Category education

The scholarship is designed to help students develop career-ready skills aligned with the evolving demands of the global workforce. It forms part of the University’s wider commitment to investing more than £3 million in international talent, reflecting its long-standing focus on graduate employability. This focus is recognised by leading recruiters, with the University, regularly featuring at the top of the Highfliers rankings for institutions most targeted by graduate employers.

As industries are reshaped by rapid technological change, demographic shifts, and complex global challenges, the ability to adapt, innovate, and apply interdisciplinary knowledge has become critical. Developing future skills, such as data literacy, digital fluency, systems thinking, and policy awareness is no longer optional but essential for long-term employability and leadership. 

For India, with a young and globally mobile talent pool, access to education that builds these capabilities equips graduates not only to succeed in international careers, but also to contribute meaningfully to economic growth, public health resilience, and sustainable development at home. 

Commenting on the initiative, Professor Mark Lee, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (India), University of Birmingham, said,

“The Future Skills Scholarship reinforces the University of Birmingham’s commitment to supporting Indian students as they pursue world-class education and develop the skills that will shape tomorrow’s industries. Education opens doors, expands horizons, and creates new possibilities, and we are committed to ensuring that more Indian students can access these opportunities.”

The scholarships are open to students domiciled in India who are prepared to commence full-time study in September 2026. 

The scholarship applies to the following programmes:

• MSc Business Analytics
• MSc Marketing
• MSc Data Science
• MSc Advanced Engineering Management
• MPH Public Health
• MSc Molecular Biotechnology
• MA International Relations
• LLM programmes (excluding LLM Energy and Environmental Law – Distance Learning)

From Campus to Global Stage: Win INR 2 Lakh, National Recognition & a Trip to AiVancity, France at KRUU & ASME’s GRASP 2026 AI Hackathon

KRUU, in association with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), has announced the launch of KRUU GRASP 2026, a national-level AI hackathon designed to recognise clear thinking, applied reasoning, and real-world problem solving among college students across India. Winners will receive cash prizes totaling INR 1.85 lakh, certificates jointly issued by Kruu, ASME, and partners, national-level recognition, structured expert feedback, internship opportunities, and potential global exposure, including opportunities with France-based AI institutions.

The hackathon is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across engineering, science, healthcare, management, design, and interdisciplinary programs, with teams of three students each. Cross-disciplinary participation is strongly encouraged.

Students can apply across 4 strategic domains: AI for Social Good, AI for Education, AI for Medicine and Applied engineering.

Conceptualized and led by KRUU as the program architect, GRASP 2026 is delivered in collaboration with ASME, leveraging their global engineering excellence and professional adjudication. Supported by outreach partners CGSSC (Capital Goods & Strategic Goods & Strategic Skill Council) and Information and Communication Technology Academy of Kerala (ICTAK), the program combines KRUU’s AI-based evaluation systems with industry-aligned assessments.

Scheduled for February 6–8, 2026, GRASP departs from traditional speed-coding marathons. It introduces a thinking-first, worksheet-driven framework that mirrors professional R&D and global innovation ecosystems. Rather than focusing on interface polish, participants are judged on:

• Problem Framing & Logic
• Data Reasoning & Feasibility
• Ethics & Execution Thinking

Participants will be evaluated through a multi-layered process, including AI-based scoring of reasoning worksheets, validation through working demos, and final adjudication by a joint jury comprising professors, industry experts, and ASME representatives.

With GRASP 2026, the organizers aim to address a growing gap in AI education — shifting the focus from tool usage to reasoning quality, responsible design, and decision-making clarity.

Important Dates & Program Milestones

•       February 5, 2026 – Registration & National Launch

○        National announcement of GRASP 2026

○        Registrations open

○        Domains, challenges overview, and evaluation philosophy released

•       February 6, 2026 – Kick-Off & Masterclass

○        9:00 AM: Public reveal of 12 national AI challenges

○        11:00 AM: Mandatory masterclass led by industry leaders

○        2:00 PM: Execution window opens

•       February 6–7, 2026 – Deep Design & Submission Phase

○        System design sprint and reasoning refinement

○        Thinking audits and worksheet-based submissions

○        11:59 PM (Feb 7): Final submission deadline (Worksheets + working demo/prototype)

•       February 8, 2026 – Evaluation, Jury Review & Awards

○        6:00 AM: AI-based national shortlisting

○        2:00 PM: Jury deep-dive with faculty, industry experts, and ASME representatives

○        8:00 PM: Grand finale and winners announcement

By: Prof. Seema Mahajan, Pro Vice Chancellor and Director, School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management, SVKM’s NMIMS Mumbai

On International Day of Education, it is imperative to recognise that education has shifted from a degree-granting function to a strategic capability-building engine for global readiness. In a hyper-connected world, learning can no longer be geographically siloed or confined to institutions. Competitive advantage in education now emerges through purposeful cross-border knowledge exchange—where institutions, faculty, industry, and learners co-create solutions to complex and competitive global challenges.

Equally critical is the design of inclusive learning ecosystems that democratize access across gender, geography, and generations, enabling every learner to participate in and benefit from global opportunity structures.  International partnerships must evolve from symbolic MoUs to outcome-driven collaborations encompassing joint degrees, faculty co-creation, applied research, and mobility frameworks. As disruption accelerates across industries, education must develop adaptive leaders with systems thinking, ethical judgment, cultural intelligence, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The future of education will be shaped by globally aligned institutions that collaborate, not compete, to build resilient and future-ready societies.

By:  Mr. Roy Aniruddha, Co-Founder & Chairman of TechnoStruct Academy

“The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹1.28 lakh crore to education, including ₹20,000 crore for private R&D and ₹500 crore for AI Centres of Excellence. Despite this, results remain limited: India produces 1.5 million engineers each year, yet only 42.6% are employable (Mercer-Mettl 2025). R&D spending is just 0.7% of GDP, and nearly 99% of graduates from non-elite institutions struggle due to outdated, theory-heavy curricula that lack practical skills like BIM, VDC, and advanced manufacturing. The construction sector alone loses over ₹1.5 lakh crore annually due to digital skill gaps.

Budget 2026 must focus on vocational engineering skills rather than just credentials. Key measures should include lowering GST on skill-based courses to make them more affordable, offering tax incentives for industry-led skilling platforms and digital labs, and launching a National Construction Tech Skilling Mission with hands-on project learning and apprenticeship programs. Industry-aligned vocational training already achieves up to 95% placement for non-elite graduates. Targeted skilling reforms are essential to improving employability, boosting productivity, and driving long-term economic growth.”

Patna, Jan 22: Noted author and legendary socio-cultural thinker Dr. Birbal Jha has issued a national appeal urging citizens, students, educators, and educational institutions to observe Saraswati Chaturthi, the day preceding Basant Panchami, as a day of introspection, discipline, and reverence for knowledge.

Highlighting India’s civilisational ethos of preparation before celebration, Dr. Jha said the proposed observance draws inspiration from the ancient gurukul tradition and the Indian concept of sankalp—a conscious resolve that precedes all meaningful beginnings.

“In India, we do not rush into celebration. We prepare before we pray, reflect before we rejoice, and purify before we celebrate. Saraswati Chaturthi is about restoring that lost rhythm of reflection in our educational and cultural life,” said Dr Birbal Jha, known as the ‘Youngest Living Legend of Mithila’.

Basant Panchami is traditionally celebrated across India as the auspicious day dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the divine embodiment of wisdom, learning, language, music, and the arts. Dr. Jha proposes that observing Saraswati Chaturthi a day earlier would serve as a spiritual and intellectual prelude to the festival.

“Basant Panchami is the celebration of knowledge; Saraswati Chaturthi can be the preparation for it. Knowledge blossoms only when approached with humility and preparedness,” he remarked.

According to the appeal, Saraswati Chaturthi may be observed as a day for students and educators to reflect on their educational journey, renew their commitment to lifelong learning, and cultivate discipline, curiosity, humility, and gratitude. The initiative also encourages people to buy, collect, organise, cherish, and honour books and learning materials, reaffirming the cultural sanctity of knowledge.

Dr. Jha emphasised that the appeal does not seek to replace or alter any existing religious or cultural traditions, but rather aims to enrich the celebration of Basant Panchami by reviving the preparatory spirit intrinsic to Indian philosophy.

“This is not about changing traditions; it is about deepening them. When preparation is restored, celebration becomes more meaningful and purposeful,” he said.

Calling educational institutions, the “temples of modern India,” Dr. Jha urged schools, colleges, and universities to play a proactive role in adopting the observance.

“Education should not be reduced to mere employability. It is a sacred journey of character, culture, and consciousness. Saraswati Chaturthi can remind students that learning is a lifelong pursuit, not a transactional activity,” Dr Jha added.

Dr. Jha expressed hope that the observance would strengthen India’s knowledge tradition and inspire future generations to approach learning with devotion and dignity.

The appeal has been issued by Dr. Birbal Jha, Managing Director of British Lingua and Chairman of the Mithilalok Foundation, both institutions known for their work in education, language, and cultural advocacy.

The proposed observance concludes with a collective call to the nation to prepare before celebrating, reflect before rejoicing, and learn before proclaiming.
“Jai Maa Sharde,” the appeal concludes.

Bhopal, Jan 22: Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Bhopal, a premier multidisciplinary institute in Madhya Pradesh, has recorded a remarkable placement season so far for the 2026 graduating batch, with outcomes at the halfway point reflecting sustained recruiter confidence and steady hiring momentum across sectors. With highest Cost to Company (CTC) package so far at ₹70 lakh per annum, the institute renews confidence among the young graduates, who are set to lead across domains.

The placement season officially started from July 2025 and will go on till May 2026. Out of 2,023 students who registered for placements, 874 students have received job offers so far, with results of many rounds yet to be announced. With nearly half the placement cycle still ahead, these numbers point to a robust trajectory for the remainder of the season.

The institute, standing at the foundational threshold of empowering the young generations with innovation and tech-enabled future-ready learning, has seen demands for diverse talents soaring high this season. With average CTC approximately at ₹5.2 lakh per annum, demand has increased across technology, core engineering, analytics, consulting, and allied domains.

Over 400 recruiters, including more than 20 first-timers, have participated so far in the recruitment process at VIT Bhopal. Top recruiters this season so far include Amazon, HP, CISCO, Deloitte, UBS, PWC, EY, Honeywell, Mindtree, Intel, MediaTek, Philips, Nokia, Volvo, Labcrop. This continued expansion of the recruiter base underscores the university’s growing industry engagement and the relevance of its academic and skill-focused training frameworks.

Commenting on the placement progress, a university spokesperson said, “The midway placement outcomes for the 2026 batch reaffirm the confidence that industry continues to place in our students. The diversity of recruiters and the quality of roles on offer reflect the emphasis we place on industry-aligned curriculum, experiential learning, and holistic student development. With a substantial part of the season still ahead, we remain optimistic about achieving even stronger outcomes.”

With the second half of the placement season underway, VIT Bhopal University expects further growth in the number of offers, recruiter participation, and overall placement performance. The core of VIT Bhopal’s placement outreach remains at enabling a strong youth leader ecosystem that can lead India across critical and evolving domains.

Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), Mumbai, hosted the 10th Responsible Netism National Cyber Psychology Conference, led by Ahaan Foundation through its pioneering cyber wellness initiative Responsible Netism. Centred on the theme ‘Being Responsible Netizens’, the conference positioned children as key stakeholders in conversations around digital safety, cyber well-being and responsible technology use.

Marking a significant milestone, the conference was officially recognised as a Pre-Summit Event of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring its relevance at a time when children’s digital exposure, AI adoption and online risks are rapidly increasing.

The conference brought together over 300 students, school authorities, educators, policymakers, law enforcement officials, technology leaders and civil society representatives, with 35 schools joining virtually from Maharashtra, Goa and Jaipur, alongside global participation from organisations in the UK, US and other countries.

Welcoming the gathering, Mrs. Sonali Patankar, Founder & CEO, Ahaan Foundation, said;

“Responsible Netism was initiated 13 years ago, when online safety and digital literacy were not even recognised as concerns. Today, as digital harm intensifies with evolving technologies and AI, safeguarding children has become critical. This conference reflects our belief that children must be actively involved in shaping the conversations, policies and safeguards meant for their own protection.”

She highlighted that Ahaan Foundation’s Responsible Netism initiative has grown into a nationwide movement, empowering over 18 lakh children and 10 lakh adults, supporting the resolution of 65,000+ digital harm cases, and establishing India’s first Cyber Wellness Centres across five states, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Speaking on WeSchool’s continued association with the initiative, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, said;

“Education today must address the realities of the digital world children inhabit. Partnering once again with Ahaan Foundation and Responsible Netism reinforces WeSchool’s commitment to enabling young minds to navigate technology with responsibility, resilience and ethical awareness.”

Designed as a unique ‘for children, by children’ platform, the day-long conference featured child-led panels, interactive demonstrations and performances covering critical aspects of digital life. Key sessions explored real-life case stories of digital harm, building cyber resilience and effective reporting mechanisms, and the impact of online gaming and gaming safety.

With a strong future-facing lens, sessions such as ‘AI: Friend or Foe’ examined children’s preparedness for artificial intelligence, ethical AI use and emerging risks, while discussions on trust and safety in technology focused on kindness, empathy and responsible online behaviour. The conference also showcased student-led skits and live demonstrations, reinforcing cyber safety concepts through peer learning.

Each panel and discussion will be consolidated into a Children’s Online Safety Manual, capturing children-led recommendations on cyber wellness, to be shared with schools and government bodies to support the adoption of safer digital practices across school ecosystems.

Addressing students and educators, Mr. Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, emphasised that “the internet is no longer a place we visit, but a space we live in,” highlighting the need for awareness, guidance and collective responsibility in safeguarding children online.

Reinforcing the urgency of responsible digital conduct, Mr. Brijesh Singh, IPS, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, cautioned students about the permanence of digital footprints and stressed the importance of protecting identity, reputation, privacy and mental well-being in the online world.

With participation from technology leaders such as Google and Snap Inc., mental health experts, educators, policymakers and law enforcement, the conference reaffirmed Ahaan Foundation’s leadership in advancing child digital safety, supported by academic institutions like WeSchool.

As India advances towards a digitally empowered and AI-driven future, the 10th Responsible Netism National Cyber Psychology Conference, hosted at WeSchool and led by Ahaan Foundation, emerged as a defining platform, celebrating children’s voices, advocating ethical technology use, and working towards a safer, more inclusive internet for all.

New Delhi, Jan 21: Mankind Pharma Limited has inaugurated Digital Smart Classrooms across government schools in Uttar Pradesh as part of its CSR platform, KindCare, marking a continued expansion of the company’s social investment beyond healthcare delivery. The initiative has enabled 460 digital classrooms across 400 government schools, supporting technology-led learning in underserved communities.

While healthcare remains central to Mankind Pharma’s CSR strategy, the Digital Smart Classroom Initiative reflects a broader focus on strengthening education as a key determinant of long-term public health outcomes and human capital development. A core component of the programme is teacher empowerment, with over 2,400 teachers trained to effectively integrate digital tools into classroom teaching.

The initiative was inaugurated in Ghaziabad by Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Information Technology and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and is being implemented in partnership with SEEDS Impact.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Information Technology and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said,

“Mankind Pharma deserves recognition for its commitment to strengthening education in underserved communities through the Digital Smart Classroom Initiative. By enabling technology-led learning in government schools, the initiative addresses critical gaps in access and quality at a time when digital literacy is essential for future opportunity. Its community-first approach, with a strong focus on empowering teachers and strengthening local school ecosystems, ensures that the benefits are sustainable and reach those who need them most.”

Sheetal Arora, Promoter & CEO, Mankind Pharma Limited, said,

“Education has the power to shape not just individual futures but the destiny of communities. Through KindCare, our CSR platform, we have consciously taken a community-first approach, focusing on areas where access to quality education remains a challenge. The Digital Smart Classroom Initiative is rooted in empathy and responsibility, recognising that true progress begins when students and teachers are given the right tools, confidence, and support to succeed. This initiative is not about technology alone; it is about dignity, opportunity, and ensuring that children in remote and underserved regions are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.”

Mumbai, Jan 21:  Aditya Birla World Academy marks 12th year of ‘Infinity’, an engaging and interactive mathematics challenge bringing together 120 teams, 360 students across 68 schools, across five countries including pan India participation and students from UAE, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait. Founded by Mrs. Neerja Birla, ABWA anchors the initiative in its commitment to nurturing minds that think, create, collaborate, and lead with impact. Infinity is a school-led initiative designed to encourage students to engage with mathematics through reasoning, collaboration, and application, rather than speed-based testing alone.

The three-day programme is designed around a combination of individual and team-based rounds that rigorously assess logical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and conceptual understanding. By moving beyond an overemphasis on speed and scores, the format makes mathematics engaging and meaningful for students. Participants navigate a diverse set of challenges, culminating in the selection of the Mathematician of the Year. In 2026, Agastya B. Khare from Oakridge International School, Bengaluru (Seniors), and Yerin Choi from Indus International School, Pune (Juniors), were crowned Mathematician of the Year, while Utpal Shanghvi Global School secured the Champion Trophy in the Senior category. The programme places strong emphasis on clarity of thought and methodological approach, alongside accuracy.

Over the past 12 years, more than 6,000 students from schools in India and overseas have participated in Infinity, reflecting the initiative’s steady growth and relevance in the school-education landscape.

Unlike conventional mathematics competitions, Infinity encourages students to explore multiple solution pathways and collaborate with peers from different schools and regions. This approach allows participants to engage more deeply with mathematical concepts while building teamwork and communication skills

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Shalini John, Principal, Aditya Birla World Academy, said,

“Infinity was started to give students a different experience of learning mathematics — one that values thinking and discussion as much as arriving at the right answer. Its continuity over 12 years reflects the sustained interest among schools and students.”

Mr. Prodipta Hore, Convener and Conceptualiser of Infinity, said,

“Platforms like Infinity allow students to apply classroom learning in a collaborative setting. Such experiences are increasingly important as education systems place greater emphasis on analytical and problem-solving skills.”

The 2026 edition of Infinity was supported by academic partners including BITS Pilani and Plaksha University, with faculty members and education leaders from these institutions engaging with students through keynote addresses and interactive sessions. Students also had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Mark Saul, a globally recognised American mathematician and educationist known for his work in mathematics education and gifted-student programmes, and for his leadership roles with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). In addition, the initiative received support from organisations including the Lodha Foundation and Britannia Industries.

At Aditya Birla World Academy, learning is designed to extend beyond the classroom through platforms that encourage curiosity, collaboration, and real-world application. This year, the Infinity Trophy was sponsored by ABWA alumni who went on to build sortmyprep, an AI-powered exam-preparation platform supporting IB, IGCSE, and A-Level students through step-by-step solutions to past papers, real-time doubt solving, personalised performance analytics, and exam builders for unlimited practice. Founded by Aryaman Adhikary (CPO), Naman Kothari (COO), and Ananya Pritam (CEO)—all ABWA Batch of 2021 pass-outs—the venture stands as a reflection of how early exposure and opportunity at ABWA can translate into scalable, real-world impact.

Reflecting on their journey, Aryaman Adhikary, Co-founder, sortmyprep, said,

“At ABWA, we learn to think beyond boundaries, take initiative, and believe in our ideas. The values and exposure we received here laid the foundation for our entrepreneurial journey.”

New Delhi, Jan 21: Prior to attending the 71st edition of the Maghey Sankranti Mela, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, today duly inaugurated the newly constructed auditorium-cum-10-room school building of PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Jorethang today.

It is noteworthy that the newly inaugurated auditorium-cum-10-room school building is equipped with modern facilities designed to support academic, cultural, and co-curricular activities. The auditorium, with a seating capacity of 300 persons, is fitted with a public address (PA) system and fully functional air-conditioning units. The infrastructure further comprises eight classrooms, two laboratories dedicated to Chemistry and Biology practical sessions, green rooms, and adequate sanitation facilities.

During the inaugural programme, the Principal, Ms Nisha Rai, in her welcome address, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and the MLA for their continued support in strengthening the school’s infrastructure. She stated that the new facility would play a pivotal role in enhancing the academic environment and reinforcing the overall institutional framework of the school. She also highlighted the commendable progress of students in academics, sports at the national level, and various co-curricular activities.

The PCE-cum-Secretary, Education Department, Mr Chetraj Mishra, presented the technical details of the project. As a gesture of appreciation, the School Management Committee presented tokens of gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister. 

 The programme concluded with the Chief Minister visiting the newly constructed classrooms and laboratories of the school.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Minister for Education Mr Raju Basnet,  Minister for Urban Development Department Mr Bhoj Raj Rai, MLA and Chief Patron Mr Madan Cintury, MLA Mr L N Sharma, along with Advisors, Chairpersons, Secretary ( Education Department), PCE-cum-Secretary Education Department, District Collector Namchi, Senior Superintendent of Police Namchi, Heads of Offices, and other officials from various line departments. 

Also present on the occasion were the Principal of PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Jorethang, Ms Nisha Rai, members of the School Management Committee, teaching and non-teaching staff and students.

Later in the day, Chief Minister Tamang arrived at the Public Playground, Jorethang, and graced the Grand Finale of the Golden Voice of Sikkim, Golden Feet of Sikkim, and Golden Beat of Sikkim competitions as the Chief Guest, held on the seventh day of the Maghey Sankranti Mela.