campus
Unrecognised distance courses not acceptable to govt
Smriti Kak

Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) vice-president Ashok Kumar Singh inaugurating the Institute of Computer Accountants (ICA) centre at Rajouri Garden in the Capital. Students performing at Hindu College during the Coca Cola Mega Campus Fiesta.

There is bad news for the sundry distance education institutes not recognised by the Distance Education Council (DEC). The DEC Chairman, Prof. H P Dikshit, has announced that those candidates, who have not passed out of recognised distance education institutes, will not be eligible for government jobs.

Prof. Dikshit, who is also the vice chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), pointed out that those degree, diploma and certificate courses, which are offered through distance education but are not recognised by the DEC, will not be accepted by the government.

The DEC has asked all distance education institutes and directorates to apply for recognition of their courses. In a communication to all distance education institutions, including those attached to conventional universities, the DEC informed that it is necessary for all centres, institutions and directorates imparting education through distance mode to get their courses registered.

The institutes should submit their applications for approval by May 14, 2004, in the prescribed performa.

INSO plea for polls after exams

The Indian National Students Organisation organised its national convention on February 5. INSO is concerned that if the Lok Sabha elections are conducted before May, it may upset the examination schedule. Putting forth its view, the INSO leadership said it would take up the issue with the Election Commission.

Among the other issues raised at the first convention, which was attended by students from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, were insurance scheme for students, end to sexual harassment and hostel facilities for all colleges.

IIT Delhi to host Vision 2020

The IIT Delhi Alumni Association (IITDAA) is holding a conclave, ‘Vision 2020,’ on February 18 at Ashok Convention Hall to discuss the paper that the association has prepared, titled ‘The IIT in the New Millennium’.

The paper, it was pointed out, is an outcome of “extensive discussions and consultations among alumni”, initiated by IITDAA’s interaction with the IIT Review Committee, which has been appointed by the Government of India to review the IIT system.

The Vision paper highlights these issues and shares views and suggestions on the way forward.

The IITDAA organising committee behind Vision 2020 includes Mr. M.S. Banga, Chairman, HLL; Mr. H.S Bhartia, Co-Chairman & MD, Jubilant Organosys Limited ; Mr. Y C Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC; Mr. R S Pawar, CMD, NIIT; Mr. Rajat Gupta, Director, McKinsey & Co; Mr. Pradeep Gupta, CMD, Cyber Media; and Mr. Sudarshan Chawla, President IITDAA.

The day-long conclave will include 700 alumni. Beginning with the presentation of the White Paper to the larger community of IIT Delhi alumni, four parallel workshop sessions will discuss different aspects of the paper. These include vision, research, faculty and infrastructure.

Talking about the event, Mr. Sudarshan Chawla, President, IITDAA, said: “Today, the IITs enjoy an enviable reputation all over the world, based largely on the successes of their graduates in many fields. To that extent, the original vision of the IITs has been amply achieved. But as institutions of research and knowledge creation, the success of IITs has not been of comparable magnitude. Therefore, half a century later, it is only appropriate that the alumni should come together to objectively and dispassionately examine what the IITs have achieved and help articulate a vision for the new millennium”.

Apeejay Marketing School convocation

The Apeejay School of Marketing, Dwarka, organised its eighth convocation for Post-graduate Diploma holders in Business Management on the school premises. A total of two Gold Medals, thirteen Silver Medals and fifteen certificates were awarded to the achievers. Ninety-four graduates, who had successfully completed their diploma programme in management, were awarded degrees.

Lord Swraj Paul was the chief guest at the ceremony. Lord Paul delivered the convocation address and showered his blessings on the future entrepreneurs. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “For those of you who are graduating today this is a very special day for you to remember and savour, a day of reflection and celebration. A day of pride in your achievements, and a time to ponder on what the future holds for you. I am confident that our Apeejay students will have many accomplishments in the years ahead because they take with them not only a high quality education but also the values that infuse all Apeejay institutes of learning”.

Prof. R.P. Hooda, Director Apeejay School of Marketing (ASM), Dwarka, said, “It is a day of pride and reckoning, search and research and, above all, an occasion to introspect and retrospect.”

Window art competition

The Pearl Academy of Fashion is organising ‘Valentopia,’ a window art competition on February 13, 2004, on the eve of Valentine’s Day. The contest has been so called because the competition will take place on February 13, a day before St. Valentine’s Day.

Students will work in a group of six to seven and there will be a total of 11 groups. Every group will be provided with an exhibition stall of 6ft X 3ft size to display their creations. Every group will have a separate sub-theme and have to work within a stipulated budget per stall. Students will be judged and awarded in the various categories, including Best Product Display, Best Usage of Space and Best Overall Presentation.

KPS gives ‘The Big Picture’

The Former Director General of Punjab Police, Mr. K PS Gill, inaugurated the National media festival, ‘The Big Picture,’ at Amity School of Communications. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gill shared his experiences on the conflicts that arose between the media and the police during Operation Blue Star. He said, “Media plays an important role in order to prove what is right and wrong. It is situation oriented, which actually projects the truth to the common reader ”.

The three-day festival included panel discussions on various subjects; the students also participated in activities like quiz, debates and sketching.

The Amity Institute of Competitive Intelligence organised an interactive session on competitive intelligence as a tool for corporate success.

Presiding over the event, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, RBEF, said competitive Intelligence is finding its feet in the country. He said workshops like this would help provide the necessary impetus to competitive intelligence and thereby improve efficiency in the working of the corporates.

Education in diamond grading

The EGL College of Gemology, a venture of European Gemological Laboratory, has announced the launch of a training centre in Delhi. Imparting education in diamond grading and certification, the course structure at the institute will be based on the international curriculum designed by experts at EGL headquarters.

The EGL courses are aimed at diamond traders and individuals seeking a career in the international diamond industry. The academy has also set up a special cell, EGL Employment Exchange, that will ensure internship and placements of students by co-ordinating jobs in leading diamond-grading houses worldwide.

PG admissions at MATS

MATS, Banglaore, has announced admissions to post graduate courses in Business Administration and MIT at the MATS school of Business and Information Technology. The entrance test will be conducted on February 14 at the YMCA tourist hostel. Candidates who have appeared for MAT, ATMA, CAT, GATE and GRE will be exempted from written test.

MATS is also planning the launch of PG programmes in rural management, offering specialisation in management of NGOs and rural and urban development.