected prejudice and corruption had agencies. These complaints were agencies that he was not part of but any way that enquiry also we his duty of maintaining what was penetrated to such an extent that baseless I sent the reply and the selection committee. You can responded and there was nothing in it passed on to him as Allahabad a big bunch of brilliant teachers matter ended. They also incited imagine how mean people can be. but sending enquiry on false and University for his personal also were rendered incapable in students to throw bombs and When one does good work with petty complaints has lowered the benefits. He was running some performing their duty.Prof stones on me and even threatened. selfless intention, he would be moral of our DSW, Chief proctor and bogus institute in Lucknow.He A.K.Singh was forced to resign. Did everything possible and nasty targeted. In fact, there was a group other officers who leave no stone made some appointments That was the victory of all evil to force me to resign and go back of few teachers, who did not want unturned in protecting the university without posts and depended on forces that were plundering the but then one day when in one that the University should interests. Lots of items including mediocre academicians because university. After Prof A.K.Singh college function when some function in better manner, they firearms were recovered in that people tried to attack me and hostel wash out.

Curriculum February 16, 2018 15 Interview Contd from P14 The Turbulent revival of Allahabad University continues amidst of controversies Everyone has appreciated this There is a provision of summer strata wise, subject wise, government sector. It has its is a growing demand and need. hostel wash out even the then hostels, where all students have specialization wise and both in own standing and reputation, . ADG of Allahabad congratulated to be transferred for few weeks. technical and non technical but entrepreneurship and Also, AU has been a hub of me and said that by this action Once renovation and repair is education. Better and consoli- incubation is completing freedom movement and post crime has come down in city. done, they are again allotted dated educational reform is cure missing from AU. Don't you independence has contributed Hostels were terribly hostels. This cyclical process to country's many problems. think when we are not sure many men and women of emi- criminalized. These had become facilitates smooth running of the about careers or jobs of nence to our nation, is there a kind den for the criminals and anti- hostels You did make efforts to bring in tomorrow with onset of AI, of memorial or museum to social elements. When few modern technology including automation etc, AU needs to showcase this? genuine students approached the Another big issue is teacher digital and IT & communica- incorporate this change and We are planning to decorate our Hon'ble High Court ofAllahabad, vacancies to the tune of 60%. tion technology to admission transform its culture to a more heritage buildings with these great it directed that all hostels should This is a serious issue because process and other ERP holistic and contemporary scholars, freedom fighters and others be sanitized of these criminals there are no teachers. There are processes, please throw some outlook? who significantly contributed to our and anti-social elements. We around 600 positions of teachers light on this? Traditionally, Allahabad nation building. on 15th August this followed the orders of the High vacant. I advertised these In fact, there were no such University has been producing year we have unveiled the statute of Court and sanitized hostels with vacancies within one month of practices in the University. I civil servants and other bureau- Shri Prem Chand in front of our strong will. I my joining in 2015. Then few introduced the PSO system in the crats. Diversification is the need English department because in 1921 persons, with ulterior motives, Vice-Chancellor's Office, where, of the hour. We need to diversify he had done Bain English literature Then, it is not only that the went to the court, which delayed we have accounts of daily careers of the students. This from our university. There is no such capacity of hostels (3000-4000 the process. Again there was a expenditure. Then digitization of requires infrastructure and memorial or museum for this students in a student popula- verdict from the Allahabad High the dispatch was introduced. faculty. We will factor in this purpose. This is a good idea and we tion of 24000) is a problem, the Court on teaching position; we Efforts are being to replicate these suggestion and would focus on will explore to have such memorial dilapidated condition of these had to re-advertise these systems in other offices. better linkages with the industry. in the coming days. aged hostels makes them vacancies. Now, the UGC has University website was very We are changing the pattern after a inhabitable especially in rainy postponed the selection process primitive and now we have a new big gap of more than couple of Finally, where do you see the season and there is risk of in view of the SLP in the and regularly website. On line decades this year our 8 people got University heading and impor- accidents? Supreme Court of India. This is courses are going on. selected to IAS. Only few days tantly at what NIRF ranking will You are absolutely right some of our most important priority areas back more than 40 of our students you be aiming? these hostels were poorly and we will do it immediately Despite all what is said about got placement in Azimprem ji's Allahabad University has its own constructed earlier and now we once we get clear direction. If the falling standard or standing company. I remember a year back problems but it has its own are facing the problems. Actually you look at the teacher student of the AU, a lot of work nearly half the total jobs in states specificities too. Well at present we there has been no planning for ratio it is alarming. For past including cutting edge is taking education system were bagged by are not competing with anyone. We Allahabad niversity. When due to 22years there has been no place inside the university. A our students from political are trying our best to transform this OBC and other reservation the appointment of teachers in our number of teachers and sciences Our faculty is imparting university into a much better number of students increased by major departments. When I scholars are involved in cutting training through various academic institution that can sixty percent but the space and joined this university within two edge research and research programmes and that is helping correspond to growing challenges infrastructure did not grow with months we started process of projects, can you list some of the the students from this region to that our main land state and society is equal speed nor did university appointment of teachers. We important such works? contribute their share in facing in Uttar Pradesh. Along with take any initiative earlier. If you have completed this process in There are good teachers in the digitization automation and my colleagues this university should look at maintenance part we have many of our constituent University. They were de- various other contemporary and first change its mind set to enable it the same engineering staff that colleges.Then came the war motivated. I tried to enthuse a cutting edge technology sectors. to throw up opportunities. I have a we had more than 5o years between roaster systems on sense of motivation and provided Our teachers and students are vision for the University, where before. Besides we have the university level and department necessary support to them. Now, second to none.Even today it is students get quality education cumbersome process of level I got both systems done for we have entered in the MOU with our students who are occupying without any bias and great facilities tendering. The interference of university and found the reserve different universities like top positions in our country and for flow of ideas and thoughts in a criminals in construction category was certainly loosing Heidelberg, Germany, Tennessee, making this university proud. free environment. Quality and activities also inhibits the around two dozen positions if it USA and so on. DST and DBT dedicated teachers with adequate progress in this direction. We had was based on department basis in grant have also increased for the Can AU contribute in making infrastructure of smart classrooms a grant of few lakhs for repair of our university. But it could have Science departments. In fact, Naini another Noida and help and labs are definitely going to one hostel. When maintenance been sorted out if it was left to these grants are one of the biggest the region's economy evolve as a improve the situation. Corruption commenced the some students universities but it landed in in the country. Now, I can see knowledge economy? free and impartial administration is demanded commission from courts and there are litigations there is a renewed sense of work Well we are always prepared to another area for smooth functioning contractor and bet the CPWD and counter-litigations and the culture and people are devoting give our assistance to our State of the University. As far as ranking is engineer for no fault of his own government has ordered time for research. It will certainly and Central government as and concerned, we need balanced then the work got hampered for postponement. But I can tell you pay good results in coming days. when required for betterment of teacher-students ratio, which is seven years it is only last year I if we do not appoint teachers our people and country. Naini, highly skewed at present. We are got that work done. MHRD does many universities will close Is there a proposal for setting itself, requires special package for targeting that we should be within not realize under what circum- because guest faculty is no up engineering and medical its revival as industrial hub. the first fifty of the ranking. We will stances we work. I have seen answer. Regarding research colleges by the university? University would definitely make all possible efforts to restore many universities I have taught in scholars taking classes I think No there is no suggestion as such. contribute its best for the the glory of the University of central university for 35 years they can assist as teaching We are moving towards a more development of the centre, if there Allahabad. besides I also worked as member assistants. You see these all specialized era so Medical and Academic Council of United problems require a comprehen- agriculture or Engineering are Nations system for entire Africa sive solution that can be done if established as separate institu- and Asia but no where I found we go for consolidation reforms tions and there is no harm in that. such worst problems. But we are in higher education rather I But, my efforts would be more on gradually now overcoming these would say rather education in improving the existing facilities difficulties they are part of totality. We are doing some so that qualitative results could be mainland India and have to be touchups but that is not sufficient delivered. Once, it is consolidated seen in historical perspective. and that is not even nearer to then we may plan for further There is a well defined hostel solution. Education system is expansion. policy now. Hostels have to be changing it has to take into vacated during summer vacations consideration so many variations Traditionally, AU has been for their renovation and repair. and specificities region wise, known for producing civil servants and officers for

16 Curriculum February 16, 2018 News Extra Microsoft Academia Accelerator Program Honda Y-E-S Award given to 14 IITian students Innovative disaster management solutions based on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Like in previous years since 2007, Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) on Feb Learning, Mixed Reality and Natural Language Processing are some highlights 4 presented the 12th Edition of the Young Engineer and Scientist's (Y-E- S) Award for 2018-19 to 14 students from India's premium science and Microsoft India on Feb 5 hosted National Challenge under management. Rescuers are busy technology institute, the IITs, across India. The awards to Aakila Rajan, AXLE, a Microsoft Academia Academia Accelerator was “Build during operation, which is why Mayur Joshi & Sai Uttej Koduri—all from IIT Madras, Akash Bhardwaj Accelerator an annual showcase state of the art technology to this app is based on Mixed Reality & Shubhanshi Singh (IIT Kanpur), Alok Gupta & Khyati Kiyawat (IIT of collaboration between predict or manage natural so that rescuers don't waste time Roorkee), Kinjal Saxena, Pushkar Saraf & Soham Dibyachintan (IIT Microsoft and academia. This disasters better”. The challenge on pre-planning their routes and Bombay), Lakshmi Vasanta Majety, Sabyasachi Sen & Nirmalya year's AI for Good theme received great response with operating any device for Panigrahi (IIT Kharagpur), Prateek Manocha (IIT Guwahati) were packed in a rich agenda of 5000+ participating students communication. DUBG makes presented by Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador Extraordinary and keynotes, tech talks and student across 21 colleges, and 350 + new basic tasks like communication, Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan. Hiroto Ishida, President, Honda projects that showcased projects as Academia Accelerator navigation and current status Foundation and Dr. (Ms.) Kazuko Matsumoto, Director, Honda innovative ways of using program celebrated its seventh monitoring easy for rescuers. The Foundation were present. technology to solve real world year of collaboration with team's vision is to create an A scholarship of cash equivalent of US $3000 each, was presented to challenges. The event brought students and faculty in India. Top Augmented Reality based these 14 students selected from six IITs - Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, together Computer Science 21 teams showcased their navigation system enhanced by Kanpur, Roorkee and Guwahati on the basis of their Cumulative Grade faculty, Microsoft leaders and solutions at the new Microsoft voice assistant to make the rescue Point Average (CGPA), Essays and 2 rounds of personal interviews with employees, several industry Campus in Bengaluru. drives hassle free. Using the the selection committee of Senior Honda Executives and Shirish Garud, influencers and students from current technology of Microsoft Director- TERI, the chief assessor of the selection committee. top engineering colleges of Winning Team such as Mixed Reality and Azure India who showcased Speech Recognition, the IIT 'D.K.T.E. Society's Textile & Engineering innovative ways of building Projects: Guwahati team has reimagined state of the art technology to current disaster management Institute, ICHALKARANJI win 4th Mitsubishi predict or manage natural IIT Madras: UAVs for Disaster system. disasters better. Management (WINNER) IIT Jodhpur: Disaster Chain Electric Cup Academia Accelerator is one of Whenever disaster strikes, access (Second Runner up) Microsoft's most to accurate information and the The project is a distributed IoT- The 4th edition of Mitsubishi Electric Cup (ME Cup) was won by Team comprehensive campus capacity to respond with life- based solution, deployed in ''SPARK '' from D.K.T.E. Society's Textile & Engineering Institute , engagement programs aimed at saving assistance is critical. The different sections / rooms of the ICHALKARANJI at the finals held on Feb 16 at Faridabad. Incepted in building a deep, long-term project aims to solve this exact building with the target as home / 2016, ME Cup, an annual event of Mitsubishi Electric India has emerged association between industry issue by creating an end-to-end building automation solution, as the biggest National-level Automation Competition in India that and academia in India and autonomous system, to provide which acts as an early warning challenges many collegiate engineering teams to design, build and reiterates the company's precise information about where system and takes precautionary present factory-automated, innovative working models. The journey of mission to enable people to exactly the people are stuck, with measures on detection of 4th Mitsubishi Electric Cup kick-started in July 2018, witnessing several realize their full potential. From the use of UAVs which are disasters, offloading crucial project submissions and teams working on their innovative project just ideas at the campus level, powered with AI and Computer immediate steps from the cloud to models. All the participating teams were backed by Mitsubishi Electric Academia Accelerator Vision. The system can efficiently edge, while staying connected to India's technical support team and were provided with the essential Showcase builds on the best distribute the drones to cover the cloud for data storage and Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation products such as Programable through mentor support, maximum area, and perform further analytics. It works with an Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interface (HMIs), Servo publishing support and pitch intelligent tasks such as detecting Android app (skinapp), using an Motors, Variable Frequency Drives etc., to name a few. support provided and eventually people (both visible and partially exported tensor flow model The two-day competition saw some of the best innovative project provides the opportunity for the visible), whether they are able to trained on Microsoft's custom displays built by the participating teams focusing on the theme 'Digital best among India's student move or not and activity vision service (cognitive services) Industry through Smart Imagination'. These models were based on Smart developers to hone their CS recognition to help in optimizing to predict skin diseases offline Solutions for purposes like building automations, industrial skills further. the resources available. (for survivors rescued from the manufacturing processes, among others. Winners received Rs. 1,00,000 The theme for Codefundo++ IIT Guwahati: DUBG (First disaster zone) and Winner Trophy; “CON-SOL- E-3.0''team from Institute of Runner up) Technology, NIRMA University, Ahmedabad bagged the second DUBG is a mixed reality app for position, receiving Rs. 75,000 and Runner up Trophy; and ''TEAM efficient post disaster EMINENCE'' from MKSSS'S CUMMINS College of Engineering for Woman, Pune ranked third in the competition with prize money of Rs 50,000 and Trophy; also they have received the Most Popular Team award. Harness the power of AI to empower people WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF with disabilities INDIA'S EDUCATION STORY! Microsoft India hosted the second edition of its Accessibility Summit You can advertise in curriculum magazine or and also put an – Empowering for Inclusion – in the capital city on February 15 and 16, advertorial highlighting your company/services/campus/ products etc. 2019 in collaboration with The National Association of the Deaf and This will greatly support your marketing effort and enhance your National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People visibility and recall value with your current and potential clients (NCPEPD). The summit brought together multiple stakeholders to spark a dialogue on inclusive technology, evangelize accessibility OUR FOCUS standards & highlight inclusive technology solutions, as well asassess policy's role in creating an accessible India. This includes people with — We cover latest news, product launches, current events and trends disabilities, their support-system, developers of assistive — News features, Guest Articles, Expert columns technologies, policy makers, CSR professionals and service- — Career counselling, Skill India, Entrepreneurships providers. — School/College /university events Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of — Achievements by students, faculty, institutions Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and — Education Technology — Study Abroad Empowerment said, “Including people of all abilities in the — Institution/people profiles development process adds to a nation's social and economic progress. Our vision is to ensure that we empower them with equal access and opportunity, and strong public-private partnerships will go a long way in ensuring this. The Microsoft Accessibility Summit provides an ideal platform to bring together policymakers and influencers to understand the policy environment and chart a direction for making life, experiences and opportunities accessible to all.” Dr. Sriram Rajamani, distinguished scientist and Managing Director, Microsoft Research India said, “At Microsoft, we believe there are no limits to what people can achieve when technology reflects the diversity of everyone who uses it. Cloud and AI solutions are opening up a world of possibilities, empowering people with disabilities with tools that support independence and productivity. The Summit is a significant step forward in advancing our efforts towards sensitizing stakeholders and partners on the business and social value of accessibility. As we continue to learn and grow, we hope to inspire other entities and organizations to build and accelerate their accessibility and inclusion programs.”