Category Archives: Education

Sattva Knowledge Institute and AISECT joint study calls for collaborative action to encourage more girls in STEM

India, April 26th, 2024: In a recent report jointly authored by the Sattva Knowledge Institute (SKI), the official knowledge platform of Sattva Consulting, and AISECT, a leading social enterprise focused on skill development, higher education, financial inclusion, e-governance, and other ICT services, sheds light on the nature of obstacles that prevent Indian girls from seeking science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

India is a significant source of STEM talent, with more than 30% of all STEM graduates in the world.[1] Within this talent pool, however, lies a gaping gender disparity. Only 37% of girls in India graduate from school with a science discipline, and only 3% of all women aged 22-50 have a technical education.[2] This deprives a considerable proportion of students, primarily girls, of the growing opportunity in the field.

Interviews with over 40 experts from the education sector, extensive group discussions with teachers and female students from grades 9-12, and surveys covering 700+ students across India revealed three categories of challenges to girls’ uptake of STEM.

The study found that some of these challenges – such as access to learning resources, classroom inefficiencies, and poor foundational skills – are gender-agnostic, that is, they affect all students regardless of their gender while several others – such as access to financial resources, unavailability of STEM courses in the vicinity, and lack of career guidance – affect girls disproportionately, and are hence gender-accentuated. Yet another set of challenges, including stereotypes, social norms, and lack of role models in STEM fields, are gender-specific.

Shweta Gaur, Practice Manager, Sattva Knowledge Institute, reinforced the need for equitable access to science-based education by stating, “Promoting gender and regional equity in STEM education is crucial for leveling the playing field between opportunity and disparity. With 80% of future jobs demanding STEM skills, investing in scalable Digital Public Infrastructure for universal access to science education is imperative for sustainable progress.”

Government agencies, industry and civil society organisations have been working to address these issues. However, these efforts are siloed, and inadequate for the nationwide scope of the problem.

Recognising this, the report suggests a four-pronged approach to encouraging girls’ uptake of STEM:

1. Building an open network ecosystem for scholarships and financial support: An open network approach that integrates public scholarships, private financial instruments, and philanthropic efforts into a cohesive platform will deliver value at scale. It will streamline scholarship distribution, bridging the gap between available funds and student needs, while fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to maximise support, especially for girls.

2. Building a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for career guidance and mentorship: A Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) could effectively enhance accessible and relevant career guidance and mentorship, particularly for girls residing in non-urban areas. By facilitating collaboration between diverse stakeholders like employment providers, career guidance providers, education providers with knowledge and career seekers to enrich content, a DPI could aid students in identifying local career opportunities and derive benefits.

3. Constructive action with the community on shifting gender norms on STEM: Constructive action by engaging community stakeholders could encourage the active participation of girls in solving local challenges through analytical thinking and innovation. Local governance bodies should ensure recognition and support for these innovations, creating a pathway for them to scale up to a national level.

4. Leveraging assessments to enable state action in STEM skills for girls: It is critical to partner with organisations implementing large-scale life skill assessments, which can provide data to inform gender-specific curriculum guidelines. Institutions like PARAKH and Life Skills Collaborative can lead the initiative to enable the scaling of assessments at district and state levels.

Speaking about the report and the way forward initiative, Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Director of AISECT said “In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, digital and STEM skills are crucial. As industries undergo digital transformation, those with these skills can adapt and contribute effectively. However, achieving gender equality in STEM education faces challenges due to societal norms and stereotypes, especially affecting girls in the country. At AISECT Group, we always prioritize equal opportunities. Partnering with SATTVA Consulting, we’ve crafted a report raising awareness about gender parity in STEM Education in India which needs urgent attention. We have also started implementing the solutions to the issue in hand which will follow as a joint effort. AISECT is already offering dedicated female batches and we will also offer dedicated scholarships and open network initiatives in the future .”

The study further reinforced how women with a technical education have a better chance of earning more than their counterparts with non-technical education. STEM graduates are also more likely to obtain salaried employment and remain in the formal workforce. This eventually results in better developmental outcomes for the women themselves, as well as their households.

The study states that ensuring access to STEM education and careers for girls is a national imperative, and demands the concerted efforts of samaaj, sarkaar and bazaar for sustained impact.

KIIT World School organized a Inter school competition Vasundhara 2024

Gurugram: KIIT World School, Sohna Road, organized an inter school competition – “Vasundhara 2024”. 14 schools participated in this program which included Ridge Valley School, KR Mangalam School, Lord Jesus Public School, Ascent Public School, KIIT World School, Ascent Public School, Laburnum Public School etc.

During the program, students presented their views and shared their suggestions on various types of environmental protection steps. Students are given the message of environment protection through Kavi Sammelan, Nache Mayuri (Dance Competition), Video Story, Debate, Plastic Purge, 3D Mural and other creative presentations.

On this occasion, KIIT World School and Lord Jesus Public School got the first position in the poetry competition, Gyan Devi Public School Senior Secondary got the second position and DAV Public School 49 Gurugram got the third position. In the dance competition, KIIT World School stood first and GAV Public School stood second position . In the debate competition, KIIT World School Pritampura stood first and KIIT World School Sohna Road stood second. In the 3D Mural Competition, KR Mangalam World School and KIIT World School Sohna Road stood first and KIIT World School stood second. In the plastic purge competition, KIIT World School Sohna Road stood first and KIIT World School Pritampura stood second.

KIIT World School Principal Dr. Neelima Kamrah encouraged the students on this occasion and along with teachers and students planted trees in the school premises. And she also talked about the greenhouse effect due to which the temperature of the earth is increasing and it is harming our environment. To solve this problem, she said we have to pay attention to our energy usage.

University of Birmingham Dubai invites applications for MSc Computer Science

April 26, 2024: The University of Birmingham Dubai is now inviting applications from Indian students for its MSc Computer Science program for the September 2024 intake.

Designed to cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field of computer science and information technology, the MSc Computer Science program is crafted in collaboration with industry experts to equip students with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in today’s technological landscape. Graduates of this MSc Computer Science degree are highly sought after by employers due to the special knowledge, expertise and skills acquired.

Programme delivery:

The program delivery for the MSc Computer Science includes joint faculty collaboration between the Dubai and UK campuses, modern digital technology utilization, and rigorous assessments to ensure academic excellence and student success. It will focus on analytical methods and technical skills, and offers the opportunity to combine knowledge and personal skills to solve society’s problems by developing software solutions.

Course dates:  September 2024

Entry Requirements:

The MSc Computer Science program is a conversion degree course generally for students who have a first degree in a subject other than computing, but students with a background in computing will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Holders of a Bachelor’s degree of three or four years in duration from a recognized university in India will be considered for postgraduate study.
Expected grades range from 55% – 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency, or 50% – 55% for 2:2 equivalency, depending on the awarding institution.
Applicants with either a four-year Bachelor’s degree (first-class or very good upper second-class) or a three-year Bachelor’s degree (first class) from recognized institutions in India are eligible for consideration.

Application process: Applications for September 2024 are open. There is no application fee.

Tuition: The total fee of the programme is AED 148,138 (USD 40,333) for 1 year full-time or AED 74,069 (USD 20,166) per year over 2 years, part-time and can be paid in instalments.

Scholarship:  Scholarship options at the University of Birmingham Dubai are designed to benefit all students and the financial rewards can be carried forward through the entire programme across the foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. For September 2024 entry the university is offering scholarships of up to 40% to all students based on academic performance.

Pacific D21 Mall, Dwarka Organizes Pacific Quiz Championship Season 2

New Delhi, Apr 26, 2024: Pacific D21 Mall located in Dwarka sec-21 hosted Pacific Quiz Championship S-2. The two-day event witnessed a thrilling display of intellect and competitive spirit of students from various schools across the Dwarka region.

The championship was structured into a Quiz and Spell Bee as the first and second rounds respectively. A total of 155 students participated and competed in three groups basis their class. After intense rounds of competition, winners emerged victorious earning exciting prizes. The top three winners from each group were awarded cash prizes and gift vouchers.

On Day 1, 3rd and 4th class students in batch one from Bal Bhavan International School, batch two of 5th and 6th class students from Sri Venkateshwar International School and batch three of 7th and 8th class students from Sri Venkateshwar International School emerged winners.

On Day 2, the winners were from batch one of 3rd & 4th class students from Prudence School Dwarka, batch two of 5th and 6th class students from Mount Carmel School, and batch three of 7th and 8th class students from Mount Carmel School.

Schools that participated in the competition were Bal Bhavan International School, Sri Venkateswar International School, Mount Carmel School, Basava International School, Prudence School Dwarka, MCPS Rajnagar, Rajnagar Extn.1st, and MCD Primary School, Mahavir Enclave.

Certificates of participation were also presented to all contestants, acknowledging their dedication and effort.

AICTE in partnership with Apna.co launches first-ever nationwide career platform for 3 million students

Mumbai, 26 April 2024: To transform the landscape of career opportunities for engineering students across India, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and apna.co – India’s leading jobs and professional networking platform – today launched ‘AICTE Career Portal’, a career platform designed to empower more than 3 million students from 12,000+ colleges affiliated with AICTE with jobs and internship opportunities.

AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Vice Chairman Dr. Abhay Jere, Member Secretary Prof. Rajive Kumar and Nimrit Parikh, Founder & CEO of Apna.co were present at the launch ceremony at AICTE HQ, New Delhi.

Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2024 between apna.co and AICTE, the strategic partnership highlights a shared commitment to empower individuals and drive national advancement. This collaboration gains particular significance in the dynamic employment sector, highlighting their collective focus on leveraging technology and empowering recruiters to capitalise on emerging opportunities. The strategic partnership also offers an exclusive opportunity for students to participate in the Silicon Valley Immersion Program. This immersive experience includes a fully-sponsored trip to Silicon Valley, USA, where students will engage directly with industry leaders at renowned companies such as Google, Apple and Microsoft, among others.

Notably, apna.co, with its extensive scale, boasting 5 lakh recruiters and engagement with over 1000 enterprises, stands as a pivotal force in this initiative. With 50 percent of jobs accepting freshers, the platform emerges as a catalyst in connecting fresh talent with lucrative opportunities. This opportunity emphasises the commitment of AICTE and apna.co to provide students with unparalleled experiences for professional growth and global exposure.

Tailored for aspiring job seekers, the platform will provide access to a diverse array of national and international job opportunities, with internships slated for inclusion by Q3 FY2024. The platform also offers an AI-powered Resume Builder for standout resumes and real-time notifications for job updates. Students can engage in professional development through affinity-based groups to ensure professional growth, with AI-assisted interview prep and salary benchmarking to be launched.

While launching the portal, Prof. T G Sitharam, AICTE Chairman highlighted, “The collaboration with apna.co signifies a pivotal partnership between the government and startups, addressing critical employment challenges. By joining forces, we are not only empowering students to cultivate essential skills but also facilitating their access to a broad spectrum of national and global employment opportunities. This association also fosters meaningful engagement with leading companies via a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures talent and drives economic growth.”

Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO of apna.co, commented, “Amidst the ever-evolving job landscape, our dedication lies in moulding India’s tomorrow by empowering its youth to excel both locally and globally. At apna.co, we firmly believe India’s youth aren’t just poised to keep pace but to lead the charge in shaping the future of the global workforce. The career portal with AICTE marks a crucial stride in addressing the hurdles faced by India’s youth in navigating today’s intricate job market. This venture is crafted to arm fresh graduates and job seekers with the platform they need to launch careers and fulfil their professional aspirations. It also reiterates our unwavering commitment to promoting the growth and success of the next generation.”

The partnership also equips colleges with transformative tools such as the Outcomes Dashboard, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning. The College Community feature fosters vital communication and networking, while comprehensive placement statistics attract targeted companies, enhancing the college’s reputation among students and employers.

The AICTE Career Portal will go live on 30th April, 2024.

Karnataka State Topper in JEE MAIN-2024

It is hereby bring to your notice that our NARAYANA CO – KAVERI BHAVAN, KASAVANAHALLI student AMOGH AGARWAL- 240310198608 got 100%tile and Karnataka state topper in JEE MAIN-2024 secured AIR open category rank 47, along with this rank, KUSHAL LAKSHYA TIWARI got AIR open category 287, VARUN BATRA got AIR open category 300, ARYAN CHAKRAVORTY got AIR open category 543, PRANAV RITHIL S got AIR open category 777, BALASATHYA SARAVANAN got AIR open category 936, result announced by NTA today. Our Founder DR. P Narayana, our director Dr. P. Sindhura, our Bangalore Core dean Mr. Surender Reddy, our South Zone AGM’s Mrs. Rupa.G , Mr. Basha and Mr. Babu , Our Dean/Principal Mr. Ghouse and staff members congratulated AMOGH AGARWAL and other students for bringing glory to the nation and Karnataka State.

GD Goenka University Inaugurates State-Of-The-Art Health & Wellness Centre In Association With Park Hospital

New Delhi,26th April 2024 In a remarkable initiative, School of Health and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, one of the prominent educational institutions in the country, is elevating healthcare services for its students, faculty, and the local community by inaugurating the Park Hospital Outpatient Department (OPD).

The OPD has been established in collaboration with the Park Hospital, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s journey towards a healthier future for all. The Health & Wellness Centre is a beacon of unprecedented healthcare, offering consultations, diagnostics, and specialized medical care, all aimed towards enhancing the overall well-being of the university community.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including representatives from Park Hospital and GD Goenka University. The occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the joint efforts of both institutions towards delivering top-notch healthcare services.

”This collaboration with Park Hospital is a testament to our commitment to ensuring comprehensive medical services at the School of Health and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University. The OPD is equipped to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, and specialist treatments. In addition, the centre boasts highly qualified medical professionals who have been trained to provide the best possible care to patients,” said Ms. Kim Menezes, Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University.

Located within the university campus, the Health & Wellness Centre is conveniently accessible for all. It will also offer a range of health education programs to promote healthy lifestyles and preventive healthcare practices in the university.

Oxford University Press & NSE Academy collaborate to empower learners with skill courses

Mumbai 26th April 2024, NSE Academy Limited (NAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has signed an agreement with Oxford University Press (OUP) to offer joint certificate courses on in-demand professional skills for professionals and students.

Under this collaboration, short courses of OUP on key professional skills such as Design Thinking, Negotiation, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, and Storytelling among others, will be offered through NSE Knowledge Hub, an AI-powered learning experience platform. NAL and OUP will co-certify candidates who successfully complete these short-duration self-paced courses.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Sumanta Datta, Managing Director of Oxford University Press India, stated, “As a pioneer in higher education and academic publishing, OUP has played a pivotal role in furnishing top-tier content to learners across pivotal disciplines including engineering, computer science, business, economics, and beyond. Our alliance with NSE Academy stands poised to enrich skill seekers and learners, facilitating their engagement with contemporary courses tailored to meet the dynamic requisites of the job market. Moreover, this collaboration underscores our commitment to furthering the Government’s #SkillIndia initiative.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abhilash Misra, CEO, NSE Academy Ltd. said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with OUP to enhance professional skills education and empower individuals with the knowledge they need to succeed in today’s dynamic workplace. Corporates will be able to deploy these future-ready skills courses to support the diverse learning and development needs of their workforce.”

Internshala launches Grand Summer Internship Fair (GSIF) – 2024

25th April 2024, New Delhi: Internshala, the career-tech platform has launched its flagship initiative, the Grand Summer Internship Fair (GSIF) – 2024. Under this initiative, the platform is bringing 50,000+ summer internship opportunities for the students of India. The interested students will be able to apply to the opportunities by 30th April 2024.

Under GSIF-2024, 5000+ companies including big brands, small and medium enterprises, and startups are hiring summer interns from various educational backgrounds. The internship seekers can choose the opportunities fitting to their interest and skill-set from a pool of over 50,000 opportunities including in-office, work-from-home, part-time, international internships, and internships with pre-placement offers.

The initiative brings summer internships across diverse profiles including but not limited to marketing, law, digital marketing, programming, video editing & making, web development, Python development, content writing, sales, human resources, business development, social media marketing, data analytics, teaching, operations, product management, graphic design, accounting, and finance.

Moreover, in addition to internship completion certificates, all the internships under GSIF-2024 come with an assured stipend. The aspiring students stand a chance to earn as high as ₹1,00,000 per month. The duration of internships could range between 2 weeks to 6 months.

On launching the Grand Summer Internship Fair, the founder and CEO of Internshala said, “It is indisputable that internships have become an integral part of a student’s career journey. While internships are being actively pursued by students across the year, the summer months remain the most sought-after time to pursue internships. Owing to this demand for summer internships, at Internshala, we bring a range of exciting summer internships under our flagship initiative – the Grand Summer Internship Fair. This year, we bring 50,000+ meaningful summer internship opportunities across various profiles and from diverse industries to cater to the internship seekers in India.”

RV University School of Business Leads Technology-Driven Business Growth Dialogue

Bengaluru, 24 April 2024: The School of Business at RV University successfully concluded its inaugural Annual International Research Conference (AIRC 2024), a two-day event focused on “Sustaining Business Growth: Use of Emerging Technologies.” The conference fostered vibrant discussions on data-driven decision-making, public policy, consumer behavior, market dynamics, and government processes.

AIRC 2024 provided a distinguished forum for scholars, practitioners, and industry experts worldwide to explore contemporary business challenges and the transformative impact of technology.

Overall, the conference welcomed over 55 submissions, with 32 selected for presentation, covering diverse fields including marketing, operations, economics, finance and accounting, analytics, information management, entrepreneurship, human resources, organizational behavior, and sustainability.

Commenting on the conference, Prof. (Dr.) Y.S.R. Murthy, Vice-Chancellor of RV University, said, “Research drives teaching, and teaching in turn drives research. I am delighted that RVU’s School of Business has organized the first edition of the Annual International Research Conference (AIRC) 2024. First conferences will always remain special. The theme of the conference, “Sustaining Business: Use of Emerging Technologies,” is a very apt one. RVU is delighted to partner with International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC) Global and Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand, in this regard. I wish to compliment the Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Subhashree, and her entire team for putting together a wonderful interdisciplinary conference. It is thrilling for me to see the participation of deans from other schools, which only goes on to improve our commitment to interdisciplinarity.”

“The success of AIRC 2024 leaves us inspired and energized. The well-thought-out theme of the conference attracted scholarly research input. This conference showcased not only the cutting-edge research driving business but also a remarkable spirit of inquiry, collaboration, and innovation among our scholars and students. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mohit, Dr. Jyoti Vidhani, and our dedicated professors and student volunteers for orchestrating such a transformative event. AIRC has established a vibrant platform for future academic endeavors, and I eagerly anticipate its continued growth,” said Dr. Subhashree Natarajan, Dean of RV University’s School of Business.

The conference commenced with keynote addresses by Dr. N. R. Bhanumurthy, Vice-Chancellor of BASE University, and Dr. Y.S.R. Murthy, Vice-Chancellor of RV University. Dr. Bhanumurthy underscored the need for research to address real-world issues, while Dr. Murthy emphasized the power of collaboration in driving academic advancements.

The valedictory function was graced by Dr. D. K. Subramanian, Dean and Professor (Rtd.) of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Dr. Subramanian underscored the pivotal role of technology in modern business, reflecting on his journey as a tech consultant amidst the evolution of technology from rarity to necessity.

Faculty presentations saw Professors Venkatesh R. Betigeri (Government Polytechnic, Panaji) and Geetanjali Diwani and Riya Diwani (SSMRV College, Bengaluru) clinching the top spots, while research scholars Mrs. Shilpa Badrinath Bidi (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) and Kannan T. emerged victorious in their categories. Among students, works by Mohammed Hussain and Sachin R. Arasanal (PES University) and Kanika Shetty and Ravi Kiran Erra (School of Business, RV University) secured first and second place, respectively.

The conference featured thought-provoking insights across various themes, such as:

Cybersecurity and Tech Adoption: Researchers explored cyber threat awareness, machine learning for health predictions, and sustainable urban transport.

Finance and Economic Trends: Studies analyzed Indian and US ESG funds, news website revenue models, and Indian consumer trends.

The Future of Education: Discussions highlighted technology’s role in addressing inequity, creating optimal learning environments, and improving teacher well-being.

Marketing in the Digital Age: Sessions explored AI’s impact on startups, the influence of social media, and effective influencer marketing strategies.

Collaboration and recognition

Expert session chairs and co-chairs, including Dr. Gopal Varadharajan (IIM Tiruchirappalli), Dr. Ankit Katrodia (Northwest University, South Africa), and Dr. R. Venkatesakumar (Pondicherry University), guided discourse and shared valuable insights on research and publishing.

The conference concluded with the Best Paper Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions across faculty, research scholars, and student presentations.