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Category: Education

Southern Cross University Secures Global Reach with Access25 Initiative for Indian Students

Southern Cross University Expands Educational Opportunities with Access25 Initiative for Indian Students
February 04th, 2025: Southern Cross University (SCU) is proud to announce the Access25 initiative, which will make international education more accessible for students in 2025. The initiative sets tuition fees for international students at an affordable $25,000 per year, ensuring students receive the best value for their investment while pursuing high-quality education. The university aims to build a diverse and vibrant student community by offering competitive, accessible pricing without compromising academic excellence.

The Southern Cross Delegation led by Prof Mary Spongberg, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor is currently in India to meet their key academic and research counterparts. They will be engaging with colleagues from IIBT Bombay, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India, and Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences on sustainability and partnerships in this space between universities. Professor Jon Wardle and Associate Professor Christina Aggar will host discussions on fostering sustainability partnerships, and Professor Aggar will also visit the Asha Community Health and Development Society to further explore healthcare collaboration opportunities.

Speaking about the visit, Prof Mary said, “Southern Cross University has always had a strong presence in the Indian market, and we wish to maintain and expand that presence, through collaborations in research and with industry and community. Any vision we have for our presence in the Indian market must be underpinned by genuine partnership, impactful research collaboration, co-designed projects and curricula and shared experiences with students. I believe that working together, forming international teams, and sharing postgraduate students, builds trust, friendships and co-operation.”

With the ever-changing landscape for visas, Australian universities have also faced some challenges. Prof Mary, emphasized that the university continues to thrive despite these obstacles and said, “While the visa situation has been challenging for many universities, it has not negatively impacted SCU. We are open for business and remain confident that our region, with its well-established Indian communities in the Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour, offers a supportive and welcoming environment for Indian students.”

In the past few years SCU has been broadening their research across the sciences and engineering, in nursing and education. Currently SCU has several projects in India, and researchers who frequently work with Indian colleagues and communities. Over the last six years SCU researchers have published around 5000 articles with researchers from Indian institutions -including the National Botanical Institute, the Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Science, the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Public Health Foundation of India, the Universities of Calcutta, Delhi and IIHMR Jaipur. These articles represent research across all the disciplines and are evidence of SCU’s longstanding engagement and collaboration with Indian partners.

2025 Camlin Art Teacher Excellence Awards presented at IADEA’s Annual Art Educators Conference

Winners All at the 6th IADEA Conference

February 03, 2025, Chennai: The Indian Art and Design Educators Association (IADEA) held its Sixth Annual Art Educators Conference at Kalakshetra Auditorium Hall on 31st January and 1st February 2025 here in Chennai. The conference had over 80 art educators from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Ranipet, Jaipur, Delhi, Ajmer, and Bengaluru, attending the two-day event. Several global and national experts came together to discuss current and future narratives encompassing art education for and alongside 100 school art teachers. The two days were punctuated with a number of interactive sessions and workshops anchored on diverse topics. In her keynote speech Dr. Jyotsna Tiwari, HOD, Art and Aesthetics of NCERT, Delhi,highlighted the integration of art in education: the vision of NEP 2020 and the way forward.

Sara Vetteth, Founder of IADEA said, “In the future, every career will demand visually literate professionals—those who can research, think critically and communicate fluently using images and words. No matter the medium – whether it be mark-making with pencil, working with fiber, manipulating clay or image capture with a camera phone, the theme for this year’s conference is – how do we rethink the art class to make it useful for every learner? By guiding students through lines of enquiry and the design cycle, art educators can foster deeper exploration and creative problem-solving.”

On Day one, there was a delightful session on decoding the vocabulary of Warli, by renowned Warli artist & educator, Mayur Vayeda, followed by Dr. Alka Hingorani, one of the founders of “Learn Through Stories Foundation” and art educator Nivedita Deshmukh explored freedom and learning in art education. Italian Book designer and visual artist, Valentina Abenavoli took the participants through a fascinating session on exploring art through book making. Melissa Nolas, founder, Childrens Photography Archive, London, and Gayatri Nair, founding trustee, of Chennai Photo Biennale hosted the session on discovering photography’s place in an art class. The session highlighted the use of photography as a medium to encourage students of varying abilities to develop their language, vocabulary, and storytelling skills.

The inaugural day concluded with the awarding of the 2025 Camlin Art Teacher Excellence Awards to ten art educators. Awarded across five categories, the accolade celebrates the impact of art lessons and its significance in a student’s learning journey.

Mr. Satish Veerappa, Managing Director, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd said “The Art Teacher plays a very important role in the growth of a child. In this way, art teachers contribute immensely to the creative force of a nation. The values of inventiveness, creativity and passion that The Camlin Art Teacher Excellence Award celebrates are the same values that are necessary to build the start-ups and enterprises of the future. Behind every child who grows up to be innovative, resourceful, process oriented, collaborative and confident is an art teacher who showed them the way. Camlin admires and respects your contribution to art and the nurturing of artistic talent.”

Day two of the conference began with a speaker session by Lina Vincent, Curator and Educator from Goa, who spoke about her collaborative exhibition which uses plants in various ways to investigate pressing global issues. Siddhi Gupta, Faculty member at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, led the participants through an interactive workshop using visual thinking to reflect on what it means for an artist to be an educator. Chennai-based photographer Mr. Sunder Ramu led teachers through a guided workshop on using phone photography in the classroom as a medium to express thoughts, moods and unique perspectives. After lunch, the participants were taken on a special curator-led tour of selected Chennai photo biennale photography exhibits at Lalit Kala Academy and Egmore Museum. The tour was led by Gayatri Nair, Co-founder and Director of Education at CPB prism and Varun Gupta, Biennale Director at CPB.

List of Award winners

· Best use of Elements of Art

Winner– Deepti Karthik, Sarvam The Organic School, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Runner-up- Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan, KC High School Chennai

· Collaboration in the Art Room

Winner– Dinesh Kumar, Balsam Academy, Ranipet,

Runner up– R Subramanian and Aishwarya C, AMM School, Chennai

· Innovation in the Art Room

Winner– Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan, KC High School Chennai

Runner up Prem Nazir, Lakshmi School, Madurai

· Instilling Creative Confidence

Winner– Arun Kumar, Chettinad Sarvalokaa Education International School, Chennai

Runner-up Gayathri Vasu, Independent Art Educator, Chennai

· Promoting Artistic Practice

Winner– Amrutha Anand, Independent Art Educator, Chennai

Runner up -Vimal Sivaraman, Rak’s Pallikkoodam School of Excellence, Coimbatore

The Poydras Ring by Ed Lee, now available from Histria Books

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of The Poydras Ring by Ed Lee This book is published by Histria Fiction an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding original works of fiction.

ring

In a world where Voodoo magic holds the key to life, love, and madness, a cursed ring binds generations in a deadly struggle for power.

In the territory of New France—amid the colonial life of duels, slave rebellions, paramours, and war, and the shadowy world of Voodoo—Julien Poydras passes a powerful amulet of protection to his nephew, Emile. The ring promises a charmed, long life, but at a steep price to the wearer. When the young Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, learns of the ring’s existence, she will use everyone Emile loves against him in her attempt to seize the charm for herself. As Emile fights to maintain control of the ring and protect his family from blackmail and betrayal, he discovers that in the world of Voodoo, there is more to lose than his life.

In New Orleans of 1987, Emile’s descendant, Celeste Noyan, unknowingly accepts the ring on her wedding day and becomes bound to either wear it—suffering the madness that will follow—or remove it and face certain death. Celeste, her new husband Mark, and her grandfather Justin search their family history in a race against time to save her life and soul. Guided by an elderly Voodoo queen, Mama Vance, Celeste navigates a modern world of Voodoo, power, and magic, all while battling her growing feelings for Emile, whose spirit invades her dreams. Haunted by the dark origins of the cursed ring, Celeste must make a choice, even as Mark and Justin prepare for a desperate ceremony at the tomb of Marie Laveau—where even in death, the Voodoo queen seeks to control the Poydras ring.

Ed Lee is a retired attorney turned historical fiction write. With over 30 years of travel and research dedicated to New Orleans history, Ed brings this vibrant city to life, sharing his insights on his author’s Facebook page. Ed and his wife, Debi—who is a retired music teacher—live in Springfield, Missouri, where they actively support the local arts scene, including the Springfield Art Museum and Ozarks Lyric Opera Company.

A Description of Moldavia by Dimitrie Cantemir, now available from Histria Books

moldovia

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of the paperback edition of A Description of Moldavia by Dimitrie Cantemir. The book is published by the Center for Romanian Studies, an independent academic research institute, based in the United States, whose mission is to promote knowledge and understanding of Romanian history and culture worldwide. Titles from the Center for Romanian Studies are published exclusively by Histria Books.

Written by one of the country’s most renowned rulers, A Description of Moldavia provides unique insight into the geography, history, economy, ethnography, culture, and traditions of the principality. Born to a noble family, the author, Dimitrie Cantemir, ruled as Prince of Moldavia on two occasions (March-April 1693 and 1710-1711). He was a famed statesman, philosopher, and scholar. Cantemir wrote his Description of Moldavia (Descriptio Moldaviae) in 1716 at the request of the Royal Academy in Berlin, of which he was a member. Cantemir’s manuscript included a map (reproduced in the present edition), the first real map of the country, containing geographical detail. The book provides a wealth of information about the country’s natural resources, political organization, customs and traditions, history, religion, and language. This deluxe edition of this classic work marks the first time A Description of Moldavia has appeared in the English language.

An introduction and notes by Dr. A.K. Brackob, a noted specialist on Romanian and East European history, enhance this valuable historical resource.

Vita Student’s 2025/26 Reward Honors the Vibrant Student Community

Delhi, 29 January 2025:  Vita Student is setting the benchmark in premium student accommodations by redefining the meaning of ‘feel at home while studying abroad’. The brand offers more than world-class accommodations. It creates vibrant communities where students are supported, connected, and inspired to excel.

Vita Strengthens Communities with ‘Refer a Friend’ Reward

Vita Student has recently introduced a new reward for the 2025/26 academic year to celebrate the connections among students living abroad. The initiative offers the students a chance to share their positive experiences and receive a token of appreciation.

The reward offers a monetary reward to all the students who refer their fellow friends. So from October 2024 to September 2025, residents who refer a friend will receive £250/250€ for themselves and £250/250€ for the student they refer.

To qualify, the residents must be current 2024/25 tenants or have a confirmed 2025/26 booking; their referred friend must book within 28 days, commit to a stay of at least 44 weeks, and move in by 1st November 2025.

Shayon Dasverma, Head of Marketing – India, MENA & South East Asia, stated, “At Vita, we don’t just provide a hospitable environment, we create a community where students feel welcome and supported. It’s a place where they can truly belong. Here, they find the encouragement to grow and the opportunity to connect with others. It’s about building relationships, achieving goals, and making memories. We help students thrive, both personally and academically.”

This optional initiative by Vita Student reflects residents’ confidence in it and justifies why it is the most recommended student accommodation in the UK and Barcelona. The fact is that not many PBSAs are endowed with 60+ NPS scores. Residents recommend Vita because of its exceptional quality and sense of belonging. And this referral reward is an added bonus, not the primary reason to book Vita.

Vita Student’s premium facilities, supportive staff, and thoughtfully designed spaces make it more than an accommodation. It’s a place where students grow, succeed, and create lasting memories.

*The reward must be claimed by 1st December 2025. Claims made after this date will not be valid. The value of the prize may change during specified promotional periods. Get started now!

Fateh Education Secures Opportunities with Nationwide Study Abroad Fairs

New Delhi, 29th January 2025: Fateh Education, a leading study abroad consultancy specializing in the UK and Ireland has announced the dates of its highly anticipated ‘Fateh Education Fair 2025.’ Starting on late January, the fair will continue till 15th Feb, covering multiple cities nationwide. The objective is to help students and parents get unparalleled opportunities and a chance to meet representatives of different universities and explore the prospect of studying abroad.

The fair will enable counsellors and university representatives to guide students with a personalized approach to ensure that they have the right tools to conquer their dreams. Fateh Education fairs are tailored events which allow students and universities to interact with each other in a highly organised process. There is also a keen focus on crowd management and communication which ensures that quality counselling takes place.

Education Fair Schedule:

  • Chennai: February 1, Hyatt Regency
  • Bangalore: February 2, Taj MG Road
  • Pune: February 8, Hyatt Regency, Viman Nagar
  • Mumbai: February 9, ITC Maratha
  • Delhi: February 15, Le Meridien, New Delhi

Students are welcome to have one-on-one conversations with university delegates, get insights into diverse courses, seek guidance on the eligibility and application processes, and get any assistance that they might need to start their study-abroad journey.

Speaking about the Education Fairs, Mr. Suneet Singh Kochar, CEO, Fateh Education said, “We are very excited to meet students across the country. Our fairs are designed very carefully by Fateh Education’s team to bridge the gap between students and universities, ensuring students are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their future. These education fairs embody our mission and commitment towards providing students with the right resources to make informed decisions on the career path, destination, course and university.”

Mahindra University Opens Admissions for Undergraduate Programmes for 2025-26 Across All Schools

Mahindra University Opens Admissions for Undergraduate Programmes for 2025-26 Across All SchoolsHyderabad, 28  January 2025: Mahindra University has announced admissions for its undergraduate programmes for the academic year 2025-26. The University is inviting applications for admissions across its six schools that include: École Centrale School of Engineering, School of Management, School of Law, School of Digital Media and Communication, School of Design Innovation, and the newly launched School of Hospitality Management.

In line with the increasing demand for future relevant courses, the University has introduced new specialisations including BBA (Entrepreneurship and Family Business Programmes) and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Culinary and Hospitality Management among others. The programmes aim to prepare students to become future-ready leaders by combining academic excellence, experiential learning and industry relevance.

Speaking about the new academic year, Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, said, “We are offering students programmes that are aligned with the dynamic and evolving trends of the industry ecosystem. Our collaborations with global universities and industry partners ensure that our students gain a competitive edge in skills, employability, and entrepreneurship.”

The undergraduate programmes available at the École Centrale School of Engineering include specialisations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Computer Engineering (ECM), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Computation and Mathematics (CM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Mechatronics (MT), Civil Engineering (CE), Nano Technology (NT), Biotechnology (BT), Computational Biology (CB), Aerospace (Aero), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ELC) and VLSI Design and Technology (VLSI). 5-year integrated programmes include M. Tech in Computer Science and Engineering and Biotechnology. The eligibility criteria for the courses include qualification of JEE (MAIN) 2025 examination or valid SAT score.

The School of Management is offering several interdisciplinary 3-year BBA degree programmes for the academic year 2025-26 which include, BBA in Applied Economics and Finance, Computational Business Analytics and Digital Technologies. The eligibility criteria include 80% or equivalent grade in 10+2 from any statutory board, or an equivalent grade for the students from IB or other approved Boards. Apart from this, applicants with valid SAT Scores will also be considered for admission. The BBA (Entrepreneurship and Family Business Programmes) will commence its first academic session in 2025-26. The programmes at the School of Management have been developed in collaboration with the Cornell University’s SC Johnson School of Business, United States.

The School of Law has 5 years integrated programmes in B.A., LL. B (Honours.) and B.B.A., LL. B (Hons.). To be eligible for the above-mentioned courses, the students need to have a valid CLAT or LSAT Scores or qualify Mahindra University Law Entrance Test-2025 (MULET 2025). Beginning in the academic year 2025-26 an integrated six-year program in B.Tech, LL.B.(Hons.) is proposed to be launched subject to clearance from BCI.

The School of Digital Media and Communication is offering undergraduate programme in Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication and B. Tech in Computation and Media. For BJMC, the eligibility criteria include 80% or equivalent grade in 10+2 from any statutory board, or an equivalent grade for the students from IB or other approved Boards. Apart from this, applicants with valid SAT Scores will also be considered for admission.

For B.Tech. Computation and Media, the eligibility criteria for the course include qualification of JEE (MAIN) 2025 examination or valid SAT score.

The undergraduate programme offered by the School of Design Innovation is B. Des. The eligibility criteria include valid UCEED/ NID/ NIFT entrance scores 2025 examination score or 10+2 or equivalent from any statutory board with 80% or equivalent grade for the students from IB or other approved boards. Students can obtain admissions by qualifying in Mahindra University Design Innovation Entrance Test (MUDET 2025).

The School of Hospitality Management is providing B.Sc. (Hons.) in Culinary and Hospitality Management. The academic session will begin in August 2025. The eligibility criteria include 10+2 across all streams from any statutory board with an 80% score or valid NCHMCT JEE entrance examination score or by qualifying in the Mahindra University Hospitality Management Entrance Test-2025 (MUHET 2025).

Anurag University Celebrates 76th Republic Day Showcasing 200+ Student Inventions and Social Impact Projects

Anurag University Celebrates 76th Republic Day Showcasing 200+ Student Inventions and Social Impact ProjectsHyderabad, January 27, 2025: TEJAS 2K25 –an Engineering Expo with 200 innovative and social impact projects/products developed by Anurag University Engineering Students to be held on 27th January 2025 at Anurag University in the city outskirts.

Telangana’s first private University, Anurag University is organising TEJAS 2K25 –an Engineering Expoat its campus on Monday. A poster of the event was launched on Friday. These 200-plus student inventions will be showcased in a day-long event on Monday.

Several school children from private and government schools are invited to check out innovations and get inspired

TEJAS 2K25 is a unique project that will be organized successfully for the second time to kindle an innovation culture among engineering students of the University informed the Anurag University in a press note issued in the city today. Also, we wanted to celebrate the 76th Republic Day with 200 social impact projects and products, he added.

It will be formally inaugurated on 27th at college premises. Prof UB Desai, Chancellor of Anurag University; Dr. S. Glory Swarupa, Director General, National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Dr. Shanta Toutam, Former Chief Innovative Officer, Govt of Telangana and Mr. Arjun Rumalla, Director Manufacturing and Country Head Technip FMC-India will grace the inaugural.

We want to see our students as problem solvers, and not creators. We don’t want to see you as a country of ranters. Instead, we want you to be problem identifiers and solvers. This ‘Project Expo’ is the first in the series and is an opportunity created for the students to identify the pain points in the society we live in and then propose a solution. This is the prized skill that differentiates you from the rest of the world, the press note added.

SPARC 2025: Bengaluru’s Largest School Science Competition Concludes with a Focus on Youth-Driven Sustainability

SPARC 2025: Bengaluru’s Largest School Science Competition Concludes with a Focus on Youth-Driven SustainabilityBengaluru, India  January 27, 2025: Tan90, a pioneering education startup dedicated to revolutionizing STEAM education in India and Khoj, a STEM advocacy initiative focused on low-resource schools, today successfully concluded SPARC 2025 (Sustainable Projects and Research Challenge), a city-wide competition empowering young minds to reimagine a sustainable future for Bengaluru. SPARC 2025 invited students from grades 6 to 10 to design solutions aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world prototyping. The competition received 750 submissions from 85 schools, showcasing the city’s remarkable talent and passion for innovation.

After an extensive selection process, 26 outstanding projects were chosen for the grand finale held on January 25, 2025.

Winners and Awards

1. Darshil L Reddy from S.E.A. International School won the top prize for their project Cloud Rain.

2. Aditri Gupta from Surana Vidyalaya secured the second position for their project Affordable and Portable Device for Detection of Micro and Nano Plastic Particles.

3. Qurath Ul Ain and A Huda from Ilma International School claimed the third prize for their project Plucker.
The winning schools received cash prizes, with the top school winning a STEM lab worth ₹3,00,000. Additionally, the top three schools earned exclusive visits to leading deep-tech startups in Bengaluru.

The event was graced by Dr. V. Veerappan, Chairperson of the Indian Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Co-founder of Tessolve, who served as the Chief Guest. Mr. SD Shibulal, Co-Founder and Former CEO of Infosys, and Founder of Shikshalokam, delivered the keynote address.

Prominent leaders like Mr. Aniruddha Banerjee (Switchon), Mr. Gadadhar Reddy (NoPo Nanotechnologies), and Mr. Siva Teja Kakileti (Niramai Health Analytix) shared their journeys, inspiring students to explore careers in STEM.

Speaking at the event, Medha Krishnan, CEO of Tan90, commented, “SPARC 2025 has sparked a movement that celebrates innovation, sustainability, and creativity among students. This initiative is a testament to what young minds can achieve when provided with the right tools and opportunities. With SPARC, we aim to expand this platform nationwide, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all.”

Ananya Ganapathy, Founder of Khoj, added, “The overwhelming response to SPARC proves that experiential learning fuels curiosity and problem-solving. Khoj’s mission is to expand these opportunities and create a mentor network to inspire more students year-round.”

Ms. Kumari Shibulal, Founder and Chairperson, Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, shared “SPARC 2025 has reinforced my belief that the next wave of innovation lies in the hands of our youth. What we witnessed today is not just creativity, but the potential to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. When we invest in young minds and give them the right platforms, the impact is limitless.”

Sparc 2025 was organized by Tan90, an education startup transforming STEM education in India, co-hosted by Khoj, a STEM advocacy initiative focused on low-resource schools and supported by Mantra Social Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality education for underserved communities. The event celebrated the creativity, ingenuity, and commitment of Bengaluru’s youth to build a greener, cleaner, and more resilient city.