Edu institutions adopt digital exam pads to promote sustainability
Mangaluru: The deemed universities in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are leading a sustainability revolution with the adoption of digital exam pads, replacing traditional pen and paper.
Institutions like Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) successfully implemented the reusable devices, significantly reducing paper waste, a decade ago. Institutions like Nitte (Deemed to be University) and Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) are in talks with service providers to embrace the technology.
Paper is used for printing the hall tickets, question papers, and answer booklets. Exam pads save tonnes of paper annually, curbing deforestation, water consumption, and carbon emissions associated with paper production.
While these early adopters said that it helped due to immense environmental benefits, other universities face hurdles due to the initial cost and logistical complexities of implementing the technology on a large scale.
BT Nandish, controller of examination at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), said they are in talks with service providers of digital exam pads. "Majorly, negotiation is in connection to cost. Adopting the service comes with a huge cost," said Nandish.
The university has around 20,000 students who use a total of 150 pages each of answer booklets a year for writing various examinations conducted by the institution.
At Nitte (Deemed to be University), the senior officials are still in a dilemma about whether to adopt the technology or not. MS Moodithaya, VC, Nitte (Deemed to be University), said the dilemma is that adopting digital exam pads will affect the good habit of handwriting, which is slowly fading away among the current generation.
"As a pilot basis, we have now introduced tabsfor first-year MBBS students where they will have access to classroom materials while the class is on, and after class.
All the study materials are available on it. However, the plan on introducing exam pads will be taken from next year onwards. Nitte (Deemed to be University) has about 22,000 students, the majority in its engineering college campuses in Karkala and Bengaluru. If we start, we are starting from engineering colleges," said Moodithaya.
MAHE, which was the first one to introduce exam pads in 2016 in this region, accommodates more than 30,000 students across its various campuses.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Eid wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
2 days ago
- The Wire
MAHE Rises in Global Rankings, Excels in Sustainability and Research
BANGALORE, India, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be-University, has once again demonstrated its global academic and research excellence by securing improved positions in three of the world's most prestigious university rankings: the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, and the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–26. These achievements reflect MAHE's unwavering commitment to academic quality, sustainability, and international collaboration. MAHE has demonstrated exceptional progress across multiple performance indicators, marking a historic milestone in its global recognition. The overall global ranking has improved substantially, with MAHE now positioned in the 851-900 band, advancing from the 901-950 band in 2025. This represents a significant leap in global standing among the world's leading universities. Commenting on MAHE's remarkable achievement, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE said: "This remarkable progress across multiple global rankings signifies MAHE's steadfast dedication to excellence in education, impactful research, and global collaboration. We view rankings as vital indicators for growth and transformation." QS World University Rankings 2026 MAHE advanced to the 851–900 band globally, up from the 901–950 band in 2025, among 1,501 ranked institutions worldwide. Highlights: • Faculty-Student Ratio: Global Rank 379; 4th in India • Sustainability Score: Increased to 14.9% (from 5.8%) • International Research Network: Scored 16.9%, with a global indicator score of 73.7 THE Impact Rankings 2025 MAHE retained its position in the 101–200 global band among over 2,300 institutions, reaffirming its leadership in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Top SDG Performances: • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Rank 74 • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Rank 43 • SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Rank 11 (1st in India for the second consecutive year) U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–26 MAHE improved its global standing to Rank 802, up from 804 in 2024, in a ranking that assessed over 2,250 institutions across 100 countries. Regional Rankings: • Best in Asia: Rank 253 • Best in India: Rank 15 About Manipal Academy of Higher Education: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable academic track record, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant research contributions, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life and for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent. For further information please contact: BharathKumar H. Director of Public Relations, Media and Social Media, MAHE, BharathKumar.H@ Photo: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Time of India
Maha's anti-venom pioneer targeted by predatory journal
Mumbai: The world of medical research is battling its own version of cyber frauds: predatory or 'pseudo' journals, deceptive publications that claim to be scholarly but rarely follow ethical publishing practices and seek hefty payment from authors. On Friday, Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar (75), a Mahad-based physician who won a Padma Shri in 2022 and is known for his rural Maharashtra medical practice and research, wrote in 'The Lancet' about his two-year struggle with a predatory journal that swiftly published his work, then started demanding 1,000 pounds and issued threats when he objected. "I received threatening emails stating they would take serious action and damage my reputation in India," he said. Mahad-based Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, whose pioneering work in anti-venom for scorpions and snakes has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals, was so "devastated" by his struggle with a predatory journal that he developed "anxiety, insomnia and palpitation". Within six months, the 75-year-old doctor lost 8 kgs and needed psychiatric help. In recent months, various medical associations across the world have voiced concern about the growing number of predatory journals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tausende schwärmen von diesem Nagelpilz-Gerät – wir haben es überprüft Med-Aktuell Undo The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors in Feb estimated there are over 15,000 such journals. While medical research paves the way for new treatments, these journals are undermining its credibility. Dr Bawaskar's ordeal began when he submitted his self-funded diabetes research to high-impact journals. After many rejections, a case report journal approached him. "In my submission to this journal, I stated I work without funding and would not be able to pay fees," he said. Yet the journal sent him a proof in a couple of days. "I was shocked—how could the peer review and publication process be completed so quickly? I again appealed, stating my inability to pay. The journal ignored my requests and proceeded to publish the article, then sent me an invoice with exorbitant fee," he added. The journal then sent threats and said they were giving him "a 40% discount." "But during a call with my son who is a cardiologist in the US, my wife mentioned my stress to him," said the doctor. His son identified the predatory nature of the journal and blocked their communications. While the doctor hasn't paid the journal, this experience has prompted him to work out a checklist. He said, "Since this episode, I have not attempted to publish again. Instead, I find fulfilment in seeing my patients recover and walk again—living testaments to my diagnosis and management; these are my true publications." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Time of India
Science fair chariot launched in Giridih
1 2 Bokaro: State higher and technical education minister flagged off a mobile science exhibition chariot from the Giridih district collectorate premises on Thursday. The chariot will visit selected schools in the district till June 30 and offer a three-day interactive science programme at each location. "On the first day, a science exhibition will be held at the school, with a master trainer onboard the chariot explaining key scientific concepts. The second day will feature a science demonstration lecture, while the final day will include a film screening and a telescope viewing session, all conducted in accordance with school guidelines," Giridih deputy commissioner Ramniwas Yadav said. Kumar said the initiative is a joint effort by the National Council of Science Museums and the Jharkhand Science, Technology and Innovation Council. Aimed at students in rural areas who lack access to science centres, this project seeks to foster curiosity, innovation, and scientific thinking among children through hands-on learning and engaging demonstrations. "The objective of this travelling science exhibition chariot is to connect children of rural areas with science and technology," Kumar said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
