Restructuring UGC among Smriti Irani’s top 100-day priorities
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-03/news/50301242_1…
HRD minister Smriti Irani is turning her attention to transforming the University Grants Commission into a bonafide higher education regulator that is in tune with the changing landscape in the sector. Restructuring and refocusing UGC from a grant-disbursing organisation to one that maintains standards and regulates the sector is among Irani's top 100-day priorities.
Ministry officials are already working on the amendments. The amendments, which are still in the works, will broaden the UGC's functions. Sources indicated the proposed amendments would take into consideration the rapid growth in the private sector, the collaborative efforts with foreign institutions and the eventual entry of foreign education providers.
Presidency University opens doors to International Baccalaureate programme
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Presidency-University-o…
Students of foreign boards - such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and the Cambridge Board - had for long complained of the lack of opportunities to study in state-run universities. Only Calcutta University had tweaked its rules to allow them from the 2011-'12 sessions. After Calcutta University which opened its gates to the students from foreign curriculum, this year it's Presidency University. Rabindra Bharati University is on the way of drafting guidelines to allow students from the next academic session.
UK UPDATE
The UK needs to be part of India's further education revolution
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/may/29/uk-india-further-educa…
There can be little doubt that India's growth and development over the last decade or so has been impressive. Estimates indicate that a quarter of the global workforce will come from India. Unlike many nations, India's population is a young one – approximately 67% of the population is considered to be "working age". India has the second-largest higher education system in the world.
Now is the time for the UK to become a relevant partner. There are huge opportunities for UK colleges to work with Indian private colleges to establish systems and structures that address these skills gps. Dame Asha Khemka is principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College and chair of AoC in India writes.
Australian HC promotes prestigious 'Endeavour' scholarships and fellowships - Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/australian-hc-promote…
Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India, Bernard Philip, underlined the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation between his country and India in the education sector, by urging both students and higher education faculty to be aware of and to take advantage of Australia's prestigious "Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships". He said these awards were internationally competitive and merit-based scholarships, and comparable to the Rhodes and Chevening Scholarships of England.
He underpinned the importance of education links in the Australia-Asia context, including in relation to India, which has been sending a sizeable student population to Australia for higher studies for more than sixty years.
Students at Indian B-schools do better than US counterparts on placement front
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-05/news/50359279_1…
More than 91% students at Indian graduate B-schools have a job offer this year compared with 75% last year, making theirs by far the most successful job search story globally so far this year, based on the 2014 Global Management Education Graduate Survey conducted by GMAC (Global Management Admission Council) of 3,049 graduate management students in the class of 2014 at 111 universities in 20 countries. In comparison, students at US B-schools have received job offers (57%) at a rate similar to that in 2013 (58%). Canadian B-schools came in at 37% up from 32% in 2013, while in European B-schools, offers have dropped from 55% last year to 47% this time around.
TRENDS
Career in law a huge hit among students
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Career-in-law-a-huge-hit…
Law is turning out to be the most preferred career for toppers of CBSE class XII irrespective of streams. Rising job opportunities is drawing more and more meritorious students to take up this profession, which was earlier considered something only humanities students can consider.
A big jump – The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/A-big-jump/artic…
More and more Indians are choosing to study abroad, resulting in a surge in the number of those taking the SAT and the Advanced Placement exams. Clay Hensley, senior director, international strategy and relationships, College Board, gives an interview.