Category education

Trichy, 20th February 2024: Get ready to witness the skies come alive as Propeller Technologies, in collaboration with BVM Global School, presents a thrilling air show on February 24th, 2024, from 12.30 pm. This dynamic event, to be held at Morais City near Trichy airport, promises to ignite the passion for aviation in young minds, offering a front-row seat to the mesmerizing world of miniature flights.

The air show promises a diverse lineup of models, ensuring a visual feast for the students. From miniature models of Control Line aircraft and trainer Model Aircraft to Helicopters, Glider Aircraft, Ornithopters, and 3D aircraft, the event will showcase the full spectrum of aerodynamic wonders, illustrating the intersection of science, engineering, and technology in aviation.

Mr. Subramanyam Kantheti, CEO of Veranda K-12, which manages BVM Global Schools, said, “At BVM Global School, we believe in providing holistic learning experiences. This air show is an exciting blend of entertainment and education, offering our students a unique chance to witness the marvels of aviation in a lively and engaging atmosphere. We would want our students at BVM Global School to be inspired and embark on a journey of innovation, potentially creating their own miniature aircraft in the future.”

Mr. Aashik Rahman, Founder & CEO of Propeller Technologies, expresses his excitement, saying, “We’re on a mission to turn dreams into flight. This air show is an embodiment of our commitment to inspire the future aviators, engineers, and innovators of Trichy. These miniature aircrafts, showcased at the event, have been built by our own students at Propeller Technologies, highlighting the creativity and innovation within our community.”

Mr. Subramanyam further emphasized the impact of such events on students, stating, “Experiences like these go beyond textbooks, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of our students. We believe that witnessing the magic of aviation at a young age can inspire future leaders and innovators.”

Mr. Rahman went on to point out, “These models are a journey into the possibilities of the future. We want these young minds to look up and dream big, to see the potential that lies within the realms of science and technology.”

Calicut, 16th February 2024 SAFI Institute of Advanced Study of SAFI has been conferred the covetable national academic recognition as an Autonomous College from the University Grants Commission. Last year SAFI attained the highest grade of A++ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), the agency that rates the quality of higher education in the country. This is the first Arts and Science College in Kerala to achieve A++ in the first cycle of NAAC Accreditation with a score of 3.54, becoming the center of excellence in the Higher Education Sector. The current recognition at the national level as an Autonomous College adds one more feather to the crown of SAFI . In between the PMA SAFI Human Resources Institute of SAFI secured the AICTE affiliation to start multi-disciplined post-graduate degrees and diplomas in management studies. 100+ acre, hill-top, scenic SAFI campus is now a highly desired destination for higher education.

Getting established as the model of higher education in Malabar, SAFI Institute has already signed MoU with Lincoln University Malaysia and has upgraded as a research centre. The institute has been participating in National Institutional Ranking Framework since 2021. SAFI Chairman Dr. Azad Moopen said that SAFI will be transformed into a model institution in research in sciences and sociological subjects by linking with more national and global institutions of repute shortly.

Formed as a charitable trust in 2001, SAFI established the SAFI Institute of Advanced Study in 2005 focusing on the education and socio-cultural leadership development of communities that remained as backward due to historical reasons. SAFI Civil Service Coaching Centre is a unique residential centre for civil service coaching which is being patronised by students from more than 10 states in India. It also runs a Civil Service Foundation course, in parallel to undergraduate studies, exclusively for its students to prepare them for admission to the Civil Service Coaching Centre. Leaders Academy is yet another flagship initiative of SAFI where selected students are trained for critical and advanced value-based leadership skills. . SAFI campus extracurricular activities include agricultural practices in adopted villages, rehabilitation projects for unemployed Gulf-returnees etc.,

SAFI has to its credit rank holders in different programs of Calicut University for the last six years, in addition to getting laurels in arts, sports, and other co-curricular activities. OSRA, which is the Alumni Club of SAFI is very active with branches outside the country.

Functioning over 2.5 lakh sq. ft buildings spread in 100 acres, this pioneer educational Institution of Malabar is stepping towards realizing the dream of becoming a university soon, says Dr. P. Mohammad Ali (Galfar) the Chairman Emeritus of SAFI.

SAFI is represented in its Board of Trustees by eminent educationalists, industrialists, leading entrepreneurs, businessmen, professionals, and scholars from different branches of knowledge.

The Principal Prof E P Imbichikoya said that the Management is keenly concerned with the implementation of the projects focusing on the holistic development of SAFI as well as its social transformation initiatives

16th February 2024: OneEarth Foundation, a leading non-profit organization committed to environmental sustainability, is set to embark on a unique campaign titled “Drive Against Plastic Pollution” to raise awareness about the critical issue of marine plastic pollution and its impact on Goa’s coastlines and marine biodiversity.

The campaign, which is part of OneEarth Foundation’s larger “Wave of Change” initiative, will involve a 120-kilometer kayak expedition across the Goan coastline, engaging communities through beach cleanups, school and college workshops, mangrove cleanups, educational walks, and ghost net awareness programs. The campaign was started today by Keri Sarpanch Dharti Nagoji and attended by students of New English High School.

“Harnessing the power of local communities, OneEarth Foundation has launched a groundbreaking campaign in Goa. This 30-day-long initiative, from February 1st to March 1st, empowers Goans, especially the younger generation, to become active warriors against plastic pollution. This strategic effort holds immense promise for protecting Goa’s precious coastal ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for generations to come, said Ferdin Sylvester, Co-Founder & Director of OneEarth Foundation.

The first 15-day of the campaign was focused on raising awareness among students through workshops and seminars held in schools, which aimed to educate them about the initiative and invite them to participate actively”, he explained.

The collected plastic waste will be sent for processing to ensure it never ends up back in the ocean. The entire campaign will be documented in a film capturing the journey, the people involved, the challenges faced, and the impact of collective action against plastic pollution. This documentary aims to inspire similar actions worldwide.

OneEarth Foundation now invites individuals, communities, and organizations to join their efforts in tackling this critical environmental issue. By participating, you can contribute to a cleaner, healthier ocean and protect the natural beauty of Goa’s shores.

Hyderabad, 16th February 2024: Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya – India’s only AI-powered learning platform delivering outcomes at scale – continues to soar to new heights. It proudly announces a remarkable result in JEE Main 2024, Session 1 examination. Based on last year cut-offs, 20%+ of our enrolled learners will qualify for JEE Advanced 2024. Among those, 10% of learners have achieved a score in the 99th percentile or higher, and a few learners have also scored in the 100th percentile in Physics and Mathematics. About 12 lakh learners appeared for JEE Main Session 1.

Congratulating the achievers, Ms. Sushma Boppana, Co-founder of Infinity Learn and Academic Director of Sri Chaitanya Group, said, “We are thrilled with the exceptional performance of our learners in JEE Main 2024 Session 1, reinforcing Infinity Learn’s leadership in delivering outcome-based learning at scale. This achievement underscores our commitment to excellence and dedication to nurturing learners’ aspiration of studying in top engineering colleges.”

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, said,
“Heartiest congratulations to the outstanding achievers of JEE Main 2024, Session 1! Our commitment to delivering results has always been guided by our core principle, ‘Baccha Seekha Ki Nahi’ – focusing on delivering outcomes. Today we take immense pride that Infinity Learn as an EdTech platform has achieved such outstanding results. The fact that 10% of our learners have reached the 99th percentile or higher, with some even achieving a perfect 100th percentile in Physics and Mathematics, is truly exceptional. This success underscores the profound impact and effectiveness of our online education. Infinity Learn is steadfastly progressing towards becoming the leader in Tier 1 college admissions by 2027.”

Infinity Learn platform is bringing quality education to every nook and corner of the country with over 50% results coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The AI-powered platform provides quality content, adaptive tests, personalized learning-paths, and a whole immersive experience with live classes for learners looking for credible alternatives to traditional coaching.

Kolkata, India –13th February 2024 – LeadSquared, a sales and marketing automation platform recently hosted the anticipated HigherEd Connect event, which took place on February 3rd at the renowned Taj Vivanta in Kolkata. With influential decision-makers from educational institutions and universities in attendance, HigherEd Connect served as a pivotal platform for delving into crucial issues shaping the education sector.

The event provided deep insights into the future of education, from highlighting LeadSquared’s impactful journey in Kolkata to engaging discussions on the imperative of integrating new technology into educational practices. Central to the discussions was the panel session titled ‘The Future of Education: Innovation & Trends in Admissions,’ which shed light on the myriad challenges faced by educational institutions. From the influx of student inquiries to collecting and managing documents, educational bodies often find themselves overwhelmed and struggling to keep up.

As the volume of inquiries surges, institutes are left grappling with a significant count of prospects left untouched. The communication gap between counselors and prospective students further exacerbates the issue, leading to missed messages and promotional opportunities. This communication breakdown not only results in prolonged wait times for query resolution but also creates an unhappy first experience for learners.

LeadSquared addresses these pain points head-on. One of its standout features is the student self-serve portal, meticulously designed to simplify the cumbersome registration and document submission processes during admissions. Additionally, it’s educational WhatsApp bot, revolutionizing the way institutions interact with learners. This powerful tool enables educational bodies to seamlessly engage with students, swiftly collect necessary documents, address queries promptly, and even create personalized journeys for students, ensuring a smooth and delightful experience from the very beginning.

“HigherEd Connect examplifiesLeadSquared’s steadfast commitment to revolutionizing education through collaborative efforts, creativity, and unwavering quality. Positioned at the forefront, LeadSquared continues to guide educational institutions, enabling them to seamlessly navigate the challenges of the digital era, fostering adaptability, evolution, and prosperity in an ever-shifting landscape”, said Srinivas Shinde, Vice President – Education Business at LeadSquared.

Students of Manthan School (L-R) Vivaan, Ishan & Haasini, who bagged the prestigious Cambridge Honours

Hyderabad, February 12th, 2024: Three learners from Manthan School have received Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards to acknowledge their exceptional performance in the March 2023 Cambridge International Education examination series. 

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates the success of learners taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around the world. The winning students excelled in Cambridge IGCSE examinations. 

Cambridge qualifications equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to thrive in and outside the classroom, at university and beyond. The qualifications are recognised and valued by leading universities worldwide. 

Manthan School students received their Top in the World awards in the ceremony hosted at The Lalit, Mumbai, today. Haasini and Ishan received awards for being Top in the World in Cambridge IGCSE Economics, and Vivaan received two awards – Top in the World in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (Without Coursework) and Top in the World in Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology. 

Ruchika Upadhyay, the Vice Principal and Head of Academics & Social Studies at Manthan said that the awards recognised the talent and commitment of both learners and staff. She said, “Receiving these awards is a credit to the diligence, determination, and intellect of our teachers and students. As a school, we take great pride in all your efforts and for always striving for excellence. Your achievements will pave the way for others and add to Manthan’s overall accomplishments. All the Best for your future endeavours!” 

Poulami Ghosh, Manager – South India, Cambridge International Education said, “Congratulations to Cambridge learners and teachers at Manthan School who have worked so hard to achieve tremendous success in Cambridge exams. With these Cambridge qualifications, students are well-prepared for their next steps and all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. I wish you all the very best for the future.”

Hyderabad, February 12th, 2024: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) yesterday concluded a highly impactful two-week training program aimed at fostering innovation and technology commercialization in African nations. Representatives from 11 African countries participated in the intensive learning experience from January 29 to February 10, 2024.

The event, made possible through the generous support of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, commenced with an inaugural address by Ms. Snehaja Jonnalagadda, Chief of the MEA Branch Secretariat in Hyderabad, on January 29, 2024.

Highlighting the significance of the event, a valedictory ceremony was held on February 9, 2024, where participants were bestowed with certificates.

In her remarks, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, lauded the diverse expertise brought forth by participants, representing various ministries and national institutes of science, technology, and agriculture across their respective nations.

Dr Hughes expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India for their support and underscored the importance of safeguarding intellectual assets, particularly from a legal standpoint.

Dr Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairperson and CEO of IKP Knowledge Park in Hyderabad, also addressed the gathering and presented certificates to the participants.

In her address, Dr Chattopadhyay emphasized the imperative of leveraging the training received, particularly as many participants hold pivotal roles in negotiations within their countries.

Dr Chattopadhyay highlighted the importance of strategic planning in negotiations, urging participants to prioritize opportunities that serve the best interests of their nations.

Dr Suryamani Tripathi, Global Head – Legal Services at ICRISAT, and Dr. Padmaja Ravula, Coordinator of ICRISAT’s Dryland Academy, emphasized the role of participants as ambassadors for their countries and advocated for the continuation of the invaluable network established during the training.

Speaking on behalf of all participants, Mr. Koye Yani Bolongar from Chad expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, ITEC, and ICRISAT for the enriching training experience.

Mr Bolongar envisioned the program as a catalyst for strengthening India-Africa relations and fostering robust technology sharing and transfer initiatives.

Reflecting on the transformative nature of the sessions, Maria Goyayi from Tanzania underscored an enhanced appreciation for Africa’s untapped potential.

The two-week training program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms Sravanthi Vedula, Senior Officer, Innovation Management at ICRISAT, expressing appreciation for the collaborative efforts that made the training a resounding success.

Bengaluru 12th Feb 2024: Health care providers in developing countries know that oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a lifesaving and inexpensive treatment for diarrheal disease, a leading cause of death for children worldwide — yet few prescribe it.

A new study published in Science suggests that closing the knowledge gap between what treatments healthcare providers think patients want and what treatments patients really want could help save half a million lives a year and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

“Even when children seek care from a health care provider for their diarrhea, as most do, they often do not receive ORS, which costs only a few cents and has been recommended by the World Health Organization for decades,” said Neeraj Sood, Senior Author of the Study, Senior Fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy.

“This issue has puzzled experts for decades, and we wanted to get to the bottom of it,” said Sood, who also holds joint appointments at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Marshall School of Business.

A closer look at childhood illness in India

There are several popular explanations for the underprescription of ORS in India, which accounts for the most cases of child diarrhea of any country in the world:

● Physicians assume their patients do not want oral rehydration salts, which come in a small packet and dissolve in water, because they taste bad or they aren’t “real” medicine like antibiotics.

● The salts are out of stock because they aren’t as profitable as other treatments.

● Physicians make more money prescribing antibiotics, even though they are ineffective against viral diarrhea.

To test these three hypotheses, Sood and his colleagues enrolled over 2,000 health care providers across 253 medium-size towns in the Indian states of Karnataka and Bihar. The researchers selected states with vastly different socioeconomic demographics and varied access to health care to ensure the results were representative of a broad population. Bihar is one of the poorest states in India with below-average ORS use, while Karnataka has above-average per capita income and above-average ORS use.

The researchers then hired staff who were trained to act as patients or caretakers. These “standardized patients” were given scripts to use in unannounced visits to doctors’ offices where they would present a case of viral diarrhea — for which antibiotics are not appropriate — in their 2-year-old child. (For ethical considerations, children did not attend these visits.) The standardized patients made approximately 2,000 visits in total.

Providers were randomly assigned to patient visits where patients expressed a preference for ORS, a preference for antibiotics or no treatment preference. During the visits, patients indicated their preference by showing the health care provider a photo of an ORS packet or antibiotics. The set of patients with no treatment preference simply asked the physician for a recommendation.

To control for profit-motivated prescribing, some of the standardized patients assigned as having no treatment preference informed the provider that they would purchase medicine elsewhere. Additionally, to estimate the effect of stockouts, the researchers randomly assigned all providers in half of the 253 towns to receive a six-week supply of ORS.

Provider misperceptions matter most when it comes to ORS underprescribing

Researchers found that provider perceptions of patient preferences are the biggest barrier to ORS prescribing — not because caretakers do not want ORS, but rather because providers assume most patients do not want the treatment. Health care providers’ perception that patients do not want ORS accounted for roughly 42% of underprescribing, while stockouts and financial incentives explained only 6% and 5%, respectively.

Patients expressing a preference for ORS increased prescribing of the treatment by 27 percentage points — a more effective intervention than eliminating stockouts (which increased ORS prescribing by 7 percentage points) or removing financial incentives (which only increased ORS prescribing at pharmacies).

“Despite decades of widespread knowledge that ORS is a lifesaving intervention that can save lives of children suffering from diarrhea, the rates of ORS use remain stubbornly low in many countries such as India,” said Manoj Mohanan, co-author of the study and professor of public policy, economics, and global health at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. “Changing provider behavior about ORS prescription remains a huge challenge.”

Study authors said these results can be used to design interventions that encourage patients and caretakers to express an ORS preference when seeking care, as well as efforts to raise awareness among providers about patients’ preferences.

“We need to find ways to change providers’ perceptions of patient preferences to increase ORS use and combat antibiotic resistance, which is a huge problem globally,” said Zachary Wagner, the study’s corresponding author, an economist at RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School. “How to reduce overprescribing of antibiotics and address antimicrobial resistance is a major global health question, and our study shows that changing provider perceptions of patient preferences is one way to work toward a solution.”

Mumbai, 9^th February 2024: Aditya College of Architecture’s 10^th Anniversary celebrations kicked off with the 4^th International Design Research Conference 2023-24 that took place recently and was inaugurated by the Guest of Honour eminent Member of Parliament Shri Gopal Shetty ji who graced the occasion. He was felicitated by Shri Ashish Mishra, Trustee of Aditya Group of Institutions. Shri Suresh Prabhu ji, former senior Member of Parliament and former Minister of Civil Aviation, Railways, Commerce & Industry was the Chief Guest of the event, and joined in virtually, congratulating the institute on completing 10 years, giving them his input on the overarching theme of the conference – Architecture by the Edge and laying emphasis on the need for water conservation and water being the need of the hour.

Shri Gopal Shetty ji too shared his sentiments and personal anecdotal experiences based on the field work he has carried out in his career in the realm of water related infrastructure projects. He also emphasized water and water conservation being the need of the hour, and how architecture and design needs to be better thought out, giving special focus to site context and its connection to water.

Noted names from the architectural and building construction fraternity including eminent architects & keynote speakers Dr. Martina Spies and Ar. Alan Abraham also presented their work on water-related issues. They presented certificates to the winners of this year’s International Design Competition which also celebrated its 10th Anniversary. They also encouraged the students and participants in the audience to think out-of-the-box, reminding them to be aware of the context and climate while laying emphasis on Architecture by the Edge. All eminent dignitaries were felicitated by the trustee of Aditya Group of Institutions, Shri Ashish Mishra, Prof. Ar. Rita Nayak, Director, Aditya College of Architecture, Prof. Ar. Jamshid Bhiwandi Walla, Principal, Aditya College of Architecture, and Prof. Ar. Rasika Chodankar, Head of IDRC (International Design Research Conference).

The International Design and Research Conference was conceptualized by the Chairman and Founder Trustee of the Aditya Group of Institutions, Dr. Harishchandra Mishra, as a platform to discuss about relevant issues in Architecture and the Building Construction Industry as a whole. It aimed to encourage the architectural community to research and put forth their views, creating a vast body of knowledge for generations to come. The IDRC 2023-24 conference, Architecture by the Edge, aimed to raise awareness about water’s finite nature and its sacredness in architecture, addressing the current water crisis. After receiving positive responses, selected papers were reviewed, presented at the conference, and published in the Shodhaditya Journal.

Link: https://www.aimsr.edu.in/ 

Gurugram, 08th February, 2024: The Xth Convocation of Amity University Haryana (AUH), held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, marked a momentous occasion as the university conferred degrees upon 1573 graduands, comprising 960 Undergraduate, 559 Postgraduate, and 54 PhD recipients. The ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries and luminaries from various fields, celebrated the academic achievements and contributions of its graduates.

The Convocation, presided over by Hon’ble Chancellor Dr. Aseem Chauhan and Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, witnessed the presence of Trustees of RBEF, distinguished faculty members, proud parents, and invited guests. Among the notable attendees were Prof. (Dr.) Govindan Rangarajan, Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Mr. Kishore Jayaraman, President of Rolls-Royce, India and South Asia; and legal luminary Mr. Shardul S. Shroff, Executive Chairman of ShardulAmarch and Mangaldas& Co., who were honoured with Honoris Causa Doctorates for their remarkable contributions to their respective fields.

In addition to the honorary doctorates, AUH conferred Honorary Professorships upon Dr. Mukund Deshpande, Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NCL; Prof (Dr) Chin-Tsan Wang, Director, Science and Technology Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, India and Dr. Brent N Holben, Senior Scientist, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Centrerecognizing their significant contributions to academia and research.

The Convocation commenced with an Academic Procession led by the majestic Rajputana Rifles band, setting the tone for the grandeur of the event. The ceremony began with Vedic Hawan  in the morning followed by Saraswati Vandana, to invoke the blessings of the divinity.

Addressing the graduands, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma emphasized the importance of responsibility and ethics in their future endeavours, urging them to strive for perfection. He also highlighted AUH’s recent achievement of being ranked among the top 100 universities in India by NIRF University Ranking 2023.He shared his vision with the words “Kushlann Na Paramaditabhyam, Swadhyay Na Pamaditabhyam” inspiring the young professionals to work relentlessly for achieving perfection, being their own inspiration and not shying away from self-study.

Chancellor Dr. Aseem Chauhan commended the graduates for their commitment to making a positive impact on society, emphasizing AUH’s mission to instill a sense of social responsibility in its students. The Chancellor hailed the graduands on their achievements and urged them to “walk the talk” and make their nation and Alma Mater proud.

Expressing gratitude for the honorary doctorate, Prof. Dr. Govindan Rangarajan lauded AUH’s focus on research and innovation, highlighting the university’s unique approach to education that integrates human values and ethics.

Mr. Shardul S. Shroff, recipient of the Honoris Causa Doctorate in Law, inspired the graduands with his words on perseverance and excellence, urging them to pursue success with dedication and effort.

The ceremony also recognized academic excellence with the conferral of 176 medals and the presentation of the Baljit Shastri Award for Human & Traditional Values. Additionally, AUH honoured students for their outstanding work in sustainability with the GBCI Corporate Award of Sustainability.

AUH’s commitment to sustainability and innovation was underscored by its LEED Platinum certification and impressive patent portfolio. The university’s dedication to research and academic excellence has solidified its position as a leading institution in India and beyond. Today, AUH stands taller with 242 patents filed out of which 168 have been published. In 2023, The Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded AUH with a 4-Star rating in the University category. The Amity Universe hosts 13 campuses in India and 17 reputed international campuses. In a short span of 14 years, AUH has emerged as a major hub for world class research and a cradle for innovation.

For more information about Amity University Haryana, please visit https://www.amity.edu/gurugram/