Category education

Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Law Hosts 3rd Vivekanand Legal Conclave 2025–26; Brings Together 40+ Universities Nationwide

Mumbai, Jan 16: Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Law successfully organised the 3rd Vivekanand Legal Conclave 2025–26, a three-day national-level academic event, under the theme ‘Gen Z for National Building‘, celebrating legal excellence, advocacy skills, and environmental consciousness. The conclave witnessed participation from over 40 universities across Mumbai, Pune, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Aurangabad, positioning it as a significant national platform for legal education and collaboration.

The conclave was inaugurated by Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Shri Abhay Oka, who highlighted the importance of academic platforms in preparing future legal professionals to address contemporary constitutional and environmental challenges. The theme of the conclave focused on Environmental Law, emphasising sustainable development, environmental protection, and constitutional balance.

Over three days, students competed in four inter-collegiate competitions, Moot Court, Client Counselling, Debate, and PIL Drafting, demonstrating strong research, advocacy, drafting skills, and legal reasoning rooted in environmental jurisprudence. Among key winners, KES Shri Jayantilal H. Patel College of Law, Mumbai won the 8th Shri Hashuji Advani Memorial Inter-Collegiate Moot Court Competition, with Adv. Balasaheb Apte College of Law as Runner-Up. Adv. Balasaheb Apte College of Law also emerged winners in the Client Counselling Competition, while Chembur Karnataka College of Law won the Debate Competition. The PIL Drafting Competition recognised outstanding legal writing on socially relevant issues.

“The Vivekanand Legal Conclave stands as a testament to our commitment to nurturing future legal professionals who are deeply rooted in ethical values, driven by a strong sense of social responsibility, and equipped with the knowledge, skills, and perspective required to serve the justice system with integrity and purpose.” said Dr. Jayshree Gautam Kanchanpurka, Principal, Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Law.

Winners of the Moot Court Competition were awarded SCC Online yearly subscriptions, along with trophies, certificates, and prizes across competitions. The conclave concluded with a Valedictory Ceremony graced by Hon’ble Justice Shri Abhay Ahuja and Hon’ble Justice Shri Shreeram Shirsat of the Bombay High Court. Justice Ahuja commended the high quality of advocacy and preparation, while Justice Shirsat emphasised the role of such competitions in building confidence, clarity of thought, and respect for the rule of law.

Bestselling Author and former diplomat Amish Tripathi Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of York, United Kingdom

Bestselling author and former diplomat Amish Tripathi has received an honorary degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa by the University of York, UK, for his outstanding contribution to Indian literature and global cultural dialogue.

In a release, the University wrote the following of Amish Tripathi: Amish Tripathi is an author, former diplomat and broadcaster, and the fastest-selling author in Indian publishing history. His 12 books have sold more than eight million copies worldwide, and he is regularly listed among Forbes India’s most influential celebrities.

A seasoned broadcaster, he has hosted documentaries including the award-winning Legends of the Ramayan. He is also co-founder of Tara Gaming, which is developing India’s first AAA video game, Age of Bhaarat. He has previously served as Minister (Culture and Education) at the Indian High Commission to the UK.

In conferring the degree, the University of York commended Tripathi for his contribution to the global understanding of Indian culture, values, and traditions. The award was presented at the university’s winter graduation ceremony during the 2^nd week of January, 2026, attended by faculty, students, and distinguished guests from diverse backgrounds.

Three other notable achievers were also similarly recognised for their outstanding contributions to society. The are globally renowned mathematician, Professor Sir Simon Donaldson; internationally recognised ecologist, Professor Sue Hartley OBE; and Group Chief Executive Officer of Aviva, Dame Amanda Blanc DBE. The University of York confers the honorary degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa on individuals whose achievements reflect exceptional distinction in their field and align with the University’s values.

The International Baccalaureate (IB), a global leader in international education, has opened the annual application window for the Global Youth Action Fund, an award open to students enrolled in a secondary school aged 12 to 19 who have developed projects or initiatives aimed at creating a positive social impact in their communities.

The Global Youth Action Fund will be open to students, or student groups, from both IB and non-IB schools. The window to apply for the grant will remain open until 30 January 2026.

The fund is open to young people who are driven by purpose and a desire to make a difference. To date, the Global Youth Action Fund has awarded grants to over 290 projects led by more than 440 young people globally. Whether tackling climate change in Jakarta, advancing gender equity in Nairobi, or building digital inclusion in Lima, each project contributes to a shared movement of youth-led action and collective hope.

“Since its founding in 1968, the IB has been dedicated to building a better, more peaceful world,” said Dr. Nicole Bien, Chief Community Partnerships & Development Officer for the IB. “Young people today are showing great resilience and curiosity in the face of global challenges, starting from within their communities and working outwards to develop initiatives that drive meaningful change. We are delighted to support these young leaders in their inspiring efforts.”

The Global Youth Action fund is part of the IB’s commitment to support, elevate and empower youth voices. Designed to unite the global community in challenging moments, the Festival of Hope creates a space for young people to share their experiences and transform complex challenges into positivity and hope. Discover more pathways to action on the Festival of Hope website.

Every funded project must align with one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is reviewed by an international panel of experts, educators, and youth leaders. Selection is based on:

• Purpose and vision – addressing meaningful global or local challenges.  
• Innovation and creativity – offering bold, original approaches to change.  
• Impact and sustainability – demonstrating measurable potential for long-term benefit.  
• Collaboration and leadership – engaging others to create shared solutions.  

Selected students will receive:

• Up to 3,000 USD in grant funding, as per project needs. Funding is dependent on what students request and what the IB Global Youth Action Fund committee decides. 
• Mentorship and networking opportunities with leading social entrepreneurs and other student awardees from around the world. 

“The most meaningful aspect of the programme was receiving firsthand insights from industry experts,” said Sadhika Kapoor, a student from Vietnam whose EcoPsych project promotes eco-friendly action in schools. “We felt genuinely honored to be in the presence of such highly accomplished individuals. Discovering that they began their changemaking journeys at the same age as us made them even more compelling role models.”

The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, visited the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) campus at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Mumbai, on January 15, to explore avenues for institutional collaboration and student exchange between IICT and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

The visit was hosted by Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, Chief Executive Officer, IICT, along with Munjal Shroff, Governing Council Member, IICT, at the IICT–NFDC Campus.

During the visit, the Chief Minister was taken through a structured walkthrough of IICT’s academic and technology infrastructure. The programme included a curated audiovisual presentation at the Rangayan Preview Theatre, highlighting IICT’s vision, academic framework, and creative technology capabilities. This was followed by a live showcase at the Anubhuti Drishya Immersive Studio Lab, featuring demonstrations of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) applications, along with hands-on experiential interactions.

The visit also featured a Digital Twin demonstration at the Photogrammetry Studio, where a live 3D photogrammetry scan was conducted to create a digital avatar, showcasing the practical applications of immersive and emerging technologies.

A strategic discussion session followed, focusing on potential collaboration between IICT and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Key areas explored included student exchange and institutional cooperation, skill development and capacity building in AVGC and emerging creative technologies, digital heritage and cultural preservation through immersive tools, and the development of a collaborative startup incubation and innovation ecosystem aimed at empowering youth from the region.

Speaking during the interaction, the Chief Minister said,

“If we want Jammu and Kashmir to become an attractive destination for filmmaking, then human talent and post-production capability must be created locally, and that is where a relationship with an institution like IICT becomes important for us.”

Commenting on the visit, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, IICT, said,

“We are grateful to the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir for visiting the IICT campus. The interaction was valuable, and we look forward to exploring meaningful collaborations that can benefit students and young talent from Jammu & Kashmir by enabling skill development, fostering innovation, and creating sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”

Following the discussions, the Chief Minister visited the NFDC Bharat Pavilion and Museum, which chronicles India’s cinematic and creative heritage. The visit underscored the museum’s role as a national cultural repository and a platform for preserving, presenting, and celebrating India’s film and creative legacy, before he proceeded to onward engagements at the NFDC campus.

After disbursing 11,000+ scholarships to truck drivers’ daughters, Mahindra announces the 12^th edition of ‘Saarthi Abhiyaan’ Program 

Bengaluru, Jan 15: Mahindra’s Truck and Bus business, as a part of its much celebrated and renowned CSR Program, Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyan, has announced the onset of its 12^th edition, with plans to awards another 1000 scholarships of Rs. 10,000/- each to truck drivers’ daughters who have passed Std X exam and are pursuing further studies.

This program is aimed at saluting and honouring the exceptional spirit of the truck drivers in ensuring their daughters get an equal opportunity to rise in their lives and educating them beyond X Std. Mahindra is one of the first commercial vehicle manufacturers to pioneer this initiative and felicitate truck driver daughters who meet the eligibility criteria. This program was initiated in 2014. The selection of the eligible truck driver daughters will be done through a reach out program at 75+ transport hubs pan India with well-defined, transparent, and independent process. Until now, 11,029 young girls have already benefited from scholarships.

Mr. Vinod Sahay – President Trucks, Buses & Construction Equipment, Member of Group Executive Board, said,

“Through Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan, we are not just providing scholarships but opening doors to a brighter future for girls and instilling hope in young hearts. By investing in their future, we are cultivating a generation of empowered women who will contribute significantly to our communities and the economy at large.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Venkat Srinivas, Business Head Trucks, Buses & Construction Equipment, Mahindra Group, said,

 “Our sustained commitment through the Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan not only uplifts the daughters of truck drivers, but also fosters a culture of new opportunities and motivation. Through this initiative, we wish to remain steadfast in our commitment to investing in their futures, and developing a stronger, more equitable society where every girl can aspire to fulfil her potential and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

The company will felicitate each girl selected for this scholarship with a direct bank transfer of INR 10,000 and a certificate in recognition of this achievement. The felicitation of 1000 daughters will be hosted between February to March 2026, at select locations by Mahindra Truck and Bus leadership.

New Delhi, Jan 15:  Gita-inspired Needonomics is emerging as a transformative paradigm for teaching excellence and ethical education, said Prof. Madan Mohan Goel, Propounder of the Needonomics School of Thought, three-time Vice-Chancellor, and superannuated Professor of Kurukshetra University, during a Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) held at Mahatma Hansraj Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MH-MMTTC), Hansraj College, in collaboration with Miranda House, University of Delhi.

Prof. Goel delivered two insightful lectures on “Excellence Models for Teachers in a Changing Economic Scenario” and “Indian Knowledge System: Relevance of Gita-Guided Needonomics and Anu-Gita.” The programme was presided over by Dr. Ashutosh Yadav, Director, MH-MMTTC.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Ritu Pandey, Coordinator of the FIP, delivered the opening address and presented a citation highlighting Prof. Goel’s distinguished academic journey and significant leadership contributions to higher education.

Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, Prof. Goel emphasized that a truly wise person is one who “sees inaction in action and action in inaction,” remaining free from ego, attachment, and the fruits of action. He stressed that educators must cultivate humility, balance, and sensitivity while remaining street SMART—Simple, Moral, Action-oriented, Responsive, and Transparent.

Explaining the core philosophy of Needonomics, Prof. Goel highlighted the restoration of the natural sequence outlined in the Hitopadeśa—knowledge leading to humility, humility to worthiness, worthiness to wealth, wealth to dharma, and dharma to happiness. He noted that education must go beyond earning a livelihood to making life meaningful and fulfilling.

“The real genius,” he observed, “is one who can correctly differentiate what ought to be done from what should not be done.” He added that an average individual guided by values is far superior to a so-called genius who causes harm to others.

Prof. Goel further elaborated on Gita-guided Needonomics as a human-centric, ethical, environmentally friendly, and spiritually rooted approach. Citing the LIC of India motto “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham” (Gita 9.22), he explained that Needonomics promotes common sense economics focused on sustainable happiness and societal well-being.

The session resonated strongly with participating faculty members, reinforcing the relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems in shaping value-driven, responsible educators for a rapidly changing world.

New Delhi, Jan 15: Jaro Education, a publicly listed company and one of India’s leading EdTech players in higher education and upskilling company, has announced a collaboration with Delhi Technological University (DTU), one of India’s premier engineering and technology institutions, ranked 30th in Engineering by NIRF 2025.The two entities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch industry-relevant online degreeprograms, particularly in technology-driven domains, aimed at empowering learnersand enhancing the nation’s talent ecosystem.

Through this collaboration, Jaro Education and DTU plan to democratize access to high-quality higher education by offering flexible, modular, and digitally enabled degreeprograms that combine DTU’s academic excellence with Jaro’s deep expertise in learner outreach and technology-enabled delivery. These programs will cater to the growing need for tech-focused upskilling and create future-ready professionals aligned with evolving industry requirements.

Ranjita Raman, Chief Executive Officer, Jaro Education, said: “India’s growth story will be shaped by how effectively higher education responds to the needs of a changing workforce. Today, many capable learners are ready to advance but remain constrained by geography and rigid academic formats. This collaboration with Delhi Technological University addresses that challenge. DTU offers strong academic foundations in technology, and Jaro specialises in translating that excellence into accessible, industry-aligned online programs. Together, we are creating meaningful pathways that serves learners, meets industry needs, and aligns with the National Education Policy”.

Prof. S. Indu, Dean of Delhi Technological University, added: “DTU is committed to expanding its reach and impact by developing programs that respond to the evolving needs of industry and society. Partnering with Jaro Education allows us to offer our academic excellence to a wider audience and promote lifelong learning opportunities that foster innovation and employability.”

This collaboration reinforces both institutions shared vision of leveraging edtech innovation to scale quality education, promote industry-academia synergy, and upskill the Indian workforce for the digital economy.

Bengaluru, Jan 14: Gopalan Pre-University College and Gopalan National School (North) jointly hosted a vibrant Health Camp on January 12th, in Yelahanka campus, Bengaluru. The event was open to the public, brought families and community members together for a day of proactive health checks, expert consultations, and wellness education.

The camp offered comprehensive services including specialized eye checkups by Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, general health screenings by Aster CMI Hospital, and a dental camp by PSDC, ensuring accessible care for visitors of all age groups.

Key highlights included Dr. Agarwals’ computerized and manual eye power checks (distant, near, and color vision), explanations of common issues like refraction, cataract, and myopia, eye care education, hospital appointment bookings, and distribution of Vision Is Life (VIL) Cards offering free checkups for participants plus four family members/friends and 10% off optical services on the first visit. Aster CMI provided pulse, height, weight, SPO2, BP, GRBS sugar tests, and ECG screenings.

Mrs. Sunita Prabhakar, Director, Gopalan Foundation, spoke on this occasion “Conducting a health camp on our campus helped children understand the importance of good health from an early age. It created awareness about healthy habits, regular check-ups, and self-care, enabling them to take responsibility for their well-being. When children learn the value of being healthy, they are better prepared to learn, grow, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

This Health Camp reflected our belief that awareness is key to building healthier and more resilient communities. By bringing reputed healthcare partners together on our campus, we aimed to make preventive healthcare more accessible and to encourage families to adopt informed wellness practices as part of everyday life.”

Through this initiative, Gopalan Pre-University College and Gopalan National School (North) aimed to empower the community with early detection, health awareness, and lifelong wellness practices beyond routine care.

Swiggy Announces Winners of the Inaugural Edition of ‘Food for Thought Challenge’ – Reinforces Commitment to Student Innovation

 Bengaluru, Jan 13: Swiggy (Swiggy Ltd, NSE: SWIGGY / BSE: 544285), India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, today announced the winners of the inaugural edition of Food For Thought Challenge (FFTC) – its flagship case study competition. The Food for Thought Challenge (FFTC) gave the opportunity to thousands of students across campuses in the country to share fresh, disruptive ideas that could further strengthen Swiggy’s position as a trusted companion for every student during the campus years.

IIM Lucknow was crowned the Winner for their innovative ideas for more meaningful student engagement for food delivery and dining out. The team was rewarded pre-placement interviews and a cash prize of ₹1,50,000. IIM Indore ranked First Runner Up and was rewarded with a cash prize of ₹50,000. Teams from IIM Bengaluru and MICA Ahmedabad were also amongst the other 4 finalists of the competition.

The Food For Thought Challenge, which was launched in September 2025, saw an overwhelming response from the student community, receiving 2,600+ submissions from 600+ colleges across India, with more than 30% of the entries from IIMs, IITs, NITs, and other leading institutions. The Finale Round was chaired by Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy Food Marketplace. Swiggy intends to make Food for Thought an annual platform with an objective of enabling innovation and connecting better with the student community.

Speaking on the entries and the initiative, Deepak Maloo, Vice President – Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives, Swiggy, said,

 “College students are more than just our customers; they are a catalyst for innovation. With FFTC, we were keen to harness their disruptive, fresh perspectives to identify and unlock new growth levers and further enhance customer experience. The participating teams were impressive, demonstrating an incredible knack for turning data-driven insights into disruptive, actionable ideas.”

The Food For Thought Challenge had a rigorous evaluation process and all the submissions underwent a multi-stage evaluation. The submissions were graded on a 4-point framework (innovativeness, impact on growth, execution feasibility, cost effectiveness). The top 8 teams from the list advanced to a semi-final round with top Swiggy executives in the Jury Panel and 4 teams made it to the Grand Finale, hosted in Bengaluru.

By engaging with campuses, Swiggy aims to foster an ecosystem where young talent can contribute to the future of food tech and logistics, mirroring the company’s own journey as a market disruptor founded on bold ideas. Swiggy’s Student Rewards Program and Campus Streaks initiatives have already garnered attention amongst the student community and are in line with Swiggy’s larger effort to deliver greater value and convenience to young consumers across India. The Student Rewards program has received an overwhelming response and enables over 7 lakh college students across 3,600+ campuses today.