Curriculum Mag Jan 2021

www.curriculum-magazine.com RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Vol 11 No 3 magazine THE INDIA EDUCATION LANDSCAPE UPDATE January 16 2020 IN BRIEF National Innovation Portal (NIP) Ministry of developed by National Innovation Foundation launched Education issues JEE (Advanced) on July 3 NIP is currently home to about 1.15 lakh innovations scouted from common guidelines for Eligibility criteria of 75 % in people of the country, covering Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary and Human identification, Class 12th relaxed for IIT Health. In terms of domain areas, presently the innovations cover Energy, admission and admissions this year, JEE mechanical, automobile, electrical, electronics, household, chemical, civil, textiles, continued educa- (Advanced) 2021 to be Farm / cultivation practice, storage practice, plant variety, plant protection, tion of migrant held on 3rd July 2021 as a poultry, livestock management, nutraceuticals etc. computer based test. This year It will be conducted by IIT Kharagpur. NIXI Offers free childrenDR. HARSH VARDHAN, and Innovative co-efficient is the Innovative solutions and those who Domain in Local Union Health Minister dedicated most important for the progress of had been at the helm of their In order to mitigate the impact of Indian Languages an Innovation Portal, developed the country”, and added that in evolution. He urged students, challenges thrown by the COVID- by National Innovation future it will be the idea that will entrepreneurs, MSME'sand common 19 pandemic for out of school The National Internet Foundation (NIF) – India, an drive the progress of the nation. people engaged in a variety of children, it was felt necessary for Exchange of India (NIXI) autonomous body of the He emphasized that the occupations to take advantage of the every State/UT to devise a proper announced that it will offer a Department of Science and Innovation Portal will create an Innovations portal and explore strategy free IDN (Internationalized Technology (DST), Government eco-system where the Institutions innovations of interest. For preventing increased drop outs, Domain Name) in any of their of India, to the nation, in New will stand behind all those who Speaking on the occasion, Prof lower enrolments, loss of learning preferred 22 official Indian Delhi on Jan 14. can convert their ideas and Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST and deterioration in the gains made language along with every IN Speaking on the occasion, Dr. innovations into entrepreneur- mentioned that this innovation portal in providing universal access, domain booked by the Harsh Vardhan said that credit ship. He urged for a Stand-up is being on-boarded at a very quality and equity in the recent registrant. Applicant will also goes to the Prime Minister for Start-up system in the country appropriate time within the innova- years, the Ministry of Education get a free email in local igniting the Innovation where anyone who has the desire tion eco-system of our nation, by issued guidelines for identification, language. This offer has been Movement and creating an to innovate, should be encouraged way of coinciding with evolution of admission and continued education created to stimulate the Innovation Eco-system in the to develop his or her ideas, 5th National STI Policy of India. He of migrant children. country during the last 6 years. irrespective of their background said the future contributors to the In order to ensure that school going adoption of भारत (IDN) The Minister emphasized on the whether rural, tribal or anyone innovation portal will stem from the children have access to education domain name and proliferation growing importance of outstand- with formal science background. focus areas of the policy, and hence it with quality and equity and to of local language content. ing Traditional Knowledge, He further observed that the year is important that eco-system of R&D minimize the impact of the This offer is valid for new .in particularly herbal practices 2020 was a year of turbulence like and innovation be created in rural pandemic on school education users who register up to 31st which stem from tribal areas, and never before, and digital and remote areas, particularly in the across the country, MoE has January 2021. This offer is also is one of the key highlights of the infrastructure of our nation has North East, Islands and Tribal areas. prepared and these detailed extended to those existing in Innovation Portal. He said that immensely grown and helped all Prof Ashutosh explained the NIF is guidelines on steps to be taken by the users who renew their domain this Innovation Portal will help of us. The Innovation Portal in not only engaged in scouting for States and UTs during school in the month of January 2021. institutionalise new ideas by coming days could be one of the ideas but also taking them forward. closure and when the school re- common people towards finding significant contributions amongst The Innovation Portal will help open. Task Force for NEP solutions to local problems. all of our digital progress so far create local entrepreneurs out of The Minister highlighted “Best and would act as a bridge between grassroots ideas and will help bring Details on P3 A task force for coordinating Economy is the Idea Economy people who are looking for ideas to the market, he said. the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) between higher education and school education Tata Sky makes departments has been IIT Kanpur launches new Diploma program Classroom service recommended. A total of 181 available for free to all tasks have been identified for implementation in higher in GEODESY, the science of measuring the Earth subscribers education and a dashboard for monitoring the progress of Tata Sky, India's leading Pay-TV these tasks of NEP with clear timelines and targets may be platform, is now providing free prepared. A monthly and weekly calendar should be Geodesy finds application in civil engineering, exploration, mapping, and forms the basis unrestricted access to educational drawn up for implementation content on TV through the Tata of the tasks so that every of all geo-information systems Sky Classroom service. This stakeholder is updated about its implementation. Indian Institute of Technology science of Geodesy has applica- India, IIT-K has recently established service is powered by Tata Union Education Minister has suggested that a review Kanpur (IIT-K)today announced tions in monitoring earthquake, the National Centre for Geodesy ClassEdge.. committee and an implementation committee the launch of a new program- volcanic, landslide, and weather (NCG) with Prof. Onkar Dikshit, from Commenting on the announcement, headed by Secretary, Higher Education should be formed to Diploma of IIT (D-IIT) in Geodesy, hazard recognition and response; the Department of Civil Engineering Pallavi Puri, Chief Commercial ensure speedy implementation of NEP. the science of measuring the Earth. soil health, water resources, and as its Coordinator and supported with and Content officer, Tata Sky, said, The D-IIT program, approved by drought surveillance; climate the vast experience of Maj. Gen. (Dr.) “Online education in India is the Board of Governors, IIT-K at its change including monitoring the B. Nagarajan (Chairman, National currently beset by several board meeting held on December 7, polar ice cover; oil spill clean- Geodesy Programme) and the challenges, prime amongst them 2020, will be offered by the ups; GPS timing and autonomous expertise of Prof. BalajiDevaraju. The being the lack of adequate Department of Civil Engineering in vehicle development. NCG is the first of its kind in the infrastructure. With Tata Sky's vast three broad areas: Geodesy, With the support from the country to support education and reach, millions of children will get Navigation & Mapping, and Department of Science and research activities in the field of access to quality education for free Remote Sensing & GIS. The Technology, Government of Geodesy. via their television sets. The service is mapped with children's CBSE school syllabus and offers concept learning videos, delivered Contd P4 in an interesting story led format.” https://education21.in INSIDE: New India Aspires Education, Ed trends 2021 ...P4, 5 Career: Radio-Imaging Technology..P8 More stories, more engagement

2 Curriculum January 16, 2021 News Updates IoEs can set up campuses abroad University of Disability Studies and Meditation app, University Grants Commission (UGC) has amended its regulations, Rehabilitation Sciences proposed Nispanda, launched allowing Institutions of Eminence (IoEs) to set up campuses abroad after receiving no objection certificates from the Ministry of External The government has proposed to set up a “first of its kind” university The Yoga Institute, Mumbai has Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. The move is in line with the covering the entire gamut of disability studies and launched a meditation app, government's new National Education Policy, which says that high The government has proposed to set up a “first of its kind” university Nispanda, for practitioners and performing universities should be encouraged to set up campuses covering the entire gamut of disability studies and rehabilitation sciences students of meditation, and abroad. in an accessible environment. comes with a library of videos for The amendments also permit the IOEs to start new off campus centres, In a public notice issued on December 24, the Department of guided meditation for each with a maximum of three in five years and not more than one in an Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the situation. The app is available on academic year. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has invited comments Android, iOS and the internet. There are 18 Institutions of Eminence. “Institutions of Eminence from stakeholders on a draft bill to set up the university. In this regard, Deemed to be Universities shall be allowed to start new off-shore the DEPwD said, a draft bill namely the University of Disability Studies “This year, to our service of campuses with the prior approval of the Ministry after receiving No and Rehabilitation Sciences Bill, 2021 for establishing the proposed Householder Yoga, we added Objection Certificate from Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry university has been prepared. several initiatives aimed to of Home Affairs,” say the amendments to the UGC (Institutions of The DEPwD said it intends to set up a University of Disability Studies provide help and relief against the Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2017. and Rehabilitation Sciences, Kamrup district, Assam through a separate COVID pandemic. The Yoga “The Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities shall ensure act of Parliament. Institute has always been that the norms and standards of the off shore campus shall be the same “The proposed university, the first of its kind, will be a unique committed to taking Householder as that maintained on the main campus for similar courses, and the off- multidisciplinary academic institution conducting research, programmes Yoga to more and more people shore campus shall also follow similar admission criteria, curriculum, and courses from bachelor's level onwards to cater to various disciplines across India and the world, and examination system and evaluation system. All the information about covering the entire gamut of disability studies and rehabilitation sciences our journey of 102 years of off-shore campus shall be disclosed on the website of the Institution of in an accessible environment,” the DEPwD said. The proposed transforming lives has been made Eminence Deemed to be University.” university will have eight departments viz. disability studies; possible due to the vision and The functioning of the off shore campuses shall be reviewed by an rehabilitation sciences; audiology and speech language pathology; efforts of three generations of Empowered Experts Committee “independently and/or along with the special education; psychology; nursing; orthotics and prosthetics and yogis led by our Founder, Yoga IOE”. assistive technology; and inclusive and universal design. “The proposed Guru Shri Yogendra ji, and the university's programmes will adopt a credit and grading system. The thousands of people who, over CollabCAD Software for CBSE proposed university will offer affiliation to other institutions in the past century, have been a part disabilities and rehabilitation sciences in the country,” it said. of The Yoga Institute's family, “ affiliated schools said Dr Hansa J Yogendra, Suraasa Launches Professional Director – The Yoga Institute. National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Ministry of Education along with Atal Qualifications for Teachers' STEPapp to implement Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, on Jan 14 launched the CollabCAD Software and released a comprehensive e-book on Suraasa, UAE's leading teacher growth-focused EdTech & JobTech the Gamified E-learning CollabCAD 3D modeling. platform, is now foraying into India to help the Indian teachers get much- CollabCAD is the first indigenous tool created by NIC in partnership deserved recognition & career growth. Suraasa-trained teachers have solution in Uttarakhand with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Vikram Sarabhai been bagging permanent jobs in international schools, fast promotions, Space Centre (VSSC). It is a collaborative network-enabled and and salary hikes, all while winning the respect of 21st-century school STEPapp (Student Talent desktop software system, providing a total engineering solution from children in Dubai, even during the pandemic. Principals from leading Enhancement Program 2D drafting & detailing to 3D product design for students and faculty schools reported increased school ratings, classroom efficiency, and staff Application) has received a of Engineering Graphics Curriculum. satisfaction after their teachers enrolled with Suraasa. A Suraasa teacher mandate from the Uttarakhand Dr. Neeta Verma, Director General, National Informatics Centre, said, quoted, “an eye-opening course, now my (school) children tell me, 'I am Government to implement its “We are glad to share this software with the CBSE students. It is a very their rock star”, gamified learning app across all simple software with industry features. This software is an innovative To begin with, Suraasa is bringing to India its Professional Qualifications government schools in way for students to learn 3D Model designing and this knowledge will for Assistant Teachers, Teachers, Teacher Coordinators, and Principals. Uttarakhand. give them a competitive edge in their higher education. In our Prime Being recognized by the UK OFQUAL and KHDA Dubai, a qualified Through this association, Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat when we are going to graduate becomes a highly sought-after teacher by top schools in India STEPapp will enhance the particularly promote industry and manufacturing in the country, this and abroad. Suraasa's Jobs platform will host jobs from several premia students' performance in school kind of initiative will contribute in a significant way.” high-paying schools where Suraasa-trained teachers will get exams as well as in competitive NIC and CBSE also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) apprenticeship and work opportunities. exams. This will also enable for 'CollabCAD Software Support and Training for Students and Suraasa aims to position India's 90 Lakh school teachers as the world's schools to measure the students' Faculty in Engineering Graphics Curriculum for Class X and XII leading educationists of tomorrow. To achieve this, first, the teaching learning outcomes through across CBSE affiliated Schools' for a period of 10 years. career must appeal to the existing and new teachers as a financially viable dashboards. This initiative will Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information and progressive career path. Second, teachers must thoroughly benefit students from grades 6th- Technology (MeitY) congratulated the entire team of NIC and understand the learning needs of 21st-century schoolchildren, who are 12th across the states CollabCAD for their efforts and said, “The team at NIC has created a digitally-savvy, inundated with information, and easily distracted. immediately. STEPapp will be a fabulous product in collaboration with the eminent institutions of the Prioritizing both these asks, the founders leveraged their 10-year part of the learning pedagogy in country. This software has proved to be extremely useful in the hands experience within Indian Education System to build Suraasa. all the schools of these states. of Atal Tinkering Lab students and now when it goes mainstream with STEPapp has been implemented the help of CBSE, the potential is tremendous.” He also mentioned that Implement new school bag policy in 203 Govt. Model Schools & the use of this tool should be a part of playgroups, hobby groups, and RGNVs in Uttarakhand. vocational training. The Delhi government has directed schools in the national capital to Manoj Ahuja, Chairperson, Central Board of Secondary Education implement the new “school bag policy” to reduce the weight of school GITAM University to (CBSE) said, “National Education Policy lays a lot of emphasis on bags and the burden of students. vocationalization and CBSE has been the pioneering board to offer a “Heavy school bags are a serious threat to the health and well-being of launch Gitam Nutrify wide range of vocational subjects to students. A product like school students. These have adverse physical effects on the growing CollabCAD along with the opportunities offered by Atal Tinkering children which can cause damage to their vertebral column and knees. Academy Labs can help students to be at the frontier of knowledge. We look “Moreover, in the schools which are functioning in double or multi storey forward to working together closely with Atal Tinkering Labs and buildings, children have to climb the stairs with heavy school bags which Nurtify India has now joined National Informatics Centre in the future.” further aggravates the problem,” the Directorate of Education (DoE) said hands with GITAM university to The comprehensive e-book on CollabCAD 3D modeling 1.0 is ready in a letter to school principals. launch Gitam Nutrify Academy for public release through the CollabCAD portal for registered users The Ministry of Education had notified the new school bag policy last for responsible nutrition. This and will guide CAD students, beginners, and professionals in month which is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP). program will aim towards understanding and using CollabCAD Software. It is designed and From no textbooks for pre-primary classes to single notebook for classes capacity building of nutrition authored by the CollabCAD Group of NIC, New Delhi. 1 and 2, frequent checks of school bags to ensure students do not carry industry via a curriculum of This initiative aims to provide a great platform to students across the heavy weight, informing the students and parents regarding appropriate degree programs. country to create and modify 3D digital designs with a free flow of kind of school bags and encouraging students to use both straps of bags, “As part of the Academy, we will creativity and imagination. This software would also enable students are among the recommendations made by the government. develop and deliver courses, “The load of school bag is increased by bringing textbooks, guides, certificates, diploma to collaborate homework or classwork notebooks, rough work notebooks, water programmes and Continuing over designs bottles, lunch box, and sometimes the heavy weight of the school bag Education programmes for across the itself. The number of textbooks in different classes should not exceed the professionals in Nutrition, network and number prescribed by the statutory bodies. Nutrition Management, Health & concurrently “Heads of schools and teachers should frame a well-designed timetable Wellness, Food Technology, access the for each class so that children do not have to carry too many books or Food Safety, etc. Through its same design notebooks to the school each day,” it said. Centre for Health and Wellness data for “For other classes, there shall be one notebook for each subject for Innovation (CHWI), GITAM storage and exercises, projects, unit tests, experiments, among others, which the wishes to collaborate with visualization. students need to bring as per the timetable. Students should not be asked external academics, industry to bring additional books or extra materials to the school,” the letter partners and thought leaders to stated. disseminate the message of ‘Responsible Nutrition’,” said Balkumar Marthi, Director, Centre for Health & Wellness Innovation & Raja Pappu, Director, Research & Consultancy.

Curriculum January 16, 2021 3 News Reports CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication LEAD School launches Bridge Course for and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) set up class 10 students to cover learning gaps The new Institute has been established after the merger of two prestigious The pandemic has disrupted the education cycle of students, especially in the institutes of CSIR namely, CSIR-NISCAIRa nd CSIR-NISTADS working at the K-12 segment, resulting in gaps in their learning levels. To address this, interface of S&T, Society; and Science Communication and Policy Research Mumbai-based EdTech company LEAD School has introduced a Bridge Course for students entering Class 10 in 2021. A new institute of Council of policy research which has proved popular science magazines Class 10 is an important milestone in the academic journey of students. The Scientific and Industrial to be so important during the (Vigyan Pragati and Science Bridge Course will equip students with the prerequisite skills and Research (CSIR) i.e. CSIR- Covid19 pandemic. He also Reporter) and Scientific Journals. fundamentals required to prepare for the board year. National Institute of Science emphasized that evidence driven CSIR-NISCAIR is also managing LEAD School Co-founder and CEO Sumeet Mehta said, “Class 10th results Communication and Policy policy will play a crucial role in the largest and oldest National are important because they determine college admissions. Class 9th students Research (CSIR-NIScPR) has making 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' a Science Library and also this year have experienced massive learning losses due to school lockdowns. been established consequent to reality driven by S&T and distributes International Standard The Bridge Course will cover these gaps and help students learn Class 10th the merger of two prestigious Innovation. Serial Number (ISSN). It has been content with confidence and in continuity from Class 9th. This will help them institutes of CSIR namely, CSIR- The Minister told the audience the custodian of the National get conceptual clarity and achieve good scores in Class 10th board exams.” National Institute of Science that the merge of these two great Knowledge Resource Consortium Taught in a hybrid format (a mix of online and offline platforms), the course Communication and Information institutions is a turning point in (NKRC) which facilitates access is designed to provide a thorough recap of core concepts from previous Resources (CSIR-NISCAIR)and their history as now the repository to more than 5000 e-journals of all grades with ample practice through a simple, easy-to-execute curriculum CSIR-National Institute of of knowledge vested in the two major publishers, patents, that includes videos, worksheets, quizzes and group activities. Science, Technology and institutes will combine to make standards, citations, and Prior to the program, a baseline assessment is conducted to understand the Development Studies (CSIR- the new entity an even larger and bibliographic database. learning gaps of students. Teachers are provided with automatically NISTADS) which work at the more prestigious institute in the Likewise, CSIR-NISTADS has generated reports to understand the gaps and conduct remedial for students. interface of S&T and Society; global scientific arena. He urged earned its reputation in its long A final assessment is conducted at the end of the course to evaluate students' and Science Communication and all to change their perspective, journey in Policy research and has progress. Policy Research. and start looking at the future with a rich research experience in the LEAD School will also roll out the Bridge Course for all subjects for students Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union ever new dreams that will lead to a area of History of Science, S & T of Grades 2 to 9 who have lost significant learning time due to the prolonged Science & Technology minister “New India”. and Society, and S&T and lockdown. unveiled the plaque of the new Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director Innovation. It has executed Institute , followed by plantation General CSIR, highlighted that projects from UNESCO and the Pehlay Akshar partners with Doordarshan of saplings in the central lawn of the MISSIONof the institute is to Commonwealth Science Council, CSIR-NIScPR campus on this promote STI policy studies and State S&T Councils and Marathi for its Magic Classroom initiative occasion. He highlighted that the science communication among international agencies to review purpose of this merger is to diverse stakeholders and act as a their respective S&T promotional Program aims to improve English language skills of children across combine the strength of the two bridge at the interface of science, schemes. CSIR-NISTADS has Maharashtra institutes in a synergistic way technology, industry and society created a Techno-Socio-Economic The Pehlay Akshar Foundation has collaborated with autonomous public with a VISION to become a which is essential to a robust S&T platform to enable service broadcaster Doordarshan Marathi for its Magic Classroom initiative. globally respected Think Tank ecosystem in the country. developmentand application of The initiative aims to improve English language skills of students from class and Resource Centre for Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director socially acceptable, relevant, I to VIII across English and vernacular mediums. As we continue to combat understanding Science, CSIR-NISCAIR & CSIR- scalable and cost-competitive the pandemic, the TV classroom offers children an opportunity to continue Technology & Innovation (STI) NISTADS highlighted the key products. learning. Policy Research and roles played by both the institutes 418 episodes of 30 minutes each will be aired over the next 27 weeks, starting Communication. He emphasized in the past few decades. CSIR- 4th January 2021 on DD Sahyadri, DD Free Dish 525, Dish TV 1229, that CSIR-NIScPR will serve the NISCAIR, has been a frontier Hathway 513, and Tata Sky 1274, across Maharashtra. Created in society with its core areas of institute in Science partnership with the State Council of Educational Research and Training of science communication and Communication publishing Maharashtra, the episodes are based on the Maharashtra State Board syllabus for classes I to VIII. The content is delivered using Pehlay Akshar's unique from pg 1 pedagogy that incorporates diverse learning philosophies, promotes creative thinking, and develops socio-emotional skills, aligned with the National Ministry of Education issues guidelines for migrant children Education Policy. Speaking about the initiative, Radha Goenka, Director, RPG Foundation; The main features of the behaviors – wear mask, six-feet E.Student Support on School Founder of Pehlay Akshar said, “Pehlay Akshar's vision is to help children Guidelines are : distance and washing hands Reopening think, be curious and develop a good command over the English language. A. Continued Education for with soap for which IEC !·Preparation and running of Equipping kids with the right mindset and basic English skills would enable Out of School Children (OoSC) material shared on 06.11.2020 them to eventually progress in their career path. We are confident that, and Children with Special with the States & UTs. S c h o o l r e a d i n e s s m o d- despite the disruption caused by Covid-19, through this partnership with the Needs (CWSN) ules/Bridge course for initial Maharashtra State Education Department and Doordarshan, we can reach !· C o n t i n u a t i o n o f n o n - D. Student Support while period when the schools re-open out to a large number of children, across Maharashtra, who can continue to Schools are closed so that they can adjust to the learn from home.” residential training for !·Students to be provided school environment and do not For those who miss the episode on television, the videos can be accessed on identified Out of School feel stressed or left-out. the Pehlay Akshar app (available on Google Play Store) or the Pehlay Akshar children through volunteers, support including counseling, !·Identification of students YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/PehlayAksharChannel). local teachers and community large scale awareness & across different grades based on participation. targeted home visits their learning levels SP Robotic Works plans to reopen their Maker !·Continuation of home based !·Using Manodarpan web portal !·Relaxing detention norms to education for CWSN children and tele-counseling number for prevent drop out this year. Labs as Experience Centers for Phase 1 through Volunteers/ Special counseling services and !· E n s u r i n g r e a d i n g w i t h Educators. psycho-social support. comprehension and numeracy Chennai based startup SP Robotic Works plans to reopen their 'Maker Labs' !B. Identifying Out of School !·Distribution of educational skills by encouraging children as experience centers in selected locations as phase 1 in January 2021. The Children material and resources, to read books beyond syllabus Maker Labs will be open for children and parents to step-in for a demo of the !·States and UTs to carry out supplementary graded material, and creative writing & problem various kits and courses offered in Robotics, Drone, Coding, and other proper identification of OoSC workshops, worksheets etc to solving. technologies. for 6 to 18 years age group support home-based education !· L a r g e - s c a l e r e m e d i a l These Maker Labs are AI-powered with in-built infrastructure providing a through a comprehensive door !·Exploring option of classroom programmes/Learning practical experience to parents and students. Hosting a total of 1.5 lakh+ to door survey and prepare on wheels and classes in small Enhancement programmes to students across 27 cities in India, SP Robotics Maker Lab is India's largest action plan for their enrolment groups at village level mitigate learning loss and network for students to learn Robotics and Coding. They offer Complete !·Increasing the access of inequality. Experiential learning for students of age 7 to 17+ with 10+ Courses in C. Enrolment Drives and children to online/digital F. Teacher Capacity Building Scratch Programming, Electro blocks, Drone, Android App, Coding, Awareness Generation resources, TV Radio etc. to !· Effective utilization of the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, etc. The ·Enrolment drives may be reduce learning loss online NISHTHA training company plans to open all the 83 Maker Labs as Phase 2 soon to start their undertaken at the beginning of !·Ensuring easy and timely modules and online training regular operations. academic year such as access to the provisions of module for Corona responsive Commenting on this, Sneha Priya, CEO & Co-Founder, SP Robotic Works Praveshotsav, School Chalo uniforms, textbooks and MDM behavior to be launched on said, “SP Robotic Works believes in providing an early age interaction with Abhiyan etc. !·Timely disbursement of DIKSHAportal soon. coding and tech for children. The aim is to encourage children to develop a !· U n d e r t a k e a w a r e n e s s stipend to enrolled CWSN girls !· Use of alternative Academic liking for the practical aspect of the technical field and help boost their through DBT Calendar prepared by NCERT cognitive and logical thinking skills. Keeping all the necessary precautions at generation among parents and !·Strengthening of Child for joyful engagement of hand, we are thrilled to reopen our labs again for the students to make use of community for enrolling and protection mechanism at local children in learning. this time in a more productive way. “ attendance of children level !·Create awareness on practic- ing 3 Corona appropriate !

4 Curriculum January 16, 2021 News Reports Trends & Outlook for Education in 2021 UP's Chitrakoot and Sitapur districts By Radhika Sinha, Principal, Aditya Birla World Academy initiate teacher training with Square Panda School is a place where students learn the initial lessons of life. Within the Two districts in Uttar Pradesh, Chitrakoot and Sitapur have signed up with precincts of a safe environment, children experience, moments of joy, challenges, Square Panda, a Silicon Valley-based Ed-tech company, to conduct a achievements, failures and disappointments, all which have a lasting impact on comprehensive Educator Empowerment Program for primary and ECCE their future. However, there has been a paradigm shift in the way we look at the teachers in government schools. This is in line with the National Education teaching learning process. The hybrid school model, and a dynamic style of Policy 2020, which highlights the need to up-skill educators, making them synchronous and asynchronous blended learning is here to stay. Before we future-ready, equipping them with technical know-how and language realized... the new normal has become 'the normal' for the times to come. acquisition skills to promote lifelong learning. This novel hands-on educator empowerment program aligns perfectly with the policy's vision, using the Increased focus on to communicate, developing 'way of life' and also the need of the best global practices to meet the challenges of today's early childhood emotional and mental education system. wellbeing skills of negotiation and hour. New and innovative Both districts have commissioned a 60-hour educator empowerment program. Educators will be trained to comprehend the neuroscience of early Our future is shaped by the patience in children. It also approaches to teaching by learning along with an enhanced comprehension of foundational literacy and generation that stands strong numeracy. To help them acclimatise in an ever-changing educational mentally and physically. Amid teaches students to work as a integrating technology in the landscape, educators will be equipped with knowledge and implementation uncertainty and a stressful strategies to manage the classrooms better, along with a strong knowledge of event like the Covid-19 'unit' and be team players. classroom offers multiple benefits. technology. To help them develop professionally, as well as impart pandemic, some children instruction, they will be given English language training, focusing on develop more intense reactions With planning and creativity, conversational and spoken English. of anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems. While Personalized learning digital technology can be used to The program structure includes pre-assessment, post-assessment as well as this can happen to any child, it an intermediate assessment after each module to ensure efficacy. The is important to know that there In the era of personalized create meaningful learning program is fully virtual and hence scalable to a much larger number of are some children who are at teachers. Each module has a self-study note as a takeaway which summarises higher risk as they may have learning, the term 'New School' experiences. This will serve the key points and has activities to be conducted in the classroom, ensuring had significant losses or may smooth implementation at classrooms post the training. have experienced traumatic means forward thinking, where students as well as instructors. events. Children in this group IIT Kanpur launches new Diploma program may need even more consis- Text-Books and Teachers- Incorporating interactive and tency with routines, sleep in Geodesy schedules, emotional support, Knowledge is not the complete gamified digital platforms like and reassurance about the The program will add a new dimension to the Geoinformatics courses offered outbreak. It is imperative for collection of facts or docu- NearPod, Peardeck, Kahoot, by the institute at present. The one-year D-IIT will add to the skillsets of them to get a support for their working professionals from Government institutions, industry, faculty mental well-being and at the mented knowledge, required for Q u i z i z z , E d m o d o , P a d l e t , members, and researchers in academic institutions involved in teaching and same time, empower them to R&D in the areas of civil engineering, exploration, mapping and geo- deal with change by accepting learning. Unlike the old way VoiceThread, FlipGrid, Edpuzzle, information systems. it the way it is. It is important to Dr Radhakrishnan, Chairman Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur said“The D- teach them coping strategies where a teacher would deliver Coggle, Flippity, Socrative to IIT programs launched at IIT Kanpur will raise the national capability in and instill psychological Geodesy and Navigation & Mapping besides impelling advance data characteristics such as his/her class with limited facts name just a few tools, provide the analytics into Remote Sensing and GIS.” engagement, perseverance, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur said “Geodesy is an area where resilience, optimism, from a textbook. Teachers are an much needed learner engagement. well-qualified technical human resources, research activities, and geodetic connectedness, and happiness. infrastructure are required at the national levelfor the fast-developing With increased focus on extremely important part in any When students leave the classroom infrastructure requirements in the country today. The National Center for emotional and mental Geodesy (NCG) has been established to enhance expertise in Geodesy and wellbeing, we create a scaffold education system, but with a to enter the real world, adapting to allied areas. The Centre's primary aim is to act as a hub of excellence in for children so that they teaching and research in Geodesy, both at the national and the international emerge from this experience as d i ff e r e n c e . Te a c h e r s a r e the use of technological tools will level. An important mandate is to generate highly qualified manpower in a resilient generation. Geodesy and relevant disciplines. The initiation of the DIIT program is a step facilitators who stimulate and be an integral part of their forward towards achieving this mandate.” Rise in focus on extra- Dr. Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Professor & Head, Department of Civil curricular activities nudge students to think and professional lives. For the Engineering said, “The new D-IIT program in Geodesy helps fill the critical gap in human resources as the country embarks on building major infrastruc- As per the educational research facts from the vast educators, imbibing technology ture, new telecommunication tools and online maps for directions, and philosophy, teaching students mapping of natural resources. Geodesy is pivotal to these applications and to be lifelong learners is knowledge-base 'The Internet'. has become an irreplaceable Department of Civil Engineering at IIT-K is the first in the country to realise important. Education today, is the need for such training and capacity building in this important area.” not just limited to classrooms Flipping a Classroom is a great professional tool. Due to its Prof Onkar Dikshit, coordinator of the National Centre for Geodesy (NCG) or textbooks. Participation in said “The area of Geodesy, has wide-ranging applications in our day-to-day extra-curricular activities concept in the New School everyday use, technology has requirements from vehicle navigation, location-based services involving provides students an opportu- search and advertisement, online shopping, networking, identifying optimal nity to express their inner Model, where students gain first become its own form of literacy. sites for various facilities, etc. to solving broader issues related to climate creativity and showcase their studies, military applications, and the large-scale mapping of natural and talent and skill in the areas of exposure to learning prior to the Allowing students to learn and agricultural resources, urban infra-structure development, and disaster interest. Creativity, pro-social studies by using a variety of integrated sensors mounted on terrestrial, aerial skills, problem solving, class. Processing part of refine these skills prepares them and satellite-based platforms. This program aims at capacity building in these conflict resolution are some of areas by training working professionals and researchers from industry, the skills that one develops learning, that is synthesizing, for life beyond the classroom. Government, and academic institutions.” through play. Extra-curricular The Geoinformatics specialization is supported by state-of-the-art laboratory activities create opportunities analyzing and problem-solving facilities and well-defined course structure. The specialization also offers MTech, MS by Research, and PhD programs that are steered by a group of happens during the class. This experienced faculty members having wide-ranging research interests in Geodesy, Remote Sensing, Laser Scanning, Photogrammetry, GIS, and model teaches students to Sensor Integration. The newD-IIT program will be open to candidates from different back- develop research skills, which grounds including Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics, Mining, Geoinformatics, Physics, will help them evolve into life- Mathematics, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geography, etc., with requirements as for the MTech/MS(R) program of Geoinformatics special- long-learners. Freelance work ization in Civil Engineering. However, for the D-IIT program, the GATE requirement is waived for working professionals. Use of digital technologies We need an illustrator. He or Financial assistance for the D-IIT program in Geodesy is available through she could be from any part the National Centre for Geodesy (NCG), supported by the Department of for learning of India. Assignment basis Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. work for website and Technology has transformed the magazine edition. education sector to a larger scale Interested can write at and will continue to do so. Tech [email protected] integration in the teaching learning process has become a

Curriculum January 16, 2021 5 Edtech Updates Trends in EdTech to watch for in 2021 Aditya Malik, CEO and MD, Talentedge. 2020 has been a watershed year for the Education sector across the world but more so for India. The naysayers have been silenced and the policy makers too have moved the needle substantially towards building an India where “inclusiveness of education” is a key agenda. We shall try to look at how the year went and how 2021 will be a year that will truly be a watershed year from the perspective of EdTech and its impact on India's demographic divided and growth in the future years. Let's look at some key shifts that happened in 2020 and how Education space. they have prepared the ground for a quantum leap for EdTech in 2021 as a nation builder for the future. NEP2020 and PM-WANI can revolutionise Education and unlock India's Demographic 2020 : The year gone by Dividend: The NEP2020 (National -It saw EdTech startups attract over USD 2.2 Billion in Education Policy 2020) and the PM investments -WANI (Prime Minister Wifi -The new National Education Policy got approved in July 2020. Opens the doors for Technology to play a key role in Access Network Interface) has the creating more inclusiveness of higher education and shaping of new plans to enhance learning ability to take very high quality -Birth of new EdTech players whereby the number of learning to the remotest parts of the startups shot above 4500 country and lead to unlocking to -New niche segments identified by players to cater to specific needs India's demographic dividend -Growth that would have come in a few years got which has hitherto remained under condensed to less than a year thereby boosting acceptance rather quickly a cloud due to lack of access to high -Hiring in the EdTech sector far outpaced that in most quality learning from the best to the increase of GER from Strategy, Leadership, HR and sectors possible faculty and institutions. current 26.3% due to Online Marketing. This is based on two key So what does 2021 look like from a trends perspective to us? Let's take a look. This could all change as faster learning. The answer lies in Digital observations - on one side, the growth connectivity and availability of Technologies bridging this gap in data means a growth in need to mine high quality learning drives through enhanced reach of the best it and secure it while on the other side, adoption of higher education and f a c u l t i e s f r o m t h e f i n e s t the fear of job loss and need to stay propels India's GER to well in institutions using EdTech as the ahead will drive growth in the excess of the current 26.3% which enabler. traditional domains. is abysmally low. Technology courses to fuel Besides these, we shall also witness the Gig Economy & acquisition of demand besides Executive growth of micro-segments in the new skills: The GIG economy is E d u c a t i o n i n t r a d i t i o n a l EdTech space and outcome based here to stay. From Gen-Z to domains: We shall witness a learning that will fuel even faster Millenials, everyone is looking at continued growth in demand for adoption of EdTech and prepare India being a bit independent and this courses in Cybersecurity, Data for a hitherto unseen growth for the individualism as a trend will mean Science, Blockchain, Machine country and for the EdTech sector. that people will continue to acquire L e a r n i n g a n d P r o d u c t supplementary skills to their core Management besides courses in skills and handle multiple projects Higher Education & Personalization of Education remotely or with a mix of remote Reskilling will be in focus: using Artificial Intelligence We forecast that the year 2021 and Machine Learning: Let's and in-person. This as a trend will will be one where the Higher understand how learning works. Education and Executive The entire philosophy is based on further accelerate the demand for Education sectors will see learning through Visual mode, massive growth on the back of Auditory mode or Kinesthetic executive education and higher Unicus Olympiads launches free of cost need for re-skilling for mode - now this is true for a child education. Watch out for this one employees across industry as well as any learner at any domains to ensure they stay stage. In light of this, let's look at unshackling high quality Non-routine Mathematics Olympiad ahead of the pack and due to the how critical it is to adopt employees who turn into gig- NEP2020 which allows Top technology to personalise 100 Universities based on learning for each learner based workers. Unicus Olympiads, first Online Summer Olympiad Exam, recently NIRF rankings to offer Degrees on various data points that can be online. Let's understand what captured rather quickly and unveiled Non-routine Mathematics Olympiad (UNRMO) for the students that means. Under the new easily using Technology. With NEP2020 a learner sitting in Artificial Intelligence driven Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets to grow of classes 3 to 10. This new Olympiad has been designed to test the Aizawal can get an Online personalisation of learning, we'd degree from a Top-100 see an enhancement in quality of faster than Metros for EdTech: students' fundamentals and make them accustomed with non-routine University based in say Delhi delivery and in outcome based or Mumbai or elsewhere and be education replacing just degree This is evident even today whereby questions in the mathematics examination. The Level 1of the Olympiad is eligible for a government job based education. This will too. This is the first time that eventually unlock the potential of 45% of learners for Talentedge absolutely free of cost for all and has gained quite a momentum in students Online degrees have been each learner and enable her to allowed by the government and achieve greater heights. which is one of the leaders in the since its launch. it will fuel democratisation and inclusiveness of Education that Dual Degrees and Higher Education and Executive Unicus Non-Routine Mathematics Olympiad is a 2-Level Olympiad Exam has never been seen before. Certifications will become a The fact that companies will norm: In 2021, the learners will Education space come from Tier and the exams happen in winters. The difficulty level of Level 1 and Level 2 need new skills for growth will look at adding dual degree using fuel the Executive Education the benefit provided by NEP2020 2/3/4 markets and not from metros. exams are at par with some of the most renowned Mathematics Olympiads segment in a manner that will and looking at creating a wider With quality education being conducted nationally and internationally. The questions in this exam are of be unprecedented. Also, as a repertoire of skills via Degrees available online, this as a trend will non-conventional type. The exams are of MCQ nature and are of 60 segment, this has seen a and Certification besides their once again fuel a massive growth minutes each. Each level has 20 questions each - 10 Classic Section (3 significant growth in 2020 and core degree or course they are for all EdTech players. Currently as marks each) and 10 Scholar Section (6 marks each) questions. this trend will continue as is pursuing. This is a function of per a recent KPMG report based on Solving non-routine mathematics questions require students to figure out visible from the fact that consumer behaviour where AISHE 2018-19 (All India Survey the concept to be used in a given problem and requires them to attempt the Talentedge as a company human beings try to stay ahead of for Higher Education) cited that question as per the understanding of the concept. There's no standard way which is a leader in the others in a crisis to ensure there shall be over 1.5 Crore to solve such questions. “Mathematics is everywhere, from calculating Executive Education segment survivability and this will drive a leaners in the Open and Distance distance, time, and cost for your planned travel journey to concepts of is looking to more than double huge growth once again the learning Model which will be geometry and trigonometry involved in recreational sports. It is present its workforce in 2021. Higher Education and Executive catered to by the EdTech around; just you need to have the vision to observe and feel mathematical interventions by creation of Live concepts. Then these questions would certainly pop-up in your mind that and Interactive learning by Higher 'Why is it necessary to have when we already have routine mathematics in Education Institutions. place? Or why have we introduced the concept of Non-Routine Digital Learning will start Mathematics?' Understanding the concepts and learning to apply these is bridging the teacher skill gap in the proven tactic to excel in Mathematics lifelong. The best method to get a India: India has a shortfall of over stronghold over the fundamentals is through solving non-routine 5 Lakh teachers even at current Mathematics problems. Solving such problems helps students improve GER of 26.3% as per AISHE 2018- thinking ability skills, analytical skills, logical reasoning, analytical 19 if the TPR (Teacher Pupil Ratio) thinking, and more,” said Nitin Godawat, Managing Director, Olympiad was to be at 1:20 instead of current Success. 1:29. This shortfall is in addition to The dates of all the Unicus Olympiads exams are fixed. Check the complete the skill gaps that exist and the exam schedule here: https://www.unicusolympiads.com/exam-dates growth that will be witnessed due The first set of sessions already available on the platform include

6 Curriculum January 16, 2021 VIEWS (Edit/Guest Column...) OPINION: Why Traditional Schooling Can't Prepare Students for Year 2021 is the year of the Modern Workplace building back better By Rishabh Khanna focussed on strong collaboration imagination, visualization, out-of- The announcement of mass vaccination against skills and therefore, it doesn't stress the-box thinking, and rational Coronavirus in India and elsewhere in the World Cognitive Scientist and upon developing an understanding of reasoning. Students are forced to has brought hope and optimism back in Founder of Suraasa the value of input from others to learn subjects that they have no humanity. As a component of this good news, generate ideas. Students are interest in. The primary focus is on vaccinations will progress logically to inoculate people Quality education is essential for a rewarded for tasks accomplished writing the 'correct' answer because and this signifies the triumph of human spirit and pursuit person to develop skills, develop independently. The traditional wrong answers lead to deduction in of science & technology. self-confidence and earn his bread and education model teaches children not marks. Students who don't write what However, the bigger component of this optimism is butter. However, the traditional to collaborate. In quite a few cases, it is taught in classes are considered revival and building back. There was big talk of rethink education system has not been able to looks down upon people who weak and humiliated before other and re-imagination all through this nearly 9-month long fulfil this objective. The system is collaborate. And that is a negative students. Asking questions is pandemic. There has been much discussion and broken and cannot cater to the needs lesson for future success. discouraged. So, the spark of brainstorming around learning, teaching and the learning of the current generation, much less to Professional workplaces value creativity, innovation and smart ecosystem. The closure of schools and institutions of the demands of the next one. Studies collaborative skills as well as people thinking is doused in the student higher education for such long has been unprecedented have shown that to compete with the who have developed these qualities before he even tries to ignite it. The and it will have its own repercussions, costs and workforce and to succeed in future, in themselves and are adept at conventional education system learning. The danger, however, is human memory being students today will need the specific working with others to devise crushes the soul and spirit of students, short-lived, will tend to forget it rather quickly as the skills to collaborate in order to solve effective solutions. not letting their innate talent come to new normal stabilizes in coming months. problems and use creative approaches the fore. People with agenda are always around and they exploit and analysis. And by engaging in self- Lacks Focus on Creativity: the situation smartly. Inclusiveness through education is directed learning, they'll have to work Recruiters of the modern-day Summing Up a durable national objective with inherent and embedded continuously on developing new workplace are headhunting for A sound education system is the core sustainability quotient. So policy planners and skills. people who can think out-of-the-box of a nation's progress. But the governments must rise to the occasion and restore The existing education regime is and bring innovative solutions to prevailing system suppresses the lives primacy of education through liberal provisions and undergoing a disruptive shift. Most work. When they ask questions of students, pushing them to opt for enabling ecosystems. schools are making a transition to a during interviews, they focus on streams they have no inkling of and no Online to hybrid is most likely going to be the mode of personalized learning model. This 'how' the candidate handled the interest in either. It's time now to teaching/learning and while those with resources form of learning is defined as question, and not on the actual adopt remedial measures to revolu- particularly in the private sector will make their 'tailoring and customizing each response. They ask questions that test tionise the traditional ways of offerings better and attractive, a large number of small student's strengths, interests and a potential employee's creativity. learning and devise a more flexible and medium schools in private sector along with bulk of needs – including enabling students to Employers, today, want assurance version which is robust and nimble. municipal and other government schools, will be left voice their choice in what, where, that the candidate knows how to While we are surely and steadily behind. The digital divide is a reality and can't be how, and when they learn.' This is solve problems, can address issues moving towards the online learning bridged overnight but a sort of national mapping of aimed at providing flexibility and that challenge a person's imagina- platform, there are certain challenges infrastructure will demarcate the areas of attention and support to students so that they master tion, and can grab unique opportuni- that are yet to be addressed. this must be a priority for the country. the required skills at the highest ties to develop and hone their While millennials are considered to The human capital in education in the form of teachers is possible level. Despite the introduc- creative processes. be the smartest generation, one can more than ever precious. Already a large number of tion of this reformatory model, the Discourages Self-Directed observe its struggle to retain focus edtech companies are busy in recruiting good teachers traditional education system has some Learning: The existing education during their long-hour virtual classes. for content and delivery but if it is encouraged at a scale, serious shortcomings. model gives students little to Their fast learning capability is in it will affect organic process of churning quality Here are some reasons why the negligible say in what they would conflict with traditional long-hour teachers. Identification of best teachers and promoting traditional model of education can't like to learn. There is hardly any study methods. them to mentor and leadership roles must be a national prepare students for the workplaces of customization permitted. The only The new generation demands a programme. It will have twin benefits of having a tomorrow. way to gain knowledge is by concise, apt, and effective way of resource pool for training subject teachers as well as following a pre-defined curriculum teaching methods. make teaching inspirational as a career. Limited Learning Outcome : A in a pre-defined order. A forward- Whether an online education system The pandemic has devastated children in more ways than major reason for the failure of the thinking company would never can overrule the traditional offline others. Their lives have been disrupted, their traditional education system is setting prefer an employee who has been teaching framework is a question that vulnerability has increased and above this their state of inadequate learning outcomes. Most educated using this model. nobody has an answer to at the mental health will bear scars of the first two for years students do not focus on what they Personalized learning enables moment. There are still places where together. The children need special package, they need must learn and why. They are not even children to explore their interests non-availability or low-bandwidth more voice and attention. They need their childhood aware of the benefits of studying a according to their own curiosity. network issues pose a critical back. Those who risk dropping out must be rescued. particular subject. They do not Students in these classrooms challenge to the vision of digital Child labor, child trafficking and child marriage must be understand the basic principles of understand well where they can find India, it is certain that online modules prevented at all costs. The law enforcement agencies studying a chapter and its key resources required to help them learn are a robust solution to enhance the need to be proactive. Social sector organizations and takeaway points. Students, instead, more. On top of that, they're even offline education system with better groups must lend support to this effort. read the chapters only for the sake of given time to figure out the solutions. accessibility, innovative and With union budget 2021 coming up, there is an performing in examinations. They Students whose curiosity is piqued customized tools. opportunity to ink some of the above-said intentions. A hardly pay attention to the central idea generously remain immersed in the The late 18th century saw the signal of increased public spending on education, of study and miss its essence learning process through-and- emergence of Rational-Choice- children and skilling can set the process in motion. The completely. Ask a fifth grader what he through. They learn about the topics Theory according to which every ecosystem needs galvanization and incentives in this studied in the second grade, and he'd in-depth and gain hands-on experi- individual actor can choose which- nation building effort,. most likely draw a blank. Or a student ence through trial-and-error. ever option will maximize their of the ninth grade won't be able to Consequently, they find approaches interests and provide them with the recall the concepts that they studied in which work best for them. greatest utility and benefit. the eighth grade. Emphasises Rote Learning: The And technology in education is Discourages Collaboration: The traditional education system is definitely such an option that every current education system is not basically designed to prepare people learning aspirant will choose wilfully, for clerical, mundane jobs of the with confidence and trust. colonial period. As a result, there is no concept of creative thinking, 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)- 248001 and Printed at Microsoft Technoprint India Private Limited, Consulting Editors: Sudha Passi, M K Bhat, Ramanathan Iyer Editorial/Marketing : Vivek Gaur is CEO and Co- Founder 37 Old Cannaught Place, Dehradun (UttraKhand) and Published at Saraswati Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun Advisory Board Members: Ashok Pandey. [email protected] PrepOnline (Uttrakhand)-248001, Prof. Raj Kachroo, Navin Bhatia [email protected] Circulation Editor: Avtar Nehru RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Director Outreach: Farindra Pande General inquiry Dimple Nehru, Ganesh Associates : Gurbinder Kaur, Akshay Sahu Dehradun: A K Koul; Meerut: Uzma Rizvi Business Development: Ashok Bhat, Vijay K call us at 011-28051642/22; 9868256512 Patna: Manoj Kumar; Jammu: Sandeep Dhar Rajesh Kaul

Curriculum January 16, 2021 7 Covid Learning Focus Experiential learning in pandemic—a case study Krishnagar Public School, Nadia (West Bengal) instead of resigning to helplessness took up the challenge of engaging its students innovatively and perhaps ended up enriching them more than they would have normally. It taught the whole system from management, a new way of thinking for possibilities. Dr Shankar, Principal of the school writes There is a famous African needed in these circumstances. In our school, we have been competencies while they becomes the leader or the facilitator of proverb that says, “It Krishnagar Public School after a conducting a chain of inter-class researched on the various the learning process and the students takes a village to raise a lot of brainstorming introduced a activities with our secondary and processes and implemented the learns from their experiences and child.” In the context of quarterly e-magazine KPStellar senior secondary classes that theoretical knowledge they gained reflecting on them. In fact, it is the present-day education, it is and encouraged students, encourages students to take up in actual practice. The Mock teacher, who encourages questions vital to ensure a complete parents, teachers and even the research and apply the knowledge Elections were followed up with a sets out the ambiance that are sync between the teachers, administrative and support staff that they gathered from the class Mock Parliament with the newly reflective in nature and prepares school, parents and family to contribute and be a part of it, It interaction and relate that with formed legislature, where the students to get engaged. However, the environment to offer support not only was meant for releasing their daily lives making learning students took up various roles fact remains that in most situations to the learner to the stress of self-isolation but not only fun and engaging but including the Prime Minister, the like we had now the teachers are wholeheartedly pursue their also encouraging all also part of their experience. various members of the cabinet, hardly prepared to take up such role learning goals. The pandemic stakeholders to interact and Students have been learning the leaders of the opposition, as and as such requires extensive had been the worst phase for engage in regular creative about the process of Elections and well as the Speaker. The students training and motivation. For this very the schools, teachers as well discussions (virtual) bringing the formation and functioning of were encouraged to research on reason, during the pandemic, our as students when it came to then closer than ever before and the Legislature in Political the issues to be discussed and teachers were constantly encouraged ensuring active collaboration encouraging a spirit of creativity, Science/ Social Science through work on their respective to be a part of several relevant virtual – with the students confined inter-disciplinary, research and debates and discussions in the parliamentary addresses, counter- training programs conducted by to their homes, hardly any competency based learning classroom, until their teacher addresses. After a fortnight of the CBSE and those running on the interaction between teachers environment. decided to conduct a Mock ground-work on the final day it Diksha Portal to give them the and parents. Various segments in the e- Election with them. The inter- was observed that the students not required direction and perspective to The long pandemic months magazine covered creative class Mock Election seemed to be only presented inspiring speeches engage the students in experiential have been really challenging expressions in English, Hindi a fun-filled group activity for the and engaged dynamically in the learning. for schools around the and Bengali apart from artwork, students but it was a camouflaged parliamentary debates on several country with the nation-wide photography, quizzes, riddles, effort to engage students in social, economic and politically lockdown since the beginning puzzles. The e-magazine also research work through out the relevant issues but they had even of the Academic Session. dedicated an entire segment to nitty-gritty of the entire process researched on their appearances, Students were unable to the e-celebrations of the various from deciding on the names of the their voice modulations and even attend school even for a single events, festivals and days of various parties, to their symbols their idiosyncrasies to match with day. Even with the advent of national, cultural and to designing posters and the tone of parliamentarians. virtual classes there have environmental significance. It pamphlets for the campaign to the been unforeseen challenges had also separate segments for campaign itself and the final acts The role of the teacher has for everybody—students, parents, admin and support staff of voting and counting of ballots – been always vital in parents and teachers with and teachers and showcases their it was experiential learning at its promoting experiential learning in digital divide, lack of creative expressions be it in the peak, integrating art and helping the classroom. The teacher resources, insufficient form of write-ups, paintings or them develop a series of training and experience simply their vocational skills. New UK research project to explore rise of Covid misinformation and fake news on Twitter A new UK Academics at Birmingham thousands of posts, links and cation is vital during major crises focussing on 'three-pronged' key research project City University's (UK) images on Twitter to find out such as the current pandemic, but messages. However, misleading will examine the Institute of Media and English how misinformation and 'fake this is not always easy to get right. and false information has led to spread of misin- have been awarded £77k from news' is shared, interacted with, What makes it even more of a increased challenges to messaging formation and the Arts and Humanities and spread more widely. challenge nowadays is the rapid and non-compliance with fake news about Research Council (AHRC) to Two case studies will also be spread of misinformation online: guidelines in some instances. the Covid-19 explore the prevalence of false produced to detail the public the so-called 'infodemic'. Despite government and health pandemic on and unverified information reception of official messaging “We want to bring our linguistic officials acknowledging that social media about coronavirus and how from government and public expertise to this problem to social media monitoring and platforms, and such news is spread on Twitter. health leaders, and assess the explore the specific words, analysis has a key role to play in the erosion of An additional £19k of funding correlation between misinfor- phrases and hashtags used in controlling crises, there is trust in authority will be provided by the mation and trust in authority. tweets about Covid, as well as on currently no user-friendly tool University. The project will produce a websites they link to. Our project available for investigating The six-month project has been publicly available dashboard to dashboard will present our misinformation about Covid-19 launched in response to a major show how misinformation is findings visually as graphs and spread on social media. increase in misinformation spread across social media, and maps showing the networks of The research will foster links with spread through unverified the findings will be reported to people through which misinfor- major organisations, including the tweets, memes and articles government agencies to help mation is shared, and how this has BBC, Bureau of Investigative which have been linked to inform future policy. changed as the pandemic has Journalism, community media assaults, arson and deaths. Dr Andrew Kehoe is leading the progressed.” groups, and legal policy strategists Using specially developed five-strong team of researchers Communication has been at the to enhance the scope of its linguistic software, researchers working on the project. Dr heart of responses to the pan- investigation. will wade through hundreds of Kehoe said: “Clear communi- demic, with the UK government

8 Curriculum January 16, 2021 Careerwise Career in Radio-Imaging Technology By Aruna Singh, Principal, Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute The field of radiology incorpo- of diagnostic professionals can technology can lead in many radiologic technology are equivalent in any stream from a rates a wide range of digital be essential for medical directions. Radiologic technolo- determined only by your own recognized board or university. imaging technologies and treatments and their demand is on gists are needed in every health care abilities and interests. provides many different career the rise. setting. You could work in a large Remuneration opportunities –Aruna Singh Nature of Work hospital, a suburban outpatient Necessary Skills and Qualities A career in radiography can be very Have you ever notice those guys Radiologic technologists clinic or a rural physician's office. Good communication skills, a promising. In India, the average in hospital gowns who escort perform medical imaging exams You could specialize in dozens of focus on detail, and careful starting salary of a radiographer ranges patients for an X-Ray CT-Scan and administer radiation therapy clinical areas ranging from prenatal attention to procedure are between Rs.7, 000 – Rs.10, 000 per or Chemotherapy? They are the treatments. With the help of care to orthopedics. You could essential to success as a radiology month in government/private one who operate the machine various imaging technologies, manage an entire radiology technician. Physical strength is hospitals. However, earnings are more for you and later interpret the these professionals take pictures department, including its budget needed to position patients, and at in private practice as compared to results for doctors. The word of a patient's body for radiolo- and personnel. You could teach, times, to lift them onto examina- salaried jobs. A large aging population used for them are gists, who will then interpret the inspiring new generations of tion tables. As with health care in need of imaging to diagnose and Radiographers. Radiographers, images. Radiologic technologists radiologic technologists, or you professionals in general, empathy, treat medical conditions should keep also known as radiologic often specialize in a particular could perform research that leads to cultural sensitivity, and high demand strong for radiologic technologists, are certified examination technique, such as breakthroughs in diagnostic ethical standards are necessary as technologists. The Bureau of Labor technicians who capture images mammography or bone imaging or radiation therapy. With well. Statistics predicts employment growth of organs, bone, and tissue for densitometry. These profession- additional education, you could Course and Eligibility of about 9 percent between 2014 and patient diagnosis. als can also assist oncology teams become a radiologist assistant, The curriculum for radiologic 2024 for this profession, and 17,200 Radiographers are equipped in delivering radiation therapy to expanding your capabilities by technology and related programs new positions will need to be filled. with the technological skills to cancer patients. Radiology serving as a radiologist extender. includes coursework as well as a Opportunities are also there in gulf handle imaging equipment and technicians work in hospitals, The boundaries of your career in series of supervised clinical countries and Middle East countries. the interpersonal skills clinics, imaging centers, private exercises where students learn In these countries radiographers get necessary for patient care. physician offices or even mobile how to position patients and salaries between Rs.30, 000 – Rs.50, Educational and licensure imaging service centers. While perform procedures. A back- 000 per month. In UK, the average requirements vary by state and hospitals remain the leading job ground check, immunizations, starting salary of a newly qualified profession, though completion providers, they also tend to be and a physical examination may Radiographer is around £17,000 per of a certificate or 2-year degree much busier than outpatient be required prior to entering these year which is much more than what it program is common for settings. A radiology technician programs. Applicants can pursue is in India. You can study at Delhi radiologic technologists. Now typically works a standard 40- Certificate courses, diploma based Delhi Paramedical and India's healthcare sector on a hour week, but some positions courses, as well as bachelor's Management Institute for the growth trajectory, the career require on-call night or weekend course in the field of radiology. certificate and diploma course in radio opportunities for such allied work. Duration of the Diploma course is imaging technology. For more details, healthcare workers with Career opportunity 1 year and 2 year, eligibility is you can visit www.dpmiindia.com expertise in diagnostic science DPMI Principal Dr. Aruna Singh 10+2 preferably with Physics, have never been better. Services says, a career in radiologic Chemistry and Biology/Math or Entrepreneurship Training Platforms For School Going Students In India, children are often asked offers 3 primary study modules future leaders in the industry. from their school days about under its flagship programme i.e BornProdigy, BornToHire, and what they would like to become Incubator Programme, School of BornCEO are their 3 programs when they grow up? The Entrepreneurship and Young offering business and entrepreneur- answers may vary from being an Entrepreneur Classroom. They ial education. Through the case engineer, doctor, sportsperson recently conducted the 3rd study based program, kids learn etc. Nobody asks them about edition of the Global business strategies and entrepre- what they would like to invent, Schoolpreneur Summit and neurship skills. The experiential build or sell. As other lucrative simultaneously they keep on learning process helps kids start their professions a student should also conducting skill development own business in a fun and productive be shown how entrepreneurs programmes for students as manner. play a key role in the economy. small as 6 years old. As knowledge, skills and organization which has courses entrepreneurial education from 7 to Entrepreneurship For Kids by aspirations evolve over time, a Clever Harvey: It is an for all age groups and comprises 18 years students, it was founded by Galit Zamler: EFK program is student should also be allowed educational initiative established umpteen number of routes that Mohanalakshmi and her husband created by Ms Galit Zamler targeted the opportunity to choose how he by Ivy League and aims to guide you can take when it comes to Kalasalingam.S in 2012. In India, at schools providing case-study would like to contribute to young school students aged from your interests in your education. Kidspreneur has impacted over based entrepreneurial studies right society and impact other 13 to 16 years to bridge the gap The platform runs a Teen MBA 15,000 students and approximately from a tender age. This program was people's lives. Entrepreneurship between academic learning and Programme that is conducted in 4,80,000 students across Asia. It developed as an education project. knowledge & training also falls the real world. The platform is two different phases i.e Building continually puts great effort to The EFK program envisions to make in the same line and in a country designed by IIM graduates for Business Skill and then nurture and grow confident and entrepreneurial education accessible like India where study regimes students from Class 8th to Class Specialization. The platform also creative young individuals. to all. The program consists of 2 are so vast, listed below are the 12th. The platform launched its launched an internship course for Kidspreneur provides 3 courses- parts. Part 1 deals with empowering best platforms for entrepreneur- India's first exclusive 10-day school children called KITE Kidspreneur MBA, Kidspreneur young students with entrepreneur- ship training programmes for online Junior MBA program on 6 during the pandemic. EDU, Kidspreneur PRO. Their ship skills and part 2 offer school going students. April 2020. Through this, Clever It was for school students from courses are more focused on case- Entrepreneur for Kids Program for Harvey enables each student to 8th-10th grade and was aimed at study based experiential learning fourth graders and above alongside MetamorphosisEdu: A virtual master critical thinking skills, building the entrepreneurial spirit that groom the children to start and offering Young Entrepreneurship school it teaches entrepreneur- commercial acumen, and in the child so by the time they are operate their own business. Program for middle and high school ship to high school students from discover endless career done with their pre-graduation students. Their program covers class 6th -12th. The Hyderabad possibilities for the future. Few they have the knowledge of various aspects of entrepreneurship based edtech platform was tracks available in the Junior commercial viability, which can through experiential learning. founded in 2018 by Mr. Pavan MBA program are the Junior make them all-rounders. Allena when he felt the need to CMO, Junior CEO, and Junior Bornpreneur: provides one of a empower young minds with CTO. Kidspreneur: A provider of kind after-school enrichment entrepreneur skills and guide program to kids. The program is them on a path of leadership and Henry Harvin: A leading career designed to engage kids in entrepre- innovation. Metamorphosis and competency development neurial thinking and build them the

Curriculum January 16, 2021 9 Student support EXCEL: (Student counseling under this title will be a regular column) Five effective ways to ace HOW TO become Mathematics Mentally Strong? Anita Kishor, Teacher and Chief Strategy Officer, BYJU'S The uncertainties of life pose manifold chal- Mathematics is an incredibly important concept - one that we inevitably lenges before us which makes it imperative to and unintentionally use to solve everyday problems. The laws of be mentally strong. mathematics govern everything around us, and without a good expectations weaknesses through self understanding of them, one can awareness and developing encounter significant difficulties in þGap between aspirations mindfulness life. As a subject, students have þKeep improving consistently polarised views around it, while some Dr Nitesh Dhawan and abilities on your weaknesses might find it interesting and easy to þFace your fears and find ways understand, most believe they do not Public Servant, Author and Educator þUnwanted expectations to overcome those have the ability to solve math þDevelop self belief based on problems. In fact, more than any IT IS through our mental from others your inner strengths and past other subject, math is considered strength that we are able to þCriticising others success something that people are either face adversities and adapt þComparisons with others þBe true to yourself really good at or not. þB l a m i n g p e o p l e a n d þFocus on efforts and process For students, it is crucial to understand part to yield desired results that Math is not an innate skill and that situations for our failures and turn setbacks into it isn't something we are “good” or þBeing emotionally reactive comebacks “bad” at. Mathematics can be learnt and bettered through simple strategies. effectively to demanding to situations þ Here are 5 tips that will help students fall in love with math and craft the s i t u a t i o n s . T h e r e c e n t þFear of rejection and failure learning path that suits them best. To be mentally strong requires worldwide pandemic is the Once we know these negative expansion of mental capacities 1. Understanding the concept prime example of how vital factors, the next thing we can through different ways and It's important to understand that Mathematics is a conceptual subject and is our mental resources are in do is to prepare ouselves at techniques. deeply seeded in logic. Every single math concept can be broken down into coping with the unpredictable deeper level by accepting the basic fundamentals. To be able to learn advanced mathematical nature of life. some basic tenets of life. Some tips for improving our processes, students must first get a firm grasp of the fundamentals of math. The twists and turns in this üThese fundamental truths mental capacities are- Having the basics right will ensure that students ultimately save time and journey of life demand great üMeditation for calming one's will significantly reduce their confusion while working on more complex maturity in dealing with act as reality checks for problems. difficult circumstances. The testing situations in life. mind and gaining clarity in shocking suicide case of These are- thought process 2. Explore online resources Sushant Singh Rajput, the üAcceptance of life's capri- üBreathing exercises like Research has shown time and again that hard subjects like Mathematics can rising bollywood star drew cious nature and internalis- pranayam be learnt very effectively online. With the current remote-learning scenario, attention of all towards the ing this thought at deeper üPositive affirmations about students have a great opportunity to explore various online resources to help issue of mental health. level oneself them ace math. Online learning can help students visualise a math problem üUnderstanding that we üProblem focused coping and help them gain conceptual understanding while solving it. Additionally, instead of emotion focused gamified content on various online learning platforms is an effective Mental strength is all about cannot change situations coping learning strategy because they engage students and provide them with degree of preparedness to üAdopting a realistic and incentives for continued practice. Students can learn key concepts through respond effectively in emo- which are beyond our rational approach to situa- math games that keep them motivated. tional, cognitive and behav- tions ioral terms to unforeseen control üBeing creative and innovative 3. Practice, practice, and more practice events. The human life cycle üAccepting life in totality with to find new solutions One of the most crucial ways to ensure students do well in Mathematics is revolves around achieving üLearning from past experi- for them to get hands on and actively practice the subject as frequently as personal satisfaction in core transient phases of good ences possible. Solving math problems multiple times is a key learning aid spheres of managing social üSeeing situations in right because it helps transition problem-solving skills from the conscious to the and bad nature perspective with long term subconscious. This method of learning will not only help rewire the mind to üAccepting struggle, conflicts implications instead of understand math problems but also helps students develop an affinity for the blowing things out of subject. As a teacher and a math-lover, I can say with certainty that and failures as part and proportion proficiency in math is not restricted to those who have the aptitude for it. With regular and diligent practice, anyone can get better at math. parcel of life's journey ü üDeveloping a fighting spirit 4. Focus on the logic Enhancing mental abilities and The beauty of Mathematics lies in the logic behind its various concepts. relationships, career making, against setbacks by inculcat- achieving mental strength While shortcuts and tricks have been used by students and teachers from would require lot of self time and again to simply math, these methods actually allow students to skip financial growth along with ing attributes of commit- discipline and perseverance on conceptual thinking. Continuous use of shortcuts would lead to students the part of an individual. It is carrying a big bag of tricks into an examination and not really thinking about re l i g i o u s c o m m i t m e nt s . ment, challenge and control worth acquiring in this intricate the questions asked. Students must treat every single math problem as a new M e n t a l t o u g h n e s s a n d üOwning self responsibility and multifaceted course of life. challenge and figure out the different ways in which it can be solved. resilience is one important for decision making and 5. Ask for help attribute which plays a facing outcomes gracefully More often than not students shy away from asking for help due to the fear of looking uninformed. In a traditional classroom setting, students find significant role in determining without blaming others or themselves trying to “catch-up” with their peers and often do not get their the level of fulfilment that we circumstances doubts resolved. As a teacher, I encourage students to not believe what they attain in these life aspects. For Once we have internalised don't understand and to keep seeking answers. Students must work on their acquiring mental strength, we these realities, the next step is confidence while asking for help to improve their competence. Today, with must be aware of the condi- to develop resilience by numerous online resources available at their disposal, students can also tions that affect our mental adopting certain ways in order embrace a flexible format of learning, where they can learn a concept as health. to overcome complex many times as possible in an environment that is devoid of judgement and situations. peer pressure. Conditions affecting our Developing Resilience þKnow your strengths and mental health þGap between reality and

10 Curriculum January 16, 2021 Higher Education update UPES appoints new Deans for School of IIMA represents India in the FABLE consortium Engineering and School of Modern Media UPES, Dehradun has appointed Dr. Nalin Mehta as Dean – School of Modern Media and Dr. Gurvinder Singh Virk as Dean – School of Operating as part of the Food and Land Use Coalition, the Food, Agriculture, Engineering effective January 2021. In their new roles they will be Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium mobilizes top knowledge responsible for driving academic excellence, faculty development and institutions from 20 countries to support the development of decision-support tools and engagement, industry outreach, among others. Dr. Nalin Mehta takes the helm of the School of Modern Media after serving long-term pathways towards sustainable food and land-use systems. as an Executive Editor with The Times of India. Dr. Mehta has been adjunct professor at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and has held senior A team of researchers led by (BAU) for India corresponds to sustainable indicators to support positions with the Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland, and UNAIDS. Dr. Prof. Ranjan Kumar Ghosh at the medium boundary of feasible the setting of national targets and Nalin Mehta holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Politics from La Trobe IIMA outlines FABLE Pathways action under the assumption that a monitor their progress. He says, University, Melbourne, MA International Relations from University of East for India which identify ways in global mean warming increase is “we hope our results can be useful Anglia, UK (as DFID Commonwealth scholar) and BA (Honours) which food and land-use systems likely between 2°C and 3°C above in developing a framework of Journalism, University of Delhi. can contribute to raising climate pre-industrial temperatures, by policy actions that aims to achieve Dr. Gurvinder Singh Virk, Dean, School of Engineering is an electrical ambition, aligning climate 2100. The ambitious Sustainable several international commitments engineer specializing in control systems and robotics in his academic and mitigation and biodiversity Pathway represents a high for climate mitigation and forest commercial careers. Dr. Virk serves as a Trustee and Treasurer of CLAWAR protection policies, and boundary of feasible action, conservation, such as the Paris Association Limited, UK, which promotes advancement of education and achieving other sustainable corresponds to a future based on Agreement, the Convention on science for the public benefit in the field of robotics and associated development priorities in India. India's pledges under international Biological Diversity, the technologies. Prior to his new role, Dr. Virk was the Chairman & CEO of It presents two pathways for food commitments such as the Paris Sustainable Development Goals, Endoenergy Systems Limited. He had also been associated with esteemed and land-use systems for the Agreement, Bonn Challenge, and and the Bonn Challenge”. universities like University of Lincoln, London South Bank University, IIT - period 2020-2050: Current Aichi Targets, as well as other In a short period of time, the global Ropar, Massey University, New Zealand. Dr. Virk studied Electronic & Electrical Engineering from The University of Manchester and holds a PhD from Imperial College, London. Trends which represents the aspirational targets to reach higher FABLE Consortium country teams University of Kashmir inks pact with Stribes Business as Usual scenario and a production of renewables and have developed major analytical Sustainable, more ambitious biofuels, more efficient capacities on land-use and food In order to bridge the industry-academia engagement for the benefit of pathway. technologies and a transition systems, pioneered new tools, and students, the Centre for Career Planning and Counselling (CCPC), These pathways examine the towards healthy diets (i.e. strengthened the analytical University of Kashmir has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with trade-offs between achieving the according to recommendations of capacity in 20 countries. It plans to Deepmindz Innovations Private Limited, which runs STRIBES a virtual FABLE targets under limited the EAT-Lancet Commission). focus upcoming work on the platform for bringing industry to the campuses. land availability and constraints Our analysis projects an emission following priorities: Under the banner of the STRIBES, there will be an industry engagement to balance supply and demand at reduction of 1064 Mt CO2 1. As part of the global food and calendar comprising various engagements including leadership talks, brand national and global levels within equivalent per year under the land use coalition (FOLU), work storytelling, potential internship projects and incubation, research and a global partial equilibrium Sustainable Pathway compared to with interested governments to development opportunities for students of the University of Kashmir. model— the Model of BAU by 2050. This reduction gets support integrated strategies, Director CCPC, Prof. Mohammad Shafi on the occasion said the centre Agricultural Production and its achieved primarily due to a including climate and biodiversity would support STRIBES in structuring incubation, Research and Development, internship opportunities for students. Impact on the transition towards healthy diets strategies under the climate and The STRIBES in collaboration with University of Kashmir will offer Environment—MAgPIE (EAT Lancet recommendation), biodiversity conventions, that exposure to the talent produced by the varsity through all channels including developed by the Potsdam an improvement in livestock address short-term pressures on digital, social among others to increase the employability of the students Institute for Climate Impact production systems, meeting an land-use and food systems and are from various streams including management, finance, IT, technology among Research (PIK). afforestation target of 26 Mha by consistent with meeting long-term others. Director, Deepmindz Innovations Private Limited, Faisal Kawoosa The Food, Agriculture, 2030, and inclusion of the national goals. said, “With active support from the industry we will drive holistic growth and Biodiversity, Land-Use, and biofuel mandate. 2. Advance a deeper understanding development of the students of the university increasing their employability Energy (FABLE) Consortium “In the ambitious pathway, we of how countries can design, and give them an opportunity to showcase their talent and capabilities.” launched its 2020 report assume India's transition towards implement, and monitor better There will be frequent engagement with industry leaders as well as business (https://www.unsdsn.org/fable), healthy diets as recommended by policies to transform their land-use organisations including trade bodies for various academic activities. “Pathways to Sustainable Land- the EAT-LANCET commission. and food systems through the new Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Prof. Shabir Ahmad Use and Food Systems”. This We find that India could meet the Food, Environment, Land, and Bhat who was present on the occasion highlighted the role of the centre and second global report of the Minimum Dietary Energy Development (FELD) Action the importance of the industry-academia engagement. “This centre has been FABLE Consortium presents Requirement by 2050, minus a Tracker my dream project and seeing it growing is like a dream coming true. I am these pathways for 20 countries. few calories. Overall, this 3. Improve modeling tools to happy to see the centre contributing placing students for various jobs in the Its findings suggest that transition can be met through the develop pathways and model private sector,” Prof. Bhat said. integrated strategies across food reduction of sugars and oils and an policy options for land-use and production, biodiversity, increase in consumption of fruits food systems. Jagran Lakecity University appoints Dr. climate, and diets can meet the and vegetables”, says Vartika 4. Train the next generation of objectives of the Paris Singh from IFPRI and a member analysts and policymakers in Sandeep Shastri as its new VC Agreement and the Sustainable of the FABLE research team. developing long-term pathways Development Goals (SDGs). Chandan Jha, a FABLE researcher towards sustainable land-use and Jagran Lakecity University has appointed Dr. Sandeep Shastri, as its new “The FABLE pathways can be a from IIMA states that the food systems, so that FABLE tools Vice Chancellor. Dr. Shastri succeeds Prof (Dr.) Anoop Swarup, who served method for problem solving, differences between these two can be applied by any research as Jagran Lakecity University's founding Vice-Chancellor for the past 8 working backwards from mid- pathways are meant to help group or government that would years. century targets and shedding stakeholders and policy makers to like to do so. Dr. Sandeep Shastri is a renowned author, researcher, political strategist, light on the major better understand the differences 5. Strengthen and expand the international consultant, speaker transformations that are needed between current trajectories and FABLE Consortium, including by In the communique welcoming Dr. Shastri, Jagran Lakecity University cited to achieve them. They provide a potential future trends of welcoming new country teams. his impressive background in higher education; his steadfast belief in the framework for engaging power of education to transform lives; and his commitment to diversity and stakeholders, can help identify inclusion throughout his career. mid-term technology “Dr. Shastri is a student-focused leader with strong commitments to research, scholarship, and student success,” said Mr. Abhishek Mohan Gupta, Pro-Chancellor, JLU. “He has phenomenal insights into transforming the traditional classroom into a hub of innovation and knowledge building. He is a natural fit to fill the shoes of Dr. Anoop Swarup and take his vision benchmarks, and provide a long- forward. Dr. Swarup nurtured this university from the beginning by inspiring term perspective to help and empowering people and I am certain that under Dr. Shastri, JLU will countries avoid locking continue to strive ahead to fulfil its vision.” themselves into unsustainable GMAC announces additional registration window for the NMAT by GMAC™ exam from January 18, food and land-use systems. They 2021 also provide a tool for countries to integrate biodiversity Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), administrator of the NMAT by GMAC™ exam has announced the additional registration window conservation and restoration as for the NMAT by GMAC exam starting January 18 until January 31, 2021. Candidates can log on to www.nmat.org to register for the exam. well as food systems into their Gaurav Srivastava, Regional Director, South Asia, GMAC said, “This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are going to offer an additional window of climate strategies, particularly in the NMAT by GMAC exam. This is to help candidates who might have missed taking the test earlier as well as schools that require more applications and the run-up to the climate and have extended their applications deadline. I am also pleased to share that K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management is now an NMAT-accepting B-School biodiversity COPs in 2021”, says for all their programs.” Prof. Ranjan Ghosh. Who is not eligible? Candidates who have used all three attempts for the NMAT by GMAC exam for the testing year 1st July 2020 – 30th June 2021 The Current Trends Pathways cannot register for the additional window. This means the candidates who have taken the main attempt as well as the two re-takes, cannot avail this opportunity.

Curriculum January 16, 2021 11 Higher Education update LPU researchers develop novel bottleneck cap across different domains to meet together and discuss their research work JAGSOM Hosts as well as major issues relating to research and academics on a common assembly to prevent tampering of water platform. International Conference The topics and speakers for each of the general and plenary sessions were bottles carefully selected, with an emphasis on improving the quality of output on Service Excellence of the research retreat every year. A highly interactive set of general and A team of researchers from Lovely Professional University, Punjab faculty plenary, concurrent, and breakout sessions were conducted over “Convergence 2020” have designed an innovative and cost-effective water bottle neck cap the two-day retreat, which was attended by 400 eminent speakers, assembly that will prevent tampering of both used and unused water research scholars, and doctoral guides. Jagdish Sheth School of and cold drink bottles. The novel bottle cap designed by the The three general plenary sessions focused on the following themes Management (formerly known as researchers works with minimum torque and can be easily identified presented by the following speakers: Building a Research Culture in IFIM Business School), the after the bottle is opened. As a part of the new design, after a bottle is Higher Education by Dr. Shakuntala Katre, Former Dean of Sciences and leading management school with opened for the first time, the gap between its cap and the neck ring Professor of Zoology, Bangalore University, Research and National AICTE, NBA and AACSB widens ensuring they cannot be stuck together seamlessly using Education Policy 2020 by Prof. MK Sridhar, Member, University grants accreditation has recently been adhesives, as is being done presently by miscreants. Commissions and National Education Policy Drafting Committee, and ranked in global QS World Tampering of liquids, especially water is a major health concern today. Current Research Trends and Opportunities to Excel by Dr. V University Rankings organised While packaged water brands take utmost care to deliver hygienic Venkateshwara Rao, Senior Scientist, TCS. The plenary sessions were “Convergence 2020”. It is an water to consumers, in many cases, miscreants refill empty bottles and dedicated to each of the four major disciplines. The speakers gave their international conference focused sell them as branded drinks. This not only leads to health challenges insights and thoughts on specific themes in the domains of Engineering, on service excellence. The event for the consumers but also ends up eroding consumer trust in the Management, Science, Social Science, and Languages. was hosted virtually on 18th and packaged water brand. The new packaging technique developed by Dr. Raj Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Jain (Deemed-to-be University), 19th of December. Revolving LPU researchers can help counter this challenge effectively. The team spoke on the major challenges for education in today's world, which around the theme of “Winning has developed a prototype of the innovation and also bagged a patent included the consequences of online learning, remaining relevant to through Service Excellence: from Indian Patent office. industry standards, and preparing for the growing economy. He also Theory and Practice”, The research team included Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, Executive Dean of stressed the need to break barriers, work together, and collaborate across Convergence 2020 saw Science and Technology, Lovely Professional University, Dr Tanay disciplines, cultures, industries, and nations to provide solutions to real- participation from eminent Pramanik, Prashant Kumar and Rakesh Kamal. life problems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Singh also opined academicians, researchers, and Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, Executive Dean of Science and Technology said, about the technological advancements in the coming decades, like the practitioners from across the “Water bottle tampering is a common issue that has plagued the Hyperloop, AI and Robotics, Machine Learning, etc. He also stressed the world. mineral water and carbonated drinks industry for long. Not only does it importance of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and With this two-day conference, affect the consumer monetarily, it also puts their life at risk. At the developing technology with a humane approach to tackle any potential JAGSOM aimed to present a same time, packaged bottling companies lose million due to such future issues. Dr. Singh commented that in the current landscape, forum for sharing knowledge, malpractices every year. We are confident that our solution can pull the research is not given its due importance and it is not viewed as a primary stimulating fresh ideas, research plug on such practices and lead to safe 'outside home' water and vital function of academics, something which needs to change. Only as well as applicable solutions on consumption.” 2.5% of institutions in India provide a Ph.D. program, while enrolments service excellence in this new era in the Ph.D. program were less than 0.5% of the 37.4 million students of technology, especially in an Entrepreneurs Shouldn't Have a Plan B: N. R. opting for higher education. emerging economy such as India. It focused on key aspects of the Narayana Murthy tells NMIMS Students IIM Udaipur's Annual Fest – Solaris' 20-21 service sector, such as design and innovation, quality and In a stimulating hour-long virtual question and answer session, concludes productivity, co-creating services organized by SVKM's NMIMS School of Branding and Advertising with customers, access-based on Jan 6, visionary business leader N. R. Narayana Murthy advised The 2-day long extravaganza included multiple summits with industry services in a sharing economy, students that entrepreneurs should avoid keeping a Plan B instead of leaders, panel discussions, case study competitions, and workshops and bringing the convergence of giving their all to their venture. He was speaking at the Think Tank The sixth edition of Solaris, the annual management fest of IIM Udaipur technology and services to the Series, an interactive session with business leaders organized by the culminated on January 10th, 2021 after two-day long management forefront. The sessions lined up in school. He answered queries on a range of topics, from challenges and extravaganza. The fest was organized by the students of IIMU, and the the conference also provide an mistakes faced by entrepreneurs to his own ideology and beliefs. theme for Solaris '20-21 was 'Transcending Ideologies.' opportunity to deliberate on real- The Think Tank Series is part of the school's experiential approach in The fest included events and competitions for the students across B- time solutions to the challenges learning where students get an opportunity to interact and learn from Schools, namely, Vaad-Vivad, Mind-Wizz, Ops-Samasya, Auctionnaire, faced by various industries business leaders and creative professionals. MarcWars Saudagar, Vitt-Sangram, Ingenium, and Arohan. These functioning in the service arena. N. R. Narayana Murthy said, “Entrepreneurs have a tremendous interactive and highly engaging events helped the students pitch Speaking about the conference, passion for their idea. They believe in their idea and are willing to work themselves against each other in simulations of real-life situations, Prof. Parasuraman, Pro-Vice- more than 20 hours a day. However, we must remember that luck also making them think on their feet and also out of the box. Chancellor of Vijaybhoomi plays a very important role in the success of an idea. If luck is not In his opening note, Prof. Janat Shah, Director, IIM Udaipur said, University, says, “Convergence coming your way, you have to analyze dispassionately and close your “Solaris is an important way to connect with the best. These industry 2020 is the inaugural venture. But when you are running your enterprise, you cannot have a leaders engaged us for two days and shared what keeps them awake. international event being hosted plan B and you cannot be half-hearted about your idea. You have to Solaris symbolises what IIM Udaipur is all about.” Himmat Singh by the newly named Jagdish give your best as if there is no alternative at all. So, till you get a very Barhath (Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Udaipur) was Sheth School of Management clear message from the market that your idea is not going to set sail, the chief guest and Suket Singhal (CEO, Secure Meters) and Ananya (JAGSOM). Focusing on the please do not think of Plan B.” Singhal (Chief of People, Secure Meters), also addressed the timely theme of service He was responding to a query on his own beginning as an entrepreneur participants. excellence, it includes keynote with Softronics, the first company he founded and was later forced to addresses and panel discussions close down. He spoke on common mistakes by young entrepreneurs PGDM(GM) XLRI hosts 4th Annual GMP by some of the leading service make in their startups. The most common mistake was not defining scholars from around the world, how their product or idea added value for the customer in a way better Alumni Meet - Confluence 2020 in addition to paper presentations than their competitors. He pointed out that entrepreneurs must by service researchers. It distinguish between the value of their product and its price. Calling XLRI, the oldest B-school in India, has an illustrious network of alumni, promises to offer important new himself a compassionate capitalist, he said that India can progress only working and serving reputed institutions across the world. PGDM(GM) insights for academics as well as if entrepreneurs create more quality jobs with better salaries. He urged Alumni committee recently organized the 4th Annual GMP Alumni practitioners.” students and budding entrepreneurs to work towards India's economic Meet, Confluence 2020 in virtual mode. Convergence 2020 highlighted growth by creating quality jobs and businesses that could hold against The meet is conducted every year to reconnect with GMP alumni and the service sector through international competition. celebrate their success and achievements. The event provides a platform enriching case studies, research He asked business leaders to build an ecosystem of talent around for the current batch to interact with the illustrious alumni of the flagship paper presentations, addresses themselves while ensuring a fair working environment, “Leaders have General Management Programme. It also provides a golden opportunity and panel discussions. It will also to exercise self-restraint in apportioning the benefits from a for the GMP alumni to reminiscence their XL days. The previous three delve deeper into the innovations corporation disproportionately to themselves. In other words, they meets were organised in Bangalore, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. designed to enhance the should not take away the major part of the benefit that accrues from Confluence 2020 was kicked off by the Keynote address by Fr P Christie effectiveness of the overall their company. That leader should lead by example in values, SJ, Director of XLRI, following which Prof. Debashish Pradhan, service sector and showcase the excellence, honesty, integrity, transparency, fairness, accountability, Associate Dean of Executive Programs and Prof Sabyasachi Sengupta societal impact it is set to create. openness to ideas, and meritocracy. They have to demonstrate addressed the audience. The event also included interactive sessions and The keynote speakers presented transparency and accountability in apportioning fruits of the hard online quizzes, but the key highlight of the event was the stand-up conceptual and empirical papers work of everybody in their company.” performance by eminent stand-up comedian, Vipul Goyal. on a broad variety of issues For their own and the nation's progress, he impelled students to change The evening saw over 250 participants take part in the fun-filled event pertaining to service excellence. their mindset to overcome indiscipline, apathy, and dishonesty while that provided a platform for a rekindling of anecdotes of remarkable Further, selected high-quality putting society's interests ahead of their own. journeys, poignant stories, and interactive sessions. Illustrious alumni papers will be considered for that participated in the event included several CXOs, COOs and several publication in the Journal of 7th Annual Research Retreat by Jain top management executives from illustrious companies like Google, Service Management (an “A” BCG, PwC, KPMG, Accenture Strategy, Infosys Consulting, Delloite, category journal in the ABDC (Deemed-to-be University) ZS Associates, Wipro, HCL, Deutsche Bank, TCS and Barclays among classification) with a fast track others. review. Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru recently organized its The meet concluded with the closing address of Dr A Kanagaraj, GMP Annual Research Retreat for the 7th consecutive year virtually. The Placement Chairperson. Research Retreat was a two-day program that was held on 19th and 20th December 2020. The objective of the event was to enable scholars

12 Curriculum January 16, 2021 Useful News IISc & TalentSprint announce PG Level NEWS YOU CAN USE Deep Learning Specialization program Anant Fellowship for Graduation courses through the scholarships across different The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and TalentSprint have launched of Climate Action is open for RICS SBE website. academic courses viz. PGDM, a PG level Advanced Certification Program in Deep Learning. This 10- applications for cohort Institute is giving four courses, MBA, MCA, B.Tech, M.Tech, month executive education program is best suited for aspiring and 2021 - 22 MBA in Real Estate & Urban BBA, BCA and B. Com. For those practicing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning professionals Infrastructure, MBA in seeking admission in B. Tech who want to build expertise in Deep Learning and master applications in The Anant Fellowship for Climate Construction Project Management, programs, scholarships are being speech, text, image and video, including hardware optimization. A team Action announced applications for MBA in Construction Economics offered to students based on their of 10+ interdisciplinary faculty from IISc and TalentSprint will teach the class of 2021. The Anant & Quantity Surveying, and Post performance in 12th standard and participants through live and interactive online classes and mentor them Fellowship for Climate Action is a Graduate Diploma in Facilities JEE-Main. For those seeking as they learn hands-on through curated industry capstones, including the member of MIT Solve, an initiative Management. admission in PGDM & MBA, option of bringing their own projects. The program will enable partici- of the Massachusetts Institute of MBA Construction Project scholarship are being offered to pants to establish a portfolio that demonstrates their learnings. Technology, USA, with a mission Management from the RICS the students based on their Enrolments for the first cohort are open now and classes will commence to solve world challenges. School of Built Environment is the performance in Graduation and in March 2021. After the completion of the first ever program accredited by CAT, MAT, XAT, GAT etc. Announcing the program, Prof Chiranjib Bhattacharya, Professor and Fellowship, Fellows are expected PMI-GAC in India. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Chair of the Department of Computer Science & Automation, and Dean to take on leadership positions in Candidates seeking admission GNIOT Group of Institutions of the Advanced Deep Learning Program, said: “Deep Learning is the USD 2 trillion climate change under sponsored category are says, “Money should not be road increasingly being used to extract valuable insights from enormous industry. They are also invited to required to have 50% marks in block for the brighter students. We amounts of data, build innovative products and improve customer remain members of the Anant Graduation with a min score of extend different Scholarships and experience, thereby enhancing revenue opportunities. This has led to a Fellowship for Climate Action MAT-450/GMAT- 450/ CMAT – Financial aid to meritorious massive growth in need for professionals with expertise in Deep community. 100 or percentile in CAT/XAT - 65 / students based on their academic Learning. This program will fulfill that need. Our team of research The one-year Fellowship NMAT - 50 or Amity Written Test achievements and potential, to faculty will teach and mentor participants and help them build expertise programme focuses on 3 pillars - on the day of Interview/Online ensure that every deserving in both the fundamentals and applications of Deep Learning.” Technical skills: Interactive mode. student has access to quality Dr. Santanu Paul, Co-Founder and CEO, TalentSprint said: “At sessions by leading international Candidates seeking admission education.” TalentSprint, our focus has always been to offer transformational high- and Indian academics and under the Non-Sponsored category end and deep-tech learning programs. We are happy to announce our practitioners across carbon are required to have min 50% marks LSAC Global announces third program with IISc, India's leading institution, in Deep Learning. accounting, energy efficiency, in Graduation with the min score of Discover Law India This program has been specifically designed for working professionals industry best practices, and climate MAT - 500/GMAT – 500 / CMAT - Student Ambassador keen to unleash the potential of deep learning in their careers. This policy; flipped classroom learning 150 or percentile in CAT/XAT - 75 / Program pracademic program will bring together lectures by top research faculty on the online platform; live virtual NMAT - 60 or Amity Written Test at IISc and hands-on labs and projects supported by industry mentors immersions into communities on the day of Interview/Online LSAC Global – the Indian through week long virtual mode. subsidiary of the Law School Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2021 in all outstation journeys. Admission Council (LSAC) – has Change Management: Reshaping IIIT Delhi announces the unveiled the Discover Law India new online format how we learn, work and live (DLI) Student Ambassador together to catalyze change for the opening of Regular Round Program to encourage students to Tata Crucible Campus Quiz, India's largest business quiz for campuses, good of society by faculty pursue a career in law in India. The is back for a power packed 17th edition. The registration for the exciting Personal boosters: Individual Admission Process 2021-22 national program is one of many new virtual format of the quiz will be open from January 2 to February 2, coaching by some of the best initiatives LSAC Global is taking 2021.This quiz is conducted by the Tata Group every year, in order to coaches in the world at The School for International Students to foster a community of aspiring provide a platform for college students across the country to showcase of Change, Switzerland. law students who can learn from their knowledge. Led by Dr. Miniya Chatterji, an Indraprastha Institute of one another and from current Embracing the need of the hour, due to the ongoing pandemic, Tata award-winning sustainability Technology (IIIT Delhi) has students at LSAC Global Law Crucible Corporate Quiz 2020 was conducted in a completely online expert, says, “The Anant recently announced that the Alliance colleges all across India. format. The Campus edition too follows the same format and invites Fellowship for Climate Action is a International Regular Round participation from individual students and not teams to facilitate ease of unique opportunity for anyone Admission process for Session By forming this student participation in the online version. across the world who seeks to lead 2021-22 is open now and the community, LSAC Global aims to For the online version of the Campus Quiz, the country has been divided the most impactful solutions for appearing candidates will have an assist students in enhancing their into 24 clusters and after two levels of online prelims, top 12 finalists slowing down the pace of our opportunity to avail up to 100% leadership and communication from each cluster will be invited for wild card finals out of which top 6 changing climate.” The fellowship. skills, creating awareness about finalists will then compete in the 24 online cluster finals. These 24 programme endeavours to offer a The application process for the field of law, and encouraging clusters are further grouped into four zones- south, east, west and north dynamic and credible platform to B.Tech., M.Tech., and Ph.d. peer to peer learning. Upon and each zone will comprise of 6 clusters. resolve crucial climate concerns, courses is quite simple and enrolment into the program, each The Winner from each of the cluster finals will then qualify for the Zonal and challenges specific to an convenient, and can be easily student ambassador will conduct Finals. The winners and runners-up at the cluster finals will receive emerging economy such as India. understood with the table given events at their school level, such prizes of Rs. 35,000 /-* and Rs. 18,000/-* respectively. Winners at the Fellows have an option to choose below. as career fairs, dramas based on four Zonal Finals will directly qualify for the National Finals. The between the full-time or a part-time For B.Tech and M.Tech: law, debate competitions on legal runners-up from the four Zonal Finals will compete in a Wild Card Final, learning track. There are no age, Application Deadline- January 22, issues, presentations on law and 2 out of the 4 runners-up will then qualify for the National finals. In degree, background criteria to 2021 ; Last Date for Score school experience, careers in law, all, 6 Finalists will compete at the National Finals and the top scorer will apply for the fellowship. Submission- January 31, 2021 ; etc. Student Ambassadors will be crowned as the National Champion who will receive a grand prize of To apply and know more about the Decision Notification- February have the opportunity to participate Rs. 2.5 lakhs* along with the coveted Tata Crucible Trophy. programme, visit the programme 19, 2021 ; Admission Fee Deposit in events conducted by LSAC Commenting on the quiz, Atul Agrawal, Senior Vice President, website. The deadline for Date -March 15, 2021 Global. Corporate Brand and Marketing, Tata Services said, “The Tata Crucible submission of the first round of Ph.D. students can be enrolled at Campus Quiz is a celebration of knowledge, providing students a applications is 28 February 2021. IIIT-Delhi at any time. The faculty Applicants interested in joining platform to display their quizzing prowess. With introduction of an all adviser may also direct the student the DLI Student Ambassador new online format, the quiz enhances its accessibility by bringing RICS School of Built to the regular Ph.D. admissions Program should write an essay of opportunities to enthusiastic students, located at even the remotest part process. Interested students can about 250-300 words on the topic of the country. We are confident that this challenging online format will Environment invites explore the IIIT-Delhi website and of “Why do you want to study be an exciting platform for the inquisitive college students as they identify the faculty with whom they Law?,” and submit it to prepare themselves for an exciting future ahead in today's digital era.” applications for various wish to pursue their research. It is a [email protected]. Quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam, aka 'Pickbrain', who has been good practice to interact with the conducting the quiz right from its genesis will continue to be the MBA Specialization faculty and identify possible Quizmaster for this edition too. research areas before starting the courses application process. We are looking for a RICS School of Built Environment GNIOT Group of Business Associate in has started inviting applications for the full-time built environment Institutions announce Dehradun/Haridwar/Kotdwar specialization courses for the academic year 2021 for both the scholarships worth Rs 10 cr preferably with working experience of campuses in Noida & Mumbai. printing /media business Those who are looking for career GNIOT Group of Institutions, opportunities in the field of built Greater Noida an institute offering Interested can email at environment (real estate, management, engineering & [email protected] infrastructure & construction technology has announced sectors), should apply for the Post scholarships worth Rs 10 crores. The institute is inviting applications from students to avail

Curriculum January 16, 2021 13 Short Reports Nursery Admissions for academic year 2021-22 in Delhi suspense may end in next couple of weeks Govt recently told Delhi HC examining the issue and will take admitted last year is receiving without these online/video pandemic impact both in terms of food that it will take a decision in 2-3 a decision in 2-3 weeks on online classes and it in worst sessions. And with lockdowns security and parents not been able to weeks (By Jan end) issuance of guidelines or scenario, the same may be the case almost over and offices reopen- pay the playschools. While that is one The government dithering over otherwise. with new class though with ing, working parents have started side of the story, the other side is notifying guidelines on nursery Nursery admission in Delhi has announcement on vaccines that to worry about the loss of learning hundreds of playschools and a large admissions for the academic been a saga in its own right and scenario may not arise and children if nursery admissions are not done number of teachers employed in them year 2021-22 in the national caught most peoples' eyes due to can join physical classes after this year. “Lockdown was fine as are in crisis. With no children or capital city of Delhi is creating pitched court battles and all sorts vaccination,” says Vividh Gupta, far as spending time with my child classes, a sizeable number of these an unprecedented situation for of allegations in the past. It was Principal, Bal Bhavan Public was concerned; now this is her age mostly operating on rent basis are both the parents as well as only in the last two-three years School, Mayur Vihar. to be in schools and make friends already shut down. Also, if nursery schools. Normally, the that some order was restored to The 3-6 year olds education is and if admissions are not taking classes are not allowed for a year, it admission process is spread this annual bickering with draw primarily about social and place, how will we engage with would affect thousands of nursery over December and January of lots and online process. emotional development. This schools if it is online. We can't teachers across the schools, those months every year, however, However, it is yet again caught in cannot happen 'remotely' is one train her the way a trained teacher could be laid off as a result. this year owing to school quagmire of officialdom. argument against online classes for can do even if we take time to do it So, there is need for a lot of innovative closures due to covid19 While only 500 odd government preschools. Also, the device ourselves. No admission is a bad thinking on the part of government and pandemic; the process is in a schools have nursery class, it is exposure time and health harm have idea,” adds Sandeep, a parent of 4- a clear early decision so that the sort of abeyance. the bulk of nearly 3000 unaided been cited by experts against it. At year old girl. youngest in Delhi's population do not While there is no official word private schools that account for the same time, armed with MHRD In Delhi, it is reported that there is bear the heaviest cost of Cornonavirus. on nursery and kindergarten intake of about 1.25 lakh nursery Pragyata guidelines, some schools a big jump in enrolment of One way could be prioritizing their admissions as yet, still some and KG children in Delhi year- continue to offer one hour sessions children with angandawadi due to vaccination. –Autar Nehru unconfirmed reports suggest on-year. The regulation of this to their nursery children on week that government is thinking of admission was partly necessi- days. And these sessions to be Challenges for Primary School Kids in the postponing them for one whole tated because of allegations of engaging are based cultural activity, Changing Education System' year. The proposal is to begin capitation fee and child profiling fitness, drawing or fun etc. And admissions for nursery and by the high end schools that are in some schools even claim that The Education Leaders Confluence 2020 (ELC), a series of talks and kindergarten after a number of great demand. parents are appreciative of the children and parents are The school managements are still professional teaching through these discussions to hear out the experts and discuss various issues and vaccinated for Covid-19. And hopeful about a decision in favor sessions, which would not have this kind of talk is creating of nursery admission as the been possible in home schooling opportunities available in the education sector by Pratham Test prep recently heartburn in Delhi. It is more so directorate of education hasn't because schools in neighboring formally convened any meeting hosted some educators to discuss “Challenges for Primary School Kids in NCR towns like Noida, to discuss the matter or conveyed Ghaziabad, Gurgaon etc have any proposal. “Yes, we are still the Changing Education System.” starting their admission waiting to hear from the The panelists Dr. Narjeet Kaur, Head Mistress Guru Harkrishan Public schedules as both UP and government. The clear logic is Haryana have let the process nursery and KG admissions must School, Delhi, Mrs. Sushma Rajkuamr, HOD, City Montessori School, proceed as usual. be allowed. The process even in Now responding to a petition in pre-covid time was online, so it Lucknow, and Ms. Ritika Anand, Vice Principal, St. Mark's Sr Sec Public the Delhi High Court, the can be undertaken even now. government has said that it is Also, the nursery class we School, Delhi spoke. “Education is the process that aids learning, acquiring knowledge and skills Impact and Influence of Swami Vivekananda Remains Intact in our National life: PM to one's character. In testing times of pandemics, the mode of education has The Prime Minister, Narendra outlined the links between the bright since the youth are active changed by the advent of new technologies. The rise of affordable internet Modi while addressing the individual entrepreneurship and participants in the affairs of the valedictory function of the great companies. He also asked country, our democracy and its has made education easy and accessible to every corner of the world and the s eco n d N ation al Yo u th the youth to take advantage of the systems. The youth are coming Parliament Festival marking the flexibility and innovative forth with innovations for Interactive learning approach has made the availability of education at the National Youth Day with via learning format provided by the positive changes, which is an video conferencing remembered recent National Education encouraging sign for the country's comfort of our home.” Dr. Narjeet Kaur, Head Mistress Guru Harkrishan Swami Vivekananda on his birth Policy. We are trying to create an democratic future. anniversary. Prime Minister ecosystem in the country, Public School, Delhi adding that the use of technology in education will remarked that even with the absence of which, often compels Union Minister of Education passage of time, impact and the youth to look towards foreign Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' change the way teachers teach and students learn, but not wash away the influence of Swami shores, the Prime Minister said. observed that empowerment of Vivekananda remains intact in The Prime Minister, exhorted the youth leads to the empower- need of teachers for a student. Guru Drona was in possession of an our national life. The Prime youth to contribute selflessly and ment of the nation and through the Minister stressed that it was constructively in politics and National Youth Festival, the indestructible sword along with innumerable arrows in his quiver. Likewise, Swami Vivekananda who said that today, honest people are campaign of empowerment of recognized confident, clear- getting the opportunity to serve, individuals within the society and the Gurus of today have technology as one of the arrows or probably it's their hearted, fearless and courageous changing the old notion of further from society to nation is youth as the foundation of the politics as a site of unscrupulous progressing rapidly. invincible sword! nation. His views on nationalism activities. Today Honesty and In his address, Youth Affairs and “The mundane ways of teaching will be out-dated and it will offer real-life and nation-building and his performance have become the Sports minister, Kiren Rijiju said teaching regarding serving the need of the hour. In this context, it is the first time that the National learning opportunities that will diminish what is taught in the classrooms people and serving the world the Prime Minister dwelled at Youth Festival has been orga- continue to inspire us. The Prime length on the politics of dynasty. nized in an online-offline hybrid and the real-life requirements. The traditional methods will see a Minister talked about Swami ji's He said corruption has become a mode using technology, and that contribution to the individual burden on the people whose it has witnessed record participa- transformation. Technology is not here to replace the teacher who was, is, and to Institutions. Individuals legacy was corruption. tion. He informed that 7 lakh who came in contact with Swami Speaking on the occasion, Lok youngsters had participated in 24 will be the GURU- Dispeller of Darkness.” Ritika Anand, Vice Principal, Vivekananda and created Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla different competitions during the institutions which in turn created said that we should resolve to festival and congratulated the St. Mark's Sr Sec Public School, Delhi new institution-builders. This make the highest use of the winners of the National Youth Highlighting the importance of vernacular content, the confluence also laid started a virtuous cycle of energy and power of the youth Parliament Festival. individual development to for the revival of our country and stress on the new and variety of content as a resource to quality education institution-building and vice strengthening its Constitution versa. This is a huge strength of and Parliament. He expressed the and learning. Since it seems difficult for some schools in rural areas, there is India as the Prime Minister confidence that the future of Indian democracy is indeed a dire need to focus on the quality of content where the platforms are devoid of it. “2020 has been a year when teachers and teaching came into focus. Big gains have happened in terms of methods, attitudes & relationships. As we now begin to prepare for returning to school, I sincerely hope that all the positives are sustained and schools and teachers are valued for the service they give to society, ”Sushma Rajkuamr, HOD, City Montessori School, Lucknow added. G D Goenka Public School, Siliguri wins TCS IT Wiz 2020 Abishek Agarwal from GD Goenka Public School, Siliguri, walked away with the TCS IT Wiz Championship title and was awarded a trophy along with a gold medal, winner's certificate and a gift voucher worth Rs 30,000. The runner up of the National Finals, Rithin Nagaraj from Little Flower Public School, Bengaluru, received an e-voucher worth Rs 20,000 along with a silver medal and trophy. The results were announced on Dec 30, 2020. The 22nd edition of TCS IT Wiz witnessed participation from over 9,900 students of class 8-12 from across the country. The quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam aka Pickbrain, presented the quiz with exuberance and vibrancy throughout the 5 rounds namely, Digital Readiness, Borderless Learning, Analytics and Insights, Multi Experience and @TCS. This year, TCS IT Wiz saw some engaging questions that

14 Curriculum January 16, 2021 Skills Education update “Skills University: Making the Transition 110th All India Trade Test for from Employment to Employability.” Apprentices results Sneha, IHMCT, Panipat-Haryana tops the evaluation scoring 95.96% in the National As India is set to become the will help students to not only Regulations of 2018. Policy Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) third-largest economy by 2030 understand concepts but also makers should look at re writing and for our youth to leverage the create an opening balance with the clause 8.2.6 of Chapter 8 of The Directorate General of Training (DGT) announced the result of the opportunities that the economy regard to work experience. UGC Act of 1956 and include the 110th All India Trade Test (AITT) for apprentices. The examination was may present will require a four classrooms (online, on-site, conducted in September 2020 that engaged close to 7,300 industries in over transformation of our education Higher educational institutions on-campus and on-job) as well as 200 trades. Nearly 96,000 candidates appeared for AITT out of which over system. Our education should should pray to one God – Jobs: accommodate the pedagogy. It 50,000 candidates passed the exam. The overall percentages of girls and boys move away from being one that Employer or job providers should should also consider the who passed are 58.41% and 51.44% respectively, which stands testimony to addresses the social signalling be at the heart of the operations. investments required in Campus, increasing female participation in apprenticeship. Km. Sneha, IHMCT, quotient to one that empowers Employers need greater influence Technology, Content, People and Panipat-Haryana topped the evaluation scoring 95.96% in the National the learners. It should promote over the design and delivery of Industry Relationships. Rewrite Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). Kalyan Rana, Texmaco Rail & institutions that help students to education. Further, the curriculum Section 22 (3) of the UGC Act, Engineering Ltd, West Bengal and Thiruselvam M, BHEL-Pudukottai-Tamil gain skills that will help them get should be responsive to the create specialized Apprenticeship Nadu ranked 2nd and 3rd in the examination respectively. gainful employment. economic priorities. There is also Linked Degree Programs as a If our education system has to the need to look at opening more category of courses that mandates After completion of apprenticeship training, an evaluation through All India become a game changer, it will Public-Private Partnerships and apprenticeships and credit Trade Test (AITT) for National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) is require an overhaul according to building more skill universities. transfers. When it comes of conducted twice in a year. AITT is a skill-oriented evaluation done by DGT the TeamLease Skills Leverage technology to make Apprentices Act of 1961, clause 9, and the industry, and it requires continuous practice, dedication, devotion, University's latest whitepaper learning more accessible and 21 and 23 needs to be modified to and hardwork to succeed. DGT-MSDE certifies apprenticeship training in “Skills University: Making the engaging: While 2020 did fast allow Skills University to teach as association with establishments and industry to make youth across the Transition from Employment to track adoption of technology in well as evaluate Apprentices and country employable by providing them relevant industry exposure. This Employability.” The 600 million learning, in 2021, all stakeholders provide credits towards Degree training is under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and supported through National youth who are expected to be need to further leverage linked Apprentices. Rewriting of Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). The training is as per the course entering the workforce by 2022 technology. Adoption of the clause 2 of the act to make curriculum designed by the DGT in the designated trades, that provides an employable will require technology makes learning from Skills University inclusive to the apprentice the opportunity to receive on-the-job training by key players in identifying the core challenges in anywhere feasible and hence it has Apprenticeship ecosystem is also the industry and get stipend. the education system and the potential to improve GER as the need of the hour. Modifying the adopting a course correction. It well as reducing the drop out clause 8 of the Apprenticeship Act Seekho India to train over 5000 youth as its will call for creating a multi ration. In fact, learning can be to remove the licensing and cap on modal, credit linked, skills based made more universal with Universities for enrolling degree “Virtual Sales Warrior” in partnership with learning framework. As per the technology. Technology can also linked apprenticeship students can whitepaper making the learning pave the way for self- learning as also go a long way in improving Nippon Paints ecosystem more relevant to well as flexible learning, self- the environment. With regard to current times will need regulated learning. Apart from UGC Online Regulations of 2018 Nippon Paints has signed a MOU with Seekho India-a startup for an interventions right from the making learning accessible, Clause 4(2) should be re looked online Skill development and training arrangement to empower the youth curriculum offered, to, the mode technology can play a crucial role and should be crafted to allow of India and Collaborate for “Virtual eWarrior Program” to provide them of delivery, adoption of in improving the quality of innovation, flexibility and suitable opportunities in the Auto refinish and wood coating industry. technology, financing and even learning and retention. It can relevance in an online curriculum “Virtual eWarrior Program” is an initiative by Nippon paint to bring talent the regulatory eco-system. provide access to open that makes the curriculum to Auto refinish and Wood coating Industry. In this course Seekho India Elaborating about the analysis, information resources, and extend industry-relevant and the student aims to provide training to 5000 youth to become a certified sales Neeti Sharma, Senior Vice more scientific support. Leverage employable. Further, rewrite professional and become a part of Nippon paint's Self rewarding Program. President, TeamLease Services, technology supported social clause 7(2)(2) to allow universities This program will not only provide training to the candidate to become said, “While National Education media platforms can facilitate peer to work with the best technology effective Sales professional, but the Seekho's strategic partnership with Policy is a progressive step to peer interactions and thereby platforms without holding them Nippon Paint will provide them a recognition and an opportunity for one towards augmenting the learning help in delivering valuable real hostage to a State-sponsored year to join incentive-based Sales program. The aim is to mobilize people ecosystem, but for our students to world experience to the learners. system and 7(2)(3) for Skills from different walks of life and age bracket to become self-reliant. smoothly transition to gainful Not just this, in the next few years, university to define their credit “Seekho India aims to create entrepreneurs in the country, our focus is not employment and take advantage gamification can be used to framework which includes credits the Major cities but the real India that lives in the 2nd Tier and beyond- of the growing avenues will enhance engagement and for Online, Onsite and we believe that an any additional income every month will make require efforts beyond policy. It assessment as well. Apprenticeship based learning. difference for these families” says Uma Menon, Founder Seekho India. will require all the stake holders Transform the financing structure including students, curriculum of learning: Financing is a key Careerera offering free online fundamental certification programs in Data developers, institutions who component when it comes to impart education, policy makers education. Rather than being Science, Digital Marketing and Full Stack Development and above all employers to work dependent on government or in work in tandem with each students, the financing has to be Careerera, a live online education platform, has announced the launch of free fundamental certification other. In fact, our education eco- drawn from the eco-system. It has programs which are open to Indian and foreign students. This series of 2-8 hours, depending on the system should be re-imagined in to be partaken by all the stake program's duration, will cover key concepts introduced by industry experts. such a way that it addresses the holders- students, employers and Speaking on the announcement, Vivek Kumar Singh, Co-Founder and CEO, Careerera said, “The idea behind economic priorities of its stake authorities and each of the stake offering free courses is to help students/professionals to dive into the most demanded fields. It is an holders aptly”. holders should be incentivised for excellent opportunity for learners as they can connect with the industry experts and people across the Some of the key their contribution. globe at the same time. Our e-learning classrooms are similar to actual classrooms, providing an recommendations the Ease the regulatory bottleneck: opportunity to interact and learn all together. Through e-learning, you can learn in a relaxed manner, it whitepaper has put forth that can Apart from creating more scope saves you from travelling hassle which ends up saving time and money. These skills can boost up your profile help in improving the state of our for PPPs in this sector, multiple and completing such programs may show employers your willingness to learn. The working language of the education are: policy interventions are also program is English so that most of the students can get benefited with such programs. Emphasise on work integrated required. There is a need for not List of the Courses offered for Free : learning: Our education system just a reform in the education ● DSF (Data Science Fundamental ) - This course provides a basic understanding of Python & Importance should be aligned towards policy, but also reforms that of Python. creating employable talent. And support eco-systems that ● DMF (Digital Marketing Fundamental) - This course offers a basic understanding of Digital Marketing. the most effective way for that is promulgate work-integrated ● Full Stack Development Fundamental Certification - This course allows you to cover all the front end by blending class room learning learning. Some of the key technologies by providing a basic understanding of the programming languages and popular front end with on-the-job-training. This regulations that need a revisit are frameworks. Apprentices Act of 1961, UGC Act of 1956 and UGC Online

Curriculum January 16, 2021 15 Skill Development ASDC & DIYguru launches Nanodegree The focus in this course is to make the students finish the projects as a Sheatwork and The part of each module. The whole Master coursework consists of 10 Program to upskill Engineering projects and 30 assignments spread across an 8 month period. Apart Entrepreneurship from the on-demand videos that the students can access, they have live Students in EV Technology 1-1 video conference sessions with the instructor in order to get their School tie up doubts clarified. As a part of the course, students also end up working Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC) recently on projects with the aid of industry-oriented software tools such as forAatmanirbhar She announced the launch of its Electric Mobility Nanodegree Program Python, Tensorflow, Kras, MATLAB-Simulink, Carmaker and with DIYguru, the online maker's learning platform for engineers experience different control strategies within their projects, Such as Agile Startup Program across India and Southeast Asia. LQR, Rule-based, PID, state-flow, etc. The program is specially designed for students and professionals of \"Any student in a Mechanical engineering, electrical and electronics Sheatwork, a knowledge hub for Engineering & Diploma background. The certification will be engineering or computer engineering curriculum can take this course. women entrepreneurs has partnered driven by ASDC's blockchain-powered solution - Certif-ID, the Apart from this, working professionals who would like to shift their with The Entrepreneurship School, latest technology to protect certificates against counterfeit and fake career path towards autonomous vehicles or anyone with a desire to for Aatmanirbhar She Agile Startup certificates. work in the automotive controls domain can also take up this course. Program, a specially designed 8- The duration of the course is of six months. The classes will be a In addition to the 5 modules that are currently present in the week (16 sessions) online course for mix of online recorded and live lectures to be delivered to students curriculum, we are planning to add 3-4 additional modules that will aspiring women entrepreneurs. The on weekends. cover the next wave of driverless car development \" said, program affordably priced at INR DIYguru launched its E-Mobility program back in 2016 with Sarangarajan, Co-founder & CTO, Skill-Lync. 12,000/- aims to provide a Vecmocon, based out of IIT Delhi, and has since then served more launchpad to women entrepreneurs than 50,000 students and professionals from Hyundai, Bosch, and Skill India undertakes RPL for workers in by encouraging entrepreneurial Maruti Suzuki placing more than 80% of its students in the rising thinking in those nurturing an EV market. Chandauli and Varanasi ambition to set up their own It has recently been accredited as the official partner of ISRO in the businesses. The program ends with implementation of Online Courses in Space Remote Sensing In line with its vision to promote decentralization and local a capstone investor pitch. Satellite in India. governance for better planning and implementation of skill The Aatmanirbhar She Agile Startup Arindam Lahiri, CEO of, ASDC said “As the technology-cost curve development programmes, Ministry of Skill Development and Program is a specially created is becoming steeper, more technologies are finding their way into Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is conducting a Special Recognition of program for women entrepreneurs the automotive sector at present. Be it hybrid technology, or electric Prior Learning (RPL) program for workers with Department of spread across eight weeks with 16 vehicles, the automotive industry is evolving at a rapid pace. The Panchayati Raj (DoPR) in Chandauli and Varanasi. The programme, sessions, exposing participants to program's goal is to train Engineering & Diploma students to fill the implemented under SANKALP Programme of MSDE, has been rolled lessons that will equip them with the supply deficit of the skilled automotive workforce. The industry has out in Sevapuri and Baragaon blocks in Varanasi that include 167 gram required knowledge on structuring to cope with rapid digitalization to meet the growing demands of panchayats and in Niyamatabad and Sahabganj blocks in Chandauli business, and finally setting it up. It our consumers. It is facing a rising skills shortage,\" that include 160 gram panchayats. offers an intensive learning The government had initiated the National Electric Mobility The implementing agency for the programme is National Skill experience that focuses on the Mission Plan in the year 2013 to put 6-7 million electric vehicles on Development Corporation (NSDC). After initial preparations such as creation, evaluation, development, Indian roads by 2020 and committing to achieving 30% e-mobility getting trainers onboard, setting up of RPL camps at appropriate and launch preparedness of a new in the country by 2030. locations and mobilization of candidates with the support of DoPR, business. It is supported by expert To achieve this goal India will need to create a skilled and trained Uttar Pradesh training started in the first week of Oct-2020. faculty and mentors to help develop workforce that has expertise in design and testing, battery Considerable progress has been made since then and nearly 2,250 and nurture the entrepreneurial manufacturing and management, sales, services, and infrastructure candidates have been enrolled for training. mindset that will drive students in of electric vehicles. ASDC aims to skill and certify 25 million youth Under the partnership, MSDE is supporting the State Skill their future business journey. They in the next 10 years, equipping professionals with skills in areas like Development Missions (SSDMs)/District Skill Committees (DSCs) in will be taken through the ideation IoT, mechatronics, robotics, 3D printing, AI, machine learning, deep selection and onboarding of the PIAs and facilitating successful process, product development, learning, analytics, virtual collaboration, automotive design, and execution of the programme. Both ministries (MSDE and MoPR) are customer acquisition and launch of computational thinking, Mr. Lahiri, further added. being supported by Directorate of Panchayati Raj, UP and the State individual startups. Skill Development Mission, UP and are monitoring the pilot to Elaborating on the program Ruby Skill-Lync launches autonomous driving comprehensively understand the key challenges and learnings and Sinha, Founder, Sheatwork says, implement necessary corrective measures. “More and more women can be course in India Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of encouraged to enter the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “About 70% of our entrepreneurship ecosystem with the YCombinator backed, India headquartered startup 'Skill-Lync' country's population resides in rural India and hence the inclusion of right guidance and mentorship. We announces the launch of a special master's course for Autonomous gram panchayats is crucial for the success of District Skill are delighted to partner with The Driving. The startup provides job leading courses for Mechanical, Development Plans and will provide a huge fillip to the Skill India Entrepreneurship School which is Electrical, Civil and Computer Science Engineering students in Mission. Through RPL, we aim to align the competencies of the pre- known as a Launchpad for India and across the world. This unique course is designed to give existing workforce of the country to the standardized framework. Entrepreneurs to develop a special students a hands-on approach to learn and develop model-based Certification builds confidence, brings respect and provides program for women entrepreneurs. control strategies for driver-assist systems. recognition to the candidates, it has the potential to make skills The objective is to make this course This special course offers a good experience to the students aspirational. Supporting formalization of the informal learning of a highly inspirational experience following a balanced approach with both in-depth theoretical and youth will supplement their efforts in finding sustainable livelihood that will enable participants to grow on-hand practical knowledge. It will help them get comfortable with opportunities and reduce inequalities based on privileging certain and learn and become entrepreneurs control strategies for driver assist systems and teach them how to forms of knowledge over others. We aim to expand this initiative in all building scalable businesses.” develop those strategies in a simulated environment. The program is villages of India as a key step in the direction of our honorable Prime divided into 5 modules, each one of which is accompanied by Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of Skilled India. The pilot in For attention projects to add on to the practical approach, which will give a better addition to recognizing the skills of the trainees shall also link them understanding to the students of what they are learning. The with work opportunities emanating from the Gram panchayat's of institutions modules are as follows:- development work.” 1.Applying Computer Vision for Autonomous Vehicle, Talking about how the training has helped him, Sanjay Vishwakarma, Notices Beyond 200 2.Practical Artificial Intelligence For Autonomous Vehicle, lead carpenter, wooden furniture from Jivnathpur in Chandauli said, “I words will be 3.Localization, Mapping & SLAM, have been working as a carpenter for 15 years making all kinds of considered classified 4.Path Planning & trajectory Optimization, modern as well as traditional furniture. Today, I have been finally advertisements and 5.Autonomous Vehicle Controls recognized for my skill with a government certificate under RPL therefore published only Commenting on the course Surya Narayanan, Co-founder & CEO, which has opened up the doors for several new opportunities for me. I against payments. Skill-Lync Said, “As a whole, the automotive industry is shifting to will go and tell everyone how good this programme is, and encourage develop Futuristic vehicles that inculcate concepts like Autonomous may more people to join and get trained for better livelihood Thank you or driverless cars, and fully electric cars, but sadly there are no educational institutions in India or across the world that are focused Guidelines for degree apprenticeships need Industry engagement on teaching the technical aspects specific to such domains. At Skill- Lync our goal is to empower students with technical skills that are Sumit Kumar, Vice President – NETAP, TeamLease Skills University while talking on the 2021 outlook for the required for the future. Companies have started looking for education and skilling ecosystem, says the new guidelines for degree apprenticeships that has been proposed engineers who have inter-disciplinary skills. Our master's course in by the government will help higher education to integrate with corporate learning and make way for creating Autonomous driving has been designed taking into account the employable talent as well as bridge the skill crunch. Adoption of digitation was brought forward by a decade needs of these companies. Engineers from Computer Science, in 2020 which also led to the redrafting of regulations on online education by the UGC. Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics engineering can take this “But to massify the adoption of digitization in learning and education, the regulations should be further course and understand different aspects of the autonomous vehicle liberalised. Similarly, for these policy changes to turn into success will require putting the changes into development process. The course is designed by leading industry practice, which could be an arduous task if the guidelines to implement are not clarified as early as possible. experts in the field of ML, AI, and driverless car development in In fact, 2021 should pave way for a clear road map and even new era in learning wherein institutions are given order to aid Students with relevant interests helping them get the liberty as well as support to equip themselves better infrastructure, trained teachers and even mode of equipped for the future”. imparting training. The coming year should also set the foundation to create a learning eco-system that Interestingly, there is no other platform in the world that focuses on encourages active engagement from industry wherein corporate learning will take over the pie of higher teaching in-depth technical skills to non-software engineering education benefitting both employers and students. For students it will improve their employability and for students for Autonomous Driving. With this course, the students employers productivity of the talent giving the desired returns on investment in education for all the stake will have a complete hands-on experience to develop an ADAS holders.” system from Level 1 automation to Level 3.

16 Curriculum December16, 2020 NewsPlus Adequate Public Financing is Necessary for Early COVID-19 lockdown in Delhi Universalization of School Education: RTE Forum to FM had less impact on urban air quality The Right to Education (RTE) financial outlays for expansion already poor prior to COVID-19. Forum has made a submission and strengthening of the public An estimated 35 million children than first believed to Union Finance Minister school system. Second, Covid-19 were out of school in 6-17 age regarding adequate has amply demonstrated the group (NSSO, 2017-18), with The first COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant changes in urban air enhancement of public downside of market-based disproportionate share belonging pollution levels in Delhi and other major cities around the world, but the financing for universalization strategy of school education that to marginalised communities and changes were smaller than expected – a new study reveals. of school education. The has been actively promoted in girls. Increase in poverty and After developing new corrections for the impact of weather and seasonal Forum, in its submission, India. Economic vulnerabilities long months of school closure is trends, such as reduced NO2 emissions from winter to summer, the requested the Centre to have severely disrupted parents' leading to rapid increase in child researchers evaluated changes in ambient NO2, O3 and fine particle prioritize education spending ability to continue their children's labour and number of OSC.” (PM2.5) concentrations arising from lockdown emission changes in 11 by adopting and adhering to a education, with some at risk of Asking for adequate schools, global cities: Beijing, Wuhan, Milan, Rome, Madrid, London, Paris, Berlin, clearly laid down financial dropping out and others turning to teachers and infrastructure, the New York, LosAngeles and Delhi. roadmap. It further asked the public schools. It is an opportunity Forum wrote, “Every year, Led by experts at the University of Birmingham, the international team of government to respond to to restore the lost social balance in thousands of public schools are scientists discovered that the beneficial reductions in NO2 due to the widening inequities through educational provisions through being closed down. School inclusive budgeting. The strengthened public schools. closures need to be reversed lockdowns were smaller Forum also asked the policy Third, the exceptional challenges immediately. One cannot ignore than expected, after makers to ensure adequate arising out of COVID-19 the need for small schools in view removing the effects of schools, teachers and pandemic requires a social policy of social distancing norms; weather. In parallel, the infrastructure. perspective towards education return of thousands of migrants to lockdowns caused Ambarish Rai, National financing. Along with learning, the villages; shifts in enrolments (weather-corrected) Convener, Right to Education issues of food security and away from private schools; and concentrations of ozone Forum, participated in the Pre- nutrition, equity and inclusion the urgent need to prevent drop in cities to increase. budget Consultation Convened that are manifesting in heightened outs and secure continuation of NO2 is a key air pollutant by the Union Finance Minister, forms must be central to policies education through better access, from traffic emissions, Nirmala Sitharaman today and budgets on school education.” particularly for the vulnerable associated with respira- where he raised various “Not only has there not been any groups.” tory problems, while ozone is also harmful to health, and damages crops. concerns related to education in fiscal stimulus on education, “A large percentage of schools Publishing their findings today in Science Advances, the research team also India, particularly elementary expenditure has lagged far behind have been violating the RTE reveals that concentrations of PM2.5, which can worsen medical conditions and Secondary Education. even the low levels of budgeted norms on teacher requirements such as asthma and heart disease, decreased in all cities studied except Mr Rai, in his deliberation, expenditure. By October 2020, across the country. As has been London and Paris. emphasised, “The budget for only 36% of the budgeted repeatedly pointed out, a large Lead-author Zongbo Shi, Professor of Atmospheric Biogeochemistry at the education must be enhanced up expenditure of MHRD, for percentage of schools do not University of Birmingham, commented: “Rapid, unprecedented reduction to 6% of GDP as reiterated time FY2020-21 was spent (Monthly fulfill teacher-student ratio as per in economic activity provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of and again along with an extra Accounts, CGA). Central the RTE Act, 2009, simply interventions on air quality. Emission changes associated with the early budget as COVID-19 package government must treat school because we have a shortage of lockdown restrictions led to abrupt changes in air pollutant levels but their to ensure safe and secure education as a priority sector and 10.1 lakhs teachers in the country. impacts on air quality were more complex than we thought, and smaller education of the children.” not relegate it to Category C,” the There is need for proper than we expected. Underlining the grim existing Forum expressed in its investment for teacher education, “Weather changes can mask changes in emissions on air quality. situation in the field of submission adding “We reiterate, teacher trainings and for filling up Importantly, our study has provided a new framework for assessing air education in India, Mr Rai education financing should be of teacher vacancies,” the Forum pollution interventions, by separating the effects of weather and season highlighted, “There are three prioritized in line with India's further added. from the effects of emission changes.” clear imperatives that the commitments as part of the 2020 Concluding the submission, the Roy Harrison, Queen Elizabeth II Birmingham Centenary Professor of Union Budget FY 2020-21 Global Education Meeting and the Forum expressed, “Along with Environmental Health, a co-author, commented: “The reduction in NO2 must address. One, to enable UN General Assembly appointment of teachers, there is will be beneficial for public health - restrictions on activities, particularly the extension of free and declarations.” need to meet other infrastructure traffic, brought an immediate decline in NO2 in all cities. Had similar levels compulsory RTE to all levels of Demanding adequate allocations gaps. Currently, only 54% of restrictions remained in place, annual average NO2 concentrations schooling - a vision endorsed in for immediate Covid-19 schools have toilet, drinking would have in most locations complied with WHO air quality guidelines. the newly passed NEP, 2020 – Response Strategy, the Forum water and handwashing facilities. William Bloss, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, who is also a co-author, there is an imminent need for said, “The situation of out-of- These facts have to be factored commented that “We found increases in ozone levels due to lockdown in all proper planning backed by school children (OSC) was into budgetary outlays and the cities studied. This is what we expect from the air chemistry, but this will implementation strategies.” counteract at least some of the health benefit from NO2 reductions. The changes in PM2.5 differ from city to city. Future mitigation measures require a systematic air pollution control approach towards NO2, O3 and PM2.5 which is tailored for specific cities, to maximize the overall benefits of air quality changes to human health.” Room to Read turns 20, aims to double WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF its work in next 5 years INDIA'S EDUCATION STORY! Room to Read, the nonprofit organization with its headquarters in San You can advertise in curriculum magazine or and also put an Francisco, USA, and operations across sixteen countries of Asia and advertorial highlighting your company/services/campus/ products etc. Africa, in imparting quality education to underprivileged children and This will greatly support your marketing effort and enhance your strengthening gender equality, is celebrating its 20th anniversary visibility and recall value with your current and potential clients across the globe. “Room to Read's two decades journey has only cemented its core OUR FOCUS belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children,” said a statement. Its model focuses on profound, systemic transformation — We cover latest news, product launches, current events and trends within schools in low-income communities during two time periods — News features, Guest Articles, Expert columns that are most critical in a child's schooling: early primary school for — Career counselling, Skill India, Entrepreneurships literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls' education. The — School/College /university events organization collaborates with governments and local communities to — Achievements by students, faculty, institutions develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school — Education Technology — Study Abroad children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills — Institution/people profiles necessary to negotiate key life decisions. Since its inception in the year 2000, Room to Read has benefited nearly 20 million children worldwide Room to Read India is the organization's largest area of operation, with current presence across nine states in the country. In India, the organization has benefitted over 4.3 million children and distributed more than 100 million culturally relevant age appropriate books. It hopes to reach over 10 million children by 2024, depending on government collaborations and fund availability. On the occasion to mark its 20th anniversary Sourav Banerjee, Country Director, Room to Read India remarked “As we set our strategy for the next five years, we are sharply focused on supporting system-level adoption and influence to build a path toward greater scale. We will continue to deliver high-quality programs at the school level and help individual girls succeed. Our aim for the next five years will be to more than double the number of children benefited in the past 20 years”. Room to Read's programs have shown high impact. Children going