Education Briefs

The Good Shepherd College of Hotel Management (GCHM), Ooty recently (July) signed an agreement to offer a twinning programme with Cesar Ritz Colleges, Switzerland. The two institutions will jointly provide quality education and training to students from across the country culminating in a bachelor’s degree in international business in hotel and tourism management.

"This stellar degree programme, both unique and innovative in its course structure through its varied learning offerings and multifarious development opportunities, provides a new option for students who would like to get a firm foothold in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. Our international curriculum ensures that students imbibe contemporary best practices and equip themselves to trail blaze their careers globally," says Dr. P.C. Thomas, founder chairman of the Good Shepherd International School, Ooty (estb. 1977), Good Shepherd Finishing School (2003) and GCHM (2007).

According to Thomas, the first batch of 60 students, who are already undergoing a foundation course, will be formally admitted into the GCHM campus in Ooty on October 15. After two years in GCHM, students will complete their third year in Cesar Ritz Colleges, Switzerland which will award them a bachelor’s degree in international business in hotel and tourism management. "Students graduating from this programme will have a thorough understanding of the hospitality industry and a broader perspective of the latest trends in this business," says Thomas.

Cesar Ritz Colleges, (estb. 1982) which has an enrollment of 270 students from 45 countries, located in Brig, Switzerland, is a pioneer and innovator in international hotel education. Its fully accredited, high quality programmes have won global recognition.

On September 23, the board of directors of the Woodstock School, Mussoorie (estb. 1854) conferred distinguished alumnae awards upon Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala and Dorothy Irene Riddle for their outstanding professional achievements.

An alumna of Woodstock, Delhi and Yale universities, Bhavenesh Kumari was felicitated as one of India’s most prominent women lawyers and advisor to numerous multinational companies whom she helped to build Indian partnerships.

Dorothy Riddle, an alumna of Woodstock, Colorado, Duke and Arizona universities was honoured for her pioneering work designed to empower minority groups and under-resourced economies as a United Nations services sector advisor and counsellor.

Within the next quinquennium the London-based Middlesex University (estb. 1992) intends to establish a substantial presence in India. This new age British university is partnering with several local institutions to offer its world-class study programmes to Indian students in India.

Dr. Michael Driscoll, vice-chancellor of the university, was recently in Delhi to develop links with local education providers as also for participating in the New Delhi Television (NDTV) programme Scholar Hunt, Destination UK — a multi-stage, multi-discipline reality show that will offer winners scholarships to five British universities including Middlesex. "Middlesex was the first university to sign up for the contest on the suggestion of our India representative Maroof Raza who initiated this idea to raise the profile of British universities within the Indian student community in collaboration with NDTV," says Driscoll.

Middlesex University will offer a full time undergraduate scholarship in computer science valued at £27,600 (Rs.22 lakh) spread over three years to one winner. In addition, the university will offer three half and 16 quarter scholarships besides 30 consolation scholarships to other participants. Currently Middlesex U has five offices across India.

The Mumbai-based Zee Interactive Learning Systems (ZILS) Ltd which runs a nationwide chain of 650 pre-schools under the Kidzee brand, celebrated Teachers Day (September 5) by rewarding winners of its ClickMasterz photo contest. This unique first-of-its-kind competition was open to teachers of Kidzee schools across India.

Under ClickMasterz rules, teachers were invited to submit photographs of pupils of their Kidzee centres, to capture their emotions, expressions and moods. Entries in three categories — solo, group and activity — were invited with candidates required to submit photographs for all three categories.

Response from Kidzee teachers across India was huge. The results of the ClickMasterz competition were duly declared on September 5. The first prize winner Mugdha Ojha received Rs.21,000, while the second runner-up received Rs.11,000 and the third Rs.5,000. "Moreover 25 consolation prizes (Rs.2,500) were awarded. Apart from this, teachers received a surprise gift from Kidzee," says Arun Khetan, the Mumbai-based chief executive of ZILS.

Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) will stage its fifth Global Entrepolis@Singapore (GES 2007) mega event from November 12-15 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention Centre. Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong will inaugurate the event on November 12.

"The objective of GES 2007 is to capture the global mood — understanding current business issues and exploring associated opportunities and risks — to help chart business growth," says a GES spokesperson. GES 2007 will also feature a Global Indian Business Summit which will showcase several Indian states, such as Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat and detail business opportunities in the manufacturing, real estate, IT, info-communication and service sectors they offer.

"GES 2007 is a premier business-networking event that aims to help businesses achieve sustainable growth. At this event, key decision-makers will converge in Singapore to meet, discuss, and invest in the latest emerging technologies and ideas," adds the spokesperson.