Thursday, December 23, 2010

Higher Education: Emphasis on common academic calendar

Karnataka most favourable domestic investment destination

Among the top 20 investment attracting states, Karnataka has emerged as most preferred destination with the highest share of 9.1 per cent in domestic investment plans in April-September 2010, as per 'Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Investment Meter (AIM).' Karnataka clocked an year-on-year growth of 73.8 per cent and attracted investments of Rs 3,88,578 crore.

Uttar Pradesh acquired second spot with a growth of 75.5 per cent (y-o-y) and 4.7 per cent share of total investments in April-September 2010-11. The state attracted massive investment plans of Rs 205,189 crore during the period.
Power and services were prominent among the sectors attracting major share investment.

As per the AIM assessment report for corporate investments across states and sectors, total investment plans of India Inc increased significantly from Rs 7,971,464 crore in 2009 to Rs 10,097,472 crore during April-September, 2010. "The total investment intentions tracked in the AIM study reflects encouraging signs of pick up in investments and acceleration in the overall growth rate.

The factors such as delay in infrastructure expansion plans, hurdles in legal procedures and political instability have adversely affected the implementation of these investment projects across the states", said Assocham President Dilip Modi. Availability of rich mineral resources like coal and ironore along with cheap manpower availability helped Jharkhand rank among top three states in attracting corporate investments.

The state was ranked third on investment radar with total planned investments at Rs 2,00,141 crore having a share of 6.3 per cent in total investments in H1 of FY 2010-11. Jharkhand recorded a hike of about 45.9 per cent in overall investments over the previous year. Among the sectors manufacturing and power companies received the major proportion of investments. Gujarat and Orissa stood at fourth and fifth position by attracting investment plans worth Rs 196,305 crore and Rs 191,382 crore, respectively during in H1 of 2010-11.

ET

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

5-point development plan for State


DC Office complex @ Rajatgiri, Manipal










Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said that based on the achievements of the State government in the last two-and-half years, the BJP government in the State is aimes to make Karnataka a progressive State through a strong Panchayat Raj system in the next five years.

Speaking after releasing the party’s manifesto for ZP and TP elections, he said the party has come out with a five-point programme for the development of rural Karnataka. This includes rural economic development through increased infrastructural facilities such as land, housing, electricity, drinking water and road development, human resource development through food, health, education and skill development, agricultural development through protection of our land, water and cattle, development of empowered society through the welfare of women and weaker sections of the society and setting up ‘Grama Bharatha Pade’ for the protection and promotion of local culture and tradition.

Dr Acharya said the work on DC Office complex is in its final stage of completion and is expected to be inaugurated on January 26. CM B S Yeddyurappa has agreed to release an additional fund of Rs 7.65 crore for the completion of work. To a query, Acharya said the BJP has made remarkable achievements during last two-and-half years of rule. The Government has total blessings of the people which have been reflected during the recent elections including bi election. “We are confident of securing more ZP and TP seats in the state in forth coming polls,” he said.

To another query, he said that all scam charges levelled against CM and some of the Cabinet colleagues by Opposition leaders were politically motivated to tarnish the image of the government. DHNS

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Udupi Utsava 2010

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

Karnataka Govt to Consider Establishment of IPER in State

Click here for a bulletin from IPC2010

“Karnataka is known as the knowledge state with over 200 universities including some of the top universities in the country, and we will ensure that the pharmacists will get a better deal,”

Udupi, Dec 18: State higher education minister, Dr V S Acharya, said that the state government is considering a proposal to establish Karnataka Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (KIPER) on the model of four IPERs that are operational elsewhere in the country.

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day 62nd ‘Indian Pharmaceutical Congress – 2010’ being held at KMC Greens in Manipal, on Friday December 17. He said that funds would be allocated in the coming budget for KIPER, planned to be made functional in 2011-12.

“Every year, 68,000 graduates come out of 1,000 pharmacy colleges in the country. Pharmaceutical experts need to give medicinal suggestions to the doctors as well as patients. The syllabi of pharmacy diploma, degree, and post-graduate studies need to be revised from time to time. All the 48 pharmacy, 98 diploma, and 20 post-graduate colleges in the state need to be upgraded to ensure better quality. However, there is a dearth of experts and high quality professors in the field of pharmacy. We will consider celebration of Pharmacist Day apart from giving awards to achievers in this field,” he promised.

President of Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, Dr B Suresh, said that a sum of Rs 100 crore is planned to be spent towards upgradation of pharmacy colleges through the 11th finance plan. He revealed that the international conference of International Pharmaceutical Federation will be held in Hyderabad during September 2011, after a gap of 19 years.

Padma Shri B R Shetty, entrepreneur from Abu Dhabi, addressed the participants. Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA) president, S L Nasa, presided. Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Ramadas M Pai, president of Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Gopalakrishna Murty, Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India president, Prof P G Yole, Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association president, Atul K Nasa, president of All India Drug Control officers Confederation, Ravi Kant, convener of the conference, Prof N Udupa, and organizing secretary, Prof C Mallikarjun Rao, were present.

Release of souvenir, handing over of awards, and other programmes were conducted during the day.

Honorary general secretary of IPCA, A Krishnadev, presented annual report. Pro chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal, welcomed.

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor/ Reports: Mangalorean/ Daijiworld

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Nanotech can herald revolution in diagnostics


Photos: Daya Kukkaje/ Daijiworld
MANGALORE: The real change will come when nanotechnology's potential is unleashed in the area of diagnostics and therapeutics, said higher education minister V S Acharya here.

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day international workshop on `Applications of nanotechnology to energy, environment and biotechnology (Nano-EEB)' at St Aloysius College on Tuesday.

Recalling a lecturer's remarks during his student days that dilution and further dilution increases the potency of medicine in homoeopathy, Acharya said the developments in the last few years in microchips has shown that dilution makes a product more potent.

Dr K V Rao, scientist, the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, in his key note address, said that enhancement of quality of materials due to nanotechnology have thrown open vast opportunities in the development of new technologies.

A former alumnus of the college, Rao said nano is a technology wherein the properties of a material is significantly enhanced or become unique with respect to its bulk form. He said when particle size is reduced even metals become transparent enabling coating technologies to develop `multifunctional functional surfaces.'

The workshop is being attended by 200 scholars and scientists and will present 35 papers on various aspects of nanotechnology. TOI


Pejavara Virat Abhinandana

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

Honourable President of India @ Manipal

Photos: Janardan Kodavoor

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Parthi Subba Award: Yakshagana

KASARGOD: The first Parthi Subba Award for Yakshagana instituted by the State Government was presented at a function at Kumble in Kasaragod on Sunday.

The awards were conferred on two senior artistes senior composers of Yakshagana Prasangas Prof Amrut Someshwar for 2009 and Hosthota Manjunatha Bhagawathar for 2010 respectively. The award carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh and a citation.

Addressing the gathering Minister for Higher Education Dr V S Acharya said that Yakshagana is one of the complete art form in coastal district. The government has been giving support to the Yakshagana.

He said the government will release Rs 200 crore for the promotion of art, culture in the state. Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy Chairman Kumble Sundar Rao presided.

Kumble is considered the birthplace of Parthi Subba, who is believed to be the doyen of Yakshagana.Mangalore University Registrar Dr K Chinnappa Gowda spoke on the achievements of the artistes. A talamaddale “Chudamani” was held. Artistes of Yakshagana Kendra, Udupi, staged “Panchavati” in Badagu Thittu style and other selected artistes performed Yakshagana “Yajna Samrakshane” in Tenku Thittu style on the occasion. DakshinTimes

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

World Konkani Convention, Mangalore

Day 11 of the Konkani Cultural Convention

State minister for higher education Dr V S Acharya was the chief guest of the day's function. Dr Acharya presented prizes to the winners of cooking competition held at Kalaangann earlier in the day.

Dr V S Acharya in his message stated that language always works as a unifying force in a society. "It is not enough if we progress in terms of better infrastructure and development in other fields. Art, culture and customs need to be preserved and promoted in equal measure. The state government has realized this and has sanctioned Rs 200 crore to the department of art and culture', Dr Acharya stated.

Dr Acharya also stated that chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will also participate in the function on December 9 where the President of India Pratibha Devisingh will be the chief guest of the Konkani Cultural Convention programme. Daijiworld/ Daya Kukkaje