Kavaratti, January 1. On a two-day state visit to the Union territory of Lakshadweep, India’s vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated two arts and science colleges affiliated with Pondicherry University (PU) in the Kadmat and Androth islands.

Also chancellor of PU, Naidu said the courses offered will enable students, especially girl students, to overcome the region’s geographical constraints and pursue quality higher education. Acknowledging the island’s immense eco-tourism and fisheries potential, he called on the island’s youth to sign up for courses in aquaculture, tourism and hospitality and strive for excellence in these industries where Lakshadweep has a natural advantage.

Karnataka: Guest lecturers award

Bengaluru, January 14. The state government announced intent to double the remuneration of guest lecturers in its colleges. The decision is based on a report submitted by a three-member committee chaired by Kumar Naik, additional chief secretary, department of higher education, said higher education minister C.N. Ashwath Narayanan, addressing a media conference.

Earlier, guest lecturers compliant with UGC norms were paid Rs.13,000 per month, while others received Rs.11,000. Under the new norms, guest lecturers’ remuneration ranges between Rs.26,000-32,000 per month.

“Since eligibility criteria prescribed by the UGC will become mandatory for recruiting guest faculty in coming years, a three-year time window has been given to guest lecturers to acquire the required qualifications,” added Narayanan.

Madhya Pradesh: Vice chancellor sacked

Indore, January 28. The state government terminated the services of Prof. Asha Shukla, vice chancellor of the Mhow-based Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University of Social Science, two years before the end of her tenure for alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities.

According to higher education department officials, the Indore divisional commissioner had investigated complaints of mismanagement and financial irregularities at the university.

Ladakh: Belated clearance

Leh, January 23. Two decades after it was established, Ladakh’s Druk Padma Karpo School, aka ‘Rancho’s school’ popularised by the hit Bollywood film Three Idiots, has received formal clearance from the Jammu & Kashmir examination board of school education, paving the way for its affiliation with the Delhi-based Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

“Though we had all the requisite infrastructure in place, excellent academic record, and focus on innovative teaching-learning, it has taken us several years to receive a no objection certificate from the state board,” said Mingur Agmo, principal of Druk Padma Karpo School, addressing a press conference in Leh.

Punjab: Khan Academy’s Punjabi content

New Delhi, January 25. Under a recently signed agreement between the Punjab state government and Khan Academy India (KHI), a subsidiary of the eponymous California (USA)-based non-profit NGO, KHI will provide free-of-charge high-quality Punjabi language math learning content to students across the state. This project is supported by SBI Foundation, the CSR (corporate social responsibility) affiliate of the State Bank of India.

“The focus of the agreement will be to provide math learning in Punjabi to 100,000 learners statewide. SBI Foundation and SBI Funds Management Pvt. Ltd will finance math content translation into Punjabi, and teacher training for over 5,000 teachers in 3,000 schools across the state,” says an SBI communique.

Assam: Gauhati U celebrations

Guwahati, January 26. Addressing an audience on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Gauhati University, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the varsity to promote a startup and innovation culture with assured government support.

“Gauhati University is a sacred temple of higher learning born out of the committed endeavour of the people of Assam in pursuit of higher education. Training teachers and bureaucrats cannot be the sole objective of the university. The purpose of education should be to change the mindsets of students,” said the chief minister.

Also read: Gauhati University

Rajasthan: REET 2021 suspensions

Jaipur, January 29. The state government suspended several senior officials of the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, including chairman D.P. Jaroli and secretary Arvind Kumar Sengwa, following leakage of the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) test papers last September.

The suspension orders were issued after a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs