Times of India_Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced draft guidelines for the Institutional Leadership Development Programme aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial and strategic skills in higher education institutions (HEIs). This initiative encourages HEIs to explore diverse funding sources beyond UGC grants, optimise resource use, and establish robust support systems for students in need. UGC Chairman, Professor M Jagadesh Kumar, emphasizes the importance of financial sustainability for long-term institutional success and the development of adaptable, innovative leaders aligned with NEP 2020 goals.

The QS Best Student Cities ranking for 2024 places London at the top, but several U.S. cities, including Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, also stand out. These cities attract students with prestigious universities, but affordability varies, with Philadelphia offering a lower cost of living compared to San Francisco or Los Angeles.

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) will conduct the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) preliminary exams on 22nd and 23rd December 2024 across multiple shifts, due to over 16.52 lakh registered candidates. Additionally, the Combined State/Senior Subordinate Services (PCS Prelims) exam is set for 7th and 8th December 2024 in 41 districts. The Commission has implemented a transparent, software-driven evaluation process to ensure fairness in screening candidates.

Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to offer MBBS courses in Hindi, with 30% of students opting for this bilingual programme. The initiative aims to make medical education more accessible to Hindi-speaking students, especially from rural backgrounds. However, challenges remain in translating technical terms and maintaining global competitiveness. Other states like Rajasthan and Bihar are now considering following suit, but concerns over the lack of standardized medical terminology and future prospects persist.

As Nepal initiates counselling rounds for MBBS admissions, Indian students are facing uncertainty due to Nepal’s failure to meet the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021. This may affect students who enrolled after 2021 or are planning to study MBBS/BDS in Nepal. While the Nepal Medical Council (NMC) initially misled students, it later clarified that foreign graduates would not be eligible for permanent practice licenses equivalent to Nepali citizens, leaving many students in limbo.

A new report emphasizes the United States as a top destination for MBA aspirants due to the global prestige of its business schools. Leading schools like Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton rank among the best worldwide, celebrated for their strong academic standards, innovation, and networking opportunities. The latest GMAC survey also highlights a surge in MBA applications, with the U.S. remaining a prime choice for international students.

The Haryana School Education Board (HSEB) has started the registration process for the Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test (HTET) 2024. Aspiring candidates aiming to secure teaching positions in Haryana government schools as PRT, TGT, or PGT teachers can apply by November 14, 2024. Application corrections are allowed from November 15 to 17, 2024. Visit bseh.org.in for registration and detailed guidelines.

The Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has opened the application correction window for Group C positions until November 8, 2024. Candidates can make changes to their applications on the official website. The written examination for these posts is scheduled for January 2025. The recruitment drive aims to fill 751 vacancies.

IIM Calcutta has announced the release of the CAT 2024 admit cards today, November 5, 2024. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website, iimcat.ac.in, using their login credentials. The CAT exam is scheduled for November 24, 2024, and verifying details on the admit card is crucial for a smooth examination experience.

IIT Kanpur will now accept Olympiad scores for admission to its B.Tech and B.S. programmes starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This new pathway will enable students who excel in specific Olympiads to gain entry into various specialized departments, providing an alternative route alongside the traditional JEE Advanced examination. For detailed information on the eligibility criteria and application process, read the article.

Students from M.D. University's Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management (IHTM) won two awards at the national AMRUT – AICTE Millet Recipe Unleashing Talent Grand Finale. Their winning dishes, Kodo Millet Salad and Bajra Churma, were selected from over 1,000 entries. The competition, organized by AICTE, aimed to promote millet-based recipes. IHTM's team was led by Prof. Ashish Dahiya and received praise for their culinary innovation and presentation.

Thirty Delhi government school students are experiencing an immersive French language program in Paris. The two-week course at the Alliance Française de Paris includes homestays and visits to iconic landmarks. This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend school.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta will release the CAT Admit Card 2024 today, November 5, 2024. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official IIM CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, until the exam date. The CAT exam is scheduled for November 24 across around 170 cities, and candidates are urged to verify all details on their admit cards to ensure a smooth exam day experience.

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) released admit cards for the Primary Teachers Eligibility Test (MP TET) 2024. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website before the exam, which is scheduled from November 10, 2024, in two shifts.

The Odisha Board of Secondary Education has released the application form for the 2025 Class 10 board exams. Students can download the form from the official website, bseodisha.ac.in, using their school code and password. The deadline for online submission is November 18, 2024.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has opened the correction window for the SSC GD 2025 examination starting November 5, 2024. Candidates can modify their application forms for positions including Constable (GD), Rifleman (GD), and Sepoy until November 7, 2024. To make corrections, applicants should visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in and follow the outlined steps.

The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) has announced the schedule and opened registration for the VIT Entrance Examination (VITEEE) 2025, with applications due by March 31, 2025. The exam will be held tentatively from April 21 to 27, consisting of 125 Multiple Choice Questions across various subjects. Results are expected by April 30, 2025, followed by counseling in May.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta is anticipated to release CAT 2024 admit cards on November 5, 2024. Registered candidates can download their hall tickets from iimcat.ac.in. The CAT exam, scheduled for November 24, 2024, includes three sections—VARC, DILR, and QA—lasting 120 minutes in total. This test serves as a gateway for business programs at IIMs and other institutions

The Department of School Education, Telangana, has released the notification for the TS TET January 2025 exam, scheduled as a Computer Based Test (CBT) from January 1 to 20, 2024. Eligible candidates can apply via the official website from November 5 to November 20, 2024. Detailed guidelines and the information bulletin are available on schooledu.telangana.gov.in.

A recent survey reveals a growing trend of Indian parents, especially in urban areas, choosing private schools over government schools for their children's primary education. While government schools still hold the majority nationally, urban areas show a marked preference for private institutions, driven by perceptions of better quality, facilities, and a wider range of educational choices.