IIM Kozhikode Launches New HR Management Course Powered By upGrad

* The newly launched course to offer cutting edge industry-relevant skills and curriculum developed by experienced faculty at IIMK 

upGrad, South Asia’s largest higher edtech, further strengthens its alliance with IIM Kozhikode to make quality online education mainstream in the country. Making a brand-new entry, the partnership announces the entry of the Professional Certificate Programme in HR Management and Analytics – a game-changing course for individuals who want to build a meaningful career in the HR domain. This marks the second addition after the launch of Professional Certification in Data Science for Business Decision Making in March, this year.

A recent LinkedIn’s ‘Jobs on the rise in 2021 India report[1]  suggests that Human Resource roles have come forth as one of the most pertinent job trends that have emerged in India as a result of the pandemic.

Stretched over a period of 5-months, this course is developed and taught by experienced faculty at IIMK and will enhance one’s knowledge around key concepts of HR and application of quantitative analysis to understand trends and outcomes of Human Resource data. The course also offers a mix of synchronous and asynchronous techniques to make learning easier for working professionals with a total of ~120 hours of learning content and promotes a case study-based teaching approach. With a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree along with 2-years of work experience or a Master’s Degree, any learner/professional can enroll for the course.

Commenting on the launch of the new course, Phalgun Kompalli, Co-founder, upGrad, said, “We are building a concrete course portfolio to deliver quality online learning at our learners’ doorsteps and our partnership with IIM Kozhikode for another course, bears the testimony. This shall further help us move in the right direction to make India the land of skilled professionals. We also look at closing 50+ university partnerships in the next 24 months.”

Professor T. N. Krishnan, IIM Kozhikode further added, “The program would be helpful to develop perspectives, concepts, and skills for better appreciation of the HR domain and the use of analytics in decision making. Presented in a capsule form, the course focuses on developing applied knowledge and uses tools and frameworks to augment the existing capabilities of both experienced HR professionals as also those who would be relatively new to the field. The program is structured to reflect the rigour of the IIM system and would demand sufficient preparation and engagement of the participants for successful completion.”

Professor Prantika Ray, IIM Kozhikode further emphasised on the rigour and pertinence of the course and said, "The Professional Certificate programme in HR Management and Analytics course would help practitioners view human resources in a new avatar. This course will help learners understand the link between business strategy and human resources through the lenses of analytics. The programme has been diligently crafted to meet the talent needs of the organizations in these changing times towards a sustainable future."

Prof. Kapil Verma, IIM Kozhikode highlighted the significance of the course towards enhancing employee experiences, and stated, "The HR Management and Analytics program examines all the stages of an employee's journey, right from workforce planning and talent acquisition to employee engagement, wellness and talent retention. It provides an in-depth conceptual understanding of these stages, and more importantly, helps the participants comprehend how analytics can be used to lead and manage employees more efficiently thereby creating more meaningful workplaces."

Additionally, upGrad has recently listed two new IIT Delhi’s Weekend Live programs: a) Executive Management Programme in Strategic Innovation, Digital Marketing, and Business Analytics, and b) Advanced Certificate Programme in Machine Learning, for working professionals with upGrad being the service provider. The new additions also includes IIT Delhi’s Certificate Programme in Operations Management and Analytics which unlike the weekend format, is a 6 months long program that is designed to help learners with business optimisation techniques. This comes within just two months of the arrival of IIT Delhi’s Certificate Programme in Finance for Non-Finance Executives.

About upGrad

upGrad is South Asia’s largest online higher edtech company offering 100+ courses in collaboration with top-notch global universities like Duke Corporate Education (US), Michigan State University (US), Liverpool John Moores University (UK), Deakin Business School (Australia), Swiss School of Business Management, (Geneva), IIT Madras (India), IIM Kozhikode (India), and others. Founded in 2015, the international edtech leader has impacted over 1 million total registered learners over 50+ countries across the world.

upGrad has ranked No.1 in the LinkedIn Top Startups India 2020 list. This is the third time in a row that upGrad has been featured in the LinkedIn Top Startup list after 2018 and 2019. It is also amongst GSV Global EdTech 50 and has ranked amongst the Top 50 in the FT Asia-Pacific High-Growth Companies 2021.

NIBAV Lifts Launches Green Home Elevator - The NIBAV Series II That Operates On Air!

NIBAV Home Lifts, Australia based company has now launched their Next Generation green home lifts, The NIBAV Series II, that are powered by the most abundant resources in the world–air.

The NIBAV Series II, like its predecessors, works on Pneumatic Elevation mechanism that renders the design of the lift to be compact with extreme energy efficiency. NIBAV Series II operates on single phase power and consumes only 3.7 kVA of power when going up. During descend, this elevator consumes zero power which makes it a green elevator. Since the elevator uses air as the main source of operation, it does not require any oil or lubrication.

With highest quality standards, NIBAV Series II has set its league very high with imported lifts but at an affordable price in India.

“The lift will arrive at your residence in a semi- assembled state. All our engineers do is put these parts together, therefore we do not involve in any sort of welding, taping or ducting work at your residence. Hence, the lift is installed within 48 hours while ensuring that the quality of installation is as per manufacturer standards. Moreover, the lift comes with its own self supported structure and requires zero civil work and zero battery backup,” apprisesJitesh Shivakumar, Head of Operations,NIBAV Lifts.

“Our New Generation Series -II models shall be available for the international market later next month. Though the corporate culture demands differences for improved price margins, we, at NIBAV, believe that every customer of ours are the same and all our customers deserve the same level of safety, quality and standards” he adds.

Considering the fact that in India there are no standards for Home Elevators, NIBAV Home Lifts are the only Indian made Home lifts that comply to European standards of safety.  The patented fused locking technology allows NIBV to provide a lifetime warranty on 2 of the most important components.

NIBAV Home Lifts are designed to satisfy the needs at an affordable price with aesthetic importance through its 360◦ panoramic glass display. Customers can experience these elegant solutions in the first of its kind Home Elevator experience centres situated in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi. 

“Placing our elevator in your home will not just add to your property value, but will also be a ’Piece of Jewel´that everyone will admire. The new model’s prices have increased by 14%. Though it’s a good jump in price, it stands to be the best value for money. Irrespective of the hike, we have made selective upgrades to many existing customers for whom the production is yet to start. This is to value their bond and presence with us,” explains the Head of Sales, ThanumalayaPerumal.K

About NIBAV Lifts: NIBAV Lifts is an ISO certified company (TUV) with Australian Technology and manufacturing facility in India. NIBAV lifts has its presence across the globe, providing green elevators that combine aesthetics and affordability.

ReNew Power Spends Rs 1.1 Crore Towards Covid Relief In Karnataka

* 50 Oxygen Concentrators handed over to Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited

ReNew Power Private Limited (“ReNew Power” or the “Company”), India’s leading renewable energy company today announced that it has undertaken relief work worth approximate Rs 1.1 Crore towards COVID relief in Karnataka. Representatives from ReNew Power met the Hon’ble CM, Mr. BS Yadiyurappa and briefed him about the various activities undertaken by the company in partnership with various state agencies for COVID relief. 

As part of its efforts to work with communities in the state, ReNew Power is donating 50 Oxygen Concentrators of 10 Litre capacity and PPE kits to the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMCL) for deployment in rural districts of the state immediately. The company will also donate 1 lac PPE kits for supporting the rural healthcare initiatives of the state.  

The company will also provision for 10 beds in Bidar and Gadag districts each, and assist the district hospitals at Davangere, Dharwad, Raichur and Yadgir with fully equipped ambulance besides supporting rural hospitals in Belgavi, Dharwad, Ballari, Tumkur, Gadag and Bagalkot with PPE Kits and sanitisers

Speaking about the Initiative, Ms Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Chief Sustainability Officer, ReNew Power and Chair, ReNew Foundation said, “ReNew Power is committed to extending its support across the country to fight the pandemic. We are delighted to be a part of state governments efforts to augment and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the state and will continue to extend all necessary support to the state administration.”

As an employee centric organisation, ReNew Power has also taken several proactive measures to preserve the well-being of its employees. It is getting employees, their families and support staff vaccinated. ReNew Power’s CMD, Mr Sumant Sinha recently announced that the company will provide 100% salary for the first three months and 50% of salary for the next two years, to the spouse or parents, of an employee who loses his life due to COVID. It is also reimbursing children’s scholarship for education-tuition fee and providing education assistance to the spouse of the deceased.

About ReNew Power:  ReNew Power is India’s leading renewable energy independent power producer by capacity and is the 13th largest global renewable IPP by operational capacity. ReNew develops, builds, owns, and operates utility-scale wind energy projects, utility-scale solar energy projects, utility-scale firm power projects and distributed solar energy projects. As of March 31, 2021, ReNew Power had a total capacity of close to 10 GW of wind and solar energy projects across India, including commissioned and committed projects. ReNew has a strong track record of organic and inorganic growth. ReNew’s current group of stockholders contain several marquee investors including Goldman Sachs, CPP Investments, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, GEF SACEF and JERA.

Jimmy Mistry Launches World’s First Business Platform, Della Leaders Club (DLC) To Create A Global Community Of Entrepreneurs

 ●       As a part of its first round of fund-raising, Della Leaders Club aims to raise Rs. 50cr in three months

●        With over 2000  Global Honorary Committee members already on board, the platform is set to launc 26 knowledge domains in 15 cities across the world in Phase I Members comprise entrepreneurs, professionals and young leaders who aim to contribute and give back to society

●        DLC will focus on knowledge exchange, lifestyle guidance and social responsibility while building a support ecosystem for leaders globally

Mr. Jimmy Mistry, innovator, design thinker and social entrepreneur announced the launch of Della Leaders Club – world’s first technology enabled global business platform designed to create a robust support system for leaders across industries globally.

The platform was formally inaugurated in Lonavala on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the virtual presence of Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways and for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, Mr. Aaditya Thackeray, the Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment for the Government of Maharashtra, along with business and domain leaders from across the world.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Nitin Gadkari said, “Knowledge is power and the conversion of knowledge into wealth is the future of this country. I congratulate my friend, Jimmy Mistry, who has launched the World's 1st Business platform called Della Leaders Club (DLC) to help leaders in the post-pandemic world. The DLC platform will surely create a a new vision for the young leadership and entrepreneurship in the world.”

Mr. Aditya Thackeray lauded the new venture and commented, “My heartfelt congratulations to Jimmy Mistry on the setup of the Della Leaders Club. Kudos to your creativity! The World’s 1st Business Platform will connect organizations and bring the best of the world to our own country apart from social impact. Today with COVID, the biggest impact anyone can have is by way of job creation to sustain families and keep things going. I wish the DLC all the best.”

Being a first-generation entrepreneur, Jimmy strongly believes that modern leaders, especially in the post pandemic world, will benefit greatly from the knowledge and experiences from global leaders. His vision for DLC is to create an exclusive and secure global community of leaders that will help each other evolve from a life of success to a life of significance.

"After designing for some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, celebrities and socialites over the last 25 years, I observed that they were hungry to learn and stay ahead of the curve. We live in a volatile world and I realised that leaders, across industries, need a support system that will empower them. This platform goes beyond just networking and focuses on knowledge development along with community outreach" said Mr. Mistry, Founder and Chairman of Della Leaders Club. 

About Della Leaders Club

Della Leaders Club has over 2,000 Global Honorary Committee Members across 15 cities globally. Cities include New York, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore.

The purpose of the technology platform is to give ready-to-apply business knowledge across 26 committees comprising 13 business committees and 13 lifestyle committees covering the latest trends to keep business leaders ahead of the curve. DLC concept has already gone viral, hence we have successfully been able to onboard men and women of eminence coming from IVY leagues and their alumni associations to 9 unicorn start-up founders, EO, YPO members, Forbes listers, NYC Best Sellers, Grammy Award Winners, Top Government Attorneys and UN affiliates. The organization lives by an ethos of diversity and equality that encompasses all nationalities, faiths, genders, ages and areas tied together by the spirit of entrepreneurship. 

Virtusa Corporation Introduces Its Annual 2021 Trend Almanac

Virtusa Corporation, a global provider of digital strategy, digital engineering, and IT services and solutions that help clients change and disrupt markets through innovation engineering, today announced the findings of its fourth annual Trend Almanac. The Almanac, which is available now, features the technologies and developments that will dominate the business and consumer landscape through 2021.

For the 2021 Trend Almanac, Virtusa identified seven technologies and trends that business can leverage to achieve success in the new post-pandemic era. The Almanac includes detailed specifics and examples designed to help guide businesses to the right path for their success in these challenging times. The major trends identified by Virtusa technology and business leaders are Digital Identities, Edge Computing, Lending 2.0, Doctor AI, Future Fit Innovation, AI Battle for Cybersecurity and Programmable Realities.

Senthil Ravindran, Executive Vice President & Global Head of Cloud Transformation and Digital Innovation, Virtusa said “Going into 2020, businesses were experiencing a time of intense digital transformation. With the arrival of the global pandemic, this pace of transform ascended to new levels. Now, remote work is the new norm, video is the new conference room, and businesses are scrambling to not only catch up but to set themselves for long-term success. With the 2021 Trend Almanac, our hope is to provide technology leaders with a new way of thinking that guides them to begin their journey on the right footing.”

Technology Trends for 2021:

I. Digital Identities: Bringing Law and Order to the World of Virtual Identification - Digital identities are vital, but success requires a Trust Framework that introduces new guidelines and solutions that provide both law and order.

II. On the Edge: The Promise of Near-Zero Latency - Edge computing will deliver the ability to process data intelligently as near as possible to the source, creating an IoT that will deliver practical benefits to vast groups of people worldwide.

III. Lending 2.0: A New Era for Lending - In the post-pandemic world, banks much protect themselves from potentially devastating losses using COVID Threat Scores while simultaneously serving as a trusted advisor that helps SMBs rise to prominence once again.

IV. Doctor AI: is Ready to See You Now – Saving Personal Care with Artificial Intelligence: As patients experience the convenience of remote and digital care solutions, providers and payers will rethink their healthcare delivery models, embracing AI for mental and digital health along with high-end encryption and multilayer cybersecurity protection.

V. Future Fit Innovation: The III Wind of Mass Disruption Sparks Leaner Innovation Practices - Companies are embracing the idea of a permanent remote or hybrid workforces and to prepare for this future, business and IT leaders are turning to Lean Innovation.

 VI. The AI Battle Over Cybersecurity: Enterprise Versus Hacker - As cyberattacks continue to become more complex and persistent and AI will play a more prominent role in helping businesses take an aggressive approach to predict, detect, and remediate threats to maintain secure enterprise.

VII. Programmable Realities: Our Lives in the Metaverse - In 2021, more industries will successfully utilize VR headsets and AR apps to transform how they approach health and well-being, learn new skills, socialize, and consume entertainment

Link to Virtusa Trend Almac 2021: https://www.virtusa.com/2021trends?utm_source=yext&utm_medium=onsite-search

About Virtusa

Virtusa Corporation is a global provider of digital business strategy, digital engineering, and information technology (IT) services and solutions that help clients change, disrupt, and unlock new value through innovation engineering. Virtusa serves Global 2000 companies in the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Communications, Media, Entertainment, Travel, Manufacturing, and Technology industries.

Virtusa helps clients grow their business with innovative products and services that create operational efficiency using digital labor, future-proof operational and IT platforms, and rationalization and modernization of IT applications infrastructure. This is achieved through a unique approach blending deep contextual expertise, empowered agile teams, and measurably better engineering to create holistic solutions that drive business forward at unparalleled velocity enabled by a culture of cooperative disruption.

TECNO Announces ‘Jeetega India Phirse’ Social Initiative; Strengthens India’s Fight Against Covid-19

* Collaborates with NGO Sarvhitey to support underprivileged communities, TECNO is committed to reach out to 30,000+ people

TECNO, the global premium smartphone brand, today announced its social initiative, ‘‘Jeetega India PhirSe’with which the company will undertake multiple necessary & relevant steps to strengthen India’s fight against COVID 19. The initiative will help spread awareness of COVID19 prevention, treatment & vaccination to 30,000+ people living across several Villages in district Ghaziabad, UP. 

As part of the initiative, TECNO is conducting health information workshops to support the people of these villages in tough times to keep their families safe from covid and make them aware about vaccination. The company will also provide them with health kits comprising of essentials such as masks, gloves, sanitizers, handwash and a ‘COVID care booklet’ with all relevant Government helpline numbers & guidance for emergency protocols. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of Transsion India, said, “These are trying times, and it's absolutely necessary for us to do everything we can to lend a helping hand to take care of the worst hit strata of our population. More than half of India’s population lives in villages but due to lack of information and health care facilities they stand at a higher risk to get infected. TECNO believes in the spirit of nation power to fight back and will to win. Through TECNO’s ‘Jeetega India Phirse’ campaign the brand is committed to reach out to 30000+ people living in these villages of UP. Along with our NGO partner Sarvhitey we are conducting door to door services and various workshops with medical practitioners to educate them about pandemic prevention & healthcare regime.”

The safety and well-being of consumers, employees, partner network and the communities that we operate in has been a priority for us in everything that we do. This initiative will foster the much-needed awareness of important COVID19 related safety protocols as well as grant resources to those who need it the most. We will continue to do our part and support as many people as possible, to ensure people have the right information & means to sustain themselves and their loved ones, during these testing times and make India win again.”

Parallelly, as part of its efforts to support the company’s internal & external stakeholders, TRANSSION also announced multiple interventions for the Health, Safety and wellbeing program such as: distribution of COVID health care kits, COVID Vaccination camps, Annual COVID Insurance coverage policy for 3500 front line members and 24*7 online doctor consultation for COVID treatment & other medical support to employees & their families.

Earlier this year the company also re-initiated its unique Doorstep Delivery Initiative with the largest retail network of 50,000+ outlets PAN India, enabling consumers to purchase TECNO smartphones from the comfort and safety of their homes. TECNO also extended the warranty period on those TECNO smartphones whose warranty was to expire between 15th April – 15th June, 2021. 

About TECNO

TECNO Mobile is a premium smartphone brand from TRANSSION Holdings. With “Stop At Nothing” as its brand essence, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best contemporary technologies for progressive individuals across global emerging markets, giving them elegantly designed products that inspires consumers to uncover a world of possibilities. TECNO understands the needs of consumers from different markets and provides them with localized innovations which is demonstrated through their mastery of serving consumers who are “young at heart” and never stops pursuing excellence. TECNO’s portfolio spans across smartphones, smart wearables and AIoT devices made for consumers in over 60 emerging markets across the world. TECNO is also the global Official Partner of Manchester City Football Club. 

Covestro Supports Climate Targets Of The Automotive Industry

* Innovative material solutions promote Circular Economy

* Market launch of the world's first climate-neutral polycarbonate

* Use of alternative raw materials and energies

* Chemical and mechanical recycling technologies

The automotive industry is currently facing major challenges: It has to do its share to meet the European Union's stricter climate targets, preserve natural resources and increase the lifespan of vehicles. Concurrently, consumers' demands regarding the design, comfort and functionality of automobiles are also increasing. Covestro is working towards innovative and more sustainable material solutions and recycling technologies to meet these requirements and build a Circular Economy, and will be showcasing them at the VDI PIAE 2021 international trade congress on September 8 and 9.

"Our aim is to introduce the world's first climate-neutral polycarbonate plastics this year," Jochen Hardt, Marketing Mobility Covestro, told media representatives. 

"This is an important step in achieving our vision of becoming fully circular. At the same time, we offer products and solutions that combine outstanding performance, cost efficiency and sustainability designed to help our customers in the mobility industry succeed in achieving their sustainability goals."

World's first climate-neutral polycarbonate

The polycarbonates are climate neutral "from the cradle to the factory gate" thanks to the introduction of raw materials sourced from mass-balanced biowaste and residues, as well as renewable energy accumulated during the production process. Covestro is already offering ISCC Plus-certified polycarbonates, which are attributed to renewable raw materials using the mass balance approach and enable a considerable reduction in the carbon footprint.

By incorporating renewable energy, Covestro will probably fully reduce CO2 emissions from the cradle to the factory gate for these selected products. The products have the same high quality and performance as fossil-based polycarbonates and are a drop-in replacement without having to change existing processes or workflows.

Covestro has also collaborated with partners to develop polyurethane raw materials in which up to 20 percent of the petroleum-based raw materials previously used are replaced by the climate gas CO2. Applications of such polyols, called cardyon®, are also currently being developed in the automotive sector. Partially bio-based precursors for automotive clear coatings from the Desmodur® N range also contribute to circularity as alternative raw materials.

Innovative recycling technologies

Plastics recyclates are an important building block in significantly reducing a car's carbon footprint from raw material and component production through the use phase to recycling. In addition, Covestro is increasingly driving forward the development of chemical recycling technologies. A decisive factor in the success of such developments is that the products satisfy the high quality requirements and specifications of the automotive industry. Covestro supports the mechanical and chemical recycling of plastics through its role as a member in associations such as the Circularise Plastics project group. This group's goal is to establish a new standard for the traceability of plastics back to the raw material.