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Friday, January 30, 2026 10:19 AM

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BHU launches scholarship scheme for international students

Banaras Hindu University has launched a new scholarship programme designed to “promote and motivate international students.” Through this programme, the scheme hopes to attract international students. Foreign students will receive Rs 6000 per month under the programme, which will be renewed annually based on satisfactory performance. If a student is already receiving a scholarship of a lower value, he or she will be entitled to the difference. The decision to launch the ‘Scholarship to International Students’  was made at a meeting of the Governing Body of the Institution of Eminence, BHU, under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor Sudhir K Jain. According to VC Sudhir K Jain, the university has formed a three-member committee to oversee the scheme’s implementation and monitoring. All applications submitted under the scheme must be submitted to BHU’s Institution of Eminence Cell. Every year, the university claims to attract hundreds of international students who are admitted to undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and diploma programmes in agricultural sciences, arts, social sciences, performing arts, visual arts, law, commerce, and sciences. Foreign students account for up to 15% of total seat capacity. These seats are of supernumerary nature. Banaras Hindu University currently has 431 students from nearly 40 countries enrolled. Among them are 261 male and 170 female students from the United States, Brazil, France, Russia, Ireland, Australia, Yemen, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. “The scheme is expected to draw more international students to BHU. Besides, it is also in the spirit of National Education Policy 2020 which puts a greater focus on internationalisation of the Indian Education System, by way of having more students from abroad on Indian campuses,” according to an official statement released by BHU.

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Media and entertainment industry in South sees 15% growth: CII report

The media and entertainment industry in South India are growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%, indicating a post-crisis recovery, according to a report released on Saturday by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The South Indian industry is currently valued at around Rs 74,900 crore. The report, titled ‘Regional is the New National – Way Forward for the South India Media and Entertainment Industry,’ was released on Saturday at a CII Dakshin – South India Media and Entertainment Summit by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. According to the report, the television industry accounts for a larger share of the media and entertainment market, accounting for 35% of the total. As per the report, “it has been established as the most powerful medium of mass communication, ensuring its continued presence and potential for relevance in the face of advanced technological developments.” The South Indian streaming and digital media market is expected to grow rapidly, with a CAGR of 25% and a market value of around Rs 16,200 crore by the end of 2022. “With the upcoming introduction of Metaverse,” it added, “this sector is expected to show the most promising growth.” According to the report, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) is the fastest growing sector, with a CAGR of 30%, and is expected to account for up to 10% of the overall media and entertainment sector by 2030. According to media reports, the South Indian film industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 13%, worth around Rs 6,000 crore by the end of 2022, while the print industry is expected to be worth around Rs 9,900 crore.

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WarnerMedia and Discovery have merged to form Warner Bros. Discovery

The merger between AT&T Inc’s (T.N) WarnerMedia unit and Discovery Inc (DISCA.O) has been completed, the companies announced on Friday. On Monday, Warner Bros Discovery Inc, the combined company, will begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “WBD.” The companies announced their intention to merge and form a standalone media company in May of last year, with AT&T hoping to focus more on its wireless ambitions and Discovery looking to expand its content library. In a statement, AT&T Chief Executive Officer John Stankey stated, “With the close of this transaction, we expect to invest at record levels in our growth areas of 5G and fibre, where we have strong momentum.” Discovery Channel, Warner Bros. Entertainment, CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network; streaming services Discovery+ and HBO Max; and franchises such as “Batman” and “Harry Potter” are all part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio. According to analysts, one of David Zaslav’s primary priorities as the combined entity’s CEO is to make streaming video as profitable as the old TV business. Discovery unveiled the management team that would head the new Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) on Thursday, relying heavily on a trusted set of lieutenants, many of whom have worked with the company’s CEO since his days at NBC. Nine high-ranking WarnerMedia officials, including CEO Jason Kilar and Studios and Networks chief Ann Sarnoff, announced their exits earlier this week, ahead of the merged company’s formation. Source: Reuters

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Free online study module for Ukraine-returned medical students has been launched in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government on Thursday launched a three-month online course designed by the state’s health sciences university for medical students who have returned home after stopping their studies in war-torn Ukraine. The digital content was prepared by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) in Nashik, in collaboration with Elsevier, a private entity. The study module was introduced by State Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh and MUHS Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (retd). “The digital content has been developed by the MUHS with the help from Elsevier. It is a voluntary course for students who have returned from Ukraine. This is a temporary arrangement for the students who at present have no access to education,” said Ms Kanitkar. According to her, the MUHS has also created a mobile application for the online learning module, which students can download on their phones and use to access the course material. “Students interested in taking up the online course will have to register themselves on the MUHS portal. No fee will be charged from the students for this course,” the Vice-Chancellor said. Deshmukh said the module will prove useful for Ukraine-returned students and they should take advantage of it. “Students pursuing medical education in Ukraine had to return to India due to outbreak of war there. To avoid educational loss of these students, the MUHS and Elsevier have made available useful content for them in a very short period,” the minister said. “As this course has been developed as a stopgap arrangement, there will be no special benefits of this course for the students,” said Amit Modi, a senior officer at Elsevier. Source: PTI

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THIP Media launches WhatsApp chatbot for health info, fact check

The Healthy Indian Project’s information media division, THIP Media, has announced the launch of a WhatsApp health information and fact-checking chatbot. Ask RAKSHA is the name of the chatbot. RAKSHA stands for Readily Accessible Knowledge and Support for Health Action. The user-friendly chatbot will assist Indian citizens in finding answers to their health-related concerns as well as fact-checking any health-related information for free. Users can also subscribe to daily health tips or take a quiz to test their knowledge of health. The chatbot is now only available in English, but the company has assured that a version in Hindi and Bengali will be released soon. “We’re pleased to support the launch of ‘Ask RAKSHA,’ The Healthy Indian Project’s chatbot built on the WhatsApp Business platform that will help users access credible health-related information from the independent third-party fact-checker, certified by International Fact-Checking Network,” said Shivnath Thukral, WhatsApp India’s Public Policy Director. The safety of our users is at the heart of everything we do at WhatsApp, and we’ve spent a lot of time and effort equipping users with resources and tools that help them fact-check and receive reliable information. “We are thankful to WhatsApp for the cooperation in establishing this chatbot,” stated Sudipta Sengupta, CEO of The Healthy Indian Project (THIP). It helps us achieve THIP Media’s goal of providing all Indians with credible health information while simultaneously protecting them from health misinformation. It is great to be able to debut this on the eve of International FactChecking Day and World Health Day.” THIP Media, a member of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), collaborates with recognised medical professionals to debunk false health, medicine, diet, and treatment claims. Source: PTI

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JEE main 2022 exam dates rescheduled, know fresh dates here

The exam dates for JEE Main 2022 Session 1 and 2 have been updated by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Following multiple representations from applicants, the examinations for both Session 1 and Session 2 have been rescheduled. On the official JEE Main website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, you can see the official announcement with the updated dates. As per the public notice, Session 1 examination that was scheduled to be conducted on April 21, 24, 25, 29 and May 1 and 4, 2022 has been revised and will be conducted on June 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2022. The Session 2 examination, which was supposed to take place on May 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29, 2022, will instead take place on July 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Registration for Session 1 is currently closed, according to the official notification. The timetable for inviting online Application Forms for JEE (Main) – 2022 Session 2 will be released soon. Candidates can visit the official JEE Main website for further information.

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Talentedge’s owner takes stake in upGrad at $2 Bn value after integration

UpGrad, an edtech firm, announced on Thursday that it has integrated all of Talentedge’s business, which will now operate under its own brand, after its owner, Sekhsaria Family Office, acquired a $2 billion stake in the company. UpGrad stated in December of last year that it will acquire Gurugram-based edtech rival Talentedge for Rs 350-400 crore. The near 100 percent share swap transaction was done at an upGrad value of $2 billion, while Talentedge was valued at Rs 205 crore. According to the company, Talentedge is on track to achieve a gross revenue of Rs 150 crore in the coming fiscal year. “Talentedge integrated inside upGrad will be a formidable combination that will be very value accretive for both,” said Narayanan V who leads private investments at Sekhsaria Family Office, owner of Talentedge. For degree programmes, Talentedge has partnered with leading universities. “The coming together of Talentedge with upGrad cements our leadership position in India’s lifelong learning market and we see great synergies, cost savings and our ability to scale and consolidate,” said Mayank Kumar, cofounder and MD, upGrad. UpGrad was founded in 2015 and now boasts a learner base of over two million people from over 100 countries, as well as over 300 university partners. It has offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, India, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as a presence in a number of other countries. Source: Economic Times

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E-learning and Conventional learning: An overview

Blog on Edu

India’s education system is frequently the subject of heated debate due to poor learning quality, obsolete curriculum, an over-reliance on rote learning, and a lack of suitable infrastructure. Even as our formal education system returns to physical campuses, e-learning is increasingly finding its way into our classrooms. An increasing number of educational institutions are warming up to the concept of embracing new digital tools to develop a future-ready education system, much as much else in our life, from shopping to entertainment, from investment to travel, goes online. Schools and colleges around the country are finding significant value in the digital format of education and want to continue with some of its elements, from flipped classrooms to continuous feedback, virtual labs to discussion forums, online assessments to live sessions by industry experts. Technological tools are not only finding a place in the realm of online education, but they are also collaborating with traditional institutions to produce new kinds of education. Challenges in education have always existed; however, because Google knows everything, we need to shift our focus from knowing to learning. Because simply pouring more money isn’t working, metrics must change from inputs to outcomes. Differentiation and personalization are about making learning accessible to children by tapping into their motivations and skills, not about making things easier for them. Annual exams must give way to ongoing feedback in terms of assessment. Teachers’ content knowledge is not the same as their capacity to influence student learning. A continuum of preparation, repair, and upgrade is required for lifelong learning. Several flaws in classroom education can be mitigated with the use of educational technology. The government’s recent initiatives, such as making universities multidisciplinary, using an academic bank of credit to store credentials, promoting various MOOC platforms, overhauling the examination system to introduce a more inclusive continuous assessment system that tests students on their ability to apply what they’ve learned, teacher training on the use of digital teaching tools, and the launch of India Skills Online for skill training, all encourage students to improve their grades. Traditional learning and online learning are becoming increasingly blurred, with online resources such as e-exams, e-tutorials, live online projects, peer group discussions, online assessments, online mentorship, and internships being utilised to supplement classrooms. Institutes are utilising technological platforms to offer new disciplines such as digital marketing, cloud computing, cyber security, AI and machine learning, data science, and digital forensics in order to develop future-ready workers. Learning is becoming more engaging and immersive thanks to the use of gamification in many ways such as quizzes, leader boards, badges, and online games. Learning is more exciting and engaging when students use online learning technologies that encourage peer-to-peer learning by sharing learning materials, working on collaborative projects, exchanging ideas, and participating in group activities. Schools and institutions will be able to create tailored learning journeys for distinct learners based on their talents, preferences, and performance using data science and AI powered intelligent tutoring systems. Since providing hands-on learning for large groups of students may be difficult and expensive, the use of AR and VR within classrooms will dramatically improve immersive learning experiences. The use of technology to automate mundane duties would free up teachers to focus on tasks that are uniquely suited to humans, such as coaching, mentoring, and motivating learners. Because of time and space constraints, physical classroom systems frequently made this mistake. The promise of online education, which promised to break the tough trinity of cost, quality, and scalability, was not realised. With the widespread adoption of online learning in traditional classrooms, this is about to change. Finally, we can have an educational system that allows equal and great students to not only coexist but prosper.

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Tredence expands its presence in India with new AI delivery and R&D centres.

Tredence Inc, a leading data science solutions provider, today announced the opening of delivery centres in Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Chennai, which will be operational by May 2022 and have a total capacity of 1400 seats. Through the new delivery centres, the company will provide advanced analytics, data engineering, and data science solutions to retail, CPG, TMT, industrial manufacturing, and healthcare clients around the world. Tredence has been expanding its Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram offices by hiring engineering graduates, lateral recruits, and domain specialists. In the last year, the company has doubled its talent pool and now employs over 1600 people. This year, the company expects to hire another 500 people, increasing the total number of employees to nearly 2100 by the end of the year. The new centres, which use a hybrid flexible work model, can accommodate approximately 1400 employees, making them the company’s largest employee base. “Expanding our reach into new talent markets is a critical component of our growth plan. We plan to do so by constantly looking for top-tier talent in new regions and partnering with premier institutes like IIT Madras to focus on training and talent development. Through ASTHA (our hire, train and deploy model), we assist employees specializing in legacy technologies to modernize by providing them with data science and data engineering opportunities. Opening new offices and extending our presence in Bengaluru, Gurugram and Chennai is making strides in these directions,” said Shub Bhowmick, chief executive officer and co-founder of Tredence. “Expansion and addition of new India delivery centres signifies an exciting chapter for Tredence as we continue to build ground-breaking data science solutions for global industries. Setting up new delivery and talent centres in India reflects the momentum we are experiencing in the market and aligns with our growth imperatives. Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram offer a perfect springboard for tech companies looking to strengthen AI innovation and distributed agile delivery models,” said Harish Gudi, chief operating officer of Tredence. Beyond Possible is the company’s new brand identity and strategy, which reflects the company’s new go-to-market strategy and increasing emphasis on vertical-specific data science solutions.

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The combined PVR-Inox pipeline has 2,000 screens and is expected to double in the next 7 years

Inox Leisure and PVR, which announced their merger last month, have a combined pipeline of 2,000 screens and plan to double that number in the next seven years with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. In a Business Update Conference Call with investors after announcing the merger, Inox Leisure Director Siddharth Jain stated that the merged firm would invest capex of Rs 2.5 crore per screen as part of their expansion. PVR and INOX Leisure announced a merger on March 27 to form the country’s largest multiplex chain, with over 1,500 screens, to capitalise on prospects in tier III, IV, and V cities as well as developed markets. The combined entity will be known as PVR INOX Ltd, with existing screens continuing to be branded as PVR and INOX, respectively. PVR INOX will be the name of new theatres that operate after the merger, the firms said on March 27. “We have almost 2,000 screens in our pipeline combined,” Jain said in response to a question on the combined entity’s screen count. “Our stated goal is to double our size in the next seven years, which will require at least Rs 4,000 crore in CAPEX (capital expenditure) over the next seven years.” However, he added that only about 50 of the 2,000 screens may be competing with one another. “Even mall owners would not put it up across the road from each other because they know there is really no point doing that, and we have not looked at it that deeply, yet to see whether there are any places, which we may not go ahead with. We have not dug that deep into it,” Inox Leisure shared a transcript of the conference call with the bourses on Monday, quoting Jain. The new screen addition will be diverse and across tiers, he added. “It is not that we want to take the movie only to certain Indians. We want to take it everywhere wherever we have potential and there is a market,” Jain added. PVR has 871 screens spread across 181 locations in 73 cities, whereas INOX has 675 screens spread across 160 locations in 72 cities. According to the agreement, INOX will merge with PVR in a share swap ratio of 3 PVR shares for every 10 INOX shares. Following the merger, INOX promoters will join the existing PVR promoters as co-promoters in the merged entity. PVR promoters would own 10.62 percent of the merged firm, while INOX promoters will own 16.66 percent, according to the statement. Source: PTI

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