IITs are becoming more research-oriented

The IITs have long been known for providing quality education but do not enjoy a good reputation for research. Hence, the new IIT directors as well as some of the existing IITs have made it a priority to change the research culture in India. To do this, they are trying to raise funds from the US, hiring industry veterans, promoting interdepartmental and inter-collegial networking, and trying to attract outstanding Indian scientists working abroad.

Source: 4th December, 2011 Economic Times

Facebook hires IIT Delhi student at Rs 65 lakh a year

After hiring a student from IIT Chennai last year, Facebook has recruited Mr. Ankur Dahiya from IIT Delhi at an annual package of Rs 65 lakh! Last year, it had missed the opportunity to recruit from this campus as it had called in late. Mr. Dahiya will join the social networking site as a programmer and encoder after completing his Computer Science Engineering program from the institute.

Source: 5th December, 2011 Hindustan Times

UPSC is planning to reform Civil Services (Main) Exam

After changing the format of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam to assess the aptitude of a candidate, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is now planning to reform the Civil Services (Main) Exam too. The commission seeks to select candidates with an in-depth knowledge and understanding rather than ones who have gathered information at the last moment.

Source: 5th December, 2011 Hindustan Times

UGC bans dissections in college laboratories

In a breakthrough decision to offer protection to 19 million animals every year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has banned animal dissections in college laboratories. The students and researchers will use computer simulations of animals' anatomies instead. Argentina, Australia Israel, Italy, Poland and Switzerland have also either banned animal dissection for school children, or permit it only for university students. American states such as New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Rhode Island and Oregon offer students a choice on dissection, or have put in place monitoring bodies.

Source: 3rd December, 2011 Asia Times

IP University launches separate brochures for its MBA programmes

IP University in Delhi has launched a separate brochure for its MBA programmes for the first time. The admission brochures are available at 23 branches of Indian Bank in the city. The admission process has been started much in advance to attract meritorious students. This year, the university will also conduct personal interviews (which will carry a weightage of 25 percent) besides a written test (which will carry a weightage of 75 percent) for admission to its management programmes.

Source: 3rd December, 2011 IPU.ac.in

Louvre Museum extends its hand to preserve and promote Indian art and culture

The famous Louvre Museum in Paris is looking forward to establish long-term partnerships with India to preserve and promote its art and culture. These may include artistic exchanges with museums and private art houses as well as setting up art education projects in the country.

Source: 3rd December, 2011 Dajiworld.com