Anwesa Mahanta performs sattriya dance as the TEDx chapter is inaugurated at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. Telegraph picture

A new chapter of TEDx was inaugurated at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela on August 7. TED, or Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a non-profit organisation that started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago and is devoted to “ideas worth sharing”. The Rourkela chapter started with the notion: “Thought is a free bird, but chained within the realm of one’s conscious self. It needs a shot, an effort, a spark that glows, engulfing the thought process, triggering it to action. One’s thought can revolutionise the world.” Inaugurating the new chapter, director of the institute Sunil Sarangi said there are 900 chapters throughout the world of TED propagating the ideas of innovation, creativity and passion of individuals. “I am sure the NIT Rourkela chapter will create its own image at the national level,” Sarangi said. A day-long programme attended by the B.Tech students followed the inaugural function. Children’s writer Ramendra Kumar was among the guests present.

NCC results

NCC air wing cadets participate in the Independence Day rehearsal at 1 Orissa Air Squadron in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

NCC Air Wing cadets who cleared the ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificate examinations received their certificates at the 1 Orissa Air Squadron, Bhubaneswar, last week from Commodore L.K. Agrawalla and commanding officer of the unit, wing commander Bikash Kanungo. This year, 108 out of 118 cadets cleared the 'B' certificate examination. The pass percentage stands at 91.95 per cent with 24 cadets securing grade A. Farheen Sheikh of College of Basic Science and Humanities, Bhubaneswar, was declared as the topper while Bhadra Satpathy and Pratikshya Mahapatra were adjudged as best all rounder and best in academics, respectively. In ‘C’ certificate examination, 50 out of 63 students were successful and the pass rate was 79.3 per cent. Of them, 17 cadets got ‘A’ grade, which is a record. Tazeen Qureshy of BJB College, Bhubaneswar, was adjudged the topper and Swagatika Mohanty of the same college bagged the best in academics prize. The best all-rounder in senior wing category was given to cadet under officer Litali Mahapatra of Basic Science College. Senior under officer Yashobanta Panda of Maharishi College received the honour in the senior division category.

Nursing benefits

Students and faculty members of Sum Nursing College (SNC), Bhubaneswar, observed World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 6 with the last day focussing on the merits of breastfeeding and creating awareness among nursing mothers. During this week, the students had organised an exhibition in the paediatric outpatient department of the Institute of Medical Science and Sum Hospital where posters were put up highlighting the need for breastfeeding. They also counselled young mothers. While several activities revolving around the theme were organised throughout the week at SNC, a seminar titled “Breastfeeding Talk to Me - A 3D Experience” was held on August 6, which was chaired by the dean, Laxmi Rana. The faculty members of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University also attended the seminar. The university's managing member, Gopabandhu Kar, was the chief guest while Prof. Pravati Tripathy and associate professor Sasmita Das made presentations on the theme.

New programmes

Students of Asian School of Business Management in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

The Asian School of Business Management (ASBM)’s Centre for Distance Education, Bhubaneswar, has been accorded approval by the government of India to run 10 new management programmes to boost the employability of working executives. The joint committee constituted by government of India’s representatives from University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education and Distance Education Council has approved these programmes - two-year post graduate diploma in management (PGDM) and PGDM in international business, banking, insurance and financial services, retail, logistics and supply chain, a special three-year PGDM and one-year diploma in HR, infrastructure, investment and education management courses. Interested candidates can contact ASBM office at Anandam Complex, Bhubaneswar, or dial 0674-2744882.

Space challenge

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kharagpur is set to organise the first space engineering competition of India for its diamond jubilee year. The competition titled “National Students’ Space Challenge” would be held on August 27 and 28. It is being organised under the aegis of Kalpana Chawla Space Technology Cell, IIT-Kharagpur and Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The event would include four technical competitions, along with guest lectures by eminent scientists and exhibitions on the history and achievements of Isro. Students of other IITs have been invited to participate in this competition. More details are available on http://nssc.spats.in.

Skills training

Australian high commissioner Peter Varghese inaugurated the Advanced Skills Training Centre at Centurion University of Technology and Management in Bhubaneswar on August 6. The National Skill Development Corporation funded the centre. The Australian vocational training system has been used as a base model for Centurion’s vocational training and skills course curriculum. On this occasion, Varghese interacted with the vocational training students of the various trades being imparted on the campus.