#College

Good News

Pune to Host MCCIA Edu Fest 2025: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry

Pune, renowned for its esteemed educational institutions and thriving industries, is gearing up to host the MCCIA Edu Fest 2025. Organized by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA), this event promises to be a game-changer in fostering stronger industry-academia relations.The Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA)The Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA) is a prominent business advocacy and networking group based in Pune, serving businesses across Maharashtra. Established in 1934 by Atmaram Raoji Bhat, MCCIA is one of the few trade associations that predates India's independence movement. Over the years, the chamber has played a significant role in promoting the interests of businesses in the region. In 2011, MCCIA proposed plans to renovate the embankments of the Mula-Mutha River, showcasing its commitment to community development. Under the leadership of its president, Dr. Sudhir Mehta, who took office in September 2020, MCCIA continues to work towards fostering a conducive business environment and supporting the growth of industries in the state.Event Details- Date: April 18, 2025- Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM- Venue: MCCIA Trade Tower (5th Floor), SB Road Key Highlights of MCCIA Edu Fest 2025- Keynote Address: Dr. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for the event.- Panel Discussions: Vice Chancellors, academic leaders, and industry experts will engage in panel discussions on next-generation higher education and industry-academia collaboration.- Industry-Academia Meet: The event will bring together academicians, corporate leaders, and industry professionals to explore innovative collaborations that will shape the future workforce.Objectives of MCCIA Edu Fest 2025The MCCIA Edu Fest 2025 aims to:- Bridge the Gap: Bridge the gap between education and industry by providing a platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss pressing issues.- Foster Collaboration: Foster innovative collaborations between academia and industry to shape the future workforce.- Promote Knowledge Sharing: Promote knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas between academicians, corporate leaders, and industry professionals.Pune: A Hub for Education and IndustryPune's reputation as a hub for education and industry makes it an ideal location for the MCCIA Edu Fest 2025. The city is home to numerous esteemed educational institutions and thriving industries, creating a unique opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing.The MCCIA Edu Fest 2025 promises to be a significant event in bridging the gap between education and industry. By bringing together stakeholders from academia and industry, the event aims to foster innovative collaborations and shape the future workforce.

13 Apr 2025

Good News

Students of RV College of Engineering Send India’s First Biological Payload into Space!

Students from Bengaluru's RV College of Engineering have etched their names in history by launching India’s first biological payload into space. This first-of-a kind experiment, part of the SPADEX mission, studies the growth of gut bacteria in microgravity. The study will offer groundbreaking insights crucial for human space exploration. With a budget of ₹30 lakh and support from multiple agencies, the project represents a big step in India's space exploration efforts.Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering (RVCE or RV College of Engineering) is an autonomous private engineering college in Bengaluru, Karnataka.The RVSAT-1 Mission: Exploring Life in MicrogravityWhat is RVSAT-1?The RVSAT-1 satellite, designed and developed by students, carries a unique microbiological experiment. It aims to study the behavior of gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in the harsh environment of space. The findings are expected to unlock key understandings of how the human digestive system adapts in microgravity—a critical factor for ensuring astronaut health during extended missions like India's upcoming Gaganyaan project.The Payload: Tiny Bacteria, Big ImpactEncased in an advanced capsule, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron embarked on its interstellar journey aboard the RVSAT-1 satellite. The experiment required engineering precision to create an environment capable of sustaining the bacterium in Low Earth Orbit.This achievement highlights exceptional student ingenuity while aligning with India’s goal of cost-effective space research.SPADEX Mission: The Bigger PictureThe SPADEX mission, a part of ISRO's innovative projects, showcased in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched via PSLV. RVSAT-1 played a crucial role as a biological payload aboard this mission. The experiment provided a dual-purpose platform: advancing microbiological research and demonstrating technical prowess in satellite design.Overcoming Challenges: A Collaborative TriumphSupport from AgenciesThe success of RVSAT-1 stems from robust support by ISRO and other agencies. Through initiatives like the Announcement of Opportunity program, ISRO has created a fertile ground for academic and research institutions to venture into uncharted territories of space exploration.Engineering ExcellenceCreating an effective payload for space demands innovation and precision. The RV College team engineered a capsule meeting stringent quality and safety standards while adhering to a tight budget. Their approach mirrored ISRO's ethos of achieving excellence through low-cost, high-impact solutions.Voices from Team Antariksh: Gratitude and VisionTeam Antariksh, the brilliant minds behind RVSAT-1, expressed heartfelt gratitude to ISRO for creating opportunities that empower students to explore “something that is literally out of this world.” They emphasized how international collaboration and ISRO’s policies have been pivotal in overcoming challenges in space technology.As India strides forward in its space journey, initiatives like this showcase the immense potential of student-driven projects. By launching India's first biological payload into space, the students of RV College of Engineering have motivated a new wave of aspiring scientists, and strengthened India's commitment to advancing space exploration.

3 Jan 2025

Good News

Revolutionizing Healthcare: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates First AIIMS in Northeast India

In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in the northeastern region of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the northeastern region, located in Guwahati. The new facility, constructed at a cost of ₹1,123 crore, will be a significant boost to the region's health infrastructure. The prime minister emphasized the positive impact that the new AIIMS, along with the three new medical colleges in Nalbari, Nagaon, and Kokrajhar, will have on Assam and the northeast region. The AIIMS Guwahati was initially proposed in May 2017. It will provide 750 beds, including 30 AYUSH beds, and accommodate 100 MBBS students each year. The three new medical colleges will have a 500-bed teaching hospital each with various facilities, built at a total cost of about ₹1,750 crore. During the inauguration, Modi also laid the foundation of the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII), a joint initiative of the state government and IIT Guwahati, constructed at a cost of ₹546 crore. Modi's visit to Assam also included witnessing the celebration of the Bihu festival by over 10,000 Bihu dancers. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, welcomed Modi at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, expressing his delight at the prime minister's visit to celebrate Bihu. The government is also working to distribute Ayushman Cards to millions of Assam residents, further enhancing access to healthcare in the region. The new AIIMS and medical colleges, along with the AAHII and Ayushman Cards, are expected to have a significant positive impact on healthcare in Assam and the northeastern region.

15 Apr 2023

Good News

Good News As Robotic Machines To Replace Manual Scavenging

Cleaning of sewers and septic tanks is hazardous and often leads to death by asphyxiation due to poisonous gases. The inhuman practice of manual scavenging had been outlawed in India since 1993, but it continues to persist in some areas due to a lack of proper infrastructure and enforcement of the law. However, now there is a ray of hope. A team of 11 engineers from Kottayam's Saintgits College of Engineering have created a semi-autonomous sewer cleaning robot that can do eight different actions. The robot, SEWSCAV 22.0, was recently introduced at the college during a brief ceremony and is now being used for internal services on the college grounds. The project's conception and implementation were overseen by the team's leader, Harinarayanan Nampoothiri M.G., Assistant Professor in the Robotics and Automation stream. He said that the mechanical engineering department of the college's labs and workshops housed all of the machinery used in machining, fabrication, and mechanical assembly while the automation system synthesis, assembly, micro-controller programming, and testing were done in the robotics lab. In order to allow mobile phones to control the robot's navigation and scavenging system, the team has also created an indigenous Android application. The robotics team programmed microcontrollers with over 1,400 lines of code, which gives the robot its intelligence. A more advanced industrial version of the robot is now being designed, allowing for stronger mechanical motions using hydraulics and utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Digital Image Processing technology to make the robot more autonomous. The development of a robot to perform this task could potentially help to put an end to the practice of manual scavenging, and it is certainly an interesting and innovative idea.

9 Jan 2023

Good News

Like a Movie Script! An Undercover Police Woman Busts a Ragging Gang

This story seems to be straight from a movie, but it actually happened at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore. A New Delhi anti-ragging hotline received a call from Indore in July this year. The complainants claimed that at MGMMC, a group of senior students would summon them to their dormitories before abusing and slapping them. They claim that the bullies made them harass their female classmates and perform inappropriate acts. A case was registered at Sanyogita Ganj police station in Indore. However, when police visited the college, out of fear, none of the students were forthcoming. After two months, when police couldn’t make headway in the case, they came up with a fresh plan- to go undercover. Shalini Chauhan, a 25-year-old police constable was assigned this case as she could easily pass as a medical student. It was a daunting task to mingle with the students, some of whom would get suspicious if she asked a lot of questions. However, Chauhan managed to pull the act off very well. She spent a lot of time in the canteen as that’s a place where ID cards are not checked and students are not much bothered about who all are around. Slowly, she managed to build a rapport with the students and was able to extricate sensitive information from them which was instrumental in solving the case. Chauhan’s patience and the strategy paid off and 11 students were arrested under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) — 294 (obscene act in any public place), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). Speaking to The Print, Chauhan said, “I never thought I could pass myself off as someone else and help crack such a sensitive case. I felt nothing less than a spy.”

14 Dec 2022

Good News

This Tamil Nadu College Students Adopt Ink Pens As the College Strives to Be Plastic-Free

The use and throw ballpoint pens are very convenient and popular among students. However, improper disposal of waste leads to all the plastic including the plastic ballpoint pens accumulating in landfills. A college in Tamil Nadu has taken matters into its own hands to tackle the plastic problem. One unique step is the introduction of fountain pens which has reduced the college’s plastic waste and additionally has helped improve the handwriting of students. The ‘Ink Pen’ Rule The Government Arts College in Tamil Nadu imposed the Ink Pen rule on October 30. The authorities of the college were miffed at the sight of used ballpoint pens strewn in the college premises. After a brainstorming session, they came up with the decision to replace ballpoint pens with fountain pens with effect from October 30. Students are adhering to this rule and teachers admit that they have seen a welcome change in the handwriting of students by using fountain pens. Other Measures The College is very committed to make its premises a plastic-free zone. Plastic cutlery in the college canteen has been replaced by steel ones. Flex banners have been replaced with ones made from cloth. Students and staff are encouraged to use cloth bags. Even plastic identity cards have been replaced by hard and thick paper. This college certainly sets an example on how to eliminate plastic use and if the steps adopted by it are emulated by other colleges throughout India, then that is definitely going to make a big difference.

10 Nov 2019

Good News

A Development Boost to Ladakh as a New Medical College to Come Up

According to a J&K Health and Medical Education Department statement, the Centre has proposed the establishment of a new medical college in Leh. As per the requirement, the department has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) and technical report for the medical college and it will be submitted within two-three days. The report has been made as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines. Location After consulting the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, and the Ladakh Hill Development Council, the department has identified 201 kanals of land at Shey Sindhu Ghat village for the college. The new medical college in the hilly region is a boost to the healthcare sector and also speed up the development in the region. Finance Allocation The centre has sanctioned a total amount of Rs 325 crore for the medical college. Of this, Rs 115 crore will be spent on building the college, Rs 80 crore on hostel facilities and homes for students and faculty, Rs 70 crore on medical equipment and Rs 60 crore on up-gradation of a teaching hospital. The Centre also has plans to improve the facilities of the SNM Hospital at Leh by upgrading it to 500 -bed hospital from the existing 300- bed hospital. It also plans to set up a new emergency block, OPD block and diagnostic block.

24 Sep 2019

Good News

This Important Decision by the Government Is Instrumental in Saving Lives

The emergency department of medical colleges tends to patients in the golden hour which is the first hour after a traumatic injury, when emergency treatment is most likely to be successful. The government is now planning to make emergency departments mandatory in all medical colleges in India Emergency Departments At present, there are only 30 medical colleges that also have a dedicated emergency department. The government has recently given approval for building 75 new medical colleges across the nation. A further thrust by the government to make emergency departments mandatory in all medical colleges will facilitate the improvement of medical facilities and its access for people. Implementation The decision to make emergency departments mandatory by 2022 has been made by the Board of Governors in place of the National Medical Council until it is appointed. The Ministry of Health will soon notify this decision and after its approval action towards implementing this decision will be taken. The objective of introducing emergency care is to strengthen interdisciplinary care and managerial care across the country. Many lives can be saved if proper care is given during the golden hour which is crucial for any patient. Therefore, the presence of more emergency departments spells good news for all.

3 Sep 2019

Good News

Positive Reads

When the World is Your Classroom, and Business is Your Curriculum!

Tetr College of Business is doing things differently—and we’re all for it! Instead of following the traditional path of theoretical business education, Tetr gives its students a real-world experience by sending them around the world to build actual businesses. This is the future of education—and it’s happening now!A Global AdventureTetr College offers a four-year undergraduate program that takes students across seven countries, including the US, Italy, Singapore, Brazil, and more. Students don’t just sit in classrooms; they live business by immersing themselves in diverse markets, working on real-world business challenges. It’s the ultimate way to understand business—by doing it!Instead of just taking notes, students are out there building their own businesses. They create brands, develop products, manage investments, and make data-driven decisions in real-time. By the end of the program, students will not just know the theory—they will have built something that works.Real-World Learning: Exposure to Top Global MarketsOne of the standout features of Tetr’s program is its focus on exposure. Students study in countries like the US, Singapore, and Italy, gaining hands-on experience in some of the world’s most vibrant business hubs. They’ll learn the local cultural context and adapt their strategies to each market, understanding global business dynamics like never before. From working with local startups to connecting with industry veterans, this exposure will give them an edge in the competitive business world.The curriculum is centered around four key principles—values, exposure, experiences, and skills. Students get a holistic education, learning everything from brand-building to investment management. And instead of just classroom learning, Tetr ensures that each lesson is grounded in practical, hands-on activities that help students build relevant business skills for the future.Pratham Mittal, the founder of Tetr College, believes that the next decade will belong to those who can use emerging technologies and innovative solutions to solve global challenges. He’s giving students the opportunity to be those trailblazers.A Visionary Founder: Pratham MittalTetr College was founded by Pratham Mittal, an entrepreneur with a passion for rethinking business education. With experience from prestigious institutions like Wharton and a deep commitment to innovation, Mittal created Tetr to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world entrepreneurship. His vision is clear: to create a new breed of business leaders who are adaptable, innovative, and ready to take on the challenges of the future.

29 Jan 2025

Positive Reads

This Priest Springs Up a Connection Between FIFA and the Environment!

Football fever is at its peak in Kerala with FIFA matches turning very exciting and with many unexpected outcomes. Every year, football fans throughout the state spend a fortune on enormous cutouts of their favorite players. In 2010, up to 2 crores were spent on such enormous cutouts, the repercussions of which haven’t been assessed. That is when Fr Joy Peenikkapparambil, the Vice Principal of Irinjalakuda Christ College, Kerala, came up with the idea of making this event greener. The priest proposed the "One Goal, One Jackfruit Sapling" campaign for this World Cup while keeping in mind the potential long-term impact the action could have on the nearby environs. Around 480 traditional varieties of mango saplings were distributed in the college during the 2014 World Cup under Fr Joy's direction. In 2018, jackfruit and mango saplings were distributed. Fr Joy said that through this initiative he wants his pupils to both to appreciate the World Cup and see it from a new perspective. Fr. Joy, a devoted supporter of the Brazil squad, claimed that at its best, football transcends team allegiances. This power can exist in sports. Crossing all barriers of caste, religion, and creed, it unifies people, he continued. Sports should develop into a fantastic pastime for young people, according to Fr. Joy. Let football be their obsession rather than drugs, he continued. The program's tagline is "Kick Football In, Kick Drugs Out."

25 Nov 2022

Positive Reads

Illiterate Women are Powering Electricity in Rural India

In India, there are close to 240-300 million people, who do not have access to electricity. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to provide electricity to each and every citizen of the country by 2022. At present, sixty one percent of electricity is generated from coal in our country, which can be damaging to the environment. So, in order to meet this deadline set by our prime minister, India has to rely heavily on solar power. This is where grassroot organizations like Barefoot College, Rajasthan - a nonprofit school, come in. Barefoot College, Rajasthan - Molding Grandmothers into Solar Engineers! Situated in Tilonia, Rajasthan, Barefoot College is training rural women, above the age of thirty five, to become solar engineers! They make use of methods like color-coding, memorizing and hands-on lessons while teaching them, as majority of these women are illiterate. The women here may not know how to read and write, but they know how to work on a circuit board! Earlier, Barefoot College trained men as well, but this was discontinued, as men who learned the skills, shifted to cities to make money from it. On the other hand, trained women, particularly grandmothers, went back to their villages and lighted them! After completion of six months of training, the new technicians return to their villages with solar power equipment. They install LED lights in households, solar panels and charging stations. In case of a breakdown, they have the know-how to repair them as well. It is estimated that as of 2015, Barefoot college’s pass outs have brought light to around twenty thousand households, in over three hundred villages, across India. A New Life… Many of these trained women belong to so called lower castes. Earlier they had to lower their eyes or cover their face in front of the upper castes. But now that they can install and repair light installations, their services are sought after and they are respected by everyone in the village. Being a solar engineer has changed their life. They supplement their household’s income by earning themselves and this has improved their standard of living. According to the founder and director of Barefoot College, Bunker Roy, in order to provide electricity to each and every citizen of India, a Gandhian model of solar-electrifying villages is the right solution. Barefoot College’s decentralized and off-grid approach can make electricity for all a reality. It can transform villages, increase economic activity, reduce poverty and make the entire country prosperous. Not to mention, how environment-friendly solar power is! It can be rightly said that when women technicians return to their villages and light them, they are giving everyone a new start in life!

19 Dec 2017

Positive Reads

Star Citizens

How Ummul Khair Who Grew Up in Slums Achieved Her Dream to Become IAS

One cannot help feeling inspired by the moving story of young and petite Ummul Khair who through her sheer hard work and determination was able to pull herself out of a wretched life in the slums. She went on to appear in the UPSC exams and cleared it in the first attempt. Ummul Khair is an extraordinary 29-year-old woman whose life began in a slum in Delhi. It was a filthy, stinking shantytown with a drain passing through it. Ummul’s father owned a tea shop but the income was not sufficient and the family struggled to make a living. If that was not enough, they suffered another blow when the shantytown was demolished in the name of development, rendering them all homeless. The only way out of the misery was to return to their hometown Pali in Rajasthan. However, Ummul, a bright student was determined to continue her studies in the government school in Delhi and refused to go with her parents. The class VIII student stayed in rented accommodation and gave tuitions to children for up to eight hours. The money thus earned was used to pay her rent and her fees. She completed her schooling with excellent grades and got admission in Gargi College of Delhi University. Travelling to her college was an arduous task as she has Fragile Bone Disorder in which the bones become weak and even a slight injury leads to multiple fractures. Yet she managed to complete BA in Applied Psychology. She then got admission in a Masters course in International Relations at JNU. It is admirable that Ummal didn’t let her disability come in her way, but she instead got associated with several voluntary groups working on disability. She also represented disability rights groups in various countries and was honoured as a Role Model for her extraordinary work on disability by the National Commission for Women in 2015. Nothing worked her way. Yet Ummal overcame physical, social and financial problems to achieve her goal. She hopes to work for the underprivileged sections of society. She is in touch with her parents. Talking about them she said that her father might not know what IAS is, but he may know what a collector is. This inspirational story of Ummal Khair will certainly act as a guiding light and motivation for all youngsters to make the most out of their lives. Image Source: StarsUnfolded

11 Sep 2019

Star Citizens

The Amazing Story of Ilma Afroz, a Farmer’s Daughter Who Left New York to Become IPS Officer in India

Ilma Afroz lived with her younger brother and parents in a small village in Kundarki in Uttar Pradesh. Fate dealt a blow when her father passed away when she was only 14 years old. Her strong-willed mother defied the norm of marrying away her daughter and instead chose to educate her so that she realizes her potential. A Brilliant Student Ilma Afroz after completing her high school education sought admission in St. Stephen’s College, Delhi where she studied philosophy. Ilma recounts that those days were the best days of her life where she learned to give shape to an argument, write convincingly and listen patiently. Her hard work and determination took her to Oxford University for higher studies. There she was exposed to more debates and discussions which gave her a perspective of world views. Life’s Purpose Ilma later went to New York and it was there that she realized her purpose in life. She narrates that every single day she would come back to her downtown Manhattan room and yearn for her home and the smile on her Ammi’s face. One day, in her office, she wondered whether her mother was destined to wait for her all alone in Kundarki and remembered the efforts that her near and dear ones put in so that she could succeed in life. She recollected how when she would visit her village, her village folks would be so delighted to see her thinking that she will alleviate their sufferings. That is when she made up her mind to return to her home and serve her country. Soon 26-year-old Ilma was back in India and preparing for Civil Services Exam. She cracked it in 2017 claiming 217th rank which is no mean feat and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS). Ilma Afroz motivates and inspires the youth to utilize their education and skills for the service and betterment of the country. Image Source: YouTube

2 Sep 2019

Star Citizens