IIT-M’s new programme

Chennai, August 1. The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) announced that its three-year B.Sc degree course in programming and data science can be converted into a fouryear BS degree in data science and applications. Moreover while reading for the BS degree, students have the option of doing an eight-month apprenticeship or project with corporates or research institutes.

“This unique programme is carefully designed to offer students multiple entry and exit options with learners awarded certificate, diploma and degrees on completion of one, two and three years. This provides flexibility to learners and empowers them to choose subjects of their choice to complete this programme. Students currently in class XII can also apply for admission into the programme,” explains an IIT-M spokesperson.

“IIT-M’s contemporary BS in data science and applications degree provides access to high-quality IIT education to learners across the country. Data science is one of the emerging subjects of the future. It is a highly employment-oriented programme in a domain where there is high demand for skilled professionals,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti, director, IIT-Madras, announcing launch of the programme.

ANU-Solv(ED) agreement

Ahmedabad, August 8. Anant National University (ANU) announced that the university’s four-year Bachelor of Technology in Climate Change (BTCC) undergraduate degree programme has been accepted by the Solv(ED) community of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. Solv(ED) supports sustainable solutions of tech entrepreneurs to address the world’s most pressing problems. All ANU students signed up for the BTCC degree programme are eligible for microgrants and tailored support from the Solv(ED) community. Solv(ED) membership aids institutions that support young people practicing social entrepreneurship and innovation.

According to an ANU spokesperson, in the first semester of the second year, students enrolled in the varsity’s BTCC programme will receive microgrants from Solv(ED) aggregating Rs.400,000 for initiating projects addressing climate change. Solv(ED) will disburse micro-grants funding to ANU students for developing projects under the Solv(ED) Youth Innovation Challenge.

“MIT Solv(ED) is very excited to welcome BTCC students into our community. During the course of this year, ANU’s BTCC students will have access to workshops, events, challenges and funding opportunities to enable them to design climate change solutions of which they will be proud,” said Gaby Gonzalez, senior officer, Solv(ED) at MIT, speaking on the occasion.

Added Dr. Miniya Chatterji, founding-director of the ANU School for Climate Action: “This is a highpotential, powerful collaboration between MIT Solv(ED) and ANU. It will motivate our students to dream big and equip them with tangible skills to implement impactful projects on the ground.”

NU’s Campus Future initiative

New Delhi, August 1. NIIT University (NU) Neemrana (Rajasthan) offers students who have completed class XII, opportunity to explore undergrad career programmes and experience life on the scenic NU campus in Neemrana. NU’s Camp Future programme invites students and their parents to become acquainted with the NU campus before entering higher education.

Camp Future is an interactive programme designed to provide schoolleaving students and their parents a sample of NU life. “Meeting with the NU leadership team, interacting with faculty of their respective streams and senior students, living in the hostel, enjoying mess food and getting to know about our unique geo-thermal cooling system, going trekking across the green campus, and experiencing the Astachal moment at sunset are some of the experiences students can look forward to under this programme,” says Prof. Rajesh Khanna, president of NIIT University.

Cornell-JGU concordat

Sonipat, August 23. Cornell University, Ithaca (USA) and O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat (India) signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) which enables both universities to build substantive partnerships and collaborate across all their schools and programmes.

Earlier this year, Cornell University launched its Cornell Global Hubs initiative in strategic locations worldwide to connect Cornell with reputed peer institutions and their communities, countries, and regions.

“Hubs are broad partnerships that combine research, learning, and engagement to bring faculty, students, alumni, businesses, and the public and private sectors together. Faculty and students in global hubs become a vibrant network of transnational research and education opportunities for partner universities,” explains a Cornell spokesperson. “Hubs build strong, long-term international relationships that create understanding and meaningful exchange,” said Prof. (Dr.) Wendy Wolford, vice provost for International Affairs and Robert A, and Ruth E. Polson Professor of Global Development at Cornell University.

“The new reimagined and expanded collaboration between Cornell and JGU has immense potential to provide an outstanding platform for students and faculty of both institutions across all domains of mutual expertise to provide holistic experiences of intercultural learning,” said Prof. C. Raj Kumar, an alumnus of Oxford and Harvard universities and founding vice chancellor of JGU.