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Jamia Millia Islamia has received funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to research on the mental health benefits of Yoga and meditation using molecular tools and neuronal activity recordings, the university informed during a statement. The research is going to be administered together with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). “In the proposed research, the investigators will check out the brain imaging, brain activity, biochemical and neuro-physiological parameters in University students who could also be vulnerable to stress, anxiety or depression and provide intervention to cope with these complications. the students and staff are going to be enrolled from the University to participate in the study over the course of a three-year study. Yoga and other psychological interventions are going to be carried out both at JMI and MDNIY,” Jamia PRO Ahmed Azeem said in a statement. Dr Tanvir Ahmad from the Multidisciplinary Centre for Advance Research and Studies (MCARS) is the principal investigator from Jamia who will collaborate with Dr Sushma Suri and Dr Meena Osmany of the Department of Psychology and Dr S Lakshmi Kandan from MDNIY. Ahmad said the research work has relevance following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in an “upsurge in mental health issues across the globe”. “It is scientifically established that students undergo stress, anxiety and sometimes depression once they are exposed to new work culture in colleges and universities. Notably, since last year, a large number of studies have shown increased neurological complications in the people that are affected with Covid-19 as well as the members of the family,” he said. “Further, the data unanimously presents concerns regarding the mental health of students who are at the receiving end. Now, as the colleges and universities have started opening, the amount of stress, anxiety and depression among students have tremendously increased,” he added. Dr S N Kazim, deputy director, MCARS, said the research work will result in the “development of a comprehensive mental health data base” and Jamia’s intervention will function a “model for other universities and colleges across India as they’re preparing to begin the offline classes soon.” Source: Indian Express

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued show-cause notices to two private universities for offering degree and diploma courses in collaboration with edtech companies, stating that this “outsourcing” is a violation of norms. This action by AICTE comes after the University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned universities and colleges against offering distance learning and online courses in association with edtech companies, saying as per norms, no “franchise” agreement is permissible. AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe has appealed to the public and the stakeholders, to tell them if they encounter similar arrangements between universities and edtech companies. So far, AICTE has issued notices to two universities, but Sahasrabudhe added that they might take action accordingly if they found more such arrangements. The AICTE chairman had earlier clarified that the govt. isn’t against edtech companies, but they can’t be allowed to delve into areas that aren’t their domain. As reported by PTI, Sahasrabudhe said, “These ed-tech companies were advertising for postgraduate programmes in management and computer applications that can only be offered by universities and approved colleges. Even the top institutions in the country like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) were also not allowed to offer postgraduate management, but only a PG diploma in management until an Act in Parliament was passed. How can we allow ed-tech companies to do so?” Read| Ed-Tech companies can’t be allowed where even IIMs can’t go: AICTE chairman “We have given approvals to universities and colleges to offer degree and diploma programmes, and that they are supposed to offer them on their own and not piggyback on private companies or outsource their job to any third party,” he added. The UGC and AICTE have also advised parents and students to ascertain the recognition status of any such programme on their websites before enrolling into them. Source: PTI

NITI Aayog has appointed Dr Shashank Shah as the Director-Specialist-Higher Education. Dr. Shah announced his new role through a LinkedIn post, thanking the think tank. In his post, Dr Shah wrote, “I am delighted to share that I have been appointed as Director Senior Specialist – Higher Education at NITI Aayog, India’s apex public policy think tank, chaired by Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.” “The education system is a bank on which the nation draws a cheque for strong, reliable, and skilled citizens. In this new role, it will be my endeavour to give my very best to the world’s third-largest Higher Education System, such that it can enhance equity and access, foster excellence, create impact, and mould young Indians with the ability and nobility,” he added. Dr. Shah has done his bachelor’s from the University of Mumbai. He is a post graduate and doctorate in Business Management from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He is a stakeholder management strategist, researcher, and published business author. Dr. Shashank has developed strategic perspectives and operational frameworks on leading multinational and Indian public and private sector firms, including Fortune 500 companies. It is noteworthy that the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog is a premier policy and think tank of India. They are responsible for a number of transformational initiatives. The three main functions of Niti Aayog include policy and knowledge, innovation or monitoring, and evaluation.

Prof M Jagadesh Kumar bid farewell to the students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University, after accepting the responsibilities of the Chairman of the University Grants Commission for the tenure of five years. Prof Kumar, who has served as the Vice-Chancellor of JNU since 2016, was appointed as the Chairman of the UGC last week by the Ministry of Education. In his letter, he writes about the role of the faculty in implementing various changes within the university. “Opening of new Schools and Centres, starting of new academic programmes, and making the admission and administrative process efficient could be realised only because my colleagues had the commitment and conviction to remain focused on the priorities that would enable our University to turn into one of the finest,” he mentions. However, Prof Kumar made no regard to the varied controversies that plagued the varsity during his time in charge, like the disappearance of a student, Najeeb Ahmed in 2016 after the sedition row, the protests against fee hike in 2019 and the 2020 attacks on students at JNU. Prof Kumar also went on to add that students and faculty were open to the changes introduced and took part in feedback sessions. “I tried always to be available to all the stakeholders — students, staff and faculty members. We used to have weekly afternoons exclusively reserved for such interactions. During these regular dialogues, I received constructive feedback and suggestions that helped me resolve many issues,” he shared. Prof Kumar also issued another notice declaring the appointment of Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit as his successor to the post of Vice-Chancellor of JNU. Prof Pandit, who is currently at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Savitribai Phule Pune University, is the first-ever woman VC of the university. Read| Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit Appointed First Woman Vice Chancellor Of JNU