Everonn Skills Development Ltd (ESDL), a subsidiary of the Chennai-based Everonn Education Ltd which runs the world’s largest VSAT education network, launched its hospitality study programmes in Chennai on August 26. The programmes offered by ESDL are designed to upgrade the skill-sets of hospitality industry personnel to meet global standards. Graduates will be certified by the Delhi-based Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
Under an agreement between ESDL and IGNOU, the latter will certify ESDL’s 20 short duration non-credit hospitality courses ranging between 30-180 days. The study programmes are specially crafted by a panel of hospitality experts to meet the industry’s changing needs. “The courses offered by ESDL are very significant. Today, only 5 percent of the total workforce in the country has certified skills in contrast to over 85 percent in developed countries. If we enhance skills upgradation and certification to 10 percent of the workforce over the next three years, national productivity will more than double,” said Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, vice chancellor of IGNOU, speaking on the occasion.
Apart from hospitality courses, ESDL will offer a series of credit and non-credit courses in apparel, merchandising and textile design which will also be certified by IGNOU. ESDL’s several divisions include the Indian Skills School; Center for Nursing Excellence; Global Institute for Gaming and Animation, and Academy of Culinary and Hospitality Studies.
NIIT-Tally global alliance
The Delhi-based IT training and software solutions transnational NIIT Ltd and Tally Solutions (P) Ltd (estb.1986), have entered into a global alliance to develop business software professionals with particular expertise in Tally ERP 9, an accounting software program designed to power the growth of small and medium business (SMB) enterprises in India, the Middle East, Africa, China and the Asia-Pacific region in particular.
“This strategic partnership with NIIT will enable us to develop skilled Tally professionals for the SMB sector in India and abroad. It will leverage the tremendous potential that Tally has generated across industry, and empower fast-track SMB enterprises with aptly skilled manpower,” said Bharat Goenka, managing director of Tally Solutions, addressing a press conference in Delhi on August 26.
According to NIIT sources, this is the first global alliance aimed at developing talent for SMBs. “This alliance will lead to creation of a pool of highly-skilled and comprehensively trained business software professionals for SMB enterprises in India and overseas,” says Vijay Thadani, CEO of NIIT.
Cincinnati U scholarships for Indians
University of Cincinnati, a top-ranked public research university of the United States, announced an endowment of $1 million (Rs.4.50 crore) in undergraduate scholarships for Indian students.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on August 17, spokespersons of the university announced a commitment to provide two full scholarships to undergraduate Indian students joining UC next year. “This opportunity is open to two brilliant students who have overcome substantial disadvantages to pursue education. Moreover the UC Global Scholarship programme also provides scholarships ranging from $1,000-$12,000 (Rs.46,000-564,000 per year) to other undergraduate students. Completed applications should reach the university by December 1, 2010 for maximum scholarship consideration,” says Jonathan Weller, director of international admissions, UC.
“UC has always seen significant research contributions by Indian students. We look forward to more contributions and interest from Indian students with the current investment,” said Weller, adding that the university will partner with an NGO to help identify the two socially disadvantaged students eligible for full scholarships (www.uc.edu/india after October 1).
Indo-American Society summit
To celebrate its golden jubilee year, the Indo-American Society, Mumbai convened an Indo-US Summit on Higher Education on July 30-August 1. Over 500 educators from India and abroad attended the two-day summit. Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal was the chief guest at the gala inauguration of the summit on July 30.
Staged with the objective of building bridges in the field of education and culture between India and the US, the summit presented participants the opportunity to network with key business, political and academic personalities from India and abroad. Among the participants were minister-counsellor for public affairs of the US Embassy, New Delhi, Michael Pelletier; US consul general in Mumbai, Paul Folmsbee; former vice chancellor of Mumbai University Vijay Khole; former chairman of the All India Council of Technical Education Shankar Marathe, and Maharashtra higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope.
A white paper titled ‘Higher Education’ prepared by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, knowledge partner for the summit, was released on the occasion. The white paper details opportunities for participation of private sector education enterprises — both domestic and foreign — in the field of higher education in India.
Manipal-LVPA concordat
The Manipal/Bangalore-based Manipal University signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the L.V. Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai on August 26. Under the MoA, L.V. Prasad Academy (LVPA) will be an academic partner of Manipal University, providing academic training, infrastructure and networking links with the entertainment industry to fulfill the educational needs of Manipal U students.
Addressing a press conference Dr. Vinod Bhat, chief academic officer of Manipal Education and pro vice chancellor of Manipal University said: “Our clear focus is to provide quality education with industry connect to our students. This MoA reflects the deep interest and commitment of Manipal University and LVPA to contribute to the growth of the media and entertainment industries. Working relationships such as these will be truly beneficial to the industry.”
The two-year full-time MBA programme in media and entertainment of Manipal University offers students the option to train at LVPA, Chennai in the fourth semester.