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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
11th International Day of Yoga: from palace to heritage sites, yoga to unfold at cultural landmarks
It will be a convergence of yoga and heritage during the 11 International Day of Yoga to be held on Saturday. For, there will be simultaneous yoga performance blending the age-old wisdom of yoga amidst the rich architectural setting of heritage sites including the iconic Mysuru palace, Dariya Daulat Bagh in Srirangapatana, Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple at Somanathapur. While the Archaeological Survey of India is conducting the yoga sessions at the three heritage sites of Dariya Daulat Bagh, Halebidu, and Somanathapur, the Mysuru district administration is organising the event on the palace premises to set the tone. The Department of Ayush and Mysuru Zilla Panchayat is involved in the events to be held at the palace. At Somanathpur Keshava temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, senior officials of the Ministry of Education will take part. According to local sources, about 1,200 school children will take part in the yoga day event for which arrangements are in place. The host institution is Central Institute of Indian Languages and the Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru. While showcasing the rich tourism potential and heritage of Karnataka, the yoga day will highlight the imperatives of attaining inner harmony through yoga besides the obvious health benefits. At the Mysuru palace, about 15,000 people will take part in the event, in which participants from various yoga institutions in the city will perform as per the standard protocol issued by the government. The district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLA T.S. Srivatsa, and others will participate. There are scores of yoga institutions in Mysuru which has emerged as a hub for learning the ancient Indian discipline and the genesis of it is traced to the encouragement and patronisation to yoga imparted by the Wadiyars of Mysuru. Some of the legendary yoga gurus like B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, etc., who popularised the discipline all over the world, learnt yoga from Tirumalai Krishnamacharya who was patronised by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and taught at the Mysuru palace. In 2022, Mysuru was the venue for the main yoga day event which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the run-up to the finale slated for Saturday, the Department of Ayush, in association with various stakeholders including the Federation of Yoga Associations, had a 21-day pre-event activities to encourage people to take part in the event and take to yoga on a regular basis for physical and mental well-being.

Barnama
3 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Almost 1,000 Schools Selected For MADANI School Programme
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, June 20 (Bernama) -- Nearly 1,000 schools have been selected for the MADANI Adopted School Programme, implemented in collaboration with around 117 private companies, aimed at addressing the educational gap across the country. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that the MADANI Adopted School initiative reflects the government's belief that quality education is a shared responsibility. "By combining the expertise of the government and private sectors, this programme aims to ensure that no student is left behind. "Initially, we only targeted 500 schools, but we see the commitment and feel it would be unfair if we do not invite the bodies (companies) that have long focused on our schools," she said during her speech at the launch of the MADANI Adopted Schools by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Fadhlina said that the organisations adopting the foster schools have committed to long-term cooperation focusing on five main areas, namely improving school infrastructure and facilities; enhancing academic programmes and student guidance; strengthening teacher training and development; providing financial assistance and scholarships; and developing students' character and skills. "Therefore, the focus is not only on one segment but more broadly, while the overall development of the school not only includes infrastructure development but also human development is given attention," she said. Meanwhile, according to a Ministry of Education (MOE) statement, through the MADANI Adopted School Programme, organisations with extensive resources are matched with schools that need support. The support received includes contributions from 32 private companies, 29 government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), 29 government agencies, and 27 companies owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). The statement said that each organisation selects a foster school based on its capabilities and the specific needs of the school.


The Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Anwar urges firms to engage directly with adopted schools
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has invited corporate figures and representatives of the sponsoring companies of the MADANI Adopted School programme to visit the school to provide early exposure to students on the importance of education for their future. Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said that apart from contributing funds, the involvement of companies and corporate figures also opens up opportunities for students to interact with individuals who are directly involved in the management or operations of the company. 'I want to emphasise that it is important that companies and corporate figures share their experience, and successes with students... then the children will be attracted to emulate them. 'If you don't have time, once a month, once every two or three months or (at least twice a year, go down to the school yourself. Give the children a little tea and explain what education means and how education can change in terms of social mobility,' he said. He said this when speaking at the MADANI Adopted School programme launching ceremony which was also attended by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar here today. Anwar said the MADANI Adopted School initiative was also not just fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR), but rather fulfilling the meaning of 'compassion' or 'kindness' that was being sought to be included in the MADANI national framework. 'It is beyond CSR. We are talking about compassion when they take responsibility to build this nation together, ensuring that no one is left behind. There is no point talking about purely impressive growth figures, investment figures, if we do choose to neglect the poor and the marginalised,' he said. He said the government also welcomed the active role of the private sector in assisting in the development of national education, thus providing some relief in the issue of educational facilities and infrastructure. 'When we ask for cooperation, no one refuses, at least two schools will be given (assistance), some big companies will be given 30 schools. 'So I ask the Ministry of Education to give full cooperation (to the companies involved), at all levels,' said Anwar. Among the companies involved in the MADANI Adopted School initiative are Sime Darby Foundation, Petronas Foundation, UEM Foundation and TM Foundation, and the programme, which began in April, is jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.


The Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
MADANI Adopted School: Corporate leaders, sponsors urged to go to the ground
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has invited corporate figures and representatives of the sponsoring companies of the MADANI Adopted School programme to visit the school to provide early exposure to students on the importance of education for their future. Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said that apart from contributing funds, the involvement of companies and corporate figures also opens up opportunities for students to interact with individuals who are directly involved in the management or operations of the company. 'I want to emphasise that it is important that companies and corporate figures share their experience, and successes with students... then the children will be attracted to emulate them. 'If you don't have time, once a month, once every two or three months or (at least twice a year, go down to the school yourself. Give the children a little tea and explain what education means and how education can change in terms of social mobility,' he said. He said this when speaking at the MADANI Adopted School programme launching ceremony which was also attended by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar here today. Anwar said the MADANI Adopted School initiative was also not just fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR), but rather fulfilling the meaning of 'compassion' or 'kindness' that was being sought to be included in the MADANI national framework. 'It is beyond CSR. We are talking about compassion when they take responsibility to build this nation together, ensuring that no one is left behind. There is no point talking about purely impressive growth figures, investment figures, if we do choose to neglect the poor and the marginalised,' he said. He said the government also welcomed the active role of the private sector in assisting in the development of national education, thus providing some relief in the issue of educational facilities and infrastructure. 'When we ask for cooperation, no one refuses, at least two schools will be given (assistance), some big companies will be given 30 schools. 'So I ask the Ministry of Education to give full cooperation (to the companies involved), at all levels,' said Anwar. Among the companies involved in the MADANI Adopted School initiative are Sime Darby Foundation, Petronas Foundation, UEM Foundation and TM Foundation, and the programme, which began in April, is jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.


The Sun
4 hours ago
- Science
- The Sun
CoolThink@JC × Cambodia Sharing and Exchange Programme MoU Signed to Advance Computational Thinking in Country's Schools
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 June 2025 - The CoolThink@JC programme, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on 18 June. Under the MoU, titled 'CoolThink@JC × Cambodia Sharing and Exchange Programme', the ministry will adopt and adapt CoolThink@JC's internationally recognised curriculum and innovative education model in Cambodian primary schools. It will also foster collaboration through experience sharing between the educational systems of Hong Kong and Cambodia. The aim is to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have equitable access to quality computational thinking education, thus nurturing future-ready talent for the digital age. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport plans to introduce CoolThink@JC's curricular materials and successful experiences in 100 public schools in Cambodia, benefiting approximately 30,000 students and 500 teachers, from 2025 to 2028. By enhancing students' computational thinking and problem-solving skills, the initiative can help to bridge the digital divide and open a new chapter in the development of Cambodia's education system. As an ASEAN member state participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, Cambodia plans to share this development at international platforms such as the 2026 Global Smart Education Conference in Beijing, further amplifying the programme's impact. By exploring both local and global educational perspectives and exchanging knowledge, educators from Hong Kong and Cambodia will collaborate to create better learning environments for Asian students. Translated teaching materials will also benefit ethnic minority students in Hong Kong, further promoting integrated education. Signing the MoU on behalf of Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Mr Sok Tha, Director of the ministry's Department of Digital Transformation, emphasised the significance of the CoolThink@JC programme in Cambodia's education system during the signing of the MoU. The collaboration with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust on computational thinking education not only supports the Ministry in enhancing digital education but also aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia's vision of producing qualified digital human resources. By integrating this program into classrooms, teachers can enhance their professional development, equipping themselves with the necessary skills to effectively incorporate technology into their teaching practices. This advancement benefits both teachers and students, improving student learning outcomes in the digital age. Through workshops and training sessions, teachers can refine their coding, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills to better guide students. He is confident that implementing the program will enhance students' critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, leading to improved learning outcomes and better preparation for careers, especially in STEM fields and beyond. Ms Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Youth Development & Poverty Alleviation; and Talent & Sector Development) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said: 'The CoolThink@JC programme has garnered wide international recognition, and its adoption by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in Cambodia across 100 primary schools is a testament to its success and growing influence on the global stage. We are delighted to witness the establishment of the Association of Computational Thinking InnoCommunity Teachers by a group of passionate CoolThink teachers this year, facilitating experience sharing and professional exchange. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, we aim to strengthen connections in education between Hong Kong, ASEAN and One Belt One Road regions, paving the way for high-quality, forward-looking education for the next generation. Together, we can drive innovation in education and shape a brighter future for our youth. The Club thanks the Education Bureau for its support in adopting and adapting CoolThink@JC and mainstreaming it in all publicly funded primary schools in Hong Kong.' CoolThink@JC: Advancing Computational Thinking Education Worldwide During his visit to Hong Kong, Mr Sok Tha was invited to join the first two days of the International Conference on Computational Thinking Education as a guest speaker and delivered a speech yesterday (19 June) at the conference. He remarked: 'In the post- pandemic era, the demand for digital education has been growing, and Cambodia's education system is undergoing a critical period of transformation. With comprehensive support from the government and related policies, Cambodia is dedicated to building a resilient, knowledge-based society founded on innovation, science and technology. We aim to comprehensively enhance the quality of education, sports, science and technology by integrating digital tools and STEM disciplines to equip students with crucial 21st-century skills. We look forward to our collaboration with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and CoolThink@JC, laying an educational foundation for Cambodia's youth towards a future-ready society.' CoolThink@JC created the International Conference on Computational Thinking Education (CTE) in 2016. Since 2021, it has provided support for the annual event to be held in different regions, attracting over 2,000 global education scholars, front-line teachers and IT professionals each year. This initiative effectively promotes computational thinking education and drives innovation globally. This year's conference is taking place from 18 to 20 June at The Education University of Hong Kong and Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, respectively. In 2023, the CoolThink@JC programme was adopted by Hong Kong's Education Bureau as the foundation for the 'Enriched Module on Coding Education for Upper Primary Level' module. The related learning and teaching materials will soon be rolled out in all publicly-funded schools in Hong Kong, supporting teachers to systematically integrate elements of innovation and technology into their curricula. This aims to cultivate students' interest and capability in information technology, while promoting and deepening STEAM education. Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2016, the CoolThink@JC programme is co-created by The Education University of Hong Kong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and City University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with local educators and world-leading scholars. Since its inception, the programme has trained over 1,500 teachers and benefited more than 100,000 students. The programme is committed to mainstreaming computational thinking education into formal curricula, providing teachers with high-quality teaching materials, learning platforms and professional training. The curriculum emphasises problem-solving and logical reasoning skills, guiding students systematically through planning, analysis and debugging thought processes to effectively tackle challenges.