30, Aug 2024
NMIMS MPSTME and Oakland University Sign MoU to Strengthen Academic and Research Collaboration
Mumbai, India-30th August 2024
NMIMS Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering (MPSTME) has entered into a significant partnership with Oakland University, USA, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13th August 2024 to nurture collaboration in various academic and research areas.
The MoU signing ceremony commenced with an address by Dr. Anne Koteswararao, Dean of MPSTME, highlighting this collaboration’s practical benefits: “Our focus is on creating real opportunities for MBA Tech students, especially in fields like AI, data science, and computing engineering. This partnership will enable joint research, faculty exchanges, and more, ensuring our students gain valuable experience. However, the success of this MOU lies in its outcomes. Without tangible results, it remains just a piece of paper. We’re committed to making this collaboration meaningful and beneficial for our students.”
This strategic agreement between NMIMS MPSTME and Oakland University opens doors for extensive cooperation in various academic and research domains. The institutions have committed to facilitating student exchanges at both undergraduate and graduate levels, allowing students to benefit from international academic experiences. Faculty exchanges will also be encouraged, providing opportunities for teaching and collaborative research across both campuses. MoU promotes global transfer programs, dual degrees, joint research initiatives, and resource pooling for external funding.
The MoU also includes provisions for organizing joint conferences, workshops, and seminars, allowing students and faculty to share knowledge and research findings with their peers. One of the standout features of the collaboration is the capstone class, a semester-long, industry-sponsored project that offers students hands-on experience through real-world projects. Students will have the chance to spend one day a week on-site, working closely with industry professionals, which can lead to internships, Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA, and 100% job placements in Automotive, Healthcare, Financial, Accounting, and IT firms.
One of the key advantages highlighted about this partnership is the cost-effectiveness of the academic programs. The MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) and MS in Information & Technology Management (MSITM) programs, which are STEM-coded, can be completed in as little as 1 to 1.5 years, depending on the student’s prior education. Students will benefit from in-state tuition rates thanks to scholarships covering the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition.
In addition, Oakland University will waive admission requirements such as the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL exams, further lowering the barriers to entry for prospective students. This initiative aligns with NMIMS’s commitment to making high-quality education accessible to all.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both institutions, including Dr. Vijayan Sugumaran, who expressed optimism about the future of this partnership: “This partnership between NMIMS and Oakland University opens a world of opportunities for both faculty and students. By nurturing collaboration across projects and exchange programs, we are setting the stage for a truly enriching academic experience. Students will benefit from our small class sizes, which ensure personalized attention, and the diverse professional avenues available in Southeast Michigan. Whether it’s through research, internships, or international projects, this agreement is designed to equip our students with the skills and connections they need to succeed globally.”
The ceremony was then addressed by Ms. Meena Saxena, Director of International Linkages at NMIMS. In her remarks, Ms. Saxena highlighted, “The easiest part is signing a MoU, but the real challenge lies in what follows. This agreement stands out because Professor Vijay meticulously planned every detail beforehand, ensuring clarity on how it will be executed, including the exceptional offer of in-state tuition rates for our students – making this partnership truly beneficial.”
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks and a group photograph, symbolizing the unity and shared vision of NMIMS MPSTME and Oakland University as they go on board this exciting new venture together.
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- By Rabindra
30, Aug 2024
Banijay Asia and SERA Launch Show to Send Indian to Space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard
Mumbai, India August 30, 2024: Banijay Asia, part of Banijay Entertainment , the world’s largest independent content producer, has announced its collaboration with Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) to produce an innovative format show that will showcase the nationwide hunt for one ordinary Indian citizen who will journey into space on a future Blue Origin New Shepard mission. The format will capture the drama, disappointment, and joy as the shortlisted individuals participate in various challenges that test their mettle and readiness for space travel. The show will culminate in the selection of a final winner who will have the opportunity to become one of the first Indian citizens to travel into space.

This announcement builds on SERA’s recent news announcing India as a partner nation for their human spaceflight program aimed at giving an opportunity to citizens from countries with few or no astronauts to travel into space. SERA’s mission is to democratize space travel by opening up opportunities for ordinary citizens to experience the wonders of space exploration.
“At Banijay Asia, our mission has always been to explore new horizons in storytelling. We’re embarking on an unprecedented journey with SERA to create a reality format that transcends the ordinary. It’s a privilege to document this journey of an ordinary Indian space traveler, and show how this program will not only transform their life but also democratize space travel more broadly. We’re excited to entertain and inspire our audiences as we pave a new path in the world of competitive reality television, and spark a new wave of interest in space exploration,” said Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO, Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India.
Mrinalini Jain, Group Chief Development Officer, Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India, expressed her enthusiasm saying: “Partnering with SERA is a testament to Banijay Asia’s quest to find inspiring stories to narrate in the most innovative formats. We will pioneer an innovative and inspirational format by blending the thrill of reality television with the awe of space exploration. This will be a game-changing format showing every step of the journey from selection to space.”
Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder, SERA, shared his excitement for the collaboration: “SERA is founded on the principle of making space accessible to all. Our mission is to inspire and enable individuals from all backgrounds to explore the cosmos, fostering a new era of discovery and understanding. This partnership with Banijay Asia will bring space- and science-related content to a diverse audience. We look forward to their innovative approach to transform this historic endeavor into a movement that will not only inspire millions but also cultivate a global dialogue on the future of space exploration.”
SERA’s spaceflight program will offer citizens from across the world six seats on a future mission of New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket. The mission will fly the selected astronauts on an 11-minute journey past the Kármán line (100 km), the internationally-recognized boundary of space.
30, Aug 2024
Nippon Paint India Unveils Futuristic ColourPod at Prawaas 4.0
Bengaluru, 30th August 2024: Nippon Paint India, a leading paint and coatings provider, has officially launched its revolutionary ColourPod at Prawaas 4.0, Asia Pacific’s premier commercial vehicles exhibition. The ColourPod marks a significant milestone in the industry, redefining the possibilities of paint and coatings for commercial vehicles.

With a bold and futuristic design, the Nippon ColourPod showcases the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence. At the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the ColourPod and learn how Nippon Paint is transforming the commercial vehicle industry through cutting-edge solutions and visionary insights.
The Nippon ColourPod will be on display at Booth No. 32 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from August 29th to 31st, 2024.
30, Aug 2024
Panasonic Announces Kid Witness News Winners in India, Promotes UN Sustainable Development Goals
New Delhi, August 30, 2024: Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND), a leading diversified technology company, announced the winners of its Kid Witness News program in India. Kid Witness News is a global initiative by Panasonic aimed at raising awareness around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) among school students by upskilling youth with digital storytelling skills and creating advocates of change. One winning video each from the entries in the primary (students aged 10-12 years) and secondary (students aged 13-18 years) school categories, has now been selected from India to be showcased at Panasonic’s Kid Witness News Global Summit as part of a global contest which will take place in October 2024.

|
Award category |
Winning schools |
| Primary Category Winner | Shalom Hills International School, Gurugram |
| Primary Runner up |
Lotus valley International School, Gurugram |
| Secondary Winner | Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram |
| Secondary Runner up | Heritage xperiential Learning School, Gurugram |
Mr. Tadashi Chiba, MD & CEO, Panasonic Life Solutions India commented “At Panasonic, we have stayed committed to creating a positive impact in the society and invest in future leaders. Kid Witness News is an important step in this direction. This is the 35th year of Kid Witness News for Panasonic and it is the first time India has participated. The videos created by the participants beautifully capture the environmental and social challenges through their lens. I applaud the efforts of all the students who have participated and congratulate the winners.”
Ms. Pooja Garg Khan, Head of Corporate Communications & CSR at Panasonic Life Solutions India said, “It is heartening to see some great work submitted by participating schools. Not only is this a reflection of the students thinking actively about a sustainable tomorrow, but also of their video-making and communication skills as part of the Kid Witness News program. I would like to congratulate all the schools for their exemplary efforts and give special kudos to the winning teams. We are looking forward to the KWN Global Summit.”
As part of the Kid Witness News (KWN) program, Panasonic Life Solutions India partnered with five leading schools in Gurugram, including Lancers International School, Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Shalom Hills International School, Lotus Valley International School, and Scottish High International. After attending hands-on workshops where the students got the opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of operating state-of-the-art Panasonic Lumix cameras and other equipment, the school students created videos on a chosen SDG and submitted it as part of the program.
The Kid Witness News (KWN) is a global program that was launched by Panasonic in 1989 to provide students with opportunities to explore the world of digital storytelling and media production. The initiative is aimed at empowering young people by giving them access to technology and training in the fields of video production and digital media. The KWN has been successful in fostering creativity and media literacy among young people, providing them with valuable skills that can be useful in their future careers. The program has been implemented in various countries around the world and continues to be a part of Panasonic’s efforts to support education and community development.
30, Aug 2024
Makoons Play School Celebrates Sports Day, Highlighting Fitness and Team Spirit
New Delhi, 30th August 2024– Makoons Play School, a renowned publisher of early childhood education, scheduled a highly anticipated sports day for August 29th, 2024 at each of its campuses. The event demonstrated the school’s commitment to inspiring more young people to live healthy lives and be physically active.

During the day, sports were organized to entertain youngsters, develop healthy resilience, and teach the virtues of collaboration and play. The event includes a range of exciting video games for kids, such as obstacle courses, sack races, and tug-of-war.
Many children, parents, teachers, and staff enthusiastically participated in the event, as well as being encouraged by the networking experience. There it turned into a palpable spirit of participation and an electrifying environment filled with laughter and excitement. Each child received a participation card displaying their hard work and achievements, and their faces lit up as they proudly displayed their wearing skills.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Kumar Agarwal, Founder and CEO, Makoons Group of Schools, said, “Sports Day is more than just a day of fun and video games; they are a vital part of our curriculum, which helps in the holistic development of our students. In order to master the improvement of motor skills, coordination, and popular physical fitness, physical leisure time is essential even at this early age. We are delighted to witness the enthusiastic engagement of our undergraduates and their acceptance of the values of resilience, subject matter, and teamwork.
Known for its toddler-centered approach to early youth education, Makoons Play School still sells the value of a complete education that includes social and emotional learning alongside academic subjects. The way Sports Day is installed and implemented in each department demonstrates the faculty’s commitment to providing a nurturing and attractive environment for its undergraduate students.
In addition, the school plans to make Sports Day an annual opportunity to develop the physical education curriculum and encourage a variety of undergraduate students to participate in the game and past.
30, Aug 2024
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Unveils BearingVisionAI for Fast, Precise Mechanical Inspections
HYDERABAD, 30 AUGUST, 2024 – Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham announces the development of BearingVisionAI™, an innovative application designed to revolutionize the inspection of all mechanical elements such as bearings, gears, shafts etc. Developed by the Tribology Research Group from the Tribology and Interactive Surface Research Laboratory (TRISUL) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chennai Campus, this innovative app aims to make inspections faster and more accurate.

Inspecting mechanical elements is vital for OEMs, process industries, small-scale industries, assembly lines, and application engineers. Currently, these inspections are time and effort-intensive and often inaccurate. However, extensive human intervention often leads to missed defects and delays in generating failure reports. BearingVisionAI™ is an AI-integrated, user-friendly app that quickly and accurately detects and quantifies bearing failures. Users simply upload an image of the surface to be inspected. The app identifies the type of failure and quantifies the damage within seconds. This makes the inspection process effortless. The app can be customized as per the requirement to detect the failures of any mechanical element.
Dr. Shubrajit Bhaumik, Lead PI and the Centre Head, Tribology and Interactive Surfaces Research Laboratory (TRISUL), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, stated, “BearingVisionAI™ has been programmed to address the hardships of application engineers in mind. These engineers face challenges while inspecting bearings, gears, and other mechanical elements in extreme conditions such as cement mills, kilns, process industries, agricultural fields, and hard-to-reach situations. The key features of BearingVisionAI™ are its high accuracy and precision, quick analysis with reliability, and minimal human intervention. This technology innovation showcases our ability to turn lab research into user-friendly products that are useful for hard-working application engineers.”
Dr. R. Prasanna Kumar, Co-PI from the School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, added, “BearingVisionAI™ is user friendly and designed to be used by anyone, even those with little technical knowledge. It is an immensely useful technology and will significantly improve efficacies of mechanical inspections and contribute to overall improvement in productivity.”
BearingVisionAI™ is a testament to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s commitment to translating academic research into practical tools that address real-world problems. The university consistently applies its innovative research to develop solutions that make a tangible impact across various sectors.
30, Aug 2024
Sanjay Palsamudram Joins Geninnov as Strategic Advisor
New Delhi, 30th August’24: GenInnov, an innovation-focused global asset management platform, announced the appointment of Sanjay Palsamudram as Strategy Advisor. With his extensive background in technology and venture capital, Sanjay will provide strategic guidance to enhance GenInnov’s innovation-focused initiatives. He will collaborate with Nilesh Jasani, CEO of GenInnov and Chief Portfolio Manager of LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund, a long-only, innovation-focused, thematically diversified fund. The LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund was launched by global investment institution Lighthouse Canton earlier this year and invests in companies poised for growth in the GenAI era. The fund aims to capitalise on the rapid innovation and its market opportunities, expecting significant wealth creation in sectors like biotech, healthcare, robotics, mobility, wearables, and clean tech.

Sanjay brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, having made significant contributions as an engineer, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and mentor. He is currently an Investment Committee member of Canbank Ventures and serves on the boards of several technology companies. His expertise will be crucial in strengthening the platform’s investments in technology, with a particular focus on semiconductors.
Sanjay is also a resident mentor at the NSRCEL, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, where he supports startups in technology and healthcare, guiding their growth and development. Additionally, he is involved with the Indian Institute of Science, advancing key research initiatives, and is a recognized thought leader, having presented policy recommendations to the Honourable Prime Minister of India during the Startup India Innovation Week.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sanjay to our team,” said Nilesh Jasani. “His nuanced understanding of the semiconductor sector and his track record of nurturing innovation align perfectly with our goal to deliver exceptional value.”
“Joining GenInnov at this pivotal moment in the evolution of technology-driven finance is truly exciting,” Sanjay remarked. “I’m eager to contribute my expertise to support the team in refining our strategies and identifying emerging investment opportunities.”
Sanjay’s appointment is expected to further strengthen GenInnov’s position in innovation-driven asset management. His involvement will support the continued growth of the LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund by capitalizing on transformative market trends.
The LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund is led by Nilesh Jasani, an industry veteran with over three decades of market experience and a subject matter expert on GenAI. Based in Singapore, Nilesh is a highly experienced and respected professional in the Asia equities industry. He previously led Jefferies Asia Equities, where he was hired in 2010 to build and lead the Asia Equity Research team. Before joining Jefferies, Nilesh was instrumental in establishing and leading Credit Suisse’s India research team, which earned top rankings across various industry polls in 2009 and 2010. Nilesh himself received widespread recognition for his expertise in macroeconomic domains. With his extensive experience in Asia’s financial markets and strong business connections in Korea, Taiwan, and IBM, Nilesh has a unique vantage point on disruptive innovations emerging from Asia and a proven track record in identifying top global investment opportunities in innovation.
30, Aug 2024
Yotta Data Nexus 2024 comes to GIFT City, Gujarat
Gandhinagar, India [August 30, 2024] – Yotta Data Services, a leading provider of end-to-end digital transformation solutions, hosted Yotta Data Nexus 2024, a technology summit focused on customers and partners at its state-of-the-art data center facility – Yotta G1 – in GIFT City, Gandhinagar. Yotta G1 marks a significant milestone in the region’s digital infrastructure evolution, showcasing Yotta’s commitment to accelerating Gujarat’s growth as a hub for AI, cloud, and high-performance computing (HPC). Held on the 28th and 29th of August, the 2-day event brought together industry leaders, partners, and customers to experience the future of India’s digital landscape, with an aim to advancing the nation’s AI journey under the government’s Digital India Mission.

Hon. Ms. Mona K. Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, served as the chief guest, with an esteemed panel of Guests of Honour, including Mr. K. Rajaraman, IAS, Chairperson of IFSCA and Mr. Lokesh H D, ITS, Development Commissioner (DC) of GIFT SEZ. The first day of the event was dedicated to Yotta’s partners, while the second day was tailored for customers. Yotta Data Nexus 2024 provided a unique platform for engagement and collaboration among key stakeholders and enablers of the country’s Digital India ambitions.
Sunil Gupta, Co-founder, MD & CEO of Yotta Data Services, reflected on the company’s five-year journey to becoming India’s top digital transformation partner. He highlighted Yotta G1, the only supercloud data center in GIFT City’s IFSC zone, as a key asset in advancing Gujarat’s digital ambitions. His address resonated deeply with all attendees, including key government officials who emphasized the importance of digitization and inclusive growth. Ms. Mona Khandhar highlighted Gujarat’s unique vision for the Viksit Bharat program, and Mr. K. Rajaraman discussed how technology can advance financial inclusion.
Yotta G1 is located within the International Financial Services Center (IFSC) zone of Gandhinagar’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The facility features over 350 high-density racks and 2 MW of power, with the flexibility to expand as needed. It provides a comprehensive range of services, including Colocation, Cloud, Managed IT, and Cybersecurity, supporting various applications such as AI models and enterprise solutions. Yotta G1 is the only facility in the region to have installed NVIDIA H100 GPUs. These advanced GPUs will significantly enhance AI development and deployment across multiple sectors, solidifying Yotta’s leadership in digital transformation.
“Yotta Data Nexus is a key step in our commitment to empowering India’s digital future,” said Sunil Gupta, Co-founder, MD and CEO of Yotta Data Services. “By bringing together our valued partners and customers, we aim to foster collaboration to drive the next wave of digital transformation. Through this, we hope to become a key enabler of the IndiaAI mission. Our data center in GIFT City, Yotta G1, will play a pivotal role in transforming Gujarat’s digital landscape, offering enterprises advanced data center, cloud, compute, cybersecurity, and a plethora of other services,” he added.
The event saw a series of sessions and discussions centered around innovative technologies and the future of data centers in Gujarat, with participation from company leaders and top executives at NVIDIA, INDmoney, TechDefence Labs, and PwC. Yotta also organised experiential data center tours and product showcases, highlighting the latest innovations in cloud computing, connectivity, and cybersecurity. Partners and customers also had the opportunity to experience firsthand the advanced capabilities of Yotta’s G1 data center and the NVIDIA H100 GPUs.
30, Aug 2024
GIRI Inaugurate its Second Showroom in AnnaNagar, Chennai
Chennai, 30th August 2024: Giri, India’s most trusted brand for spiritual and religious products, is delighted to announce the grand opening of its second new showroom in Anna Nagar. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the esteemed Shri U. Ve. Dushyanth Sridhar Spiritual Speaker, Indian Film Director & Writer, and Thiru. Sethu Chokalingam, President – BookSellers And Publishers Association of South India Director – Kavitha Publications. The elite showroom is located at Anna Nagar 1st Avenue, Anna Nagar East, Chennai.

This significant milestone marks GIRI‘s ongoing commitment to expanding its reach and making traditional Indian spiritual and religious products accessible to a broader audience. Establishing the new showroom in Anna Nagar strengthens GIRI‘s presence in Chennai and underscores the brand’s dedication to preserving and promoting Indian culture and traditions.
For the upcoming festive season, GIRI‘s new Anna Nagar showroom is the perfect destination for all your spiritual and religious needs. From a wide range of pooja essentials, idols, and festivity products to organic food items, handicrafts, and traditional attire, the showroom promises to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Special festive collections and exclusive offers will make your celebrations even more special.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sharada Prakash, Director of Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, expressed her excitement about the new showroom, “We are thrilled to open our doors in Anna Nagar, a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage. Our new showroom is not just a retail space but a hub for cultural exchange and a place where shopping enthusiasts can come together. With the festive season approaching, we look forward to celebrating with the Anna Nagar community and continuing our mission to promote Indian traditions and spirituality.”
GIRI invites everyone to visit the new showroom and experience the blend of tradition and modernity that defines their brand. The showroom is open from 09 AM to 09 PM daily, offering ample opportunity for customers to find everything they need for the upcoming festive season and beyond.
30, Aug 2024
IIT Roorkee Hosts Successful 10-Day Teachers’ Development Workshop Under iRISE Programme
Roorkee, Uttarakhand, August 30th, 2024: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) proudly concluded a 10-day Teachers’ Development Workshop under the Inspiring India in Research Innovation and STEM Education (iRISE) programme. Held from August 21st to August 30th, 2024, this transformative workshop was organized in collaboration with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Uttarakhand, and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune. The initiative was aimed at empowering teachers from classes VI to X across Uttarakhand, equipping them to become Innovation Champions in their districts.

IIT Roorkee, as a premier institution of national importance, played a pivotal role in hosting and organizing this workshop. The Continuing Education Centre (CEC) of IIT Roorkee, established to advance knowledge and upskill professionals, joined forces with iRISE and IISER Pune to ensure the success of this initiative. The workshop introduced teachers to key concepts in STEM Education, Process Innovation, and Cascade Training Modules, all while fostering a hands-on approach to inquiry and activity-based learning.
Prof. Naveen Kumar, Dean Academic Affairs, IIT Roorkee, expressed his pride in the institute’s involvement, stating, “At IIT Roorkee, we are dedicated to driving educational innovation and excellence. This workshop is a testament to our commitment to empowering educators with the tools and knowledge they need to inspire the next generation of innovators. We believe that by nurturing the educators, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, more innovative future.”
Prof. Harinath Chakrapani, Principal Investigator, iRISE, IISER Pune, praised IIT Roorkee’s contribution, saying, “The collaboration with IIT Roorkee has been instrumental in bringing this workshop to fruition. Their infrastructure, academic environment, and unwavering support have provided the ideal setting for fostering innovation in education. Together, we are making strides towards a culture of creativity and problem-solving in our schools.”
On behalf of the institute, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative: “IIT Roorkee is committed to being a beacon of excellence in education and research. By hosting this workshop, we are not only supporting the professional development of teachers but also reinforcing our mission to promote STEM education across India. Our goal is to empower educators to lead with innovation and inspire their students to think creatively and critically.”
The workshop witnessed active participation from distinguished guests and faculty, including Prof. Kaushik Ghosh, Coordinator, Continuing Education Centre, IIT Roorkee, Prof. Ranjana Pathania, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Roorkee, Dr. Krishnanand Bijalwan, Assistant Director, SCERT Uttarakhand, Dr. Avnish Uniyal, State Coordinator, INSPIRE MANAK, Mr. Nitin Tiwane, Project Manager, iRISE, and the dedicated iRISE team.
This event marks a significant milestone in IIT Roorkee’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation and excellence in education. Through its continued collaboration with SCERT Uttarakhand and IISER Pune, IIT Roorkee remains at the forefront of initiatives that shape the future of STEM education in the region.