view in one page and print
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/CPMT-to-have-just-one-paper/articleshow/4198447.cms
27 Feb 2009, 0530 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN
LUCKNOW: Combined Pre-Medical Test 2009 will be a different game this year. The pattern of the age-old gateway to medical has been changed slightly. In the new pattern, candidates will have to take up a three-hour paper. The paper will contain 200 objective questions in physics, chemistry, zoology and botany segments.
Earlier, two papers — each consisting of 100 objective questions — had to be done in two hours. The first paper covered physics and chemistry, while the second comprised intermediate-level zoology and botany.
This means that candidates would get less time for more questions, said Kamal Sahani, former director-general, medical education. Simple mathematics shows that a candidate will get a maximum of 54 seconds for one question in the new pattern. Against this, students got a maximum of 80 seconds for a question in the old set-up. “The change will elevate the competitive level of CPMT which is a good sign,” he said.
Aspiring medico Divya Mehdiratta agrees to Dr Sahani’s observation. “Many of us feel even two hours were not sufficient for physics and chemistry... getting lesser time sounds like a shock to me,” she said. Time management was perhaps the only strategy that came to her mind to cope up with the examination.
“Change was perhaps the need of the hour. Exams like the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) and Banaras Hindu University Pre-Medical Test (BHUPMT) followed the same pattern. It was high time we get over the archaic pattern,” said Prof Saroj Chooramani Gopal, vice-chancellor, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) which is organising CMPT 2009.
The V-C has a point knowing that engineering entrance exams and common entrance test for masters in business administration keep changing with time.
“We got a feedback from students who had taken CMPT and they all voted in favour of a single paper,” said Harbhajan Singh, secretary, medical education.
Sources at the medical education directorate shared that the medical university had proposed more changes. But they could not be implemented in wake of shortage of time.
_______________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/2009_02_25/india_trip
President John B. Simpson lights an oil lamp on the stage at the MITES graduation, a standard ritual that begins ceremonies of this kind in India. Provost Satish K. Tripathi is pictured on the left in the red gown. Photo: STEPHEN DUNNETT
(MITES is program by School of management at Amrita University, Bangalore)
Excerpts:
In addition to President and Mrs. Katherine Simpson, the delegation to India included Provost Satish and Mrs. Kamlesh Tripathi; Arjang Assad, dean of the School of Management; Stephen C. Dunnett, vice provost for international education; Richard V. Lee, professor of medicine; Bharat Jayaraman, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Ramaswamy Ramesh, professor and chair of the Department of Management Science and Systems; and Joseph J. Hindrawan, assistant vice provost for international education.
The delegation also visited Varanasi, a world-famous religious and cultural center, and the home of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India’s leading public research universities. UB and BHU had signed a comprehensive agreement in August 2007 when the vice chancellor of BHU visited UB; several UB officials, including Tripathi and Dunnett, have visited BHU previously. Tripathi is a BHU alumnus.
While in Varanasi, the delegation was hosted by Vice Chancellor D.P. Singh for a meeting with senior leadership of BHU to share information and explore potential cooperation. The delegation toured the campus and visited a variety of key research and academic units of BHU, including the faculties of engineering, science, fine arts and performing arts. There was discussion of a new UB study abroad program at BHU slated for the next winter intersession.
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
22 Feb 2009, 0403 hrs IST, TNN
VARANASI: Under the Indian Space Research Organisations Space Science Promotion Scheme (ISRO-SSPS) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the department of physics will conduct teaching as well as research activities in atmospheric research and detector development programme.
It may be mentioned here that the ISRO has recently released a fund of Rs. 135.50 lakh to procure equipments and strengthen laboratory for this purpose. Besides this one time investment, the ISRO will also bear the expenses of fellowships and new faculties for five years.
While under the teaching programme there will be a special paper in space physics at M.Sc. level, in research programme we will conduct atmospheric research and detector development, said scheme coordinator Dr. Abhay Kumar Singh of physics department.
According to him, under atmospheric research programme the studies will be conducted in the areas of lower atmospheric physics and space weather of upper atmosphere. "Using multi-wavelength solar radiometer (MWR), the sky radiance at BHU would be measured on routine basis. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver has already been installed in BHU and we are continuously recording the GPS data," he said.
"Besides, the detector development programme would be led by Dr BK Singh, deputy coordinator of ISRO-SSPS at BHU. We will begin the detector development program in the university aiming specifically at building detectors for ultraviolet space astronomy," he said.
It may be mentioned here that the ISRO has given a fund of Rs. 20 lakh to set up laboratory along with a one time research grant of Rs. 45 lakh to the atmospheric science group and Rs. 68 lakh to detector development group. These amounts are meant for the upgradation of research laboratories to advanced level. Besides, an amount of Rs. 2.5 lakh per year has been allocated for the expenses of visiting scientists or guest faculties for five years. The ISRO has also sanctioned the post of two faculties including one at the level of assistant professor and other at the level of associate professor in which one post will be specialised in Astrophysics.
_____________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
91st Convocation of the Banaras Hindu University will be held on 13 March 2009. The convocation shall be held for graduates who passed out in 2008. President, Shrimati Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest.
(Shrimati Pratibha Patil, President of India)
__________________
Additional Link:
BHU website
http://www.bhu.ac.in/convoca/convacation2009.pdf
City roads get new life in wake of Prez visit
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/City-roads-get-new-life-in-wake-of-Prez-visit/articleshow/4224437.cms
___________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
a) BHU Farmer’s Fair and Exhibition organized on Feb 28 by Institute of Agricultural Sciences
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/BHU_farmers_fair_sees_encouraging_participation/articleshow/4205450.cms
b) Institute of Medical Sciences 4-day Elixir-09 festival began on February 27
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/Inaugural_day_leaves_all_in_splits/articleshow/4201896.cms
c) President Pratibha Pail to attend BHU convocation on March 13
d) BHU takes eco-friendly tech to rural areas
e) Spandan-2009 touches chord among youth
f) German group visits ayurveda faculty of BHU
g) Power of silver can keep the doctor away, finds Institute of medical Sciences
h) Plastic waste can be used for constructing roads, says Prof. from Chemistry Department
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/432FCCBF00A1900265257567004C3ED5?OpenDocument
New Delhi, Feb 24 (PTI) The government has endorsed the proposal of IITs to start joint M.Sc-Ph. D and joint M. Tech-Ph. D programmes.
The step would promote research activities in these institutions and encourage more students to go for research, Minister of State for HRD D Purandeswari told the Lok Sabha today.
The proposal was earlier discussed at the IIT Council meeting last month. As per the proposal, these joint M.Sc-Ph. D and joint M. Tech-Ph. D programmes will allow meritorious students to opt for Ph. D after M.Sc or M. Tech while the other students can leave the course with M.Sc or M. Tech degrees.
PTI
____________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
a) Japanese companies to set up 4 labs at IIT-Hyderabad
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hyderabad/Japanese_companies_to_set_up_4_labs_at_IIT/articleshow/4206042.cms
b) Sonia lays foundation for IIT-Hyderabad at Kandi, Andhra Pradesh
c) IIT dream coming true in Bangalore
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1234913
d) Stone Of Himachal’s First IIT Laid
http://www.topnews.in/stone-himachal-s-first-iit-laid-2131543
e) Shri Arjun Singh lays the Foundation Stone of IIT, Ropar (Punjab)
http://www.webnewswire.com/node/449235
f) IIT-Rajasthan: France roots for Jaipur
g) Govt. may cut IIT grant by Rs 300 cr
___________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
(Prof. M. A. Quraishi)
BHU professor to receive Vigyan Ratna
22 Feb 2009, 0403 hrs IST, TNN
VARANASI: Prof Mumtaz Ahmad Quraishi of the department of applied chemistry, Institute of Technology- BHU, has been selected for Vigyan Ratna Award, instituted by the department of science and technology, UP government.
Prof. M. A. Quraishi has been Conferred Vigyan Ratna Award instituted by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh for his significant research contribution in the field of Corrosion science and Technology. The award carries Rs. 50,000 cash, shawl, memento and citation. The award was presented in a special ceremony held on 21st Feb., 2009 at Vigyan Bhawan, Council of Science and Technology, Lucknow.
India suffers a loss about Rs. 40 Thousand crores annually, due to corrosion. Significant part of this can be saved using corrosion inhibitor technology. Corrosion inhibitors are used for controlling corrosion in petroleum, steel, sugar, food can, paper pulp, packaging and construction industry, Weapons and, electronic equipments are also protected from corrosion by volatile corrosion inhibitors.
Prof. Quraishi has received several awards during last ten years (1997-2007) viz. Award for excellence in corrosion (1997) instituted by Indian section of NACE international (USA), Mascot National Award instituted by Electrochemical Society of India, Bangalore (2001), NIIS Meritorious Contribution Award (2007, Mumbai) and two best paper award (1998, 2003) by MAAS and SAEST India.
He served as Director North Region NACE India (1995-1998), Vice Chairman, Corrosion group of Society for Advancement of Electrochemical Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu, India (1995-1997) and as an adviser for young scientist award committee in chemical sciences CSIR New Delhi (2001). He joined as a professor in Applied Chemistry Department of IT-BHU in 2005 .Prior to this; he served as Reader in Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, AMU Aligarh. He obtained D.Sc. (Doctor of Science) from AMU 2004. He has published more than 100 research papers in national and international journals and presented papers in international conferences in USA and Denmark.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Prof. Quraishi can be contacted at: maquraishi.apc@itbhu.ac.in
_________________________
Additional Links:
Profile of Prof. Quraishi on department website
http://www.itbhu.ac.in/apc/faculty.shtml
About Vigyan Ratna Award
http://cstup.gov.in/pages/scientificawards1.htm
VIGYAN RATNA SAMMAN (Two):
“These awards are given to two scientists for their continuous contribution to science, special scientific achievement or innovation, special scientific achievements or innovation, special science writing or outstanding technology development. Each award consists of cash Rs.50,000/- a memento and a citation.”
Council of Science & Technology U.P.
'VIGYAN BHAWAN'
9, Nabiullah Road, Surajkund Park, Lucknow-226018
NACE International, USA
Society for Advancement of Electrochemical Science and Technology, Karaikuddi, Tamil Nadu, India
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hrds-blooper-new-iim-to-come-up-in-cgarh-.../424569/
IIM budget blooper: 'Typo error' leaves HRD red-faced
Anubhuti Vishnoi Posted: Feb 17, 2009 at 1132 hrs IST
New Delhi: A day after the interim budget announced an IIM for Rajasthan starting this academic session, even though the state did not figure in the list of those slated one of the six new IIMs in the 11th plan period, the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry is left red-faced.
It is learnt that Rajasthan was sneaked into the list of new IIMs instead of Chhatisgarh in the interim budget by virtue of a mistake and oversight on the part of the HRD ministry. Realizing the faux pas only after the budget was announced, the ministry got into a late night meeting to decide how to rectify the damage done. Incidentally, while several attempts were made to reach HRD ministry officials for a clarification on the issue on Monday, they were unavailable for comment.
It is learnt that the ministry has taken up the matter with the Finance ministry and has requested them to appraise the Parliament of the IIM mistakenly attributed to Rajasthan instead of Chhatisgarh.
In all likelihood, a corrigendum will be issued to clarify the government's position on the issue as the HRD ministry had maintained so far that either an IIT or IIM would be allocated to states under the 11th plan period and not both. Since Rajasthan already has an IIT allocated to it last year and it is already operating from the IIT Kanpur campus where it is being mentored, the mention of an IIM also for the state in Pranab Mukherjee's budget speech took all by surprise including the Arjun Singh led HRD ministry. An embarrassed ministry swung into damage control on Monday evening but was unable to issue any clarification since it was a budget announcement made in the parliament.
The Finance ministry, will now, apprise the parliament of the mistake, it is learnt. The inadvertent mistake also led to speculations that the IIM proposed for Chhatisgarh as announced by the HRD ministry last year would be axed to make way for one in Rajasthan.
The interim Budget unveiled on Monday announced that four of the six new IIMs planned for the 11th plan period would be located in Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu and would start their academic session in 2009-10. While Haryana, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu were among the six states earlier earmarked by the HRD Ministry for an IIM, Rajasthan had been given an IIT in keeping with the idea that a state should have either an IIT or IIM. The other states on the Ministry's IIM list included Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.
Teaching is expected to commence from academic year 2009-10 in four out of six new Indian Institutes of Management proposed for the Eleventh Plan in Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, Pranab Mukherjee, who holds the additional charge of Finance, said.
___________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/508736/National/1/20/1
Published: February 22, 2009
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 22: Making more investment in scientific and technological research is the key component to ensure the progress of the country when it is emerging as a world power, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vayalar Ravi said today.
After laying the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Vithura near here, Ravi said students and the academic community should take more interest in research programmes.
The young generation should not see education as a mere medium for finding jobs. Truly talented students should concentrate their energy in researches in science and technology, he said.
State Education Minister M A Baby, who presided, said it was regrettable the Centre was yet to implement its promise of setting up an Indian Institute of Technology in Kerala.
Shortly after the UPA came to power, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised that an IIT would be set up in Kerala. This promise was still unfulfilled, he said.
The IISER being set up in Vithura is the fifth such institute in the country. The institution is expected to receive Rs 100 crore as annual grant from the Centre.
_________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
http://www.zeenews.com/life-style/travel/2009-02-09/506149news.html
New Delhi, Feb 09: The holy city of Varanasi may become the country's first 'World Heritage City' if INTACH has its way.
The Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFAC) of Spain today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which the two agencies will jointly conserve the heritage monuments in the temple town of Varanasi and develop world-class infrastructure in the area.
"We have decided to work together to get Varanasi declared as a 'World Heritage City'. This is the beginning of a series of cooperation with Spain," INTACH Chairman S K Misra said after signing the MoU with Ambassador of Spain Ion De la Riva Guzman de Frutos.
Experts in Spain had conserved and restored the ancient glory of the city of Barcelona when it hosted the Olympic Games and also the industrial city of Bilbao. They have also created beaches in the city.
De la Riva said INTACH should act as a "nanny" for the transformation of the country's traditional cities as they lack infrastructure facilities.
________________________________________________________________________
Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, UP