Category education

(Memphis, Tenn.) – The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) awarded Southwest Tennessee Community College a $500,000 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) State Colleges and Universities grant last month to fund the college’s COVID-19 testing and community outreach efforts. Southwest will hire staff and redesign spaces on campus and outfit them with equipment designed to help the community engage in disease prevention.

“These funds are critical to our ongoing efforts to help protect the Mid-South from COVID-19,” Southwest Tennessee Community College President Tracy D. Hall said. “During the pandemic, we helped vaccinate nearly 40,000 residents at our Whitehaven and Gill centers. Our commitment to fighting COVID-19 continues with this effort to help fellow residents avoid infection through education and testing.”

Southwest will use the funds to hire three full-time health educators and two part-time support staff members who will operate free testing sites at the Macon Cove and Union Avenue campuses and the Whitehaven Center. All three locations will offer drive-thru and drop-in testing for Southwest students, faculty and staff and the greater Memphis community.

Health and Natural Sciences Dean Shelia Bouie says health seminars will begin as soon as this summer. “Our goal is to promote a healthier Memphis by providing access to accurate information about COVID-19 and other infectious diseases,” Dr. Bouie said. “A healthy community makes for a healthier college.”

President Hall says the funds will help the college address health disparities. “All of us have been touched by COVID-19 in some way, and communities of color were hit particularly hard,” President Hall said. We are grateful for these funds and intend to use them to address the health disparities surrounding infectious disease in our community,” Hall added. “The ultimate goal is to support our students and employees and greater community to stay healthy and strong.”

For more information about Southwest’s public health efforts, contact Dr. Shelia Bouie at sbouie@southwest.tn.edu.

Bengaluru, 6th, March 2023: The school’s first annual day ‘Aarambh’ was the perfect way to culminate its academic year. And to celebrate this the students of National Public School, JP Nagar, (NPS) staged the anecdotes and narratives of Lord Krishna’s life on March 3rd and 4th.
The grand celebration saw the tiny- tots of Pre-primary and Grade 1 beautifully staged and presented the dance drama depicting Janmashtami, giving a peek into the life of Lord Krishna.

The students of grade 2-9 put their best foot forward and left no stone unturned in depicting the different stages and avatars of Lord Krishna which included Krishna’s welcome in Gokul, Govardhan Giri, Krishna with his friends and Krishna’s preaching from Gita.

“Lord Krishna’s most important and popular teaching was the concept of karma. According to him, believe in your karma (action) and do your karma. Do not divert your focus on the end result. That’s a perfect example for our students” explains Mr Pramod Srinivas, Managing Director, NPS JP Nagar.

“The teachers, students and the staff of NPS, JP Nagar have put in a lot of effort to make this event a grand success. The depiction of Lord Krishna’s life should inspire the kids to achieve greatly. Through Lord Krishna we can teach our kids- wisdom, might, discipline, follow the path of truthfulness and so on” said Dr. KP Gopalkrishna, Chairman NPS Group of Institutions as the Chief Guest while addressing the students.

The other dignitaries present were Ms Harshitha Kumar, Dean, NPS JP nagar and Ms Aracha Sinha, Principal, NPS JP Nagar. The Annual Day was a much-awaited day when the students, staff and parents were filled with zeal to witness and showcase the extraordinary endeavours of the students, who worked enthusiastically for his promising day.

Indeed, the performance by each student left the parents very content.

Delhi, March 05, 2023: BITS Pilani, an Institute of Eminence with campuses in India (Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Mumbai) and the UAE (Dubai), has tied up with RMIT University, Melbourne, one of the oldest and largest educational institutes in Australia, to launch a BITS-RMIT Higher Education Academy with a dual-degree model. Under the program, students will begin their learning at BITS, experience the RMIT academic environment through courses co-taught by BITS and RMIT faculty, and move to RMIT, Melbourne, for two years, for a fully immersive experience in Australia. The courses will include four undergraduate engineering programs and a Ph.D. program and will commence in mid-2023.

Since the launch of the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2022, India has become an attractive destination for affordable higher education and this partnership is the first joint degree program under the policy.

The collaboration was formalized at a ceremony in Delhi today between Professor Souvik Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, and Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University by signing an agreement in the presence of Hon. Jason Clare MP, Australia’s Minister for Education, Hon. Barry Farrell, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Mathew Johnson, Australia’s Minister Counsellor (Education) to India, and several other dignitaries. Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor-designate, and Prof S K Barai were also present at the signing ceremony.

Speaking about the partnership with RMIT University, Professor Souvik Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said “The BITS-RMIT Academy represents a new dimension in trans-national education and research that will deliver the best outcome, both from India and Australia. Through the Practice School and Work Integrated Learning programs, respectively, BITS Pilani and RMIT University are naturally aligned on their mandates to deliver highly-skilled, industry-ready graduates. The Academy will offer uniquely designed programs leveraging the excellence and legacy of the BITS Pilani and RMIT University systems, with faculty, students, and researchers in close collaboration.  We look forward to a new era of academic cooperation that will define and deliver the best attributes of a global graduate and citizen.”

Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, of RMIT, said “The Academy marks a strategic step in strengthening RMIT’s profile and presence in India through partnering with a high-performing University. This partnership highlights the shared commitment of both institutions in shaping global-minded and work-ready graduates with international mobility. The Academy represents a step in furthering RMIT’s commitment to international education and research collaborations and reinforces our position as a leading university of impact. It adds to the growing list of quality education and research opportunities offered by RMIT across the globe. We look forward to working closely with BITS to provide students with high-quality, unique learning experiences and research opportunities.” 

The partnership between BITS Pilani and RMIT seeks to deliver graduates and scholars empowered by the combined attributes of both institutions and countries, straddling the domains of scholarship, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural understanding and awareness. 

Mumbai, 03 March 2023: Mumbai-based PR company Afigitis PR, part of Assured Advertising & Media Private Ltd. has announced that it has won the PR mandate of Tata Institute of Social Sciences – School of Vocational Education (TISS – SVE), a pioneer in vocational education in India.

The spokesperson for Afigitis PR will be Dheeraj Mishra, a seasoned PR professional, while Priyanka Pandey, Assistant Manager, Industry Connects, CSR and Projects, School of Vocational Education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, will represent TISS – SVE.

Under the agreement, Afigitis PR will manage the public relations and communication needs of TISS – SVE, which has been at the forefront of providing vocational education and training to students across the country. With a focus on bridging the skill gap in various sectors, TISS – SVE offers a range of courses and programmes that are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen fields.

Dheeraj Mishra said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with TISS – SVE, a prestigious institution that has been making a significant contribution to the field of vocational education in India. We look forward to helping them strengthen their brand and achieve their communication goals in an effective and purpose-driven manner.”

Priyanka Pandey added: “We are delighted to partner with Afigitis PR, and we are confident that their expertise and experience will help us reach a wider audience and communicate the value of our vocational education programs to stakeholders.”

March 03, 2023, New Delhi – La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, is in New Delhi this week with Australian Education Minister, The Hon. Jason Clare MP, to cement strategically important partnerships with universities, research centres, and industry partners in India.

Official agreements signed at ceremonies over the three-day visit will strengthen global research and industry collaborations and create new international learning opportunities for staff and students at La Trobe, and its partner organisations in India.

Professor Dewar will meet with representatives from some of India’s leading educational and research institutions, including the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Lady Shri Ram College and Jindal Global Law School. Professor Dewar said he was excited that these newly established partnerships with leading research and teaching institutions and industries would further deepen La Trobe’s already established relationship with India.

“We have a long and proud history of close ties with many of India’s leading research, educational and cultural institutions, and deeply value the contribution they make to our campuses and communities,”

Professor Dewar said. “Whether offering Shah Rukh Khan scholarships for aspiring female researchers, partnering with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, or graduating thousands of students with Indian heritage who now
hold senior positions across the globe, our partnerships in India are critical to our success as a university.”
Professor Dewar said the ceremonial signings during his trip to India would reap many benefits for staff,
students and communities in both countries.

“As a global University, we are always seeking new ways to foster and enhance international collaborations that not only benefit our own students and staff, but create new and exciting opportunities for those institutions with whom we build partnerships,” Professor Dewar said. “This is exactly what these exciting agreements signed today will do, and I very much look forward to us working productively with these four institutions over the coming years, as well as with our many other valued partners in India.”

La Trobe took part in the following signing ceremonies on 2 March, 2023, in New Delhi: Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre – Signing of Memorandum of Understanding Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) is the largest Biotech start-up hub in India – a state-of-the-art translational research and entrepreneurship centre catering to all the needs of start-ups in life science. With investment from the Victorian Government, La Trobe will open a new Bio Innovation Hub and Digital Innovation Hub in 2023, connecting researchers and early-stage companies within this ecosystem to build 2 / 2 their product development pipeline both in Australia and in India. This new collaboration between La Trobe and BBC will create a pipeline of innovations as start-ups. BBC has a very strong mandate to create global linkages to facilitate the scale up for its start-ups and to provide soft landing pads for foreign start-ups.
Lady Shri Ram College – Signing of Letter of Support and renewal of Student Mobility Agreement This Letter of Support extends a long-standing arrangement between Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and La Trobe for LSR Students Mobility as well as staff exchange to undertake professional development activities at La Trobe each year. This arrangement supports LSR’s mission to “empower women to assume leadership roles in a globalised, rapidly changing, technology-based nation and world”, and sits alongside a student mobility agreement that has seen an exchange of about 60 students between the two institutions since 2011. Since its inception in 1995, the La Trobe-LSR partnership has gone from strength to strength and has led to cultural exchanges, and activities supported by the New Colombo Plan. Lady Shri Ram College for Women is committed to extending horizons, creating new metaphors that will highlight all that is special and of virtue in India, while nurturing multiculturalism.

Jindal Global Law School – Signing of Articulation Agreement Juris Doctor

This agreement will enable undergraduate law graduates from Jindal Global Law School to complete years two and three of the Juris Doctor at La Trobe University. JGLS, as a highly regarded law school in India, fosters curriculum, research, and collaborations of the highest standards, and with a global perspective, through a faculty drawn from, and educated throughout, the world. This agreement will give JGLS undergraduate law graduates the opportunity to study abroad and attain a graduate law degree from La Trobe Law School, one of Australia’s most progressive law schools. It is envisaged that this collaboration will lead to cross-institutional research projects, workshops and seminars.

For enquiries about La Trobe University, please visit: www.Latrobe.edu.au/international

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur is participating in the 31 st edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) began on February 25 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The literary event, which is scheduled to go on till March 5, has been organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in collaboration with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

As usual, there’s something for everybody across nearly 2,000 stalls, where over a thousand publishers from 40-plus nations are exhibiting their wares. These events have become a meeting place for not only book lovers but also those who are involved in the teaching and education sphere.

IIM Kashipur has set-up its stall at Hall No. 4 (FF) at the NEP Pavilion of the mega fair, for the nine day long-event. People from all walks of life are thronging up at IIM Stall to learn about the key offerings by the Institute including its flagship MBA and MBA (Analytics) programmes. The institute is also exhibiting its strength and success in start-ups and innovation in teaching by organizing panel discussions and seminars at the NEP Event Corner set-up by the organizers.

IIM Kashipur team organized a Panel Discussion on ‘Emerging Trends in Startup Ecosystem’ on 28 Feb o discuss about the innovative practices adopted by startups prospective investor and recent trend in this field. Mr. Sameer Rastogi, Managing Partner of India Juris; Mr. Praveen Sinha, Managing Director, Pin Cap; Mr. S. Mustafa, Founder Corporate Venture Hub; Mr. Varun Kumar, IKAYU Foods; Mr. Rajiv Sikka, Ex CEO of Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd; and Dr. Sneha Dohar, Asst Professor, G.B. Pant University were key panellists of the program. The discussion
was moderated by Prof. Kunal of IIM Kashipur.

Praveen Sinha, MD, PinCap highlighted that entrepreneurs should adopt “Cockroach Strategy” which is focused on perseverance and persuasion. Now a days investors are looking for the same while evaluating a start-up for funding. Another fact highlighted in the panel discussion were “purpose or passion”. The one flaw associated with passion is possibility of uncontrolled strategy followed by promoter which may happen to be suicidal.

Prof. Kunal, Principal Investigator, Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) highlighted advantage of being incubated at IIM Kashipur which provides seed fund, mentorship, physical space (if required) along with support for next round of funding by established VCs, Angel Investors and Companies with dedicated fund.

The team also organized a Seminar on ‘Changing Face of Executive Education’ moderated by Prof. Kunal Ganguli of the Institute, on 02 March, 2023. The discussion was centered around the significant transition taking place in executive education to suit the strategic needs of the industry and business. IIM Kashipur will organize another Panel discussion on ‘Innovation in Teaching Management: Emerging Role of Book’ on 05 March 2023.

The physical edition of NDWBF is being held after two years after the outbreak of the coronavirus. NDWBF was first held in 1972 after it was inaugurated by the then-President of India VV Giri. Its success inspired the launch of book fairs in several other parts of the country. Today, it’s one of the biggest literary events in the world with a total footfall of over two million people and the most sought-after literary event in the modern era.

ISS Facility Services India, a subsidiary of the global facility management services and workplace experiences leader ISS A/S (ISS Group) and one of India’s leading integrated facilities management companies, today announced aggressive growth plans in the country on the sidelines of the India visit of Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S. The company, which is one of the most preferred Facility Management partners, is targeting to touch a revenue of INR 2500 Cr by 2025. The company is focusing on sustainability, innovation, and skill development as its key growth drivers. It has rolled out multiple initiatives to achieve these goals in the field of Green Energy, Facility Management, Tech Experience center, and Education.

The company has relocated its headquarters to a new, state-of-the-art office building in Mumbai. This 100% green office runs on renewable energy sources and incorporates sustainability practices that result in zero emissions. In addition, the office boasts a state-of-the-art Facility Management Experience Center that sets a new standard for the industry. The center showcases its technology capability with a demonstration of its various features and functionalities. ISS India also announced a new education policy for its frontline staff (referred as placemakers in ISS). The policy provides an opportunity for these employees to complete their formal education and advance their careers. Many of ISS’s frontline peacemakers have limited formal education and this policy will help them to achieve their full potential.

India is a strategic market for ISS Group and a major player in the Asia Pacific region with immense growth potential,” said Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S. “We are committed to making a meaningful impact in India by focusing on innovation, sustainability, and skilling, which are critical to achieving our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Our growth strategy and new milestones in India are centered around these key areas, and we are excited about the opportunities for growth and impact in the region. I am delighted with the rollout of ‘ISS Education for All’. This initiative has a transformative ability, and is part of our global commitment to provide more than 100,000 of our employees or their family members a recognised qualification by the end of 2025. “

Elaborating on the group’s vision, Aksh Rohatgi, CEO and Country Manager, ISS India said, “Our goal of doubling revenue in the country by 2025 is more than just a financial target; it is an expression of our commitment to sustainable growth that is aligned with the growth story of India as it marches towards being a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025-26. As a dynamic company with a wide-ranging impact, our growth strategy has to be meaningful; hence, it revolves around the pillars of innovation, sustainability and skilling. We are integrating sustainability as a core service across all our offerings and within our organization. This is not only key to achieving our revenue goals but also our ESG objectives.”

“With more than 50 technological innovations, our new office is the first of its kind workplace: a completely new experience for the Indian workforce. Our new education policy is another significant step toward our nation-building efforts. We look forward to many more initiatives in the future”, added Aksh Rohatgi.

ISS also believes that the Green Strategic Partnership between Denmark and India is crucial in developing solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and tackling environmental challenges, especially water and energy-related issues. The two countries with ambitious climate goals are demonstrating to the world that delivering ambitious climate and sustainable energy goals is possible. ISS’s recent MoU with TATA Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) is a step forward in its sustainability mission and will help ISS guide its clients toward a more sustainable future and provide them with access to smart, eco-friendly solutions.

ISS India’s new office space is a testament to the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and creating a more sustainable future. The new office building is designed to meet the highest (best) energy efficiency standards and features a range of cutting-edge technologies and systems that minimize its environmental impact. This includes the use of Technical data monitoring (TDM), Winnow – AI enabled food waste management tool, and other applications such as Smart Energy & water flow metering, IAQ etc to ensure employee wellbeing.

At the FM Experience Center, the dashboard and reporting feature gives users real-time access to critical data and performance metrics. The news feed section keeps users up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends. The data analysis feature provides deep insights and helps decision-makers make informed choices. Furthermore, the virtual reality experience offers a unique and immersive way to explore and understand how the facility management system works. With such cutting-edge features, the Facility Management Experience Center ensures that ISS India stays ahead of the curve in the industry.

ISS’s ‘Education for All’ policy aims to uplift the lives of its placemakers by instilling education, upskilling & training for their future growth. Through this policy, ISS will fund the tuition fee of school education – SSC & HSC, and fund/provide scholarships for graduation for all needy employees. This education policy will be linked to the Integrated Career Program in which upon successful completion of the formal education, ISS’s placemakers will be able to explore new career opportunities within ISS and move up the ladder, supporting their career aspirations.

Bengaluru: 3rd March 2023: CMR University is delighted to announce that Mukesh Kumar Khadka, a 3rd-year B.COM student, has represented Karnataka and won a Silver Medal at the 87 kg category at the India Taekwondo Senior National Championship 2023 held recently. The championship was organized by the Taekwondo Association of Maharashtra and was held at the Maharashtra Divisional Sports Complex in Nasik.

Mukesh Kumar Khadka has shown great talent and dedication to achieve this remarkable feat. His achievement is a testament to his hard work and passion for the sport of Taekwondo. The university is proud to have such talented students who bring laurels to the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of CMR University, Dr. Raghavendra H B, has congratulated Mukesh Kumar Khadka on his outstanding achievement. He expressed his delight and pride in the student’s success and encouraged him to continue his pursuit of excellence in his chosen field.

CMR University is committed to providing its students with a platform to showcase their talents and excel in their chosen fields. We congratulate Mukesh Kumar Khadka on his achievement and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.

New Delhi, 03 March: “Languages develop based on their utility, necessity, and ability. If our languages are limited today, we cannot put the responsibility on anyone else. Languages and mothers are lauded by their children. For the development of languages, we have to decide such ways, through which languages can progress.”

These views were expressed by Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Dwivedi, Director General, Indian Institute of Mass Communication during the two-day national seminar organized on the topic ”BhartiyaBhasha aur Bhartiya Gyan Parampara” under the joint aegis of Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti (Ministry of Education, Government of India) and Arundhati Bhartiya Gyan Parampara Kendra, PGDAV College (Evening). On this occasion the principal of the college, Prof. Ravindra Kumar Gupta, Prof. Umapati Dixit from Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, JP Singh, Assistant Registrar of Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti, and Prof. Harish Arora, coordinator of the seminar, was present.

Prof. Dwivedi stated that the time has come where we should encourage and respect our languages. Hindi and other Indian languages are gaining strength and recognition on a global platform. By speaking Hindi, the country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is ruling the hearts of the world.

During the seminar, Prof. Ravindra Kumar Gupta, the college’s principal, stated that Indian words are common in both Bhartiya Bhashayen and Bhartiya Gyan Parampara. If we want to know and understand India, we must first understand the Bhartiya Gyan Parampara. According to Prof. Umapati Dixit, Bhartiya Bhashayen and Bhartiya Gyan Parampara are as pure, flowing, intact, and uninterrupted as the Ganges. Language, like the Ganges, flows in its own way, assimilating culture and civilization.

On this occasion, Assistant Registrar of Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti, J.P. Singh said that we work for the promotion and development of languages. Languages are carriers of culture and their protection is necessary. As a guest speaker, Prof. Rachna Vimal of Satyavati College’s Department of Hindi stated that every countryman should learn an Indian language other than his mother tongue.

The two-day National Seminar featured five sessions that were successfully organized. Prof. Harish Arora, the seminar’s coordinator, stated that India has always been superior in the field of knowledge. The Vedas were written in India at a time when most people did not know how to read or write. This is why India is known as Vishwaguru.ᐧ

Delhi, 3rd March 2023: Margika Foundation, a Hyderabad and US-based NGO, showcases the coffee table book ‘Mindscapes: A Canvas of Emotions in a Special World!’ that delineates the special talents and honest, straight-from-the-heart stories of kids and young adults with special needs.

With a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, ‘Mindscapes: A Canvas of Emotions in a Special World!’ has been inspired by Meraki, a virtual talent show established during the pandemic by Margika’s founder Neena Rao to help Special Needs children from all over the world.

The book features a treasure of art pieces and other talents by children with special needs and the world will get to hear these stories in their voices. Along with every art piece, there are verses regarding the child’s feelings about the work they have created or how they feel about that particular talent. The majority of these children are from rural government schools and thus, belong to the most socially and economically disadvantaged group of society.

Art and creativity are the best mediums to voice and reach the innermost recesses of one’s mind and heart. They are also the finest means to help reduce anxiety and stress in children as well as adults. The book is a sincere expression of the ideas of these special children and is a treasure house of poems, paintings, essays, sketches, and stories.

The aim of the beautifully-illustrated book is the same as Margika’s — to not only rise and meet the Special kids’ esteem and self-actualization needs and provide them with a sense of love, safety, and belonging, but also to empathize, raise awareness about, and destigmatize the special needs children.

“I didn’t want any other child to suffer like my son. We need an inclusive society. Children with special needs deserve to lead happy and normal lives. I started Margika to make a difference to the children and their families”. Says Dr. Neena Rao.

“Our objective is to offer help, guidance, and encouragement to individuals with special needs in the long run, adding more meaning to the cause that Margika believes in,” she further adds.

Margika was founded by Dr. Neena Rao, a mother of a boy with Aspergers (a developmental disorder affecting the ability to effectively socialise and communicate). He inspired her to give up her career as an academic and development professional to create Margika – a Network for Training & Capacity Building for Better Care of Children with Special Needs.