The University of Chicago (UoC) is set to inaugurate a new academic centre in the central business district of Connaught Place, Delhi, next spring (March-April). The varsity’s Delhi centre will be a base for research and education for UoC faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates working in India and South Asia.

“The centre in Delhi reflects the importance the university places on global engagement and our commitment to India and South Asia particularly,” said UoC president Robert J. Zimmer addressing a news conference in New Delhi on October 25. “It will support the work of our faculty, provide a platform for collaboration and opportunities for Indian scholars, prepare our students with a much greater understanding of India, South Asia, and global issues. Our goal is to create an intellectual destination in Delhi, where scholars and students from the United States, India, and around the world benefit from the free exchange of ideas.”

According to Zimmer, the centre will promote scholarship and teaching under three broad umbrellas: business, economics, law and policy; science, energy, medicine and public health; and culture, society, religion, and the arts. It will represent all units of the parent university, including the college, academic divisions, and affiliated laboratories. 

Edupreneur Quest invites entries

The Delhi-based Central Square Foundation (estb. 2012) in partnership with Villgro Innovations Foundation, has launched Edupreneur Quest –– India’s first ever business plan competition for talented, aspiring entrepreneurs to translate their ideas into reality. “Do you have the next big idea to promote high quality education for the over 240 million children in India? Are you willing to take risks and use all your entrepreneurial energy to make your idea a reality? Are you looking for funders and mentors to support your dream education venture? If yes, we are looking for you! Apply by November 25, 2013 for the chance to win up to Rs.50,000!” says a media release of the Central Square Foundation.

According to Central Square spokespersons, the Edupreneur Quest business plan competition accepts entries from teams of up to four members with an idea or project to disseminate education among India’s underprivileged youth. “We are seeking both non-profit and for-profits, and specially invite people working in the areas of high quality affordable schools, human capital development, technology in education, and school accountability,” says a Central Square spokesperson. Project proposals must be submitted to edupreneurquest@centralsquarefoundation.org. 

Sportseed’s Olympic sports programme

The Delhi-based K.S.R. Sportseed Pvt. Ltd (estb. 2011) which provides Olympic sports curriculums, training and consultancy services to schools and six state governments across the country, has joined hands with the Gujarat state government for providing integrated sports curriculums to schools across Gujarat.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sportseed will identify schools with good track records, sufficient space and inclination to develop Olympic sports in Gujarat and design a viable public-private partnership (PPP) model.

“Sportseed will develop an appropriate talent identification programme and design curriculums which will integrate the academic programmes of high-potential young sportspersons with their pursuit of sporting excellence,” says Sudhanshu Fadnis, founder and director of Sportseed. “In every district, around 100 boys and girls will be identified for admission into special sports schools. This project will impact over 250,000 children in the state under 16 years every year, providing them opportunities for attaining sporting excellence,” he adds.

Henkel Innovation Challenge 2014

Coincident with the start of the new academic year, the seventh Henkel Innovation Challenge 2014 — an international student competition of the Dusseldorf (Germany)-based Henkel AG & Co — was flagged off in Mumbai on October 13. This global competition calls upon students around the world to submit visionary ideas and concepts for the company to develop into new products and technologies. Under the slogan “Create. Learn. Grow”, student teams from 30 countries are invited to submit innovative and sustainable ideas by December 11 to henkelchallenge.com.

Entries are invited for new products/technologies for one of three Henkel businesses — beauty care; laundry and home care, or adhesive technologies. Registering in teams of two, students are expected to discharge the role of creative, sustainability-aware business development managers. Throughout the competition, Henkel will provide extensive support and access to professional e-learning programmes that are part of its internal learning curriculum. All teams qualifying for the semi-final are assigned an experienced Henkel manager who acts as a mentor, advising participants on ways and means to translate their innovative concepts into products and technologies.

“The Henkel Innovation Challenge allows us to meet top talent from around the world and introduce them to Henkel. The Henkel Innovation Challenge helps us to improve attractiveness of Henkel as an employer of students in markets relevant to us,” says Jens Plinke, head of corporate employer branding at Henkel AG & Co.

The winning team will receive a round-the-world ticket valued at Euro 10,000 (Rs.8.38 lakh), the runner-up Euro 4,000 and the team ranked third Euro 2,000.

MPSTME-VJTI concordat

Mumbai’s Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering (MPSTME) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai, on October 25 for mutual cooperation and support in the field of project management.

Under the terms of the MoU, MPSTME and VJTI will share knowledge, expertise, student and faculty exchanges. “This agreement will pave the way for students and faculty of both institutions to network in the important discipline of project management. The institutions as well as the project management profession will benefit,” says Prof. Sharad Mhaiskar, dean of the Mukesh Patel School.