Schools call for robust guidelines to govern AI use in academics

Schools call for robust guidelines to govern AI use in academics

Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 20.01.2025

 TIMES OF INDIA    EDUCATION TIMES BANGALORE 

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), classrooms are no longer just spaces for traditional learning—they have become battlegrounds for the ethical use of technology. As AI tools such as ChatGPT continue to shape the way students learn and engage with academic content, educators are calling for clear, comprehensive guidelines to navigate this new terrain. With concerns over academic integrity and the future of creative thinking, schools across the country are looking to strike a delicate balance: harnessing the power of AI to enhance education while safeguarding the core values of learning. 

As AI reshapes education, school leaders are advocating for policies that promote responsible, ethical usage and ensure that technology remains a tool for growth, not a shortcut to success. They say that institutional policies must specify acceptable AI usage in academic work, providing clarity to both students and educators. Setting norms Allan Andersen, director, Chaman Bhartiya School in Bengaluru, says, “Institutional policies should specify AI’s appropriate applications while integrating it into subjects. This allows students to develop critical prompting skills and reflect on AI’s influence on outcomes. Students are encouraged to leverage AI for supportive tasks, like research or brainstorming, but we are clear about boundaries—especially during exams or assessing assignments that aim to reflect personal understanding.” Pankaj Sharma, principal, Sagar Public School, Bhopal, highlights the importance of customised policies. “Institutions must focus on practicality and innovation when setting norms for AI use,” she asserts

Semiconductor courses needed in tierII and III HEIs for better outreach

Semiconductor courses needed in tierII and III HEIs for better outreach

Semiconductor expertise and AI skills can help students make cross disciplinary innovations 

Rajlakshmi.Ghosh@timesofindia.com  20.01.2024EDUCATION TIMES BANGALORE 

As the national and global demand for semiconductor talent continues to grow, the need for graduates to lead innovations crucial to India’s economic and technological aspirations, has become important. To meet this demand, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in addition to National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the country’s premier technical institutes such as the IITs and IISc are introducing short-term minor programmes and skill-based courses to prepare tomorrow’s engineers for India’s burgeoning semiconductor ecosystem. Joining the ranks are students from polytechnic colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), private or government colleges and diploma holders who are making optimum use of these courses to make a career in the manufacturing sector. Reportedly, the semiconductor industry is set to create 1 million jobs in India by 2026.

“The semiconductor sector is a critical driver of technological innovation, and its demand for cutting-edge programmes stems from several factors that include rapid technological advancements, complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, demand for specialised skills, environmental and sustainability concerns, global competition and national security,” TG Sitharam, chairman, AICTE, tells Education Times. Key courses The AICTE has introduced two new courses to fulfil the objectives of the SEMICON India Mission and to make India a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design: Diploma in IC manufacturing and BTech/BE in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design & Technology) apart from a minor degree in VLSI Design & Technology. “The Council has accorded approval to 629 institutions with 10,524 approved intakes during AY 2023-24 to commence PG/UG/Diploma level courses in VLSI/semiconductor-related domain,” Prof Sitharam informs. Down South, to bridge the skill gaps and enable students to work with emerging technology areas, IITM-Pravartak has analysed the domain areas where skilling is required, and then with the help of an industry expert developed the training content that will be UGC compliant. This has led to short-term minor programmes such as Comprehensive Electronics and Embedded system, Application Driven Electronics & Embedded Technology with IoT, Advanced Electronics Manufacturing with Power electronics (from the electronics stream), and Digital Manufacturing Practice (from the mechanical stream) being started recently along with Education Ministry’s SWAYAM Plus for engineering/diploma/science students and graduates. The aim is to provide semiconductor industry training with placement assistance for deserving students.

 “The programmes can be pursued while the student is pursuing BTech/MTech at IIT Madras or other technical colleges/institutes,” says Kavitha Gopal, senior consultant, IIT Madras Pravartak elaborating there is a good amount of awareness about these programmes among the students through social media reach outs and word of mouth, hence they see them as a good value addition to their career pathway which will be leading them to research studies/ placements or starting their own startup business

Mystery illness kills 17 in J&K, Centre sends team

Mystery illness kills 17 in J&K, Centre sends team 

Members To Ascertain Causes Of Mass Deaths 

Sanjay Khajuria | TNN 20.01.2024

Jammu : The spectre of the “mystery illness” continued to haunt residents of Badhaal village in J&K’s Rajouri, with the sixth child of Mohammad Aslam succumbing to the disease at a hospital in Jammu on Sunday, taking the total toll to 17 since Dec 2024, even as an inter-ministerial team from Delhi reached Rajouri to take stock. 

Aslam, who had lost five of his children till Friday, witnessed the death of his sixth and last child, Yasmeena Akhtar Jan (16). She was admitted to a hospital in Rajouri last Sunday from where she was referred to Jammu on Monday. Principal of Govt Medical College and Associated Hospital (GMC&AH) in Jammu, Ashutosh Gupta, told mediapersons that her condition was critical from Day 1 . With this, Aslam has lost four daughters, two sons and his maternal uncle and aunt in a span of a week after they had taken meal at a ‘fatiha’ — a memorial ceremony — organised in memory of Fazal Hussain and Robia Kousar (both 14), Farhana Kousar (9) Raftar (5) and Rukhsar (11) who died on Dec 7 during treatment after being affected by this mysterious dis ease. Earlier, in the wake of deaths in two families in the month of Dec 2024, the directorate of health services under the Union health ministry had sent a team of experts from premier medical institutions, including a team from Indian Council of Medical Research. Equipped with a Mobile Laboratory Vehicle, the team had camped at Kote-ranka to investigate the cases and deaths in Badhaal. 

On Saturday, Union home minister Amit Shah ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial high-level team to visit a village in Rajouri district to ascertain the causes of mass deaths in the past six weeks. On Friday, J&K CM Omar Abdullah had reviewed the situation in Badhaal village. He had directed the state health department to expedite investigations. During the probe, health teams conducted door-to-door surveys of over 3,000 residents in the affected area, collecting and testing samples of water, food, and other materials. However, all test results, including those for influenza, came negative. Police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the mass deaths after neurotoxins were found in samples. Authorities have sealed three houses belonging to the affected families and shifted 21 of their close relatives to a govt accommodation and are being kept under strict monitoring. Official sources said police have questioned around 20 people from the village, some related to the victims’ families

Revised 1:20 teacher-student ratio for BPharm courses may increase faculty load, lower education standards

Revised 1:20 teacher-student ratio for BPharm courses may increase faculty load, lower education standards 

PCI says directive aims at optimising teaching resources across pharmacy institutions, will not impact existing staff 

Priyadarshini.Gupta@timesofindia.com 20.01.2025  EDUCATION TIMES

 AHAMEDABAD

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has specified the staff-to-student ratio for Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) courses should not exceed 1:20 in theory and practical classes in the pharmacy colleges. The directive came as part of a revised circular to initiate the approval process for pharmacy institutions for the academic session 2025-26. The teacher-student ratio earlier was 1:15, which has been increased from the new academic year. The PCI has revised faculty requirements based on student enrolments. Staff requirement for BPharm courses with 60 students in a batch has been reduced from a total of 15 to 12. Earlier, a college had four professors, four associate professors, and seven assistant professors, which now will be three professors, four associate professors, five assistant professors/lecturers, apart from the principal. 

For BPharm courses having 100 students, the faculty requirement has been brought down from 25 to 20. Earlier, it was four professors, seven associate professors, and 14 assistant professors/ lecturers, which will now be four professors, seven associate professors, and nine assistant professors/lecturers, apart from the principal. While the PCI wants to optimise faculty utilisation across pharmacy institutions, educators think the move will burden the teachers. 

Better allocation 

The PCI plans to introduce measures so that the directive does not affect the existing faculty. Speaking to Education Times, Montukumar Patel, president, PCI, says, “The ratio change aims to optimise resource utilisation across pharmacy institutions. Earlier, the distribution of workload, particularly in subjects taught during the second and third years of the course, resulted in some faculty members having limited responsibilities during certain academic periods, leading to underutilisation of teaching resources. By adopting the revised ratio, institutions can better allocate teaching staff across subjects and academic years.”Several institutions usually follow the ratio of 1:15. Srinivas Mutalik, professor and principal, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MAHE, Udupi, says, “A 1:15 ratio ensures more personalised attention for students, enhancing their learning experience. 

However, teachers will now need to pay more attention, especially in practicals, where close supervision is critical.” The revised ratio is likely to increase the workload for the faculty. Daksh Bhatia, professor, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, says, “Teachers are already burdened with responsibilities beyond their core teaching duties such as handling accreditation processes, research activities, and consulting. These administrative demands leave them with little time to focus on teaching.” He adds, “With fewer faculty members, the pressure will intensify as teachers will cover more subjects and manage larger groups of students. This maydegrade the quality of education.

Appointment of non-academic VCs may dishearten senior faculty

Appointment of non-academic VCs may dishearten senior faculty 

Allowing candidates with proven credentials to become vice-chancellors aligns with NEP 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 20.01.2025

The UGC recently released the draft Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations 2025 to allow candidates with proven credentials and significant contributions from industry, public administration, and public policy to become vice-chancellors. 

The move intended to make Indian universities globally competitive could throw up multiple challenges for non-academicians in the university administration and dishearten academics aspiring for a promotion in their universities. M Jagadesh Kumar, chairman, UGC, says, “Allowing candidates with proven credentials and significant contributions from fields such as industry, public administration, and public policy to become vice-chancellors is a forward-thinking step that aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of stimulating innovation and transforming higher education. By bringing diverse perspectives, leadership experience, and expertise in solving real-world challenges, these candidates can catalyse interdisciplinary research, strengthen industryacademia collaboration, and drive entrepreneurial initiati ves. This inclusive approach ensures that universities are not only centres of academic excellence but also societal progress and innovation engines, fully embracing the transformative aspirations of NEP 2020.”

 Non-academic outsiders might need a significant amount of time to understand the workings of universities and implement NEP provisions. PV Navaneethakrishnan, former professor and director of Entrance Exams and Admission, Anna University, says, “Even VCs hailing from academic institutions spend considerable time learning how to perform as VCs. When the post is made open to industrialists, more time will be needed for their orientation.” Appointing industry experts may dishearten academics as it may close the doors for senior academics to be appointed as VCs. “It is inappropriate to appoint an industrialist as vicechancellor, as varsities are where human character is cultivated, not where machines are produced. An individual lacking academic and research knowledge will execute tasks in a manner consistent with their background and experience. This will dishearten academics, as they recognise that regardless of the quality of their scholarly and research contributions, they will not be prioritised for the position of VC,” says Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, associate professor, ABVSME, JNU.

Man taken for a ride after using IRCTC app, loses savings

Man taken for a ride after using IRCTC app, loses savings 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 20.01.2025

Ahmedabad : A retired senior citizen, resident of Vadaj, fell victim to a cyberfraud while attempting to make an online payment through the IRCTC mobile application on Jan 3. Dipak Parikh, 66, lodged a complaint with cybercrime police on Saturday, detailing the incident and expressed his concerns about the growing menace of online scams targeting innocent individuals.

According to the complaint, Parikh was attempting to load funds into the IRCTC wallet using his AU Small Finance Bank savings account. Despite multiple attempts, the transaction failed. Seeking assistance, he used the “Ask Disha” help section on the IRCTC app and provided all necessary details to get the problem fixed. Shortly thereafter, he received a call from an individual claiming to be a representative from IRCTC customer service. The caller assured Parikh that his issue would be resolved and guided him to share his banking details under the guise of troubleshooting. 

Unaware that he was being scammed, Parikh followed the instructions, leading to unauthorised access to his bank accounts. Within minutes, a significant amount of money was siphoned off from both his savings and overdraft accounts. Realising he had been cheated, Parikh approached the cops. Cybercrime police registered a complaint of cheating, breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under the Information Technology Act against the unknown accused.

Who can now become a medical college professor? NMC relaxes teaching eligibility rules

Who can now become a medical college professor? NMC relaxes teaching eligibility rules

Doctors with zero teaching experience can enter medical academia - here's how.

Written by Anonna Dutt

New Delhi | Updated: January 19, 2025 15:25 IST

Senior residents with a diploma could be promoted as assistant professors.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has updated requirements for teachers’ eligibility for medical colleges, easing some of the norms for appointing professors. With an increase in the number of medical colleges in the country, there have been concerns about the number of faculty.

Those who have worked as consultants, specialists, and medical officers for at least four years in a minimum 220-bed teaching or non-teaching government hospital can become an assistant professor. According to the new norms, a consultant, specialist, or medical officer with at least 10 years of experience can become an associate professor.

The 2022 norms allowed non-teaching doctors to become assistant professors after working for two years in a 330-bed non-teaching hospital, only when the hospital was being converted into a medical college. This was done because the government was in the process of converting several district hospitals to new medical colleges. “This would only be a one-time provision,” the previous norms said.

The new norms also relax the criteria for senior residents with diplomas to be promoted to assistant professors. The new norms state that those working as senior residents in the same institute should be eligible for the post of assistant professor. Those who have been teaching as PG teachers for the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences-approved diploma courses can become professors in NMC-approved colleges after three years of experience as PG teachers.

When it comes to appointing professors, the new norms require the publication of only two research papers as associate professors as the first three authors. The 2022 norms required four research papers by professors, with two as associate professors. It does not mention the order in which the person should be listed as the author.

The previous norms by the Medical Council of India required professors to have four publications as either the first author or the corresponding author. However, the 2022 and current norms clearly say that only original research meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case series will be considered and not letters to editors or opinion pieces.