MIT Manipal Organized A Guest Talk On AI And The Future Of The Humanity

The Office of Faculty Development and Welfare, MIT Manipal organised a Guest Talk titled AI and the Future of Humanity by Dr. Makarand R. Paranjape, Director of Education, Access Health Care Physicians, LLC, USA.

Dr Makarand R Paranjape captivated the audience with his critical analysis and forecast on the special challenges posed by ‘Human-competitive’ AI to the Humanities as a group of academic and human pursuits and to the homo sapiens species. He also narrated the plausible threat of making many jobs and functions redundant or obsolescent by AI and how AI-enabled robotics would upend the very idea of what it means to be human. Referring to cinema such as the Terminator and the Matrix series, earlier novels like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Geoge Orwell’s 1984 he narrated how such issues are addressed in creative works. 

Dr Makarand emphasized the importance of the Humanities and their constituent disciplines in safeguarding the future of humanity through criticism and creativity. Which in turn fosters deep cognition as opposed to pseudo-cognition. He opined that the most valuable area to understand and change the impact of AI would be consciousness studies, where India offers invaluable and extensive material. The speaker also suggested that while traditionally Indian “Gurus” advocate the yogic path to transformation, we need to extend their wisdom-methods to machines and AI too. He also said that Autonomous AI may be a programming nightmare and metaphysical conundrum, but if we understand that consciousness is not an object but the first and ultimate subject, we would not be afraid of AI leading to AC—artificial consciousness. 

Dr Makarand, said, “AI’s real threat is profoundly human in nature rather than just technology. For humans to survive in this ‘human competitive’ AI era, we need to focus on the development of human awareness first. According to the speaker, the “solution” to the AI challenge is not found in changing technology, but in transforming the human being. A transformed collective global consciousness as advocated by Sri Aurobindo would also help making AI to be useful servant rather than the dangerous master of mankind. But to achieve that, we must see this crisis as the means to transform ourselves first.

The guests were welcomed by Dr. S. N. Bhat, Associate Director (Faculty Development and Welfare), who also gave the closing remarks, stressing the value of promoting interdisciplinary discussions. Dr. Somashekara Bhat, Joint Director, MIT Manipal, Associate Directors, Heads of departments and officials from other MAHE constituent units also attended the talk.

Event also saw the participation of about 50 faculty members and research scholars. The audience and speaker engaged in dialogue throughout the Q&A session, and the conversation was enhanced by insightful discussions.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

EDII’s InnovateEDU: Transforming India’s Institution Into Entrepreneurial Hubs

·         For more information about EDII, please visit www.ediindia.org

·         The programme briefing session shall be held on January 21, 2024, and selected institutions will be notified by January 30, 2024.

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, a 'Centre of Excellence' recognised by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, announces a flagship programme, ‘InnovateEDU: Fostering Entrepreneurial Minds.’ This three-year programme is first of its kind and will strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems.

InnovateEDU invites colleges and universities to participate in implementing a comprehensive entrepreneurship programme, targeting the holistic development of faculty, students, and institutional research capacities. To ensure tailored guidance and optimal resource allocation, only 20 institutions will be onboarded for the 2025-2026 cohort.

Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya, Professor and Director, Department of Entrepreneurship Education, EDII, stated, “InnovateEDU has been designed carefully to inspire entrepreneurial thinking at the very core of India's academic institutions. This flagship initiative is a tiered, structured approach that is nationally prioritized and promotes startups, innovation, and self-reliance.”

“At EDII, we believe every student has the potential to think big, create something new, and change the world," said Dr. Ananthavalli Ramesh, Programme Coordinator and Associate Faculty, EDII. “InnovateEDU is our way of giving young minds the skills, confidence, and support to turn their ideas into reality. Together with faculty and institutions, we’re building a future where innovation thrives. InnovateEDU builds the institute ecosystem to nurture student entrepreneurship”, Dr. Ramesh, added.

InnovateEDU directly responds to the changing needs of the Indian economy, focusing on social and technological entrepreneurship in the 2nd and 3rd years of the programme, while focusing on core entrepreneurship principles, in the foundational year. The initiative will uniquely integrate the NEP 2020 objectives of experiential learning, multidisciplinary education, and inclusivity. It will also provide pathways for faculty and students to engage in groundbreaking research, publish in leading journals, and pitch ideas to a pool of investors.

The programme is built on three integrated verticals that ensure a holistic approach to entrepreneurship education. First, Value-added Programmes for faculty and students provide specialised courses, training, and mentorship to enable personal and professional growth. Second, Curriculum Integration and Research introduces entrepreneurship-focused coursework and fosters collaborative research initiatives. Third, workshops and Boot Camps offer experiential learning opportunities that help students develop and accelerate innovative ideas, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Strategic Benefits for Institutions, Faculty, and Students

Participants in InnovateEDU will enjoy a wealth of benefits:

*       Institutions: Enhanced accreditation outcomes, collaboration with EDII’s renowned Incubation Centre (CrAdLE – Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises), and alignment with NIRF, NAAC, and NEP 2020 frameworks.

*       Faculty: Value-added entrepreneurship programmes, research collaborations with EDII, publication opportunities, mentorship, and guidance for government grants and academic initiatives

*       Students: Opportunities for startup funding and mentorship, industry exposure, and practical workshops.

The programme will transform entrepreneurship education by guiding students from idea inception to investor pitch. Emphasizing socially conscious innovation, the programme cultivates global perspectives through international networks, collaborative research, and mentorship. Students will learn to develop revenue generated businesses and will be able to drive meaningful societal change, preparing them to be impactful entrepreneurs on the world stage. The programme briefing session shall be held on January 21, 2024, and selected institutions will be notified by January 30, 2024. 

ALLEN Bengaluru Celebrates Excellence: SOPAN Honors Over 1,200 Achievers In IIT-JEE, NEET, And Olympiads

ALLEN Bengaluru celebrated "SOPAN: A Celebration of Excellence" on December 22 at Christ University Auditorium. In this annual event, more than 1,200 brilliant students were honored for their achievements in IIT-JEE, NEET (UG), and the Olympiads, including 65 students who participated in national and international Olympiads. More than 650 medals were distributed to those who excelled in ALLEN’s internal tests alongside 558 other victorious students who have proved their mettle. More than 5,000 students and parents were present at SOPAN this year across two sessions where cash rewards worth Rs 45 lakh were distributed to ALLEN students who performed well in JEE and NEET 2024.

The students’ achievements were celebrated in the presence of Chief Guest Hon’ble Justice Sh. B.S. Patil, Lokayukta (State of Karnataka), Guest of Honor Sh. Nadipelli Venkteshwar Rao (Founder Birla Open Minds International Schools and Pathfinder Group of Schools), Dr. Vijay Danapur, Director & CEO, Vriksha Vijnan Private Limited, along with Sh. Rajesh Maheshwari (Director, ALLEN), and Sh. Nitin Kukreja CEO, ALLEN, who felicitated these young achievers, inspiring them with heartfelt words and imparting invaluable wisdom. 

Speaking at the event, Sh. Rajesh Maheshwari said, “I feel immense pride witnessing the young talent of Bengaluru making their presence felt in IITs and premier medical colleges across the nation. I extend my best wishes to all the successful students for their future endeavors and sincerely hope they contribute significantly to nation-building. ALLEN was built on the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed with the right guidance and care. For over 36 years, we’ve stood by this commitment, helping students unlock their true potential, and will continue to do so without fail.”

“It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of Bengaluru SOPAN. I have witnessed the relentless efforts of these students and their parents. We aim to transform not just academic outcomes, but lives. ALLEN’s focus on excellence and holistic development is a testament to our belief that every student, with the right support, can excel at the highest levels.” said Sh. Nitin Kukreja at SOPAN.

Zonal Head & Vice President Shri Mahesh Yadav said, “I thank Goddess Saraswathi for blessing the students with success in their academic pursuits of excellence. This year, ALLEN Bengaluru students have not only secured admissions in IITs nationwide but have also earned seats in JIPMER, AIIMS, NITs, and other prestigious institutions. This is an incredible feat and one we hope to repeat every year going ahead.”

About Allen Career Institute

ALLEN Career Institute Private Limited, established on 18 April 1988, is currently providing education through study centers in 68 cities of 25 states and four Union Territories of India along with seven countries. There are more than 200 classroom campuses in these 68 cities and test centers in more than 350 cities. Since its inception, more than 30 lakh students have received guidance from ALLEN. ALLEN is India's leading coaching institute for the preparation of Pre-Engineering JEE-Main, Advanced, Pre-Medical NEET-UG, Pre-Nurture & Career Foundation (Class 6 to 10, NTSE and Olympiad). Allen's focus is to strengthen the foundation of knowledge and concepts in students. In the last 15 years, 25 students of ALLEN have achieved All India Rank-1 in engineering and medical entrance examinations.

Website: www.allen.ac.in

Delhi-NCR Tops Housing Price Index For Sep 2024: Housing.com-ISB Report

* All-India HPI reached 128 in September, marking a 2-point quarter-on-quarter increase; 2BHK units saw sharpest price growth QoQ, followed by 3BHK homes

Property values in India’s National Capital Region (NCR) have shown significant increase in a rather short time span as the country’s rich continue to pour millions in this highly promising residential market, inspired by lifestyle aspirations. According to the latest findings of the Housing Price Index (HPI), a leading indicator of price trends in India’s key realty markets, the NCR, with an HPI reading of 178, has outperformed its peers, primarily driven by strong end-user demand, investor interest and significant value appreciation in key micro-markets such as New Gurgaon, Noida Extension and Dwarka Expressway.

Developed jointly by leading real estate app Housing.com and global business school Indian School of Business (ISB), the HPI serves as a tool that tracks changes in residential home prices across India's 13 major markets.

All-India HPI moves 2 points up in Sept; Bengaluru, Kolkata show 12-point jump

The All-India HPI reached 128 in September, marking a 2-point quarter-on-quarter increase, reflecting steady growth in property values across major residential hubs. These findings reaffirm the strength of India’s residential real estate market, as it navigates global and domestic challenges while responding to evolving buyer needs, the report notes.

Other cities that have displayed significant improvement in price growth include Bengaluru and Kolkata. Demand-driven growth in micro-markets such as Varthur and Devanahalli triggered value growth in India’s IT capital: the city saw its reading jump 12 points, from 155 to 167, from June to September.  The reading for Kolkata showed a similar jump, from 138 to 150 in the same period.

“With an improvement in infrastructure and connectivity, Kolkata is gradually showing improvements in terms of liveability. Despite a sharp price rise, the city remains more affordable than other metros, providing it a certain edge, especially to people looking for post-retirement homes,” says the report.

‘Rising property values reflect a stable, maturing market’

Mr. Amit Masaldan, Chief Revenue Officer, Housing.com, said: “Delhi-NCR's remarkable performance in the Housing Price Index is a testament to the region's strong fundamentals, underpinned by robust demand and strategic developments in key micro-markets. This growth aligns with India’s broader real estate trajectory, where rising property values reflect a stable and maturing market. Despite affordability challenges, end-users and investors are demonstrating confidence, driven by the promise of long-term value creation.”

“India’s real estate sector continues to evolve, shaped by transformative infrastructure projects, urbanisation trends, and growing aspirations for larger homes. As we move forward, the sector is poised to contribute significantly to India’s economic narrative, offering opportunities across residential, commercial, and emerging segments. With strategic planning and alignment to buyer preferences, the market is set to sustain its growth momentum while adapting to the new realities,” Mr. Masaldan added.

“We see a significant variation in the trends in the overall Indian market. Over the past two years, the NCR region has experienced sharp price increases, accompanied by a significant slowdown in sales. In contrast, the Mumbai region has witnessed modest price growth alongside a robust increase in sales. While there are broader economic headwinds, India’s real estate sector is mature and well-positioned to withstand short-term turbulence,” said Mr Shekhar Tomar, Assistant Professor, Economics and Public Policy, ISB.

Demand pushes price growth for larger homes

According to the report, a sustained preference for larger homes remains a defining trend for India’s real estate sector, with 3BHK configurations maintaining their appeal and 2BHK units witnessing the sharpest price growth.

While the all-India HPI reading for 3BHK homes remains the highest at 136 points, leaping 5 points since June, 2BHK configuration recorded a slightly sharper jump of 7 points to settle at 133 points, the report said.

“The reading for 1BHK homes showed a 6-point drop, from 122 in June to 116 in September. The share of this configuration in overall sales has been declining post-pandemic as more and more people opt for larger homes,” says the report.

The September HPI findings reiterate the strength and resilience of India’s real estate sector. Delhi-NCR’s standout performance, combined with broader national trends, reflects a market adapting to evolving demands and economic conditions. As infrastructure initiatives and urbanisation efforts continue to expand, the Indian housing market is well-positioned for sustained growth, offering immense potential for buyers, investors and developers alike.