IIT Bombay and Tohoku University Collaborate on Research
IIT Bombay signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tohoku University, Japan, to launch the IIT Bombay-Tohoku University Joint Academic & Research Programme. The initiative aims to introduce collaborative Master's and PhD programmes, offering students dual mentorship, access to state-of-the-art resources, and exposure to the academic systems of both institutions.
Initially, the programme will focus on a dual degree initiative for research. Over time, it may develop into a joint institute, subject to approval from the senate and government bodies. The collaboration aims to address global challenges through academic and research excellence.
The signing ceremony witnessed participation from senior delegations of both universities. The MoU was exchanged by Dr Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Bombay, and Professor Shireesh B Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, with Professor Teiji Tominaga, President of Tohoku University.
India's New G20 Talent Visa is all Set to Attract Top Scholars from G20 Nations
India is taking a bold step toward becoming a global hub for academic collaboration and innovation with the launch of the G20 Talent Visa. Approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this initiative aims to draw scientists, researchers, and scholars from G20 nations to India for research projects, training, and post-doctoral fellowships.
The G20 Talent Visa, categorised under the S-5 student visa sub-category, is designed to provide international scholars with opportunities to engage in academic and research activities in India. With this visa, India hopes to foster a vibrant exchange of ideas and innovations while strengthening its educational and technological ecosystems.
Dec 19, 2024
National Institute of Siddha Sets Guinness World Record for Mass Varmam Therapy
The National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.
The event was held at the NIS campus in Tambaram, Chennai to highlight the growing recognition of Siddha medicine and its non-invasive, drug-free therapeutic methods, particularly through the practice of Varmam therapy.
Varmam therapy, a unique and traditional healing modality within the Siddha system of medicine, has long been revered for its effectiveness in treating various health conditions.
IIT Bombay held the 28th edition of its popular Techfest, one of Asia's largest science and technology festivals. The 2024 event revolved around the theme of 'Sustainnovative Sentience' and featured a mix of events, exhibitions, lectures, and competitions. The festival is organised each year with the motive of inspiring innovation and participation from attendees worldwide.
The three-day festival had an exciting line-up. The opening day included a grand inaugural ceremony and a keynote lecture by Jeet Adani, director of Adani Airport Holdings Limited.
Other highlights included the international Robowars competition, the Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot Exhibition, the Techfest Gamers League, and vibrant cultural performances.
The festival also features hands-on workshops, technical exhibitions, and opportunities for global collaboration, making it a hub for learning and innovation. Techfest 2024 promises to deliver a unique blend of education and entertainment, inspiring students and professionals alike to push the boundaries of science and technology.
In a First, IIT Madras Introduces 'Fine Arts and Culture Excellence' Quota
In a historic move, the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras launched the Fine Arts and Culture Excellence (FACE) admission scheme for its undergraduate programmes. This initiative aims to recognise and reward students who have achieved excellence in fine arts and cultural activities.
Under the FACE scheme, two additional seats per programme will be created across all B.Tech and BS programmes. Of these, one seat will be reserved for female candidates, while the other will be open to all genders.
This provision applies to Indian Nationals and OCI/PIO candidates who opted to be treated as Indian nationals during JEE (Advanced) 2025 registration.
Dec 18, 2024
West Bengal HS Council Revises Syllabus for Classes 11 and 12
The West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) announced minor changes to the syllabus of certain subjects for Classes 11 and 12. According to an official notification, the revisions were made following suggestions from various quarters.
The revised syllabus applies to a range of subjects, including English A, English B, Alternative English, Bengali A, Hindi A, Hindi B, History, Political Science, Accountancy, Costing & Taxation, Business Studies, Education, Science of Well-being, Statistics, Philosophy, Environmental Studies, Economics, Geography, and Biological Science.
India Tops Junior Science Olympiad, Clinches Record Six Gold Medals in Global Event
Indian students once again made the country proud on the global stage, clinching six gold medals at the 21st International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) held in Bucharest, Romania. Competing against over 300 students from 52 countries, the Indian team emerged as the best-performing nation at the prestigious event.
The IJSO challenged participants in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology through rigorous theoretical and experimental tasks. Out of all the participants, the top 10% were awarded gold medals, 20% received silver, and 30% earned bronze.
The following are the gold medal winners at junior science Olympiad: Swetank Aggarwal, Bhavya Gunval, Jinansh Shah, Manas Goel, Harshit Singla and Pranit Mathur.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Navy Sign MoU for Logistics Education
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance education, research, and training in logistics for the Navy. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening the logistics capabilities of the Indian Navy, focusing on key areas like supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability. This strategic partnership will also align with national initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022.
The MoU was signed by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy, and Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
IIT-Delhi Starts 6-months Certificate Programme on Generative AI
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi introduced a six-month certificate programme in generative AI under its Continuing Education Programme (CEP). This advanced programme is designed to equip professionals in artificial intelligence.
The certificate programme of IIT Delhi in generative AI will offer advanced AI methodologies, with a focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT, BERT and T5. Learners will explore areas like Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF), Vision-Language Models (VLMs), and responsible AI deployment.
Dec 17, 2024
Maharashtra Government, British Council Partner to Boost Higher Education System
The Department of Higher and Technical Education, the Maharashtra government, in collaboration with the British Council, UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, launched the Capacity Building for International Officers programme under their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
With support from the Department of Higher and Technical Education, 36 participants from 18 public and private universities across Maharashtra were shortlisted for this workshop, which is designed to strengthen internationalisation initiatives within Indian higher education institutions.
This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Indian universities to engage in internationalisation efforts while showcasing UK expertise in this area. Aligned with the goals of India's (NEP) 2020, the programme aspires to position India as a global hub of education by fostering cross-border collaborations and promoting excellence in higher education.
Dec 16, 2024
India Launches First Diabetes Biobank in Chennai
India's first diabetes biobank has been established in Chennai, a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). This biobank, a crucial step in advancing scientific research, will collect, process, store, and distribute biological samples to study diabetes, its causes, variations, and related disorders, contributing to global health research.
The biobank aims to facilitate advanced research into the causes of diabetes, focussing on its unique patterns in India and related health conditions. Dr. V. Mohan, chairman of MDRF, highlighted that the biobank would aid in identifying novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and developing personalised treatment strategies for diabetes. The facility houses blood samples from two major ICMR-funded studies: the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study and the Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes, which will provide critical data for future research.