Education News – Weekly Newsletter for February 14-21, 2011

Snake slithers into school bag in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – A three feet long poisonous snake found in the school bag of a class five student in Orissa triggered panic in the school campus, the boy’s father said Monday.

The staff and the students of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir in the Bhimtangi area here received this shock Saturday.
Chiranjib Das went to school …. Read the original article  : Snake slithers into school bag in Orissa.

India raises issue of sham US varsity students

WASHINGTON – Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has sought US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s personal intervention to ensure that the interests of over 1,500 Indian students of a sham California university are protected and their future is not jeopardised.

Krishna raised the plight of the Indian students of the dubious Tri Valley University …. Read the original article  : India raises issue of sham US varsity students.

Indian students will be dealt with fairness, Krishna told

NEW YORK – The US Sunday assured India that Indian students, who were victims of a sham university in California, will be dealt with “fairness”, when External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna spoke to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In their 15-minute telephonic conversation, Krishna also discussed Clinton’s forthcoming visit to India, expected in April, …. Read the original article  : Indian students will be dealt with fairness, Krishna told.

Panjab University gets own community radio

CHANDIGARH – In a bid to highlight developmental issues and the problems of the people, the Panjab University (PU) here Sunday got its own “Jyotirgamaya” community radio.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni inaugurated the radio station at the School of Communication Studies building on the university campus.
“Considering the reach of radio … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Panjab University gets own community radio.

Briton used air freshener on Asian kids

LONDON – A nursery teacher in Britain sprayed air freshener on Asian children who smelt of curry, a disciplinary panel was told.

Fortyeight-year-old Elizabeth Davies is alleged to have told a colleague: “There’s a waft coming in from paradise.”
The Sun reported that Davies is accused of spraying children who broke wind and she … Original source on Gaea Times at : Briton used air freshener on Asian kids.

India, smaller Asian economies to lead growth

TORONTO – Smaller Asian economies and India will lead in global growth in the next year, says an international survey of asset management, private equity and hedge fund executives.

The survey, commissioned by Toronto-based RBC Capital Markets, the corporate and investment banking arm of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) headquartered here, says global growth …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India, smaller Asian economies to lead growth.

Kerala boards students groan as World Cup nears

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – How does it feel to have the entire universe conspire against you? For an answer, ask any Class 10 or 12 student in Kerala who will have to miss the cricket World Cup as the dates overlap with the state and central board exams.

“My parents have declared that there will be no …. Original source  : Kerala boards students groan as World Cup nears.

Nirupama Rao to take up sham US varsity issue with Clinton

WASHINGTON – Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is expected to take up the issue of some 1500 Indian students of a sham US university with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday.

Ahead of the meeting, Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar conveyed to Clinton the details on the issue of Indian students of Tri-Valley University in California, … Read more >>.

NDC creates history with first-ever doctorate viva

NEW DELHI – The National Defence College (NDC), India’s premier defence studies institution affiliated to the Madras University, has entered history books by holding its first-ever viva-voce for a doctorate degree.

The NDC, a capital-based institution which conducts Master of Philosophy courses for serving armed forces officers, held the viva-voce for awarding Ph.D. in …. Original article  : NDC creates history with first-ever doctorate viva.

Girls outshine boys at Panjab University convocation

CHANDIGARH – Girls clearly outnumbered boys at the 60th annual convocation function at Panjab University (PU) here Monday. Out of the 479 students who were awarded degrees, 351 were girls.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni was the chief guest at the convocation, while Punjab Governor and Chandigarh administrator Shivraj Patil presided over … Read more »»».

Rahul interacts with students in Shillong

SHILLONG – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi visited this Meghalaya capital Monday to interact with students of the North Eastern Hill University on a range of issues from corruption to price rise and insurgency.

Gandhi was here for a session “Rendezvous with Rahul Ji”. He was scheduled to visit Sikkim capital Gangtok earlier in the … Original article on : Rahul interacts with students in Shillong.

Rebuilding Indian students’ faith post-Oz attacks: Varghese

NEW DELHI – The Australian government is trying its best to rebuild the faith of Indian students after the 2009 “racist attacks” on students studying in the country, the Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese said here Wednesday.

“We know the attacks have left a deep scar on the minds of the students, but …. Source article  : Rebuilding Indian students’ faith post-Oz attacks: Varghese.

Paid internship in professional studies in Haryana

CHANDIGARH – The Haryana government has decided to provide paid internship to students of professional courses in different sections of the school education department in the state.

Officials said internship would be provided to students studying engineering and post-graduation in management, social welfare, journalism and mass communication at recognised universities and institutions in Haryana.
“Students, … Read more >>>.

US assures India of `fair solution’ to sham varsity issue

WASHINGTON – The US has assured India that it’s looking at a “fair solution” of the issue of some 1,500 Indian students affected by the closure of a sham US university on charges of visa fraud.

The assurance came when Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao took up the issue with US Undersecretary of State …. Original article  : US assures India of `fair solution’ to sham varsity issue.

School fees now deductible from income tax in Mexico

Mexico City, Feb 16 (IANS/EFE) Mexico has passed a new law that allows citizens to deduct the payment of private school fees from their income tax.

The rule will apply to education ranging from pre-school to high school. Taxpayers will be able to deduct the amount spent on the studies of their children, parents … Read more »»».

Dalai Lama to felicitate Super 30 founder

PATNA – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will Saturday felicitate Anand Kumar, who founded Bihar’s free coaching centre Super 30 and helped many underprivileged students enter the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace laureate, will felicitate Anand Kumar at a programme in Mumbai organised by the Bihar Foundation, … Read : Dalai Lama to felicitate Super 30 founder.

Three more Indian students freed of radio tags

WASHINGTON – As the US promised to cooperate with India to resolve the issue of affected Indian students of a sham US university, three more students have been freed of radio monitor tags by authorities.

With the three new removals Wednesday, the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) has freed five of the 18 Indian …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sham university: US promises to cooperate with India

WASHINGTON – The US has promised to cooperate with India to resolve the issue of affected Indian students of a sham US university, but said it’s hard to say what is possible pending a full probe.

The issue “remains under investigation”, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters Wednesday when asked about the status of …. Original source  : Sham university: US promises to cooperate with India.

Indian varsities fuel Mauritius”knowledge hub’ dream

NEW DELHI – Private Indian universities setting up campuses in Mauritius are helping the island nation off the African coast realise its vision of transforming into a knowledge hub.

Two of the largest private universities in India, the DY Patil Medical College and Amity University, are in the process of setting up their campuses in …. Read the original article  : Indian varsities fuel Mauritius’ ‘knowledge hub’ dream.

‘Fine arts teaching is lagging in universities’

AGRA – With very little attention given to arts education in Indian universities, the country’s classical art forms could end up as the biggest casualty, according to experts.

Even while India boasts of a magnificent variety of classical dance forms, they are under threat of Western dance invasion as children are taking to salsa, hip … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Fine arts teaching is lagging in universities’.

Panjab varsity to hold first alumni meet Saturday

CHANDIGARH – Panjab University (PU), one of the oldest universities in the country that is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s alma mater, is organising its first university-level alumni meet Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra will deliver the inaugural address at the meet and several former students are expected to participate.
PUs Dean-Alumni Relations Bhupinder … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Panjab varsity to hold first alumni meet Saturday.

New IIIT to be set up in West Bengal

KOLKATA – The central government has approved the plan to set up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in West Bengal, the state’s Information Technology Minister Debesh Das said here Thursday.

“The government of West Bengal has got an IIIT. The centre has sanctioned our proposal for setting up of …. Read the original article  : here.

Dalai Lama to address Mumbai University students

MUMBAI – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will address around 500 students of the Mumbai University here Friday, a varsity official said.

“The Dalai Lama will talk to students on ‘Ancient Wisdom, Modern Thought’ and then take questions from them, the official told IANS.
“The university had initiated talks with the Dalai … Read more : Dalai Lama to address Mumbai University students.

Panjab University teacher resigns

CHANDIGARH – A Panjab University (PU) professor, who was accused by his students of making derogatory remarks, Thursday submitted his resignation to the varsity vice chancellor.

Dinesh Kumar Gupta resigned both as the chairperson of the University Business School (UBS) and from the post of professor, and tendeerd to the university a cheque of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Panjab University teacher resigns.

Indian students have highest transition rate to work in New Zealand

WELLINGTON – Students from India have the highest rate of transition to work in New Zealand after completing their studies, followed by their Chinese counterparts, a minister has said.

While 72 percent of Indian students who come to New Zealand get job, the corresponding figure for China is 43 percent, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman … Original article on : Indian students have highest transition rate to work in New Zealand.

We need to outbuild, outeducate and outhustle the world: Obama

WASHINGTON – For once US President Barack Obama did not name India as he underlined the importance of math and science education in pushing for more education funding despite the federal government’s growing fiscal crisis.

Arguing that the investment is needed to ensure America’s global competitiveness, he told an audience of Intel Corp. workers in …. Read the original article  : We need to outbuild, outeducate and outhustle the world: Obama.

Parents wary of rising cost of kids’ education: Survey

NEW DELHI – A majority of parents in the country are concerned about the rising cost of their children’s education, even more than their health, lifestyle or marriage, a survey released here said Friday.

The report “Aviva Education Insights”, by research company IMRB International reflected the concerns and aspirations of young parents for their … Read more >>.

English-reading software introduced in seven schools

NEW DELHI – To improve written and spoken English and comprehension of the language among students in schools, a read-to-me software has been introduced in seven schools in the capital.

The software, introduced in four government and three private schools here Friday, enables students to master spoken as well as written English through a text-to-speech …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : English-reading software introduced in seven schools.

Reading test for British kids to include ‘non-words’

LONDON – The British government has drawn up new plans to include “made-up” words such as “koob” or “zort” in a new reading test for six-year-olds – an idea that has brought about criticism from literary experts.

The government said non-words were being included to check pupils’ ability to decode words using phonics.
This is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Reading test for British kids to include ‘non-words’.