EDUCATION PU to have new fee structure

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 31

From the next academic session, Panjab University will have two fee structures for inmates of hostels as the authorities are going to renovate a block in every hostel with modern facilities, especially for research scholars. This was decided at a meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover with the members of a special committee constituted for this purpose today. In the meeting, a decision was taken that in every hostel (boys and girls) a block will be renovated with extra facilities, which will be allocated to research scholars only. It was also decided that two fee structures will be prepared by the authorities for the hostel inmates - research scholars and other inmates. The proposal would be tabled in the next Syndicate meeting scheduled on November 22. Sources said it was proposed in the meeting that in the special blocks, renovation would be done in rooms and these would also have an attached bathroom and a small pantry. Electric wiring would be replaced so that scholars could install air conditioners also, in case they want to do so. Officials said due to shortage of funds the authorities were not able to construct more hostels. As a result, this option would increase the finances of the university and also give better facilities to the scholars. The university had proposed to construct first womens research scholar hostel on the campus. During the meeting, the Dean Student Welfare (DSW) said for the construction of women research scholars hostel, around Rs 23 crore was required. But the PU authorities had only Rs 5 crore as feed money for the project.

Fervour marks celebrations at PU Chandigarh: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was celebrated at Panjab University, Chandigarh, with fervour and enthusiasm. More than 1,000 students, researchers, faculty and non-teaching staff members, including PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover, Registrar Col GS Chadha and all senior officers, participated in various activities conducted during the day. They also remembered the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary. Hundreds of PU students, teachers and officers participated in about 2-km run for unity. Earlier, a function was organised at the Old Convocation Ground in which Prof AK Grover informed the students about Sardar Patels connection with the PU. He said Sardar Patel had addressed the first PU convocation after the Independence on March 5, 1949. Later, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Swami Vivekananda Studies, PU, also organised a panel discussion and a lecture at Guru Tegh Bahadur Bhawan at the university. The panel discussion was conducted on the topic leading youth towards the values of national unity, integrity and harmony.  TNS

PU youth festival ends on high note

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 31

The last day of the 56th Inter-Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at DAV Sector 10, Chandigarh. The programme began with Run for Unity in which the Haryana Chief Minister, all guests and students of DAV College participated. Khattar said this was his first pubic function after taking oath as the CM. He appreciated the efforts of DAV College to organise this event on the 137th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He elaborated the contributions of Patel, who was the first Home Minister of India, to maintain the unity in the country. He admired the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking an initiative to make the Highest Statue of Unity in Gujarat. He also appealed the students to work hard for maintaining the unity, safety and security of the nation. The inaugural session was followed by a classical dance, bhangra, group folk orchestra and group general dance performances.

School bags best academic ranking

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 31

Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh, clinched the all-India rank 1 on the parameter of academic reputation with a score of 95/100 in the Education World India School Rankings. While taking pride in the schools new glory, the authorities said the Education World was a human resource development magazine which specialises in education news. Education World commissioned the survey through the Centre for Forecasting Private Limited (C Fore), a Delhi-based research company. The EW-C fore survey, 2014, of Indias best schools has rated 1,000 of the countrys well-known schools on the basis of perceptual rating scores awarded by a carefully constituted sample respondents base of 8,263 parents, principals, teachers and educationists nationwide on 14 parameters of excellence. School principal Vineeta Arora, said: It is indeed a moment of great pride for the school, especially as the news comes close on the heels of the CBSE ranking where our school received the All-India Rank V for its stellar performance in Class XII board exams. He further added that the students of Class XII performed outstandingly in the board examinations conducted by the CBSE in March 2014. In the overall results of the 191 students appeared, 128 students scored above 90 per cent marks. The first three positions in the tricity were clinched by students of the school. Arora commended the sincere efforts put in by the students and the staff. She said it was her sincere endeavour to delve into the true purpose of education by providing students an environment which was academically sound and concurrently a launch pad for meaningful blossoming, honing of skills and effective use of endless talents.

Students end fast Chandigarh, October 31

Ramanpreet Singh from anthropology and Gursimran and Navjot from geology departments withdrew their indefinite fast. Students were protesting against the credit system in the science departments. They were requesting for allowing promotion within BSc. Promotion within the BSc requires certain credit points that is 80 pc of the total credits which were earlier 50pc. Those who could not cross the stipulated 50pc requested for a special chance. It was granted to students with a condition of 70pc. DSW Navdeep Goyal resolved the matter  TNS

Vivek High School to celebrate founders week

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 31

Vivek High School will celebrate its 19th founders week from November 1 to 8 in the memory of Sardar Bhagwant Singh. The school authorities said the theme for this years founders week is World Within. Students will exhibit their artistic creativity through their work in performing arts, craft and technical skills. They said the inaugural day would see display of art by students. The exhibition will showcase their artistic talents through activities such as painting and sketching and fabric designing. The main attraction of the celebrations will be a play, Gone with the Wind, based on American classic of 1939. It will be staged by the senior wing on November 2. The play has been directed by principal PK Singh. The week will also witness a musical show, an adaptation of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, by the junior wing and a march past and a spectacular field display by over 400 students, choreographed by Uma Shanker from Mumbai.

PECFest 2014 begins with fun-filled events

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 31

The annual techno-cultural fest of the PEC University of Technology, Hero PECFest 2014 began today. It witnessed a footfall of hundreds of people from colleges across the country. The fest started with the inauguration ceremony. Dr Manoj Arora, Director, PEC University of Technology, declared the fest open. To celebrate Ekta Divas, a marathon was also held under the title Arundhati, marking the unity of students of the institute in promoting the cause of women safety. The ceremony was attended by TV actress Savita Bhatti as chief guest, who flagged off the marathon that turned out to be a blockbuster with around 500 students participating for the noble cause. As the day progressed, various technical and cultural clubs of the college hosted a melange of events at the college grounds. There were fun-filled cultural events such as Drama rama and Rangmanch, which entertained the crowd and literary events such as FLAME Quiz and Scrabble evaluated the vocabulary and knowledge of the participants. Technical events such as Virtual flying challenge and Robo wars put to test the technical temperament of students and provided a treat to technology-lovers. However, the highlight of the day was the evening event. Titled Groovz and Glitterati, the event began with enthralling dance performances and ramp walk by the talented students. The enthusiasm of the audience was doubled as the campus princesses walked down the ramp showcasing their beauty and talents, adding a considerable amount of glitz and glamour, with the lucky ones receiving a direct entry into the auditions of Miss Femina India 2015.

Students take out cleanliness drive Chandigarh, October 31

Following the footprints of the father of the nation and to turn his dreams into reality, the Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies, PU, today started a cleanliness drive of the Gandhi Bhawan pool on the campus. Chairpersons and heads of various departments, including faculty members, research scholars, participated in the drive and made it a grand success. Participants pledged to contribute to maintain cleanliness of the campus.  TNS

Play spreads awareness on breast cancer Chandigarh, October 31

Saupins School, Sector 32, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Breast Cancer Trust staged a play, Zindagi ki Chhah today. The play was directed by Harjit Singh. Students of Classes VII and VIII gave a splendid performance. It was staged to spread awareness among people that breast cancer is a treatable disease. Early detection and medical intervention can help save lives of affected people. The audience comprising many cancer survivors and activists applauded the efforts of the children. The school authorities claimed that there were plans in the pipeline to take the play to other educational institutions of the tricity.  TNS

From schools Tricity schools remember Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was celebrated at Tribune Model School, Chandigarh, to commemorate the 138th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A special assembly was also organised. Speeches on the life of the Iron Man were also delivered. Valley Public School Valley Public School, MDC, Panchkula, celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Principal Col GC Mittal, students and staff of the school pledged to serve the nation with sincerity and devotion to establish its unity and integrity. The principal also highlighted the contribution of the Iron Man towards the unification of the nation. Govt Middle School The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was celebrated at Government Middle School, Sector 26, BDC, Chandigarh. An oath-taking ceremony was organised in the morning assembly. An essay-writing competition was also organised. Govt Model Sr Sec School Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was celebrated at the school. Students and teachers took an oath in the morning assembly. Vice-Principal KR Sharma delivered a lecture. An easy-writing competition was held to mark the occasion. NSS volunteers and Scouts and Guides took out a rally in Bapu Dham Colony along with the school teachers. Govt Model Sr Sec School To commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19-C, Chandigarh, participated in various events and activities. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge was taken by students in the morning assembly. It was followed by run for unity in which students from Class V to Class XII participated. Mount Litera Zee School To observe Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Mount Litera Zee School, Panchkula, showed a documentary on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the students. An inter-house GK quiz was also organised in which questions related to the great personality and his good deeds were asked. Govt Sr Sec School Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, was abuzz with activities during the National Unity Day celebrations. A special assembly was held in which poems and speeches were delivered by students. Students and teachers took part in run for unity. Satluj Public School National Unity Day was celebrated at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge was taken by students in the school assembly. Blue Bird High School Floral tributes were paid to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 139th birth anniversary. A rally was organised to convey the message of integrity, unity and solidarity among one and all.  TNS

From colleges Technical fest Desh Bhagat University is organising a technical fest CARPEDIEM-2014 on its campus on November 4 and 5. University Chancellor Dr Zora Singh said faculty of engineering and technology was organising this national-level event in which colleges from various parts of Punjab and other states would take part. Around 4,000 students were expected to participate in the fest who would exhibit their talent and skills in different technical, non-technical and cultural events. Workshop on business communication The PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, organised a workshop on business communication. Participants were from among the faculty members of different departments. The workshop was organised under the aegis of the Training and Placement Department of the institute. The main resource person of the workshop was Anita Sotgel, director, Business Coaching Academy, Munich, Germany. Book fair held The Sanskrit department of the Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, in collaboration with the Sanskrit Academy, Chandigarh, organised a two-day book fair-cum-exhibition. Principal, Dr Meera Modi, lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the exhibition. Students participated in large numbers. Seminar on food service industry begins INFUSION -2014, a two-day national seminar and workshop on food and beverage service industry: modernisation, innovations and opportunities, started today at the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism, PU, Chandigarh, on Friday. The seminar was inaugurated by UT Home Secretary Anil Kumar. World Association of Chefs Societies -approved culinary judge and former vice-president, ITDC, chef Sudhir Sibal delivered the keynote address. The day also witnessed a technical session where delegates shared their research work and made aware the audience of latest trends and issues in the food and beverage service Industry.  TNS