IGNOU Students can access study mateirals online

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Saturday introduced a system by which its students can access their lectures and notes online. The system is called Remote Access to E-resources (RATE). It will enable IGNOU students to access their books, journals and other study material from anywhere. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C.P. Joshi inaugurated the RATE.

RATE has been made open to academics, faculty, regional centres, research and teaching assistants, researchers and to on-campus students at the initial level. Joshi also inaugurated the new administration building and delivered a lecture on 'Rural Empowerment and Panchayati Raj Institutions' at the IGNOU campus here.

Explaining the role of Panchayati Raj system, the minister said, "The Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) are playing an important role in the implementation of educational projects and programmes in rural areas. They can also play a significant role in effective implementation of distance education programmes in rural India."

Barring a few states, in most of them PRIs are not adequately and actively involved in development activities, he said. It is required to accelerate the process of interaction of citizens in general and youth and women in particular, with the PRIs, he added.

Central Teacher Eligibility Test

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has uploaded the list of all candidates registered for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) this year. The provisional candidate information including the Name,Roll No., Centre of Examination etc. is available now at

The CTET-2011 is scheduled to be held on Sunday, the 26th June, 2011 at 1178 centres in 86 cities across the country including 2 centres abroad. In all 7.9 lacs candidates have been registered for this.

The dispatch of Admit Cards for the registered candidates by post has started since 8th June 2011. In case, any registered candidate does not receive the admit card by June 20, he / she is required to carry a printout of the centre information and undertaking proforma available on the Board’s website along with two passport size photographs and a photo ID proof to the allotted examination centre.

The board has also started a control room in order to help the candidates. It will be functional between June 20 and 25 from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm and on 26th June from 06.30 am to 12.30 pm. In case of any difficulty the candidates may contact the control room on the following telephone numbers: 08447981586, 08447981587, 08447981588.

Madras High Court has restrained Online Courses

The Madras High Court has restrained Tamil Nadu Open University inviting applications for admission to Degree courses to even those who have not passed the Higher Secondary or equivalent Exams but have completed only 18 years of age. The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam made the observation on a petition by an advocate who sought to declare the university's recent notification as illegal.

S Sathiachandran said the university website stated it has launched various Diploma, Under-graduate, PG and higher level courses and that entry requirements would be relaxed for graduate programmes (B.A.& B.Com) to help those aspirants who have not formally pursued any programme so far to enable them pursue a course of study of their choice. However, to maintain standards and ensure quality, students who seek relaxed entry provisions would have to complete a preparatory Bachelor Preparatory Programme, concurrently with B.A./B.Com degree as the case may be.

Sathiachandran said the University published a notification on May 29 inviting applications for a number of Certificate, Diploma, U.G. and P.G.,programmes,which did not contain any note on validity of degrees obtained through such non formal programmes for employment in public services.

The petitioner sought to declare as illegal the notification for calendar year-2011 relating to the Bachelor Preparatory Programme for the students of non-formal stream. The Bench permitted the petitioner to add the State of Tamil Nadu represented by Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department and the Distance Education Council, Delhi, as party – respondents to this writ petition.

M Ravindran, Additional Solicitor General of India took notice for the impleaded the Distance Education Council, New Delhi and A Navaneethakrishnan, Advocate General assisted by S Venkatesh, Government Pleader took notice for the Higher Education Secretary. Both of them were directed to seek instruction in the matter. The Bench also ordered notice to the University and posted the case for hearing after two weeks.

Meanwhle the Bench also stayed operation of clause 2.1.2 of the University Prospectus relating to admission or BPP and said none should be admitted for obtaining a degree without having any Plus Two or Higher Secondary qualification.

Online Education UK Exhibition

The British Council’s Virtual Education UK Exhibition can now be accessed online. Log on to www.edukvirtualexhibition.com and register or download information about the different courses from UK universities, admission procedures, accommodation details, fee structure, student alumni information and more. In addition, one can also participate in live chats with delegates of the participating universities. There are also other interesting forums like subject specific webinars. The exhibition hosting 25 UK Universities including Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Liverpool, Brunel University and Cranfield University began on 20 May and will be on until 10 June 2011

Higher study in Netherlands

There are many reasons for choosing to study in the Netherlands. Dutch higher education has strong reputation worldwide thanks to a national system of strict regulation and quality assurance. The Netherlands is a multicultural society and a gateway to Europe Education in the Netherlands is very reasonable. The annual fee for a degree programme at a Dutch higher education institution is approximately 8,000 euro. The Universities in Amsterdam and Holland regularly organise company presentations and visits, and have on campus interviews with firms and executive search agencies. The alumni are very helpful in assisting the students to get leads, interviews and good contacts. Last but not least, for those of you planning to stay in the Netherlands after graduation, the Dutch government has relaxed work permit regulations for graduates from Dutch universities (regardless of nationality). This means that each graduate of The International Business programs can stay and work in The Netherlands for up to 5 years after graduation, without needing a work permit. There are a few conditions (minimum salary, kind of company), but these are normally easily met by the students.

Food Craft Institute Visakhapatnam

Applications have been invited by Food Craft Institute, Visakhapatnam, from eligible Boys and Girls for admission to full time certificate Courses 1 ½ year ( Including 6 Months Industrial Training ) for the academic year 2011-12.

Courses & Eligibility:
01. Tourism and Front Office Management : 10+2 or Inter pass
02. Food Production and Patisserie: SSC pass or Equivalent
03. Food Service Operations: SSC pass or Equivalent
04. Hospitality Services: SSC pass or Equivalent
05. Bakery and Confectionary: SSC pass or Equivalent

Applications can be downloaded from website http://dteap.ac.in or www.sbtetap.gov.in or can be had from the office of the Principal, Food craft Institute, Visakhapatnam-530040. Separate Application is to be submitted for each course when more than one course is applied for.

Filled in Application forms along with one set of Photo-copies of SSC, Intermediate mark sheet (For the course at Sl.No.1), Transfer Certificate, Caste & Income certificate (For reserved category) issued by Tahsildar and Demand Draft towards registration fee for Rs.300/- drawn in favour of “The Secretary, SBTET,” payable at Hyderabad should reach Principal, Food Craft Institute, Old Dairy Farm (P.O), Visakhapatnam-40 on or before 23-06-2011.

For further details, logon to the link:
http://dteap.ac.in/AD%20H/FCI_NOTIFICATION_2011-12@31-05-2011.doc