NIFCO-NSDC initiative

Delhi, march 29. The Yokosuka City (Japan)-based NIFCO (Nippon Industrial Fastener Corporation) Inc, a global manufacturing company and an IoT (Internet of Things) solutions provider with battery-less devices, and the Delhi-based NSDC (National Skills Development Corporation) International, a company engaged in building global job opportunities for Indians, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Under the MoU, the two companies will encourage migration of skilled human resources from India to Japan. “This MoU is signed to establish a cooperative framework to promote, enable opportunities for Indian professionals in Japan and contribute to support the education environment in India. The companies will also focus on conducting various hybrid and physical promotional seminars in India and Japan for knowledge sharing and skills mapping,” says a NIFCO Inc spokesperson.

NSDC International is a 100 percent subsidiary of NSDC that is promoting Skill India international objectives to make India a global source for quality talent.

High-powered GISA launch

Gurugram, march 29. India’s estimated 340,000-plus independent (private) schools were urged to join forces with schools around the world in the first meeting of a worldwide representative body for the K-12 independent education sector — the Global Independent Schools Association (GISA). A critical objective of GISA is to improve education provision throughout the world by sharing knowledge.

According to a press statement issued by GISA, this global association seeks to co-ordinate, represent, and give a voice to the global K-12 independent education sector — filling a “representation void” of schools that educate 350 million children around the world — including 52 percent of secondary school children in South Asia and 45 percent of primary school children in Latin America.

“GISA gives us an excellent platform to promote the benefits of international schools in India and highlight how we can work alongside the national system to promote high standards and educate the next generation of leaders,” said Christopher Short, managing director, Nord Anglia Education, India, speaking on the occasion.

Some of the biggest names in global K-12 independent education have united to form GISA’s executive board, which will shape its strategic direction. They include Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of Nord Anglia Education; Sunny Varkey, founder of Gems Education; Nadim Nsouli, founder, chairman and CEO of Inspired Education; Frank Maassen, Group CEO of Cognita; Brian Rogove, Group CEO of XCL Education; and Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education. The association was launched with a call to action to attract members from around the world, “whether they are a single classroom private school in a low-income country, a school run by a charity or foundation, or a school operating within a multinational chain”.

NCERT-ETS-PARAKH treaty

New delhi, march 29. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS) to strengthen the PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) online platform for assessments. PARAKH was launched by NCERT in 2020 to assess the learning outcomes of students in classes III-X in schools across India.

ETS will support NCERT in enhancing the quality and validity of PARAKH assessments, developing test items, and conducting research on assessment methodologies. ETS will also assist NCERT in building capacity among teachers and school administrators for using PARAKH results to improve teaching-learning practices.

“This partnership will help us in bringing international best practices in assessment design and administration to India and enhance the quality and relevance of PARAKH assessments,” said Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, head of PARAKH-NCERT, speaking on the occasion.

Lodha-Ashoka Genius Programme

Mumbai, March 9. Macrotech Developers (aka Lodha Group) launched the ‘Lodha Genius Programme’ in partnership with Ashoka University, Sonipat, India’s high-ranked private research and teaching university, to nurture the country’s brightest young minds to achieve their potential.

The objective of the programme is to address the acute shortage of high-quality talent in the country by supporting academically bright high school students from class IX onwards through academic, financial mentoring, mental health, and other enablers to help them excel in their chosen areas. The pioneer Lodha Genius Programme will provide customised long-term support to gifted students to build the next generation of leaders for India. The programme will entail on-campus seminars and projects, together with continued off-campus mentoring.

The Chair of the Ashoka Science Advisory Council will guide the programme. Students from classes IX-XII can apply for the programme online (www.lodhageniusprogram.com).

“Guided by our philosophy of ‘Do Good, Do Well’, we recognise our responsibility to build a better society and stronger nation. And for that, we must identify and nurture India’s rich pool of highly able students and nurture them to become successful in their chosen fields,” says Abhishek Lodha, managing director of Macrotech Developers.