Latest news with #VijnanaKeralam
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
K-DISC peer mentors to guide 50k students for getting jobs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Remember that friend who taught you everything at the last minute before the exam? Now think of having the same friend guiding you to get a job, by mentoring you through job-oriented online courses. That is what K-DISC (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council) is planning through its new venture, 'Learners' Fest', which aims to aid close to 50,000 students by September. Under the Vijnana Keralam initiative, K-DISC, the advisory body of the state government, will be providing nearly 250 online courses in 40 developing and highly employable domains from platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn, free of cost. The domains span from finance and marketing to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The courses have been designed into job-specific learning paths for willing students, who will be helped by selected student ambassadors who will work as mentors. These mentors, selected from colleges of different streams, including engineering, polytechnic, arts and science institutes, will be given training to help other students of their college. Peer-to-peer learning is a student-driven approach which will be more effective for skill-based activities,' said P M Riyas, K-DISC executive director for skills, employment and entrepreneurship, adding that the practice may cater to the aptitudes of more students. 'Over 2,000 campus ambassadors have already been trained as part of the project. Selected students who are willing to mentor their peer groups will be undergoing an induction programme,' he said. Other students from the colleges can register themselves in the 'Digital Workforce Management System' portal on the K-DISC's official website. Participants will have to go through these courses, which will be backed by weekly peer learning sessions led by these mentors. Multiple courses will be integrated into each learning path, which have been designed to support students to fare well in the selection procedure for over 270 jobs. The induction programme for student ambassadors in 10 districts of the state has been completed, with only Wayanad, Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod remaining. FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Women participation in labour force to be raised to 50%: Minister
Women's participation in the labour force will be increased from 20% to 50%, Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh has said. He was speaking after performing the State-level inauguration of a meet of Kudumbashree community development society (CDS) chairpersons and release of CDS-level progress reports in Thiruvalla on Monday. The Minister said the Kudumbashree aimed at providing women skill training and employment in various sectors in association with the Vijnana Keralam project. 'The goal is to provide wage employment to one lakh women before Onam and three lakh women by March. This will pave the way for progress of their families and the State's economy. It will also help raise the State into the company of middle-income countries,' the Minister said. Mr. Rajesh said another goal of the Kudumbashree was increasing the membership of the self-help groups to 50 lakh. He pointed out that Kudumbashree had been able to bring women to the forefront of the State's social, political, and cultural spheres in the past quarter of a century. He spoke of the Kudumbashree Technology Advancement Programme, K4Care, Kudumbashree Premium Cafe, Ma Care that were being implemented by the Kudumbashree. Gift packets comprising Kudumbashree products will reach the market through the Pocketmart app in time for Onam, the Minister said. Mathew T. Thomas, MLA, in his presidential address, called for widespread diversification in Kudumbashree's future activities. CDS chairpersons from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Ernakulam took part in the CDS meet. A presentation on the Kudumbashree's future activities and district presentations were also held. Kudumbashree executive director H. Dineshan was present.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Isaac's appointment as ‘Vijnana Keralam' director as per law: Govt to Kerala HC
Kochi: The state govt has informed high court that the appointment of Thomas Isaac as advisor for the 'Vijnana Keralam' (Knowledge Kerala) project was made in accordance with the law and relevant administrative authority. In a counter-affidavit filed in response to a petition by A Navas of Thiruvananthapuram challenging the appointment, the govt stated that Isaac has been appointed on an honorary basis, offering his services without any remuneration. However, a monthly amount of Rs 70,000 has been sanctioned to cover fuel expenses for the use of his personal vehicle for official purposes, with a driver appointed on a contract basis. Denying the petitioner's allegation that the appointment has caused a significant loss to the public exchequer, the govt contended that there is no financial impropriety involved. The petitioner had further claimed that the appointment was made under a non-existent department, namely, the department of planning and finance (development innovation). Supporting this claim, the amicus curiae appointed by the court submitted an affidavit stating that no such department appears to have been created under the executive rules of the state govt. Planning and economic affairs department under secretary K S Manot clarified in the counter-affidavit that the said unit functions as a wing under the planning and economic affairs department. HC is scheduled to consider the petition on July 3.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Micro job fair for cluster comprising Cherthala municipality and Thycattusserry, Pattanakkad block panchayats held
As part of the State government's Vijnana Keralam project, a micro job fair was organised for the cluster comprising Cherthala municipality and Thycattusserry and Pattanakkad block panchayats on Saturday. It was inaugurated by Alappuzha district panchayat president K.G. Rajeshwari at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Cherthala. A total of 1,080 jobseekers participated in the fair. Several vacancies in 20 companies were made available for the job aspirants. In addition to seven counters set up for those who had registered in advance, three spot registration counters and one Digital Workforce Management System portal registration counter were also arranged. The micro job fairs are being organised as a follow-up to the mega job fair held at the district level. Officials said that similar job fairs would be conducted in other parts of the district in the coming months. Cherthala municipal chairperson Sherly Bharghavan presided.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala marching ahead with inclusive and sustainable development: Bindu
Kerala is marching ahead with inclusive and sustainable development, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R. Bindu has said. She was addressing the valedictory session of the Ente Keralam Exhibition and Trade Fair here on Saturday, held in connection with the fourth anniversary celebrations of the Left Democratic Front government. Dr. Bindu said the government had taken great strides to ensure land, housing, education, healthcare, employment, and basic amenities for all under a development model rooted in social justice. 'It is a matter of pride that this government has succeeded in implementing such people-centric development programmes,' she said. 'Over 4.52 lakh homes have been constructed under the LIFE Mission, with constructions ongoing to surpass five lakh beneficiaries. Land titles have been distributed to four lakh people. Internationally benchmarked public health and education services were made widely accessible. Over 7.5 lakh people were employed through the 'Vijnana Keralam' (Knowledge Kerala) initiative, aiming to hit 20 lakh jobs as promised in the manifesto,' she said, listing the achievements of the LDF government. Minister for Revenue and Housing K. Rajan, who presided over the event, described the expo as a transparent progress report of the government, open to the public without any exaggeration or filters. The event served as a platform to showcase Kerala's development model to the world, he said. Held at Thekkinkadu Maidan, the seven-day exhibition drew massive crowds. The event offered a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the achievements of the past nine years, brought to life through various stalls and digital experiences. There were 189 stalls, including 151 by government departments and 38 commercial stalls, at the expo.
