The well-known Mumbai-based Vardhman Group has signed up with Good Life Education, a start-up, to introduce certificate study programmes in real estate.

According to a company spokesperson, the initial programme has a dual structure comprising basic and advance level streams. The basic programme is designed for individuals with no previous experience of this industry, and teaches students basic concepts such as redevelopment, slum rehabilitation, property valuation etc. The advance level curriculum specially designed for industry professionals, provides in-depth knowledge about the processes involved in completion of real estate projects from the numerous permissions and clearances required and legalities involved to marketing and sales.

“With this initiative, Vardhman and Good Life Education have built a platform to provide value addition to professional growth in the real estate industry. Through these courses, we hope to impart practical knowledge of this industry which is indispensible for professionals,” says Rajesh Vardhan, managing director of the Vardhman Group.

Even as students are signing up for the basic and advanced stream programmes, the partnership is developing an online module for students in other cities.

CHIREC hosts CCE workshop

Chirec School, Hyderabad — ranked among the city’s Top 5 co-ed day schools (EW September) — hosted a continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) workshop for principals and teachers on September 21. The workshop was inaugurated by Vineet Joshi, chairman and secretary of the Delhi-based Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Moreover Dr. Sadhana Parashar, director (academics and training) of CBSE, conducted the workshop and interacted with over 100 school principals and 120 teachers from across Andhra Pradesh.

“One of the main aims of the mentoring and monitoring programme of CBSE is to build capacity within schools to implement CCE effectively. Under the programme, mentors work as peer assessors and each principal mentors three-five schools in her neighbourhood. The objective of the workshop was to introduce CBSE’s mentoring and monitoring programme to principals and teachers of CBSE-affiliated schools in Andhra Pradesh,” says Ratna D. Reddy, director of CHIREC, speaking on the occasion. “CHIREC was privileged to host this collaborative learning endeavour of CBSE,” she adds.
 
TMI Group’s rural skilling drive

The Hyderabad-based TMI Group, a pioneer human resource placement and development company, has signed an agreement with CNRI (Confederation of NGOs of Rural India) to promote NIRMAAN, a joint initiative to provide jobs to rural youth through counseling, coaching and training.

Although several formal studies and reports have assessed the growth and employment potential of Indian industry, little attention has been given to developing strategies to promote rapid expansion and job creation in the rural and informal sectors. “Rural India suffers from a severe shortage of employable skills at all levels, and intensive development of vocational skills will act as a powerful stimulus for generating employment and self-employment,” said L.V. Saptharishi, co-chairman, CNRI, speaking on the occasion of the launch.

Addressing the media, T. Muralidharan, chairman of the TMI Group, highlighted the mismatch between the expectations of educated job seekers and the education imparted to them. “To facilitate this, the TMI e2E programme  has set up a wide network of Youth Employability Services (YES) Centers across the country. YES Centers will help young graduates from rural and semi-urban areas to identify the right jobs,” said Muralidharan.  

Head Start Montessori exhibition

The Head Start Montessori House of Children, Bangalore, conducted a two-day exhibition of Montessori pedagogy for parents, teachers and educators on September 27-28. More than 500 parents and visitors attended the two-day exhibition.

“The objective of the exhibition was to celebrate the pedagogies devised by education pioneer Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), who developed child-friendly ways for children to learn and grow,” says Riad Mahmood, managing trustee of Head Start Educational Trust. “Head Start is now 29 years old and we are still firm believers in the practices propagated by Dr. Montessori. The exhibition was staged to demonstrate our commitment to the child-friendly principles and learning enunciated by Dr. Montessori.”

Head Start Montessori House of Children (estb: 1984) has 600 children aged between two-and-a-half to six years, and 40 teachers on its muster roll. 

NSL-Delhi Police workshop

The Delhi police became the first police force in the country to host a leadership workshop, conducted on September 25-26 by the Delhi-based National School of Leadership (NSL, estb. 1994) in collaboration with the Gates ETH Foundation. The workshop was led by Dr. Chinmoy Sarkar, a renowned quantum mechanics scientist and dean of NSL, and attracted the participation of over 750 police personnel on each day. NSL’s AXELL, a quantum physics-driven model of personal and professional leadership which has developed personal leadership and stress management techniques, was adapted for police personnel to empower them to develop innovation, presence of mind and self-motivation capabilities.

“The commitment displayed by the city’s men and women police during the workshop was truly commendable, and they exhibited a will to learn ways to improve their effectiveness,’’ said Dr. Sarkar. The workshop focused on enabling police personnel to discharge their duties with greater sensitivity, particularly in cases involving women and children.

“I’m glad to say NSL’s AXELL workshop has been immensely beneficial in cementing ideas which we are confident will result in more effective police work,’’ said Suresh Dagar, assistant commissioner of Delhi Police after the two-day workshop.