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Unlocking Learning Potential: Embracing Open-Book Exams in Higher Education

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In the wake of transformative changes in Indian education post-COVID, the paradigm shift towards online learning has brought forth an array of challenges and opportunities. As institutions adapt to this new normal, the realm of assessments undergoes a profound evolution, with open-book exams emerging as a promising avenue. Dr. Selvam Jesiah, a distinguished Professor of Management at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, sheds light on the merits and hurdles of integrating open-book assessments in higher education. Dr. Jesiah underscores the pedagogical significance of open-book exams, emphasizing their capacity to foster deep learning and critical thinking while alleviating stress among students. Citing the All India Council for Technical Education’s endorsement, he highlights the alignment of open-book assessments with Bloom’s Taxonomy, designed to cultivate higher-order cognitive skills essential for holistic development. However, Dr. Jesiah cautions against misconceptions surrounding open-book assessments, clarifying that it demands rigorous preparation and active engagement from both educators and learners. He delineates the nuanced approach required in framing questions that necessitate analytical reasoning and application of concepts, rather than mere regurgitation of information. Moreover, he emphasizes the indispensable role of teachers in guiding students towards a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, indispensable for navigating open-book exams effectively. Yet, transitioning towards open-book assessments presents formidable challenges. Dr. Jesiah identifies the imperative of teacher training and mindset realignment as pivotal in ensuring the efficacy of this evaluation method. Crafting question papers that stimulate critical thinking poses a formidable task, demanding concerted efforts to recalibrate traditional assessment practices. Moreover, Dr. Jesiah advocates for a nuanced consideration of students’ socio-economic backgrounds, recognizing disparities in access to resources and technology. Addressing these inequities entails reimagining examination infrastructure and support mechanisms to accommodate diverse learning needs. In conclusion, Dr. Jesiah emphasizes the collective responsibility of administrators, educators, and students in navigating the complexities of open-book assessments. By embracing a paradigm shift in assessment practices, he envisions a transformative learning landscape where the cultivation of higher-order thinking skills takes precedence over rote memorization. Through collaborative efforts and a steadfast commitment to pedagogical innovation, Dr. Jesiah envisages a future where open-book exams serve as catalysts for fostering a generation of adept critical thinkers and problem solvers. Source: The Hindu  

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King’s College UK Expands to Gurugram, Redefining Education in North India

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Global Educational Ventures (GEV) and SVIET have joined forces to introduce a branch of the renowned King’s College UK in Gurugram, marking a significant leap in reshaping educational standards across North India. The formal agreement signing took place at the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, graced by distinguished personalities from the King’s College board and beyond. Among the esteemed guests were Michael Sloan, the headmaster of King’s College, Justin Chippendale, director of International Schools of King’s College, and Simon Worthy, responsible for the administration and finance of King’s College. Linda Nash, Chair of Governors at King’s College, also graced the occasion alongside other notable figures. Richard Biggs, CEO of GEV and Managing Trustee of SVIET, orchestrated the signing ceremony, emphasizing GEV’s steadfast dedication to supporting this transformative initiative. Dr. Zoltan Fodor, a board governor from Hungary, extended congratulations and elaborated on the educational philosophy guiding the institute’s journey ahead. Michelle Schneider, a board of governor of King’s College UK Gurugram, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support, pledging to uphold the esteemed legacy and unwavering standards of King’s College. Dirk Leidinger, another board member of the upcoming King’s College wing in Gurugram, outlined the school’s vision and articulated plans to maintain the high standards, ethos, and values synonymous with King’s College.  

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Fincare SFB Completes Merger with AU SFB, Bolstering Distribution Network

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AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) finalized its merger with Fincare Small Finance Bank (Fincare SFB) on Monday, marking a significant consolidation within the sector and expanding AU SFB’s footprint. The all-stock merger, initially announced on October 29, 2023, concluded with shareholders of Fincare SFB receiving 579 equity shares in AU SFB for every 2,000 equity shares held in Fincare SFB. With the RBI granting final approval on March 4, 2024, the merger’s effective date is set for April 1, 2024. The amalgamation is poised to offer AU SFB enhanced access to South India, thereby augmenting its distribution network. This expanded presence will facilitate the dissemination of a diverse array of products and services to a broader customer base, fortifying the bank’s market standing in the region. Post-merger, AU SFB boasts a combined customer base of approximately 10 million, supported by 43,500 employees and a network of 2,350 physical touchpoints spanning 25 states and union territories. The bank’s deposit base stands at Rs 89,854 crore, with a balance sheet size of Rs 116,695 crore. The immediate focus now shifts towards ensuring a seamless integration over the next 9-12 months, prioritizing the delivery of exceptional banking services and value to customers. To mitigate potential disruptions, both banks, characterized by their tech-driven operations and customer-centric approach, have established a dedicated task force and equipped their call centers to address customer queries effectively. Sanjay Agarwal, MD and CEO of AU Small Finance Bank, expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Reserve Bank of India, and regulatory authorities for their support and swift approval process. The merger, he emphasized, signifies not only the amalgamation of two entities but also the convergence of shared visions aimed at redefining banking excellence in India. The establishment of Small Finance Banks in 2015, with licenses granted to ten entities, underscores the sector’s commitment to providing basic banking services to small farmers and micro industries.

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PM Modi’s Third Term: Blueprint for First 100 Days Revealed

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened discussions with his Council of Ministers to strategize the agenda for the first 100 days of his government’s potential third term, focusing on sustaining economic growth. The roadmap, dubbed Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, outlines ambitious goals across various sectors. While specifics of the plan remain undisclosed, insiders suggest a comprehensive strategy encompassing economic growth, sustainable development, infrastructure enhancement, and social welfare initiatives. This initiative comes amidst preparations for the upcoming General Elections, set to engage 978 million voters across seven phases. Traditionally, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period witnesses a policy lull, with caretaker governments refraining from major decisions. However, PM Modi aims to maintain economic momentum during this phase, ensuring a seamless transition post-elections. The proposed agenda aligns with India’s growth trajectory, with an estimated 7.6% GDP growth projected for FY 2023–24. To fully address post-pandemic challenges, the government emphasizes employment generation, private sector investment, and rural development. Anil K. Sood, a Professor, stresses the need for robust policy measures to enhance youth employment opportunities, advocating for government-led initiatives in critical sectors. Similarly, Vinay K. Srivastava, an Associate Professor, underscores the importance of boosting private consumption and quality infrastructure investment. While awaiting detailed specifics, the government’s focus on economic revitalization and sustainable development sets the tone for its anticipated third term. Clarity on long-term priorities is anticipated with the presentation of the full Budget for 2024-25 in July.

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Health Insurers React as Medicare Advantage Rates Stagnate

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Health insurance stocks took a tumble as US regulators opted not to increase payments for private Medicare plans as anticipated, signaling a shift from previous years’ trends. The decision, met with surprise on Wall Street, presents a new challenge for insurers grappling with rising medical costs. The Biden administration’s adherence to proposed Medicare Advantage rates for 2025 marks a departure from historical norms, with only one instance in the past decade where final rates remained unchanged from initial proposals. The industry, already contending with mounting expenses, faces additional hurdles amid the unexpected policy stance. Humana Inc., heavily reliant on Medicare, saw a 9.4% decline in extended trading, while UnitedHealth Group Inc. and CVS Health Corp. experienced respective drops of 4.6% and 5.2%. Other major insurers like Elevance Health Inc. and Centene Corp. also registered significant declines. Although US payments to Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 3.7% on average in 2025, consistent with January’s proposal, the lack of a substantial hike poses challenges for insurers. The announcement, framed as a payment boost by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, underscores the program’s growing costs, expected to surpass half a trillion dollars. The decision casts a shadow over the health insurance industry’s growth prospects, particularly for key players like Humana, UnitedHealth, and CVS. Analysts suggest that insurers might respond by adjusting benefits or premiums, given the constrained payment environment. America’s Health Insurance Plans, an industry association, voiced concerns over the policy’s impact, especially amid broader shifts in Medicare Advantage regulations. The decision comes against a backdrop of mounting healthcare expenses, particularly notable at UnitedHealth and Humana, prompting investor apprehension. With earnings targets potentially in jeopardy and cost pressures mounting, insurers are bracing for a challenging period ahead, navigating uncertainties in a pivotal segment of the healthcare market.  

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Bihar Board Class 10 Results Declared: Overall Pass Percentage Reaches 82.91%

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The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has officially announced the results for the class 10 examinations, revealing an overall pass percentage of 82.91%. Breaking down the results, boys achieved a pass percentage of 84.45%, while girls achieved a slightly lower pass percentage of 81.4%. According to BSEB chairman Anand Kishore, a total of 16,64,252 candidates appeared for the examination, comprising 8,58,785 girls and 8,05,467 boys. Impressively, 13,79,842 candidates successfully passed the examination, with 6,99,549 girls and 6,80,293 boys making the cut. Last year, the overall pass percentage stood at 81.04%. Among the successful candidates, 4,52,302 students secured first division, while 5,24,965 students achieved second division, and 3,80,732 students received third division. Shivankar Kumar from Zilla School in Purnea district emerged as the topper of the class 10 examinations with an outstanding score of 97.80%. Following closely behind, Adarsh Kumar of Samastipur secured the second position in the state with 488 marks. Additionally, four candidates share the third position, namely Aditya Kumar, Suman Kumar Purve, Palak Kumari, and Sajiya Perween, each scoring 486 marks. The class 10 examinations conducted by the BSEB took place from February 15 to February 23 across various centers in the state. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated all successful students, expressing his best wishes for their future endeavors. He commended the BSEB officials for promptly releasing the results and praised the exceptional performance of girl students, emphasizing its positive impact on boosting their self-confidence.

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CBI Clears Air India-Indian Airlines Merger: Shiv Sena’s Raut Demands BJP Apology to Ex-PM Singh

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded its investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the Air India-Indian Airlines merger, filing a closure report due to lack of evidence of any wrongdoing. In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has called on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to apologize to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for previous accusations. During the UPA era, the formation of the National Aviation Corporation of India Limited (NACIL) through the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines drew scrutiny. However, the CBI’s closure report suggests that no evidence of dishonest decisions or conspiracy has been found. Raut highlighted the BJP’s previous criticism of alleged corruption during Manmohan Singh’s tenure and insisted on an apology from the party in light of the CBI’s findings. The leasing of aircraft under NACIL, overseen by then-Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, has been a subject of investigation. However, the CBI found no evidence to support allegations of wrongdoing. Addressing reported disagreements among partners of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Raut emphasized unity among allies. He announced an upcoming press conference featuring leaders from the MVA, including Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Congress representatives, to address any concerns. Additionally, Raut revealed Thackeray’s participation in the Opposition INDIA bloc rally in New Delhi on March 31, aimed at safeguarding the country’s interests and democracy. This rally was organized following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.

CBI Clears Air India-Indian Airlines Merger: Shiv Sena’s Raut Demands BJP Apology to Ex-PM Singh Read More »

Zee Entertainment Streamlines Operations, Lays Off 50% of Bengaluru Tech Unit Staff

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In a move to optimize resources, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced a significant reduction in its workforce at the Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC) in Bengaluru, with 50% of employees being laid off, the company confirmed in a statement. Although the exact number of affected employees was not disclosed, the decision is part of a broader plan to enhance operational efficiency and drive continued growth. According to the statement, the restructuring aims to establish a more cost-effective structure while enabling the centre to focus more sharply on critical areas such as content creation, distribution, and monetization. By leveraging technology-driven tools to gain deeper insights into consumer preferences, the revamped TIC intends to enhance the overall content experience for viewers worldwide. Punit Goenka, MD and CEO of ZEEL, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional content and meeting the expectations of its global audience. He highlighted the importance of blending creativity with consumer insights and futuristic technology solutions to achieve these goals. Moving forward, the core team at TIC will concentrate solely on supporting and empowering the content creation, distribution, and monetization processes. The strategic realignment reflects a frugal approach and a keen focus on quality content, consistent with the company’s management philosophy under the guidance of its Board, chaired by R. Gopalan. This decision comes after the termination of merger talks between Zee Entertainment and Sony Corporation’s India unit earlier this year, which aimed to create a $10 billion media conglomerate in the country. As part of its ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving market dynamics, Zee Entertainment continues to refine its operational strategies, with recent changes including the direct oversight of revenue verticals by CEO Punit Goenka.  

Zee Entertainment Streamlines Operations, Lays Off 50% of Bengaluru Tech Unit Staff Read More »

Decline of COVID-19 Variant JN.1 as Emerging Subvariant Takes Hold

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The prevalence of the dominant COVID-19 variant, JN.1, is waning as an emerging subvariant gains ground, signaling a shift in the trajectory of the pandemic. JN.1, which surged in the U.S. late last year, has seen a significant decrease in its contribution to new COVID-19 infections. Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that JN.1 accounted for 86% of new cases over the past two weeks, down from 90% at the beginning of March. This variant, closely related to BA.2.86, had previously driven infections during the fall and winter months. Now, JN.1 is ceding ground to a subvariant, JN.1.13, which has experienced a notable increase in recent weeks. From comprising nearly 2% of new cases last month, JN.1.13 has risen to nearly 11% over the past two weeks. Additionally, another descendant, JN.1.18, has witnessed a modest uptick, albeit to a lesser extent, representing less than 2% of new infections in the same timeframe. Despite the emergence of various subvariants, overall COVID-19 transmission is declining across most regions of the U.S. While respiratory illness levels remain elevated in many areas, key indicators for the virus are on a downward trend. Weekly hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have decreased by nearly 14% in the past week, marking the first time new admissions have fallen below 10,000 since July 2023. Furthermore, recent data released by the CDC indicates a rise in life expectancy in 2022, attributed in part to a decline in COVID-19 mortality. Although this increase marks a reversal from the pandemic’s earlier impacts, it represents only a partial recovery from the losses incurred during the pandemic’s peak.

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Odisha Government Partners with Education Ministry to Implement PM SHRI Scheme

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The Odisha government is poised to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to implement the PM SHRI Schools scheme. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities is expected to be finalized before the commencement of the 2024-25 academic year. The Ministry of Education, Government of India, expressed its support for the initiative, emphasizing its commitment to strengthening school education and ensuring the holistic development of students in Odisha. The PM SHRI scheme, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), seeks to establish over 14,500 model schools across India. Under the PM SHRI School initiative, which is a centrally sponsored scheme, various stakeholders, including the Central Government, State/UT Governments, local bodies, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), will collaborate to establish these schools. The overarching goal is to create an inclusive learning environment that values and supports every student, aligning with the objectives outlined in the NEP 2020. With an anticipated direct impact on more than 20 lakh students, the PM SHRI scheme aims to enhance the quality of school education and drive policy formulation and implementation. Over the course of five years, from 2022-23 to 2026-27, the initiative aims to not only benefit immediate beneficiaries but also serve as a blueprint for elevating educational standards nationwide.  

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