IIT Bhilai, Graz University of Technology Sign MoU to Expand Research Collaboration, Student Mobi...
The Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai (IIT Bhilai) and Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint academic, research, and cultural cooperation. According to an official statement, the agreement aims to build long-term international partnerships in areas aligned with global research priorities and sustainable development.
The partnership will support interdisciplinary research across domains identified as mutually significant by the two institutions. The collaboration also includes initiatives aimed at technology transfer and knowledge exchange, enabling researchers to share methodologies, tools, and best practices.
The MoU includes provisions for student exchange programmes, specialised short-term courses, summer schools, and workshops hosted jointly by IIT Bhilai and TU Graz. Both institutions will also explore opportunities for joint or double degree programmes to broaden academic pathways for students.
ETS Launches Adaptive TOEFL Prep Ahead of 2026 Test Overhaul
ETS, the creator of the TOEFL iBT®, partnered with online learning platform Study.com to roll out Official TOEFL Test Prep, a new adaptive preparation program designed to match the enhanced version of the TOEFL iBT launching on January 21, 2026.
The collaboration seeks to give Indian students and learners worldwide access to "authentic, AI-driven practice materials that mirror the updated test's structure, including its forthcoming adaptive reading and listening sections." The platform offers TOEFL-style questions, interactive lessons, personalised tutoring, detailed feedback, and progress analytics tailored to each learner's skill level.
CBSE Restricts Second Board Exam Attempt for Students Missing 3 Subjects
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set clear restrictions on who may take the second board examination under the revised two-exam system for Class 10 beginning in 2026.
The board confirmed that students who remain absent in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be allowed to sit for the second attempt, marking a significant tightening of norms.
The announcement was made by CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh on the new two-board exam structure. He said that the system was designed to support students who miss or fail their first exam rather than those attempting to bypass the primary assessment.
Nov 22, 2025
India Launches 1st Indigenous, Low-Cost Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh launched India's first indigenous "CRISPR" based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, which particularly affects India's tribal population. The therapy, named 'BIRSA 101' is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose 150th anniversary was observed few days back and who is remembered as a great tribal freedom fighter.
The breakthrough was developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB).
Nov 20, 2025
Liverpool University's India Campus to Be Set-up in Bengaluru
The University of Liverpool will open its India campus in Bengaluru's Whitefield area by September 2026. The UK-based university will offer six undergraduate and two postgraduate programmes, with fees set at less than half of what students pay in the UK.
Lucy Everest, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Liverpool, said that the campus will commence admissions with around 250 students in its first cohort.
Nov 19, 2025
Parasocial is Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year 2025
The Cambridge Dictionary named 'parasocial' its Word of the Year for 2025, reflecting rising public interest in one-sided emotional bonds that people form with celebrities, influencers and increasingly, artificial intelligence systems. The term's surge mirrors changes in digital behaviour and the evolution of online relationships across platforms.
'Parasocia' describes a one-sided connection someone feels toward a public figure they have never met. Originally coined in 1956 by American sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, the term referred to viewers' perceived closeness with television personalities. Over time, it has expanded to include relationships with online creators and virtual agents.
No Indian Institute in QS Sustainability top 200 this Year
India missed the top 200 band in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. The list, released in November 2025, shows a clear drop for most of the country's leading institutions. IIT Delhi, the highest-ranked Indian institution last year, slipped from 171 to 205.
IIT Bombay stands at 236, a small slide from 235. IIT Kharagpur dropped to 236 from last year's 202. Most other major institutes show a similar trend.
The QS Sustainability rankings measure universities on environmental and social impact. The indicators include environmental research output, reputation in environmental education, and the influence of alumni working in sustainability fields.
This year's rankings covered around 2,000 universities. Sweden's Lund University secured the top spot and the University of Toronto second.
Nov 18, 2025
JGU Launches 5 New Japan Study Abroad Programmes for Summer 2026
OP Jindal Global University (JGU) announced five new Short-Term Study Abroad Programmes (ST-SAPs) in Japan for Summer 2026, expanding its internationalisation efforts and strengthening India-Japan academic collaboration. According to an official statement, the new programmes form one of the largest Japan-focused mobility initiatives led by an Indian university.
The new study programmes will be offered between 15 June and 3/4 July 2026 across five Japanese institutions. Each programme focuses on a distinct academic theme:
These programmes include academic coursework, field visits, and opportunities for cultural immersion. According to JGU, the expansion aims to deepen student exposure to governance, technology, society, sustainability, and Japan's broader academic ecosystem.