Delhi
AI CoEs initiative
New Delhi, October 15. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced three AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities in pursuance of the ministry’s “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India” mission.
The CoE on healthcare will be led by IIT-Delhi and AIIMS, CoE on agriculture by IIT-Ropar, and CoE on sustainable cities by IIT-Kanpur. To oversee implementation of the initiative, an Apex Committee has been constituted, co-chaired by Sridhar Vembu, founder-CEO of the Austin, Texas (USA)-based Zoho Corporation.
“These CoEs will democratise AI innovations and research to revolutionise healthcare delivery, strengthen food security and address critical urban challenges. These CoEs led by our top academic institutions will strengthen India’s AI capabilities and power the growth of India’s AI ecosystem,” said Pradhan, addressing a press conference.
Nagaland
Nursing schools boom?
Kohima, October 8. The state government plans to establish nursing schools in every district to meet the growing demand for healthcare workers, said health minister P. Paiwang Konyak, addressing nursing students at the platinum jubilee celebration of the School of Nursing, Kohima.
“The Centre has approved two nursing colleges which will be affiliated with the Nagaland Institute of Medical Science & Research (NIMSR) in Kohima and the upcoming Mon Medical College. This initiative aims to address workforce shortages, improve access to nursing education, and enhance healthcare quality in the state,” said the minister, speaking on the occasion.
“Nurses must explore opportunities beyond traditional hospital roles by embracing technology, provide homecare and palliative care and adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare landscape,” added the minister.
Tripura
Ayurveda college plans
Agartala, October 23. On the occasion of Ayurveda Day, Chief Minister Manik Saha announced plans to establish a full-fledged ayurvedic college in the state.
“Ayurvedic treatment became popular in 2014 after the NDA government under Prime Minister Modi established a separate Ayush ministry to promote ayurveda and homeopathy healthcare. Our government is keen to establish a full-fledged ayurvedic college to provide better health treatment facilities to our people. Our single 50-bed ayurvedic hospital is extremely busy these days,” he said, speaking on the occasion.
Added health and family welfare secretary Kiran Gitte: “The Ravi Shankar Foundation has already contacted our government expressing their willingness to set up the ayurvedic college. We will review their terms and if they match our requirements, the government will call the foundation for further talks.”
Jharkhand
Education initiatives galore
Ranchi, October 14. Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced a slew of education proposals, including establishing several engineering colleges and polytechnics statewide at an estimated cost of Rs.530 crore.
“In-principle approvals have been given for the construction of Government Polytechnic, Chakulia, Jamshedpur at an estimated cost of Rs.134.18 crore; Government Engineering College, Jamshedpur at a cost of Rs.254.93 crore; and a Government Polytechnic, Potka, Jamshedpur at a cost of Rs.136.13 crore,” says an official statement.
Approval was also given for the Rs.42 crore phase-II development of the Netarhat Tourism Project, besides setting up of institutes modelled on Netarhat Residential School in the Kolhan, Santhal Pargana and North Chotanagpur divisions.
Among other projects proposed: integrated science and mathematics laboratories in elementary schools; implementation of the Jharkhand State Institutional Ranking Framework (JSIRF), construction of a degree college at Thakurgangti in Godda district and a women’s college at Baharagora.
Arunachal Pradesh
Vice chancellors conference
Itanagar, October 23. State Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) K.T. Parnaik exhorted vice chancellors of state universities to focus on improving the quality of education through adoption of advanced technologies, even as universities discharge their social responsibilities.
Addressing his maiden vice chancellors’ conference at Raj Bhavan, the governor said: “The need of the hour is to align higher education with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat. Education is the most potent medium for social transformation and universities and colleges have a crucial role to play in it. Higher education is about developing the knowledge and skills needed to become good leaders, entrepreneurs and job creators.”
The governor urged the assembled vice chancellors to create stimulating environments and infrastructure to attain the goals of NEP 2020.