Latest news with #UGC-approved


New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Kerala goes US way with college sports league
KOCHI: Kerala will host India's first-ever 'Sports League' centered around colleges in the state, in an initiative that aims to revolutionise campus sports. The first season of College Sports League-Kerala (CSL-K), organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Sports Kerala Foundation will be inaugurated on Friday, July 18. Modelled like popular collegiate sports leagues in countries like the US, specific league competitions will be held for sports like football and volleyball in the inaugural season, with more games like cricket, basketball and kabaddi being added in the coming years. 'It came to our notice that students tend to move away from sports at a high rate after they graduate from schools. Through CSL-K, we aim to develop a competitive and interesting sports environment in colleges, an environment in which more and more students will be drawn to sports. We have constituted specific sports councils in almost all colleges which will take the charge of conducting the league in their campuses,' said Sports Minister V Abdurahiman. 'Through active college leagues, students will get direct exposure to the professional ecosystem of sports more easily. Right now, we have professional events like ISL, IPL and more in several states across the country. It will also help promote sports as a career opportunity,' he said. The inaugural season's events will kick off with football league competitions at Calicut University campus from July 17 to 26, featuring 60 teams from all UGC-approved colleges in the state. The teams have been selected on the basis of criteria including previous performance and team strength. The volleyball league will take place on the MG University campus next month. 'We expect that once we launch the initiative, people will get captivated by the system. We aim to give the country a strong team at least by the 2036 Olympics. The project is being implemented using Rs 60 lakh set aside for college sports. We expect it to become self-sufficient financially in the coming years. A lot of companies like Decathlon besides several banks have already approached us for sponsorships and endorsements,' Abdurahiman said.


New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi University faculty slams periodic review, retirement policy
NEW DELHI: Senior faculty members at Delhi University have voiced strong opposition to a proposed policy mandating periodic review and compulsory retirement of university employees, arguing that it undermines the institution's autonomy and targets senior staff unfairly. At a meeting held on Monday by a committee constituted by DU's Executive Council (EC), Dr Mithuraaj Dhusiya submitted a detailed note challenging the applicability of the Department of Personnel and Training's (DoPT) Office Memorandum dated June 27, 2024. Dhusiya contended that the policy has no legal basis in Central Universities like DU, which operate under UGC-approved ordinances. Citing the Allahabad High Court's ruling in Dr Suchitra Mitra vs Union of India, he emphasised that professors at central universities are not government servants and do not hold civil posts under the Union, making the Central Civil Services (CCS) rules inapplicable. 'The Professors of the University are neither members of a service nor do they hold a civil post under the Union,' the court had ruled, reaffirming that such rules do not apply to central universities. He also referred to a 2018 statement by former HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, clarifying that universities with their own ordinances are not obligated to adopt CCS rules. Raising concerns over the policy's intent, Dhusiya argued that it disproportionately targets employees above 50 years of age while sparing junior staff. Terming it 'arbitrary' and a 'witch-hunt,' he accused the administration of attempting to replace permanent staff with temporary or contractual hires. 'This notification is an unmitigated disaster,' he wrote, adding that it threatens to institutionalize contractual employment across the board. The committee is yet to take a final call, with the next round of discussions scheduled for July 10.


Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Can't demand equivalency certificates for UGC-approved courses, says Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has observed that requiring equivalency certificates from state universities for courses approved by UGC and offered by central universities would mark the end of the education system. Justice D K Singh was considering a petition by S Harisankar of Malappuram, challenging the decision of LBS Centre for Science and Technology — the agency responsible for conducting the State Eligibility Test (SET) for promotion to the post of higher secondary school teacher. Although the petitioner had passed the SET, the LBS Centre declined to issue his certificate of qualification, citing his failure to produce an equivalency certificate for his master's degree obtained from IGNOU . LBS Centre counsel and govt pleader argued that, in view of the special rules framed under the Kerala Education Act, 1958, an equivalency certificate is mandatory. They also referred to the SET prospectus, which contains a similar clause. However, the single bench observed that IGNOU is a central university of national importance established by the central govt to offer distance education and regular courses. It is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and its courses are UGC-approved. HC held that no insistence on equivalency certificates can be made in respect of degrees obtained from national institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science (IISc), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) or other institutions recognized by the UGC. Accordingly, the court directed the LBS Centre to issue the SET qualification certificate for July 2021 to the petitioner.


The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Think Tank challenging India's national security playbook
By Rohan Dutta Far from Delhi's power corridors, in a modest office at Hyderabad's Dr. MCR HRD Institute in Jubilee Hills, a bold experiment is quietly rewriting India's national security playbook. The Centre for Human Security Studies (CHSS), led by Ramesh Kanneganti, is bringing national security discussions to regions often left out of the conversation. Unlike Delhi's top-down approach, this Hyderabad-based think tank champions a bottom-up model, arguing that true national security must begin with food, water, health and education, not just military strength. 'CHSS is the first think tank from South India to influence national security strategy, pushing to decentralise policymaking and bring regional perspectives into focus,' says With key defence, IT, biotech and industrial sectors, as well as cultural diversity, the city serves as a natural hub for security thought leadership. CHSS advocates conflict prevention through dialogue, education and opportunity. Its model addresses poverty, unemployment and exclusion that fuel unrest. CHSS' work spans four areas: research, capacity building, internships and blending academic insight with field practice. The think tank has conducted AI-Smart Policing workshops for senior IPS, IAS and State police officers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Its Mission E3 (Educate, Empower, Employ) internship initiative has trained over 15,000 students in the last decade, helping more young women pursue education and careers over early marriage. This grassroots focus also guides its deradicalisation and youth outreach efforts, especially in vulnerable regions. The aim is to widen young people's sense of belonging in India's strategic future rather than limit them to short-term jobs or schemes. One of its major projects, Mission Panchamukhi, conducted India's largest coastal security review across nine States and four Union Territories. CHSS worked with fishermen, port authorities and security agencies to create AI and IoT-driven port security solutions tailored to local needs. CHSS created a seaport security syllabus for the Indian Maritime University and contributed to Telangana's upcoming BA Honours course in Defence and Security Studies. Nationally, is also part of a UGC-approved National Security MOOC on the Swayam platform. Globally, Stanford University and the Australian War College have engaged with CHSS's human-first model. But notes Indian universities are still under-involved in shaping security policy. (The writer is interning with The Hindu-Hyderabad)


Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
The IET Extends Application Deadline for India's Premier Engineering Scholarship to 22 June
PNN New Delhi [India], June 10: The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), one of the world's largest professional engineering bodies, has extended the application deadline for the 9th edition of the 'IET India Scholarship Award' to 22 June 2025, giving more aspiring engineers the opportunity to step forward and demonstrate their potential to solve real-world problems through innovation. Recognised as one of India's most prestigious scholarships for undergraduate engineering students, the IET India Scholarship Award is open to students enrolled full-time in AICTE/UGC-approved engineering programmes across the country. More than a financial grant, the Award seeks to identify and nurture the next generation of engineering leaders--students who are not just academically strong, but passionate about using technology to make a meaningful impact on society. Past winners include professionals currently working at Sprinklr, Apple, Google and other global tech players. With a total prize pool of Rs10 lakhs on offer, the national winner will receive Rs3,00,000, alongside nine additional awards for regional winners and runners-up. Beyond monetary benefits, the programme offers national recognition, opportunities to present innovations at high-profile industry platforms, and access to the IET's global professional network. Ajay Salariya, India Awards & Scholarships Manager at The Institution of Engineering and Technology, said, "By extending the deadline, we hope to encourage more young innovators to take that first step. This is more than just a scholarship--it is a launchpad for tomorrow's engineers to address the challenges of today. Last year, we were inspired by entries from over 2,000 cities and 2,260 colleges, and we look forward to an equally dynamic response this year." Applicants must have a minimum aggregate score of 60% or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale. The scholarship is open to students from any engineering specialisation and year of study, with no age limit. The selection process includes a rigorous four-stage evaluation: an online test on core engineering knowledge, regional-level solution-thons, and a national final scheduled for September 2025. Find all details about the award programme and how to apply: About The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world's largest professional engineering societies, headquartered in the United Kingdom. Dedicated to engineering a better world, the IET works across industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and technology. Through professional support, thought leadership, and global collaboration, the IET empowers engineers at every stage of their careers. Since its establishment in India in 2006, the IET has championed progress in engineering across sectors such as future technologies, mobility, and infrastructure. With over 30,000 applications already received this year, the extended deadline aims to ensure even more students get a chance to engage with this powerful platform--one that recognises potential, fuels ambition, and helps young engineers build a better world through innovation. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)