Opening out  In what is said to be a heartening reverse of usual trend, the Guwahati-based Epitome, one of the largest educational institutes of the Northeast having 52 centres in the region, has recently opened its New Delhi centre, basically a research and development wing, at the Indraprastha Techno-Educational and Welfare Society, Sector VII, Rohini. Besides carrying out R&D activities aimed towards achieving excellence in our professional courses in the Epitome centres in the region, the Delhi chapter would facilitate continuation of studies of those students who discontinue their courses in the region due to personal exigencies or otherwise, informed Epitome managing director Rajib Dutta during a chat the other day. Epitome now has plans to open two more centres in Indore and Chandigarh in its bid to make its presence pan-Indian, Dutta further says. Let’s hope that the latest move of Epitome is a genuine education-oriented bid that would surely benefit all stakeholders, especially the students some of whom have a tendency to study outside the region for more exposure and subsequent success in their professional career.

Stamford stamp  Assamese ‘edu-preneur’ Dipankar Dutta has added one more feather to his cap. The Hindustan College of his CEC Group has tied up with the Stamford International University of Thailand for an annual student exchange programme. Under the agreement the students of Hindustan College will visit the Thailand university under their BBA and MBA programmes. The tie-up was inked between Sangeeta Chatterjee, Dean, Hindustan College and Dr Donaldine E Samson, Assistant President, Stamford International University, Thailand in presence of Dutta. The exchange programme will cover classes by faculties from US and UK in business management. The students will also visit various industries and corporate offices in Thailand. During the 15-day programme in January, 2010, the students will be provided accommodation by the university in their Hua Hin campus in Bangkok. About 60 students will be selected by the Dean of Hindustan College for the maiden exchange programme there.

Specific studies  A leader in hospitality, aviation and tourism training, Jettwings recently launched the Institute of Professional Studies & Business (IPSB) that will groom and prepare trainees into industry-ready professionals by enriching their knowledge in specific domains. A new revolution in the sphere of professional education in the Northeast, IPSB is a joint venture of Jettwings Foundation and Infovalley Educational & Research Private Ltd. The project has been taken to assist in the development of unemployed students in the region. IPSB is committed to provide the best-in-class job-oriented training courses delivered through the state-of-the-art innovative delivery mechanisms aimed at making them not only job-ready but career-ready as well. Infovalley chairman Sanjay Singh says, “candidates undergoing the IPSB professional programmes can be effortlessly placed in the retail, banking, insurance, IT, financial services, BPO, travel & hospitality industry.” The courses of IPSB provide diverse opportunities to students in learning a skill or trade. The institute will also have its presence in smaller towns to facilitate students there to acquire professional and job-oriented learning. “The courses of IPSB will expose students to case studies and specific problem settings drawn from the industry,” Singh adds. Initially, IPSB proposes to set up around 140 centres across Assam and directly and indirectly appoint 2000 people within a period of six months. The institute aims to educate, train and give placement assistance to 14,000 students within a year’s time.

Simanta / Mridumoloy