Andhra Pradesh
NIT-AP initiatives
Tadepalligudem, october 30. The National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh (NIT-AP), has revised its B.Tech curriculum and added new features in conformity with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The institute recently conducted a ‘National Conclave on Strategies for Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’ symposium to apprise administrative staff, students, researchers and faculty members about implementation of NEP in NIT-AP.
Addressing the conclave, Telangana governor and Lt. Governor of Puducherry Dr. (Smt.) Tamilsai Soundararajan said: “I am glad that in spite of being the youngest among all NITs, this institute has taken steps towards quickly developing required infrastructure, offering lectures employing modern day technology and is set on fulfilling the academic expectations of the Union ministry of education. NEP 2020 will nurture and orient India’s youth towards the path of development.”

Also read: NEP 2020 will focus on concepts: Kriti Garg, SAI International School

Uttar Pradesh
Government-Wheebox agreement
Lucknow, october 5. The state government signed a collaboration agreement with Gurugram-based Wheebox, a global leader in artificial intelligence-based online proctored assessments, to digitise the examinations of its technical education institutes.
Following the agreement, over 200,000 students of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), formerly Uttar Pradesh Technical University, and another 300,000 students wrote the exams of the Board of Technical Education Uttar Pradesh. Dedicated teams were deployed by the universities and technical board along with Wheebox specialists for conducting and monitoring a secured exam.
Addressing a press conference, Nirmal Singh, the founder & CEO of Wheebox, said: “In the past year, we have partnered with more than 130 premier academic institutions who have made a smooth transition to online examinations. Our collaboration with the UP government has helped evaluation of millions of students.”

Odisha
Girls taking to tech
Berhampur (odisha), october 1. More than 400 of the 1,351 new students who have enrolled in 22 trade courses offered by the government-run Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Berhampur in the state’s Ganjam district, are girls.
“With the admission of 30 percent girl students this year, the institute is looking to fulfil the state government’s objective of one-third of graduates passing out from technical education institutes being women. Moreover, many girl students have opted for subjects related to technology this year which is an encouraging trend and reflects changing social attitudes,” said principal Rajat Panigrahi, addressing a media conference.

Delhi
Sports education drive
New delhi, october 14. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has requested all engineering colleges and other technical institutes to submit details of their sports infrastructure including number of playgrounds, sports complexes, gymnasia/fitness centres, indoor stadia, swimming pools and yoga centres.
“Technical institutes can play an important role in promoting sports and prepare sportspersons for national and international championships. The education ministry wants to explore the issue of optimal sports infrastructure usage in these institutions following India’s excellent performance at the olympics and paralympics,” said Col. A. Shreenath, director, AICTE’s policy and academic planning bureau, in an official communique.

Maharashtra
Kalam Teachers Awards
Pune, october 14. Twenty-two primary, secondary, government, and private school teachers across the country have been selected for the Dr. Kalam Memorial Teachers Awards for maintaining learning continuity during the pandemic era. The awards are presented by the Dr. Vikhe Patel Foundation and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre.
The announcement was made on the eve of the 90th birth anniversary of former India president and eminent scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The teachers were shortlisted after a rigorous selection process involving reviews of their education innovations followed by jury interviews.

Madhya Pradesh
Ladli Laxmi Yojana
Bhopal, october 15. Under the state government’s Ladli Laxmi Yojana initiative, girl students will be presented a cheque of Rs.25,000 each after their admission into higher education institutions. This was announced by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a ‘Ladli Laxmi’ festival organised in the state capital.
“Education, security, health facilities, and respect for women are state government priorities. Financially empowering the girl child, providing her vocational training and underwriting bank loans are the government’s duties. Tuition fees will also be arranged for their higher education,” said the chief minister, adding that 1.31 lakh girls have registered under the scheme in the first six months of this fiscal year.