Latest news with #LoI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
100 acres for EV manufacturing cluster near Noida International Airport
Noida: Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has given in-principle approval to allot 100 acres of land in Sector 8 to the Electric Vehicles Manufacturers Welfare Trust for setting up a dedicated cluster for EV autorickshaw and two-wheeler production, along with component manufacturing. YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh said that land acquisition work is currently in progress. The Letter of Intent (LoI) for the allotment, which was issued on Thursday, is subject to the approval of the Invest UP Empowered Committee, state policy guidelines, and other applicable regulatory norms. The CEO added that the Trust has informed the Authority that over 150 units associated with it intend to set up manufacturing facilities. This initiative is expected to provide a major boost to the region's manufacturing sector. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The Authority has already allotted land for various parks and clusters in the area, including the Medical Device Park, Toy Park, Apparel Park, Data Centre, IT Park, and the recently approved Electronics Manufacturing Cluster 2.0. YEIDA officials also said that a start-up manufacturing EV batteries for two-wheelers, including Royal Enfield, will be allotted 10,000 sqm in the 206-acre Electronics Manufacturing Cluster-2 (EMC-2) in Sector 10. Havells has already been allotted 50 acres here as the anchor company, and three other major firms have also secured plots. Neenjas Electric has been issued a Letter of Intent for manufacturing electric vehicle chargers, LED lighting panels, and related solar-based technologies in Sector 10. Founded in 2021, the start-up is based in Noida and operates manufacturing units in Greater Noida. Last week, Dixon Technologies secured 22.5 acres in EMC 2.0, becoming the third company to join the hub. Officials said Dixon received the LOI to set up a manufacturing unit for mobile phones, consumer electronics, telecom equipment, lighting products, and white goods. LOIs were also issued to two other companies – Ascent-K Circuit and Aurionpro ToshiAutomatic Systems – for setting up units under the central govt's scheme. The 206-acre cluster has seen strong interest from top industrial players, officials added. YEIDA officials confirmed that the land acquisition process in Sector 10 is also ongoing.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Forest land diversion stalls IREL project in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Land acquisition hurdles continue to plague key infrastructure and industrial projects in Odisha with central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) now voicing concerns. The IREL (India) Ltd (formerly Indian Rare Earths Ltd) has flagged serious issues over forest land diversion delaying its joint venture mining project in Krushnaprasad area in Puri district. The central PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, in partnership with the Odisha government's Industrial Development Corporation (now merged with Odisha Mining Corporation), had formed IREL-IDCOL, a joint venture company for the extraction of strategic and atomic minerals from the Krushnaprasad heavy mineral deposit. Sources said the project, which received a letter of intent (LoI) from the Steel and Mines department on June 17, 2022, aimed at extracting Monazite, Zircon, Ilmenite, Rutile, Sillimanite, and Garnet, minerals vital to India's strategic interests, especially Monazite, which contains Thorium and rare earth elements. However, the project has run into hurdles due to forest classification issues in the proposed mining area. Of the 852.45 hectares (ha) identified in the LoI, around 581 ha were later determined to be forest land, much of it under the Pitisal proposed reserve forest. Initially, Chilika DFO permitted a differential GPS (DGPS) survey over 540 ha of forest land but following a survey, Krushnaprasad tehsildar authenticated the presence of 580.8 ha of forest land within the lease area. Subsequently, the joint venture company submitted applications for environmental and forest clearances last year. While the forest diversion proposal was cleared by the project screening committee on October 7, 2024, complications arose during subsequent site inspections.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Kyrgyz Republic ink 10 MoUs to strengthen bilateral ties
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic have strengthened bilateral ties with the signing of 10 strategic cooperation documents during the official visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. The agreements, formalised in the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Zhaparov, span a wide range of sectors, including tourism, higher education, healthcare, digital transformation, cybersecurity, trade and export development. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan inked several key memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Zheenbek Kulubaev. Also present at the ceremony were Kyrgyz Economy and Trade Minister Bakyt Sydykov, Digital Development and Innovative Technologies Minister Azamat Jamangulov, and Culture, Information and Youth Policy Minister Mirbek Mambetaliev. Among the highlights was an MoU between the Centre for Export Development and Promotion (Kyrgyz Export) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), expected to become a pivotal driver of bilateral trade. In the education sector, collaboration was enhanced through an MoU between Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Kyrgyz Science, Higher Education and Innovation Minister Baktiyar Orozov. Healthcare cooperation was also reinforced, with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Kyrgyz Health Minister Erkin Checheibaev signing an agreement to expand joint initiatives in medical services and health systems. A strategic partnership was sealed between the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS Malaysia) and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives (NISI), which operates under the Kyrgyz presidency. The MoU was signed by ISIS Malaysia chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah and Kyrgyz Justice Minister Aiaz Baetov. The private sector was not left behind, as the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry formalised an MoU to boost trade and business links. The agreement was signed by NCCIM president Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Temir Sariev. In addition, both countries signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, as well as an Exchange of Notes (EoN) on diplomatic training and youth development.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?
Every year, thousands of Indian students pursue higher education abroad, with the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia being among the top choices. According to data from the Ministry of Education, the number of Indian students studying overseas increased by 52.2% over five years; from 586,337 in 2019 to 892,989 in 2023. This is due to several factors: the perception of receiving a globally recognised, high-quality education at top-ranked universities; access to cutting-edge research facilities; improved career prospects; international exposure; better job opportunities and higher salaries; a superior quality of life; and relatively smoother immigration processes. Studies indicate that over 75% of Indian students who study abroad intend to work and settle in their host countries, with only a small fraction planning to return to India. This suggests that such students have already considered critical questions such as: What are the advantages of earning a degree from a foreign university? What career opportunities will it open up? New questions Now, with some foreign universities setting up campuses in India, aspiring students are beginning to ask a new set of questions: What are the benefits of earning a degree from an international university's Indian campus? Is it as valuable as studying at the main campus abroad? Will it offer the same academic experience and career prospects? The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 supports the establishment of independent campuses by foreign universities in India and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced that 15 international universities will set up campuses in the country during the current academic year. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to some institutions, including the University of Liverpool and to the University of Aberdeen to set up branch campuses in Bangalore and Mumbai respectively. According to the specified guidelines, foreign universities seeking entry into India must rank among the top 500 globally, demonstrate subject-specific expertise, and be duly recognised in their home countries to offer academic and research programmes. They will have autonomy in designing their curriculum, managing admissions, setting fee structures and are authorised to award internationally recognised degrees. Foreign universities stand to gain significantly by entering the Indian education sector as they can expand their global footprint, enjoy academic and administrative autonomy, and offer international degrees within India. The presence of top-ranked foreign university campuses in India is also expected to bring several advantages to the country. It can introduce world-class education; help raise domestic academic standards to global levels and promote knowledge exchange. Participation in conferences organised by these institutions can provide Indian scholars with valuable exposure and enriching learning experiences. Moreover, Indian students will be able to earn foreign degrees without going abroad, thereby helping retain talent within the country. Local needs and priorities But one must also ask: who are the actual beneficiaries? Will these branch campuses cater exclusively to the elite? Will academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to gain admission? In a country where millions of young people struggle to access higher education — or are unable to pursue it due to financial constraints — this initiative risks neglecting local needs and priorities. With regard to bringing world-class education to India, any foreign university setting up a campus here is primarily driven by monetary interests, and the focus is likely to be on profit rather than academic excellence. This opens the door to the commercialisation of education, reducing it to a commodity rather than upholding it as a service. Foreign university branch campuses in India risk becoming symbols of elitism rather than instruments of equality or social justice. A truly vibrant campus is one that embraces equality, upholds social justice, and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness. On a typical Indian campus, students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds come together, interact, and learn from one another. This environment helps everyone become sensitive to the needs of one another and empathetic. A foreign campus in India is unlikely to foster or reflect this kind of inclusive environment. Introducing foreign university campuses should lead to reforms in the education sector, not widen inequality. It is misguided to claim that graduates from foreign university campuses in India will help reduce brain drain. On the contrary, a degree from a foreign university can serve as a stepping stone and increase the chances for those who aspire to work abroad. If the purpose of inviting foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India is to bring world-class education, develop global citizens, and transform the country into a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, the focus must be on addressing local needs, particularly by enabling economically and socially disadvantaged groups to access higher education and by improving the overall quality of education. That is what will lead to true transformation. Let us not forget: all that glitters is not gold. The writer is an ELT resource person and education columnist. Email: rayanal@
Business Upturn
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Upturn
The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborations
PRESS RELEASE June 20, 2025 The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborations ESA and Dassault Aviation have identified a mutual interest in developing a closer relationship to commonly foster technology development in areas such as LEO destinations and particularly around orbital vehicules. The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Dassault Aviation, a French civilian and military aircraft manufacturer recognized worldwide for its excellence, underlying their common interest to develop a closer relationship. ESA, with its ambitious strategy for space exploration, Explore2040, is seeking innovative solutions for capabilities development to reach and return from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Moon and Mars, and supports the advancement of selected critical enabling technologies to be used and demonstrated in particular in LEO, such as hypervelocity re-entry. Dassault Aviation, also a leader in aerospace engineering, is developing its space activities with a focus on the design of a reusable spaceplane based on lifting bodies shapes that bridge aeronautical and space technologies. Their interest in automated LEO platforms suitable for commercial and institutional markets, led them to develop a vehicle concept called ' Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d'Exploration (VORTEX) ', designed for research in space, transport of cargo to and from space stations, and a range of in-orbit services. This project is based on a considerable expertise in spaceplanes having participated in numerous programmes like Hermes, NASA X-38 Crew Rescue vehicle, ESA Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator, and Airborne Reusable Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle (VEHRA) concepts. ' Dassault Aviation's decades of expertise in aeronautical and space systems, perfectly position them to pioneer critical space technologies ', said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency. ' With VORTEX, Dassault is contributing to strengthening European capacities and securing sovereign access to space in a strongly growing and competitive space sector. We look forward to combining our expertise and working hand-in-hand for a stronger Europe in space.' ' Our Vortex roadmap aims to strengthen Europe's essential sovereign capabilities and meet the new challenges of the space economy. This letter of intent is a perfect recognition of the complementary expertise of the European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation in the development of critical technologies and innovative space solutions, ' declared Eric Trappier, Chaiman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. As such, the signatories of the LoI, have identified a mutual interest in developing a closer relationship with the potential to commonly derisking critical technologies as well as to further explore the potential for collaboration in areas such as LEO destinations and particularly around orbital vehicules. As such, both foresee an interest to cooperate on a scaled down suborbital version of VORTEX, serving as a testbed, with a focus on, but not limited to: Designing, testing and qualifying key technologies and components. New materials and integration processes. Assessing the feasibility to include future payloads in case of the integration of a dedicated bay on the end-product. This joint work will be based on exchanging relevant information and conducting studies or preparatory activities, to help establish respective roles and responsibilities in the realisation of potential joint activities, leveraging on each side's capabilities. ' Europe benefits from a wide range of diverse and complementary skills. Enlarging the European industrial base is key for new opportunities arising in Space Exploration, aiming at more autonomy,' said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. About the European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members. ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on advancing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions. Learn more about ESA at
