The Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET UG) is set to undergo significant changes this year (2024), as it transitions from an online format to a hybrid mode, as per media reports.
UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar stated that the CUET UG 2024 examinations, conducted nationwide, will adopt a hybrid approach. This format will include the traditional pen-and-paper test using OMR sheets alongside the Computer Based Test (CBT).
As per reports, officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) said that several modifications are in store for this edition of the exam, including alterations to the format, subject choices, and difficulty level.
IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar Sign MoU to Drive Clean Energy Innovation
In a bid to catalyse innovation and research within the renewable energy domain, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is poised to bolster collaborative endeavours in innovation and research, facilitate technology transfer, and cultivate a thriving start-up ecosystem.
The partnership between IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar will facilitate joint research ventures and technology exchange, and offer comprehensive support to budding start-ups. Additionally, it will encompass capacity-building initiatives such as training programs, seminars, and workshops to enhance the skills of IREDA personnel.
ICAI Elects New President, Vice President
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) elected Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal as its new President. The baton was passed from Aniket S. Talati to CA Ranjeet. He assumed charge as the 72nd President of ICAI.
A graduate of Calcutta University, Agarwal is a practicing Chartered Accountant since last 24 years. He is also a Company Secretary and DISA from ICAI. He was elected to the 23rd, 24th and 25th Central Council of ICAI three times in a row.
Feb 12, 2024
ISB Tops Indian B-schools, Ranks 31st Globally in FT MBA Ranking
The Indian School of Business (ISB) was ranked as the best management school in India in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2024. Overall, the institute ranked at 31st spot this year (2024).
Second rank in India was achieved by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), which was at the 41st rank globally, followed by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) at 47, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM C) at 67, and the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML) at 85, and the XLRI — Xavier School of Management at the 99th rank.
Globally, University of Pennsylvania: Wharton (USA) got the top rank, followed by France's Insead at the second spot, Columbia Business School and Italy's SDA Bocconi School of Management at the third spot, and Spain's IESE Business School at the fifth spot.
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and MIT: Sloan got the 6th rank, followed by London Business School at the 8th spot, Cornell University: Johnson at 9th and University of Chicago: Booth at 10th.
The Financial Times MBA Rankings are recognised worldwide as a benchmark for evaluating the quality and impact of MBA programmes across the globe.
Southern Railway Appoints First Transwoman TTE, Breaks Barriers in Dindigul
Sindhu Ganapathy's was appointed as the first transwoman Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) of Southern Railway marking a significant milestone in the journey towards inclusivity and acceptance in the Indian workforce. Ms. Ganapathy has not only broken barriers but also set a precedent for the transgender community's representation in prestigious government positions.
Feb 11, 2024
IIT-Madras, Internshala Sign MoU for Skill Training Programmes
The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) partnered with Internshala, a career-tech platform. Under this partnership, both the organisations will offer co-branded skill trainings in Ethical Hacking, Advanced Excel, Data Science, Machine Learning, SQL for Data Analytics, Business Analytics, VLSI Design, and MATLAB to the students.
As a part of this partnership, Internshala will also provide internship placement assistance to the students of IITM Pravartak and IIT Madras. The platform will provide a wide range of internship opportunities. Additionally, on completion of the trainings, the learners will get a co-branded certificate by Internshala Trainings and IITM Paavartak.
BITS Pilani, University at Buffalo (SUNY-Buffalo) Sign MoU for Joint UG Degrees
BITS Pilani signed an MoU with University at Buffalo (UB), the State University of New York (SUNY) to expedite long-term collaboration and further foster the continued synergy between research and education.
As part of this MoU, BITS and SUNY-Buffalo will jointly develop a 2+2 joint undergraduate programme in engineering and related fields. Students enrolled in these programmes will complete their first two years at BITS and then transfer to the University at Buffalo for the final two years. Specific details such as courses, study plans, fees, scholarships and course features will be finalised in a separate agreement to be signed at a later date.
The MoU expresses the commitment to promote collaboration among academics in the areas of teaching, research, publications, discussion and networking. These initiatives are designed to foster academic and faculty exchange while exploring new areas of collaborative teaching and research.
Feb 10, 2024
Bhagavad Gita Lessons for Gujarat Government School Students in Classes 6 to 12
In a unanimous decision, the Gujarat legislative assembly passed a resolution endorsing the state's initiative to introduce teachings from the Bhagavad Gita into school education for students of classes 6 to 12, aimed at instilling cultural pride and values among students.
The resolution, tabled by Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya, received bipartisan support, with AAP backing it and Congress, albeit with initial reservations, eventually lending their votes to the cause.
For students in Classes 6 to 8, it will be taught in the form of stories and recitations. Meanwhile, students from Classes 9 to 12 will encounter the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita through their first-language textbooks.
Tata Trusts to Inaugurate India's First Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai
In a visionary collaboration with philanthropist Ratan Tata, Tata Trusts proudly announces the launch of the nation's first Small Animal Hospital in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. This groundbreaking initiative is a testament to Mr. Tata's enduring commitment to pet healthcare and veterinary care. Spanning an impressive 98,000 square feet across five floors, this state-of-the-art facility epitomizes excellence in pet healthcare.
Scheduled for inauguration in March 2024, the hospital is poised to revolutionize the landscape of pet healthcare.
With a capacity exceeding 200 beds, the hospital pledges round-the-clock services aimed at safeguarding the well-being of pets.
From Surgical Services encompassing soft tissue surgeries to orthopedic interventions, to Pharmacy Services ensuring the availability of essential medications, the hospital leaves no stone unturned in catering to the diverse needs of pets.
Advanced Diagnostic Facilities, including radiology and imaging services such as MRI, X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasonography, complemented by comprehensive laboratory services, further bolster the hospital's commitment to excellence.
Feb 09, 2024
BHU Faculty to Spend a Year in Top 500 Global Institutions
Banaras Hindu University introduced a new initiative known as the Global Experience Faculty Program (GEFP). Through this programme, the varsity aims to offer faculty members an opportunity to spend up to a year in the top 500 global institutions (as per THE or QS rankings) targeting teachers with limited international exposure in their academic careers.
Launched under the Institution of Eminence at BHU, the programme includes a monthly consolidated fellowship of $3000 and travel expenses.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme. During the event, Pradhan emphasised that the Vidyanjali Scholarship Program, aligned with the NEP 2020, embodies a comprehensive societal effort towards enabling education access and opportunities, especially for economically disadvantaged students.
'One Nation, One Student ID' System
The school education system launched the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) using Common Service Centres (CSCs) in remote villages across the country. APAAR, a part of the National Education Policy, aims to set up a unified student identification system called 'One Nation, One Student ID'.
It also mandates all college or university students to register on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) since possessing an ABC ID has become compulsory for college or university admission, streamlining the process for students across the nation.
The Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) revolutionises student mobility by serving as a comprehensive digital repository of academic records.
With the ABC ID, students can effortlessly transition between institutions, as universities can access their data instantly, simplifying administrative processes.
IGNOU Gets Campus in Jammu, Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Building
Twenty-six years after starting its operations in Jammu and Kashmir, IGNOU now has its campus in Jammu. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan virtually inaugurated the state-of-the-art campus building of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Regional Centre, Jammu at Bantalab in the outskirts of the city.
The new campus building has a high-tech electric, electronic, CCTV, solar, intercom, electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) and fire alarm.
Regional Centre, Jammu currently has 31 Learner Support Centres (LSC) in prominent government higher education institutions, the University of Jammu campus and in reputed higher education institutions affiliated with the University of Jammu with LSCs at most of the district headquarters.