
Officials from Ministry of Education visit Auroville, learn about development projects
A team from the Ministry of Education visited Auroville Foundation to understand it's functioning and learn about the development projects.
The team, including Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal and Deputy Secretary Saila Shah, visited various units including food processing, candle, chocolate and leather manufacturing centres. They also visited Matrimandir and held discussions with representatives of Auroville Foundation, a release here said.
'The Ministry officials discussed about the development projects for the Auroville City, grant-in aids, land acquisition procedures for Auroville City project and Green Belt initiative. The officials expressed their support for the ongoing development initiatives,' the Foundation said in the release.
The visiting delegation was briefed by Accounts Officer Angshuman Basu, Senior Consultant Venugopal and other members of the committees of the Governing Board, the release said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
30-05-2025
- The Hindu
Villupuram Collector visits Auroville to explore sustainable housing models
Villupuram Collector Shiek Abdul Rahaman visited Auroville recently to explore sustainable development practices, especially housing models. According to Auroville, the Collector, accompanied by J.E. Padmaja, Additional Collector, met officials of the Auroville Foundation and discussed cost-effective building techniques used in Auroville, for replication in rural housing development projects in Villupuram district. The team was taken around Auroville by Sindhuja Jagadeesh, member, Auroville Town Development Council, Antim, from the Admissions and Terminations Scrutinising Committee and Koshy Varghese, senior consultant for the Auroville Foundation. During the visit, officials from Villupuram surveyed low-cost and innovative material options for roofing and walling systems in Auroville. The team explored unique civil construction techniques that enable creation of buildings without heavy use of concrete, supporting multiple-storey structures up to two or three floors. A key highlight was the team's visit to the Centre for Scientific Research (CSR), where they observed the applications with Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB) and ferrocement channel roofing systems, a press note said. Later, the delegation visited Kinisi, an electric vehicle and cycle manufacturing and maintenance unit, housed in a building constructed using sustainable methods and an archetypal Aurovilian home, designed with lightweight roof and discussed options to resist heat during summer while remaining cost-effective. They also inspected a wood furniture workshop that repurposes wood from Auroville trees fallen during cyclones, promoting zero-waste practices. The last stop of the tour was the probiotics unit producing natural hand-washes, dishwashers, bath soaps, perfumes, and aromatic candles. According to the press note, the Collector found the sustainable housing solutions, particularly architecture and construction practices, impressive and expressed keenness to explore implementing similar eco-friendly, low-cost homes in Villupuram for the homeless and under the PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana). The Collector was also taken up by the handicrafts and self-sustainable units that support women entrepreneurs and youth in businesses, the press note added.


Hans India
24-05-2025
- Hans India
Northeast is new epicentre of India's development journey: Jayant Chaudhary
New Delhi: The northeastern region is no longer on the periphery of India but is the new epicentre of India's development journey, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said on Saturday. Speaking at the 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025' here, the minister said that from Mizoram achieving 100 per cent literacy rates to the entrepreneurial spirit of its youth, the region exemplifies resilience and community strength. 'As we celebrate this transformation, we must nurture risk-taking, skill development, and ecosystem support to unlock its potential,' he told the gathering. Mentioning the 'Skilling for AI Readiness' (SOAR) programme, which the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is currently developing in collaboration with Ministry of Education and NCVET, he added, 'The future lies in AI, and India must lead by building indigenous models and preparing our youth for an AI-driven world'. 'Through 'Skilling for AI Readiness', we plan to equip students with tools to innovate ethically using AI. The collective spirit of the Northeast, paired with national support, is a beacon of progress. We must harness this energy, break old mindsets, and build a future where every young mind from Arunachal to Assam shapes India's global narrative," Chaudhary added. The northeastern region is witnessing rapid growth and is on track to become one of the country's major economic hubs. 'From the tea gardens of Assam to digital creators in Shillong, the Northeast is not waiting for change — it is architecting it. And it is time the rest of India, and the world, invests in that spirit,' said the minister. On the sidelines of the summit, a dedicated 'Udyamita se Atmanirbhar Pavilion' set up by MSDE, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of the northeast, featuring eight dynamic entrepreneurs trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE). The efforts of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the northeastern region have empowered more than 49,000 youth with apprenticeship opportunities and entrepreneurship support to more than 3 lakhs through EAP and EDP programmes, since 2015.


The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
To win over foreign students, India must fix the post-study employment gap
India's ambitious and well-articulated goal of attracting 500,000 foreign students to its universities is beset by operational and structural inadequacies as well as a dearth of excellent placement chances in the nation's industrial sector. Still, India is undoubtedly of interest to international students. According to research in the American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, reasons for choosing to study in India include the chance to learn in an academic setting where English is the primary language, as well as the affordability of tuition and living costs. The promise of cultural immersion and the availability of a variety of academic programmes are also important draws. The 'Study in India' campaign, launched officially in 2018 to establish India as a major international center for higher education, was administered by the Ministry of Education and carried out by EdCIL (India) Limited. It sought to draw foreign students to Indian colleges by providing top-notch instruction at reasonable prices. But after almost five years, it's clear that intent is insufficient on its own. The numbers are self-evident. According to figures from the Ministry of Education, India hosted less than 47,000 international students in 2023. Even if there are some examples of institutional advancement, structural and operational inefficiencies plague the larger ecosystem. For the record, a majority of international students are from nearby countries like Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE, and others. Rwanda, Nigeria, Sudan, and other eastern African countries make up a respectable portion. Internationally speaking U.S., Canada, and the U.K. together account for almost 40% of the worldwide international student flow. France, Australia, and Germany are the most alluring study abroad locations in comparison to the big three. China today has around 200,000 international students. Also Read: Trump Effect : Opportunities for internationalisation of Indian universities The Study in India programme is an interdepartmental endeavor to establish a clear path for international students to apply to and be admitted into India's most prestigious universities while offering them all the social and cultural assistance they need. Some top-ranked U.S. and Australian Universities are already talking about setting up campuses in India. It remains to be seen if these campuses can attract international students in the way Study in India seeks to grow. However, the aforementioned AGMRD report lists several important obstacles, including excessive bureaucracy, safety worries, language problems, and doubts about academic quality. Students have identified a lack of support services, poor campus facilities, and inconsistent English education as the main barriers to their learning and integration. Ways to attract students Today, not many companies in India offer competitive remuneration that is comparable to what students in the U.S. or Europe would have received. R. Subrahmanyam, a former Secretary in the Indian government, says, 'Why do students travel abroad to further their education? It encompasses more than just an institution's calibre or the degree it offers. Crucially, it is for well-paying jobs that are commensurate with the level of study, time, and money a student spends on their higher education.' According to him, this basically suggests that working in India after completing your studies is not seen as a desirable option. According to student comments, delays and communication gaps persist even after the establishment of a dedicated portal. Furthermore, even though colleges have been invited to take part in the programme, many of them are ill-equipped or unmotivated to offer a globally competitive academic and cultural environment. This stands in stark contrast to successful international education destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and even up-and-coming hubs like Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. These nations offer international students comprehensive orientation, mentorship, and alumni support services in addition to strong infrastructure and highly regarded universities. Even when it is reasonably priced, India's existing product frequently lacks the ecology needed for long-term reputation-building and retention. Despite the government's best efforts, such as bilateral education agreements and scholarship programmes, these structural weaknesses have not been sufficiently addressed. Better execution is what's needed. Areas that require attention First and foremost, India needs to implement a cohesive, well-thought-out foreign marketing plan that not only advertises its colleges but also presents a hospitable and uniform image throughout the world. In this narrative-building effort, embassies, Indian cultural centers, and alumni living abroad can all be quite important. Starting with a 'Semester in India' is one of the calibrated methods to make studying in India a reality. This calls for an institute-to-institution collaboration in which the curriculum is exchanged and students from both sides have the chance to study in India for a semester, notes Mr. Subrahmanyam. And, indeed, online learning is a fantastic strategy to draw international students to Indian universities, particularly when combined with institutions like IITs and IIMs. An online programme from the top institute with a chance of immersive learning for a week or more, including exposure to Indian culture and society, is a great proposition. This needs structured and scalable protocols. A streamlined and time-bound visa and admissions procedure is crucial, according to those participating in Study in India. For international student admissions, establishing a single-window clearance process might greatly reduce wait times and improve the entire experience. By hiring the top industries that can provide competitive compensation packages for qualified international students, we can create a more reliable work visa system that pays well. Third, support networks and academic quality need to be strengthened. Universities must make investments in language labs, infrastructure, and cultural acculturation initiatives. This is an area where some of the best private universities are performing well. Classroom diversity and academic rigour will be enhanced by providing professors with cross-cultural teaching training and encouraging international cooperation. Lastly, safety must be given top priority as it is an unavoidable component of international movement. Building trust will be greatly aided by gender-sensitive campus programs, grievance redressal procedures, and visible safety measures. Benefits of Indian education A few months ago, writing in a newspaper from Delhi, Sachin Jain, an expert on international student, gave a strategic idea: presentl,y there are currently 400,000 GRE test takers from 190 countries. If we focus on the GRE test takers from West Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia—countries that are closer to India and where there is a desire for and appreciation of Indian higher education—we can simply begin pitching Indian institutions and their programmes. Cost and other considerations appear to favor India as we examine its potential to become a global center for education. India addresses many of the worldwide challenges faced by conventional study abroad markets, such as the lack of post-study employment possibilities, the cap on student visas, and the rising cost of living. India has a competitive edge over more conventional travel locations like the U.S., U.K., Australia, or Canada in terms of tuition costs, housing costs, post-study employment prospects, and even cultural experiences. In sum, the Study in India programme has genuine promise. India has the potential to play a significant role in the global education scene because of its extensive English-speaking population, centuries-old academic traditions, and expanding economy. However, by tackling the major systemic problems and placing the needs of the students at the forefront of the reform process, can be a great way forward.