ArdorComm Media Group

Sunday, May 25, 2025 4:29 am

Innovation in Education

IIM Sambalpur Unveils New Undergraduate Programmes in Public Policy and AI to Shape Future Leaders

In a strategic move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has launched two groundbreaking undergraduate programmes: Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. These four-year, fully residential programmes are designed to nurture future-ready professionals with a blend of analytical, ethical, and leadership skills. The BSc in Management and Public Policy targets students interested in driving grassroots change, with a curriculum that emphasizes sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, and community-led development. The programme aspires to bridge the gap between policy formulation and real-world impact. Admissions to this course will be facilitated through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Meanwhile, the BSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, aims to boost India’s digital transformation journey and enhance global competitiveness. It focuses on cultivating ethical AI use, advanced data analytics, and innovation-driven problem-solving. Entry into this programme will be via JEE Main scores. Highlighting the institution’s progressive approach, the courses are structured with multiple entry and exit options—students can earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, a degree after three, and an honors degree upon completing the fourth year. This flexibility is intended to support diverse learner pathways in line with NEP 2020 goals. IIM Sambalpur Director, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, expressed pride in the launch, calling it a “pioneering step” in cultivating responsible, entrepreneurial leaders. “These programmes are not only about acquiring academic knowledge; they’re about building leaders equipped with a global outlook and the compassion to address societal challenges,” he noted. The launch event also featured a roundtable discussion on the theme: ‘Global Capability Centres (GCCs) as Engines of Innovation for Global Enterprises’. The dialogue spotlighted the emerging role of GCCs as strategic, innovation-led units rather than cost-effective back-offices. Bramhanand Jha, Vice President at the National eGovernance Division (MeitY), served as the chief guest. He emphasized the transformative role of GCCs in shaping future-ready, tech-enabled enterprises that drive global business strategies. Keynote speakers included Lt. Col. Piyush Shukla, Director of JEE at the National Testing Agency (NTA), and Rajesh Kumar, Director of CUET at NTA. Both underlined the significance of evolving India’s education assessment systems to support innovation, inclusivity, and talent discovery aligned with the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. “The education landscape in India is being reshaped to identify talent capable of thriving in dynamic, innovation-driven environments like GCCs,” said Shukla. Kumar added that initiatives like CUET are vital to democratizing access to quality higher education and preparing students for leadership in a global digital economy. The launch concluded with insightful panel discussions featuring academic and industry experts on “Transforming Operations through GCCs: The Digital Shift from Cost Efficiency to Strategic Value” and “Aligning Talent Upskilling with Policy Innovation for Sustainable GCC Growth.” With this initiative, IIM Sambalpur reaffirms its commitment to fostering responsible, innovation-driven leadership that is attuned to the evolving demands of both national and global landscapes. Admissions for both UG programmes will begin in June 2025, with classes set to commence in September 2025. Source: Indian Express Photo Credit: IIM Sambalpur    

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Elon Musk Launches Ad Astra Preschool: A $100M Vision to Redefine Early Education

Tech mogul Elon Musk is venturing into education with the launch of Ad Astra, a preschool designed to revolutionize early learning. Located in Bastrop County, Texas, near Musk’s company facilities, the school aims to blend exploration-based learning with a STEM-focused curriculum. Backed by Musk’s X Foundation, Ad Astra is the first phase of a $100 million plan to expand into K-12 education and establish a university in Texas. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission recently granted the school its state permit, enabling operations to begin for up to 24 children aged three to six. The preschool, whose name translates to “to the stars,” reflects Musk’s ambition to foster curiosity and foundational skills in young learners through innovative methods. The curriculum draws inspiration from Montessori principles and the psychological theories of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs, emphasizing responsibility, respect, and resourcefulness. Activities range from hands-on STEM projects to geography lessons, alongside outdoor amenities like a basketball court and tricycles. According to permit documents, the school’s mission is to cultivate curiosity and life skills from an early age. “We’re creating an environment where exploration and critical thinking are at the forefront,” said an official close to the project. Musk’s X Foundation has allocated nearly $100 million to this initiative, with plans to scale Ad Astra into a statewide K-12 network and eventually a university. If successful, the program could set new standards for how education systems approach early childhood development and STEM readiness. For now, the school operates out of a white farmhouse in Bastrop County, marking the beginning of Musk’s ambitious journey to redefine the future of education. Source: mint Photo Credit: Reuters

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ShikshaLokam Hosts Third Edition of InvokED: Global Dialogue on Education Leadership

ShikshaLokam, an NGO based in Bengaluru, organized the third edition of InvokED, a Global Dialogue on Education Leadership, on March 1 and 2, 2024. The event brought together education leaders, practitioners, academicians, market players, teachers, and students from around the world. The focus of InvokED 3.0 was on collective leadership and efforts to drive India’s journey towards equity in education, aligning with the goal of establishing a world-class Indian education system. During the inaugural session, S.D. Shibulal, Co-Founder of Infosys and Founder of ShikshaLokam, stressed the crucial role of education leaders in enhancing public schools, ensuring every child’s access to quality education as a fundamental right. He emphasized the need for collective action to achieve this vision, highlighting ShikshaLokam’s nationwide efforts in over 27 Indian states and UTs, engaging more than 570,000 education leaders in improving over a million schools across the nation. Khushboo Awasthi, Co-founder of ShikshaLokam, highlighted the event’s objective of reimagining education leadership by fostering interactions, ideas, and actions that lead to development opportunities for individuals and institutions involved in K-12 education systems. She underscored the importance of participants coming together to devise solutions and strategies for driving sustainable change in their respective ecosystems, ultimately uplifting the entire education system. The second day of InvokED 3.0 featured the Shikshāgraha Utsav, celebrating innovation and micro-improvement stories in classrooms from across the country. This segment aimed to showcase initiatives driving positive changes at the grassroots level, contributing to the overall enhancement of the education landscape.

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Prof. (Dr.) Chattar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rai Technology University, Emphasizes on Importance of Skill Development for the Present Generation of Students

“Students need hands-on experience through workshops, laboratories, and fieldwork,” says Prof. (Dr.) Chattar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rai Technology University, in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSABengaluru #ELSAKarnataka How are you feeling to witness the New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Bangalore? It’s a great thing that ArdorComm has come to South India, and there’s a lot happening here. This time there’s a special feature where school education and higher education are combined, which is a good beginning. It allows for the exchange of ideas and sharing of similarities, including admissions and syllabus. It’s important for higher education to understand the challenges in school education and vice versa. What’s your take on skill development for this present generation of students? The government of India, through NEP 2020, has increased the focus on skill education. Industry 4.0 emphasizes practical learning from theory to practice, including digital learning, machine learning, and more. Students need hands-on experience through workshops, laboratories, and fieldwork. Collaboration between universities and industries is essential to equip students with skills to become entrepreneurs or secure good jobs. How do forums like this benefit the education sector? Such forums enhance the capabilities of the education sector by promoting collaboration between various stakeholders. Government, private institutions, and industry players should come together to focus on skilled education, improving employability and entrepreneurship. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group, which has completed 2 years of its existence? I wish ArdorComm continues its progressive approach, bringing together government, private players, and all stakeholders in education. They should align their efforts with the goals of NEP 2020. Congratulations to ArdorComm for completing two years, and I hope they continue their good work for many more years to come.

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Dr. Vinay S, Director, Seshadripuram Institute of Management Studies, Shares Insights on Technology Implementation in Education

“We’re transitioning from traditional coaching to modern technology, including MOOCs and ERP-related systems,” says Dr. Vinay S, Director, Seshadripuram Institute of Management Studies, in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSABengaluru #ELSAKarnataka How was your experience to witness this New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Bengaluru? This is the second time I am coming. ArdorComm organized it beautifully to connect institutions and leaders. We interacted to discuss the state of the education system, its link with companies, new technologies, and what we can adopt to enhance knowledge from both institutional and student perspectives. It’s a great platform for self-improvement. How are you implementing technology in your institution? Our institution, Seshadripuram Institute of Management Studies, part of an educational trust, is 93 years old. I head the Management Studies department, which is 23 years old. We’re transitioning from traditional coaching to modern technology, including MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and ERP-related systems. We’re also using the Learning Management System (LMS) model. How does this kind of forum benefit the education sector at large? It’s definitely beneficial, but the challenge is in how we adopt these changes and show interest. If we show interest, the next generation of students will benefit. If not, they might miss out on opportunities. ArdorComm Media Group has completed two years of its journey, any messages or good wishes for us? I’m very happy; this is the second time I am coming. They’ve beautifully arranged it, and they keep updating us with information. I congratulate ArdorComm and wish them all the best. We expect more from them in the future.

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