The Mumbai-based IL&FS Education inked a pact with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) — the world’s largest open/distance university — to jointly develop and deliver two trainers training programmes which will qualify individuals to work in government and NGOs (non-government organisations). The demand for such dually qualified professional trainers is estimated at over 100,000 per year. These courses will develop trainers to train managers of programmes such as MNREGS, national e-governance programmes, NGOs and mega corporate and state government training institutions.
The jointly developed 90-days I-Train programme is a certificate course delivered in the distance education mode with an active five-day classroom sessions programme. I-Train will provide solutions for developing bandwidth and upgrading the knowledge of master trainers, trainers and administrators across all sectors of the economy countrywide.
“These programmes developed jointly by IL&FS and IGNOU will be valuable as they are unique professional courses that will create employment opportunities in all social welfare and development schemes of the Central and state governments and NGOs as well,” said Prof. V. Rajasekharan Pillai, vice chancellor of IGNOU speaking at a media conference in Mumbai on September 7.
Pearson Foundation’s helping hand
The UK-based Pearson Foundation (estb.2004) has joined the Support My School (SMS) initiative of New Delhi Television Convergence Ltd and Coca Cola India Pvt. Ltd. The SMS initiative was launched earlier this year with the specific goal of creating learning environments and improving basic amenities in rural areas. The Pearson Foundation will serve as a learning partner for this national initiative, providing support to teachers and helping equip classrooms and libraries in 100 schools countrywide. Moreover, Pearson Education’s India businesses will provide local support by way of teacher training materials and classroom supplies. The SMS initiative is also supported by UN-Habitat, CAF and Sulabh International.
“Helping teachers and students is key to improving the fortunes of everyone in rural communities,” said Pearson Foundation president and CEO Mark Nieker, addressing a media conference in Delhi on Teachers Day (September 5). “Better classrooms, well-stocked libraries, and improved teacher training are great ways to build upon the existing achievements of this innovative campaign.”
On the occasion, Ajeet Singh, district education officer, Sonepat, inaugurated the first two Pearson Foundation libraries in government schools in Khewra and Jhundpur villages, Sonepat (Haryana).
Varkey Group acquires Everonn stake
The Dubai-based Varkey Group Ltd’s GEMS Education, which bills itself the world’s largest K-12 education company with over 50 years of experience in education, has acquired a 12 percent equity stake in the Chennai-based Everonn Education Ltd.
On September 19, the board of directors of Everonn Education approved the issue of 2.61 million equity shares (Rs.10 paid up) of Everonn Education at a price of Rs.528 per share aggregating to a purchase price of Rs.138 crore. This purchase gives Everonn Education (estb.1987) a market valuation of Rs.1,150 crore.
The Everonn board also approved a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed by the company, Varkey Group and SKIL Infrastructure Ltd, co-promoter of Everonn Education as a confirming party.
“We are extremely thankful to SKIL for having supported the management throughout and taken the initiative to identify the Varkey Group as a strategic investor. The strategic investors too, have shown great faith and confidence in the company’s management. We are confident that the Varkey Group and SKIL will not only help Everonn in achieving our goals to create value for all our stakeholders but also to realise our dream to become a leading global education company,” said Susha John, chief executive of Everonn Education speaking on the occasion.
High potential RAGC-Don Bosco pact
The Mumbai-based Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers (RAGC) has signed an agreement with Don Bosco’s St. Joseph’s Industrial Training Institute, Mumbai to provide vocational training programmes to industry and create employment opportunities for youth.
The Don Bosco organisation, which has established vocational training institutes in 130 countries, has a global reputation in education and skills training. Rustomjee Group is a respected name in real estate development and school education.
In this first-of-its-type collaboration, RAGC and Don Bosco will provide vocational training in automobile, facility management, manufacturing automation, hospitality services and other vocations to industry employees and youth. The training programmes will be conducted on the Don Bosco campus in Kurla, Mumbai, with the first batch scheduled to be admitted on October 3. All students who have completed high school and beyond are eligible for admission. Participants who successfully complete programmes will receive joint Don Bosco-RAGC certification.
IIM-Shillong-TransStadia sport study
Average spend on sports and games per school student in India ranges between Rs.2-250 per year according to a report of the Indian Institute of Management–Shillong (IIM-S). The study was funded by TransStadia Pvt. Ltd and was based on in-depth interviews and extensive question-naire-based surveys. The report was released at the Second India International Sports Summit held in Mumbai on September 24.
The IIM-S survey was conducted in Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Manipur. Of the respondent schools, 46 percent were privately operated, 16 percent were government-owned and around 22 percent were quasi-government schools.
“Results of the sports readiness investigation show that 80 percent of Indian school teachers believe that sports are an integral part of school education. Yet 90 percent of schools in India neither have sufficient sport infrastructure nor the funds to support sports activities of their schools,” said Dr. Swapan Majumdar, chairman, MDP, IIM-Shillong, speaking on the occasion.
Added Udit Sheth, managing director, TransStadia: “The most astonishing figures that we came across related to the annual spending on sports by respondent schools of whom 35 percent indicated that their annual sports budget is in the range of Rs.1,500-250,000 for 700-1,000 students. This means that annual spending for sports per student varies between Rs.2 to Rs.250. What can Rs.250 per year buy? Student participation in sports and games should be rewarded by extra credits or marks which can be the most attractive incentive at this level.”
First Next Learning Centre debut
Next Education India Pvt. Ltd inaugurated its first after-school Next Learning Centre (NLC) in Hyderabad on September 27. The company currently has two NLCs in Hyderabad and one in Kochi and plans to launch 100 owned and 500 franchised centres across 20 cities including Mumbai, Pune and Delhi.
The learning centres will conduct two main programmes viz, MiClass, a customised and innovative after-school learning programme for students; and iTeach, a revolutionary technology tool for 21st century educators.
“The channels through which a child receives education are schools, home tuition, coaching centres and parents. However, they all have limitations. In the 21st century, pure academic excellence is not enough to enable students to reach the pinnacle of success. In our NLCs we will focus on all aspects of a student’s development and every student will have a personal computer and a teacher. The teacher will facilitate learning through traditional methods as well as digital tools based on what is more suited to the content as well as to the child’s style of learning,” said Next Education chief executive Beas Dev Ralhan, speaking on the occasion.
Sikkim Manipal-ENU concordat
Sikkim Manipal University’s Directorate of Distance Education (SMU-DDE), one of the largest providers of distance education in India, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) — one of UK’s largest universities — in Bangalore on September 9.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two universities will collaborate to advance teaching, research, academic collaboration, cultural understanding and enhancing student experiences. In particular, ENU will become an academic partner of SMU-DDE, providing academic training and infrastructure to fulfil the educational needs of students.
“With India being one of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies, we are delighted to work with this leading university. This partnership will strengthen academic links and research collaboration between our nations and support the development of higher education in India,” said Prof. George Stonehouse, dean of the ENU Business School, speaking on the occasion.