New Delhi, January 12. CyberPeace Foundation, a think tank and NGO promoted by cyber security and policy experts, launched a cyber security training programme in collaboration with the Union ministry of education and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the benefit of industry, academia, government and civil society. The objective of the programme is to address problems such as cybercrimes, harassment, abuse and radicalisation and to build secure ecosystems of cybersecurity communities.

“Cybercrimes have increased in India and globally during the pandemic. On National Youth Day, we are delighted to partner with the ministry of education and AICTE to upskill half a million youth across India in critical cybersecurity skills. With rising digital adoption, these skills will form the bedrock to create more cyber-aware individuals, a pool of cyber security experts and a secure and resilient society,” said Vineet Kumar, founder-president of the CyberPeace Foundation (estb.2013), addressing the media.

Amazon Academy debut

Delhi, January 13. Amazon India announced the launch of the Amazon Academy to help students preparing for the IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) for admission into the country’s 23 IITs and other engineering colleges. The academy will equip students with in-depth knowledge and practice routines required for writing IIT-JEE through curated learning material, live lectures and comprehensive assessments in math, physics and chemistry.

“Amazon Academy intends to bring high quality, affordable education for all, starting with students preparing for engineering entrance examinations. Our mission is to enable students to achieve their aspirations while also empowering educators and content partners to reach millions of students. Our focus is on content quality, deep learning analytics and student experience. This launch will help engineering aspirants prepare better and achieve the winning edge in IIT-JEE,” said Amol Gurwara, director (education) of Amazon India.

IPV backs Mindler

New Delhi, January 18. Mindler Education Pvt. Ltd, the well-reputed Delhi-based comprehensive career guidance platform for educators and students, announced $1 million (Rs.7.2 crore) pre-series-A round funding from a consortium led by Gurugram-based Inflection Point Ventures, an angel investors network. The newly raised funds will be utilised for expanding Mindler’s base of institutional partnerships and alliances.

“We are very excited to get the support of IP Ventures and its network of C-Suite leaders from around the world. Apart from IP Ventures, we are also in the final stage of talks with a few high net worth individuals for this round of funding. Despite all its challenges, 2020 has been a good year for us,” said Prateek Bhargava, founder-director of Mindler Education, speaking on the occasion.

Added Mitesh Shah, co-founder of IPV: “IPV will help Mindler access a large unexplored market base and expand its network exponentially while enhancing its tech capabilities.”

Instrucko-EtonX concordat

Mumbai/Delhi, January 20. Instrucko Ltd — a UK-based edtech company (estb.2020) which has innovated a one-to-one languages (English, French, Spanish and Hindi) learning platform using storytelling pedagogy — has signed a partnership agreement with EtonX, an online subsidiary of Eton College, UK (estb.1440), globally reputed as Britain’s best public (i.e, independent) primary-secondary school.

Under the partnership agreement, Instrucko students between ages 13-18 will be given access to EtonX’s Live Tutor Group and self-study programmes to develop their communication, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

“Our partnership will enable us to provide high quality learning programmes in English language communication, critical thinking and creative problem solving taught by teachers from Eton College,” said Devvaki Aggarwal, CEO of Instrucko. Instrucko-EtonX learning programmes (7-10 weeks) are priced at $50-300 (Rs.3,650-21,889).

Godrej Interio webinar

Bengaluru, February 5. Godrej Interio and EducationWorld presented a path-breaking webinar titled ‘Two Sides of Online Teaching’ in which a panel of highly respected educators discussed the impact on the teachers’ community of transition from blackboards to online classes.

The panelists included Dr. Vandana Lulla, director, Podar Group of International Schools, Mumbai; Sarojini Rao, principal, Indus International School, Bengaluru; Sameer Joshi, assistant vice president (marketing), Godrej Interio; Dr. Amrita Vohra, director, GEMS Education India and Bharat Malik, chairman, Arya Gurukul Group of Schools, Mumbai. The webinar was moderated by Summiya Yasmeen, managing editor, EducationWorld.

Drawing upon a survey conducted by Godrej Interio, one of the country’s most respected furniture brands, that interviewed 300 teachers, the panelists discussed the up and downsides of the new blended (conventional and digital) teaching-learning model that is here to stay.

“The webinar was stimulating and discussed the pros and cons of online teaching with all panelists agreeing that ensuring teachers’ well-being — physical and mental — is critical to the success of the online/hybrid teaching model,” says Joshi.