Cambridge schools to introduce nine new courses

Mumbai: Come 2009, students studying in schools which follow the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) curriculum, will have more choices as the CIE is planning to introduce nine new courses in the year.

The CIE will introduce new courses in 2009 at the A (Advanced)-level as well as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) level.

This includes Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) at the A-level and IGCSE International Mathematics & 21st Century Science.

Abha Dharam Pal, Principal of Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said, "These new courses will naturally give a wider choice to students. While we cannot do away with conventional subjects, these will give students a new outlook and groom them in techniques not available before".

Elaborating on GPR, Kevin Stannard, Director of International Curriculum Development, CIE, said that the two-year course will enable students to develop critical thinking and research skills.

"The topics in GPR will include ethics, economics, environment, technology, and politics and culture. GPR will also have an 'independent research component' for students", Stannard elaborated.

"The independent research report will focus on the ability to design, plan and manage a research project," Stannard added.

Source: http://indiaedunews.net/Maharashtra/Cambridge_schools_to_introduce_nine_new_courses_6775/

Cambridge schools to introduce nine new courses

Mumbai: Come 2009, students studying in schools which follow the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) curriculum, will have more choices as the CIE is planning to introduce nine new courses in the year.

The CIE will introduce new courses in 2009 at the A (Advanced)-level as well as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) level.

This includes Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) at the A-level and IGCSE International Mathematics & 21st Century Science.

Abha Dharam Pal, Principal of Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said, "These new courses will naturally give a wider choice to students. While we cannot do away with conventional subjects, these will give students a new outlook and groom them in techniques not available before".

Elaborating on GPR, Kevin Stannard, Director of International Curriculum Development, CIE, said that the two-year course will enable students to develop critical thinking and research skills.

"The topics in GPR will include ethics, economics, environment, technology, and politics and culture. GPR will also have an 'independent research component' for students", Stannard elaborated.

"The independent research report will focus on the ability to design, plan and manage a research project," Stannard added.

Source: http://indiaedunews.net/Maharashtra/Cambridge_schools_to_introduce_nine_new_courses_6775/

Gujarat may allow students to carry books to exams

Gandhinagar: About two million students of Classes 8, 9 and 10 in Gujarat would be allowed to carry their books to exam halls if the state education authority has its way.
The Gujarat Secondary Education Board (GSEB) on Monday sent a proposal in this regard to the state government.
If the government nod comes, which is likely, then the 2008-09 examinations in March next year may see students of three groups, maths-science-social science group; Gujarati-Sanskrit-English group and the lesser group of physical education-drawing-music-computer appearing in exams with books.
GSEB chairman R.K. Pathak said the decision was taken after the working committee approved the proposal of the education and examination committees. IANS

Source: http://www.gujarateducation.net/

Gujarat may allow students to carry books to exams

Gandhinagar: About two million students of Classes 8, 9 and 10 in Gujarat would be allowed to carry their books to exam halls if the state education authority has its way.
The Gujarat Secondary Education Board (GSEB) on Monday sent a proposal in this regard to the state government.
If the government nod comes, which is likely, then the 2008-09 examinations in March next year may see students of three groups, maths-science-social science group; Gujarati-Sanskrit-English group and the lesser group of physical education-drawing-music-computer appearing in exams with books.
GSEB chairman R.K. Pathak said the decision was taken after the working committee approved the proposal of the education and examination committees. IANS

Source: http://www.gujarateducation.net/

Higher Education System in India

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bdb517/higher_education_i) has announced the addition of the "Higher Education in India" report to their offering.

Keeping this scenario as the backdrop, the report attempts to cover the higher education system in India, the structure of various universities and curricula offered, the genesis of private initiative and its present status.

Key Findings & Highlights:

India is the third largest higher secondary education system in the world with 25 Central Universities, 231 state universities, five institutions established through state legislation, 100 deemed universities, 31 Institutes of National Importance as on 31st December 2007

- In 2005-06, the total enrolment of students in all courses (professional and non-professional) and levels in regular stream was 11.04 million.

- The foreign collaboration in B-schools has also been increasing in the recent past. India and the US are looking forward to a long-term relationship in higher education with more student and faculty exchange programmes.

- 100% FDI is allowed in higher education under the automatic route since February 2000.

- Currently, there are about 1,500 B-schools in India and the number of students passing out every year is about 100,000.

Reasons to Buy:
- Spot investment opportunities in Education industry
- Provides a thorough understanding about the various parameters to be considered to set up a hotel
- Reveals the initiatives taken by Govt to improve the country’s Higher Education

Keeping this scenario as the backdrop, the report attempts to cover the higher education system in India, the structure of various universities and curricula offered, the genesis of private initiative and its present status, initiatives taken by the Government to improve the backbone of the country’s higher education system and above all a special focus on the MBA education – its issues and challenges, placements and a broad comparison with foreign MBA institutes. The focus of the report is on higher education system and MBA education in particular. This report has total 8 chapters and discusses all the pertinent issues related to management education in India.

Higher Education System in India

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bdb517/higher_education_i) has announced the addition of the "Higher Education in India" report to their offering.

Keeping this scenario as the backdrop, the report attempts to cover the higher education system in India, the structure of various universities and curricula offered, the genesis of private initiative and its present status.

Key Findings & Highlights:

India is the third largest higher secondary education system in the world with 25 Central Universities, 231 state universities, five institutions established through state legislation, 100 deemed universities, 31 Institutes of National Importance as on 31st December 2007

- In 2005-06, the total enrolment of students in all courses (professional and non-professional) and levels in regular stream was 11.04 million.

- The foreign collaboration in B-schools has also been increasing in the recent past. India and the US are looking forward to a long-term relationship in higher education with more student and faculty exchange programmes.

- 100% FDI is allowed in higher education under the automatic route since February 2000.

- Currently, there are about 1,500 B-schools in India and the number of students passing out every year is about 100,000.

Reasons to Buy:
- Spot investment opportunities in Education industry
- Provides a thorough understanding about the various parameters to be considered to set up a hotel
- Reveals the initiatives taken by Govt to improve the country’s Higher Education

Keeping this scenario as the backdrop, the report attempts to cover the higher education system in India, the structure of various universities and curricula offered, the genesis of private initiative and its present status, initiatives taken by the Government to improve the backbone of the country’s higher education system and above all a special focus on the MBA education – its issues and challenges, placements and a broad comparison with foreign MBA institutes. The focus of the report is on higher education system and MBA education in particular. This report has total 8 chapters and discusses all the pertinent issues related to management education in India.

High DU cut-offs signal unreal abilities

New Delhi: Undergraduate admissions in Delhi University (DU) and the soaring cut-offs this year seem to be a mirror image of the inflationary conditions in the economy. Only students who have scored above 93 percent could find their names in first lists.

Of course, the easiest thing to do is to blame the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), but it is the truth of the ratio of Delhi to outsider admissions that brings the moot point about justice to its own flock.

Attributing liberal marking by CBSE examiners for the sky-high cut-off marks is only part of the story of the ongoing admission process at DU.

With colleges seeing a considerable increase in the number of applications to popular subjects this time, admission in-charges are claiming that the rise in percentages was only natural.

Between science and commerce, the latter is preferred by a higher percentage of applicants. Interestingly, the cut-off for science this time is the same as last year. But colleges have decided to raise the percentage for commerce, and therein lie the hue and cry of disappointments and disillusioned student seekers.

Reports show that in some colleges, there were 1,000 applications for 30 seats in computer science alone. Most courses across the board have seen a 10 to 20 per cent increase in the number of applications.

To tackle the pressure and the inbound rush, colleges have deliberately increased the cut-off marks this time in economics, physics, electronics and mathematics.

What is dismal is the ripple effect in terms of anxiety and desperation for both students and parents. Add to that the new lexicon of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates and those with disabilities.

Of course, everyone has a right to seek an admission but the reduction of seats for normal residents of Delhi who are not in the caste or disabled categories will give rise to an unreal situation in which there will be desperation to get in by hook or by crook.

How will the colleges tackle the case of students who procure a caste or disability category certificate only for the sake of admission?

For some colleges, like Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and St. Stephen's, it is about identity and reputation rather than merely good marks that determine the high cut-off marks.

For colleges with a higher reputation, the difference between B.Com (Honours) in Ramjas College and Shri Ram College of Commerce is just marginal. While the former is asking for 94.5-96.5 percent, the latter requires 92-96 percent from its students.

Does this suggest that students who scored below 93 percent stand no chance at all? Maybe, especially since the chances of a third list is minimal. What is sad is that the equations for seats will change.

The nation may also see many more students claiming to be from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes because it becomes a case of a "means to an end". Students then cannot chase a dream subject but will have to grapple with the stark reality of fitting in where there's a seat at a lower register.

This year, admissions in the capital city seem to be a summer of discontent.

It seems most colleges, including elite ones like Delhi College of Engineering that conducts an admission test are planning to complete 75-80 percent of admissions in the first list itself.

In that case, the second list will have minimal status and there might not be a third list this time round.

Most colleges have seen an unprecedented increase in the cut-off marks due to the large number of students applying. But how will this help resident students of Delhi? They will get pushed to the periphery and will have to seek admissions outside.

In fact, most colleges are reporting applications of at least 72,000 students this year - and this itself reflects a ballooning condition of abnormal magnitude.

Outsider applications seem to be the root cause of the spike in cut-offs. Delhi University's 82 colleges with various types of courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels, has only 14 hostels available for post-graduate and less than 10 for undergraduate students, each with a maximum capacity of 250.

It is a fact that around 50 percent students seeking admission are from outside Delhi. But residency for students is also a matter of study because a number of houses have turned into rental accommodations. IANS


Source:http://indiaedunews.net/Delhi/High_DU_cut-offs_signal_unreal_abilities_5013/

High DU cut-offs signal unreal abilities

New Delhi: Undergraduate admissions in Delhi University (DU) and the soaring cut-offs this year seem to be a mirror image of the inflationary conditions in the economy. Only students who have scored above 93 percent could find their names in first lists.

Of course, the easiest thing to do is to blame the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), but it is the truth of the ratio of Delhi to outsider admissions that brings the moot point about justice to its own flock.

Attributing liberal marking by CBSE examiners for the sky-high cut-off marks is only part of the story of the ongoing admission process at DU.

With colleges seeing a considerable increase in the number of applications to popular subjects this time, admission in-charges are claiming that the rise in percentages was only natural.

Between science and commerce, the latter is preferred by a higher percentage of applicants. Interestingly, the cut-off for science this time is the same as last year. But colleges have decided to raise the percentage for commerce, and therein lie the hue and cry of disappointments and disillusioned student seekers.

Reports show that in some colleges, there were 1,000 applications for 30 seats in computer science alone. Most courses across the board have seen a 10 to 20 per cent increase in the number of applications.

To tackle the pressure and the inbound rush, colleges have deliberately increased the cut-off marks this time in economics, physics, electronics and mathematics.

What is dismal is the ripple effect in terms of anxiety and desperation for both students and parents. Add to that the new lexicon of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates and those with disabilities.

Of course, everyone has a right to seek an admission but the reduction of seats for normal residents of Delhi who are not in the caste or disabled categories will give rise to an unreal situation in which there will be desperation to get in by hook or by crook.

How will the colleges tackle the case of students who procure a caste or disability category certificate only for the sake of admission?

For some colleges, like Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and St. Stephen's, it is about identity and reputation rather than merely good marks that determine the high cut-off marks.

For colleges with a higher reputation, the difference between B.Com (Honours) in Ramjas College and Shri Ram College of Commerce is just marginal. While the former is asking for 94.5-96.5 percent, the latter requires 92-96 percent from its students.

Does this suggest that students who scored below 93 percent stand no chance at all? Maybe, especially since the chances of a third list is minimal. What is sad is that the equations for seats will change.

The nation may also see many more students claiming to be from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes because it becomes a case of a "means to an end". Students then cannot chase a dream subject but will have to grapple with the stark reality of fitting in where there's a seat at a lower register.

This year, admissions in the capital city seem to be a summer of discontent.

It seems most colleges, including elite ones like Delhi College of Engineering that conducts an admission test are planning to complete 75-80 percent of admissions in the first list itself.

In that case, the second list will have minimal status and there might not be a third list this time round.

Most colleges have seen an unprecedented increase in the cut-off marks due to the large number of students applying. But how will this help resident students of Delhi? They will get pushed to the periphery and will have to seek admissions outside.

In fact, most colleges are reporting applications of at least 72,000 students this year - and this itself reflects a ballooning condition of abnormal magnitude.

Outsider applications seem to be the root cause of the spike in cut-offs. Delhi University's 82 colleges with various types of courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels, has only 14 hostels available for post-graduate and less than 10 for undergraduate students, each with a maximum capacity of 250.

It is a fact that around 50 percent students seeking admission are from outside Delhi. But residency for students is also a matter of study because a number of houses have turned into rental accommodations. IANS


Source:http://indiaedunews.net/Delhi/High_DU_cut-offs_signal_unreal_abilities_5013/

Final decision by Centre after July 13

NEW DELHI, June 25 – Despite protests by States against the new policy of admission in National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Human Resources Development Ministry is likely to wait till July 13 to assess the situation before taking a final decision. There may be a few States, which have apprehensions over not getting seats in various technical institutions at the same level, as they were getting earlier. “The exact position depends on exercise of choices by the candidates and hence, would be clear only by end of first round of counselling by the Central Counselling Board (CCB) on the July 13,” official sources said.Under the circumstances, the June 26 meeting of the Technical Education Secretaries convened by the HRD Ministry may be just a formality. “All efforts will be made to give satisfaction to all States,” Ministry however assured.Conveying the anxiety of loosing out on number of seats, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi in a letter to Union HRD Minister, Arjun Singh said that the last minute change of policy has caused great uncertainty and resentment among the students. An estimated 250 students from Assam normally gets selected to the technical institutes according to old policy.Now it is feared that the number would go down to 15 seats.Gogoi further pointed out that the Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) were converted NITs with the clear understanding that the reciprocal system of allotment of seats would continue. However, HRD Ministry sources said there were situations when candidates with higher marks from some States were not getting admissions in NITs whereas some candidates from other State with lower marks were getting admissions. The old system had other demerits like, candidates from a particular category with very low marks from certain States getting admission, while candidates from the same category with much higher marks but from some other State being denied admission. The system was also prone to be misused by the scheming elements, it claimed.Admissions in 20 NITs are made on the basis of AIEEE conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education. Till last year, the seats in an NIT used to be filled by allocating 50 per cent of the seats to the eligible candidates of the States, where an NIT is located and rest 50 per cent of the seats (Outside State quota) were allocated to other States. These outside State quota seats allocated to different States used to be filled by the eligible candidates from these States based on their State specific AIEEE ranks. To streamline the system, the Ministry has issued instructions to the CCB 2008 directing it to fill the outside State quota seats in NITs on all India merit basis. Source: assam tribune

Final decision by Centre after July 13

NEW DELHI, June 25 – Despite protests by States against the new policy of admission in National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Human Resources Development Ministry is likely to wait till July 13 to assess the situation before taking a final decision. There may be a few States, which have apprehensions over not getting seats in various technical institutions at the same level, as they were getting earlier. “The exact position depends on exercise of choices by the candidates and hence, would be clear only by end of first round of counselling by the Central Counselling Board (CCB) on the July 13,” official sources said.Under the circumstances, the June 26 meeting of the Technical Education Secretaries convened by the HRD Ministry may be just a formality. “All efforts will be made to give satisfaction to all States,” Ministry however assured.Conveying the anxiety of loosing out on number of seats, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi in a letter to Union HRD Minister, Arjun Singh said that the last minute change of policy has caused great uncertainty and resentment among the students. An estimated 250 students from Assam normally gets selected to the technical institutes according to old policy.Now it is feared that the number would go down to 15 seats.Gogoi further pointed out that the Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) were converted NITs with the clear understanding that the reciprocal system of allotment of seats would continue. However, HRD Ministry sources said there were situations when candidates with higher marks from some States were not getting admissions in NITs whereas some candidates from other State with lower marks were getting admissions. The old system had other demerits like, candidates from a particular category with very low marks from certain States getting admission, while candidates from the same category with much higher marks but from some other State being denied admission. The system was also prone to be misused by the scheming elements, it claimed.Admissions in 20 NITs are made on the basis of AIEEE conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education. Till last year, the seats in an NIT used to be filled by allocating 50 per cent of the seats to the eligible candidates of the States, where an NIT is located and rest 50 per cent of the seats (Outside State quota) were allocated to other States. These outside State quota seats allocated to different States used to be filled by the eligible candidates from these States based on their State specific AIEEE ranks. To streamline the system, the Ministry has issued instructions to the CCB 2008 directing it to fill the outside State quota seats in NITs on all India merit basis. Source: assam tribune