Category education

Kozhikode, 25^th September 2024: Instilling positive awareness on road safety and safe driving habits in the city, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) celebrated 5^th anniversary of the Safety Education Training Centre (SDEC) at Kozhikode, Kerala. A cake cutting ceremony was organised to commemorate the occasion in the august presence of Santhosh Kumar CS – Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), Kozhikode, along with HMSI dignitaries and the company’s dealer partners.

 In September 2019, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) in association with Kerala Motor Vehicle Department inaugurated the Safety Education Training Centre in Kozhikode. Situated in the heart of the city, the SDEC has served as a beacon of education and practical training for participants. Its state-of-the-art facilities and interactive programs have empowered countless individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible and safe road behaviour.

Since its inception, nearly 61,500 people across all age groups have been trained at the Safety Education Driving Centre, enhancing road safety awareness in the city.

The 5^th Anniversary Celebration is a testament to the SDEC’s enduring impact on the community. This event featured engaging activities such as Learner License Registration Training, Corporate Activities and Road Safety Training that included Riding Trainer Session, Safety Gear Awareness and Safety Riding Theory Sessions aimed at reinforcing the importance of road safety.

As HMSI looks ahead to the future, it remains dedicated to further expanding the reach and impact of its Safety Education Training Centre in Kozhikode and beyond. Through continuous collaboration with stakeholders and the community, the company aims to cultivate a culture of responsible road behaviour and ensure safer roads for generations to come.

Manesar, September 21, 2024– Amity University Haryana (AUH) conducted a seminar on the theme of ‘Nasha Mukti’ (Freedom from Intoxicants) at its Manesar campus, in collaboration with the District Red Cross, Gurugram. It aimed at raising awareness about drug addiction and its prevention among students and staff. It also underscored the importance of avoiding drugs, distractions, and delinquency, while emphasizing the development of essential professional and personal skills.

Prof. (Dr) P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, AUH; Prof. (Dr) Vikas Madhukar, Pro-Vice Chancellor, AUH and Maj. Gen. J.S. Dhull (Retd.), Dean of Students Welfare (DSW), Prof Dr Sanjna Vij, Dy DSW, AUH felicitated the Chief Guest of the evening, Dr Mukesh Kumar Aggarwal, General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Haryana State Branch.

Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, AUH, Prof. Sharma during his welcome address, expressed his disdain for drugs and urged the students to not fall into its honey trap. “Drugs are destroying the youth of this country,” expressed Prof. Sharma. Amity University Haryana has been known for its ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’, within which the university ensures a strictly drug-free campus. Further, Prof Sharma shared his deep disappointment with the menace of intoxicants around the world, criticizing the glorification of drugs and alcohol in popular media and culture.

Dr Mukesh Kumar Aggarwal also addressed the AUH dignitaries, faculty, and students, sharing his concerns about the rampant abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs in the country. Urging the young students to not give in to the pitfalls of drug abuse, he said – “Desh humein deta hai kuch, hum bhi desh ko kuch denge. Apne desh ko param vaibhav tak lejaane mei sabse aage aap sab yuva hain!” (The country provides for us, so we must also provide for our country. It’s you all, the youth, who will lead the nation to supreme glory!). The Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization, known to provide relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promote health & care to the vulnerable people and communities in India. IRCS has 100 Blood Centres all over India and regularly organizes numerous blood donation camps with one such camp organized at AUH.

Among other guests who graced the evening was Dr Ajay, a renowned psychiatrist who works in association with a Gurugram-based NGO called ‘Antarmanh Foundation.’ Dr Ajay interacted with the students, discussing common myths about drugs and drug abuse along with its adverse effects on the human body and mind. Motivating the students to lead more positive and healthier lives, he said, “Aapko nashe ki taraf nahi, life ki taraf badhna hai!” (You must move towards life, not addiction!) Mr. Nitin Shrivastav, another dedicated advocate in this field, further discussed the harmful impact of drug abuse, urging both adolescents and college-going students to exercise more caution due to mental vulnerabilities faced at this sensitive age.

AUH’s acclaimed drama society- ‘Ek Awaaz’ performed a compelling play to spread awareness about drug abuse and its effects. As a token of appreciation, the troupe was awarded a trophy by AUH dignitaries and IRCS.

Embracing a unanimous appeal to abstain from drug abuse, Mr. Jitin Sharma, a representative of IRCS, administered an oath to the gathering, comprised of AUH dignitaries, faculty, staff, and students. Mr. Vikas Kumar, Secretary, of District Red Cross Society, Gurugram, extended a Vote of Thanks, expressing his gratitude to the attendees and the Chief Guest of the evening, Dr Mukesh Kumar Aggarwal, thanking them for their patience, commitment, and resilience in the fight against illegal drugs.

The chief organizers of the event were Maj Gen Dhull, Dean of Student Welfare (DSW), and Prof. Dr Sanjna Vij, Deputy DSW. Their dedication and leadership ensured that the seminar not only raised awareness but also empowered students to reject the allure of drugs and embrace a path of purpose, resilience, and positivity.

Manipal, 20th September 2024: The third edition of the “Empowering Educators: Enhancing Counselling Skills for Student Support” workshop series was officially inaugurated today at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). This two-day workshop, organized by the Department of Student Affairs, aims to equip educators with advanced counseling techniques to better support students’ mental well-being and academic success.

The event commenced with a keynote address from Dr. E. Aravind Raj, Additional Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS, who delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking session. His insights set the tone for a productive workshop dedicated to fostering emotional support and effective student guidance.

Dr. Geetha Maiya, Director of Student Affairs at MAHE, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the workshop’s goals, emphasizing the importance of enhancing faculty counseling skills to better support students. The event was compered by Ms. Shilpa Joshi, Senior Counselor at MAHE.

Deputy Directors, Dr. Roshan David Jathanna, Dr. Rashmi Yogesh Pai, and Dr. Aravind Kumar Pandey, also graced the occasion with their presence, further underscoring the importance of this initiative. The workshop is being led by Ms. Karuna Devadiga, Senior Counselor, with strong support from the dedicated team of counselors in the Department of Student Affairs.

Many faculty members from various MAHE institutions in Manipal and Mangalore participating, the workshop focuses on developing essential counseling skills. These skills will enhance faculty members’ ability to offer effective guidance and emotional support to students, contributing to a more supportive educational environment.

This initiative reaffirms MAHE’s commitment to prioritizing the mental well-being of its students and ensuring a nurturing atmosphere for their academic and personal growth.

Mumbai, 19 September 2024: Following NEP-2020, Jasudben ML School recently held culmination activities, ‘Rewind’ for Class 1 and ‘Flipped Out’ for Class 2, to mark the successful completion of the Integrated Units for the first term. These assessments provide a platform to 104 students from Class 1 and 108 students from Class 2 to demonstrate their learning in front of their parents, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) which promotes thematic learning and holistic development for young minds.

In the culmination event, students led interactive activities such as riddles in Gujarati and Hindi, quizzes where children tested their parent’s knowledge, and taught certain concepts to them which was then followed by a student-led panel discussion, where parents participated by asking questions through a chit system.

Damayanti Bhattacharya, Principal of Jasudben ML School, said, “Our school is one of the few who have implemented NEP-2020, and these integrated units aim to promote holistic education by allowing students to explore concepts beyond the traditional textbook approach. This not only improves their topic knowledge, but also helps to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities among others.”

Throughout the term, students studied under many themes, with three broad topics chosen for culmination- The Food We Eat, the World of Animals, and People, Places, and Safety. Each theme was thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum covering subjects such as English, Mathematics, Hindi, Marathi, Music, Gujarati, Environmental Science (EVS), and Art. The Food We Eat unit focused on the origins and significance of food, distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy food, and identifying plants and animals as food sources. Similarly, the World of Animals unit taught students about pets, domestic and wild animals, animal sounds, habitats, and their classification as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The People, Places, and Safety focused on neighborhood awareness, practicing safety at school, home, and road, and the role of community helpers. This integration enabled students to explore and comprehend these topics and apply them in real life.

A parent of a Grade 1 student stated, “Watching our children’s regular assessments helps us understand what they are learning in class. This culmination of integrated units provides us with a more in-depth knowledge of their growth, allowing us to see how students learn and implement concepts in real-time.”

The culmination events concluded with students performing a short skit on road safety, bringing their lessons to life through drama.

India September 19’ 2024: Physics Wallah (PW), India’s leading EdTech platform, in its mission to democratise education across Bharat, has joined hands with Earth Care Foundation (ECF) under their flagship program, Project Udaan 2.0, with an aim to provide quality education to the poor and underprivileged students. This partnership is in-line with Physics Wallah’s (PW) aim to make education widely accessible for students across the country and Earth Care Foundation’s aim of bringing knowledge to the doorsteps of the disadvantaged youth at almost zero cost.

Dr. Ajit Kumar IAS (Retd.), Founder Chairman of Earth Care Foundation established the foundation in 2005 with a vision of establishing a sustainable society and lifestyle by empowering the poor and underprivileged sections of the society with knowledge, skills and resources. This partnership will empower students approved by ECF residing in villages and small towns who lack access to quality online education. Eligible students competing in recruitment and entrance examinations like NEET, JEE, Banking, Defence and SSC will be given access to the high-quality content and courses offered by Physics Wallah (PW). Along with the PW courses, the program also offers courses in English proficiency, PDP & Soft skills course & career counselling course through Know Thy Choice and Fastinfo. A meagre registration fee is charged from the students to ensure their willingness to learn and also to make them feel more invested in completing these courses.

Majority of these students are the primary bread earners of their families and hence prefer self-paced learning. Hence, Flexi-Time and Flexi-Location mode of online teaching and learning, which allows these students to complete the online course at their convenience from the comfort of their homes. The success of this way of teaching is further substantiated through the pilot run that witnessed a high completion rate of around 85-90%. For every 10 students, a mentor is assigned who connects with them each week to track progress and handhold them through their academic journey.

Conveying his thoughts on this partnership, Alakh Pandey, Founder & CEO of Physics Wallah (PW) said, “Helping students from across the country regardless of their social or economical status, is the sole reason why we began this company. We are delighted to have partnered with ECF as our visions are aligned. In future, we aspire to partner with multiple NGOs to empower 10 lakh underprivileged students in the next 5 years, so that we can give them equal opportunities and access to top quality education.”

Sharing his thoughts Dr. Ajit Kumar IAS (Retd.), Founder Chairman of ECF said, “We are excited to expand Udaan 2.0 this financial year after the success of Udaan 1.0; which empowered students belonging to families of migrant labourers, dwelling in the slums of Delhi. Having Physics Wallah (PW) as our knowledge and technology partner will enable us to use their robust digital distribution network to reach students whose education is constrained due to socio-economic reasons. We aim to level the playing field when it comes to compete in recruitment and competitive exams by giving them access to quality online education.”

ECF has partnered with CSC (Common Service Centre) Academy, an undertaking of the Ministry of IT & Electronics, where students can register themselves for Udaan 2.0 by visiting their nearest CSC in the village (more than 5.5 lakh centres are there in the country). They are also required to submit their mark sheet and income certificate as part of the registration process. Know Thy Choice (KTC) is the technology and delivery partner for the project.

Mumbai, 17th September 2024: IIHMR University, a leading health management research university in Jaipur, announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Curtin University, Malaysia, one of the top universities worldwide. The collaboration is set to provide students and faculty with exceptional development opportunities to enhance their future and position them as individuals capable of significantly contributing across various domains in diverse roles.

The alliance is meticulously designed to offer both the students and the faculty members with life-altering experiences through exchange opportunities, joint research initiatives and specialized training programs.

Expressing his excitement at the mark of this new beginning, Dr. PR Sodani, President of IIHMR University shared, “Over the years we at IIHMR University have been constantly working to provide best opportunities to our students and give best professional development to our faculty members. This MoU is a testament of our dedication to fulfill our promise and exceed our pre-set standards. By joining our collective expertise we are levering our resources to stride ahead and create an ecosystem of continuous development. I look forward to formulating innovative research and training programs with Curtin University.”

This thoughtfully formulated partnership marks a significant step toward fostering academic collaboration, joint research initiatives, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two prestigious institutions. Harnessing the joint power, both the universities aim to drive impactful advancements in education, research, and sustainable development, paving the way for innovative solutions to global challenges.

During Malaysia visit, the delegation form IIHMR University also participated in the GlobeSync Community Research and Sustainability Conference, organized by Curtin University, held from September 3-4, 2024. Dr. P.R. Sodani, delivered a powerful & impactful keynote address titled “Bridging Gaps for SDGs through Transforming Management Education: A Strategic Pathway to a Sustainable Future”. His visionary insights highlighted the critical role of innovative management education in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and charting a strategic course toward a more sustainable global future.

Bengaluru/Mumbai, 17 September 2024: The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), a deemed to be University has recently concluded one of the largest graduating cohorts of the year with nearly 4000 learners joining from India and globally.

The event honored learners – both India and International, completing various online certifications and postgraduate programs in Data Science, Software Development, and Machine Learning & AI. Over 800 learners attended physically at the campus, while another 3000 joined the live stream from over different cities in India and globally.

Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder of Sarvam AI, graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Other distinguished dignitaries included Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder & Chairperson upGrad and an ensemble leadership like Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, Prof. V Sridhar, Faculty in-charge CPE at IIIT-Bangalore, Commodore SR Sridhar, (Retd.), Registrar, IIIT-Bangalore and Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean Academics, IIIT-Bangalore.

Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam AI, “Learning is a lifelong process. We must continuously reinvent ourselves, acquiring new skills to stay relevant. Embrace curiosity and be open to new opportunities, as the tools of today, like generative AI, are transforming industries. It is our responsibility to leverage these technologies efficiently. The power of AI has the potential to democratize education and healthcare, making them accessible to all. India’s youth will drive this transformation, making us a leader in AI adoption.”

Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said, “You have a critical role in shaping the future of our nation. Your hard work will not only drive your success but also support India’s ambitious goal of reaching a $1 trillion digital economy by 2026. Through collaboration, continuous learning, and leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies, we can strive towards excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.”

Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder & Chairperson upGrad highlighted the nearly decade-long partnership between upGrad and IIIT-B, emphasizing their shared commitment to building a knowledge economy. “This partnership started in 2016 is a testament to IIIT-B’s visionary approach, recognizing the revolutionary potential of online education. All the learners have made a wise choice in pursuing curiosity and continuous learning. Life is about the choices we make, and these choices will define us. Time is a valuable resource—balance action with reflection as technology and the world evolve rapidly. In this fast-paced environment, taking moments to reflect will keep you grounded and focused on your personal and professional growth.”

Mumbai, September 14, 2024: A wave of excitement swept through Reach Education Action Programme (REAP) NGO in Kalwa as over 70 children from grades 1 & 2, along with their educators, prepared for a thrilling Maths workshop hosted by the esteemed Target Publications Pvt. Ltd., Thane. REAP delivers quality education to marginalized and underprivileged children with special focus on girls. As a token of their support, Target Publications provided each child with a new notebook.

The workshop, led by the proficient Miss Payal Mehta, a 14-year teaching veteran with experience in teacher training across India, was a delightful blend of learning and fun. Miss Mehta’s engaging session broke the ice with a creative activity related to Maths, followed by an application-based exploration of basic shapes and symmetry. Children not only participated but also explored new ways of learning about shapes. As Miss Mehta said, “Learning should be fun and engaging and the children certainly had a blast as they explored new ways of learning about shapes.”

The workshop sparked a newfound enthusiasm for Maths among the children as the resource person not only unveiled clever tricks to solve problems in seconds but also employed joyful activities to banish any fear of the subject.

Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications, said, “Our workshop focused on symmetrical shapes to demonstrate the beauty and patterns hidden within Maths. By exploring symmetry, we wanted to inspire children to see the world through a mathematical lens, appreciating the order and harmony that exists around us. We hope this experience will spark their curiosity and encourage them to discover the fascinating world of geometry.”

Joy Fernandes, Director of REAP, NGO, echoed Mr. Chaudhari’s sentiments: “We are incredibly grateful for this wonderful workshop for our children. Both the students and educators thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience. The key takeaway is that Maths isn’t a daunting subject – there are fun ways to learn tricks, solve problems or any concept in Maths. By nurturing this love for Maths from a young age, we can ensure that children approach the subject with confidence, not anxiety.”

Guwahati, 14th September 2024 – CWMA’s Institute of Skill Development, a registered Mumbai-based literary forum led by its visionary Founder, Mrs. Rachana Ranjan Chakraborty, celebrated the inauguration of its North-East wing, “The Literary Mavericks,” at the Guwahati Press Club. The event saw the presence of several eminent guests who came to mark this significant milestone.

The ceremony began with a traditional Bharatnattyam Ganesh Vandana dance performance, setting a culturally rich tone for the occasion. Following the performance, all the esteemed guests were honored with the traditional Assamese Gamucha as a token of appreciation and respect. Prof. Rachana Chakraborty, the founder, then delivered a dynamic introductory speech, highlighting the organization’s vision for the North-East region.

During the event, Barnana Acharjee, a teacher at Srimanta Sankar Academy, was officially appointed as the Treasurer of the North-East wing by Mrs. Chakraborty. This announcement was followed by an inspiring address from Ms. Rachaita Chakraborty, Youth President of the Mumbai region. She shared her insights on her association with the organization and extended her heartfelt congratulations to the newly formed youth team of Assam.

The highlight of the event was the Prize Distribution Ceremony of the Creative Summer ’24, which was held online in July. The students, who had eagerly awaited this moment, finally received their well-deserved trophies, adding a joyous conclusion to the day.

The event concluded on a high note with media coverage and a series of memorable photographs capturing the essence of this new chapter for CWMA’s Institute of Skill Development.

Mumbai, 12 September 2024: With an aim to empower young students, Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation (SHIF), a collaboration between cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar (through Sachin Tendulkar Foundation – STF) and Schneider Electric India, a leader in digital energy management and next-generation automation, have reached a major milestone in their mission to empower young minds in rural areas through digital education. Through the flagship SMITA program, the Foundation has positively impacted 60,000 students across 300+ schools in India. Inspired by the success and in celebration of World Literacy Day, SHIF has committed to revitalising 500 rural government schools by 2025. It aims to touch the lives of more than 100,000 young learners across aspirational blocks of India.

At the heart of the SMITA program are ‘Digital’ classrooms, designed to bring digital education to rural areas while promoting sustainability. Till date, SHIF has equipped 300 schools with Digital classrooms, situated in some of the remotest corners of the country, also serve as hubs for fostering a community of ‘Green Ambassadors’ who are empowered to take proactive climate action. These classrooms, powered by renewable energy sources like solar, offer cutting-edge infrastructure and virtual training opportunities, helping schools reduce operational costs and expand access to quality education through virtual training.

Highlighting the importance of expanding digital education access, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar expressed, “The Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation is dedicated to narrowing the digital gap by granting students access to high-quality education, while also imparting the significance of sustainability. SMITA program signifies our dedication to cultivating a generation of responsible and knowledgeable citizens who will guide us towards a sustainable future. Through the foundation, we are working to ensure that every child, regardless of their location, possesses the resources necessary to thrive in the contemporary world.”

Access to quality education is an integral pillar for achieving holistic sustainable development. The evolving digital world has necessitated the timely modernisation and upgradation of educational infrastructure for keeping the students ahead of the learning curve.

In line with this goal, Mr. Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India, stated, “Schneider Electric is an impact-driven company, and education is fundamental for creating a lasting, sustainable impact. We believe that access to energy and education is a fundamental human right. Our Digital classrooms exemplify our commitment to leading energy and environmental conservation to empower rural communities. We have already positively impacted 60,000 children in 300 schools and aim to transform 500 schools by 2025. We are honoured to partner with Mr. Sachin Tendulkar to educate and empower our next generation, driving actions on climate change and sustainability.”

The SMITA Program is committed towards nurturing an ecosystem of ‘Green Ambassadors’ through its interactive learning program on Environment and Energy conservation. This program is tailored to inform and educate students to make judicious and eco-friendly choices in their daily lives.

The innovative SMITA program by SHIF is making a positive impact on government schools in 12 states like Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka including some aspirational district blocks. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring uninterrupted learning by making education available to students in regional languages.