Education Briefs

The newly-registered, Bangalore-based the Association of International Schools of India (TAISI), an autonomous, non-profit representative organisation of international schools in India, is all set to inaugurate its three-day launch conference in Hyderabad on September 23. The venue of the conference-cum workshop is the ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arids & Tropics), campus on the periphery of Hyderabad.

"This conference will translate the broad objective of TAISI which as per our memorandum of association is ‘to bring international schools in India together for the advancement of education, intercultural understanding and friendship’, into a more focused annual plan of action. Moreover over the three-day conference, a galaxy of keynote speakers including school principals and eminent educationists will discuss ways and means to integrate best international school practices into Indian education. That’s why the conference is open to all schools in India," says Anu Monga, principal of the Bangalore International School and the first chairperson of TAISI.

According to TAISI sources, over 150 principals and senior teachers from schools across the country have confirmed participation. For further information e-mail info@bisedu.co.in or phone 080-28445852/ 28465060.

In his capacity as the chairman of a group of 30 mainstream universities promoting widening access to higher education in the UK, Prof. Michael Driscoll, vice chancellor of Middlesex University delivered a series of lectures in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, sponsored by the British Council. Driscoll advanced three broad reasons for the growing attraction of UK’s higher education sector — comparatively less expensive (a UK degree can be completed in three years as compared to four in other countries), international reputation, and success rate of overseas students indicated by low drop-out percentages. "Encouraging critical thought and next generation innovations is necessary to advance learning and that is the way we measure our own success and not necessarily, by picking from among the best of lots as largely practised," said Driscoll.

Middlesex University offers unique courses in education and health studies apart from high quality regular mainstream graduate and postgrad study programmes in science and engineering, management, humanities and the liberal arts.

The Horlicks Wiz Kids 2006 contest sponsored by the consumer healthcare major Glaxo Smithkline (GSK) which has attracted entries from over 200,000 students from 1,500 schools in 25 major cities across the country, has reached its penultimate round. The finalists of the 25 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Cochin, Thiruvanthapuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Vizag etc have been selected. In early September, 50 wiz kids (one each from junior/ senior category) from the 25 cities will converge in Bangalore for the national final.

The three-level (school, city and national) competition managed by Bangalore-based events management company The Activity, features 30 knowledge-testing competitions in diverse subjects such as music, literature, dance, singing, writing, speaking, creativity, art and design for students from classes I-XII. "This programme has been a resounding success in terms of countrywide participation, interest and propagation of our philosophy of providing valuable nourishment to children," says Subhijit Sen, vice-president (marketing) of GSK Consumer Healthcare. "Education is of critical importance to society and hence we are providing a platform for students to showcase their talents beyond academics. The overwhelming response to the contest may prompt us to become involved with other educational initiatives as well," says Sen who adds that the Wiz Team 2006 which wins this year will represent India in several youth conferences and seminars around the world.

Zee Interactive Learning Systems Limited (ZILS), a subsidiary of the Zee Group which has established a network of over 450 pre-schools spread across 200 locations in India and the UAE, has ventured into formal school education (primary and secondary with options for CBSE/ ICSE affiliation) with the launch of its Kidzee High franchise network.

"Kidzee High has been conceived as our response to the growing need for world-class schools in India to shape global minds on Indian soil. Kidzee High will provide a complete learning experience for children preparing to face the challenges of the contemporary world. Our world class learning centres will accord special emphasis on character and personality development and will be fully supported by state-of-the-art technology and top-of-the-line infrastructure. The curriculum of Kidzee High has been designed to stimulate the imagination and open the minds of children to creativity and innovation, prepare them for globalisation, changing technology and the socio-economic challenges of the 21st century," says Arun Khetan chief executive of ZILS.

The Indian Institute of Jewellery (IIJ) Mumbai, offers a 15-day lac artistry learning programme in collaboration with Paramparik Karigar, starting September 18. "Lac artistry and design is a traditional, age-old, yet dying craft. We have persuaded master craftsman Avaz Mohammed to conduct this short-duration training programme in Mumbai," says an IIJ spokesperson.

Master craftsman and state merit award winner Avaz Mohammed hails from a family that has been practicing the craft of lac bangle making in Jaipur for the past seven generations. He has traveled all over India and abroad, participating in exhibitions and enthralling audiences while demonstrating his craft.

"Students will learn to apply this traditional craft through various mediums to create, embellish, and design ornaments, decorative and utilitarian household objects as well as other knick-knacks and trinkets," says the IIJ spokesperson.

For further information call: 022 66661102 or e-mail: info@indianinstituteofjewellery.com.