Education Community

According to an official on Thursday, almost 1,700 students have filed for the Financial Support Scheme (FSS) at Delhi University. The scheme is intended for students in the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). According to the official, the university has not yet examined the applications or released the final list of students who will be eligible for the scheme. The deadline to apply for the scheme was January 31. “We have received around 1,700 applications for the fee waiver scheme so far. The university through this scheme will extend the benefits of equity, access and quality with excellence, both in letter and spirit, to the financially weak students,” the official told PTI. Delhi University had already announced the scheme in November of last year, in keeping with the government’s “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” motto. All of the student fees, with the exception of the examination and hostel fees, are covered by the waiver. Depending on their family’s income, students from economically weak backgrounds may receive a fee waiver of up to 100%. A bonafide university student studying full-time is eligible to apply. According to the official, “A student with a family income of less than Rs 4 lakh (annually) will be eligible for up to 100 per cent fee waiver, while students with a family income of Rs 4 lakh to 8 lakhs can apply for a 50 per cent waiver.” A list will be made to see who is eligible based on their family’s income, the official said. “It will be seen whether the students are eligible for full waiver or half. In case of confusion, we might call the students for an interview,” the official said. According to the official, students with ER (essential repeat) and arrears of previous examination papers are not eligible to apply. The DU had asked applicants to submit copies of their fee receipts, copies of their parents’ income tax returns, if applicable, and an annual family income certificate for the previous financial year from the tehsildar or any equivalent competent authority. Additionally, a copy of a bank passbook with the student’s name, account number, bank’s IFSC code, and a photo pasted wherever appropriate was required. Source: PTI

The Union Budget 2023–24 was presented to the parliament on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. According to budget documents, the centre has allotted a whopping Rs. 1,12,898.97 crore to the Ministry of Education for the upcoming fiscal year. This is the highest budget allocation ever given to the ministry. The Higher Education Department has been given a budget of Rs. 44,094.62 crore while the School Education Department has an allocation of Rs. 68,804.85 crore. For the financial year 2022–2023, the Education Ministry received a budgetary allocation of Rs. 1,04,277.72 crore. In engineering institutes, 100 labs will be set up for the development of apps using 5G services. Apps like Smart Classrooms, Precision Farming, Intelligent & Transports Systems, and others will be covered in these laboratories, among others. Nirmala Sitharaman stated that up to 38,000 teachers and support staff will be recruited over the course of the next three years for the 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools that will serve 3.5 lakh tribal students. To empower youth and help them in realising their dreams…PMKVY 4.0 will be launched, adding 30 skill India international centres across states, to train lacks of youths over the course of the next three years. The minister of finance, stated that the National Child Trust, Children’s Book Trust, and other sources should be encouraged to provide and replenish non-curricular titles in regional languages and English to these libraries. She also suggested collaborating with NGOs that support literacy. Facilities at a few ICMR labs will be made accessible for faculty members from public and private medical colleges and private sector research teams to conduct research in an effort to promote collaborative research and innovation. Three centres of excellence in artificial intelligence will be established in top institutions. In the fields of health, agriculture, and sustainable cities, top industry leaders will collaborate to perform multidisciplinary research, create cutting-edge technologies, and find scalable solutions to issues. FM Sitharaman has announced the establishment of 157 new nursing colleges in core areas. A National Digital Library for children and adolescents will be established to make it easier to access important books from different regions, languages, genres, and educational levels. According to FM Sitharaman, states would be urged to create libraries for them at the panchayat and ward levels as well as infrastructure for accessing the National Digital Library’s resources. Innovative pedagogy, continuous professional development, curriculum transition, and ICT implementation are all expected to be used in teacher training programmes. According to FM Sitharaman, the district’s educational and training facilities would be transformed into vibrant institutes of excellence.  

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad recently launched the nation’s first BTech degree in computational engineering. With a BTech in Computational Engineering, graduates will receive interdisciplinary training that will enable them to become experts in cutting-edge numerical methods and algorithms, modelling and simulation of engineering systems and processes, high-performance computing, process control and optimization, data analytics, and machine learning. The four-year, interdisciplinary undergraduate programme is evenly divided into eight, six-month semesters. Students will get in-depth education in mathematical methods, numerical approaches, the creation of mathematical models, computer simulations, optimization, high-performance computing, data analytics, and machine learning during the first five semesters. In order to pursue more specialised knowledge in the final three semesters, students will have a selection of electives to choose from. Advanced manufacturing, structural design, process engineering, materials design, chip design, and biomedical engineering are just a few examples of the courses offered as electives. Admission to the BTech in Computational Engineering programme at IIT Hyderabad is based on IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Exam), just like it is for all other BTech programmes there. Candidates must have advanced scores and have successfully completed class 12 (or an equivalent) from an accredited state or central board. With the exception of the BTech 2022 Batch, students who fall under the general, EWS, and OBC categories are required to pay Rs 1 lakh per semester. Students who fall under the SC/ST or PH categories are completely exempted from paying fees. In addition to tuition expenses, there are other costs including welfare funds, hostel, and mess fees. Students who fall under the SC/ST or PH categories are not excluded from these additional fees. Benefits of a BTech in Computational Engineering include: expertise in numerical algorithms and methods, a strong foundation in scientific computing, system design and simulation, fluency in computing tools and techniques, and Industry 4.0 readiness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday encouraged students to practise “digital fasting,” or limiting screen time, once a week, during the sixth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha. Digital fasting will “reconnect students with family members,” according to the prime minister. He advised not using any technological devices in one area of the house and designating it as a “no technology zone.” In response to a question from a student on how to concentrate on studies without being distracted by social media, he said, “I believe students are smarter than smartphones to analyse its right usage. We should monitor our usage and utilise it smartly as per our need.” The prime minister advised the students to avoid becoming enslaved by the technology. “Say to yourself that you are an independent person, make the best of technology but also limit yourself to only that,” he said. In response to a student’s question on time management, PM asked students to observe their mothers and learn how to manage time. “Have you ever observed your mother’s time management skills? A mother never feels burdened by the immense work she does. If you observe your mother, then you will understand how to manage your time well,” he said. Students from across the nation took part in the event, which was hosted at Talkatora Stadium. At the occasion, where the prime minister spoke with students about overcoming exam stress, about 2000 students, teachers, and parents took part. More than 38 lakh registrations were reported this year, which is twice as many as in 2022.

According to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a record number of 38 lakh students registered to take part in this year’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha,” an annual meeting between students and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss issues relating to exam stress. According to the minister, there have been at least 15 lakh more registrations this year than last. The sixth edition of the interaction is slated to take place on January 27 in the national capital’s Talkatora Indoor stadium. “We had to shift to virtual mode for a few years because of the coronavirus pandemic. In comparison to last year’s registrations, the registrations have increased by nearly 15,73,000. This year, a total of 38 lakh students have registered for the PPC 2023,” Pradhan said in a press conference.  A few of the selected students will also receive invitations to the Republic Day Parade. In order to introduce the participating students to our rich legacy, Pradhan added that they would be brought to national attractions including the Rajghat, Sadaiv Atal, and the Prime Minister’s Museum. Every year, during Pariksha Pe Charcha, PM Modi interacts with students who will be taking the upcoming board exam. He also responds to questions from students at the event on exam stress and other issues. On February 16, 2018, the stadium hosted the first edition of the prime minister’s interactive session with high school and college students. The annual event’s registration period ran from November 25 to December 30, 2022.

In a ceremony today, January 23, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, will award 11 selected children with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2023. At Vigyan Bhawan, the award ceremony will take place today. On January 24, 2023, following today’s award ceremony, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. Following that, a meeting with Smriti Zubin Irani, the minister of Women and Child Development, and Munjpara Mahendrabhai, the Minister of State, will take place. Children between the ages of 5 and 18 are eligible for the awards. Selected students who succeed in the six categories of educational excellence, art and culture, bravery, innovation, scholastic, social service and sports. Four students will get awards in the art and culture category this year, along with one each for bravery, innovation, and social service, and three children in the sports category. Each awardee will receive a medal, a monetary prize of Rs 1 lakh, and a certificate at the award ceremony. In the meantime, 500 Kendriya Vidyalayas throughout the nation will host a national painting competition to commemorate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, known as Parakram Diwas.

The United Doctors Front Association has requested that the March 5 NEET PG-2023 test be postponed in a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. A revision of the revised internship cut-off date has also been requested by the doctors’ organisation, who believe that many interns are still ineligible to take the exam. The deadline for applying for an MBBS internship was extended by the Union Health Ministry to June 30 on January 13. Prior to that, candidates had until March 31, 2023, to finish their required one-year internship. The doctors’ association stated that because of the ongoing problems relating to the early scheduled date for NEET PG-2023, medical students are in a state of chaos and are unable to focus on their studies. “Sir, as per NBEMS revised internship eligibility criteria for NEET PG-2023, internship completion date i.e. June 30 is not justifying criteria for ongoing internship batch. Around 10,000 interns from many states are still ineligible for NEET PG-2023 after revision,” the letter dated January 18 stated. “Recently, NEET-PG 2022 special stray round counselling was conducted on January 10. Many of the NEET-PG aspirants were busy in attending counselling. So NEET-PG participants/aspirants are getting less time to prepare for upcoming exam scheduled on March 5. So we request you to kindly look in the above matter on urgent basis and serve justice to NEET PG-2022 aspirants by postponement of NEET PG-2023 for a minimum of two-three months and re-revision of internship eligibility criteria for ineligible interns to make them eligible for NEET PG-2023,” the letter read.

The deadline for feedback on the drafts of the University Grants Commission for the establishment of foreign university campuses in India was extended today by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC sought views from stakeholders on the proposed University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023, in a notice that was published on January 5. The deadline for the same has now been extended to February 3, 2023. This decision was made after the Commission received stakeholder requests to extend the deadline for providing feedback, recommendations, and comments on the draft. The deadline for stakeholders to send their suggestions and feedback to ugcforeigncollaboration@gmail.com is currently February 3. UGC Chief M. Jagadesh Kumar released guidelines for foreign institutions setting up campuses in India at the start of the new year. According to the guidelines, only foreign universities that have received approval from the University Grants Commission will be permitted to open campuses in India. Additionally, they will only be granted approval for a 10-year period. To apply, these institutions must either rank among the top 500 or be “highly reputed” in their own countries (if the varsity does not participate in global rankings). The institutions will only be allowed to build up their campuses for those listed subjects if their ranking is between 500 and 100 but their subject wise ranking is higher than their overall ranking. Additionally, all foreign universities that open branches in India will only be permitted to conduct offline classes; that is, they can only provide full-time programmes in physical mode.

The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya launched two full-time residential MBA programmes on Thursday: the MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management and the MBA in Digital Business Management. The first batches for both programmes are scheduled to begin in the last week of June of the next academic year, 2023-24. The Hospital and Healthcare Management programme will adhere to a curriculum and pedagogy that addresses the growing demand for professionally trained human resources to take on managerial and leadership roles in various sectors of the healthcare industry, such as hospitals, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, as well as IT and consulting. While the Digital Business Management programme is designed to fulfil the requirements for Industry 4.0, which are associated with the rapid adoption of digital technology and the disruption of business models. Leaders and veterans from the relevant industries will deliver large portions of both of these lectures. Dr Vinita Sahay, director of IIM Bodh Gaya, inaugurated the programmes. The healthcare management programme has two specialisation tracks: Hospital Management and Healthcare Management, which provide exposure to private and public health systems through internships and final projects in rural areas. The program’s Industry Advisory Board is comprised of senior executives from globally renowned companies such as Apollo Hospitals, Biocon Biologics, Novartis, DoctCo, and Coforge. Digital Marketing and Business Development, Data Analytics and Decision Sciences, Strategy and Consulting, and FinTech are the four specialisation tracks available in the digital business management program. Experts from technology firms such as TCS, Infosys, and IBM have served on the Industry Advisory Board to bring cutting-edge techniques and trends in classroom teachings. Students will gain hands-on experience in both courses through a four-month industry immersion. Admissions for both programmes will begin next week, and qualifying CAT 2022 candidates will have a 15-day opportunity to express their interest. EoI forms will be available until the first week of February, after which candidates will be shortlisted for the next round, which will consist of personal interviews. The CAT score, PI score, and academic profile rating will be used to create the final admission merit list. There are 90 seats available for Digital Business Management and 60 for Hospital and Healthcare Management.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) stated on Saturday that beginning in January 9 of this year, the board will offer counselling services to students in classes 10 and 12. This will be accomplished with the aid of podcasts, tele-counselling, and IVRS. Since students would be taking the offline board exams again after a two-year break, CBSE took this decision with that in mind. “For the ease and familiarization of the students the board had already made available the sample question papers, Exam pattern, marks distribution on the website. However, to provide psychological support and solutions to the students, the counselling facility which used to start in February earlier will now begin in January this year,” the official release read. IVRS will be used as the initial counselling technique. For students and parents, CBSE offers free IVRS service around-the-clock at Board’s toll-free number 1800-11-8004. Through this, Hindi and English information and recommendations about stress-free exam preparation, time and stress management, frequently asked questions (FAQs), COVID prevention, key contact data of CBSE offices, etc., may be accessed from anywhere in the nation. The Board will offer counselling services via voluntary tele-counselling services, just as IVRS. By calling 1800-11-8004, the Board is offering this free service from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, from Monday to Saturday. This year, 84 principals and counsellors from India and other nations are offering this service. Of these, 11 are in Nepal, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Singapore, while 73 of the principals and counsellors are from India. The Board will also make bilingual podcasts on these same topics available on the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in, in addition to the aforementioned. The Board said in a letter that it has posted many important messages on social media over the years and has also used YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms to actively communicate with the students. Audio-visual content about youth experiences, aggression, depression, internet addiction disorder, exam stress, one can also view and listen to multimedia content on a variety of subjects, such as particular learning difficulties, substance use disorders, and life skills to deal with them.