Category education

Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) today announced the winners of the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards (OCLA) in India, recognising exceptional academic performance by secondary school students in the November 2024, March 2025, and June 2025 Cambridge examination series.

A total of 227 students from India have been honoured for outstanding achievement in Cambridge IGCSE™, International AS & A Level examinations, including 86 students who secured the highest marks in the world and 107 students who achieved the highest marks in India in a single subject. In addition, 72 students were recognised from the November 2024 examination series, while 155 students received awards from the March and June 2025 series.

The awards highlight India’s strong performance in core academic disciplines, with 85% of ‘Top in the World’ awardees excelling in Mathematics, Science, and English. Cambridge also noted a growing interest among Indian learners in foreign languages such as Spanish, German, French, Chinese, and Arabic at the AS & A Level stages.

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates student excellence across more than 40 countries worldwide, recognising learners who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, critical thinking, and subject mastery. Cambridge qualifications are globally recognised and highly valued by leading universities and employers for preparing students to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Commenting on the achievement, Vinay Sharma, Regional Director, South Asia – International Education, Cambridge, said, “Cambridge learners are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners from India, whose success reflects exceptional academic ability, dedication, and perseverance. These awards recognise the highest levels of performance worldwide and honour not only learners, but also the vital support of their teachers and parents. As part of the University of Cambridge, we deliver qualifications that are trusted globally and equip learners with the skills and confidence to pursue their future ambitions.”

In addition to recognising top academic performers, the awards also celebrate High Achievement winners in subjects with lower candidature in India, as well as students who achieved the highest cumulative marks across multiple subjects, having outperformed thousands of candidates globally.

The awards ceremony was attended by representatives from two UK Russell Group university branch campuses in India, both of which announced exclusive scholarship opportunities for award recipients.

University of York Mumbai, a campus of the University of York, UK, announced three scholarships for Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award recipients seeking admission in the 2026–27 academic year. Each scholarship will offer a full waiver of tuition fees for the first year of study and will be available for the following undergraduate programmes:

• BSc (Honours) Computer Science

• BSc (Honours) Economics

• BA (Honours) Business of the Creative Industries

Similarly, University of Liverpool Bengaluru, a campus of the University of Liverpool, UK, announced that Cambridge International A Level students who are OCLA recipients will be considered for five University of Liverpool Bengaluru–Cambridge Scholarship Awards starting in 2026. These scholarships will offer a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study, subject to meeting entry requirements.

The Cambridge Scholarship Awards reaffirm the universities’ commitment to recognising academic excellence and supporting high-achieving Cambridge learners in their pursuit of global higher education opportunities.

Hyderabad, Feb 5: Reinforcing the Government of Telangana’s strong focus on youth workforce development and education, WE Hub—India’s first state-led nodal organisation for women entrepreneurs—has taken a significant step toward bridging the gap between education and employability through its Campus to Career initiative.

As part of this effort, WE Hub signed MoUs with over 20 academic institutions to roll out the Campus to Career program across colleges in Telangana. Through these partnerships, WE Enable, WE Hub’s flagship student-focused intervention, will be implemented to strengthen industry readiness, employability, and career pathways for women students across the state.

The Campus to Career initiative aligns seamlessly with the government’s budgetary emphasis on strengthening higher education outcomes, skilling youth for future industries, and building a resilient, future-ready workforce. Through structured academic partnerships, WE Hub is enabling colleges to integrate industry exposure, mentorship, and skill-based learning directly into campus ecosystems—ensuring students graduate not just with degrees, but with direction.

The list of 20 colleges with whom the MoUs singed were Methodist College of Engineering and Technology; RBVRR Women’s College of Pharmacy; Veeranari Chakali Illamma Women’s University; Vidya Jyothi Institute of Technology; Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology; St. Joseph’s Degree & PG College for Women, Toli Chowki; Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Hyderabad; R.B.V.R.R Women’s College; St. Francis College for Women; St. Francis Institute of Management Studies; Malla Reddy College of Engineering; Sultan ul Uloom College of Pharmacy; Stanley College of Engineering and Technology for Women; Sultan ul Uloom College of Law; Woxsen University – School of Arts & Design; Ghulam Ahmed College of Education; G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Sciences; Amjad Ali Khan College of Business Administration; Government Degree College for Women, Begumpet; Sreenidhi University; and St. Joseph’s Degree & PG College, King Koti.

The MoUs mark a significant expansion of WE Hub’s Urban Student vertical, bringing together universities, engineering colleges, professional institutions, and women’s colleges from Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts. These collaborations will enable sustained, institution-led pathways from classrooms to careers through WE Enable and complementary programs.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sita Pallacholla, CEO, WE Hub, said:
“The recent Union Budget underscores a strong commitment to youth empowerment, education, and workforce readiness. WE Enable sits precisely at this intersection—where policy intent meets on-ground impact. Through Campus to Career, we are ensuring that young women are not only educated, but empowered with the skills, exposure, and confidence to lead Telangana’s future workforce.”

WE Enable goes beyond conventional skilling by offering students real-world industry immersion, mentorship from professionals, and opportunities to build problem-solving and leadership capabilities. With Cohort 2, the program aims to scale its impact across more campuses, directly contributing to the state’s vision of a future-ready and inclusive workforce.

This milestone further reinforces WE Hub’s role as a strategic partner to academic institutions and the government, translating policy priorities into actionable, scalable programs that prepare women students to participate, perform, and lead in the evolving economy.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, Feb 03: With the March 31 financial year-end approaching, the Centre for Transforming India (CFTI) has rolled out a set of education-focused initiatives across schools in Mumbai and rural regions to support the timely utilisation of unspent CSR funds. These projects are designed for execution within short timelines and aim to address persistent gaps in school infrastructure, access to learning resources, and student mobility—key factors impacting attendance and learning outcomes in government and rural schools.

The initiative spans a wide range of school development and education support interventions that can be implemented within FY-end timelines. These include student mobility support such as bicycle distribution for girls; provision of academic kits and scholarships; digital learning enablement through tablets and computer installations; classroom and furniture upgrades; drinking water and sanitation improvements; and the development of sports and physical education infrastructure in rural schools.

CFTI brings significant on-ground implementation experience, having previously executed similar initiatives across multiple states. This includes the distribution of over 35,000 bicycles, award of more than 1,300 scholarships covering students from early education to postgraduate levels, and deployment of over 800 tablets and 100 computers to improve digital access. Infrastructure interventions have included upgrades to more than 90 classrooms, donation of over 1,200 benches across Maharashtra, Bihar, Vizag, and Pondicherry, installation of 34 RO water purifiers, integrated upgrades across 144 schools, and the development of sports facilities in select rural locations.

Commenting on the initiative, Amit Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer, Centre for Transforming India (CFTI), said,

“As the financial year draws to a close, CSR teams often face time and execution constraints. Having projects that are implementation-ready enables CSR funds to be deployed within the reporting cycle while addressing specific, on-the-ground needs of schools and students.”

Through an approach centred on execution readiness, monitoring, and transparent reporting, CFTI partners with corporates to deliver education projects within the financial year, with the objective of converting CSR allocations into clearly defined and measurable outcomes at the school and community level.

Feb 3: St. Joseph’s School, Asmangadh Palace, Malakpet, Hyderabad, celebrated its Silver Jubilee Annual Cultural Festival, AgLumina — Illuminating Talent, Celebrating Excellence, at GSR Conventions, Hasthinapuram. The two-day festival stood as a fitting reflection of the institution’s legacy built over 25 years of dedicated service.

The programme commenced on Saturday, 31st January, 2026 with a welcome address by the Principal, Mrs. U. A. Sundari, who briefly outlined the significance of the Silver Jubilee celebrations and the school’s journey over the years. The Chief Guest for the day was Dr. K. S. Jawahar Reddy, IAS (Retd.), Chief Secretary (Retd.), Government of Andhra Pradesh, who addressed the gathering and appreciated the school’s consistent academic and co-curricular growth. The event was also graced by the presence of Shri M. Anil Kumar, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, AP & Telangana Region.

The celebrations continued on Sunday, 1 February 2026 with the blessings of Rev. Msgr. Yeruva Balashowreddy, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Hyderabad.

The Chief Guest for the day was Prof. Dr. V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Higher Education Council (TGCHE).

Mrs. Dhatri Reddy, IAS, CEO, Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and an alumna of St. Joseph’s School, attended as Guest of Honour.

The event gained further distinction through the gracious attendance of Shri T. Vijay Kumar Reddy, Indian Information Service (IIS), eminent civil servant and distinguished administrator, and U Alexander Reddy, Secretary, St. Anthony’s Education Society, across both days of the celebration. Parent representatives of the School Cabinet were also invited as the special guests on the occasion.

Students from various classes presented cultural performances spread across the two days. A special highlight of the programme was the dance drama by the students of Grade 9, “A Vision That Became a Legacy,” tracing the journey of the founder and the growth of the institution from its inception to its present standing. Gold medals were awarded to the school’s ICSE Board Examination 2025 toppers and class wise proficiency winners, acknowledging their scholastic achievements.

The Silver Jubilee Annual Cultural Festival, AgLumina, concluded on a high note, embodying the event’s motto of illuminating talent and celebrating excellence. As gold medals gleamed under the lights and applause echoed for the students’ stellar performances, the event not only honoured 25 years of transformative education but also inspired a new generation to carry forward this illustrious legacy with pride and passion.

Fr. Nelson A. D’Silva, S.J., Acting Director – XLRI Delhi-NCR
The plan to develop five University Townships along India’s major industrial and logistics corridors is a transformative step toward bridging the gap between education and industry. These townships are not mere clusters of buildings; they are integrated ecosystems where universities, research hubs, and skill centers coexist with residential spaces.

By colocating academia and industry, we create a living laboratory where learning is informed by real-world industrial challenges. The introduction of a ‘challenge route’ to guide States is particularly innovative—it encourages the creation of high-performance hubs rather than just additional infrastructure. This initiative ensures that graduates are ready to step directly from campus into leadership roles in India’s emerging sectors.

 Mr. Kanwal Jeet Jawa, President – DESDS (DJIME)
Placing University Townships adjacent to industrial and logistics hubs is a pragmatic approach to skill development. True mastery comes from learning in proximity to real-world operations, not in isolation. By integrating universities, skill centers, and research labs with industrial corridors, we establish a continuous pipeline of professionals attuned to India’s industry needs from day one.

The ‘challenge route’ is a forward-thinking measure, compelling States to focus on building sustainable ecosystems rather than just opening institutes. Students and mentors living and working near industrial hubs ensures a workforce that is genuinely industry-ready, transforming India from a nation of job seekers into a nation of skilled practitioners and innovators.

Mr. Avik Chattopadhyay, Chairperson, XADM & Founder, INDEA
The establishment of a new NID in Eastern India is a landmark move toward democratizing access to world-class design education. For too long, top-tier design opportunities were limited by geography; this initiative invites talent from every corner of the country to contribute to a nationwide creative renaissance.

Beyond addressing regional imbalances, this initiative fuels India’s growing demand for visual content—from digital media to immersive experiences. By linking education directly to enterprise via the new standing committee, we shift from producing mere stylists to nurturing problem solvers capable of driving Atmanirbhar innovation. This is about cultivating design as a national capability—transforming students into founders, creators, and value generators for tomorrow.

Pathikrit Dasgupta, Co-Founder,SabPaisa

By prioritizing AI and digital innovation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has outlined a roadmap for the next phase of India’s fintech revolution. At SabPaisa, we interpret this mandate as a call to action to make financial technologies more accessible than ever. We are committed to translating this national vision into practical solutions—building AI-ready, partner-first platforms that remove operational bottlenecks and drive tangible business value. This is a growth-oriented budget, and it fuels our resolve to empower Indian enterprises.

Mr. Shri Mahavir Goel, Chairman, Venkateshwar International School

“The Budget adopts a system-level approach to strengthening the education sector. It prioritises stronger school foundations through improved digital access, regional-language learning, and greater exposure to science and innovation. In higher education, the focus shifts towards advanced research, artificial intelligence, medical and professional training, and closer engagement with industry. By bringing schools, colleges and careers into closer alignment, the Budget positions education as a practical, outcome-driven system equipped to support India’s evolving economic and workforce needs.”

Mr. Ajit Chauhan, Chairman, Amity University Online

“The rise in education spending to ₹1,39,289 crore in Budget 2026–27, an 8.27% increase over last year, signals a strong national resolve to build future-ready human capital through sustained investment in learning.

The creation of the high-powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee is a timely step, especially with its focus on the services sector as a growth engine for Viksit Bharat. By assessing how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping jobs and skill requirements, it can keep curricula and career pathways aligned with real market demand and help institutions respond faster. The priority now is outcome-led implementation and wider, high-quality online participation so future-ready skills scale beyond a few campuses.

These proposed measures will help make India’s talent pipeline a global growth engine, powering our country’s next phase of productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.”

“India’s approach to AI is becoming more grounded and outcome-focused. By positioning AI and emerging technologies as growth multipliers rather than a prestige race, the focus shifts to human-AI collaboration. Further, the proposal to set up a committee to review AI’s impact on the services sector with the ambition of capturing 10% of global services exports by 2047 highlights the scale of opportunity ahead and makes one thing clear: large-scale upskilling is a non-negotiable so the workforce can use AI confidently, ethically, and productively. Regulation will matter, but real value will come from enabling talent to apply AI effectively in everyday work.”

Chandigarh, Jan 31: In a significant step towards advancing India Japan cooperation in skilled workforce mobility, NSDC International  under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  Government of India, today organised a Send-Off Ceremony for a new batch of Indian candidates who have successfully completed Japanese language training and are proceeding to Japan for various opportunities across key sectors.

The ceremony was held at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, and marked the departure of 39 candidates trained under NSDCI’s structured Japanese language and cultural readiness programme. The candidates will take up various opportunities in sectors such as caregiving, hospitality and agriculture, across multiple prefectures in Japan, including Tokyo and Ibaraki, Hokkaido etc.

The send-off ceremony represents a key milestone in NSDCI’s ongoing efforts to build a steady pipeline of India-ready talent for overseas employment through structured language training, cultural orientation and employer alignment. The Japanese language and cultural readiness programme is designed to ensure smooth workplace integration, enhance employability and support long-term retention of Indian professionals in Japan’s labour market.

Smt. Archana Mayaram, Economic Advisor, MSDE mentioned about the visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Japan in August last year where the Leaders of India and Japan had reaffirmed the special strategic and global partnerships and had adopted a joint vision for the next decade.  An action plan of Human Resource Exchange of 5,00,000 personnel in the next 5 years, including 50,000 skilled professionals and potential talent from India to Japan has been envisioned. As structural realignment of the Global economy continues, India’s contribution to services sector is emerging as a strong pillar of the Global economy. The youngsters who are embarking on a journey to Japan are the real ambassadors of India and are representatives of growing presence of India in the global economy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. ArunKumar Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), said,

“Skilled workforce mobility has become a defining pillar of international cooperation. As these young professionals take their first steps into the world, they are carrying not just their skills but the pride and values of India with them. Their journey to Japan reflects the growing global trust in India’s talent and in the quality of our skilling and language preparation. Through partnerships like these, we are creating real, life-changing pathways for our youth to build meaningful international careers  and in doing so, to strengthen India’s reputation as a dependable, future-ready partner for global workforce needs.”

NSDC International has so far trained over 400 candidates in Japanese language programmes aligned with Japanese industry requirements, with 185 candidates already successfully working in Japan. The current group has completed nearly nine months of language training, equipping them with both Japanese language proficiency and cultural understanding essential for workplace success.
Alongside the current cohort, preparations are underway to enable more than 100 candidates to undertake this journey as part of the engagement.

The candidates hail from diverse regions including Manipur, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on inclusive access to global opportunities, regardless of geography or background. The candidates will be working in reputed Japanese organisations across multiple prefectures, supporting Japan’s workforce needs while enhancing India’s global talent footprint.

The Send-Off Ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced India’s commitment to skill-led international mobility, positioning Indian youth as reliable contributors to global value chains.

NSDC International remains committed to expanding language training capacity, deepening international partnerships, and strengthening India’s role as a trusted source of skilled talent for the world.

BENGALURU, India, Jan 31: Wipro Limited today hosted the 15th edition of the Wipro earthian Awards 2025 at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. The annual program promotes integrated sustainability education and recognizes schools and colleges across India that demonstrate meaningful and enduring engagement with sustainable practices and principles.

The 2025 Wipro earthian program saw over 2,000 submissions, with an independent jury selecting 25 winning teams. The projects showcased fresh insight into biodiversity, waste, and water, combining hands-on activities with reflective written work.

Anurag Behar, Chief Executive Officer, Azim Premji Foundation, and Narayan P. S., Global Head of Sustainability and Societal Initiatives, Wipro Limited, and Managing Trustee, Wipro Foundation, presented certificates and cash prizes to the winning teams.

“The strength of the Wipro earthian program lies in grounding sustainability in lived reality, helping students understand water stress through nearby lakes and rivers, biodiversity through neighborhood species, and waste through everyday community practices,” said Narayan P.S. “Across regions and schools, students have moved well beyond awareness to sustained engagement, approaching real environmental challenges with curiosity, rigor, and empathy. Their work reflects a deep understanding of sustainability as a shared responsibility. At a time when global crises can feel distant or overwhelming, it reinforces an essential principle that meaningful care for the planet begins at home.”

This year, 24 sustainability educators from 14 regional non-governmental organizations (NGOs), part of the Wipro Sustainability Educators Network (SEN), collaborated closely with local communities to lead activities such as nature camps, library sessions, and winter and summer sustainability schools. In addition, over 100 schools were recognized by the Wipro Foundation at events conducted by the NGOs, enabling deep, localized learning and building student awareness of real-world environmental challenges.

Wipro earthian also supports sustainability in higher education through the ‘Ideas to Impact (i2I)’ challenge, run in collaboration with IIT Madras since 2023. The contest encourages students to validate and develop eco-innovative ideas into workable prototypes that deepen understanding and promote action toward ecological sustainability. Since launch, i2I has seen national participation of 2,700 entries from over 1,300 colleges, with 10 teams being recognized this year for innovations in Energy, Building Materials, and Water.

Since its inception in 2011, Wipro earthian has engaged with more than 51,000 schools, 210,000 students, and 41,000 teachers. Its impact has grown through collaborations with partners such as CEE (Centre for Environment Education), CPREEC (C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre), Wild Ecologues, IIT Madras, IIM Bangalore, state governments, and educators in the Sustainability Educators Network.