Curriculum Mag Jan 2022

RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634 Vol 12 No 3 This space could be yours www.curriculum-magazine.com magazine ADVERTISE WITH US THE INDIA EDUCATION LANDSCAPE UPDATE January 16, 2022 Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar Academic Bank of Credits Regulations amended, 2021 2022 launched, application can be made till now all HEIs irrespective of NAAC or NIRF ranking covered under ABC March The University Grants Commission regulation 1 and the institutions of national ABC facility and encourage theln for opening The Department of School Education and (UGC) Establishment and Operation of importance as declared by the government of Academic Bank Account,” said a UGC letter Literacy instituted Swachh Vidyalaya Academic Bank of Credits in Higher India and specifically empowered by an Act of to heads of HEIs. Puraskar (SVP) for 2021 2022 has been Education) Regulations, 2021 has been Parliament to confer or grant degrees, According to reports 40 central universities launched is open to all categories of schools. amended with University Grants Commission irrespective of their NAAC or NIRF ranking have already decided to adopt ABC that gives i.e. Government, Government aided and (Establishment and Operation of Academic should be able to participate and register in the liberty to students to choose the pace of their Private schools in both rural and urban areas. Bank of Credits in Higher Education) (First academic bank of credits. In this regard, the studies, tailor their degrees, and enable The schools have been given sufficient time Amendment) Regulations, 2021 and notified on amendments have been notified in the Gazette multiple entry-multiple exit for students to till March 2022 to apply for the awards so that December 28, 2021. Under this amendment, the of India on 28 December, 2021.” complete their degrees as per their time they can do so at an appropriate and safe time. sub regulation 2 of regulations 7 shall be The earlier July 28, 2021, regulations, made it preferences. The ABC framework is part of The schools will be assessed through an omitted. And Sub regulations 3,4,5 and 6 of compulsory for higher education institutions National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and online portal & mobile app in 6 sub- regulation 7 shall be read as 2,3,4 and 5 that received 'A' grade from the National will allow higher education institutions to categories: Water, Sanitation, Hand Washing respectively for universities and autonomous Assessment and Accreditation Council maintain a digital repository of credits earned with soap, Operation and Maintenance, colleges, and the Institutions of National- (NAAC) or fall in the top 100 National by students; under ABC, students can choose to Behaviour Change and Capacity Building and Importance as declared by the Government of Institutions Ranking Framework (NIRF) study one course in a year in one institution and the newly added category on COVID-19 India and specially empowered by an Act of rankings, to register forABC. switch to another one the next year. The Preparedness and Response and the system Parliament to confer or grant degrees. In simple “All higher education institutions are once framework also allows students to pursue will generate the overall score and rating terms, the condition of rating and ranking has again requested to take appropriate steps for courses online and earn credits. While automatically. Schools shall be awarded at the been waived off. joining ABC Platform at the earliest. Further, mandatory under NEP 2020, institutions have District, State and National level based on an “It was felt that the universities and autonomous you are requested to kindly make the students the flexibility of adopting it at a time of their internationally recognized five star rating colleges satisfying sub-regulation 2 of of your University/institution aware of the choice. system. Also, every school will get a certificate of participation showing the Odisha tops IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals winners, Vidyanjali Higher Education category-wise scores and overall rating of the who now enter into preparation for school. This will help in promoting WorldSkills Shanghai in Oct later this year Volunteer Programme sustainable practices of improved Water, Sanitation & Hygiene in schools. Medals tally for top states listed on page 16 launched At the National level, 40 schools will be selected for awards this year under the overall ARIIA 2021 released, IIT- Madras top ranks The Ministry of Education (MoE) has category. The award money for the schools started registration for the Vidyanjali Higher has been enhanced this year from Rs. 50,000/- In the3rd edition of ARIIA 2021 or the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Education Volunteer Programme that aims to to Rs. 60,000/- per school, under Samagra Innovation Achievements released on December 29, 2021, Indian connect institutions of higher education with Shiksha scheme. Also, 6 sub-category wise Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been recognized as varied volunteers from the Indian diaspora awards have been introduced for the first time, the most innovative educational institute in India for the third namely young professionals, retired/working with award money of Rs. 20,000/- per school. consecutive year. teachers, retired/ working government Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education officials, professionals, and students of PG on Jan 12 virtually launched Swachh List of top institutions on Page 15 and PhD levels. Vidyalaya Puraskar (SVP) 2021 2022. The To register, individuals and institutions will event was attended by Anita Karwal, have to sign up at the official website Secretary (SE&L), and representatives from vidyanjali-he.education.gov.in. After all States and UTs and UNICEF. Sarkar registering for the specialised areas that they emphasized that the SVP recognise, inspire need to volunteer for in the programme, and award the schools who have undertaken volunteers will be able to interact directly exemplary work in the field of water, with the academic service and activity with sanitation and hygiene and also provides a relevant knowledge and skillset. Volunteers benchmark and roadmap for schools to make can also sign up to help institutions by further improvements in future. donating assets and equipment. The award was started in 2016-17 to create Through this portal, the volunteers can make self-motivation and awareness about their skills and specialised services they sanitation among school communities in the want to offer known to the institutions. The country. institutions can also, on the other hand, make their requirement known through the INSIDE portal to seek volunteers. There are almost 27 academic activities and 10 Key Skills in Artificial sponsorship services that volunteers can chip Intelligence (AI)... Pg 11 in with for their services. In terms of infrastructure support, volunteers can also Education Industry in support institutions with basic civil and 2022...Pg 10 electrical infrastructure, classroom equipment for teaching, and digital Advisory to Citizens infrastructure. regarding use of caution against edtech companies PM's Pariksha Pe Charcha ...pg 4 2022 edition open for registration till Jan 20 PM Narendra Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha is back! SOpen for school students of Classes 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th only, the registration began on December 28 and will continue until January 20, 2022. Interested students can register on MyGov platform.

2 Curriculum January 16, 2022 Updates AICTE launches portal for Electronic records in NAD provide all relaxations/exemptions relating to Note from the Editor attendance, extension in date for submitting PARAKH for conducting valid documents, examination forms or any other facility Dear Readers, deemed necessary for women students assessments universities told pursuing Under Graduate and Post Graduate A Happy New Year to you! programme The AICTE announced the launch of portal In a letter UGC has asked all HEis to note that This is our first edition of the year https://aslap.aicte-india.org/of Students academic electronic records available on NITTT now accessible to all and comes at a time when the dark Learning Assessment (PARAKH) program Digilocker platform are valid documents. shadow of covid19 pandemic is still based on joint recommendations made by National Academic Depository (NAD) is an teachers of five years of haunting all of us. Some experts National Project Implementation Unit online storehouse of academic awards have started saying that there is (NPIU) and STANFORD University's study. (Degrees./Mark-Sheets, etc.) lodged by the service or more light at the end of tunnel and The portal will conduct assessments of Academic Institutions in a digital format. It hopefully, we’ll start to see the end students and faculty members of HEIs and facilitates students to get authentic With an aim to create a large pool of trained of the pandemic in coming months. schools. documents/certificates in digital format technical teachers, the All India Council for That is the best news for schools and The portal has more than 1,45,000 directly from their original issuers anywhere Technological Education (AICTE) announced colleges in India which are suffering assessment items incorporating multiple anytime without any physical interface. “The that it was expanding the ambit of National longest closures anywhere in the disciplines towards improving the overall Ministry of Education, GoI has designated the Initiative for Technical Teachers Training world. The damage that this closure competence of students and graduates to University Grants Commission as an (NITTT) by making it accessible to teachers has caused to education and lives of include core disciplines, aptitude, emerging authorized body to implement NAD as a with more than five years of service working young India is a massive challenge areas, and higher order thinking skills. As a permanent scheme without levy of any user in AICTE-affiliated institutes and colleges. before all the communities involved part of the pilot programme, more than charges in co-operation with the Digi Locker Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Higher Education, in our education ecosystems and 80,000 students registered with 55,000 as a single depository of NAD. Academic MoE in presence of AICTE Chairman Prof landscapes. completing the assessment. In addition, Institutions can register themselves and Sahasrabudhe, Prof. M.P. Poonia, AICTE The resilience and spirit to 1,200 faculty members have also taken the upload academic awards of their institution on Vice-Chairman, and Prof. Rajive Kumar, overcome, a time tested Indian trait, assessment. NAD through DigiLockcr NAD portal, “ the Member Secretary, AICTE launched the new will certainly be at play and we’ll Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Higher Education, letter said. scheme on January 8. surely recover our lost ground. Our MoE in presence of AICTE Chairman Prof The DigiLocker platform of MeiyT has the As a part of the new revamped NITTT, publication will walk shoulder to Sahasrabudhe, Prof. M.P. Poonia, AICTE facility to pull students' Degree, Marks Sheet teachers will now have to serve industrial shoulder with you all in raising the Vice-Chairman, and Prof. Rajive Kumar, and other documents into the issued training and a semester-based mentorship as a issues, talking about them and Member Secretary, AICTE launched the new documents section in an electronic form once part of the training exercise. Earlier, the importantly in an unbiased and scheme on January 8. uploaded through Digilocker by the original NITTT was accessible to teachers having less positive manner. Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, AICTE issuer. These electronic records available on than five years of service and was launched Best wishes!! Chairman said: “We are extremely delighted Digilocker platform are valid documents as for promoting quality of technical education to launch two new initiatives that would per the provisions of the Information in the country. NITTT, the program has been Editor benefit both the students and the teachers at Technology Act 2000 designed as per the teacher's training policy. It large. We are the midst of the launching the is the first structured teacher's training NEP that lays lot of stress on training the 240 day Maternity leave programme across the globe. “Teaching is a teachers and lot of processes that are lifelong learning and NITTT will help involved in the education sector. Students for research scholars teachers of to become tomorrow's faculty should also come forward to take the tests heads,” said Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, through PARAKH for overall development The UGC has made a provision in the AICTE Chairman. and growth.” UGC(Minimum Standards and Procedure for National Initiative for Technical Teachers Prof. M.P. Poonia, AICTE Vice-Chairman Award of M.Phil./Ph.D). degrees Regulations, Training (NITTT) is a Scheme initiated by said: “PARAKH helps students to identify a 2O16 that: \"the women candidate may be AICTE and MoE to provide training for continuous assessment will help them to provided Maternity leave/Child Care leave teachers working in AICTE approved come out better when they pass out from once in the entire duration of M. Phil/Ph.D. technical institutions. An Inductee Teacher has their institutes and serve the country better. lor up to 24O days,' In addition to above, all to undergo online training of eight modules in We are also doing this to help students Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are the first phase of training. Around 47,015 enhance critical thinking and fill gaps in requested to frame appropriate rules/norms teachers have benefitted from the program so high order skills.” with regard to granting Maternity Leave to the far from NITTT. women students controlled in their respective institution / affiliated Colleges and also REACH US WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF General inquiry INDIA'S EDUCATION STORY! call us at 9868256512 Email: [email protected] You can advertise in curriculum magazine or and also put an advertorial [email protected] highlighting your company/services/campus/ products etc. This will greatly support your marketing effort and encheanntrceefoyroounre vyeiasrib- i2l0i2ty1-2a2nwditrheocnaglloivnaglsuuepport. W: www.curriculum-magazine.com with your current and potential clientRsegular assessmeannt d training of the studentwsill be www.education21.in conducted to ensure that they are given the best t r eat ment . Editor: Autar Nehru Tracing FICCI Flo Kolkata's associatiwonith Samaritan Help MissionM, rs Chamaria, said, “Our associatwiointh Consulting Editors: Sudha Passi, M K Bhat, Ramanathan Iyer Samaritan Help Missiobnegan Associate Editor: Suneel Bhan OUR FOCUSsome ladies from the local communi.tTyhe work, the vision,and the passiown ith which Mr. Mamoon Akhtar Circulation: Dimple Nehru, Ganesh this landmark transformatiotno,uchinghundredsof lives Patna: Manoj Kumar; Jammu: Sandeep Dhar Dehradun: A K Koul; Meerut: Uzma Rizvi Advisory Board Members: Prof. Raj Kachroo, Navin Bhati, Ashok Pandey — We cover latest news, producatnldauhenlcphbeusil,t acubrertteenr tcoemvemnutnsi,tyatonudchteredunsd, sand we — News features, Guest Articles,dEecxidpeedrttochoellpusmtrnensgthen Director Marketing/Outreach:M K Bhat — Career counselling, Skill Indiath,eEranptyrecpernetnreeuforrshsipescially-abled children was — School/College /university evevnistusalised.” Business Development Ashok Bhatt, Rajesh Kaul, Tejas: — Achievements by students, faculty, institutions — Education Technology — Study Abroad Editorial/Marketing : Sheen Communications, New Delhi: — Institution/people profiles Printed, Published and Owned by: Avtar Krishen Kaul, Saraswati Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun (Uttrakhand)- 248001 and Printed at Microsoft Technoprint India Private Limited, 37 Old Cannaught Place, Dehradun (UttraKhand) and Published at Saraswati Colony, Smith Nagar, PO- Prem Nagar, Dehradun (Uttrakhand)-248001, Editor: Avtar Nehru RNI No. UTTENG/2010/37634

Curriculum January 16, 2022 3 News Updates 100-day Reading Campaign hearing on March 14. In 2017, the top court had provides them with qualifications in Covid Education in Particular' as part of Azadi said that for “Guidelines for Accessibility for accordance with NSQF. By providing industry- Ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations. The event 'Padhe Bharat' Students with Disabilities in oriented vocational training along with quality commenced with the floral tributes to the Universities/Colleges”, the UGC shall consider education, the group prepares students for their legend Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan A 100-day Reading Campaign 'Padhe Bharat' to the feasibility of constituting a committee. field of professional interest during the school Malviya by dignitaries. improve learning levels of students has been years. After completing Grade 12, students can Delivering the lecture, Shri Ram Madhav said lauched by the Ministry of Education. The AICTE Model Curriculum then opt for higher professional studies in that that he was delighted to participate in this campaign marks an important step to improve the chosen domain. event and appreciated the efforts of the learning levels of students as it develops The All India Council for Technical Education Speaking about the initiative, Anand Dani, institute head and his team for creating a creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary and the (AICTE) has prepared a model curriculum in line Chief Executive Officer-Education, Consulting wonderful infrastructure and facilities in the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It with the new National Education Policy 2020 and Skilling Services, said,“According to NIT Andhra Pradesh campus. The Government helps children to relate to their surroundings and (NEP) and it will be launched “soon”, according recent government statistics, while India has a of India was pushing for greater levels of real-life situation, they said. to report. The AICTE had introduced the first literacy rate of 70%,however, only 20% of support to the higher educational institutes to “Children studying in Balvatika to class 8 will be version of the model curriculum in 2017, before literate youth are employable, as they lack the stand in the world class universities list. part of this campaign. The reading campaign will the NEP-2020 was prepared. skills demanded by the industry. Enhancing Further, Shri Ram Madhav said that during be organised for 100 days (14 weeks) starting AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe said, “All their employability is crucial to ensure their COVID-19 pandemic, the new world order is from January 1 to April 10, 2022. The reading the ingredients of the NEP are in it (model livelihoods, the growth of our industries and being dominated by many technologies in a big campaign aims to have the participation of all curriculum). I am sure that tech universities will the revival of our economy following the way. Digital technology was the one among stakeholders at national and state level including start following it.” pandemic. This necessitates the broadening of them, which had a lot of potential for children, teachers, parents, community, what literacy means, to include technical skills, application in many sectors such as education, educational administrators etc,” a senior education JNU accepts CUET vocational skillsand digital skillsto make our defence, aerospace, healthcare, energy, ministry official said. youth employable. In this view, NSQF will security, agriculture and governance, among “The 100 days campaign will be continued for 14 The JNU has decided in its Academic Council help strengthen our country's human capital others. In the future, Artificial Intelligence- weeks and one activity per week per group has meeting to conduct admissions to its various and help India reap its huge demographic based technologies will address societal been designed with the focus on making reading programmes through the Common Universities dividend.” problems as well as climate change issues. The enjoyable and building a lifelong association with Entrance Test from 2022-2023. rights of robots may promote a new expansion the joy of reading. A comprehensive guideline on Director of Admissions Jayant Tripathi issued a IIIT-NR holds of the interrelated responsibilities of humans the Reading Campaign with age-appropriate note stating that the proposal to adopt the CUET and machines. weekly calendar of activities has been prepared was “overwhelmingly endorsed” in the meeting. Chhattisgarh MSME The individuals, governments and nations must and shared with states and union territories,” he The CUET is conducted by the National Testing be tuned in line with technological added. Agency, and there is a push to implement it in all Resilience Award 2021 developments in the new world order. The Central Universities. The Delhi University developing countries should focus on both Major Dhyan Chand Sports administration has already stated that they will be IIIT-Naya Raipur has undertaken a study technologies and economy to become a strong conducting undergraduate admissions through it with the support of the State Planning nation. The academic institutes should University in Meerut from 2022-2023. Commission Chhattisgarh to understand the encourage the students to carry out innovative resilience strategies (innovative practices) projects through interdisciplinary approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation 26 private colleges in BTR applied by MSMEs/Start-ups in Chhattisgarh added Shri Ram Madhav. stone of the Major Dhyan Chand Sports during COVID-19 to overcome the University in Meerut on January 2. The university made into Govt colleges challenges faced due to the temporary Annual India Maths Day will be established at the Salawa and Kaili freezing of business. One of the deliverables villages of Sardhana town in Meerut at an Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has of the project was to honor some of the key Competition Sees Enthusiastic estimated cost of about Rs 700 crore. said 26 private colleges in Bodoland Territorial MSMEs who have responded to this crisis The sports university will be equipped with Region (BTR) will be brought under the with their inherent strength, innovation, and Participation modern and state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, government control in the first phase of resilience. including synthetic hockey and football grounds, a provincialisation. Nominations have been invited for this Nearly 77,000 students from more than 400 ground for basketball, volleyball, handball and Sarma held a meeting with a delegation of All resilience award from the business owners schools across India registered to participate in kabaddi, lawn tennis court, gymnasium hall, Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and Bodo Sahitya and founders. A large pool of nominees from the second edition of Annual India Maths Day synthetic running stadium, swimming pool, Sabha (BSS) regarding development of the the various part of Chhattisgarh have Quiz Competition, making it the largest Maths- multipurpose hall and a cycling velodrome. educational sector in the BTR as per the Bodo applied, and few of them were shortlisted for focused competition ever organized in India, as The university will have the capacity to train Accord. “As per the request of the delegation, it the final rounds. Based on per a statement by the organisers, Countingwell. 1,080 sportspersons including 540 female and 540 was decided that 26 venture colleges would be multipleparameters, a committee comprising 25,000 of these students qualified for the final male sportspersons. taken up in BTR in the first phase for experts from different domains selected 10 event held on December 22, 2021, provincialisation,” a statement from the Chief participants as final awardees. Ten finalists commemorating the birth annivesay of the Delhi to set up Teachers' Minister's Office (CMO) said. were felicitated in the event, and a coffee legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. It The Higher Education Department will check the table book was documented with the studies concluded with 9 schools taking home the 'Home University status of the colleges, infrastructure, qualification and efforts of the selected MSME featured in of Maths Genius' Award. of existing faculty, need for fresh recruitment and it. Middle school (Classes 6-8) students from 31 The Delhi Cabinet has approved setting up of take appropriate action in this regard, it added. Welcoming all the participants and audience, states and union territories participated in the Delhi Teachers' University. Chief Minister Arvind “Decision was also taken in the meeting for Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Director- competition, with close to 60% of the students Kejriwal said the university will offer, among creating adequate Bodo language teacher posts in IIITNR,emphasized the innovation and coming from Tier-2 or smaller cities, including others, four-year Integrated Teacher Education schools in Bodo areas as per NEP 2020. Single entrepreneurship culture currently being Ratlam, Barnala, Bokaro, Daporijo, Poranki, Programmes like BA-BEd, BSc-BEd to help cadre post creation will be done in all nurtured at the institute. He also referred to Jakhau, Mon and Valsad, among others. Still, develop a new generation of teachers. 'Delhi government and provincialised colleges,” the the various initiatives institutes took in schools from Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Jaipur Teachers University' Bill 2021 will be placed CMO statement said. entrepreneurship to help build state human witnessed maximum participation of their before the Delhi Vidhan Sabha in the coming resources. students. session,” Kejriwal said at a press conference. Ampersand Group equips over On this occasion, Vice Chairman of State Nine student winners were awarded with the title “The admission to the new University will start Planning Commission, Chhattisgarh Ajay of India Maths Genius. Each of them chose their for the academic session 2022-23. 'Delhi Teachers 2,56,000 high-school students Singh appreciated the MSME sector's own prize from a range of options, including E- University' will be a centre for excellence in development of Chhattisgarh and Readers, Tablets, Musical Keyboards, Bicycles, teacher preparation at both pre-service and in- with professional NSQF skills congratulated all the winners. He also Cricket Kits and Smart Watches. service in the areas of education studies, suggested looking into the challenges Nirmal Shah, co-founder of Countingwell said, leadership and policy. It will work towards : The Ampersand Group, as a Knowledge Partner MSMEs face in the State and creating a “We are pleasantly overwhelmed to see India bridging the gap between practice, research and & Program Management Unit for vocational better ecosystem for nurturing them through Maths Day emerge as the country's largest Maths- policy in teacher preparation while constantly training under the National Skills Qualifications policy interventions. Rajeev S., Joint focused competition in just its second year, with engaging with the dynamic concept and realities Framework (NSQF), has provided vocational Director of MSME-Development Institute such enthusiastic participation from students and of quality education in the city,” he said. training to over 2,56,000 high school students, in Raipur, also lauded all the MSMEs present schools from all parts of India. We congratulate The university will be set up at Bakkarwala in various domains, including Security, IT-ITes, and discussed the various scheme launched all the winners as well as the participants, and west Dehli. Media and Entertainment, Tourism & Hospitality, by the Government of India to encourage hope that we have been able to help them learn Beauty and Wellness, Apparel, Electronic and motivate small and medium businesses. maths in a fun way.” SC directs UGC on access to hardware, Healthcare, Telecom, Agriculture, Later, Addressing the participants and Among the qualifiers, 1,500 students received students with disabilities Sports and Physical Education, Plumbing, Self audience, scholarships amounting to a total Rs 16 lakhs. In Defence Training to name a few. total, awards amounting to a total of Rs 1 lakh The Supreme Court on Jan 2 directed the NSQF is a nationally integrated education and NIT Andhra Pradesh were given to the top students. 38 schools won University Grants Commission to ensure that competency-based framework, under the recognition in various categories from highest guidelines for the ease of access to students with National Council for Vocational Education and inaugurates Pandit Madan scores, to girl participation, score improvement disabilities in universities and colleges across the Training that enables individuals to acquire and statewise winners. D.A.V. Public School, country are formulated in eight weeks. desired competency levels in various fields. It is Mohan Malviya Academic Chennai, Darbari Lal DAV Model School, New A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S in alignment with the NEP2020 policy Delhi and Cambridge Court High School, Jaipur Bopanna noted the submission of the UGC's recommendations that aims to make vocational Complex were recognized for highest overall scores. counsel that a committee has been constituted education more structured and practical-based, by During the competition, students collectively following a direction of the court. It would look conducting a skills gap analysis and mapping of The Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya collectively solved over 2,16,000 math problems into the formulation of guidelines for the local opportunities to assign vocational courses Academic Complex of NIT Andhra Pradesh and spent over 17,500 hours learning new accessibility of students with disabilities in relevant to that particular area. This government was inaugurated by Ram Madhav, Former concepts. Dhariya, Class 7 student in Jaipur said, universities and colleges. program organises qualifications according to a National General Secretary of BJP and “It was fun practicing mathematics with The bench then posted the matter for further series of skill levels, knowledge and aptitude in a Member of Executive Body of RSS, on 23rd Countingwell. Even though I loved maths, I used domain and is recognised pan-India, across December 2021. to solve questions with rough formulas I made. industries. Shri Ram Madhav also delivered a lecture on Countingwell helped me clear my concepts and The Ampersand Group manages delivery of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) took only 30 minutes of my day”. training for students from Grades 9-12 and on the topic of 'New World Order Post

4 Curriculum January 16, 2022 Special Communication Advisory to citizens Don'ts regarding use of caution 1.Do not blindly trust the advertisements of the ed-tech companies. 2.Do not sign up for any loans of which you are not aware. against Ed-tech Companies 3.Do not install any mobile ed-tech applications without verifying the authenticity. 4.Avoid credit/debit cards registration on apps for subscriptions. Place an upper limit on expenditure per transaction. 5.Avoid adding your data like emails, contact numbers, card details, addresses etc. online as the data may be sold or used for later scam attacks. 6.Do not share any personal videos and photos. Use caution against turning on the video feature or getting on video calls on an unverified platform. Keep your child's safety at the utmost priority. 7.Do not subscribe to unverified courses because of their false promises. 8.Do not trust the “Success stories” shared by the ed-tech companies without proper check as they might be a trap to gather more audience. 9.Do not allow purchases without parental consent. To avoid in-app purchases; OTP based payment methods may be adopted as per RBI's guidelines. 10.Do not share your bank account details and OTP number with any marketing personnel. Beware of cyber fraudulent. 11.Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with. Given the pervasive impact of technology in education, many ed-tech The legal provisions for e-commerce firms are being reiterated here for companies have started offering courses, tutorials, coaching for competitive information to citizens who are consumers of EDTECH services. exams, etc. in an online mode. In this background, the parents, students and all stakeholders in school education have to be careful while deciding on opting for E-commerce Regulations & Redressal System: online content and coaching being offered by a host of Ed-tech companies. The decision has to be well considered with several Do's and Don'ts. Most importantly, Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 were notified by the MINISTRY OF the offer of free services that are promised by some companies has to be carefully CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (Department of Consumer evaluated. It has come to the notice of the Department of School Education and Affairs) vide NOTIFICATION New Delhi, dated 23rd July, 2020 Literacy that some ed-tech companies are luring parents in the garb of offering free https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/E%20commerce%20rules.pdf services and getting the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) mandate signed or activating the Auto-debit feature, especially targeting the vulnerable families. At present, Ed-tech companies have seen rapid growth thereby increasing the number of students/teachers subscribing to their learning platform. The increasing number also means that Following are some do's and don'ts which the stakeholders of the platforms must be careful about the claims made regarding the services offered. It is very much education ecosystem may follow: evident that the Ed-tech companies which may be considered e-commerce entities have to comply with the Rules to prevent any untoward liability in the future and need to establish a dedicated Do's mechanism in place to check for compliance with the law. 1.Avoid Automatic debit option for payment of subscription fee: Some ed-tech companies 1. No e-commerce entity shall adopt any unfair trade (marketing) practice, whether in the course of may offer the Free-Premium business model where a lot of their services might seem to be free business on its platform or otherwise. at first glance but to gain continuous learning access, students have to opt for a paid 2.No e-commerce company shall falsely represent itself as a subscriber and post reviews about its subscription. Activation of auto-debit may result in a child accessing the paid features without products or misrepresent the quality or the features of any educational content and its learning realizing that he/she is no longer accessing the free services offered by the ed-tech company. tools. 2.Do read the terms and conditions before acknowledging the acceptance of learning 3.Every e-commerce entity shall endeavour on a best effort basis to become a partner in the software/device as your IP address and/or personal data may be tracked. convergence process of the National Consumer Helpline of the Central Government. 3.Ask for a tax invoice statement for the purchase of educational devices loaded with 4.All Ed-tech companies are supposed to have a grievance officer and the name and contact contents/app purchase/Pendrive learning. numbers, and designation of the grievance officer who must be resident in India, to ensure 4.Do a detailed background check of the ed-tech company that you want to subscribe to. compliance with the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder for grievance redressal or 5.Do verify the quality of the content provided by the ed-tech companies and make sure that it for reporting any other matter; to be displayed on the platform or website and ensure that the is in line with the syllabus and your scope of study and is easily comprehensible by your child. grievance officer acknowledges the receipt of any consumer complaint within forty-eight hours 6.Do clarify all your doubts/questions regarding the payment and content before investing any and redresses the complaint within one month from the date of receipt of the complaint. amount for your child's learning in any ed-tech company. 5.No e-commerce entity shall manipulate the price of the products/courses offered on its platform 7.Activate parental controls and safety features on the device or in the app or browser as it in such a manner as to gain unreasonable profit by imposing on consumers any unjustified price helps restrict access to certain content and limit spending on app purchases. having regard to the prevailing market conditions, the essential nature of the course, any 8.Help your child understand that some features in education apps are used to encourage more extraordinary circumstances under which the course is offered, and any other relevant spending. Talk to them about possible marketing strategies used by Ed-tech companies and the consideration in determining whether the price charged is justified; and discriminate between consequences. subscribers of the same class or make any arbitrary classification collecting their personal 9.Look for student/parent reviews online on the ed-tech company for any registered grievance data/breaching privacy through unfair means affecting their rights under the Act. and marketing gimmicks. Also, provide your suggestions and reviews which may be beneficial 6.Every e-commerce entity shall only record the consent of a consumer for the educational product for others. offered on its platform where such consent is expressed through an explicit and affirmative action, 10.Record the evidence of spam calls/ /forced signup for any education packages without and no such entity shall record such consent automatically, including in the form of pre-ticked complete consent for filing a grievance. checkboxes. 11.Go through the child safety guidelines mentioned in the PRAGYATA guidelines by the Ministry 7.Every e-commerce entity shall effect all payments towards accepted refund requests of the of Education before using any ed-tech platform. consumers as prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India or any other competent authority under any (https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/pragyata-guidelines_0.pdf) law for the time being in force, within a reasonable period, or as prescribed under applicable laws. To Report any Untoward Incident, May please use the following links: Https://ascionline.in/; https://consumerhelpline.gov.in/; Https://pgportal.gov.in/ We encourage students and educators to share feedback/comments on any practices that they feel is not good or in their interest. From time to tome, we’ll keep writing feature stories on such issues and with you keep a watch. Thanks Mail us at : [email protected]

Curriculum January 16, 2022 5 News Updates IAMAI establishes India EdTech regulations. audio videos. Largest e-content of Tamil has been digitized “All the students are also hereby advised that they should under the Bharatavani project. “We are encouraging education Consortium (IEC) to Uphold check the recognition/entitlement status of the programmes on in mother tongue and local languages at schools. Our UGC(DEB) website mentioned above before enrolling in any Government has also started making technical courses like Code of Conduct by Tech course. Engineering available to students in Indian languages”, he As per the UGC Notice, the Regulations mandate that these added. Platforms HEls shall not offer ODL and/or Online programme(s) under The Prime Minister said 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' seeks to any franchise arrangement and the HEls themselves are enhance the spirit of unity in diversity and bring our people EdTech Consortium (IEC) to observe and adhere to a common completely responsible for the programme(s). The details of closer. “When a young child in Haridwar sees a Thiruvalluvar 'Code of Conduct' and establish a Two-tier Grievance Redressal the HEls and the programmes recognized /entitled by UGC is statue and finds out about his greatness, a seed of 'Ek Bharat, Mechanism to ensure that the positive impact of the industry available on httas://deb.ugc.ac.in. Shreshtha Bharat' is laid in a young mind”, he emphasised. He reaches every deserving consumer while protecting their concluded by asking everyone to take all the precaution and interests and promoting their rights. PM inaugurates 11 new medical colleges maintain covid appropriate behaviour. Aligned with the Government's recent advisory, the IEC will ensure that every learner shall have access to quality and and a new campus of CICT in Tamil Nadu IDP opens 23 new offices across affordable education, which not only improves their academic performance but also makes them future-ready. As the sector The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated 11 new India and end users grow at a fast pace, it is felt that it is critical to medical colleges and a new campus of Central Institute of establish a standard code of conduct for all Indian EdTech Classical Tamil (CICT) in Tamil Nadu today through video IDP, a provider of international education services, has opened entities to adhere to and ensure that 'learners' remain at the core conference on Jan 12. Union Minister Dr Mansukh new offices across India. The new offices are set up in of all the business practices. Mandaviya, Dr L Murugan and Dr Bharati Pawar, Chief Gandhinagar, Anand, Raipur, Shimla, Kurukshetra, Jammu, Those EdTech entities that have joined the IEC include Byju's, Minister Tamil Nadu Thiru M.K.Stalin were present on the Trichy, Thrissur, Patna, Guwahati, Calicut, Agra, Jodhpur, Careers 360,Classplus, Doubtnut, Great Learning, Harappa, occasion. Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut, Hubli, Warangal, Tirupati, Times Edutech & Events Ltd, Scaler, Simplilearn, Toppr, Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that with the Kakinada, Goa, and Nashik. With this development, IDP will Unacademy, upGrad, UNext Learning, Vedantu & WhiteHat Jr. inauguration of 11 medical colleges and the inauguration of the now have 67 offices spanning across 60 cities in India. Apart The move to set up IEC comes at a time when Indian EdTech new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil health from this, IDP India also has 24 virtual offices through which players are creating immense value for the global audience. The of the society is being furthered and at the same time our students from any part of the country can connect with IDP disruptions led by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns connection with our culture is getting stronger. experts. compelled both parents and educational institutions to The new medical colleges are being established at an estimated With aggressive expansion plans in place, IDP is committed to implement tech-enabled learning solutions, thereby accelerating cost of about Rs 4000 crore, out of which around Rs 2145 fulfilling the study abroad dreams of every student in India. And the growth of the EdTech sector. crore has been provided by the Union government and rest by to realise their ambition, IDP has taken the first step by Subho Ray, President, Internet and Mobile Association of India, the Tamil Nadu government. The districts in which the new extending its expertise to students residing in tier-2 and tier-3 said: “IAMAI and members of the India EdTech Consortium Medical Colleges are being established are Virudhunagar, cities that are a mix of state capitals and upcoming education (IEC) are deeply committed to ensuring ethical standards to Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, hubs in the country. protect learners on online educational platforms. IEC seeks to Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Students will now have access to world-class counselling empower the learners by not just helping them make informed Krishnagiri. Establishment of these medical colleges is in line services both via virtual and in-person mode through these new decisions but by also having their grievances redressed timely. with the Prime Minister's constant endeavour to promote offices to study in prestigious universities and institutions The formation of this self-regulatory body is an important step affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure across Australia, USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. towards protecting learners as more and more students, teachers in all parts of the country. The new medical colleges, with From course and university selection, application submission, and stakeholders are becoming a part of the online education cumulative capacity of 1450 seats, are being established under offer acceptance, visa assistance, to finding accommodation, ecosystem.” the Centrally Sponsored scheme of 'Establishing of New applying for health insurance, opening bank accounts, etc., Indian EdTech operators have been solving for accessibility and Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral these new offices have dedicated study abroad experts to help affordability through quality courses from best teachers, hospital'. Under the scheme, medical colleges are established students in their entire study abroad journey. instructors and faculty members, to ensure that students across in districts, which do not have either a government or private Speaking on occasion, Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South all age groups are benefiting from the innovation in the medical college. Asia and Mauritius), IDP Education, said, \" As a global leader, education sector. This has elevated India's position on the The establishment of a new campus of Central Institute of we take the onus of providing the best international education global map as an education hub. The overall Indian EdTech Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai is in line with the Prime counselling experience across India. This time we are ecosystem impacts over 500M+ school students, college Minister's vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage and deepening our reach into the interiors of the country, directly students and working professionals across India. At this scale, it promote classical languages. The new campus is fully funded targeting students residing in tier-2 cities. We are constantly is critical that the ecosystem follows a framework that will by the Union Government and is built at a cost of Rs 24 Crore. working towards taking our expert guidance to every region to protect the rights of our learners and all EdTech companies are CICT, which was operating from a rented building so far, will empower as many students as we can with the right resources committed to this. now operate from a new 3 storey campus. The new campus is and information.” Vamsi Krishna, Co-Founder & CEO, Vedantu, said, “The equipped with a spacious library, an e-library, seminar halls Indian EdTech sector has grown considerably over the last two and a multimedia hall. IIMK LIVE, Indian Bank MoU for loans years with funding and consolidations strengthening the An autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of ecosystem. However, while business growth is critical, so is Education, CICT is contributing to the promotion of classical upto 50 Crore INR for Startups under consumer protection since this will allow students and parents Tamil by doing research activities so as to establish the to make more informed decisions about the future. Therefore, ancientness and uniqueness of Tamil language. The institute 'IndSpring Board' Scheme as part of the newly institutionalized IEC, we will build a library has a rich collection of over 45,000 ancient Tamil sounder and more ethical ecosystem for students so that we can Books. To promote classical Tamil and support its students, the The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode's Business ensure their safety and mitigate any risks they may encounter in Institute indulges in academic activities like holding seminars incubator Laboratory for Innovation Venturing and their journey to be future-ready.” and training programmes, granting fellowship etc. It also aims Entrepreneurship (LIVE) and Indian Bank have signed a Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder & MD upGrad and Co- to translate and publish 'Thirukkural' in various Indian as well Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for funding scheme, Chairperson, IAMAI EdTech Committee, said, “We are as 100 foreign languages. The new campus will provide an 'IndSpring Board' to support early stage startups by providing honored to be a part of the IEC at a time when the EdTech efficient working environment for the institute in its pursuit of loans upto 50 Crore INR. sector is accelerating its growth momentum. The last two years promoting classical Tamil across the world. The loan amount disbursed to startups under the IndSpring have witnessed the rise of online education as a connecting The Prime Minister pointed out that shortage of doctors had Board scheme from IIMK LIVE and Indian Bank can be used to bridge to access flexible and quality education for students as remained an issue for a very long time and the current meet a startups operational expenditure and capital expenditure well as working professionals. With the sole purpose of government made it a priority to address this critical gap. He which includes working capital, purchase of fixed assets and improving the delivery of education services, it is now crucial informed that in 2014, the country had 387 medical colleges. other expenses. Startups selected under this scheme would have for us to foster and sustain stakeholder trust by safeguarding In the last seven years only, this number has gone up to 596 to be committed towards working on innovation, development their interest as a practice. This initiative will go a long way in medical colleges. This is an increase of 54%. In 2014, India or improvement of products or processes or services, or present strengthening the EdTech sector and establishing India as the had around 82 thousand medical Undergraduate and a scalable business model with a high potential of employment Teaching capital of the world.” Postgraduate seats. In the last seven years, this number has generation or wealth creation. The MoU was signed by Prof. gone up to around 1 lakh 48 thousand seats. This is an increase Rajesh Upadhyayula, Executive Director, IIMK LIVE and Smt. UGC advisory to students on online of about 80%. In 2014, there were only seven AIIMS in the B. Vijaya, Zonal Manager, Indian Bank, Kozhikode Zone. country. But after 2014, the number of AIIMS approved has Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director degrees offered by edtech increased to 22. At the same time, various reforms have been IIMK & Chairman IIMK LIVE, recounted the Business undertaken to make the medical education sector more Incubator's 6-year impressive journey and welcomed Indian companies in 'franchise mode' transparent, he said. The Prime Minister pointed out that by bank on board, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship are the inaugurating 11 medical colleges in one go in Tamil Nadu, he, bedrock on which IIMK has dared to go beyond traditional University Grants Commission (UGC), the higher education in a way, broke his own record when he recently inaugurated 9 boundaries. The Top 2 Rank in the prestigious Govt. of India's regulator, has issued a public notice saying that it has come to medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. He expressed happiness that Atal Innovation Rankings 2021 is a testimony to the culture we the notice of UGC recently that some EdTech companies are by establishing colleges in two aspirational districts of are consciously trying to develop here. In order to further giving advertisements in newspaper/social media/television etc. Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar along with one in hilly strengthen our innovation ecosystem, IIMK and IIMK LIVE is that they are offering degree and diploma programmes in district of the Nilgiris, regional imbalance is being addressed. happy to collaborate with Indian Bank to provide debt funding ODUOnline modes in association with some universities or Commenting on the emphasis on promotion of Indian for its incubatee companies. With this, IIMK LIVE fulfils an institutions recognized/entitled by the UGC. It has also warned languages and Indian Knowledge Systems in the National important gap in its portfolio of services provided to startups in of punitive action (derecognition) of such universities who Education Policy 2020, the Prime Minister said that Tamil can achieving their vision offered such degrees with edtech firms. now be studied as a classical language in school education at It has stated that such a franchisee arrangement is not the secondary level or middle level. Tamil is one of the permissible and action will be taken against defaulting EdTech languages in the Bhasha-Sangam where school students get companies as well as HEls under applicable laws/ rules/ familiar with 100 sentences in various Indian languages in

6 Curriculum January 16, 2022 School Buzz Vaccination against covid started for 15-18 year teens, on learning new stuff. He also mentioned why 12-14 to follow in March month being humble all the way is so necessary, as it is the best way for an individual to continue to DPS Indirapuram organizes students from all subjects (and not just Dr. Nitendra Singh, Nuclear Scientist and learn. Science) into a discussion about solar energy, Nuclear Safety Expert; President, Indian The Padma Shri Awardee also spoke about his vaccination camp for students climate change, and sustainability. The camp Youth Nuclear Society (IYNS) congratulated role as Dean at Harvard University and what started on November 15 and included inter- Shiv Nadar School for coming forward and exactly his designation requires him to do. He Delhi Public School Indirapuram organized a school competitions, technical paper writing successfully organizing a one-of-its-kind iterated that regardless of the growth of aspects two-day COVID vaccination camp for the sessions and panel discussions to understand camp for the students. He said, “Scientific like technology, artificial intelligence, and students on 6th &7th January in collaboration aspects of the sun from a historical and awareness is the cornerstone of this boot digital transformation, it'll be an error to with the health officials of Ghaziabad. scientific perspective. camp, as students were educated on scientific completely 'ignore people and the human touch Students between the ages of 15 to 18 years Shreya Ranjan from Grade 7 Shiv Nadar principles and implications. It is important for in the future. He also appreciated how were given the jabs by medical officials, the School Noida was selected for the technical today's youth to understand the alarming businesses have been such great contributors to turnaround of students was immensely great paper presentation based on her paper “Jantar threat of climate change, its impact on our society over decades and centuries, be it in skill on both the days. Mantar - Center of Ancient Astronomy” and future and the need to create alternative development or employment. DPS Indirapuram was one of the first few received the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam sources of clean energy for a safe “The most important quality is to stay humble if schools in the district to display proactivity in Fellowship, from IYNS. environment. This will help them make you want to continue learning. The best way for establishing a prompt communication with The key highlight of the boot camp, as per the informed decisions and also understand the any student to learn is to recognize that there is local health officials when the government STEAM Coordinator, Shiv Nadar School, Ms essence of more sustainable choices. I a lot to learn. Failure is a massive stepping announced vaccination open for adolescents. Vinita Sharat, was the virtual visit to Nehru appreciate the commitment of Shiv Nadar stone towards growth. Remember when anyone The teachers and medical staff explained the Planetarium, New Delhi and the world's School towards creating awareness and criticizes what you do, it is a criticism of your need for vaccination to encourage more largest Fusion Reactor at ITER, France, where providing holistic opportunities for students work and not of you. Do what you want to do, students and parents for bringing students to students got first-hand experience of what to understand the process and need of creating not what others want you to do.”, said Dr. school to take their first dose. Around 553 they are taught in class about fusion clean energy.” Srikant Datar. students registered for the vaccine in the experiments. India is among 35 nations who Director of Education, Shiv Nadar School, He also added, “Talent is more evenly school camp. have collaborated with France for the ITER Shashi Banerjee added that the boot camp distributed than opportunity, we just need to On the successful completion of the which is an ambitious project and an provided opportunities for students and find and make use of every opportunity that vaccination camp, Ms. Sangeeta Hajela, important step towards an alternative and scientists to learn, network, and share ideas to comes our way. Fields like AI will eliminate the Principal, DPS Indirapuram said, “Our limitless source of clean energy. expand the horizons of knowledge. “ We seek boring part of the work in the future and it will priority is to keep the students safe from virus. During the three-day culmination from to infuse the spirit of scientific inquiry, give people a chance to do the fun part of the Therefore, after the government made the December 16 to 18, scientists and educators respect for every living being and global- job. Also, fields like design thinking will train vaccine mandatory for adolescents, we spoke from across the world took interactive mindedness in every aspect of school life, and managers to think about important things that to school students and their parents and sessions on topics like 'Cosmology and the hopefully to infect other schools in our matter to people which will help them to think organized the camp with the help of health Future of Astronomy', 'Sun and the Circadian learning environment with the same mind-set. from the perspective of the client by developing officials. During the camp, the guidelines Rhythm', 'Surya Siddhanta' and 'Astrophysics I am happy that all the students were able to empathy and understanding and then ideating implemented by the government and the and the Universe'. While delving deep in learn from the eminent scientists and and executing accordingly to work for the health department were followed with full understanding the aspects of Sun in the educators during this event, and also see the greater good of the world.” commitment. I thank the health officials and present day, students, along with the eminent marvels in the sky closely during the virtual The workshop gave children an insight into how health workers of the district, and my students scientists, experts, and panellists from various visits,\" she said. design thinking, AI, and technology who made this vaccination camp a success”. fields, discussed the challenges ahead in a transformation will be leading the future. knowledge podcast titled: 'Sun today and Dr. Srikant Datar cautions Students got to learn the importance of human Shiv Nadar School Boot Camp tomorrow?'. values like empathy and creativity, as these are The event was dedicated to Dr Nandivada against ignoring human touch the values that pave the way for wisdom in an to create awareness on clean Rathnashree, the former Director of Nehru individual's mind. Planetarium who had envisioned the event but in the age of AI “It is not education that is extraordinary, but the energy unfortunately passed away during the second wave of coronavirus. Prof. Patrick Dasgupta, a Padma Shri awardee and Dean of Harvard capacity in every child that is; and setting them Shiv Nadar School, Noida (a not-for-profit pioneer in Physics from University of Delhi Business School, Dr. Srikant Datar recently on an extraordinary path is also the dream of initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation in K12 and Dr Rathnashree's spouse and Dr. Archana interacted with the students from Grade 8-12 every parent for their child. We are honoured to education) concluded its virtual scientific Sharma, senior scientist at the Physics of Vishwajyot High School, Navi Mumbai as have Dr. Datar, interact with students at awareness event, Educational Boot Camp Department of CERN (European Organization part of the 'Career Crafting' course. The Vishwajyot and other schools at the 'Career (EBC) 2021 on the theme, \"Let Us Celebrate of Nuclear Research) in Geneva were the engaging interaction was organized to help Crafting Workshop'. This workshop was a the Sun''. As the world battles the rising threat guests of honour. the students understand the best way to chance for these young minds to learn about the of climate change, the month-long camp The camp witnessed participation from around identify the career of their choice and the future of AI, design thinking and digital aimed to create awareness on the potential of 2000 students from Grade 6 to undergraduate paths a student can craft. transformation, which gives them an insight on the sun and clean energy. level. Students from schools in Delhi NCR Dr. Datar shared learnings from his personal how they can shape their paths towards an Following the success of a similar event, the including Bal Bharati Public School, Sanskriti journey. He told the students about the extraordinary future. Vishwajyot High School Energy Boot Camp in 2020, the school School, New Delhi, Podar International different techniques that he started following takes immense pride in enabling its students to organized the EBC '21 in collaboration with School, IB and Genesis Global School from early on in his life. “Having a broadbase envision the extraordinary”, said Amrut Indian Youth Nuclear Society (IYNS) as a part participated in the camp along with students for learning was the key”, he explained. He Dhumal, Co-Founder, Vishwajyot High School. of the STEAM (Science, Technology, from the VidyaGyan Leadership Academy and emphasized that one should always be keen Dr. Datar became the eleventh dean of Harvard Engineering, Art, and Math) programme. This Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR. Business School on 1 January 2021. A graduate year the focus of the event was to engage with distinction from the University of Bombay, he received gold medals upon graduation from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India. A Chartered Accountant, he holds two master's degrees and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. At Harvard, he concurrently serves as the Arthur Lowes Dickinson Professor of Business Administration and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021. Dr. Datar has authored many books and has taught MBA and executive education classes in design thinking, innovation, big data, and strategy implementation.

Curriculum January 16, 2022 7 Focus NCPCR asks Delhi to suspend Learning the Art of Persuasion: 'Desh ka Mentor' programme The Skills of Effective Communication We cannot imagine listener in the speaker's mind. our world without Another thing that needs to be being in checked is not to get pre- communication with others occupied mentally while in our social environment. interacting with others. With the advent of social Perceptiveness is the other key media platforms and so aspect to improve much happening around, communication which involves people are showcasing their attending to cues in the social talents and abilities through Dr.Nitesh Dhawan, environment, attributing and different mediums. One of Public Servant, Author and integrating meaning to those the key aspects of Educator cues, and providing an influencing, image building appropriate response to those and impression management is the skill of cues. It helps in understanding the social communicating with people. Leaders in any context of which the individual is part of and field leave their imprint on their organization facilitates adaptive behaviour. The through effective communication skills. It is communication skills hold lot of significance in the bloodstream of any organization. Public one's personality development. Some practical speaking has become all the more important activities that could be used for deeper in the modern era of global connectivity and understanding and refining of communication specialized form of courses are being framed skills are highlighted below. In a clear clash of ideas and politics on youth Saying that report is from Project for acquiring these attributes. In the social One can start with making a list of forms of engagement, the National Commission for Managements Unit of DTU, which is a context, the outcomes of all inter-personal Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has technical partner, but the responsibility and interactions are based upon how well we communication one uses during the course asked Delhi government to suspend 'Desh ka accountability of child safety will invariably communicate with others. Our personal of communication Mentor' programme. Acting on complaint lie under the jurisdiction of the Department of gratification relies on how others respond to made from an alleged BJP worker from Education. The commission has given the us. Communication therefore is one of the Do other people always understand the Chhattisgarh against the scheme as being a Department until January 18 to satisfy it on the “threat” to a child's safety, NCPCR on issues raised in January 11 letter. “We've message shared by a person? January 3 issued an inquiry letter. On January asked Delhi govt 3-4 things. They're 11, the commission called the reply politicising it but not telling the truth; have vital traits of our personality which could If not, what may be the possible reasons? ineffectual. asked them if any professional is taking the Hence, the fate of 'Desh ka Mentor' psychometric test. What are they doing to determine the degree of success in our Observing a speaker to notice gestures and programme' still hangs in balance. The crosscheck that children will not come in personal and professional spheres of life. controversy started after NCPCR flagged contact with potential rapists?” agencies Now the thought that immediately comes to postures and how these add meaning to child safety issues. It contended that assigning quoted NCPCR chief as saying. our mind is whether this ability is inherited or what is being said. children to a mentor of the same gender as The 'Desh ka Mentor' programme was could we acquire this through learning and them does not necessarily assure their safety launched in October 2021 and is aimed at Reflect on your activities during the day to from abuse besides showing concern over the connecting students in classes IX to XII with lack of police verification of the mentors. On voluntary mentors. People between the ages of practice. As far as acquisition of language is take note of different forms of the psychometric test it has sought answer to 18 and 35 can sign up to be mentors through if Psychometric Test being taken by mentors an app created by a team at the Delhi concerned, two theories have been put communication used and most frequently is analyzed/checked/scrutinized by Technological University and will be professional practising experts and if this can connected with students based on mutual forward. While B.F. Skinner explains it in used communication types along with non- this Psychometric Test identify paedophiles or interests. The mentorship entails regular phone potential paedophiles. It has also stated that calls for a minimum of two months, which can terms of reinforcement, Chomsky proposed verbal cues in sharing the message. limiting interactions to phone calls also does optionally be carried on for another four that it is innate. However, the ability to not ensure the safety of children since “child months. The idea is for the young mentors to communicate can definitely be honed through Make a list of messages misunderstood by related crime can be initiated through phone guide students through higher education and learning of skills and practising it. In today's calls as well. Further the letter from NCPCR career options, preparation for higher world, the art of persuasion has become so others and classify these keeping in view chairman, Priyank Kanoongo stated that education entrance exams, and dealing with very important. Persuasion is basically a the barriers to communication. Think of while taking the consent of parents is an the pressure of it all. A total 1,74,000 students possible reasons for distortions in essential pre-requisite, the “responsibility and of #Delhi government-run schools called accountability of preventing children from mentees, are being mentored by 44,000 planned and conscious attempt to change communication. such situation lies with the Department. The teachers under the state government's consent of parents cannot be used as a '#DeshkeMentor' program. someone's attitude by the use of social Form a small group and make presentations cushion in case of any untoward incident.” influence. In the recent context of restrictions imposed due to pandemic, the virtual and take group feedback from your group mediums have become prominent mode of members to improve your communication persuasive communication for political skills. parties. This is the first time ever that political campaigning will be done through digital Try to get the meaning instead of just listening to the words. mediums at such a massive scale. With rising Respond with para-phrasing(summarising) affordability of smart phones and accessibility to internet connectivity, the social media has in between and not interrupting the emerged as the effective tool for influencing speaker to show that one has really the masses. understood the message. There are certain factors associated with the source or a person initiating the message like Present oneself with clarity in thought and message reliability and expertise that play a significant The message should be supported by role in shaping the attitudes. Better a person's reasoning and at times with emotional impression and trust of the source person, appeal wherever necessary. more likely one is to be persuaded. Message Politics or genuine issue of concern in itself is crucial in terms of content, It is a continuous process to improve and emotional appeal, logic and presentation that upgrade oneself in order to develop as an The BJP has been always wary of AAP's mass connect ideas. It sees AAP as an emerging determines its effect on other people. It should effective communicator which also requires threat with its spread outside Delhi. And, mentorship programs being one of the most be conveyed in a manner that is compatible good repository of vocabulary and command impressionable events in life, is potentially a youth programming idea and its success can with the psyche of the target audience. It has not only translate into more admiration or potentially votes but also an ideological threat in the long run. So, when the Delhi deputy CM levelled politicizing allegation on BJP, been shown in research studies that person to over language along with confidence and clarity upfront there seems to be a reason to believe him. However, at the same time NCPCR is within its rights to question the scheme and get the person approach is more effective than in one's presentation skills. One can certainly loopholes plugged. A proactive NCPCR is needed in this country where voice and rights of children are routinely under great danger and newer forms of crimes including from addressing to a larger group. achieve this through preparation and It is a Internet are making their life more risky and insecure. If this exchange between Delhi government and NCPCR ends in a better scheme, it must be welcome. In order to become a great communicator, an continuous process to improve and upgrade AAP government in Delhi also has this tendency of undermining the institutional individual needs to work on two important oneself in order to develop as an effective framework and innovate not organically but with a view to create attention and ripple for aspects which are attentiveness and communicator which also requires good its own party politics. It has on several occasions left things unfinished after those didn't perceptiveness. The attentiveness is usually repository of vocabulary and command over work and moved to reengineering in education. It indeed needs to think as a government associated with the listener but it equally language along with confidence and clarity in first and political party later. applies to the speaker also. In either of the one's presentation skills. One can certainly case, the lack of attentiveness may result in achieve this through preparation and the inability to get sense of the context of conversation and lead to misunderstanding, perseverance. embarrassment or inappropriate behaviour. One needs to develop his listening skills in order to attract people. Listening to other people with open mind and without prejudice or bias shows the respect towards speaker and in turn helps to create a positive image of the

8 Curriculum January 16, 2022 News Feature Early Education: Five-year plan to rejuvenate AWCs The country-wide network of an to position as frontline covid fight centres by professional teacher cadre. But the bottom- overshadowed by the other services. The estimated 1.38 million Anganwadi way of counselling, spreading awareness, line is reopening of these AWCs alongwith National Early Childhood Care and Education Centres (AWCs) established under the delivering dry rations and other assistance. schools should be prioritized. According to policy of 2013 provided for a national council Integrated Child Development Services However, as the pandemic prolongs and is a recent statement from the UNICEF, the on ECCE, but again, it has not been (ICDS) catering to young mothers and still indomitable, the vital early education is safe reopening of schools must be implemented. Now with NEP 2020 firmly children of 0-6 years will be augmented and seeing its worst crisis. For nearly two years considered an utmost priority for all including early education as the foundational modernized to provide standardized Early now, India small children have missed governments. Parallelly, investing in component of education, expectation is that Childhood Education (ECE) in a phased classrooms. Needless to mention that early teachers will ensure that teachers and the governments will look at it as a core manner during the next five years beginning childhood years are the most crucial in terms schools can adapt to all situations. “This is education requirement and provide children 2021-22. The plan is to cover 20 percent of of development of physical, sensorimotor, a critical investment we need to make for the opportunity to grow holistically. these AWCs each year. Further, in social, emotional, linguistic and cognitive children as the region gears up for future It is therefore incumbent on legislators and convergence with Department of School faculties. Research has also validated that waves of COVID-19. We need to build parliamentarians to keep pressure on the Education, the curriculum of children of age brain development is most rapid in these systems which can weather any storm and governments and secure future of young group of 3-6 years will be finalised and for years. Therefore, with blanket closures and keep children learning, no matter the India. this purpose NCERT will be in consultation no attempt to address the reopening circumstances,' said the statement. with the Ministry of Women & Child scientifically, along with these children, the Even as the 46-year old ICDS scheme has Development (MWCD) and National Institute school education will be impacted in coming seen a continuous evolution and progress of Public Cooperation and Child Development years. “Talking about the small children and and interventions from time to time, the (NIPCCD). impact of covid pandemic on them, in a way early education component has been This information was provided by the their whole childhood has been lost and there Government to the Parliamentary Standing is a deep psycho-social impact on their lives. PM's Pariksha Pe Charcha 2022 Themes Committee on Education, Women, Children, They don't have literacy and numeracy skills Youth and Sports after the Committee had and certainly the most deprived sections of The themes for students this year includes:Exam stress management strategies during COVID- recommended that the MWCD should chalk society are the most impacted. The challenge 19:Creative strategies adopted by you as a student to manage pandemic stress and out a blue print in coordination with the it poses for schools is also enormous. A child forthcoming exam stress. Ministry of Education to modernize without knowing how to be a learner and Anganwadis and strengthen them as early- having literacy skills getting admitted in class Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav: Do you know about the history of the village/town/city where you childhood education institutions in line with 1 or 2 will be a serious difficulty for teachers live? Write about your village, town, or city, and share about an unknown facet of the freedom the over-arching goal of ensuring universal as school teachers are not trained on how to struggle there. access to high-quality Early Childhood Care build literacy. Mildly put, it will be chaos as and Education (ECCE) as envisaged in the the schools reopen fully,” says Dr Geeta Self-reliant School for Self-reliant India:: What does self-reliance mean to you? Share your National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The Menon, a retired chair professor of Centre for ideas on making you and your teachers “Aatmanirbhar” in-terms of teaching and learning when report of the committee was tabled in the Early Childhood Development and Research the schools are not fully functional due to COVID-19. Parliament in the recently concluded winter at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi and session of the Parliament. a former UNICEF expert. Clean India, Green India:: Your ideas on how to strengthen India's fight against climate change. While the plan definitely seeks alignment of One of the major shifts of recent years in Digital Collaboration in Classrooms: How your teacher made your online class joyful, early education with school education under ECE has been co-locating AWCs in primary interesting and effective during the pandemic. Your views on how quality of online classes can be the new format of five years of ECE under the schools and already the process has started in improved. 5+3+3+4 scheme as envisaged in NEP 2020, some parts of the country. Experts are divided Environmental conservation and climate change resilience: Activities undertaken by you as a still it is be seen how it actually rolls out on on success of its integration given AWCs are student during pandemic period for Environmental conservation and climate change. the ground. It may be mentioned that the essentially a community structure where Students can participate in only one theme specified for them and should submit responses that ambitious ICDS now Umbrella ICDS being mothers and other community workers have are original, creative and simple. The question to Prime Minister should not exceed 500 the world's largest scheme of its nature free access and the environment is informal. characters. catering to 9.06 crore children in India (Rs In contrast, schools are formal structures and Upon successful submission of entries, all students shall receive a digital certificate of 20,105 Cr annual budget for year 2021-22), therefore AWCs within schools will need to participation that they may download and share on social media with #PPC2022. Each winner will which is home to largest children (0-6 yrs) come up as autonomous structures with a get a Certificate of Appreciation by Director, NCERT. Every winner will also get a special population in the world at 15.8 crore, is in for Pariksha Pe Charcha Kit comprising of Exam Warriors book in Hindi and English, written by a significant transformation. Hon'ble Prime Minister. However, at a time when most of the ECE apparatus has collapsed during the past two years of Covid pandemic, it is going to be a lot of spade work including developing a cadre of ECE trained teachers and providing necessary infrastructure before any meaningful progress can be made in universalizing a standard ECE. And, for starters, the escapist government establishment has proposed Anganwadi workers with qualifications of 10th will be given 1 year online training and that with +2 will be given 6 months online training. While the efficacy and utility of online training is continuously being questioned by experts as against face to face, there is hardly a clear statement on how the present crisis presented by prolonged closures will be negotiated and addressed. Closure of AWCs has also impacted the distribution of supplementary nutritious cooked food, crucial iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements and deworming tablet, albendazole to children and young mothers. In the last two years AWCs rightly repurposed

Curriculum January 16, 2022 9 Useful KFC India partners with ISH, to Highlighting the unique aspects of this program, Prof. T. competition. Asokan, Head, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Team members securing first, second, and third positions will launch this exclusive postgraduate Madras, said, “The course will be the result of nearly eight be awarded prizes which includes a gift voucher. Winning departments collaborating to induct the skills required for a teams will also get the opportunity to engage in a face-to-face programme for women student to engineer Electric Vehicles. The content offered is or virtual conversation with Jeff Thomson, CMA, CSCA, CAE, carefully curated to build sufficient depth in each domain, IMA President and CEO. The winning teams will get to As part of KFC India's commitment to enhancing diversity at starting from Vehicle Basics and going to very specific EV participate in the Team Mentorship Program with IMA local workplace the brand jointly announced KFC Area Coaches aggregates including Batteries and Motors.” chapters. All winning teams will also receive an IMA CMA® Programme for Women, along with Indian School of Further, Prof. T. Asokan said, “While the Department of (Certified Management Accountant) scholarship. Hospitality (ISH),. This strategic partnership is to enable and Engineering Design will anchor the Program, it will be grow women operations leaders. Taking the journey ahead, delivered as a joint effort from various departments. Over the IIT Roorkee conducts workshop to KFC's women area coach program would build a cohort of next few years, we are hoping to have more Programs with women leaders by sharpening their operations know how, different structures in the eMobility space.” promote careers in the field of Science business and financial acumen and leadership skills. IIT Madras provides its undergraduate students with an option Subsequent to the training, they will take up operational to upgrade to IDDD programmes where the students will study and Technology leadership positions within the KFC ecosystem in India. This for five years and obtain B.Tech. in a parent discipline and 11-month management development programme is now open & M.Tech. in an interdisciplinary area. The objective is to IIT Roorkee has organized a two days' workshop on 18th and inviting candidates for an exclusive KFC-ISH PGP Batch provide greater flexibility to students, giving them the 19th December 2021 to motivate school children to pursue starting Jan 2022. opportunity to take courses across disciplines, and build careers in the field of science and technology. The workshop is Talking about this new partnership, Aman Lal, Chief People towards expertise in modern interdisciplinary areas that will organised under the aegis of Vigyan Pradarshani by the Officer - KFC at Yum! Brands, said: “Women participation in define the future of engineering and technology. Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Indian workforce is low due to uneven access to education, lack Elaborating on the importance of such programs, Prof. Roorkee to commemorate India's 75th year of independence. of employment equality, primary care giving responsibilities of Karthick Athmanathan, Professor of Practice, IIT Madras, said, A total of 50 students of Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai, women and societal mindsets. All these issues not only lead to “These are exciting times for the eMobility sector. We are Haryana, along with two teachers have participated in the lesser women entering the workforce but also lead to significant clearly at the tipping point. It is important to have more workshop. The workshop started with welcome address by the dropout at the workplace, which further results in lesser women resources skilled in various aspects of EV Engineering and head Dept of Biosciences and Bioengineering followed by role models at the workplace. Lesser women role models means eMobility. IIT Madras has had a dominant presence in this lectures of faculties and the interaction of the children with IIT lesser women to inspire other women to join the workforce, or sector for the last few years through various initiatives and students at the campus. Thereafter the students accompanied by stay and grow in the workforce. At KFC, our endeavour is to centres. We are now starting this phase where formal Programs Prof. Shailly Tomar and teachers visited Technology Incubation break this vicious cycle by hiring and growing more women. for EVs and eMobility are being offered with very close and Entrepreneurship Development Society, Bio-incubator, Hence, one of the strategic steps towards this is our tie up with engagement with Industry. Such initiatives are going to help Tinkering Lab, and department labs. Prof. Pravindra Kumar, ISH wherein we aim to hire, train and grow women leaders India achieve and retain the lead technologically in the Prof. Shailly Tomar, Prof. Jitin Singla, Prof. Pranita P. Sarangi, who can take up senior roles in our business.” medium and long term.” Prof. Uaday Singh, Prof. Sudhir K. Tiwari, Prof. Sudeb KFC also opened an all women led restaurant in Hyderabad Prof. C. S. Shankar Ram, Department of Engineering Design, Dasgupta, Prof. Krishna Mohan Poluri, Prof. Harsh Chauhan, earlier this year and aims to have more than 5000 women team IIT Madras, added, “The students will be undergoing core Prof. Partha Roy and Research Scholar Jai Krishna along with members by 2024, including growing them into restaurant courses that will build the foundation for EV Engineering. research scholars of these faculties introduced the students to leadership roles. They will, then, pursue electives in the specific area of the various technologies studied in the labs of various Kunal Vasudeva, Chief Operating Officer at Indian School of specialisation of their choice. They would also do a Master's departments. Hospitality, commented: “The Postgraduate Programme is project in this domain as part of their degree requirement. Care Shedding light on the significance of the program Prof designed to help accelerate the career of young professionals in has been taken to enable the student to either opt for Industry Pravindra Kumar, Head of the Department of Biosciences and the newer normal, and with KFC India as our partners, we are Employment or pursue further research. This provides Biomedical Engineering briefed school children about 175 yrs excited to be taking our programme's vision a step further to flexibility to the students in choosing their sub-domain as well old history of IIT Roorkee, explained that science and invite more women candidates and prepare them for leadership as orient towards Industry and Research.” technology are highly interdisciplinary and in the future, the roles in the industry.” Over the years, IIT Madras has been at the forefront of progress of our country and mankind is in hands of the present building capabilities in the country for eMobility, through its generation. Extramarks launches free crash course various centres and programmes including the Centre for Prof. Manish Shrikhande, the Dean of Sponsored Research and Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles (CBEEV) as well as Industrial Consultancy IIT Roorkee said, “ The seed of love for 2022 for all JEE aspirants incubating a host of start-ups in the eMobility space over the the science and technology sown in the mind of children at an years through the IIT Madras Incubation Cell. early age, results in producing great innovative thinkers in this Extramarks, an Ed-Tech has launched a free online crash course domain which is a most essential requirement for the progress #JEEtKiTaiyaari to help students prepare for Joint Entrance IMA's Global Student Case Competition of the country in the modern time. Such workshops are great Examination (JEE) 2022. Commencing on 3rd January 2022, means of introducing the children to the wonderful world of the sessions will be conducted by top-ranking JEE experts and 2022 Now Open for Entries science and technology and developing their approach to faculty for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for all JEE pursuing a career in this field.” aspirants who want to get into the top-notch engineering IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) has announced Sharing the experience of the workshop, Pranav Dhiman, colleges in India. The ongoing pandemic has affected the its 11th annual Student global Case Competition “Ace the student of 10th std said, that this workshop will surely help him preparation of thousands of students studying offline, and hence Case” , which will give university students across the Africa, in deciding the subjects for 11th standard, another student, Extramarks is going an extra mile to offer free access to JEE Middle East, and India an opportunity to respond to a global Simrin, again a student of class 10th got very emotional after prep material via Extramarks JEE YouTube channel and business case study. This year's case will once again provide seeing the dedication and hard work of research scholars and Extramarks - The Learning App. participants an opportunity to be selected for the Grand Finals, faculties had put in the workshop. She said that she will give The comprehensive crash course module is designed by JEE where the top four winning teams will have the opportunity to her best to join IITs as a student. Another student Nisha of experienced faculty and experts at Extramarks; to revise the compete with peers from Europe, Middle East, and Southeast MNSS Rai got highly motivated after the interactive session at entire syllabus in just 70 days with 115+ hours of the Live Asia. In India, six teams will compete among themselves in TIDES and said she will have her own startup and will employ Sessions, 13+ complimentary Mock tests to help boost scores the regional finals to reach the Global Finals. IITians in her company. and 70+ practice worksheets for concept clarity at zero cost. This year's case on, “The role of digital transformation in The workshop is a part of the Scientific Social Responsibility The experts will be touching upon the basics of all priority making customer engagement and operational process (SSR) initiative developed by Science and Engineering topics for extra preparation and polishing concepts, for students improvements” will give university students from around the Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and of all levels of preparation, be it - beginner, intermediate or world to put their heads together to solve a real-world Technology (DST) along with the IIT Roorkee. The aim of the advanced. The experts will also be sharing tips & tricks, doubt enterprise problem. The university team that comes up with the Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) initiative is to spread the solving, and error analysis to get students exam-ready. best solutions will get the chance to be shortlisted for the benefits of research beyond the borders of the direct Grand Finals in Dubai where it will have the opportunity to beneficiaries, especially to schools and colleges. IT Madras to launch a Master's compete with peers from other regions - Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. The University of East Anglia announces Program on Electric Vehicles Eligibility to enter the competition includes the following criteria: admissions for MBA programme for This program will boost the research capabilities in the 1.Students must be enrolled in universities in the Middle East, exciting field of E-Mobility and will have students enrolling India or Africa. 2.Team members can be from different September 2022 in January 2022 during their third year of BTech and Dual academic programs, but must all be from the same institution. Degree Programs 3.Team sizes must be between 3-5. 4.Each team must have a The University of East Anglia (UEA) will be running its full- faculty advisor from the same institution. 5.Each team must time MBA programme in September 2022. Key features of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras is going to launch a appoint a team leader. 12 month programme include AMBA accreditation. Two live Master's Program on Electric Vehicles. This Interdisciplinary Emphasising the long-standing success of this annual consultancy projects will give you practical business Dual Degree (IDDD) will boost the students' engagement with competition, Hanadi Khalife, Senior Director of MEA & India experience. Student cohorts are from internationally diverse eMobility and will be offered for its BTech and Dual Degree operations, IMA said, “This year's competition is unique as it professional and cultural backgrounds. Students. This program will enhance the research capabilities in comes on the heels of the world healing from the COVID-19 Details of the MBA and videos from the alumni can be found this exciting field. pandemic and will give students the opportunity to really think on the UEA MBA website. The last date of submission of the Students are expected to enrol in this programme from January out of the box when developing their case proposals through application is 31 July 2022. The admission process has begun 2022 during their third year of BTech and Dual Degree interaction and guidance from experts. In the post-COVID era, and students can apply by visiting MBA Master of Business Programs. The initial intake is expected to be 25 students. the global business landscape is even more challenging given Administration - UEA The students graduating from this program will have the skill supply chain challenges and increased regulatory and Full details on this process can be obtained from UEA's website: sets required to pursue job opportunities in EV Product stakeholder scrutiny. Technology offers an incredible https://www.uea.ac.uk/ Development including EV Integration, Vehicle Aggregate opportunity to enterprises large and small to navigate this Early applications before 31 January 2022 may be considered Engineering, Communication and Calibration, Verification and complex labyrinth without compromising on growth. I wish for the MBA scholarship scheme, which may include a fee Validation, and Product and Portfolio Planning. the student community from India the very best for this year's reduction of up to 20% for up to five candidates. Please enquiry to [email protected] to find out more.

10 Curriculum January 16, 2022 Report India State of Forest Report 2021 shows 2,261 sq km increase in forest and tree cover Minister for Environment, Forest and (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa various parameters State/UT wise. Special Climate Change, on Jan 13 released (73.90%). Campus has performed a study based on thematic information on forest cover such as the 'India State of Forest Report 'Mapping of Climate Change Hotspots in hill, tribal districts, and north eastern region has 2021' prepared by the Forest Survey of India 17 states/UT's have above 33 percent of the Indian Forests'. The collaborative study was also been given separately in the report. (FSI) which has been mandated to assess the carried out with the objective to map the It is expected that the information given in the forest and tree resources of the country. geographical area under forest cover. Out of climatic hotspots over the forest cover in report would provide valuable information for Sharing the findings, the Minister informed these states and UT's, five states/UTs India, using computer model-based projection policy, planning and sustainable management of that the total forest and tree cover of the namely Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Andaman of temperature and rainfall data, for the three forest and tree resources in the country. country is 80.9 million hectare which is 24.62 & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh and future time periods i.e. year 2030, 2050 and percent of the geographical area of the country. Meghalaya have more than 75 percent 2085. As compared to the assessment of 2019, there forest cover while 12 states/UTs namely The report also contains information on is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Goa, Kerala, and tree cover of the country. Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Dadra The ISFR-2021 provides information on forest & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Assam, cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing Odisha, have forest cover between 33 stock, carbon stock in India's forests, forest fire percent to 75 percent. monitoring, forest cover in tiger reserve areas, above ground estimates of biomass using SAR Total mangrove cover in the country is data & climate change hotspots in Indian forests. 4,992 sq km. An increase of 17 sq Km in mangrove cover has been observed as MAJOR FINDINGS compared to the previous assessment of 2019. Top three states showing mangrove The total forest and tree cover of the country cover increase are Odisha (8 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (4 sq km) and is 80.9 million hectare which is 24.62 Karnataka (3 sq km). percent of the geographical area of the country. As compared to the assessment of Total carbon stock in country's forest is 2019, there is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. estimated to be 7,204 million tonnes and Out of this, the increase in the forest cover there an increase of 79.4 million tonnes in has been observed as 1,540 sq km and that the carbon stock of country as compared to in tree cover is 721 sq km. the last assessment of 2019. The annual increase in the carbon stock is 39.7 million Increase in forest cover has been observed in tonnes. open forest followed by very dense forest.  Top three states showing increase in forest cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km) other significant features followed by Telangana (632 sq km) and Odisha (537 sq km). of ISFR 2021 Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest In the present ISFR 2021, FSI has included a new chapter related to the assessment of forest forest cover in the country followed by cover in the Tiger Reserves, Corridors and Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha Lion conservation area of India. A new and Maharashtra. In terms of forest cover as initiative of FSI has also been documented in percentage of total geographical area, the top the form of a chapter, where the 'Above five States are Mizoram (84.53%), Ground Biomass' has been estimated. FSI, in Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya collaboration with Space Application Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, initiated a special study for estimation of Above Ground Biomass (AGB) at pan-India level, using L- band of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. FSI in collaboration of with Birla Institute of Overall education industry in 2021 & plans for 2022 Manish Mohta, Founder, Learning Spiral The shift from physical to virtual has credible online assessments with automated increasing the enrollment numbers and leads The internet will become a priority and need of made learning more accessible and and live violations monitoring. for performing better than the competitor in the person, for their day-to-day work from affordable. Whether it is about online A single platform offers a powerful solution to the market. Developing a good website, learning to managing personal data securely on admissions or online examinations, technology learners & educational institutes for admission running Google ads, social media the internet. The emergence of automated never lets us down. This drastic revolution in registration, question paper creation, digital management, and having a good digital grading systems, virtual reality, augmented the education sector transformed the digital era evaluation, easy payments, pre-examination presence with a high keyword strategy is a reality, AI-driven teaching platforms will and enhanced the response timing with better activities, & post-examination activities etc. must nowadays. It'll take some time to adapt escalate student engagement in remote learning. action plans. 2021 brought extensive changes Online admission system, Virtual classrooms, the system globally as accommodating the It is clear that educational technology trends at the grassroots level of technology and personalized learning, Cloud-based Ed-Tech new system is a huge challenge. Various are completely transforming the educational education. Schools, parents, and teachers have platforms, Block-based coding systems, educational institutions are now trying to sector. Modern technology and new trends in now understood the importance of integrating online examination system & Digital master increase student engagement through remote education provide us with solutions for every technology into the curriculum. classes are the major trends of 2021. learning platforms. Also, the idea of learning crisis as we've seen in the case of the Covid-19 In the digital era, Online Proctoring has taken The collaboration of education with software through animation, e-books, pre-recording pandemic. Students have been able to connect over the place of traditional pen and paper- technology is the magnificent trend of 2021. classes, and live video became a fun and virtually with one another and continue their based exams. Online Proctoring ensures fair This provides end-to-end solutions and exciting way of learning. The continuous studies, take online admissions & give online means of online exams that also helps students services to management and students across change in Ed-Tech software boosted the exams. Technology is a tool that can improve to schedule exams as per their convenience and the entire cycle. Technology expanded the learning engagement and enhanced the value education in many ways. We are in the ideal reduce the risk of exposure. Several well- way of learning, as everything is now of data. moment to continue transforming the education known technologies used in 2020-21 with the available via the internet at one's fingertips. In In India, Artificial Intelligence based sector through technology. Now, it is only a Online Examination system are Remote Pandemic, the emergence of platforms solutions are providing various options to the matter of creatively using the essential tools and Proctoring, Secure Browsing, Remote providing services for publishers, educational students as per their needs and interests. In the integrating new technology and marking a Candidate Authentication, Data Encryption institutes, schools, colleges, assessment bodies next few years, technology will become more bright educational future for everyone. during transit, and Record and Review came out as a solution. flexible in the education sector as pursuing Proctoring, etc. These technologies have education from anywhere & anytime from all become a popular digital solution for holding Digital presence has become a necessity for over the world will become the new normal.





Curriculum January 16, 2022 13 Higher Education Buzz Marwadi University signs MoU on contemporary business and management DSCI Cyber Champions Excellence Award citizens, faculty or students can ask for help on practises and build a holistic community that 2021 for Cyber Security Education by the any cybersecurity issue they were facing. We with The Institute of Chartered encourages the diffusion of new innovative Data Security Council of India (DSCI) a not- incorporated \"Get Help Now” (Self-Helpdesk) ideas and insights. for-profit, industry body on data protection in in addition to sections on thefts, attacks and Accountants of India On the other hand, We Care Anthology 2022 is India, set up by NASSCOM. protection that related to COVID-19 related collection of series of articles that map the The Award committee cited a plethora of cyber-crimes. Marwadi University (MU), has signed a MoU distress on various aspects of human life winning factors that contributed in favour of with The Institute of Chartered Accountants created by the Covid-19 pandemic, showcases Amrita which include: academic graduate Queen's University Vice- (ICAI) for promoting joint research between the inspiring array of efforts undertaken by programmes specialized in Cybersecurity, the two institutions, undertaking workshops NGOs to build resilience and embrace the conducted a unique programme to promote Chancellor awarded honorary and training programs for students, faculty, emergence of a new era - the \"next to normal.\" women (www.shakticon.com) in cybersecurity corporate executives and research scholars on The Anthology intends to inspire the readers to through various initiatives, multiple labs to doctorate by leading Indian themes of professional and academic interest. contribute their bit towards building a better cater to the learning of advanced technologies It also entails regular exchange of course world. like AI, IoT, Big data, Ethical Hacking, Cyber university material, case studies, research publications Furthermore, as part of the occasion, the Physical Systems and Hardware security, and other academic and research inputs. As management commemorated the astounding significant investment in infrastructure and The Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University part of the MoU, MU and ICAI will also contributions of the staff member with a staff curriculum for hands-on learning and training. Belfast has been awarded an honorary doctorate undertake joint research projects which are awards ceremony. Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar called In the acceptance speech Dr. Krishnashree by Amity University Uttar Pradesh in India for mutually beneficial. upon the winners of Best staff awards from Achuthan, Dean PG Programs said “We his vast experience, distinctive achievements “With the regular exchange of journals, case each department. Silver jubilee trophies were applaud DSCI, NASSCOM and MeiTY for and contribution to academia. studies and other academic and research given to staff members who completed 25 creating such a grand platform focused on Professor Ian Greer attended the hybrid inputs, Marwadi University along with ICAI is years with the institution. security and data privacy. We thank DSCI for graduation ceremony virtually from Belfast and looking to build a comprehensive educational inviting us to this award ceremony and was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy honoris ecosystem for the benefit of all stakeholders,” RV College of Engineering appreciate the panel of juries for diligent causa. says Dr Sunil Jakhoria, Dean, Faculty of hosts 5th InternationalCSITSS) selection work. Cyber-attacks and security Like Queen's, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Management Studies, Marwadi University. in partnership with IEEE breaches put millions of people across the (AUUP) has a strong focus on quality teaching, The collaboration involves the conduction of world at risk for having their sensitive research and innovation. specialist training programs in areas of mutual Bangalore-based RV College of Engineering information in the wrong hands. The research It is part of the Amity Group of Educational interest by ICAI experts, and MU's faculty (RVCE) organized the 5th International programs at Amrita strives to keep a healthy Institutions, which has 11 universities, more members acting as resource persons for Conference on Computational Systems and balance between theory and experiment. It's than 150 institutions and 25 schools and training programs or workshops organized by Information Technology for Sustainable only fitting to see multidisciplinary partners in preschools, serving over 175,000 students in ICAI. Solutions (CSITSS) in partnership with IEEE industry, academia, and government come India and abroad. The Group's other locations “By joining hands with Marwadi University, in the third week of December. The together to advance the use of the newest include London, New York, Abu Dhabi, ICAI is looking forward to having a promising conference was mutually coordinated among computing and Cybersecurity tools and Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, Tashkent, partnership by opening the doors of fellow CA the Departments of Computer Science & resources and accelerate innovation impacting Romania, Amsterdam and Uzbekistan. aspirants to advance their careers by pursuing Engineering, Information Science & many sectors. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Vice-Chancellor and Senior Vice President of a degree in PhD from Marwadi University,” Engineering and Computer Applications, has transformed cybersecurity education into a AUUP, Professor Dr Balvinder Shukla, is PhD says CA Jay Chhaira, Chairman, Board of Electronics & Communications Engineering, social cause. We are humbled and honoured Alumnus of Queen's, attending the University in Studies, ICAI. and Electronics & Telecommunication with this recognition and dedicate this award 1989. Members from the Rajkot branch of Western Engineering. The conference emphasized to all those striving to create awareness, Congratulating Professor Greer on his honorary India Regional Council of ICAI also proposed current research work in computational mitigate vulnerabilities and promote common doctorate, Professor Dr Balvinder Shukla said: to carry joint attempts of participating in systems, information processing technologies good.” “You are an accomplished and versatile national and international conferences. and created a platform to reflect on various Education has been one of the key sectors professional who is a strong advocate for Prof. (Dr) Sandeep Sancheti, Provost, Marwadi sustainable solutions in broad areas which have been deeply impacted due to innovation and research. We consider your University says: “ICAI is a dominating name comprising of Social Media, Mobility, various physical restrictions in these journey as a source of motivation and a beacon in the world of finance and accountancy, with Analytics Cloud Computing, and unprecedented times of COVID-19 pandemic. of focus, determination, and accomplishment. well-respected members across the world. Communications (SMACC). The university took comprehensive measures “Your exemplary commitment, resoluteness, Similarly, Marwadi University is marking its Apart from the students, the conference was to ensure pedagogic practices that motivate humility and deep compassion for humanity own presence in the world of technology and attended by Dr. K. N. Subramanya, Principal, students to engage in learning. One of the endear you to all. We deeply appreciate your associated domains with its direct presence in RVCE, Dr. Ramakanth Kumar P, General most significant effort was made through a enormous efforts towards social endeavours as more than 50 countries. This is a symbiotic Chair, CSITSS 2021, Shri. Bindu Madhava, portal https://cyber.amrita.edu - where well.” relationship between ICAI and Marwadi Chairperson, IEEE Bangalore, Dr. Y Narahari, Commenting on the prestigious accolade, University to showcase and recognize the Professor, Computer Science, and Automation Professor Greer said: “I am truly humbled to professional efforts being undertaken by each Division, IISc, Bengaluru, and Dr. S.S. other.” Iyengar, Ryder, Professor and Director, School Workshop: “Climate Change Modelling and Remote of Computing and Information Science, NMIMS celebrates its 19th Florida International University. Sensing Applications for Environmental Systems” Commenting at the conference, Dr. K. N. University Day Subramanya, Principal, RVCE, said, “We are Amity Institute of Environmental Science (AIES), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida delighted that RV College of Engineering is Campus organized a three-day Workshop Cum Training Programme in collaboration with the SVKM's NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of among the few colleges who have Indian Meteorological Society, IMS, Delhi on a very relevant Topic, “Climate Modelling and Management Studies) celebrated the '19th implemented the National Education Policy remote sensing applications for environmental Systems\", on Virtual platform with the aim to University Day' on January 13, 2022 in which (NEP) 2020 in the Engineering curriculum provide Comprehensive Training on different aspects of Remote Sensing Applications. vice chancellor, Dr. Ramesh Bhat, pro vice completely. We have also established state-of- The Eminent Speakers included Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, President IMS & Director General chancellors Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar and Dr. the-art interdisciplinary labs for our students of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department, Government of India, Dr. D. R. Pattanaik, Meena Chintamaneni. Vikram Jaisinghani which will help them towards technological Secretary IMS & Head, NWP, IMD New Delhi and Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of were present with the Managing Director & advancement like Artificial Intelligence, Earth Sciences, New Delhi, India. The faculty, researchers, scientists and students of Amity CEO of Adani Logistics Ltd. and proud Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Video University also attended the event in large numbers. alumnus of NMIMS MBA 1989 batch was the Analytics, and E-mobility. We have Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated, “We are extremely happy and delighted that Amity Institute chief guest for the occasion. collaborated with Florida International of Environmental Sciences in collaboration with Indian Meteorological Society, IMS, Delhi, has Dr. Ramesh Bhat said, “Each year 13th University, the USA that will offer the students organized this three-day workshop through which we aim to provide a premier interdisciplinary January marks an important day for us. It is the a great opportunity to gain global exposure.” platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss the most recent day we jointly recognise and celebrate the Shri. Bindu Madhava, Chairperson, IEEE innovations, trends, and concerns. as well as practical challenges, encountered, and solutions collective efforts of our founders, teachers, Bangalore, addressed the audience on end-to- adopted in the fields of Climate Modelling and Applications Conference.” students, and everyone who has been end utilization of massive data on a scalable Speaking about the importance of the Environmental Systems, Dr. M. Ravichandran stated, associated with NMIMS and helped us to bring supercomputing platform and highlighted the “Environmental Systems are important to monitor and control, with the rising concerns of the institute to the pinnacle of educational key aspects of Electrical and Electronics climate change and erroneous weather events. Climate modelling has become imperative to excellence. NMIMS has always been creating developments quoting industry 5.0. predict future events. The growing human impact on the environment has led to the development future-ready curriculum best suited for our This international conference was supported of new observations and analysis tools to tackle and monitor types, magnitudes and rates of students so that they are equipped to face the through sponsorship by Nokia, IBM, Orbit and environmental changes. Timely observations by Earth Observation (EO) Satellite Systems and world given their exposure at our institute.” Career Labs. improved mapping and analysis tools are enabling a better understanding of the ecological and On this auspicious occasion, NMIMS took a environmental interactions that underlie our Earth systems, which is critical for developing quantum leap towards being a future-ready Amrita Vishwa sustainable solutions. ” university by launching two dynamic Sharing his views, Dr. D. R. Pattanaik, Secretary IMS & Head, NWP, IMD New Delhi, said, publications: 'NMIMS Management Review', Vidyapeetham Wins the “Climate Change is a complex subject, earlier the challenges in this area were not much but now, and 'We Care Anthology 2022'. NMIMS with Scientific advancement and development, the challenges have increased. Though, we are Management Review is a highly acclaimed DSCI Cyber Champions trying hard to meet the demands but still we have a long way to go before we can completely published official research journal which is overcome the challenges of Climate Change. IMS is regularly conducting workshops to address now listed in Cabell's International, Emerging Excellence Award 2021 the problems of Climate Change. This workshop is a platform where highly ambitious minds Sources Citation Index, Web of Science and will get an opportunity to show the Understanding of Human-Environment Systems, Climate Google Scholar amongst a few others. The Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has won the Change Research, Responses, and Thresholds in the Earth System. This Conference cum training journal encapsulates notions from business, also provides the opportunity to present the work done by nationwide Scientists, experts in using commerce, economics, healthcare, and Remote sensing software, P.G. and Research Scholars from all over the country to discuss and management. The review is circulated with the exchange their views. This three-day workshop will also be highly beneficial for the students as aim to foster thought leadership and research they will enrol for the PhD programme in related fields.”

14 Curriculum January 16, 2022 EdTech Researchers at IIT Jodhpur educational content for a joyful, smooth, and Virohan at all its centres is offering NSDC English proficiency. hassle-free learning experience. With this, certified diploma courses for students to The program was first introduced in Create a Framework for learners will now be able to easily use become AHPs such as Medical Lab Maharashtra on a pilot basis in 2014, across Wonderslate's smooth user experience and Technicians and OT Technicians. The training 125 schools in Aurangabad. The solution Creating Software for learning features like highlight, annotate, is provided at Virohan through videos, received a resounding response from students online tests, videos, and other multimodal gamification and real time tests, leading to and was found to be very effective. This Converting Digital Comics to learning based on blended learning increased student engagement and retention. prompted a larger-scale implementation across methodology. Virohan's pass percentage is currently over 3720 schools, supported by the United States Video (C2VNet) \"The idea is to enable any educational app to 90% and drop out rates are less than 6% vis a Agency for International Development get access to eBooks/ eLibrary technology vis an industry average of 35%-40%. (USAID) in 2016. By 2018, independent Researchers of Digital Humanities (DH) at the with all features at the fingertips of the users With centres across Delhi, Haryana, assessments conducted confirmed that students Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur are for their ease and convenience. We believe that Chattisgarh and Maharashtra and now exposed to the program had improved their developing a framework for creating software this revolutionary innovation will make Karnataka, Gujarat and Mumbai, Virohan has English reading and comprehension - Comic-to-Video Network (C2VNet) to eBooks technology in any educational app & plans to expand to 160 centres across PAN- significantly. Thereafter, the Government of convert born-digital, or digitized comic books, provide a smooth and hassle-free learning India by 2022. The company has been Maharashtra approved expansion of the to video. Growing digitization has increased experience to learners who depend on recognized for its work by the Google program to 90,000 schools. the need to digitize our country's cultural education-based applications online. We think Accelerator and Amazon Accelerator and Some of the key highlights of ReadToMe® heritage. This framework revolves around that in a highly competitive environment, it is recently been awarded the India Achievers include: creating an audio-video storybook. important to offer a platform that makes Forum Award 2020 among others. With a 1. It is the only technology that supports DH at IIT Jodhpur focuses on and contributes learning fun for the users and is also reliable mission to give India a more skilled healthcare multi-sensory reading and comprehension of to, a composite of approaches (ideas and and resourceful. The pandemic has opened a workforce, Virohan is focussing on educating prescribed English textbooks. methods), rather than different approaches, plethora of opportunities to explore new ideas as many students, practitioners and young 2. It can be used by teachers in class during that lay emphasis on preserving, and innovation. App in App is just the right professionals in every possible way. Not only normal school periods to teach English reconstructing, transmitting, and interpreting step in that direction and we hope that the this, Virohan is also setting an example in the textbooks. human record historically and learners will definitely get maximum benefits Healthcare Education Industry being the only 3. It is location agnostic, as students can contemporaneously. This, in major ways, from this,\" said Anand Achyut, Founder & player to offer 'Industry Demand Driven also download ReadToMe® on Android attends to epistemological questions on CEO, Wonderslate Online Training'. devices to practice reading their English knowledge production about generating digital textbooks from anywhere. data from material objects, and rethinking of 90+ My Tuition App launches Teachmint partners with Schoolnet and EnglishHelper are working in existing processes of knowledge production. tandem with the Regional Academic Authority, Methods and methodologies that can create the CBSE curriculum in all GCC Punjab Govt Aurangabad, along with the District Institute desired multimedia content have grown as a for Education and Training (DIETS) to result of advances in technology. One such countries Teachmint, an education infrastructure startup implement ReadToMe® across the state. The instance is “Automatic image synthesis”, and teaching platform, has partnered with the first wave of training teachers to use which has gained a lot of attention among 90+ My Tuition App, an edtech start-up, has administration in Punjab to provide its ReadToMe® was launched on 25th October researchers. In contrast, audio-video scene announced the start of the CBSE curriculum in teaching platform to over 500 government 2021, and has since then been accessed by over synthesis, such as that based on document Indian schools across the GCC (Gulf schools in the region and enable them to run 100,000 teachers and more than 150,000 images, remains challenging and under Cooperation Council) countries. The move is their classrooms efficiently. With Teachmint students. researched. This field of DH lacks sustained in line with the company's aggressive for Institute, the schools will be able to digitize The program is the first large scale example of analysis of multimodality in automatic content expansion plans. The curriculum will be their operations and ensure their students have 'digital integration' and in leveraging AI synthesis and its growing impact on digital launched in all GCC countries i.e., United continuous access to teachers and digital technology in class by teachers to teach a scholarship in the humanities. The C2VNet is Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, content through Teachmint's proprietary prescribed curriculum. Further, the initiative a step towards bridging this gap. Qatar, and Kuwait. platform. The first phase of this partnership also helps students at home to revise and The C2VNet evolves panel-by-panel in a The Arabian Peninsula is one of those regions will be driven in Pathankot, touching the lives practice English reading. comic strip and eventually produces a full- which boasts of having one of the highest of 50,000+ students and helping boost their length video (with audio) of a digitized or concentrations of Indians residing outside of learning outcomes with advantages like: Unbox Robotics raises $7 born-digital storybook. The goal was to design India. \"From workers to executives, over 8 Classroom recordings: Students will have and develop software that takes a born-digital million Indians live in these GCC countries. access to all their class recordings on a single million or digitized comic book as input and produces The expansion will benefit lakhs of Indian application, ensuring they never miss a lesson. an audiovisual animated movie from it. Along students studying in more than 60 CBSE One of the largest question banks: The Unbox Robotics, a supply chain robotics with the software, IIT Jodhpur researchers schools in these GCC countries. \"Vingish platform has 1+ million practice questions technology company, raised $7 million in a have proposed a dataset titled “IMCDB: Vijay, Founder and Curator of 90+ My Tuition available for free. Students will be able to Series-A round led by 3one4 Capital with Indian Mythological Comic Dataset of App, noted. I'm confident that the reception we learn, apply and upskill at the click of a button. participation from Sixth Sense Ventures and Digitized Indian Comic Storybook” in the got here will be replicated there.\" Punjab State board: The platform will have an Redstart Labs (Info Edge). The round also saw English language. This has complete exhaustive question bank catering to the participation from Unbox Robotics' founders annotations for panels, binary masks of the Healthcare Edtech Startup Punjab state board for the educators and Pramod Ghadge, Shahid Memon and its CPO text balloon, and text files for each speech students on its platform. Rohit Pitale, alongside its existing investors - balloon and narration box within a panel and Virohan plans expansion upto Learn in Punjabi: The Teachmint platform is US-based venture capital firm SOSV, Arali plans to make the dataset publicly available. available end-to-end in Punjabi, Hindi, English Ventures, WEH Ventures, BEENEXT, Karthik Dr. Chiranjoy Chattopadhyay, Assistant 160 centres along with 8 other Indian languages, helping Bhat's Force Ventures, Dr Vijay Kedia (Kedia Professor, Department of Computer Science students learn comfortably in their mother Securities), Aditya Singh (Stride Ventures) and and Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, said that the Virohan, an edtech company in healthcare, tongue. Pavitar Singh (Sprinklr). Other investors who panel extraction model C2VNet has two providing training for paramedical Knowledge sharing made easy: With participated in the round include Rahul internal networks to support the video professionals a.k.a Allied Healthcare Teachmint, teachers can share tests, Chaudhary (Treebo Hotels), Nikhil Vora and creation. “CPENet developed by the team Practitioners announced launching 10 centres assignments and study materials easily with all Kathan Shah (Sixth Sense Ventures), and Veda gives over 97% accuracy, and the speech across the states of Karnataka, Mumbai and their students. This will ensure that students VC. balloon segmentation model SBSNet gives Gujarat in the country. The campus launch will always have access to all important course The funds raised will be primarily used to 98% accuracy with fewer parameters. Both supports the startup's PAN-India expansion materials and never miss important expand the team across functions, fulfil the have outperformed state-of-art models. plans and aggregates the healthcare workforce assignments, irrespective of their location. customer demand internationally, R & D and C2VNet is the first step towards the big future in the country by providing aspiring AHPs Commenting on this partnership, Aditya expand to new geographies. The company has of automatic multimedia creation of comic with industry relevant education and preparing Agrawal, Vice President - Business, already onboarded some of the largest e- books to bring new comic reading them for the unprecedented challenges. Teachmint, said, “We are humbled to partner commerce and logistics enterprises as early experiences.” The startup has launched 4 centres in with the Punjab government to empower adopters through trials/pilots and has filed IP This is a one-of-a-kind study to discuss the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in Electronic city schools, educators and students in the region for its technology in India, the US and the EU. automation of creating audio-visual content and Peenya in Bangalore, and Trichy and with tech-enabled education. We're delighted Unbox Robotics specialises in robotics-based from scanned document images. In the future, Tellicherry in partnership with Nettur to start this in Pathankot..” fulfilment and distribution technology for small the team is working towards improving the Technical Training Foundation (NTTF). Three to large e-commerce, retail and logistics software so that these multimedia books centres are launched in Gujarat and Mumbai Schoolnet and EnglishHelper enterprises. The company's high-speed robotics become more immersive and engaging for the each; Gujarat centres in Ahmedabad, Surat and solutions are built to consolidate customers' target audience. Usually, this kind of work Vadodara are launched in partnership with launch ReadToMe® across orders in fulfilment centres, as well as to sort takes more time and effort, but with this International Institute of Import and Export them as per final delivery locations in software, it can be done quickly and in a more Management (IIIEM) and Mumbai centres in 90,000 schools of Maharashtra distribution centres or delivery hubs. Its interactive way. Thane, Virar and Dahisar in partnership with proprietary plug-and-play Swarm robotics can Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers. Schoolnet, an edtech company that provides bring down the deployment time at locations to Wonderslate launches 'App in Commenting on the centre launch & expansion technology-based education services to less than a week. The product's USP lies in its plans, Kunal Dudeja , CEO & Co-Founder schools, announced a partnership with ability to scan, sort, and dispatch packages in App' to integrate eBooks, says, “We aim to prepare the country for the EnglishHelper to launch ReadToMe® in less than 50-70% physical space, while fight against the pandemic in the future and to 90,000 schools across Maharashtra. improving personnel productivity by more than eLibrary in learning apps be ready for any unexpected crisis situation ReadToMe® is an AI powered technology that 3X and reducing operational cost of package without facing the shortage of Healthcare enables multisensory reading of curriculum sorting by more than 60% thereby solving A path-breaking innovation that enables workforce. With these 10 centre launches, we prescribed in English. EnglishHelper is an challenges in warehouse management Educational App owners to integrate eBooks further also plan to expand our partnerships Impact First Social Enterprise committed to sustainably. and eLibrary in their learning apps, and launch centres PAN-India. We are actively using technology to enable people from across Wonderslate has launched 'App in App' that providing internship and placement the world to achieve their desired level of allows their end users /learners to access to opportunities to all our students with an all more than 120+ publishers books and time high of 91%.”

Curriculum January 16, 2022 15 ARIIA 2021 Ranking:, News Updates IIT- Madras on the top for 3rd consecutive year Govt. College/Institution (Govt. & Govt. Aided) In the3rd edition of ARIIA 2021 or the Atal thinkers, creative problem solvers, Private College/Institute (Self-Finance/Private Ranking of Institutions on Innovation entrepreneurs, and job creators. This will Achievements released on December 29, definitely bring a revolution not only at CFIs/Central University/Institute of National Importance (Non-Technical) 2021, Indian Institute of Technology Madras economic level but also at the social, (IIT Madras) has been recognized as the most environmental front. General (Non-Technical) innovative educational institute in India for the The 3rd edition of ARIIA 2021 saw third consecutive year. Under ARIIA, an participation from 3551 HEIs registered, initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE), 1438 institutions (including all IITs, NITs, Govt. of India and implemented through IISc, etc.). This 3rd edition of ARIIA also AICTE and MoE's Innovation Cell launched introduced a special framework for non- three years ago, all major higher educational technical institutions that further strengthen institutions and universities in India are ranked the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem on indicators related to promotion and support in Indian higher education institutions. of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship All these submitted applications were Development” amongst students and faculties. subjected to multiple stages of screening, MoS Education Dr Subhas Sarkar virtually validation evaluation as per the ARIIA announced the Atal Ranking of Institutions on framework and guideline developed by the Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021. Prof. evaluation committee. Based on the score and Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, Shri range developed for the parameters and sub- Rakesh Ranjan, Additional Secretary parameters and category wise score and rank (Technical Education), Dr. Abhay Jere, Chief prepared for HEIs. Top-performing technical Innovation Officer, Ministry of Education's and non-technical HEIs assigned with a rank Innovation Cell and Dr Mohit Gambhir, and band of 'Outstanding' whereas all the Innovation Director, Ministry of Education's remaining technical and nontechnical CFTIs, Central University, & Top 10 Institute of National Importance University & Deemed University (Self-Finance/Private) State University & Deemed University each category assigned a band of either (Govt. & Govt. Aided) 'Excellent' 'Performer', 'Promising' or 'Beginner' to encourage their effort and Innovation Cell were also present during the participation in ARIIA. release of ARIIA ranking. Chairman, AICTE, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe On this occasion, Dr. Sarkar said that ARIIA said that indigenous version of innovation and ranking will certainly inspire Indian entrepreneurship ranking initiative designed institutions to reorient their mind-set and build through ARIIA by accounting both national ecosystems to encourage high quality research, and international contexts, will not only help innovation and entrepreneurship in their our Higher Educational Institutions to campuses. Giving emphasis on promoting demonstrate their efforts but also orient them innovation to achieve a $5 trillion economy by in setting goals at institute level to make India year 2025, Dr Sarkar said that more than move further up in world rankings. quantity, the institute should focus on quality Highlighting the efforts of Innovation Cell in of innovations & research. This will help us releasing the ARIIA Ranking, Additional achieve the Atmanirbhar Bharat in true sense. Secretary (Technical Education), Rakesh While referring to India's consistent growth in Ranjan said that ARIIA has set a tone and Innovation and Start-up, Dr Sarkar said that direction for our institutions. It will help in India is one of the largest higher educational making them globally competitive and front systems in the world. runner in innovation and entrepreneurship. There are ample opportunities for higher Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT educational institutions to play the role of Madras, said, “We are delighted to be adjudged enabler to drive Indian innovation and start-up the Most Innovative Institute for the third time ecosystem. A concerted effort by our higher in a row since inception of the Atal Rankings educational institutions is required towards on Innovation. IIT Madras places a lot of inculcating the culture of innovation and emphasis on innovations among its students entrepreneurship among our students and to and faculty, which has resulted in a very prepare faculty as innovators, out of the boxin successful and fast-growing deep technology startup ecosystem in the country.” The IITMIC houses incubators such as Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC), Rural Technology and Business Incubator (RTBI) and Bio-Tech incubators. The IITMIC-Incubated startups are in sectors such as Manufacturing, IoT, energy/renewables, healthcare/ medical devices, water, edu-tech/skill development, agri-tech, robotics, AI, ML and, data analytics, among others.

16 Curriculum January 16, 2022 Potpourri Meghalaya Early Childhood Care & Odisha leads IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals winners, who now enter into preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai in Oct Education initiative For more than 150 winners of the IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals declared, the thousand mile journey to WorldSkills Shanghai, China The Government of Meghalaya's Social Welfare Department along with Sesame Workshop India, an educational non-profit committed has now firmed up. The 'Olympic' of skills will be held in October 2022 and these winners will represent India at the world stage. to meet the early developmental needs of young children, SBI Foundation and SBI Life organized a workshop to review the Among the winners are 61 gold medallists, 77 silver medallists and 53 bronze medal winners. And on expected lines the largest state's Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) curriculum. Hosted at Asian Confluence, Laitumkhrah in Shillong, the contingent will be from the state of Odisha, which won 37 medals and 14 medallions. workshop addressed the vision for early childhood development in Meghalaya, whole child curriculum and proposed an age-wise The winners were announced on January 9 after the curriculum with goals, competence, thematic integration, and group work. The recommendations made by Sesame Workshop country's biggest skill competition, IndiaSkills State/UT Gold Silver Bronze Medallion Total India in consultation with ECCE experts are being reviewed by representatives of the Social Welfare Department, State Education 2021 Nationals held closed-door for three-days in department, ICDS, NCERT along with representatives from departments of Planning, Health, Community & Rural multi-locations with all Covid-prevention protocols Odisha 10 18 9 14 51 Development, Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society. Speaking at the consultative workshop, Sampath Kumar, IAS, drew to a close amidst of the Omicron wave that is Kerala 8854 25 Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya stated that Meghalaya is probably the 1st and only State in India to have bringing back the spectre of Covid devastation. Maharashtra 8 4 7 11 30 initiated an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mission. This is a holistic approach towards all round development of children IndiaSkills Competition, which raises the profile Karnataka 7 8 4 4 23 starting from the preconception to the age of eighteen years. He 16 also added that a collaborative approach is the need of the hour in and recognition of the youth, brought together over Andhra P 7 4 1 4 13 as far as the implementation of the ECD mission in Meghalaya is 500 participants from 26 states/ union territories Bihar 11 concerned. The ECD mission implementation in the State requires this year. The skill competitions were held at 4252 11 a collaborative approach from several departments, including the 11 Health & FW, Social Welfare, Education, C&RD as well as the multiple locations, including Pragati Maidan and Haryana 3413 23 teachers and parents' cooperation into materialization of this offsite locations in the National Capital Region, 11 mission. He also gave a detailed presentation of the Meghalaya from 7 to 9 January. To further disperse the Gujarat 3 1 2 5 ECD Mission. participants, the competitions for eight skills were Rajasthan 3 1 1 6 7 It may be mentioned that Meghalaya's ECD Mission is a conducted in Bengaluru and Mumbai from 3 to 5 Tamil Nadu 2 8 8 5 4 multidisciplinary, research based approach which will not only lead January. This year's IndiaSkills Competition has Chandigarh 2 2 1 6 to a holistic development of a child but also to overcome poverty Punjab 1 4 1 2 8 and inter-generational gap. The ECD mission focuses not only on the child but also on parents and propagates the 1000 days gap raised the bar of skill development by witnessing Uttar Pradesh 1 2 2 2 period in terms of birth spacing, including responsible parenthood, over 2.5 lakh registrations in August-September Madhya P 1 2 1 which is crucial for the well being of the mothers as well as the children. 2021. The workshop witnessed the participation and interaction between several government and non-governmental stakeholders including Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill those from the Health & Family Welfare, Social Welfare (Women & Child Development), Education, C&RD Department as well as Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), teachers and educators from several schools including Pine Mount School and Shillong Public School. Each department and felicitated the winners. The 59 gold medallists were awarded with a cash prize of INR 100,000, 73 were given silver medals with a representatives spoke about various levels of interventions being undertaken at their capacities and the challenges they face, prize money of INR 75,000 and 53 received bronze medals with a cash prize of INR 50,000. More than 50 participants won the including the gap that needs to be bridged towards implementation of the ECD mission at large in the State. The need for working in Medallion of Excellence. Secretary said that the government, industry and experts will work together to ensure that Team India is collaboration instead of in silos while expanding the role of women Self Help Groups to leverage the mission was highlighted by the best equipped with the desired training and tools to perform their best at WorldSkills International Competition later this year. members. public transportation for local villagers. Children often walk 5-6 online attendees) who attended the seminar, were able to TC CSR Foundation India opens 15 kms each way to reach the closest school facility for basic understand the importance of the right career path and the road - education. This has resulted in frequent school dropouts and girls map to achieve their goals. A question & answer session ensued ATC STEM Labs in Bihar especially withdrawing from school due to unfavourable waiting after the seminar concluded. hours and the inability to grant time for household responsibilities ATC CSR Foundation India (ATC CSRFI), the CSR arm of amongst low income families. While education is still a privilege Shivani Bhasin wins 'Oxford American Tower Corporation (ATC) India, as a part of its Digital for the girl child in this country, distant commute and concerns of Advantage Teacher Awards 2021' Communities Program, has reached a significant milestone of safety cause further roadblocks in an already bleak situation. launching 200 Digital Communities across India. With the opening With an aim to address this issue, BookASmile and CFTI came 'The Class of One' (TCO1) staffer Shivani Bhasin was awarded for of 15 ATC STEM Labs in the Government schools of Bihar, ATC together to support young girls address the first barrier towards a best teaching practices in the Northern Zone, India by The Oxford CSRFI has taken yet another step in the direction to achieve its better opportunity at a well-rounded life journey by distributing Advantage at the Oxford Advantage Teacher Awards 2021. objective of creating Digital Communities to provide greater access bicycles in the Alibaug taluka thus facilitating safe commute and TCO1an online-only school founded to transform traditional to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in areas supporting education & play. The #RideToChange initiative also learning frameworks and transform into a school of the future. The where the internet remains limited. aims to encourage young girls to become future leaders, leading a goal of this online school is to introduce and establish new trends in Typically located at or near the base of an American Tower site, healthy and fit life. the delivery of smart online education. Digital Communities are places where people of all ages gain Speaking on the #RideToChange initiative, Farzana Cama These awards recognized teachers who have used the Oxford access to the internet. Based on local needs, Digital Communities Balpande, Head BookASmile said, “Till date, access to education Advantage curriculum in a remarkably effective and innovative provide educational, healthcare, financial and career development for the girl child remains a challenge, making it a distant reality manner over the last year. The All-India competition encouraged services with an aim to improve quality of life through for many girls across the country. As the country gradually teachers to put their best foot forward and inspire other mentors. connectivity. recovers from the pandemic with schools slowly opening their The evaluation was done using the CENTA framework of teaching After successfully launching Digital Learning Centres with Self doors to students, we are delighted to have partnered with Centre competencies as selection criteria. Each video entry was reviewed Learning Kiosks and Career Development Centres across the for Transforming India (CFTI) and support the provision and on the three categories of teaching competencies and mindset or country, ATC CSRFI has broadened its e-education reach by delivery of bicycles to 500 young girls across Maharashtra to attitudes and beliefs. launching ATC STEM Labs in more than 50 schools in UP and encourage them to pursue their dreams, without restrictions. Upon receiving such acclaimed honor, hivani Bhasin said, “As Bihar. ATC CSRFI is seeking to collaborate with partners to not Through the #RideToChange initiative, we hope to create a teachers we must be enabled to remain continuous learners if we only help with this effort of promoting digital literacy and other positive impact in the lives of young girls and help them unlock have to inculcate the same in our young learners. The world is in a essential services, such as healthcare and financial inclusion. their potential.” continuous evolving phase and being lifelong learners, ready to ATC's Digital Communities program globally has successfully incorporate new skills is an imperative virtue.” impacted more than 130k beneficiaries. IGP Institute organized a seminar: CA Pearson India onboards Bollywood BookASmile's #RideToChange campaign INTER SURE SHOT SUCCESS SEMINAR superstar Vicky Kaushal as the brand in Maharashtra The Institute for Grooming Professionals (IGP), one of the leading coaching academies for CA, CS and CMA exams organized ambassador BookASmile, the charity initiative of India's leading entertainment seminars titled- 'CA Inter Sure Shot Success Seminar' for CA destination, BookMyShow steps into the new year with its Foundation students. The seminars were held on December 21 and In its efforts to step up India play and accelerate its growth #RideToChange campaign completing its Bicycle Pledge last 23 at IGP's centres at Laxmi Nagar and Janakpuri respectively. plans as the global digital powerhouse of learning, Pearson month. As part of the initiative, BookASmile pledged 500 bicycles The seminar was conducted by CA Ashish Kalra, founder and India announced bollywood youth icon and superstar, Vicky to young girls in the Alibaug taluka of Maharashtra in a bid to director of IGP Institute. CA Ashish Kalra Sir gave a direction to Kaushal as its new Brand Ambassador. provide them safer access and opportunity to fulfil their education the students who have just given CA Foundation exams regarding Vicky Kaushal will feature in Pearson India's upcoming & all-round learning pursuits. BookASmile has joined hands with their future CA journey. The seminar was also conducted in online campaign and activations in strengthening Pearson's connect Centre for Transforming India (CFTI), an on-ground NGO partner mode through IGP LIVE App for the expediency of the students as with the learners. An engineer himself, Vicky has appeared in for the execution of this campaign and to ensure all the bicycles well as parents. several acclaimed movies like Masaan, Uri, Sardar Udham, and reached the girls in the talukas identified. During the interactive seminar, Kalra Sir shared key tips on exam his stellar performance has led to a meteoric rise in his While Alibaug has always been an attractive tourist destination in preparation, getting a good score and how to get an All India Rank following on social media, thus making him one of the top- the state of Maharashtra, it has since a long time lacked efficient in CA Intermediate. He also shared useful tips on time searched personalities in India in 2021. He is also the recipient management during CA Intermediate classes as well as during the of prestigious National and Filmfare awards. exams. Kalra Sir additionally conversed with the students who India is a strategic growth market for Pearson, focused on were facing challenges with exam preparation. driving transformational change and digital innovation. Vicky Sharing an insight on the success mantra in CA exams, CA Ashish as the brand ambassador will help the company in building a Kalra, Founder and Director of IGP Institute said, “CA exams, one strong relationship with youth and strengthen its direct-to- of the toughest exams, needs a credible and right strategy with consumer proposition. regards to the preparation. With proper planning, right guidance Sharing his excitement about the collaboration, Vicky Kaushal, and consistent hard work, I have seen an average student of Class Bollywood Superstar, said, “Today's youth are innovators, 12th becoming a rank holder in CA Intermediate and CA Final. builders, creators, and leaders of the future. They are the hope You should always focus on: Plan your work and work your plan.” of a brighter tomorrow and education is the key to unlock their “Through this seminar, we have tried to guide our students to true potential and empower them to rise and shine. I am happy introspect and understand the importance of career planning, time and excited to be a part of Pearson's mission to promote quality management and concentration, not only during exams but also in education and connect with young minds.” their future course of professional life”, he added. The seminar was a success as more than 500 students (including