Chennai: A group of like minded professionals from different walks of life but having one common denominator-alumni of city based Loyola College- have come together to give something back to the society. No. They are not involved in any charity but decided to focus their activity in the field of education and formed a trust called Knowledge Xchange.

"Most of us who are involved in the trust are alumni of Loyola College or students of Rev.Fr.Casimir Raj S.J, the current director, XLRI, Jamshedpur," says V A George a founder member of Knowledge Xchange also, president India Cements Capital Limited. According to him the idea is to do something that would change the way learning and teaching happen in Indian schools.

The group decided to launch the trust coinciding with the completion of 50 years as a teacher by Fr Raj.

Speaking about the trust George says, "Ours is not a forum claiming a solution for the problems in the classroom. We will act as a catalyst in bringing about a change in the way students are taught in the schools."

It is a known fact that students are under immense pressure to score high marks in their exams as their future depends on it.. However the exam and the marking system do not actually test whether the student has understood the basic principles and his ability to apply the same in a practical situation. "Unlike us, the present generation children have lost their childhood. Today the emphasis is on rot learning.," adds Anuradha Parakkat, a trust member.

As a result one can hear corporates complaining that many Indian graduates are not employable.

"The mission of Knowledge Xchange is to observe and investigate the process of education in schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu and India and evolve new insights and models in education that will produce capable, employable and successful individuals who can lead an extraordinary life in an ordinary way," remarks George.

According to him the trust would conduct seminars, conferences on alternative or better teaching methods. "We could also bring schools and consultancy firms in the field of teaching together."

The first such event will happen on May 12, 2007 in the city. Knowledge Xchange in association with XLRI, which will hold an international seminar titled `Delearn to Relearn- Redefining the Architecture of Education.''

The seminar will focus on various new methods of learning and teaching and will discuss the implementation of new methods of learning and teaching in our educational institutions. The seminar will be of significant importance for those in teaching / education professions, remarks George.

The seminar will have eminent personalities sharing their views and experiences. Sam Pitroda, chairman, National Knowledge Commission, India will deliver the inaugural address. Other speakers are Sachin Pilot, MP, Bhaskar Das, executive president, TOI Group, Dr. Paul Chan, president, HELP University College ( Malaysia ), Fr. Raj, G. Gautama, principal, The School KFI, Sridhar Rajagopalan, Educational Initiatives, Prof. D.K. Subramanian, president, Foundation for Advancement of Education & Research, Dilip Ranjekar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation,. Atul Parvatiyar, president & CEO, Institute for Customer Relationship Management, USA, Ms. Chitra Ramakrishna, deputy managing director, National Stock Exchange, Dr. A. Raman, Charles Stuart University, Australia and Sarat Babu, CEO, Food King Catering Services.

They will share their views on various topics like:
- Competition: Are children being denied their childhood.
- Learning to Unlearn: Campus to Corporate.
- Wide Gaps - developing capabilities.
- Brilliance vs burnout
- Stress out factor vs Success factor.
- Thinking big - Entrepreneurship