Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan launched the 'Ministry of Education – AICTE Investor Network'. The MoE – AICTE Investor Network is an initiative jointly established by AICTE and the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the education sector.
The network aims to provide crucial financial support, mentoring and strategic guidance to early-stage student or faculty-led start-ups. Through this the Ministry of Education seeks to encourage private investment in student- and faculty-led start-ups. The platform aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Andhra Pradesh Ties up with IB Board to Design New Curriculum
The Andhra Pradesh government signed an MoU with the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is set to become a part of the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) to design the new curriculum. The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
An IB office was established within the premises of the SCERT office in Vijayawada. This marked the second IB office in South Asia.
The plan is to go ahead with a phased approach:
The collaboration will be rolled out in stages, beginning with capacity building and training for teachers in 2024-25.
Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, IB will be incorporated for Grade 1, with subsequent grades adopting the curriculum progressively.
By 2034-35, all students up to Grade 10 will benefit from the IB approach, culminating in joint IB and state board certifications in April 2035.
In 2036-37, IB will be extended to Grade 12, with dual certifications awarded in April 2037, ensuring a seamless transition.
UGC Allocation Halved, Central Varsities Outlay Up
In the Interim Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the University Grants Commission's (UGC) allocation saw a cut of little over 50 per cent with just Rs. 2,500 crore allocation for the financial year 2024-25 from Rs. 5,360 crore in 2023-24 budget estimate.
This came at a time when the government plans to bring in a new regulator — the Higher Education Commission of India.
With UGC allocation halved, central universities grants saw an increase of over Rs. 4,000 crore with Rs. 15,928 crore allocated for FY 2024-25.
IIT Indore's Ujjain Satellite Campus Secures Central Government Approval
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced the green light for IIT Indore's Ujjain satellite campus, marking a pivotal moment for education and skill development. With approval from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, this project promises substantial benefits for the region.
The approval of IIT Indore's Ujjain satellite campus underscores the government's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. CM Yadav highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower students, teachers, and industrial workers.
Feb 01, 2024
IIMC Gets Deemed University Status
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), a renowned institution for Journalism and Mass Communication, achieved the status of a deemed university. This significant development empowers the institute to confer degrees, marking a shift from its previous diploma-granting authority.
The deemed university status extends to IIMC New Delhi and its five regional campuses located in Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), Amravati (Maharashtra), Aizawl (Mizoram), Kottayam (Kerala), and Dhenkanal (Odisha). With this new designation, IIMC is now authorised to offer degrees, including doctoral degrees, marking a substantial stride in its academic capabilities.
Established under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on August 17, 1965, the IIMC stands as one of the premier institutions in the country, providing high-quality training in journalism and engaging in meaningful research in the field of media and mass communication.
IIM Sambalpur, NSE Academy to Introduce PG programme in Fintech for Working Professionals
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur signed an agreement with the NSE Academy Limited to offer joint certification programmes for working professionals. NSE Academy Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
This collaboration is designed to introduce specialised certification courses addressing the dynamic needs of the financial and technology sectors.
As part of the MoU, IIM Sambalpur will launch programmes including the first MBA in Financial Technologies (Fintech) and a PG in Management at the Sambalpur and Delhi ISID campuses. These programmes will be facilitated jointly by distinguished faculty members and industry experts from IIM Sambalpur and NSE Academy.
Jan 31, 2024
UGC Extends Validity of 2 MPhil Programmes
The University Grants Commission (UGC) extended the validity of MPhil programmes in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work till the 2025-2026 academic year.
UGC's (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) regulations 2022 prohibit all universities and colleges from offering MPhil programmes, but the UGC relaxed the rules for two programmes.
Accordingly, students in these two programmes will be admitted for two more academic sessions. MPhil is a two-year programme that familiarises students with different methods and techniques of research and analysis.
Free Online Digital Course on New Age Business Models by IIM-Bangalore
IIM Bangalore launched a new course on New Age Business Models through their digital learning vertical IIMBx. This short-term course is a six-week online programme offered on SWAYAM, the online learning platform of the Ministry of Education. As per IIM-B, the course is free of cost and is curated for everyone — undergraduate, postgraduate students of business management, working professionals, budding entrepreneurs, and business owners.
The course is designed by professor K. Ganesh, adjunct faculty at IIM-B and a seasoned entrepreneur.
Jan 30, 2024
IIT Delhi Receives Grant from Rockefeller Foundation to Establish Climate Sciences and Technology...
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT D) received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to establish the Climate Sciences and Technology Chair.
With the aim of supporting the growing interest in climate technology interventions, this collaboration will provide resources to experts, researchers, and students to shape future climate policy action.
Over the course of the five-year grant, IIT Delhi will elect an academic with noteworthy contributions in the area of climate sciences and technology to expand the existing talent pool in this field from the Global South. Along with the Chair, IIT-D, across the five years, will hold two climate-centric convenings bringing together experts from the Global South to discuss the latest advances in tackling climate change.
New Funding Criteria for Govt. Aid Include NAAC Accreditation, NIRF Ranking
The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced draft guidelines proposing significant changes in the criteria for colleges to receive grants from the Centre. If approved, these guidelines, titled 'UGC (Fitness of Colleges for Receiving Grants) Rules, 2024,' will replace the existing 1975 UGC guidelines.
As per a notice released earlier, the UGC is reviewing applications from colleges to be included in Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956. This process follows the UGC (Fitness of Institutions for Grants) Rules, 1975.
To align with the new NEP 2020 and ensure higher education institutions meet specific quality standards, the UGC is amending these rules and has introduced the draft University Grants Commission (Fitness of Colleges for Receiving Grants) Rules, 2024.
Jan 29, 2024
Uttar Pradesh Leads in College Count: AISHE Report
Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of colleges in the country, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka, according to the government's All India Survey for Higher Education 2021-22. The AISHE survey was released by the Ministry of Education.
The top 10 states in terms of number of colleges in India included Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and West Bengal, each having at least 30 or more colleges per lakh population.