Times of India_Education

Drake University's Beautiful Bulldog Contest is a beloved event celebrating English Bulldogs as part of the Drake Relays festivities. For over 40 years, Bulldogs have competed in categories like Best Dressed and Most Beautiful Bulldog. The 46th edition will take place on April 21, 2025, with registration from February 3 to March 17. Visit the official website for details.

Tesla, a leader in sustainable energy and electric vehicles, offers diverse career opportunities across engineering, design, manufacturing, and business operations. While degrees in fields like engineering, business, or design are often required, Tesla values skills, experience, and passion for innovation over formal qualifications. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, relevant expertise, and alignment with Tesla’s mission can set candidates apart.

The SMART Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, supports STEM students with full tuition, stipends, allowances, and internships. It offers two options: the SMART Scholarship for current or graduate students and the Dellums SMART Scholarship for bachelor’s aspirants. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, pursue STEM disciplines, and commit to post-graduation service with the DoD.

A retest for 12,000 candidates from the Bihar PSC's December 13 exam, amid question paper leak allegations, began Saturday at 22 centres in Patna. The exam, held for the 70th Combined Competitive Examination, is taking place under strict guidelines to ensure safety. Around 8,200 candidates had downloaded admit cards by the exam's start.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the correction window for the CSIR UGC NET December 2024 application. Candidates can visit the official website, csirnet.nta.ac.in, to make corrections. The deadline for modifications is January 5, 2025. The exam will be held from February 16 to 28, 2025, in computer-based mode.

The Directorate of Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh, has released the Round 2 merit list for MP NEET PG counselling 2024. Registered candidates can check it on dme.mponline.gov.in. Fresh choice filling and locking will occur from January 3-6, 2025, with Round 2 seat allotment results announced on January 8, 2025. Check the direct link here.

Hundreds of school job aspirants protested outside West Bengal's education department headquarters, demanding appointments delayed since the 2016 SLST due to legal issues. Despite 25,753 receiving appointment letters, the Calcutta High Court invalidated them in 2022. Protesters criticized prolonged uncertainty, while officials cited the sub-judice status, awaiting a Supreme Court hearing this month.

UPSC has released e-admit cards for the Combined Section Officer (Grade-B) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). Candidates can download their admit cards from upsc.gov.in. As per the information, the LDCE 2024 exam is scheduled to take place on January 11 and 12, 2025. Candidates can check the direct link here.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to hold a meeting with stakeholders to address vacant seats in medical courses, stressing that no seats should remain unfilled. The issue, involving unfilled super-speciality seats, led to the formation of a committee with recommendations. The Centre must act within three months, with the case scheduled for April 2025.

The Supreme Court has directed the UGC to compile data on caste discrimination complaints under its 2012 regulations and report on Equal Opportunity Cells in universities. Hearing a PIL by the mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi, the court addressed the prevalence of caste-based discrimination, student suicides, and the UGC's failure to implement anti-discrimination measures effectively.

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025 is scheduled for tomorrow, January 5, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Candidates must download their admit cards from xatonline.in and arrive at the exam center an hour early with their admit card and a valid ID. Candidates can check the exam pattern and other important details here.

Indian students seeking education in the U.S. face significant hurdles beyond academic challenges. From securing student visas amid stricter regulations to grappling with high tuition costs and uncertain work opportunities under changing H-1B and OPT policies, the journey is tough. Furthermore, cultural tensions and rising backlash against Indian Americans add complexities to their pursuit of the American Dream.

The Krispy Kreme Challenge at North Carolina State University combines fitness and philanthropy. Participants run 5 miles, eating 12 doughnuts along the way, all in under an hour. Since 2004, it has raised over $2 million for the UNC Children’s Hospital. The 2025 event is scheduled for February 1.

A recent College Rover survey reveals that 46% of U.S. college students oppose mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) courses. While 70% of students see DEI programs as beneficial for promoting diversity, political divides influence opinions. The study also highlights strong interest in race, gender, and identity classes, but students prefer voluntary participation. With 30% reporting DEI’s influence on their political views, the debate continues on whether these programs should be mandatory in higher education.

The NTA has released admit cards for the UGC NET December 2024 exam scheduled on January 6, 2025. Registered candidates can download them from ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Admit cards for the January 3 exam were issued earlier, and the agency will soon release admit cards for other exam dates. Candidates can check the direct link here.

Western New Mexico University’s former president, Joseph Shepard, walks away with a staggering $2 million severance after his resignation amid accusations of reckless spending. A state audit revealed $360K in improper expenses, including luxurious trips to the Ritz-Carlton and custom furnishings for Shepard's home. Despite the controversy, Shepard's exit package includes a tenured teaching position and guaranteed salary for five years. The hefty payout has sparked outrage among the faculty and state officials.

Barron Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, has enrolled at NYU’s Stern School of Business. The school is ranked 11th in the U.S. and 17th globally. Tuition for the full-time MBA program is $86,916, with total attendance costs exceeding $100,000 annually. Scholarships, including the Dean’s Scholarship, are available for deserving students.

The H-1B visa program continues to spark debate in the U.S., with figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump supporting its expansion, while critics like Laura Loomer oppose it. In Massachusetts, over 15,000 employers have sponsored more than 224,000 H-1B visa holders since 2009, with leading sectors including tech, healthcare, and education. Despite annual visa caps, the program remains a key driver of innovation and economic growth, especially in specialized fields.

Taylor Swift’s cultural impact extends to academia, with top US universities offering courses on her artistry. Harvard, Northeastern, UC Berkeley, Austin Peay, Stanford, and NYU explore her lyrics through literary, gender, and societal lenses. From poetic analyses to studying her music industry influence, these courses showcase Swift’s transformative role in shaping academic and cultural discussions.

The Ivy League admissions landscape is evolving, marked by the resurgence of standardized testing, shifts toward socioeconomic diversity, and the rise of 'New Ivies' like Duke and Rice. With fewer applications and higher acceptance rates, top schools are also introducing video interviews to assess candidates holistically. These trends present both challenges and opportunities for 2025 applicants.