Latest news with #SWAYAM
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
IGNOU launches online sand art courses on Swayam
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched two online courses on Sand Art in collaboration with renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. The courses, titled 'Introduction to Sand Art' and 'Principles & Formats of Sand Art' will be offered through the Ministry of Education's SWAYAM platform at Interested learners can visit the SWAYAM platform to enroll in the courses before the deadline of 15 September. The course will commence on 15 July and conclude on 15 November. Course structure The two courses are designed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of sand art and provide them with practical insights into the techniques and environmental considerations involved in creating sand sculptures. The instructor for both courses is Sudarsan Pattnaik, a Padma Shri awardee and Sand Artist based in Puri, Odisha. According to the SWAYAM website, Pattnaik brings extensive global experience, having represented India in over 60 international sand art championships and festivals. Course schedule and broad overview What topics will be covered in the course? The courses will cover multiple foundational and practical aspects of sand art creation. The course layout is divided into key thematic units, including: Certification and assessment criteria To be eligible for the SWAYAM certificate, learners must complete both internal and external assessments: –Internal Assessment: 30 marks are assigned to a final quiz conducted at the end of the course. –External Assessment: 70 marks are allocated to a proctored end-term examination. Learners are required to obtain at least 40% overall marks to qualify for certification, which includes a minimum of 12 marks in the internal quiz and 28 marks in the external examination.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
IGNOU launches online sand art courses with Sudarsan
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Tuesday launched two online courses on sand art through the SWAYAM platform. The initiative is a collaboration with Padma Shri awardee and internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. The two courses, titled 'Introduction to Sand Art' and 'Principles and Formats of Sand Art', were designed and delivered by Pattnaik himself, bringing his decades of experience and global acclaim in sand sculpting into a structured online format. Available to learners of all age groups and backgrounds, the courses aim to nurture creativity, promote Indian art on a global scale, and provide accessible, skill-based education. Vice-chancellor of IGNOU Prof Uma Kanjilal, said, "This collaboration embodies the vision of NEP-2020 to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems and art forms into mainstream education. Through SWAYAM, we are proud to bring sand art to the fingertips of learners across the country and the world. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative to offer courses on sand art." The course was launched at the IGNOU headquarters in New Delhi. Each course consists of video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on assignments. Learners will receive certificates upon successful completion. The introductory course focuses on basic tools, techniques, and creative expression, while the advanced course explores large-scale sand sculptures, thematic installations, and the cultural narratives behind this unique art form. Speaking at the occasion, Sudarsan Pattnaik said, "It is my dream to make sand art a global symbol of Indian creativity. With IGNOU and SWAYAM, we are now empowering thousands to learn this art from anywhere. This is not just a course but a celebration of India's heritage and storytelling through sand. I thank the Ministry of Education and IGNOU for making Sand Art a vocational and skill-based education form."
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Learn sand art from legend? IGNOU launches free online course by Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik; Details here
In a first-of-its-kind move in India, IGNOU has joined hands with world-famous sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik to launch two free online sand art courses. These are now available on the government's SWAYAM platform . The courses, "Introduction to Sand Art" and "Principles and Formats of Sand Art", have been fully designed and taught by Pattnaik himself, IGNOU announced in an official statement on Tuesday. Open to All Ages and Backgrounds These online courses are open to learners of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. The aim is to promote Indian art globally and help people build creativity through structured digital learning. At the launch event held at IGNOU headquarters, Vice Chancellor Uma Kanjilal said, 'This is the first time structured sand art courses are being offered in India. It reflects the goals of NEP 2020 to include Indian Knowledge Systems and art forms in mainstream education.' Live Events Pattnaik's Dream Now a Reality Sudarsan Pattnaik said this launch was part of his long-time dream to make sand art a global symbol of Indian talent. 'With IGNOU and SWAYAM, thousands of learners can now learn sand art from anywhere in the world,' he said. What the Courses Include Video lectures Live demonstrations Practice-based assignments Certificates upon completion The introductory course teaches basic sand art tools and techniques, while the advanced course explores large-scale sand art, formats, and storytelling using sand. Both courses are now open for enrolment on: Bringing Indian Art to the World IGNOU said this initiative is part of its wider mission to make education more accessible and to showcase Indian traditional arts through global digital platforms.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
For Education: VCs Are the Torchbearers of India's Intellectual Destiny: Union Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar
Kevadia, (Gujarat): The Ministry of Education concluded a two-day Vice Chancellor's Conference of Central Universities at Kevadia, Gujarat, held from July 10–11, 2025, focusing on the strategic implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The event brought together senior ministry officials and vice chancellors of top central universities from across the country. Speaking at the closing session, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, emphasized that Vice Chancellors are the torchbearers of the country's intellectual destiny. Quoting Sardar Patel, he stressed the transformative power of unity, discipline, and education in nation-building. Dr. Majumdar outlined NEP 2020 as a visionary policy rooted in Indian civilizational ethos, highlighting its role in promoting women's education, multilingualism, and technology integration. He said that the Female enrolment rose from 1.57 crore in 2014–15 to 2.07 crore in 2021–22 (32% rise). The NEP-enabled multilingual exams (JEE, NEET, CUET) in 13 languages. Besides, SWAYAM: 9 lakh certificates issued annually; 295+ universities on board, and the ABC platform: 2.75 crore students, 1,667 HEIs registered. Secretary (Higher Education) Dr. Vineet Joshi emphasized institutional readiness and called for structural shifts through the swift adoption of frameworks like NHEQF, NCrF, and the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). He underlined the importance of blended learning, digital inclusion, agile university governance, and strategic use of platforms like SAMARTH, SWAYAM, and APAAR. The event emphasized integrating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Bhartiya Bhasha into higher education. Universities were encouraged to set up language labs, knowledge clubs, and incubation centers, promoting the country's academic and cultural identity. Universities agreed to prepare strategy papers with themes including IKS mainstreaming, technology-driven education, multidisciplinary integration, and skilling/up-skilling initiatives aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The conference opened with a morning yoga session, emphasizing holistic well-being as envisioned in NEP 2020. Participation from institutions such as Delhi University, JNU, Visva-Bharati, BHU, Jamia Millia Islamia, IGNOU, Nalanda, TISS, SAU, Tripura University, and others reflected the diversity and unity of India's educational landscape.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Nod at key DU meeting to course on ‘Sikh martyrdom', credits through online platforms leads to objections
A slew of curriculum changes were approved on Saturday at the Academic Council (AC) meeting of the University of Delhi amid a sharp dissent from a section of faculty over content control, outsourcing of credit hours, and the shifting locus of teaching authority. Among the key decisions was the approval of a new general elective course titled 'Sikh Martyrdom in Indian History (c.1500–1765)' to be offered by the Centre for Independence and Partition Studies (CIPS). The course aims to critically explore the development of Sikhism and the historical context of martyrdom under Mughal rule, covering key figures such as Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Banda Singh Bahadur. The nod, however, faced immediate criticism from some members of the council. AC member and history professor Maya John called its academic positioning 'highly objectionable.' 'The offering of this course by the CIPS is itself concerning,' she said, objecting that it will be taught outside the History department. John further flagged the absence of clarity on where and how the 60-hour course will be taught, given that students enrolled in various colleges will be selecting it as a generic elective. Calling for scholarly rigour, John said: 'I strongly recommend the inclusion of primary readings like the Zafarnama, Aurangzeb's Will, the writings of Bhai Mani Singh, and works by scholars such as Yoginder Sikand, K.S. Duggal, G.S. Chabra, and Hardip Singh Syan.' She urged that the course be suitably modified and taught by trained historians. Another agenda item that was criticised was the formal adoption of a provision allowing undergraduate and postgraduate students to earn up to 40% of their credits through online platforms such as SWAYAM and MOOCs. SWAYAM has been developed by the Indian government to provide free online courses. While the move aligns with UGC guidelines and aims to offer flexibility and multidisciplinary access, it drew strong opposition from several faculty members. 'The award of 5% credits through Swayam and MOOCs will gravely jeopardise the integrity and academic standards of DU's UG and PG programmes,' said John. 'It will contribute to endemic flux in teaching workloads, diminish meaningful student-teacher engagement, and compromise classroom instruction,' John added. Echoing these concerns, the Academic for Action and Development, Delhi Teachers' Association, the university teacher body, said in a statement: 'What's more alarming is that institutions may allow up to 40% of the total courses in any semester to be offered online. Courses taught in classrooms for decades will now be shifted online. And with that shift, teachers will slowly be pushed out of the system, silenced by screens, replaced by portals.' The Council also approved the implementation of the fourth year of UG programmes under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022. Students in their final year will now have the option to pursue one of three tracks — Dissertation, Academic Projects, or Entrepreneurship. Faculty members, regardless of whether they hold a PhD, will be eligible to supervise, provided they have relevant expertise. An Advisory Committee for Research (ACR) will oversee project allocations. In a relief, the Council also passed a resolution allowing students admitted in the 2016–17 academic session an extension of two additional years to clear backlogs. This was done in view of course restructuring during the transition from CBCS to UGCF, which reportedly left several students behind schedule. 'Those who have fallen behind by one year in the final stage of CBCS will be able to avail this benefit,' the resolution noted. DU's Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) also saw new additions. Students will now be able to take up radio jockeying as a course. The curriculum will include training in voice modulation, studio operation, scripting, anchoring, and music curation. Students will be given exposure to mock studio sessions and interactions with professionals. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh directed that pending bills related to paper checking be cleared urgently. 'All departments should submit the bills soon and ensure payment without delay,' he instructed the Examination and Finance branches. A condolence resolution was also passed in memory of late Professor P C Joshi, former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Acting VC of DU.
