The state government has awarded 178 computer laptops to meritorious students who excelled in their class X and XII board examinations of 2016 conducted by the Meghalaya state, Delhi-based CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education). 

Addressing media personnel in Shillong on January 20, Ampareen Lyngdoh, the state’s information and technology minister, said: “Education is capital investment and a permanent asset for all. We honour your dedication and hard work and through these awards, we wish to send out a strong message to the state’s youth.” 

Explaining how her department is helping to build IT skills in Meghalaya, she added that the state government has launched “several innovative programmes to provide IT training to students in line with industrial requirements”. 

 

Haryana
Fake universities outed

In an initiative to prevent fraudulent technical colleges from duping students by offering diplomas and degrees for unaccredited courses, the state government has published the names of several impugned institutions in the state on its website. 

Addressing a media conference in Chandigarh on January 20, a spokesperson of the education ministry said a list of technical education institutions “not approved” by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has been uploaded on the council’s website (www.aicte-india.org). Similarly, a list of fake universities is also available on the University Grants Commission (UGC) website at www.ugc.ac.in, he added.

Conversely, a list of approved technical education institutions in Haryana is available on the website of the technical education department, Haryana  (www.techeduhry.gov.in).

 

Jharkhand
Full literacy plan

Chief minister Raghubar Das says the state government will distribute tablets uploaded with the ‘e-vidya vahini’ software — developed by the state’s school education and literacy, information technology and e-governance ministries — for real-time monitoring of all government schools starting from the new academic year in June.

According to the chief minister, the state government has drawn up a plan to make Jharkhand a fully literate state in the next two-three years. To this end, the government has signed MoUs with several teacher training and development institutions to upskill teachers and students.

Addressing a meeting in Ranchi on January 16, Das said technical education plays a critical role in the future of children and any “carelessness” won’t be tolerated. “I have directed government officials to make surprise visits, and work with honesty and commitment to help Jharkhand become a prosperous state in the near future,” he said.

 

Gujarat
IIM-A’s e-PGP

The top-ranked Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A, estb. 1961) is set to launch a two-year postgraduate programme in management (e-PGP) via distance learning using satellite-based education technology. The ticket price of the programme — the first by an IIM and essentially for working executives and entrepreneurs — is Rs.17 lakh. 

The first e-PGP programme will commence in June 2017 on an interactive onsite learning (IOL) platform. “We invite junior, middle and senior working professionals and entrepreneurs to enroll in the programme,” said IIM-A director Ashish Nanda in Ahmedabad on January 16.

According to Biju Varkkey, programme chair and professor at IIM-A, the new e-PGP programme is also open to college graduates with a 50 percent average who will be selected based on their GMAT/CAT scores or score obtained through an online admission test conducted by the institute. 

For the technology required to roll out this online programme, the institute has tied up with Hughes Global Education (India).

 

Maharashtra
Symbiosis’ new Nagpur campus

Pune’s showpiece Symbiosis International University (SIS, estb. 2002) is set to inaugurate a second campus on a 75-acre site in Wathoda, Nagpur, Vidya Yeravdekar, principal-director of the Symbiosis Society, informed media in Nagpur on January 5.

“For the first time in the history of Symbiosis, 25 percent of the student intake will be reserved for Nagpur residents who will additionally benefit from a 15 percent concession in tuition fees,” she said.

According to Yeravdekar, SIS’ Nagpur campus will offer degree programmes in business management, law, fashion & textiles design and diploma programmes in health, information technology and communication. “The big advantage for Maharashtra and Vidarbha is that higher education students won’t have to travel to or reside in Pune and Mumbai for these professional programmes,” says Yeravdekar. 

Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs