Odisha CM Launches Scholarship Scheme for UG, PG Students
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a scholarship scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The 'Nutana Unnata Abhilasha Odisha' scheme aims to empower the state's youth and help them to carry forward their studies.
The scholarship amount for General and OBC students is Rs. 9,000 and Rs. 10,000, respectively, whereas for SC/ST and 'Nirman Shramik' students, it is Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 11,000, respectively.
IIT-Delhi to Set up Centre of Excellence on Applied AI for Sustainable Systems
IIT Delhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with R. Systems International Limited, an IT service management company, to setup a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Applied AI for Sustainable Systems.
This new centre will be set up on the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi campus, and will include a cutting-edge research lab, the creation of an endowed faculty chair position, and the initiation of merit-based student scholarships.
For this partnership, the R. Systems CoE will serve as an R&D hub, bringing together R. System researchers with faculty members and students to address at-scale real-world problems. The work produced by this CoE would enhance the research and development capabilities of both R. Systems and IIT Delhi.
Over 1,000 Start-ups, Investors, Incubators to Participate in 'Start-up Mahakumbh'
Over 1,000 start-ups, along with numerous investors and incubators, are set to convene at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from March 18 for the 'Start-up Mahakumbh,' a three-day event led by ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) and supported by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Government-e-Marketplace (GeM), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) and Zomato. This event aims to be one of the largest gatherings of start-ups, unicorns, investors, and industry stakeholders, providing a platform for brainstorming on sector-related issues.
The 'Start-up Mahakumbh' will feature various activities such as mentoring sessions, master classes, keynote addresses, and Unicorn roundtables, fostering an exchange of ideas to strengthen India's start-up ecosystem.
Feb 27, 2024
IIT Madras, THSTI Researchers Develop First India-specific AI Model for Foetus Age
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as part of 'Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes – DBT India Initiative' (GARBH-Ini) programme, developed the first India-specific Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to determine the age of a foetus in a pregnant woman in the second and third trimesters precisely.
Accurate 'Gestational Age' (GA) is necessary for the appropriate care of pregnant women and for determining precise delivery dates. Called 'Garbhini-GA2', this is the first late-trimester GA estimation model to be developed and validated using Indian population data.
Currently, the age of a foetus ('Gestational Age' or GA) is determined using a formula developed for Western population
They are likely to be erroneous when applied in the later part of pregnancy due to variations in the growth of the foetus in the Indian population
The newly developed 'Garbhini-GA2' accurately estimates the age of a foetus for the Indian population, reducing error by almost three times.
Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) Achieves Category-1 Status from UGC
The University Grants Commission (UGC) granted Category-1 status to the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), a first for a university in the state.
For the CUSB, which was set up in 2009 and received the highest 'A++' rating from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in June 2023, it is another feather in the cap in a state where state universities are mostly unaccredited and struggling with late sessions and poor performance.
The Category -1 status means that the CUSB will be automatically deemed to be under section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956, without requiring inspections and makes it eligible for research grants. It will not require approval for starting new course, programme, school or centre in disciplines that form a part of its existing academic framework.
Feb 26, 2024
Indraprastha University Launches PhD in Sports Injury
The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University launched a PhD programme in sports injury.
The programme will be offered at the Sports Injury Centre of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, an affiliated medical college of the university.
The programme was launched keeping in mind the surge in demand of specialised persons in the field of sports injury and increase of sports culture in the country.
Haryana Launches Innovative 'Savera' Program for Early Breast Cancer Detection
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the 'Savera' program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at early detection and prevention of breast cancer in women. Developed in collaboration with the Medanta Foundation and the Health Department, Savera leverages the unique ability of visually impaired women to conduct breast cancer screenings.
The program capitalises on the naturally heightened tactile sensitivity possessed by visually impaired individuals.
The launch of Savera coincided with the establishment of the National Cancer Institute at AIIMS Jhajjar, equipped with 1,000 beds.
Feb 25, 2024
India's First Gati Shakti Research Chair Established at IIM Shillong
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong to set up India's first 'Gati Shakti Research Chair'.
This initiative aims to enhance academic research in multimodal logistics, particularly focusing on the north-eastern region.
The Chair will contribute towards high-quality academic research on multimodal logistics with a North-East focus: building knowledge on multimodal logistics development strategies and practice in the north-eastern region, facilitate knowledge and innovation for logistical capacity building in the region.
Nokia and IISc Partner for 6G Research and Development in Bengaluru
In a partnership, Nokia and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) united to pioneer 6G technology research and its real-world applications, with a particular focus on India.
This collaboration, headquartered at Nokia's newly inaugurated 6G Lab in Bengaluru, will delve into various facets of 6G technology, from radio technologies to architecture, while integrating machine learning into the 6G air interface.
CBSE Plans Open-Book Exams in Selected Schools for Classes 9 to 12
According to reports, the CBSE will be rolling out a pilot programme that could reshape the Indian examination system—open book exams. Under this system, while taking exams, students will be allowed to refer to material like their class notes and text books, as well as other educational resources.
The pilot programme will conduct open book exams in English and Mathematics at selected schools for students in Classes 9-12, as well as in Science for students in Class 9 and 10 and in Biology for students in Class 11 and 12. Reports say that the CBSE is looking to finalise the development of this programme by June 2025, with the pilot exam being conducted in November 2024.
However, officials have also reportedly also clarified the limited scope—for now, the CBSE has no plans to adopt the open-book system for major exams like the 10th and 12th Boards.
Feb 24, 2024
IIT Jodhpur Develops First Make in India Sensor for Alcohol Detection
Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur researchers developed the first "Make in India" human breath sensor based on metal oxides and nano silicon operating at room temperature. The device's primary function is to measure alcohol content in the breath in drunk and driving cases. However, with some changes in sensing layers and the use of an array of sensors (for Electronic Nose or Artificial Nose), and data analytics, it can also be very useful for characterisation of diseases, such as asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and cardiac arrest, where the person's breath volatile organic compounds are monitored.
The existing sensors are based on fuel cell-based technology or metal oxide technology. Hence, it motivated the researchers to take up the work and develop a breath VOC sensor whose cost will be less than the existing fuel cell technology-based device.