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Newspaper Clips

December 23-29, 2017

December 29

MHRD Releases Year End Review for 2017: Check the Main Highlights in

Education

https://www.ndtv.com/education/mhrd-releases-year-end-review-for-2017-check-the-main-highlights-in-

education-1793155

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), yesterday, released its year end review

yesterday. MHRD called 2017 a landmark year in the field of education.

MHRD Releases Year End Review For 2017: Check Education Highlights

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), yesterday, released its year

end review yesterday. MHRD called 2017 a landmark year in the field of education. It said that the

vision of 'Education For All & Quality Education' guided policy actions and decisions which enabled

transformations, which emphasized upon making education 'Available, Accessible, Affordable and

Accountable'. The year end review highlights all the major changes which were introduced in the

Indian education system.

Here are some of the major highlights from the yearend review 2017 are:

Learning Outcomes: Rules to the RTE Act were amended in February 2017 and for the first time class

wise, subject wise learning outcomes were introduced till class VIII.

Teacher Training: An amendment to the Section 23(2) of the RTE Act was brought about in August to

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extend the period for training of untrained in-service elementary teachers to March 31, 2019.

NAS 2017: Largest ever National Achievement Survey (NAS) completed in November 2017. This year

22 lakh students from around 1, 10,000 schools across 700 districts of India (including rural and

urban) were assessed making it the largest sample survey of student earning achievement.

SSA Fund: 30% of SSA funds to states and UTs were allocated for components related to

entitlements and promoting quality education in schools.

Distribution of NCERT Books: NCERT launched a portal in August, 2017 to facilitate individuals,

schools, States and UTs to directly purchase textbooks.

Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar: 643 schools were evaluated at the national level and National awards

were given to 172 schools on September 1, 2017 including elementary and secondary schools in

both urban and rural areas.

Amendment of No-Detention policy: A bill to amend the no-detention provision under the RTE Act

was introduced in Lok Sabha which allowed states to detain students at classes 5 and 8.

Mandatory Board Exam: Board exams were made mandatory for class 10 students.

More Literates in India: 3 Crore illiterates became literate and passed the literacy test in adult

literacy campaign.

NIRF Ranking: Second NIRF Rankings released in April 2017.

New Education Policy (NEP): MHRD is working on NEP, after nearly 30 years.

SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA: SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring

Minds) launched in July 2017 which provides one integrated platform and portal for online courses,

using information and communication technology (ICT) and covers all higher education subjects and

skill sector courses. SWAYAM PRABHA is an initiative to provide 32 high quality educational channels

through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on 24X7 basis.

National Academic Depository (NAD): NAD is an online store house of academic awards (degrees,

diplomas, certificates, mark-sheets etc.) lodged by the academic institutions / school boards /

eligibility assessment bodies in a digital format and will help in validating their authenticity, their

safe storage and easy retrieval.

National Digital Library: National Digital Library (NDL) under the National Mission on Education

through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) with the objective to host a national

repository of existing e-content available across educational institutions in the country and e-

content developed under NMEICT.

Research Parks: Five new Research Parks at IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, and

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IISc Bangalore at a total cost of Rs.75.00 crore were approved by the Government.

Improving Gender Balance in IITs: For improving Gender Balance in IITs, the IIT Council in its 51st

meeting held on April 28, 2017, on the basis of the recommendations of a JAB Sub Committee, and

decided to increase female enrolment in B.Tech. programmes of IITs from the current 8% to 14% in

2018-19, 17% in 2019-20 and 20% in 2020-21 by creating supernumerary seats.

University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017: These regulations

provide clear directions and instructions for HEIs proposing to offer UG and PG courses through the

ODL mode, along with the mechanism of approvals, assessment and monitoring.

UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2017: The regulation would

create a distinct category of Deemed to be Universities, called Institutions of Eminence Deemed to

be Universities, which would be regulated differently from other Deemed to be Universities so as to

evolve into Institutions of world class in reasonable time period. Also, in order to assist Indian Higher

Education Institutions to get a rank within the top 100 in globally renowned rankings, UGC has

invited applications under the Institutions of eminence scheme wherein 10 institutions from the

government and 10 institutions from the private sector are to be selected. Government Institutions

will get financial assistance of 1000 crores over a period of five years in addition to the grant already

being received. The institutions selected from the private sector will have complete autonomy to

promote innovation and creativity expected to result in producing competent graduates for the

development of the country.

IIIT Bill 2014: The Bill provides independent statutory status to the four existing IIITs in Allahabad,

Gwalior, Jabalpur and Kancheepuram, which are funded by the Central Government, as also to

declare them to be institutions of National Importance.

IIM Bill, 2017: IIM Bill 2017 passed in both the parliamentary houses. Under the bill IIMs would be

declared as Institutions of National Importance and which will enable them to grant degrees to their

students.

Assessment of Innovation Programmes

http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/assessment-of-innovation-

programmes-117122800779_1.html

In order to make India an innovation driven economy, NITI Aayog, Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion (DIPP) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) together launched a mega initiative

India Innovation Index" that will rank States on Innovations through countrys first online innovation

index portal that will capture date on innovation from all Indian States on innovation and regularly

update it in real time. Improvement in the quality, research and innovation in educational

institutions is an on-going endeavour and the Central Government has been making a constant

effort in this direction.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) inter alia provides

support to State Governments for enhancing research quality, incubation centers, innovation hubs,

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etc. Till date, an amount of Rs. 12.03 crore has been released to 3 States namely Maharashtra,

Nagaland and Tamil Nadu.

Further, the Smart India Hackathon and Smart India Hardware Hackathon have been launched to

improve the innovative abilities of the students in the Higher Education Institutions. The Smart India

Hackathon has received huge response when it was launched in 2017 and this would be continued

as annual event. The projects for promoting research and innovation like the IMPRINT and Uchhatar

Avishkar Yojana (UAY) have brought focused attention of the scientific community on the need for

promoting innovation. The Start up India initiative of the Government has also put in place a

mechanism for identifying and incubating the innovative ideas.

The Government is also promoting research parks (RPs) and technology business incubators (TBIs)

which would nurture and promote the innovative ideas till they become commercial ventures. To

complement the renewed focus of the Government on developing indigenous Research and

Development capabilities, boosting manufacturing and creating a successful startup culture in the

country, five new Research Parks at IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, and IISc

Bangalore at a total cost of Rs.75.00 crore each have been approved by the Government. Approval

has also been accorded for continued financial support for two already approved Research Parks at

IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur at a cost of Rs.100 crore each. The Research Park at IIT Gandhinagar at

a total cost of Rs.90 crore is being funded by the Department of Science & Technology. In addition to

this, the Research Park at IIT Madras is fully functional.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satyapal Singh today in a written reply

to a Rajya Sabha question.

Small is bountiful

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/editorial-dna-edit-small-is-bountiful-2571274

When it comes to ensuring placements, that too in blue chip IT companies, the IITs are light years

ahead of private engineering colleges.

Though the information technology sector is bleeding – evident in the Artificial-Intelligence induced

massive layoffs, protectionist policies of the US and Australia, and sundry other cutbacks – the

students of the new-generation of IITs seemed to have bucked the trend by securing financially-

rewarding offers from campus recruitments.

The younger crop of institutions, especially the ones in Mandi and Patna, have even outperformed the

old, traditional bastions like IIT Bombay and Madras with a higher percentage of placement success.

This has partly to do with the government’s recent emphasis on nurturing the top institutions -- such

as the IITs of Madras, Delhi, Kharagpur, Bombay, Kanpur, Roorkee and Varanasi -- as citadels of

research.

With no such chip on their shoulders, so to speak, the younger ones are focused on establishing their

dominance in the job market. Their roaring success comes at a particularly distressing time.

According to the 2016-17 data of the Union HRD ministry, only 6,013 IIT graduates got jobs out of a

total of 9,104 in 17 IITs. There are 23 IITs in the country with a cumulative student strength of 75,000.

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The government’s twin strategy of research and jobs for the premier institutions seem to have worked,

with IIT Madras taking the lead in filing the maximum number of patents, followed by Bombay,

Kharagpur and Nagpur.

India needs to invest in research and development in a sustained manner if it wants to achieve

breakthroughs in science and technology. It must inspire the best talents in the country by creating

the right infrastructure and environment. The dividends will be reaped in the long run. The IITs can

even give a much-needed boost to the Centre’s skilling programme to generate employment for the

masses.

IIT alumni's singing session with Neeraj Shridhar

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/delhi/iit-alumnis-singing-session-with-

neeraj-shridhar/articleshow/62281058.cms

It was a night of going back in time and reliving the carefree college days when Neeraj Shridhar from

Bombay Vikings performed at the alumni meet of IIT Delhi. From his latest Bollywood hits to songs

from his initial days in the music industry, the singer made the audience groove to every peppy

number he sang.

Neeraj Shridhar Reminiscing his early days, when he had first performed at IIT Delhi, Neeraj said, "I still remember the day when I participated in a singing competition here and didn't go to receive the prize after winning the competition as I pretended to be a DU student to participate in the competition. I was

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afraid they might catch me and put me behind the bars." After singing a couple of songs for the audience, it was time to sing with the audience. The singer stepped down from the stage and joined the audience as he sang songs like 'Hare Ram Hare Ram' from the film 'Bhool Bhulaiya', and 'Sooraj Dooba' from 'Roy', with the former and current students of IIT Delhi. Asking people to forget everything and remember the days spent in the college, he said, "When you gather together you are not professionals. You are a family that sings together, dances together and enjoys together."

It was an enjoyable evening for the IIT-D alumni

Soon, the singing session turned into a dance party when the singer asked the audience to join him

on stage. Gauri Dutta, an alumna of IIT Delhi, who was in the 1984 batch, said, "I met many of my

batchmates, seniors and teachers. And I thoroughly enjoyed the closing event by Neeraj Shridhar. I

love dancing."

Gorisha Nath

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ALL SMILES: The audience loved the performances

The ex-IITians at the meet

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काव्ाांजलि में आईआईटी दिल्िी ने मारी बाजी https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur/story-iit-delhi-wins-in-kavyanjali-

1721705.html

आईआईटी कानपरु में चल रहे इंटर आईआईटी कल्चरल मीट के दसूरे ददन शकु्रवार को प्रतिभागियों ने िमाम इवेंट में दहस्सा ललया। कावयांलल में आईआईटी ददल्ली िो लाइव स्केगचिं में खड़िपरु ने बाजी मारी। इसके अलावा पेयर ऑफ स्टेज, मेला क्ववज, कॉमेडी जैसी प्रतियोगििाओ ंके निीजे भी घोषिि ककए िए। इंटर आईआईटी कल्चरल मीट के दसूरे ददन मेन ऑडडटोररयम में सभी 18 टीमों ने स्टेज प्ले ककया। स्टेज प्ले के जररए सभी टीमों ने स्टेज पर अपने इवेंट्स का ररहससल ककया। इसके बाद लाइव स्केच इवेंट में िरुुवार को जीिी आठ टीमों ने दहस्सा ललया। आईआईटी कैम्पस के षवलभन्न दहस्सों के प्रतिभागियों ने लाइव स्केच बनाए। इस प्रतियोगििा का षवनर आईआईटी खडिपरु रहा जबकक ददल्ली दसूरे और िीसरे पर रोपड़ रहा। पेयर ऑफ स्टेज में सभी आईआईटी की 16 टीमें शालमल रही। सभी टीमों के दो सदस्यों की जोड़ी ने अलि अलि वाद्ययतं्रों से प्रस्ितुि दी। पेयर ऑफ स्टेज में आईआईटी खड़िपरु पहले, मद्रास दसूरे और बाम्बे िीसरे स्थान पर रही।मेला क्ववज में वालीवडु से जडु़ ेप्रश्न पछेू िए, क्जसका सभी टीमों के प्रतिभागियों ने जवाब ददया। मेला क्ववज में मद्रास पहले, खड़िपरु दसूरे और बाम्बे आईआईटी िीसरे नम्बर पर रही। लेवचर हॉल में आयोक्जि कावयांजली प्रतियोगििा में प्रतिभागियों की दहन्दी कषविाओं ने खूब िाललयां बटोरी। ददल्ली आईआईटी ने कावयांजली में बाजी मारी। जबकक बीएचय ूदसूरे और कानपरु आईआईटी िीसरे नम्बर पर रही। इसके अलावा स्टेज प्ले और स्रीट प्ले में प्रतिभागियों ने सदभावना, धालमसक सौहादस जैसे मदु्दों पर अलभनय के जररए समाज को सदेंश ददया।

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IIT Hyderabad: Jamun seeds to treat water, green innovations, 3 new

courses in 2017

http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/iit-hyderabad-jamun-seeds-to-treat-water-green-

innovations-3-new-courses-in-2017/story-7VSk103NqBTBNFj6069CEO.html

About 13 MoUs were signed between IIT-H and foreign universities, educational institutions and

industries. Of these, nine universities and one industry were from Japan

IIT Hyderabad’s research projects that made news included an innovative process to remove fluoride from drinking water with jamun seeds and a cheaper, low-energy, and green way to recycle polystyrene (from which Styrofoam cups, containers are made) using orange peels.

Three new programmes and 13 MoUs, community welfare projects and awards for innovations which

included use of jamun (black plum) seeds to remove fluoride from water and cheaper and greener

ways to recycle polystyrene (used for Styrofoam cups, containers) made this an action-packed year

for the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H)

The two new B Tech courses introduced were BTech in engineering mathematics and BTech in minor

in design. The BTech (engineering mathematics) will enable students to pursue higher studies, such as

a PhD in math, in world-class universities. The minor in design course is aimed at helping enabling

creative thinking, entrepreneurial skills in students.

An all course MTech programme with specialisations in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering has

also been introduced after which students will receive MTech degrees, an IIT-H release said.

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About 13 MoUs were signed between IIT-H and foreign universities, educational institutions and

industries. Of these, nine universities and one industry were from Japan, Prof K Siva Kumar, dean of

international and alumni relations was quoted as saying in the release.

The institute also launched a joint PhD programme this year with Australia’s Swinburne University in

which about 11 students have been admitted so far.

The institute’s welfare project to adopt five villages belonging to scheduled caste communities under

the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan received the Swacchta Award by the HRD ministry. An extensive socio-

economic survey of the villages was done to identify grass-root issues.

Research projects that made news included an innovative process to remove fluoride from drinking

water with jamun seeds and a cheaper, low-energy, and green way to recycle polystyrene (from which

Styrofoam cups, containers are made) using orange peels.

A team led by Dr Chandra Shekhar Sharma, assistant professor, department of chemical engineering,

developed a jamun seed-based ‘activated carbon’ to remove fluoride from drinking water to the levels

considered acceptable by the World Health Organisation.

A group of researchers from the Institute also demonstrated a cheaper, low-energy, and green way of

recycling polystyrene and low-density Styrofoam (a form of expanded polystyrene) using orange peel

extract. The process involves dissolving polystyrene in the citrus extract and drawing it into fibres using

wet/solution spinning. The fibre is then turned into non-woven fabric. “Since fabric made of recycled

polystyrene is naturally oil-loving, it can be used for day-to-day household cleaning in kitchens, and

also for large-scale removal of oil-spill,” the release said.

The project has received financial support of Rs.37 lakh from the Technology Development Board,

Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Waste Management Programme. The

innovation also won a gold medal in the recently concluded World Invention and Innovation Forum

(WIIF) 2017 in Guangdong, China.

Prof. Aravind Kumar Rengan, assistant professor, department of biomedical engineering, was awarded

the prestigious Indian National Science Academy (INSA) medal in the Young Scientist category for 2017

for devising a novel way of nano-delivery using liposomes and gold nanoparticles. This is useful for

both imaging and therapeutics.

Dr Sushmee Badhulika, associate professor, department of electrical engineering, IIT Hyderabad, was

awarded the prestigious Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) Young Engineer Award 2017

in recognition of her contribution in the field of flexible and wearable nanoelectronics and eco-friendly

paper-based electronics. Her research group has developed a low cost, artificial electronic skin (e-

skin), beneficial to acid attack and burn victims.

Speaking about the achievements of the Institute in 2017, Prof UB Desai, director, IIT Hyderabad, said,

“This has been a great year with faculty getting many awards like the INSA young scientist award, INAE

young engineer award, NASI young scientist award and many more. Our research in 5G, nanoscience,

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and other domains is getting recognition world over. On the academic front also, we have innovated

and created more flexibility”.

December 28

कानपरु: आज से इांटर आईआईटी कल्चरि मीट शरुू, IIT की 18 टीमें होंगी एक साथ https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur/story-iit-cultural-meat-starts-from-today-in-

kanpur-1718997.html

आईआईटी में िरुुवार से इंटर आईआईटी कल्चरल मीट शरुू हो रहा है। इसमें देश के 18 आईआईटी की चतुनदंा टीमें अपना कौशल ददखाने कानपरु आएंिी। कल्चरल मीट में साि इवेंट के अिंिसि 35 प्रतियोगििाएं होंिी। इसका आयोजन दसूरी बार हो रहा है। पहला आयोजन आईआईटी बॉम्बे में 2016 में हुआ था। ओवरऑल षवजेिा भी आईआईटी बॉम्बे की ही टीम थी। आईआईटी कानपरु ने डांस प्रतियोगििा में बाजी मारी थी।

आईआईटी कानपरु में 28 से 30 ददसबंर के बीच कल्चरल मीट में सबुह साढे आठ से राि 11 बज ेिक षवलभन्न प्रतियोगििाओ ंका आयोजन होिा। शभुारंभ डू-इट डांस प्रतियोगििा के साथ सबुह 11 बजे होिा। इसके आयोजक छात्र तनककिा ििस और सजुॉय मखुजी ने बिाया कक डांस, म्यकू्जक, ड्रामा, मीडडया एंड जनसललज्म, फाइन आट्सस, क्ववज एंड ललटरेरी और स्पीककंि आट्सस इवेंट होंिे। इस विस ओवरऑल षवजेिा के साथ ही उपषवजेिा का नाम भी घोषिि ककया जाएिा। षपछले विस लसफस षवजेिा का ही चयन हुआ था। अलि-अलि प्रतियोगििा में जज के रूप में अशं भावसर, अनभुव श्रीवास्िव, मोदहि डोभाल, रलशल बनजी, उज्ज्वल आ रहे हैं।

महोत्सव के शभुारंभ के अवसर पर अनभुव श्रीवास्िव की पसु्िक 'वन लास्ट टाइम' का षवमोचन भी होिा। समापन समारोह में परुस्कार षविरण के साथ अलभिके शकंर की टीम म्यकू्जकल नाइट प्रस्ििु करेिी। प्रतियोगििा के बीच प्रतिभागियों के ललए बोनफायर नाइट, पोकर नाइट जैसे कायसक्रम भी होंिे। इसमें करीब 1800 से अगधक प्रतिभागियों के शालमल होने की उम्मीद है।

आईआईटी के टी प्रभाकर ने जीता स्कॉच गोल्ड अवाडड https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur/story-prabhakar-of-iit-kanpur-wins-award-

1718390.html

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आईआईटी के कंप्यटूर साइंस एंड इंजीतनयररिं षवभाि के प्रो. टी प्रभाकर ने स्कॉच िोल्ड अवाडस जीिा है। इस प्रतियोगििा में देश के बड़ े80 टेवनोलॉक्जकल प्रोजवेट को रखा िया था। स्कॉच आडसर ऑफ मेररट के अनसुार आईआईटी कानपरु को दसूरा सबसे बड़ा परुस्कार लमला है।

नई ददल्ली में स्कॉच ग्रपु की ओर से 21 ददसबंर को एक प्रतियोगििा का आयोजन ककया िया। इसमें आईआईटी समेि कई बड़-ेबड़ ेससं्थानों ने अपने प्रोजेवट को प्रजेंट ककया। पहले चरण में टॉप 80 प्रोजेवट का चयन हुआ। आईआईटी कानपरु की टीम ने प्रो. टी प्रभाकर की अिवुाई में एिमवूस-मवूस फॉर एग्रीकल्चर पर प्रोजवेट प्रस्ििु ककया। सभी प्रोजेवट को देखने के बाद िीन बड़ ेपरुस्कार के ललए षवजेिाओं का नाम घोषिि ककया िया। पहला बड़ा परुस्कार प्लेदटनम अवाडस, दसूरा बड़ा परुस्कार िोल्ड अवाडस और िीसरा लसल्वर अवाडस ददया िया।

प्रो. टी प्रभाकर और आईआईटी को यह अवाडस लमलने पर सभी सदस्यों ने बधाई दी है। प्रो. प्रभाकर ऑनलाइन एजुकेशन, ऑनलाइन एजुकेशनल टेवनोलॉजी, एग्रीकल्चर साइंस पर षवशिे रूप से काम कर रहे हैं। साथ ही उनका उद्देश्य समाज को डडक्जटल से जोड़ने का है।

आईआईटी गाांधीनगर प्िेसमेंट में नांबर वन, दिल्िी िसूरे स्थान पर https://www.amarujala.com/india-news/iit-gandhinagar-is-got-first-number-in-terms-of-placement

परुाने व ददग्िज आईआईटी प्लेसमेंट की रेस में छोटे व नए आईआईटी से षपछड़ िए हैं। इसका मिलब ये नहीं कक वे प्लेसमेंट में कफसड्डी हैं। असल में वे दतुनया के टॉप सौ सवसशे्रष्ठ लशक्षण ससं्थानों में शालमल होने के ललए पेटेंट करने में बबजी हैं। जबकक नए आईआईटी प्लेसमेंट में ररकाडस का कीति समान बना रहे हैं।

कें द्र सरकार की ओर से ससंद में 17 आईआईटी की िीन सालों की पेश प्लेसमेंट ररपोटस के मिुाबबक, परुाने आईआईटी के प्लेसमेंट में गिरावट है। जबकक नए का ग्राफ लिािार बढ रहा है। खास बाि यह है कक आईआईटी िांधीनिर पहल ेिो आईआईटी ददल्ली दसूरे, इंदौर िीसरे, रोपड़ चौथ,े धनबाद पांचवें, खड़िपरु सािवें, कानपरु आठवें, मडंी नौवें िो मुबंई दसवें स्थान पर है।

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सरकार के वररष्ठ अगधकारी के मिुाबबक, शकै्षणणक सिर् 2014-15, 2015-16 और 2016-17 की आईआईटी प्लेसमेंट की ररपोटस से साफ होिा है कक परुाने और बड़ ेआईआईटी कैं पस प्लेसमेंट में पीछे हैं। वयोंकक अब वे ररसचस के बाद पेटेंट, इनोवेशन समेि स्टाटसअप पर जोर दे रहे हैं। जबकक नए आईआईटी के पास अभी ररसचस, इनोवेशन व स्टाटसअप का सेटअप न होने के चलि ेअडंर गे्रजुएशन में सीट बढाने और प्लेसमेंट पर फोकस है। इसी के चलि ेउनका प्लेसमेंट ग्राफ लिािार बढ रहा है। प्िेसमेंट का आांकडा 2016-17 सत्र में आईआईटी िांधीनिर का प्लेसमेंट 88.31 फीसदी के साथ सबसे आि ेहैं। जबकक ददल्ली 84.36 फीसदी, इंदौर 84.34, रोपड़ 83.16,धनबाद 78.95,कानपरु 77.63, रुड़की 76.04, पटना 74.86, मडंी 73.96, मुबंई 73.39, मद्रास 70.39, खड्िपरु 68.39, भवुनेश्वर 64.96, बनारस 60.32 फीसदी है। प्िेसमेंट से अधधक स्टाटडअप बढाने पर ध््ान कें द्र सरकार ने 2016 में सभी आईआईटी को पत्र ललखकर 2017 सत्र में सीट बढाने की मांि रखी थी। हालांकक परुाने आईआईटी ने बीटेक प्रोग्राम में सीट बढोिरी से इनकार कर ददया। उनका िकस था कक वे पढाई की बजाय ररसचस स्टाटसअप व इनोवेशन पर फोकस करना चाहि ेहैं। इसललए सीट नहीं बढा सकि।े वहीं, उनका फोकस प्लेसमेंट से अगधक स्टाटसअप बढाना है। िाकक युवा स्टाटसअप में छोटी-छोटी कंपनी बनाने में सक्षम हो सकें और अन्य को रोजिार का मौका दें।

IIT Professor wins biotechnology award

https://www.biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10103/iit-professor-wins-biotechnology-award.html

This is a highly prestigious scheme from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and

Technology.

A professor of Biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Pranita P Sarangi,

has bagged the Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (IYBA) for 2017.

The IYBA award covers a research grant up to Rs 50 lakh and a cash award prize of Rs 1 lakh per year

during the project period.

This is a highly prestigious scheme from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and

Technology to identify and nurture outstanding young scientists with innovative ideas to pursue

research in frontier areas of biotechnology.

Sarangi was chosen for the award for her scientific achievements and proposed work in the field of

cancer immunology.

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She is currently working as an Assistant Professor and her research work primarily involves

inflammation and cancer biology, sepsis, cell-matrix interaction, cell migration, immunomodulatory

therapeutics, cancer immunoediting.

Newer IITs beat older ones in terms of campus placements

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-newer-iits-beat-older-ones-in-terms-of-campus-placements-

2571040

New and lesser known Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) situated in smaller towns have left behind

the old, established ones in the race of campus placements this year.

IIT Gandhinagar — a second generation IIT (established in 2008) — has topped the placement list with

88.31 per cent placements recorded in the academic year 2016-17, the final placement data across

IITs has revealed.

As per the data available with the Ministry of Human Resource Development, 3 new IITS —Ropar,

Indore and Gandhinagar — feature in the top five IITs that recorded maximum placements this year.

Of the older ones, IIT Delhi ranked at two and IIT (previously ISM) Dhanbad stood at four.

In fact, IIT Mandi and IIT Patna also performed better than a number of established IITs like Bombay

and Madras. According to the official data, IIT Mandi recorded 73.96 per cent placement this year and

Patna recorded over 74 per cent placement, whereas Bombay and Madras recorded 73.39 and 70.39

per cent respectively.

Increasing placements in newer IITs has become a trend over the last three years, in 2015-16, IIT

Indore had recorded 100 per cent placement. Officials attribute this to the older, established IITs

focusing more on filing patents and focusing on research rather than placements.

"One of the main reasons that placement at new IITs is on a rise is because they are adding more seats

at undergraduate levels and focusing only on placements, since they do not have enough

infrastructure to focus on research and start-ups," a placement official from IIT Delhi said.

With the government pushing education institutes to get a place in international rankings, older

institutes are busy filing patents, which is one of the important criteria for scoring in international

ranks.

"In the last three years, number of patents filed by IITs have increased from 494 in the year 2014, to

563 in the year 2016. Maximum contributors to this have been the older IITs. Madras filed the

maximum number of patents at 325, followed by Bombay, Kharagpur and Kanpur," said a senior

official in HRD Ministry.

"This is as per government's plans of making the older IITs focus more on research and catapulting

them in world rankings," he added.

There are 23 IITs in the country, including the older, established ones -- Madras, Delhi, Kharagpur,

Bombay, Kanpur, Roorkee and Varanasi, the second generation IITs including -- IIT Ropar,

Bhubaneswar, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Patna, Indore and Mandi., that came up in the year

2008 and 2009.

Page 15 of 34

Indian Researchers Develop Ground-breaking AI That Detects Cancer in

Early Stages!

https://www.thebetterindia.com/125931/indian-artificial-intelligence-cancer/

Additionally, the algorithms go a step further and identify the stage of cancer too

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata and Indian

Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed Artificial Intelligence that can detect cancer

tissues in its primitive stages within minutes.

And they are using light to detect this!

Differences in the structure and formation of healthy and precancerous tissues change their refractive

index and make them scatter light in discernible variations. Although this minute difference cannot be

detected by the naked eye, these researchers have developed algorithms that can.

Additionally, the algorithms go a step further and identify the stage of cancer, with accuracy levels

exceeding 95%.

Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay, from IISER Kolkata, is the first author of a paper published in the Journal

of Biomedical Optics. He spoke to this ground-breaking algorithm to The Hindu.

“The microstructure of normal tissue is uniform, but as [the] disease progresses, the tissue

microstructure becomes complex and different. Based on this correlation, we created a novel light

scattering-based method to identify these unique microstructures for detecting cancer progression,”

he said.

Changes in the refractive index of healthy and malignant tissues are quantified using Multifractal Detrended

Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA)—a statistical biomarker.

This biomarker has two parameters—Hurst exponent and width of singularity spectrum.

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Prasanta K Panigrahi, the corresponding author of the paper, said, “The collagen network is more

ordered in normal tissues but breaks down progressively as cancer progresses. This kind of change in

tissue morphology can be picked up by light scattering.”

This biomarker simply quantifies the light scattered by tissues.

The team has developed two AI-based algorithms—Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and Support Vector

Machine (SVM)- that uses this data to differentiate healthy and precancerous tissues.

“The classification of healthy and precancerous tissues becomes robust by converting the information

obtained from the scattered light into [a] characteristic tissue-specific signature. The signature

captures the variations in tissue morphology,” says Panigrahi.

The team tested the accuracy of these algorithms in vivo and vitro samples. In vivo are studies

conducted in living animals, humans and plants whereas in vitro means “in glass.” These are studies

conducted on specimens outside their biological contexts.

While the accuracy of the algorithms was over 90% in vivo samples, it is over 95% in vitro samples. “In

the case of in vitro samples, we were able to discriminate between grade 1 and grade 2 cancer,” Prof.

Nirmalya Ghosh, an author of the paper from IISER Kolkata told The Hindu. They are planning to

expand these tests and investigations further using in vivo samples.

250 students take part in INSPIRE science camp

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-12-28/250-students-take-part-in-

INSPIRE-science-camp/348496

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GITAM Vice Chancellor MS Prasada Rao addressing at the INSPIRE inaugural programme in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday

Visakhapatnam: As many as 250 students from 10 colleges and schools are participated in the five-

day science camp “Innovation in sciences pursuit for inspired research (INSPIRE),” initiated by the

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, hosted by GITAM Institute of Science,

GITAM here on Wednesday.

The camp was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor of GITAM MS Prasada Rao in the presence of Indian

Institute of Science, Organic Chemistry Professor KR Prasad and IIT Chennai Physics Professor A

Subrahmanyam.

Inaugurating the programme, GITAM Vice-Chancellor Prasada Rao mentioned that science and

technology play a leading role and act as growth engine of the world. “For this, it is significant to inspire

young generation towards science and technology. INSPIRE is one of the innovative programmes

developed by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The basic objective of “INSPIRE” is to attract talent to study sciences at an early stage and help build

the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the science and technology

system besides research and development base,” Prasada Rao said.

He also highlighted different government schemes meant for students through which they could

pursue higher education in sciences and avail many other opportunities.

On the first day of event, scholars presented intellectual lectures on science and technology. In the

first session, Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Organic Chemistry Prof KR Prasad briefed on how

chemistry was seen by chemists in the 15th century compared to modern day chemistry labs.

JNU to make attendance compulsory, students fume

http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/jnu-to-make-attendance-compulsory-students-fume-276997

From the 2018-19 academic year, students across all programmes at Jawaharlal Nehru University

(JNU) will require students to fulfill a minimum attendance criteria, a circular issued by the varsity on

December 22 stated.

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This will be the first time the varsity will record the number of classes attended by each student.

The move, however, has not gone down well with a section of students, who allege the decision has

been taken without consulting their representatives.

They added that making attendance mandatory was against the varsity's tradition.

The circular mentions that the proposal to make attendance mandatory was approved in the

academic council meet held on December 1.

However, JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) said that no decision in this regard was reached in the

meeting.

"Attendance was not discussed in the academic council meeting with students or teachers. It was

not even on the agenda. The Vice-Chancellor had mentioned something about this, saying they

would do it but no firm decision had been made," said a member from JNUSU.

She added that the Union will not recognised the varsity's 'diktat' over attendance.

"In the last two years, the V-C has tried to destroy the inclusive and democratic character of our

campus through anti-student policies one after another, such as massive research seat cut,

decimation of reservation, withdrawal of deprivation points etc," JNUSU said in a statement.

The statement further said that the idea behind not having an attendance system was to encourage

both teacher and students to evolve methods to ensure there is effective teaching and participation

of students in the class.

"It is highly absurd to impose compulsory attendance on campus, which has always been rated the

best University none other than the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development and other

government agencies," it said.

It also claimed that compulsory attendance can become a weapon in the hands of the

administration to harass students, as is seen in other universities where BJP appointed V-C's are at

helm.

December 27

IITs Reject Govt Proposal of NTA to conduct JEE Advanced 2018 | Here’s

Why

https://chandigarhmetro.com/jee-advanced-2018-conducted-nta-iit-reject-govt-proposal/

The Indian Institutes of Technology has turned down the government’s proposal of JEE Advanced to

be conducted by the National Testing Agency. The Union Cabinet has already approved the National

Testing Agency on November 10 for conducting major national level entrance exams like NEET and JEE

main. The government had also proposed that NTA would conduct the JEE Advanced for admission to

Indian Institutes of Technology.

Page 19 of 34

NTA conducting JEE Advanced 2018 may not reduce the burden of IITs

Now the Indian Institutes of Technology have decided in a meeting that there is no need for

involvement of NTA in the JEE Advanced. Handing over the JEE Advanced to NTA would not lessen the

burden of IITs. NTA would have to coordinate with the faculty of IITs for setting up the question papers

for JEE Advanced.

In case the NTA takes the responsibility to hold JEE Advanced, IITs would have to send at least one

teacher to every examination centre for reviewing the choice of exam centres. The Indian Institutes

of Technology have always been protective of their engineering entrance test. Earlier, the IITs refused

to merge their entrance test with the AIEEE to create a single common entrance test for admission to

central government engineering institutes.

The decision of IITs will have an effect on the Indian Institutes of Management whether they would

part with the CAT (Common Admission Test) for admission to IIMs.

NTA to conduct the entrance exams conducted by CBSE

The National Testing Agency will take over all the entrance exams conducted by the CBSE in its first

year. Currently, the CBSE conducts UGC NET (National Eligibility Test), CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility

Test), JEE Main and NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test). CBSE will hand over the responsibility of

conducting these entrance tests to the NTA. After that, the responsibility of other entrance tests would

be taken over by the NTA.

Earlier, also several governments proposed for the establishment of NTA, but the idea worked with

the current government. This year CBSE expressed its difficulty of conducting multiple entrance exams

and board exams for class 10 and class 12. CBSE would be relieved of the burden of conducting

multiple entrance tests after the NTA takes over the responsibility.

आईआईटी धनबाि के दिल्िी सेंटर का उद्घाटन 16 को https://www.livehindustan.com/jharkhand/dhanbad/story-inauguration-of-iit-dhanbad-delhi-

center-on-16th-january-1717217.html

मानव ससंाधन षवकास मतं्री प्रकाश जावडकेर 16 जनवरी को आईआईटी आईएसएम धनबाद के ददल्ली सेंटर का उद्घाटन करेंिे। आईआईटी आईएसएम धनबाद प्रबधंन को कें द्रीय मतं्री प्रकाश जावड़केर स ेतिगथ की सहमति लमल िई है। मतं्री से सहमति लमलि ेही आईआईटी आईएसएम धनबाद ने ियैारी शरुू कर दी है। जानकारों का कहना है कक कोलकािा में आईआईटी आईएसएम धनबाद का इंडस्री इंरैवशन इंस्टीच्यटू सेंटर के बाद ददल्ली में भी सेंटर खोला िया है। लबंे समय से उद्घाटन का इंिजार हो रहा था। हालांकक वहां पढाई शरुू होने की बाि कही जा रही है। प्रबधंन ने उद्योि क्षते्रों से मदद भी मांिी है। इसके ललए आमतं्रण पत्र भजेा जा रहा है।

Page 20 of 34

MHRD Commonwealth Scholarships 2018 for Masters, Ph.D Programmes

in UK

http://thefinexpress.com/commonwealth-scholarships-2018-masters-phd-programmes-uk/7552/

MHRD invites applications from Indian nationals for Commonwealth Scholarships 2018 for Masters,

Ph.D Programmes in United Kingdome. The scholarship is meant for students in Master’s and doctoral

degree programme from low and middle-income commonwealth countries. The study will commence

from September or October next year. There is a cap for the maximum number of nominations i.e. 65.

Out of which 26 for the Ph.D programme.

All eligible candidates should apply before 7th February 2018 on the MHRD website. The last date to

apply for the scholarship in Electronic Application System (EAS) of Commonwealth Scholarship

Commission is 22nd February 2018. It is mandatory for the candidates to apply at both portals to

become eligible for the scholarship before the last date. The interview for shortlisted candidates will

be held in the first week of March 2018.

CSC registration for freshers Scholarships 2018 offers the following development themes

Science & technology for development

Strengthening health systems & capacity

Promoting global prosperity

Strengthening global peace, security & governance

Strengthening resilience & response to crises

Access, inclusion & opportunity

Eligibility registration for freshers, online CSC registration:

The candidate’s age must not exceed 40 years as on 7th February 2018.

Page 21 of 34

Candidate applying for Master’s course should have completed or expected to complete the

Bachelor’s degree by October 2018. The applicant must have secured 60 percent or above marks in

social science subjects & 65 percent or above marks in science subjects.

The candidate applying for Ph.D Degree should have completed or expected to complete Master

Degree by October 2018. The applicant must have secured 60 percent or above marks in social science

subjects & 65 percent or above marks in science subjects

The Ministry of Human Resource Development and CSC does not ask any candidates to take an IELTS

(English language) test. However, as a further condition of award, the university may ask the candidate

to provide evidence of a particular level of English language proficiency.

How to apply for CSC registration?

MHRD link for online application http://proposal.sakshat.ac.in/scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s EAS link https://csc.do-it-

online.org.uk/csc/electronicapplicationsystem.htm

December 26

Powered by silk: on spinal replacement therapy

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/powered-by-silk/article22277359.ece

New research could advance spinal replacement therapy

Using mulberry silk, researchers from IIT-Guwahati have fabricated a spinal biodisc construct that is

similar to human intervertebral disc in form and function. When approved for use in humans, the

biodisc can be used for spinal disc replacement therapy.

The biodisc, fabricated by a team led by Professor Biman B. Mandal from the Department of

Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT-Guwahati, allowed the proliferation of disc-like cells and

extracellular matrix in lab studies. This was found to be biocompatible when implanted in mice. The

results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

For animal trials, the team intends to implant the silk construct in animal models that have a degraded

disk. It will first be implanted in rats to test the ability of the construct to integrate with the vertebrate,

and then in larger animals such as sheep. “It will take at least a year before we can start animal trials,”

Mr. Mandal says.

“The most challenging part was replicating the anatomical form of the disk (annulus fibrosus, or AF).

We used a novel approach to fabricate a cross-aligned multilamellar scaffold,” he says. The human

disc is marked by 20-25 cross-aligned layers where successive layers are at 30 degrees angle to its

vertical axis, but in alternate directions; this structure gives the disc superior compressive strength.

Page 22 of 34

The construct had a load-bearing capacity comparable with the human disk. Constructs seeded with

cells taken from the disk of a pig or human mesenchymal stem cells (a type of stem cells) that became

AF-like cells were able to grow and multiply within the structures. The cells were able to deposit

normal extracellular matrix. “This is a validation of the construct’s ability to support cell growth,” says

Bibhas Bhunia from IIT-Kolkata and the first author of the paper. “We can either use the patient’s own

AF cells or use mesenchymal stem cells that have differentiated into AF-like cells to seed the construct

before implantation.” When implanted in mice, the silk construct was not rejected even at the end of

four weeks. “Macrophages were seen around the implant for a week after implantation but

subsequently they clear out. This is proof that the construct is biocompatible,” Mr. Bhunia says.

IIT-GANDHINAGAR PLACEMENTS PACK A PUNCH, MTECH

STUDENTS SEE 155% RISE IN OFFERS HTTP://AHMEDABADMIRROR.INDIATIMES.COM/AHMEDABAD/EDUCATION/IIT-GN-PLACEMENTS-

PACK-A-PUNCH/ARTICLESHOW/62245008.CMS

It’s boom time for post graduate students of Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. There has

been over a hundred and fifty per cent increase in offers extended to Master of Technology (MTech)

students in placements this year compared to last year. Started two months ago, the placements at

the premier tech institute has already brought in cheers for MTech students, while BTech students

wait for their offers to exceed last year’s best. Officials at IIT-Gn said that total of 207 students from

all programs - BTech, MTech, MA, BSc to mention a few have registered for the placements this year.

Of these, 97 students are from BTech. While BTech students are expecting their highest salary offer

to go up in January, MTech has already registered massive hike in the pay packages. While IIT-Gn

officials did not divulge the package, they said it has seen increase in not only average package but in

terms of highest package as well. BTech had seen around Rs15.5 lakh highest pay last year.

Currently, the average package for this year is Rs 7.5 lakh which is comparable to last year. Saumil

Shah, executive officer, Career Development Services at IIT-Gn said that undergraduate placements

at IIT Gandhinagar is seeing consistent growth and has remained above 85 per cent for past two years.

“Highlight for the current year’s season turns out to be for post graduate students.

As on date, there has been a 154.55 per cent rise in offers extended to PG students, as compared to

last year. And the average salary has risen by 39.76 per cent this year and the highest package offered

to PG students has increased 166.50 per cent against last year’s,” Shah said. The placement will

continue till February and last year at the same time, 21companies had participated in campus

recruitment at IITGN, while the figure stands at 27 for the current year, he said. BTech student Dave

Sowill confirmed he was placed with ISRO. “Interview round was very straightforward. It was like rapid

fire of technical rounds and lasted for more than half-anhour. It is a dream organisation to work with

and I am very happy,” Sowill said.

Page 23 of 34

December 25

IIT-Kharagpur to test and certify food items at its campus

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/iit-kharagpur-to-test-and-

certify-food-items-at-its-campus/articleshow/62244418.cms

NEW DELHI: In a first among the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IIT-Kharagpur (KGP) will soon

start testing and certifying food items at its campus. This month, the institute's Analytical Food Testing

Laboratory received the National Accreditation Board for Calibration and Testing Laboratories (NABL)

accreditation, which will empower IIT-KGP to certify food items for their nutritional value and also

check for adulteration. The IIT already has an agricultural and food engineering department which has

been involved in testing of food items. After getting the accreditation, the IIT has already started the

process of certification for a Kolkata-based company for fish items and neem oil. "Most of the requests

are for the products that are to be exported. Our lab has the most sophisticated high-end equipment

to check for adulteration and quality, and is at par with any international laboratory," said Rintu

Banerjee, professor of the department of agriculture and food engineering and incharge of the

Analytic Food Testing (AFT) Lab at IIT-KGP. NABL is a constituent board of Quality Council of India, its

certification is necessary for food manufacturers and marketers of packed food items. Certification

from an NABL accredited laboratory is seen as a stamp of approval on the nutrition content and food

safety standard of the product. There are 219 food testing laboratories in India, out of them 131 are

NABL accredited, according to the ministry of health and family welfare data. According to the data,

West Bengal so far has five NABL accredited food testing labs in addition to the recent entry of

IITKharagpur lab, added Banerjee. "This is for the first time any lab in any of the IITs or NITs in the

country has been given this accreditation. We can now certify the food testing for which we have got

the accreditation," said Banerjee.

December 24

कें द्र सरकार और IIT प्रबांधन के बीच टकराव, कहा- JEE एडवाांस नेशनि टेसस्टांग एजेंसी नहीां https://www.amarujala.com/education/iit-management-says-jee-advanced-is-not-national-testing-

agency-exam-will-conducted-by-iit

जेईई एडवांस परीक्षा को लेकर कें द्र सरकार और आईआईटी प्रबधंन के बीच टकराव बढ िया है। सरकार परीक्षा नेशनल टेक्स्टंि एजेंसी से कराना चाहिी है लेककन आईआईटी प्रबधंन ने कें द्र की मांि को ठुकरा ददया है। यह िीसरा मौका है जब कें द्र सरकार की मांि को ठुकराया िया है। इससे पहल ेजेईई एडवांस परीक्षा आसान करने और बीटेक प्रोग्राम में सीट बढोिरी की मांि को भी मना कर ददया िया था।

Page 24 of 34

वररष्ठ सरकारी अगधकारी के मिुाबबक, दस नवबंर को कें द्रीय कैबबनेट ने नेशनल टेक्स्टंि एजेंसी को मजंूरी दी थी। जेईई मेन, यजूीसी नेट समेि अन्य प्रवेश परीक्षाए ंइसी एजेंसी से कराने का फैसला हुआ था िाकक सीबीएसई परीक्षा आयोक्जि करने की बजाय पढाई पर फोकस कर सके। हालांकक जेईई एडवांस और कैट परीक्षा पर कोई फैसला नहीं हुआ था। जेईई एडवांस आईआईटी और कैट की परीक्षा आईआईएम प्रबधंन खुद कराि ेहैं। कें द्र सरकार ने नवबंर में ही सभी आईआईटी प्रबधंन को पत्र ललखकर राय मांिी थी। ददसबंर में आईआईटी डायरेवटर की बठैक में सरकार की इस मांि को नकार ददया िया। उनका मानना है कक जेईई एडवांस परीक्षा दतुनया में सवसशे्रष्ठ मानी जािी है। परीक्षा की ियैारी आठ से दस महीने चलिी है, इसमें आईआईटी षवशिेज्ञों की टीम ही प्रश्न पत्र से लेकर कापी जांचने का काम करिी है। फुलप्रफू वयवस्था व पेपर लीक से बचने के चलि ेही आईआईटी प्रबधंन इस मामल ेमें कोई जानकारी साझा नहीं करिा है। बाहरी एजेंसी से परीक्षा करवाने पर िणुवत्िा में गिरावट के साथ पेपर लीक होने की सभंावना भी बनी रहेिी। IITs turn down govt proposal to let NTA hold JEE (Advanced)

http://indianexpress.com/article/education/iits-turn-down-govt-proposal-to-let-nta-hold-jee-

advanced-4996497/

The latest decision by the IITs could have a bearing on whether the Indian Institutes of Management

decide to part with the Common Admission Test or CAT.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have shot down the government’s proposal to permit the

National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct JEE (Advanced). The NTA, approved by the union cabinet on

November 10, is envisioned as the largest exam-conducting body in the country. In a meeting of IIT

directors on December 15 in Chennai, the institutes decided against the NTA’s involvement in JEE

(Advanced), which is the gateway to securing a seat in the 23 premier engineering schools.

“Handing over the entrance test makes little sense as it would not lessen the burden of the IITs. The

agency would have had to keep coming back to our faculty to set the question papers,” said the

director of one of the seven older IITs, who did not wish to be identified.

“Let’s say, even if the NTA were to take over JEE (Advanced), IITs will not give up the prerogative to

send at least one of its teachers to every exam centre to review the choice of centres,” he added.

IITs have always been protective of their entrance test. During the UPA-II government, when Kapil

Sibal was the Human Resource Development Minister, they had refused to merge their test with AIEEE

Page 25 of 34

(used by the National Institutes of Technology for admission) to make a single common entrance

examination for admission to all centrally run engineering institutes.

The latest decision by the IITs could have a bearing on whether the Indian Institutes of Management

decide to part with the Common Admission Test or CAT.

In its first year, the NTA will take over all entrance examinations currently being organised by the

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), including UGC’s National Eligibility Test (NET), Central

Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Although several governments in the past have proposed and, subsequently, shelved the idea of

establishing the NTA, the proposal materialised under the current government after the CBSE

requested the HRD Ministry to relieve it of the additional burden of conducting entrance tests. CBSE

is an affiliating school board with the primary responsibility of conducting Class X and XII Board

examinations.

IIT-G team sets up libraries in rural areas

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/iit-g-team-sets-up-libraries-in-rural-

areas/articleshow/62229468.cms

GUWAHATI: A group of research scholars from IIT Guwahati have got together to set up rural

libraries and community centres across the northeast in an attempt to develop the socio-cultural

milieu of the region. They have already started off in some villages of the Nalbari, Baksa and Karbi

Anglong districts.

Bibhuti Ranjan Bhattacharjya, a research scholar at the Centre for Rural Technology in IIT-Guwahati,

said they are planning to start with at least 20 libraries in 10 villages. "We are planning to set up two

libraries in each village," Bhattacharjya told TOI. An MoU has been signed with Food for Thought

foundation for the programme.

The project was inaugurated at Raitkuchi village in Nalbari district by AK Goswami, former principal

of Cotton College and president of Medini foundation, in September this year

December 23

This IIT beats Delhi, Bombay, turns No. 1 in India; check out NIRF ranking

of engineering colleges

http://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/this-iit-beats-delhi-bombay-turns-no-1-in-india-

check-out-nirf-ranking-of-engineering-colleges/986180/

Being the number 1 engineering institution is one of the most prestigious of positions to be in India.

Many covet it. So, which institution is it? Well, the jury was out on this one and finally, a ranking has

revealed the topper, surprising many.

Page 26 of 34

Being the number 1 engineering institution is one of the most prestigious of positions to be in India.

Many covet it. So, which institution is it? Well, the jury was out on this one and finally, a ranking has

revealed the topper, surprising many. Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Madras has been ranked

number one among the engineering colleges in the country, according to National Institutional

Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of Human Resource Development. However, in the newly

introduced “overall category”, the IIT Madras has been listed in the second spot. IIT Madras Professor

Bhaskar Ramamurthi, speaking about the Institute’s achievements, said, “It has been another

satisfying year for IIT Madras, where we have done well in achieving or exceeding our Strategic Plan

objectives in all areas of activity ranging from academics to incubation. Various awards won by our

faculty and students, as well as the excellent placements, give us the encouragement needed to do

even better next year.”

This year IIT Madras beat IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay in terms of the highest number of students placed.

As many as 742 students from IIT Madras have been placed this year. On the first day of the

placements season, a total of 195 job offers were bagged by the students. Some of the companies

that participated in the placement season that commenced earlier this month included Goldman

Sachs, Microsoft and Samsung Research Institute, Bengaluru.

Here is the list of top engineering colleges as per NIRF rankings 2017:

Page 27 of 34

Earlier, the institute was awarded the prestigious IEEE Spectrum Technology in the Service of Society

Award for the development of Solar DC Microgrid Technology by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala and his

team. It has been deployed in over 25000 off-grid homes in Rajasthan and Assam besides villages in

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, bringing electricity to some of the

remotest parts of the country.

Here is the list of top colleges in the overall category as per NIRF rankings 2017:

IIT Madras also signed an MoU with Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) to set up

the Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBC-DSAI). The mission of the

RBC-DSAI is to create societal impact through multidisciplinary interactions with government,

academic, research and industrial collaborators on core challenges in Data Science (DS) and Artificial

Intelligence (AI).

Page 28 of 34

Good show: IIT-Delhi placements rise by 15%

http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/good-show-iit-delhi-placements-rise-by-15/story-

P40oDJytaf8MWwwUMrqodJ.html

Nearly 230 companies visited the campus in the first phase, recruiting for over 370 different job

profiles. Over 100 companies are likely to visit the campus in the next phase

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD) on Friday, registered an almost 15% rise in hiring across

all streams during this year’s phase I placement in comparison to last year.

The postgraduate class also saw an increase of over 20% in overall placements as compared to last

year.

The placement season for the batch graduating in 2018 started in August this year. The campus

interview processes are conducted in two phases with the phase I starting on December 1 and phase

II starting in January 2018 and ending in May 2018.

Nearly 230 companies visited the campus in the first phase, recruiting for over 370 different job

profiles. Over 100 companies are likely to visit the campus in the next phase, the university said in a

statement.

Around 70% students were placed in core jobs, the statement said.

“The institute has received around 950 offers (including pre-placement offers), leading to about 780

unique selections (including accepted PPOs) up to the end of Phase-I,” the institute said.

Over 35 students have bagged international offers spanning profiles from Singapore, Amsterdam,

Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and USA. However, many students preferred domestic offers over

these offers.

The institute said it has decided to not mention the high-value packages as it was felt that undue

publicity to packages have the effect of devaluing national placements over international placements

as well as core jobs over finance and consulting jobs.

Anishya Madan, placement officer at the training and placement cell of the institute, said, “There was

a dip in placement last year as compared to the year before. But this year the placement has seen a

rise compared to 2016-17.”

Page 29 of 34

IIT Madras student chosen for Google PhD Fellowship

http://www.thehindu.com/education/google-phd-fellow-preksha-nema/article22265908.ece

Preksha Nema shares what it took for her to become a Google PhD Fellow.

IIT-Madras student Preksha Nema is one of four recipients in the country, of the Google PhD

Fellowship 2017. This programme recognises graduate students doing “exceptional work in computer

science and related research areas.” Besides connecting the chosen Fellows to a Google Research

Mentor, the programme provides monetary support and a stipend.

Preksha is jointly guided by Professor Mitesh M. Khapra and Professor B. Ravindran at the Department

of Computer Science and Engineering. Under their supervision, she does research in machine learning

for natural language processing (NLP), specifically, a machine learning method known as deep

learning. It is this exciting area that is responsible for a variety of applications such as Apple’s Siri,

Amazon’s Alexa, chatbots, and personalised music or shopping recommendations.

Excerpts from an interview with Preksha.

Beginnings

I really liked programming from the time it was introduced in school. It makes you think step by step

on how to reach a solution; it helps you enumerate your thoughts. It is like solving puzzles, which I

always liked.

Roadblocks

Quitting my job, and returning to higher education after working for three years was a bit worrisome.

I was not sure if I would be able to perform well. But once the coursework started, I got accustomed

to the routine. Luckily, I have a strong support system comprising my advisors, family, and friends. The

dedication and patience with which my father does any work always amazes me. I keep trying to be

like him.

Research

I work in deep learning for NLP. The broader goal here is to make machines understand and generate

semantically and syntactically correct sentences in English (or any other natural language). Google

Translate and Google Search are some common applications of NLP.

Page 30 of 34

My initial PhD work introduced a novel method for computers to generate human-like summaries of

an article. For example, a trained machine can read a document on biogas and then generate a

summary based on a given query. For example, “What are the environmental benefits of using

biogas?”

Now, I am focussing on Q&A systems; we would like the system to accurately answer questions based

on some contextual information. We are also exploring ideas to get the system itself to generate

meaningful questions.

Motivation

It is the constant learning experience that keeps me going; like a quote from the book Way of the

Peaceful Warrior: “The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination”. The zeal with which

my advisors are committed to research is another inspiration.

Selection process

Applicants were asked to submit the details of their academic records, list of publications, and three

recommendation letters. The exact criteria for selection have not been revealed; it could be a

combination of factors. It really is an honour to receive this fellowship!

Advice for applicants

It is important that the applicants maintain a good academic record and remain up-to-date with

research going on in their current field. Doing so helps you get new ideas that could turn into

publications.

IIT Hyderabad researchers develop 'e-skin' that mimics human skin

http://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/tech/2017/dec/21/iit-hyderabad-researchers-

develop-e-skin-that-mimics-human-skin-1733645.html

HYDERABAD: The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) today said that its researchers

have developed a low cost, artificial electronic skin (e-skin) which mimics the functionality of the

human skin.

Page 31 of 34

It stated that this "e-skin" is beneficial for acid attack and burn victims in cases where the skin is

permanently damaged and loses functionality.

According to a release from IITH, Professor Sushmee Badhulika, Associate Professor at the

Department of Electrical Engineering was last week honoured with the Indian National Academy

of Engineering (INAE) Young Engineer Award in this connection.

Prof Badhulika said, "The e-skin mimics the functionality of the human skin in terms of sensing even

minor pressure and strain variations. It is based on natural rubber which is low-cost and

biodegradable." She elaborated that these devices can be adapted in applications where cost ,

resources and energy are limited.

The IITH release said that the award was in recognition of her notable contribution in the field of

flexible and wearable nanoelectronics and eco-friendly paper-based electronics.

It added that the award is presented annually by the academy to young engineers for outstanding

contributions in the field of engineering research and technology development.

It consists of a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh, a citation and recognition as an INAE Young Associate till the

awardee attains 45 years of age, the release added.

JEE Advanced 2018: IIT-K release help videos for students taking mock test

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/jee-advanced-2018-iit-k-release-help-videos-

for-students-taking-mock-test/articleshow/62213963.cms

IIT Kanpur which is conducting JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) Advanced 2018, on Friday released help

videos for students who would be taking this exam in CBT (Computer Based Test) mode.

The help videos (available in both Hindi and English languages) were released on JEE (Advanced)

2018 official website. The students can undertake these CBT tests (sets of past years JEE Advanced

question papers) to practice.

In 2018 for the first time, JEE Advanced would be held through CBT. Each student would be provided

with an individual computer system to appear in the exam. Students clearing JEE Advanced 2018

would be able to get admission in the premier IITs.

Organising chairman, JEE Advanced 2018, Prof Shalabh informed that the students can log in JEE

Advanced website to undertake mock tests to practice for CBT. He said that students have ample

time to practice and understand how JEE Advanced in CBT mode would appear before them.

He added that JEE Advanced in CBT mode has many advantages for students in comparison to the

way the exam was held in the current year.

Prof Shalabh informed JEE Advanced through CBT mode has many advantages. The students would

be able to revisit a response given to a question during the exam and change it. Also at any point in

time (during the exam), the student would be able to change the exam language. This could even be

done for an individual question. Prof Shalabh said that JEE Advanced 2018 will have questions in

both Hindi and English languages.

Page 32 of 34

A candidate appearing in JEE Advanced would first be required to punch in his roll number and

password on the computer. The password would be the date of birth of the respective candidate.

Thereafter, in a given time period of three hours, the students would be required to solve the

question paper and submit their response. They would also be provided with a rough copy which

they would not be allowed to take along and the same would get deposited at the centre.

"But the biggest advantage of JEE Advanced being held through CBT is that the candidates would be

able to switch the language of each individual question as per his/her liking. CBT would also allow

the student to change the answer punched earlier. Suppose a student clicks a particular answer and

later he realises that he/she had given a wrong reply, he can then change the answer. This facility

was not available in JEE Advanced held till 2017. Once a student used to bubble a particular answer

on the OMR sheet it was not possible for him/her to change it", said Prof Shalabh while talking to

TOI.

He also mentioned that in each section the number of attempted and unattempted questions would

remain displayed before the student on the side of the computer screen. This would keep reminding

him/her of how many questions he/she has left unanswered which needs to be attempted. A few

days after appearing in JEE Advanced the students would also be able to view the answer keys and

the question paper which they had attempted during the exam.

Jobs related to Bitcoin industry double, IITians seek to work with

blockchain technology

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/jobs-related-bitcoin-industry-doubles-iitians-seek-work-blockchain-

technology-754261

Companies related to cryptocurrency business such as Unocoin, Global DCX and Coinsecure all of

which are open to hiring hi-tech talents said that they are flooded with responses to job postings.

The bullish demand for Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies have accelerated to an extent that job

hunters and even students from Indian Institutes of Technology are seeking to work in the industry.

Page 33 of 34

The jobs related to the cryptocurrency industry have soared more than 50 percent in the past year,

coupled with a doubling in enquiries from job seekers wanting to work in the newborn sector,

Economic Times reported.

According to Paul Dupuis, Randstad India Chief Executive Officer, the blockchain technology that

underpins Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is a technology skillset that will see a further spurt in

demand in 2018 and beyond.

"The demand for personnel with such skillsets has increased 50 percent over last year and as more

industries align their internal systems to accommodate the technology, such professionals will be

sought after," Dupuis said.

Further, Benson Samuel, co-founder of Bitcoin exchange Coinsecure, said it has not hired from

campuses so far but has been receiving requests from several leading institutes including IIT Kanpur

and Symbiosis to consider hiring their students for the blockchain technology.

Companies related to cryptocurrency business such as Unocoin, Global DCX and Coinsecure all of

which are open to hiring hi-tech talents said that they are flooded with responses to job postings.

Global DCX is also seeking to hire from IIT Delhi, IMT (Institute of Management Technology) Ghaziabad

and Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad among others said Akash Aggarwal, president of the

digital currency exchange.

TimesJobs, a leading job portal, has also witnessed 30 percent surge in Bitcoin-related jobs for the

July-December period from the last six months.

"At the lateral level, we have hired from multinational companies including American Express, Barclays

and IBM. We are in talks with various campuses to drive awareness about the Bitcoin space," said

Aggarwal.

Page 34 of 34

"Currently, the demand for employees who can work in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry is

higher than the supply," he added.

IIT campus placements down by over 4%, says HRD Ministry

http://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-campus-placements-hrd-ministry-records-a-

reduction-of-over-4-cent/

IIT Placements: Out of the 23 IITs functioning in the country, campus placements have taken place in

17 IITs.

IIT Placements: Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar informed Parliament today that the campus

placements in 17 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has gone down by 4.94 per cent. The reason

stated was that it was because of renewed interest of students towards entrepreneurship and start-

ups, the reduction in placement has been witnessed. Javadekar informed that the placement in 17 IITs

was 72.82 per cent in 2014-15, which went up to 75.79 per cent in 2015-16 an went down to 70.85

per cent in 2016-17.

In a response to a written question raised in Rajya Sabha, he said, “The growth and decline in the

campus placement in the IITs is contingent upon a number of factors such as prevailing market

conditions, preference for higher studies and renewed interest of students towards start-ups and

entrepreneurship,”

Out of the 23 IITs functioning in the country, campus placements have taken place in 17 IITs as the

remaining six IITs were newly-established in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

More offshore offers

Students also saw a significant rise in the number of offers for offshore positions this year compared

to last year indicating a better placement season. Compared to 65 offers from the USA, Japan, Korea,

Singapore and Taiwan last year, 74 IIT Bombay students received international offers. This year, for

the first time, IITs had allowed Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to visit campuses even before the

placement season officially began.