The B.M. Birla Science Centre (BMSC), Hyderabad, the University of Udine, Italy and the International Institute for Applicable Mathematics and Information Sciences invite applications for Masters in information technology and its Ph.D programme (with or without fellowships). The eligibility criteria for the Birla Science-Udine Master’s programme is a degree in engineering/ technology/ or any equivalent degree in science and computer applications. For the Ph D programme, students with M.Sc in computer science/ mathematics/ physics/ M.Tech/ ME/ MCA from any recognised university are eligible to apply.

The award of fellowships follows an agreement signed in March 2005 between BMSC and University of Udine, Italy, to establish an International Institute of Applicable Mathematics and Information Sciences. The objective of the institute is to enable budding Indian researchers to practice doctoral work in Europe and to pursue postgraduate training in informational sciences. BMSC and the University of Udine have established hubs in Hyderabad and Italy.

Manipal AcuNova’s new research centre

Manipal Acunova, a Bangalore-based biotechnology and clinical research firm has established its Manipal AcuNova K.H. Clinical Research Centre in Manipal (Karnataka). The centre will undertake research on generic drugs , new drug delivery systems and new chemical entities. The ambit of research activities will include pre-clinical studies, bio-availability, bio-equivalence, pharmacokinetics and clinical data management. Clinical studies will be conducted in areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, endocrinology (diabetes), neurology and dental science. The centre was inaugurated by Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chief executive of Biocon India on August 20.

“With a large reservoir of scientific human resources, centres of academic excellence in biosciences, a vibrant pharmaceutical industry, and fast developing clinical capabilities, India’s biotechnology and pharma sector is poised for exponential growth and to compete globally. While the Manipal Group has always set world class standards in education and healthcare, Manipal Acunova will set new global research standards,” said D.A. Prasanna, managing director of Manipal AcuNova speaking on the occasion.

Manipal AcuNova is a joint venture between the Manipal Education and Medical Group and AcuNova. The company’s clients include leading companies such as Quintiles, Ranbaxy, Biocon and Novartis among others. Manipal AcuNova has also partnered with the University of Minnesota and National Centre of Biological Sciences to conduct clinical research.

IDiscoveri’s school leadership course

The Delhi-based experiential learning and education consultancy firm iDiscoveri concluded its second ten-day leadership programme for school leaders in Bangalore on August 28. “The firm’s Exercising Leadership In Schools (ELS) programme prepares present and future school leaders to introduce much-needed changes in the way schools operate in India,” says Vishnu Kant, senior faculty of iDiscoveri. “ELS helps school heads to explore forms of leadership based on notions other than authority,” he adds. Designed by iDiscoveri, the programme was supported by the IT industry’s well-known Wipro Group.

Founded by alumni of Harvard University, INSEAD, IIT and XLRI, iDiscoveri is a developmental education and research organisation which works in the area of school education as well as corporate executive training. The learning programmes of iDiscoveri focus on self-discovery and realisation of full potential.

Also read: iDiscoveri presents Eleanor Duckworth

Forthcoming premier schools exhibition

The second India & International Premier Schools Exhibition (IIPSE) showcasing the finest secondary schools in India and abroad will begin on November 5-6 in Mumbai. Subsequently it will travel to Pune, New Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Patna culminating in January 2006.

“The objective is to provide a platform for parents to interact directly with premier schools in India and abroad. The exhibition will provide vast information to parents about available options and will help them choose the most suitable educational environment for their children. On the other side, schools will be able to showcase their infrastructure and academic achievements to parents who are certain to visit the exhibition in large numbers,” says Sanjay Bolia chief executive of the Kolkata-based AFAIRS which has organised over 60 education exhibitions over the past 13 years.

IIPSE 2004 in Delhi and Mumbai were the first school exhibitions of their kind staged in India. They attracted several top-grade international schools including Ecole Mondiale World School, Pathways World School, Starex International School, Podar World School, Prem Tinsulanonda International School, Lawrence School, Sanawar, The Asian School, The Heritage School, Indian Public School, USEFI, British Council, Canadian Education Centre, Singapore Education etc on a common platform. The exhibition was visited by more than 3,000 parents in each city. “Following pressure from parental communities across the country, IIPSE 2005-06 will be rolled out across ten cities,” says Bolia.

Drexel University invites Indian students

The Philadelphia-based Drexel University, billed as one of America’s most respected technological institutions of higher education, is interested in upping its intake of students from India. This was disclosed in Bangalore on August 27 by Ms. Shumi Muinde associate director of international admissions at Drexel.

“Drexel’s unique corporative programme allows students to alternate classroom study with periods of salaried full-time professional experience with over 1,400 companies. This allows our graduates to have an incredible competitive edge upon graduation. Indian students are a perfect match for our programme because competitiveness seems thematic in this country,” says Muinde.

Established in 1891, Drexel’s 12 colleges and schools offer 180 degree programmes in arts and sciences, business, engineering, information science and technology, media arts and design, nursing and health professions and education among other scholastic disciplines to 12,000 undergraduate and 4,200 graduate students.