Category education

Mumbai, Nov 16:- As India strengthens its institutions through transparency and accountability, the need for professionally managed religious organisations is growing. Addressing this shift, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), Mumbai, inaugurated Batch 2 of its Temple Management Programme on 13 December 2025, offering students a unique opportunity to apply management education beyond corporate settings.

The inauguration brought together leaders from academia, law, and public service, who underscored the importance of ethical and structured temple governance. The programme blends classroom learning with field immersion and practitioner insights, equipping students with capabilities across services management, perspective management, an understanding of the spiritual economy, financial frameworks, and community engagement, preparing them for responsible leadership in sacred institutions.

Welcoming the new batch, Advocate Shri S. K. Jain, Chairman  Managing Council, Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, and Chairman  College Development Committee, emphasised the importance of responsible trust governance in today’s complex environment; “Temple Trust Management goes far beyond administration. It involves balancing the interests of trustees, devotees, priests, government authorities, and society at large. This programme equips learners with the right mindset and managerial discipline to protect trust assets, ensure transparency, manage crowds sensitively, and uphold faith without compromising emotions,” he said.

Drawing attention to current challenges faced by religious trusts, ranging from regulatory compliance and financial accountability to crowd control and infrastructure utilisation, he added that structured education in temple management is no longer optional but essential for safeguarding India’s spiritual and cultural institutions.

Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, highlighted the programme’s larger vision of nation-building through education; “For us, this initiative is about ‘Temple Management for Nation Building’. Temples are not only places of worship; they are social, cultural, and economic nerve centres of communities. By integrating modern management practices with Indian Knowledge Systems and value-based learning, we aim to create leaders aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.

Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman, Temple Management  Core Committee, congratulated WeSchool for being the first institution globally to launch a formal, structured programme in temple management; “WeSchool is the pioneer of Temple Management education. The first batch will always be remembered as the founding cohort of this movement, and the second batch carries forward that legacy. This programme addresses real-world challenges such as, temple economy and even the application of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence,” he said.

Adding a social perspective, Shri Sumant Amshekar, social worker and activist, spoke about temples as invisible yet powerful centres of management; “The best management is often the one that is not noticed. Temple management is about service, discipline, and creating an ecosystem where devotees experience dignity, order, and spiritual fulfilment. This programme has the potential to turn temples into centres of social transformation,” he said.

Dr. Suhas Pednekar, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Mumbai, highlighted the cultural significance of temples in India’s civilisational framework; “Indian society has always stood on four pillars, home, school, temple, and nature. Strengthening temples through knowledge and modern management is essential to preserving our cultural foundation while preparing for the future,” he remarked.

With the inauguration of Batch 2, WeSchool continues its mission to create socially responsible leaders capable of managing sacred institutions with professionalism, compassion, and accountability, ensuring that India’s temples remain resilient pillars of faith, service, and nation-building.

Greater Noida,  Dec 15: Galgotias University has taken a decisive and future-shaping step in transforming higher education in India with the launch of advanced Semiconductor and Drone Technology Labs, integrated with a powerful Experiential Simulation Learning ecosystem. This initiative firmly positions the university as a national leader in hands-on, industry-aligned education, setting a new benchmark for experiential learning across the country.

Moving beyond traditional classroom-based instruction, Galgotias University is enabling students to learn by building, experimenting, competing, and innovating. One of the most distinctive additions is the Advanced Drone Soccer Arena, where engineering education converges with competitive gaming. Here, students design and pilot drones in fast-paced matches, sharpening skills such as precision engineering, teamwork, strategic thinking, and real-time problem-solving. The Drone Soccer Arena was inaugurated by Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA), QS Quacquarelli Symonds, lending global academic recognition to this pioneering initiative.

As India rapidly strengthens its capabilities in semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and unmanned aerial systems, Galgotias University has placed its students at the center of this national priority mission. These next-generation laboratories are designed to deliver industry-grade exposure, ensuring students acquire practical expertise rather than only theoretical knowledge.

The Semiconductor Lab provides comprehensive exposure to the chip ecosystem, covering design, simulation, fabrication processes, testing, and applications across artificial intelligence, automotive electronics, and consumer devices. By working on real-world problem statements and advanced simulation tools, students gain critical insights into a sector that is vital to India’s technological self-reliance.

Complementing this is the Drone Technology Lab, which offers immersive training in UAV design, assembly, flight control systems, payload integration, and real-time data analytics. Students engage with real-life applications such as precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, surveillance, and defense technologies, equipping them for rapidly growing global industries.

What truly differentiates Galgotias University is its Experiential Simulation Learning framework. Through digital twins, virtual labs, real-time simulations, and scenario-based challenges, the university recreates industrial environments on campus. This approach decisively bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring graduates are industry-ready from day one.

University leadership emphasized that this initiative reflects Galgotias University’s commitment to becoming a future-ready, innovation-driven institution, aligned with evolving industry demands and national priorities. Faculty members have undergone specialized training to seamlessly integrate experiential methodologies into daily teaching.

Students have welcomed the initiative as a game-changer, citing increased confidence, stronger practical skills, and enhanced employability. Early industry feedback indicates that graduates trained under this model demonstrate superior readiness for high-technology roles.

With these pioneering laboratories and immersive simulation ecosystem, Galgotias University is not just upgrading infrastructure it is redefining engineering and technology education in India, setting a powerful example for universities nationwide.

New Delhi, Dec 15: Britannica Education hosted the National Celebration & Felicitation Ceremony of its flagship writing initiative, the Britannica Young Author Quest (Y.A.Q.) 2025, in Delhi on 13^th December 2025. Launched in September 2025, this first edition of the program engaged over 80, 000 students from 80+ schools across India, culminating in the recognition of the top 120 exceptional young finalists.

Britannica Y.A.Q. encourages students to express imagination, creativity, and empathy through original stories  helping them develop essential 21st-century skills such as literacy, communication, and critical thinking. The initiative empowers young minds to become confident communicators, reflective thinkers, and compassionate storytellers.

Finalists from grades 4 to 9 were recognized across three categories  Rising Quill, Creative Scriber, and Master Writer. These young authors were selected for demonstrating originality, clarity of thought, and purposeful storytelling shaped by compassion and creativity. Winners were felicitated with trophies, certificates, and prizes, including iPads, Lenovo Tablets, and Amazon Echo Dots.

The winners across categories included Ilyan Shamin (1st), Arham Kapasi (2nd), and Abhijith Kumar (3rd) in the Rising Quill category; Taijasi Santra (1st), Mihika Singal (2nd), and Anika Srivastava (3rd) in the Creative Scribes category; and Maya Davele (1st), Siddhi Tyagi (2nd), and Koshika Bishit (3rd) in the Master Writers category.

A stellar jury shortlisted the winners and champions of literature, including Ms. Angeline Chauhan, Instructional Mentor, Writer & Editor, Podcaster, Ms. Shabnam Dohutia, Executive Editor, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Ms. Pragya Pandita, Product & Academic Head, Britannica Education India. The ceremony was graced by Dr. Kiran Bedi, a former IPS Officer, Social Reformer, and Author, whose presence deeply inspired participating students, educators, and parents. In her address, she encouraged young authors to write with empathy, awareness, and responsibility, reinforcing the power of words as a tool for transformation and social impact.

Speaking about the success of the initiative, Utkarsh Mishra, Commercial Director, India & South Asia, Britannica Education, said,

 “The Young Author Quest embodies Britannica’s mission to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every learner. Seeing over 80,000 students use storytelling as a medium to express ideas, emotions, and purpose has been truly inspiring. This first edition reinforces our belief that when young minds are given the right platform, their voices can spark meaningful change. We are proud to celebrate these young authors and the educators who guided them and hope to scale up the initiative even further next year.”

The initiative brought together students and educators nationwide, fostering creative expression, strengthening writing proficiency, and deepening reflective thinking across participating schools. It nurtured students’ confidence by enabling them to see themselves as storytellers and potential published authors, while also encouraging purpose-driven narratives grounded in compassion, courage, and positive action.

The event hosted 24 finalists along with their parents, educators, school leaders from Delhi NCR, and the Britannica Education team. As the first edition of the program, launched in September 2025, the celebration marked a milestone in Britannica Education’s efforts to nurture young voices and promote purposeful storytelling across the country.

Dec 15:- Satyam School of Journalism & Mass Communication is set to host its flagship Annual Media Fest, IGNITE 2K25, on 19th December 2025, reaffirming its commitment to holistic media education and experiential learning. The institute has partnered with Media Maniacs Group as the official PR Partner to amplify student voices and extend the fest’s outreach to a wider academic and professional audience.

Themed “Virasat Uday: The Rise of Our Heritage,” IGNITE 2K25 is envisioned as a dynamic platform that blends India’s rich cultural legacy with contemporary media practices. The fest aims to provide students with hands-on exposure to real-world media environments while nurturing creativity, collaboration, and leadership key competencies for future media professionals.

The event is poised to bring together young media aspirants from across the region, offering a space where talent meets opportunity. IGNITE 2K25 will feature a diverse selection of engaging competitions, including RJ Hunt, Walk Off (Fashion Show), Click-O-Mania (Photography), Foot Loose (Group Dance), Step Up (Solo Dance), Halla Bol (Nukkad Natak), Saptak (Solo Singing), and Flickit (Mobile Filmmaking). With cash prizes for winners, participation certificates for all, and support from esteemed sponsors such as Uneek World, Revlon, Media Maniacs, and Supercharged, the fest promises a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and communication.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Alam, Dean, SSJMC, stated;

“IGNITE 2K25 reflects SSJMC’s vision of integrating education with creativity and cultural awareness. Through this fest, our students gain invaluable experiential learning that prepares them for the evolving media industry. The theme ‘Virasat Uday’ allows young minds to explore heritage through modern communication tools. Such academic-cultural platforms build confidence, professional discipline, and creative expression, which are essential for students pursuing careers in journalism and mass communication.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Surabhi Trivedi, Founder & CEO, Media Maniacs Group, stated, “We are honored to serve as the PR Partner for IGNITE 2K25. Supporting young media professionals aligns perfectly with our ethos of nurturing voices that will shape the future of communication.” She further shared, “This partnership is a celebration of creativity, cultural identity, and youth leadership, and we are thrilled to amplify the energy and vision of SSJMC’s students.”

IGNITE 2K25 stands ready to become a highlight in the academic media calendar, celebrating heritage with a contemporary lens. The partnership between Media Maniacs Group and SSJMC underscores a shared commitment to inspiring, elevating, and empowering the next generation of media innovators.

The Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC), in collaboration with the Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), today announced a national initiative to strengthen India’s Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) ecosystem at a ceremony held at the Calcutta Press Club Maidan Tent.

As the centerpiece of the event, Ms. Shaleni Biswas, Managing Director, EasyNotes Stationery Pvt. Ltd., was formally appointed as the Torch Bearer of the MEPSC–BRC Pre-School Facilitators & Caregivers Program. Supported by EasyNotes and powered by Nalanda Learning Systems as the Implementation Partner, the pan-India program aims to train thousands of pre-school facilitators and caregivers through structured, competency-based modules aligned with inclusive early learning needs.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sumanta Rudra, Director, Bhaktivedanta Research Center, said,

“Today marks an important milestone in reimagining early childhood education in India. Ms. Shaleni Biswas brings exceptional clarity and commitment, and her leadership will inspire educators nationwide.”

Accepting the honour, Ms. Shaleni Biswas stated,

“I am deeply honoured to champion this mission. Strengthening a child’s foundation years is one of the most meaningful contributions to society. This initiative will empower caregivers, uplift educators, and bring quality early education to every corner of India.”

Prabhu Aradhya (Bhagvan Das), Spiritual Mentor & Leadership Coach, added,

“Service to children is service to humanity. By nurturing caregivers, we nurture society. I congratulate BRC, MEPSC, and all partners for this noble endeavour.”

Tamal Mukherjee, Founder Director, Nalanda Learning Systems, said,

“This collaboration brings together skill development, technology, and strong on-ground execution. We are committed to ensuring scale, quality, and measurable impact across all states.”

The MEPSC–BRC initiative represents a significant step toward building an inclusive ECCE framework and professionalizing early childhood education across India.

New Delhi, Dec 15: DPS Vasant Vihar shimmered in a dazzling palette of colours on Thursday and Friday as the school unveiled its grand art festival ‘Artopia  A Euphony of Hues’, celebrating imagination, innovation and self-expression. Students from Nursery to Class 5 took centre stage, presenting an extraordinary range of creative work that transformed the campus into a multi-sensory artistic landscape.

In a unique concept, each class was assigned a distinct colour of the rainbow, turning the school’s landscape into immersive colour-based zones. Children enthusiastically showcased hands-on art activities, crafts and displays of both traditional and contemporary techniques all echoing their assigned hues.

The event also featured a dynamic Art Trail, guiding visitors through a series of thoughtfully curated stations that highlighted the breadth of artistic exploration nurtured by the school. The rich array of experiences included the Art Walk, Origami Stories, Clay Creations, Dance and Art Integration Showcase, Mini Artist Studio, Illusion Alert, Mural Avenue, Texture Trail, Digital Art, Contemporary Corner, Pattern Play Corner, Nature-Inspired Mosaic, Recycled Craft Displays, Story-in-Art Exhibits, Print-Making Studio, Block Print Bazaar, Handprint Mural Wall, Paper Crafts, Colour Riddles Corner, 3D Printing Station, Live Painting and more. Visitors were equally charmed by the many stations led by children themselves who demonstrated techniques, explained concepts and guided peers and parents with confidence and joy.

On day one, the event was graced by the acclaimed Padma Bhushan awardee, Mr. Jatin Das. To nurture love for the environment as well as for learning and creativity, he added, “Handle paper with the same love, care and respect as you would handle a person or your pet.”

The school Principal, Mr. Anil Kumar expressed his delight at the students’ curiosity and inventiveness and remarked, “This festival embodies our belief in art as a joyful journey of expression and learning. These children express with colour what many express with words and both are equally powerful forms of communication.”

The Headmistress said, “The year long planning and vision of the teachers is reflective in the great learning marvel that has unfolded today. I applaud the collective efforts of the teachers, students and parents in bringing Artopia to life.”

On day two, the school was honoured to also host renowned painter, Satadru Sovan Banduri, a multi-disciplinary Indian artist as well as dignitaries associated with French language in India, Ms. Clothilde Sautrel, Attachée for Cooperation in French Language, North India and Mr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Attaché and National Coordinator, Cooperation in French Language and Education. They praised the school’s vision and the global spirit reflected in the festival.

Running parallel to the visual arts celebration was ‘Dashavatara’, an inter-school performing arts competition that brought together 26 schools from across Delhi. Through dance-drama, participants presented captivating interpretations of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu seamlessly blending classical sensibilities with contemporary storytelling. Additionally, the music department organised an inter-school singing competition. The Indian vocalists sang songs on the theme ‘Devotion’ where participants expressed devotion to their country and the Almighty. Western vocalists mesmerised the audience with their soulful renditions on the theme ‘Songs of Humanity’, blending melody with emotions. The performances enlivened the campus, adding rhythm and narrative depth to the already vibrant atmosphere of the day.

Children expressed their excitement with infectious enthusiasm. “I tried the puzzle corner and the patterns looked so cool. It felt like solving a secret code with colours,” said Samaira Jain, a Class 2 student. Viyanca Madhwani from Class 5 added, “The digital corner with 3D Printing fascinated me. I got to create an object from my digital design. It felt like drawing but with superpowers.” Their delight mirrored the energy that pulsed through Artopia.

Artopia drew to a graceful close, leaving hearts stirred by the ingenuity on display. Young minds walked home inspired while parents and mentors admired the inventive flair that unfolded throughout the event. The gathering ultimately stood as a shining example of how open-ended exploration can uplift every learner’s journey.

Dec 13:-Venue Bella Vista Campus, ASCI, Hyderabad  The Administrative Staff College of India  Hyderabad, and the National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 12, 2025, at the ASCI Bella Vista Campus, Lok Bhavan Road, Hyderabad.

This partnership aims to foster synergy between the two institutions in the areas of training, research and knowledge creation, with a shared commitment to advancing capacity building in governance and public administration. The collaboration covers a wide range of initiatives, Capacity-Building Programmes, Research Projects, Consultancy Assignments, Faculty Exchange, Mission Karmayogi initiatives, Resource Sharing, and other mutually agreed activities.

The MoU establishes a framework for enhanced professional, academic and scholarly engagement in the domains of public policy, governance, administration, data analytics, data protection, digital transformation, crime analysis and related fields. It seeks to promote the generation and dissemination of knowledge based on reciprocity and mutual benefit.

The MoU was signed by Dr. O. P. Singh, Registrar & Secretary, ASCI, and Dr. J. S. Tomar, Deputy Director General, NSSTA, MoSPI. Dr. Janardhan Reddy, IAS (Retd.), DoRS ASCI; Dr. Valli Manickam, DoTP ASCI; Dr. Subodh Kandamuthan, Dean LDP, ASCI; Shri Santosh Kumar Gupta, Director, NSSTA; and officers from ASCI, Hyderabad, were present during the event.

Significance of the MoU;

The collaboration aims to organize joint programmes such as lectures, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, symposia, webinars and training programmes in identified areas of mutual interest and expertise. It also envisages the publication of proceedings of these events, including background papers, compendiums, white papers, journals, dossiers and policy documents on emerging and relevant themes.

Both institutions will mutually share infrastructure, resources and expertise for the execution of these programmes. The collaboration may also include arrangements for field visits and other academic engagements that contribute to strengthening learning and research outcomes.

Roorkee, Uttarakhand | Dec 13: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee successfully conducted the Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Hardware Edition as a Nodal Centre for the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. The five-day national event (8–12 December) brought together top hardware innovators from across India to develop implementable solutions to critical national challenges.

The Smart India Hackathon, launched by the Government of India and guided by the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has grown into one of the world’s largest open-innovation platforms for students. It empowers young minds to solve real-life challenges posed by ministries, industries, and public-sector organisations. SIH plays a pivotal role in advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India, and the national innovation mission by encouraging indigenous design, rapid prototyping, and technology-led problem-solving. The Government’s continued support for SIH reflects its commitment to positioning India’s youth at the forefront of hardware, software, and deep-tech innovation.

This year, IIT Roorkee hosted five major hardware problem statements issued by two key ministries:

· Ministry of Home Affairs (NSG & BSF): Surveillance during extreme weather; Handheld radio set with satellite-based personal tracking.

· Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW): Sugarcane maturity prediction device; Low-cost cotton-picking machinery; Advanced jute ribboner machine for in-situ retting.

A total of 23 shortlisted teams from leading institutions across Tamil Nadu, Haryana, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh participated in the event. They represented institutions such as the University College of Engineering, Kancheepuram, Chennai Institute of Technology, IIIT Sonipat, Shri Shankaracharya Professional University, and Samrat Ashok Technological Institute, among others. Teams worked intensively through day-and-night sessions involving design, prototyping, simulation, testing, and continuous mentoring by ministry representatives, including the National Security Guard, Border Security Force, and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The Grand Finale concluded today with final evaluations and the valedictory ceremony. Winners for each problem statement category are structured as follows (to be filled upon official declaration):

PS-wise Winners (Hardware Edition – IIT Roorkee Nodal Centre)

PS ID: SIH25196 – Surveillance during extreme weather conditions (MHA–NSG)

Joint Winners: Impact Innovators and Fenix

Solution Highlight: Developed an all-terrain, weather-resilient surveillance system integrating thermal imaging, autonomous drone patrol, and real-time alert analytics. The solution ensures continuous monitoring even in heavy rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions, supporting NSG teams with faster response and enhanced situational awareness.

PS ID: SIH25255 – Handheld Radio Set with Satellite Personal Tracking System (MHA–BSF)

Winner: Megatron

Solution Highlight: Built a rugged handheld radio device equipped with low-power satellite communication and GPS-based personal tracking. The system offers encrypted voice communication, SOS beaconing, and real-time location sharing—significantly improving border patrol safety and coordination during operations.

PS ID: SIH25264 – Prediction of Optimum Maturity of Sugarcane Crop (MoA&FW)

Winner: Farmedge

Solution Highlight: Designed a portable, farmer-friendly digital scanner that uses multispectral sensing and AI models to predict sugarcane maturity. The device gives instant field-level insights on harvest readiness, improving yield quality, reducing losses, and enabling data-driven decision-making for farmers.

PS ID: SIH25266 – Low-Cost Machinery for Cotton Picking (MoA&FW)

Winner: Mindsmiths

Solution Highlight: Created an affordable semi-automated cotton picking machine with soft-grip mechanical arms and debris-reduction technology. The innovation boosts picking speed, minimizes waste, and reduces labor dependency – offering a scalable solution for small and marginal cotton farmers.

PS ID: SIH25267 – Jute Ribboner Machine for Enhanced In-situ Retting (MoA&FW)

Winner: Caffeinated Coders

Solution Highlight: Engineered a lightweight, energy-efficient jute ribboner machine capable of uniform ribbon formation to accelerate in-situ retting. The solution improves fibre quality, reduces manual effort, and supports sustainable jute production by optimizing the traditional retting process.

Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, congratulated the participants and said, “SIH 2025 demonstrates the remarkable innovation capability of India’s youth. IIT Roorkee is proud to enable this national platform and support the development of hardware solutions that will contribute to India’s technological growth and competitiveness.”

The Chief Guest for the valedictory ceremony, Prof. V. K. Malik, Dean SRIC, IIT Roorkee, said, “The solutions developed during this five-day finale demonstrate exceptional clarity, commitment, and technical depth. The participating teams have shown how real-world challenges can be addressed through indigenous hardware innovation, and we are proud to serve as a platform for such national talent.”

Prof. Varun Sharma (SPOC, SIH 2025) and Faculty Coordinator Tinkering Lab, IIT Roorkee shared, “The passion, discipline, and engineering depth exhibited by students across the five-day event were exemplary. The ideas presented reflect the next generation of indigenous hardware innovation.”

With the successful hosting of SIH 2025 – Hardware Edition, IIT Roorkee reinforces its leadership in fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and empowering young technologists to contribute meaningfully to India’s growth.