Author: Neel Achary

Panasonic Life Solutions India Marks 10 Years of Ratti Chhatr Scholarship Program; Reinforcing Commitment to Education and Empowerment

New Delhi, Nov 20: Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND), in the 10th year of its flagship scholarship initiative, Ratti Chhatr, in association with its NGO partner, Buddy4Study India Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 10 students across India.

This year, the program received more than 1,600 applications, out of which 10 students were selected after a comprehensive process involving screening, an online test, and interviews. Since its inception, the initiative has supported over 260 students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing higher education at IITs across the country.

Mr. Tadashi Chiba, MD & CEO, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “Welcoming the new batch of Ratti Chhatr scholars, we at Panasonic remain committed to empowering young talent through education. We believe education enables individuals to build a better future and contribute meaningfully to society. We look forward to seeing these students grow and make a positive difference in their chosen fields.”

Ms. Anju Malhotra, General Manager- Factory HR & CSR, added, “Through the Panasonic Ratti Chhatr Scholarship Program, we aim to support deserving students in continuing their academic journey with confidence. By easing their financial challenges, we hope to enable them to focus on learning and personal growth.” 

Over the years, the Panasonic Ratti Chhatr Scholarship Program has become a platform to identify and nurture promising young talent, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to education, empowerment, and nation-building through meaningful CSR initiatives.

Guwahati to host workshop on ‘A–Z of opening a successful school’ on November 23

Guwahati, Nov 20:  Guwahati is set to host a specialised workshop titled “AZ of Opening a Successful School” at Hotel Vivanta on November 23, offering aspiring school founders, trusts and education investors practical guidance on setting up new schools in Assam and the wider North East region.

The session will be led by Amol Arora, Managing Director of the SHEMROCK & SHEMFORD Group of Schools, who has worked with hundreds of school promoters across India. The workshop aims to clarify the operational, academic and administrative processes involved in establishing a school  an area where many first-time promoters often face regulatory and planning challenges.

With growing urbanisation and increasing demand for quality schooling in the region, the programme will discuss the steps involved in starting a school from the ground up. Topics include approvals and compliance requirements, infrastructure planning, admissions strategy, budgeting, branding and academic systems. Participants will also receive a structured 100-point School Launch Checklist intended to simplify the planning process.

Speaking about the workshop, Amol Arora, Managing Director of the SHEMROCK & SHEMFORD Group of Schools said, “Many first-time promoters struggle with navigating approvals, infrastructure norms, admissions and academic planning. This workshop is meant to offer a clear, step-by-step understanding so that they can make informed decisions during the school setup journey.”

He added, “The North East region has seen steady demand for quality schooling, especially in urban centres, where parents are increasingly looking for structured, future-ready education. Many promoters in the region have strong intent but often lack access to technical guidance on approvals, planning and academic systems. This workshop is an attempt to bridge that gap.”

The workshop is open to education entrepreneurs, investors, existing school owners planning expansion and organisations exploring opportunities in the schooling sector. It also aims to offer practical clarity for those navigating the early stages of school planning.

ASCI Hyderabad and Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA signed an MoU

Hyderabad, Nov 20 :The Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the College Park Campus, Banjara Hills.

The partnership aims to strengthen professional education in management accounting and enhance global career readiness for students.

Under the MoU, ASCI and IMA will collaborate to:

•  Create awareness about IMA’s global certification programs, including Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate (FMAA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (CSCA).
• Develop joint programs and academic activities that provide ASCI students opportunities to pursue these globally recognized professional certifications.
• Organize seminars, conferences, research collaborations, and publications related to accounting, finance, and management accounting.
• Facilitate information sharing on emerging opportunities within the accounting and finance profession.
• Explore additional mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.

IMA will support ASCI through recognition as an IMA-affiliated institution and assist in the College’s application to the IMA Higher Education Endorsement Program. As part of the collaboration, IMA will also provide up to 10 distinguished scholarships annually, based on eligibility criteria and academic guidelines specified by IMA.

ASCI will offer platforms for student engagement and awareness sessions on the IMA certification programs. The Department of Commerce will lead the coordination and monitoring of these initiatives at the campus.

The MoU will remain in force for three years, with the option for renewal on mutually agreed terms. Provisions ensure continuity for students enrolled in ongoing programs even in the event of termination.

The MoU was signed by Dr. N. Ramesh Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Director General, ASCI, and Mr. Michael DePrisco, President and CEO, IMA.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Nirmalya Bagchi, Dean & Head, CPC, and Director, CMS & PGDM, ASCI, Sunil Deshmukh, CMA, Chair-Emeritus of the IMA Global Board of Directors and Mr. Arindam Ghosh, Country Head, IMA India Pvt. Ltd., along with other faculty members, officers of ASCI, and representatives from IMA.

This strategic agreement highlights ASCI’s ongoing commitment to international collaboration and the advancement of specialized education in finance and management accounting.

Established in 1956, ASCI is a premier institution known for developing managerial excellence among corporate managers, administrators, entrepreneurs, and academicians.

IMA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is one of the world’s largest associations dedicated to advancing the management accounting profession, with a global network of about 140,000 members across 150 countries.

ISB Online and Emeritus Launch Digital Marketing and Analytics Programmes, to empower Marketers with AI-Driven Strategies for the Future

The marketing industry is in the midst of its most profound transformation in decades. With the rise of AI in digital marketing, programmatic advertising, and Web 3.0 marketing, customer engagement has shifted from being campaign-led to intelligence-led. Marketers today are navigating ecosystems defined by Generative AI, automation, predictive analytics, and hyper-personalised experiences.

Consumers expect instant, relevant, and seamless interactions, forcing brands to rely on data-driven strategies that go far beyond traditional playbooks. In this rapidly evolving landscape, marketing professionals must rethink their skill sets—not just to keep up with technological change but to lead it.

It’s against this backdrop that ISB Online, the digital learning arm of the Indian School of Business (ISB), in collaboration with Emeritus has rolled out two specialised upskilling pathways: the Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing and the Digital Marketing and Analytics Programme. These programmes are designed to help professionals master the convergence of strategy, data, and technology. With a strong focus on Generative AI, SEO, programmatic advertising, and marketing automation, they equip learners with both strategic vision and hands-on capability.

A defining feature of these programmes is their focus on hands-on, industry-aligned learning.

Participants work on live simulations using Stukent Mimic Pro and Mimic Social—designing, running, and optimising campaigns in real-world scenarios. Case studies from brands like Netflix, Lenovo,

Swatch, and The Honest Company bring complexity and nuance into the classroom. Participants engage in assignments such as;

• Crafting AI-powered SEO strategies and programmatic ad campaigns

• Designing influencer marketing and content strategies

• Building performance marketing funnels

• Allocating and optimising paid media budgets

 To keep pace with evolving digital ecosystems, participants gain hands-on exposure to 25+ marketing tools including Google Analytics, SEMRush, ChatGPT, Claude, Modash, Canva, Hotjar, DALL·E,

Similarweb, DeepSeek and more. Complimentary certifications on Mailmodo and optional credentials in Google Ads and HubSpot further strengthen their technical skill set.

These technical foundations are complemented by live masterclasses on topics such as application of AI and Generative AI in SEO/SEM, copywriting with ChatGPT, display advertising, and influencer  marketing. Sessions led by senior marketing leaders bring market trends and execution strategies to life, ensuring participants don’t just learn the tools, but understand how to use them in fast-moving business contexts.

A Legacy of Impact and Trust ;

Over the years, these digital marketing programmes have evolved into trusted upskilling pathways. What sets these programmes apart is not just the content, it is the transformative learning experience. Learners consistently speak of rigorous learning that sharpens strategic thinking, builds confidence, and turns marketing knowledge into impact. They highlight the balance of foundational concepts with emerging trends, the quality of mentorship, and the immersive, hands-on approach that makes learning practical and immediately applicable.

Many credit these programmes with helping them redefine their professional identity, moving from traditional marketing to data-led, AI-enabled strategies. The sentiment is clear: this isn’t just a digital marketing certificate programme; it’s a catalyst for growth. From deep dives into SEO, social media, and analytics to building real campaigns, learners describe the journey as demanding yet deeply rewarding.