Education News – Weekly Newsletter for November 15-22, 2010

US law school rents library for lingerie ad shoot

NEW YORK – A law school in the US has been facing criticism after its students found pictures of semi-naked male and female models in a clothing firm’s advertisements which were shot in the school’s library.

The Brooklyn Law School events director never told administrators about the racy photo shoot by Italian garment maker Diesel …. Original source  : US law school rents library for lingerie ad shoot.

B-Schools syllabi must correspond to Indian challenges: Minister

KOLKATA – Management schools in India should improvise their syllabi to respond to the managerial challenges faced by the Indian companies, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari said here Sunday.

“It is believed that management schools in India teach theories and practices that are relevant in the developed economies of the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : B-Schools syllabi must correspond to Indian challenges: Minister.

Give one percent of earnings for education: Badal to Sikhs

CHANDIGARH – Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Sunday urged established Sikhs all across the world to contribute one per cent of their earnings to provide free quality education to poor children in the state.

“We have called upon the Sikh intellectuals, representatives of social and religious organisations to jointly chalk out an action plan …. Read the original article  : Give one percent of earnings for education: Badal to Sikhs.

IGNOU felicitates 41 South Asian students

NEW DELHI – Dressed in crisp school uniforms, as also traditional attire, winners of the IGNOU-UNESCO Science Olympiad had a gala of a time Sunday at their felicitation ceremony at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) campus here.

The Olympiad was held in August at 102 centres in South Asian Association for Regional … Original source on Gaea Times at : IGNOU felicitates 41 South Asian students.

Land acquisition for Vedanta University quashed

BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa High Court Tuesday quashed the process of land acquisition for Vedanta University in Puri and directed the government to return the acquired land to its owners, a lawyer said.

The division bench of Chief Justice V. Gopal Gouda and Justice B.P. Das delivered their verdict in response to eight petitions, said … Read more »»».

IIMs want more girls, non-engineering students

KOLKATA – The Indian Institutes of Management are now looking to rope in more girl students and those with non-engineering background to get a more diversified variety on their rolls.

Directors of five IIMs from across the country Monday held a conference and felt the need to change the quantitative bias in the Common Admission …. Source article  : IIMs want more girls, non-engineering students.

O’Brien, Bond cast spell at inter-school quiz

NEW DELHI – Derek O’Brien was back at his enthusiastic self amidst an enthralled audience as he fired questions at young contestants at the annual Puffin Quiz for school students in the capital Monday.

The ace quiz-master was accompanied by renowned author Ruskin Bond at the inter-school event where nearly 90 schools from the national …. Source article  : O’Brien, Bond cast spell at inter-school quiz.

Chinese overtake Indians as largest student group in US

WASHINGTON – The Chinese with an over 18 percent student population have overtaken Indians as the largest group of foreigners pursuing higher education in the United States, according to a new report published Monday.

The number of international students at colleges and universities in the US increased by three per cent to a record 690,923 …. Source article  : Chinese overtake Indians as largest student group in US.

We want to go to the moon, schoolkids tell Kalam

BHOPAL – Students of a city-based school had a field day Monday interacting with former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who too received a pleasant surprise when the children told him that they wanted to be astronauts.

Kalam addressed students at the Model Senior Secondary School here, and asked them about their career choices.
Most of … Read : We want to go to the moon, schoolkids tell Kalam.

Sufi university to be set up in Pakistan

KARACHI – A committee has been formed to set up the proposed Sufi university, a Pakistani official said.

The Sindh government Tuesday constituted the panel to suggest the line of action for the university to spread the message of poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the News International reported Wednesday.
The Sindh government has been asked [..] Read the original article: here.

India-US education ties set for major expansion

WASHINGTON – India-US cooperation in the field of education is poised for major expansion with India engaged in massive expansion of the education infrastructure, said Indian ambassador Meera Shankar.

“India sees education as critical for achieving its goals to have inclusive growth and to realise the potential for taking the Indian economy to a higher …. Original article  : India-US education ties set for major expansion.

African students throng Punjab’s private varsity

JALANDHAR – A private university here has seen a surge in the number of foreign pupils, especially from African countries like Nigeria, Tanzania and Congo who make up nearly one-fifth of its international students.

Currently, over 250 students from nearly 16 countries are studying at Lovely Professional University (LPU) – the region’s … Read : African students throng Punjab’s private varsity.

Sibal asks open school to provide vocational training

NEW DELHI – Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday urged the National Institute of Open Schooling to look at providing vocational training to students.

Chairing the 19th general body meeting of the NIOS Society here, he asked NIOS to look at starting a vocational degree in addition to their normal class XII degree. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sibal asks open school to provide vocational training.

IIM-Rohtak gets new director

ROHTAK – P. Rameshan, from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, Tuesday took over as director of the newly established IIM-Rohtak in Haryana.

A Ph.D. in Economics from IIT, Kharagpur, Rameshan was coordinating the activities of the Centre for Strategic WTO (World Trade Organisation) Research at IIM-Kozhikode. He had earlier served at IIM-Lucknow.
Interacting …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : IIM-Rohtak gets new director.

Common exit exam for medical graduates soon

NEW DELHI – Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday said the central government is contemplating holding a common exit exam for medical graduates based upon the recommendations of the Medical Council of India.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Azad said the ‘common exit exam’ has been suggested by the task force constituted …. Read the original article  : Common exit exam for medical graduates soon.

Mukherjee to lay foundation stone of Aligarh varsity centre

ALIGARH – Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will lay the foundation stone of the Aligarh Muslim University’s first outstation centre at Murshidabad in West Bengal Nov 20, an official statement said.

The AMU centre at Murshidabad, 182 km from the Kolkata, will be spread over 300 acres.
The proposed centre will focus on minority education, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

IGNOU launches programme in watershed development

NEW DELHI – A new programme on watershed management has been launched by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), an official said Tuesday.

The one-year diploma programme will commence Jan 1, 2011.
The objectives of the programme are to develop human resource in watershed development and management, introducing the principles of watershed management approach …. Source article  : IGNOU launches programme in watershed development.

24 Gujarat law students assist Supreme Court judges

GANDHINAGAR – Twentyfour students of the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) here are attached to Supreme Court judges as part of their internship, the university said here Wednesday.

“It is a matter of great pride and prestige for us that 24 students of GNLU are being trained while assisting the judges of the Supreme Court. … Read more : 24 Gujarat law students assist Supreme Court judges.

Air Force and Navy now in IGNOU’s community college scheme ambit

NEW DELHI – The community college scheme of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), which aims to empower individuals by providing educational certification, is being extended to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, a statement by the varsity said Wednesday.

According to the statement, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be …. Original source  : Air Force and Navy now in IGNOU’s community college scheme ambit.

Online students as good as classroom peers in studies

WASHINGTON – Online students perform as well as their regular classroom counterparts, says a new study.

A University of Nebraska study in US gauged students’ perception and performance in three undergraduate science courses having both online and classroom versions.
It found that online students did not feel a sense of cohesion, community spirit, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Online students as good as classroom peers in studies.

Sex query baffles candidates at civil service exam in China

BEIJING – Candidates taking the public service exam in a Chinese province were stumped by one question: “Are you satisfied with your sex life?”

Many said they couldn’t understand the purpose of the personal question and wondered why they had to answer it, People’s Daily reported Friday.
“What is the relationship between my sex [..] Read the original article: here.

Sex in New Zealand b-school syllabus for ‘ignorant’ Asians

AUCKLAND – Sex education will be part of the curriculum of a New Zealand business school because managers say many of its students from Asia are “sexually ignorant”.

From next year, the 450 students at Auckland’s Concordia Institute of Business will be required to attend sex education classes to help them “cope with the new-found …. Original article  : Sex in New Zealand b-school syllabus for ‘ignorant’ Asians.

Kendriya Vidyalaya, US foundation sign accord

NEW DELHI – A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) to reinforce their relationship, a press release said Thursday.

This MOU was a part of the ongoing International Education Week (IEW) celebrations across India.
“USIEF executive director Adam J. Grotsky and KVS …. Read the original article  : Kendriya Vidyalaya, US foundation sign accord.

First management aptitude test to be held Feb 20

CHANDIGARH – The All India Management Association (AIMA), the apex body for the management sector, has launched a Management Aptitude and Skills Test (MAST) to evaluate management students across the country, a senior AIMA official said here Saturday. The first test will be held Feb 20, 2011.

Punjab Technical University (PTU) vice chancellor Rajneesh Arora …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : First management aptitude test to be held Feb 20.

From selling candles to helping students fulfil foreign dreams (Feature with images)

CHANDIGARH – From selling candles and fabric to teaching computers and from establishing an overseas student recruitment business to a software outsourcing company, Naresh Gulati has covered an enviable journey to entrepreneurial success.

With a clear dream of becoming an entrepreneur right from childhood, Gulati started his venture in candle retailing with just Rs.5,000. …. Read the original article  : here.

Oxford students say they are worst behaved in Britain

LONDON – It seems like a long, long time when students at Britain’s top university bragged about their brains. Now, undergraduates at Oxford claim they are the “worst behaved” in Britain.

One in three among the university students said they got so “out of their heads” on beer and wine that they urinate or vomit … Read more : Oxford students say they are worst behaved in Britain.

Chhattisgarh tightlipped over security forces vacating schools

RAIPUR – A day after the apex court asked the state government to remove security forces from schools, Chhattisgarh Friday chose to remain tightlipped about when it will begin the process.

“It’s a very complex issue and I can’t comment on it… vacating these schools needs a lot of thought,” a senior official …. Read the original article  : Chhattisgarh tightlipped over security forces vacating schools.

Government considering common entrance for central varsities

NEW DELHI – A common entrance test for central universities is on the cards of the government as vice chancellors of these varsities agree that modification is needed in the present system.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari Friday said there was a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Dikshit stresses moral education in city schools

NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Friday stressed the role of moral education in schools, and noted that society needs “honest and upright” citizens to take the country to greater heights.

Speaking after presenting the Indira Awards 2010 on the birth anniversary of late prime minister Indira Gandhi to best schools, teachers and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dikshit stresses moral education in city schools.

Helping slum children dream big – and go to college

NEW DELHI – Only 30 percent of Delhi’s slum children make it to school beyond the age of 14. But defying the statistics and the odds, a clutch of bright-eyed youngsters is now studying humanities and even engineering in well known colleges – with a little help from an NGO.

Eighteen-year-old Babita looks frail, but … Read : Helping slum children dream big – and go to college.

Super 30 founder to meet ‘Titanic’ director James Cameron

PATNA – Anand Kumar, who founded Bihar’s free coaching centre Super 30 and helped many students enter the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), will share his experience with Hollywood producer and director James Cameron next month.

“I will share the platform with James Cameron during the INK Conference next month,” Anand Kumar told IANS … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Super 30 founder to meet ‘Titanic’ director James Cameron.

British teachers can now frisk students

LONDON – Britain will lay out new rules soon which would allow school teachers to frisk pupils for mobile phones, electronic gadgets and even pornography and cigarettes in a bid to prevent disruption in classrooms.

An education White Paper to be published next week will outline the new rights for teachers to be able to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : British teachers can now frisk students.