Following is an excerpt from a report in Hindu.
The Government has decided to set up a centre of excellence in animation through the public-private partnership mode for providing skilled workforce for the industry.
The centre would offer graduate and post graduate level programmes in animation with specialisation in subjects such as visual effects and game design.
Mohali was selected over other identified cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore because of the proactive role of the Punjab government in providing land, I&B Ministry sources said.
The upfront infrastructure cost for the Government is estimated at Rs 51.20 crore. As per a detailed project report prepared by a consultant engaged by the I&B Ministry, the first batch is expected to start from 2013-14 academic year.
Note that the I & B ministry is headed by Mrs. Ambika Soni an MP from Punjab.
October 25th, 2011
Following is from a report in Telegraph by Priya Abarham.
The University Grant Commission (UGC) has sanctioned three new schools under the Central University of Orissa in Koraput.
These include School of Development Studies, School of Basic Sciences and Information Sciences and School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources.
Following the sanction, three new courses have been started under each school from this academic year and admissions to these courses have begun.
The university has launched MSc in biodiversity and conservation of natural resources under School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources in collaboration with the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.
Similarly, MA in economics has been launched under School of Development Studies and a five-year integrated course in mathematics has been launched under School of Basic Sciences and Information Sciences.
…Plans are afoot to start School of Health Sciences next year. “In response to a letter from the UGC, a detailed project report for the proposed medical college and hospital has already been submitted,” she said.
Three other MoUs have been signed with Jamia Hamdard University for collaborative programmes in nursing and community health, Narayan Hrudayalaya for courses in vocational development programmes in medical industry specific areas, and Public Health Foundation of India for collaboration in teaching and research for partnership under School of Health Sciences. The varsity is in also talks with the district hospital of Koraput for collaborative programmes in health sciences and allied programmes in the state.
Prior to this year the university had the following schools and courses.
| 1. School of Languages |
a) English (30 seats)
b) Oriya (30 seats) |
| 2. School of Social Sciences |
a) Anthropology & Tribal Studies (30 seats)
b) Sociology (30 seats)
c) Journalism and Mass Communication (30 seats) |
I appreciate the innovative strategy of the VC of getting help from reputed outside organizations for the new schools and new programs. Without that a young university in a backward and hinterland district and with a small faculty would not be able to provide quality education in the initial years.
If the university gets approval for a medical college next year then that would be a great achievement for the VC. We wish her and the university the best in that effort.
October 25th, 2011