Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Launches 'Vidya Rath- School on Wheels' Project to Help Underprivile...
The Assam government launched a school on wheels project to bring the economically-disadvantaged children under the ambit of the conventional education system. According to reports, the "Vidya Rath: School on Wheels" envisaged imparting elementary education to such children for 10 months. Subsequently, the sources added, that the government will integrate them into the conventional system of education. Under the project, the students will be given free mid-day meals, uniforms and textbooks.
After launching the project at the Gauhati High Court, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed optimism it would help bring the children from poor families under the ambit of formal education.
Fourth Phase of CUET
The fourth phase of Central University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG 2022 began from August 17 with nearly 3.6 lakh candidates expected to appear in the exam.
The exam for additional 11,000 candidates, who were to appear in the fourth phase from August 17-20, was postponed to August 30 to accommodate their choice of city for centre.
According to the initial plan, all phases of the CUET-UG were scheduled to conclude on August 20. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting the exam, had later announced that all phases of the exam will conclude on August 28.
However, now the schedule has been further deferred and the exam has been split into six phases.
IIT Kanpur, BHEL sign MoU for R&D Cooperation in Defence and Aerospace Sectors
IIT Kanpur and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly work on the emerging opportunities in the Indian defence and aerospace sectors.
Both parties agreed in principle to co-operate, pursue research and development, and collaborate in manufacturing and supplying components, sub-assemblies and systems or equipment in mutually agreed areas of interest to address opportunities in the Indian defence and aerospace sectors.
IIT Kanpur has been involved in various strategic partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations with government agencies as well as private organisations in these sectors. This agreement with BHEL initiates another such crucial agreement for the institute.
Both parties have identified critical technological avenues of collaboration like anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, UAV engines, manufacturing of composite fixed-wing UAVs of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category, cybersecurity, etc.
Aug 16, 2022
WHO Announces New Names for Monkeypox Virus Variants using Roman Numerals
A group of global experts convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) agreed on new names for monkeypox virus variants, as part of ongoing efforts to align the names of the monkeypox disease, virus and variants — or clades — with current best practices.
The experts agreed to name the clades using Roman numerals.
The monkeypox virus was named upon first discovery in 1958 before current best practices in naming diseases and viruses were adopted. Major variants were identified by the geographic regions where they were known to circulate.
Current best practise is that newly-identified viruses, related diseases, and virus variants should be given names with the aim to avoid causing offense to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups, and to minimize any negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.
Thus, the new naming convention comprises Clade I, Clade IIa, and Clade IIb, with the latter referring primarily to the group of variants mainly circulating in the 2022 global outbreak.
Aug 15, 2022
One Nation One Entrance: UGC Plans to Merge NEET, JEE into CUET UG Exam
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to incorporate medical and engineering entrances into the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). The motive of this step would be to test students on the same knowledge based on one test.
As per report, the new proposal will allow students to appear for one entrance test, instead of individually writing tests for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Their respective score would play a crucial role in deciding their desired stream based on their performance. UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said that the idea is to unburden students from the additional pressure of appearing in multiple exams.
Not just the core subjects, students will also have a chance in other courses offered under the umbrella of CUET-UG.
Aug 14, 2022
IRMA Seeks National University Status under Co-operation Ministry
The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), the premier rural management institute founded by Dr. Verghese Kurien, applied for the Institute of National Importance (INI) or the national university status under the Ministry of Co-operation.
IRMA, which is currently an autonomous and self financed institution, plans for a pan-India presence along with expansion from only two diploma programmes and one fellow programme to multiple programmes, soon.
This special recognition, if granted, will not only allow it to open centres across the country but also receive funding from the central government.
The Institute of National Importance (INI) is a status that may be conferred on a premier public higher education institution by an act of Parliament, an institution which "serves as a pivotal player in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state".
India, UK sign MoU for Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications
The UK and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide mutual recognition of academic qualifications with the aim of boosting opportunities for students in India and the UK.
This agreement would cover higher education qualifications – including bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees of both countries. Due to this memorandum, Indian upper secondary qualifications will now be recognised as meeting entry requirements of higher education institutions in the UK.
Additionally, all UK degrees such as Masters degree will also now be formally recognised in India, which will help Indian students to apply for post-doctoral qualifications (after their return from the UK) when they return home — which is something they were not able to do earlier.
Aug 13, 2022
IIT Madras, Sony India Partners to Offer Free Tech Skills Course to EWS Students
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Pravartak Technologies Foundation partnered with Sony India Software Centre Pvt. Ltd. to equip students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with industry-ready technical skills. This course is offered completely free of cost.
Called the 'Sony India Finishing School Skill Development Training Programme,' it would provide training in select areas such as Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cyber Security and Computer Graphics, besides Business Communication skills.
Sony India SoftwareCentre will extend employment to the top 15 performers of this course. The Pravartak Technologies Foundation will assist the remaining students with placement in other companies by arranging for their interviews through the IITM PTF placement cell.
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