Yogesh Avasthi

Gujarat Technological University has directed all affiliated engineering, MBA and MCA colleges not to drop lectures and announce holidays at will Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Monday, January 31, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20Latest&sectid=2&contentid=20110131201101310353261396ed3c54 ) Students and teachers of colleges affiliated to the Gujarat Technological University (GTU) are in for a hard toil this academic year that begins in June. The varsity has instructed all associated engineering, MBA and MCA colleges to give fewer holidays and conduct more classes. The edict — issued at a recent meeting — follows the realisation by GTU that some colleges conduct only 50 per cent of the lectures each semester, i.e. out of 90 days, they hold lectures on only 40 to 45 days. “We have asked all affiliated colleges to stick to the 90-day teaching schedule every semester. Cancellation of classes and announcement of holidays not grante...

Railway officials have asked the company to stop construction work at the project site in Thaltej, claiming the land belongs to the railways Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Tuesday, January 25, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201101252011012503023457156c7d9e7 ) A notice board erected by the railways at the hospital site states that no unauthorised entry or construction work will be tolerated on the plot Railway authorities have asked Zydus Cadila to freeze all construction work at the site of a 22-storey hospital proposed by it near Sola bridge in Thaltej. The demand, which could throw the project off the track, is a consequence of a land dispute between the railways and the state government. Rail officials claim the plot where the pharmaceutical company intends to build the multi-speciality hospital is part of a 16.13-hectare land owned by the railways. They allege the state government “illegally allo...

Education dept to recreate KBC set, rope in Amitabh Bachchan to host grand finale of Gujarat Quiz. If Big B fails to put up an appearance, Modi will don quizmaster’s cap Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Monday, January 24, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20Latest&sectid=2&contentid=201101242011012403443228be8cb249 ) The final of the Gujarat Quiz is likely to be a grand affair with either Big B or Narendra Modi likely to host the event. The function will be held in the last week of April or the first week of May to coincide with the ending of Swarnim Gujarat year. The final will be held at Town Hall where the Education Department plans to create a set similar to the one on Kaun Banegi Crorepati. Highly placed sources said, “Amitabh Bachchan is Gujarat’s tourism ambassador. He is also the face of KBC. So, we are trying to rope him to be the quizmaster for our grand finale. The chief minister will be present at the event. If Big B d...

To boost operational efficiency, railway division decides to shift Ahd-Delhi daily train from platform 1 to platform 7 Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Saturday, January 22, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20Latest&sectid=2&contentid=2011012220110122030608229aae428af ) The Ahmedabad-Delhi Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express will depart from platform 7 beginning February 1. As of now, the daily train leaves from platform 1 at 5.25 pm. Ahmedabad railway division has taken the decision to improve its operational efficiency. While passengers will have to walk a longer distance to board, the good news is that the train will be at the platform for 30 minutes. Right now, the train makes a brief 15-minute stopover at Ahmedabad junction. With more time on hand, passengers can escape the mad scramble that goes on to locate the seats and arrange the baggage. Four more coaches will be added to the train; this 300 more passengers can be accommod...

University Granthnirman Board has published books to help NET-SLET hopefuls Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Thursday, January 20, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=20110120201101200253321962936b8c6 ) Aspiring college teachers who need to clear National Education Test (NET) or its State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) have a help on hand thanks to University Granthnirman Board (UGB). The nodal agency for university publications has come up with books with question banks and answers to help those writing the tests prepare better. “The qualifying percentage in NET and SLET is just about 2. One of the main reasons is the lack of useful literature for the candidates. Now, you can expect pass percentage to go up in the state. We have priced the book quite reasonably so that more students can benefit from the initiative,” said a UGB official. Books in two subjects are already out and those for 24 more subjects w...

Three IIMA graduates have started Edvantage India to bridge the gap between academia and the industry Yogesh Avasthi , Tanushree Bhatia Posted On Thursday, January 20, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201101202011012002532794680e93a36 ) Money is not the only matter for at least these three IIMites who quit their top corporate jobs in just five months to train country’s nextgen for industry challenges. To bridge the gap between academia and the industry, Rahul Harkisanka, Ravi Subramanium and Rohan Choudhary, who grabbed the jobs on Day 0 of IIM placement, have started Edvantage India, their entrepreneurial venture which is first of its kind of initiative for college-goers in Ahmedabad. Industry-focused course for students Though the three do not belong to Ahmedabad, they preferred the city to start their company. “Ahmedabad is going to be a financial hub with GIFT city generating thousands of emplo...

With an aim to improve the standard of teaching and quality of students, 66 mentors chosen by Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat will conduct training sessions for teachers Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, January 19, 2011 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=2011011920110119025610933179455a7 ) A unique Knowledge Management Programme, conceptualised by Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), will soon be introduced in over 900 colleges across the state to improve the quality of teaching. A two-day workshop has been organised for expert trainers at Maninagar Science College today. They will then mentor the college teachers. As many as 66 experts — 33 English professors and 33 information and communication technology professors — will participate along with 33 students who will provide their feedback on the effectiveness of the workshop. The aim of the programme is to add value to the teaching techniques a...