Rochester confers honorary doctorate on VIT founder
Chennai: The Founder and Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), G Viswanathan, was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York.
Dr David C Munson, the president, and Dr Prabu David, the Provost and Senior Vice President for academic affairs at RIT honoured Viswanathan with the honorary doctorate towards his vision and leadership in the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering & Management (STEM) education across India and in recognition to his dedication towards supporting the underprivileged.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Viswanathan thanked RIT for conferring the honorary doctorate on him. On the occasion, Sankar Viswanathan and Dr Sekar Viswanathan, vice-presidents of VIT, Dr Kanchana Bhaaskaran, vice-chancellor and Dr R Seenivasan, director of international relations were present.
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The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Bacteria found at Rajgir hot spring shows antibacterial activity
To live a cozy life on the earth, a temperature of around 25° to 30° C is ideal. But during a heat wave, where temperatures can cross 40° C, the consequences can be deadly. Humans and most complex multicellular organisms are not built to tolerate such heat. That doesn't mean no living thing can, however. Bacteria called thermophiles (meaning 'heat lovers') have been known to tolerate 45° to 70° C of heat. Such a high temperature can give human skin third-degree burns. While such an environment may seem hellish to people, thermophilic bacteria see an opportunity. Places on the earth with temperatures like this — including hot springs, deep-sea thermal vents, and compost piles — offer a mineral-rich neighbourhood with relatively few competing life forms. To gain an edge, some thermophilic bacteria produce potent antibiotics as weapons to neutralise their competitors. This is exactly why scientists have deemed hot springs around the world to be unexplored mines of antibiotic-producing bacteria. For example, thermophiles isolated from hot springs in the Asir and Jizan regions of Saudi Arabia have been found to produce a variety of potent antibiotics effective against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. The hot springs of India are not very well studied, however. But driven by their putative value, researchers at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu examined the Rajgir hot spring lake in Nalanda district of Bihar. Their findings were published last month in the Indian Journal of Microbiology. Exploring microbial diversity 'People take holy baths in these hot spring lakes, thinking diseases can be relieved,' K.V. Bhaskarrao, professor at VIT and corresponding author of the study paper, said. 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Bacteria belonging to this group are known producers of antimicrobial compounds. Well-known drugs like streptomycin and tetracycline were first discovered as the products of Actinobacteria. 'Hot springs studied till now showed very little diversity of Actinobacteria: — sometimes it is like 20% — but in our study I saw them to be abundant at Rajgir,' Aparana Kumari, a PhD scholar and first author of the study, said. Discovering antibiotic-producing bacteria has become more pressing in the era of antimicrobial resistance — a silent epidemic fuelled by the unwarranted use of antibiotics. Bacteria have responded by developing ways to resist the drugs, reducing the latter's potency. One outcome is the rising cost of healthcare, since multiple antibiotics may be required to treat a single infection. The World Health Organisation has projected antimicrobial resistance will add up to $1 trillion in healthcare costs worldwide by 2050. 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Going a step further, researchers aimed to isolate the specific antibacterial compounds produced by these bacteria. In another paper published in Chemical Papers, an antibacterial compound was successfully extracted from a bacterium identified as Actinomycetales bacterium spp., obtained from the Rajgir hot spring. (While the Chemical Papers study was published before the Indian Journal Microbiology one, the work it describes came after.) This bacterium produced a range of compounds. To isolate the one with antibacterial activity, the researchers used gas chromatography mass spectrometry, a sophisticated technique to separate compounds based on their chemical properties. The compound was found to be diethyl phthalate and it inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogenic bacterium that causes listeriosis, a fatal foodborne infection. This finding suggests that diethyl phthalate could potentially be developed as a drug against L. monocytogenes infections. Industrial, agricultural potential The potential of thermophiles goes beyond antibiotics: they have many applications across industries. For example, the PCR test — widely in use during the COVID-19 pandemic to check for the virus's presence — requires an enzyme that was first found in a thermophile called Thermus aquaticus. A 2018 study in Frontiers in Microbiology by Banaras Hindu University researchers reported that a cocktail of bacteria from a hot spring in the Chumathang area of Leh district has the ability to promote plant growth. Associate professor and the study's lead author Jay Prakash Verma said hot-spring strains are effective for industrial and agricultural applications thanks to their heat-tolerant properties. Mohit Nikalje is an IISc alumnus and a science communicator based in Bengaluru.
Business Standard
4 days ago
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IISc Bangalore Ranked No. 1 in STEM Education Rankings 2025 by Chronicles of India; followed by IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi
VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 3: Chronicles Network proudly announces the STEM Education Rankings 2025, recognizing Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore as the No. 1 institution in the country for STEM education. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and IIT Delhi secured the second and third ranks respectively, further cementing their status as premier institutions at the forefront of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education in India. This landmark ranking initiative evaluated 150 higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country, with 50 institutions selected in the Elite A1 Band designated as the Top STEM Institutions of India. The rankings span premier IITs, NITs, public and private universities, and newly emerging technology-focused institutions that demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. The STEM Education Rankings represent a subject-specific and data-driven assessment framework that departs from conventional, one-size-fits-all rankings. Developed by Chronicles of India, the ranking system incorporates verified institutional data, references from NAAC/NBA/NIRF for research output, faculty strength, industry partnerships, and academic feedback. Institutions were evaluated using a robust methodology that blends quantitative performance indicators with peer reviews and third-party validation. The key objective is to spotlight institutions that are shaping India's STEM ecosystem through groundbreaking research, technological innovation, quality faculty development, and real-world industry applications. Purpose and Vision Behind the Rankings The purpose of launching the STEM Education Rankings is deeply aligned with India's long-term national education goals, as envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With global STEM careers on the rise and India emerging as a hub for engineering, IT, biotech, and advanced sciences, there is an urgent need to measure and guide institutional performance with greater specificity and transparency. "The STEM Rankings are not just a scorecard, but a strategic tool that empowers institutions to benchmark themselves, highlight their strengths, and continuously innovate," said the editorial spokesperson for Chronicles of India. This ranking initiative also encourages academic leaders and stakeholders to adopt a future-oriented approach to education--enhancing digital infrastructure, enabling interdisciplinary programs, and fostering international collaboration. About Chronicles of India: Rankings, Insights, and Academic Excellence Chronicles of India is an integrated platform that combines a digital education magazine, news portal, rankings initiative, and awards platform, all aimed at transforming how institutions and individuals navigate India's academic ecosystem. It offers data-driven, actionable insights across four key verticals: 1. Institutional Rankings & Surveys * Young and Advanced Institutions Rankings * Legacy Institutions Rankings * STEM Education Rankings * Education 6.0 Competency Rankings * Technology and AI Education Rankings * Elite School Rankings (K-12) 2. Academic Branding & Outreach Chronicles of India provides strategic support for branding campaigns, perception building, and stakeholder engagement to help institutions improve visibility, public trust, and academic positioning. 3. Research & Faculty Insights The platform honors outstanding faculty and researchers through awards and publishes analytical insights into research productivity, funding, and global collaborations. 4. Student Services & Admission Intelligence From personalized college discovery to program benchmarking, Chronicles helps students make better choices through transparent rankings and institution-level diagnostics. With a clear mission to "transform data into insight, and insight into impact," Chronicles of India aims to be a definitive, reliable source for educational benchmarking and institutional growth. As India prepares to position itself as a global STEM powerhouse, the STEM Education Rankings 2025 mark a crucial step in acknowledging institutions that truly drive progress, innovation, and excellence. These rankings not only celebrate achievement but inspire a shared journey toward quality, equity, and global relevance in Indian higher education. To explore the complete rankings and participate in upcoming initiatives, please visit:
News18
5 days ago
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India sent over 331,000 students to the US in 2023–24, but recent visa policy changes under Trump have sparked uncertainty about their academic futures. In the 2023–2024 academic year, India sent more than 331,000 students to study in the US. However, US President Donald Trump's recent decision to suspend visa interviews for foreign nationals has created widespread uncertainty, leaving many Indian students in limbo about the future of their academic pursuits. Recently, US President Donald Trump defended his decision to limit foreign student admissions, even criticising Harvard University for what he called 'troubling behaviour" and its large amount of federal funding. Donald Trump said his administration still welcomes international students- but not those 'causing trouble." He said, 'We want to have great students here. We just don't want students who are causing trouble. I want foreign students here." advetisement Advertisement According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, the number of international students at US colleges and universities hit a record high of over 1.1 million (1,126,690) in the 2023–2024 academic year — marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Leading the charge was India, sending 331,602 students, a 23% rise over the previous year's total. Indian students are particularly drawn to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. Nearly 43% are enrolled in Mathematics and Computer Science, followed by 24.5% in Engineering, and 11.2% in Business and Management. These choices reflect not just global job market trends, but also the reputation of US institutions for cutting-edge research, technological advancement, and real-world impact. Field of Study Percentage of Indian Students Business / Management 11.2% Education 0.2% Engineering 24.5% Fine / Applied Arts 1.3% Health Professions 2.7% Humanities 0.4% Intensive English 0.3% Math / Computer Science 42.9% Physical / Life Sciences 5.4% Social Sciences 2.2% Other Fields of Study 8.3% Undeclared 0.5% Total Students 331,602 But what drives Indian students to choose STEM courses and study abroad? And why is the US their top destination? Speaking to Sachin Jain, Country Manager at ETS India & South Asia, explained, 'The United States remains one of the top destinations for Indian students, especially in future-forward fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, AI, Data Science, and Management." He added, 'Nearly 70% of Indian students in the US are pursuing STEM degrees. This preference is driven by global demand for tech and innovation-led skills, world-class research infrastructure, and structured post-study work opportunities of up to three years. US universities are no longer just degree providers — they are launchpads for global careers." ALSO READ: Study Abroad Shift: 25% Indians May Avoid US, Experts Say Ireland, Germany & Japan Seeing Surge For students like Rishabh (name changed on request), currently studying at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the decision to move was driven by more than just university rankings. 'I chose the US because of its cutting-edge research, global faculty, and strong industry linkages. It's not just about textbooks — I work on real-world projects and have access to labs that address some of the world's most pressing challenges. The culture here encourages innovation and critical thinking. It's truly shaping me into a global problem-solver," he said. Mechmi Gurung, a student in Yale University's Master of Advanced Management programme, shared a similar sentiment. 'Studying in the US was a dream that turned into a plan. The academic flexibility, exposure to diverse cultures, and access to the tech ecosystem make it the best place to grow. I wanted more than just a degree — I wanted experience, innovation, and a global mindset. Being the best version of yourself is what US education pushes you toward," she said. ALSO READ: Study Abroad Shift: 25% Indians May Avoid US, Experts Say Ireland, Germany & Japan Seeing Surge Despite Policy Shifts, Experts Remain Optimistic top videos View All According to the Open Doors Student Mobility Facts and Figures 2024, the majority of Indian students (64.5%) were enrolled in public institutions in 2023, while 35.5% attended private universities. Indian students' contribution to the US economy in 2023 was significant, generating $11.8 billion, as per the International Student Economic Impact 2023. Although recent US policy changes may cause short-term uncertainty, education experts remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for international study. They advise students to stay informed, think globally, and choose academic paths that align with their career ambitions and financial plans. About the Author Archit Gupta Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : America donald trump Indian students Study abroad us Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:05 IST News education-career Inside The US Dream: What Indian Students Are Studying And Why It Appeals
