Curriculum magazine

www.curriculum-magazine.com RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Vol 10 No 3 magazine THE INDIA EDUCATION LANDSCAPE UPDATE January 16 2020 Stalemate over Fee Hike continues in JNU even as IN BRIEF officially normalcy returned to varsity after violent attacks St Stephen's College on students, teachers, properties by yet to be identified masked special courses on Public rioters on Jan 5 Policy and International Relations In a botched up financial reform, seater to Rs 300. Along with this only rejected the hike but launched the fire and EC decided that all the Jawaharlal Nehru University hike, a hostel draft manual was massive protests, which only students belonging to below poverty St Stephen's College, Delhi (JNU) administration, has not also introduced for first time, and became intense over weeks. In a line (BPL) category, excluding those has launched a special center only sullied its own competence so were service charges and mess few cases, police had to resort to who have JRF, SRF and other to conduct a series of but virtually brought country's top security fee. The one-time mess lathi charge to disperse agitating equivalent fellowships/Scholarships certificate and advanced level university to the brink of a security fee, which is refundable, students. either from outside organizations or courses across a range of possible shutdown. The mid- was hiked from Rs 5,500 to Rs The administration using JNU, are eligible to be given 50% of disciplines, starting with a session fee hike on October 28, 12,000. Service charges for Executive Council tried to douse short-term certificate course on 2019 approved without participa- maintenance, mess workers, cook Contd P3 Public Policy and International tion of students' representation and sanitation and utility charges Relations (PPIR). The St (JNUSU) at the Inter Hall for power and water consumption Stephen's Centre for Advanced Administration (HAL) meeting is were introduced for the first time Learning (SCAL), will start turning to be one of the biggest at Rs 1700. University adminis- with offering a certificate headaches for the government as tration's logic behind the hike has course on Public Policy and the vociferous and large-scale been to tide over a deficit of Rs 45 International Relations, to be student protests have crippled the Cr and run the hostels on no-profit held over six weekends at the academic business at JNU since. no-loss basis. college, an official statement During the HAL October 28 As these decisions were taken said. Other discipline-specific meeting, hostel rent of a single- without taking student body into courses have also been planned seater room was hiked from Rs 20 confidence and in its absence JNU and announcements regarding to Rs 600 and that of a double- Students' Union (JNUSU) not this will be made soon on the college website, it added. NCRB data shows increase in Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo quits The SCAL's PPIR course is number of Student suicides designed to help young as Allahabad University VC graduates gain a better Twenty-eight students on an average committed suicide every 24 hours over alleged vendetta understanding of the field, during 2018, accroding to NCRB data. India saw 1.3 lakh suicides in \"how it is framed, theorised, 2018, of which students made up 8%, almost the same in the farming In a rerun of what was done to chairperson, Rekha Sharma. NCW in formulated and implemented\", sector, while 10% were unemployed people. Yearly figure of suicide Prof A K Singh, a reputed IIT- December 2019 had summoned the it said. The first batches of rates by students turned out to be the highest in a decade-- over 10,000 in Bombay scientist, who resigned AU VC over allegations of improper participants include entry-to- 2018. as vice-chancellor of Allahabad handling of sexual harassment mid-senior level professionals National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that 2,543 students University (a central univ. esb complaints and lack of a grievance from the fields of banking, — 1,360 below the age of 18 years (school students) and 1,183 in the 18- 1887) in 2014, the present VC, cell for redressal of such charges. development, consultancy, 30 age bracket (pursuing higher education) — committed suicide in 2015 Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo was However, Prof Hangloo, who has been NGOs, politics, and healthcare. due to mounting pressure to do well in examinations. made to resign on January 2 by on the position of vice-chancellor The course will engage with Exam failure, however, saw among the lowest figures for cause of the union ministry of Human since December 30, 2015 and has topics in policy formation, suicide — 2 per cent, the same as unemployment. It was significantly Resources Development, over 'braved' three inquiries of similar development, and lower than other factors such as family problems (27 per cent), or alleged irregularities charges nature all these last four years with implementation, policy poverty, physical abuse and professional issues (26 per cent). made by the National each of those proving baseless, refutes economics, international According to the NCRB's Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2015 Commission of Women relations, international security report, the total number of students who committed suicide for various Contd P3 and diplomacy among others. reasons in 2015 was 8,934, up from 8,068 in 2014. In 2016, the number rose again, with 9,474 students ending their lives, shows NCRB data. First-ever International Separate university for Heritage Symposium Konkan ASSOCHAM wants Auyshman Bharat and Exhibition (IHSE) on Digital Maharashtra plans to set up a like scheme for education Documentation using university in the Konkan advanced region as it was a long-pending Dr.Niranjan Hiranandani, president of ASSOCHAM while speaking demand of the people there. about budget expectations demanded that education needs tax technologies... Currently colleges in Konkan's rationalization and a scheme on lines on Ayushman Bharat for education Raigad, Ratnagiri and to all. He said, “Partially exempt GST on outsourced services in Higher Contd on Pg 15 Sindhudurg districts are Education from 18% to 5% to create low-cost educational institutions affiliated to Mumbai that offer services at all levels - primary, secondary and higher education. University.“There was a long pending demand of people Contd P3 from the Konkan that there should be a separate university The 107th edition of Indian Science Congress: A brief report in Konkan region. For students studying in Sawantwadi in The 107th edition of Indian Security, Crop Improvement Energy, Environment and Health Sectional Sessions covering different Konkan, Mumbai University is Science Congress: snap shot Towards Food & Nutrition Care, Novel Solutions for Oil and almost 650 kilometres away India's largest annual gathering of Security, Materials Science And Gas Industry Problems. disciplines of science will be organised and it is difficult for them to scientific luminaries from Technology For Rural Four Public lectures by eminent travel that far for any work,” countries across the world, Indian Development, Challenges and personalities like Nobel laureate in the Science Congress. said Higher and Technical Science Congress, held from Opportunities In Cancer Drug Prof. Stefan Hell, Dr. Subra Education Minister Uday January 3 to 7, 2020 at University Discovery, Artificial Intelligence Suresh among others, covering With focus on Rural Development Samant. of Agricultural Sciences And Medical Technology, topics like Ultrasharp (UASB), GKVK Campus, Advances In Basic Medical And Fluorescence Microscopy, through Science and Technology, for CBSE for short-term Bangalore, Karnataka focussed Clinical Interactions, Non- science across disciplines ranging courses from IIMs for on 'Science & Technology: Rural Communicable Diseases In Rural from basic science to applications the first time in the history of Indian principals Development'. Population as well as Cancer in the industry, acute problem of There were 28 Plenary Sessions Research – Therapeutic modern medicine, life style Science Congress, a Farmers Science The office of Senior PRO, on areas ranging from Climate Applications. The areas also diseases to recent advances in Central Board of Secondary Smart Agriculture for Food included Nano Materials for cardiac sciences were organized Congresswas held. It covered themes Education (CBSE) in a release in the Science Congress. Fourteen last week requested all Indian ranging from farmers innovation on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship for doubling farmers income, climate change, bio-diversity, conservation, ecosystem services & farmers empowerment to agrarian distress, rural bio-entrepreneurship, policy issues. Contd on Pg 16

2 Curriculum January 16, 2020 News Updates Hillary Clinton appointed Chancellor of expenditure on health as Ayurveda is cost-effective because of its Dr Mihir Shah appointed preventive and curative approaches. Chairman of Water Policy Queen's University Belfast There is rising interest and demand for knowledge and services of committee Ayurveda all over the world. India is the country of origin of Ayurveda Queen's University has announced the appointment of Secretary and the world is looking up to India to showcase state of art institutions Dr. Mihir Shah, Distinguished Hillary Rodham Clinton as its new Chancellor. Secretary Clinton, providing international level education and training in Ayurveda. Professor at the University has who received an honorary doctorate from Queen's last year, will Elevation of the proposed Institute to the status of Institution of National been appointed the Chairman of become the University's 11th and first female Chancellor. Importance will provide it the autonomy to upgrade standard ofAyurveda the Committee to draft the Stephen Prenter, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Senate, the University's education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and National Water Policy. The governing body, said: “I am delighted that Queen's has chosen Hillary international demand, adopt advanced evaluation methodology, etc. It committee established by the Clinton to be its new Chancellor. Secretary Clinton has made a will have the mandate to frame its own certification courses for deeper Ministry of Water Resources, considerable contribution to Northern Ireland and as an internationally penetration of AYUSH across masses and will give the capacity to bring River Development and Ganga recognised leader will be an incredible advocate for Queen's and an out the unrealized potential of Ayurveda for addressing the major public Rejuvenation, Government of inspirational role model for the Queen's community.” health challenges faced by the country. It will help the institute to develop India will outline the new Accepting the position, Secretary Clinton, said: “It is a great privilege tertiary care in Ayurveda and to secure inter-disciplinary collaborations National Water Policy (NWP) for to become the Chancellor of Queen's University, a place I have great to give a contemporary thrust toAyurveda. the country. The committee fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years. comprising 11 members The University is making waves internationally for its research and Farmers Science Congress conducted for the including Dr Shah will draft the impact and I am proud to be an ambassador and help grow its reputa- National Water Policy (NWP) tion for excellence.” first time in Indian Science Congress and will submit this to the Secretary Clinton will serve as the University's new Chancellor, for a government within six months period of five years, with effect from 1 January 2020. The Farmer's Science Congress was inaugurated for the first time in the from the date of its constitution. It Hillary Rodham Clinton is an internationally recognised public 107 years of history of the Indian Science Congress, highlighting the may be recalled that Dr. Shah was servant with almost five decades in public service as an advocate, importance of farmer's innovations and their scientific validity. primarily responsible for drafting attorney, First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. Secretary Clinton While inaugurating Farmers Science Congress, Dr. Trilochan the paradigm shift in the has developed strong links with Queen's University and Northern Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and management of India's water Ireland. As Secretary of State, she focused on economic development Education & Director General Indian Council of Agricultural Research resources as enunciated in the to underpin the emergence of a strong and competitive Northern (ICAR), mentioned about the paradigm shift from production and 12th Five Year Plan, during his Ireland and, during her time as First Lady, made a considerable nutrition security to doubling of farmers' income by 2022. This shift in tenure as Member, Planning contribution to the Northern Ireland Peace Process. With her long- thinking was the result of a call given by the Prime Minister. Commission, Government of standing commitment to peace, stability and economic regeneration, Dr. Mohapatra informed that Farmers Innovation Fund and Innovation India from 2009 to 2014. she is a strong advocate for Northern Ireland and an inspirational role Centres will be set up to encourage innovations made by progressive model for the Queen's community. farmers. To encourage organic farming, 45 types of organic farming Aakash acquires The Chancellor fulfils three main roles – a ceremonial one which systems have also been developed in niche areas. \"If we can give some Meritnation involves presiding at degree congregations; an ambassadorial role, support to their innovations by way of financial support, innovation where the office holder helps to “open doors” for the University as it validation and market linkage, farmers will be encouraged to to take them Aakash Educational Services seeks to fulfil its mission; and finally as an advisor, available to the forward,\" he added. Limited (“AESL”), said that it Vice-Chancellor and senior management as a “sounding board” and to Dr. Mohapatra called on school students to attend the Farmer's Science has entered into a definitive provide counsel and guidance. Congress, so that interest in agriculture can be created right from the agreement with Info Edge (India) school level through interactions. Limited and other selling Rs 10 cr grant for center for excellence in “ICAR has developed 56 models of integrated farming, which will be shareholders to acquire Applect promoted with NABARD by linking them to the Rural Development Learning Systems Private health outcomes research and economics programmes,” he pointed out. Limited (“ALSPL”, or He also said that to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, ICAR are “Meritnation”), a ed-tech An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the LV Prasad Eye developing Nano fertilizers and nano pesticides to promote organic company. ALSPL markets its Institute (LVPEI), IIM Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Public farming. offerings to K12 students under Health (IIPH), Hyderabad have won a unique Wellcome Trust/ DBT “To improve rural bio-economy and attract youth to agriculture, a the brand name 'Meritnation'. India Alliance Clinical/Public Health Research Center (CRC) grant of programme named Arya is being implemented. Till now over 5000 youth about INR 10 crore, to set up a first of its kind center for excellence in have been brought into this programme in which they have been trained UC Browser will launch health outcomes research and economics. to be entrepreneurs and begin a start up, Around 104 such startups are Cloud Storage Service UC The process of selection included a rigorous application submission marketing processed food items,” he said. Drive in India stage, an international peer review stage and a final interview that The Chairman of Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission, Shri spanned over six months from earlier in the year. The team includes Dr Hanumanagouda Belagurki emphasized on the challenges in the Reiterating its commitment to the Raja Narayanan, Dr Anthony Vipin Das from LVPEI, Dr Chirantan agriculture sector and said that there is a need to introduce economy and mobile browser market, UC Chatterjee from IIM Ahmedabad and Dr Murthy from social sciences as part of agricultural science in the agriculture universi- Browser, has announced a IIPH,Hyderabad. Dr. Narayanan is the PI for the project and other ties. revamp of its strategy for India members are co-PIs. market. UC Browser will launch The team will be advised by an international advisory board of health Project OoSC (Out of School Children) in UP its in-app cloud storage service economists and medical outcomes researchers from Harvard and offering for Indian individual Stanford University among others. Over the next 5 years, the center An innovative new project has been launched in India to tackle the users, UC Drive. As an in-app proposes to create a first of its kind unit of excellence, that will use big critical issue of ensuring quality education for street children within the cloud storage, UC Drivewill be data in Indian healthcare along with machine learning and economic Commonwealth. Project Out of School Children (OoSC) is a break- able to seamlessly connect with tool kits to advance the understanding of evidence-based policy through initiative with a mission to enrol, educate and empower 127 browsing scenario within UC making in Indian healthcare. The upcoming center also proposes to million children out of school in the Commonwealth nations with a Browser and sync stored various recruit world class postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and special focus on India's 17.7mn children. Established and conceptualised videos, songs, photos, and more conduct training of doctors to engage in economic evidence based by global educationalist Amreesh Chandra, Project OoSC converts across all the UC users' mobile clinical decision making, such as cost effectiveness studies with data renewable shipping containers into vibrant classrooms targeting Out of devices, allowing users to from India through the Clinical Research Training Programme School children. directly save a wide variety of (CRTP) Fellowships embedded within the CRC grant. In its ambition, The project is based on the premise that “education is a basic right” and downloadable content while the center aims to be a role model for more such centers beyond India that no child should be left behind of achieving Quality Education, a UN browsing without taking in the developing world. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Project OoSC also supports six upstorage or memory on their further SDGs including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) mobile devices.UC Drive will be Ayurveda institutions cluster at Gujarat and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). available for free to all UC users The curtain raiser for the project took place on 19th December at the with large cloud storage space. Ayurved University to get status of institution High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, New Delhi. This will be UC Drive's first Project OoSC's vision is to establish 50 container schools across 4 states launch in the global market. India of national importance in India as well as Nepal and Bangladesh by the first quarter of 2020. is one of the largest markets for Thanks to swift assembly and the ability to transport easily, the Project's UC Browser and makes up for The Union Cabinet has given its approval to confer the status of use of shipping container classrooms helps to install infrastructure for about 50% of its global down- Institution of National Importance to the Institute of Teaching and education and enables more children to attend school. In addition, the loads. Research in Ayurveda Jamnagar by conglomerating the cluster of project will help to ensure high standards of training to educators to Discussing the background and Ayurveda Institutes at GujaratAyurveda University campus, Jamnagar enable the spread of quality education and to spark a literacy movement rationale for the upcoming new , namely, (a) Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in in remote communities across the commonwealth. feature, Mr. Huaiyuan Yang, Vice Ayurveda (b) Shri Gulabkunwerba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and (c) Chandra said, “The Project will focus on putting infrastructure in place President, UCWeb Global Institute of Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Sciences including Pharmacy that enables more children to access school, ensuring quality education Business, said, “In a mobile-first Unit and to subsume the Maharshi Patanjali Institute for Yoga & through training teachers and providing resources, and encouraging market like India, almost all Naturopathy Education & Research into the Department of reading through a literacy movement. Our first live project finally taking digital activities are shifting to Swasthvritta of the Institute of Teaching and Research inAyurveda. shape in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. mobile devices – from watching The Bill to that effect is to be introduced in the ensuing Session of The second project is coming up shortly in Mirzapur District of Uttar movies and clicking pictures to Parliament to declare Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Pradesh and the third one is due in the outskirts of a village in Jaipur. We sharing files. In a scenario like Jamnagar as Institution of National Importance. are also in the process of convincing governments to observe one day this, users are left scrambling for Considering the rapidly growing role of AYUSH Systems in address- each year as Out of School Children Day and generate enough funds for ing the Public Health challenges of India, conferring the status of setting up new schools. Project OoSC will enrol, educate and empower National Importance will boost the role and importance of Ayurveda in the next generation, and ensure that no child is left behind” Public Health. The strengthening of Ayurveda will reduce government

Curriculum January 16, 2020 3 News Feature Contd from P1 ASER 2019 'Early Years' report shows Play-based activities more productive in early years learning Stalemate over Fee Hike continues in JNU ASER 'Early Years' data shows that children's performance on tasks All BPL category students JNU has issued a statement that being revoked. Our unequivocal requiring cognitive skills is strongly related to their ability to do early receiving Non-NET fellowship the students are not being asked to demand has always been a language tasks and early numeracy tasks. This suggests that focusing on and MCM scholarships were to bear the cost of service and utility complete rollback of the hostel play-based activities that build memory, reasoning, and problem-solving be eligible for this 50% conces- charges proposed for the winter manual which was passed in an abilities is more productive than an early focus on content knowledge sion. It was also decided that the session which was their basic illegal IHA meeting, where student Conducted in 26 districts across 24 states in India, the survey covered a total one time (refundable) mess demand. “As agreed in the representatives were not called, in of 1,514 villages, 30,425 households, and 36,930 children in the age group of security deposit for all categories meeting of 10th and 11th violation of JNU statutes.” The 4-8 years. Sampled children's enrollment status in pre-school or school was of students had also been rolled December 2019, the revised hostel union is also demanding sacking of collected. Children did a variety of cognitive, early language, and early back from ₹ 12,000 to ₹ 5,500. room charges, however, will VC, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar. numeracy tasks; and activities to assess children's social and emotional Also, utility charges and service remain applicable with 50% Meanwhile the registration for the development were also undertaken. All tasks were done one-on-one with charges would be charged as per concession for BPL students.” semester which was delayed, children in their homes. actuals and BPL students would \"The students are not being asked disrupted and extended has picked ASER 2019 'Early Years' released on Jan 14 finds that more than 90% of get a 50% concession. to bear the cost of service and up with 72% of the 8500 students children in the 4-8 age group are enrolled in some type of educational However, this did little to pacify utility charges proposed for the at JNU registering according to institution. This proportion increases with age, from 91.3% of all 4-yearolds agitating students and crisis winter session, which was their official sources. At the same time, to 99.5% of all 8-year-olds in sampled districts refused to be blown over. basic demand. Therefore, the JNU teachers have expressed fears over The entire age band from 4 to 8 needs to be seen as a continuum, and Consequent to continuing fee hike issue stands resolved and safety after a yet to be identified curriculum progression across grades and schooling stages designed student agitation and disruption continuation of agitation by the masked group attacked university accordingly. For an effective and implementable curriculum, the process of in academics, the ministry of students is no longer justified,\" the campus on January 5 evening and designing, planning, piloting, and finalizing needs to keep ground realities in HRD in order to resolve the HRD ministry statement quoted injured several students including mind. issue, constituted a 3-member Nishank as saying. However, JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh committee comprising former JNUSU is not convinced, \"The and Prof Suchita Sen besides Four states account for 68% of children studying UGC chairperson V S Chauhan, JNU admin has stated that utility damaging hostel property and under section 12 (1)(c)- RTE: Report AICTE chairperson Anil & service charges are not being other things. The attack is under Sahasrabudhe and UGC charged during the current police investigation for a nation- In the tenth year of its existence, the Right of Children to Free and secretary Rajnish Jain as registration for 2020 winter wide outrage over security breach Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009, has seen an impressive growth of members to resolve the crisis. semester. Such wording makes it and police inaction. 19% increase by year over year in admission since 2015-16 according to The committee met the stake- seem that these charges will be Indus Action's annual report The Bright Spots 2019. Also, four states of holders on Dec 10 & 11 and added later in the semester or in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu together admitted 40 based on its recommendations, the next semester, rather than lakh children under section 12 (1)(c), which is 68% of all children admitted in the cuntry under the clause of 25% reservation for EWS and challenged Contd from P1 children in private schools. There is growing awareness and demand within Indian society, to have not Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo quits just access to education, but to also have access to high quality education. The rationale behind the inclusion of this Section in the RTE Act was that the allegations and said the called authoritarian and earlier. inequitable and disparate schooling reinforces existing economic and social unconstitutional conduct. They Notwithstanding the technicalities hierarchies and promotes an indifference towards the plight of others in commission never gave him its celebrated his resignation. behind the resignation, the fact is society. Despite the slow start, the RTE act finally witnessed an important In later developments as per a that soon after AU became a landmark impact of yearly increase in children admitted under Section report. “Let the NCW prove the statement issued by the ministry central university in 2005, in no 12(1)(c). The report also highlights that only 17 states and Union Territories of HRD, “The President of India time it turned into a battle ground are admitting children as per Annual Work Plan and Budget of the States and charges before the CBI, let them in his capacity as the Visitor of the where caste, prejudice and Union Territories (AWP&B 2019-20). University of Allahabad has been corruption had penetrated to such prove them before the High pleased to accept the resignation an extent that a big bunch of Adani-KISS Residential School at Bankishole of Prof. R. L. Hangloo with brilliant teachers also were inaugurated Court,” he said. immediate effect.” The VC had rendered incapable in performing The teaching faculty and staff at tendered his resignation vide his their duty. Prof A.K.Singh was Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Adani-KISS Allahabad University and several letter dated 31.12.2019 from his forced to resign. Now, the same Residential School at Bankishole, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha on 8th colleges rallied behind VC post on personal grounds. mafia has taken on Prof R L January 2020. Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation; Karan Adani, Hangloo and registered protests An enquiry into the allegations of Hangloo, who showed some spine Chief Executive Officer & Director, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone demanding that his resignation financial, academic and and also brought some welcome Ltd. and Dr. Achyutananda Samanta, Founder, Kalinga Institute of Social shouldn't be accepted. administrative irregularities reforms. Allahabad University is Sciences (KISS) and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) were Many experts also feel that the including the recommendations an institution that holds an present. latest action in which NCW report contained in their Interim Report immense potential not only to Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “Empowerment and change can is cited as a reason behind making No. 8/18115/2019/NCW/RD/DS transform the regional landscape Prof Hangloo resign is a of the National Commission for and people but become an only be possible through education.” He thanked Adani Group and KISS hogwash, the actual reason is the Women regarding alleged epicenter of reengineering Management for setting up theAdani-KISS Residential School at Baripada. political pressure that was always misconduct against Prof. Rattan education. Only if powers to be In his welcome address Dr.Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KISS, said, “28 years on him. As an upright Lal Hangloo, Vice-Chancellor, realize this and understand the back KISS took initiatives to include the tribal community in the mainstream administrator instead of giving in University of Allahabad has also immense value of higher of the society through education, which has been proved successful today. It or compromising his integrity, been ordered. education towards such a change. is not important for KISS that, 60,000 students are getting an education; it is earlier he had sent three volumes The senior most Professor of the stage. Competition will be more important that, it has created awareness among more than 60 lakh tribal of replies with explanations and University shall perform the conducted across 28 states and 9 students of Odisha and other states of India,” he added. evidence on his side to a series of duties of the office of Vice Union Territories and the winners Dr. Samanta said, “Many tribal organizations and intellectuals had requested complaints made against him to Chancellor of University of will get a chance to compete at to me many a time to open a branch in Mayurbhanj district for ministry of HRD. His taking the Allahabad till the regular Vice WorldSkills International underprivileged and poor tribal children. Today, their request has been bull by horns won him a lot of Chancellor is appointed or until Competition Shanghai 2021 fulfilled. In the first phase, 1500 students of Mayurbhanj district will be support from the silent majority in further orders, whichever is enrolled from standard I to XII. The students that pass standard XII from the university who earlier looked Adani-KISS can pursue their higher education in KISS Deemed to be helpless, but at the same time, ...ASSOCHAM Education Budget Expectation University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.” It has also been decided by KISS, that earned him more enemies as well. only the candidates from Mayurbhanj will get employment inAdani-KISS. Col Hitesh Love (retd) who Make education loans more affordable by reduction of interest rate from Adani-KISS Residential School is fully equipped with all modern facilities. served as a registrar at the AU, 12% to 5% and increase in repayment tenure from 5 to 10 years. A It is established on 50 acres of land with the complete financial support of was investigated by a committee scheme of the same magnitude like Ayushman Bharat should be Adani Foundation. appointed by VC Hangloo and designed for Education for All. Raise income tax deductions for the eventually in July 2018, his industry under section 80G for donations made for education from the services were ended for charges current 50% to 100% to incentivize education oriented donations. of corruption and other Foundations established by the industry and running their own irregularities. He has since educational institutions should also be extended this benefit to allow for contested his removal in the greater fund availability that can be utilized for quality building. A court. It is said that NCW chair is special tax regime for teachers, professors and researchers will help close to this person and she was incentivize the profession and attract individuals who have a genuine always on look out for an aptitude towards teaching. Offering more technology-enabled higher opportunity to take on Hangloo. education and more platforms for digital delivery of education.Re- Richa Singh, a former student structuring of the course curriculum in higher education institutions to union leader and a scholar close to facilitate multi-disciplinary and research-oriented learning.” Samajwadi Party, too has an old grudge against Hangloo and the AUSU used the recent sexual harassment complaint to up its ante against him and held a campus protest against his so

4 Curriculum January 16, 2020 Useful News NEWS YOU CAN USE IGNOU Launches Diploma in Modern Registrations ACET at Finance, with a couple of verticals. NAL targets to have Office Practice (DMOP) Institute of Actuaries of India courses in the top 10 list. 100 plus leading education To become a student Member of Besides these subjects learners institutions and BFSI IGNOU's School of Vocational Education & Training (SOVET) has IAI, one needs to first clear the also looked to enhance organisations as part of the launched Diploma in Modern Office Practice (DMOP). The DMOP ACET (Actuarial Common operational expertise and upskill community during the initial programme has combined conventional practices of Secretaries and Entrance Test) conducted by the with courses like 'Excel Skills period. Office Assistant's job with computer aided management techniques. IAI, which is computer based for Business', 'Successful Secretaries and Office Assistants play an important and versatile role objective test available to Negotiation' and 'Design ACCA qualification at ISBF in the modern office environment.. The programme will generate students after passing 10+2 Thinking for Innovation'. competent and skilled personnel at the entry level in any sector of examinations. Once the student in less time employment. clears the ACET, he / she can Pearl Academy adds After completing the programme, the learner would be able to start taking actuarial Coursera courseware Indian School of Business & develop competency in Communication Skills, develop proficiency in examinations at his / her own Finance, has received a large Stenographic Skills, Develop competency in handling office pace. Examinations are held Fashion and design education number of exemptions for its machines, Understand how to manage Office records, filing & twice a year by IAI. For more provider, Pearl Academy has BSc (Hons) Accounting and indexing, office management methods & practices and inventory details, one can logon to entered into an academic Finance students, from the control etc www.actuariesindia.org collaboration with Coursera to Association of Chartered IELTS reappointed as a help its students get a broader Certified Accountants (ACCA) 5th Edition of 'Start-O-Sphere' on Feb 1-2 language test by the UK perspective of the design with respect to the examinations government for visas industry, providing them access required to be passed in order to The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) is UK Visas and Immigration to 3600 + top quality courses become ACCA qualified. set to organize the 5th edition of its annual national entrepreneurship (UKVI) announced IELTS will created by 200 of the world's Of the 13 examinations required summit 'Start-O-Sphere' from 1-2 February, 2020, at the institute's continue to be accepted for UK most renowned universities and to become ACCA qualified, campus. The event is one of the most biggest meet-ups of start-ups visas that require applicants to other industry partners. students of ISBF's BSc (Hons) and investors in South India aimed at supporting start-up founders by demonstrate their English. With Coursera's modular Accounting and Finance providing networking, mentorship, and fundraising opportunity. Following a tender process, learning approach, Pearl programme – which is offered Start-O-Sphere is a National Entrepreneurship Summit of IIM IELTS was reappointed as an Academy's students will be able under the aegis of University of Kozhikode powered by Students' E-Cell and supported by IIMK official test provider for visas to hone and strengthen their London and receives all LIVE, a business incubator of the institute. The summit will see a host required as part of UK fundamentals and problem- academic direction from the of activities ranging from a Startup & Investors connect where immigration applications. solving skills making, them London School of Economics – investors share what they see while investing to mega-events like Christine Nuttall, Managing industry-ready and providing have been granted 8 exemptions. Start-Up Fair in which only selected 40 startups from across India are Director IELTS at Cambridge better employment This enables ISBF students to invited to IIMK Campus to setup Stalls and present their idea to the Assessment English, welcomed opportunities. Beside Design- start appearing for the remaining investors and IIMK community. Followed by Pitchers in which the the announcement. “We have a centric courses, the students will five ACCA exams after top startups shortlisted by Investors during startup fair get a chance to proven track record of also get access to courses on completing just their first year of pitch, negotiate, and get funded. Furthermore, events like Bouncer delivering IELTS for UKVI Artificial Intelligence (AI) and undergraduate study. extend an opportunity to the budding entrepreneurs to bounce their with our world-leading security Sustainability, helping them gain This gives them an excellent idea/business model to 'industry gurus' and seasoned IIMK professors processes,” Ms Nuttall said. knowledge on aspects that will opportunity to become ACCA and thus refine their approach. closely determine the future of qualified by the time they AI emerging as a major design and design applications. graduate at age 21 years with the EIL, the Minimalist Entrepreneurship student preference on Nandita Abraham, President, University of London degree. In Coursera Pearl Academy, said, “Our contrast, the average qualifying Programme admission opens collaboration with Coursera age for a professional accountant Even as AI emerges a key skill opens up limitless opportunities is 25 years globally. Aside from Ecole Intuit Lab, a renowned French educational institute of graphic set for business, learners still for our students and use it to becoming ACCA qualified in less design, strategy, digital creation and visual communication has focused on core subjects. their maximum advantage. As than half the time required by partnered with The Minimalist, a creative solutions group based in According to a Deloitte India creative and non-creative fields other students, ISBF students can Mumbai for spearheading a one-of-its-kind entrepreneurship report, leveraging AI to its full merge, education cannot be also utilise the exemptions to programme for those with a creative bent of mind in the field of potential will sustain compartmentalized, and hence, qualify at less than half the cost fashion, architecture, lifestyle, hospitality, design, music, art and organizations in the long run platforms such as Coursera incurred by others. culture, fine arts and much more, because world is their oyster. and will deliver better business become extremely significant in This 9-month programme commencing in March 2020 is especially outcomes. As a result, a large helping us deliver a great IISM launches course for aimed at creative professionals, start-ups, and current aspiring number of learners are gearing learning experience.” working professionals entrepreneurs to aid them in gaining valuable insights into ideal up for the future and insuring International Institute of Sports entrepreneurship business practices. They will explore an their jobs by focusing on new NSE launches NSE Management (IISM) has entrepreneurial attitude, embracing risk in a way that allows them to age skills for business – the Knowledge Hub announced the IISM Edge be flexible and learn from rapidly changing situations. foremost being AI. This is one program to develop leadership Clément Derock, Co- founder, Ecole Intuit.lab added, “It is a part of of the primary reasons why NSE Academy Limited (NAL), skills and teach the professionals our school's core DNA to help students convert their talents into there was a significant rise in a wholly owned subsidiary of the 'Art of Losing' and dealing flourishing careers. Our UG and PG programmes nurture that the number of learners enrolling the National Stock Exchange of with failure and also equip them professional mindset and therefore starting the entrepreneurship in AI related courses on the India Ltd (NSE) has launched with the necessary skills. programme was an obvious choice to hand hold young entrepreneurs Coursera platform in 2019. The NSE Knowledge Hub, a The duration of the course is 9 to take the next step. This programme will help aspiring entrepreneurs Based on a detailed analysis of unique Artificial Intelligence months and the classes will be to have a new-age creative approach to overcome the challenges of the 45 million global learners on (AI) powered learning eco- conducted in 7-hour sessions on this dynamic world. The cross-disciplinary approach and robust the Coursera platform (5 million system to assist the BFSI sector weekends. The Edge will Delve methodologies will not only support start-ups and aspiring in India), AI came out as the in enhancing skills for their into topics such as Critical entrepreneurs to upgrade their skills but will also rewrite their creative most demanded subject with 'AI employees and helping Thinking, Science of Data-Driven thought processes, assisting them in achieving their business goals. for Everyone' making it to the academic institutions in Decision Making/ Data to Through this programme, we are certain of empowering them to top of 2019's list of the 10 most preparing future ready talent Decision, Persuasion and become true innovators and creative visionaries.” popular Business courses on the skilled for the financial services influence, Active and Passive Those interested in registering from the programme will be required Coursera platform in India. industry. Piyush Goyal, Minister Listening, Conflict Management, to draft and send a 350-500 words letter of purpose as well as undergo That said, while technologies of Commerce and Industries; How to handle a difficult a personal interview with the senior management from Ecole Intuit like Blockchain, Big Data, Minister of Railways situation, Time & Stress Lab and The Minimalist. Admissions open on 13th January, 2020 Machine Learning, Cloud inaugurated the hub. Management, Body Language, computing etc. are becoming The NSE Knowledge Hub shall Planning and delivery, increasingly important for identify and designate Subject Negotiations and Leadership, etc. businesses, learners in India are Matter Experts (SMEs), still focused on honing what can Curators and Trainers who will be considered the core Business do the last mile curation of skills. Courses on Marketing machine curated content thus like Digital Marketing, allowing knowledge to be easily Customer and Marketing captured and shared among the Analytics and even Introduction community using an industry to Marketing rank among the first video live streaming top 10 most popular Business capability & ability to create courses on the Coursera individualised learning platform in India. Another major pathways. The NSE Knowledge business skill that learners in Hub will provide a scientifically India seem to focus on, is structured learner journey to suit every requirement across all

Curriculum January 16, 2020 7 School special/ India Skills NWAC hosted COBSE Conference on De-Stressing Public registry for all skilling information Examinations, several insights shared launched With the aim of creating COBSE & Chairman, Nagaland said, Dr Bohling. Towards ensuring greater accessibility of information to those who need it strong strategies and Board of School Education and The Northwest Accreditation the most, the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill roadmaps to make Professor Siddharth Pandey, Commission (NWAC) is one of the Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched a public registry school examinations less Chairman Organising Committee oldest and most prestigious with all relevant skilling information. These newly created digitally- stressful Northwest (IIT Mains 2020) were among the accrediting agencies formed in accessible registries, created by DGT, will act as a single source of Accreditation Commission, USA prominent speakers who engaged 1917, through a bill passed by the information of all skilling resources being provided by the government and (NWAC) hosted a conference the eminent gathering. Federal Government of The allied private enterprise. This includes information on training centres, 'De-stressing Examination' in In his inaugural address, Chief United States of America. It is courses, teachers, and students in the ecosystem. The aim is to provide partnership with the Council of Guest Dr. Ved Prakash said, “The now one of the 3 accrediting accurate information to potential students, trainers and employers on the Boards of School Education in biggest challenge in front of divisions of AdvancED, which is courses being offered by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the like. India (COBSE), in New Delhi educators today is to come up with the largest accrediting agency in Through these new electronic registries, third party organizations can easily recently. The conference was a curriculum that has a futuristic the world with over 40,000 access the skilling information through Application Programming Interfaces inaugurated by Professor Ved orientation. The education boards accredited schools in 75 plus (APIs). The new applications enable easier dissemination of detailed Prakash, Ex-Chairman, UGC. do not only have the responsibility countries. information on the training centres, courses along with the contact details of The event gave special focus on of certifying students but they Northwest Accreditation the concerned authorities. The information will be made available in 'De-Stressing Examination' on also, have the responsibility to Commission has a Regional Office different languages for easy access and a link has been created for registry on the lines of Draft National prepare the children for tomor- in India. The Regional Office Bharat skills, a central repository for skills providing curriculum, course Education Policy 2019. row's world.” Education that is supports schools in preparation for information and other relevant material like question banks and mock tests. Vineet Joshi, Director General of being provided today is going to securing AdvancED accreditation On the launch of the initiative, Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Secretary DGT National Testing Agency (NTA) impact the future, a future that is and also affiliates schools to offer and Chair of DGT IT Sub-committee, said \"We have created these registries also attended the conference as a not known to anyone. “Students the American school-level with machine readable data and open APIs to allow other organisations to special guest of honor and spoke must not be educated on age-old program known as the NWAC also play a part in disseminating this information. Moreover, these about the importance of patterns rather they should be American High School Program. organisations will be able to return feedback on the data, allowing us to coordination among all the made future-ready,” added Dr Ved “Examination stress is a global crowdsource verification of data.\" boards and NTA, to enable Prakash phenomenon, the need is to shift Additionally, DGT has introduced digitally signed PDF certificates for all proper verification of students at Dr. Annette Bohling explained the from the examination of learning ITI students. Electronic Skill Credential Standard (ESCS) with JSON-LD the application stage of exams organizational structure of Cognia to examination for learning,” digitally signed certificates will prevent tampering and fraud. Most conducted by NTA. The which owns NWAC. In her added Dr. Bohling. importantly, these certificates are digitally authenticated and verified by the conference was attended by more presentation, she went on to Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller reviewer. than 100 representatives from explain the need and process of of Examinations, CBSE gave a across India, USA, Nepal, and accreditation for higher education. detailed presentation on the way FEDCO Power Centre of Excellence to skill Bhutan. The delegates at the “Student test results are the CBSE is bringing about a change conference represented national outcome but while accreditation in the evaluation and examination power sector workforce and state boards. Dr. Kem we look at teaching process, process to reduce the stress. Hussain, Senior Vice President, economic value and how & what Taking its learning and development initiative to the national level, Feedback NWAC (Cognia), Dr. Annette the child is learning. About 50% of Energy Distribution Company (FEDCO) announced the launch of FEDCO Bohling, Chief Certification the students are not engaged in Power Centre of Excellence, which will offer skill development programme Officer, NWAC (Cognia), Mrs learning and around 90% of the for the power industry. Asano Sekhose, President students don't use technology,” FEDCO Power Centre of Excellence will offer a technical and soft skills training programme to existing professionals and interested students so that Fit India School Rating—a new recognition to they can meet the power sector's expectations. FEDCO also announced that it has tied-up with Power Sector Skill Council flaunt school's fitness & sports apparatus (PSSC), which aims to create a credible and effective mechanism--with the support of relevant and interested stakeholders--for managing the task of The Ministry of Youth Affair and As per a CBSE circular, FIT Fit India Three – Star School – skill development across the country for meeting the current and future skills Sports, having responded to INDIA is going to be included for Parameters – The following needs of the power industry. Prime Minister's call for a 'Fit the Prime Minister's Award also additional parameters would “FEDCO's contribution to the Skill Development Program on an all India India Movement' has launched Fit and it is likely that the Fit India 5- apply: basis has been further boosted by the signing of this Agreement. Through this India School Rating for schools to Star Schools would be felicitated All teachers to be Physically Fit partnership, power sector professionals and interested students are expected integrate Fitness as an essential during the Republic Day and and spending 60 minutes or more to be trained on a regular basis for skill enhancement and better employment part of School Education. The Independence Day functions at everyday for physical activities opportunities,” said Devtosh Chaturvedi, Managing Director, FEDCO. level of Fit India School Rating respective State level. School has at least two trained FEDCO Power Centre of Excellence will align the curriculum and will depend on how much Fit India School – Parameters Teachers (including one PET), and courseware to the qualification packs and the national occupational importance the school gives for Having one Teacher trained in PE, each well versed with at least two standards for each trade as set by the Power Sector Skill Council. inculcating Fitness among its and such teacher is Physically Fit sports. As a training provider, FEDCO Power Centre of Excellence--under the students and teachers in addition and active Sports facilities for four sports provisions of National Skill Development Council and PSSC schemes of to the facilities available for Having a playground where two including the two outdoor sports Government of India--being implemented by NSDC through PSSC--shall Fitness Activities. As such a few or more outdoor games can be Every student learns and plays two abide by all the provisions and compliances. simple parameters have been played sports – one of which could be a designed for this purpose. Having one PE period each day traditional/indigenous/local gam Masai School launches online coding There are two ratings—3 Star and for every class and physical Five – Star School – Parameters 5 Star, which the schools can take activities (sports, Dance, Games, :- Masai School, Mumbai, India's first Military style coding school, announced for themselves depending on the and Yoga, etc.) take place during School conducts monthly Intra- the launch of its first online coding program, primarily targeted towards their fulfilling the criteria. For the class school sports competitions, giving a head start for women beginning the second innings of their career. FIT INDIA SCHOOL Rating, the Having all students spending participates in Inter-school Sports This part time evening course focuses on building a strong foundation in school would certify itself and minimum 60 minutes or more on Competition and celebrates backend software development and computer science. The course is open to will register online at physical activities daily Annual Sports Day all working professionals and registration for the same can be done on the ww.fitindia.gov.in. All teachers are trained in PE. Masai School website. School has two or more sports The course consists of 600 hours of coding, 30 hours of Soft Skills and 60 On registration, an online Coaches. These may be PE hours of building mathematical abilities in the time period of 30 weeks. Certificate would be issued to the teachers Along with this, the course also brings 24 Guest Lectures, 2 Demo Days, 2 School recognizing it with the School follows structured PE Hackathons, 10 Projects, 50 Challenges and 5 Mock interviews. permission to use Fit India Logo Curriculum prescribed by Masai School introduced this online coding program with the aim to help and Fit India Flag. For FIT NCERT/ Board working professionals upskill and strengthen their profile to enhance career INDIA 3-Star or 5-Star Rating the School conducts Annual Fitness growth. Prateek Shukla, Co-founder and CEO, Masai School, said, \"Coding school would have to apply online Assessment of all children. is soon going to be the world's second language. With the rapid evolution of at www.fitindia.gov.in. The Fit School opens its playground(s) technology, this will also create a demand for professionals with specific India Mission would verify the after school hours for neighboring skills. These are clear indicators that professionals need to upskill to avoid claim and thereafter will issue an communities for its active use getting redundant. Through Masai School's backend developer program, our online Certificate and (Reasonable fee can be levied for aim is to help working professionals FastTrack their career graphs.” Commendation Letter. The hard maintenance and security) copy of the Certificate and Letter would be sent by post.

3 Curriculum January 16, 2020 Special Feature Story TRUTH VS HYPE MLAs erupted and with this she along School Education success story of AAP-led Delhi Govt with eight other advisors were sacked as no prior permission for creating Ever since Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won a massive mandate to run the Delhi state government in February these posts had been sought . According to Sisodia, infrastructure is 2015, its education reforms program to turn around the 'failed' school education system in the national capital the basic foundation on which the education system is based. “A broken state of Delhi has earned both praise and criticism not just nationally but globally. A step further in this buzz, down classroom often translates into broken self-esteem. So, we have put a AAP, is making education as a developmental as well political issue at a time when most parties don't concede lot of emphasis on building new classrooms, improve maintenance of that role for education writesAutar Nehru existing infrastructure and upgrade of available facilities including Aam Aadmi Party, which coming up all these years and over every important decision education. Budget largesse, classroom libraries and laboratories,” came into existence in contributing to a cut throat became a full blown fight from improving school infrastructure he adds. Accordingly, till March 2019 the backdrop of competition to get admission CM Kejriwal staging a dharna at and pedagogical interventions in 21 new school buildings were Gandhian social activist Anna among parents. So did a wide LG residence upto the Supreme government schools and enforcing constructed with modern facilities and Hazare's abortive anti- perception of corruption like Court of India deciding on it, the existing rules over defiant private 11000 equivalent new classrooms corruption crusade of 2012 and capitation fee and other unlawful legislative reforms lost steam and schools began weaving an added in the last four years. However, stormed to power in Delhi state practices by private schools. sight. “Modi government has been optimistic narrative that fixation of empowering school heads and in February 2015 with a Nursery admission assumed a anti education and enemy of government schools is possible in principals to hire an estate manager on sweeping majority (67/70 sort of crony capitalism children of Delhi. We amended the country. contractual basis to look after the seats), has to a large extent reputation as every time the Delhi School Act for bringing in Today, government schools in school campus and liaisoning work, delivered on its school norms were being tweaked and it transparency, accountability and Delhi are markedly different from provision of security guards, education promise with several became an annual battle between reform in private schools, central what these were four years ago outsourcing and monitoring of reform measures including school lobbies and others until a government stalled that. We made when AAP government took over. cleanliness of toilets and hygiene are progressively increasing overall few years ago. a policy for budget schools and Vastly improved infrastructure some of the innovations that have budget allocation to 25% level On the other hand, like rest of submitted it, again, nothing includes newly constructed 11000 attracted a lot of admiration and in the last four years. However, India, government school system happened. It didn't recruit classrooms, clean and functional attention. Now school principals have as admitted by the deputy chief continued to crumble and in teachers. With land under DDA, toilets, libraries, new sitting more time to devote to school minister, Manish Sisodia, the peoples' perception about these we are finding it difficult to get benches for children, and smart development and leadership. “Gone man behind the inception and overcrowded schools touched land for more schools and that is classes. More than this, a visible are those days when the image of bent administration of AAP bottom low with most of the vast why we have made full statehood change that has set people from fan blades in classroom, broken tubes government's education reforms number of children in these a plank,” says Sisodia. within the government school lights and seepage stained walls, made as its education minister, it is schools coming from low income Anti-establishment lawyer- system and outside talking about up your image of a typical government still a long way to go before and poor families. As elsewhere activist Ashok Agarwal, who this change both as a new hope for school. Now not only children but Delhi's school system is fixed to fill in the vacuum and fulfill started his crusade in 1997 against government school system turn their parents and locality people also and declared a successful growing parental aspirations, BJP state government and then around as well as genuine criticism feel proud of their school place. model. hundreds of small and medium Congress, however says AAP is of how this is being done. Proper fittings, repair and sprucing The national capital state of private schools with English as more dangerous as it has damaged According to Shailendra Sharma, has given schools a completely new Delhi in several ways is a medium of instruction also are the fundamentals of education, the Principal Advisor to Director look,” tells Shaildendra Sharma. miniature India. A cosmopolitan currently dotting the school repercussions of which will be felt Education at Directorate of The next big initiative, teacher city of many centuries and space. in coming years. “Even I had Education, there are four main enrichment started with a hunt for importantly the political nerve So, the task for AAP government supported it and joined thinking areas where Delhi government has mentor teacher within the existing centre of 1.3 billion Indians, was cut out on two counts. One to some good work can be done, but intervened to change government pool of teachers in 2016. After internal Delhi has had always a purge private schools of soon realized it is just a NGO schools—physical infrastructure, consultations, government invited cascading effect on national malpractices and two to brand, these people don't know teacher training, community applications from teachers and in all scenario in every sense of word revitalize government schools, nuances of government and like a linkages through empowered about 1200 applied. After shorting from social, economical, both hugely popular typical NGO want a mess to host school management committees listing by a panel of DIET experts cultural and political. As such constituencies. Expectedly, the their hyped events,” he adds. (SMCs) and learning improvement through group discussions and other seat of power in Delhi has new government began on both Notwithstanding its confrontation interventions. Sharma, himself a techniques, about 200 teachers were provided AAP an opportunity as these fronts. In November 2015, with the centre, AAP government product of this change was finally chosen. These selected a lab to experiment its brand of it introduced three bills to amend continued to explore possibilities programme director and head of teachers were initially sent to Hapur politics that is to politically The Delhi Education Act, 1973, under its ambit and apparently not operations Delhi at Pratham for a residential camp so as to interact forward the agenda of 'unheard which governs schools in Delhi to lose its promised focus on Education Foundation before he among themselves and also prepare and unseen' of common man. along with Right to Education was picked up in 2015 by Atishi for the new role. Now part of Delhi's share of history, legacy Act. The bills were passed in the Marlena Singh, the then advisor to Academic Research Group of the and years of progress is a assembly but the political rival deputy chief minister, Manish directorate of education, each of these representative of both what is BJP-led central government Sisodia who also holds the teachers was mentored and trained good and bad that makes up which exercises control over education portfolio, to help in the further by SCERT and DIET experts in India. Therefore, no wonder, its legislative and governance reforms process. Atishi, the chief workshops. These have been given education landscape on one matters in special state of Delhi, architect of reforms intervention in exposure at national and international hand has some of the best on a technical procedure after education who is an alumnus of St level (went to a 5 day course on surviving British era keeping the bills in abeyance for Stephens College Delhi and mentoring at National Institute of educational institutions and on long finally rejected them. Oxford University, as also a Education (NIE) Singapore) to the other pathetic municipal As the confrontation over stalling Rhodes Scholar in educational augment their skills of observation, primary schools lacking even of bills and administrative turf research, was however sacked in facilitation, content understanding the basic amenities. In between differences between the central April 2018 by the Union Ministry and pedagogical skills. Each mentor these extremes is a mosaic of all government reprehensive of Home Affairs after office of teacher has been assigned 5-6 schools shades from excellent to very lieutenant governor virtually profit controversy involving 20 where he or she visits twice a month to bad, which again is reflective of interact with teachers, principal and the diversity in country's school coordinators. “It is not a kind of education system. There are inspection or assessment but a 5800 schools running in Delhi of conversation about challenges faced which 1024 are Delhi teachers by that school. We discuss, government schools. The rest try to find solution and it is all a shared are shared among aided and discussion and perspectives,” says unaided private schools, schools Kamini Joshi, a mentor teacher. Each under four municipal school now has a teacher development corporations (New Delhi, North coordinator, a happiness curriculum Delhi, East Delhi, and South coordinator and a primary Delhi) and Delhi Cantonment coordinator. Board. The first work done by this cohort of Delhi being the power centre is teachers along with local school naturally home to a sizeable teachers was assessment of reading influential class and combine it and arithmetic ability among upper with the growing high and primary students, which became later middle income class, the the basis for controversial division of aspiration for a good quality classes into pratibha (able to read) and education has had an effect all nishta (non readers) sections along. The result, a number of discussed ahead in this report. good quality private schools For school leaders similarly a meeting these aspiration levels principal development program was

Curriculum January 16, 2020 4 Special Feature Story School Education success story of AAP-led Delhi Govt undertaken primarily to increase was to look at ways to improve supporter of CCE and RTE, of its teachers are guest teachers. discouraging private schools and sense of ownership and learning outcomes. In the people like her had very high These are the ones of whom 77.5% dismissing their role in education responsibility amongst them preliminary assessment of class hopes from AAP government but failed to secure the minimum score which hold 30-40% of state's children and develop their schools as 6-8, it was found that a majority this turned to be more of a hype in Delhi SSB examination. They on their rolls, is detrimental for overall centres of learning. For this a of students couldn't read simple and branding exercise for have deprived children of regular education quality in the state. cluster of 10 school principals text or solve a simple arithmetic electoral gains than good spirited teaches and as such quality of “Interferences in day today matters is each was devised and such 100 division. “The situation was a reform. “We are completely education hasn't improved but gone irritating. While I agree some schools clusters covering all schools complex one. These students had disillusioned with the regressive down,” he adds. Agarwal also may be erring or bad but to paint all were told to hold regular to be taught prescribed structured measures that this government has questions AAP government's schools with the same brush is bad for monthly interactions around syllabus which teachers were taken in the name of transforming wisdom of adding NIOS centre at our autonomy. We have no objections school development etc. 500 finding difficult and problematic. the system,” she adds. Her the top and school of excellence at with regulations but it must not be principals so far have been sent No detention policy under RTE objections span from segregation the bottom thereby adding to same as having a bureaucratic control. to attend leadership sessions at Act made the situation tighter for of children in classes to lack of discriminatory public school With no fee hike allowed, our teacher IIM Ahmedabad and IIM teachers. So, we decided to trust in teachers, technological system instead of paying attention dissatisfaction has increased as there Lucknow. About 102 schools reduce the syllabus for these surveillance and as she says quasi- to all schools. is a sense of deprivation and heart heads have also attended a 12- students, bring in some privatization at the instance of Agarwal lambasts AAP burn. Once Delhi topped the national day school educational program supplementary reading material some big NGOs. According to her government for its efforts of educational index but with populism at Cambridge University to (pragati series aligned with as also advocated by Prof Krishna depriving children of education and vote bank politics, we are losing understand international topics of prescribed NCERT Kumar, former director NCERT, from other states and children of that status,” he adds. practices and another 22 went to textbooks) to make them pick surveillance is a recipe for migrant laborers as against the Sisodia's bluntly dismisses these talks Finland for similar experience. reading and kept them in separate destroying pedagogic ingenuity spirit of Supreme Court ruling as according to him private schools section,” says Sharma. and imagination which depend on extending education facilities to will not be allowed to works as shops. Ac c o r d i n g t o A j a y Accordingly initially the classes a sense of freedom and autonomy. every citizen of the country in “Under the law, education is not Choubey, principal of were divided into Pratibha, “A tightly structured, heavily Delhi. “I am convinced they have profitable or saleable product and as RPVV, Hari Nagar, Nitshta and Neo-Nihsta (these technologised environment damaged he fabric of Delhi by long as it is like so, we as a who went to Cambridge under were those who couldn't even cannot promote the intellectual voter and non-voter segregation government will enforce it,” he says this leadership augmentation recognize alphabets properly). and emotional qualities education and hadn't been for court while adding that private school program, these kind of programs Now Neo-nishta has been is supposed to nourish…A tightly intervention, they were on job of lobbies are taking court route to stall do broaden outlook as the dropped. structured, heavily technologised using surveys to throw non-voters compliances of rules on one pretext or insights by observing cultural Chunauti 2018 was launched in environment cannot promote the out of schools. It should be a matter the other. differences and their system do June 2016 with the aim to bridge intellectual and emotional of pride if people come to seek One of the major grudges of private validate our own intervention the learning gaps of children and qualities education is supposed to education in your schools. Who in schools is that government is not and reforms principals take at were grouped into three sections nourish, “ wrote Krishan Kumar the world has an upper age limit for providing equivalent amount of their own level, “Confidence, on basis of their foundational in Education World … An admission? They have done it. recurring expenditure that much is exposure and meeting people is learning skills (ability to read and authority on pedagogy They are fooling children, parents spent by it in its own schools under learning and inspiring to do basic maths). Pass percentage interventions and textbooks and teachers—everybody and not EWS seats. The second issue is of innovate back home. As a result, in class 9 improved from 52% in herself, Prof Rampal feels 1000 acting on correcting nature of utilization of development lot of work is happening by way 2015-16 to 57% in 2017-18. schools is a small number in our fundamentals,” he adds. fund, which can be utilized for of workshops, discussion at In 2018, the government has also country and there is no reason to Responding to such criticism, furniture, fixtures and equipments clusters and people have started introduced Happiness celebrate. “It is a lot of hype Sisodia dismisses it as the only under Duggal Committee norms. thinking hard to better Curriculum and a daily created for a target audience. The romanticism of people who have Late fee, online filing of return are learning/teaching space.” mandatory period under it for policies and practices are understanding of schooling but not other contentious issues. The third major initiative in the students from classes 1 to 8. damaging and some violative of education. “Let them face the While government schools are reform process has been Students learn mindfulness, children rights. First they practicalities. Stand there for a experiencing a definite change with all community linkage. values and life issues in these segregated middle classes now it couple of hours and then say what stakeholders, children, teachers and Constitution of SMCs as per classes through storytelling, has been extended to secondary, you want. We are trying to make parents feeling having been owned up RTE Act was followed by discussion, participation and which is regressive and schools workable for children who by the system, it is too early to predict training of SMC members. exercises. This year, it is rolling unaceptable. SCERT is not are in the system. Didn't everybody which way the verdict is. Government Organization of SMC sabhas out entrepreneurship curriculum training but monitoring teachers accept government schools have school teachers are today happy at and a budget provision of Rs 5 to install a mindset of job creators even as a serious subject as failed and it is near impossible to opportunities that the system is lakh for each school. These than seekers among senior teacher training has been rescue it? How come earlier creating for their involvement as their empowered SMCs played a key secondary school students. trivialized with online modules intervention and such prescriptions minds have opened to best practices, role in organizing mega PTMs, However, apart from political etc. Today Delhi government that exist even then didn't work?” holistic perspectives and importantly reading melas (fairs) and opposition which can be schools are more as laboratories he questions. organized peer support. A visible streamlining of admission academically dismissed as for privatization,” she adds. Shailendra Sharma, who is peeved change as confirmed by Sisodia process and ensuring attendance politics, AAP government's list As quoted earlier Ashok Agarwal, at the frequent use of segregation of himself is through happiness of irregular students. “We of critics on these education illustrates it more clearly, “Five children in classrooms in schools curriculum, “There is a lot of positive publicized a specific day for reforms are among well known lakh children failed in classes 9-12 feels the concept of peer learning feedback about children become PTM and there were educationists. According to Prof all these four years and after court often cited as the natural and sensitive to things like asking mother instructions to welcome parents Anita Rampal, a physicist turned intervention, the government accepted way of pulling up not so if she has eaten and other inquiries and discuss positives of professor of education at Delhi readmitted one lakh. Where did good students to learning ladder about social issues.” children. This gesture really University and advisor cum the other four lakh children go? and grossly violated by segregation At the same time, fundamentals still made children feel good and member of several high power Out of system and spoiled. Then, policy of the government doesn't remain shaky with 21000 guest parents also opened up,” adds committees including on NCERT they didn't recruit even a single hold much scope here, “In peer teachers comprising 38% of teachers Sharma. text books besides a staunch teacher and by its admissions 38% learning everybody does bring in government schools, more than half The fourth aspect of this process something to table. But here the of tense schools functioning without situation is your peer has not to proper principals, and amendments to offer anything but bullying, Delhi School Education Act still disruptions or low self esteem.” looking remote. Accusation by critics The government, however, of turning school apparatus as vote addressed a big issue of EWS fetching tools and manufactured hype nursery admissions by making it to facilitate this is another area where online and through drawn of AAP is yet to offer satisfactory lottery. defense. But despite all this counter An important and to some extent narrative, politicization of education marginalized stakeholders in this as an electoral issue by AAP story are private schools, which appreciatiable for the same reason, it have been subjected a lot more will force political spectrum to join security and compliance all these force and recognize education as a real years. At the receiving end of development issue. public bashing as unholy commercial and black money making villains, most of these schools were not allowed to increase their fee for the last three years and made to comply with all sorts of rules and regulations. According to SK Bhattacharya, president of the Action Committee of unaided private schools

8 Curriculum January 16, 2020 VIEWS (Edit/Guest Column...) OPINION: Rising Violence and Unrest in the Country: Vilifying universities is Collective Responsibility Needed To Ensure Harmony a self-destructive mindset By Dr. Nitesh Dhawan, Public Servant and Author In what appears to be like reincarnation of the mindset behind bombing and demolition of The rising incidences of violence country. Huge responsibility lies on non-cooperation and non-violence Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, a group of in premier educational institu- their shoulders to take the nation have proved that peaceful protests are vigilantes, is out to destroy country's top university, tions and nationwide protests of forward in all the spheres. It is powerful ways to morally defy the JNU in public imagination and seek to undo a great students for various reasons have important for them to understand at other side, if one has the courage to national service it has been doing. JNU is the only raised serious questions regarding this juncture that such acts of standby with the truth. Similarly, the central university, in fact the only varsity, among top repercussions on social structure of intolerance and hatred would only youth of the nation could take eight Indian institutes in the 2019 National Institutional the country. India is known for its divide the country on sectarian lines. inspiration from the ideals of Swami Ranking Framework (NIRF). JNU is at the seventh spot values of peace and harmony implied In democratic traditions, it is not Vivekananda who called for youth and as a university at top. in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which in uncommon to express one's views awakening in nation building. Notwithstanding the notoriety it has recently attained in the recent times seem to have been and protest but the manner in which it The responsibility on the part of the public imagination, it is a place largely known for its hurt by extremism in both speech and is done holds lot of significance. government is to listen to the student rigorous scholarship, eminent faculty, versatile alumni, action. The social media has given a Once the demonstration becomes voices, even if they have differences and most importantly, for its vibrant democratic vent to such expressions of extreme violent, it loses its purpose the very with the views of government laws environment. opinions harming the social ambience moment. However, some institutions and policies. The dissenting opinions And when some people feel there is too much attention of the country. It's good to have strong have set an example of peaceful and beliefs should be accommodated on JNU and student unrest is not representative of views and beliefs but at the same time protests unlike many. in a mature democracy. This becomes campuses in general, they are surrendering to their fears public order and morality must be Political rivalries have become bitter much more significant in a heteroge- and ignorance. In fact, in most central universities, maintained as inherently imbibed in with every election stimulated by neous country like ours which has which are among the best India has, the student distress the right to freedom of expression greed of power. The opponents are diversity in every aspect of life. The and governance along with politicization and provided in the Constitution of India. behaving like enemies now. dialogue and debate should be the corruption—all is contributing to vitiated campus We use the word democracy very According to one estimate about 172 right way to find amicable solutions. environment and unease. The quality of education is often but fail to accommodate views political killings took place between The government should be flexible taking a hit as well. of dissent. The differences on range of 2001 and 2016. The recent example enough to hear from opposing In its eagerness and hurry to foist itself over campuses, issues have gone on far ahead crossing has been the political violence in sections of the society and try to certain ideological forces are seeing active universities threshold limits of human tolerance. West Bengal in the 2019 general mitigate their doubts and apprehen- as bastions to be conquered. In the process youth power The polarization on national issues is elections. The communal violence is sions on certain issues. The insecuri- and value system of our universities are being abused. giving way to hate and violence also on the rise with 622 communal ties and fear of people must be From Allahabad University to Aligarh Muslim damaging social harmony. Then who incidences in 2017 in which 111 attended to in an effective manner. University to Jadavpur University, the ideological would take the responsibility for such people lost their lives and 2,384 were The violence in the country also sends battles are playing over governance and real issues chaos? We can't expect this from injured. a message of internal disharmony to affecting higher education and aspirations of a youthful others, as being citizens of the country On the occasion, when we are the international community which nation. we should take responsibility first to remembering Gandhiji on his 150th creates repulsion to invest and trade Institutions are not built overnight, it takes decades and look at the larger picture and not birth anniversary, it is time to take a with. Also prospects of tourism get centuries and therefore organic growth and progressive instigate others for the sake of nation's leaf from the Gandhian ways of beating due to incongenial environ- mindset are enablers. In the digital age of individualism, peace and unity. protesting during the Indian national ment. The distrust starts to creep into if civilizational continuity and advancement as The ongoing anti-CAA and NRC movement for freedom. It is diplomatic relations. This hampers communities is to be sustained than universities must protests by youth of the country have noteworthy to recall and mention that economic and foreign relations with not be made battlefields but hubs of inclusive diversity polarized sections of the society. The Gandhiji revoked the non- other countries in the long run. In such and egalitarian order. brutal attack on students of JNU by cooperation movement, once it a scenario, it is high time that JNU is in 50th year of its establishment. On this masked goons has created an became violent during Chauri conscious efforts should be made to momentous milestone, this premier university has much atmosphere of fear in the educational Chaura incidence. Though many bring all the stakeholders to the table to celebrate and obviously every Indian must take pride institutions. The institutions of disagreed with it, it only goes to show and initiate a process of healthy in its academic, institutional and alumni achievements. academics are becoming battlefield of that the means decide the purity of discussions in order to restore peace It has bolstered the image of country manifold through political ideologies and nurturing end results. His ways of Satyagrah, and harmony. these achievements as also done us proud in projecting hatred, violence and animosity. The our ethos, unity in diversity, democratic values, student unions are playing in the CSIR partners to launch the Nature India Essay inclusive and multidisciplinary academic culture, high hands of their political masters. The end research, vibrant campus life. Above all as a show university administration and law and Competition 2020 piece and affordable public university its very presence order governance have let down the motivates even poor of the poorest young minds to people. The anarchy has become the The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nature dream of an opportunity in higher education. And, the order and peace is the causality. The Indiahave announced the Nature India essay competition 2020 to Indian state therefore must not only nourish this premier youth has become restless and provide young and experienced scientists, researchers and authors in India, national institution of higher learning but protect it with indulging into conflicts, disruption a platform to share ideas on how societally-impactful science can advance all might if a need arises. and acts of vengeance. The real issues and strengthen the country. However, what happened on the evening of January 5, like unemployment, education , The Nature India essay competition is open for readers aged 25 to 50. The was an antithesis of all this proud nationalist backdrop. economic slowdown, rising crimes essayists will have an opportunity to draft a compelling narrative with Goons armed with sticks, rocks, iron rods and other against women, inflation and personal anecdotes, emotion and a science-backed story that may become objects entering the campus and then indulging in a environmental challenges have taken potentially historic in helping shape the roadmap for India's scientific future. mayhem that continued unchallenged for a couple of a backseat. The essays should convey thoughts on the societal impact of science in India hours in the thick of dark is shameful. All this while, India proudly having a demographic in not more than 1000 words. The tone of the essays must be aspirational, despite 100s of SoS calls made to city police went dividend in the form of youth can't with emotions and story-telling. The essays should be reasoned, well- unheeded and a lame university administration provided afford to dissipate energies of young researched, forward-looking and supported by existing science. no timely support. Like a terrorist attack, the country population like this. Their potential The submitted essays will be judged by a panel of editors, scientists and was glued to a continuous coverage on TV news needs to be channelised into nation science communicators. The deadline for completed essays is midnight, channels and watching helplessly and citizens were left building activities and not in India time, on March 9, 2020. The winners will have their essays published in wondering if a government existed. at all destroying the social fabric of the the Nature India annual volume as well as the Nature India blog Indigenus. While there is some hope that an investigation ordered The top three essays will win a cash prize (Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs since will provide some answers to police inaction, yet 20,000 or equivalent), a three-year subscription to Nature, trophies and the horrifying bleeding images of students and certificates. teachers and the pubic outrage calls for a thorough overall and fixing responsibility. 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, Consulting Editors: Sudha Passi, M K Bhat, Ramanathan Iyer Circulation 37 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 011-28051642/22; 9868256512 Associates : Gurbinder Kaur, Akshay Sahu Business Development: Ashok Bhat, Vijay K Rajesh Kaul

Curriculum January 16, 2020 9 Spotlight UNICEF marks 70 years of partnership in India UNICEF in India on Dec 11 celebrated 70 years of service for children in the country (1949-2019), marking its partnership with the Government of India working to realise rights for every child everywhere in India. Towards Strengthening Accountability for Children - 5th National Juvenile Justice Consultation held at the Supreme Court last month focused on child care reform UNICEF began work in India on 10 May 1949 with just three staff The 5th National Roundtable on especially for children who are saying, “We can't emphasize members, providing equipment and technical assistance to set up of Effective Implementation of The under the care of institutions. enough the need to keep children India's first penicillin plant, at Pimpri. Juvenile Justice (Care and “Even the best institutions have a in families and avoid unnecessary Today, UNICEF staff work with partners providing technical Protection) Act, 2015, jointly shortfall on emotional quotient – separation. Families are the assistance and advocating for child rights and services from New organized by the Supreme Court love,” he said. fundamental unit of society and Delhi and in 16 States. UNICEF's work for children in India spans of India and UNICEF on Dec 18, Panelists also reiterated the the natural environment where policy and programmes related to nutrition, maternal and infant focussed on the need to respond to importance of monitoring tribal children can best acquire their full health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, and child protection, requirements of children without hostels and residential schools potential.” including support to children and families during natural disasters. parental care through Child Care which do not fall under the Children's vulnerability to UNICEF's approach is based on human rights with a focus on equality, Reform. The roundtable stressed purview of the Juvenile Justice violence increases when they are inclusion and support to those who are farthest behind. on the need to strengthen Act. Some representatives without parental care. Many In an open day on Dec 11, 2019 at the UNICEF India headquarters in alternative care such as foster highlighted the case of panelists reiterated the impor- New Delhi, more than 500 school children and university students led care, standards and monitoring of Muzaffarpur or Panvel shelter tance of addressing violence the celebrations participating in games and an interactive marketplace care in institutions, and prevention homes, where girls were allegedly against children. showcasing child rights and the work of UNICEF with partners across of family separation. sexually abused, as examples of Dr. Haque, emphasized, “We need the country. Children from the Nine is Mine child rights campaign India has a large number of the consequences of not raising to look at ways to socially and performed an original rap song based on the Convention on the Rights children in institutional care. In those standards. systemically prioritize prevention of the Child. the most recent study conducted Swetha, a 20-year old adolescent in all our work. This goes beyond Grammy Award winning Indian composer and music producer Ricky by the government more than girl who grew up in child care care reforms and should look at Kej, who is also a UNICEF celebrity advocate, launched a special 370,000 children were identified institutions and is now pursuing ensuring children live and thrive music video to mark the anniversary. Mr. Kej composed the lyrics of in 9,589 in child care institutions. her BSc in Mathematics, gave in protective environments free the 'Wake up! For Every Child' song through a crowd-sourcing activity The numbers are likely to be testimony of some of the from violence. Unfortunately, involving more than 40 child advocates from across India. higher, as not all institutions are challenges that she had faced media reports continue to remind registered. In recent years, India while transitioning into adult- us how much work needs to be “It is wonderful to open our doors to friends old and new today, has passed legislation and policies hood. She gave examples of the done. This requires us to work especially to school children as well as our former staff who dedicated recognizing the principle of consequences of the isolation with communities, faith leaders, so much of their lives to the cause of children in India, to our partners family responsibility and faced by children and adolescents opinion leaders, influencers, to in Government, civil society and our generous donors and develop- institutionalization as a measure who grow up in institutions, adopt community behaviors that ment partners,” said Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative of last resort. which impact their financial and nurture children, recognize the in India as she welcomed the guests. “The children here today remind Approximately 300 people other foundational skills. “Even value of girls, and are violence us all of our shared mission to ensure that every girl and every boy in participated in the conference, when the old bank notes were free.” India can survive, thrive and grow into responsible citizens.” including chairpersons and senior banned, some did not know that A study in 2018 identified as India continues to make important gains for children such as improv- members of the Juvenile Justice this had happened, and they did many as 1,575 victims of sexual ing child survival rates, lifting millions out of poverty, reducing child Committee of the Supreme Court not know what the new currency abuse of children in institutions marriage and ensuring more girls and boys are now in school than ever of India; High Court Juvenile notes looked like.” (1,286 girls and 286 boys). before. Yet much remains to be done. Justice Committees; Child Rights Panelists also emphasized the The Judiciary has been collabo- Commissions; Ministry of need to increase the number of rating with UNICEF in its efforts Today UNICEF is partnering with Government at national and state Women and Child Development children without parental care to build adequate structures and level in major national programmes to support child rights for (MWCD) other representatives of who can access alternative systems for the effective hundreds of millions of girls and boys across the country. the Government and NGOs from family-based care, such as foster implementation of the Juvenile UNICEF support includes to the Swachh Bharat Mission for water, across the country, as well as or kindship care arrangements. Justice Act at the National and sanitation and hygiene; and the critical nutrition work following the UNICEF. Odisha and Himachal Pradesh State levels. This year the focus ground-breaking first ever Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey At the roundtable consultation, States presented successful has been on alternative care, (CNNS) released this year; Intensified Mission Indradhanush, seeking Ravinder Panwar, Secretary, models in this regard. standards of care in institutions to lift immunization rates for children to 90 per cent. MWCD outlined key policy and Hon'ble Dr. D Y Chandrachud, and monitoring mechanisms with programme initiatives including Judge, Supreme Court of India a special focus on a standard FIVE KEY CONCLUSIONS OF THE CONSULTATION recent revisions affecting child shared a personal experience record-based management of protection services, and current which highlighted how personal information systems. First, the importance of increasing the focus on prevention of family efforts to develop standards for commitment of foster carers can There were five key conclusions separation, including by strengthening sponsorship and social foster care and sponsorship make remarkable changes to the of the Consultation. protection schemes, and also addressing violence against children. schemes. He also mentioned circumstances of neglected First, the importance of increas- Second, the need to standardize and bring to scale family-based strengthening legal provisions for children, especially girls. “In my ing the focus on prevention of models for children without parental care, including kinship models, new forms of violence including many years on the bench I have family separation, including by which are rooted in Indian generous culture and tradition. child pornography and online seen instances of grave depriva- strengthening sponsorship and Third, ensuring that all child care institutions are registered, and that child sexual abuse. tion where the system has failed social protection schemes, and there is a 'raise in the bar' in standards of care and services in institu- However, there was a recognition children who needed care and also addressing violence against tional care. that while India has made protection, I have also seen some children. Fourth, there was an agreement on the need to support adolescents significant progress in law and amazing examples of people who Second, the need to standardize under State care as they transition in adulthood. policy, challenges remain in have come to their rescue and and bring to scale family-based And finally, developing a child-centered national information implementation. given them the love and affection models for children without management system to follow up on children under alternative care. Justice Madan B. Lokur, Retired they yearned!” parental care, including kinship The conclusions are expected to inform the way forward and Judge, Supreme Court of India, There is global evidence that models, which are rooted in priorities for the Government, civil society and other stakeholders. highlighted the need for “focus on while the number of children in Indian generous culture and implementation of laws, on large scale institutions is tradition. monitoring and necessary follow- decreasing, the number of Third, ensuring that all child care up actions”. children separated from their institutions are registered, and Hon'ble. Mr. Justice Deepak families is increasing. Evidence that there is a 'raise in the bar' in Gupta, Judge Supreme Court of also indicates that it can be ten standards of care and services in India and Chair, Juvenile Justice times more cost-effective to institutional care. Committee, stressed the need to support parents with social Fourth, there was an agreement on focus on standards of care in services than to fund orphanages. the need to support adolescents institutions and the challenges for UNICEF Representative Dr. under State care as they transition youth leaving care. He urged duty Yasmin Ali Haque highlighted the in adulthood. holders to now focus on the need for family-based care And finally, developing a child- quality of services for children,

10 Curriculum January 16, 2020 Interview/Special Ravi Santlani, tCo-under & CEO of ScooNews ‘We want to bring a big and positive change in school education through our heightened focus on educators' From a happy-go-lucky founder at Ascot International with a 3-year work life in Africa's Tanzania to getting into education media business, Ravi Santlani, the founder-CEO of ScooNews based in Jaipur, is a tale of how education sector is attracting a lot of new business leaders wanting to change the face of education in India. A childhood friendship with UK-based IT business honcho and Managing Director of Dotsquares Ltd, Bahul Chandra, changed his destiny as the two founded EduPulse Media Pvt Ltd in 2016. The company now brings out monthly ScooNews magazine and also organizes conferences for educators from time to time.Autar Nehru had a conversation with him on his new journey and edtech trends Ravi, your coming into and schools through technology. teaching careers, and that's what ing and utility of technology, so it of frogs was banned. Now with use of education sector and that too in It was when we wanted to place our focus is. is a story of a change with usual VR, students can travel through frog school education space must an advertisement for our product Technology is also your forte hiccups. and get a 6-dimesional sense of what have a background and history. that we looked at education and with Bahul in the founding Well taken, now let's talk about is inside the frog or for that matter for Can you briefly go back a little magazines. What was available team, you may have developed how much technology and what a car enthusiast kid, who can take any and tells us about the events was not what we wanted, good insights into education technologies can schools and car layer by layer to see how its engine that shaped your present engaging content and formats. technology. First let's talk children absorb given the and combustion works. The days of engagement, which I am sure is Therefore, we then decided to about early bird companies like rapidity and fluidity of technol- memorization are over, now is the age a very passionate for you? create own education media Educomp and others that soon ogy development besides so of understanding concepts and then I was living a great life in platform and that's how followed similar footsteps, many companies in competition moving on from there. Handwriting Tanzania where I had moved in ScooNews came into being. couldn't maintain leadership in with similar offers? will not be important for children but 2012 as part of my work. I have And what happened to your school education sector. Have As I said, many school manage- working on laptops, MS office, Apple wonderful memories of all those earlier business of Scoo Talks? you ever thought on that? ments in the past burnt their and other interfaces, chrome books three years I spent there and I This is a known fact that in India To begin with, I have highest fingers on technology or product and a host of other stuff. So, if you must say I have learned a lot out of 100 startups, 50-60 don't regard for founder of Educomp, acquisition as by the time school have to go into future, you have to about human values and survive the first year itself and Shantanu Prakash as he is the one settled on it, either the product walk with time as was said by compassion there and things like we did for two years without who brought ed tech revolution in became obsolete or the company Mahatma Gandhi. traffic sense despite people losing any money but despite our India and at one point some 23000 ceased to be there. But I can say in So, in a way you are endorsing VR calling it a 3rd world country. best efforts, we couldn't go very schools used his products & the last decade and especially in like technologies? Then, my mother back in Jaipur far and shut operations in India. services, which remain by far last a few years schools have Yes, setting up of these labs is now was diagnosed with cancer and I Now it continues in UK only. largest in the wholeAsia. He hired figured it out. Much of it moves easy. There are various players who had to come back to look after her Ok. Now coming to ScooNews, skilled people, who spent time in now with referrals of successes. have really wonderful stuff prepared and treatment. Unfortunately, what is mission or vision schools and thus created space for As a well-knit community, in accordance with curriculum of our despite our all out effort, she statement about your other players to come. So, he is especially principals do share boards. I see, the scene rapidly passed away after two years and I plarform? also the leader, who made it good experiences and that way transforming in next coming years. was left devastated and practi- This idea to start ScooNews was possible for others to enter into the flow is from top of the pyramid Gamification of learning has started cally back to square one on my basically the thought and which schools. downwards—after some schools and things like Google expedition career path. So, one day at a we follow with religious vision Having said this, looking back, have adopted and integrated and will give students a new high in coffee with my childhood friend, is that if you need a positive even from our experience, I can proved good, it then moves to experiential learning. Bahul Chandra, he tossed up the change in school education in tell you selling to schools in India more schools replicating it. But I Coming back to your own story, question, what next? At that time, India, we need to focus on is not only toughest but difficult must say there are thousands of you are also talking about creating I thought of healthcare and teachers and educators. Because as well. The sales cycle deal schools in the country, which Edbank. What is it? education as recession proof if we can change the way they maturing ranges from six months haven't yet got the basic ERP of It is a dream I have been living with. industries and we discussed think, they teach and upgrade to three years. Jokingly, it is easy this technology revolution. Still Essentially, we want to create a possibilities. their skills to next level, we'll be to meet Prime Minister than a lots of gaps. platform for teachers where they can And you preferred education? able to see the change that we principal of a school here. Yo u a g re e t e c h n o l o g y i s come and build themselves as a Actually Bahul being a techie and wish in next one or two decades. That's a valid observation and indispensible and there is no community, share their learning and success IT entrepreneur This thought also gives a sense of many people will agree. way without it? create resources for fellow teachers. encouraged me and we first satisfaction and giving back if Coming back to topic, I would say Absolutely. I was taught almost We are hoping to roll it out in next six founded AddADot Technologies you could inspire some from teachers in the initial period were the same way my father was. But months. and came up with an app (Scoo among your thousands of not ready to adapt to technology. my children are different, they are Talks) to replace school dairies readers, encourage replication of The issue was skilling of teachers, digital natives. Tech is the new with the intent of chaining the successes and also inspires which didn't happen the way it language in which they communi- communication between parents young generation towards should have. It was like putting cate and you have to provide for it cart before the horse. Something and change your ways as well. before time and pushing across When I was in school, we used to entire thing across the table dissect frog in biology practical without developing understand- class and after a while dissection Braille Maths Books developed by team of international researchers An international team of University of Birmingham and institutions in the US, this could soon produce accessible maths content on the web, so the conversion to Braille researchers has change. was a natural extension of that work.” developed a method for A team that includes experts from Towson University, in Maryland, the The project as a whole was initially set up by Martha Siegel, a Professor easily creating textbooks in University of Puget Sound, in Washington, and the National Federation of Emerita from Towson University, and Al Maneki, a retired NSA Braille, with an initial focus on the Blind, as well as from the University of Birmingham, has developed an mathematician serving as a senior STEM advisor to the National maths textbooks. online system that will overcome some of the main challenges to Federation of the Blind in the US. This led to a larger collaboration, formed Mathematics and science Braille producing a Braille version of a textbook. These include representing the in January 2019, with the help of the American Institute of Mathematics, textbooks are expensive and time- structure and the layout of the book – since in Braille all letters are the through its connections in the maths research and maths education consuming to produce, but thanks same size and shape – and representing maths formulas, graphs and communities. “This project is about equity and equal access to to innovations developed at the diagrams. knowledge,” comments Professor Siegel. Mathematical formulas are typically represented using the Nemeth Braille text in the project is produced using a system called PreTeXt, Braille Code, initially developed in the 1950s. The Nemeth Braille in this developed by Professor Rob Beezer, at the University of Puget Sound in project is produced by an open source system called Speech Rule Engine, Washington. PreTeXt is used to automatically produce text in print, online which operates within MathJax, a software package designed to display and other versions – innovations by the team mean that Braille can be maths formulas on webpages. produced as one more output format. Dr Volker Sorge, of the School of Computer Science at the University of The production of tactile images is the most difficult problem faced in Birmingham, is a member of the MathJax consortium working on the producing braille textbooks. Akexei Kolesnikov, a maths professor at project. He says: “We have made great progress in having MathJax Towson University in Maryland, is the lead developer for it.

Curriculum January 16, 2020 11 Careerwsie Handling the final stage Civil Services Interview For those have cracked two crucial most stages of the exam already, and are looking forward to the third and most decisive phase i.e the Interview, A K Mishra, Director, Chanakya IAS Academy offers some UPSC conducted Civil SOME EFFECTIVE your point efficiently. While Mock DO'S efficient administrator and, hence you Services, being such interviews help you understand the are expected to present the best of coveted and highly aimed for TIPS: psychology of the Panel members; a) Confidence is the key: Civil who you are and effectively handle career options, not only promises the post Interview discussion with Services Interview is more than the questions. This is your chance to job security and a decent salary 1. Be regular with Newspaper the panel further helps you analyse just an Interview. As mentioned show the panel and the world the best package, but also offers you back Reading – As a Civil Services the weaker areas of your already it is a complete personality version of you and outshine your a sense of satisfaction when you aspirants, you must by now be personality and improvise on them. test assessing a candidate's capabilities by cracking UPSC Civil serve the diverse society towards well versed about the importance Hence taking up at least 2 to 3 suitability for the very responsible Services Examination. Be who you their collective benefit. of Newspaper reading for the Mock Interviews with a reputed position of Civil Administrator. are, present your views maintaining a The final stage being equally coverage of current affairs and IAS Academy is a must to excel in You are sitting at this very reputed humble tone, respect the panel and challenging and important to get factual part of the examination. Civil Services Interview phase. office to give a life changing show the required traits of your through to make place in the final Religiously following 4. Prepare yourself mentally – interview, so be confident and personality like empathy, decision list, it is important to handle Newspapers helps you get much Candidates preparing for the most believe in your capabilities. making skills, leadership, etc. interview and face the board of aware of the happenings around coveted Civil Services Maintain a decently upright wherever required. competent observers who will you and frame your own examination, often tend to clog posture while sitting and eye judge you based on your opinions on various situations of their mind with the overloaded contact with the panel members at DON'TS personality, communication National & International burden of information required to all the time. When you are skills including both verbal and importance. Interview questions excel in the initial 2 stages, Prelims interactive with the panel and they a) Don't panic: You are sitting at a non-verbal, your body language, could be around anything and and Mains; but then Interview can feel your involvement in the place where thousands dream to your decision-making skills and being prepared is the best you demands more stable, calm and discussion, you are sure to leave an reach. Respect yourself enough for many other factors. can do. composed mind. If you are sure impact. this very fact and do not panic in any Crucially decisive phase of Civil 2. Upskill your hobbies - Since that you know things and the situation. Be very confident and keep Services Examination, Interview the very childhood, we have related concepts are clear, you can b) Be Concise: Panel at the UPSC your views before the panel. Even in or personality Test, unlike the been motivated by our parents to easily crack the interview with Interview is keenly looking for case of a difference in opinion, be previous 2 stages, (Prelims and develop a constructive hobby your confidence. So, don't just mug confident leaders who can be team very calm and take the arguments of Main) does not have any defined and nurture it. But with time we up the information but prepare players at the same time. Ensure, the opposite side in an accepting way. syllabus. The board members often tend to get over it. Hobbies yourself. Practice speaking on through your answers, that you let Do not get nervous or panic if proved seek your explanations and are not always a pastime activity, important topics with your them know that you are that wrong. You at-least tried responding logical views on current but if nurtured well, it can help seniors/elders and try to be parts of deserving person. Express your to the best of your knowledge and the happenings, Government you explore another dimension discussions and debates. Read views and points to whatever is panel will acknowledge the fact. initiatives and the current issues of your personality and fine tune news stories and try to identify the being asked, but make sure you are being faced by the people in our your inbuilt skill or talent. And important associated aspects and to the point with a concised b) Over-confidence ruins it up: The country. Majorly, the test will this is why UPSC gives the connection with the other approach. Try not being repetitive exam panel is highly experienced and revolve around your Detailed importance to hobbies at the events that are happening around with your logics or words, stay reputed in their own fields and Application Form (DAF) that interview round to understand us. The more you practice speaking around the topic and frame therefore don't try to be over will speak much about you, so the true personality and inbuilt your point with logical reasoning, interesting answers, as your confident in front of them. Keep your ensure filling it up very carefully, talent of a candidate. We all have the better are the chances to crack audience will have all their ears to opinion efficiently, but don't argue to as it represents your academic a hobby; we just need to nurture Civil Services Interview, as the you. prove your point. Along with a good and personal background, your it. So, now take that hobby interviewers only want to know 2. Present the best version of speaker, be an efficient listener. likes & dislikes, your hobbies and seriously, gain sound how smartly you can handle a you: UPSC Panel is seeking a very Balance the discussion with a light your overall personality. As background knowledge about it simple or tricky question or a and healthy conversation. major part of your interview will and get ready to be questioned on situation. be based on your DAF, you will the same lines at UPSC c) Avoid fidgeting all the time: This also be assessed on your way of Interview round. In case you fail to attend the is one habit the examiners will never presenting your views, your 3 UPSC Mock Interview are a Interview on the scheduled date appreciate and hence you must avoid communication, (both verbal and must – Mock Interviews are and time, you will be considered fidgeting with your hands, clothes, non-verbal) along with your crucial in preparation for Civil absent at the Interview and will not handkerchief or anything. knowledge on the topics of your Services personality test as they get another chance to appear interest. give you a sense of real Interview before the Interview Panel for this Practicing before going for the scenario and get you prepared attempt. final quest is equally important, for the real quest. Facing an and therefore, enrolling for mock eminent panel from the Civil interviews is strongly Services Industry itself will help recommended. you boost your confidence to speak yourself in a more professional manner, keeping New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 commemorated Mahatma Gandhi as a writer The 28th edition of the annual The theme is an attempt to give from Navjivan Trust, Ahmedabad books, and a book fair like the For attention New Delhi World Book Fair and National Gandhi Museum, NDWBF ensures that books and 2020 (NDWBF) from Jan 4-12 at booklovers a glimpse of how New Delhi. reading is preserved and increases. of institutions PragatiMaidan in New Delhi this Earlier while inaugurating the fair Prof. Girishwar Misra, eminent year was themed as 'Gandhi: The Mahatma Gandhi, a great on Jan 4, Union Human Resource Gandhian scholar, spoke in detail Notices Beyond 200 Writers' Writer' to commemorate Development Minister Ramesh about the life and teachings of words will be the 150th Birth Anniversary strategic communicator, inspired Pokhriyal said that we are in the Mahatma Gandhi. He said that considered classified celebrations of his. Mahatma midst of ocean of books and this Mahatma Gandhi was the Man of advertisements and Gandhi was a prolific writer, and influenced generations of Mahakumbh of books is filled with Century. He showed the path of therefore published only editor, publisher, Printer and thoughts, the thoughts which give truth, peace and non-violence against payments. Institution Builder. He wrote writers and how the writers power to humanity. “The world because of his wide reading of A discounted rate of Rs extensively in Gujarati, Hindi today is facing several challenges books including Gita, Quran and 20 per centimetre and English languages. His understood and emulated including terrorism. He added that Bible. column will apply. Min writings not only reflected his the world, the nation, the society 100 cm col philosophy of non-violence and Gandhiji in words. and all individuals, need Gandhi peace but also gave an insight In the specially designed because of his vision and his Thank you into the socio-economic and pavilion (inspired by Sabarmati philosophy of peace and non- political scenario of the country. Ashram), with hand-spun violence,” he said. The Minister materials as wall cladding; there also urged publishers to promote will be an exclusive exhibition of books and the habit of reading as 500 books of 100 publishers on people are moving away from and by Gandhi in different Indian languages, as well as 30 panel discussions, book launches and performances related to the theme. The archival materials on display at the Theme pavilion are

12 Curriculum January 16, 2020 University News NSE Centre for Behavioral Science in Finance, CANR, MSU AgBioResearch to partner with Economics and Marketing inaugurated at IIMA Somaiya Vidyavihar The NSE Centre for traders, analysts, wealth India compared to advanced Behavioural Science in advisors, other managers and markets. Societal and behavioural Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Finance, Economics and leaders. In the process it would aspects tend to play a pivotal role in (CANR) and MSU AgBioResearch will collaborate with Somaiya Marketing was inaugurated at build high-quality research, shaping savings and investment Vidyavihar, Mumbai for GlobalAlliance on Sustainable Development. Indian Institute of Management analytics, and insightful habits of the population. Research and Projects will be executed with faculty and students from Under Ahmedabad last month by knowledge on a range of topics Behavioural science tools have Graduate & Post Graduate programmes of both partner institutions. Potential inaugurated by Dr Arvind related to business issues in the been advancing over the years and collaboration opportunities include soil health, probiotics and microbial Subramanian, Economist and Indian financial markets and could unearth deep rooted solutions, eco-friendly packaging from agricultural waste, big data and former Chief Economic financial services across different behavioural patterns and biases. precision agriculture, healthy food choices, bioenergy and renewable energy. Adviser, GOI with Prof. Errol stakeholders. The agreement was Insights gleamed from such D'Souza, Director, IIMA; Mr signed between NSE, NSE IPFT research could throw new light on A team of Somaiya Vidyavihar visited MSU where they signed a letter of Ravi Varanasi, Chief Business and IIM A to set up centre for our understanding and help shape intent for a long term commitment to this Global Alliance. Samir Somaiya, Development Officer, NSE and Behavioural Science in Finance, policies that could spread the Vice-Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University said 'As our world grows Prof. Arvind Sahay, Professor Economics and Marketing at benefits of capital markets to a increasingly smaller, our problems and solutions to them need to be of Marketing and International IIMA. wider section of the population. It is addressed together. It is my hope and belief that this partnership between Business, IIMA. in this context that we are working Michigan State University and Somaiya Vidyavihar will bring a fresh This Centre is going to be the Mr. Vikram Limaye, MD & CEO, with a premier academic institution perspective and approach to attempt to solve many problems that the world first of its kind in a management NSE said, “Capital markets like IIMA to advance the frontiers faces today.' institution in the region with penetration continues to be low in of behavioural science research in sophisticated infrastructure and India.” The inter & multidisciplinary projects will encourage and enablecapacity technology to conduct building &development of skill sets of our faculty and students,opportunity experiments in how different to be part of mega-projects funded by global funding agencies & foundations aspects of behavioural science and enable research projects with on-ground applications. Additionally our impacts processes and students and faculty will benefit from global exposure through the exchange outcomes in markets. The programs, and inculcate research vigour. objective of the Centre is to undertake knowledge creation Business incubators at IIM Kozhikode and in a range of topics related to business issues in financial NID Ahmedabad collaborate for start-ups markets and financial services that would be insightful to help Laboratory for Innovation, Venturing and Entrepreneurship (LIVE) at the decision making for premier Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode signed an MoU policymakers, individual retail with National Design Business Incubator (NDBI) of National Institute of investors, fund managers, Design, Ahmedabad, recently. The MoU brings two institutes of national importance in two diverse domains - design and management – together to “It is academicians' responsibility to suggest to collaborate and create offerings that may boost innovation and venture industry what problems they can solve for them rather support ecosystem in the country. than expect industry to invite them”: NRN at IIMB's This is the first time in India that a business incubator hosted at a business Future of Learning Conference 2020 school has struck an alliance with another one at a design school. This may further encourage diverse stakeholders to connect with each other to create a The third edition of the Annual Chairman Emeritus and Co- UpGrad, Amit Goyal, CEO, edX more vibrant startup ecosystem needed for superior innovations and Future of Learning Conference founder of Infosys, at the FoL India, Bibin Shivas, Head successful new ventures. 2020 (FoL 2020) was hosted by 2020 conference. “Learning Customer Success - Asia Pacific, Elaborating further Professor Keyoor Purani, Executive Director, IIMK IIM Bangalore from January 3 to broadens one's horizon, improves Coursera, and Nishit Jain, Special LIVE, said “In our experience, we find that the startups, generally, 4, 2020, with this year's theme judgements, instils critical Advisor, EFMD Global Network undermine the role of visual and functional aesthetics, as science and being 'Learning to Learn, learning, enhances curiosity, and Asia, participated in a panel technology have been traditionally overwhelming in new product Unlearn and Relearn: helps them walk the path, reach discussion on 'The Future of development process. Indian startups particularly need to realize how both Flourishing in the Age of the unattained goals, and solve Professional Education', design thinking and design experience play significant role in developing and Disruptions and Innovation'. the future problems of the moderated by Ramya Srinivasan, launching successful solutions. Under the MoU, a series of interventions are The event brought together society,” he said. Program Director, being chalked out to leverage strengths of the respective host institutes”. academic leaders, policymakers, One of the complexities at the VentureBasecamp. Personalized Joint workshops, publications, resource sharing, co-incubation, task-based industry experts and time of information overload is to learning, pathway skilling, learner mentoring are some of the areas that the tie-up is likely to facilitate. Not only technologists for brainstorming identify ways to channelize engagement, agility, and creating start-ups incubated at the respective incubators at IIMK and NID would sessions, showcasing innovation information and take up the right the right degree of motivation for benefit from this, but other start-ups in greater ecosystems too would be and sharing knowledge along approach to learn. “Experts in learners that will help drive future impacted. three paradigms of the future of education should realize that education towards digitalization, learning: to learn, unlearn and youngsters must be equipped were some of the key points that SAS and VESIM Collaborate for Mental relearn. with fundamental learnings and came up during the panel-audience Massive technology-led be able to apply them to interaction. Health Challenges disruptions in the educational understand and solve problems Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chair, sector have compelled both around them.” Board of Governors, IIM SAS and B-school VESIM, hosted the second edition of “Data Quezt”, a individuals and institutions to “The future of education is Bangalore, observed, in his specially curated hackathon that leveraged data analytics to solve a very respond, adaptively. These, in digital,” declared Anant Agarwal, keynote address at the event, “We pertinent problem prevalent amongst many students across India today. The turn, have facilitated the Founder and CEO of edX and tend to overestimate the effect of second edition of Data Quezt focused on potential of depression and suicide emergence of new pedagogies faculty at the Massachusetts technology in the short run and especially amongst the university students in India and how analytics could using adaptive learning, Institute of Technology (MIT), in underestimate it in the long run. help to detect patterns of depression and suicide amongst students, and personalized learning as well as a a plenary session. Based on Everything is going to be prevention measures for stakeholders using SAS tools. host of new pedagogical various research studies disrupted. We should be ready to Data Quezt witnessed a record participation, an increase of 180% over last approaches. conducted by edX, he said that embrace the change.” year. After two rounds of eliminations 80 students were selected to be a part The conference saw speakers amongst the various challenges of 24-hour hackathon held at the VESIM campus. The championship kicked from tech companies and premier business leaders must overcome off with a keynote address by Dr. Satish Modh, Director, VESIM who spoke education institutions like today, reskilling, retaining, and on the importance of data-based decision making. “As data turns into a Infosys, Capgemini, TCS, recruiting are vital ones. He commodity it is crucial for students to learn how data can be an important tool NASSCOM, edX, Fidelity added, “About 75% of the for decision making and how data should be interpreted. The way to approach Investments, Mercer Mettl, IIT workforce would comprise this would be through developing skills like analytics, judgmental diversity Bombay, IIT Madras, and more, millennials by the next decade. management and understanding & responding to diversity. These skills addressing questions around Tomorrow's learning will be should be incorporated in management school curriculum, and hackathons learnability in the context of digital, which will be connected, offer that additional avenue for students to implement their theoretical Industry 4.0. on-demand and modular, mobile, knowledge and solve real-world challenges.” “Education is learning to learn,” flexible, and personalized.” At the end of the 24 hours challenge, the participants submitted their analysis remarked N R Narayana Murthy, Varun Garg, VP Learning, reports to the jury and 10 groups were shortlisted to present their findings. The participants were given an interesting problem statement on a humanitarian issue pertaining to depression levels and suicides. They were allocated two datasets: one on the number of suicides for various age, profession groups for men and women across the states over 14 years. The second data set was on depression levels in students and their demographical and behavioral patterns collected through a survey of around 14,000 students. All teams managed to do a very in-depth analysis, however; there were top three teams that stood out with well thought analytical models and approach to problem solving. The winners of Data Quezt were: Group 1 : Palak Davda, Mohit Badve and Vinal Bagaria; Group 2: Parth Jardosh and Shloka Shah and Group 3: Ronak Jain, Shubham Dalvi and Shubham

Curriculum January 16, 2020 13 School News 34 Schools participate in 'Infinity 2020 - Suncity School hosts 12th Annual Fiesta The Ultimate Math Championship' 'Saturnalia' 2019 One 100 students from 34 problems and solutions to a in bridging the gap between the schools in India and abroad poster making round where Mathematics experienced by Suncity School, Gurugram recently organised the 12th edition of its Annual participated in the 6th edition of students had to create solutions school students and Dr. Ranendra 'Infinity 2020 – The Ultimate and present them through a N. Saha, Director of BITS Pilani Extravaganza 'Saturnalia' amidst dazzling lights, rocking music and Math Championship' - the creative hand-made poster. The Dubai Campus as the Guests of annual Inter-School event also had an individual Honor. breathtaking performances. The event was attended by eminent dignitaries Mathematics Competition - evaluation round called 'Clash of Infinity is the brainchild of Prodipta hosted by Aditya Birla World Mathematicians' where students Hore, Coordinator of International like Dr. Sarvesh Naidu, Director, Pathways School, Laxmi Narain Goel, Academy in association with were given a set of 30 questions Initiatives at Aditya Birla World BITS Pilani to bring out their to solve, followed by a round of Academy. The principle objective Managing Trustee, Suncity Schools, Ankit Goel, Chairman, Suncity mathematical best. The event 'Math Challengers' where of organizing this contest is to was held on 10th-11th January students were given 10 questions inculcate a feeling of love for Schools, Rupa Chakravarty, Director, Suncity Schools. 2020 in Mumbai. arranged in increasing order of Mathematics through fun rounds of The program highlighted the school's theme for the year, 'Nurture Nature', The winners of 'Mathematician difficulty which they had to solve learning and bring together a of the Year' Gold Certificate & within 30 minutes. community of Mathematics which in today's times is of utmost significance. Emanated with a welcome Trophy were Anupsa Swain An interesting round was 'Pass teachers and students on a platform from Navrachana School, the Baton' which is like a sports where they could learn from each speech by the Chairman, Mr. Ankit Goel who enhanced the glory of the Vadodara and Ivan Toth- relay where each question's other and share their ideas. Rohonyi from Mahindra United solution is passed on to the next Radhika Sinha, Principal, Aditya function and need for progressive education. World College of India, Pune. team member to solve another Birla World Academy said, The event commenced on a melodious note with Bahar, the rendition of Raag Navrachana School, Vadodara problem. The competition ended “Through this competition, we aim won Gold Certificate & Trophy with a round of 'Quizzitch' with to develop the skills of students, Ahir Bhairav by the school orchestra. The play in English portrayed the in Clash of Mathematicians the five best teams and the two whose value far transcends Round, Quizzitch and as overall teams that could answer most Mathematics. Rounds are designed importance of being “Simple and Good” in today's day and time, especially Champions. The Scindia questions won. to constitute the most effective way School, Gwalior and Mahindra Infinity 2020 saw presence of of discovering and nurturing with the deteriorating social and moral values. United World College of India, luminaries such as Dr. James mathematical talent and to help The Hindi play - Antogathwa drew attention to the growing mechanization of Pune won Gold Certificate & Tanton, a research students dispel the myth about Trophy for Bulb Your Ideas and mathematician deeply interested Mathematics as either a difficult, the world where the human emotions and values are devoid of its sensitivity Pass the Baton respectively. dull or a tedious subject.” The competition had a very to nature, thus losing its touch with peace and humanity. The mesmerizing interesting take on Mathematics and was curated to ensure that finale, Magnum Opus- 'Conglomerate' had students performing aerial acts students solve problems at every stage. Starting from an and stunts to the pulsating beats of techno music. Ice-breaker session, where On this special occasion Director Rupa Chakravarty presented her annual students introduced themselves to each other using math report in a prologue that had the audio visual showcased the various Mini Med School demo Students from 450 BMC international and national achievements of the school in academics, co- Mini Med School is organised by St. George's University, Grenada, in schools will now be curricular and sports. association with Ramaiah University to expose students of 10th and Mihika Deshpande (AIR 3 in Grade X CBSE 2019) and Ayush Verma 12thgrade to the exciting world of opportunities in medicine in India trained in filmmaking by and around the world. This 3-day workshop at Ramaiah Medical (Science Topper of the State Grade XII CBSE 2019) were also felicitated College was designed in the last week of December last as a precursor to WWI medical school to encourage school students to consider medicine as a among the other prize winners. career. Mumbai's Whistling Woods Approximately 22 rising high school juniors and seniors participated in International (WWI) will spread Boy from Thane wins Champion of Champions the workshop where they were introduced to the medical terminologies, its expertise to students of Primary instruments and devices. This session featured introductory sessions on & Secondary sections of 480 trophy and cash prize worth ₹30,000 at Mental Heart & Cardiovascular System, Lungs & Pulmonary system, Nervous Brihanmumbai Municipal System, etc with suitable props and extensive demo classes. Corporation (BMC) schools Arithmetic Competition 2020 The workshop aims to help students understand and gather information across Mumbai in order to foster on a medicine career while providing a valuable perspective into the life the love for the art of filmmaking. Proving mind-bending math capabilities, 9-year-old Siddharth Saboo of a medical student. The students received certificates on completion WWI has partnered with the BMC (Thane) and three other Mumbai-based students have won the 16th State- of the course and had the opportunity to network with their instructors. to conduct an education drive Level Abacus & Mental Arithmetic competition held on Sunday, January 12 amongst its schools. This initiative in Mumbai. Saboo's win helped him lift the 'Champion of Champions' title Pre-Primary Books Featuring Disney Themes will see WWI showcase several trophy and bag a cash prize worth ₹ 30,000. short films to the students, in order 4,000 UCMAS students across Maharashtra had participated in the UCMAS Launched by MBD Group to develop and inspire the nation's Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Competition 2020 between the age groups of 4- next generation of creative minds. 14 years. The complex text involved solving 200 mathematical problems in 8 MBD group launched new pre-primary books at the New Delhi World Targeted at children between the minutes, using only the abacus or mental maths. The final four winners are all Book Fair January 2020. Created for children aged between 3 to 5 years, age of eight and sixteen, WWI has Mumbaikars from different Mumbai-based UCMAS centres. the books will feature popular Disney and Pixar stories from – Mickey prepared a list of hour-long films The other winners for this prestigious contest included Aditya Satyanarayan & Friends, Princess, The Lion King, Frozen, Cars, Toy Story franchises in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Gowds from Prerna Academy on Mira Road (Foundation Module and more.The program has been divided into three years of pre-school Each of these films has been Champion), Ronil Ravi Aswani from Bhavya Ucmas Academy in for 3 to 5-year-old children. The curriculum areas including Languages, carefully curated to impart a Ulhasnagar (Construction Module Champion) and Sharvari Dinesh Velkar Maths, Environmental Studies and Art have been designed keeping in motivational and uplifting from Aspire Academy in Bandra East (Advance Model Champion). The trio mind the five domains of development as enlisted in the NCERT pre- message to their viewers. received a cash award of ₹ 6,000 each and an additional 'Champions' reward school curriculum. The five domains include physical well-being, Additionally, WWI has also of ₹ 3,000. health and motor development; personal, social and emotional ensured the presence of its alumni Dr. Snehal Karia, President & CEO of UCMAS India, Dr. Chris Chew, development; creative and aesthetic development; language and on a regular basis, as part of the Executive Director of UC International (Malaysia), Wong Zi- UC cognitive development. To make the journey fun and engaging, Disney screening, giving the audience an International (Malaysia) and Anjana Roy, Principal of PDMP IES Primary themes have been integrated keeping in mind the character attributes opportunity to discuss the themes School were invited as chief guests for the competition and felicitated the and the original story. For example, Disney Princess Rapunzel loves and ideas behind the film and winners. painting, she is an artist by nature and hence she has been integrated in allowing them to appreciate better CBS Education Pvt Ltd, the Master Franchisee for UCMAS (Mumbai art and craft series. the messages being imparted. The region), had organised the competition. CD Mishra, Director of CBS students will also have the Education, gushed over the win and said, \"It is a very proud moment for us. opportunity to learn about the Our main objective behind organising this competition is to find abacus filmmaking techniques used genius and to develop a healthy competitive spirit among the children while during the creation of these films. giving them an opportunity and platform to showcase their talent.\" UCMAS stands for Universal Concept Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS), an international educational organisation that is the global leader in whole brain development and mental arithmetic training. It runs training centres in mental arithmetic all over India and abroad. It trains children of 4- 14 years in arithmetic and enhances skills like concentration, creativity, listening and photographic memory. Low cost gravitation energy lamp by Pune students Two students of Class X in Pune have designed a lamp that runs on gravitation energy. Generating light by using gravitational energy is not new, but products available in the market that use this technique are quite expensive. But the lamp designed by Aniket Ghisad and Nachiket Mendki of Dr Kalmadi Shamarao High School in Ganeshnagar is available at a much lower cost. The gravitational lamps operate with the use of stones and soil and the light energy is generated by conducting their movement through gravitational energy. Their efforts got a special recognition when they got an opportunity to present the project in front of President Ram Nath Kovind on Children's Day. Later, Aniket and Nachiket were invited to attend a special boot camp organised in Mumbai for Atal Tinkering Labs, which concluded last week. In this camp, the students were mentored by experts in industry and innovation on how to transform this type of research into a comprehensive and successful business. The students have named their invention 'Project Guru', which was developed out as a part of the Atal Tinkering Lab established in the school under the 'Atal Innovation Mission' of NitiAayog.

14 Curriculum January 16, 2020 Campus Buzz JDIFT students' experiential visit observed between Law as taught in schools and the actual practice. Our 'Spot, Futures, ETF or Gold to Rashtrapati Bhawan objective should be to bridge this gap. The industry-relevant legal Curriculum 4.0 ensures that students learn the core concepts, theories, Stocks – Who Leads in Gold D Institute of Fashion Technology recently organized a visit for and skills at the intersection of business, technology and law.” students, pursuing a career in interior design to the largest official The panel discussion shed more light on law and forensics and a Price Discovery?' judged best residence of India, addressed as Rashtrapati Bhawan. The day long lawyer's role in changing policy. The experts juxtaposed litigation as a tour was organized to understand the architecture and to experience the career in the '90s with litigation as a career in the present, further paper at Doctoral Conference onset journey to this magnificent palatial structure. illuminating the role of law firms in shaping the economy. Rashtrapati Bhawan was the creation of architects of exceptional At the 11th IMR Doctoral Conference, imagination and masterfulness, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker BML hosts Workshop to promote man- held on 27th & 28th December 2019, at that sets an example for interior design students to comprehend the in- the Indian Institute of Management depth knowledge of their field. Students experienced the various agement research Bangalore, The paper, 'Spot, Futures, aspects of construction, design, planning and art styles of the magnifi- ETF or Gold Stocks – Who Leads in cent and royal piece of India. The contemporary design by Lutyens A first of its kind research workshop in Delhi- NCR from internation- Gold Price Discovery?', presented by gave lens to the budding designers to spread their wing and ideas ally-renowned faculty on how to develop world-class research and Neharika Sobti of Delhi University, towards designing and accessory placements to give a complex publish in top journals was hosted by BML Munjal University (BMU), was selected for the Best Paper Award structure, an elementary look. in partnership with Indian Academy of Management (INDAM) on Jan for IMRDC 2019-20. . Rupal Dalal, Executive Director, JDIFT, said, “With the continuous 8. Renowned professors from both international and Indian universi- IMRDC 2019-20 received 90 competi- effort and vision to make traditional learning an experiential one for ties including Tel Aviv University, London School of Economics, New tive submissions from doctoral students students, seems to be achieved now. I am glad that, they got a chance to Jersey Institute of Technology, Loughborough University (UK), and in India and abroad, from leading visit such an iconic and extraordinary creation of Indian architecture. ” XLRI shared their perspectives. The academics spoke across a variety institutes and universities including the of subjects that included guidelines to writing an impactful research IIMs, the IITs, ISI, among others. The RD and SH National College announce paper, research methodologies, and understanding management submissions were taken through a initiatives commemorating its 70 years research in the Asian context in terms of both challenges and opportuni- rigorous three-step selection process, ties. reviewed by the Conference Chairs and RD and SH National College, one of the oldest colleges in the country India has far fewer researchers than China and the US, says a recent a Review Committee comprising well- affiliated to the University of Mumbai and the first of the 24 educa- report by Think-tank Brookings India. India has 216.2 researchers per published domain experts from across tional institutions established by the Hyderabad Sind National one million inhabitants, against 1,200 in China, 4,300 in the US, and the world. Of the 90 papers, 10 papers Collegiate Board is commemorating 70 years of glorious learning 7,100 in South Korea, according to the report. Research productivity of were selected for presentation at the traditions. The College announced the launch of three key nation- Indian scholars is low and the workshop by BMU and INDAM aims to conference, where dedicated discus- building initiatives. provide next generation researchers and scholars with the tools to sants gave the presenters comments for R. Ramanan, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, develop world-class research and publish in top journals, in order to enhancing their work. Arushi Nishank, Chairperson of the Sparsh Ganga Campaign, maximise their exposure on a global scale. Every year IMRDC brings together members of the HSNC Board, past principals of the institution, The workshop was attended by over 100 PhD scholars and other doctoral students from across the principals of esteemed educational institutions of the city and the academics. Parallely, a poster competition initiated by BMU, that country for two days of intense illustrious alumni along with the staff and students of the institution invited students to share their research proposals in this succinct academic discussions with senior were present at the launch. manner, came to a close with the winner being announced. academics and researchers, and aims at The first initiative in collaboration with AquaKraft Projects Pvt Ltd,is publication-oriented development of Center for Innovation, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship All terrain vehicle created by IIT Roorkee doctoral research work. IMRDC 2019- (CISSE) aims to bolster nation building capacities by facilitating 20 was organised by IIMB's flagship research and innovation across vocational and management education. students journal IIMB Management Review Second is, India's first Digital Social Exchange Platform, (IMR) and the Office of the Doctoral SWACHHAGRAHA.com is a new-age social development move- An All-Terrain Vehicle is designed and built every year by the under- Programme. ment aiming at creating ground-level path-breaking solutions in the grads of IIT Roorkee for safe subjugation of extreme pathways. This Eight teams qualified for the finale after areas of sanitation, clean drinking water, health and hygiene. An year the vehicle was unveiled on January 9 and a live demonstration on a the regional rounds. The team from acronym for Sanitation & Water for Community Health and Hygiene track prepared outside the MAC Auditorium was also performed. The XLRI Jamshedpur 'Muppets' grabbed (SWACHH), the community-centric initiative aims to involve stake- event was graced by Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IITR in presence the second prize by proposing a holders to attain actionable outcomes towards transforming the social of Prof. B.K. Gandhi, Head MIED and faculty advisors Prof. Akshay solution to overcome linguistic and and environmental ecosystem. Dvivedi and Prof.Arup Kumar Das of MIED. cultural disparity in imparting Third is Jal Pe Charcha, an open discussion forum and advocacy Team Knox informed that NIITRO is education to tribal children using platform for the concerned masses to come together and collectively the latest addition as a top-class ATV. It Samsung technologies. They were address the problem of water management and finding sustainable is powered by 10 horsepower engine. followed by 'Team SMS' from MDI solutions to water challenges. The initial phase of Jal Pe Charcha will This car has an inboard braking system Gurgaon who suggested a 'Smart Saathi be rolled out across colleges to leverage the student and youth power for the first time. It goes from 0 to 60 in App' to address the menace of drug for initiating dialogues on creating a transformative impact. The 5 seconds and has a ground clearance of addiction in Delhi-NCR, Haryana and initiatives are brainchild of Dr. Subramanya Kusnur, Chairman 14 inch. It can climb a steep slope of Punjab. XLRI Jamshedpur and MDI &CEO,AquaKraft Projects Pvt Ltd and alumnus of the college. upto 50°. It has turning radius of 2.5m Gurgaon received INR 2 lakh and INR and a braking distance of 4m. The 1 lakh,respectively as prize money. Panel discussion on legal education weight of NIITRO is only 160 Kg. dominated by AI Vehicle was designed and built by the IIT Roorkee Organizes National official off-road racing team of the Institute called KNOx. Furthermore, Conference on Solid State Ionics Karjat, Raigad based VijayBhoomi University, on Jan 13 held a panel KNOx is going to represent the Institute in BAJA SAE India this year on IIT Roorkee organized the 13th discussion on “A Career in Law in the New Decade” in Delhi where 22-26 January, 2020. National Conference on Solid State Samar Bansal, a noted advocate in the field of Competition and Prof Chaturvedi said, “We are proud of our students who have built an Ionics from 16th December to 18th Corporate Law, Sarvjeet Moond, Executive Director of Centre for all terrain vehicle. We hope our students will come out with flying colors December 2019 at O.P Jain Communication and Governance at the National Law University, in BAJASAE, a national level competition” Auditorium, Civil Engineering Delhi, Shohini Sengupta, Former Lead(Law) at Esya Centre, and Department, IIT Roorkee campus. Toshit Shandilya, Senior Associate (Competition Law) at AZB & MEC launches its first AUV 'Black Pearl' One of the massive challenges of the Partners spoke on the theme. 21st century is the development of Dr Navneet Sharma, Dean, VijayBhoomi School of Business, Hyderabad-based engineering college, Mahindra Ecole Centrale efficient and sustainable means of introduced VijayBhoomi University, saying, “It is imperative schools (MEC) launched its first Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) energy conversion, distribution, and place special emphasis on social responsibility. A gap has been named Black Pearl recently and is a self-propelled, unmanned, storage. Solid State Ionics (the study of untethered underwater vehicle capable of carrying out simple activities ionic-electronic mixed conductor and with little or no human supervision. Created by MEC students and fully ionic conductors) based devices mentored by their professors, it is a computer-controlled system (or a are playing a key role in such challeng- Robot) operating underwater. Weighing 19.6 Kgs, MEC's Black Pearl is ing scenarios, especially for transporta- a fully autonomous operation and carries power onboard through a tion and bulk electricity generation Lithium Polymer Battery. Powered by NVidia Jetson Nano Single board which provides an alternative solution computer and Arduino micro controller, MEC's Black Pearl is a free- to pollutions, greenhouse effect, and swimming, untethered robot boasting of a Logical 270 vertical camera dependency on oil-producing coun- and Raspberry Pi V2 horizontal camera to take good quality images. tries. Nearly Rs. 3,70,000 were spent in developing the vehicle in-house. IIT Roorkee provided a platform for all stakeholders to address the above- XAVION 2020 – ENTREPRENEURSHIP mentioned issues by organizing a conference during 16-18 December SUMMIT at XIMB 2019. Being a convener of this event, Prof. Yogesh Sharma was glad to “XAVION 2020”, the Annual Entrepreneurship Summit, conducted by inform that ~150 participants including X-SEED, the Entrepreneurship Cell of Xavier Institute of Management, 40 experts from IITs, IISc, NITs, Bhubaneswar, was held on January 11-12. IISERs, Universities, and Industries Akash Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Mobycy shed light on solving the shared their knowledge's, expertise, problem of mobility keeping sustainability in mind. He stressed on the experiences with participants as an fact that new innovation is always a learning curve in which a start-up informative and collaborative event has the room to accommodate. Madhusmita Panda, Head of Marketing, KredX India. Having struggled immensely to keep her company alive, she gave a few pointers on how to never assign one particular reason to

Curriculum January 16, 2020 15 Special Focus Paying it Forward with Education 'IHSE 2020': The beginning of a new paradigm in digital documentation and By Kumari Shibulal, Founder & Chairperson, The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives interpretation of India's rich cultural heritage According to the 2011 Census, enslaved persons were denied the higher education generated 'high' India's literacy rate stands at 74 right to a formal education. A lack or 'very high' increase in respect The collaborative projects between researchers in the areas percent, significantly below the of education implied no access to for them from the family and the of technology and humanities under the Indian Digital global average of 86 percent. information and a state of community. If each one of these Heritage (IDH) project has brought alive county's first ever The overall school enrolment in ignorance about matters beyond students were to take the responsi- public showcase of digital preservation work that has been the country has gone up to their immediate environment bility of educating one more undertaken in India using cutting edge AR, VR, MR and AI 97.2percent, thanks to the Right which was tightly controlled by student like themselves, India technologies.At National Museum, Delhi, a month-long (Jan to Education Act, 2009. But the their owners. When an enslaved would be on the fast track to 15-Feb 15) exhibition, “INDIAN HERITAGE IN DIGITAL quality of education remains low person did educate themselves, it development and socio-economic SPACE” is showcasing 3D fabricated models of 5 Indian with just 51 percent of students was considered their duty to equity. monuments (including Kashi Vishwanath, Taj Mahal, Sun being able to read a Grade II educate another. In India, the Unfortunately, many people think Temple Konark) with interactive Virtual walk-throughs and level text after five years of phrase was first used by Mahatma that taking on the responsibility of Projection Mapping, and a room-scale 3D model of a Hampi schooling. There is no doubt that Gandhi during the freedom teaching others is a time consum- Temple, withAR, VR and Holographic interactions. education is one of the key struggle and became a rallying ing and expensive endeavor. This indicators of a developed nation cry for active individual couldn't be further from the truth. The first-ever International Heritage Symposium and Exhibition (IHSE) and it is inextricably tied in with participation in educating the There are individuals across India incorporating a month-long exhibition at the National Museum, Janpath, socio economic progress. But masses to drive awareness of who are actively engaged in New Delhi, has brought communities engaged in conservation, preservation the question is – is it only the rights and socio- teaching underprivileged and management of world heritage in physical and digital space from diverse Government's responsibility to economicdevelopment. children. They do it before work, disciplines such as science, technology, culture and social sciences on one ensure that the nation hits its Across the pages of history, after work on the weekends as is platform and is a visual treat. The 'IHSE 2020' has been developed around the education objectives? Is there education has been perceived as a convenient. There is little need for frequently articulated need for preserving India's rich cultural heritage anything that we can do to significant factor behind social a physical classroom – classes can digitally, for the future generations. address the challenge? I believe and individual progress and 21st be taken in any place where the IDH initiative of Department of Science & Technology gave birth to some of there is. Paying it forward is just century India is no exception to children can sit safely and focus. the most advanced techniques and technologies in digital heritage preserva- what the country needs to this rule. We are living in an era of And given the wide adoption of tion, and DST motivated setting up of technology start-ups to translate this achieve 100 percent literacy and inequalities and lack of balance, mobile phones and easy accessi- research into commercial products, one of them being Vizara Technologies universal access to quality where on one hand Indians are bility of mobile Internet, it is not Pvt Ltd, which is one of the main forces behind the IHSE 2020. Vizara education that is the need of the splurging on luxury items like far-fetched to say that classes can Technologies, a start- up is usingAR, VR, MR andAI technologies etc. hour. never before and on the other even be online. For those who are Jointly sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Why has India found it so hard to children are dying of starvation. not sure about spending time Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), and educate all its citizens over the Even today, not every Indian has teaching, there is always the organized by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, he two-day last 73 years since access to quality education, and option of sponsoring the educa- symposium on Jan 15-16 witnessed an interdisciplinary dialogue between Independence? There are a this is a problem that can be easily tion of a deserving child. On an scientists, academia, historians, social scientists, practitioners, musicolo- number of factors to consider solved by each one of us paying it average it costs onlyfew gists, policymakers, allowing for adoption of best practices and technology here. Even today there are forward with education. thousandsto sponsor the education to preserve world and India's heritage. remote parts of the country Education has the undeniable of one child for a year under the According to Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, IHSE 2020 is the culmina- where it is difficult to set up a power to transform lives. Not just aegis of an education focused tion of efforts in the field of digital preservation from last 5 years. “We all school or even find qualified the life of the individual but that foundation. This modest sum of know that the future is all about convergence of technology in all aspects of teachers. Add to it, complex of their family, their community, money can transform a child's life our life and this event is a step towards discussing some of the key issues that social factors such as prejudice, and the society they live in. and set them up for a successful challenge us in preserving our heritage.” societal norms and poverty and According to industry estimates, future. The 'INDIAN HERITAGE IN DIGITAL SPACE' exhibition was inaugurated we have a situation where 82.4% students feel that the Access to quality education is one by union tourism minister, Prahlad Singh Patel on Jan 15, who also addressed education is either not a priority knowledge and skills they of United Nations Sustainable the two-day international symposium. The minister also released two edited or out of reach for a vast number acquired during higher education Development Goals and a key books on Digital Heritage, namely: “Digital Hampi: preserving Indian of Indians. Over the last few generated 'high' or very high factor for India to achieve its Cultural Heritage and “Heritage Preservation:AComputationalApproach” years, we have seen a marked increase in their career potential growth and development targets. Prahlad Singh Patel said,“ The vast cultural diversity of India is the main improvement in school while 87.2% of them felt that The good news is that today, attraction for tourists and we all are working together very hard to preserve enrolments, but the sad truth is receiving the scholarship and increasing number of people are and strengthen the country's rich cultural heritage and to promote tourism. that very often, lack of funds looking to contribute to society This initiative of integrating technology into heritage will make it accessible leads to families pulling their and paying it forward with to literally everyone in the society and is a great initiative indeed.” children out. And in such education is a great way for them Four panel sessions on Performing Arts: Preserving the tradition (Intangi- situations, the age-old approach to make a difference It will not be ble), Conservation Technologies in Art, Design and Archaeology, of Each One Teach One can go a long before child in India is Understanding Traditional Engineering Systems for Future (Tangible) and long way in helping ensure that educated and assured of a secure Harnessing the Digital for the Museum Experience were part of the sympo- the child's education is not future. Only then can we call sium. stopped forever. ourselves a developed nation and Dr. Anupama Malik, Organising Chair for IHSE & Managing Director, What exactly is Each One Teach a superpower. Vizara Technologies Pvt Ltd said, “IHSE is a recognition of the need for a One and what does it involve? meeting of the best minds globally to discuss ways of preserving India's rich The phrase originated in the heritage digitally. This event has created an eco-system where all stake- United States of America when holders working in the Digital and Cultural heritage domain, have come slavery was prevalent, and together to identify open issues in Indian heritage management” IIT Roorkee researchers find novel antibiotic against Advertise with us multi-drug resistant bacteria To Book an ad call at 9811824444 [email protected] 8076071802 Researchers at the Indian diarrhoea causing bacteria, and intestinal ailments Institute of Technology, Roorkee Clostridium difficile and the respectively. UTIs are one of the have discovered a novel wound pathogen, world's most common infections compound that can effectively Staphylococcus aureus. known to be associated with kill a multitude of notorious The aim of this study was to frequent cases of recurrence in antibiotic resistant bacteria. The evaluate the biological female patients. Considering the research team led by Dr. Ranjana properties of a small molecule, global antibiotic resistance Pathania, Associate Professor at IITR06144, identified in a catastrophe, only a few “front- the Department of phenotypic screen against the line” drugs prove to be effective Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee Gram negative model organism against them. IITR06144 inhibited identified a small molecule Escherichia coli. the growth of several “IITR06144” that can kill highly The team compared the nitrofurantoin resistant UTI multidrug resistant strains of properties of IITR06144 with pathogens isolated from clinics Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter structurally analogous and proved to be a powerful baumannii, Klebsiella antibiotics Nitrofurantoin and weapon against antibiotic tolerant pneumonia as well as Furazolidone, which are E. coli strains, which are Mycobacterium tuberculosis. commonly administered in responsible for infection relapse The molecule also showed clinics for the treatment of promising activity against the urinary tract infections (UTIs) and recurrence.

16 Curriculum January 16, 2020 News Extra Books should pave the way to create society – contd from P 1 107th Indian Science Congress Chairman, NBT, India In view of Prof Govind Prasad profits,” Prof Sharma In the children's category in Pride of India (PIO) ISC Expo from government, private and public sector Sharma, Chairman, National emphasized. Hindi, Mujhe Samajh Nahi Aya ! Book Trust, India, books are Maj Gen G D Bakshi (Retd), by Mini Shrinivasan/ Shubham to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology not just reflection of the Author and Renowned TV lakhera and published by Tulika society, but also the guiding Commentator, said, “Even today Publishers won the award. displayed hundreds of new ideas, innovations and products covering the force to give direction that will the printed page makes a huge Sera Learns To Fly by Vinitha and pave the way forward to a new difference, changes the narratives published by Katha (under 10 entire canvas of scientific world. society. and changes the discourse.” He year category) and How I got my In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Modi said, “The growth story of Speaking at 'PubliCon 2020 – added that books have the power Belly Button by Anju Kish and India depends on its achievements in the Science & Technology sector. Economics of Publishing', to generate images and create published by Om Book There is a need to revolutionise the landscape of Indian Science Technology organized by FICCI on Jna 9, imaginations which digital world International (Above 10 years) and Innovation.” Prof Sharma said that books are don't have. bagged jury award in children's “My motto for the young scientists bourgeoning in this country has been – often termed as soft power and Birad Rajaram Yajnik, Founder category. In the same category in “Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper”. He said these four steps will lead highlight the current challenges Director and Curator, Mahatma Hindi Siyar Aur Mor by Prabhat India towards a faster development. “Innovation for the people and by the of the society in order to create Gandhi Digital Museums, said and published Eklavya won the people is direction of our 'New India”, he added. future society. “Whenever we that innovation and seeing the honor. He highlighted that India now stands at 3rd position globally, in the number try to create a new society invisible are two key aspects of The Future ready Organization: of Peer-reviewed Science and Engineering Publications. “I have been told through the help of books, not the publication industry to survive How Dynamic Capability that India has climbed to third position globally in the number of peer only the society gets reflected and do better. management is Reshaping the reviewed science and engineering publications. It is also growing at a rate but also efforts are made to Modern Workplace by Gyan of about 10% as compared to global average of 4%”, he said. guide the society as well.” He FICCI Publishing Nagpal and published by He also mentioned about Improvement in India's ranking at Innovation added that publishers should HarperCollins publishers India Index to 52. He highlighted that Government programmes have created also keep society in mind while Awards given away Pvt. Ltd won the business book of more incubators in the last 5 years than in previous 50 years. publishing books. the year award. The Job Crisis in The Prime Minister launched the Indian Scientific, Technology and Highlighting the challenges of The annual publishing awards by India penned by Raghavan Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) Portal on this occasion. the publishing industry, Prof FICCI, one of the apex business jagganathan and published by Pan The Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Health Sharma said that one of the chambers in the country, were Macmillan India was chosen and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted that as per a recent important issues is with regard given away on January 9 at a under Business Economics. National Science Foundation (USA) Report, India has already climbed to to the pricing of book and special event coinciding with Where Will Man Take us? By Atul the third spot in the number of science and engineering publications and profits. “While deciding on the Delhi World Book Fair. In English Jalan and published by Penguin that Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research (JNCASR) price points of the books, we language, the children's book of Random House India was the in Bangalore has scored the 7th position in the quality of research by Nature should consider the target the year award (below 10 years) Business Self Help book of the Index. market for which we are went to author Ranjit Lal's year . Dr. Harsh Vardhan elaborated that missions have been initiated in the publishing,” Prof Sharma Rumble in the Jungle published disruptive technologies such as Cyber-Physical Systems, deep-ocean added. by Scholastic India and in the exploration; quantum systems, energy storage and gene editing which are He said that on one hand, some above 10 year category to Best creating unprecedented opportunities for our young and dynamic scientists publishers print limited copies Friends Forever byArti Sonthalia. to work on securing the future. At the same time traditional knowledge of a book at higher price while systems in areas such as health and well-being, water conservation, some print more number of environmental management and sources of local livelihood have been copies at lower rate. strengthened. “Publishers can either opt for The theme of the next science and technology for sustainable development publishing less copies of a book with women empowerment and Scientist Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena has been at higher price or more copies named the general president of the Indian Science Congress Association at lesser price in order to make (ISC) 2021. profits. In India, we should focus on printing a greater number of copies of a book at lesser cost and still make CAT 2019 results: Some interesting factoids WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF CAY 2019 results declared on Jan 4, 2020 shows that out of 2,09,926 INDIA'S EDUCATION STORY! who appeared for the test, 10 candidates have scored an overall 100 percentile and are all males. Also, they are from the You can advertise in curriculum magazine or and also put an engineering/technology background. Of these candidates, 6 advertorial highlighting your company/services/campus/ products etc. candidates are from the IITs, 2 candidates are from the NITs, and 1 This will greatly support your marketing effort and enhance your candidate is from Jadavpur University. 21 candidates have scored an visibility and recall value with your current and potential clients overall 99.99 percentile in CAT 2019. Out of these candidates, 19 candidates are from the engineering/technology background. CAT OUR FOCUS 2019 saw the highest number of CAT test takers of the last 10 years. Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode said “This year's — We cover latest news, product launches, current events and trends CAT examination was one of the smoothest exams held in recent — News features, Guest Articles, Expert columns years.” — Career counselling, Skill India, Entrepreneurships — School/College /university events Importance of liberal arts in light of the — Achievements by students, faculty, institutions — Education Technology — Study Abroad new education policy highlighted — Institution/people profiles Vassar College, Mumbai organised panel discussions in New Delhi and Mumbai on the future and importance of liberal arts education in shaping students' careers. Prof G Raghuram, Dr Sunder Ramaswamy, Professor PV Madhusudhan Rao, Professor Sudhir Shah, Dr Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashok Trivedi spoke in New Delhi on January 7, 2020. In Mumbai the next day, in attendance were Professor Anush Kapadia, Nina Hirji Kheraj, Professor Santosh Kumar Kudtarkar, Ramesh Mangaleswaran and Dr Ravindra Kulkarni. In a changing world, the most important skill is to be able to adapt, take in new information and make sense of the situation. Learning how to learn is consistent with the liberal arts approach, through which students learn across different styles, topics and paradigms. A liberal arts education is needed to impart key communication skills (writing, speaking, negotiating), expose students to multiple disciplines (arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural and information sciences), and empower students to innovate, be creative and entrepreneurial, and to chart their own paths in becoming engaged citizens and community role models. India's recent education policy also