Cimage College students take part in a plantation drive on World Environment Day. Telegraph picture Students of IIBM at their convocation ceremony. Telegraph picture

National Institute of Technology, Patna, in association with the Union ministry of human resource development organised a two-day computer literacy workshop, “National mission on education through information and communication technology”, that began on June 6.

The purpose of the workshop was to disseminate knowledge about computer literacy and information and communication technology. Information technology, principal secretary, N.K. Sinha inaugurated the meet. Other dignitaries who attended the workshop were Central University of Bihar vice-chancellor Janak Pandey and NIT-Patna director Asok De.

Some of the issues discussed were promoting research and newer methods of teaching robotics. NIT director De discussed the concept of virtual classrooms and laboratories.

If virtual classrooms become popular, students in any institution can learn from any lectures being delivered anywhere at premier institutes like the IITs and IISc, Bangalore. Various institutions are working together to develop networks between institutions so that educational material can be shared online. Its purpose is to develop quality institutions with state-of-the-art research facilities, which would help create a pool of highly trained workforce.

Varsity contract

Patna University on June 8 inked a memorandum of understanding with Sam Houston State University, Texas. Madhusudan Choudhary, an alumnus of Patna University represented the US varsity. Choudhary was a student of Patna Science College and Patna University during late ’70s. PU registrar Vibash Kumar Yadav signed the MoU.

The agreement will lead to an exchange of faculty members. Teachers at PU would be able to visit US for research work. They would also attend various projects, international seminars and workshops. Established in 1879, Sam Houston State University is one of the oldest in US. In a bid to widen its base, it is planning to have academic tie-ups with 23 institutions across the world. PU is the first in India to sign a deal with it.

PU vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Sinha said: “The contract will help the university perform better.”

Green meet

Students of Cimage College did their bit for planet on the World Environment Day (June 5) by planting saplings.

College director Neeraj Agrawal said: “Students should plant a sapling on their every birthday. It is a ritual which was adopted by residents of Dharhara village in Bhagalpur district.” He asked the students to gift saplings to their friends and acquaintances as well.

Agrawal said: “The eco task force of the college organises these programmes to sensitise students about the importance of protecting the environment. They have planted many saplings on and outside the campus.”

It is an effort to combat the steady concretisation of the city.

The theatre club of the college also staged a play, Environment, Pollution and Plantation.

Convocation

Indian Institute of Business Management director A.K. Nayak said on June 10 the college would start an MBA (executive) programme this session. The programme has been designed to provide specialised training to students in e-governance, media management, agri-management and market financing.

He was speaking at the 32nd convocation of the postgraduate diploma in management course. Ramjee Singh, vice president, Central Council for Homeopathy and A. Lakshminath, vice-chancellor, Chanakya National Law University, were guests at the event. “Management institutes in the country should make it a point to impart moral education as well,” said Lakshminath.

Uttam Kumar Singh, director- general, IIBM, said most of the students had been placed in good companies.

Health centre

Sri Arvind Mahila College, in association with Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, will start a health centre in July. Hindi teacher Shivnarayan Singh said the centre would attend to the medical needs of the students during class hours. A general physician from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan would be present at the health hub.