Curriculum Magazine April 2021

www.curriculum-magazine.com RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Vol 11 No 6 magazine THE INDIA EDUCATION LANDSCAPE UPDATE April 16 2020 “MyNEP2020” Board Exams becomes causality of latest Covid19 spike platform of NCTE CBSE, ISCE cancels class X exam, postpone class XII exams; Portal invites suggestions on NPST , IB cancels all NMM Inputs and Suggestions Affected states too follow suit, PB, Delhi, J&K, UK, UP & others cancel most exams regarding NPST and NMM invited from stakeholders on As the second wave of be reviewed and a final “Our admission process MyNEP2020 from 1st April Covid19 pandemic becomes decision on the conduct of the to 15th May 2021 severe and gigantic in scale, board examinations will be largely remains unaffected by education institutions, taken by the first week of “MyNEP2020” Platform of which had just begun to June 2021,” he said. the decision to postpone NCTE Web Portal has been reopen after a closure of The International operational. The platform over a year, have been shut Baccalaureate (IB) will not CBSE Class XII exams. In the seeks to invite again. Annual exams conduct examinations in suggestions/inputs/members particularly those of boards India for its May 2021 wake of the pandemic, we had hip from the stakeholders after anxious preparations assessments due to the for preparing draft for have been either cancelled ongoing Covid surge in the altered our admission process development of National or postponed for now. country. Professional Standards for In an almost rerun of 2020, There are around 185 schools last year. We are making Teachers (NPST) and Central Board of Secondary affiliated to IB in the country. National Mission for Education (CBSE), has “The IB has informed schools provisional admission offers Mentoring Program decided not to hold class X of our decision to not hold membership (NMM). The examinations this year in examinations in India due to to candidates based on their “MyNEP2020” platform wake of a severe second the rising cases of Covid-19 will be operational from 1st wave of covid infections and following ongoing performance in the remotely- April 2021 to 15th May hitting large parts of the conversations with our 2021. country towards the end of schools, associations and proctored entrance tests - This exercise of digital March. The class X exam education boards. We intend consultation envisages the was scheduled from May 4. that the results of students in SNUSAT and APT – and participation of teachers, Taking about the results, the India for the Diploma education professionals, board said the result will be Programme and Career- personal interviews. Selected academicians, & other prepared on the basis of an related Programme should be stakeholders in preparing objective criterion to be awarded using coursework candidates need to secure a the documents on teacher developed by the board. marks and predicted grades policy for sustainable and In case of class XII for the May 2021 session, as defined minimum percentage positive change in the examinations, which was described in the awarding Teacher's Education Sector. also to begin on May 4 till model outlined in February. in Class XII Board to secure For preparing the June 14, the board has F o r t h e M i d d l e Ye a r s documents on above two postponed the exam as of Programme in subjects where higher learning institutions; “While the CBSE Board's admission, which can be major recommendations of now. A review will be held there are normally on-screen the result of 10th Board decision to postpone the updated whenever the results NEP 2020, NCTE will work on June 1 and after that any assessments, students will be helps students and teachers Class XII examination will are declared. We also accept in close consultation with decision will be taken. awarded results using the assess the stream choice and help provide relief for admission applications individuals/organizations. The decision was held after Alternative Assessment the subject allocation . students in this second wave through JEE, SAT and ACT Expert committee will PM Modi sat with with task,” said an IB According to Sangeeta of the pandemic, this will scores.” – Spokesperson, Shiv extensively review the Education Minister, spokesperson. Hajela, Principal, DPS however impact colleges and Nadar University Delhi NCR inputs collected during the Secretary & other important Several state boards have Indirapuram , in such a time consultation period and will officials to discuss issue of taken a cue from CBSE and when the pandemic has universities. Like all higher finally formulate the Drafts CBSE Board Exams on followed suit. reached its peak, it is better for public review. April 13 and reiterated that Padma Srinivasan, Principal to calculate their result on education institutions, we Comments by the reviewers the well being of the Delhi Public School RK the basis of internal from the stakeholders will students has to be the top Puram termed the decision as assessments and overall will have to assess the Heritage then be used to prepare a priority for the Government. the best taken towards performance. The focus admission cycles and Xperiential's Grade final Draft for notification. The Council for the Indian minimising the risk of should be now to address the processes for the incoming School Certificate spreading the deadly learning gap that has already 64% Children Examinations (CISCE) said coronavirus amongst occurred . “However, Class 2021-2022 batch to 4 students go on an worry that that the board exams for students,teachers,employees 12th Board examinations accommodate the expedition, publish without Classes X and XII, of the school and their have a different kind of postponement of Class XII additional scheduled to begin on May immediate families. “This sanctity attached to them , educational 4, would be deferred for last one year of the pandemic because all higher studies final examinations.”… Dr. digital book “Trees support they now, and a “final decision” has been extremely opportunities and career Dishan Kamdar, Vice of Gurugram” will not be would be taken “by the first challenging for both the choices, both in India and Chancellor, FLAME able to cope week of June” after teaching fraternity and the abroad , depend on it .So, up with reviewing the Covid-19 students. We have moved postponing the class 12th University Page.15.. curriculum situation. from physical schools to the exams and not cancelling and may drop “In the light of the online medium and our them is a good decision,” she Rishihood University Announces out: report nationwide surge in Covid- students have adapted added. 19 cases, the CISCE has beautifully to this new In the entire year of the the launch of Center for the Specially-Abled 'Perception, Fears and decided to defer the ICSE normal. In these pandemic, there hasn't been Readiness for Reopening of (Class X) and ISC (Class unprecedented times, the bigger effort towards closing Rishihood University, has committed to expanding the Schools' by ChildFund XII) board examinations government has found the the digital divide by making announced the launch of ambit of education to include scheduled to be held from most viable option,” she said. provisions for online Center for the specially- people from all walks of life See Page...7 May 4, 2021,” CISCE Chief In view of the Covid cases education to all. “It's abled and is aimed at across all socioeconomic, Executive and Secretary increasing exponentially, we unfortunate that the students addressing iniquities by gender, and ability Gerry Arathoon said in a appreciate the decision to have put in so much effort creating a level playing spectrums. I would like to press statement. cancel the Class 10th Board throughout the year to ground for persons with congratulate Mr. Ajay Gupta, “The Covid situation will be examinations . Class 10th achieve their desired result disabilities in India and the inspiration and primary closely monitored and the Board exams are not the in board examination for providing them with promoter of the project, deferment of the ICSE & school-leaving examinations nothing but in the current improved access to whose locomotive ISC 2021 Examinations will marking the transition to situation, health comes first mainstream opportunities. In determination is crucial to for all. We should fight sync with this mission, the advancing this project corona together and get university is consulting with towards a successful vaccinated as soon,” says several non-profit culmination. He has braved Rajat Goel, Director, MRG organizations in order to many challenges after a School, Rohini improve access to stroke of Polio left him The postponement of class specialised education, paralysed. Through this XII examination does have conceptualise UG & PG project, Mr. Gupta, along cascading effect on programmes to address the with the RU leadership, aims admissions to UG courses in lack of special instructors in to ensure that no other person universities and colleges as the field, with the long term in India in a similar position class XII scores determine goal of significantly should have to face similar the intake in most of them. improving representation in hurdles on their path to So some early reactions from mainstream corporations in a achieving personal freedom a few universities have also mutually beneficial manner. and a self-determined quality tickled in: Speaking on the launch of of life, a prerogative Centre for the Specially- enshrined in our Constitution Abled, Sahil Aggarwal, CEO as the right to life for all & Co-Founder, Rishihood Indians.” University, said, “At Rishihood University, we are

2 Curriculum April 16, 2021 News Updates Reducing compliance burden in happiness but knowing the truth, doing good and enjoying school principals; 15 senior govt leaders; 180 test item the beauty around. The tagline for “Ānandam” further writers; 360 master trainers which will further impact 25,000 Higher Education Sector discussed reinforces its ideology that it will work for the well-being of CBSE schools that include 2,000 JNV's and KV's, 132,000 all. The tagline “Sarvabhūtahiteratāḥ” stands for being teachers and 20 million learners by 2024. The Ministry of Education (MoE) and University Grants always engaged for the well-being of all. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Commission (UGC) have started a series of online The prime activities envisaged under the concept of Union Minister of Education, said, “The core objective of the interactions with stakeholders to streamline the forms and 'Ānandam: The Center for Happiness' will be divided into NEP is to guide the transition to an education system that processes for reducing compliance burden in Higher five broad categories, namely, Counselling, Holistic enables our youth to have a better future. Schools have a very Education Sector, as a follow-up to the Government focus on wellness, Elective courses on Happiness Development, important role to play in shaping our youth and I am happy ease of doing business to enable ease of living for the stake Research and Leadership & Faculty Development. The that through this launch, the vision of the NEP will be holders. Advisory Board of Experts for the Center constitutes of translated into action. My heartiest congratulations to the The first such online workshop in the series was organized, numerous experts from academics, research and industry. CBSE and British Council teams for working towards this.” which was chaired by Amit Khare, Secretary, Higher The purpose of establishing 'Ānandam' at Indian Institute of Education, Ministry of Education. Management Jammu is to bring holistic well-being.' Regular CBSE Chairperson Mr. Manoj Ahuja, said, “The new Prof. D. P. Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission physical exercises at the Center will contribute to the National Education policy 2020 envisages a significant shift and Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council wellness at the physical level for both the students and the in the education ecosystem in India. It aims at preparing for Technical Education (AICTE) were also present. faculty. There are going to be practices for breathing students for the 21st century and lays emphasis on Representatives from Industry Associations such as CII, exercises like prāṇāyāma and mindfulness, which help in competency-based education rather than an education which FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and Vice-Chancellors from some enhancing vitality. Other than this, the practice of Meditation tests rote learning. CBSE has had a collaboration with British Central, State, Deemed, Private Universities and Technical and contemplation will also be encouraged. Council and three UK agencies, Cambridge, NARIC and Universities shared their views on reducing compliance The centre was virtually inaugurated on March 30 by Union Alphaplus who are helping CBSE in attaining this objective. burden in Higher Education Institution. Based on their Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' in The work has already started, and significant progress has feedback certain areas have been identified for streamlining presence of Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, been made and we do look forward to this co-operation and process and reduction of compliance burden. These areas Manoj Sinha; Founder, Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri working with British Council in the future.” include – Ravi Shankar virtually graced the ocaasion. Dr. Milind Barbara Wickham OBE, Director India, British Council, said · Governance and Regulatory Reforms Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu “Education and research collaboration is central to the India- · Reengineering of process and increased use of presided over the event, whereas Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director UK relationship. We are honoured to be a part of this ground technology to ease students, faculty and staff IIM Jammu was also present. breaking initiative led by the CBSE. The reformed assessment · Repeat demand for information by regulatory Pokhriyal congratulated IIM Jammu for the new venture and framework will support high quality teaching for both an bodies leads to a lot of repetitive work. Only information that said that incorporating happiness in the academic curriculum improved learning experience and outcomes for all students in provides value addition should be insisted on from HEIs of students is a very crucial step towards empowering our CBSE schools. Our extensive work with government All the VCs present were requested to also conduct an nation. This step will take our education system to newer agencies in India over the past few decades and our links internal meeting in their institutions on the theme and to heights, similar to the times of ancient Indian universities like across the whole UK education network, meant we were able forward their suggestions from the meeting to the UGC. Nalanda and Takshashila. to propose a framework that will not only bring international UGC would be the nodal agency for such discussions. Addressing the participants LG Sinha provided his idea of assessment standards to Indian schools, but accompany it More such workshops will be conducted in the near future to happiness wherein he gave us an example of our with an implementation roadmap tailored for India. We are ensure participation of maximum Higher Education neighbouring country, Bhutan, which is ranked very high in committed to working closely with the CBSE and Indian Institutions for identifying areas for reduction of compliance the happiness index. He said that “The right way to measure school system stakeholders in the last mile delivery of the burden. wealth is to measure happiness and not money”. He project.” explained the benefits of yoga, meditation, and other spiritual Central legislation for uniform fee practices for students to maximize their overall performance AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020 that staying happy is the best prayer that anyone can offer to a regulation in private schools god and is real idea of happiness. presented proposed by AIPA Competency-based assessment Based on the theme 'Women Empowerment',AICTE finalized the winners from a total of 456 entries who competed across 6 The All India Parents Association (AIPA) has written to the framework by CBSE launched sub themes, which include, Women's Health, Self-Defense, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of the states proposing a Sanitation and Hygiene, Literacy, Women Entrepreneurship, central legislation for uniform fee regulation in private The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on and Legal Awareness. After analyzing the initial entries, the schools across the country. In a letter dated March 31, 2021, March 24, announced a suggested competency-based top 10 entries under each sub-theme were invited for AIPA president, Ashok Agarwal, forwarded a draft bill assessment framework to strengthen India's existing school presentation before the two committees headed by Prof prepared by his group in this regard. “Needless to say that education system for secondary level (classes 6-10) and Sushma Yadava, Vice-Chancellor, B.P.S. Mahila there are lots of inconsistencies among the several state improve the overall learning outcomes of students across Vishwavidyalaya Khanpur Kalan, Haryana and Dr. Vinita S. legislations on this issue, which have come during the last India, mainly covering three subjects: English (reading), Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya. nine years and therefore there is urgent need to have a central Science, and Maths. The framework is a part of the CBSE SWEAT (Sona Women Entrepreneurship and Training) from legislation,” he wrote in his letter. Competency Based Education Project that aims to replace Sona College of Technology, Tamil Nadu won the contest in AIPA draft bill mainly carries a fee regulatory mechanism the existing rote learning model with a competency-based the ' Women Entrepreneurship' sub theme. Under the 'Digital based on the concept fee committees set up by several states. framework as directed in the NEP 2020 over the next 2-3 Literacy' sub theme, Bharatiya Vidyapeeth won the contest. As per the draft bill the committee headed by a retired High years. Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development Court judge will vet fee hike proposals by the schools after The framework is the basis for a larger project exercise Pune won the award under the 'Literacy' sub theme. WIT ascertaining the need for it. The committee which will have currently underway where 40 Assessment Designers, 180 Women Health Coalition from Walchand Institute of director education on board as a memebr, will have powers to Test Item writers and 360 Master Trainer Mentors are being Technology, Maharashtra won the award under the 'Women's refund any excess fees. The apex state committee will be trained in using this framework to create Model Question Health' sub theme. Radiant Seetha from Thiagarajar assisted by district committees, which will be empowered to bank and collection of Ideal Lesson Plans. In the first phase Polytechnic College won the contest in the 'Legal Awareness' inspect records of schools and cease them if needed. selected Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, UT sub theme. Finally, Paritrana from St. Joseph's College of “The committee while determining the fee leviable shall take Chandigarh and private schools across the country will Engineering, Tamil Nadu won the award for the 'Self Defense' into account factors like location of unaided private school, participate in the programme which will be rolled out to all sub theme. available infrastructure, reasonable surplus required for the 25,000 CBSE schools in India by 2024. The suggested Bharatiya Vidyapeeth, who won the award under the digital growth and development of the school, expenditure and Assessment framework has been put in place to drive literacy subtheme suggested that internet revolution that has maintenance and other factors that can be prescribed,” says improvement in quality of teaching and implementation of happened in India post-2014 has played a crucial role in the draft. The draft bill also provides for minimum three-year changes recommended in the National Education Policy empowering women in the nation. \"Post-2014, the internet imprisonment for contravention of the provisions of the Act 2020. revolution happened in India, and it has helped women in the while prohibiting all forms of donations. British Council along with AlphaPlus as the UK knowledge country to grow, as information is accessible at their The proposed bill also contains provision for 50% partner, designed and developed this framework after fingertips. However, even now, there are several women in the representation of parents in school management. The draft extensive research and analysis of the current learning and country who do not have sufficient digital literacy, and we also retains the overarching powers of the 'appropriate' assessment model in Indian schools. British Council has a should bring them too to the forefront of the society,\" said government to regulate fees in extraordinary circumstances global track record of supporting governments and education Bharatiya Vidyapeeth. and pandemics. departments in teacher trainings, building institutional Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' It may be mentioned that the issue of fee has been a bone of capacity, and contributing to long-term systemic change in presented the AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020 on women contention between school managements and parents for a school ecosystems. For this initiative, the British Council is empowerment to the winners in New Delhi on April11. He long time as a lot of parents see schools commercializing currently working with select UK partners: - welcomed the initiative of AICTE for instituting the Lilawati education and extracting excessive fees from them. In 2020 Cambridge are developing and delivering teachers' Awards and stressed that such innovative steps shall be great lockdown and school closures, this issue became a full-blown Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module on motivation for girls to join higher education. This initiative street/court battle between schools and parents across the competency-based approach to pedagogy, and lesson plan will pave a path towards equality in education and innovation, country. In some cases, states have even made laws but still a bank. for women clear model central law is seen as the only solution to tide over - UK NARIC has worked with the CBSE team to review and AICTE Chairman Professor Anil Sahasrabudhe said, \"AICTE the school fee issue in private schools. identify the scope of competency-based approaches to be is so happy to present this year's Lilawati award aimed at integrated in the assessment system. empowering womanhood in the nation. Moreover, I Center for Happiness, 'Anandam' - Alphaplus has created the competency-based learning congratulate all the teams who submitted the entries. India is a assessment framework and are delivering capacity building country known for respecting and celebrating the glory of inaugurated at IIM Jammu workshops for 40 assessment designers, 180 master test item womanhood, and with initiatives like these, AICTE is also writers. contributing its bit to empower the women in our country,\" The Center for Happiness acquires its name 'Ānandam' from This project will directly support 15 education leaders, 2,000 said Sahasrabudhe. the Indian wisdom tradition where the pure consciousness is being as “anandam”. “Ānandam” doesn't aim for only

Curriculum April 16, 2021 3 News Updates 100+ Curriculum based Comic Modi to attain self reliance. This next generation DuroKea between Capgemini and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad aims to foster antimicrobial technology starts at Rs. 189, kills 99.99% of industry-academia collaboration, particularly in the context books launched germs instantly and leaves behind the long-lasting protective of Capgemini Engineering and the application of low-carbon nanoscale coating up to 35 days till next wash, he said. technologies towards sustainability and a positive planet. Comics can be accessed through a new WhatsApp Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Hyderabad, Shri B. V. R. One of the main focus areas of the joint project is to develop a powered Chatbot on DIKSHA Mohan Reddy; Prof. Founder Dean ESIC Medical College Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) framework that 100+ comic books created by teachers and students of CBSE and Hospital, Hyderabad, M. Srinivas; Director IIT will overcome some of the present challenges in the schools and curated by NCERT were made available online Hyderabad, Prof. B. S. Murty and other officials from IIT automotive and aerospace industry like product complexity on 24th March 2021. These comics can be accessed online on Hyderabad were present on the occasion. management, net-zero sustainability solutions, enhanced DIKSHA web portal (diksha.gov.in) or via the DIKSHA app Congratulating the Durokea Team, Director IIT Hyderabad, safety, productivity and training in workspaces. Additionally, on any android Smartphone. The comics can also be accessed Prof. B. S. Murty said, “IIT Hyderabad is always at the Capgemini is providing project management, mentoring, through a new WhatsApp powered Chatbot. The chatbot forefront of the cute-edge research. It has proven time and funding and Subject Matter Expert (SME) support to the presents a unique opportunity to expand the scope of digital again, especially during this pandemic time. IITH has students working on this project. learning. delivered many solutions, including Low-cost Ventilators, The National Education Policy 2020 envisions a shift from Effective Mask, Mobile Apps and Fast COVID-19 Test-Kit. Nisheeth Srivastava, Chief Technology and Innovation textbook learning to understanding concepts and making Durokea is one such unique invention to come out of IIT Officer for Capgemini in India said, “The uniqueness of our connections with real world/day-to-day activities. It also Hyderabad to fight against COVID-19. I define IITH as collaboration is based on the digital co-innovation framework gives further impetus to all creative and out of the box Invent and Innovate in Technology for Humanity and that we formulated with the IIT (ISM) Dhanbad's thinking than rote learning. Hence, in this context, comic confident that IIT Hyderabad will continue to deliver many accomplished academics and student interns. With the IIT books aligned to chapters of NCERT textbooks across grades such novel innovations.” (ISM) Dhanbad's mature and illustrious research capabilities 3-12 have been developed as innovative pedagogical and Capgemini's deep focus around industry-oriented techno- resources. The comic books have been developed by the Regional Workshop to Accelerate functional business models, the project aims to deliver faculties of Scholastic (language), Fine Art, Performing Arts innovative cross-sectoral solutions to help our clients get the and Information Technology across 12 States/UTs – Delhi, Implementation of PMKVY 3.0 in future they want.” Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, North East HSNC University joins hands with TCS Telangana and Uttarakhand. The comics are aligned with topics of NCERT textbooks and With the vision to empower the youth of North Eastern iON for Industry Honour Certification have specific story line and characters which students and Region(NER) with industry-relevant skills to enhance their teachers can relate to. Some of the key features of these productivity and contribute to the economic development of HSNC University, Mumbai, has collaborated with 'TCS iON' comics are: the country, Ministry of Skill Development and for an industry Honour Certification. Student community at · Each comic has been divided into smaller topics Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Apr 8 conducted a first-of-its- HSNC University, an undergraduate, a postgraduate or even supported by worksheets and it dovetails with the learning kind regional workshop for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas alumni, can avail the benefits. objectives and outcomes. Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0 in Gangtok, Sikkim. The workshop By joining hands with TCS iON, HSNC University will · It has been created in a linear progression which was held with active participation of key personnel of State facilitate learners with certificate courses, programs, will help to understand basic concepts and decrease the Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) and District Skill internships, and placement assistance. This 45-hour learning gaps. Committees (DSCs) across all eight states - Sikkim, certification program will help students gain relevant industry · While deconstructing the academic content; care Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing has been taken to address issues of gender sensitivity, women Nagaland, and Tripura. Aimed at learning from the best important connections in the field. This program will provide empowerment, value education among other life skills. practices, understanding the challenges related to PMKVY certification remotely to the learners in the field of 3.0, and building detailed understanding on the usage of Engineering/ Science, BFSI. Leveraging TCS iON's digital NanoSniffer, a Microsensor based technical platform - Skill India Portal (SIP), the workshop platform, TCS iON and industry partners are acknowledged witnessed participation of key central and state government by Educational institutions and are made part of the Explosive Trace Detector launched officials. curriculum. This also allows learners to get access to the best The workshop also included conversations with all DSCs of industry mentors, on-ground projects, learning references, Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal on April 9 from all the eight states that were present in the workshop daily operational activities and project reports, digital rooms launched NanoSniffer, a Microsensor based Explosive Trace virtually. Both SSDMs and DSCs also provided their for discussion, etc. to grasp on-ground experience and build Detector (ETD) developed by NanoSniff Technologies, an suggestions for PMKVY 4.0, which were appreciated and the industry network. Furthermore, the completion of this IIT Bombay incubated startup. NanoSniffer has been noted by the Additional Secretary, MSDE and his team. course will earn academic credit reflected in the individual's marketed by Vehant Technologies, a company that was Following the success of this workshop, more such transcript issued by HSNC University. incubated at IIT Delhi as a startup in 2005. A 100% Made in workshops are scheduled to be held throughout different Delighted by the collaboration, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, India product in terms of research, development & regions of the country in the coming months. SSDMs and Provost – HSNC University highlighted the benefits of this manufacturing, the core technology of NanoSniffer is DSCs are essential for running the scheme, and their inputs program by saying, “Being job-ready to accord with Industry protected by patents in the U.S. & Europe. and understanding of challenges faced, are crucial for 4.0 is the biggest challenge faced by the fresh workforce. So, Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi and Chairman, effectively running PMKVY 3.0 and for developing a better as part of innovative thinking, HSNC University has taken a NanoSniff Technologies said, “NanoSniffer's launch is a step PMKVY 4.0 scheme. step forward to offer this value proposition to its brimming towards achieving the government's dream of Aatmanirbhar During the day-long workshop on PMKVY 3.0, various young talent pool by forging a long-term collaboration with Bharat. With the development of this product, IIT Bombay schemes and programme, management structures and TCS-iON. It is a great way to go beyond academics to help in and IIT Delhi along with their offshoot companies are making processes, enhanced infrastructure, and local challenges skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling while augmenting a sincere effort to boost the nation's security with highly encountered within these initiatives were discussed. A aptitude and the intellectual quotient of the learners. This reliable and affordable indigenous products.” comprehensive discussion with all eight state teams took helps create better work opportunities, unique experience and Kapil Bardeja, CEO of Vehant Technologies and Director, place during the session where the state officials provided strengthen the individual's versatile personality.” Nanosniff technologies said, “Industry academia their valuable inputs, shared their constraints and conveyed collaboration is the mantra for all us Indian companies to their commitment to help youth acquire industry-relevant Suraasa Announces Expansion of Its effectively develop, manufacture and market products in the skills that get them ready for jobs of the future. In addition, deep-tech domain. We are excited and proud to partner with there were deliberations around convergence of PMKVY 3.0 Teaching training in Multiple cities NanoSniff for taking this innovation to the India market. with other schemes such as National Apprenticeship Vehant Technologies with its experienced sales & service Promotion Scheme (NAPS), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), Suraasa, a Higher Education EdTech and Career Lifecycle team will maximize the reach of the product in the shortest ITIs, and others as well. Under PMKVY 1.0 and PMKVY Management JobTech platform focused on school teachers' possible time to the relevant high security locations.” 2.0, more than 1.21 crore youth have been oriented career growth, has announced the expansion of its physical successfully through improved standardized skilling centers starting from Bangalore. Targeting multiple cities in “World 1st affordable and long-lasting ecosystem in the country. the coming months, Suraasa, after Bangalore, will be setting- Satish Chandra Rai, Advisor, Skill Development up its physical learning centers in cities such as Mumbai, hygiene product DuroKea Series”, Department, State of Sikkim; Praveen Kumar, Secretary, Delhi, etc. and other metro cities where teachers can come and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship learn practical teaching skills from live demonstrations by developed by IIT Hyderabad researchers (MSDE); Atul Kumar Tiwari, Additional Secretary, MSDE; experts. Dr. Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC, Shri Sanjeev Kumar While there is a huge demand for skilled teachers in India, launched Joint Director (Skill Development), MSDE; Ganga Devi there is a huge supply of unskilled teachers. There is a dearth Pradhan, Secretary, Skill Development Department, of teachers equipped with high-quality pedagogy skills and Researchers led Dr. Jyotsnendu Giri, Associate Professor in Government of Sikkim; and various Industrial Training Suraasa is committed to bridging this gap. According to Biomedical Engineering and founder EaffoCare Innovation Institutes (ITIs) attended the workshop through video Suraasa, teachers hailing from specializations such as Pvt. Ltd incubating at iTIC, IIT Hyderabad has developed conferencing. Physical Education, Arts, Science, Mathematics, English innovative DuroKea long-lasting technologies to combat Literature, and Early Learning are all in high demand, not just COVID-19 virus spreading. Capgemini to provide project in International Schools but in schools in India as well. Durokea S, DuroKea M, DuroKea H, and DuroKea H Aqua Rishabh Khanna, Cognitive Scientist and Founder of Suraasa, using innovative “Durokea Technology”, is an adhesive management, mentoring, funding commented on the expansion drive, saying, “Technology has Nano formulation. “Durokea Serious products provide deeply penetrated into every aspect of our lives and every instant killing with prolonged protection against wide range and support to IIT (ISM) sector of our economy. Even education hasn't remained of germs including COVID-19 Virus.Each product has been unaffected and has been impacted heavily by the extensively tested through field trial and validated in different Capgemini announced a collaboration with the Indian technological advancements. We, at Suraasa, are leveraging Indian Government accredited laboratories. Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad to these upcoming tech trends and unlocking their potential to Read more about each product in the enclosed document or develop innovative solutions catering to the aerospace, revolutionize learning for everyone. And I am delighted to say visit www.keabiotech.com. automotive and manufacturing industries. The alliance that our efforts are paying off as our edtech offerings are Launching the series virtually on April 17, Union Minister of positively transforming the decades-old archaic education Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said that Durokea system existing in India.” Product is aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra

4 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Excel/Couseling 4 courses How to Keep Oneself Motivated? you can take up You’d heard about motivation many times. In fact, it one of the overemphasized things in our life. It may be customary at times to listen to it or preach it, however, it is worth to to fuel your understand psychological science behind it. At the end of the day, each of us needs PASSION FOR FITNESS motivation of one kind or the other. In today's time, one has a prescribed by experts, PERSEVERANCE is Factors that hamper the level of plethora of interesting include better long-term one single factor that motivation career options to choose health, improved mobility determines the fate of our from and Indian institutes and ease of movement, ŸGoals are set on the basis of external influences without are now offering you reduced injury risk, and efforts in accomplishing any inherent need or drive unique courses, that help more calories burned. ŸMismatch between abilities and aspirations you earn while learning Studying a course in the set goals. After all, it is ŸLooking for instant results something that you are calisthenics will help you ŸSeeking for social approval passionate about. These understand body the human tendency to lose ŸLack of self-belief and determination new age professions fulfil composition in detail and ŸInitial setbacks your mind as well as how one can use their own interest after a certain ŸLack of patience and resilience enable you to gain bodyweight to challenge financial security. their boundaries of fitness. period and get Ways to Keep Oneself Motivated We give you a checklist of 3.Badminton Course disenchanted with tasks ŸSet goals that are congruent with the felt needs, the the four most popular Sport is as old as humanity new-age career choices to itself. It has kept societies that once acted as a source hunger or drive within and which are supported by choose from if you are fit and healthy while passionate about fitness, building strong Dr Nitesh Dhawan, of excitement. aptitude and skills nutrition, and sports. communities and boosting Public Servant, Author Usually, something new, ŸGoals should be specific, clear, challenging and morale. In this modern innovative or a novel idea 1.Diploma Course in world of phones and and Educator stimulates us to act with attainable Nutrition and Fitness laptops, the importance of ŸVisualize your goal everyday and internalize it deeply to aligned with University sports is more relevant exuberance, but it gets Grants Commission now than ever. remain passionate in making sustained efforts (UGC) Competitive physical difficult with time to work ŸMaintain focus on the process or action part instead of INFS has launched the exercise not only country's first ever motivates children and with same pace and motivation on consistent basis. This is getting distracted by instant outcomes Diploma in Nutrition and adults to get outside and ŸGive your goal a higher purpose to keep yourself going Fitness (DNF), with pre- keep fit, but it also instils mostly experienced by students preparing for exams, ŸAttach emotional significance to goal that keeps you bookings starting for the important values. first batch on 24th March Studying a course in young aspirants of various competitive tests and people charged up 2021. The Diploma covers badminton provides you a ŸUse negative opinions of others in making yourself the twin discipline of comprehensive seeking professional targets. Nutrition and Fitness understanding of the sport more determined than ever which encompasses all the beyond just being a player. One tends to feel disoriented with the task in hand, lose ŸPrepare yourself mentally to face any sort of challenge skills a Fitness Coach It teaches you the basics, needs to be successful. techniques and injury focus and the target fails to invoke same amount of passion that comes your way INFS has also prevention while also ŸInculcate patience and resilience as these are keys to meticulously followed the helping you coach students as the time progresses. In order to achieve the life goals, guidelines laid down by professionally. This can succeed the UGC (for distance take your career up a notch consistency and commitment are vital pre-requisites. So it ŸTake feedback to review progress and rectify errors on learning courses) and as the ultimate sports implemented the required educator. becomes so very important to understand the factors that timely basis topics mentioned by the ŸDon't find excuses to blame circumstances, rather NSDC (National Skill 4.Sports Nutrition suppress our level of motivation and the ways that can help Development Corporation) Course analyze your shortcomings and make efforts to rectify in their NOS (National Nutrition is an important us to keep ourselves rejuvenated towards our ambitions in Occupational Standards) aspect in the life of any those for Fitness Professionals. individual but for an the long run. ŸFind something positive in your efforts that energizes athlete it is essential as it 2.Calisthenics Course impacts their overall If we think deeply there are two critical factors (Pull or you to keep moving Calisthenics is a form of strength, endurance, Push) that create drive within us to take action in the ŸDo something each day that takes you closer to your physical training focused performance as well as direction of attaining a particular goal. A pull-factor theory on teaching you to master recovery. Sports Nutrition underlines the features of target or goal itself that are so goal and remember always that that every small step your own bodyweight Course is designed appealing to a person that one is easily driven towards it. using minimal equipment. keeping in mind the An individual is extrinsically motivated due to peculiar counts The word comes from the special demands of qualities of the goal like it may be the social recognition, Greek words Kalos and different sports, training power or perks associated with a particular job that pulls Sthenos meaning 'Beauty' protocols, an athlete's him to make efforts in accomplishing it. and 'Strength'. It is the art goals, and current The push –factor however is focused on the internal needs and science of beautiful condition. of person that creates drive from within to pursue a goal; movement. Studying a sports nutrition like it may be the need for power, need for social approval The benefits of course provides you with or need for achievement which intrinsically motivates him calisthenics workouts, as knowledge on energy to make an endeavor towards a certain goal in order to metabolism, macro and satisfy his needs. While the pull factor phenomenon is micronutrients, short lived as it depends on external influences which may supplementation, and change from time to time; the push-factor is long lasting energy systems. and impactful as it originates from the core value of one's personality. Intrinsically motivated people are stimulated by challenge, complexity and surprise. In real life situations, the combination of both is important, however intrinsic rewards and satisfaction is of much value in long term pursuits. If you have any question or issue regarding counseling, please email to us at [email protected].

Curriculum April 16, 20211 5 Useful Briefs ISACA to increase India focus, Technology(Bhubaneshwar) & Rishihood University students, and their clients. The syllabus and course are (Sonepat), for the establishment of Ambassadors scholarship augmented to use a combination of interactive tools to impart announces new stackable ITCA program for students of Vietnam to study undergraduate and education, simultaneously providing students with life and postgraduate courses. entrepreneurial skills allowing them to become exceptional certification Ambassador of Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India, HE coaches. With this course, people can now explore alternative Mr. Pham Sanh Chau said “Our objective is to stimulate and career options that they are passionate about, whether they ISACA, leading global IT professional association and facilitate the development of collaborative and mutually want to work for a fitness enterprise or set up their own learning organization with presence in 188 countries and 220 beneficial programs which serve to enhance the intellectual business.” chapters worldwide, tin March announced plans to increase life and cultural development of both countries, and to focus and expand its current offerings and programmes in contribution to increased international cooperation between Digital Hygiene Solutions competition India. ISACA, that has 12 chapters across India at present, India & Vietnam”. with more than 8,500 members, many of them senior and According to the MOU's Vietnam Nationals can apply for under the Dettol Banega Swasth India experienced IT professionals from across domains and '2021 Ambassador's Undergraduate, Masters & PhD leading IT majors, will also strengthen its programmes and Scholarship tenable in India for Under Graduate & Post Campaign certifications for early stage, new professionals, young IT Graduate Courses Commencing From September/October graduates and those looking to shift to IT industry or reskill 2021. Reckitt, formerly RB, under the Dettol Banega Swasth India for faster growth in career. Vietnamese students are not required to pay any application campaign has collaborated with WhiteHat Jr to launch a As a first step towards this initiative, was the launch of the fee. Each scholarship provides approved tuition fees as well unique digital scholarship program called WhiteHat Jr new Information Technology Certified Associate (ITCA) as accommodation and meal costs on campus. Swasth Bharat Tech Champs Program to inspire children in certification. Explaining the rationale for the certification, While Integral University will provide 6 scholarships to the age group of 6-18 years to reimagine health and hygiene David Samuelson, CEO, ISACA, says, “A key part of Vietnamese students under the Ambassadors Scholarship solutions that impact all human touch-points from personal to ISACA's commitment to providing tools for lifelong learning programme every year, KIIT will provide 55 scholarships domestic and from the community to the environment. An is supporting professionals at every stage of their career and Rishiwood will provide 10 scholarships. open-to-all contest vetted by E&Y will invite Indian students journey, including in that critical period at the very aged 6-18 years to reimagine solutions for age-old hygiene- beginning—whether they are new graduates or professionals INFS Launches Diploma Course in related issues, which are still very much relevant amid seeking to make a career change to IT. We are proud to be able COVID 19. to serve a new generation of IT professionals and thought Nutrition and Exercise Science The top 50 shortlisted students will get an INR 50,000 leaders, including those transitioning their careers due to the scholarship from Reckitt. The six-month campaign will be pandemic, by helping them differentiate and elevate Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS), has executed in three phases: themselves as they enter the job market and start their launched country's first ever Diploma in Nutrition and · Open to idea submissions (April 12-May 13, 2021) careers.” Fitness (DNF. The Diploma covers the twin discipline of · Mentorship of top 200 submitted ideas by experts According to NASSCOM, the Indian IT industry is expected Nutrition and Fitness which will enable the students to be from WhiteHat Jr to help them fine-tune the idea and prepare to close FY21 with over 1,38,000 net hires, taking the successful fitness coaches/nutritionists. The course is a the participants for the development of mobile applications employee base to 4.47 million. The Indian IT sector continued culmination of efforts by INFS to align itself to the needs of · Winner selection of top 50 students to gain traction despite the pandemic, growing at 2.3 percent the industry and the clients it serves. “The current generations' association with technology is year-on-year on the back of rapid acceleration in digital unimaginable, it has become their primary medium to transformation and tech adoption. The Diploma course has evolved out of the existing connect, engage and express over critical issues,” said Mr. certificate course at INFS since its inception in 2016. INFS Gaurav Jain, Senior Vice President, Reckitt SouthAsia. “With Vietnam Embassy signs scholarship has also meticulously implemented the required topics the unprecedented pandemic changing the way we live, eat, mentioned by the NSDC (National Skill Development behave and socialize in our everyday lives, focus on health MoUS with 3 universities in India Corporation) in their NOS (National Occupational and hygiene has become paramount. Our collaboration with Standards) for Fitness Professionals. WhiteHat Jr is an effort not only to find immediate solutions The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India Commenting on the announcement, Jyoti Dabas, Founder to pressing needs of health and hygiene but also to make this a has signed three Memorandum of Understanding MoUs with and CEO, INFS, said, “We are excited to launch the new lifetime priority for them. We are excited to see the creative Integral University (Lucknow), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Diploma Course in Nutrition and Exercise Science. It is a solutions they come up with to help spread the messages and culmination of extensive research and feedback from faculty, make hygiene a habit.” \"Children are naturally creative and empathetic and since HCL Jigsaw on how well they are able to Jigsaw Finale, which will IIIT-Delhi opens they aren't predisposed to an existing concept or bound by the define a problem, formulate involve working on a real- constraints of what's doable, the solutions end up being championship an investigation / action plan world, theme-based M.Tech. (CSE & CB) genuinely innovative,” said CEO and Founder of WhiteHat Jr and collect and organize problem statement and Karan Bajaj. “This initiative is a real-life manifestation of the open for information finding creative solutions Admissions mission of WhiteHat Jr to make children creators rather than · Communication for the same. 12 students being passive consumers of technology.” registration Process – assess the student's (three from each grade) will Indraprastha Institute of ability to structure be announced as winners of Information Technology StayQrious launches coding course HCL, a US $10 billion information in a coherent the first edition of HCL Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) is inviting leading global manner, and understand the Jigsaw and will earn gift application for the M.Tech. for free online conglomerate, presents context and purpose of any prizes and gadgets. The (CSE & CB) Admissions for 'HCL Jigsaw', India's information given to them winners will also get Monsoon Session, AY 2021- StayQrious announced the launche of ''Coding Foundations premier critical reasoning · Thinking Critically learning opportunities at 2022. The candidates can Season 1, a 13 episode blended-learning course for free on platform designed to assess – this attribute will assess if a HCL Engineering and apply for the program until YouTube. Targeted at children between 8 to 14 years, the key 21st-century skills in student is able to interpret the Innovation labs by working 20thApril 2021 (5:00 pm). course has been created by India's most trusted instructors young (Grade 6 to 9) information accurately, on real world projects. The eligibility criteria are as with visual explanations that deepen a child's intuition for the students and build a culture evaluate claims and draw follows: concepts. It delves into conceptual mastery, effective learning of problem solving in the conclusions Masters' Union invites M.Tech. (CSE) outcomes and is designed to make children curious to dig country. The registration for applications for the Both GATE and Non-GATE deeper and learn more. the championship is now HCL Jigsaw will be Post Graduate candidates with B.Tech./BE This season will be followed by two more seasons on Youtube open and interested students conducted in two rounds Programme in or MCA/MSc in CS/IT (& its that will cover all the foundational concepts that can be or schools can register where the first will be a Technology and allied areas) with 65% marks carried forward and applied to any programming language. themselves at Qualifier stage involving a Business Management are eligible to apply for Concepts such as algorithms, debugging, variables, loops, www.hcljigsaw.com, by Pan-India online -Olympiad. admission. nested loops, conditionals, and functions among others. 31st May 2021. The Pan- Students participating in this This 16-months flagship Additional Criteria for GATE To make the learning experience more meaningful, India competition will take will get Multiple Choice programme is callled PGP candidates StayQrious has designed the course such that many of the place virtually in two Questions, each attributing TBM is a flexible Of the total 149 seats, 110 videos will have links to coding activities where kids can rounds - Qualifier (24th – to a facet of critical programme that can be seats are reserved for the practice and free live masterclasses where they can interact 27th June 2021) and Finale reasoning and problem- highly customized to meet GATE students and 39 for the with the instructors and ask their curious questions. (17th and 18th July 2021). solving. The assessment will the needs of each student's non-GATE students. Speaking on the inspiration behind providing access to free Participating students will be adaptive and the questions career aspirations. The M.Tech. (CB) coding content, Aanand Srinivas, Founder and CEO, get an opportunity to win for the competition have programme is divided into M.Tech. (CB) program strives StayQrious said: “We never want the lack of access to quality prizes and gadgets worth Rs been curated following Management and Strategy, for rigorous training in information to be the barrier for children to learn. How 16 lakh. international best standards Finance and FinTech, theoretical and computational children get introduced to a subject matters. It changes the with the aim of evaluating Marketing, Branding and approaches (for solving real- way they feel about it for the rest of their lives. It's like love at HCL Jigsaw will assess students within their specific Design, and Computing, life biological problems) and first sight. We want these videos to ignite the curiosity for participating students on 10 age-groups. All students Business Analytics, and includes algorithms and coding and STEM subjects in millions of students and inspire significant parameters from this round will receive Statistics are designed to programming, fundamentals many of them to pursue these subjects in a much more in- under three primary detailed assessment reports address the industry's most of biology, genetics, depth fashion.” attributes that can be of their performance on each pressing needs. bioinformatics, systems, and “With Summer around the corner and children getting a break characterized as key skill, giving them a road map Deadline - May 15, 2021 synthetic biology, before they enter the next academic year, this is the perfect components of the problem- for improvement and ·Interviews - May 2021 mathematical modeling, time to provide the much needed exposure and understanding solving process. These development areas. ·Application Fee - Rs 4,500 stochastic simulations, and into the essential concepts of coding”. include: - Top 20 percentile from each biophysics. Some advanced 'Coding Foundations Season 1', a 13 episode blended- · Research Skills – grade, will qualify for HCL and recent topics (such as lear ning co u r s e f or f ree on YouTube. - this would assess students computational neuroscience, https://r.stayq.us/CodingFoundationsCourse single-cell biology/genomics, bio-simulations, biostatistics,

6 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Edtech BYJU'S launches Online Live One- and Entrepreneur behind Top Parent said, “The early years designed for schools to operate in a post Covid scenario to are the most important when 90% brain development ensure there is no further interruption in their studies. on-One Learning Platform 'BYJU'S happens. Ensuring continuous learning and providing the Speaking on the launch of new Mylestone app Vinay Sharma, right stimulus is critical in these years. The pandemic Digital and Services Head, S. Chand Group said “When Future School' unfortunately marginalizes millions of children from low- schools were shut and books did not reach on time, Mylestone income communities who are first generation learners. With brought the entire curriculum online, using a digital portal and Leading education technology company, BYJU'S, with 80 no access to schools or tuitions and lack of any support at mobile app, and trained the teachers to conduct online classes MN registered students on its flagship learning app, has home, we needed a bold solution.” so that teaching and learning continues during lockdown. Just announced the global launch of its 1:1 live online learning The worksheets are age and grade specific and are in sync to in this period, online teaching and learning through platform 'BYJU'S Future School'. This builds on the success what the children are expected to learn in schools/class. The Mylestone reached over 1.5 lac students across India. The new of its subsidiary WhiteHat Jr in India and select countries algorithm applied ensures that the content deployed to version of Mylestone will add greater experiential value to the globally, who set new benchmarks in live online 1:1 learning. parents and children is customised. already expanding user base of Mylestone and make the new BYJU'S Future School helps cross the bridge from passive to It offers users information on parenting, multimedia education process more robust and more efficient for all active learning by offering an interactive learning platform resources to support a child's education and fun family stakeholders – be they students, teachers, schools or parents.” that blends real-time instruction with lessons that generate activities designed for constructive engagement with the creative outcomes for kids aged between 6-18 years. At kids. Samsung to add Smart Classes to 80 launch, BYJU'S Future School will offer Coding and Math Appreciated as a reliable solution by the state governments More JNVs with the aim of fostering engagement and personalized of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for combating the learning through a live 1:1 teaching experience. COVID crisis, 'Top Parent 2.0' the latest version is even better Samsung India has announced that it is adding smart classes to The proprietary activity-based curriculum for coding helps - as it boasts a plethora of videos that show parents how they 80 new Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) schools as part of children learn concepts through creating and building can use everyday activities and materials at home to enhance its global Samsung Smart School initiative, providing digital applications, facilitated by an expert teacher. The math children's learning skills; especially on language and Math. education to less-privileged students and fulfilling its vision program is built on a curriculum anchored on storytelling to According to Ms Banerjee, theApp has been developed using of #PoweringDigitalIndia by empowering the next generation help students learn in an engaging manner and also to a human centric design. “It provides parents with language, of young India. With this addition, smart classes set up by understand real-life applications of Math. Both programs are skills, and strategies on early childhood development as well Samsung will be available at 625 JNV schools and 10 designed to help children create on their own and learn as per as recommended EdTech solutions that have shown global Navodaya Leadership Institutes in 835 classrooms across the their pace and style with their teacher. efficacy in improving children's literacy and numeracy country, impacting close to 5 lakh students. New subjects such as Science, Music, English and Fine Arts outcomes, she added. A majority of the new smart classes are being set up in very are being currently developed based on the philosophy of Worldwide research has found that parental engagement is remote rural districts such as Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir, making children creators, inspiring them to explore and make highly important to children's learning ability and has Dahod in Gujarat, Sukma in Chhattisgarh, Darjeeling in West Mobile Apps, Websites, Games, Music, and Art. BYJU'S positive effects on their schooling journey. The content for Bengal and Baksa in Assam. These new JNV schools are Future School will be available in the USA, UK, Australia, 'Top Parent' App has been developed and aligns with the spread across 17 states. Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico in May and will progressively National Curriculum Framework, Harvard Centre of the “NVS has had a very strong and fruitful relationship with expand to more geographies in the near future. Developing Child Research and EdTech Developer's Guide. Samsung. The Samsung Smart School project that has been Powered by 11,000 qualified women teachers based in India It lays out information and strategies for parents on children's running since 2013 has allowed our students and faculty to engaging with students from English-speaking countries, cognitive, social-emotional health, well-being, and safety leverage technology at a time when the world is going digital. BYJU'S Future School is further targeting to penetrate deeper outcomes along with building responsible digital citizenship JNV students are among the best performing students in the into non-English speaking markets such as Mexico and in parents and children. It provides educational videos and country, and their access to the latest technology through this Brazil. The coding curriculum will also be available in worksheets as well as monthly challenges to track a child's program has been a strong advantage for them. This will Spanish and Portuguese, besides onboarding qualified learning progress – all in one place. become even more important in the current times,” said women teachers who engage with students in these two The Top Parent app also allows parents to win exciting Vinayak Garg, Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. countries. rewards every month if they continue to engage with the app “We believe that through technology, we can inspire kids all in a variety of ways. Parents can collect points and exchange Rostrum Education launches over the world to fall in love with learning. Our global points with exciting gifts. The quiz for parents and children is IntellectualDNA and RostrumLive expansion comes at a critical time as families are actively an exciting way to expand general knowledge and engage looking for supplemental learning that encourages their with their child in a constructive manner. Developed by Rostrum mentors which include Ivy League, children to be creative and learn by doing,” says Byju Oxford and Cambridge admission officers, the Raveendran, Founder and CEO, BYJU'S. “This launch Pearson launches Click Code IntellectualDNA test provides qualitative data analysis to furthers our vision of creating active learners across the guide students to their right academic paths. While many world,” Byju added. Connect psychometric tests claim to 'predict' the ideal future career and Karan Bajaj, who successfully established the live learning study options, they mostly rely on generalised quantitative model with WhiteHat Jr in India, will lead BYJU'S Future Pearson India, has announced the launch of its latest data. With the launch of IntellectualDNA, Rostrum Education School's global expansion. Speaking on the occasion, Karan computer science series, Click Code Connect, for the aims to give each student undivided attention through essay- added, “Our mission to empower the next generation to think students from grades 1-8. based tests wherein mentors manually analyze each student's differently, to ignite creative zeal, to make them creators will The announcement is aligned with government's agenda to style of writing and way of thinking. The test is followed up get a huge boost with the launch of BYJU'S Future School in increase exposure towards technology through coding for with one-on-one meetings where the mentors recommend more countries, offering multiple subjects. This is a purpose- school students. The series takes the students through a courses, universities and future job prospects to their students. driven expansion and we are confident that more and more journey that begins with the basic knowledge of handling RostrumLive, on the other hand, uses modern Artificial students globally will gain from this initiative.” mouse and keyboard to the stage where the student acquires Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms to connect BYJU'S Future School is committed to enabling kids to 21st century coding skills. The series culminates with the students with the right mentors (subject specialists) and become active learners and channel their natural creativity student being able to learn real-life applications of conduct purposive tests- all on a single platform using LMS through an engaging curriculum and personalized live 1:1 technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, (Learning Management Software). This platform makes it teacher attention. The initiative is backed by a strong women- etc. easier for mentors to tutor and counsel their students virtually, only teaching team majorly based out of India, and fast Speaking about the platform, Rajesh Pankajakshan, Director, which is imperative during the COVID-19 era. Additionally, expanding in non-English countries such as Mexico and Product, Pearson India said, “ Click Code Connect is Rostrum Education is looking to expand globally with the Brazil. Pearson's endeavour to equip students with the necessary launch of their new office in Dubai which makes use of all repertoire of technical skills to adapt to these changes and modern-day technologies to better assist students. The 'Top Parent' app delivers home contribute effectively in shaping the digital world. The founders aspire to establish a new office branch every year, content of the series has been planned and organised in a creating a global matrix of learning. learning for kids systematic manner ensuring smooth transition from the basics to the latest developments in the field of technology”. Saras-3D launches Genius 3D In a bid to empower parents on child learning and The series is structured around the 3E (Explore-Excel- Learning development amidst Covid times, NudgEd, a non-profit Exhibit) approach of learning that blends the need of organization working to improve the quality of school students, teachers, and parents through both print and digital Saras-3D, Inc, a tech start-up has launched Genius 3D education, announced the launch of 'Top Parent 2.0' - a free components. The learners Explore the fundamental Learning. Genius 3D Learning is stereoscopic 3D Android app to support home education. The mobile concepts; they Excel in the domain with the help of additional technology-based learning experience that uses the power of application is a one-stop solution that provides parents learning; and they Exhibit acquired knowledge through interactive visualization to help students gain a deeper strategies and resources in simple languages to help them assessments, activities, and projects. understanding of science and mathematics concepts. Genius support their child's learning and well-being during these 3D's learning by doing approach promotes 2X faster learning tough times. S. Chand Group launches new App and retention and consequently better scores, thus helping With the rise in COVID-19 cases across India, it is unlikely students achieve their academic goals. The solution is NCERT that children will return to schools. This means a severe Mylestone, a comprehensive digitally enabled curriculum based and aligned to CBSE and ICSE boards. It is available learning loss especially for younger children and those from for schools from S.Chand Group, is going interactive with an for classes 10th to 12th and is designed to give students the low-income populations. App that will allow seamless integration with the existing edge they need for JEE/NEET. In view of the unprecedented situation, Top Parent comes as a curriculum currently offered to schools by the platform. handy solution when interactions between students and Mylestone - the school's one-stop teaching and learning NetApp sponsors 10,000 Happiness Kits teachers have stopped completely due to lack of online partner is now going to be an interactive mobile application to government school children by support in most parts of the country. aligned to Mylestone curriculum. The new version will help Developed by NudgEd, with funding support from the enhance student's performance and support teachers in day- Central Square Foundation - a non-profit organization to-day teaching. It will have everything that is needed for all working to improve the quality of school education, 'Top stakeholders in a child's education in the current digital era on Parent' offers curriculum based on the NCERT pattern for a need basis. children aged between 3-8 years. The application was launched on 15th March 2021 and is Speaking about 'Top Parent 2.0', Sashwati Banerjee, Founder

Curriculum April 16, 2021 7 Feature The vulnerable face the most challenging time Contd from P1 for access & completion of their Education 64% Children worry that without On the 130th birth anniversary of Bharat additional educational support they Ratna, Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of the constitution and will not be able to cope up with independent India's first law minister, the worsening education scenario for curriculum and may drop out: report marginalized, deprived and disadvantaged sections of society after covid19 pandemic, The report is based on a survey carried out in 20 backward calls for a serious introspection on where it districts in 10 states - Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, is headed Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal in November 2020 with the Even without Nelson Long closure of schools single teacher schools in rule the roost. purpose of understanding the preparedness of the public Mandela reminding the also means end of gains in the country remain over As the aspirations of people education system vis-a-vis the perceptions and expectations world about the power of ending inequality, exclusion more than 1.1 lakh and grow around education, of the important stakeholders with the aim to bring the voices education for bringing and social justice. “The bulk of schools not commercialization of from the field to inform the policy decisions in favor of the about a change, like it or very idea of a school as an compliant with RTE Act. education and children on the margins. not truth is that education imagination has collapsed,' Talking of Right to corporatization of is both empowering as well feels S. Srinivasa Rao is Education and its institutions, is only natural The report emphasizes on why and how an inclusive as liberating since the Associate Professor of enactment, it gave hope to and there are instruments approach is needed for the reopening of schools with special dawn of civilization. And Sociology of Education at all children in general but that have been attempted focus on 'Social and Emotional Learning' – a concept the journey continues as Zakir Husain Centre for to families of downtrodden throughout the world to wherein children become self-aware, develop self-control, the world climbs Educational Studies, and poor in particular. It justify it. From fee controls and interpersonal skills vital for school, work, and life evolutionary peaks. The Jawaharlal Nehru opened space and a role for to coupons and now online success. demand for education is an University (JNU). While civil society intervention education, regulating The sample size was 1,725 children, 1,605 parents, and 127 aspiration grown from drop outing was already a and work. The phase 2 privatization of education teachers. These states had witnessed the heaviest inflow of individual to communities big challenge, the pandemic commenced with the NDA looks beyond the capacity migrant laborers and their children faced immense and nations, and with forced shutdown has larger 2 coming to power in 2014 of the state. While it first challenges in re-enrolling in schools due to a lack of consequences. And with implications for a vast which pursed liberalization protected the rights and documents. The prolonged closure of schools further time it has manifested in population of first/second and conservative cultural thought it is its exacerbated their situation as it resulted in a decline in demand, rights, laws and a generation school goers. thrust at the same time constitutional duty, now nutrition levels among the children, online learning came system of delivery and so Malnutrition (because resulting in diluting the when the state itself has to with severe challenges, and the psychological well-being of on. midday meals now not gains of the first phase. give those were rights to its the children was majorly affected. In India, for historical and there), early marriages, The government didn't citizens and make Key findings of the report: other reasons, however, child labor—all can take us favor the Right to provisions, it is looking the 1.Majority of the parents (84%) and children (83%) want the provision/demand for back by decades and what Education law and did best other way round. Dr Akash schools to reopen. education has not attracted will be its final picture it ignore it even in the new Bhattacharya of Azim 2. Panchayati Raj members mentioned that children of much attention or any nobody can tell at this stage. National Education Policy. Premji University feels the migrant parents were facing challenges in getting enrolled marked centrality in well- According to Rao, the The government also came role of private sector needs due to lack of documents. More than 40% parents clearly known social movements challenge about education in confrontation with the to be clearly defined as expressed the expectation of enrolling children without in modern times and is still can be understood if we student movements which most people are creating hassles for documents. not part of a formidable look at the broad three had begun to talk about interconnected and can't 3. More than 50% parents witnessed increased negative political agenda. And that phases of last two decades. issues outside traditional take us versus them behaviour and more than 60% children themselves also is strange? The first phase will be post boundary of academics position. The new realities expressed experiencing these changes in their behaviour. According to Prof Gopal liberalization where access debates. The urban space need to be reflected in These included an increase in anger and irritability, and lack Pradhan, Director Equal increased as infrastructure that youth of marginalized framing a pragmatic of concentration. Opportunity & faculty at in terms of number of groups occupied due to past approach. 4. Almost 74% children were sad, particularly because they School of Letters (SOL) , schools grew exponentially affirmative action and All this calls for a deep were missing classroom interactions with teachers and Ambedkar University including rural areas at all reservations was reflection and a debate on friends. Nearly 7% were anxious or afraid, majorly because Delhi, the movements have levels—primary, upper increasingly seen as a where all this should of the learning gap caused by online teaching. not thought about primary, and secondary. All threat to be crushed instead converge. Post-covid, 5.64% children expressed the need for support regarding interfering in the system this was reflected in more of taken as a part of natural country is already receding extra classes to cover the learning gaps and removal of the and the limited concern has than doubling of GER in churning in evolution of in its social development burden of exam for the year 2021. been on reservations. higher education from about aspirational societies. index , danger is it can give 6. Teachers state that a further delay in opening of schools “Traditionally it is a story 8% in 2000 to 21% in 2013. The phase 3 arrived with way to unbundling of gains will increase the dropout rates of girls (47%), child labor of too much dependence on Even GPI improved to the the pandemic, which forced in the universalization of (52%), and widen the learning gap (57%) the state and politicians level that it became level. closure of education education. A true tribute to 7. Where ChildFund's IGCL program was implemented with and education not being Improvements in teacher institutions and therefore Ambedkar would be taking the aspect of Social and Emotional Learning, it was found to part of mass social education, early education made access and a look at the situation the play a major role in providing social-emotional support. In movements,” he says while policy framework was part completion of education for way he would have. these areas fearing that feudalism may of this unfolding new a large population on the (The quotes used in the · more than 75% children spent quality time with the be on a comeback way as evolution. other side of digital divide, story are from a webinar on family, and the left ideological Access was clearly the lot more difficult and even Inclusive and Equitable · more than 50% children were engaged in creative influence of post 1917 policy prescription, beyond their reach. And, it Education in India : activities like artwork and singing to cope up with negative Russian revolution is on enrollments increased and has inadvertently handed Challanges before Dalits feelings. the wane throughout the schools spread across. But it over the education to the and Marginalised hosted by world and the Covid19 was not as if everything was market dynamics as online RTE Forum on April 13) Key Recommendations: pandemic has hastened it. as perfect. Even today or digital education came to 1.There is a need for financial allocations, in form of a COVID-19 rehabilitation package to be made to the public We are looking for a suitable investor(s) to support the mission of education system, by the Union and state governments for this publication to provide an independent media platform to provisions like social and emotional learning sessions to help Education sector of India. children overcome the pandemic induced emotional setbacks Interested can drop an email at [email protected] and special training/ bridge classes for children who have not been able to follow during the online classes. 2.Making sure that the RTE norms for the pupil-teacher ratio are met, especially considering the increased load on the public education system resulting from swelled up enrolment due to economic reasons and reverse migration. 3. Providing information to the parents and community about government schemes and programs so that they can avail them accordingly. 4. Partnership of the government with non-government organizations (NGOs) to bring back all children to school; tracking of children so that they are all back to school. 5. Provisions for a financial package to help government schools for the COVID-19 related additional infrastructural needs, such as the implementation of standard procedures (physical distancing, WASH facilities and health screening) and appointing additional resources ensure regular sanitization and hygiene in the school according to the local need.

8 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Opinion/Perspective Pandemic blues, students the greatest 11th Anniversary of the Right to Education, 2009 sufferers: Need of a task force to calculate the loss ‘Endangered’ Child Right Law, The renewed surge in covid19 cases in India has Activists Raise Alarm again put the clock back on country's education system. The cautious and patchy reopening after Autar Nehru almost 10 months in February this year has to be hastily called off as the caseload of infection is rising ON THE OCCASION chancellor, Prof R Govinda, were given schools,” he added. alarmingly. A catastrophe of sorts only seen during of the 11th anniversary who incidentally was a added. Spanish flu a century ago may revisit us if the chain of of the enactment of the Right member of the drafting According to him planning In her remarks, Farah Naqvi, infection doesn't break. to Education Act 2009, RTE committee of the Act, has lost its course in school activist writer, illustrated In contrast counties like Israel and a few others will see Forum—a national network highlighted how historically education and there is an how there is ignorance about children in schools as normal. Reason, they have of activists, educationists, the achievement of the urgent need of state level why RTE is under Article vaccinated over 50% of their population and are groups and non- national vision to universal- action plans to arrest the 21A of the constitution even confidently stepping into such a decision. profits—reiterated its ization of education has decline of proper implemen- among the other rights The way situation is playing out in India, it could well resolve to fight for reclaim- been below target. “The tation of the Act. He also movements and knowledge end up spoiling yet another academic session for ing the rightful space and framers of constitution for pointed out lack of enthusi- people. “It is not in the students. For many students, this also means end of attention for the children lack of resources didn't asm among states as another conscious mind of the people dream of leading a campus life, which in itself is so right legislation. In a commit it as a constitutional serious factor that has so there is a need to make it much learning and a lifetime experience. “Third year of webinar hosted by it to mark guarantee. Then Kothari impacted school education. an embedded right in larger program is the time, when you really enjoy being in the anniversary, speakers Commission said 20 years “There was a thought that political struggle and public college and now my internship coming in last semester, attacked the government for followed by National Policy RTE should be rolled out as a discourse,” she added. She that too might be online, what fun I will have?” its deliberate and distracting on Education 1986, which program and not as a scheme. also advocated for a questions an engineering student. Like this every measures aimed at diluting set the target of end of But then SSA became the discrimination law, addition student has questions on his mind. Life is not same. the law. century (2000). Then we primary vehicle of its of minorities to the disadvan- Classroom learning, peer interaction, socialization, Among several demands moved to 2002 amendment implementation. So states taged section within the RTE learning simulation, hands on learning, practicals, that found support in the and after seven years to a thought that both the Act as Act and an equality declara- games, fun and all those energetic events—everything is virtual conference was law. Now, after 11 years, we well as planning was of the tion in schools. gone out of life for students of India. The burgeoning demanding a white paper on are still saying it is almost centre, so at a thought level RTE Forum in coming weeks class of sizeable 'coaching institutes' across the country, the status and implementa- where we began in the days they just stopped owning is expected to galvanize which continued to offer a small window and a sense of tion of the RTE Act, a full of 1998-2000 as a move- them,” he said. public opinion in this being in class sometimes stealthy and falsely, are also discussion in the Parliament ment,” he said. Sharing As an education scientist and backdrop. “We know our facing the prospect of closures as city after city and resumption of annual important piece of informa- teacher trainer cum activist, task has been made more lockdowns is becoming necessary. reports on the status of the tion on school access, Prof Prof Anita Rampal invoking difficult but a struggle of Every category of students has been impacted in its own law by the government as Govinda said that at the time chapter 5 of the RTE Act over 100 years started by unique way. From toddlers to university scholars, was done in the first three of the thought of the Act, asked all champions of digital Gopal Krishna Gokhale education process is badly affected. It is bound to cost years of the enactment, 98% population had already or online education to get to hasn't yet fatigued, we will hugely to the society not only in terms of generational revival of a National access (in terms of distance) the bottom of what educating reclaim this right for our learning loss but as mental health challenge for many Advisory Committee and a to schools and we had about means and added that children with support from years to come. school education commis- 8 lakh schools then. “How to digitization was undoing the people,” said Ambarish Rai, In a country like India, where universal access to sion. According to Prof. service the remaining 2%, understanding of the vision of National Convener of the elementary education had just begun to consolidate with Muchkund Dubey, we ended up adding as many education. “There are RTE Forum. challenges of teacher shortage and moving to quality of President, Council for more schools is surprising challenges beyond RTE and education still colossal, the churn that the pandemic has Social Development and a and area of research? Every this is an effort of thrusting involuntarily brought in, has taken country back by former foreign secretary kind of school was added skills education on half of the decades. India's prowess in information technology and who actively supports the and even those areas, which children and promotion of being almost a super power in this area, does little to right to education, this didn't had much population edtech businesses,” she lifting the country as a whole on online connectivity government has stopped even though Smartphone penetration rate is rising giving importance to this rapidly. law at political level and it The challenge of online education remains on two introduced NEP after a important fronts—one, on the first front of access by protracted process only to way of devices, connectivity, supporting infra and change the narrative. “Two purchase power, and on the front of outcomes from scuttling measures of this online education in terms of engagement and actual government against the learning. spirit of the Act have been So it would natural for the country to have a huge closing of thousands of number of children who would have dropped out or schools in name of consoli- didn't learn much besides a huge deficit in dation and second, merging school/college simulated learning and gaps in other life SSA with RMSA and skill learning. teacher training under There is a need of a special task force that will Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan document, conduct surveys, brainstorm, look for models to dilute the RTE Act,” he to arrive at the kind of losses, students and education added. system suffered and recommend how best the gaps Noted educationist and caused by pandemic induced closures, can be closed. former NUEPA vice- There has to be a scientific way of arriving at models and bridge courses that can be fast tracked to cope up IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION with the loss of learning after the pandemic has gone. We are accepting publication of webinar summaries . Host institution, organizations and public relation agencies can share details for listing and later the summaries for online publication on our web platforms: education21.in and curriculum-magazine.com Printed, Published and Owned by: Avtar Krishen Kaul, Saraswati Editor: Autar Nehru Associate Editor: Suneel Bhan W: www.curriculum-magazine.com REACH US Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun (Uttrakhand)- Editorial/Marketing : 248001 and Printed at Microsoft Technoprint India Private Limited, 37 Consulting Editors: Sudha Passi, M K Bhat, Ramanathan Iyer Circulation Old Cannaught Place, Dehradun (UttraKhand) and Published at [email protected] Dimple Nehru, Ganesh Saraswati Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun Advisory Board Members: Ashok Pandey. Dehradun: A K Koul; Meerut: Uzma Rizvi (Uttrakhand)-248001, Prof. Raj Kachroo, Navin Bhatia [email protected] Patna: Manoj Kumar; Jammu: Sandeep Dhar General inquiry Editor: Avtar Nehru RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Director Outreach: Farindra Pande call us at 9868256512 Associates : Gurbinder Kaur, Akshay Sahu Business Development: Ashok Bhat, Vijay K Rajesh Kaul

Curriculum April 16, 2021 9 Focus Unrest at Ashoka University: calling spade a spade Resignation of Prof Pratap Bhanu Mehta from Ashoka University caused a storm of protests in the academic and political circles this March. Although the controversy has died down after University admitted lapses and promised to take student body on board in board meetings, the whole episode exposed vulnerability of India’s private higher education landscape to the whims and fancies of political power The week following the resignation of Prof Pratap Bhanu quite peeved and jolted by the developments and erupted in funded with more than 50 philanthropists, businessmen Mehta from Ashoka University on March 15, shook the mass protest. As many as 90 faculty members of the debuted as a bright spot in the provision of liberal ground for the young university with its lofty foundations and university in a collective letter to the university vice- multidisciplinary education with a promise to develop credentials of a carefully crafted reputation of over the last chancellor, Malabika Sarkar, said it 'seems quite plausible country's brightest young minds to engage with challenges of seven years as 'country's first wholly —American Ivy league- that his resignation was a direct consequence of his role as a change and leadership. If it were to falter like this and crawl style — liberal arts university', coming under cloud for not public intellectual and critic of the government. We are when asked to bend as some commentators put it, then those asserting its autonomy or defending the academic freedom. greatly troubled by this scenario. Even more troubling is the lofty aspirations and expected outcomes would never come The outrage like wildfire was unforgiving and tough to douse. possibility that our university may have acceded to pressure about. It will also deter people of seeing value in creating Mehta, an eminent public intellectual, political scientist and to remove Professor Mehta or to request, and accept, his private universities in India as if nothing can sustain without is also a former president of Delhi-based think tank Centre for resignation.' patronage of the elected powers. Policy Research and member of National Knowledge Students of the university (Student Government) , in fact, led In a column over the crisis triggered by Prof Mehta's Commission. He after a stint as the second vice-chancellor of the protest threatened to launch a movement against the vice resignation, Prof Aseem Shrivastava, who teaches the courses Ashoka University from 2017-19, was a professor of political chancellor if their three-point demand (public on 'Ecosophy' in the Young India Fellowship of Ashoka science at the university when he resigned in middle of the acknowledgement by the founders of what Prof Mehta has University writes, “I have almost come to believe in the myth session 'at the insistence of founders' who saw him a 'political indicated, an open meeting with study body and divesting of corporate liberalism. And then comes Prof. Mehta's liability'. Some reports suggest his exit was being pursed for administrative powers and roles from founders of university resignation to remind us of the lurking reality of corporate a while as it would ease the bureaucratic hurdles involved in to elected representatives of faculty) on the issue and is not totalitarianism. It seems it never went anywhere. It just dons the planned expansion of the university. met. The vice chancellor has now given a written assurance to liberal attire occasionally to brand its products. When it comes Pratap Bhanu Mehta, an outspoken critic of current the “student government” stating that a student nominated by to the university, once the educational market is secured, it government and one of the highly acclaimed and quoted them would join all meetings of the board of management as resumes its predatory habits and a high-cost model of learning dissenter, who has recently even questioned the judicial an invitee member. The agitation has been since called off. is confidently installed in a poor country.” Saying that much verdicts in his writings, was apparently shown the door is an Raising the pitch on important issue of university like others universities today are under siege from open secret even though he was given a safe passage instead governance, the students said that ultimately they are corporations the world over. “The viral spread of the internet – of a sack. In his resignation letter Prof Mehta wrote: “After a responsible for the greater outcomes of this university's especially booming in the pandemic-afflicted age of zoom – meeting with Founders it has become abundantly clear to me education, taking forward all the skills, knowledge, and may actually put an end to it altogether in some not-so-distant that my association with the University may be considered a values they acquire into the outside world. The agitating future. Or transform its character to such a degree that only the political liability. My public writing in support of a politics students raised the need for fellow students to be more 'servile arts' of technical training (in engineering or medicine, that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal invested in the future of this university, asking if professors for instance) will be taught, not the pretentious 'liberal arts'. It respect for all citizens, is perceived to carry risks for the will teach with the same academic liberty and “whether would be in the fitness of things for the death of the humanities university. In the interests of the University I resign.” future students will get to sit in the same classrooms as us.” to presage the end of humanity itself,” he adds. Quoting Two days after Indian Express broke the story of Mehta's Caught in a mounting criticism, the University admitted that Rabindranath Tagore, Shrivastava further writes, “Before resignation, Arvind Subramanian, the former chief there have been “lapses in institutional processes” Asia is in a position to co-operate with the culture of Europe, economic advisor (2014- 2017) who had joined last year surrounding the resignations of two top academics citing she must base her own structure on a synthesis of all the Ashoka University as a professor in the Department of free-speech curbs. “We acknowledge that there have been different cultures which she has. When, taking her stand on Economics and the Founding Director of the new Ashoka some lapses in institutional processes which we will work to such a culture, she turns toward the West, she will take, with a Center for Economic Policy, also sent in his papers in protest. rectify in consultation with all stakeholders. This will confident sense of mental freedom, her own view of truth, The two high profile resignations not only hogged national reaffirm our commitment to academic autonomy and from her own vantage-ground, and open a new vista of and international headlines but sparked a fierce debate on freedom which have always been at the core of the Ashoka thought to the world. Otherwise, she will allow her priceless academic freedom and how much autonomy a private University ideals,” read a joint statement issued by the inheritance to crumble into dust, and, trying to replace it university really has in India. In addition, 150 leading Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the Chairman of the Board of clumsily with feeble imitations of the West, make herself academics from Yale, Harvard, Columbia, MIT, LSE – Trustees (Ashish Dhawan) of Ashoka University, Prof. superfluous, cheap and ludicrous. If she thus loses her among others – registered their protest. Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Prof.Arvind Subramanian. individuality and her specific power to exist, will it in the least Within university campus itself the faculty and students were It is clear from the statement that the two professors aren't help the rest of the world? Will not her terrible bankruptcy returning back anytime soon. “Pratap and Arvind would like involve also the Western mind? If the whole world grows at last into an exaggerated West, then such an illimitable parody to emphasize that Ashoka University is one of the modern age will die, crushed beneath its own of the most important projects in Indian absurdity.” higher education. They are sad to be leaving In a piece on the issue Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar adds Ashoka, especially its outstanding students some pragmatic advise to plug the crisis, “Having 15 business and faculty. They continue to believe donors may look like diversification, but does not diversify strongly that Ashoka University should outcomes: All 15 can stop donations simultaneously. The embody a liberal vision and commitment to donor base should be expanded to non-business foundations, academic freedom and autonomy. And they foreign donors, alumni donations and crowdfunding.” remain lifelong friends and well-wishers of The University will need time to come out of this episode and the institution and are committed to its then only it will be known if the values for which it stands are success wherever they are,” the statement still intact if some lessons from this episode are learnt. added. Ashoka University, Sonipat, the largest ever collective philanthropy initiative in the history of Indian education entirely crowd-

10 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Spotlight Investing in the practice of mindfulness in our schools will mean holistic growth of every child Mental health and well- be present in the individuals convince each student that mindfulness. a machine. Intellectual gyms being is a consequence of who are purposeless, who there are two ways of and related performances awareness and mindfulness. are happy with superficial passing through his Learning with mind vs need not touch life in its The fundamental ingredient ways of living, who prefer days—with awareness or entirety. of any clinically concerted accidental mode of sailing without awareness —–and Mindfulness Hence the prospect of movement –what is it?. rather than a conscious demonstrates the benefits incorporating the practice of Whether it is developing riding through life. (cognitive, emotional, The ability to evoke a state of mindfulness in the school positive thinking style, In the coming decades, intellectual, neurological, curriculum and thus sowing habit-forming, counseling, lessons in mindfulness will etc) of leading a life with awareness and sustain it with the seeds of awareness is not spiritual practices, learning gather momentum. As the mindfulness. The student a suggestion or strategy for new skills, meditation, science of mind is slowly must be free to choose. For, volition and change but its a necessity. growing in gratitude and drifting into the conclusion freedom of choice is a The fundamental require- compassion—they all are that expansion of human necessary condition to grow choice—prepares an ment to experience anything crafted on the principle consciousness as ordained in mindfulness. We cannot in a learning context is mindfulness. by cosmic evolution is thrust anybody into individual for experiential sustained attention and Expansion of human possible only through mindfulness. We can only mindfulness. consciousness orchestrated mindfulness. open the possibility for it learning. Actually, there are The objective of Indian by evolution – is a relentless and cajole young minds into education system “whole- Independent agenda of Introducing mindfulness it. two levels of learning— child growth and develop- creation. That is, if you like it in schools The fact is, students need not ment of children” will By Dr. Jeny Rapheal or not, you will be dragged According to American stick to a particular intellectual and experiential remain a distant dream into it. Of course, you can Psychological Association technique to grow in without exercising or In reality it is not resist this call for expansion (APA), mindfulness is a mindfulness. For sure, learning. Amassing facts and making use of the unique the tool which of awareness and conscious- state and not a trait. It can be meditation is one of the best potential of human species fosters the quality ness but, only by risking your promoted by certain tools. But practicing music, mugging them through —that is, the ability to be of mindfulness well-being and equanimity practices or activities say arts, drawing, will also serve aware of one's own inner but it is the degree of mind. Once you whole- meditation, but can never be the purpose provided he logical or analytical repetitive world and its transactions. of awareness with heartedly succumb to this equivalent to or synony- approaches it with the same Hence be mindful of which, we go agenda of creation -as you mous with them. degree of awareness, gymnastics of the brain is importance of mindful- through the acknowledge it as indispens- This fundamental ingredient required by a typical ness!!! activity which able path– liberation from called mindfulness which practice session of medita- purely intellectual activity. blossoms chains of ignorance and pain promises success and well- tion. Even simple tasks like Author is a mathematics mindfulness. is ensured. being in life — why can't we walking talking, eating, Learning episodes in which teacher in Coimbatore with Take any action, behavior, or plant its seeds in young observing, etc can be PhD in Psychology thought which can be minds? In order to imple- rendered as tools for the involvement of the learner deemed a “sublime”, ment the practice of mindfulness practice. In “excellent”, or “exemplary”. mindfulness in our reality it is not the tool which is total (intellectual, physical, If you observe closely you educational institutions, we fosters the quality of can see the individual behind don't need any serious mindfulness but it is the emotional) is experiential the action has developed investment and infrastruc- degree of awareness with some degree of “self- ture in particular. What we which, we go through the learning. Here learner can't awareness” – which will not need is a teacher who can activity which blossoms help being absorbed by learning context, content and the activities involved in the process. Academic learning contexts are largely intellec- tual. Those learning contexts if we could transform into episodes of experiential learning the question of motivating students will not arise. Only experiential learning can contribute to enrichment and well-being. Knowledge and skill gathered by a student need not translate into life-enhancing agents. They may ensure dexterity in his survival attempts. It is just what a good lubricant does to Digital learning will be embedded in teaching practices in the future: OUP Report The Covid-19 pandemic has paved the way for a hybrid ŸIncreased need forteacher familiarity or understanding of believed that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds have model in education, combining digital and traditional tools and platforms fallen behind their more advantaged peers. methods of teaching and learning—but governments need to Majority of the respondents expressed a view that the shift to ŸCurricula needs to evolve so that learners develop the core act so that progress from the past year is not lost, according to digital learning raised concerns about learner wellbeing in the skills needed to navigate future uncertainty and become the latest report from Oxford University Press (OUP) sector/market 'digitally fluent.' released onApril 8. The report, Education: the journey towards a digital The top 3 issues identified as having a negative impact on Drawing on the insights, OUP is urging governments and revolution, captures insights from experts across seven digital learning are: educators globally to address the challenges brought about by markets—the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan, India, ŸSocio-economic barriers a year of educational disruption and ensure that positive Spain, and Turkey—as well as from hundreds of teachers ŸLack of professional development opportunities for teachers developments from the past year are not lost. Key globally, and extensive secondary research. With the ŸDisruption/ uncertainty in day-to-day life caused by the recommendations include: pandemic affecting more than 1.7bn students worldwide pandemic Governments should actively collaborate and learn from over the past 12 months, the report analyses how teachers, teachers and students and use their recent experiences to students, and parents adapted to new ways of delivering When asked what steps the government should take to inform future policy and curriculum development. education, and will continue to utilize digital learning tools support digital learning, the top answers were: Governments need to work with institutions to address the and resources to shape educational practice in the future. ŸSupport for improving connectivity digital learning divide, not just now, but for the future too. In India, compared to other countries, respondents felt that ŸIncreased funding for technology Wellbeing must be considered as part of education policy as the transition to online learning was done rather well, scoring ŸMore professional development opportunities for teachers/ digital becomes increasingly embedded in education- 3.3/5. However, a major issue identified by respondents was professors —including support for teachers and parents. unequal access to digital learning devices, as well as a lack of ŸWhile there were clear regional trends surveyed, there were Curricula should evolve to provide learners with the skills internet connectivity and little familiarity around the tools also similarities across all other markets that the report they need to be both digitally fluent, and adaptable to required to facilitate online learning. The majority of covered: whatever the future holds. respondents in India (71%) also felt that shifting to online has Ÿ98% of OUP's experts said they believe digital learning will Speaking about the research, Nigel Portwood, CEO of Oxford been detrimental to wellbeing. The priority for the be firmly embedded in teaching practices in the future. University Press, said: 'The coronavirus pandemic has, government is to provide more funding, as well as addressing ŸThe factors deemed to have impacted the most on the unsurprisingly, prompted a rapid increase in the adoption of connectivity issues, particularly in rural areas. effectiveness of digital learning were socio-economic digital learning. As we start to reimagine what education may When asked about the challenges that learners/ educators barriers (79%) and uncertainty in day-to-day life caused by look like in the future, it is imperative that the may have experienced in India since the start of the the pandemic (74%). government—and indeed, governments all over the pandemic, the top ranked issues were: ŸLong-term impacts of the pandemic such as the digital world—learn from those who have been on the frontline, ŸA lack of access to digital educational resources for all divide and the impact on wellbeing need to be addressed; delivering and receiving learning. We have a huge sections of the population 70% of OUP's experts concluded the shift to digital learning opportunity to learn from all our experience to develop ŸDevices being shared with multiple family members has raised concerns about student wellbeing, and 85% education systems that will work for both local and global

Curriculum April 16, 2021 11 Careerwise Law is an Exciting Career option for Youth' Some ONLINE DESIGN Sonal Gupta Law is one branch of lifestyle, then they can also advice in our daily lives as THINKING courses worth academics that caters to each get into corporate law and well. Be it about an ancestral “What will I become and all of these expectations work with MNCs. They can property, a family dispute, or trying when I grow up?” is because Law helps students also work with legal a basic civil issue, legal an inevitable pick their priority and move consultants if they wish to advisers are always high in Henry Harvin: Henry Harvin's Certified Design Thinking question that passes further in a direction that do social service. demand. Practitioner course is a well structured methodology used through everyone's helps them achieve what And law is not just restricted by designers to develop and deliver products, services, and mind when they they desire. Just like Thomas Jefferson to courts, one can also experiences that address complex latent needs of humans. move towards For me, it was always about said, \"The study of the law is explore options like: The course renders a platform to widen one's creative adulthood. While for power. The power to bring a useful in a variety of points horizon and thinking capabilities and use them to the best some, it is about change. And hence I picked of view. It qualifies a man to - Corporate Law interest in the corporate world. Offering a globally making money, for up law as my subject because be useful to himself, to his - Taxation Law acclaimed certification, the course enhances one's prior others, it is about it showed me that I could neighbors, and the public\", - Labour Law achievements by focusing on the five-phase model contributing to become a magistrate, a learning about the law of - International Law proposed by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at society, and for judge, or even get into your country not only helps - Family Law Stanford. This 24 hours, instructor-led online program also some, it is to gain politics one day. All these you have a lucrative career - Constitutional Law inculcates the top 3 skills out of 10 listed by the World fame or maybe just roles are powerful and can but also improves your -Administration Law Economic Forum as the skills for 2020. teach what they've help me bring about a personal life since it makes - Patent Law etc. The complete package fee of the course is INR 15,000 learned over the substantial change in society. you more aware of your inclusive of Training, Certification, Lifetime Membership, years. Also, if any day I feel like rights and responsibilities. For those who run away Brushup Sessions, E-Learning Moodle Account Fees & switching, I can always work Law is a popular career from a monotonous desk GST Tax. This elite course offered by Henry Harvin can with an NGO and help the choice in India because, job, Law is a great option as also be used as a symbol of upgraded expertise with your people who need me. I can besides income, it also it allows you to work on name on your social profiles. practice privately, or become offers exciting and something exciting and new INSEAD: INSEAD delivers you a Design Thinking and a public prosecutor, or even adventurous opportunities. every time. Just when you Creativity for Business programme which helps participants an arbitrator. In short, a Since the government is make this choice, be sure to transform their mindset and to think creatively like a career in law gives me a wide tirelessly working on the that while the law makes you designer with the strategic capabilities of a businessperson. arena of opportunities that I social and economic powerful, it can also be very The interactive online environment is ideal for working can explore throughout my reforms of the country, there competitive, can get you a professionals who want to immediately apply what they life. is a never-ending demand few enemies, and might have learnt to their work. Infused with experiential learning for good lawyers in the make you work on crazy opportunities, Design Thinking and Creativity for Business Law offers several market. deadlines as well. So, if features design coaches who are practitioners with ample opportunities; be it money, Even in terms of societal you're ready to have a life training and experience in sparking innovation through power, fame, social service, reputation, being a lawyer is full of adventures, industrial design. The course duration is 5 weeks which teaching, etc. Everything can a prestigious position to excitement, and the thrill of offers online classes 4-6 hours per week. The fee is Euros be achieved by studying law. hold. Our society holds winning, then a career in law 1500 with a Flexible payment plan that is offered by If you want to yield power, lawyers in an esteemed is all you need. INSEAD. after pursuing law, you can position because when Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA): become a magistrate, civil everything else fails, law (Author is CEO of The program is steered by an experienced faculty team with servant, or even a politician. usually helps the common Maansarovar Law Centre) global expertise. It focuses on digital thinking approaches If someone wants a luxurious man. We all need legal that have been successfully adopted by world class organizations that gave them a competitive edge. QAI: QAI is a global workforce development and consulting organization offering a wide range of training concepts and skill-building programs to a variety of industries. Their design thinking workshop commences with an assignment, interspersed with short exercises and flash quizzes throughout the day. The workshop concludes with a written assessment and all participants who successfully complete the course will be presented with a certificate from QAI. Diploma in Multipurpose Health Worker, gateway to promising career Multi Purpose Health Worker works or providing treatments prompt treatment for minor illness and skilled first hand this field. In present days states like Haryana and related to health problems in an emergency or in a disaster treatment in case of accidents and injuries, make peoples Chattisgarh have more demands of multipurpose health where the hospitals and medical facilities are not available. know about the importance of sanitation, safe drinking workers. After the completion of diploma in multipurpose The Concept of a Multi Purpose Health Worker (MPHW) is water, hygiene etc., management of fire explosions, food health worker, candidates can apply for Health Ministry, fairly new and calls for a lot of attention too. The idea was crisis, famines and related issues; to participate in national Ministry of Family Planning and Ministry of Environment conceived in India in the year 1974 for the delivery of health and family welfare programs.; also check the status as well as also work with any government and non- services pertaining to impediment of diseases and of health care facility and mid day meals in local schools. government NGOs. epidemics such as Malaria, Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Water The responsibilities and profile of a health worker is multi borne diseases etc. It involves dissemination and promotion faceted. Apart from the ones sited above, there could be Remuneration of health education in various rural and sub rural areas. In a countless tasks depending on the area and its healthcare After taking the Diploma in Multipurpose Health Worker, developing nation like India, optimum health of the citizens wants. candidate can work as supervisor or development officer in cannot be achieved without the involvement of willing, any organization. In starting time candidate can earn around trained and health conscious people. Course and Eligibility 10 to 15 thousand per month as well as salary will increase To have a healthy and a happy population, there is a need of According to Dr. Aruna Singh, Principal of DPMI, to 25 to 30 thousand per month as they get experienced in such individuals and a lot of universities have come up with candidate who wants to take admission in Diploma course their field. Candidate also makes their career to open their diploma level courses in this field to encourage more and in Multipurpose Health Worker should have passed 12th in own clinic and work in any private clinic. more individuals to get enrolled. This course again came in any recognized board. In this course candidate will learn vogue in present days. Those candidates have these how to give medical facilities and services in a time of Institutions qualities and the passion of the spirit of service they can emergency or any natural calamity problem. In this course ·Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute, New Delhi make a good future in this career. training is being given to candidates to rescue from any www.dpmiindia.com epidemic situations, like providing food, medications, ·Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana Responsibilities and Nature of Work vaccinations, etc. Candidate can also apply in this job www.mmumullana.org A health worker has a broad spectrum of responsibilities to directly by giving SSC entrance exam. ·Shivalik Institute of Paramedical Technology, Chandigarh shoulder, spanning adoption of preventive measure, www.shivalikinstitute.org organization of health seminars, vaccination campaigns and Career and Placement ·Indian Medical Institute of Nursing, Jalandhar, Punjab so on. The basic responsibilities of multipurpose health After taking the Diploma in Multipurpose Health Worker, www.iminursing.in worker is to completely understand the impact of candidates are eligible for both Government and Private socioeconomic factors on the same, they also provide sector. Both males and females have equal opportunities in

12 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Higher Edu Updates Faculty Of Law At Marwadi international recognition and success, but always feel education system, you are not taught who you are and what connected to their alma mater. In the spirit of Giving Back, you like. This is where creativity is suppressed. The second University In Forbes List they nurture the institute through their generous point of the triangle is creative awareness. I have noticed that contributions. We are grateful for this donation by our many businesses forget about the creative aspect while Marwadi University, Faculty of Law, has been listed as one of alumnus, Mr. Muktesh Pant through his charitable making strategies. This needs to change because the creative the Top Law Schools of India by Forbes India in the Legal foundation towards establishing the School of Medical component is how you excite the customers about your Powerlist 2020 – a proud feat for the university and the State Research and Technology at IIT Kanpur. SMRT will product. The final point of the creative triangle is risking and of Gujarat. The 'Top Law Schools' category of the Forbes bringtogether the expertise of engineering technologies, testing. People develop a perfect idea for a long period of time, India- Legal Powerlist 2020 recognises the Law Schools that biomedical research and clinical set-up under a single they launch it, and when it doesn't work, they say, 'That's it. I are most efficaciously training students to be zealous umbrella to create a one-of-its-kind world-class medical did it wrong.' But the reality is, you need to test and try so Lawyers and outstanding professionals. Speaking on the school in the country. SMRT will produce outstanding many concepts before you get it working.” occasion, Dr. Rhishikesh Dave, Dean – Faculty of Law, medical professionals trained in state-of-art engineering Marwadi University, said “Marwadi University, Faculty of technologies who can meet the future healthcare needs of our Sanskriti University Achieves a New Milestone in Filing of Law, is one of the youngest and fastest-growing law schools country. We hope that Mr Pant's contributions will motivate over 300 Patents of Gujarat – making a name in the national and international others also to contribute to create a legacy”. Sanskriti University , Mathura, is emerging as one of the arena. Getting featured in the FORBES LEGAL Mr Muktesh Pant said. “The Vision of a world-class medical fastest growing universities of India in research as it filed 211 POWERLIST 2020 is indeed an honour and also suggests school at IIT Kanpur is extremely exciting. The current team, patents during the global Pandemic scenario of COVID 19 in that we are working in the right direction to fulfil the vision of under the able leadership of Prof. Karandikar, inspires great the academic year 2020-21. With this milestone, now the making this law school one of the best institutes across the confidence. IIT Kanpur has always been renowned for university has a total of 305 patents filed in its basket ever globe” leading the way in engineering education and this focus on since its inception in the year 2016. This Powerlist was announced by Forbes India wherein an bringing engineering excellence to medical technology has Chancellor Sachin Gupta congratulated the entire team of eminent Jury of Experts selected the top law schools from a the potential to create many healthcare miracles in future. researchers and shared his expectations from the faculty host of pre-decided criteria. The power list included various Vinita and I are delighted to be able to help in starting this members, researchers and research scholars. He appreciated categories like Top Law Firms, Top Advocates, Top exciting new chapter” the sincere research efforts of the faculty members and asked Managing Partners, Top in-house Counsels, to name a few. MrMuktesh Pant obtained his B.Tech. in Chemical them to keep up their momentum of research, innovation, The Jury of Experts 2020 consisted of Justice A K Sikri - Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1976. In an illustrious career publications, patents, incubations and commercialization to Former Judge, SC of India, International Judge of Singapore spanning over 35 years, Mr. Pant held various senior take the university among the top few universities in India in International Commercial Court (SICC), Justice M B Lokur - positions in premier multinational companies such as ARIIA Rankings. Former Judge, SC of India, International Judge of Fiji SC, Dr Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo, Reebok and Yum Brands. V Vijayakumar - Vice-Chancellor, NLIU, Bhopal, Dr Faizan Further, Mr. Pant went on to lead YUM! China as its CEO IMS Noida Organized Academic Mustafa - Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR, Hyderabad, Dr V when it was successfully spun off as a listed company. Vivekanandan - Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, Raipur, Dr Amar Speaking about the report, Parmesh Shahani, author of Summit 2021 on Entrepreneurship Kumar Pandey - (IPS) DGP & DG Fire and Emergency Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace Services, PhD in Law NLSIU, Bangalore, Mr R (2020) and Vice President, Godrej Industries Limited, and Innovation Venkatramani - Senior Advocate, Former Member - Law expressed happiness at the coalition between a company, an Commission of India, Ms Aishwarya Bhati - Additional educational institution, and an LGBTQ+ change agent. Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Noida organized a Solicitor General of India, Senior Advocate, Mr Sidharth \"These are exactly the kind of partnerships that are going to two-day virtual academic summit 2021 where te topic of Luthra - Senior Advocate, Dr Menaka Guruswamy - Senior move the inclusion agenda forward in India. I firmly believe Entrepreneurship and Innovation was discussed. The key Advocate, Mr Sajan Poovayya - Senior Advocate, Mr Gopal that along with legal change, one of the bastions of change spokespersons were NEFD and NBFF Founder and Chairman Sankaranarayanan - Senior Advocate, Mr Sanjeev will be the inclusive environment we can create in our Prof. (Dr.) Ganesan Ramaswamy, UK education consultant Bikhchandani - Co-Founder, Info Edge (Naukri.com), Mr. workplaces and educational institutions.” Katherin Boxall, Dr. Sumit Narula, Editor-in-Chief of Manish Khetarpal - Managing Partner, Waterbridge Ventures. SCOPUS, Dr. Kanchan Patil, Director, Symbiosis Center for Congratulating the academic and non-academic staff on this Bilateral summit between India Information Technology, Senior Lecturer of University for glorious achievement, Ketan Marwadi – Founder & Creative Arts, Laura Holme, Amity Institute of Behavior and Chairman, Marwadi University, Mr Jitubhai Chandarana – and Uzbekistan by RU & Uzbek CED Allied Science Professor Dr. Komal Verma, Elvin Turner, Co-founder & Vice-Chairman, Marwadi University, said Associate Professor LATAM Business School United “We have to take this global recognition as a challenge and The School of Creativity of Rishihood University (RU), Kingdom, Dr. Pooja Sehgal, Head of Department PGDM and become a Law school of choice for national and international recently hosted a bilateral summit between India and MIB Department IMS Noida along with 97 teachers and students with more innovative pedagogy, added Uzbekistan on Creative Entrepreneurship in association with students from all over India. opportunities, and extra rigor” India Uzbekistan Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, While addressing the students, Katherine Boxall said that Tashkent. The virtual event aimed to discuss the current new technologies are constantly being used over time. In KL University awarded for entrepreneurial landscape in India and Uzbekistan while future, the humans will walk along with technology. She said exploring the opportunities to promote entrepreneurship, that there is a lot of potential in the field of entrepreneurship SAMYAK-2021 innovation, and transformation in the two countries by due to new use in technology. tapping into the power of new technologies, indigenous KL University has secured the 'India World Record' for resources, and robust international collaboration. While discussing entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr. conducting the event - SAMYAK-2021, which is India's Moderated by Professor Manika Wali, Dean of School of Kulneet Suri, Senior Director of IMS, Noida said that it is largest techno-management fest by participation numbers Creativity, RU, the event saw the participation of esteemed mandatory to discuss a positive attitude to develop with more than 100000 students participated, and for taking dignitaries and keynote speakers. These include Dr. Sanjeev entrepreneurship and innovation. Innovation has to be all the precautionary measures to conduct the event safely and Chaturvedi, Advisor to the Government of India and prioritized to maintain the continuity of any entrepreneurship. successfully during the pandemic. Uzbekistan Entrepreneurial Development Centre; Ritu Beri, The event was also the first of its kind to completely avoid the a leading fashion designer; Dr. Kamlesh Misra, VC, Further added, that success or failure depends on your use of disposable plastics, thereby reducing the carbon Rishihood University; Sahil Aggarwal, Co-Founder thinking. To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to think footprint. The 'India World Record' was received by Dr. Rishihood University; Anna Boroshok, founder of the for yourself. Nothing can help you to think. She also added, L.S.S.Reddy, Vice Chancellor of KL Deemed to be Femalepreneurs and Investors Club; His Excellency Manish your success depends on the context in which you want to University and was awarded by Dr. G.V.N.R.S.S.S. Vara Prabhat, Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan; and Professor work, with whom you want to work and what is your Prasad, Honorary Director & Adjudicator, Indian Book of Ravinder Pal Singh, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, responsibility towards your work. Records and Advocate, Supreme Court of India. SAMYAK Rishihood University among others. 2021 is the most successful event in the pandemic time as Discussing creativity as the key to unlock economics Dr. 50 universities now accepting more than 10000 students participated each day, across 217 Kamlesh Misra, Vice Chancellor, Rishihood University, said, events during 19th and 20th March, 2021. BlockChain “The overall contribution of creative enterprises to the GDP 'Pearson Undergraduate Entrance technology based certificates were awarded to all the at the world level is only about 7-8%. Fortunately, this participants by DLT Labs for the first time in India. means that creative industries have a massive space to Exam' capture and tremendous scope to contribute to the world Micky and Vinita Pant Charitable Fund economy. Further, creative industries are different from Pearson VUE, provider of computer-based testing, traditional industries that rely on the conventional resource announced rollout of its ''Pearson Undergraduate Entrance signs MoU with IIT Kanpur to support base for their survival, for instance, petroleum that comes Exam across India. Exam scores for Pearson's new from the Middle East. Conventional resources such as standardized admissions test of quantitative, verbal, and `School of Medical Research and capital, fossil fuel, metals and minerals, among others, are abstract reasoning are now being accepted by more than 50 concentrated in different parts of the world and this sporadic universities in India. The ''Pearson Undergraduate Entrance Technology (SMRT) with US$2.5 million distribution means that certain industries are primed to thrive Exam, which launched in December 2020, is aimed at in certain environments. On the other hand, creative recognizing the potential and talent of students in order for donation industries are founded on intellectual property and services, them to secure a place at India's leading universities. Overseas and the one key resource that they need is spread uniformly students planning to study in India are also eligible to take the The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) across the world: creative individuals. Creative industries, entrance test. recently announced the signing of a MoU with the Micky and therefore, comprise the optimal force that can drive the The 'Pearson Undergraduate Entrance Exam' has elevated the Vinita Pant Charitable Fund to support the establishment of global economic engine towards a prosperous, progressive, overall admissions process for the 2021 exam season: offering the School of Medical Research and Technology (SMRT) at and sustainability-led future.” candidates greater convenience around testing and with IIT Kanpur. The MoU amounting to US$2.5 million is the selecting their preferred choice of university. first such donation towards development of the SMRT in the The keynote speaker from Belgium Anna Boroshok, founder Divyalok Chetan Sharma, Vice President, India and SAARC institute. Mr. Muktesh Pant, Founder, Micky and Vinita Pant of the Femalepreneurs and Investors Club, talked about the at Pearson VUE, said: \"We're delighted to have reached this Charitable Foundation, is a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT role of creative entrepreneurship in bolstering women key milestone in the early part of this year. Our 'Pearson Kanpur. empowerment. “The first point of the triangle of creative Undergraduate Entrance Exam' has proven to be an exciting entrepreneurship is knowing yourself. In the traditional new computer-based testing option for Indian students Prof.Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur said, “We pride looking to enrol in popular undergraduate programs. We look ourselves on our alumni who have received national and forward to partnering with many more universities as we endeavour to address the specific needs of this market and further raise standards around higher education.''

Curriculum April 16, 2021 13 Campus Buzz JLU Carnival 2021: JLU Reinvents and social benefits in Natural Capital Accounting and saw 264 student participations from 41 educational maintaining a harmonious balance with Nature” Dr. Gwyn institutions. There was prize money in the form of Amazon Student Engagement Activities Amidst Rees, Head of Water Resources, UK Centre for Ecology & Gift vouchers for the Winners and Runners-Up. Hydrology. Ongoing Pandemic “Water is an indispensable resource for our planet. Lack of The festival, which had students Sanket Gandhi and access to clean water is a formidable challenge for India. Bismanpreet Singh as the President & Vice President, Jagran Lakecity University (JLU), Bhopal, has commenced Prudent management of water is the key to environmental respectively, and had Dr. Sheetal Mundra, Dr Punam Mishra, the JLU Carnival. JLU is naming this six-month-long virtual sustainability. Academic and research institutions should Ms. Shraddha Bharatiya, and Dr. Richa Sharma as Core fest as the longest fest ever conducted by any university, undertake intensive research in the field to make this planet Faculty Coordinators, started with Saraswati Vandana and a which was kicked off in April and will go on till September habitable for generations to come” Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, film about JKLU, followed by welcoming all participants and 2021. By hosting this longest planned virtual fest, JLU aims Director, IIT Roorkee guests participating in the opening ceremony. “Celestial '21 – to reinvent the way university events are occasioned and Swimming in the Virtual Heaven”, aimed to encourage attended in the wake of the pandemic-induced restrictions Dr. Sudhir Kumar elaborated on the contribution of NIH in appreciation and participation in the cultural diversity and the while keeping in mind the social distancing norms on the sectors of hydrology and water. It was followed by the ethos of our heritage. Through this event, JKLU provided a physical gatherings, for the safety of the audience, staff and presentations from Prof. MK Jain, Head, Department of platform for students in-house, as well as from other performers. Hydrology, IIT Roorkee, Prof. Ashish Pandey, Head, Water institutions, to showcase their creativity and potential through JLU Carnival is an 'open for all' event and will host six Resources Development and Management (WDM), Prof. Z an exciting range of events including dance, music, painting, celebrities, the first session of which commenced with Ahmad, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Roorkee, Prof. caricature, stand-up comedy, debate, logic, share market, students interacting with renowned Kochi-based band 'When AS Maurya, Design Innovation Centre, IIT Roorkee and auction, and much more. Chai Met Toast'. The organizing team received an Prof. SK Singal, Head, HRED about the water-related R&D Dr. RL Raina, Vice-Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University, in overwhelming response from students in central India, activities and initiatives taken by respective departments. his inaugural address mentioned that, along with the core garnering more than 500 registrations within 2 days of The event was conducted by Prof. Sonal K. Thengane, curriculum, JKLU espouses the importance of co-curricular sending out the registration link. For the next sessions, HRED, under the supervision of Prof. SK Singal. World and extracurricular activities for every student. He said, “We celebrities across various domains such as stand-up Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses produce, nurture and groom holistic and integrated comedian Devesh, actor Ranvijay, comedian Gaurav Kapoor, on the importance of freshwater. individuals as ambassadors of this great university”. He singer Shilpa Rao, and Anand Bhaskar will perform for the congratulated the event organizers and welcomed all the students at the JLU carnival in the coming months. SVKM's NMIMS Engineering school participants for their unflinching enthusiasm and wished them “In the pre-pandemic era, students used to wait excitedly for good luck. college fests to take place. But in the current scenario, hosting Awarded Resolution Fellowships at There was a lot of excitement in the course of the 48 hours in-person (Live) events is neither safe nor practical. non-stop saga and apart from the energy and bonhomie that Therefore, we had two options in front of us: either forego Harvard World Model United Nations was palpable, there was a lot of learning for everybody from every college fest this year or hold it virtually, we chose the this first-time experience, which was executed in record time. latter and are really excited by the positive response and After intense competition, two teams from SVKM's NMIMS' There were eminent judges from Overseas and India support expressed by our students,” Abhishek Mohan Gupta, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and including, Ms. BaayanBaaj (Co-Founder, Warshaworks, Pro Vice Chancellor, JLU commented. “The organizing Engineering (MPSTME), one of India's leading educational Dubai), Mr Adam Smith (Software Development Lead, committee of JLU Carnival consisting of student institutions with a 40-year legacy of academic excellence, Chicago, USA), Ms. Smitha Busar (Sr Software Engineer, representatives, faculty members, and university admins, were granted Resolution Fellowships by the Social Venture Clean Power Research, Seattle, USA), Ms Nupur Mahajan unanimously agreed in favour of organizing a virtual Challenge (SVC), at the Harvard World Model United (Director of Learning, Ingenious Faces, Delhi), carnival.” Nations 2021, held in Tokyo. Their performance continues Dr.GarimaDalal (Assistant Professor, Linguistic A string of alternate student engagement activities is being MPSTME's successful run at the Harvard WorldMUN, with Empowerment Cell, Jawaharlal Nehru University), Mr planned by JLU to give the students a break from the seven teams securing the fellowship in the past four years. Apoorv Mishra (Editor-in-Chief, India Law Journal), Mr. monotony of studying at home. JLU's in-house digital radio Under the fellowship program, the teams received a total Anurag Hoon (Co-Founder & CEO of Manzil Mystics, station, 'Lakecity Live', which is completely managed by the funding of USD 8,150 (approx. INR 5,90,000), which will be Delhi), Neeraj Arya's Kabir Café (Mumbai) and Ms. Rahil students is hugely popular and has gained a dedicated increased further when the teams achieve their targets. In Verma (Mortgage Advisor, Cibic), who had a tough time following among the students. The organizing committee is addition, the students will be mentored by well-known choosing the winners. geared to host celebrities on this platform as well as to engage personalities, including Harvard alumni, in their ventures. with students every second Saturday. With an emphasis on learning disabilities, Project Alphabet Dr. RL Raina, in his concluding address, mentioned, On the academic side, JLU; an I-Gauge E-Lead certified was founded by Ishita Gupta and Aneesh Kulkarni, to “Celestial '21 is a record of its own kind. It has set a bar which university, was the first in central India to move all its classes, increase awareness about special education, through a only needs to be enriched, going forward. I would like to curriculum, and testing online, as early as April 2020. platform that would bring together special educators and record my deep appreciation and recognition for the efforts of Following its 'Student Centric Approach', the academic children in need of their services. The platform has received all participants and organizers who put up this great show events like 'JLU Knowledge Series', 'Igniting Mind Lecture seed funding of USD 3,650.AnalytIQ, which was founded by despite the boundation of the Covid-19 pandemic”. Series. 'Alumni Speaks' (alumni podcast) and lectures of Naman Doshi and Dhvani Agrawal, focused on financial industry experts for the students, all have been calibrated to education for youth, through an innovative visual and Achiever's Meet 2019-20 hosted at the digital mode and are being successfully conducted for practical approach devised by experts that makes the process over 10 months now. easy to understand and remember. AnalytIQ, the other Jain College V V Puram Campus “JLU is the crucible where future innovators and leaders are fellowship awardee at the Social Venture Challenge, has forged. In light of this, we realized that a change in received USD 4,500 in seed funding. Jain College, V V Puram held Achiever's meet 2019-20 on perspective was in order. Instead of indefinitely postponing Working under the guidance of Dr. Nikhil Gala, Chairman, 31st March 2021. Students who had secured the top ten rank in our plans on account of the adversity which cannot be said Corporate Relations & Placements, MPSTME, the students Commerce and Science stream in the PU board exams held in with certainty that it will let up anytime soon we decided that showcased their exemplary skills and innovative ideas the year, 2020 were felicitated. Among 2400 students, 32 we will consider the pandemic led challenges as a trial by fire through well-designed projects that were aimed to spread scholars made it to the list of high achievers. The event for us and our students,” Prof. (Dr.) Yogendra Shrivastava, awareness about socially-relevant fields. To secure the grant, commenced in the presence of Dr. S N Nataraj - Principal, Jain Dean, Faculty of Law, Dean, Student Welfare, Jagran the teams had to meet three challenges as set under the SVC - College, V V Puram, Sri Vijayendra - Vice Principal Jain Lakecity University, added. identifying a problem, conceiving a solution, and College, V V Puram, and HODs of all departments, teachers, implementing it. They had to design and present detailed rank holders, and proud parents of the students were in World Water Day at IIT-R: proposals on how their enterprises would address the specific attendance. problems. The first rank in the commerce stream was secured by Riya Sustainable water management Commenting on the teams' performance, Dr. Nikhil Gala Bathla with 97.50%. She scored full marks in Accountancy said, “Securing the Resolution Fellowship is an impressive and Statistics. The second place in the commerce stream was has a multiplier achievement by our students, and a testament to their hard shared by two students, Hitanshi R Jain who secured 96.33% work and innovative spirit. This fellowship will give them an and centum in both Statistics and Mathematics, andRakshita T Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED) of IIT invaluable opportunity to work with some of the brightest who secured 96.33% and centum in Statistics and Roorkee commemorated World Water Day on 22 March in minds in the field of social entrepreneurship. There can be no Mathematics. Third place was held by Nandini D, who collaboration with the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) better learning ground than the experience of designing, secured 95.83% and centum in Computer Science. that witnessed enthusiastic participation in the hybrid mode implementing, and running their own enterprises. At The first rank in the science stream was secured by Meghana with 40 offline participants, including faculty of the institute MPSTME, we have always encouraged our students to think SR, who scored 98.33% and centum in Mathematics and and scientists from NIH and more than 60 online participants. independently and adopt a creative approach when Computer Science. Gaargi V holds the second rank with With 'Valuing Water' as the theme, the event witnessed the confronted with any problem. I am confident that our 97.17% with 100 marks in Computer Science. The third rank release of the publication of HRED titled 'Water Reuse: A illustrious students will go on to demonstrate exemplary went to R Syed Suffiyan with 95.33% and a centum in vital step Towards Water Value' authored by Ms. Kirti Goel results in this field.” Computer Science. and Prof. Arun Kumar HRED. The 60-minute-long event was Jain College V V Puram congratulated the students and graced by the directors of IIT Roorkee and NIH, along with 264 students, 41 education institutes awarded them scholarships and certificates honoring their several faculty members, scientists, staff, and students from accomplishments. A scholarship amount of Rs. 3,25,000 was different departments of IIT and NIH. participated in JK Lakshmipat also conferred to the achievers. Another highlight was the keynote session delivered by Dr. Dr. S N Nataraj, Principal of Jain College, V V Puram, said, Gwyn Rees, Head of Water Resources, UK Centre for University's online cultural fest “Excellence is the result of perseverance. All of you have the Ecology & Hydrology, on Sustainable Catchment will and ability to achieve great things and that is what you Management (SCM) to ensure judicious use of water. The Celestial '21 have shown today. Your success not only brings happiness to session explored various approaches for SCM to protect you, your parents, and college, but it also inspires others to freshwater resources. Leading higher education institute JK Lakshmipat follow suit. Stay, focused and remain determined, tomorrow “Sustainable water management has a multiplier effect in University (JKLU), Jaipur recently concluded their maiden will be yours!” reducing water treatment costs for public water supply, Global Cultural Festival Celestial '21. The 48 hours non-stop minimising pollution, increasing the utility of water and event, which kicked off at 9.00 am on April 9, concluded on protecting biodiversity. All of these outcomes have economic April 11. It received 329 entries from India and overseas and

14 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Campus Buzz JK Lakshmipat University's B.Tech JAGSOM in AACSB's Global List of 24 the University said, “The partnership will work towards igniting the sportsman spirit of the youth during the run up to student wins big at MachineHack's Business Schools Creating Positive next Khelo India University Games to be hosted at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). The university distinguishes hackathon Societal Impact itself by consistently grooming high achievers in the field of sports and has created world-class sports training facilities at JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur has added another feather Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSOM, formerly its campuses. We are proud that seven of our alumni have to its cap. The leading institute's final year computer science known as IFIM Business School) has been recognised by represented India in Olympic Games, 24 in Asian and engineering student Deep Contractor has bagged the 3rd AACSB International in 'Innovation That Inspire Initiative' championships, 220 in international events and over 300 in rank in the esteemed MachineHack's hackathon -- Buyer's 2021 for “Kanyathon'' - a student-led experiential program of national events, many receiving prestigious awards such as Time Prediction Challenge. This fortnight-long hackathon the institute designed to create social impact. AACSB Arjuna, Ekalavya and Padma awards.” saw participation from more than 700 data scientists and International (AACSB), is a prestigious global non-profit Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of JAIN (Deemed-to-be machine learning practitioners, who tirelessly worked organisation that provides quality assurance, business University) feels this Partnership will motivate university towards building innovative solutions. education intelligence, and learning and development students and youth of Karnataka to excel in life and inculcate In the Challenge, the participants were to develop a machine services. The association is the world's largest business qualities of leadership, passion and excellence which learning model that can predict buyer's/consumer's time- education network with over 1,700 members and more than symbolize the T20 championship. spent on an eCommerce platform. Deep, who is currently 840 accredited business schools worldwide. working as a data science intern at a technological company Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Padode, Chairman, Center IMA® 2021 Student Case Competition response in Jaipur, started with some basic exploratory data analysis for Development and Education, said, “In a developing IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) said that it (EDA), to study the data. country like India, where social inequality is prevalent, had received a tremendous response to the call for entries for He used the 'device_details' column to make three new institutions need to groom graduates who are socially its 10th annual Student Case Competition. The competition columns — medium_used; device_used; os_used, using responsible and sensitive to the issues of distributive justice. announced last year gives students the opportunity to feature engineering. After that, he used the 'date' column to JAGSOM does just that through Kanyathon, a student-driven demonstrate their skills at the Grand Finals which will see engineer six new columns based on day, year, name of the Experiential Learning program which has enhanced the lives winning teams from around the world go head to head to win week, is_weekend, quarter, and month. Once feature of the Girl Child through utilization of INR 4 million over the the global first place title along with an all-expenses paid trip engineering done, Deep merged the test data set and training last five years, raised through 'Kanyathon'.” to Dubai. data set to perform label encoding on columns like JAGSOM has cultivated a position at the intersection of In the Middle East, IMA® received 37 submissions from 29 device_used, os_used, week, and year. academia and practice with Kanyathon, an Experiential different universities from UAE, KSA, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar However, before building the model, he dropped columns Program for Social Impact. The broad objective of the and Oman – eight of which are participating in the like session_id, device_details, client_agent, and date. While 'Kanyathon' intervention is to enhance students' managerial competition for the first time. testing some popular ML algorithms like skills through real-time application and make them socially In India, IMA® received more than 120 case reports from 50 DecisionTreeRegressor and Random decision forests, he got responsible. The intervention focuses on: (i) Students to Colleges/Universities across the country, out of which two the best score — 2.003 — with Decision Tree Regressor. He organize themselves like departments within a corporation, teams from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, then tried Support Vector Regression (SVR) to reduce my to plan and organize the mini-marathon 'Kanyathon' as part University of Delhi have been shortlisted for the regional score to 1.8 RMSLE on the leaderboard. Finally, he was able of a credited 'Effective Execution' course - essential skills, finals. 2020 saw a considerable increase in interest with 1200 to further improve his score to 1.76 by fine-tuning some like planning and organizing, teamwork, conflict resolution, plus downloads from 200 plus universities and colleges, parameters in the SVR. and the art of getting things done constitutes the learning resulting in three times higher entries compared to last year. “I'm glad to be a part of JK Lakshmipat University which outcomes. (ii) The 'Negotiation Skills' course, where students Students from Commerce, Engineering, Business and other provided me the opportunity. My data science journey started learn to generate funds from prospective runners and event domains participated in the contest. Emphasizing the a year ago when one of my college professors gave me a data sponsors through actual sales. (iii) A two-week Social importance of the annual competition, Hanadi Khalife, senior wrangling task. This got me interested in data science,” said Immersion Program to manage the project and fund director of MEA & India operations at IMA®, said, “Every Deep, who always participates in hackathons to learn new utilization with CRY, - by living in the villages, students learn year, the IMA® Student Case Competition provides an skills and make new connections, especially with the experts to appreciate how people unlike us live and to experience the opportunity for students to think strategically as they of this domain. joy of contribution. interpret, analyse, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate a solution to real life a business case problem. Students the IIT Roorkee's 2-day cultural 'Kanyathon', over the last decade has evolved into an world over see this as an opportunity to make their mark and exemplary pedagogy for experiential learning. The students showcase their business acumen. This year's competition extravaganza NSS 2021 culminates with are immersed into the full life cycle of creating awareness, comes in the backdrop of the Covid19 pandemic that saw raising funds, delivering a fun-filled experience including global lockdowns and unprecedented economic turmoil. fanfare organizing the run, whilst managing an event of significant Given that, the overwhelming response we have seen for the scale and utilizing the fund for education and nourishment of competition is truly gratifying. The main aim of this The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-R) the girl child impacting UN Sustainable Development Goals programme is to empower future finance and accounting celebrated its annual flagship event, 'National Social Summit (SDG). This year, the fund generated is being utilized to professionals to better adapt to a changing business 2021' virtually with much fanfare on 27-28 March 2021. The institute the “Kanyathon Shiksha Kendra” in one of the environment by bridging the skills gap through every theme of this year's event was 'Envisioning Better Healthcare adopted villages at Kolar to support the “Save a Girl Child” touchpoint Evolution' with an objective of developing and proposing initiative in collaboration with CRY. These villages are solutions to real-world socio-medical problems and also adopted by JAGSOM at Kolar, under the government's “BIO-WASTE RECYCLING PILOT celebrating the spirit of creating an impact and building a Unnat BharatAbhiyan Scheme. community of social enthusiasts. Last year, the event received an overwhelming response with PLANT” AT NITK CAMPUS IN INDIA The online event culminated with a valedictory speech by more than 10,000 participants demonstrating their penchant Mr. Ravi Singh (Founder and CEO, Khalsa Aid). It also saw for the cause of women empowerment. By successfully Maire Tecnimont Group, global leader in the transformation participation from dignitaries including Dr. Roderico Ofrin managing and organizing the run of such scale to generate of natural resources with a strong commitment to (WHO representative to India), Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar funds and then utilizing the fund effectively for the cause of industrializing green chemistry and circular economy, today (former Deputy Director, ICMR), Dr. Randeep Guleria 'saving-the-girl-child', the students have demonstrated, that inaugurated a bio-waste recycling pilot plant at the National (Director, AIIMS, Delhi), Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi (Director, if mentored effectively and given an opportunity, our youth is Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) campus in IIT Roorkee), Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Deputy Director, IIT capable of delivering an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. Surathkal. The project has been funded by its Indian Roorkee) among others. subsidiary, Tecnimont Private Limited (TCMPL) as a “Initiatives like National Social Summit 2021 make us In 2020, the funds collected through Kanyathon were fundamental part of the Group's efforts in Corporate Social believe that no matter what our professional backgrounds are deployed through its NGO partner CRY for the immunization Responsibility and further step in the green energy or where we are from, as humans; we are constantly striving of 2543 children in the areas adjoining Kolar, Malur, and development. for humanitarian efforts for a better world. The concept of KGF. Additionally, 22 Anganwadi centers have been Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Khalsa Aid is a humanitarian concept where we feed receiving timely ration supply and 862 children are receiving Natural Gas, addressed the event through a video message and everyone and treat everyone as equal. We come from an area midday meals and take-home ration. Through advocacy with Dr. G Santhosh Kumar, KAS, Joint Commissioner of the world where our politics is different, but our faith in the labor department, 200 families received financial aid, 40 (Administration) was present in person. spirituality remains deep. Our job isn't to judge human beings pregnant and lactating mothers were given regular awareness During the event, Maire Tecnimont Group further announced by their faith, but we judge them on the basis of their plight or and counseling on wellbeing and nutrition supplements. that through its engineering excellence centre, TCMPL, it has situations. A human being is a human being and all human Over 1000 families were made aware of health and nutrition. signed an interdisciplinary centre for research “Maire beings are good. If anyone wants to work for betterment, then 'Kanyathon' made an impact during the pandemic by Tecnimont Centre for Research on Waste Recycling and we can support funding especially in rural areas for better touching many lives, especially migrant workers, daily Circular Economy”, to enforce its commitment to high-level hospitals, sanitation or environment-related issues,” said wage-earners, the urban poor, and other vulnerable groups research for the energy transition also leveraging on the Ravi Singh, Founder and CEO, KhalsaAid particularly women and children in Kolar. Group's distinctive competences and expertise by tutoring the The initiative of the students of JAGSOM to institute the trainees in their development and empowerment paths. Maire The two-day cultural extravaganza witnessed robust “Kanyathon Shiksha Kendra” is a baby step to educate girl Tecnimont will also provide scholarship to 16 students in dialogues and panel discussions on topics including- 'The children in spoken and written English, effective use of 2021-22 onwards for their research and their pioneering work Uncharted Territory of Genetic Engineering', 'Preparing for Information Technology, and personal hygiene. The vision is in the field of energy transition and green chemistry. The the Next Pandemic', 'In search of Arogya-Swaraj', 'Should to expand the 'Kendras' across the country to empower the company already sponsored two scholarships during 2020- India legalize its Two-child Policy?', 'Building Back Better: a women of this nation. 2021 at NITK. Path for Economic recovery', online health workshops, The biogas pilot plant is dedicated to promoting research and activities and competitions like strat-a-thon, sociothon, case- JAIN Deemed-to-be University Partners improving energy self-sufficiency within the campus. This study, treasure hunt, policy case competition, among others. biogas plant will enable NITK to generate energy by This year, the event was organized under the patronage of with Royal Challengers Bangalore converting food and vegetable waste from the hostel blocks UNESCO and NITI Aayog and in collaboration with WHO and canteens through anaerobic digestion. Country Office for India as the Knowledge and Technical JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) has partnered with Royal partner, the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team as their official Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Centre education partner, 2021 (the 14th version), a 60-match T20 for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). cricket tournament starting on April 9, 2021 and to be played at six venues across India. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Raj Singh, Vice Chancellor of

Curriculum April 16, 2021 15 Schools \"Children can Lead Change\", say Sesame Workshop - India Heritage Xperiential's Grade 4 and India Climate Collaborative students go on an expedition, Designed with and for clean air, water, garbage should be established for India Climate publish digital book “Trees of children between 6-10 years waste, animals and their cyclists, and non-cyclists Collaborative, said “We are of age, the initiative aims to city's environment to be dealt using these lanes should face proud to partner in this Gurugram” collect responses from at with, initial data reveals that stringent penalization. initiative with Sesame least 10,000 children on children across different 6. All individuals, no Workshop - India which has The Heritage Xperiential Learning School's Grade 4 students what they think is the most locations in Delhi are most matter where they reside, recognized the need to bring recently went on an expedition “Nature our Teacher” and crucial environmental need concerned about the air they should be able to access children's voice to the have published their digital book on Trees of Gurugram. The Sesame Workshop - India, breathe. They have identified potable water within 500 narrative of sustainable purpose of this expedition was to understand the species of the Indian arm of the dedicated bicycle lanes as a meters of their homes. living. We are committed to trees that flourish in the city of Gurugram and the impact they internationally renowned critical requirement for the For the first time ever, a mobilize diverse voices and have on the environment and the other organisms around. non-profit media and city; demanded that garbage sustained effort will be made inspire thoughtful The students conducted a survey on the trees and birds of educational organization should be segregated, and to reach out to as many as collaborative actions to their society while the digital book captures data from this behind Sesame Street, and not be burnt; and highlighted 10,000 children to bring tackle the issue of climate survey conducted in Gurugram, along with its visual India Climate the need to make sure that them to the forefront of change in India and representation and a brief analysis. Collaborative, a collective dividers on the roads and environmental beyond.” The booklet called 'Tree Book' that was created as an end of business and empty land are properly conversations, an issue that Sesame Workshop - India product of this research showcases the unique features and philanthropy working to maintained by local concerns them the most. has worked with uses of some of the commonly found trees in Gurgaon. It accelerate climate action in authorities. As Delhi Children will be encouraged environment experts to enables readers to recognize that each tree is exceptional not the country, have continues to face days with to send videos, photos, and develop the survey only its physical features and appearance but also in terms of announced the roll out of an poor or severely poor air voice recordings to including list of demands the wealth of benefits it offers other living beings. initiative to bring in quality, this survey has given showcase their environment and categories, which were The results evident to the students was that every organism is children's voices on opportunity to children to and make their demands on then categorized for dependent on biodiversity for its survival. There are environmental issues to the identify their priorities and how they would want to care response by 6-8 years olds resources that humans need on a daily basis that can only be forefront in Delhi. demand immediate action to for the environment and and 9-10 year olds. In provided by nature. Supported by India Climate reduce air pollution. Some of planet. Sesame Muppets, partnership with Chintan, The students observed that the greatest threats to biodiversity Collaborative, Sesame the most crucial actionable like Chamki, Elmo will Child Survival India, Action were deforestation, over-exploitation, pollution, habitat loss Workshop - India has asks by children are: travel to locations and I n d i a a n d P R AT Ye k , due to construction and development. designed the initiative to interview children around Sesame Workshop - India's “Like all Heritage Xperiential trips, this expedition too had a better understand children's 1. C r o p r e s i d u e environmentally sensitive survey will be rolled out in real audience and an authentic purpose which was to make priorities on environment, should not be burnt; instead, and highly affected areas. communities through residents of Gurgaon aware and mindful about the variety of climate change and the government should buy it WhatsApp developed on trees that exist in their surroundings and the criticality of sustainable development to use as feed for animals like According to Sonali Khan, Convegenius' WhatsApp supporting this biodiversity. I am proud of our Grade 4 through an environment cattle. MD, Sesame Workshop - survey mechanism. students who actively participated and produced the action survey and define 2. Ensure that plants India, “There is growing Online and offline data from insightful digital book. Their growing confidence motivates immediate, short terms and once planted on dividers of evidence on the adverse this survey will be collated us to hold more such events that enable them to learn so much long-term change in roads are properly impacts of the environment and analyzed to identify and more than textbooks and course books,” said Manit Jain, Co- response to the survey. maintained by the local on cognitive abilities in shortlist emerging themes Founder, The Heritage Schools. authorities of that area, rather children. Furthermore, and demands from the Like other expeditions this expedition too integrated and Using social media and than left unattended. children – in the current participants. The analysis applied knowledge from other subject areas like math, digital tools like Whatsapp, 3. Garbage should scenario, and those yet to be will be based on age, gender, literacy and visual arts even though it was centered around the initiative aims to collect not be burnt; instead, it born – will be forced to bear and location to be able to science. Math was applied in the form of data collection and responses from at least should be segregated into the brunt of climate change, derive more specific analysis and taking measurements. Literacy practices were 10,000 children aged 6-10 non-biodegradable and the consequences of which concerns. Based on the applied in the form of comprehending, extracting and on what they think is the biodegradable. The will only worsen as decades findings and analysis of the compiling key facts about the trees under study from various most crucial environmental recycling of non- pass. From food and water survey, Sesame Workshop - sources. Visual arts were integrated through still life need. It works to support biodegradable waste should insecurity to aggravated India will develop a demand sketching of the trees as a whole and also the various parts of children in talking about be optimised, and asthma and weather-related charter and will include key the trees by zooming in on them while making their what they perceive as biodegradable waste should displacement, kids are 5-7 demands for and by the observation. threats to sustainable be converted into bio-gas particularly vulnerable to children. This demand On the development, Vishnu Karthik, Director, The Heritage growth & development, and manure. the harsh repercussions of a charter will be presented to Group of Schools added, “In science, students learnt while also proposing 4. Dusty and barren steadily heating planet. key decision makers in the concepts of biodiversity, ecosystems, adaptation and solutions that are replicable. land should be covered with Through the initiative, we Government, NGO/INGO, interdependence which were central to this expedition by The survey will be hosted vegetation to prevent dust. hope more children and Corporate sector. observing nature closely and experiencing these big ideas on Sesame Workshop - 5. Bicycles should be parents will bring their first hand. There is no greater happiness for us at Heritage India's website. promoted as a means of voices by connecting with us Schools than knowing that our children are growing and While the full survey will transport and should become on the SWI website.” learning well from practical life experiences. We shall bring in responses on how cheaper. Special road lanes continue to encourage such trips that are exciting, fun and children aged 6-10 years Amita Ramachandran, great for mental stimulation.” would want critical issues of Chief Operating Officer, The biodiversity survey was carried out across all localities where Grade 4 students of the Heritage Xperiential School reside. The students conducted a survey on trees and birds in 3 separate transects including parks, streets and parking areas. NIUA and BvLF launch Infant, Toddler and Caregiver-Friendly Online Orientation Ceremony of St. Froebel School Neighbourhoods Training & Capacity Building Programme The students and parents of Pre School were formally inducted into the St. Froebel School's ethos of 'Sound Foundation for Success' through an online Orientation National Institute of Urban the efforts and embed the The programme is citizens (0-5 years) in the Ceremony 'Rendezvous 2021' on April 3, 2021. The theme of Affairs (NIUA) in lessons of Infant, Toddler, envisioned with the twin city and to equip them with partnership with Bernard Caregiver needs at objectives: first, embedding the adequate tools for the the Ceremony remained 'Warriors' , which drew from the van Leer Foundation neighbourhood level within the learnings from the purpose. (BvLF) have virtually city level programmes. inventory of knowledge The event was launched hardships that each student, the world over, faced during the launched the 'Infant Toddler Under the programme, city developed by NIUA and remotely by Kunal Kumar, and Caregiver-friendly officials and young BvLF within the on-going Joint Secretary & Mission pandemic time. Neighbourhoods (ITCN) professionals are proposed and proposed urban Director (Smart Cities), Training and Capacity to be skilled through development initiatives at Ministry of Housing and The Ceremony commenced with the comperes, Vikhyat Building Programme' on certified training and neighbourhood and city Urban Affairs, GoI. The Ahuja (XI) and Harleen Kaur (XI), welcoming the parents. 13th April 2021. The capacity building modules. level; and second, attendees of the event The glimpses of the session gone by and presentations by the Programme is designed to The training is proposed to handholding participants to included Mr. Hitesh Vaidya, little Froebelians were beautifully curated and virtually help build capacities of city be delivered through well- embed learnings into the Director, NIUA, Ms. Rushda presented. The teachers of PP-PS also presented a beautiful officials and young structured training modules, various initiatives of the Majeed, India song inspiring all to come forward to fight CORONA. professionals for developing provided online through cities, taking into account the Representative, BvLF, Ms. young children and family- National Urban Learning everyday needs of young Kakul Misra, National The School Principal Ms. Shivani Gupta, in her address to friendly neighbourhoods Platform (NULP), the children and caregivers. In Program Head- Centre for the attendees, appraised them about the St. Froebel ethos and within cities in India. platform developed for addition, an academic Digital Governance, NIUA, also made the new parents aware about school rules and the The programme is a knowledge dissemination by certified course for young Mr. Ajay Suri, Senior framework of the online classes. She made them take a continuation of the long- NIUA and Ministry of professionals has been Advisor - Inclusive pledge never to lose patience with their precious ones. term partnership between Housing and Urban Affairs planned to sensitize them Development, NIUA. The NIUA and BvLF to scale up (MoHUA). about the needs of young Smart City CEOs, Municipal The Ceremony concluded with a virtual presentation of the national anthem by PP students.

16 Curriculum April 16, 2021 Potpouri/Extra News New Jurassic flying reptile reveals the oldest opposed thumb Webinar on 'Improvements and A new 160-million-year- This discovery adds to the the same three genera of Transformation required in the old arboreal pterosaur list that darwinopteran ecosystem. This darwinopteran pterosaurs. species, dubbed pterosaurs such as K. suggests niche- Our results show that K. Skills Ecosystem' in Covid 'Monkeydactyl', has the antipollicatus also evolved partitioning antipollicatus has occupied oldest true opposed thumb an opposed thumb. among these a different niche from economy - a novel structure The research team scanned pterosaurs and Darwinopterus and previously not known in the fossil of K. provides the first Wukongopterus, which has Generation India Foundation (GIF) and Alliance of Skill pterosaurs. antipollicatus using micro- quantitative likely minimized Training Partners (ASTP) on Apr 12 organized a webinar on An international team of computed tomography evidence that at competition among these 'Improvements and Transformation Required in the Skills researchers from Brazil, (micro-CT), a technique least some darwinopteran pterosaurs.” Ecosystem'. The webinar focused on deliberating and presenting China, UK, Denmark and making use of X-ray to pterosaurs were arboreal. Rodrigo V. Pêgas from views of multiple stakeholders in the Skills ecosystem in India Japan have described a image an object. By Fion Waisum Ma, co- Federal University of ABC, including National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), new Jurassic pterosaur studying its forelimb author of the study and in Sao Bernardo, Brazil, Training Partners and eminent organizations like World Bank, Kunpengopterus morphology and PhD researcher at the said: “Darwinopterans are a IKEAFoundation, BlackRock. antipollicatus, which was musculature, they suggest University of Birmingham, group of pterosaurs from The speakers talked about future of skilling globally & in India discovered in the that K. antipollicatus could said: “The fingers of the Jurassic of China and and emphasized the need of alignment with industry 4.0, Tiaojishan Formation of have used its hand for 'Monkeydactyl' are tiny and Europe, named after importance of female labor force participation, embracing the Liaoning, China. grasping, which is likely an partly embedded in the Darwin due to their unique new normal in today's virtual world, rising need of re-skilling & It is a small-bodied adaptation for arboreal life. slab. Thanks to micro-CT transitional anatomy that upskilling in pandemic driven scenario, and bridging demand- darwinopteran pterosaur, In order to test the arboreal scanning, we could see has revealed how evolution supply gap by enhancing industry participation in skill with an estimated interpretation, the team through the rocks, create affected the anatomy of development. They also laid out some specific steps the wingspan of 85 cm. Most analysed K. antipollicatus digital models and tell how pterosaurs throughout time. Government needs to implement, in order to get the industry importantly, the specimen and other pterosaurs using a the opposed thumb “On top of that, a particular back on its feet. was preserved with an set of anatomical characters articulates with the other darwinopteran fossil has The opening address was given by Dr. Manish Kumar, MD & opposed pollex (“thumb”) related to arboreal finger bones. been preserved with two CEO, National Skill Development Corporation followed by on both hands. adaptation. The results “This is an interesting associated eggs, revealing Keynote addresses by Ms. Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education The species name support K. antipollicatus as discovery. It provides the clues to pterosaur Specialist-India, World Bank Group and Mr. Arunesh Singh, 'antipollicatus' means an arboreal species, but not earliest evidence of a true reproduction. They've CEO, Generation India Foundation. 'opposite thumbed' in the other pterosaurs from opposed thumb, and it is always been considered This was followed by a spirited panel discussion moderated by ancient Greek, in light of from a pterosaur - which precious fossils for these Mr. Navanit Samaiyar, CEO, Alliance of Skill Training Partners the opposed thumb of the wasn't known for having an reasons and it is impressive (ASTP). The panelists brought a wide range of subjects given new species. This is the opposed thumb.” that new darwinopteran their diverse backgrounds and included Mr. RCM Reddy, MD & first discovery of a Xuanyu Zhou from China species continue to surprise CEO, Schoolnet India Ltd, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, MD & Founder, pterosaur with an opposed University of Geosciences us!” Empower Pragati, Mr. T. Muralidharan, Founder & Chairman, thumb. It also represents who led the study TMI Group, who brought forth the Training Partners point of the earliest record of a true commented: “Tiaojishan view while Mr. Vivek Singh, Head of Portfolio- Employment & opposed thumb in Earth's palaeoforest is home to Entrepreneurship, IKEA Foundation and Mr. Pravin Goel, MD history. The researchers many organisms, including & Country Head, BlackRock, brought a more holistic outside in published their discovery view of the ecosystem. It was well summed up by Mr. Arun today in the journal Kumar Pillai, Chief Strategy Officer at NSDC who brought in Current Biology. elements of how policies will need to align with changing A true opposed pollex is demands of the industry. mostly present in mammals “It is important to focus on enhancing the female labour force (e.g. primates) and some participation in India and focus on providing re-skilling tree frogs, but extremely opportunities to women re-entering the labour market after a rare among extant reptiles career gap” said Dr. Manish, MD & CEO, National Skill except for chameleons. Development Corporation (NSDC). NSDC also shared details of various new initiatives for expanding reach to global markets like UAE,Australia, Japan and Eastern Europe to provide skilled manpower and establish India as Skill Capital of the World. The discussion laid the foundation for some necessary steps that can be adopted in the COVID economy and in general to strengthen and bring about a positive change in the skills ecosystem and they will be separately laid out as an action strategy paper for Policy makers, Media, Employers, Students and industry to adopt. Calicut Half Marathon 2021: Cricketer WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF Robin Uthappa conferred with IIM INDIA'S EDUCATION STORY! Kozhikode National Excellence Award You can advertise in curriculum magazine or and also put an advertorial highlighting your company/services/campus/ products etc. This will greatly Director IIM Kozhikode, support your marketing effort and encheantnrce efoyr oouner vyeiasrib-il2i0t2y1-a22ndwirthecoanlgloivnaglusuepport. Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, with your current and potential clientRsegular assessment and training of the students will be on April 8 bestowed renowned cricketer Robin conducted to ensure that they are given the best Uthappa with the IIM treatment. Kozhikode National Tracing FICCI Flo Kolkata's association with Samaritan Excellence Award for his Help Mission, Mrs Chamaria, said, “Our association with remarkable contribution to Samaritan Help Mission began last year when we had an the field of cricket. The National Excellence OUR FOCUSopportunity to help provide entrepreneurial training to award is a replica of IIM some ladies from the local community. The work, the Kozhikode's inspirational vision, and the passion with which Mr. Mamoon Akhtar mnemonic - the 'Arise (founder of Samaritan Mission School) has gone about Arjuna' statue. Presenting this landmark transformation, touching hundreds of lives the award to “The Walking Assassin” Prof. Chatterjee — We cover latest news, producatnldauhenlpchbueislt,acbuertrteernctomevmeunittsy, atonudchterdeunsd, asnd we recounted Mr Uthappa's immense — News features, Guest Articles,tdhEeacxtidpheederitstodchooeilnlpgu.smtIrtennissgtthoetnhahtisenhdantdhsatinthteheocncoubpleatwioonrakl contribution to the game of Cricket — Career counselling, Skill Indiath,eEranptyrecpernetrneeuforrshsippescially-abled children was and how he ably carried his team — School/College /university evevnistusalised.” forward by demonstrating — Achievements by students, faculty, institutions resilience, focus and determination - — Education Technology — Study Abroad a quality that resonates with the legend of Arjuna. He added — Institution/people profiles that traits Focus, Flexibility and Freedom was the idea behind constituting this National Award. While felicitating the winner the Director also fondly recalled the iconic moment when Mr. Uthappa tipped his cap and saluted the crowd after hitting the stumps in Inbdia's famous bowl-out win over arch-rivals Pakistan in 2007 T20 World Cup, as one of the most memorable events in the game of cricket. Robin Uthappa expressed his gratitude about his debut and relived the days when he shared the stage with cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virendra Sehwag among other Indian cricket legends.