Updated: November 22, 2023, 05:59 PM IST
Successful rollout of SATHEE: In a significant stride towards realizing the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, has unveiled the SATHEE (Self-Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams) online education platform. The initiative, announced in a ceremony at Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, marks a pioneering effort to bolster the preparation of students gearing up for competitive exams across the country.
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MoE and IIT-Kanpur Launch SATHEE: Event
Mr K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, unveiled the platform, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the educational landscape. SATHEE has gone live, offering an extensive array of resources tailored for NEET and JEE aspirants. Notably, the platform features video lectures delivered by esteemed faculties from IITs and IISc.
MoE and IIT-Kanpur Launch SATHEE: What is Inside?
The inaugural offering on SATHEE is a 45-day JEE crash course strategically designed to provide intensive preparation and revision for students seeking to consolidate their knowledge before exams. The platform boasts a series of expert-designed learning modules, complemented by innovative features such as an interactive chatbot. Regular question-and-answer sessions facilitated by successful students from IITs and AIIMS are also incorporated into the platform in an effort to preserve personal relationships with students.
MoE and IIT-Kanpur Launch SATHEE: IIT-K’s Director
“This platform opens up new avenues for students preparing for competitive exams, offering quality resources and support,” stated Professor S. Ganesh, officiating director of IIT-K.
One distinctive aspect of SATHEE is its commitment to inclusivity, with multilingual support offering content in English, Hindi, and various Indian regional languages. This ensures that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can access the rich repository of educational materials.
IIT-Madras, in collaboration with YNOS
In a parallel development, IIT-Madras has launched a groundbreaking information platform in collaboration with YNOS, focused on incubators and accelerators. The platform provides comprehensive details on 920 such entities across India, empowering startup founders to identify and compare different options. This move is expected to fuel the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem.
IIT-Bombay aims to remain apolitical
However, amidst these positive developments, IIT-Bombay has implemented new guidelines aimed at preventing disturbances caused by guest lectures on political topics. Talks with potential political implications now require permission from a review committee and the police. The decision comes after a recent controversy over a guest lecture on the Palestine situation, which led to protests and threats against a faculty member.
While IIT-Bombay aims to remain apolitical and avoid controversies that could divert from its primary mission, the guidelines have drawn criticism for being perceived as restrictive. Some students view them as a set of “gag rules,” raising concerns about academic freedom and freedom of expression on campus.
As these initiatives unfold, it is clear that the landscape of higher education in India is evolving, with a focus on empowering students through innovative platforms and resources while navigating the delicate balance between academic freedom and maintaining a politically neutral environment.
