27 Feb 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. NIA signs MoU with Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine 
of Government of Thailand
2. Startup Mahakumbh
3. SWAYAM Plus Platform

1. NIA signs MoU with Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of Government of Thailand

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Prelims: Alternate medicine

Context:

The National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur under the Ministry of Ayush of the Government of India and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of an Academic Collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine.

Details:

• The MoU was signed at the 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting held at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
• The initiative has been taken to promote, facilitate, and develop academic collaboration in the field of Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine based on equality and mutual benefit of the Participants. 
• This MoU will facilitate the exchange of experts for research and training programs, academic and technical activities, and conducting research, exchange of information, technologies, and best practices of Traditional Medicine.

Also read: India-Thailand Relations

2. Startup Mahakumbh

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: Startup Mahakumbh

Context:

Curtain raiser event of Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi.

About Startup Mahakumbh:

• The Startup Mahakumbh is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 18-20, 2024.
• The event is expected to have participation from more than 1000 high-potential startups from India and the globe, with key global and Indian stakeholders such as unicorn startups, global and domestic venture capitalists, corporates, and industry leaders also participating.
• The event is being organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE, and the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA).
• The event is supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Department of Commerce (DoC), India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Government-e-Marketplace (GeM), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) and Zomato. 
• Startup Mahakumbh promises to showcase unparalleled innovation, highlighting transformative products, cutting-edge technologies, and revolutionary business models across diverse sectors, along with the opportunity to interact with top voices in the startup ecosystem.
• It will also connect Indian startups with international networks to unlock new opportunities.

3. SWAYAM Plus Platform

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes and programs

Prelims: SWAYAM Plus platform

Context:

Union Minister launched the SWAYAM Plus platform.

SWAYAM Plus Platform:

• SWAYAM, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform providing educational opportunities for a vast number of learners, was launched by the Ministry of Education in 2017.
• In alignment with NEP 2020, the SWAYAM Plus platform will now include courses supporting industry needs that enhance learners’ employability. 
• Developed in collaboration with industry giants like L&T, Microsoft, CISCO, and more, SWAYAM Plus features innovative elements such as multilingual content, AI-enabled guidance, credit recognition, and pathways to employment.
• SWAYAM Plus also envisions bringing in features such as access to mentorship, scholarships, and job placements as value-added services in due course of time, thus building a digital ecosystem for learners to pursue upskilling/re-skilling at all levels, namely certificate, diploma or degree. 
• It also focuses on tier 2 and tier 3 towns and rural areas.

Know more about SWAYAM in the linked article.

Read previous PIB articles here.