Category education

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/

New Delhi, 07th, February 2024: UPES ON, the digital education wing of UPES University, ranked 52nd by NIRF and recognized as the 1st Indian Private University for Academic Reputation by QS World Rankings, recently made public its groundbreaking ‘REBEL’ Digital Video Campaign.

This dynamic 30-second narrative showcases a spirited 21-year-old challenging the status quo and reshaping our perception of education. Rejecting traditional paths, she boldly embraces UPES ON’s online learning platform, aligning with her unique journey.

REBEL captures the essence of the challenges and choices faced by today’s youth, positioning UPES ON as the University of Tomorrow, offering education that aligns with contemporary aspirations, including the dynamic field of BCA.

The campaign emphasizes UPES ON as a hub for modern learning, spotlighting features like AI programs, a vibrant alumni network, diverse courses, masterclasses, and financial support. The character boldly asserts, “I’m doing things ahead of my time… Maybe that’s why I’m called a rebel.”

Commenting on the launch, Ankita Sharma, Head of Branding and Marketing at UPES ON, stated, “REBEL embodies the spirit of breaking barriers and forging new paths, including the exciting field of BCA. It speaks directly to the aspirations of today’s youth, encouraging them to embrace education that mirrors their individuality. UPES ON is proud to be the catalyst for these transformative journeys.”

In a world that celebrates innovation and original thinking, UPES ON invites individuals to explore online degrees that harmonize with their dreams. ‘REBEL’ transcends beyond a mere video; it’s a call to reimagine education and seize control of one’s destiny.

Greater Noida, 6th February 2024: Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR, India’s youngest Institution of Eminence (IoE), successfully concluded its three-day Genomics India Conference 2024 (GIC2024), that aimed at highlighting the latest research, technologies, breakthroughs, challenges, and strategies in understanding the genomics. Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India graced the event as its Chief Guest.

More than 500 renowned leaders in genomics from the US, UK, Europe, and Asia Pacific participated in the three-day conference. The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Nobel laureates, leading researchers, government officials, and regulatory experts. Notable highlights included the workshop on next-generation sequencing (NGS) analytics and Genome Informatics Programme, providing attendees with practical insights into crucial topics such as NGS data QC, alignment/assembly, annotation, variant calling, interpretation, and reporting.

Genomics is the emerging science of understanding the human genome. It deals with the analysis of gene and genome and determines how the DNA in every human being affects individuality, health and disease. While genetics helps to know how some disease conditions are inherited in families. Profound analysis of complex diseases like asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease etc are performed by genomics studies because a combination of genetic and environmental factors causes these problems than just an individual gene.

Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, CEO of Genotypic Technology said, “Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR not only have a highly knowledgeable faculty well-versed in the science of genomics, but also students with great interest in this field. Recognizing genomics as the future and an enabling technology, we are eager to inspire the younger generation to embrace this field.”

During the inaugural event, Shikhar Malhotra, CEO & Vice Chairman of HCL Healthcare, said, “HCL Healthcare focuses on preventive healthcare, particularly for companies and corporates. The overarching vision revolves around harnessing genomics for predictive analysis and healthcare, aiming to deliver precision-based solutions that significantly enhance lives. The Genomics Conference is an exciting opportunity for us to explore the cutting-edge possibilities in this field and truly revolutionize predictive healthcare.”

Dr Sanjeev Galande, Dean of School of Natural Science at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR said, “Some scientists are focused on extending lifespan, while another group strives to understand how to lead a healthy life during aging. In any case, predictive healthcare is the future of medicine, and genomics and epigenomics play a significant role, providing us the power to comprehend and project our health journey for the years ahead. At the Center of Excellence in Epigenetics at the University, we are precisely addressing such complex health related problems using epigenomics methods and disease models.”

Hyderabad, 6th February 2024 – KLH Hyderabad and The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) recently organized a three-day Capacity Building Workshop for the personnel of Jan SikshanSansthan (JSS), which was a crucial event aimed at boosting skill development in rural regions. The workshop aimed to enhance the skills and capabilities of the Jan Sikshan Sansthan personnel, focusing on empowering them with the latest tools and techniques in skill development.

The collaboration between KLH Hyderabad Campus of KL Deemed to be University and IRMA covered a wide range sessions, from an engaging field visit to the IIIT Incubation Centre, which showcases innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors, to discussions on many aspects of development with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability. Key issues facing the development industry were covered in informative courses on time management, digital and social media marketing, financial inclusion, and stakeholder management. The Jan SikshanSansthan (JSS) staff members collaborated and grew closer after participating in a team-building exercise, and their note-taking and drafting abilities were refined for efficient documentation.

Jan Sikshan Sansthans play an important role in imparting vocational training and skill development programs in rural areas, contributing significantly to the government’s vision of a skilled and employable workforce. Under the leadership of Dr. Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan, Workshop Coordinator and Ms. Moxa Y Thakkar, Program Manager from IRMA, the workshop coordinator, participants from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana convened. Prof. Prasad Gollanapalli, widely known as ‘Sarvodaya’ Prasad, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural session. The course addressed a few important facets of professional development aimed at improving the JSS staff members’ competencies.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma, Vice Chancellor, KL Deemed to be University said “By equipping staff with the up-to-date knowledge and skills, the university aims to support the government’s vision of creating a skilled and employable workforce. Additionally, the university emphasizes empowering rural youth through vocational training, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to rural development. This approach not only enhances individual opportunities but also strengthens communities and economies in rural region.”

Faculty members from KLH Global Business School are proactively training the staff in the latest techniques and advancements in their respective fields. In alignment with the mission, Dr. A. Ramakrishna, Principal of KLH Hyderabad Campus along with other faculty members are collaboratively working towards inclusive development, community upliftment and practical strategies for effective implementation of empowering schemes at the campus.