The Bangalore-based Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI, estb.2009) and the University of Bath (UoB), UK, have formed a strategic alliance to offer dual certification postgraduate training programmes for teachers. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Bangalore between Prof. Jeff Thompson (a founder of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), Geneva), Dr. Mary Hayden, professor of education at UoB and Lt. General (Retd.) Arjun Ray, chief executive of ITARI, on October 17.

Under the terms of the tripartite agreement, ITARI will offer postgraduate IB teacher certification programmes in international education exclusively customised to meet the requirements of schools affiliated with IBO, Geneva. Moreover, ITARI will also offer the Masters in education programme of UoB.

“In 2003, there were a mere 11 IB schools in India. In 2016, there are 132 IB schools which offer one or more of four IB programmes. This tremendous growth has led to a huge demand for teaching professionals qualified for the IB curriculum. Therefore the dual certification postgraduate programme of MA + IBEC offered by ITARI is a bridge for teachers to obtain valuable training and certification at affordable cost,” said Gen. Ray, speaking on the occasion.

Tata-GE Healthcare initiative

The Mumbai-based Tata Trusts and GE Healthcare have inked a partnership agreement to train 10,000 youth in various technical areas of healthcare over a three-year period. The partnership will focus on bridging the skills gap of technical or operating healthcare personnel. The announcement was made in Mumbai on October 17 by Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, Terri Bresenham, president and CEO, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions, GE Healthcare, and Banmali Agrawala, president and CEO of GE South Asia.

Under the partnership agreement, GE Healthcare Education Institute (GE HCI) will design, develop and teach these courses through a mix of  classroom training and interactive training exercises. The courses will help students qualify as X-ray, radiography, medical equipment, anaesthesia, operation theatre and cardiac care technicians, as well as diabetes education counselors.

Speaking on the occasion, R. Venkataramanan, managing trustee, Tata Trusts said: “Tata Trusts aim to drive improvement in healthcare delivery by enabling availability of skilled healthcare personnel. We believe this partnership with GE Healthcare will allow many bright young minds, especially women, to come forward and bridge the demand-supply gap in healthcare professionals.”

Amrita students enter CSAW contest finals

Team biOs, a 10-member strong students team of the Coimbatore-based Amrita University, has entered the final round of the Cyber Security Awareness Week (CSAW) Catch the Flag Contest. Organised by the New York Polytechnic University, USA, the contest is the largest and most prestigious student-run cyber security event worldwide. More than 2,000 teams from around the world participated in the event. The final round will be staged in the US, India and the UAE this month.

Mentored by Vipin Pavithran, Amrita University’s Team biOs competed with thousands of students, hobbyists and professional ethical hackers to reach the World’s Top 50. It was ranked first among all Indian teams and 48th internationally. A team from IIT-Roorkee was ranked 122nd internationally.

“Entering the finals of CSAW is a formidable accomplishment for any team. While winning a specific CSAW competition is phenomenal, a high ranking in this contest is also very prestigious. Amrita University’s Center for Cyber Security Systems and Networks has pioneered the training of able cyber security engineers with innovative pedagogic techniques. Performing under pressure and competing in worldwide events requires blending and showcasing theoretical understanding and practical application of security principles,” says Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, head of the Center for Cyber Security Systems at Amrita University.

BSEI-UO concordat

BSE Institute Ltd (BSEI), a financial education company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with New Zealand’s University of Otago (UO) to offer several undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes. The MoU was signed on October 26 at the India New Zealand Business Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi by Ambarish Datta, managing director of BSEI, and Prof. Harlene Hayne, vice chancellor of UO, in the presence of the Rt. Hon. John Key, prime minister of New Zealand.

“New Zealand’s education system is world-class, modern and responsive. It is student-centric, and focused on supporting students to problem-solve, process information, work with others, create and innovate,” said Datta, speaking on the occasion.

Prof. Hayne says this new relationship between BSE Institute and Otago promises to be fruitful and important. “This MoU has set the stage for BSEI students to transition to UO in accounting and other related postgraduate programmes. These relationships may also lead to research collaborations and funding opportunities, and can only add to the very fine reputations of both institutions,” added Prof. Hayne.