• Pune a hub for foreign students
• Foreign teachers to take up posts in SA schools
• India will soon open up its educational sector to foreign universities

• National network to connect all knowledge institutions: Pitroda
• India Plans 30 New Universities to Improve Education
• Indian schools go Global!

A network of all knowledge institutions in India will be one of the most consequential outcomes of the National Knowledge Commission, its chairman Sam Pitroda says. Five months after presenting the commission's first report in January, Pitroda said the government had begun to coordinate the creation of the National Knowledge Network with gigabit capabilities. 'The idea is to interconnect all universities, libraries, laboratories, hospitals and agricultural institutions in order to share data and resources across the country,' Pitroda told a news agency in an interview. Pitroda said the knowledge network ties into the global trend where research and development activities and innovations are becoming 'multi-disciplinary and collaborative'. 'In order to work across institutional and even country boundaries, it is important to create significant computational power. It is in this context that the knowledge network will have a far reaching impact,' he said. 'Modern research demands live consultations as well as data and resource sharing. To be able to achieve that objective we have to provide broadband connectivity nationwide in a single seamless way,' he said. Pitroda said the knowledge network is just one visible example of the kind of work the commission has been involved in. 'More often than not people do not quite understand what it is that the commission actually does and how what it recommends can eventually impact people in their daily life. The knowledge network is a great tangible example of how our recommendations will eventually impact people in rural and urban areas,' he said. The network will connect some 5,000 nodes covering all major institutions but the commission proposes a phased approach where 500 to 1,000 nodes could be set up in the first phase. The commission is considering four networking options. The first is hiring and lighting dark fibers that have been laid extensively across the country by telecom service providers.

The second could be for lit fibers in order to avoid requisition of transmission equipment and its maintenance. A third option could be to use the existing commercial networks and save on investing on equipment. The fourth approach is hybrid in nature where there are two layers - the higher speed layer is wholly owned by the stakeholders while commercial service providers provide the lower layer. The commission's report to the nation appears to prefer the option that calls for the use of the existing commercial networks. 'In the last 10 years the entire nature of research and development, education to some extent and innovation has changed fundamentally. In order for India to not just compete globally but even acquire primacy as a knowledge society it is crucial that we provide our institutions world-class broadband network and in return expect them to do world-class work,' Pitroda said. Among the many things that the network seeks to achieve is to provide institutions with access speeds of 100 mbps and higher to enhance collaborations both within and outside the country. Pitroda said India has a 'unique window of opportunity' to transform itself by using a combination of technology and knowledge. 'Our knowledge base currently is quite diffused and scattered. The knowledge network can consolidate that base and create an enormous intellectual asset,' he said. Before the Knowledge Commission took up the issue of nationwide network, there were up to 10 separate attempts being made simultaneously to create networks. The commission recognized that these different efforts would prove costly and even non-starter. Even if some of them did come up, they would not be able to form one integrated network that was cost effective. The commission enlisted the services of a former chairman of the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) who was also a former member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for an interface with some 40 other experts for six months. A white paper was submitted to the commission on the basis of these discussions, leading to 10 specific recommendations. Asked to answer the criticism that the commission was engaged in an elitist and armchair exercise, Pitroda said: 'It is anything but that. The result of the commission's work will be visible in areas such as improved rural schools and libraries, better agricultural and medical research as well as improved access for small and medium scale industries. Each of these areas has direct bearing on ordinary people's everyday life. Of course, this is a long-term process.'

Courtesy: www.zeenews.com, May 28, 2007

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We have heard of students from India going abroad for higher education, but India is also attracting lots of foreign students itself. Hard working and ambitious, Lee Juien came from South Korea to study philosophy at Pune University. Says Lee, "There is a good professor in the philosophy department and I will get lots of benefit there. So I think after studying in Pune when I go back to my country that I can work very nicely with good opportunity in the field of Yoga and philosophy." Lee is not alone, Pune accomodates a huge 40 per cent of foreign students who come to India for higher education. And with each student spending over a $1,000 for admission, it swells the foreign exchange coffers. "In 2001 under Dr Kolaskar it was suggested that we become like an American university or any international university. This becomes a nodal center, so we not only do admissions but also cater to a single window system, to all the need of the foreign students like getting visa," says director, International center, Pune University, Dr Santishree Pandit. Since foreign students consider Pune to be a hub of better education. The city is home to students from 74 countries. Educationalists also feel that the mix of culture would help better competition amongst students. Mohammed Ahmed a law from Sudan feels Pune is measuring up well to his expectations. "The society here is a Muslim society similar to my society. If I went to Britain there I would face more difficulty there than here, the second thing if I were to compare India with Britain the quality of learning law here is the same," says Mohammed. It is not just good education that is attracting foreign students to the city. For many, Pune's ability to accept different cultures has taken it a step ahead.

Courtesy: www.ibnlive.com, June 28, 2007

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By Gautam Chakravorthy and Subramaniam Sharma

India plans to set up 30 universities and 6,000 model schools and is considering ways to establish a college in each of its 340 districts to improve the quality of education and add to the pool of skilled workforce. ``We need a quantum leap in our approach to higher education,'' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in an address at the University of Mumbai today. ``We need a massive expansion of higher education opportunities. We need to upgrade the quality of the higher educational institutions so that they work on the frontiers of knowledge.'' Less than half the students from school continue into college education in India, the world's second-most populous nation. Almost two-third of the country's universities and about 90 percent of the colleges are rated as below average of quality parameters, according to Prime Minister Singh. India needs to take advantage of its young population to sustain its pace of growth and reduce the number of poor, Singh said. ``We are at a point when the dynamics of our population growth can catapult us into a prolonged cycle of rapid economic growth,'' said Singh. ``We need to translate this potential into reality.'' About 54 percent of India's population was aged 24 or below in 2001, the government has said. The government's plans to expand the number of universities, colleges and schools and improve the quality of education come when company associations are raising concerns of a shortage of skilled workers.

Skill Shortage
Companies in India will face shortage of skilled people in the next five years, the New Delhi-based PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said this month. ``No organized efforts are visible both at the private and public domain to create and upgrade the skill sets,'' Sanjay Bhatia, president of the PHD Chamber, said in a news release on June 12. The government plans to establish 30 universities across the country, Singh said. Work on these universities will start in the next two to three months, he said. ``They should become the launching pads for our entry into the knowledge economy,'' said Singh. The government will work with the states to ``support'' the expansion of colleges to the country's 340 districts. India is considering ways to fund the establishment of the colleges, Singh said. India is working on a program to set up one ``high quality school'' in every block of the country, Singh said. These 6,000 publicly funded schools will establish ``benchmarks for excellence,'' he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gautam Chakravorthy in Mumbai at chakravorthy@bloomberg.net ; Subramaniam Sharma in New Delhi at ssharma@bloomberg.net

Courtesy: www.bloomberg.com, June 22, 2007

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Foreign teachers will soon take up posts in schools around the country. There is an acute shortage of skilled teachers in especially maths and science. The plan has been approved by the Council of Education Ministers. Teachers will be sourced from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and India. Home Affairs has made 1000 permits available for foreign teachers. The education department says South Africans will be first choice, but there is a critical shortage in highly skilled areas. Duncan Hindle, the education director-general, says this is not limited to Zimbabwe. "It comes up of course because they do know there is a large number of Zimbabwean teachers already in this country not working as teachers and I think that's waste of assets and a waste of resources to the continent," Hindle says. Provinces will submit their needs to the national department. But it will be difficult to implement the plan as teachers union Sadtu has already indicated that it will oppose any move to bring foreign teachers into South African classrooms. The education department says it's a short-term solution. South Africans will be trained to fill the vacancies. Graeme Bloch, an education analyst, says there is a real problem and these moves are a real indication that somebody is taking them seriously and looking at creative solutions. The education department has been critisized for not doing something about the shortfall sooner. Sadtu though is insisting on a meeting with the department.

Courtesy: www.sabcnews.com, June 11, 2007

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In Indian culture, education has always been looked upon as a holistic effort since time immemorial. India is a country that introduced "Gurukul" system of education to the world. As a tradition, education has always been regarded high in India and students pursue it devoutly. In almost every field, Indian students carve their own niche and make the nation proud. Be it the prestigious engineering institutes like the IITs, AIIMS for medicine and the world famous IIMs for management training, India is scoring high! Before any individual qualifies for higher education, he/she spends minimum of 12 years in the primary and secondary level of education. Such duration is significant in moulding the overall character of a student and, in a sense, crucial for his/her lifetime. The mettle and depth of Indian education is now acknowledged across the globe. In fact, Indian students are known to have a remarkable command over the subject and clarity of concepts. But then, when talked about the schools in India, there are very few examples one can recall or generate an encouraging opinion about. The primary and secondary education system in India is much "localized" and does not connect beyond the geographical boundaries. While some schools are clueless about this situation, some of them are realizing the seriousness and redirecting their approach and targeting global standards. Some of the schools in India have really been putting a lot of effort in revamping the existing image of education system in terms of infrastructure, facilities and introduction of new methodologies. Delhi Public School, Modern School, Starex International School and Doon International School are some of the leading names showing grit and determination in sculpturing a fresh model of primary and secondary education in India. The number of foreign students coming to India and enrolling themselves in such schools is one definite indicator of the popularity of these schools.

The students from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Bangladesh, South Korea and Thailand really look forward to get into some prestigious institutions where they can access quality education. For that, they need opportunities, facilities and attention. Schools, specially located in New Delhi have been a major attraction amongst foreign students. More than 800 students from Nepal enroll in the Indian schools every year only second to Kenya (1,310). Over 570 students from Bangladesh came to India last year to start their academic career. Most of the foreign students opt for higher studies in India once they are through with the earlier stages. As compared?to other cities (Bangalore or Mumbai), the cost of living in New Delhi is far low. Schools with international standards take complete care of the accommodation, food and recreation and make the foreign students feel at home. Rita Wilson, Principal of Starex International School, feels positive about the globalization of Indian education. She is listed by "Education World" (a monthly journal on education, June 2006 issue) as one of the fifty educationists "reshaping Indian Education".? With an exposure to school education in England, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Dubai, she is investing all her experience in making Starex a globally recognized school. Starex International School creates opportunities for students to develop their full, all-round potential. Their high standards and academic excellence groom students to emerge as responsible world citizens. Other schools also offer a truly international environment for students coming from all parts of the globe. The courses of study as well as norms of achievement in every field are aimed at preparing the students for educational qualifications acceptable throughout the world. Some of the major facilities provided by the schools include residential, medical and meals. Recreation, library, laboratory, sports, counseling and computer facilities are some other benefits that students can avail. "Friendly environment" is yet another aspect that attracts students from other countries. World citizenship, universal values, leadership qualities, and forward thinking can be considered as the four core values around which the schools seem to be putting efforts. With encouraging response from the foreign students, it is quite apparent that other schools will be following the footsteps of these schools and bring glory to the education system. The government, policy-makers, and educationists are taking measures to ensure that the country capitalizes on its biggest strength- "education" and give a truly global dimension to the education system.

Courtesy: www.gorkhapatra.org.np, June 8, 2007

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India will soon open up its educational sector to foreign universities, Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal, has said. "We are going to open up our educational sector to the foreign universities and it is going to be one of the largest FDI earners," Sibal said replying to a question at the Tehelka Summit here on the ''Challenge of India'' which concluded today. Sibal said relevant legislation for the purpose was on the anvil. "All foreign universities would be allowed in India," he said. Sibal said the main concern of the government was how to actually spread education and allow talents to grow in India. Answering a question on Special Economics Zones, he said of the 237 proposals 234 have already been approved. Most of the SEZs were in Information Technology field, he said.

Courtesy: www.indiadaily.com, Jun 8, 2007

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