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PhysicsWallah Institute of Innovation Announces ₹5 Crore Scholarship for UG Programs

Bengaluru-based PhysicsWallah Institute of Innovation (PW IOI) has launched a ₹5 crore scholarship for meritorious students enrolling in its four-year UG program in Computer Science and three-year UG program in Management. The scholarships will be awarded through the PW Common Entrance Exam (CEE), with allocations for economically weaker students and female candidates.

The first phase of the PW CEE is scheduled from February 21 to March 31, 2025, as part of a multi-phase examination process extending through July 2025. Eligible students can register online and choose from multiple exam slots. The test will be conducted in a secure online proctored format. Additionally, candidates clearing the February phase can qualify for an early bird scholarship of up to 20%, subject to further assessment. The first batch for the 2025 academic year will commence in August 2025.

PW IOI is expanding its reach with new centers in Noida, Patna, Lucknow, Indore, and Pune. The institute’s School of Technology (SOT) offers courses in coding languages, data structures, operating systems, and artificial intelligence, while the School of Management (SOM) focuses on technological and managerial skills. The CEE is open to students who have completed Class 12, though applicants with exceptional scores in JEE, NEET, CUET, or IPMAT can secure direct admission without taking the entrance exam.

With a career-driven curriculum, real-world projects, live internships, and mentorship from industry leaders, PW IOI aims to equip students with industry-relevant skills for the evolving technology and business landscape.

Indian Graduates Lead in AI & ML Employability, Report Reveals

Indian graduates are demonstrating a strong aptitude for roles in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), according to a report by talent assessment firm Mercer Mettl, released on Tuesday. The report highlights that Indian graduates have the highest employability rate in AI and ML among all technical roles, standing at 46.1%.

Analyzing data from over 2,700 campuses and more than one million learners, the study presents a mixed landscape—while graduates display strong adaptability, persistent skill gaps remain. Notably, 50% of graduates possess the soft skills necessary for AI and GenAI collaboration, though creativity remains a challenge with a 44.3% employability rate. Strengths include communication skills (55.1%), critical thinking (54.6%), and leadership (54.2%). Additionally, learning agility, with a 46% employability rate, is seen as a crucial factor for thriving in the evolving tech sector.

The report also highlights variations in employability based on educational institutions and geography. Graduates from Tier 1 colleges lead with a 48.4% employability rate, followed by Tier 2 (46.1%) and Tier 3 (43.4%) institutions.

Tier 2 graduates particularly excel in UI/UX developer roles, achieving a 58.3% employability rate. Regionally, Delhi reported the highest employability at 53.4%, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab (51.1%), while Uttarakhand (50%) and Jharkhand (49.6%) also performed well.

A notable finding is gender parity in employability within AI, ML, and data science roles. However, disparities persist in software testing.

The overall employability rate for Indian graduates in 2025 stands at 42.6%, reflecting a slight decline from 44.3% in 2023, attributed to evolving industry expectations. Despite this, technical role employability has seen significant progress as colleges and students increasingly align their skills with market demands.

Government and Intel India Launch AI Training Program for Young Entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Intel India, has launched a pioneering AI training initiative. The program aims to equip 1 lakh young innovators with artificial intelligence and entrepreneurial skills by 2025, fostering a new generation of AI-driven entrepreneurs.

Titled AI for Entrepreneurship, the initiative is a micro-learning module available on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). The program is designed to simplify AI concepts and integrate them with entrepreneurial thinking, enabling learners to develop innovative AI-powered business ideas.

Key features of the program include accessibility for individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, including rural learners, industry-backed certification jointly issued by MSDE, NSDC, Skill India, and Intel, and interactive modules covering AI applications in business, entrepreneurial strategies, and real-world problem-solving.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary highlighted AI’s transformative role in shaping India’s workforce. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of preparing youth for the challenges of the digital economy.

Intel India President Gokul Subramaniam underscored the significance of AI education in fostering local entrepreneurship. He noted that Intel’s AI skilling initiative aims to provide practical knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world business opportunities.

This collaboration between the Indian government and Intel is expected to strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem by making AI education more accessible while simultaneously promoting entrepreneurship. The program represents a concerted effort to equip young Indians with the digital competencies necessary to thrive in an evolving job market.

University of Southampton Appoints Professor Eloise Phillips as Academic Provost for New Delhi Campus

The University of Southampton has announced the appointment of Professor Eloise Phillips as the Academic Provost of its upcoming New Delhi campus. She will assume her role in May 2025 and oversee the arrival of new students in August 2025.

Professor Phillips brings extensive experience in international education, having previously played a key role in establishing the University of Birmingham’s Dubai campus, where she led Health, Wellbeing, and Human Science programmes. She also served as Associate Dean at Aston University, England.

registered nurse and advanced clinical practitioner, Professor Phillips has a diverse background spanning clinical practice, healthcare leadership, management, research, and academia.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, she stated, “I was drawn to the University of Southampton for its mission to impact and transform students’ lives and the region. I look forward to leading our international campus in education, research, and knowledge exchange.”

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice President of International and Engagement at the university, welcomed her appointment, emphasizing her strong background in international campus development and experience at the University of Birmingham Dubai campus.

Himachal Pradesh Launches Global Best Practices Initiative to Transform Education

Himachal Pradesh is set to revamp its education system through a strategic collaboration that integrates global best practices into teacher training. This initiative is designed to equip educators with the necessary skills to tackle the evolving challenges of 21st-century education. By focusing on modern pedagogical techniques, the program aims to enhance teaching methodologies, ensuring that students receive a more engaging and effective learning experience.

Beyond improving classroom instruction, the initiative also emphasizes leadership and management training for teachers. Recognizing that strong educational leadership is key to institutional success, the program seeks to cultivate administrators who can drive meaningful reforms. Regular evaluations and expert exchanges will further enrich the initiative, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth among educators.

If implemented effectively, this initiative could significantly enhance learning outcomes across the state. Improved student engagement, better teaching practices, and a data-driven approach to education could position Himachal Pradesh as a national leader in educational excellence. With its comprehensive and sustainable model, the program has the potential to serve as a blueprint for other states looking to modernize their education systems.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Launches Six Education Portals, Unveils Plans for Ranchi University and Science City

Jarkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday launched six digital portals under the Higher and Technical Education Department to enhance university and college operations across the state.

In a major push towards educational development, Soren also inaugurated an innovation hub at the Ranchi Science Centre and unveiled models for the new Ranchi University campus and the proposed Science City.

“We are steering higher education in a new direction. Online facilities have been introduced to streamline operations across all universities under the department,” Soren stated in a post on X.

The newly launched portals include systems for pay fixation and verification, the CM Fellowship Scheme for academic excellence, an apprenticeship management system, a private university management system, a grant portal for non-financed colleges, and a learning management system.

Additionally, the Chief Minister unveiled the model for the new Ranchi University campus, which will span 87 acres in Chedi and be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹1,100 crore. The campus aims to provide world-class education to 30,000 students.

Further, a ₹270 crore project has been initiated to upgrade the Ranchi Science Centre into a full-fledged Science City. Set to be built on 25 acres, the facility aims to boost scientific tourism in the region.

EduStorm by ObserveNow: 9th Education Leaders Conclave & Awards Slated for 21st Feb

ObserveNow is gearing up for the highly anticipated 9th Edition of the Education Leaders Conclave & Awards, presented by Casio and co-powered by LEO1. The event, themed “Empowering Future Minds: Innovation in Higher Education,” is set to take place on the 21st of February 2025 in Delhi. This conclave promises to be a landmark gathering for the most influential education leaders, policymakers, and visionaries in Northern India, fostering critical discussions on the future of higher education.

With a strong focus on advancements, transformative methodologies, and innovative technologies, the conclave aims to redefine how teaching, learning, and knowledge engagement are approached in the region. The event is expected to witness the participation of over 60 esteemed speakers, 10+ government leaders, 30+ partners, and 250+ delegates, while also celebrating excellence with 50+ award categories.

The conclave boasts a stellar lineup of partners, with Casio as the Presenting Partner and LEO1 as the Co-powered Partner. Other key partners include Wadhwani Foundation as the Knowledge Partner, Adobe as the Digital Creativity Partner, Canon as the Printing & Digitization Partner, and PW Skills as the Skilling Partner. Additionally, Dassault Systèmes serves as the Technology Partner, Coursera for Campus as the Associate Partner, and various other renowned organizations such as Cantilever Labs, Epson, Linux World, Upgrad, Flashaid, SPECTRA, University of Technology Jaipur, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Badruka School of Management, Codetantra, Consortium Gifts, Shankar IAS Academy, and UEM as supporting partner and Pleasin Strides as CSR Partners.

The event will commence with an inaugural session on “Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges.” This session will be attended by key figures such as Taniya Tikoo, Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief of ObserveNow Media; Prof. Prem Vrat, Pro-Chancellor of The Northcap University, Gurugram; and Yatin Khurana, AGM of Casio India.

The first panel discussion of the day will focus on “Evaluating the Impact of Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning.” It will feature an esteemed lineup of speakers, including Maj. Gen. BD Wadhwa, Pro-Chancellor of IILM University, Gr. Noida; Prof. Prem Vrat, Pro-Chancellor of The Northcap University, Gurugram; Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Singh, Founding Vice Chancellor of Geeta University, Haryana; Prof. (Dr.) Parsanjeet Kumar, Vice Chancellor of SDGI Global University, Ghaziabad; Prof. Raghuvir Singh, Vice Chancellor of K.R. Mangalam University, Haryana; Dr. Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna University, Haryana; Mr. Manu Bhaskar Gaur, CEO of Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor of Sushant University, Haryana; Dr. Jones Matthew, Principal & Head of Institution at Great Lakes Institute; and Mr. Manik Kathuria, Enterprise Account Director at Coursera.

Following this, Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, CEO of Anuvadini AI and COO of AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, will deliver a keynote address, shedding light on crucial insights into AI’s role in education and governance.

The second panel discussion, titled “Digital Future of Sustainable Finance in Higher Education – Education Credits,” will be moderated by Debi Prasad Baral, Co-Founder & CTO of LEO1. The distinguished panelists for this discussion include Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Misra, Vice Chancellor of Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Lucknow; Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Singh Rathore, Vice Chancellor of Shyam University, Jaipur; Prof. (Dr.) Krishna Kant Dave, Vice Chancellor of Shri Venkateshwara University; Dr. Pardeep Kumar, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana; Prof. (Dr.) Jaskiran Kaur, Pro Vice Chancellor of NIMS University, Rajasthan; Prof. Parma Nand, Pro Vice Chancellor of Sharda University, Uttar Pradesh; Prof. (Dr.) Vaibhav Shrivastava, Pro Vice Chancellor of IIMT University, Uttar Pradesh; and Mr. Senthil Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Bennett University.

The third panel of the day will explore “Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration in Higher Education,” featuring prominent voices such as Dr. Jaywant V. Shelar, Vice Chancellor of ITM Skills University; Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Sanskaram University; Dr. Sandeep Chatterjee, Pro Vice Chancellor (Strategic Development) of IILM University, Gr. Noida; Prof. (Dr.) Chinnaiyan Ramasubramanian, Pro Vice Chancellor of Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth; Mr. Syed Adnan Akhtar, Executive Director of the Directorate of International Affairs & Integral Business School, Integral University; Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General of IMS Noida; Prof. Pankaj Priya, Deputy Director of BIMTECH; Dr. Prabhu Aggarwal, Dean of Badruka School of Management; Santhosh Karnananda, CEO of India – Commonwealth Higher Education Council; and Mr. Dayakar S Murthy, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Wadhwani Foundation.

The final panel discussion of the day will revolve around “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.” Panelists will include Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor of Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow; Ankit Gandhi, Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Technology, Jaipur; Prof. (Dr.) Rajender Singh Chhillar, Pro Vice Chancellor of OM Sterling Global University, Hisar, Haryana; Prof. (Dr.) John Finbe, Pro Vice Chancellor of Glocal University; Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Rana, Director General of Amity University; Prof. Amita Dev, Director General of VSET & VSIT, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies; Prof. Partha Chatterjee, Dean Academics at Shiv Nadar University; Dr. Mukesh Yadav, Associate Dean Academics and Foreign Relations at UEM University, Jaipur – IEM – UEM Group; Gaurav Bhagat, Founder of Gaurav Bhagat Academy and Founder & MD of Consortium Gifts; and Manoj Gupta, Founder & CEO of Flashaid.

The conclave will conclude with a prestigious awards ceremony, recognizing and honoring outstanding educational institutions and leaders who are driving impactful change in the higher education landscape. With such a remarkable lineup of discussions, thought leadership, and industry collaborations, the 9th Edition of the Education Leaders Conclave & Awards is set to be a defining moment for the future of education in India.

First-Time MLA Rekha Gupta Named Delhi’s New Chief Minister, Swearing-In Tomorrow at Ramlila Maidan

After nearly three decades, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form the government in Delhi as first-time MLA Rekha Gupta has been officially announced as the new Chief Minister. The decision was made at a crucial meeting of all newly-elected BJP MLAs at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Rekha Gupta will take the oath of office on February 20 at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, marking a historic moment in Delhi’s political landscape. The swearing-in event will begin at 11 AM, and Lt. Governor VK Saxena will administer the oath to the new Chief Minister and her cabinet at 12:35 PM.

Grand Swearing-In Ceremony Planned

The BJP is preparing for a massive celebration, with thousands of supporters expected to gather at Ramlila Maidan. Around 40 celebrities have been invited to the event, and it will witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers of several BJP-ruled states. The ceremony is expected to be a grand show of strength for the party, which has returned to power in Delhi after a long gap of 27 years.

BJP’s Historic Victory in Delhi

The BJP secured a landslide victory in the assembly elections held earlier this month, winning 48 out of 70 seats. This overwhelming mandate marks the end of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decade-long rule, as Arvind Kejriwal’s party was reduced to just 22 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress suffered a complete wipeout, failing to secure even a single seat.

The new government under CM Rekha Gupta is expected to focus on key areas such as infrastructure development, law and order, and governance reforms.

SAP APAC appoints Simon Davies as President, succeeding Paul Marriott

SAP Asia Pacific (APAC) has announced the appointment of Simon Davies as President for the newly-formed APAC region, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Davies will lead strategy, operations, sales, services, and partnerships while overseeing more than 31,000 employees across 78 offices in Asia Pacific. His appointment follows Paul Marriott’s decision to return to Europe after five years in the role to be closer to family.

With SAP’s market units spanning Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Greater China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, Davies will steer the company’s efforts in providing digital transformation solutions to leading enterprises, including NEC Corporation, Coles Group, Wipro, Fujitsu Limited, Shiseido, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Himalaya, Cochlear, and Japan Airlines.

Davies brings over 25 years of experience in the IT sector, having worked with global technology giants such as Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle. Before joining SAP, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific and Japan at Splunk, a position he held for more than three years. Additionally, Davies serves on the board of several pre-IPO technology firms and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Manos Raptopoulos, Chief Revenue Officer for APAC, EMEA, and MEE, expressed confidence in Davies’ leadership, stating, “Our next chapter is being fuelled by accelerated cloud and AI innovation, underpinned by our purpose, our people, and our partnerships. Simon combines experience in Asia’s fast-growth, innovation-hungry markets with proven expertise in building high-performance, diverse, and inclusive teams. I’m confident that under Simon, SAP APAC will build on the tremendous momentum established during Paul’s leadership and continue to be a catalyst for innovation and supporting customer success.”

Speaking on his new role, Simon Davies remarked, “I’m very excited for this new chapter to begin. Across Asia Pacific and Japan, we see forward-thinking businesses accelerating strategic transformation supported by SAP. Establishing a solid foundation in the cloud and leveraging business data is the gateway to exploring new avenues of growth in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and sustainability.”

Gartner Warns: 40% of AI Data Breaches Will Stem from Cross-Border GenAI Misuse by 2027

By 2027, more than 40% of AI-related data breaches will be caused by the improper use of generative AI (GenAI) across international borders, according to a new report by Gartner, Inc. The rapid adoption of GenAI has outpaced the development of robust security and governance measures, leading to growing concerns about data localization and oversight. Organizations integrating GenAI tools into their operations may unknowingly transfer sensitive data across borders, exposing themselves to compliance risks.

Joerg Fritsch, VP Analyst at Gartner, highlighted the dangers of unintended data transfers, particularly when GenAI is embedded into existing systems without clear disclosure. Many organizations have started noticing changes in the content produced by employees using AI-powered tools. While these technologies offer productivity benefits, they also pose security risks, especially when confidential information is processed through AI systems hosted in unknown locations.

The lack of standardized global AI governance frameworks is exacerbating the problem, causing operational inefficiencies and market fragmentation. Businesses are being forced to implement region-specific compliance strategies, making it difficult to scale operations globally. Managing AI-driven data transfers amid localized regulations increases complexity, creating additional challenges in ensuring data security and compliance. Gartner predicts this growing need for security will drive significant investments in AI governance, security, and compliance solutions.

By 2027, AI governance is expected to become a legal requirement under sovereign AI regulations worldwide. Organizations that fail to implement the necessary governance structures may struggle to compete, particularly those lacking the resources to adapt their data governance models quickly. Gartner warns that businesses must act now to stay ahead of regulatory mandates and avoid costly compliance failures.

To mitigate risks associated with cross-border GenAI misuse, Gartner recommends that enterprises take proactive steps to strengthen AI governance. This includes enhancing data security frameworks, establishing AI oversight committees, and leveraging advanced encryption and anonymization techniques to protect sensitive information. Additionally, organizations should invest in AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (TRiSM) solutions to filter prompts, manage data security, and reduce misinformation in AI-generated outputs. Gartner forecasts that by 2026, companies implementing AI TRiSM controls will reduce their exposure to inaccurate or manipulated data by at least 50%, leading to more reliable decision-making.

For further insights, Gartner clients can access the report Predicts 2025: Privacy in the Age of AI and the Dawn of Quantum. Additionally, security and risk management leaders can gain expert guidance at the upcoming Gartner Security & Risk Management Summits, scheduled to take place in Sydney, India, Dubai, National Harbor, Tokyo, São Paulo, and London.

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