Inaugurating the third emerging directions in Global Education (EDGE) 2010 conference in New Delhi on March 4, Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal stressed the need for giving freedom to universities and education institutions to develop capability, collaborate globally, and find solutions to global problems. “Education through global collaboration can provide solutions to global problems. But we will have to reform the structure to allow this to happen, and for that we need to give freedom to our universities and educational institutions,” said Sibal speaking on the occasion.
Among the prominent educationists who addressed the 400 delegates to EDGE 2010, were Dr. Martha Kanter, under secretary, US department of education; Dr. Sam Pitroda, advisor to the prime minister; Dr. V.S. Ramamurthy, director NIAS; Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, vice chancellor, IGNOU, and Anand Sudarshan, chief executive of the Manipal Education Group.
Three research reports — The NIAS-EDGE Vision Document 2010, Catalysing Change, the EDGE-Ernst & Young report, Building Blocks for Education and FED UNI (Federation of Universities)-Parthenon report, Bridging The Higher Education Gap: National Universities and Other Models were released during the inauguration. Two other reports of the Institute of International Education — International India: A Turning Point in Educational Exchange with the US and the EDGE-Valunites report, Examinations and the Role of Technology: Emerging Directions were released later during the two-day conference.
Launched in 2007 by the EDGE Forum, a collective initiative of several leading academics, policy makers, educational institutions and organisations from India and abroad, EDGE is an annual event focused on higher education.
Sheffield Hallam sends volunteers
Thirty journalism and media students of the Sheffield Hallam University, UK, will serve as volunteers liasing with the 5,000 media representatives expected to cover the Commonwealth Games, 2010 scheduled to be staged in Delhi in October. These students will augment the pool of 30,000 volunteers expected to assist with the showpiece games. A memorandum to this effect was signed between Suresh Kalmadi, organising committee chairman and Prof. Philip Jones, vice chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in the presence of the British high commissioner in Delhi on March 9.
“We were the only university which also participated in the Beijing Olympics 2008, and the only European student team among 16,000 volunteers. I trust this opportunity will provide our students international exposure,” says Jones.
New Pathways World Schools
The management of the Pathways World School, Gurgaon (estb. 2003) plans to launch two more world-class global schools in the Delhi NCR region with an additional investment of Rs.350 crore. This was announced at a press conference in Delhi on February 23.
“In the first phase of our expansion plans, we intend to add two new schools close to the southern and eastern tips of Delhi. Simultaneously, we to intend expand the capacity of the existing Pathways World School to 2,000 students. Plans are to have these new schools operational from September 2010,” said Pramod Kumar Jain, chairman, Pathways World School.
Knowledge Universe-CIS concordat
Knowledge Universe, a Singapore-based private education company with over 40,000 employees and 350,000 students enroled in its schools and institutions worldwide, and the Canadian International School have signed a partnership agreement that will facilitate and finance a new world-class $140 million (Rs.630 crore) Canadian International School (CIS) campus at Jurong, Singapore.
“The new 463,000 sq.ft Lakeside Campus of CSI is scheduled to be completed by August 2011. The campus will provide state-of-the-art classrooms, academic facilities, spacious sporting facilities, a performing and fine arts auditorium and media centre. It will attain its full capacity of 3,300 students over the next ten years,” says Peter Maslen, chief executive of Knowledge Universe.
Under the terms of the agreement inked on March 16, three of the school’s existing four campuses and their communities will be consolidated into the new campus, while the recently renovated East Coast campus at Tanjog Katong will continue operations after further development. “We are delighted to facilitate this large and important project for CIS. The new world-class integrated campus will complement its well-deserved excellent academic reputation,” says Maslen.
Thomas Tang, the promoter managing director of CIS is equally bullish. “As one of the world’s largest and most respected private educational organisations, Knowledge Universe opens a whole new range of opportunities and resources to us. Under our partnership agreement, KU will acquire a majority stake and fund our expansion.”
Follow Your Dreams launch
Dr. Palash Sen, lead vocalist of the rock band Euphoria and Saurabh Saxena, director of Mexus Education, launched Follow Your Dreams, a commemorative music album in support of the ‘I Pledge to Stop Student Suicides’ movement. The album comprises nine compositions scripted and recorded by well-known musicians including Euphoria, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Kailash Kher among others.
While launching Follow Your Dreams in Mumbai on February 17, Sen commented: “Through this initiative, we want to help all those who have a dream, but don’t have a hand to guide them. This album is meant to inspire students and create awareness among all who play an important part in shaping young lives during their formative years.”
“The moment we came to know about this initiative, we committed ourselves to it. By supporting this album, we endorse its message of love, hope, and positive outlook towards life,” added Saurabh Saxena, director of Mexus Education.
Follow Your Dreams is being distributed pan India through Mexus Education’s network of 1,200 client schools to students, parents and teachers and will also be made available for free downloads on www.iken.in. Moreover 1,000 limited edition compact disc albums will be available for distribution at Iken stores countrywide.