Category Archives: Education

CMR University Hosts Launch of GDTA India Chapter, Pioneering Design Thinking in Education and Innovation

CMR University, Bengaluru, proudly hosted the launch of the India Chapter of the Global Design Thinking Alliance (GDTA) on 10th July 2025 at its Bagalur Lakeside Campus, marking a major milestone in India’s innovation and design thinking landscape. The event underscored CMR University’s leadership in driving human-centered, interdisciplinary learning and problem solving in collaboration with global and national partners.

The launch event brought together thought leaders from academia, industry, and global institutions to highlight the growing importance of Design Thinking in education, industry, and social impact. Prof. Uli Weinberg, President of GDTA and Director of the HPI School of Design Thinking, Germany, inaugurated the India Chapter as Chief Guest. He noted that Design Thinking is becoming increasingly vital in the age of AI, helping us integrate technology more thoughtfully and responsibly into our daily lives.

Guest of Honour, Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Provost of CMR University, expressed pride in adopting the design thinking framework at CMR University, emphasizing its role in nurturing empathy, creativity, and experimentation. She described the launch of the GDTA India Chapter as a landmark moment with the potential to transform education across the country. She hoped its impact would ripple through the city, state, and nation, reaching every student.

Keynote sessions offered powerful insights on topics such as revitalizing design thinking, driving innovation in the age of AI, and translating design thinking into action.

Panel discussions brought together diverse voices from industry, academia, and the student community, reflecting the collaborative spirit driving India’s innovation ecosystem.

Through this initiative, CMR University positions itself as a national hub for design thinking excellence, committed to fostering a vibrant community of changemakers through collaboration, capacity building, and innovation-driven education.

How FLAME University Students Are Rewriting India’s Cultural Map with the Discover India Program

Pune, July 11, 2025: What if a university assignment didn’t just teach you but actually transformed you? What if learning meant going beyond the classroom into living stories—between cities and villages, memory and myth, tradition and culture? What if it could carry you from tracing the sacred waters of a Narmada ghat to documenting disappearing dialects in Jharkhand, into fishermen’s kitchens in Raigad, or inside a craftsman’s quiet workshop in Maheshwar? At FLAME University, the Discover India Program (DIP) offers a deep dive into the soul of the country. Here, every journey becomes a chapter in a growing digital archive—one that documents India not just through facts and figures, but as lived, felt, and remembered by its people. Here, you don’t just study India. You walk it and hear it— and along the way, stitch together a cultural atlas of voices, histories, and traditions.

In an age of surface-level scrolling and vanishing reels, the students of FLAME University are building something quietly radical—a living, breathing, digital tapestry of India. And it’s open to all curious travelers, armchair historians, academics, educators, even policy thinkers, and anyone seeking the India that doesn’t always make it to guidebooks or glossy textbooks. Since inception, DIP has evolved into one of India’s most authentic experiential learning journeys. It invites second-year undergraduate students to leave the classroom behind and step into real communities, real traditions, and real tensions. Through the 10-day field immersions backed by months of interdisciplinary research, students become storytellers, documentarians, and cultural archivists.

Speaking on the significance of DIP at FLAME, Prof. Dishan Kamdar, Vice Chancellor, FLAME University, said, “The Discover India Program (DIP) is a one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity for our students with a rich legacy of more than 300 diverse and engaging projects curated by over 3,000 students, guided by faculty mentors. The DIP gives our students first-hand experience and a close understanding of the socio-economic, cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity of our country and greatly enhances the students’ real-world understanding. The experience helps students to conduct research with humility, interview with empathy, and record with responsibility. It prepares them not just for academic rigor but for a lifetime of civic thinking. In discovering India, they often discover themselves.”

He further added, “The DIP archives are well-designed, vibrant with rich, meaningful content. Visitors can browse by state, theme, or community. From exploring the intersection of music and migration in Rajasthan to how women in Tamil Nadu sustain local economies… DIP has it all, mapped with photos, videos, and on-the-ground stories.”

With over 300 projects, DIP serves as a virtual map of India, built through the eyes and voices of its youth. Not mere academic works, these are raw, real, and first-person narratives of transformation and resilience. These stories emerge from categories as vast as India itself. These include faith, food, urban change, tribal folklore, music, memory, and myth. Housed on the FLAME DIP portal, not as cold research but as warm repositories of lived experience, they are available for everyone to explore.

Prof. Poonam Gandhi, Assistant Dean, Experiential Programs at FLAME, shared, “The latest projects of DIP that speak to my soul include ‘Jal Jangal Zameen’ (a student journey into Mumbai’s Aarey forest, mapping the ecological and emotional landscape of a contested green lung), ‘Ab Hamara Daur Hai, Yeh Naya Indore Hai’ (tracking how Indore’s waste workers are becoming digital citizens in a smart city revolution), ‘Ahilya Bai ki Kahani, Maheshwar ki Zubaani’ (a tribute to oral memory and legacy, through the lens of Maheshwar’s residents), An Exploration of Elephant Rehabilitation in Kottoor, Kerala and Maati Jo Mel, Kutch Ji Kala (a legacy of tradition and resilience in pottery, Kutch, Gujarat), among others.”

As the NEP 2020 emphasizes anchoring in Indian knowledge systems, FLAME University’s Discover India Program is already several steps ahead, quietly laying down the tracks of a pedagogy built on encounter and not just instruction.

Study, Stay, Succeed: Post-Study Work Policies Are Driving STEM Applications

11th July 2025: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) remains the top choice for international students who want to build strong careers in today’s fast-changing world. For years, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have led the way in offering world-class STEM education. But now, new countries are gaining attention.

Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands are quickly becoming popular with students from all over the world. These countries offer high-quality education, strong job opportunities after graduation, and helpful visa rules for international students.

“We are witnessing a new era in international STEM education, where access and opportunity are expanding beyond traditional borders,” said Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance. “Today, students need more choices than ever before, with countries like France, Germany, and the UK seeing record increases in study abroad demand, up 150% and 50% respectively. Amid growing uncertainty around U.S. study visas, students are turning to institutions like the Technical University of Munich, Macquarie University, and Imperial College London. At Prodigy Finance, we’re proud to support future leaders in AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Renewable Energy as they pursue world-class education without financial barriers.”

Government policies in these countries have played a crucial role in shaping this trend. For example, Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies, helping them gain valuable experience and transition to permanent residency. Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) offers similar opportunities, with recent policy enhancements further extending post-study work rights for graduates in high-demand sectors. The United Kingdom’s Graduate visa allows international students to remain and work for at least two years after graduation, and Germany provides an 18-month residence permit for job-seeking graduates. The United States continues to attract STEM talent through its Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT Extension, which together allow up to three years of work experience in a student’s field.

The most recent Open Doors reports confirm that STEM fields are the most popular among international students in the United States. For the 2023/2024 academic year, 56% of international students in the US were enrolled in STEM fields, with Computer Science, Engineering, and Data Analytics among the most popular majors. In the 2021/22 academic year, 54% of all international students studied in STEM fields, and Math & Computer Science was the single largest field of study for international students. The Open Doors data also highlights that, while the US remains the top destination, students are increasingly exploring alternative countries for their studies.

As students and families compare their options, the most attractive countries for STEM education are those that combine strong academics with clear, practical pathways to employment and long-term success.

As study abroad destinations broaden, access to trusted, globally available education financing is becoming a key enabler. Platforms like Prodigy Finance, which support students through flexible, no-collateral loans, are helping make international STEM degrees more attainable for students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

For many, pursuing a STEM degree abroad is no longer just a dream; it’s a realistic and rewarding path to a global career.

Pearson Enhances PTE Academic to Strengthen Role in India’s English Testing Landscape

Pearson announces global enhancements to PTE Academic, reinforcing its role in India’s evolving English assessment landscape

India, 11th July, 2025: Pearson , the world’s lifelong learning company, today announced key enhancements to Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, strengthening its value for Indian students pursuing international education and migration opportunities. These updates reinforce Pearson’s commitment to providing secure, AI-powered English proficiency assessments that reflect the real-world communication skills needed for academic and professional success globally.

Starting in August 2025, PTE Academic will include two new speaking tasks, namely, “Respond to a Situation” and “Summarize a Group Discussion”. These tasks will evaluate test takers’ ability to communicate in real-world academic and professional scenarios. Simultaneously, Pearson is enhancing its AI-driven scoring system to better detect copied or unoriginal responses, ensuring fairer and more accurate assessments for all test takers.

Pearson is also providing updated preparation materials, including scored practice tests, expert-designed courseware, webinars, and instructional videos to support Indian candidates with these changes, while maintaining the test’s core strengths of speed, security, and global recognition.

Prabhul Ravindran, Director of English Language Learning at Pearson India, said:
“The enhancements to PTE Academic are designed to align with the changing needs of today’s learners in India, while ensuring that institutions and governments can continue to rely on it for fair and effective assessment. By introducing real-world speaking tasks and improving scoring safeguards, the test aims to support better preparation while maintaining the trust of decision-makers.”

In line with global expansion, Pearson’s secure test centre network has grown to over 500 locations worldwide, with new centres launched across South East Asia this year to improve access and testing capacity in key cities.

The core strengths of PTE Academic remain unchanged. It continues to be a fully computer-based test, primarily AI-scored, with results typically delivered within 48 hours. PTE is recognised by more than 3,500 institutions globally and accepted by the governments of Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand. It remains one of the most trusted English tests among Indian aspirants pursuing international study and work opportunities.

Tufts University’s India Visit Forges New Academic Alliances

Delhi, July 10, 2025: In a significant step towards strengthening Indo-US academic ties, Tufts University, a globally recognized U.S. educational institution, has announced a landmark partnership with Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The announcement was made on June 23 during a visit by the Tufts leadership team to India.

Both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance global scientific collaboration through this strategic partnership. The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Sunil Kumar, the 14th President of Tufts University and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

President Kumar was joined by Professor Christina Economos, Dean of the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Under her leadership, the two institutions have created the Interdisciplinary Centre for Nutrition Science and Medicine (ICNSM). This Centre will be housed at IISc and provide nutrition education and research opportunities to medical students and faculty at both institutions. These efforts will address a wide range of diet-related concerns in India, the U.S., and around the world – including but not limited to anaemia, malnutrition, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, among others.

“It is widely recognized that food choices and nutrition play a critical role in preventing, managing, and treating diseases, and continuous research and discovery optimizes care,” added Dean Economos.

The newly signed MoU and the establishment of ICNSM stand as a testament to the shared commitment of Tufts and IISc to advancing knowledge, addressing global challenges collaboratively, and driving constructive societal transformation. ‘’Our work on nutrition is the first of what we envision as a range of possible initiatives that our two institutions hope to pursue together,’’ said President Kumar.

The Tufts delegation also included Dr. Bernard Arulanandam, Professor at the School of Medicine, Vice Provost for Research, Dr. Kyongbum Lee, Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Erin Hennessy, Professor at the Friedman School, and Dr. Matt Panzer, Professor at the School of Engineering. Drs. Kumar and Economos engaged in extensive discussions with academic and business leaders in India, sharing valuable insights, bringing diverse perspectives to help shape the future of the global education landscape, and exploring impactful partnerships. The team also engaged with Tufts alumni and parents, strengthening personal connections.

Since its inception, Tufts University has earned a distinctive reputation for promoting interdisciplinary and student-focused learning to nurture visionaries and change agents. The university is committed to global engagement and inclusive research across its campuses.

1,400 Job Offers, 83% Success Rate: Sunstone Raises the Bar in MBA Placements

New Delhi, 10 July 2025 — Sunstone, one of India’s most prominent higher education services companies, has reached a landmark milestone by securing 1,400+ confirmed job offers for its MBA and PGDM Class of 2024 on 30+ campuses across India. The audited placement report, confirmed by Brickworks Analytics—the same firm that audits top IIMs—highlights Sunstone’s student-centric, results-oriented education philosophy.

Sunstone again redefines management education with a focus on employability at its core. With 578+ recruiters from 24+ industries, including marquee recruiters such as Reliance Retail, PhonePe, Axis Bank, and Aditya Birla, 83% of students who were eligible got placement offers—many beyond entry-level positions. The best offer made was that of ₹26 LPA, with 8+ students securing international offers, marking a change in access to global opportunities for students.

What makes this placement unique is not only the numbers, but also the access to opportunity that it provides for students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities such as Patna, Guwahati, and Coimbatore. A large number of the Class of 2024 were first-generation postgraduates, demonstrating Sunstone’s role in social mobility and career transformation.

“In a landscape where ROI is increasingly scrutinised, Sunstone offers a 63% better ROI compared to private institutions and provides 7X more recruiter access than many Tier-1 private management colleges,” said Ashish Munjal, Co-founder & CEO of Sunstone. “We are committed to an education model where learning outcomes are directly tied to employability. Our placement results this year are not just numbers—they’re proof that transformation is possible, scalable, and inclusive.”

Beyond placements, Sunstone is oriented towards real-world readiness. Students are certified in industry-specific tools like Google Ads, SEO, and Power BI and get hands-on support through mock interviews, resume building, and mentorship sessions. Initiatives such as the Dream Job Policy, through which students can seek up to 3 more appropriate positions even post-placement, and programs like Launchpad (a startup incubator) and the Global Immersion Program provide exposure and international experience.

With its innovative Sunstone Coins system, students are even incentivised for active engagement in the learning process – redeemable against fee for tuition – making the learning experience not only meaningful but measurable too.

Sunstone’s 2024 placement figures validate its status as a new-age pioneer in employment-focused MBA education – one that is inclusive, practical, and future-focused.

ECE Engineering School (France) and Presidency University (Bengaluru) announce a strategic academic partnership

Mumbai,10th July 2025: ECE Engineering School, a leading French institution renowned for its expertise in technological innovation, has signed a strategic academic partnership with Presidency University, one of Bengaluru’s top-tier private universities. This collaboration is designed to enhance student mobility, foster academic cooperation, and expand international opportunities for both students and faculty.

At the centre of this partnership are semester exchange programmes. They will give five Bachelor students from each institution the opportunity to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new academic and cultural setting every year. Indian students will benefit from ECE’s applied, innovation-oriented curriculum, which is closely connected to research and industry. Meanwhile, ECE students – the first of whom will arrive in Bengaluru this August – will experience Presidency University’s forward-looking academic environment and its diverse educational community.

In addition to semester exchanges, the agreement introduces the development of dual Masters degrees and pathway programmes in key disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Management, Technology and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Sustainable Energy.

While Dual Degrees enable students to earn qualifications from both institutions, the Pathway programme lets students from Presidency University to start their Masters studies in India and complete them in France, with academic credit recognition and aligned curricula easing the transition. For Indian students, these options are particularly appealing in the context of France’s favourable post-study work visa policies, which allow up to two years of professional experience in the country after graduation, combined with a high-quality education at a globally competitive cost.

“We are delighted to launch this collaboration with Presidency University,” said Ana Barbaric, Head of International Relations at ECE Engineering School. “International mobility is a core part of the ECE experience. All our students are required to spend at least one semester abroad, and we are proud to welcome students from our global partners to our campuses in France, contributing to a truly international learning environment.”

“This partnership with ECE Engineering School marks an important step in Presidency University’s international strategy,” said Dr. Sivperumal, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of International Relations Affairs at Presidency University. “It opens exciting new avenues for our students to experience global best practices in engineering and innovation, while also bringing international peers into our vibrant academic ecosystem. We believe such collaborations equip our students with the global perspective and cross-cultural skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.”

This collaboration comes at a moment of expanding Indo-French educational ties. While some countries are tightening student visa regulations, France is actively encouraging Indian student mobility. The French government has set a national target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030. This reflects a shared commitment to academic exchange and mutual growth.

At the same time, India and France are increasingly aligned on global technological issues. Following the recent AI Action Summit co-chaired in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries are promoting a “third way” in artificial intelligence. This approach emphasises ethical, inclusive, and transparent development. While private Indo-French AI collaborations are still emerging, academic partnerships like the one between ECE Engineering School and Presidency University Bengaluru help lay the groundwork for a shared innovation ecosystem rooted in the public good.

JIS Education Expo 2025 – Siliguri Edition Carries Forward the Legacy of Inspiration and Academic Empowerment

Siliguri, 10th July 2025: The JIS Education Expo 2025 – Siliguri Edition culminated in an impactful day of knowledge exchange and academic interaction, as students, educators, and parents from across Siliguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Raiganj etc., gathered at Dinabandhu Mancha to explore the vast educational opportunities offered by JIS Group Educational Initiatives.

The event was graced by the presence of renowned actor Abir Chatterjee and Bidyut Majumder, Deputy Director, Business Development, JIS Group.

Following the enthusiastic response in Kolkata and Durgapur, the Siliguri edition further cemented the JIS Group’s commitment of reaching out to students in diverse regions, with quality educational guidance and access. Schools from various districts of North Bengal participated in the day-long expo, making it a successful confluence of aspirations and possibilities.

Organised by JIS Group Educational Initiatives, the Expo presented a wide array of academic programs—spanning diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels— through interactive stalls hosted by various JIS institutions. These stalls facilitated direct conversations between students, parents, faculty members, and academic counsellors, fostering clarity on subject choices, institutional strengths, and future career pathways.

A special segment of the event was dedicated to felicitating Class 10 and 12 toppers from Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri & Raiganj. The ceremony stood as a proud celebration of academic distinction, aiming to inspire students to continue striving for excellence.

The free of cost personalised counselling sessions were another key highlight of the Expo, garnering remarkable response. Expert academic advisors offered guidance on stream selection, aligning personal interests with professional courses, and making informed decisions in a dynamic educational landscape.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group, said, “The JIS Education Expo 2025 reflects our mission to make quality education both accessible and aspirational across all regions. It is a platform not just for showcasing our institutions but for empowering students with the knowledge and direction they need, to make informed choices. After the overwhelming response in Kolkata and Durgapur, we are equally moved by the enthusiasm and warmth Siliguri has shown today.”

The Siliguri edition of the JIS Education Expo 2025 successfully continued the legacy of connecting dreams with direction and opportunities, further reinforcing JIS Group’s stature as a beacon of holistic education in Bengal.

IIM Raipur launches MDP’s for July and August to Redefine Managerial Mastery

Mumbai, 9th July 2025: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, a leading institution recognized for #BuildingBusinessOwners continues its legacy of nurturing progressive leadership with the announcement of its upcoming Management Development Programs (MDPs) for July and August 2025. With a keen focus on real-world relevance, digital transformation, and leadership effectiveness, these programs are tailored for professionals seeking to gain strategic insights and practical tools for today’s dynamic business landscape.

The curriculum will focus on critical domains such as Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, and Information Systems, covering emerging areas like artificial intelligence for business decisions, and leadership skills. These 2 MDPs will be conducted by IIM Raipur’s esteemed faculty members, blending academic rigour with industry relevance. Each program is meticulously designed to address the evolving needs of professionals and organizations, providing actionable insights and future-ready skills.

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director, IIM Raipur shared his views “Leadership today isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about asking the questions no algorithm can. At IIM Raipur, our MDPs are designed for professionals who are not just upgrading their skillsets but rewiring how they think. We don’t deliver lectures; we build laboratories of thought, where data, insight, and decision-making collide in real time. Whether it’s decoding AI, or redefining managerial effectiveness, our goal is simple: create leaders who don’t wait for change but lead it.”

These programs offer a valuable platform for professionals to engage with leading academicians, gain industry-relevant knowledge, and develop a strategic mindset. With a strong emphasis on real-world application, participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences, live case discussions, and interactive sessions, ensuring practical takeaways that can be implemented immediately in their workplace.

Embassy Group Boosts Support for Holistic Education in Bengaluru Government Schools

Bengaluru, July 09, 2025: Embassy Group has anno`unced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Education, Government of Karnataka, to support the holistic development of Government Schools across Bengaluru. The three-year agreement, effective from May 2025 to April 2028, aims to provide educational resources, infrastructure upgrades, and comprehensive health programs across 40 Government Schools, with a proposed budget of ₹15 crore. This MoU builds upon a successful partnership first established in 2018.

As part of the renewed collaboration, Embassy will implement educational programmes including annual distribution of starter kits with learning resources; programmes for Math, Sports, Kannada and English; after-school academic support for weaker distribution; scholarships for higher education; career guidance and mentorship; educational tours and industry exposure; and additional salaries for guest teachers and full-time teachers.

Under the programme, Embassy will strengthen school infrastructure through repairs, renovations and new builds, undertake daily school maintenance, and provide a preventive health & hygiene programme that improves academic and personal outcomes. The goal is to transform these institutions into centres of excellence for holistic learning and well-being.

Since 2012, Embassy Group has been providing sustainable infrastructure solutions in government schools. To date, 21 new government schools have been constructed, with 3 more schools currently under construction. 15 governments schools have benefited from solar panels, while drinking water units have been installed in 23 schools.

Speaking on the MoU renewal, Dr. K V Trilok Chandra, IAS, Commissioner of Public Instruction, Department of School Education, Government of Karnataka, said, “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Embassy Group for another three years to strengthen a holistic initiative that integrates foundational learning with life skills, and preventive healthcare—including regular school maintenance—across Government schools in Karnataka. This collaboration serves as a model for sustainable development in education—demonstrating the impact of consistent, long-term support for the communities. We hope it encourages more corporates to step up and be part of a collective movement that supports in creating more Model Schools in Karnataka and leaves no child behind.”

Ms. Shaina Ganapathy, Head of Community Outreach, Embassy Group, added, “At Embassy, we believe that a strong public education system is fundamental to building an empowered and equitable society. We are proud to renew our partnership with the Department of Education and remain committed to opening new educational doors for Bengaluru’s underprivileged students. We hope this initiative encourages more like-minded organizations to collaborate with the Department of Education to create meaningful, long-term impact.”