India, UK launch health care alliance in a bid boost bilateral ties (GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) delegation visited India recently to launch the India-UK healthcare alliance.
Details:
- The initiative is aimed at promoting excellence in the healthcare sector, providing a platform for healthcare institutions in two countries and creating synergetic partnerships aimed at improving health outcomes.
- The Alliance is an initiative of Bapio Training Academy.
- The proposal shall strategize its actions in the domains like
- promoting excellence in education, research, training and capacity building of Human Resources in the healthcare sector in both countries,
- identifying healthcare providers in India to promote medical tourism, share learning around low-cost innovative models of care to promote healthcare sustainability and
- promoting the culture of patient safety and clinical governance across Indian health systems through policy, advocacy and projects.
2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations:
- The 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations was launched on May 4, 2021, at a virtual summit between India’s Prime Minister and then UK PM Boris Johnson.
- The roadmap set out the jointly held vision for a reinvigorated and stronger relationship between the UK and India over the next ten years.
ISRO transfers big satellite technology to private sector
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has transferred its cutting-edge IMS-1 Satellite Bus Technology to Alpha Design Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
- This transfer was facilitated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, in a bid to further enable the private space sector into pushing development.
What is IMS-1 satellite bus?
- The IMS-1 satellite bus, a product of the U R Rao Satellite Centre, is a versatile and efficient small satellite platform designed to provide low-cost access to space.
- The bus serves as a dedicated vehicle for various payloads, enabling Earth imaging, ocean and atmospheric studies, microwave remote sensing, and space science missions while ensuring a quick turnaround time for satellite launches.
- Weighing about 100 kg, the IMS-1 bus accommodates a 30 kg payload. Its solar arrays generate 330 W power with a raw bus voltage of 30-42 V.
- It offers a 3-axis stabilised system with four reaction wheels and a 1 N thruster that provides pointing accuracy. This technology has been utilised in previous ISRO missions like IMS-1, Youthsat, and Microsat-2D and is a precursor to the more advanced IMS-2 bus technology.
Significance:
- The development of this technology marks the beginning of ISRO-developed satellite-bus technologies being transferred to private industries.
- ADTL boasts expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and system integration. With this technology transfer, ADTL is poised to make a substantial contribution to India's space research and exploration, furthering technological self-reliance and India's vision of becoming a major player in the global space market.
Way Forward:
- This transfer of technology is a significant step towards enhancing private industry participation in the Indian Space sector.
Lok Sabha passes Bill to empower President with management of IIMs
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill seeking to entrust the management accountability of the IIMs with the President, who will be a Visitor and have powers to audit their functioning, remove directors and nominate a member in the selection committee.
Mandate:
- The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, will only ensure its management accountability as the Centre has spent over Rs 6,000 crore in setting up the IIMs.
- Under the existing dispensation, the President of India is also a visitor at IITs and NITs, but no questions are being raised on the academic autonomy of these institutes.
Key Highlights:
- The Bill seeks to amend the IIM Act of 2017, the President will be a Visitor to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) with powers to audit their functioning, order probes and appoint as well as remove directors.
- The Visitor may appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress of any institute, to hold enquiries into affairs thereof and to report in such manner as the Visitor may direct.
- The board may also recommend to the Visitor an enquiry as deemed proper against the institute which has not been functioning in accordance with provisions and objectives of the Act.
Board of governors:
- Under the IIM Act, which came into force in January 2018 and granted the premier B-schools greater autonomy, the board of governors of each institute has 19 members which includes just one representative each from the central and state governments.
- The board nominates its remaining 17 members from among eminent personalities, faculty and alumni.
- It also appoints the search panels for the appointment of new directors and chairpersons, and later, makes the appointments if it agrees with the search panels' recommendations.
- However, according to the amendment Bill, the search-cum-selection panel for the director's appointment will have a Visitor's nominee.
