Around the World

Admissions announced to Rashtriya Indian Military College

The examination dates for admission to the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun have been announced. Admission is open only to boys who are not  less than 11-and-a-half-years old and not more than 13-years old as of 1 January  2014. Additional requirements for admission stipulate that the candidate must  be studying in or should have completed class 8 as of 1 January 2014. The  written examination will test three subjects: English, mathematics and general  knowledge (mathematics and general knowledge can be answered in either  English or Hindi).

The individual dates for states have been announced. The all Maharashtra written exam will be conducted on 1 and 2 June 2013 in Pune. Candidates from the Maharashtra round of exams who have passed the written paper will have personal interviews on 7 October 2013. Application forms can be picked up at  the Maharashtra State Council of Examinations, Pune.

Mumbai to get two medical colleges

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is underway to turn Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi into a medical college. In view of there being no medical college in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs as well as there being inadequate government-run health facilities, the BMC has allocated a certain amount from its 2013-14 budget to turn Shatabdi into a college. The provision will also see an increase in bed strength from 250 to 400. The BMC is also working on setting up a medical college on the premises of Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle.

Gujarat to allot 40% weightage to JEE

The Gujarat state government has decided to allot 40% weightage to the All India Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and 60% weightage to marks scored in science subjects in the HSC board examinations for the final merit list concerning admission to engineering and other professional courses in the state. The state recently agreed to the JEE being the criterion for admission to professional courses as opposed to the previous Gujarat Common Entrance Test. However, the Minister of State for Education decided to keep the previous ratio of the 40-60 weightage instead of the Union Ministry of Education’s advised 50-50 ratio. The decision was taken keeping in mind inputs from parents and students. JEE will be compulsory for those seeking a place in engineering colleges. The written  examination will be held on 7 April and the online examination will be between 8 and 25 April.

Online Certificate Course in Botany and Biodiversity

If you have had a hankering to learn more about the biodiversity of our vast nation and how it is important to conserve it, you will now be able to do it in the comfort of your own home. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has announced an online course in Biodiversity, Entomology (insect study) and  Field Botany for its 2013-14 batches. Anyone who has completed their education until standard 10 is eligible to apply for the course. The one-year course will give a first-hand learning of the chosen topic and exposure to the natural world. The course will be a hybrid of online learning and field activity with weekly assignments and monthly course modules which will be sent to the participants online. The course will include regular field trips, field camps, project work and online expert guidance. Students will be provided with a certificate and appropriate grades from BNHS on completion of the course.

Distance education allows students to pursue more than one degree

Although students cannot pursue two degrees simultaneously under normal circumstances, distance education will now make it possible for a student to pursue more than just one degree at a time. In a decision made by the Distance  Education Council (DEC), students will be able to pursue two programmes simultaneously through distance education or through a combination of distance and regular education. The programmes combinations as mentioned by the DEC will allow students to pursue one degree and one diploma/postgraduate diploma/certificate, one postgraduate diploma and one diploma/certificate, one diploma and one certificate, two postgraduate   diplomas, two diplomas or two certificates. The DEC also stated that the  programmes can be pursued through distance or a combination of distance and regular modes from the same or different universities/institutes.

China offers scholarship for Indian students

The Huawei Maitree Scholarship 2013 has been announced for the academic year 2013-14. The Huawei Scholarship offered by global information and communication technology company Huawei will allow Indian students a shot at higher education in China. There will be 10 scholarships provided by credible and reputed institutions in China for students who are looking to pursue  undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in emerging areas of science and technology, culture and social studies and development-related programmes.  The scholarship will cover the full tuition fee and living expenses of the student for the period of one academic year and can be renewed on a year-to-year basis for the duration of the programme under the condition of attaining 80 per cent marks in the previous academic year. A selection committee will be appointed to shortlist applicants and finalise the awarding of scholarships after interviews. The scholarships will be awarded based on merit, character, aptitude and the purpose of the study.

IIM-A hopes to retain autonomy

The Union HRD ministry proposed an IIM Bill which will bring all the IIMs under one common umbrella. However, IIM Ahemdabad hopes to stay out this bracket in order to retain its autonomy. The directors on the board of IIM-A believe that each IIM should be allowed to decide its future. IIM-A has been recruiting reputed persons into its board of governors with a view to compete among the top international  business schools. The board at IIM-A is of the opinion that while newer IIMs may require an IIM umbrella organisation for financial support, IIM-A is financially stable and surrendering to the umbrella structure will only lead to a lapse in its autonomy which will not allow it to compete in the global business school market.

 

Volume 2 Issue 9