Tag GD Goenka University

9th August 2024: As the world celebrated the Paris 2024 Olympics, India’s athletes once again demonstrated their resilience, passion, and unwavering spirit. In recognition of these achievements and with the aim of nurturing future champions, GD Goenka University is proud to announce a ₹1 crore scholarship fund dedicated to supporting young Indian athletes.

This initiative reflects GD Goenka University‘s commitment to empowering the next generation of sports talent, inspired by the remarkable performances of Indian athletes. Figures like Neeraj Chopra, the Indian men’s hockey team, Manu Bhaker, and others have become symbols of excellence and perseverance. Their stories of triumph remind us of the relentless pursuit of greatness that defines true champions. The scholarship fund aims to empower emerging athletes, providing them with the resources they need to chase their dreams and reach new heights in their respective sports.

“At GD Goenka University, we believe in the power of dreams and the strength of perseverance. Our athletes in Paris have shown the world what India is capable of, and we are committed to supporting the next generation of champions. With this ₹1 crore scholarship fund, we aim to empower young athletes to pursue their dreams and reach new heights, continuing the legacy of excellence
demonstrated by our Olympians,” said Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director, GD Goenka Group.

GD Goenka University stands by its commitment to developing future champions. This scholarship is a testament to the university’s dedication to transforming dreams into reality, fueling ambition, and celebrating every step toward excellence. Together, let us celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship, honor the achievements of our athletes, and continue to inspire the next generation to reach for the stars.

New Delhi, July 16, 2024: GD Goenka University, in collaboration with Fortis Hospital, successfully organised a two-day National Level School Counsellors Summit on “Youth Mental Health and Competitive Examinations.”

Held on July 12 and 13, the summit brought together 120 counsellors from across the country to address the pressing mental health challenges among students preparing for competitive exams. The summit commenced with a warm welcome from Dr.Kim Menezes, Honourable Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University, followed by an enlightening address by Dr. Amrita Bahl, Chief Education Officer, GD Goenka Group.

”At GD Goenka University, we are committed to offering round the clock support to our students to ensure their overall well-being, including mental health. The Youth Mental Health and Competitive Examinations is a testament to our consistent efforts to foster a supportive environment where students can excel academically and manage stress effectively,” said Dr. Menezes.

Dr Bahl underlined the strategies for counselling students who are reeling under immense competitive exam pressure. She also mentioned the substantial role of school counsellors in recognising students’ problems that can be life-threatening and fostering a conducive environment for students to express their pressures and receive support for mental health issues.

The day 1 of the summit also featured a comprehensive panel discussion on ‘Essential Life Skills- Is There a Hack to Life?’ which was addressed by Ms Nishtha Narula and Dr Mantosh Kumar. The discussion witnessed esteemed panellists delving into the challenges of the digitalised world and the impact of the internet and social media on the mental health of students.

The participants and the speakers also shared their experiences of dealing with kids suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the need for its recognition.

During the summit, renowned mental health expert Dr Samir Parikh, Director of Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital, shared his insight on ‘Empathy and Responsibility- from the vantage of a student’. He highlighted that a lack of empathy and social callousness toward mental health issues is the root cause of anxiety and stress and the need to design a curriculum that teaches empathy and social responsibility.

In addition to Dr Parikh‘s thought-provoking address, Ms Mimansa Singh Tanwar‘s ‘Toolkit for Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance’ inspired the participants to become successful school counsellors. She underscored Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and its role in coping with stress and eliminating unsavoury memories of the past.

Another highlight of day 1 of the summit was a lecture by Ms Roshni Sondhi on ‘Building Mastery and Coping Ahead: Skills to Compete’ that uncovered the significance of mindfulness and non-judgemental observation to cope with the pressures of competitive exams.

The second day of the Youth Mental Health and Competitive Examinations Summit was set in motion with a session by Ms Kamna Chhibber, Head of the Mental Health Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis National Health Program.

The eminent speaker familiarised the participants about diverse aspects of social psychology during her lecture on “Pressure to Performance-Learning from Social Psychology,” such as the Yerkes-Dodson Law, Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, Social Facilitation, Social Comparison Theory, and Stereotype Threat. The speaker also spoke on self-efficacy as a significant factor for success.

The session was moderated by Ms Divya Jain, Sports Psychologist at Fortis Hospital and Professor (Dr) Anjali Midha Sharan, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, presented Ms Chhibber with a certificate of appreciation.

The concluding day of the event encompassed extensive dialogues on crucial topics, including “Skill Building for Parents – Insights from Positive Psychology,” by Ms Geetika Kapoor from Ed Essential and Fortis Hospital. In her address, she prioritised happiness and well-being as humanity’s ultimate goal and the role of parenting in the holistic development of students.

Additionally, an address by Dr. Shambhavi Jain and Ms. Anusha Tyagi on the topic “Beyond the Books – Outside the Box Skills for Young Minds,” encouraged the students to think outside the box and foster creativity.

The engaging and transformational summit concluded with a valedictory session and closing remarks by the Dean of SOLA, Dr Anjali Midha Sharan.

Gurgaon, Wednesday, 15th Feb 2024: Le Cordon Bleu, the century-old renowned culinary arts and hospitality management institution from France, is proud to announce the strengthening and enhancement of its brand presence in India, through the LCB Campus at GD Goenka University. This announcement marks one decade of the existing relationship between GD Goenka and LCB and also serves as testimony of LCB’s commitment to India being a market of global significance. The comprehensive plan for India includes tripling student capacity in order to meet the growing demand for quality hospitality and culinary arts education. This underscores recognition of Indian talent being recruited by global brands across markets in Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and other regions.

 In line with high demand for professional undergraduate and diploma programmes in hospitality management and culinary arts, the campus will now feature 50,000 sq. ft of technical training areas, housed within GD Goenka Education City, which is spread over 60-acres in Gurugram.

 Facility expansion will aid teaching and training for 500 additional learners, through introduction of a Culinary Theatre, 3 new Training Kitchens, 2 New Pastry Kitchens, 1 New Bakery, 1 Additional Chocolate Artistry Room, and Multiple Student Experience Areas. Operating as a Centre of Excellence and featuring a global curriculum mapped with Le Cordon Bleu; the LCB India campus will provide immense benefit for students and industry alike, including student and faculty exchange programmes, global pathway opportunities, internships and placements.

 LCB India students will have access to defined LCB articulation pathways, enabling them to transfer to Paris or other LCB campuses, offering global exposure and opportunities for career advancement.

 Moreover, the partnership will facilitate opportunities for faculty exchange and Management Development Programs (MDPs), fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. India students will also benefit from international faculty from Paris visiting the campus and enriching their learning experience with insights from international experts.

 Furthermore, LCB India students will have the opportunity to intern with LCB’s partners in Europe and in other areas, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to international culinary practices. Mr. Andre J Cointreau, President & CEO, Le Cordon Bleu remarked, “We’re moving from a partnership of programmes to a full campus. And I say that everything is accelerating to our systems and processes, our education, which are on one global learning platform, shared by 35-plus LCB institutes around the world, in 28 countries. We’ve partnered with GD Goenka University for a decade, and I can say that we really feel proud of what has been our past, and how things are developing. So we’re going to move ahead at full speed.”

 Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director, GD Goenka Group quoted, “We value our decade-long partnership with Le Cordon Bleu and we have always been very appreciative. Seeing a high demand for our programmes, we are strengthening our partnership so we can deliver an unparalleled campus experience right here in India. We’re excited about joining global LCB learning systems. The sky is the limit.”