Category: Education & Careers

Delhi HC warns of contempt action over delay in textbook supply to government schools

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Delhi High Court has issued a warning of contempt of court action against the Deputy Director of the Education department for the government’s failure to supply textbooks to students in government-run schools.

Initially assured that textbooks would be supplied by May 10, the High Court was informed today that the task could only be completed by July.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora noted that the government, in its affidavit dated May 2, had promised textbooks would be distributed to students before the start of summer vacations.

However, a report dated May 15 revealed that the task would be delayed until July. The Bench expressed strong displeasure over the delay, stating it was improper for the government to miss the deadline it had set.

“We will take you to task… This is not proper,” remarked the Court.

However, the Court refrained from issuing notice after Delhi government’s Standing Counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi assured that students would receive their books by the time schools reopen in July.

The Court ordered, “This court was inclined to issue suo motu contempt notice to the deponent of the affidavit dated May 2. However, Mr. Tripathi assured and undertakes to the court that the fresh undertaking and status report dated May 15 shall be complied with. At request, the order is deferred till the next date of hearing.”

The case is listed for further hearing in July.

One of the reasons cited by the government for the delay in supplying textbooks is the change in syllabus.

The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an organisation named Social Jurist, which raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure facilities in government schools in the national capital.

According to the report dated May 15, 2024, textbooks are yet to be supplied to 4,215 out of 7,073 schools (59.5%). The total demand for textbooks in government schools is nearly 1.08 crore, but only 23.25 lakh books (21.34%) have been supplied.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Recently delisted Toshiba to cut 4,000 jobs in restructuring drive

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Japan’s Toshiba said on Thursday it will cut up to 4,000 jobs domestically as the industrial conglomerate accelerates restructuring under new ownership.

Toshiba delisted in December due to a $13 billion takeover by a consortium led by private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), capping a decade of scandal and upheaval.

The consortium’s efforts to engineer a turnaround at Toshiba are seen as a test for private equity in Japan, which used to be seen as “hagetaka” or vultures due to its rapacious reputation.

Also Read: Tesla plans to cut 601 more jobs in California, notice to government says

The restructuring amounts to up to 6% of Toshiba’s domestic workforce. The company also said it would relocate office functions from central Tokyo to Kawasaki, west of the capital, and target an operating profit margin of 10% in three years.

In Japan, which is known for its conservative business culture, PE firms are increasingly seen as an option for companies disposing of non-core assets or lacking succession candidates.

A wave of companies have announced job cuts in recent months including photocopier maker Konica Minolta, cosmetics firm Shiseido and electronics firm Omron.

Also Read: IBM to add 800 AI-related jobs in Ireland

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

IBM to add 800 AI-related jobs in Ireland

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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IBM plans to hire up to 800 more people in Ireland to help build advanced software underpinned by AI technology, the biggest job announcement in the country’s multinational sector this year, state investment agency IDA Ireland said on Thursday.

The US IT software and consultancy services provider, which is one of the largest multinational employers in Ireland with 3,000 staff, will add the roles in research and development, digital sales and consulting.

Ireland is hugely reliant on foreign multinationals, which have almost doubled their workforce in the last decade to make up around 11% of the entire labour market.

However, multinational employment fell by 0.3% last year, the first annual decline since 2009 as layoffs in the technology sector offset jobs growth in every other category.

“This is set to deliver real uplift in the Irish technology ecosystem by advancing capabilities across key growth areas for IDA Ireland such as cloud, AI, quantum and cybersecurity,” IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan said in a statement.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

CUET 2024: May 15 exam rescheduled to May 29 for Delhi centres; details inside

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Common University Entrance Test, Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2024, which was scheduled for May 15 at Delhi centres, has been rescheduled. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the May 15 CUET exam for all subjects has been postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances at the Delhi centres. According to reports, the examination will now be held in Delhi on May 29.

The exam was scheduled to take place in 258 centres across the city. However, the May 16, 17 and 18 schedule will remain the same as announced earlier.

Commenting on the recent development, Sadhna Parashar, Senior Director, NTA, said “The information was sent to all the concerned candidates and stakeholders that due to some unavoidable reasons the examination of subjects which include Chemistry (306), Biology (30), English – (101), and General Test – (501) that were earlier slated to take place on May 15, 2024, stands postponed for the candidates who are appearing for the exam in various centres across Delhi.”

For candidates whose exams have been postponed, the board issued a fresh admit card with the revised schedule and exam centres. The intimation slip and the admit card for the candidates, who opted for CBT mode, are yet to be released.

This year, more than 13.4 lakh candidates are set to appear in the CUET for admission to 261 central, state, deemed and private universities across the country. Exams will be held in 13 languages — Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

Candidates are advised to reach their respective exam centres on time. They are also expected to abide by instructions on the admit card to avoid any last-moment hassle.

This year’s CUET exam will be held in hybrid mode with 15 subjects in pen and paper mode and 48 subjects in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Telangana Teacher Eligibility Test 2024: Admit cards to be out today; how to download

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Telangana Teacher Eligibility Test (TS TET) 2024 will be released by the Department of School Education, Hyderabad, on May 15. Candidates, who applied for the Telangana State Teacher Eligibility Test, can access and download their admit cards from the official website of TSTET at tstet2024.aptonline.in.

The TS TET examination is scheduled for May 20, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, and June 1 and 2, 2024, in 11 districts of the state. The exam will be conducted in two shifts, from 9 am to 11.30 am and from 2 pm to 4.30 pm. Aspirants will have to report at least an hour before the exam. The TS TET result will be announced on June 12, 2024.

For all languages other than Sanskrit, the question paper will be bilingual, ie., English, followed by the language selected by the candidates. The questions for applicants opting for Sanskrit will be in Telugu followed by Sanskrit (Devanagari script).

How to download the TS TET 2024 Hall Ticket?

Step 1: Visit the official website of TS TET at tstet2024.aptonline.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the TS TET 2024 Hall Ticket link.

Step 3: Enter the login credentials like your application ID and date of birth.

Step 4: Go to the submit button.

Step 5: Your hall ticket will be displayed on the next screen.

Step 6: Download the admit card ticket and keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

In case you encounter a problem in downloading the hall ticket, contact the Director, SCERT & Ex-officio Director, TET, Hyderabad between May 15 to June 3. Requests to issue duplicate hall tickets will not be entertained after the examination.

The candidates are advised to stay updated and can check the official website of TS TET for all the latest updates.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

How an empowered workforce becomes key to sustainable business success

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The workplace ecosystem has changed drastically in recent years. Long hours and intense competition are no longer recognized as the keys to employee loyalty. Today’s workforce values a holistic approach to work. While financial stability is important, employees today seek work opportunities and experiences that promote personal and professional growth. They want to feel appreciated and empowered as they pursue their professional ambitions in a supportive setting.

Creating a healthy and growth-oriented work environment is not only advantageous but also essential for attracting and retaining top talent. A thriving, supportive, and diverse workplace not only boosts employee morale but also organisational performance. It encourages innovation, increases productivity, and ultimately propels the business in the competitive marketplace.

Investing in employee well-being and development isn’t just an effective people management approach, it’s a strategic imperative for long-term sustainability for organisations.

There are several ways for companies to create a positive environment that motivates employees:

Fostering a culture of transparency and open communication: Employees flourish when they feel informed and have a voice. To promote openness in communicating the company’s purpose, goals, mission, and actions, the management should organise periodic town halls, encourage speak up sessions, and enable effective utilisation of internal communication channels. Fostering open and continuous communication allows employees’ comments to be heard and handled, resulting in a more collaborative and engaged workforce.

Invest in Employee Development and Career Growth: Today’s employees desire chances to learn and advance in their professions. The management should prioritise employee development by funding learning and development programs, mentorship efforts, and career planning seminars. Encompassing a development target for the employees should be encouraged to enhance skillsets to be future-ready. This displays a commitment to employees’ long-term development and fosters a motivated workforce.

Encouraging collaboration and rewarding employees: Success is not just about one person; it is about the entire team working cohesively towards a shared goal. By encouraging employee collaboration, organisations can recognise and leverage each team member’s unique skills and talents.

Recognising and rewarding an employee’s achievement is equally essential. A 2023 Gallup report found that quiet quitting was seen in almost six out of 10 employees globally. Along with being actively disengaged, quiet quitting can cost the global economy $8.8 trillion. [1]  Rewards and recognition not only help management to overcome this challenge, but also increase engagement and reduce attrition rates, which ultimately benefits the company’s bottom line. 

Nurturing diversity, equity, and inclusion: Inclusivity, equity, and diversity have far more depth and nuance in workplaces. Cultivating diversity and inclusiveness within leadership is essential as it enables to build stronger, more effective teams. These values can help to ignite creativity by bringing together people of diverse genders, socioeconomic situations, races, and faiths to share their distinctive ideas and experiences.

Varied points of view must be encouraged, and different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise should be welcomed. With this, employees feel empowered, encouraging them to put forth different ideas and ways to effectively manage challenges and encash opportunities.

Feedback and reviews: Feedback is an effective tool for promoting growth and advancement inside an organisation. It acts as a guide, emphasising the areas of strength and need for improvements. Feedback should not be unidirectional. Encouraging a 360-degree feedback is equally important and can help the organisation understand the general perception amongst their employees.

Continuous feedback also assists young employees (beginners) in finding out their career path. Giving them the chance to explore different opportunities within the business will help them identify their professional interests and can aid them in expanding their career within the organisation, leading to a higher rate of talent retention.

Evolving Workforce Dynamics

As workforce dynamics continue to evolve, establishing a culture of positivity and growth becomes even more important. To maximise their potential, employees need to feel valued and supported. Through my career, which began in finance, my organisation recognized my potential and encouraged me to develop the necessary skillsets and explore opportunities. After working in Finance, Business Administration, Enterprise Services, and Sales functions across Software Engineering, IT Consulting, and Healthcare verticals, today I am heading Siemens Healthcare as Managing Director for Zone India. 

Professional growth stories, including mine amongst countless others from within Siemens Healthineers highlight the positive impact of effective people management strategies. It demonstrates how an organisation’s support and growth structure can propel individuals to new levels of professional success. 

By investing in its employee’s growth, an organisation can provide a sense of loyalty and belonging, leading to long-term retention; hence, the onus is on organisations and more so on the managers to act as catalysts that unlock the unique potential in each employee. 

 In a nutshell, an empowered workforce is a key to sustainable business success. Investing in the growth of your employees is a commitment to nurturing talent and promoting long-term success.

—The author, Hariharan Subramanian, is Managing Director, Siemens Healthcare, India. The views expressed are personal.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Tesla plans to cut 601 more jobs in California, notice to government says

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tesla plans to lay off an additional 601 employees in California, it said in a notice to the state government, as the automaker undertakes a series of job cuts globally that began a month ago amid falling sales and intensifying price competition.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on April 15 that the company would lay off more than 10% of its global workforce, which stood at over 140,000 in late 2023. The electric vehicle maker has conducted several rounds of job cuts since then, as Musk wanted to slash 20% of its headcount, according to people familiar with the matter.

The latest layoff plan would affect employees at Tesla’s facilities in Palo Alto and Fremont, California, and will start for 14 days beginning on June 20, 2024, Tesla said in its Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN).

The electric carmaker said last month it would lay off 6,020 people in California and Texas, as part of the headcount cuts.

The global job reductions also included 285 employees at its Buffalo, New York facilities that house the labelling team for its Autopilot driver assistance software and which makes fast-charging equipment.

Musk disbanded Tesla’s Supercharger team on April 30.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Walmart lays off hundreds of US employees and requires others to relocate

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Walmart on Tuesday announced layoffs affecting several hundred jobs at the retail giant’s campus offices.

It also said it will require most remote workers and personnel in its Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto offices to relocate to its primary offices in Bentonville, Arkansas; Hoboken, New Jersey; and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The news, conveyed via a Walmart staff memo provided to The Associated Press, said the relocations will serve the goal of “bringing more of us together more often.”

The memo likewise noted that being together in person “makes us better and helps us to collaborate, innovate and move even faster.”

The memo did not give a reason for the layoffs beyond stating that “some parts of our business have made changes” that will result in job losses.

A Walmart spokesperson did not immediately reply to questions regarding the reason for the layoffs and why Walmart is working to consolidate other office jobs in Arkansas, New Jersey and California.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Post-study visa route dominated by Indians should stay, finds UK review

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A post-study visa route dominated by Indian graduates is helping the universities in the UK make up for financial losses on the domestic front and expanding the country’s research landscape, a review commissioned by the British government concluded in its report on Tuesday.

The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) had been tasked by UK Home Secretary James Cleverly to undertake a rapid review of the relatively new Graduate Route visa that allows international students to stay on for up to two years after their degree to look for work and gain work experience.

It found that Indian students lead the pack in this visa category, accounting for 89,200 visas between 2021 and 2023 or 42 per cent of the overall grants, and the visa was stated as the “overwhelming decision point” for their choice of a higher education destination.

“Our review recommends the Graduate Route should remain as it is and is not undermining the quality and integrity of the UK’s higher education system,” said MAC Chair Professor Brian Bell.

“The Graduate Route is a key part of the offer that we make to international students to come and study in the UK. The fees that these students pay help the universities to cover the losses they make in teaching British students and doing research. Without those students, many universities would need to shrink and less research would be done,” he added.

Also Read: UK implements increased income threshold for family visas; All you need to know

Bell’s review goes on to highlight the “complex interaction” between the immigration policy and higher education policy as it tables a series of recommendations for the government including a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents whose “poor practices” may be mis-selling UK higher education and better data collection as well as making it a requirement for universities to confirm the course outcome for the international students they enroll.

“The Graduate Route is not undermining the integrity of and quality of the UK higher education system. Under the current funding models for higher education across the UK, the Graduate Route is helping the universities to expand the range of courses offered while making up for financial losses on domestic students and research and is supporting the government’s International Education Strategy,” the review concludes.

“It has also contributed to diversifying the range of universities, and thus domestic students, that benefit from the financial contribution international students make. However, the potential poor practice by some agents recruiting international students does risk undermining the integrity of higher education in the UK, as set out in the abuse section,” it notes.

Also Read: Rishi Sunak toughens UK visa rules to cut immigration —here’s how it will impact Indians

Among the other findings of the ‘Rapid Review of the Graduate Route’ report, the majority of those on the visa route completed postgraduate taught courses, and the growth in numbers comes largely from the second-tier institutions, or UK universities outside the Russell Group, which account for 66 per cent of all Graduate Route visas.

The age profile of those on the Graduate Route involved those aged over 25 increasing by approximately 15 percentage points to 54 per cent latest. However, this is likely to be affected by the Home Office’s recent crackdown on international students being able to sponsor family dependents on their visas.

The MAC also found that Graduate Route visa holders are initially over represented in lower-paid work with their outcomes, including wages improving over time as they move on to Skilled Worker visas.

The review was commissioned to examine evidence of any abuse of the route, demographics and trends for students accessing a study visa and subsequently entering the UK labour market, what individuals do during and after their time on the Graduate Route. With immigration, both legal and illegal a priority issue ahead of a general election expected later this year, the government said it wanted to ensure those utilising this visa route contributed to the UK economy.

UK-based Indian student groups, who gave evidence to the MAC review, had feared an unfair crackdown on this post-study offer that is seen as crucial to students from India choosing the UK universities over other destinations like Australia, Canada or New Zealand. The government usually takes the MAC’s conclusions on board when deciding on migration policy, but diaspora groups fear the UK’s post-study offer may yet face some restrictions.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Emirates Group to reward employees with 20-week bonus after ₹4.7 billion record profit in 2023

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Emirates Group, comprising the airline and ground-handling unit dnata, is set to reward a 20-week bonus to eligible employees, after a record profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The bonus will be included in the May payroll, marking the group’s second consecutive year of record profits as it rebounds strongly from the global slowdown in air travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a notable rebound, Emirates, the long-haul carrier, announced a record profit of ₹4.7 billion for the fiscal year 2023. Revenues surged to ₹33 billion, up from ₹29.3 billion the previous year, while profits jumped from ₹2.9 billion.

Passenger numbers also saw a significant increase, with Emirates carrying 51.9 million passengers during the 2023 fiscal year, compared to 43.6 million the year before.

Emirates’ Chairman and CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, credited the impressive results to the robust demand for air transport and related services worldwide. He emphasized the company’s agility in meeting customer demands as a key factor in its success.

“We are reaping the benefits of years of relentless investments in our products, services, partnerships, and the capabilities of our talented workforce,” Sheikh Ahmed stated.

The performance of Emirates mirrors that of its home base, Dubai International Airport, which reclaimed its status as the world’s busiest airport for international travelers. The airport handled 86.9 million passengers last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 2019. In 2018, it recorded its highest-ever passenger traffic of 89.1 million before the pandemic struck.

– With inputs from agencies 

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow