Vermont among the agriculture universities selling cow herds to cut costs in tight times

Agriculture colleges sell cow herds to cut costs

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The fields and long red barns at the University of Vermont will soon house fewer cows as low milk prices, high costs and budget cuts have forced the university to sell its herd.
Other universities are doing the same, or looking for other ways to cut …. Source  : Vermont among the agriculture universities selling cow herds to cut costs in tight times.

‘Terrified’ Cameron hunts for school for his kids

LONDON – There are some things even the prime minister of Britain finds “terrifying”. One of them is finding a good state school for his children.

As the resident of 10, Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron has to look for state schools that fall under the jurisdiction of the education authority of the Westminster County …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

No swimming, sex education – British county’s Ramadan guidelines

LONDON – A British county council has issued guidelines for its schools for the month of Ramadan. These range from deferring swimming lessons to stopping sex education to respect the sentiments of Muslim students during the month.

Ramadan is expected to begin mid-August when all schools are closed for summer holidays. But it will continue till … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No swimming, sex education – British county’s Ramadan guidelines.

Big change in little Chinatown: Cuba’s Chinese enjoy small but unprecedented freedoms

In Havana’s Chinatown, rare droplets of freedom

HAVANA – At Cuba’s only privately run newspaper, it doesn’t take much to stop the presses. It’s a wonder they even get started.
The language of the four-page broadsheet Kwong Wah Po is Chinese, and its press is an antique, but some see its relative freedoms, and that of the … Read more : Big change in little Chinatown: Cuba’s Chinese enjoy small but unprecedented freedoms.

No radioactive threat in AMU

ALIGARH – An expert committee has concluded that the radiation level of the radium beryllium (Ra-Be) source stored in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU was within safe limits, an official said Sunday.

The eight-member committee was appointed by Vice Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis after Ra-Be a radioactive source lying locked in the physics department of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No radioactive threat in AMU.

Iran clerics to enter classrooms to combat Western ‘arrogance’ and opposition influence

Iran clerics to fight West influence in classrooms

TEHRAN, Iran – The Iranian government said it will send hundreds of clerics into Tehran’s schools this fall to fight Western influence and the appeal of the political opposition, local newspapers reported Sunday.
The move is seen as an attempt by the government to tighten its grip on the … Read more »»».

W.Va. governor to focus on college education during his tenure heading governors group

Leader of governors group focuses on college grads

BOSTON – The incoming head of the National Governors Association said Sunday he will make increasing the number of students who complete college his focus during his scheduled yearlong tenure.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, assumed the chairmanship of the NGA on Sunday from Vermont Gov. Jim …. Source article  : W.Va. governor to focus on college education during his tenure heading governors group.

S.Africa holds education summit before final, trying to harness attention World Cup commands

S. Africa holds education summit before WCup final
PRETORIA, South Africa – South Africa’s president read fellow leaders a lesson before inviting them to join him at Sunday’s World Cup final.
Just hours before the Dutch-Spanish final, President Jacob Zuma convened leaders from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Togo, Mozambique, the Netherlands and neighboring Zimbabwe … Read more : S.Africa holds education summit before final, trying to harness attention World Cup commands.

Bihar’s famed coaching institute now in Assam

GUWAHATI – The famed Super 30, a coaching institute in Patna which prepares 30 poor students for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exam free of cost, opened shop in Assam Sunday.

“We are proud and very happy to announce the formal inauguration of Super 30 chapter in Assam. Super 30 achieved iconic stature because …. Original article  : Bihar’s famed coaching institute now in Assam.

Mumbai University VC Appointment Creates Problems

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- After a prolonged wait that lasted for 9 months Mumbai University ultimately got a new vice-chancellor. However, the new VC Rajan Welukar’s appointment has not come without its share of controversy. AD Sawant the former Pro VC remarked that he might take legal steps over his appointment. A source who …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mumbai University VC Appointment Creates Problems.

Pressure cooker and other tips for US-bound students

NEW DELHI – American youths like space and so, keep a “talking distance” of at least 10 yards while speaking to a peer on campus. Keep a pressure cooker handy. Those are among the crucial lifestyle lessons being offered to US-bound students from India.

Lifestyle classes are becoming the key to overcoming culture shocks on American …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Boston University engineering professor found dead in photonics lab, foul play not suspected

Boston University professor is found dead in lab

BOSTON – A Boston University engineering professor has been found dead in a school lab.
A BU spokesman says the body of 62-year-old Franco Cerrina was found Monday morning in a fifth-floor lab at the Photonics Center, where the science and engineering of light are studied. The cause of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Boston University engineering professor found dead in photonics lab, foul play not suspected.

NCAA adds ‘First 4??? to March Madness, 4 games will have lowest seeds, last 4 at-large choices

March Madness will include 4 first-round games

Anyone from Arkansas to Arkansas-Pine Bluff could kick off March Madness next year.
The NCAA’s expanded 68-team men’s basketball tournament will include a four-game first round involving eight teams from all across the Division I spectrum. Two of those initial games will include the four lowest seeds in the field …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NCAA adds ‘First 4′ to March Madness, 4 games will have lowest seeds, last 4 at-large choices.

West Bengal to reserve college, varsity seats for OBCs

KOLKATA – The West Bengal government has decided to reserve seats for students from other backward classes (OBC) in colleges and universities from the next academic session, Higher Education Minister Sudarshan Roy Chowdhury told the state assembly Monday.

“The government has in principle agreed to introduce seat reservation for the students belonging to other backward classes … Read : West Bengal to reserve college, varsity seats for OBCs.

Maharashtra quizzed on Class 11 admissions

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday asked the Maharashtra government why it was differently treating two sets of students with varying performances in the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) exams while admiting them to Class 11.

An apex court bench of Justice V.S. Sirpurkar and Justice Cyriac Joseph sought the clarification from senior counsel …. Read the original article  : Maharashtra quizzed on Class 11 admissions.

NCAA eyeing ban on scholarship offers to students until after their junior year in high school

NCAA may bar scholarship offers to young
If Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant needs any perspective while recruiting, he need only look to his own family.

“I’m a parent of a 14-year-old, and I know right now my son is in no position to make a decision mentally or physically in terms of what he wants to … Read more >>>.

Record-holding guitarist misses scholarship, father demands justice

AGRA – His guitar playing got him into the record books and he also has an excellent academic record. But Agra boy Akash Gupta is in deep despair – he had been dreaming of admission to a top school with full scholarship but has been denied the opportunity for no fault of his.

Akash, 15, was …. Read the original article  : here.

MCI India Disapproves State Government Plans

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- All hopes of State Government to include two new medical colleges for the current academic session was shattered with the approval list announced by MCI India on Tuesday. Reportedly,MCI India (Medical Council Of India) Board of Governors disapproved all plans of the state government to fulfill the vacuum of medical seats.
The two … Original source on Gaea Times at : MCI India Disapproves State Government Plans.

MCI India Urged By PETA

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India has approached MCI India (Medical Council Of India) for replacing the animals that are being used in medical training. Reportedly, MCI India has already disapproved the plan for maintaining an animal house in all medical colleges of the country.
PETA officials have issued letters … Read more »».

Cambodia bans textbooks critical of PM

PHNOM PENH – The Cambodian government banned two books from schools nationwide after finding the text critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling party, local media said Wednesday.

Education Minister Im Sethy said the general knowledge textbooks, which use a question-and-answer format, were no more than political leaflets and should be removed from schools … Read : Cambodia bans textbooks critical of PM.

Jamia extends postgraduate admission date

NEW DELHI – The Jamia Millia Islamia University has extended the last date of completing admission formalities to postgraduate courses till July 19, a statement said Wednesday.

The last dates have been extended for postgraduate courses offered by the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages, Natural Sciences, Law and M.Sc. Electronics.
The final list … Read more : Jamia extends postgraduate admission date.

Belgian city introduces school ban on crosses

Brussels, July 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The administration of the Belgian city of Charleroi has introduced a ban on wearing of both Muslim veils and Christian crosses in local schools.

The ban applies to both primary and comprehensive school students.
In April, the lower chamber of the Belgian parliament approved a bill prohibiting women from wearing full-face …. Source  : Belgian city introduces school ban on crosses.

Northrop Grumman to shut Louisiana shipyard; looks to spin off shipbuilding division

Northrop looks to split ship unit, close shipyard

WASHINGTON – Northrop Grumman said Tuesday that it will close down a Louisiana shipyard and may shed its entire division that makes warships as the Navy shifts its shipbuilding priorities.
The company will close its Avondale facility by 2013 as it consolidates its shipyards on the Gulf Coast. The …. Original article  : Northrop Grumman to shut Louisiana shipyard; looks to spin off shipbuilding division.

Starting salaries of new college graduates drop; study says harder to find work after prison

Starting salaries of new college graduates drop

NEW GRADS PAID LESS: Recent college graduates lucky enough to nab jobs are earning even less than their counterparts did a year ago, according to a recent survey.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers said in its quarterly report on salaries that 2010 graduates’ average starting salary was $48,661, …. Original article  : Starting salaries of new college graduates drop; study says harder to find work after prison.

Government plans two IIITs in northeast

GUWAHATI – The central government Tuesday said it is considering the setting up of two new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) in the northeastern region.

“The locations are being worked out,” Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari said while addressing the All India Editors Conference on Social and Infrastructure Issues here. …. Source  : Government plans two IIITs in northeast.

UAE charity launches health project in Mali, Sierra Leone

Dubai, July 13 (IANS/WAM) UAE-based charity Dubai Cares Tuesday launched a health programme for children in Mali and Sierra Leone, with the aim of improving access to primary education.

The “WASH-in-Schools” programme was launched in partnership with international NGOs.
The programme will directly benefit over 1.7 million children in both the countries, the charity …. Source article  : UAE charity launches health project in Mali, Sierra Leone.

Supreme Court protects Tamil Nadu quota law

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday granted protection to Tamil Nadu’s quota law which provides 69 percent reservation in educational institutions and jobs to scheduled castes and tribes and other backward classes, but advised the state government to revisit the issue.

The apex court bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishna Rao …. Read the original article  : here.

IT@School to give 60,000 DVDs to school teachers in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – IT@School, the Kerala government’s initiative to implement IT-enabled education, has developed a Resource DVD, which will be freely distributed to 60,000 High School teachers in the state.

The teachers would have complete freedom to copy, edit and re-distribute the contents in the DVD, which is prepared entirely on Free Software, the technology arm of …. Read the original article  : IT@School to give 60,000 DVDs to school teachers in Kerala.

‘Education bill will open new vistas of India-US cooperation’

WASHINGTON – The passage of India’s foreign education investment bill could pave the way for unprecedented new opportunities for education cooperation between the US and India, according to a senior US official.

“Imagine the possibilities: there are already over 113,000 Indian students studying in the United States,” said Robert Blake, US assistant secretary of state for …. Original article  : ‘Education bill will open new vistas of India-US cooperation’.

Mumbaikars welcome court nod to ‘best five’ formula

MUMBAI – Academicians, parents and students Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court order asking the Maharashtra government to extend the ‘best five’ formula for Class 11 admission to students of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board.

The formula was earlier proposed to be applied only to Maharashtra’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) board students.
Reacting …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mumbaikars welcome court nod to ‘best five’ formula.

Maharashtra’s ‘best five’ formula to apply to ICSE students

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday gave its nod to the Maharashtra government’s ‘best five’ formula for admission to Class 11 and ordered its extension to students of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board.

While staying the operation of the verdict of the Bombay High Court, an apex court bench of Justice V.S. … Read more >>>.

Teaching tools for India from veteran US educator

NEW DELHI – He is in India with his bag of education tools. Veteran US educator Samuel W. Micklus says creativity and critical thinking are key to education as opposed to learning by rote and he is about to let Indian schools know how.

“Schools relying on rote system and learning by memorisation should actively …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Teaching tools for India from veteran US educator.

Brazil rethinks spanking: Bill asks parents to avoid corporal punishment or undergo counseling

Brazil kids’ bill would outlaw parental spankings

SAO PAULO – In Brazil, a swat to your child’s bottom could soon get you slapped with a warning.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent a bill to Congress on Wednesday proposing that Brazil join the two dozen or so countries around the world that have moved to curb … Read more : Brazil rethinks spanking: Bill asks parents to avoid corporal punishment or undergo counseling.

Illegal immigrants seeking in-state tuition rates hold ‘teach-ins’ at Capitol, White House

Illegal immigrants hold DC ‘teach-in’ to push bill

WASHINGTON – They can’t get citizenship or in-state tuition rates, so they’re taking the next steps – the Capitol and White House steps, that is.
A coalition of student immigrant advocacy groups in Massachusetts, Colorado and California on Wednesday launched a makeshift school in the nation’s capital, reminiscent of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Univ. of Texas to consider taking former law school teacher and Klansman’s name off dorm

Univ. of Texas to mull taking Klansman off dorm

AUSTIN, Texas – The president of the University of Texas will ask the school’s regents to remove the name of a former professor and Ku Klux Klan member from a campus dormitory.
Simkins Hall, a two-story brick dorm built in the 1950s, is named after William Simkins, who … Read more >>>.

Montana school’s elementary sex ed plan draws outrage from parents

Helena school board gets earful on sex ed proposal

HELENA, Mont. – A proposed sex education program that teaches fifth-graders the different ways people have intercourse and first-graders about gay love has infuriated parents and forced the school board to take a closer look at the issue.
Helena school trustees were swamped Tuesday night at a hearing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Montana school’s elementary sex ed plan draws outrage from parents.

Montana sex education proposal draws outrage; first-graders would learn about gay sex

Montana sex education proposal draws outrage

HELENA, Mont. – A proposed sex education curriculum in Montana is drawing outrage because it would teach young children about subjects such as gay sex.
Under the proposal for the Helena school district, kindergartners would be taught proper anatomical terms, first-graders would learn sexual relations could happen between two men or …. Read the original article  : Montana sex education proposal draws outrage; first-graders would learn about gay sex.

IIT’s Youngest Professor Is 22!

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The professors of IITs are mostly in their 40s and 50s and this is common in almost all of the IITs in India. However, the students of the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai’s Powai will be delighted to get very shortly a very young professor who belong to their age …. Original article  : IIT’s Youngest Professor Is 22!.

Minority institutions can’t be forced to implement teachers’ quota: Court

NEW DELHI – The state cannot compel minority institutions to reserve teaching posts for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Supreme Court has said.

The court said that the actions of the state in discharge of its “duties, functions and governance” should be “within constitutional framework”.
The provision of law or a … Original article on : Minority institutions can’t be forced to implement teachers’ quota: Court.

Healthy food advocates launch snack attack on school vending machine junk

Snack attack: Schools try to get the junk out

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s not hard to figure out that stocking school vending machines with sugary sodas and salty, fatty snacks is a bad idea. Replacing those culinary culprits with something more nutritious is tougher.
But a growing number of school districts around the country are trying anyway.
“I … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Healthy food advocates launch snack attack on school vending machine junk.

University of Texas strips name of Klansman, former law professor from dormitory

UT strips Klansman’s name from Austin dorm

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas regents agreed Thursday to strip the name of a former law school professor and early organizer of the Ku Klux Klan from a campus dormitory.
The dorm named after William Stewart Simkins will now be known as Creekside Residence Hall. The two-story brick building …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jamia to introduce semesters at post-graduate level

NEW DELHI – While concerns are being raised over the introduction of the semester system in Delhi University, the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university has gone ahead and introduced it in all its post-graduate courses, an official statement said Thursday.

Around 6,000 students are taking admission to 231 courses in Jamia this academic session. The varsity …. Source article  : Jamia to introduce semesters at post-graduate level.

A first in 30 years, Delhi University to miss opening date

NEW DELHI – A 30-year tradition will be broken when Delhi University (DU)does not begin classes July 16. Due to the implementation of semester system, the academic session begins five days later on July 21.

There was nothing specific related to DU opening June 16, but it had become … Read : A first in 30 years, Delhi University to miss opening date.

At Vacation Liberty School, Kentucky kids get civics lessons with a Christian twist

School aims to re-teach civics with focus on faith

GEORGETOWN, Ky. – Call it vacation Bible school, Glenn Beck-style.
Some three dozen kids ages 10 to 15 are spending five nights this week learning what organizers – some with tea party ties – say they won’t hear in school about the Constitution, the founding fathers and the … Original article on : At Vacation Liberty School, Kentucky kids get civics lessons with a Christian twist.

HRD, health ministries agree on medical education

NEW DELHI – After two months of wrangling over who will control medical education in the country, the human resource development and health ministries appear to have agreed on forming a separate council for recognizing medical colleges across the country, official sources said.

HRD ministry sources say that a separate council will be formed under … Original source on Gaea Times at : HRD, health ministries agree on medical education.

Sarah Palin earned $75k for speech at cash-strapped Calif university

Palin earned $75k to speak at Calif university
FRESNO, Calif. – Capping a long-running dispute, a cash-strapped California public university revealed Friday its foundation arm paid Sarah Palin $75,000 to give a 40-minute speech at a recent anniversary dinner for the campus.
The former vice presidential candidate’s appearance drew intense criticism and scrutiny after …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gay former Air Force officer testifies in lawsuit challenging ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy

Ex-officer testifies in military gay policy trial
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A former Air Force officer who was discharged for being gay has taken the stand in the federal trial of a lawsuit challenging the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Former Maj. Mike Almy testified Friday that he was an award-winning communications officer who served … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gay former Air Force officer testifies in lawsuit challenging ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.

India, Japan to launch joint research project

NEW DELHI – After a collaboration for setting up the Indian Institute of Technology at Hyderabad (IIT-H), India and Japan are now starting a joint research venture to promote educational tie-ups.

According to the Japanese embassy, a five-year joint research project for ‘Information Network for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery’ will be launched Sunday. … Original source on Gaea Times at : India, Japan to launch joint research project.

Gujarat schools to get novel study help

GANDHINAGAR – In a novel move, a special audio-visual programme will be beamed across schools in Gujarat to help students understand difficult subjects in an easy manner.

The programme will be beamed through the Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG) from July 26.
According to an official of the Gujarat Secondary Education Board … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gujarat schools to get novel study help.

Gujarat varsity ties up with UN body

GANDHINAGAR – A university in Gujarat has tied up with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to exchange ideas, share knowledge and pool resources and expertise to develop curriculum and learning materials, an official said Friday.

The Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is the first university in India with which UNITAR has signed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gujarat varsity ties up with UN body.

Rights panel’s notice to Kerala varsity

NEW DELHI – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday issued notice to the Kerala University in Thiruvananthapuram over alleged wrongful confinement of six girl students in a room by the head of the varsity’s Sanskrit department.

The human rights panel has sought a report after a complaint was filed. The girls were research scholars … Read more »».

Well-educated presume they’re more left wing

LONDON – Well-educated people often presume they are more left wing than they actually are and are also less able to recognise their conservative tendencies, research says.

Well-educated people tend to socialise with others who have conservative views and their perception of where the ideological middle ground lies is skewed, wrote James Rockey, economics lecturer at …. Read the original article  : Well-educated presume they’re more left wing.

Banerjee, Hariprasad Chaurasia honoured by IIT-Kharagpur

KHARAGPUR – Atomic Energy Commission chairman Srikumar Banerjee and flautist Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia were conferred honorary Doctor of Science degrees by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here Saturday at its annual convocation.

Banerjee was conferred the award for his outstanding contributions to many materials related areas, basic as well as application oriented, IIT Kharagpur [..] Read the original article: here.

Alternate admission procedure for engineering schools soon: Sibal

KHARAGPUR – A decision on an alternate examination procedure to reduce the pressure on students aiming to enter the elite Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) or other engineering schools will be taken soon, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said Saturday.

“There is a crying need for examination reforms. We will reduce the pressure … Original source on Gaea Times at : Alternate admission procedure for engineering schools soon: Sibal.