Education Briefs

Mahindra-La Trobe concordat Delhi ncr/hyderabad, january 23. Mahindra University and La Trobe University, Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for upgrading the education of civil engineering students. This strategic collaboration includes a four-year programme, a cohesive student exchange initiative, and faculty exchange programmes. It will offer Mahindra University students opportunity to complete the final two years of their undergraduate programme at La Trobe University, “immersing them in a world-renowned academic environment and unlocking valuable international experience.” La Trobe will offer scholarships valued at AUD 9,500 (Rs.5.13 lakh) per annum to Mahindra University students participating in the programme. Commented Dr. Yajulu Medury, vice chancellor of Mahindra University, speaking on the occasion: “This MoU is a milestone in our efforts to nurture future global leaders in civil engineering. The partnership will provide our students access to cutting-edge knowledge, industry-relevant skills, and a global perspective that will prepare them for successful careers on the international stage.” La Trobe’s Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) programme is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring the highest standards for students choosing the programme. CUTM outreach program New delhi, january 10. Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) — the well-known Odisha-based skills university — successfully conducted a faculty outreach programme in Kanpur which attracted the participation of 150 teachers, educational experts, principals and proprietors of coaching institutes. “The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates skill-based futuristic education in schools and universities. Therefore, it is essential that educators co-operate to make it a reality. For over a decade, CUTM has been imparting skills education through experiential learning in on-campus industrial enterprises. These enterprises are engaged in everything from chalk making to e-rickshaw production, and students learn from ideation to production to commercialisation while pursuing conventional study programmes. Such action learning models are urgently needed to develop an industry-ready workforce of the future,” said Dr. Sukanta Parida, director of admissions at Centurion University, speaking on the occasion. Wadhwani’s gift Chennai, january 30. The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras) announced commitment of an endowment of Rs.110 crore from US-based billionaire Sunil Wadhwani for establishing a Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI. Wadhwani is an alumnus of IIT-Madras and the co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital. Wadhwani’s gift is one of the largest endowed by an alumnus to establish a school at an education institution in India. Speaking on the occasion, Wadhwani said: “I see a strong need for a dedicated data science and AI school focusing on foundational and applied research. With advancements in science and technology, India holds immense potential to emerge as a world leader in AI and allied sciences. As a proud alumnus, IIT Madras holds a special place in my life, and I am gratified to be associated with it in this manner.” Added Prof. V. Kamakoti, director, IIT-Madras: “With the advent of industry 4.0, wherein AI and data science are the main movers, the need for a school for data science and AI is critical. IIT-Madras has started this highly interdisciplinary school…