Punjab makes great strides in Education department

Amritsar: Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia lauded the state education department for working hard to improve the state's countrywide ranking in elementary education.
 
In a statement here, Majithia said it was a matter of pride that the state was ranked third, a major leap forward by any state in improving elementary school education.
 
He said this was the result of efforts made by the education department officials and staff and the pro-people policies of the SAD-BJP government in the state.
 
Majithia claimed that in the recent report released by the union Human Resource Development Ministry, Punjab had earned accolades for improving the education scenario.
    
He said the state left behind larger states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala in successfully implementing school education programmes for all.
    
"It is a major leap forward. The state was at the 7th place last year and in just one year we have progressed to the 3rd position", he said.
     
The smaller states of Puducherry and Lakshdeep were the only states ahead of Punjab, because of their smaller size, but amongst the bigger states, Punjab was ahead of all, the minister asserted.
    
He said the report is prepared by keeping all aspects, including the infrastructure available in schools, teachers and staff, results and approach to the schools.
    
The new development followed the recent number one ranking of the state in general infrastructure development, changing economic progress patterns and future prospects of Punjabs economy, he said. 
 
Majithia gave credit to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for their efforts to take the state to the new heights of development and progress.
     
Their government would continue working hard to take the state forward in economic progress, achieve a better human index by launching new society oriented schemes for the poor and downtrodden, he said.
 
Majithia took pride in that Punjab, which was turning backward economically in the past due to political-social and religious disturbances, had today surged ahead of states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala to make progress in education. 

GNDU releases admission schedule for colleges

Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University has released its admission schedule of various courses for the academic session of 2012-13 for its affiliated, constitutent colleges and distance education Colleges.
  
Inderjit Singh, Registrar, said the University has already approved the semester system for the academic session 2012-13 in its affliated colleges. 
   
He said the admission schedule would be applicable to Amardeep Singh Shergill Memorial College, Mukandpur, Shaheed Ram Singh Pathania Memorial University College, Niari, Bebe Nanki College University College, Mithra, Guru Nanak Dev University College, Verka, Guru Nanak Dev University College, Chung and Guru Nanak Dev University College, Narot Jaimal Singh in the course of Arts, Science and Social Sciences.
  
He said that normal dates for admission to these courses would be till July 2, 2012 and with the late fees of Rs. 50 (with the approval of Principal) the dates would be July 3 to July 9. 

GNDU gives spl concession to Kashmiri migrants in admission

Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University said it will provide special concession to Kashmiri migrants who desired to seek admission in technical and professional courses in the varsity.
 
GNDU Vice-Chancellor A S Brar said the concession would be given as per the instructions of Ministry of Human Resource and Development.
 
Registrar Inderjit Singh said in those technical and professional departments at the university campus and its regional campuses and constituent colleges where there is only one applicant from Kashmiri migrant, admission may be granted if the candidate fulfill all requirements and qualifications.
 
He said in case there is more than one candidate from the community, the admission may be granted on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying exam. 

No fee hike in Guru Nanak Dev University budget

Amritsar: No hike in tution fees has been proposed as the Senate and Syndicate of the Guru Nanak Dev University approved its budget estimates of Rs 263.81 crore for 2012-13.
   
The University would receive a maintenance grant of Rs 35.54 crore and Rs 45 crore for payment of arrears to the teaching staff from Punjab Government.     

The University would contribute Rs 103.23 crore from its own sources.
    
Out of total budget, 57.21 percent would be spent on teaching, applied teaching, research and improvement of education. 9.56 percent would be spent on non-teaching departments which include hostels, publication, estate, construction, N.S.S. landscape, guest house, public relations and health centre.
 
About 14.26 percent of budgetary funds has been allocated for General Administration and 3.51 per cent for the conduct of Examinations. 

UK delegation visits Khalsa College

Amritsar: A delegation from the UK, headed by Lord Mayor of city of Coventry Keiran Mulhall, yesterday visited the Khalsa College here and praised the history and culture of the Sikhs.

The delegation, in the country to meet Indian Mayors, visited the Sikh History and Research Museum at the campus and were impressed by the rare books, documents, manuscripts and hand-written 'Birs' of the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Mayor appreciated the rare cultural heritage building of the College and the collection of the books at the Sikh Museum.