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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Mizoram declared India's first fully literate state, confirms CM Lalduhoma
Mizoram has become the first state in India to be officially declared fully 'literate' under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative. The milestone was announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday during a formal ceremony at the Mizoram University Auditorium, in the presence of Education Minister Dr. Vanlalthlana and Union Minister of State for Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary. 'Today marks a historic moment in the journey of our state – one that will be remembered by generations to come. A total of 1,692 persons who, despite having missed earlier educational opportunities, demonstrated extraordinary determination and a will to learn, even in later stages of life,' the CM said on the occasion. Chaudhary praised Mizoram's commitment to inclusive growth through education. 'This is a proud day not just for Mizoram, but for the entire nation,' he added. Mizoram becomes first fully literate state in India: The mission The CM claimed that the School Education Department's persistent efforts, especially through Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram), were responsible for the historic achievement. Under the direction of Samagra Shiksha Mizoram's State Project Office, the state government formed an Executive Committee and Governing Council under the State Literacy Mission Authority. The State Center for Literacy was established under SCERT in order to assist the purpose. It created Vartian, a Mizo language study resource, and an English translation for students in the Lawngtlai district. Other tools were developed, including Margdarshika for Volunteer Teachers and Romei for Students. According to the CM, 3,026 illiterate people aged 15 and older were identified by Cluster Resource Center Coordinators acting as surveyors for the New India Literacy Programme, of whom 1,692 indicated a desire to study. Kerala was ranked as the most literate state in the 2011 Census, followed by Mizoram, which has a population of only about 11 lakh. Mizoram, India's First Fully 'Literate State': The ULLAS foundation The state ranked 3th in India with a literacy rate of 91.33%, according to the 2011 Census. In accordance with the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2023–2024), Mizoram achieved a literacy rate of 98.2%, making it the first fully literate state, according to an official statement released by the Mizoram government. This is in accordance with the ULLAS plan, which requires a minimum literacy rate of 95 percent. To identify and teach the remaining non-literate people, officials added, the ULLAS- Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society and Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram were put into place. Surveys were carried out using estimates from the 2011 census data. According to officials, 292 volunteer teachers in all, students, educators, resource people, and Cluster Resource Center Coordinators volunteered to lead this mission. According to them, Mizoram has achieved complete literacy as a consequence of community mobilization, devotion, and teamwork.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Joget Partners with Cradle to Empower Startups for Innovation and Ecosystem Growth Across Malaysia and Beyond
Strategic partnership combines Joget's AI-powered application and integration fabric platform with Cradle's startup ecosystem and capacity-building programs to accelerate innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and drive scalable growth. COLUMBIA, Md., May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Joget Inc., a global leader in open-source, AI-powered application development, has announced a strategic partnership with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Malaysia's early-stage startup agency under the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The partnership was unveiled during MYStartup NXT in Cyberjaya, in the presence of YB Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. It unites Joget's Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (EIE) Program with Cradle's MYStartup Single Window Platform, with the shared goal of empowering entrepreneurs and driving inclusive, technology-led growth across the startup ecosystem. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with Cradle's mission to enable and grow Malaysia's startup ecosystem," said Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle Fund. "The Joget EIE Startup Program provides startups with a powerful AI-powered application development platform, enabling them to automate smarter, scale faster, and build globally competitive solutions. Strategic partnerships like this unlock real value for early-stage innovators. We're excited to welcome Joget into our Startup Perks programme and look forward to seeing what startups will build with this opportunity." Empowering Startups with Scalable Innovation Tools Under the Joget EIE Startup Program, eligible startups will gain access to a suite of benefits, including advanced development tools, learning resources, and community support—empowering early-stage startups and tech-enabled business services organizations for rapid innovation, all the way from idea validation to minimum viable product (MVP) development and commercialization. A key objective of the program is to empower entrepreneurs build their products rapidly, and provide speed to market while keeping their development costs low. This further helps them with early customer engagement to iterate through their product for refinement, helping founders focus on product-market fit and revenue generation rather than infrastructure limitations, time and resource constraints, or technical complexity. Since its launch less than a year ago, the EIE Program has built a vibrant innovation network of more than 500 talent communities, including universities, students, and startups across Malaysia, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and more. "Our partnership with Cradle opens up exciting new possibilities for startups in Malaysia and beyond," said Raveesh Dewan, President and CEO of Joget. "At Joget, we're reimagining how enterprises innovate. With Cradle's support, we're making it faster, easier, and more accessible for startups to scale and transform industries. This isn't just about building applications—it's about empowering founders to shape the future." A Shared Vision for Ecosystem Growth By combining Cradle's deep expertise in startup development with Joget's AI-powered platform, the partnership creates a powerful springboard for entrepreneurs to accelerate innovation, expand market access, and build sustainable businesses. Together, Cradle and Joget are reinforcing a shared vision: a thriving, innovation-driven startup ecosystem—made more accessible and impactful for the next generation of founders in Malaysia and the region. For more information about the Joget EIE Startup Program, please send an email to [email protected]. About Joget Joget offers an AI-powered, open-source application development platform that enables organizations to rapidly build and customize applications at any scale. Designed for business users, citizen developers, and professional developers, Joget empowers teams to create applications from simple departmental tools to enterprise-grade solutions serving millions of users. As an application and integration fabric platform, Joget seamlessly bridges existing and modern systems, enabling organizations to upgrade their digital infrastructure without disruption. Its open-source foundation ensures flexibility, while an extensive plugin ecosystem allows limitless customization. With Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities, Joget Intelligence simplifies AI-powered app development and automation, helping businesses streamline processes through natural language and images. For digital solutions companies seeking a branded, tailored experience, the Joget OEM White Label solution provides full rebranding capabilities, aligning the platform with their corporate identity. Trusted by startups, Fortune 500 companies, and governments worldwide, Joget is the go-to platform for digital transformation across industries.
News18
14-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Maharashtra Cabinet Approves PPP Policy To Transform ITIs Into Global Skill Hubs
Last Updated: The policy, developed by the Department of Skill Development, Employment, and Entrepreneurship, seeks to create a future-ready, employable workforce To align vocational education with global industry standards, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy aimed at transforming government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into world-class skill development centres. The policy, developed by the Department of Skill Development, Employment, and Entrepreneurship, seeks to create a future-ready, employable workforce by inviting corporate and philanthropic participation in training delivery, infrastructure upgradation, and curriculum design. The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will serve as the strategic partner for policy implementation. महाराष्ट्र राज्याचे मंत्रिमंडळ निर्णय!राज्यातील शासकीय औद्योगिक प्रशिक्षण संस्थांच्या (ITI) सार्वजनिक-खाजगी भागीदारीतून अद्ययावतीकरण धोरणाचा निर्णय घेण्यात आला आहे. यामध्ये ITI चे जागतिक दर्जाच्या प्रशिक्षण केंद्रांमध्ये रूपांतरण करण्याचा मुख्य हेतू असून, उद्योग व ITI… — Mangal Prabhat Lodha (@MPLodha) May 13, 2025 Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, addressing a press conference, said that around two lakh students across the state are expected to benefit from this initiative. 'Our goal is to ensure that ITI students not only receive globally relevant training but also get access to better employment opportunities through strong industry linkages," Lodha said. As per the policy, the government will retain ownership of ITI campuses and employees, while private partners will be permitted to introduce new courses, invest in high-end equipment, and modernise facilities. Partners can operate under CSR initiatives and will receive incentives such as tax benefits, provided they invest at least Rs 10 crore over 10 years or Rs 20 crore over 20 years. The initiative will begin with 25 ITIs and eventually expand to 100, based on a pilot review. Centres of Excellence will be established based on regional industry demands—such as automotive clusters in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar—offering advanced courses in AI, cybersecurity, IoT, robotics, green energy, and more. A job placement cell will also be established within each upgraded ITI. Importantly, the PPP framework ensures that private entities cannot claim ownership over public infrastructure or rebrand institutions. All decisions will be overseen by a government-led steering committee, which reserves the right to terminate partnerships if terms are violated. With focus on inclusivity, the policy also aims to increase women's participation in skill training and foster startup ecosystems through guidance and funding within ITI campuses. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 14, 2025, 17:43 IST
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Nod for new PPP policy to transform ITIs into world-class training centres
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy to transform Industrial Training Institutes ( ITIs) in the state into world-class institutions that can produce technologically-advanced and industry-ready skilled manpower. The policy, developed by the Department of Skill Development, Employment, and Entrepreneurship, will enable high-tech training, improved infrastructure, direct apprenticeship opportunities with global companies, and employment avenues that will financially empower trainees. According to the government, around 2 lakh ITI students are expected to benefit from the implementation of the PPP part of the policy, an innovative and time-relevant curriculum will also be introduced, Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha at a press conference at Mantralaya. Government ITIs have long been an integral part of Maharashtra's vocational education system. While ITIs have historically contributed to Maharashtra's industrial growth by supplying skilled labor, there is now a pressing need for highly specialised talent aligned with global industrial demands. These institutions face challenges such as outdated infrastructure, gaps in curriculum, and financial constraints. Therefore, revitalising these ITIs with future-oriented planning is necessary. Leading corporates, industrial associations, and philanthropists will be encouraged to help design curriculum and provide world-class training infrastructure. Corporates will be incentivised to contribute under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) by investing in ITIs. 1. Partnerships can be for a duration of 10 years (with a minimum investment of Rs10 crore) or 20 years (with a minimum investment of Rs 20 crore). 2. Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA) will serve as the strategic partner for policy implementation. 3. In rural areas, if necessary, the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) model may be used through tenders. 4. ITIs will be classified into three categories based on their location, assessment, and potential. 5. Existing staff, including teachers, will be retained. However, additional staff for new courses may be appointed by industry partners. 6. In the first phase, at least 25 ITIs will be selected. After reviewing the pilot phase, 100 ITIs will be included in the PPP model. As part of the introduction of an innovative and time-relevant curriculum, the students will get access to global-level industrial training. Courses in AI, cybersecurity, e-learning platforms, additive manufacturing, IoT, robotics, and green energy will be introduced. 'Centers of Excellence' will be established based on the industrial clusters in specific regions (for example, Pune and Sambhaji Nagar for the automobile industry). Practical training will be emphasised, with a focus on producing industry-aligned skilled manpower. As part of the new policy, ITIs will function as industry-aligned institutions and become more capable of supplying technologically proficient manpower. A job placement cell will be set up within each PPP-operated ITI to support job opportunities for trainees.
Rudaw Net
07-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Experts discuss educational reform, AI integration at key Erbil confab
Also in Kurdistan Qatar invites President Barzani to Doha Forum Turkey receiving significant interest at Erbil tourism fair: Consul PM Barzani urges shift from tragedy to tourism in promoting Kurdistan Region Erbil to face more frequent dust storms: Researcher A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The first International Conference on Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship (ICTripleE) commenced in Erbil on Tuesday, bringing together local and international experts to explore educational reform, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence into learning systems. The three-day event is organized by the Rwanga Foundation in collaboration with Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE). Speaking at the conference, Barzan Nazhat Hali, Deputy Chief Executive Director of the Rwanga Foundation, highlighted the critical need to prioritize education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship in the Kurdistan Region, while stressing the role of innovation and leadership in driving sustainable development and enhancing global competitiveness. 'When we reflect on our nation's present and the aspirations of our people, we understand that true revival is rooted not merely in resources, but in the development of minds,' Hali said. 'This is where development institutions play a crucial role - not just as implementers, but as creators of hope and builders of the future. That is exactly what the Rwanga Foundation strives to be.' He stressed that an institution committed to education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship becomes a catalyst for change and a driver of a nation's transformation and development. Hali expressed hope that the outcomes ICTripleE 'would be presented to the relevant authorities' and that the conference's recommendations 'serve as a scientific foundation for addressing educational shortcomings in the Kurdistan Region - ensuring alignment with contemporary developments and global trends.' The opening day of the conference was Amir Abdulrahman Chali, deputy of the Kurdistan Regional Government's education minister. 'It is crucial that we move beyond rhetoric and turn concepts into practice,' Chali stated, adding that 'conferences like this will guide us toward achieving that goal.' He further highlighted the education ministry's efforts to advance the education sector, including 'plans for a comprehensive conference for curriculum development.' Chali also underscored the ministry's keenness to 'establish career development centers.' The conference, running from May 6 to May 8, is being held at SUE's cultural center. Workshops during the conference will focus on student skill development, educational innovation, and cross-sector collaborations. Organizers view it as a crucial step in preparing future generations to meet global challenges. Addressing the conferees, President of SUE, Kamaran Mohammadamin, emphasized the importance of education and entrepreneurship in 'enhancing students' abilities to succeed in their fields of study, preparing them for real-life challenges, and teaching them how to navigate the realities they will face in both their academic and professional careers.' Mohammadamin also highlighted that SUE has hosted over 115 academic conferences in the past three years, addressing a wide range of societal issues and offering recommendations to the KRG. He noted that these efforts have contributed to the establishment of technical and scientific committees. Furthermore, the president emphasized SUE's strong relationships with 'governmental, non-governmental, local, and international organizations,' stating, 'We have formed significant academic and scientific partnerships with numerous organizations.' Among the attendees was Jaffer Sheyholislami, a renowned Professor from Western Iran (Rojhelat) and distinguished linguist and scholar at Carleton University in Canada. Sheyholislami presented a workshop on the importance of language, describing it as the most vital human institution, the first complex system individuals encounter, and the foundation upon which all other societal institutions are built. 'Planning and policy-making for language are essential for a society that aims to reform, particularly in education,' Sheyholislami argued, emphasizing that, 'Education cannot happen without language.' Sheyholislami also stressed 'the need for a language policy that can preserve national language and culture, enable participation and cooperation at the state level, and ensure the [Kurdistan] Region is an active player in science, research, culture, politics, and diplomacy globally.' He highlighted concerns about younger generations entering the workforce without proficiency in languages beyond the native Kurdish tongue. 'Knowing only Kurdish limits job opportunities,' Sheyholislami said. Education in the Kurdistan Region is primarily delivered in two Kurdish dialects - Badini in Duhok and Central Kurdish in other provinces - while Arabic is taught as a subject, though often poorly learned by the new generation. Sheyholislami also noted that speakers of different dialects of the Kurdish language 'do not always understand each other.' The last language policy issued by the Kurdistan Region's legislature dates back to 2014, with no updates since. The esteemed professor emphasized, 'We need a critical language policy that addresses linguistic equality, social justice, Kurdish national development, and global competitiveness.' Sheyholislami thus proposed an approach centered on nation-building through multilingual education, advocating for the strengthening of regional languages, the preservation of dialects, and the development of competitive multilingual citizens. 'Language is not just a tool for communication. It is a source of power and authority,' he concluded.
