Page 416 - Education

Harvard's admission secrets same as 'Coke recipe' safekeeping

The secrets of the admission procedure of the Harvard University for freshmen have been compared to the safekeeping of soft drink secrets.In a lawsuit against the university's use of race while choosing a freshman class, a judge laid out the process for protecting the information about the inner workings of its admissions.U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs told lawyers, "You don't need to put the recipe for Coke into the motion. But you can allude to the fact that there is a recipe for Coke," reported The Washington Post.The main arguments in the court session were whether Harvard's admissions practices discriminate against high-achieving Asian Americans who seek to attend the prestigious university.A group called 'Students for Fair Admissions' argued that students were unjustly turned away because of their race.The group had many documents and other internal information through pre-trial discovery to show that the university's policies violate the civil rights of Asian ...

DU student beaten up, targeted for being 'UP-Bihar wala'

A student was caught on camera being thrashed by a group of students in Delhi University's Kirori Mal College. The incident occurred on March 15, this year.Claiming that he was targeted for money, the victim student alleged that he was referred to as 'UP-Bihar wala'."They used to ask me for money and target me saying--Tum UP-Bihar ke ho yahan tumhari nahi chalti (You are from UP-Bihar, no one will listen to you here)," the student said.He alleged that he approached the police but they did not take him seriously.The entire footage of a group of students assaulting the victim got captured on a CCTV camera. The clip shows how the lot went berserk and cornered the victim in the college premises.

'Parents in unclean occupation?' Haryana asks students, Cong slams the move

The Congress on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana after admission forms released by schools in the state include unrelated personal questions.One question that particularly raised eyebrows was that whether the applicant's parents were engaged in "unclean occupation."Speaking to ANI, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Why do they want to know the bank account number and income tax number of the children's parents? Why do they want to know the Aadhaar number of the children and their parents? Why are they doing racial and religious profiling? And one question even asks if the parents are involved in an 'unclean vocation/profession'."Surjewala called on Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar to clarify the meaning of unclean profession.The 100-question form, mandated by the Haryana's education department, was termed as another attempt of the BJP government at privacy breach, by the Congress leader."To collect information of the ordinary ...

Oxford Univ crash course for 2 Indian teaching Olympiad winners

Two teachers from India have won themselves a two-week classroom course at the University of Oxford by topping a teaching professionals' Olympiad. Nandini Shah, a teacher at the Oberoi International School in Mumbai and Manoj Pillai, who teaches in Kochi, have been named winners of the CENTA Teaching Professionals' Olympiad (TPO). They will now undergo the 'Oxford English Language Teachers' Academy Masterclass' at one of the university's oldest colleges Worcester. "The programme provides a professional development experience and aims at helping the participants refresh and revitalise their teaching strategies and techniques, as also learn the integration of technology in teaching methodology and enhance language skills," an Oxford University Press (OUP) India statement said. The 3rd to 6th rank holders in the English challenger track will undergo the Oxford Teachers' Academy online training program delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford in India; and rank holders 7th ..

A decade and a half of selfless service by IFRF, Haryana

Formed and registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950, ISKCON Food Relief Foundation (IFRF) is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian charitable Public Trust. IFRF under the brand name "Annamrita" has been successfully doing selfless service of providing nutritious cooked meals to the Municipal and Government aided schools, free of charge.The word "Annamrita" means 'food as pure as nectar' and IFRF, Haryana justifies the same through its virtuous work of providing nutritious food full of mother's warmth to the underprivileged children. With the aim of providing Satvik Aahar to the children, IFRF ensures healthy food with right nutrition to the children that help them in their formative years.Over the course of time, many notable figures have been a part of IFRF's noble cause. On the occasion of her 44th birthday, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan sponsored meals for 1,000 students for a year under the Mid-Day Meal Programme run by "Annamrita". Other notable figures like Hema Malini and Sheila ..

Quota protest: Students block Dhaka-Rajshahi highway

The Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway in front of the Rajshahi University was blocked on Tuesday by about 700 students over a demand for reforming the existing quota system for recruitment in government services.According to the Daily Star, the students took out a procession from the university's central library premises, boycotting classes and other academic activities.The daily also reported that students of Varendra University, RUET and North Bengal International University joined the protest on the highway on the same issue.Placards were also shown shunning Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury for comparing the agitating quota reformists to Razakars.Security was deployed to prevent any untoward situation in the campus and adjoining surroundings."We want a specific declaration by Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna," Nurul Haque, joint convener of the leading platform Bangladesh General Students' Rights Protection Forum, said in a press conference this morning.

5,000 schools in Rajasthan to have computer labs: Edu minister

The Rajasthan government has decided to equip 5,000 schools in the state with computer labs, Education Minister Vasudev Devnani has said. The minister made the announcement at a press conference here yesterday. "Computer labs will be opened in 5,000 schools in Rajasthan and 60,000 teachers in the state are being provided computer training," he said, adding that 28,000 laptops are being distributed to meritorious students. Devnani said that 7,250 schools are being upgraded from primary to middle, middle to secondary and secondary to senior secondary institutes. "More than 5,000 schools have been upgraded and now, every gram panchayat headquarter will be have one senior secondary school," the minister said. Over 70,000 teachers will be appointed soon, he said. The minister also announced that 55 schools here will have smart class rooms. "Bharat Darshan" galleries will be opened in schools. These will have photos, posters, write-ups and other material from which students can learn about .

Manmohan Singh donates 3,500 books to Panjab University

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has donated 3,500 books from his personal library to his alma mater Panjab University (PU) here, a university official said on Wednesday.

Are your parents in 'unclean occupation', Haryana admission form asks kids

The school students above primary classes have also been asked to mention their along with their parents' Aadhaar numbers, parents' occupation and educational qualification

Haryana's 100-pointer school admission form creates flutters

School students in Haryana have been asked to fill a lengthy admission form giving details like whether they are suffering from genetic disorders or their parents are engaged in any "unclean occupation", prompting the opposition to hit out at the state government. Students above primary classes have also been asked to mention their and their parents' Aadhaar numbers, parents' occupation and educational qualification in the admission form. The form also seeks to know "whether parents of students are engaged in unclean occupation, whether they are income tax payees, their religion and caste details, genetic disorder, if any, besides students' bank details". Commenting on the development, the Congress said the BJP-led state government was indulging in "racial and religious profiling". Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala in a series of tweets said, "Khattar (Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar) Govt issues a 100 point Students Admission Form. It is really a Surveillance of ...

Melania Trump comforts student who spilled water at event

Melania Trump's soft side was witnessed on Tuesday when a boy from a visiting group of students accidentally spilled a glass of water at the Blue Room in the White house."No problem. Don't worry. It's just water, okay," The First Lady of the United States told the student.The group of students from a local middle school was there to meet Melania to exchange views on struggles and challenges they were facing in their lives.During the meeting, she invited the students to share how they felt about being there at the White House, following which the students took turns to write a word on the board describing their feeling.The last student wrote 'energised' and on his way back to his seat, knocked over the glass of water, to which Melania responded by putting a hand on his shoulder and reassuring him.

Gurgaon: Pvt univ student alleges ragging, 2 suspended

A second year fine arts student of a private university here has claimed physical assault and ragging by his seniors from engineering stream, with the varsity officials saying the accused students have been suspended and a report of the case sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC). The student alleged that he was "brutally" beaten by the seniors on April 5 within the campus premises in a bid to "rag" him and was threatened with dire consequences. A complaint in this regard was made by the student's sister to the anti ragging cell of the UGC. The sister told PTI that the university officials "pressured" her brother to change the statement from "ragging to only physical assault". However, the university officials have denied the charge levelled by the complainant's sister but admitted that physical assault took place inside the campus after which the accused students were suspended and a report sent to the UGC. Considering the gravity of the matter, we have conducted an internal

Haryana creates Rs 10 cr fund to encourage students to set up startups

The Haryana government has made a provision of Rs 10 crore to support students studying in colleges and universities for launching their own start-ups, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said today. Addressing the students after inaugurating the start-up Incubator-cum-Center of Excellence at Government Post-Graduate College in Panchkula, near here, he said this was the first-of-its kind centre set up in the state. "It is an important step towards realisation of vision of Digital India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The youth does not lack talent, it has to be recognized appropriately," he added. The Centre would promote entrepreneurship at all levels among the aspiring youth of the state, he said. Spread over an area of 3,000 square feet, the centre would primarily cater to four government colleges of Panchkula district namely, Government Postgraduate College, Sector-1, Government Post Graduate Women's College, Sector-14, Government College, Barwala and Government College, Kalka, ..

Haryana seeks religion, 'unclean occupation' data from schoolkids

BJP-ruled Haryana's Education Department has stirred a controversy by asking students in private schools to furnish personal and family data, including religion, caste, bank account number and Aadhaar details as well as if their parents "(are) engaged in (an) unclean occupation".

Sitharaman appeals budding entrepreneurs to contribute to

Defence MinisterNirmala Sitharamantoday urged the management graduates to contribute in the area of public administrationinstead of thinking only about getting jobs. "...Look at bringing in reforms, bringing in modernised ways of administration and doing a lot of work so that India as a country is better governed. "Look at services that reach people (and) not just to MNCs (multinational companies), may be Indian-origin MNCs require your service but public administration also requires help from the people like you," she said while addressing the 7th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur, in Sejbahar here. Sitharaman said, "I would think it is important for you to not just think in terms of getting jobs only but to look at what you can contribute to the society as individuals, as entrepreneurs and as administrators". "I think you should think out-of-box (and) not just rush to (get) jobs...think about new work," she added. Sitharaman cited

Himachal varsity among top 5 universities of north India

Shoolini University in Himachal Pradesh's Solan has emerged as one of the top five private universities of north India as per rankings given by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) set up by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry, the varsity said on Tuesday.

Hope Calcutta Boys' School will help make Bengal vibrant: Guv

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi today expressed hope that the 141-year-old Calcutta Boys' School will help in the making of a resurgent and vibrant Bengal. Tripathi, who unveiled the plaque of the new state-of-the-art block, the 'Commemoration Building, of the premier heritage educational institution, said it will continue to withstand the vagaries of time and be a part of a new Bengal. "Being an amalgamation of collective wisdom, the institution is a place for excellence in education and co-curricular activities and holds a position among the top institutions in the country," the Governor said in his address. Tripathi said the new block will give a tremendous boost to the ongoing restoration and renovation drive of the school, founded by Rev James Mills Thoburn in 1877. Union Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar, who was also part of the inauguration of the new unit, said the acronym of The Calcutta Boys' School (CBS) stands for Character, Brain

Cancelled exams in Punjab rescheduled to April 27: CBSE

The CBSE on Tuesday announced April 27 as the rescheduled date to conduct class 10 and 12 exams in Punjab, which had to be cancelled due to 'Bharat Bandh' in the state.

Schools should be able to produce conscientious citizens:

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi today urged the schools in the state to create an "intellectually imbued" society for students. Speaking at the closing ceremony of silver jubilee celebrations of Maharishi Vidya Mandir (MVM) Senior Secondary School here, the Governor said, "I feel the main purpose of education is to produce good, productive and conscientious citizens. I urge upon the teachers to use their noble vocation to churn out good and conscientious citizens." Referring to Aristotle, who once said that a civilised society is one where good people become good citizens, Mukhi every generation is expected to make the society better for its children. "Today's students are very likely to become leaders in their chosen walks of life tomorrow," he said. Appreciating the contribution of MVM, the governor said the school, in the past 25 years, supported its students by providing them equal opportunities and challenges. Mukhi congratulated the faculty members on this occasion ...

Class 10, 12 exams postponed in Punjab to be held on April 7: CBSE

The CBSE today announced that the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations that were postponed in Punjab due to the 'Bharat bandh' on April 2 will now be conducted on April 27. At the request of the state government in view of bandh called by several Dalit organisations against the alleged dilution of the SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had postponed the exams scheduled on April 2. It has been decided to conduct the cancelled examination in Punjab on April 27. The roll numbers and examination centres already allotted to the students will remain the same, said K K Chaudhury, Controller of Examinations, CBSE. While Class 12 students were supposed to appear for the Hindi exam, language exams of French, Sanskrit and Urdu were scheduled for Class 10 on that day. The board had then said that it had received a letter of request, dated April 1, from the director general (school education) of the Punjab government to postpone all its ...