Mahindra University, ANU Launch 2+2 Engineering Program

New Delhi,  Jan 9: Mahindra University  and The Australian National University  have established an articulation agreement creating an international pathway for Indian undergraduate engineering students. Under this agreement, students can complete the first two years of their undergraduate study at Mahindra University in Hyderabad before transferring to ANU in Canberra for their final two years, graduating with an internationally recognised degree from Australia’s leading university.

Pic- Mahindra University signs MoU with Australian National University

The partnership covers seven high-demand engineering disciplines, including artificial intelligence, computer science and engineering, mechatronics, electronics and communication, electronics and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and nanotechnology.

Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University said,

“The Australian National University’s strong research heritage and global reputation align closely with Mahindra University’s academic vision. This collaboration provides a high-quality international pathway for our students while further strengthening academic and research engagement. The MoU strengthens Mahindra University’s foundation of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, and creates long-term value for both students and faculty.”

“This partnership facilitates opportunities for high-achieving students to transition into various ANU engineering majors built on a multidisciplinary ‘systems engineering’ approach. It reflects our shared commitment to meaningful international academic engagement and collaboration. ANU strengths in natural sciences and engineering disciplines create a strong complementarity with Mahindra University’s interdisciplinary approach to education. We look forward to working closely with Mahindra University through sustained collaboration across education and research,” said Siva Karuturi, Professor and Associate Director (International), School of Engineering, College of System and Society, Australian National University.

Visalakshi Talakokula, Associate Dean of École Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University said 

“The partnership has been designed to provide academic continuity, quality assurance and clear progression for students aspiring to gain international exposure while completing a globally recognised engineering degree”.

Under the partnership, the progress of student will be monitored annually, with an initial intake capped at 20 students per year, to ensure academic rigour and student outcomes. The agreement also lays the foundation for broader academic engagement, including faculty interaction, curriculum alignment and future research collaboration.

BGS Bloomfield Hosts Spectacular Annual Day 2026 Celebration

Bengaluru, Jan 9: BGS Bloomfield School hosted its grand Annual Day 2026, an evening of culture, creativity, and celebration, bringing together students from Nursery to Grade 10 for a vibrant showcase of talent. The event, held on the school campus, reflected BGS Bloomfield’s commitment to holistic education and character-building through arts, academics, and co-curricular excellence.

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The event was graced by Sri P.C. Mohan, Member of Parliament, Bangalore Central Parliamentary Constituency, as the Chief Guest, and Sri Gangavathi Pranesh, renowned Kannada stand-up comedian, as the Guest of Honour. Their presence added inspiration and enthusiasm to the celebration, encouraging students to pursue their goals with confidence and dedication.

The Annual Day opened with a ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by a series of captivating cultural performances. Students presented classical dance, theatre, musical ensembles, and thematic performances focusing on unity, gratitude, and nation-building. Each segment reflected months of hard work and the nurturing guidance of the school’s faculty.

Speaking at the event, Dr. B. Gurappa Naidu, Chairman, BGS Bloomfield , expressed immense pride in the students’ achievements.

“Annual Day is a reflection of our students’ creativity, discipline, and teamwork. At BGS Bloomfield, we believe in nurturing every child’s potential by providing a balanced environment that encourages academic excellence along with cultural enrichment. Today’s performances stand as a testament to the dedication of our students, teachers, and parents ”

Chief Guest Sri P.C. Mohan applauded the school for its holistic approach to education.

“It is inspiring to see such young minds display confidence, discipline, and creativity on stage. Schools like BGS Bloomfield play a crucial role in shaping responsible and empowered citizens for the future. I congratulate the management, teachers, and students for presenting an impressive Annual Day celebration, ” he said.

Guest of  Sri Gangavathi Pranesh added a touch of humour and appreciation, praising the students for their heartfelt performances and the school for its dedicated efforts toward value-based education.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of teachers, parents, and partners in enabling a memorable evening. BGS Bloomfield’s Annual Day 2026 reinforced the school’s vision of fostering confident, compassionate, and future-ready learners.

ICAI Launches Mandatory E-Diary to Strengthen Articled Training for CA Students

Considering the digital revolution taking place across the globe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) considered the need for development of digital platform wherein articled trainees can record their attendance and task performed in the form of E-Diary.  The digital platform  has been introduced and made mandatory for CA students commencing practical training w.e.f. 1st January, 2026. E-Diary  for students and members, leveraging technology to bring uniformity, transparency and digitally monitoring of articled training. 

This initiative of ICAI Board of Studies  and Members and Student Services Directorate is designed to map skills, ensure consistent training standards and improve transparency, in line with ICAI’s competency framework for a future-ready profession.

Key Features:

  • Structured Digital Recording: Daily attendance and task performed by the articled trainee recorded digitally, the moment it is entered in system; stipend details once paid, recorded and would display.
  • Fortnightly Submission & Verification: Submission of task performed by the trainees would be on fortnightly basis. The system validates completeness Principals review, suggest changes in task performed by trainee, trainee has to carry out the suggested changes within seven days and re-submit.  Within next seven days principal has to approved, after that it would considered deemed approval. 
  • Edit & Track: Students can access past entries, make changes as suggested by the principal, edit or delete entries before submission and track approval status.
  • SSP-Based Login: Students access the E-Diary through their Self-Service Portal (SSP) credentials.
  • Process Integration: The platform links with Form 109 and aligns records with ICAI training guidelines.

On this digital initiative, CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI, said

The E-Diary will be a digitally approved and authenticated record of an articled trainee’s practical experience. It enables students to clearly demonstrate the tasks performed during training and the areas in which they have developed expertise. This digital platform will not only save valuable manhours for both principals and students but also brings greater transparency, timely approvals and helps identify new and emerging areas of training, making articled training more structured, efficient, and future-ready.”

Benefits to CA Students 

  • Uniform Training Quality: Would ensure in imparting standardized training to article trainee across all spheres and consistent learning outcome for all trainees. 
  • Self-Monitoring & Skill Mapping: Articled Trainee can review the task performed, identify the learning gaps and focus on other area of training which are relevant in the present context.  
  • Awareness & Professional Growth: Regular reflection on tasks performed, enhances understanding of practical competencies. Maintaining E-Diary tells both the articled trainee and principal, how many hours articled trainee spent in auditing, taxation and consultancy services etc. and for new areas of training secondment can be considered by the principal. Through E-diary principal can also assess the areas where articled trainee has expertise so that assignment can be easily assigned and completed in a time bound manner.
  • Administrative Ease: Simplifies stipend proof digitally, leave tracking, and completion formalities; reduces paperwork for both trainee and principal. 

Benefits to CA Principals

  • Enhanced Oversight & Monitoring: Real-time visibility into attendance, profile, task assigned/performed, and supports effective mentoring.
  • Quality Assurance: Data-driven insights help prioritise training areas, address weaknesses, and monitor individual or batch performance.

Reduced Administrative Burden: Digital approvals, MIS reports, and system alerts streamline compliance, replacing manual diaries.

Inceptrix 2.0 to Bring National Student Innovators Together at JAIN Deemed-to-be University

Bengaluru,  Jan 9: The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at JAIN  Faculty of Engineering & Technology, is set to host the second edition of Inceptrix, a national-level, hackathon-driven technical event focused on student-led innovation and applied technology learning, scheduled for 27–28 February 2026.

The previous edition, Inceptrix 2025 conducted as a two day intercollegiate technical fest in  May 2025 had witnessed participation from students representing 27 states, with over 1000 registrations and a total prize pool of Rs 1,75,000. The event had created a collaborative environment where participants engaged in real world problem solving, peer learning, and technical experimentation.

Inceptrix 2.0 aims to expand its academic and innovation footprint. The 2nd edition will feature competitive hackathons, hands on workshops, and expert led sessions aimed at encouraging creativity, collaboration, and solution oriented thinking among students. The event aims to support JU FET’s focus on industry-relevant education and future-ready skill development.

The initiative is led by the Tech Council of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, a professional student body that oversees more than fifteen specialized technical clubs. The council functions as a central platform for technical initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning through structured events and competitions across the institution.

Inceptrix 2.0 will also open opportunities for industry partners to engage through event sponsorships, workshops, digital promotions, prize sponsorships, and on ground brand presence. These collaborations aim to create meaningful interaction between emerging talent and the technology ecosystem while supporting student innovation at scale.

As part of the hackathon competitions, participants will compete for an attractive prize pool. The Winner will receive a cash prize of INR 1,00,000, the First Runner-Up will be awarded INR 50,000, and the Second Runner-Up will receive INR 25,000. In addition, Top 10 teams will be recognized with exclusive gift hampers, further motivating innovation and excellence among participants.

The event will be hosted at JAIN Global  Campus at Kanakapura Main Road in Bengaluru.

Students from engineering and technology disciplines across institutions are welcome to register before 31 January 2026.

NMIMS Partners with Mirae Asset Foundation to Launch ESG Research Chair

Sustainability, inclusion, and responsible governance are no longer optional ideals. They are fast becoming essential to how institutions, businesses, and societies define long-term success. Responding to this shift, SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies  has announced the Mirae Asset Foundation SVKM’s NMIMS ESG Research Chair, a dedicated platform focused on advancing research, education, and policy thinking in Environmental, Social, and Governance  domains.

Building on NMIMS’ long-standing focus on socially responsible management education and sustainability-oriented scholarship, the ESG Research Chair is envisioned as a national platform with a strong emphasis on the Indian and Global South context. It will develop rigorous, context-driven ESG research, case studies, policy briefs, and teaching material to contribute meaningfully to academic literature, industry practice, and public policy.

Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor, SVKM’s NMIMS, said,

“At NMIMS, we believe sustainability and ethics are part of everything we do. ESG, diversity, and inclusion are integrated across all our programmes, so students see how these ideas work in practice. With this initiative, we are not just teaching sustainability, we are creating a living ecosystem where research, education, and industry come together. The Mirae Asset Foundation SVKM’s NMIMS ESG Research Chair builds on this approach, strengthening research, encouraging dialogue, and developing leaders who can tackle today’s ESG challenges with confidence and purpose.”

The Chair will integrate ESG themes across MBA, Executive MBA, and Doctoral programmes, while also driving capacity-building through specialised workshops, executive education, and structured industry engagement. It will collaborate closely with industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and global institutions, and host its flagship Annual ESG Conference to foster dialogue and actionable insights.

Mr. Ritesh Patel, Director, Mirae Asset Foundation said,

“This Chair reflects our shared commitment to creating leaders who understand that growth and responsibility must go hand in hand. By bringing together academia, industry, and policymakers, we aim to advance ESG thinking that drives real, measurable, and inclusive impact and results in long-term value creation and positive societal impact.  It is indeed a privilege to be partnering with NMIMS for this initiative as it has rich academia experience and has been doing extensive work in this area”.

The Chair is being set up with support from the Mirae Asset Foundation (MAF), the philanthropic arm of the Mirae Asset Financial Group in India. Guided by a human-centred investment philosophy, the Foundation enhances educational access and quality through scholarships, research and innovation support, skills development initiatives, and educational infrastructure. Its approach reflects a strong commitment to socially responsible development and aligns closely with ESG principles that promote inclusive and long-term growth.

SecurEyes’ prestigious Cyber Security Certification Program (14th Batch) to Commence on 2nd February 2026

Bangalore, Jan 8: Cyber threats are expanding in scale, sophistication, and frequency. Recent years have seen large-scale data breaches, ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, and AI-driven cybercrime eroding trust in digital systems. As organizations accelerate digital transformation, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to surge.

The shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals remains one of the most pressing global workforce gaps. To help bridge this need, SecurEyes, a distinguished Bangalore-based cybersecurity firm, is pleased to announce the launch of its 14th batch of the Cybersecurity Certification Program, an intensive 3-month online course beginning on 2nd February 2026.

Designed to provide participants with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, the program includes live sessions led by certified cybersecurity professionals who are actively involved in global projects. Students will have 24/7 access to online labs and extensive study materials that cover essential topics such as Information Security, Network Security, Infrastructure Security, Application Security, Governance, Risk & Compliance, Security Operations, and Incident Management.

Quest Global Initiative Boosts Admissions by 17% Across Karnataka JTS Institutions

Bengaluru,  Jan 7: Quest Global, the world’s largest independent pure-play engineering services company, today announced the latest progress of its long-standing “Education for Underserved” initiative in collaboration with NGO partner Uthishta. As part of this initiative, Quest Global has been supporting six Government Junior Technical Schools (JTS) in Karnataka, reinforcing its decade-long commitment to enhancing access to foundational technical education for students from underserved communities.

Launched in 2013 with a single school in Hubballi, this commitment has been significantly scaled in 2023 to include all six Government JTS institutions across Ballari, Bhadravati, Hubballi, Bagalkot, Kalburgi, and Mangalore.  This expansion reflects the sustained impact of Quest Global’s community initiatives and its mission to create long-term value through education and skill development. Since then, the initiative has directly benefited over 800 students across all six Government JTS institutions. These schools have received comprehensive support to address gaps in infrastructure, including science labs and libraries, learning resources, technology access, furniture, scholarships, and holistic student development.

These sustained efforts have led to a shift in the mindset of parents and the community, resulting in an increase in the attendance rate and a 17% rise in admissions. This has enabled hundreds of students to successfully transition to higher education after 10th standard.   Quest Global is also proud to support JTS alumni pursuing Engineering degrees by providing scholarships to those who qualify through the Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET). Notably, 70% of fresh engineering graduates who received this scholarship support have secured employment with leading technology firms, including Quest Global. Additionally, many students have also started pursuing post-graduation courses, and some of them are also taking internship opportunities, underscoring the program’s success in creating a strong education-to-employment pathway.

“Inclusive education is integral to our community endeavours,” said Ajit Prabhu, Co-founder & CEO, Quest Global.

 “By strengthening Junior Technical Schools and creating clear pathways to higher education, we are not only opening doors for students from underserved communities but also shaping the future of India’s engineering talent. These young minds represent the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow, and our commitment is to ensure they have the resources, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”

“Through this partnership with Quest Global, we are not just improving facilities, we are unlocking potential, raising aspirations, and laying a strong foundation for equitable access to technical education. It’s deeply rewarding to see students from underserved backgrounds thrive and even return as professionals to the very ecosystem that nurtured them” said Rijesh K, Trustee, Uthishta.

As part of this initiative, Quest Global has rolled out a comprehensive set of interventions aimed at strengthening education outcomes and student preparedness across the six government JTS institutions in Karnataka. These include:

  • Installation of all-in-one desktop systems equipped with MS Office and UPS support, complemented by trained faculty to enhance digital literacy

  • Infrastructure enhancements, including new desks, benches, book racks, waterproofing, and painting to improve the learning environment

  • Distribution of essential resources such as uniforms, school bags, tool kits, and sports equipment

  • Merit-based scholarships for top-performing students in Grades 8 to 10 across all six JTS institutions

  • Skills development workshops focusing on communication skills, self-awareness, career counselling, and strengthened parent–teacher engagement

Through these sustained efforts, Quest Global remains committed to scaling its impact and driving meaningful, long-term improvements in education quality and community development in the regions it serves.

Jaipuria Institute Launches Winter School 2026 on Advanced Research Methods

Jan 7:-  Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow, formally inaugurated Winter School 2026 Expanding Research Capabilities: A Deep Dive into Research Methods with a ceremonial inaugural session and the auspicious Lighting of the Lamp, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge, inquiry, and academic excellence.
PIC 2 WINTER SCHOOL
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. M. P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, as the Chief Guest, along with the presence of Deans, faculty members, doctoral scholars, researchersacademicians, and participants attending in both offline and online modes. In his inaugural address, Prof. M. P. Gupta emphasized the growing importance of robust research design, methodological rigor, and the use of advanced analytical tools in producing impactful and globally relevant research.
The Winter School 2026 is a six-day intensive academic programme designed to strengthen participants’ research competencies across qualitative, quantitative, experimental, and mixed-method research paradigms. Over the course of the programme, participants will engage in structured lectures, practical demonstrations, and hands-on sessions led by distinguished academicians and industry experts from leading institutions.
In the coming days, the Winter School will cover a wide range of critical research themes, including data collection and cleaning, hypothesis development and testing, experimental research design, and qualitative research methods. Participants will also gain in-depth exposure to PLS-SEM using SmartPLS 4.0, conceptual framework development, interpretive structural modelling, critical discourse analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making approaches.
Specialized sessions will focus on contemporary academic publishing practices, including the role of artificial intelligence in research publishing and insights into the submission-to-acceptance process, offering participants practical guidance on publishing in high-impact journals.
The programme features sessions by eminent scholars such as Dr. Jogendra Kumar Nayak Dr. Satish S. Maheshwarappa Ms. Sangeeta Menon Dr. Atul Shiva  Dr. Shreya Mishra Dr. Ramzan Sama  Dr. Monika AgrawalDr. Anjya Kumar Mohapatra, and Dr. Arti Chhandani from Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore and Lucknow campuses.
The Winter School will conclude with a valedictory session featuring Dr. Garry Tan Wei Han, Senior Professor, UCSI University, Malaysia, highlighting the programme’s global academic orientation.
Through this initiative, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow continues its commitment to fostering advanced research capabilities, encouraging interdisciplinary inquiry, and empowering researchers with practical tools and methodological clarity essential for impactful academic and policy-oriented research.

Axis Bank Engages 995 Schools Nationwide for SPLASH 2025 Art & Literature Competition

Hyderabad,  Jan 7:- Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, successfully hosted SPLASH 2025, the 13th edition of its annual art, craft and literature competition, engaging students from over 995 schools across the country. Inspired by Axis Bank’s brand philosophy  dil se open, this year’s edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 2.66 lakh students on the theme ‘Dreams’, encouraging these young minds to unleash their imagination and creativity.

South- pic

In the southern region, the Bank conducted the competition across 308 schools in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guntur, Bagalkot, Vishakhapatnam, Cuddapah, and Nellore to name a few. Over 1.01 lakh students participated, submitting entries under two sub-themes: ‘A Day in My Dream Life’ for the 7-10 years age group, and ‘The Future as I Dream It’ for those aged 11-14 years. 

Aligned with the theme, Axis Bank also launched the ‘AI Dream Generator’, an interactive digital tool designed to help children bring their dreams to life. From flying cars and talking animals to building cities on the moon, children can enter their dreams and choose their favourite medium art, craft, or literature to see their imagination come to life.

The competition will culminate with six national winners and six national runners-up, who will be awarded INR 1 lakh and INR 50,000 each, respectively. They will also have the opportunity to attend a special Art and Craft Workshop at Tashkeel, Dubai. The artwork of these winners will be showcased at the Museum of Art and Photography  Bengaluru. Additionally, the top 400 qualifiers will receive exciting goodies and vouchers from partner brands like Ixigo and American Tourister.

KLH Global Business School Students Achieve National Sporting Distinction

Hyderabad, Jan o7: KLH Global Business School has achieved a series of significant sporting milestones, reflecting its sustained commitment to competitive university sport and its emphasis on discipline, preparation, and performance, alongside academic pursuits.

Nitish and dheeraj

Among the notable accomplishments, Dhanush Srikanth, a first-year BBA student, has been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award for Air Rifle Shooting, in recognition of his consistent performances, commitment to training, and disciplined approach to sport. Adding to this achievement, M. Venkat Rami Reddy, another BBA student, secured the Gold Medal in the 800-metre event for running at the Khelo India University Games 2025, held in Rajasthan. Further strengthening the institution’s sporting record, Mogli Venkata Ram Reddy earned a bronze medal in the 800-metre event at the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championships 2025, bringing international recognition to the university’s student-athlete community.

This momentum continued in tennis, where KLH GBS students delivered a commendable performance at the South Zone Inter-University Tennis Tournament 2025, a competition that drew participation from leading universities across South India and was conducted through a demanding knockout format. This team comprised KLH GBS students, along with students from the KL Vijayawada and KLH Aziznagar campuses.

In the women’s category, Muruga Sera Anjum, a third-year BBA student from KLH GBS, played a decisive role, while the men’s competition witnessed impactful performances from Nashik Reddy, a third-year BBA student, and Dheeraj Reddy, a second-year BBA student. Their collective efforts resulted in one Winner position and two Runners-Up finishes. In recognition of these performances, all three students have been selected for the All-India Inter-University Team and the Khelo India University Games 2026, marking their progression to the national competitive stage.

Commenting on the achievement, Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President, KL Deemed to be University, stated,

“Inter-university competition demands sustained preparation, discipline, and mental resilience. The achievements recorded by our students ranging from national nominations to podium finishes and team selections reflect their commitment to excellence and their ability to balance academic responsibility with competitive sport.”

KLH Global Business School views these outcomes as a reflection of sustained sporting engagement and structured preparation. Beyond medals and selections, the achievements signify the fulfilment derived from disciplined effort and competitive integrity, as students progress to higher levels of representation while upholding the values associated with university sport.