Virtual Laboratories Launched by HRD Ministry

Virtual Laboratories Launched by HRD Ministry

Human Resource Development Ministry Government of India launched a series of virtual laboratories that will aid studies in nine disciplines to provide easily accessible and high-quality science and engineering education through information and communication tools

The 91 virtual laboratories will enable hundreds of experiments in nine disciplines of science and engineering.

This project is part of the ministry's National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT).

The primary focus of the labs is to provide graduate and undergraduate college and university students with the ability to perform their required laboratory experiments using only a standard computer and an Internet connection.

Government of India Scholarship For Deprived Students

Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)Government of India has launched a scholarship programme to provide financial assistance to deprived students

The scholarship has been named as 'Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students'.

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the results of senior secondary examination. 82000 fresh scholarships per annum [41000 for boys and 41000 for girls will be awarded for graduate / postgraduate studies in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc.

The total number of scholarships will be divided amongst the State Boards based on the State's population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of number of students passing out from various Boards in the country. 50pc of the scholarships would be earmarked for girls.

Students will be given an amount of Rs.1000 per month at graduate level for the first three years of college and university and student will be given Rs.2000 per month at post-graduation level.

Students enrolled in professional courses will be given Rs.2000 per month in the fourth and fifth year. Students will be provided scholarship for 10 months in a year.

Under the eligibility conditions for the award of scholarship, the student has to be an Indian national and should have scored a minimum of 80 per cent marks in the AISSCE, 2009 conducted by the CBSE.

The Undergraduate /Professional /Degree courses should have been pursued as regular courses by the student, (not correspondence or distance mode) from recognised educational institutions in India and not availing of any other scholarship scheme.

The scheme is applicable to both 'general' and 'reserved' categories but the student should belong to non-creamy layer implying that the income ceiling not exceed 4.5 Lakhs per annum.

The reservation of various categories are: SC 15 per cent,ST- 7.5 per cent, OBC- 27 per cent and horizontally three per cent for physically handicapped.

For more information visit-: http://education.nic.in/

Helpline for Ragging Victims

Government of India and University Grant Commission (UGC) has set up a toll-free helpline for dealing with ragging. Any victim of ragging can ring up the tol-free number 18001805522 or send an email to helpline@antiragging.net. The helpline will be operational round the clock and function as a watchdog. Once a student calls and registers a complaint, the process of giving him assistance will start within 15 minutes. Immediate action will be taken within fifteen minutes by alerting appropriate authorities, be it the head of the educational institution, the district collector or the police. The monitoring of progress of follow-up activities will also included.

The anti-ragging guidelines issued by UGC defines ragging in a broader way to consider all activities that constitute ragging. They are applicable to all educational institutions both in government and public sectors including transport facilities. The culprits may be 'rusticated' for four sessions or fined up to 2.5 lakhs

International Education Fair in New Delhi

The Ministry of HRD, government of India, Department of Science & Technology, government of India and The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India present the Fifth Education Fair: International Exhibition and Seminar.

Dtes & Timings: May 30-31, 2009 10 am to 7 pm

Venue: Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

Free Entry

Objectives:
To facilitate and assist students to choose their career path in higher education, technical education and professional courses
Career counselling/ directions by experts, professionals and consultants
Seminars by experts and professional faculties of IGNOU and Ministry of Science and Technology on the various schemes, new courses and opportunities in the government to build competitiveness
About 150 education institutions/ universities will discuss the variety of new courses with promising opportunities in different segments

For further information, contact:
S. S. Chawla, Sr. Director (E & E) Mob: -9810050681
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
ASSOCHAM Corporate Office, 1, Community Centre Zamrudpur
Kailash Colony, New Delhi – 110 048
Phone: 46550555 (Hunting Line)
Fax: 46536481/46536482 46536497/46536498
Email: s.s.chawla@assocham.com, sunil.kothari@assocham.com, assocham@nic.in
http://www.assocham.org/

National Talent Search Examination-NTSE 2009 Modification in Scheme

Modification in the Scheme of Testing National Talent Search Examination-2009

Please note that the following changes have been made in the SAT and MAT for NTS Examination from 2009 onwards.
• The SAT and MAT will have 100 items each in place of 90 items given in the NTS Scheme.
• Each question will carry 1 mark. The total marks will be 100 for each test.
• Minimum qualifying marks will be 40% i.e. 40 marks for general category.
• Minimum qualifying marks for reserved categories will be 32% i.e. 32 marks.
• The duration of the tests will remain the same i.e. 90 minutes each.
• For first 90 questions in both SAT and MAT, the candidates have to put a cross mark (X) on the number of the correct alternative on the answer sheet against the corresponding question. For questions 91-100, the answers are to be written in the given space in the answer sheet.
• In SAT the first 90 items are divided into three areas – 35 for Science, 20 for Mathematics and 35 for Social Science. However, no separate sections are given in the test. The last 10 questions are mixed from different subjects.

For more info visit- http://ncert.nic.in/

IGNOU B.A. in Sign Language-BAASLS

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have come together to launch the first Sign Language B.A. programme.

The BA in Applied Sign Language Studies (BAASLS) is the first-of-its-kind venture by any institute in the world. This programme will not only educate millions of deaf and speech-impaired students but also make them independent and empower them.

The five-member team of UCLan and its centre, International Centre for Sign Language and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS), are in discussion with IGNOU over the viability of this academic development in India.

The iSLanDS Centre is working in partnership with the Inter-University Consortium for Technology-Enabled Flexible Education and Development at IGNOU on the Distance Education for Sign Language Users project, and on establishing a College for the Deaf in India.

The Foundation Studies course is a one year full time programme. Students study six modules focusing on English literacy and various study skills (IT skills, personal development planning, etc). All modules are taught and assessed through sign language and are specifically designed to meet the needs of deaf learners.

Chinese Government Scholarship 2009 for Indian nationals

Applications are invited from Indian nationals, on plain paper, in the format given below, for the award of Chinese Government Scholarship tenable from September, 2009 for higher studies/research/specialized training in the subject fields of Chinese Language and Literature, Political Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Environmental Science, Fine Arts (Painting and Sculpture), Agronomy, Sericulture and Botany.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:-
(a) Qualifications:-

i) Chinese Language and Literature:- Two or three years basic grounding in Chinese language (i.e. a certificate/degree/Diploma from reputed/recognized institutions).

ii) Fine Arts (Painting & Sculpture):- Should have obtained Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts with minimum 60% marks in aggregate.

iii) Other subjects:- Should have obtained post-graduate degree with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in a related subject. The selected candidates will have to undergo Chinese Language study for one year prior to undertaking study in the areas of their choice.

(b) Age Limit:- 40 years or below as on 31.03.2009 (i.e. born on or after 31.03.1969).

(c) Value of Scholarship:- The Chinese Government pays a sum of Yuans 2000/- p.m to all senior advanced students, Yuans 1700/- p.m to ordinary graduate students and Yuans 1400/- p.m. to undergraduate students. In addition, Government of India is paying supplementary grant of Yuans 1170/- p.m. Government of China will also provide boarding, lodging, medical care and bear expenditure on tuition and other fees etc.

(d) Cost of passage:- Government of India will bear the International passage cost from India to China and back.

(e) Last date for submission of application:- Applications on plain paper (as per format given below) along with attested copies of all certificates/degrees/diplomas and mark sheet of qualifying degree should reach “The Section Officer, ES.3 Section, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, A.1/W.3 Curzon Road Barracks, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110001, latest by 31.3.2009 (5:30 P.M). Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applications can also be submitted online at the Department website www.education.nic.in by 31.03.2009. In case of online applications, hard copy of the applications in the prescribed format alongwith required documents should be submitted by 05.04.2009 otherwise online applications will not be entertained.

For more details visit-: http://www.education.nic.in/scho_announcements/China-2009-10.asp

National Institute of Fashion Technology-NIFT Information 2009

National Institute of Fashion Technology was set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It has emerged as the premier Institute of Design, Management and Technology, developing professionals for taking up leadership positions in fashion business in the emerging global scenario. NIFT has been granted statutory status under the act of Parliament of India in 2006, empowering the Institute to award degrees and other academic distinctions.

The Institute is a pioneer in envisioning and evolving fashion business education in the country through a network of twelve professionally managed domestic centres at New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Raebareli, Bhopal, Kannur, Patna and Shillong. NIFT has further spread its wings globally with the opening of an international centre at Mauritius.

NIFT has set academic standards and excelled in thought leadership by providing a pool of creative genius and technically competent professionals. The Institute provides a common platform for fashion education, research and training.

Programmes offered-:
Bachelor Programmes - Design

B.Des. (Fashion Design)
B.Des. (Leather Design)
B.Des. (Accessory Design)
B.Des. (Textile Design)
B.Des. (Knitwear Design)
B.Des. (Fashion Communication)

Bachelor Programme - Technology

B.FTech. (Apparel Production)

Master Programmes

M.Des. (Master of Design)
M.F.M. (Master of Fashion Management)
M.FTech. (Master of Fashion Technology)

For more info-:
Mr. D.P. Solanki, Dy. Registrar (Admissions)
Tel: (011) – 26542053, 26542067
Email: admissions@nift.ac.in
http://www.nift.ac.in/

New research activities at Delhi University

Delhi University (DU) has come up with a range of schemes to boost its research activities. Madan Mohan, dean, research, Delhi University, explains,
“Though funding for research in Indian universities has improved considerably in the last decade or so, there is a dearth of research motivation. This can be attributed to the fact that policies and guidelines for research have not been in tune with the times. Hence DU, as one of the leading universities, is taking initiatives to attract and sustain the best talent in research.”

To encourage research in the domain of biotechnology, medicine and law, DU has introduced a scheme where students with a BTech, LLB or MBBS can directly pursue a PhD. “One does not necessarily have to pursue a Master’s to register for a PhD,” says Mohan. However, to avail of this scheme, a BTech student should have 70 per cent in the final aggregate, coupled with a good Graduate Aptitude Test (GATE) percentile score. For LLB students, the qualifying requisite is 60 per cent in the final aggregate.

“Students who meet this criterion will further be interviewed by the university’s Department Research Committee (DRC). Based on its decision, selected candidates can join the PhD programme,” informs Mohan. This scheme, novel to DU, is applicable to students from across universities in India.

Some of the other initiatives include extending university teaching assistanceships to deserving research candidates, introduction of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) cell and patent fund to help researchers cope with publication charges of their papers or to patent their work.

Marathi compulsory in all schools in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Government has decided to make Marathi compulsory phase-wise in all English, Urdu and other mediums of schools in the state from class one to class four, from the academic year 2009-10. The decision was taken recently, based on the recommendation of the a State Level Study Committee, an official release.

In the non-Marathi medium schools from class one to four, Marathi will be taught as the second language. The language curriculum will be decided with the consent of Working Member Group, the release said.

Listening, speech and conversation would be the focus for class one and two students, while in class three and four along with listening, speech and conversation, reading and writing will also be included. While there would be no textbooks for class one and two students, the class three and four students will have limited type independent textbooks. The handbooks and guidelines would be prepared for the class one and two children.

Marathi will be taught in two-hour session each week.

There will be no formal evaluation of the language for class one to four and also there will be no written exams for these students, the release added.

Education through Information and Communication Technology By India

Shri Arjun Singh, Minister of Human Resource Development, will launch the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology on 3rd February 2009 in Tirupati at the auditorium of Sri Venkateswara University. This was announced by Shri R. P. Agrawal, Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, at a press conference here today. Union Government had approved the Mission in the first week of this month. The highlights of the components of the Mission will be exhibited during the launch ceremony.

The Department of Higher Education had realized the tremendous potential of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning process enhancing the capacity as well as efficiency of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system by the use of appropriate ICT tools to make the learning interesting and easy through digitizing the learning material thereby converting it to e-contents and widening the access of the learners to the said e-contents. Considering the above, Department had conceptualized a Pilot Project namely ‘SAKSHAT’ – One Stop Education Portal which was launched on October 30, 2006 by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Encouraged with the experience of the Pilot Project ‘SAKSHAT’, a web based Portal providing various services to the student community, it was decided to formulate a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the name National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology, henceforth called as ‘Mission’, to fully leverage the potential of ICT in teaching and learning process for the ultimate benefit of all learners in higher education sector. The interventions of Mission are to be delivered through the above said One-Stop Education Portal ‘SAKSHAT’.

The proposed Mission broadly has the objective of ensuring connectivity of the learners to the ‘World of Knowledge’ in cyberspace and to make them ‘Netizens’ in order to enhance their self-learning skills and develop their capabilities for on-line problem solving and to work for : creation of knowledge modules with right contents to address to the personalized needs of learners; certification of competencies of the learners, acquired through formal or non-formal means; and to develop and maintain the database having profile of human resources.

The Mission aims for:

(a) building connectivity and knowledge network among and within institutions of higher learning in the country with a view to achieving critical mass of researchers in any given field;

(b) spreading digital literacy for teacher empowerment;

(c) development of knowledge modules having the right content to take care of the aspirations of academic community and to address the personalized needs of the learners;

(d) standardization and quality assurance of e-contents to make them world class;

(e) research in the field of pedagogy for development of efficient learning modules for disparate groups of learners;

(f) making available e-knowledge contents, free of cost to Indians;

(g) experimentation and field trial in the area of performance optimization of low cost access devices for use of ICT in education;

(h) providing support for the creation of a Virtual Technological University;

(i) identification and nurturing of talents;

(j) certification of competencies of the human resources acquired either through

(k) formal or non-formal means and the evolution of a legal framework for it; and

(l) developing and maintaining the database with the profiles of our human resources

For more info visit- http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=47053

HDFC Bank Meritus Scholarships 2009

The HDFC Bank Meritus Scholarships is one of the initiatives by which we intend to bring more opportunities to talented and deserving students. We plan to give out over 5000 Scholarships ranging from Rs.2,500 to Rs.10 Lakh amounting to Rs.1.5 crore, to students from the 4th to the 9th standard.

A special panel of judges will evaluate the final shortlisted participants and decide the winners.

Evaluation will be based on the following parameters:
a. Academics : Last 2 years performance in school
b. Extracurricular activities and Sports : Competitions won in intra-school,
inter-school, state level and national level
c. Final written tests

Particulars-Start Date End Date
Registrations 15th Jan, 09 15th Feb, 09

Participation Rounds:
Round 1 - Interactive Voice Recording System (IVR) 26th Jan, 09 28th Feb, 09
Round 2 - Interactive Voice Recording System (IVR) 9th March, 09 20th March, 09
Round 3 - Written Tests April, 09 May, 09

Scholarship Distribution May, 09 May, 09

For online registration visit- http://www.hdfcbank.com/meritus/online_reg1.htm

JN Tata Endowment Scholarship 2009

Applications are invited from Indian nationals for the J. N. TATA ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS for the academic year 2009 –2010 for higher studies abroad in all disciplines and subjects. Selected scholars may also qualify for gift awards.

The Scholarship Program

A unique feature of the JN Tata Endowment's scholarship program is its inherent flexibility and openness. The scholarship is open to:

All Indian nationals irrespective of caste, creed, community, socio-economic background, gender, and geographical location.

All age groups, without any upper age limit, and thereby covering the entire spectrum of scholars from fresh graduates to mid-career professionals and academics with several years of work experience.

Scholars pursuing higher education in all areas and fields of study, with newly emerging fields of relevance to the country being encouraged.

Scholars pursuing higher studies irrespective of course duration, the selected course being either a short term training program, or a full-fledged Master's or Doctoral program.

Eligibility-:
Applicants who are :

I) Indian nationals; and

II) (a) graduates of a recognised Indian university with a consistently good academic record; or

(b) students in the final year of the degree course; or

(c) mid-career professionals planning to go abroad for further research, specialization or training

At the time of submitting the completed applications, candidates need not have the admission / offer letters from the universities to which they have applied for the academic year 2009-2010.

To Apply-:
Prescribed application forms will be available from the Administrative Office of the Endowment at Mulla House, 51 M.G. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001 from December 8, 2008 to February 16, 2009.

The application fee of Rs.100/- can be paid in cash or by a Money Order on which the full name and address is to be mentioned to enable the Endowment to send the form.

Completed application forms should reach the office of the Endowment not later than February 27, 2009.

After the initial screening of applications, candidates will be shortlisted for an interview in person by subject experts. The final selection will be made on the basis of the interview which will be held in Mumbai between March and June 2009.

For More Information Contact-:
JN Tata Endowment,
Administrative Office,
Mulla House, 4th Floor,
51, M.G. Road, Fort,
Mumbai 400 001.
India.
Email
snair@sdtatatrust.com
asbhosale@sdtatatrust.com
sbjadhav@sdtatatrust.com
Telephone-:(022) 66658282

Axis Bank's Study Power Education Loan

Axis Bank's Study Power aims to provide financial support to deserving students for pursuing higher professional or technical education in India and abroad.

The loan would be provided to students who have obtained admission to career-oriented courses eg, medicine, engineering, management etc., either at the graduate or post-graduate level.

Loan Details

Quantum:
The quantum of finance under the scheme is capped at Rs 7.5 lacs for studies in India and Rs 15 lacs for studies abroad, which would cover tuition fees, hostel charges (if any), cost of books, etc. The minimum amount of loan would be Rs 50,000.

Margin:
No margin for loans up to Rs 4 lacs.
For loans above Rs 4 lacs,
5% margin for studies within India &
15% for higher studies overseas.
Documents Required
The following papers/documents should accompany the Application Form to be executed by both the students and the parents/guardians.

Documents Required from both the student / co-applicant.

Identity Proof : Copy of Passport / Driving Licence / Voters Identity Card / Income Tax Pan Card.
Residence Proof : Copy of Passport / Driving Licence / Voters Identity Card / Utility Bills
Age Proof : Copy of Passport / Driving Licence / Income Tax Pan Card / Birth Certificate.
Signature Verification.
One Singed Photograph ( On the face).
Documents required from students for studies abroad

Offer / Admission / Bonafide student letter from the university / college in India or Abroad.
Cost of the Course ( including living).
Copy of last examination passed result.
Copy of Passport in case of study abroad.
Documents required from the co-applicant

Income Proof : Form 16 or Income tax returns for the last two years.
Collateral Security Papers ( if any).
Any other document / information as needed by Bank, depending upon the case and purpose of loan.
Role of the Guardian:
The parent(s) or guardian of the student would be treated as a co-applicant of the loan. His or her role would be, necessarily, like the primary debtor.

Security:
Third party guarantee and/or collateral security may be asked for in appropriate cases.

Additional Security:
Assignment of LIC policy in favour of the Bank for the sum assured being at least 100% of the loan amount. The policy is kept alive during the currency of the loan. To ensure this, the annual premium may be included in the computation of the loan requirement, along with the tuition fees and other recurring charges. Further, the future income of the student needs to be assigned in favour of the Bank for meeting the installment obligations.

Disbursement
The loan will be disbursed in full or in suitable installments taking into account the requirement of funds and/or fee schedule as assessed by the Bank directly to the educational institution or vendor of books or equipment or instruments.

Registered Office - Axis Bank
"TRISHUL",Third Floor, Opp. Samartheshwar Temple, Nr.Law Garden, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad - 380 006.
Phone : (079) 26409322
Fax: (079) 26409321

Central Offices:
13th Floor, Maker Tower - F, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005.
Phone : (022) 6707 4407
Fax : (022) 2218 6944, 2218 1429
http://www.axisbank.com/

Education Loan Mela for studies abroad

GeeBee Education ,one of the leading overseas education consultants is organising an Education Loan Mela for studies abroad on Jan 10,2009.
The venue for the Education Loan Mela -:
Yogi Hall,Ground Floor
Near Swaminarayn Temple
opp.Dadar station
Dadar east
Mumbai

this mela can be apt opportunity for students who intend to persue studies abroad.
They can meet 7 leading banks under one roof.
Parents are also invited.
The entry is free for all but prior registration, kindly call-:
GeeBee Education Churchgate-22826667 Andheri-26287727 Borivali-28954545

Students will be given free counselling on higher studies in USA,UK,AUSTRALIA,NEWZEALAND,CANADA,SWITZERLAND.

Indian banks provide educational loan for diplomas,bachelor and masters degree programs for subject areas including business,engineering,hotel management,architecture,biotechnology,arts,design,science etc.

Indian banks can provide educational loans upto RS 20 lakhs for studies abroad at concessional interest rates .
For more info contact-:
GeeBee Education
27 Vaswani Mansions, 5th Floor,
Opp. K. C. College, Dinshaw Vachha Road,
Churchgate, Mumbai - 400 020. India.
Tel: 91 - 022 - 2282 6667 / 8
Fax: 91 - 022 - 2285 4453
Email: info@geebeeworld.com
http://www.geebeeworld.com/

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for students

CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India
has introduced a new scholarship scheme titled “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and
University Students” with the objective to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from low income
families to meet day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies.
The Scheme shall be effective for Class XII students w.e.f. 2008 Examination.
The scholarships shall be awarded on the basis of the results of Senior Secondary Examination (class XII)
of 10+2 pattern or equivalent and have scored a minimum of 80% marks. 82000 fresh scholarships per
annum (41000 for boys and 41000 for girls) will be awarded for graduate / postgraduate studies in
colleges and universities and for professional courses such as Medical, Engineering etc.
The total number of scholarships will be divided amongst the State Boards based on the State’s
population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of
number of students passing out from various Boards in the country. The number of scholarships allotted
to a Board would be distributed amongst pass outs of the Science, Commerce and Humanities streams of
the Board in the ratio of 3:2:1 with equal number among boys and girls. Within the specified quota, the
selection shall be made on merit.
The detailed guidelines regarding “Scheme of Scholarship” and “Instructions for CBSE Candidates” of
this scholarship scheme may be seen in the Board’s website www.cbse.nic.in
Depending on the number of scholarship available for the CBSE students, candidates who have secured
the cut-off marks (as per table below) in the Senior School Certificate Examination 2008 conducted by
CBSE are being provisionally considered for award of scholarship under this scheme:
Letters to 18745 CBSE candidates as per above Cut-Off marks have been dispatched to candidates
through schools. Candidates may collect their letters from the school from where they have passed
Class XII in 2008.
This is a provisional offer only and final selection will depend on the student satisfying the eligibility
criteria and number of scholarships available for CBSE’s quota under each category of stream. Within the
specified quota, however, the selection will be purely on merit.
In case the candidates have passed Class XII from CBSE in 2008 and satisfy the eligibility criteria of this
Scholarship Scheme and have secured aggregate marks as per above table, may visit Board’s website
cbse.nic.in and fill up the Application as per “Instructions for CBSE candidates” given in Board’s website.

Last date for submissions of application-:31st December 2008

Bank of India's Star Educational Loan

Bank of India has education loan named Star Educational Loan on offer for the students willing to pursue higher education. Meritorious students are offered Bank of India Education Loan so that they can study a graduate, computer certificate, diploma, postgraduate, specialized or professional course in India or abroad.

Courses
Bank of India Education Loan is offered for studying several kinds of programs.
You can apply for an educational loan from Bank of India if you want to pursue a graduate, postgraduate and doctoral program.
A student can also obtain this loan if he plans to study a professional program including Engineering, Law and Medical programs.
Even students willing to study computer certificate courses of recognized institutes or specialized programs like CFA, ICWA and CA can apply for the loan.
An applicant, planning to pursue programs from institutes recognized by government, UGC, AICTE, a national body or a recognized foreign university in Indian, is also considered eligible for the loan.
For pursuing PG programs such as MS or MBA, employment-oriented programs from recognized universities or courses by CPA in the US and CIMA - London in abroad, you can also apply for the educational loan.
Eligibility
Education Loans of Bank of India are offered to Indian nationals, who have no outstanding loan taken for education from any other body.The parent of the student should also act as a co-borrower.

A student will be considered eligible for the loan if he has good academic record and gets admitted to a professional or technical course in India or abroad through a selection procedure based on merit or entrance test.

Expenses taken into account
The educational loan covers college, school or hostel fee as well as that of exam, laboratory or library. Even the expenses of books, instruments and uniforms are also taken into account. The caution deposit, refundable deposit or building fund is also considered. The student’s travel expenses as well as other necessary costs related with the program are covered by the loan.

Amount of Loan, Margin & Security
For studying in India, you can apply for a maximum loan of Rs 10 lacs and Rs 20 lacs for studying abroad.

There is also a margin of 5% and 15% for studying in India and abroad respectively and it is applicable for a loan amount above Rs 4 lacs.
The borrower needs to keep a guarantee of a 3rd party if a loan amount is above Rs 4 lacs. If the amount exceeds Rs 7.5 lacs, then a collateral security or a third party (if allowed by the bank) should be kept as a guarantee.
In addition, the student should assign his future income for paying the installments.
Repayment procedure
The loan can be repaid in 5 to 7 years after the repayment is commenced. The moratorium period is considered till 6 months after employment or the period of study plus 1 year, whichever is earlier.

For More Information Logon to-:www.bankofindia.com

Cambridge-Bose Scholarship 2009

Applications are invited from students with a brilliant career for selection as a Cambridge-Bose Scholar. The Scholarship will be given for a period of 4 year in related areas jointly supervised by faculties of the Cambridge University and S.N.Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences leading to PhD degree of the Cambridge University. The scholarship tenable for a period of 4 years is jointly funded by the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the S.N.Bose Centre. The selected candidates will be admitted to the PhD programme of the Cambridge University as per the norms and academic standards of the Cambridge University. Students with consistent first class record with M.Sc or equivalent degrees in Physics (obtained within last one year or expecting to finish by August 2009), should send their applications line at www.bose.res.in/cambridge_bose_scholarship within next 15 days (20Th Dec’ 2009). The short listed candidates will be called for interview in early January, 2009.

CAT will online from 2009

The Common Admission Test (CAT) will finally do away with its 25-year-old history of the traditional paper-pencil test.

The decision will impact thousands of students who, each year, appear for the highly competitive entrance exam at centers across the country in the ambition of making it to the hallowed corridors of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

The examination will be conducted on the pattern of similar international exams like GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test), with the only exception that the results will not be declared instantly.

The news has been confirmed by an official from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM-C) who said, "The test will definitely go online next year. However, we are not revealing anything about how it will be done."

The CAT committee is now preparing a question bank that will be used for the online test.

The committee is also considering different issues including online test procedure, timing, question data bank, test centres and ways to go about the online exam.

The IIMs had first given a deep thought at conducting the CAT 2008 online. However it was confirmed later that the IIMs were considering various alternatives for modifying the process of conducting CAT, but the exam in 2008 would be a paper-pencil test.

The CAT being conducted online will reap benefits for both aspirants and institutes conducting the test. For the IIMs, it would mean larger revenues as the cost of application forms are likely to go up.

MBA aspirants may also be allowed to appear for the examination three times in a year.

Speaking on the new initiative, Ashish Bhattacharyya, admissions chairperson at IIM Calcutta, said, "An online system would help us handle the huge number of students appearing for the test every year. Last year the number crossed 2.3 lakh. This year it was above 2.7 lakhs. This number is only expected to increase with projections of three lakh-plus in 2009".

It is also expected that once the new system is in place, not all students will be able to take the exam on the same day as is the system applicable now. The exam would then take place in phases with 'spread out batches' within a period of a few months.

The other change will be that instead of the current single exam paper, the online test will carry quite a few different papers of the same level of difficulty.

Free study abroad seminars-UK universities

Free seminars with delegates from universities in the UK

Edwise presents seminars where students who want to study in the UK,can meet delegates from top UK universities and get spot offers.

Interested students should caryy their acadmic documents to the venue.
Prior to appointment required.

Schedule is-:
University of York-24Th November
University of East London-24Th November
Loughborough University-27Th November
DE Montfort University-27Th November
University of Manchester-27Th November
University of Arts London-1st December
Oxford Brookes University-1st December
Kings College London-4Th December

For details call Metro office on-:40813333
Or sms "ED GM to 56677"

For more info contact
Head Office
2, Jer Mahal, Ground Floor,
Dhobi Talao, Opp Metro Adlabs,
Mumbai - 400 002, India
Tel (91-22) 4081 3333 / 2200 3338
Fax: (91-22) 2200 3269
Email: mumbai@edwiseinternational.com
www.edwiseinternational.com