INDIA - 2023 to witness launch of India’s first digital university, to open new higher education avenues [The Times of India, January 2023]

Title:

2023 to witness launch of India’s first digital university, to open new higher education avenues

 

Author:

Manash Pratim Gohain

 

Published:

The Times of India, 1 January 2023

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/2023-to-witness-launch-of-indias-first-digital-university-to-open-new-higher-education-avenues/articleshow/96653778.cms

 

From the news article:

Higher education will witness two major developments in 2023 - launch of India's first digital university and establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).

 

“There is a hell and heaven difference among faculties who are from quota and those who are non-quota”: under the veneer of the “New Middle Class” production of Indian public universities [Scholarly Article - Higher Education, September 2022]

Title:

“There is a hell and heaven difference among faculties who are from quota and those who are non-quota”: under the veneer of the “New Middle Class” production of Indian public universities

 

Authors:

Nandita Banerjee Dhawan, Dina Zoe Belluigi & Grace Ese-Osa Idahosa 

 

Published:

Higher Education, 28 September 2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10734-022-00932-7

 

Abstract:

The university is a highly politicized and fractious realm for students and academics. Amidst trade-offs between the processes of massification, democratization, commodification, and globalization, the question of transformation for sustainability has become crucial to the social good(s) of higher education. This paper considers academic citizenry within Indian public higher education — a context where the increase in the enrollment of first-generation students and female students, due to affirmative action policies, has not substantially translated into altering the composition of academic staff. Informed by a mixed-method study conducted in 2019 with the participation of academics and those in leadership positions at four higher education institutions, we found that the enactment of such policies was operationalized for the production of the “New Middle Class” by universities. Of concern is that neither the representation nor the participation of academics who are women, “lower” castes, or minorities meets the mark of just, inclusive institutions. Despite the rhetoric of inclusiveness and development, the implementation of related policies clothe subalterns with the veneer of the intellectual class, permitting access on condition that sociocultural identities are concealed, and the hegemonic status quo maintained. Terms such as “quality” and “equality” function as tools for social control rather than serving social justice, where assertions of caste identity and resistance are simultaneously repudiated and misrecognized.

 

Higher Education in India in the Time of Pandemic, Sans a Learning Management System [Scholarly Article - AERA Open, 2022]

Title:

Higher Education in India in the Time of Pandemic, Sans a Learning Management System

 

Authors:

Sudipta Roy, University of St. Francis

&

Shannon Brown, University of St. Francis

 

Published:

AERA Open, 10 Jenuary 2022

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23328584211069527

 

Abstract:

Higher education in India was caught completely unawares by the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessitated closure of educational institutions. Despite almost a decade of experience with online and distance learning at some top-tier and private institutions, the vast majority were unprepared and looked for quick solutions for different components of teaching–learning depending on the need of the hour. The immediate tool sought was a videoconferencing platform to substitute in-class lectures. With no access to a learning management system, faculty chose one platform for videoconferencing, one for interaction with students, and another for uploading class notes. Disparity in students’ access to devices and the internet presented challenges. Assessment of learning, which hitherto was largely pen and paper based, was delayed for lack of a viable solution. Experiences documented in this study demonstrate faculty resilience, but lack of institutional leadership and preparedness is starkly evident.

The countries maintaining research ties with Russia despite Ukraine [Nature, April 2022]

Title:

The countries maintaining research ties with Russia despite Ukraine 

 

Authors:

Smriti Mallapaty, T. V. Padma, Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, Richard Van Noorden & Ehsan Masood

 

Published:

Nature, 6 April 2022

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00945-3

 

From the article:

Many Western nations are severing scientific links — but it’s a different story in China, India and South Africa.

 

Pandemic, Poverty, and Inequality: Evidence from India [IMF Working Paper, April 2022]

Title:

Pandemic, Poverty, and Inequality: Evidence from India

 

Authors:

Surjit S Bhalla, Karan Bhasin & Arvind Virmani

Published:

IMF Working Paper, April 2022

Click here to read (pdf format)

Abstract:

The paper presents estimates of poverty [extreme poverty PPP$1.9 and PPP$3.2] and consumption inequality in India for each of the years 2004-5 through the pandemic year 2020-21. These estimates include, for the first time, the effect of in-kind food subsides on poverty and inequality. Extreme poverty was as low as 0.8 percent in the pre-pandemic year 2019, and food transfers were instrumental in ensuring that it remained at that low level in pandemic year 2020. Post-food subsidy inequality at .294 is now very close to its lowest level 0.284 observed in 1993/94.

 

INDIA - UGC Directs Universities To Create Supernumerary Seats For Covid-Orphaned Under PM Cares [NDTV, March 2022]

Title:

UGC Directs Universities To Create Supernumerary Seats For Covid-Orphaned Under PM Cares 

 

Author:

Arnab Mitra

 

Published:

NDTV, 30 March 2022

https://www.ndtv.com/education/ugc-directs-universities-to-create-supernumery-seats-for-covid-orphaned-under-pm-cares

 

From the article:

According to UGC, the higher education institutions (HEIs) have been advised to create such seats for children whenever they become eligible to pursue their higher education.

 

INDIA - Reforming Higher Education, With a Helping Hand From Philanthropy [The Wire, February 2022]

Title:

Reforming Higher Education, With a Helping Hand From Philanthropy

 

Author:

Pushpa Sundar

Published:

The Wire, 21 February 2022

https://thewire.in/education/reforming-higher-education-with-a-helping-hand-from-philanthropy

 

From the article:

If India wants to become a superpower, higher education must be reformed on priority. Expectations were high from Budget 2022 for the allocation of substantial funds for higher education as well as strategic changes in policy. While the budget has taken some steps in this direction, it is far from what is needed.  

Students’ perception and preference for online education in India during COVID -19 pandemic [Scholarly Article - Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2021]

Title:

Students’ perception and preference for online education in India during COVID -19 pandemic Author links open overlay 

 

Authors:

T.Muthuprasad, S.Aiswarya, K.S.Aditya & Girish K.Jha

Published:

Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 4 January 2021

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291120300905

Abstract:

Educational institutes across the world have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizing the academic calendars. Most educational institutes have shifted to online learning platforms to keep the academic activities going. However, the questions about the preparedness, designing and effectiveness of e-learning is still not clearly understood, particularly for a developing country like India, where the technical constraints like suitability of devices and bandwidth availability poses a serious challenge. In this study, we focus on understanding Agricultural Student’s perception and preference towards the online learning through an online survey of 307 students. We also explored the student’s preferences for various attributes of online classes, which will be helpful to design effective online learning environment. The results indicated that majority of the respondents (70%) are ready to opt for online classes to manage the curriculum during this pandemic. Majority of the students preferred to use smart phone for online learning. Using content analysis, we found that students prefer recorded classes with quiz at the end of each class to improve the effectiveness of learning. The students opined that flexibility and convenience of online classes makes it attractive option, whereas broadband connectivity issues in rural areas makes it a challenge for students to make use of online learning initiatives. However, in agricultural education system where many courses are practical oriented, shifting completely to online mode may not be possible and need to device a hybrid mode, the insights from this article can be helpful in designing the curriculum for the new normal.

INDIA - COVID-19 and psychological distress: Lessons for India [Scholarly Article - PLOS ONE, August 2021]

Title:

COVID-19 and psychological distress: Lessons for India 

 

Authors:

Vaijayanthee Anand, Luv Verma, Aekta Aggarwal, Priyadarshini Nanjundappa & Himanshu Rai 

Published:

PLOS ONE, 4 August 2021

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0255683

 

Abstract:

Purpose 

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly altered the routine of life and caused unanticipated changes resulting in severe psychological responses and mental health crisis. The study aimed to identify psycho-social factors that predicted distress among Indian population during the spread of novel Coronavirus.  

 

Method 

An online survey was conducted to assess the predictors of distress. A global logistic regression model was built, by identifying significant factors from individual logistic regression models built on various groups of independent variables. The prediction capability of the model was compared with the random forest classifier.  

 

Results 

The respondents (N = 1060) who are more likely to be distressed, are in the age group of 21-35 years, are females (OR = 1.425), those working on site (OR = 1.592), have pre-existing medical conditions (OR = 1.682), do not have health insurance policy covering COVID-19 (OR = 1.884), have perceived seriousness of COVID-19 (OR = 1.239), have lack of trust in government (OR = 1.246) and whose basic needs’ fulfillment are unsatisfactory (OR = 1.592). The ones who are less likely to be distressed, have higher social support and psychological capital. Random forest classifier correctly classified 2.3% and 17.1% of people under lower and higher distress respectively, with respect to logistic regression.  

 

Conclusions 

This study confirms the prevalence of high distress experienced by Indians at the time of COVID-19 and provides pragmatic implications for psychological health at macro and micro levels during an epidemiological crisis.

COVID-19 in Rural India, Algeria, and Morocco: A Feminist Analysis of Small-Scale Farmers' and Agricultural Laborers' Experiences and Inventive Practices [Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 2021]

Title:

COVID-19 in Rural India, Algeria, and Morocco: A Feminist Analysis of Small-Scale Farmers' and Agricultural Laborers' Experiences and Inventive Practices 

 

Authors:

Irene Leonardelli1,2*, Lisa Bossenbroek3, Hind Ftouhi4, Zakaria Kadiri5, Sneha Bhat6, Seema Kulkarni6, Meriem Farah Hamamouche7,8, Mohamed Amine Saidani4,7,8,9, Margreet Zwarteveen1,2 and Jeltsje Sanne Kemerink-Seyoum1,2 

 

1. Water Governance Department, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, Netherlands 

2. Governance and Inclusive Development Group, Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands 

3. iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany 

4. Département des Sciences Humaines, Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco 

5. Faculty of Arts and Humanities Ain-Chock, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco 

6. Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM), Pune, India 

7. Bureau d'Etudes, Consulting dans le domaine Agricole (ECA), Algiers, Algeria

8. Joint Research Unit “Water Management, Actors, Territories” (UMR G-Eau), CIRAD, Montpellier, France 9Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France

 

Published:

Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 15 April 2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fhumd.2021.653979/full

 

From the article:

In this paper we present a situated analysis of the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of small-scale farmers and agricultural laborers in India, Algeria, and Morocco. We draw on data collected through phone interviews since April 2020. Inspired by feminist scholars, we analyze our findings thinking with—and entangling—the concepts of intersectionality, resilience and care. We firstly document the material impacts of the lockdown measures, focusing particularly on the experiences of single women farmers and laborers, whose livelihood and well-being have been notably compromised. Secondly, we unfold how different agricultural actors have come up with inventive ways to respond to the unexpected situation which they are facing. In doing so, we highlight the importance of considering the multiple and entangled socionatural challenges, uncertainties, and marginalizations that different agricultural actors experience, as well as the transformative potential of their inventive practices, which are often motivated and informed by notions of care.

 

Ivermectin. Une scientifique de l’OMS risque la peine de mort - Ivermectin. WHO scientist faces death penalty [L'Observateur, June 2021]

Titre:

Ivermectin. Une scientifique de l’OMS risque la peine de mort

Ivermectin. WHO scientist faces death penalty

 

Par:

Hakim Arif

 

Publié:

L'Observateur, 27 juin 2021

https://lobservateur.info/article/100414/covid-19/ivermectin-une-scientifique-de-loms-risque-la-peine-de-mort

 

Extrait de l'article: 

L’Inde pourrait être le premier pays à poursuivre en justice un scientifique de l’OMS pour avoir déconseillé l’Ivermectine contre Covid-19. L’association du barreau de l’Inde a entamé une procédure.  

India could be the first country to sue a WHO scientist for advising against Ivermectin against Covid-19. The Indian Bar Association has initiated proceedings.

 

INDIA - India has reached ‘watershed’ for science and innovation [University World News, June 2021]

Title:

India has reached 'watershed' for science and innovation

 

Author:

Shuriah Niazi  

 

Published:

University World News, 18 June 2021 

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210618133004502

 

From the article:

The period 2015 to 2020 has been a watershed for science and innovation in India. With a stable government, a large number of policies and programmes have been developed to encourage an innovation culture and absorb major emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and electric vehicles. 

INDIA - Twenty central universities left without a regular vice-chancellor [The Telegraph online, June 2021]

Title:

Twenty central universities left without a regular vice-chancellor

 

Author:

Basant Kumar Mohanty

Published:

The Telegraph online, 12 June 2021

Click here to read

From the article:

Education ministry officials blame delays in recruitment on the Prime Minister’s Office, saying it was sitting over the files of the shortlisted candidates.

INDIA - Grieving universities in shock over loss of professors [University World News, May 2021]

Title:

Grieving universities in shock over loss of professors 

 

Authors:

Karuna Narayan & Yojana Sharma  

 

Published:

University World News, 13 May 2021 

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210513094607390

 

From the article:

Universities in states hit hard by India’s catastrophic latest COVID-19 wave are reporting dozens of deaths of professors and staff, with deaths so high and such a pall of shock and loss hanging over some campuses that faculty members say it is hard to see how university teaching can return to normal.  

 

Delhi University teachers said the university has so far lost 30 professors and teaching staff, and other officials including the university’s joint registrar Sudhir Sharma.

 

Also see

 

INDIA - Delhi universities battle to fight COVID-19 campus surge

By Yojana Sharma

University World News, 5 May 2021

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2021050508443127

 

COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Indian Economy [Scholarly Article - Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 2021]

Title:

COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Indian Economy

 

Authors:

Vikas Barbate, Rajesh N. Gade & Shirish S. Raibagkar

 

Published:

Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 1 February 2021

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0972262921989126

 

Abstract:

Pessimism looms large all over. COVID-19 has been projected as worse than the Great Depression of 1930. Everyday analyst and agency reports are diving into new bottoms of a fall-down in economic activities. Indian economy, however, has a slightly different story to tell at this hour of crisis. The silver lining for the Indian economy comes from a steep fall in the crude oil prices from around $70 per barrel to a record 18 years low of $22 per barrel. This windfall gain can, to some extent, offset the direct losses due to COVID-19. At the same time, dreams like a $5 trillion economy no longer look even a remote possibility. This article takes stock of the likely impact of COVID-19 on the Indian economy in the short term and the long term. A decision-tree approach has been adopted for doing the projections.

INDIA - Uproar as key government critic quits university post (by Shuriah Niazi)

Title:

Uproar as key government critic quits university post 

 

Author:

Shuriah Niazi  

 

Published:

University World News, 24 March 2021 

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210324144131735

 

From the article:

The resignation of two distinguished academics from Ashoka University has stunned the university’s students and faculty as well as the academic community across India and overseas, intensifying the row over academic expression and freedom in India.

 

INDIA - Kerala Governor Inaugurates India’s First Digital University

Title:

Kerala Governor Inaugurates India’s First Digital University

Author:

Mridusmita Deka

Published:

NDTV, 20 February 2021

https://www.ndtv.com/education/kerala-governor-inaugurates-indias-first-digital-university

From the article:

Kerala Governor Inaugurates India’s First Digital University India’s first Digital University in Kerala will focus on postgraduate programmes and research.

Analysis of news media reports of suicides and attempted suicides during the COVID-19 lockdown in India [Scholarly Article - International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 3 December 2020]

Title:

Analysis of news media reports of suicides and attempted suicides during the COVID-19 lockdown in India 

 

Authors:

Soumitra Pathare, Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Tanya Nicole Fernandes, Manisha Shastri, Arjun Kapoor, Deepa Pandit, Isha Lohumi, Somidha Ray, Arti Kulkarni & Palak Korde  

 

Published:

International Journal of Mental Health Systems, volume 14, Article number: 88 (3 December 2020)

https://ijmhs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13033-020-00422-2

 

Abstract:
Background 

Based on previous experience there is justifiable concern about suicidal behaviour and news media reporting of it during COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

Methods 

This study used a systematic search of online news media reports (versions of newspapers, magazine and other digital publications) of suicidal behaviour during India’s COVID-19 lockdown and compared it to corresponding dates in 2019. Data was gathered using a uniform search strategy from 56 online news media publications 24 March to 3 May for the years 2019 and 2020 using keywords, suicide, attempted suicide, hangs self and kills self. Demographic variables and methods used for suicide were compared for suicide and attempts between the 2 years using chi-squared tests (χ2).  

 

Results 

There were online news media reports of 369 cases of suicides and attempted suicides during COVID lockdown vs 220 reports in 2019, a 67.7% increase in online news media reports of suicidal behaviour. Compared to 2019, suicides reported during lockdown were significantly older (30 vs 50 years, p < 0.05), men (71.2% vs 58.7%; p < 0.01), married (77.7% vs 49%; p < 0.01) and employed (82.9% vs 59.5%; p < 0.01). During the lockdown, significantly more suicides were by hanging (64.4% vs 42%), while poisoning (8.5% vs 21.5%) and jumping in front of a train (2% vs 9.4%) (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. Comparison of COVID and non-COVID groups showed that online news media reports of COVID cases of suicide and attempted suicide were significantly more likely to be men (84.7% vs 60.4%; p < 0.01), older (31–50 years 52.9% vs 25.8%; p < 0.01) employed (91.5% vs 64.3%; p < 0.01), had poor mental (40.1% vs 20.8%; p < 0.01) and poor physical health (24.8% vs 7.9%;11.8, p < 0.01).  

 

Conclusion 

 Increase in online news media reports of suicides and attempts during COVID-19 lockdown may indicate an increase in journalists’ awareness about suicide or more sensational media reporting or may be a proxy indicator of a real community increase in suicidal behaviour. It is difficult to attribute changes in demographic profile and methods used only to changes in journalists’ reporting behaviour and should be further explored. We therefore call upon the Government of India to urgently release national suicide data to help devise a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy to address COVID-19 suicidal behaviour.

Note:

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Something interesting - India builds bridge to help reptiles cross road [BBC News, 1 December 2020]

Title:

India builds bridge to help reptiles cross road

 

Published:

BBC News, 1 December 2020

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55099112

 

From the article:

Forest officials have built a unique bridge for reptiles and other small animals to cross a busy highway in India's mountainous Uttarakhand state.

Recent trends of research in open and distance education in India [Scholarly Article - Emerald Insight, 1 October 2020]

Title:

Recent trends of research in open and distance education in India

Authors:

Manjulika Srivastava, Bijayalaxmi Mishra, Dev Kant Rao, Navita Abrol, Vandana Varma & Bharat Bhushan

Published:

Emerald Insight, 1 October 2020

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AAOUJ-06-2020-0044/full/html

Purpose:

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the research trends on the Indian Open and Distance Education (ODE) system as reflected in the articles published in the prominent journals of distance education across the world.

Desighn/methodology/approach:

A study was undertaken to review the research articles on ODE in India published in 11 prominent peer-reviewed journals of distance education during the period 2010–2019. Content analysis was done to find out areas of research undertaken in the ODE of India based on a validated classification of research areas; types of research studies conducted; and authorship and publication patterns.

 

Findings:

Out of a total of 2,571 articles published in 11 selected journals, only 191 (7.42%) pertained to ODE in India. The majority of these 191 articles (68.42%) were published in Indian journals. The Indian and Asian journals together accounted for 93.55% of total articles. Globally, the share of articles on the Indian ODE system was significantly low ranging between 4.27 and a maximum of 10.77%, which was much below expectations from a country having the maximum number of ODE learners in the world. Results further revealed that 63% of the contributors to research on ODE in India were affiliated to Indira Gandhi National Open University.