Edx, an online learning platform, has tied up with Amnesty International to establishing an online platform for human rights education globally. Also, edX and Amnesty International will offer online courses from Amnesty’s global human rights experts.Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said, “From the seasoned activist who wants to learn more about human rights, to the technology entrepreneur whose interest has been piqued by the surveillance and privacy debate these new courses will have something for everyone".Amnesty International will offer a series of MOOCs over the next several years, starting in Fall 2015.Founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, EdX is a nonprofit, open-source enterprise offering online courses from more than 60 institutions, composed of both leading global universities and colleges and a diverse group of prominent organisations from around the world. It is focused on transforming online and on-campus learning through groundbreaking methodologies, game-like experiences and cutting-edge research on an open-source platform. Based in Cambridge, MA, USA, edX is focused on people, not profit.“EdX and Amnesty International are closely aligned in our shared mission to increase educational opportunities worldwide”, said Anant Agarwal, CEO edX and MIT professor. “For this reason, we are honoured to play a key part in providing high quality human rights education to learners across the globe. We hope that our global platform, with more than 4 million people from every country in the world, will be an ideal place for the organization to amplify its message of justice for all."
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Educational Testing Service (ETS) will award a total of $70,000 as Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL scholarships to ten exceptional students. This initiative supports a variety of educational initiatives helping students worldwide achieve their academic goals. The programme in India recognises TOEFL test takers who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate to study in India or abroad at nine thousand plus institutions across the world which accepts TOEFL test. Jennifer Brown, Executive Director of the TOEFL program said, “For the past several years, ETS has offered the TOEFL Scholarship Program in India to promote educational advancement of students, and we’re excited to continue this in 2015 and we are looking forward to learning more about the excellent pool of applicants and awarding 10 deserving students with the scholarships.” Students will be evaluated on English-communication skills, academic record, leadership skills and extracurricular activities. The eligibility criterions are: Must be a resident of IndiaMust begin undergraduate or graduate study between June 2015 and May 2016 at a university or college listed in the TOEFLMust hold a grade-point average of 80 or higher on a 100-point scale, or a 3.0 grade-point average or higher on a 4-point scaleShould demonstrate English proficiency with a valid TOEFL score Students need to apply online between June 15 and August 3. The semi-final will be held in August and winners will be announced in October this year.
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The bitter truth of today’s education system that we all know is that it’s broken. Parents know it, most teachers know it. The only one seems to be lagging behind in knowing these facts are the politicians. It is time they correspond to it. In today’s scenario seven out of the 10 jobs have not yet been invented for the students who are studying in school in India and the UK . So what is the point in drilling them purely on academic matters? What are their needs going to be, not only just surviving, but moving forward and making the difference to the world that most of them want to do? Notably our sages, especially from India, have always had the answer. We are now learning what it means to practice. Some of us are trying to make the education we offer reflect a new reality. Schooling needs to be at least as much about building good character as it does about achieving high academic progress. Swami Vivekananda has always been one of my heroes. His vision that in the heart of every pupil is a “divine being” awaiting release and fulfilment, it is extraordinarily reflected in the Platonic philosophical vision that beauty and goodness is innate in all. Every child is in fact bright, perfect and free. A real education must release this potential excellence. As a Headmaster for 10 years, I sought to build an educational environment where the virtues of courage, temperance, justice and wisdom could find real meaning in the lives of young people. And now, as Principal of ASIS, which represents 12 of Britain’s top Boarding Schools (www.angloschools.co.uk) I am trying to do the same here. That is why ASIS schools are giving scholarships up to 7 Crores and invite children from India to join our schools. Courage reflects itself in the ability to speak the truth and to say what you think, courageously. Those who learn to speak (preferably without note) will naturally lead and those who cannot will follow. Temperance is an ancient concept. Swami Vivekananda talked about it as ‘measure’ or moderation. I would like to take this as a learning how to overcome selfishness; how to care for those around you and to provide real service. “Take care of the service and the profits will look after themselves,” is an old business proverb, and one those youngsters setting out in the world need to hear. Justice is an alluring topic to teach young people about. It really means learning how to “do your duty”. A teacher, who does not turn up in the classroom well prepared, is rendering an “injustice” to his or her pupils. The magistrate who does not listen to the evidence before passing judgement is rendering an “injustice” too. To live justly is to live well. Corruption is rampant in modern society, and a ‘just’ man or woman will not go in that direction. Finally, there is wisdom. This is where the most profound change in education needs to take place. With the onset of ‘Google-Knowledge’, pretty much every fact can be found at the touch of the ‘search-key’. But who can understand human nature? Who knows whether a person is lying or not? Who knows whether the business risk is worth it or not? It takes wisdom, what I call wise decision-making. Only few schools are helping their pupils to differentiate between old-fashioned fact-based knowledge and wise discernment, based on principles and intuitive understanding. Just two years ago, I was asked to visit northern Iraq to talk to the Kurdish government about the future of education. There I saw nearly every state sponsored school had teaching staffs that was directed to in getting their pupils to pass academically-driven examinations. The curriculum had no philosophy, no opportunity or reflection on the important issues of life, no values-based subject discussion or dialogue. It was as barren as the surrounding desert. I would suggest that all countries should look whether their curriculums are any better; whether their teachers are equipped to open the emotional centre of the human being, which is essential in managing society in the years ahead? The OECD- PISA scores may say something about a country’s educational progress; but it is like measuring the health of a person by just looking at his brain. He has many more centres and they need nourishing too. The question I always ask parents is: what kind of human being do you want your child to become? And when I spell out the vision of what a human being is capable of (drawing Plato and Swami Vivekananda as inspirations) they almost agreed. And I expect the same response in India. In late January and early February I shall be offering an eight centre Lecture Tour, discussing a new vision for education. Honestly, I am drawing on the concept of the Dalai Lama, who once spoke in a meeting I attended: “What the world needs is an education in warm-heartedness!” “Yes,” I inwardly declared. “But what does it mean?” I have been working on a model and shall be presenting it to audiences during my lecture tour. It is both innovative and traditional. I hope it will reverberate in people’s hearts when they hear it; if it does, it stands the chance of working. Ranjit Sabikhi has been in practice as an Architect in New Delhi since 1961. He taught at the School of Planning & Architecture in New Delhi from 1959 to 1975 and has also been a Visiting Critic to the Urban Design Program at GSD Harvard University and the School of Architecture at Washington University St. Louis. The author, David Boddy, Principal, Anglo Schools International Services (ASIS)
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Rounak Sethi, an engineer from IIT Kanpur had interview calls from all major IIMs. He ended up converting most of them but chose not to join any. His friends look at him in disbelief as he lets go an IIM Ahmedabad seat. He is keen on studying in an Ivy League college. Neither is he the department rank 1 nor is he the student council president. He is somewhere in the middle. His is not an isolated trend!Over the last few years, an increasing number of Indian students are flocking to top business schools worldwide. In fact, Indian students are one of the largest nationalities in any of the top business schools. The crème de la crème from the best Indian institutions are choosing to head to the west rather than study at the hallowed portals of the IIMs. The article looks at this emerging trend.The glamour of doing an MBA from the IIMs has remained stagnant at best. A decade ago, doing an MBA from an IIM was paramount to being conferred with celebrity status. From superior matrimonial prospects to newspaper interviews to being worshipped in your residential colonies; life almost changed overnight! Over the last few years, the sheen of an MBA from IIM has worn off. Possible reasons that could have contributed to this could be the rapid increase in the number of IIMs and a significant increase in average batch size. At present, there are 13 IIMs with 5 new IIMs in the pipeline. Average batch size at the bigger IIMs has crossed 450.Post the economic downturn, the plush banking jobs from the London and New York desks have steadily declined. It hasn't helped that after so many years there are only 2-3 IIMs in the Financial Times Top 100 B-schools. Did You KnowAINSEAD batch has students from over 80 nations?Only 2 per cent of students at Harvard have flunked out?The phrase "Ivy League" is believed to have been coined by a sportswriter at the New York Tribune who used it disparagingly of Princeton and Columbia's football teams?Princeton's class of 2015 contains representatives from over 135 countries?The first IIT (Kharagpur) and the first IIM (Calcutta) were set up in West Bengal?Global exposure and better financing schemes have resulted in increased attractiveness of the international MBA from a top business school. With senior management roles becoming geography agnostic, an international role or an international education has almost become mandatory. As a result, young MBA aspirants are looking positively at an international MBA from a top business school.The experience offered at an international school in terms of diversity, study treks, alumni network is unmatchable. For instance, at London Business School, there are students from more than 80 countries in a batch. Any international MBA has typical study treks in countries like Turkey, China, South Africa, Germany, Hong Kong, etc. Students at INSEAD can study at three campuses the world over; Fountainbleau, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The alumni network at these institutions is unparalleled with representations from more than 100 countries.The cost of an international MBA has remained steep. Students can expect to pay atleast $ 100,000 to complete a 2 year MBA at a top ranked school like Harvard or Stanford. However, universities are looking to increase affordability by offering graduate assistantship opportunities, easy loans and alternate sources of income. Even then, it nearly takes 3 years to pay back a loan for an international MBA.However, over the last few years, the cost of an MBA from India has increased steadily. For instance, the cost of an MBA at the Indian School of Business is nearly Rs 27 lakh. Importance of diversity, return on investment and preferred work location are key parameters to choose between an Indian and an international MBA. There is a clear case to do an MBA from an IIM. Especially if an aspirant wants to work and settle in India. No institute can promise a better starting point. The return on investment, in pure financial terms, is significantly more lucrative than an international MBA. More often than not, engineers who don't want to be in software technology use the IIM route to do something else.An MBA from a top 10 business school has a clear cut case in its favor. Global outlook, exceptional alumni network, incredible diversity, global roles being some of the few benefits. If an aspirant wants to work outside India for a few years, a top 10 business school is an extremely attractive proposition. The salary increase after an MBA is equally high. For instance, MBA candidates at London Business School reported a 107 per cent increase in salary after their MBA.However, if a candidate fails to secure a top 10 business school; the decision to choose between an IIM and a global business school borders on shades of grey. International business schools often don't have a 100 per cent placement track record. The prospect of not landing a high paying job in a shaky economy with a ridiculously high loan can be extremely challenging for an MBA candidate.Many IIM grads are pursuing their second MBAs at top business schools. Over the last few years, an increasing number of IIM graduates are pursuing their second MBA at top business schools worldwide. The traditional MBA program in India is largely directed towards individuals with a few years of work experience. More and more graduates are doing the second MBA at top business schools to give their careers an international boost, change their industry or geography or to avoid stagnation in their present jobs.In conclusion, studying in a top 10 business school is an experience of a lifetime. The entire package, comprising of unbelievable diversity, incredible alumni, and global job opportunities can't be matched by any Indian business school. However, the choice becomes tricky when the candidate has to choose between an institute not in the top 10 and an IIM.Rounak has a final admission call from Columbia business school. Although he has been rejected by Harvard and Stanford, he decides to study in Columbia amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City!The author is an MBA from IIM Bangalore, the author of "Yours Sarcastically" and a columnist. You can reach him at sandeepdas99@gmail.com
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In one of the fattest pay package offered to an IITian ever in campus placements, a student of IIT Kharagpur has been offered a whopping annual salary of over Rs 1.5 crore.IIT Kharagpur officials said the salary package was among the 163 offers made by 27 visiting companies on Monday (1 December) on the first day of campus placements.The highest domestic package was of Rs 42 lakh and highest offer from abroad was of $250,000 (Rs 1.54 crore), the officials said.IIT authorities have refused to disclose details about the student or the company which made the offer, saying "this brings unnecessary attention to the student."IIT sources claimed that the 1.54 crore offer is the highest ever package received by the Kharagpur unit and among the largest ever in all IITs.The highest number of offers (24) was made by niche analytics consulting company EXL Service Pvt Ltd due to growth induced demand, followed by international brands like Visa, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Cisco, Microsoft IDC.Analytics, IT and Finance are leading so far.The first time visitors - Parthenon, TSMC , BMGI, VISA, Baker Hughes, and Auctus Advisors - gave an encouraging response and offered large number of positions to IIT Kharagpur talents.Professor Sudhirkumar Barai, Chairman of Career Development Center, IIT-Kharagpur, said from this year onwards special emphasis will be given to boost the confidence of the graduating students with the help of corporate workshops, case study contests, alumni mentorship session, assessment tests and soft skill training."The preparation has shown an impressive success in terms of day one placement this year at IIT Kharagpur. Further, there has been renewed realisation in Indian industry for highly qualified engineering professionals in Quality Engineering, Product Design and Manufacturing. IIT Kharagpur has been quick to identify this need and accordingly have initiated a programme in this field," Barai said.The total offers received so far stands at 251, which includes 88 pre-placement offers.On Day 1 of placements at IIT Madras, a total of 158 offers were made as compared to 95 offers made on Day 1 last year. The highest foreign offer was $1,29,500 (Over Rs 80 lakh) and the highest domestic offer was Rs 30 lakh. Goldman Sachs made the most number of offers in the forenoon session and EXL in the afternoon session The attached documents contain the company-wise break-up.Meanwhile, as many as 153 students of IIT Kanpur received offer letters for jobs from various companies on the first day of its campus placement drive which began yesterday, with the highest pay package offered so far being nearly Rs 60 lakh."So far, no one has received an offer of Rs one crore or above. The salary packages offered so far range between Rs 45 to 60 lakh," an IIT Kanpur official said.IIT Kanpur's placement cell's chairman Deepu Philip told PTI that 50 companies, including MNCs, Indian private firms and PSUs, have visited the campus for placements and 40 more will be participating in the drive today.The placement drive will continue till December 24.Nearly 1,300 students of B Tech, B Tech Dual and M Tech have registered themselves for the placements so far. More students are expected to register for the same, Philip said.Like in IIT Kharagpur, the maximum number of offers (38) has come from EXL Service Pvt Ltd. Oracle and Tower Research are other two companies which have offered high salary packages to students.According to IIT Kanpur officials, at least 250 companies including MNC's and Indian PSU's have agreed to come to the campus for placements.MNC's like Google, Oracle, Mitsubishi, Amazon, City Bank, Microsoft, Samsung, Facebook and other national companies will visit the campus till the last day, they said.At IIT-BHU, Varanasi, the top package from a multinational was Rs 77.5 lakh ($100,000 base salary, $15,000 sign-on bonus and $10,000 relocation and stock options), an over 19% jump over the top offer last year.
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