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Vedantu and Space2Grow set benchmarks with advanced Online Child Safety Policy

Online child safety report and internal assessment roadmap to be launched

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According to UNICEF, globally, 33% of children have access to the internet on their devices at home. Over the last decade, better accessibility and affordability of online learning have elevated the way children learn. The vulnerability and safety of children who are consuming online content is an immediate reality that we need to address. Providing a safe ecosystem for children to learn online has become an increasing concern for parents, teachers and everyone alike. It is imperative for all EdTech organizations to align to safety norms and declare themselves as “Child Safe, Online”.  Creating a secure online space is most definitely the need of the hour, not only for EdTech, but for any and every platform that children today use.

Vedantu, a pioneer in LIVE online learning, was the first to launch a child safety initiative in 2020 to create a robust prevention and redressal mechanism across all the online and offline touch points, making online education safe for every child. To further uphold this initiative, Vedantu, along with Space2Grow, a leading social impact consulting firm, launched the Online Child Safety Benchmarking Framework, proposing internal standards and criteria for EdTech firms and other institutions in the e-learning space. This will ensure that services to all stakeholders, especially children, are safe and standardized.

Vedantu celebrated child safety week which culminated into a multi-stakeholder event on 14th Nov 2022 to discuss solutions that have been implemented, the experiences of Vedantu’s students and teachers, and finally, the way forward for EdTech companies with respect to online child safety. Apart from the two organizations, the meeting was attended by the NCPCR Chairperson and Omidyar Network India representatives. The meeting also included a release of Vedantu and Space2Grow’s Online Child Safety Benchmarking and Internal Assessment Report 2022 – the first of its kind in the EdTech sector, on the performance of online safety standards.

Shri. Priyank Kanangoo, Honorable Chairman, NCPCR, said “The Internet is a vital tool for everyone today and a way for children to not only learn but also stay connected to the world. In light of increased vulnerabilities of children in the online space, we applaud the initiative taken by Vedantu & Space2Grow for creating the Online Child Safety Framework that enables a safe learning environment where children can learn and flourish.”

Pulkit Jain, Co-founder & Head of New Initiatives and Culture, Vedantu, “Today, children have access to digital devices and online platforms for various activities, ranging from online learning and video streaming to online games and social media. At Vedantu, we believe that the safety of our children is of the utmost importance. We have achieved significant progress and increased compliance when it comes to child protection and its execution in the organization. Through constant review, audit and innovations that not only benefit the safety of children online, but also empower parents, teachers and students, we hope to create more awareness about online child safety.”

“With almost every child on the internet today, the need for standardized regulations and advisory for Edtech and other cyber spaces have become a priority. Since 2020, our #ChildSafetyFirst initiatives have ensured that every session is safe and secure with no unsolicited interruptions. The Space2Grow framework entails an internal assessment of the level of accountability, data privacy,  awareness, reporting and redressal standards on online child safety. This assessment was conducted for Vedantu and its key stakeholders – parents and teachers, enabling advancement of our child safety policy. The need of the hour, is for EdTechs to adopt these key guidelines, and make every child safe”, commented Chitra Iyer, Co-Founder & CEO, Space2Grow

About the child safety benchmarking report 2021:

The proposed framework has four major indicators for internal assessment of EdTech companies and includes factors such as:

  1. Accountability: Focuses on the responsibility and accountability that the organization undertakes for child protection with commitment from the senior level management.
  2. Reporting and Redressal: Evaluates the presence of the structure of reporting and redressal for child abuse cases and service level agreements.
  3. Privacy & Data Handling: Assesses the process around handling of personal information, responsiveness of the information owners, and the ease to access personal information.
  4. Digital risks & harms: Focuses on the presence of relevant infrastructure to minimize the risk of cyberbullying and cyber abuse on the online platform, and gauges how responsive the platform is to take action.

The assessment involves benchmarking against the S2G POCSO Assessment Score, includes representation from each department, and a detailed survey with the key stakeholders – children, parents, teachers and sales agents. The parameters were reviewed against each pillar (which were identified by S2G while setting benchmarking standards as essential indicators of online safety of children). The methodology used for interaction included:

  • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
  • Survey through questionnaires
  • Discussions with the child safety team on questions that define each pillar along with supporting documents for achieving child safety

The pillar assessment included reviewing the performance of Vedantu across 32 key metrics that define safety of children in digital spaces across the four pillars, in all, including awareness, efficacy and reporting redressal parameters.

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Indian School of Development Management creates eligibility portal for Social Stock Exchange with SEBI 

Portal inaugurated by Guest-of-Honour and SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch who joined the event online from Mumbai during the convocation ceremony for the fifth batch of its flagship Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM)

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 Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), a pioneering institute committed toward developing and strengthening the domain of Development Management as separate from the tenets of business management, has created a comprehensive eligibility portal for the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) together with SEBI. 

The portal has been designed to help non-profit organisations determine their eligibility and requirements to apply for resources from the SSE platform. It was unveiled by the institute during the convocation ceremony for the fifth batch of its flagship post graduate program in Development Management (PGP DM). 

SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch was the guest of honour at the event who joined the ceremony online from Mumbai. She inaugurated the SSE eligibility portal after delivering the keynote speech. 

Highlighting the significance of the Social Stock Exchange and the eligibility portal in her keynote speech, Madhabi Puri Buch said, “We wish to create a high level of transparency and assured disclosure through the social stock exchange to build trust for those who wish to contribute capital to social causes. It is our hope at SEBI that social investment becomes an integral part of their investment portfolios and becomes accepted as an independent asset class in the markets. This will enable social purpose organisations to have access to capital.” 

Congratulating the outgoing batch, she expressed her admiration for ISDM’s growth in its mission to create a cadre of professionals for social purpose organisations in the sector. 

Ravi Sreedharan, ISDM Co-founder and President, said, “The work that SEBI and ISDM have done together on the eligibility portal for the social stock exchange is truly nation building. The ground has finally been set for Samaaj, Sarkar and Bazaar (society, administration and markets) to work together and address vital funding needs for social sector requirements.” 

He added, “In the seven years since our birth, the organisation has made remarkable and important strides in breaking barriers in its academic programs, its research and knowledge creation and in its models for use and application for social impact. Our students and alumni are the flag bearers of the values, thoughts, creativity and transformation that the organisation was founded to achieve. Our now-sizable alumni are making strides as development managers, leaders, social entrepreneurs, academia and researchers.” 

Trisha Varma, Director Global Knowledge Hub said, “The SSE eligibility portal has been designed as part of a project for our centre-of-excellence on social finance. ISDM will continue work to make research, tools and social financing frameworks available to social impact organisations in order to harness their potential and seek appropriate funding and support from the larger industry.” 

The fifth batch of the PGP DM program comprised 39 students from across India with diverse backgrounds. The batch achieved 100% placement with more than 200 organisations participating in the placement process with more than 320 roles for the students to consider.  

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NMIMS-NPAT 2023: Applications Now Open for Undergraduate Programs

NMIMS-NPAT 2023 is the official entrance test for admissions to Undergraduate programs offered by NMIMS

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SVKM’s NMIMS, a Deemed-to-be university is always at the forefront, offering the best undergraduate programs. NMIMS started admissions for National Test for Programs After Twelfth (NPAT) for School of Commerce (SOC), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Indore, Dhule & Chandigarh, School of Economics (SOE), Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Bengaluru, School of Branding & Advertising (SoBA), Mumbai, Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts (JDSoLA), Mumbai, Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (PDSE&FBM), Mumbai and Centre for International Studies (CIS), Mumbai campus.

NMIMS-NPAT 2023 is the official entrance test for admissions to Undergraduate programs offered by NMIMS. This highly competitive entrance examination is a gateway for students to pursue their dream careers in fields such as commerce, management, economics, liberal arts, branding and advertising, and International Business at the esteemed NMIMS University

Name of the schools, and programs that come under NPAT:

School of Commerce (SOC):

School of Commerce, is an attempt to emulate its path-breaking endeavours in other fields of education for undergraduate programs. Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce is ranked 1st best college for the BBA Program by Education World India Higher Education Rankings 2022-23. Below are the 3-Year full-time programs offered by the School of Commerce:

  • BBA – It offers specialisation in marketing and/or finance. The program is across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore, Dhule, and Chandigarh campuses.
  • B.Com. (Hons.) – It is a specialised program that helps students to build their skill sets in finance, taxation, and accounting. It is across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore, Dhule, and Chandigarh campuses.
  • B.Sc. Finance – It aims to provide students with specialised knowledge in investment analysis, international financial markets, financial risk management, corporate finance, financial markets, and corporate finance, and portfolio management.  Also, it is across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru,

For more details: https://commerce.nmims.edu/

School of Economics (SOE):

School of Economics (SOE) offers a 3-year Bachelor of Science B.Sc. (Economics) Program with Electives in Economics, Finance, and Business Management being offered at its Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru campuses. The program offers practical exposure to students to help them develop analytical, written, and oral communication and quantitative skills. SAMSOE has been ranked as the 3rd best-emerging college in India for the year 2022 – India Today Group MDRA Survey

For more details: https://economics.nmims.edu/

School of Branding & Advertising (SoBA):

SoBA offers a 3-year flagship program in BBA in Branding & Advertising available at its Mumbai campus helping students develop insights and skills in launching, building, and managing brands and businesses. The curriculum is designed to bring creativity in business, innovation, critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship combined with foundational modules in financial management, marketing strategy, and economics.

For more details: https://advertising.nmims.edu/index.php

Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts (JDSOLA)

Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts (JDSoLA) offers a 3-year Bachelor of Arts B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts program for students at its Mumbai campus. It offers a wide spectrum of structured programs providing a broader foundation and developing them into well-rounded personalities with strong academic skills. The program offers a transdisciplinary approach that will enhance personal and career development through critical thinking, ethics, research skills, and integrity. The first three are dedicated to foundation courses and four to six semesters are specialized courses. Where students can specialise in areas such as Literary & Cultural studies, Psychology & Behaviour Studies, Social & Political Studies, Economics and Governance, Communication & Media, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, and Humanities Select.

For more details: https://liberalarts.nmims.edu/

Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (PDSE&FBM):

PDSE&FBM offers a 3-year Bachelor in Business Management & Marketing (BBMM) program that focuses on the fundamentals of business management with a special focus on new-age marketing skills essential in a 21st century workplace such as digital marketing, market research & analysis, omni-channel management, sales & distribution, and neuromarketing. The objective of launching the BBMM Program was to develop highly skilled professionals open to innovation, creativity and strategic thinking – those, who are able to set up and create their own businesses, manage and adapt to changing market conditions, as well as work in a team in any organization as a significant contributor.

PDSE&FBM is Ranked 96th ‘Best Entrepreneurship’ Masters world-wide by Eduniversal Rankings and is the only program mentioned in the McKinsey Report ‘The Power of Many: Realizing the Socio Economic Potential of Entrepreneurs in the 21st Century’ released at the G-20 Young Entrepreneurs Summit in Paris. The school has over 6000 alumni and is accredited by the prestigious AACSB

For more details: https://familybusiness.nmims.edu/

Centre for International Studies (CIS):

NMIMS Centre for International Studies in association with Kingston University, London, offers a 3-year Dual Degree program. It is a 2+1 pathway program with initial two years in the NMIMS CIS Mumbai campus (BBA – International Business) and the final year in London (BBA-Hons.). The program helps the students to sharpen their business & managerial skills. It enhances their knowledge in the field OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. Students are well-placed at corporates and have started their own careers. 24*7 Learning resource, cutting edge infrastructure, encourage social initiatives, strong Industry connections, Innovative Pedagogy (Dual Degree), Agile Project Management Certification & how students are well placed in corporates or have started their own ventures.

For more details: https://cis.nmims.edu/

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ISRO Scientist urges use of space technology, other experts inspire students at the 10th edition of TEDxNMIMSBangalore

The event brought together people from the University, the local community, and beyond in an engaging day of talks and performances

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TEDxNMIMSBangalore celebrated its tenth anniversary with its annual premiere conference held recently. After the success of the past two virtual events, this year saw the return of an offline event at the NMIMS Bengaluru campus. The event brought together people from the University, the local community, and beyond in an engaging day of talks and performances.

While delivering a lecture on “Unfolding the Manifold” at the tenth anniversary of TEDxNMIMS, Dr P G Diwakar, Scientific Secretary, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has called upon the experts to use space technology for preparing an action plan for sustained water resource development in India and also to take help of multi-season data in order to study crop production estimation.

Stressing that “we all are connected to the space in some way or the other”, Dr Diwakar was of the view that “Multi-season data determines how we Indians use the land for crop production estimation.”

The Senior ISRO Scientist said “Use of Geo-Spatial technology puts into the system the ground knowledge for better plans for sustainable development.” Bhuvan Geo portal- a unique platform, provides layers of data for integration and extraction of unique information regarding the action plan of sustained water resource development,” he opined.

Dr Diwakar was of the view that “Multilayered GIS data helps to map out minute details of a given area for the on-ground perspective.”

Dr Bindu Hari, Vice Chairperson, National Public School Chain, said “Teachers lead the learning of their students by empowering and enabling them to become future-ready. Every child is on a learning continuum. Well-being and successful education of children are the ultimate goals. It is the teacher who is the key to a successful and enjoyable journey of the student. All teachers need to know out-of-the-box ways to connect with their students. Teachers build a sense of community, paving the way for socio-emotional well-being through connection,” she said.

Dr Zulfia Shaikh, Founder, Bangalore School of Speech and Drama called upon the student community to listen to their “inner voice” to achieve their goals while Madhurima Agarwal, Country Head India, Microsoft for Startups called upon the students to rewrite their success story in terms of what makes them happy.

Dr. John Ebenezer, Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon was of the viewthat personal success, professional success, and material success are the factors which make one happy in life”. As an Orthopedic surgeon, he stressed on maintaining a bone-healthy life to seek happiness in life.

On the other hand, Dr. Jayasankaran Ayyar, Director General BIM, was of the view that ”Art of learning focuses on how to learn rather than what to learn. Liberal education encompasses the essence of the process of learning. One must learn vocabulary to master one’s speech. The ultimate goal of teachers is to develop intellect to the sharpest level.

Suparna Ganguly, Co-founder CUPA Foundation opined “Information is power. Without information, you can’t change anything,” while Pallavi Pareek, CEO of UNGENDER was of the view that “Law is not justice. When it comes to the intersection of understanding of the law, business, on-ground issues, behaviour, you need an expert. The expertise in the ecosystem has to exist or else you will end up doing more damage”.

Introducing the speakers, Dr. Narayani Ramachandran, Deputy Director of NMIMS Bangalore said the Institution was ranked first among the private business schools in India and had achieved 100 per cent success in job placements this academic year.

The event focused on unravelling the stratified levels in the library of life’s experiences, encouraging attendees to dig deeper through layers and keep the flames of their curiosity alive. The conference sought to inspire the audience to look beyond surface-level appearances and discover the multiple layers of depth and complexity in everything.

The event emphasized learning and featured interesting speakers, which sparked many discussions and had a ripple effect. The personalities, through their work, showed the true meaning of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, personally and professionally, and achieving new heights.

TEDxNMIMSBangalore believes in creating a powerful and informed community dedicated to lifelong learning. The organization helps world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their brilliant ideas. By conducting TEDx events, TEDxNMIMSBangalore aims to push its community towards a brighter future.

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