NEWS
1. UGC Forms Panel to Create Model Syllabus for Manuscript Study Courses
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established a specialized committee for crafting model syllabi for courses around manuscriptology and paleography. Manuscriptology is the study & exploration of history and literature through handwritten documents, while paleography belongs to the study of ancient writing systems primarily from classical and medieval eras.
Led by Prafulla Mishra, former director of the National Mission for Manuscripts, the 11-member committee, comprises individuals such as Malhar Kulkarni, a professor at IIT-Mumbai; Vasant Bhatt, former Director of the School of Languages at Gujarat University; and Jatindra Mohan Mishra, a Sanskrit professor at NCERT, Delhi.
2. Delhi Government Enforces Mobile Phone Ban, Launches Foreign Language Program, and Adopts Online Attendance System in Schools
The Delhi government issued a directive prohibiting the use of mobile phones by both students and teachers within classrooms, laboratories, and playgrounds across public and private schools. The Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a notification emphasizing that parents must ensure their children refrain from bringing mobile phones onto school premises.
The directive the use of Mobile Phones definitely needs to be regulated in school premises and therefore all stakeholders connected with school education such as students, parents, teachers and the heads of schools need to arrive at a consensus on the minimum use of mobile phones in their school.
Official: https://www.edudel.nic.in/upload/upload_2023_24/7100_7104_dt_10082023.PDF
3. IIT Delhi Adapts New Evaluation System, Drops Mid-Semester Exams to Check Students’ Stress
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) has adopted a comprehensive transformation of its assessment method, removing one set of mid-semester examinations.
The institute director, Rangan Banerjee revealed that this strategic move arises amidst growing concerns regarding student suicides across various IITs, prompting an examination of the potential link between the demanding academic curriculum and student’s mental well-being.
The institute’s director, Rangan Banerjee told in an interview with PTI that now there will be two sets of exams besides routine evaluations.
4. IIT-Delhi Plans for New Campuses in Jhajjar and Sonipat, Abu Dhabi Campus Set for 2024 Launch
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), is gearing up to establish two new campuses in Haryana’s districts of Jhajjar and Sonipat. Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, announced this news, highlighting that the ambitious endeavor is scheduled to reach completion by November 2023.
The Sonipat campus will notably house the IoE-funded SATHI building, expected to be finalized by the end of November 2023, with a project cost totaling Rs. 59.73 Crore. Meanwhile, the Jhajjar campus is poised to pioneer a groundbreaking initiative as India’s pioneering institute focused on Patient-Specific Drug Development for Cancer Treatment.
5. Bihar Government Declares ₹10,000 Reward for Government School Students Achieving First Division in 10th Boards
In a move to encourage academic excellence and foster educational aspirations, the Bihar government has introduced a reward system for students who secure a First Division in the Class 10th Board Examination from government schools within the state. The notification of this initiative was conveyed by the state education department through the X platform (formerly Twitter).
Under this scheme, a cash prize of ₹10,000 will be directly transferred via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to boys and girls who achieve a First Division in the 10th grade from government schools in Bihar. This noteworthy incentive is being administered under the Mukhyamantri Balak Balika Protsahan Yojna (MBBPY).
6. Supreme Court Bars B.Ed. Degree Holders from Teaching Primary Classes
Recently, upholding the Rajasthan High Court Judgement, the Supreme Court of India gave a verdict that B.Ed degree holders don’t possess the necessary pedagogical skills to effectively engage with students of primary classes (Class 1 to 5).
The court’s decision overturns the 2018 notification issued by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), which had specified a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree as a qualification for primary teachers. A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia, emphasized that elementary education has to be of good ‘quality’, and not just a ritual or formality.
7. Parliament Passes Indian Institute of Management Bill, Designating the President as ‘Visitor’
Recently, the Indian parliament passed the Indian Institute of Management (Amendment) Act, 2023, seeking to ensure accountability of the IIMs. The act designates the President of India as Visitor of every Institute under the Act. As a visitor, the President will also be given powers to audit their functioning and to approve or appoint directors, on the basis of an advisory board of the central government, in this case, the Ministry of Education. Under the Act, the board may remove the director from office on grounds such as: insolvency, mental and physical incapacity, conflict of interest. The Act also requires prior approval of the Visitor (President in this case) before removing any Director and an authority to terminate any director’s service.
Scholarship/Event:
1. E-Yantra Robotics Competition
The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (II-TB) has launched the 2023-24 edition of its e-Yantra Robotics Competition (eYRC 2023-24) on them ‘The Space Beyond’.
Who can participate: Open to full-time Engineering/ Science/ Polytechnic/ Arts students enrolled in universities/ colleges for a degree in any discipline. Students must register as a team of 2-4 members; team members can be of any year/ branch/ department but must belong to the same college/ institution. Each student can join only one team. One member of the team should be designated as the team leader.
Last date: August 25
For more details, visit: https://portal.e-yantra.org/
2. Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship
The K. C. Mahindra Education Trust (KCMET) invites applications for its annual Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship (MAITS) 2023 to encourage and support students from low-income families who wish to pursue a job-oriented Diploma course from recognized Government Polytechnic Institutes in India. Shortlisted candidates will have to attend an interview.
Eligibility: Should have passed the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams with more than 60% marks and have secured admission in a government or recognized Polytechnic Institute.
For details, visit www.kcmet.org To apply go to https://maitsscholarship.kcmet.org/
Last Date: August 20 (Tamil Nadu); August 30 (Karnataka and Telangana)
3. HST Startup Grand Challenge
IIT Mandi’s Technology Business Incubator, Catalyst, is hosting the seventh edition of its Annual Flagship Event, Himalayan Startup Trek (HST).
Themes: The New Age Alliance – Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); The Foothill Innovators Challenge – Build for the Himalayas; The Habitable World Challenge – Environment and Sustainability
When: September 29 to October 1
Deadline: August 20
To apply and for more details on the themes and their problem statements,
Visit: www.iitmandicatalyst.typeform.com/hst2023
4. International Teachers Olympiad 2023:
ITO 2023 is set to attract registrations from over 300,000 teachers across 10,000+ schools and 45+ countries. Following the successful 2022 edition, ITO 2023 is set to attract registrations from over 300,000 teachers across 10,000+ schools and 45+ countries. Suraasa, a career growth platform for educators, is organizing the event.
Registration: The registration window opens on August 15, 2023, accessible at https://suraasa.co/international-teachers-olympiad
Registration fee: Rs 549
Olympiad Date: The Olympiad is scheduled for October 7, 2023, and is open to aspiring, in-service, and retired teachers.
Assessment: During the one-hour assessment, teachers’ performance will be evaluated, and they’ll receive a confidential pedagogy report highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Growth plans for the next 6 months will also be provided.
Rewards: Rs 30 Lakh Cash Prize
