Education News – Weekly Newsletter for January 17-24, 2011

Delhi schools reopen as cold wave offers respite

NEW DELHI – Schools in Delhi reopened Monday after the biting cold of earlier weeks abated somewhat, putting an end to the extended winter vacation.

The schools run by the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and private managements reopened after the government extended their closure till Jan 13 due …. Read the original article  : Delhi schools reopen as cold wave offers respite.

Flashmob dance, run – Delhi’s fun ways to fight corruption

NEW DELHI – Don’t be surprised if you see a group of youngsters breaking into an impromptu jig at a mall or even at the India Gate. Students of Delhi University have planned flashmob dances and a run as novel ways to protest against corruption.

A flashmob is a group of people who assemble in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mother of two enrols in class 1 with her kids

ISLAMABAD – A 25-year-old woman in Pakistan enrolled in class 1 with her two children – in fulfilment of her lifelong dream to be educated.

Asma, a resident of Daudkhel in Punjab province, enrolled in the primary class with her two children in the Government Girls School in Mianwali.
When the school teacher asked …. Original article  : Mother of two enrols in class 1 with her kids.

Schools reopen in Uttar Pradesh as cold abates

LUCKNOW – The schools were reopened Monday after a mini winter vacation declared due to the intense cold conditions here earlier this month.

The schools were closed following the directives of Chief Minister Mayawati.
Wearing gloves, caps, and warm clothes, students of varied age groups were back to their schools on buses, cycles and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Schools reopen in Uttar Pradesh as cold abates.

Nepal president to visit alma mater in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH – Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav will be chief guest at the annual convocation at his alma mater Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in February.

Yadav, 62, did his postgraduation in internal medicine in 1985 from the leading medical institute. He will attend the 31st convocation of PGIMER in the first …. Original article  : Nepal president to visit alma mater in Chandigarh.

Canadian varsity to set up first India Chair

TORONTO – Canada’s Carleton University will soon have an India Chair to promote research and understanding about the emerging South Asian giant.

The Ottawa-based university will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian government Jan 24 for setting up the India Chair at its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and … Read more »»».

Canada to have first full-fledged India Chair

TORONTO – Canada’s Carleton University will soon have an India Chair to promote research and understanding about the emerging South Asian giant.

The Ottawa-based university signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian government Monday for setting up the India Chair at its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.
After … Read : Canada to have first full-fledged India Chair.

India offers scholarships to Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR – The Indian government has offered 20 scholarships to Malaysians wanting to pursue courses in ayurveda, siddha, homeopathy and unani in India for the academic year 2011-12 and onwards.

The decision follows the visit to Malaysia of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last October.
The high commission has invited applications from Malaysian nationals who …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Things much better for Indian students in Australia: Envoy (Interview)

CHANDIGARH – With things turning out to be a “lot calmer” in recent months vis–vis Indian students in Australia, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter N. Varghese said that the safety of Indian students there is an issue that is “behind us”.

Varghese said the Australian government had taken a series of measures which had … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Things much better for Indian students in Australia: Envoy (Interview).

Mandatory test for teachers’ eligibility soon: Sibal

NEW DELHI – Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Monday said that a Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) will soon be made mandatory for teachers as the Right to Education Act is implemented.

Speaking at the meeting of central and state regulatory institutions for School education, the minister said that this test will be as …. Read the original article  : Mandatory test for teachers’ eligibility soon: Sibal.

Virtual education fair hosts top foreign varsities

NEW DELHI – Eighteen top Australian universities, including five listed among the world’s top 100, are taking part in a virtual education fair here, a statement said Monday.

Hosted by IDP Education, the country’s top university placement forum for higher education in the US and Australia, the event was inaugurated Monday.
Students are chatting live … Read more : Virtual education fair hosts top foreign varsities.

Tripura not to follow new education policy yet

AGARTALA – The Left Front government in Tripura will not follow the central government’s guidelines for school admissions as the state is yet to pass the necessary laws, officials said Monday.

“The Tripura government has decided to follow the prevailing norms of lottery system for admission and the children would be admitted according to their … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tripura not to follow new education policy yet.

It’s back to school for children in the plains (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – With the sun breaking through and the days getting warmer, it was back to school for children in the national capital and neighbouring states Monday, leaving the authorities and parents now worrying about making up for the lost working days.

After an extended winter vacation resulting from the persistant cold wave …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bangaloreans’ 48-hour run/pedal to fund education

BANGALORE – People in this tech hub have found a new way to raise funds to help educate the poor children and in the process, stay fit.

For 48 hours from 5 p.m. Friday, groups of people will run or cycle to raise at least Rs.200,000 to fund an NGO to educate the poor children … Original article on : Bangaloreans’ 48-hour run/pedal to fund education.

Sulabh founder to address Cambridge University students

LONDON – An Indian social activist campaigning for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers has been invited to interact with the students of Cambridge University.

Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, will share his views on the issue of human rights and his experience while campaigning against the practice of manual scavenging in various parts … Original article on : Sulabh founder to address Cambridge University students.

Delhi plans upgrade of facilities in 400 schools

NEW DELHI – The Delhi government Wednesday said it would start work in a month on strengthening infrastructure in its 400 schools to avoid a repeat of a stampede in a school in Khajoori Khas in east Delhi in 2009 in which five students were killed.

Appearing before Delhi High Court’s division bench of Chief …. Read the original article  : here.

Lovely slams schools for costly admission forms

NEW DELHI – Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely Thursday lashed out at schools which are forcing parents to buy costly forms for their children’s nursery admission.

The minister was reacting to a sting operation conducted by CNN-IBN on various public schools which showed how the institutions were fleecing parents by charging anything between …. Original source  : Lovely slams schools for costly admission forms.

Cabinet approves Rs.322 crore for drug research institute

NEW DELHI – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved a revised Rs.322.51 crore proposal of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for its project of setting up a world-class drug research institute at Lucknow.

The estimated cost of the project likely to be completed March 2011 has been enhanced … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cabinet approves Rs.322 crore for drug research institute.

Girls draw a blank in AMU students union poll

ALIGARH – None of the girls won when they contested for the top posts in the Aligarh Muslim University Students Union for the first time, despite women students comprising nearly half the electorate.

Asma Jawed, a research scholar in the Department of Hindi, contested for the post of president and Somya Pundhir, first-year …. Original article  : Girls draw a blank in AMU students union poll.

Panjab University honour to come home to Khushwant Singh

CHANDIGARH – Noted author-journalist Khushwant Singh will be honoured by Panjab University with a D.Litt. degree at a special function at his residence in New Delhi next month, a university spokesman said Saturday.

The decision was taken by the university’s syndicate keeping his age and health in mind, the official said.
Khushwant Singh, 96, had …. Original source  : Panjab University honour to come home to Khushwant Singh.

Delhi University to host Northeast Students Festival

NEW DELHI – With an avowed aim to foster a special bond with students of the northeast and make them more aware of safety measures, the Delhi University will organise a Northeast Students Festival here Monday.

S.K. Vij, dean of students welfare, Delhi University, Friday said: \”The main aim of the fest – Empowering Youth: The …. Source  : Delhi University to host Northeast Students Festival.

‘Old teaching methods more suited for retaining knowledge’

LONDON – Old-fashioned ways of teaching like reciting times-tables and verb conjugations are better than trendy new teaching methods, say researchers.

Researchers believe that reciting facts shortly after learning them is better than many new-style educational methods.
The “simple recall” seems to cement the knowledge “in memory” so it is more permanently embedded … Read : ‘Old teaching methods more suited for retaining knowledge’.

China to help develop Nalanda International University: Envoy

PATNA – China will provide all possible help for the development of Nalanda International University in Bihar, Chinese envoy to India Zhang Yan said Friday during his visit to Nalanda district.

Zhang Yan, who arrived here Thursday on a two-day visit, first by a Chinese diplomat in decades, would hold discussions with the chancellor and … Read more >>>.

Afghan students promise to return to Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Nearly 60 Afghan students who fled a Cuttack university after a clash with locals have pledged to return to Orissa only if they can stay here. The authorities have accepted the condition.

The students of Ravenshaw University at Cuttack, 26 km from here, quit Orissa after a clash with local students Jan 13 … Original article on : Afghan students promise to return to Orissa.

Doctorate holder in China sells thesis to pay loan

SHANGHAI – A PhD holder in Shanghai has opened an online store to sell his thesis to pay for his mortgage.

The 30-year-old PhD holder, a full-time company employee, said he was using his “academic gift” to write essays for others in his spare time.
He earns 10,000 yuan ($1,500) to 20,000 yuan for each … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Doctorate holder in China sells thesis to pay loan.