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EDUCATION |
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CAMPUS
Teachers pooh-pooh the idea of ‘good and bad colleges’
Sanjog Gupta
AT a seminar organised by the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) at the JNU City Center on November 22, the UGC Chairman, Prof. Arun Nigavekar, highlighted the growing divide between the “good and bad colleges of Delhi University”. A section of the teaching community have taken offence by “the line of thought being propagated by the UGC”. They contend that the stand of the UGC is an offshoot of its desire to implement a system wherein each college will award its own degrees, implying a distinction in the quality of degrees being awarded by various colleges. Under the current system, all students/ belonging to Delhi University colleges receive their degrees from the University of Delhi, with no mention of the college from where they have graduated. A section of the teachers believe that this is yet another move by the UGC to delink the colleges from the central university. But realistically, do the teachers believe that the students from all colleges in Delhi University are at par with each other? Do they believe that the standard of teaching is uniform in all colleges? During the time of admissions, the cut-off lists released by various colleges reveal the disparity in the demand for courses in the different colleges. So, why not let colleges also get ‘ratings’ as universities do? Actually, a ratings system (for colleges and courses similar to the B-Schools) might actually lend some clarity to students wanting to pursue ‘quality education’. In the current system, colleges are not judged on the basis of the quality of education imparted but on the basis of their prestige value. Therefore, contrary to the allegation leveled by a section of college teachers, it might actually be in the student’s interest for the UGC to make a clear distinction between “good and bad colleges”. Australian
fellowshipsThere is good news for Indian students and scholars. Australia has opened its arms to them with number of fellowships in studies pertaining to Australia. The fellowships are meant for students who would like to undertake research at the postgraduate level in literature, politics and history, environment and health, tourism, film, media, communications and performing arts, gender studies, multiculturalism and issues related to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Six junior and senior level fellowships will be offered in 2003, for a period ranging from four to twelve weeks. The maximum amount for a single fellowship is AUD 10,000, which can be utilised to cover airfare, internal travel, accommodation and lodging expenses.
The fellowships have been instituted under the Australia-India Council’s (AIC) Australian studies programme involving Indian universities and will be overseen by a consortium of Australian universities. The announcement was made by Michael Abbott, chairman-AIC at the inauguration of a one-day seminar on the “Emerging Trends in Australia-India Relations” organised jointly by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and AIC on November 25. The Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms. Penny Wensley AO, welcomed the step as “a new step in the development of mutual understanding between the two countries.” The AIC is a bilateral council of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Applications for the fellowship close on January 31, 2003. More details about the fellowships can be acquired from Ms. MAllan(email:m.allan@curtin.edu.au) or by visiting ww.dfat.gov.au/aic Seminar on
management
A speaker at the Annual Management Convention organised by the Noida Management Association. |
The Noida Management Association (NMA)
organised its 7th Annual Management Convention on November 22 on the theme of “Managing Business Tomorrow”. The chief guest on the occasion, the Union Minister for Labour, Mr Sahib Singh Verma, delivered the inaugural address. He highlighted the emerging trends in the economy and the cultural shift in the work environment due to the “new management culture”. He also highlighted the relevance of management seminars, which would ultimately lead to the creation of productive social and human capital. The chairman of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Dr. Uddesh Kohli, was the guest of honour while the NTPC Chairman and Director, Mr C.P. Jain delivered the key-note address at the event. The introductory note by the chairman of NMA, Mr R.V. Shahi, explained how business was getting globalised, making it mandatory for the management to be based on policies of survival and growth. He also laid emphasis on the need for better corporate governance, proactive discharge of social responsibilities and a sincere commitment to environmental considerations. The NMA is an autonomous body established in 1989 with the aegis of prominent industrialists, Noida administrative heads and professional managers of Noida. The main objective behind its inception was the need for sharing relevant experiences and views. The body is devoted to the cause of promoting excellence in management through application of essentials of modern management principles and practices. ‘Amaze’ at IIPM
Participants at an ‘Economic Meet’ organised by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management at the FICCI Auditorium. |
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) organised its annual management festival on November 22-23. The event organised on its campus in Mehrauli, commenced with an ‘Economic Meet’ on the theme ‘WTO and Globalisation: The Indian Perspective’, at the FICCI Auditorium, Tansen Marg. The meet kicked off with an address by the IIPM director, Dr M.K.Chaudhuri, who emphasised the need for students and future entrepreneurs to understand the implications of the WTO on the Indian economy. He said, “the effect of the WTO on the development of a country’s economy cannot be undermined. As per the UNDP Report, the per capita income of China has grown from US $ 3,500 in the pre-WTO to US $ 10,000 in the post-WTO.” Noted economist Sauvik Chakraverti pinpointed the strategies that need to be employed by India and other developing economies to harness the potential of WTO. Mr Bibek Debroy, director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies, was sceptical of the globalisation process and said it had not been accompanied by a reduction in poverty or improvement in human development in South Asia. Mr. Amir Ullah Khan adopted an innovative approach by presenting a documentary– “Indian economic transition through Bollywood eyes”. The festival offered a blend of serious events as well as adequate opportunities for the young-at-heart to enjoy. It featured a live performance by the rock band Parikrama on the first evening and a personality contest titled ‘Mr. and Mrs. Amaze’ the next day. The festival also entailed a ‘Brand festival’ for participant companies such as Nestle, Fuji Film and LIC among others, and concluded with a Nescafe jam session for the students to wash down their intellectual
rigours. Educational
partnership The British Council has launched an online project called Edulinks, which seeks to bring together Indian education institutions looking to forge partnerships with their British counterparts. The website () has been designed with the objective of facilitating partnerships for the purpose of delivering joint education programmes, facilitating faculty and student exchanges, developing joint curriculum and research projects, establishing schools and higher education links and organising international seminars. The website will include detailed information on registered institutions, write-up on the UK education system, links to important educational websites, guidelines for development of partnerships for Indian and UK institutions, list of existing partnerships and a discussion forum for facilitating discussions on topical issues in education. Most of all, the presence of a Search Engine-to help members find institutions of their choice so as to develop partnerships– stands to greatly simplify the procedure of searching for a partner. The project has been developed with funding from Trade Partners, UK, and seeks to regulate the quality of partners by ensuring that certain basic guidelines are met by the institutions. ‘Acumen’ ends with flourish
The final flourish at ‘Acumen 2002’ brought some of the best talent on stage. |
The grand finale of ‘Acumen 2002’– which commenced on August 24-25 –was held at the FICCI Auditorium on November 25. ‘Acumen’ brought together some of best talent from around the country including the future stalwarts of India Inc. The event consisted of three modules– quiz, debate and case games. The first event of the day witnessed students of MDI defeating their worthy opponents from IIM Bangalore to claim the top honour in the debate. IIM Ahmedabad bagged the ‘Case Game’ trophy while individual winners included a student each from IIM-A and FMS, New Delhi. The final event was preceded by regional rounds of elimination held in the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore. The winners of the event have the opportunity to undertake all expenses paid (including airfare) specialised summer courses at the Middlesex University, London.
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