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India witnessed startup boom in last 10 years; students must focus on entrepreneurship: Jitendra Singh
India witnessed startup boom in last 10 years; students must focus on entrepreneurship: Jitendra Singh

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Time of India

India witnessed startup boom in last 10 years; students must focus on entrepreneurship: Jitendra Singh

He said the creation of the Rs 1 lakh crore National Research Foundation (NRF-Anusandhan) marks a significant push to encourage private sector investment in research and development, thereby strengthening the country's research ecosystem. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday highlighted the startup boom in the country, noting that the number of startups has grown from 350 to nearly 1.75 lakh in the last decade and urged the student fraternity to shift their focus from being job seekers to becoming job creators He said the creation of the Rs 1 lakh crore National Research Foundation (NRF-Anusandhan) marks a significant push to encourage private sector investment in research and development, thereby strengthening the country's research ecosystem."From just 350 startups a decade ago, India now has over 1.75 lakh startups - creating 17.56 lakh jobs, more than many government recruitment initiatives," Singh said while addressing events, first at IIM and then at IIT in Jammu."We urge students to shift their mindset from being job seekers to becoming job creators, leveraging the enormous support available through various startup schemes," he Minister said that this transformative initiative is further bolstered by recent reforms that empower vice-chancellors to approve global tenders up to Rs 200 crore, simplifying and expediting the procurement of advanced research equipment and emphasised that such measures will accelerate scientific progress and help position India as a global leader in research and innovation."Over 1,600 obsolete rules have been scrapped to streamline governance and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The General Financial Rules (GFRs) have been relaxed, enabling faster procurement and greater flexibility for researchers," he that 56 per cent of India's patent filings now come from Indian residents, he said that India's rank in the Global Innovation Index has improved to 39 from 81."India now ranks fourth globally in scientific publication output, highlighting the increasing academic and research contributions from Indian institutions," Singh said."Our space missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan have made India a global science and technology leader," he added, citing the success of experiments aboard these missions, including Shubhanshu's, which are setting benchmarks in life sciences and Minister inaugurated a new hostel on the campus, comprising four blocks, together providing 688 single-occupancy rooms. He also noted that only last week, the Union Cabinet had authorised the director to approve tenders up to Rs 200 crore.

Y2 NRF-rated young scholar pursues cutting-edge research to benefit society
Y2 NRF-rated young scholar pursues cutting-edge research to benefit society

Mail & Guardian

time30-06-2025

  • Health
  • Mail & Guardian

Y2 NRF-rated young scholar pursues cutting-edge research to benefit society

Dr Muthumuni Managa, Unisa Senior Lecturer As a young academic with limitless potential, Unisa's Dr Muthumuni Managa is making a mark in the scientific community to benefit society through ensuring access to safe and healthy drinking water, propelled by research. Dr Muthumuni Managa, a senior lecturer at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) at Unisa, and an emerging Y2 National Research Foundation-rated researcher, who is powerfully driven to become a prominent scholar, motivated by a vision of a society that has access to safe and healthy drinking water. Managa is making a mark in the scientific community as a young academic with limitless potential. She has produced numerous high-quality publications (63) in renowned journals and boasts an h-index of 21 (Google Scholar), demonstrating the excellent quality of her work and research abilities. Managa has always aspired to play a more active role in shaping the South African scientific research landscape by being a leader in her area of research interest, and she has achieved this by pursuing novel research and being willing to take risks and explore comprehensive topics. 'I would also like South Africa to continuously be recognised internationally for cutting-edge research,' says Managa. Her research interests in water purification aim to improve South Africans' lives, thus playing a critical role in benefiting and contributing to society. Born and raised in Ha-Rabali, a rural village in Venda, Limpopo, Managa initially attended schools without science laboratories. However, this did not deter her from pursuing a career in the sciences with significant societal impact. Subsequently, she attended a model C school with state-of-the-art laboratories. 'These two worlds gave me a holistic view of what privilege entails, more so, a firm grasp on the true dichotomy between ability and opportunity, or equality and equity,' she reflects. Cost-effective, eco-friendly water disinfection methods Managa's current research is on proposed cost-effective, eco-friendly, and highly effective water disinfection methods against antimicrobial-resistant microbes. She adds, 'A recent strategy I adopted is to employ antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) instead of the present disinfection techniques. Acquiring pure water free of pathogens is a matter of concern that calls for new, effective, low-cost water disinfection techniques.' 'In most rural areas,' continues Managa, 'water is stored in buckets or water tanks, which can result in formation of biofilms,' therefore, she says that this specific project she is involved in includes carrying out community sensitisation and training of the villagers, particularly women, in basic water purification and storage techniques. 'My research interest will help me to continue to play a critical role in designing systems that will benefit our society,' she explains. En route to effecting change Managa's research work and zest for improved water quality have given her numerous opportunities. She has received support from Unisa through various research and innovation support programmes. These include the Women in Research (WIR) programme, the Innovation Support Programme (ISP) and VisionKeepers Programme (VKP). 'With the support that Unisa gives to young academics , nothing is stopping you from achieving your goals and reaching international stages with your research,' says Managa. The last three years have been filled with many highlights and achievements for Managa. She is part of the TWAS-UNESCO Associateship Scheme, an international programme that supports regular visits by researchers from developing countries to centres of excellence in the Global South. Managa is the 2024 recipient of the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholarship (UMAPS), which supports the development of the next generation of African scholars by integrating them into international academic networks. In addition, Managa is a fellow of the 9th edition of the Science by Women programme promoted by Women for Africa Foundation. Science by Women aims to promote African women's leadership in scientific research and technology transfer to address key challenges facing Africa in areas such as health, agriculture, food security, water, energy and climate change. In 2024, she supervised her first Master of Science degree student to graduation, with more students scheduled to graduate in 2025. A future professor in the making, Managa is currently participating in Phase 2 of the Future Professors Programme (FPP), managed by the University of Johannesburg, on behalf of the Department of Higher Education and Training. The programme is designed to prepare South Africa's most promising early- and mid-career academics for advancement to the rank of professorship. Concluding her message, Managa advises: 'As young South Africans, we need to create opportunities for ourselves, and for others; therefore, it is crucial that we work hard in driving the knowledge base of this country through cutting-edge research that will significantly impact our country. Nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.'

Three major hacks in two months expose Korea's shortage of full-time cybersecurity staff
Three major hacks in two months expose Korea's shortage of full-time cybersecurity staff

Korea Herald

time24-06-2025

  • Business
  • Korea Herald

Three major hacks in two months expose Korea's shortage of full-time cybersecurity staff

South Korea is grappling with a wave of major cyberattacks, yet many businesses still lack full-time cybersecurity staff. The disconnect is becoming more dangerous as high-profile breaches expose personal data and disrupt critical services. On Monday, police launched an investigation into a hack targeting the academic submission platform ( of the National Research Foundation. The attack, reported to regulators on June 16, compromised 120,000 records containing names, birth dates, email addresses and phone numbers. This incident follows a string of others. On June 9, Yes24, one of South Korea's largest online bookstores and ticketing services, suffered a ransomware attack that brought its entire system down for five days. The outage halted book sales and concert ticketing nationwide. In April, telecom giant SK Telecom disclosed that hackers had breached its network, leaking nearly 10 gigabytes of sensitive USIM card data linked to over 26 million subscribers. While no known fraud has occurred yet, the breach was serious enough to prompt an apology from the SK Group chairman on May 7. Most Korean companies have treated cybersecurity as an afterthought. A government survey from 2024, conducted among 27,000 companies by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Information Security Industry Association, found that just 8.7 percent of businesses believed they needed cybersecurity personnel. Even among large firms with more than 1,000 employees, only 14 percent said they saw a need. Just a third of companies (33.2 percent) said they plan to hire additional security staff within a year. When companies were asked why they were not hiring, nearly half (48.8 percent) said their existing staff could manage. Only about one in four (23.8 percent) pointed to a lack of qualified candidates. Of the country's 79,509 cybersecurity workers, the research said only 28 percent focus solely on security. Most juggle multiple IT roles, and nearly 8 percent are outsourced entirely. Pay is another issue. The average annual salary for a cybersecurity specialist in South Korea is 54 million won ($39,580). That drops to 46 million won at small and mid-sized firms, and even at major corporations, it barely reaches 63 million won. In comparison, cybersecurity professionals in the US earn more than three times that amount on average, at around $127,000, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced hires often make more, and some global companies offer upwards of $200,000 to compete for skilled workers.

Why NEP 2020 deserves a fair chance in higher education
Why NEP 2020 deserves a fair chance in higher education

Hindustan Times

time23-05-2025

  • Business
  • Hindustan Times

Why NEP 2020 deserves a fair chance in higher education

Adopt, Adapt and Adept are intrinsic to the implementation of any transformative idea, concept or vision. This is even more so when in the case of The National Education Policy that is a vision document and not an imposition. It offers flexibility, promotes multilingualism, and brings Indian higher education closer to global standards. So why adopt? The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) represents a landmark moment in India's educational transformation. Rather than being a prescriptive mandate, it is best understood as a vision document—designed to democratise access, break down silos, and bring Indian education in line with global aspirations. We live in a time when the centralisation of disciplinary excellence is gradually giving way to creativity, the socialisation of knowledge, and the democratisation of wisdom. Rigid academic pathways no longer serve the needs of an innovation-driven economy. NEP 2020 addresses this head-on. A cornerstone of the reform is the multiple entry and exit system, supported by the Academic Bank of Credits. This allows learners to obtain a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, and a full degree after three or four—while retaining the option to pause and rejoin education later. For students from marginalised backgrounds, first-generation college-goers, or those juggling work and education, this flexibility is transformative. It aligns India with global trends in modular, life-long learning. Skill development, too, is no longer an afterthought. NEP 2020 integrates vocational education with mainstream academia and ties curricula to local and global employability. In today's world, where commercialisation is increasingly replaced by innovation-driven entrepreneurship and economic ingenuity, this shift is critical. Education is no longer just about job-readiness—it's about enterprise-readiness. Also Read: Tamil Nadu moves Supreme Court over 'coercion' to adopt National Education Policy Another defining feature of NEP 2020 is its focus on the internationalisation of Indian higher education. The establishment of a National Research Foundation, encouragement for global collaborations, and efforts to attract world-class universities signal India's intent to be a producer of knowledge, not just a consumer. In an age where Indian students look abroad for quality research ecosystems, this is a long-overdue corrective. This brings us to the adapt stage. Now even though NEP attempts to re-imagine the system from the grassroots to research, it finds itself caught in a swirl of criticism—some rooted in legitimate regional concerns, others in selective readings of the text. Among the most contested elements is the three-language formula. Often misunderstood as a tool of linguistic imposition, NEP 2020 in fact declares unambiguously that 'no language will be imposed on any state.' The choice remains with the state, region, and learner, provided at least two of the three languages are Indian. The aim here is not uniformity, but multilingual empowerment. In a country as diverse as India, the policy celebrates the richness of linguistic heritage, offering flexibility without enforcing conformity. This intent becomes clearer when we observe how many elite private schools have long embraced trilingual models. Multilingual education is celebrated in such institutions for enhancing cognitive skills and cultural fluency. The question, then, is not whether learning three languages is beneficial—but why students in government schools are denied similar opportunities. The real debate is about access and equity, not language per se. Equally important is the policy's commitment to regional languages. At the foundational level, NEP rightly supports mother-tongue instruction, recognising that children learn best in their native language. At the higher education level, too, it advocates for translating academic resources into Indian languages, bridging the linguistic gap that has historically excluded vast sections of our population from higher learning. Also Read: Building strong foundations: Nutrition and NEP 2020 Of course, concerns about linguistic imposition, especially in states with a history of opposing centralised language policies, cannot be dismissed lightly. But NEP 2020 is not a replay of past mandates. It is grounded in flexibility, choice, and contextual adaptation. States are not passive recipients but active partners in implementation. This calls for genuine cooperative federalism. Education lies on the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Any reform at this scale must be negotiated—not enforced. Financial incentives from the Centre should be viewed as supportive, not coercive. At the same time, rejecting the entire policy due to ideological disagreements signals a gap in the grassroot work by the state to adapt the policy by tailoring it to the regional needs and aspirations and depriving the students of the benefits of much-needed academic innovation. The NEP is still in its infancy and the terms of its implementation are being constantly negotiated and renegotiated by different institutions to evolve a framework best suited to the needs of the students. So, the adept stage is a bit early to be claimed. However, maybe a page may be taken out of the Jammu University's implementation of Design Your Degree Program. Recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, it explicitly demonstrates how NEP in its essence is a choice-based policy and not hegemonic. The students are given freedom of choice of subjects which nevertheless are approached through their regional contexts. Further, the regional aspirations and needs are addressed through the revisionist pedagogy that is firmly grounded in the socio-cultural matrix of the region. It explicitly demonstrates how beyond the language question, NEP 2020's implications for higher education are far-reaching. Also Read: Revolutionising education: Ensuring the success of NEP 2020 school reforms The policy actively dismantles rigid disciplinary boundaries, encouraging interdisciplinary learning. The 'Design Your Degree' initiative is emblematic of this shift, allowing students to tailor their academic journey across sciences, arts, humanities, and vocational domains. This is essential in an era where problem-solving demands a fusion of creativity, technical insight, and ethical reasoning. In today's landscape, where innovation, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary thinking are critical, we need an education system that matches the ambition of our youth. NEP 2020 is that opportunity. It does not claim to have all the answers—but it does ask the right questions and provides a framework that can evolve with time. Rather than dismissing the NEP, we must approach it as a living, breathing document—open to dialogue, refinement, and experimentation. Its strength lies not in rigid conformity, but in its ambition to decentralise opportunity, democratise access, and modernise learning. As India stands poised to reap its demographic dividend, the real question is not whether we need the NEP. The question is: can we afford not to embrace it? Garima Gupta and Dushyant Kumar Rai are professors at the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Jammu. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.

PM Modi outlined significance of New Education Policy at conclave in Delhi
PM Modi outlined significance of New Education Policy at conclave in Delhi

New Indian Express

time29-04-2025

  • Politics
  • New Indian Express

PM Modi outlined significance of New Education Policy at conclave in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined the New Education Policy (NEP), which has been designed to meet global standards of education. 'Our endeavour is directed to empower the youth with skills that make them self-reliant and bring India to a position as a global innovation hub,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted. Speaking at the first-of-its-kind YUGM Innovation Conclave, the Prime Minister stated that the government is modernising the country's education system to align with the emerging demands of the 21st century. Reaffirming his government's commitment, Modi said that university campuses across the country are beginning to emerge as dynamic centres for the 'Yuvashakti'(Youth-Power) to explore and achieve breakthrough innovations. 'The trinity of Talent, Temperament and Technology will transform India's future and the journey from idea to prototype to product must be completed in the shortest time possible,' the Prime Minister emphasised. Discussing the significance of the 'One Nation, One Subscription' initiative, the Prime Minister said that it has instilled confidence among the youth that the current government is aware of their needs, enabling students in higher education to access world-class research journals with ease. Modi, quoting Sanskrit scriptures meaning 'true life is lived in service and selflessness', asserted that science and technology should also serve as instruments of service. Reflecting on the role of education in nation-building, the Prime Minister highlighted that the education system plays a pivotal role in the development of the country. While highlighting the introduction of the New National Education Policy, Modi referred to the progress in the development of the National Curriculum Framework, learning and teaching materials, and new textbooks for classes one to seven. Linking education with recent technological advancements such as AI, the Prime Minister further mentioned the creation of an AI-based and scalable digital education infrastructure platform — 'One Nation, One Digital Education Infrastructure' — under the PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA initiatives. This platform has enabled the preparation of textbooks in over 30 Indian languages and seven foreign languages, marking a significant transformation. He underscored the importance of enhancing India's research ecosystem to meet national objectives, citing the doubling of gross expenditure on R&D from Rs 60,000 crore in 2013–14 to over Rs 1.25 lakh crore. This includes the establishment of cutting-edge research parks and the formation of Research and Development Cells in nearly 6,000 higher education institutions. The Prime Minister also spotlighted the establishment of the National Research Foundation to foster a culture of research and reiterated the success of the One Nation, One Subscription initiative, which has eased access to top-tier research journals for students in higher education. He concluded by noting that India's leadership in AI development and adoption is proving to be highly advantageous.

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