The Symbiosis Institute of International Studies, a constituent school of Symbiosis International University, Pune, has scheduled an international relations conference titled ‘India and Development Partnerships in Asia and Africa: Towards a New Paradigm’ on December 14-15 at Symbiosis’ Lavale campus in Pune. “The conference will provide a platform for academicians, researchers, corporates and policy makers to examine multifarious aspects of development partnerships. The key objectives are to find meaningful and sustainable solutions to development issues, and explore India’s increasing capabilities and potential for development work in developing countries in the areas in which the latter need it most,’’ says an SIIS spokesperson. The conference will feature six tracks — development partnerships administration; trade and finance; social sector capacity building; partnerships for inclusive development; role of culture in development partnerships; and post-MDG 2015: the evolving agenda. Central Square progress report In a progress report (July 12), the Delhi-based Central Square Foundation (CSF, estb. 2012) has outlined the foundation’s several initiatives to make quality the focus of education policy and practice in India. “During the past few months, we have met numerous elected leaders and senior bureaucrats focused on education at various levels of government. Their interest in improving the quality of education inspires optimism and we are working on a number of policy initiatives to improve quality,’’ says Ashish Dhawan, the promoter-chairman of CSF. Among these initiatives are the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry)-sponsored National School Education Committee (chaired by CSF) with 25 corporate members and use of the FICCI platform to call the attention of policymakers towards critical education reform issues; an agreement with a group of like-minded civil society organisations to draw media attention towards ‘Making Learning the Priority in RTE’; and a partnership in education with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Moreover the India School Leadership Institute (ISLI), promoted by CSF with a group of international foundations, admitted its first batch. The Akanksha Foundation is currently incubating this programme in partnership with Teach for India and KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program). CSF has also promoted five Mindspark learning centres in Delhi with an enrolment of over 400 children, which blend technology with traditional learning. Tata Tech-BITS concordat The Pune-based Tata Technologies Ltd has signed an agreement with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani under which the company will design and deliver special education programmes for skills develop-ment of engineering professionals, students and faculty. Under the agreement inked, in Pune on July 15, Tata Technologies will support BITS’ industry interface programmes such as Practice School I & II for internships, and industry immersion for faculty refreshers. BITS will run special programmes incorporating industry perspectives and inputs from Tata Technologies. Moreover, BITS will award specific degrees through its off-campus Work Integrated Learning programmes. “Industry relevant education delivered in close collaboration with industry, has been a cornerstone of the educational philosophy of BITS, Pilani for over four decades. I am confident that the exciting multidimensional engagement that we are entering into with Tata…
