Articles by Niraj Pandit
J.J. School gets de-novo deemed university status
The Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture, and Applied Arts in the city has received a de-novo deemed university status and will be known as Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture, and Design. The National Education Policy 2020 will be implemented and it will become a global center of excellence. The state government has granted funds for the restoration of heritage buildings and redevelopment of the hostel building. The university will have five new departments and aims to become an institute of eminence. Future funding will come from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture, and Design Foundation.
Updated on Oct 20, 2023 07:36 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
National Medical Commission cancels 141 MBBS admissions in state
The Graduate Medical Education Regulations of 2023 (GMER-23) permit online admission processes, but the state CET cell went against this by instructing applicants to submit their applications via email
Updated on Oct 20, 2023 07:26 AM IST
Parents concerned as APAAR ID consent form requires students’ personal information
The unique student identity system is part of the central government’s ambitious “One National, One Student” project. These IDs are designed to track students’ educational progress, achievements, and personal details
Updated on Oct 19, 2023 09:08 AM IST
IIT alumni create a website to mentor SC and ST students on career options
Singh pointed out that during the Covid-19 pandemic and even after that, in early 2022, they formally approached IITs to establish mentoring clubs on their campuses, but no one supported the idea. “Only IIT Delhi allowed us to interact with 100 students this year. After that, we decided to start an open forum and launched a website https://sites.google.com/view/mentoringiitians/.”
Updated on Oct 19, 2023 09:26 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
MU commits to timely declaration of winter session results, says VC
The University of Mumbai has unveiled an action plan to address the problem of delay in results, including distributing hall tickets a month before exams and implementing an online data updating system for attendance. The university is also forming clusters of colleges to decentralize the implementation of the New Education Policy and plans to offer undergraduate courses on university campuses.
Updated on Oct 18, 2023 08:32 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
GRE scores to be accepted by premier Indian institutes
Premier Indian institutes, including IIMs and SPJIMR, will now accept GRE scores from international students starting from the academic year 2024-25. This move aims to attract a more diverse pool of international students and enhance global recognition. The GRE General Test will also undergo a significant reduction in test duration, making it more efficient and reducing anxiety and fatigue. Over 100 Indian institutes are expected to acknowledge GRE scores, expanding its recognition beyond the United States, Canada, and a few other countries.
Updated on Oct 17, 2023 07:46 AM IST
New national student ID scheme requires parental consent for student registrations
Maharashtra schools in India are required to obtain parental consent to issue unique student identity numbers under the "One National, One Student" initiative. These IDs will track students' progress and personal information. Teachers are also being asked to update additional student details, causing concern among teachers. Special meetings will be held to raise awareness about the IDs, and schools will mark students as "consented" or "not consented" in the database. The APAAR ID will be used for various purposes, including monitoring drop-out rates and accessing educational resources. Teachers have opposed the additional administrative workload.
Updated on Oct 15, 2023 07:52 AM IST
Soon, AICTE to govern management of BBA degree
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to govern the management of the undergraduate degree in Business Administration (BBA) in India, in addition to overseeing MBA degrees, in an effort to improve management education. Currently, the University Grants Commission is responsible for the BBA degree. AICTE Chairman TN Sitharam announced the development at the Indian Management Conclave, stating that changes are likely to be announced in the handbook for the next academic year. This move is expected to streamline administrative processes and facilitate the admission of high-quality students into postgraduate management programs.
Updated on Oct 15, 2023 06:26 AM IST
Despite pharma college boom, thousands of seats go vacant in state
Pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra have a record number of vacancies, with 14,000 for BPharm and 6,977 for DPharm courses. The increase in colleges is raising concerns about the quality of education and the potential surplus of unemployed graduates.
Updated on Oct 14, 2023 08:02 AM IST
Universities across state fail to follow NEP schedule
State minister Chandrakant Patil warns Maharashtra universities of action if they fail to prepare plans to implement the New Education Policy (NEP).
Updated on Oct 13, 2023 07:06 AM IST
Student alleges bribe demand by Mumbai Univ officer
A student at the University of Mumbai has alleged that an official demanded a bribe of ₹10,000 to clear his exams, raising concerns about unethical practices within the university's examination system. The university has said it will look into the claims.
Updated on Oct 13, 2023 06:52 AM IST
Restore option to change branch after first year: IIT-B students
The survey findings showed that a majority of first-year student participants attributed their stress levels to academics. The survey was conducted after IIT-B formed Academic Stress Mitigation Committee (ASMC) that was co-convened by professors Kishore Chatterjee and Sundar Vishwanathan
Updated on Oct 12, 2023 08:00 AM IST
Govt delays taking back land from trust which subleased it to school
In March 2022, the housing department had directed MHADA to revoke the allotment of the plot to MPMCT, which had sub-leased it to two other organisations, one of which runs the school. It declared the sub-leasing agreement, initially approved by MHADA, null and void
Updated on Oct 11, 2023 08:00 AM IST
Man moves HC after Juhu preschool cancels daughter’s admission for change in residence
A father has filed a writ petition in the Bombay high court after a preschool in Juhu forced him to withdraw his daughter's admission due to a change in his place of residence. The father is seeking readmission for his daughter and action against the school for discrimination.
Updated on Oct 10, 2023 08:06 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
Chandrakant Patil suggests reforms in NAAC; writes to union education minister
Recently, with an aim to implement the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in colleges across the state, the Higher and Technical Education department had made NAAC accreditation mandate. Those unable to will face action from the department which recently came up with a three-step formula to act against such institutions
Updated on Oct 10, 2023 08:04 AM IST
Restore DMER’s centrality in purchase of medicines and recruitment of staff
The recent high death toll at a government hospital in Nanded, India, has highlighted the shortcomings of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in the state's healthcare system. The DMER's powers were curtailed in 2014, resulting in issues such as shortages of medical staff and medicines. Previously, the DMER was responsible for purchasing medicines and equipment for government-run hospitals, but its role was reduced and two separate purchasing authorities were created. The government has now granted district collectors and deans increased purchasing power to address the issues. However, some experts argue that a centralised purchase system would be more effective. Additionally, there is a shortage of professors at medical colleges in the state, with faculty members being transferred to colleges to meet inspection requirements.
Updated on Oct 07, 2023 07:58 AM IST
IIT-B distances itself from mess council’s exclusive veg tables decision
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) administration has distanced itself from the decision to earmark vegetarian tables in hostels 12, 13, and 14. The decision was made by the student council, but the administration is now facing backlash from students.
Updated on Oct 06, 2023 05:14 AM IST
Awaiting appointment letters, frustrated MPSC candidates resort to hunger strike
The appointment letter has not been issued due to the cancellation of the government decision to give benefits to candidates belonging to the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category and a pending petition in the Bombay high court
Updated on Oct 04, 2023 08:44 AM IST
13 students with negative scores eligible for PG medical seats
Students with negative marks and zero marks in NEET (PG) are eligible for admission to medical PG courses in India, raising concerns about the quality of education. Students with as low as 5 marks have secured admission to medical colleges. Experts are urging the government to maintain higher eligibility criteria to ensure the quality of doctors in the healthcare sector.
Updated on Oct 03, 2023 07:24 AM IST
IIT-B alumni name trees after favourite profs in reforestation project
The 14 Trees Project was conceptualised by Pravin Bhagwat, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, who came up with the idea of planting trees as a tribute to teachers. Bhagwat and his team are working to restore 200 acres of degraded land through the planting of native trees
Updated on Oct 01, 2023 11:01 PM IST
IIT-B students launch civil disobedience over exclusive veg tables on canteen
Claiming the practice is rooted in a casteist mentality, the students are peacefully protesting by taking non-veg food into the veg-only designated spaces.
Updated on Sep 30, 2023 04:32 AM IST
Row erupts on IIT-B campus over vegetarian-only exclusive tables
In the email sent on Wednesday, the mess council stated, “The mess is for all, and everyone’s comfortable dining is our responsibility. There is no doubt that there are some people who can’t resist the view and smell of non-veg food during their dining; this may create health issues as well
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 07:44 AM IST
Covid gone but National College goes back to online classes for Class 12
Students and parents have raised concerns and have requested the management to begin classes in offline mode. Initially the students thought it was temporary, but till today the college administration is conducting classes virtually
Published on Sep 26, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Autonomous colleges in state face challenges in implementing Indian Knowledge System
However, the absence of specific guidelines for the IKS curriculum has prompted several colleges to integrate yoga as a component of the IKS curriculum. At least six of the 12 colleges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) that HT got in touch with have opted for yoga as part of IKS
Published on Sep 25, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Vacancies push govt to bring down eligibility criteria in NEET PG to zero percentile
The eligibility criteria for admission to postgraduate medical school in India has been reduced to zero percentile in NEET PG due to a substantial number of vacancies in various courses. Around 13,000 seats are currently vacant in medical colleges across the country. The decision to reduce eligibility criteria has been supported by the medical education fraternity, but has been criticized by students who are planning to file a petition against it in the Supreme Court.
Updated on Sep 25, 2023 12:16 AM IST
State to launch cluster schools scheme; teachers say 15K institutions to be closed
The development came recently after a meeting with deputy chief minister and finance minister Devendra Fadnavis
Published on Sep 23, 2023 12:52 AM IST
State allows corporates to adopt civic-run schools, teachers oppose
As per the GR, around 62,000 government schools are catering to around 50 lakh students across the state. The government has decided to appoint a state and local-level committee to implement this scheme. “The state-level committee is headed by the state education commissioner, and the local-level committee will be headed by the head of local administration
Published on Sep 19, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Mumbai-Goa Highway: A dream plagued by glitches
The National Highway 66 connecting Mumbai and Goa, touted as a dream thoroughfare, has been plagued with potholes, causing extensive traffic jams and delays.
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 12:42 AM IST
No PhD entrance test at MU, irks students
The University of Mumbai has faced criticism for the prolonged delay in conducting its PhD entrance exams, leaving prospective researchers in limbo. The exams, which were previously held twice a year, have not taken place since August 2021 due to the pandemic. Students have expressed frustration over the uncertainty and the impact on their academic journeys. The university has stated that the process of conducting the entrance test is ongoing and the schedule will be announced soon.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 01:09 AM IST
Delayed supplementary exam results leaves 900 aspiring engineering students in limbo
Approximately 900 engineering students in Maharashtra are in limbo as their supplementary class 12 exam results were delayed, causing them to miss the admission deadline for engineering colleges. The students are now appealing to education authorities to reopen the admission portal for a three-day window.
Updated on Sep 12, 2023 12:27 AM IST