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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council set to ensure essential work done as part of schools PFI hand back

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 17th April 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council is prepared to step in to ensure essential improvements to the city’s school buildings reach completion as part of the hand back process for its Private Finance Initiative.

    The council is set to fund a “backstop” position of up to £3.5 million to fund works that may not be completed by the PFI contractor, Transform Schools Stoke Ltd (TSSL), and other identified work.

    The money – which would come from an existing capital reserve that is no longer needed for schools growth – signals the council’s firm commitment to ensuring works get done, and that all children are provided with good school environments where they can thrive.

    It comes as the 25-year contract draws to a close and is intended to give all parties security and confidence to move forward together and bring this chapter to a close

    The council intends to enter a further agreement with TSSL to agree a final programme of hand back works is completed that prioritises timely delivery of the most important works.

    That would allow the contractor additional time, where justified, beyond the current contract end date of 25 October to complete outstanding or overrunning works, and to satisfactorily resolve any quality issues.

    Stoke-on-Trent’s schools PFI contract is the biggest in the country covering the delivery of maintenance services to 88 school buildings. It was one of the first such PFI deals to get off the ground in the country – and as such it gave the council fewer levers and controls than the contracts which were to follow.

    Nevertheless, the council is determined to make sure the transition is as robust and as smooth as possible as the contract comes to an end and is working collaboratively with TSSL to achieve a successful handover.

    Councillor Alastair Watson, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability and Corporate Resources at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The priority here is to work with schools and trusts to ensure they get the safe, warm and dry works they are expecting, and to the standard we all require for our city’s children.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Origins Uncertain: ‘Skull Hill’ Rock

    Source: NASA

    Written by Margaret Deahn, Ph.D. Student at Purdue University
    Last week, NASA’s Mars 2020 rover continued its journey down lower ‘Witch Hazel Hill’ on the Jezero crater rim. The rover stopped along a boundary visible from orbit dividing light and dark rock outcrop (also known as a contact) at a site the team has called ‘Port Anson’. In addition to this contact, the rover has encountered a variety of neat rocks that may have originated from elsewhere and transported to their current location, also known as float.

    Pictured above is an observation named ‘Skull Hill’ taken by the rover’s Mastcam-Z instrument. This float rock uniquely contrasts the surrounding light-toned outcrop with its dark tone and angular surface, and it features a few pits in the rock. If you look closely, you might even spot spherules within the surrounding regolith! See Alex Jones’ recent blog post for more information on these neat features: https://science.nasa.gov/blog/shocking-spherules/. The pits on Skull Hill may have formed via the erosion of clasts from the rock or scouring by wind. We’ve found a few of these dark-toned floats in the Port Anson region, and the team is working to better understand where these rocks came from and how they got here.
    Skull Hill’s dark color is reminiscent of meteorites found in Gale crater by the Curiosity rover: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/curiosity-mars-rover-checks-odd-looking-iron-meteorite/. Chemical composition is an important factor in identifying a meteorite, and Gale’s meteorites contain significant amounts of iron and nickel. However, recent analysis of SuperCam data from nearby similar rocks suggests a composition inconsistent with a meteorite origin. 
    Alternatively, ‘Skull Hill’ could be an igneous rock eroded from a nearby outcrop or ejected from an impact crater. On Earth and Mars, iron and magnesium are some of the main contributors to igneous rocks, which form from the cooling of magma or lava. These rocks can include dark-colored minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite. Luckily for us, the rover has instruments that can measure the chemical composition of rocks on Mars. Understanding the composition of these darker-toned floats will help the team to interpret the origin of this unique rock!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Astronaut to Answer Questions from Colorado Students

    Source: NASA

    Students from Woodland Park, Colorado, will connect with NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers as she answers prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related questions from aboard the International Space Station.
    Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 11:55 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, on the NASA STEM YouTube Channel.
    The event, hosted by Woodland Park High School, also is open to students from Woodland Park Middle School. The Colorado high school wants to show students that even though they reside in a small town, they can achieve big dreams. Ayers, who considers Colorado Springs and Divide, Colorado, home, is a graduate of Woodland Park.
    Media interested in covering the event must RSVP by 5 p.m., Friday, April 18 to Lindsey Prahl at lprah@wpsdk12.org or 719-922-1019.
    For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
    Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
    See videos and lesson plans highlighting space station research at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation
    -end-
    Tiernan DoyleHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov  
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Building for a Better World: Norfolk Students Bring STEM to Life with NASA Partnership

    Source: NASA

    At Norfolk Technical Center in Norfolk, Virginia, carpentry students in Jordan Crawford’s first-year class aren’t just learning how to measure and cut wood—they’re discovering how their skills can serve a greater purpose.
    When the NASA Science Activation program’s NASA eClips project—led by the National Institute of Aerospace’s Center for Integrative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (NIA-CISE)—needed help building weather instrument shelters for local schools, Norfolk Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) team saw an opportunity to connect students to something bigger than the classroom. The shelters are used to house scientific equipment that K–12 students rely on to collect data using GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) protocols—a set of standardized, internationally recognized methods for gathering environmental data such as temperature, soil moisture, and cloud cover. These observations contribute to a global citizen science database, giving young learners a meaningful role in real-world environmental research.
    Originally, shelters were being ordered from a national supplier to support GLOBE training sessions for teachers in GO (Growth & Opportunity) Virginia Region 5, an economic development region. These training sessions were funded through a generous grant from the Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM Hub), which supports regional collaboration in STEM education. But when the supplier couldn’t keep up with demand, Norfolk Public Schools CTE Specialist Dr. Deborah Marshall offered a bold solution: why not have local students build them?
    That’s when the project truly took off. Under the guidance of Jordan Crawford, students took on the challenge of building 20 high-quality shelters in spring 2024, following precise construction plans provided through the GLOBE Program. Materials were funded by the COVA STEM grant, and the students rolled up their sleeves to turn lumber into lasting educational tools for their community.
    “As an instructor, you look for opportunities that challenge your students, allow them to do things bigger than themselves, and let them see a project through from start to finish,” Crawford said. “This project allowed my students to hone existing skills and build new ones, and I saw incredible growth not just in craftsmanship but in teamwork. The most rewarding part was seeing the impact of their work in real schools.”
    And the students rose to the occasion—taking pride in their work, learning advanced techniques, and developing new confidence. One of the most challenging parts of the build involved crafting the louvers—angled slats on the sides of the shelters needed for proper air circulation. Student Zymere Watts took the lead in designing and building a jig to make sure the louvers could be cut uniformly and precisely for every unit.
    “Building the weather shelters was a fun and challenging task that pushed me to strive for perfection with each one,” said student Amir Moore. “After completion, I was delighted to see the faces of the people who were proud and happy with what we built.”“It was an extreme pleasure working on this project. I would love to work with NIA again,” added LaValle Howard. “I am proud to be a part of this vocational school and team.”Jaymyson Burden agreed: “It was fun and great to be exposed to the carpentry realm and install them in the real world. It was gratifying to know what we have done has an impact.”
    After completing the shelters, the students volunteered to install them at seven Hampton City Schools. Their work completed the full circle—from building the shelters in their carpentry classroom to setting them up where younger students would use them to collect real environmental data.
    Their dedication did not go unnoticed. The team was invited to NASA’s Langley Research Center for a behind-the-scenes tour of the NASA Model Shop, where they met Sam James, a Mechanical Engineering Technician and Fabrication Specialist. James showed the students how the same kind of craftsmanship they’d used is essential in the creation of tools and components for NASA missions. They also learned about NASA summer internships and discovered that their hands-on skills could open doors to exciting careers in STEM fields.
    “It was an honor to help where we were needed,” said student Josh Hunsucker. “Assembling these gave us a new perspective on the importance of duplication and how each step impacts the result. We’re happy to help wherever or whenever we’re needed—it provides a learning experience for us.”Kyra Pope summed it up: “It’s been a great amount of work over the past few months, but it pays off—especially when you’re giving back to the community.”
    According to Dr. Sharon Bowers, Associate Director and Senior STEM Education Specialist for NIA-CISE, the project demonstrates what’s possible when regional partners come together to empower students and educators alike. “The financial support from COVA STEM Hub supported sustained educator professional learning within our STEM learning ecosystem. Work with the Norfolk Technical Center truly made this a real-world, problem-solving experience. This is just the beginning for more collaborative work that will bring the region together to engage educators and learners in authentic STEM learning experiences.”
    This collaboration wasn’t just about building boxes to house thermometers. It was about building bridges—between technical education and science, between high school students and their futures, and between local classrooms and global research. With each shelter they crafted, the students created something that will outlast them, reminding others—and themselves—of what’s possible when learning is hands-on, meaningful, and connected to the world beyond school walls.
    Thanks to Betsy McAllister, NIA’s Educator-in-Residence from Hampton City Schools, for her impactful contributions and for sharing this story. The NASA eClips project provides educators with standards-based videos, activities, and lessons to increase STEM literacy through the lens of NASA. It is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB91A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merrie Monarch Travelers Reminded of ʻŌhiʻa Quarantine Restrictions

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Merrie Monarch Travelers Reminded of ʻŌhiʻa Quarantine Restrictions

    Posted on Apr 17, 2025 in Main

    April 17, 2025
    NR25-09

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is reminding travelers attending the Merrie Monarch Festival next week that quarantine restrictions remain on the transport of ʻōhiʻa from Hawai`i Island due to the fungal plant disease, rapid ʻōhiʻa death (ROD), which is devastating to native forests. The Merrie Monarch Festival takes place in Hilo from April 20 to 26.

    The quarantine has been in place since 2015 and restricts the movement of ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, cuttings, untreated wood, logs, mulch, green waste and frass (sawdust from boring insects) and any soil from Hawai`i Island. Even if the ʻōhiʻa originated from another island, it may not be transported off of the island. Transport of such items is only allowed with a permit issued by the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB).

    PQB inspectors will be stationed at airports in Hilo and Kona on Sunday and Monday, April 27 and 28, to collect any ʻōhiʻa material, which will be respectfully returned to the native forests on Hawai‘i Island. During last year’s Merrie Monarch travel period, Hilo PQB inspectors intercepted 27 lei poʻo (head lei).

    At the event, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience will provide hoʻihoʻi baskets to collect any ʻōhiʻa. Baskets will also be stationed at the Hilo and Kona airport PQB offices.

    A travel alert flyer has been posted on the HDOA website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ROD-Travel-Alert-Sign-12x18_09_FINAL.pdf

    The Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture issued an emergency quarantine in August 2015 to stop the spread of the plant fungus from Hawaiʻi Island to other islands. A permanent quarantine rule was established in 2016. Any person who violates the quarantine rule may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100 with a maximum fine of $10,000. For a second offense committed within five years of a prior conviction under this rule, the person or organization shall be fined not less than $500 and not more than $25,000.

    The Merrie Monarch Festival draws dozens of hula hālau and hundreds of spectators to Hawai‘i Island. It is important to note that the very act of harvesting ʻōhiʻa may spread the disease, as spores may be carried in soil and by harvesting tools, vehicles, shoes and clothing to uninfected areas.

    ROD was first noticed in 2010 in Puna. In 2014, the fungus was initially identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Daniel K. Inouye Agricultural Research Service. Recent research has reclassified Ceratocystis fimbriata into two distinct species that are new to science, Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. It is estimated that at least one million ʻōhiʻa trees have been killed by ROD just on Hawai‘i Island alone.

    The disease was detected on Kauaʻi in 2018 and on O‘ahu in 2019. Also in 2019, one ʻōhiʻa tree on Maui was infected and destroyed and ROD has not been detected on the island since. It is not known how or where the disease entered the state.

    Travelers seeking more inspection information may contact HDOA’s Plant Quarantine offices:

    Hilo – 808-961-9393                       Honolulu – 808-837-8413
    Kona – 808-326-1077                     Maui – 808-872-3848
    Kauaʻi – 808-241-7135

    More information on ROD may be found at:

    # # #

    lei poʻo turned in at Hilo airport

    Ohia inspection at Hilo International Airport

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Fight Against Anemia

    Source: Government of India

    India’s Fight Against Anemia

    Nourish, Prevent, Protect

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 12:33PM by PIB Delhi

    Key Takeaways:

     

    • 67.1% of children and 59.1% of adolescent girls in India are anemic (NFHS-5).
    • 3 in 4 Indian women have low dietary iron intake.
    • Anemia Mukt Bharat (uses a 6x6x6 strategy: 6 interventions, 6 target groups of beneficiaries, and 6 institutional mechanisms.
    • 15.4 crore children/adolescents received Iron and Folic Acid supplements in Q2 FY 2024-25.
    • Digital tools track real-time anemia screening and supply data.
    • AMB Program integrates with POSHAN Abhiyaan and School Health Program.

     

     

    Introduction

     

    India is home to the world’s largest adolescent population. It also leads one of the most ambitious public health campaigns against anemia, a condition that continues to affect millions, especially women, children, and adolescents. Anemia, primarily caused by iron deficiency, results from low haemoglobin levels, reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen to vital organs.[1] Deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin A are other nutritional causes of anemia.[2] Its widespread prevalence is rooted in poor nutrition, early pregnancies, inadequate maternal care, and limited access to iron-rich foods, making it a pressing public health challenge that demands urgent and sustained action. [3]

    Anemia is both preventable and treatable, and over the past two decades, the Government of India has taken strong, targeted action to combat it. A significant turning point came with the Second National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) in 1998–99, paving the way for landmark programs like Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB). Today, AMB reaches millions annually through a comprehensive strategy that includes Iron-Folic Acid supplementation, deworming, fortified nutrition, and behaviour change communication across all age groups.

    By integrating maternal and child health with adolescent nutrition and school-based outreach, India is actively disrupting the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This sustained, community-led approach transforms outcomes for girls, pregnant and lactating women, and children under five—positioning India as a global leader in evidence-based, inclusive public health innovation.

    Overview of Anemia

    What are its symptoms?[4]

     

    Anemia manifests with symptoms such as fatigue, diminished physical work capacity, and shortness of breath. It serves as an indicator of poor nutrition and various health issues. Common and non-specific symptoms of anemia include tiredness, dizziness or feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet, headache and shortness of breath, particularly during exertion.

     

     

    Who does it impact generally?

     

     

    The population groups most vulnerable to anemia include children under 5 years of age, particularly infants and children under 2 years of age, menstruating adolescent girls and women, and pregnant and postpartum women.

     

     

    What is its impact?[5]

     

     

    Iron deficiency anemia results in impaired cognitive and motor development in children and decreased work capacity in adults. The effects are most severe in infancy and early childhood. In pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia can lead to perinatal loss, prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) babies.

     

     

    How can it be prevented and treated?

     

     

    Anemia’s treatment and prevention depend on its underlying cause. Still, it can often be managed through dietary changes such as consuming iron- and nutrient-rich foods (like folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin A), maintaining a balanced diet, and taking supplements when a healthcare provider recommends them.

     

     

    Status of Anemia Globally[6]

     

    • Anemia affects around 500 million women aged 15 to 49 and 269 million children under 5 years (6-59 months) worldwide.

     

    In 2019

    • Approximately 30% of non-pregnant women (539 million) had anemia.
    • Approximately 37% of pregnant women (32 million) were affected by anemia.

     

    Status of Anemia in India as per the National Health Survey – 5 (2019-2021)[7]

     

     

    Policy Interventions by the Government of India for Anemia Eradication

    Recognizing the burden of anemia across various population groups, the Government of India is committed to its eradication. Although health is a state subject, the Centre is proactive by extending financial and technical support to states and UTs through the National Health Mission (NHM), which is aligned with their annual Programme Implementation Plans.

    1. Anemia Mukt Bharat

    It was launched in 2018 with a 6x6x6 strategy under which there are six interventions to reduce the prevalence of anemia (nutritional and non-nutritional) in six age groups – pre-school children (6-59 months), children (5-9 years), adolescent girls and boys (10-19 years), pregnant women, lactating women, and women of reproductive age (15-49 years) following a life cycle approach.[8] The Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy is implemented in all villages, blocks, and districts of all the States/UTs of India through existing delivery platforms as envisaged in the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) [9], a comprehensive strategy to combat the public health challenge of Iron Deficiency Anaemia prevalent across the life cycle[10] and Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation, (WIFS) programme to reduce the prevalence and severity of anemia in adolescent population (10-19 years)[11]

     

    The 6x6x6 intervention under the Anemia Mukt Bharat are as follows: [12] [13] [14]

    1.1 Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation

    Under the AMB strategy, Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation is tailored by age group and physiological needs. Children aged 6–59 months receive biweekly IFA syrup, while those aged 5–10 years are given a weekly pink tablet. Adolescents (10–19 years) and non-pregnant, non-lactating women (20–49 years) receive a weekly blue or red IFA tablet, respectively. Women in the pre-conception period and first trimester are advised to take daily folic acid tablets. Pregnant women start daily IFA tablets from the second trimester and continue through pregnancy and six months post-partum. All supplements follow standardized dosages and are color-coded for easy identification.

     

    1.2 Deworming

    • MoHFW is implementing the National Deworming Day (NDD) program, under which biannual mass deworming for children and adolescents aged 1-19 is carried out on designated dates – 10th February and 10th August every year.
    • Pregnant women are provided services under the strategy through antenatal care contacts (ANC clinics/ VHND) for deworming (in the second trimester).

     

    1.3 Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication Campaign (Solid Body, Smart Mind) focusing on four key behaviours as mentioned below:

     

    1.4 Testing and treatment of anemia, using digital methods and point-of-care treatment, with special focus on pregnant women and school-going adolescents

    1.5 Mandatory provision of Iron and Folic Acid fortified foods in government funded public health programmes.

    1.6 Intensifying awareness, screening and treatment of non-nutritional causes of anemia in endemic pockets, with special focus on malaria, haemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

    Progress of Anemia Mukt Bharat[15]

    Government Initiatives to Combat Anemia in Women & Children [16] [17]

    Conclusion

    India’s commitment to ending anemia is a global example of inclusive public health action. Through the Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy, the government has reached millions of women, children, and adolescents with Iron-Folic Acid supplementation, deworming, fortified nutrition, and awareness campaigns. By prioritizing the health of its most vulnerable—girls, mothers, and young children—India is breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. With sustained investment, digital innovation, and strong last-mile delivery, the vision of a healthier, anemia-free India is within reach.

     

    References

    Click here to see PDF.

    *****

    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria / Vatsla Srivastava

    (Release ID: 2122623) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India takes part in Africa’s largest tech and startup show GITEX Africa 2025

    Source: Government of India

    India takes part in Africa’s largest tech and startup show GITEX Africa 2025

    Knowledge transfer and technology sharing, key pillars of collective growth, says MoS Jayant Chaudhary

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 10:35AM by PIB Delhi

    Africa’s largest tech and startup show, GITEX provides platform for policy leaders, changemakers and visionaries to collectively discuss and deliberate on the opportunities to collaborate and further the imperative of inclusive and equitable growth of the global economy. The three-day event just concluded at Morocco capital Marrakesh.

    Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary represented Republic of India at the summit. He took part in high-level bilateral meetings, panel discussions and interacted with Indian startups showcasing their innovations.

    In the discussions, Shri Jayant Chaudhary stated, “India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has driven transformative changes across areas, especially through developments of digital identity (Aadhaar), digital payments (UPI), e-commerce (ONDC), and healthcare. And we are increasingly integrating advanced technologies – AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital infrastructure – into our skilling ecosystem. Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a digital public infrastructure for the skilling ecosystem has onboarded more than one crore users in over one and a half years. These are areas, rich with potential, for collaboration with our African partners and we can collectively grow our economies through sustained partnerships.”

    “India, where the pace of digitalization is higher relative to some other developing economies, with established open-source Digital Public Infrastructure systems, has the potential to catalyze speed of digitalization in other developing countries seeking to develop such systems through collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Shri Jayant Chaudhary added. In addition, India is a key resource talent hub for AI professionals leading the way with 33.39% YoY growth in AI talent hiring as per AI Stanford Index 2025, which is a clear indicator of the efforts of the government and the industry to nurture an environment for adoption on AI.

    On the sidelines of the summit, the Minister held productive bilateral meetings with Ms Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform; Prof Azzedine EL Midaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation; Mr Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills; and Mr Mohammed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports. In his discussions, Shri Jayant Chaudhary touched upon broadly on exploring synergies in AI, research and capacity; discussed insights on how Digital Public Infrastructure can be a catalyst for inclusion, innovation and equitable growth; and shared India’s experience in building scalable, inclusive technology for public good.

    India’s participation at GITEX Africa 2025 reaffirmed its role as a global leader in skilling and digital innovation. Through pathbreaking initiatives like Skill India, Digital India, and the creation of scalable Digital Public Infrastructure such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and DIKSHA, India has demonstrated how inclusive, technology-driven models can empower citizens at scale. These initiatives are increasingly being recognized as global best practices, offering adaptable frameworks for developing nations seeking to build resilient, future-ready societies.

    ****

    Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

    (Release ID: 2122606) Visitor Counter : 83

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR, Green Climate Fund, the West African Development Bank and Early Warning for All Partners join hands to empower Togo to strengthen climate and disaster risk management

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    From 8 to 11 April 2025, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute (ONEA & GETI), in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD), hosted a technical Training of Trainers workshop on “Tools for Implementing Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Projects” with national stakeholders from Togo. The workshop, held in Incheon, Republic of Korea, was organized in support of the implementation of the recently approved GCF co-funded project, ‘Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities within high climatic and disaster risk areas in Togo,’ to help build capacity and technical knowledge of key governmental stakeholders to support the project’s activities.

    Throughout the training, representatives from Togo’s key institutions involved in disaster risk reduction, climate information and early warning, including the National Agency for Civil Protection (ANPC), the Togolese Meteorological Agency (ANAMET), the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources (MERF), and other project partners including the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC), joined sessions delivered by UNDRR, GCF, as well as international partners from CREWS, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (UNCTCN), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Core themes included disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) and anticipatory action, gender mainstreaming and diversity, equity and inclusion in DRR, project monitoring and evaluation, forecast-based finance, and climate investment planning. Participants explored global frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and discussed the design, coordination, and financing structure for the new GCF co-financed initiative in Togo.

    In addition to in-depth sessions on GCF’s project implementation, reporting, and results frameworks, the workshop introduced practical tools such as the Sendai Framework Monitor Custom Indicators and the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, and its thematic annexes to support national and local level DRR planning. Technical partners presented available tools and collaborative approaches under the Early Warnings for All Initiative and shared examples from country-level implementation. Practical experience from the Republic of Korea was also shared through a presentation from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) on its integrated disaster management system and emergency communication tools, showcasing how the four pillars of early warning, including risk knowledge, monitoring and forecasting, dissemination and communication, and response capability, are implemented through advanced technologies and inter-agency coordination.

    The final day of the workshop included a field visit to the Incheon Metropolitan City Safety Situation Division, a core facility within Korea’s urban resilience infrastructure. Participants toured the division’s integrated monitoring and control systems, including real-time CCTV surveillance, flood sensors, wildfire alert systems, and automated detection systems for identifying unusual events and alerting operators. City officials shared how Incheon leverages digital tools and interdepartmental coordination to ensure fast, reliable disaster alert delivery across sectors. The visit served as a practical demonstration of how smart governance and technology can strengthen resilience at the local level. Participants reflected on the field visit to the Incheon Metropolitan City Safety Situation Division, sharing valuable insights and inspirations drawn from the experience:

    “The visit has given us a lot of inspiration for setting up our operations room (soon to be equipped) in coordination with the UNDRR. The Project will help to strengthen current data collection, processing and dissemination for early warning. We hope that one day we will also have an observation network similar to the one in Incheon.” – Yoma Baka (Director General of ANPC)

    “We have great enthusiasm for the tools that we observed during the visit to Incheon City Hall. This visit brought a very operational character to the workshop.” – Komi Sossou (Environmentalist Expert in Climate Change and Sustainable Development of MERF & MERF Focal Point at the National Disaster Risk Management Platform)

    The workshop concluded with reflections and action planning for the national implementation of the SAP048 project. Participants expressed their commitment to applying the lessons learned and strengthening coordination among national and international partners. The training served as an important milestone in Togo’s progress toward scaling up climate resilience and ensuring that early warnings reach all vulnerable communities. The trained trainers are expected to support a training for national stakeholders in Togo in the coming months, as part of a number of project inception activities planned by BOAD in coordination with national and international partners.

    “We now have more inspiration to better innovate in disaster management.” – Sanetienone Damorou (National Focal Point of Project SAP048 ‘Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in high climate and disaster risk areas in Togo’ of ANPC)

    “Throughout the four days we had an opportunity to share experience and learn about disaster risk management. We learned a lot and we see that there is much be done in our country, and that the new project can greatly contribute to improving and implementing certain activities. We also heard from partners interested to support this project. It is important that we really work together.” – Méwekiwé Egbare (Engineer in Agrometeorology of ANAMET & Head of the Weather Center of GMN)

    “This training is important in terms of sharing experience and learning tools and getting a better idea of what technical partners can do. It’s a training course for trainers, so it’s essential that we can replicate it at home.” – Aissatou Diagne (Climate Projects Supervision Specialist (DSPC) of BOAD)

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 142 Status Reports

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Festival “Polytechnic Graduates to Students”: friendly advice and useful experience

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The third one was held at SPbPU festival “Polytechnic graduates – to students” organized by the Center for Fundraising and Work with Alumni. The new meeting brought new emotions: the speakers shared memories of their studies and first work experience, gave valuable advice to the younger generation, entertained them with quizzes and gave gifts for correct answers.

    The meeting was opened by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov.

    “Today’s festival brought together graduates from 2006 to 2024, many of whom are active members of the Polytechnic Ambassadors community,” said Maxim Pasholikov. “It is important for students to communicate with the ambassadors as with senior colleagues who have already established themselves in their fields of activity, but are still quite young and have not yet reached the heights of their careers. Each such meeting brings new useful acquaintances, some of the students find a place for a future internship or work. Graduates, from the height of their experience, can draw the attention of the guys to knowledge and skills that are especially relevant when applying for a job and at work. Graduates are also interested in watching and listening to each other. This is how joint projects, ideas and undertakings are formed, which unite different people under the auspices of the Polytechnic.”

    This time, the students had ten guests — ten interesting speakers with their unique stories of professional development in various fields of activity — from work in government agencies to their own business. For example, shipbuilding was represented by the head of the production preparation bureau of the chief technologist department of the Kronstadt Marine Plant, a 2014 graduate Dmitry Gomonov and project manager at Severnaya Verf, 2017 graduate Georgy Kremlev.

    Also connected with this area is the work of 2016 graduate Evgeniya Lastochkina – she is an engineer in the laboratory “Metal Science of Steels with Special Physical Properties” of the scientific and production complex “Structural Steels and Functional Materials for Marine Engineering” of the Central Research Institute of Structural Materials “Prometey” of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”.

    “Polytech was my first step on my adult life path,” said Evgeniya. “It was Polytech that contributed to the fact that I now work in such a cool company. I thank the university for giving me the opportunity to gain knowledge that I apply in production. And the best way to practice communication skills is… on business trips.”

    Evgeniya continues her studies – now in postgraduate studies in the field of “Materials Technology”. In science, she deals with low-magnetic steels, but she tries to develop not only in this area, for example, she tried herself as a lecturer during thematic shifts for high school students, which are organized by the Kurchatov Institute.

    Yaroslav Velikiy, a 2024 graduate and senior engineer at the Setl Stroy testing laboratory of the Setl Group holding, is also studying in the Polytechnic’s postgraduate program. He got a job in 2022 and simultaneously studied for a master’s degree. Having told the guys about his company, Yaroslav told them how to get an internship there.

    The IT sphere was represented by Kirill Vasiliev, Head of the New Business Projects Practice “Corporate Entrepreneur” of Gazpromneft – Information Technology Operator, 2011 graduate, and Ksenia Saitova, IT recruiter of Positive Technologies, 2020 graduate. Speaking about her career experience, Ksenia emphasized that it was her active student life at the Polytechnic that helped her find a job, write a resume, solve various cases and write projects.

    “It seems to me that my generation was less conscious in choosing a university, then there was propaganda that a diploma was not so important, but I can say that this is not entirely true. It is not so important to get an education in the right field, the foundation that the university provides is important,” Ksenia believes. “The Polytechnic University has a lot of opportunities, many student organizations, where some guys then come to work. I graduated from the Humanities Institute, the Advertising and Public Relations program, received relevant modern knowledge, we were given the opportunity to do an internship in large companies. As far as I know, the university still holds a Career Forum, this is also very helpful.”

    Denis Lykov, Class of 2014, Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chain Manager at H

    Head of the Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Instrumentation and Automation Systems Sector of the Operations Department of the Restoration and Storage Center (RSC) “Staraya Derevnya” of the State Hermitage Museum Kirill Tambovtsev introduced himself as a “Polytechnic graduate of 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2023.” This is not his first time participating in the festival, and he structured his current performance in the form of questions and answers. The quiz was well received by the audience, as it allowed some of them to show off their knowledge (or intuition) and win prizes.

    While most of the speakers talked about their careers in hired work, 2007 graduate Andrey Sharkov and 2014 graduate Alexander Kiyanitsa shared their entrepreneurial experience. Andrey Sharkov is known as the founder of a chocolate manufacturing company, and now he has a new business – glamping.

    No matter what anyone says about the importance of education and each discipline, until you encounter real tasks, it will be an abstraction. Therefore, you need to start some activity as soon as possible to understand how these disciplines work in real life, and not in theory. Then you will be able to make a conscious focus on those disciplines that are most important to you, interesting and in demand by the market, – Andrey believes.

    Unlike Andrey, who started doing business while still a student, engineer Alexander Kiyanitsa first graduated with honors from the electromechanical faculty of the Polytechnic University, then worked for a company for hire for several years, and only in 2017, in partnership with several colleagues (also Polytechnic students), he founded a company for the development and production of household electrical appliances-electricity storage devices VOLTS. Having analyzed and systematized his experience, he shared with students his conclusions that will help future entrepreneurs avoid mistakes. For example: start working for hire as early as possible in the field in which the student plans to do business. This really helped me get a feel for this industry, understand where I want to develop, in what specific context, and where to move next, – says Alexander.

    The second is to fight the inner perfectionist. Time is fast now, and speed greatly affects the final result. We fell into the trap when we wanted to make the most perfect product possible, we were afraid to bring it to the market. This is a typical mistake. The faster you bring the product, the faster you will understand whether the market needs it.

    Third, look for investors at exhibitions. Exhibitions helped us, especially international ones, in which we actively participated, exhibited the product, and this helped us attract money. Once at an exhibition in Helsinki, we invited a representative of the Emirates Fund, and we were invited to the Emirates, we opened a representative office there, received investments, and now it is a fairly powerful hub for work on the world market.

    Fourth, be patient and move step by step systematically towards the goals you set for yourself.

    This year, the Polytechnic University Graduates to Students festival had a new host — a first-year student of the GI (jurisprudence), a member of the youth council of the Dobro.Center “Harmony” Artem Kuzmin. He coped with the task perfectly and later shared his impressions: By the will of fate, I became the host of the festival, which I did not know before. And I am happy that I was able to meet such outstanding graduates, who were also students not long ago and achieved such heights. I got an exceptional experience and heard living motivational stories that inspire. I was simply charged with success and study, thanks to the organizers.

    Photo archive

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “BioTech-2025”: Scientists Discuss Innovations in Biotechnology

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The 2nd All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “BioTech-2025” was held at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    Guests from Kazan, Ulan-Ude, Tambov, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad and the Republic of Belarus gathered at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology. An excursion to the SPbPU History Museum was organized for them.

    The participants were greeted by the Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Andrey Vasin, who noted that biotechnology is one of the priority areas of scientific and technological development of the country, therefore the specialty of biotechnologist is very popular among applicants.

    The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Director of the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production Yulia Bazarnova emphasized that the exchange of experience and knowledge between young specialists will accelerate the development of innovative solutions and technologies, and that such meetings contribute to the birth of new ideas and projects.

    Leading researchers in the field of food security, biomedicine and environmental biotechnology, as well as representatives of the conference partners, the companies Alkor Bio and Partiya Eda, spoke at the plenary session.

    Oksana Pavlova, associate professor of Grodno State University, spoke about the long-term cooperation between Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. She noted that the long-term experience of interaction confirms the high efficiency in the development of the international educational space and indicates significant potential for further expansion of scientific and pedagogical exchange formats.

    Irina Cheglakova, Head of the Department for the Development of Biologically Active Supplements at Alkor Bio Group of Companies, presented the development prospects for one of the areas of the modern food industry and medicine — the creation and production of dietary supplements. Irina Potoroko, Professor at the South Ural State University, gave a report on food security.

    Several final reports were made by SPbPU scientists. Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Marina Karpenko spoke about the various effects of manganese, which is toxic, but at the same time a vital microelement for human health and development. Prospects and methods of using microalgae to solve environmental problems were presented by Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Natalia Politaeva. She spoke about a method for obtaining biohydrogen from spent microalgae, which were previously used to purify wastewater from the food industry. According to experts, this approach will simultaneously provide access to renewable environmentally friendly fuel and reduce the impact of industrial wastewater on the environment.

    In conclusion, leading technologists of the Food Party company, graduates of the Higher School of Business and Food Safety Vladimir Gnilitsky and Kristina Bogdanova shared their experience in the development of new dishes and the introduction of the latest methods of processing products to preserve their freshness.

    In addition, meetings of the sections “Food Systems and Nutrition”, “Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology”, “Biotechnology for Plant Growing”, “Methods of Molecular Diagnostics and Environmental Biotechnology” were held.

    The conference moderator, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Business and Public Policy Anna Sevastyanova, emphasized that the event provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to get acquainted with the experience of experienced researchers – professors, associate professors and leading employees of various scientific organizations.

    It was interesting to listen to the reports on various problems related to biotesting of different environments: air, water and soil. After the presentations, it became clear that microalgae are a certain “favorite” in this topic. The use of biotechnology to increase crop yields and product quality also aroused keen interest. I would like to thank the organizers for the opportunity to exchange experiences, – shared 4th year student Andrey Voynov.

    Based on the results of the conference, a collection of materials will be compiled.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What was HMNZS Manawanui doing before it sank? Calls for greater transparency

    By Susana Leiataua, RNZ National presenter

    There are calls for greater transparency about what the HMNZS Manawanui was doing before it sank in Samoa last October — including whether the New Zealand warship was performing specific security for King Charles and Queen Camilla.

    The Manawanui grounded on the reef off the south coast of Upolu in bad weather on 5 October 2024 before catching fire and sinking. Its 75 crew and passengers were safely rescued.

    The Court of Inquiry’s final report released on 4 April 2025 found human error and a long list of “deficiencies” grounded the $100 million vessel on the Tafitoala Reef, south of Upolu, where it caught fire and sank.

    Equipment including weapons and ammunition continue to be removed from the vessel as its future hangs in the balance.

    The Court of Inquiry’s report explains the Royal New Zealand Navy was asked by “CHOGM Command” to conduct “a hydrographic survey of the area in the vicinity of Sinalei whilst en route to Samoa”.

    When it grounded on the Tafitoala Reef, the ship was following orders received from Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand. The report incorrectly calls it the “Sinalei Reef”.

    Sinalei is the name of the resort which hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla for CHOGM — the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting — which began in Samoa 19 days after the Manawanui sank from 25-26 October 2024. The Royals arrived two days before CHOGM began.

    Support of CHOGM
    Speaking at the release of the court’s final report, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding described the Manawanui’s activity on the south coast of Upolu.

    “So the operation was done in support of CHOGM — a very high-profile security activity on behalf of a nation, so it wasn’t just a peacetime operation,” he said.

    “It was done in what we call rapid environmental assessment so we were going in and undertaking something that we had to do a quick turnaround of that information so it wasn’t a deliberate high grade survey. It was a rapid environmental assessment so it does come with additional complexity and it did have an operational outcome. It’s just, um you know, we we are operating in complex environments.

    “It doesn’t say that we did everything right and that’s what the report indicates and we just need to get after fixing those mistakes and improving.”

    Sinalei Resort . . . where the royal couple were hosted. Image: Dominic Godfrey/RNZ Pacific

    The report explained the Manawanui was tasked with “conducting the Sinalei survey task” “to survey a defined area of uncharted waters.” But Pacific security fellow at Victoria University’s Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University Iati Iati questions what is meant by “in support of the upcoming CHOGM”.

    “All we’ve been told in the report is that it was to support CHOGM. What that means is unclear. I think that needs to be explained. I think it also needs to be explained to the Samoan people, who initiated this.

    “Whether it was just a New Zealand initiative. Whether it was done for CHOGM by the CHOGM committee or whether it was something that involved the Samoa government,” Iati said.

    What-for questions
    “So a lot of the, you know, who was behind this and the what-for questions haven’t been answered.”

    Iati said CHOGM’s organising committee included representatives from Samoa as well as New Zealand.

    “But who exactly initiated that additional task which I think is on paragraph 37 of the report after the ship had sailed, the extra task was then confirmed. Who initiated that I’m not sure and I think that needs to be explained. Why it was confirmed after the sailing that also needs to be explained.

    “In terms of security, I guess the closest we can come to is the fact that you know King Charles was staying on that side and Sinalei Reef. It may have something to do with that but this is just really unclear at the moment and I think all those questions need to be addressed.”

    The wreck of the Manawanui lies 2.1 nautical miles — 3.89km — from the white sandy beach of the presidential suite at Sinalei Resort where King Charles and Queen Camilla stayed during CHOGM.

    Just over the fence from the Royals’ island residence, Royal New Zealand Navy divers were coming and going from the sunken vessel in the early days of their recovery operation, and now salvors and the navy continue to work from there.

    AUT Law School professor Paul Myburgh said the nature of the work the Manawanui was carrying out when it ran aground on the reef has implications for determining compensation for people impacted by its sinking.

    Sovereign immunity
    “Historically, if it was a naval vessel that was the end of the story. You could never be sued in normal courts about anything that happened on board a naval vessel. But nowadays, of course, governmental vessels are often involved in commercial activity as well,” he said.

    “So we now have what we call the restrictive theory of sovereign immunity which states that if you are involved in commercial or ordinary activity that is non-governmental you are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, so this is why I’ve been wanting to get to the bottom of exactly what they were doing.

    “Who instructed whom and that sort of thing. And it seems to me that in line with the findings of the report all of this seems to have been done on a very adhoc basis.”

    RNZ first asked the New Zealand Defence Force detailed questions on Friday, April 11, but it declined to respond.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than a thousand Polytechnic employees have been trained in Astra Linux

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University has completed training for employees on the Astra Linux Special Edition 1.7 OS program, designed for novice users of the domestic operating system and those who are switching to it from Windows OS. The organizer is the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership of SPbPU.

    More than 1,100 Polytechnic employees took part in the program, which confirms the high interest and relevance of the topic of transition to domestic software.

    The training has become a significant step in the digital transformation of the university. We strive to provide high-quality training for employees so that they can work confidently in the new conditions. In the near future, a second stream of training is planned, courses on Russian office packages and other opportunities within the framework of the Corporate Academy of the University project, – noted Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov.

    The training was conducted online with a flexible schedule for each participant. The course materials included interactive presentations, videos demonstrating processes in the system, as well as practical tasks and simulation cases.

    The Department of Multimedia Systems and Import Substitution actively supports the initiative of the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership on the digital transformation of the Polytechnic University using domestic software.

    In parallel with the online course, we have created a special platform for practical training of skills in real conditions. Users can connect to remote workstations with the pre-installed Astra Linux operating system. This allows you to consolidate the acquired knowledge in an environment as close as possible to real professional activity and contributes to more effective mastering of domestic software, – emphasized the head of the Department of Multimedia Systems and Import Substitution Alexey Chernetsov.

    The transition to Astra Linux is connected with the implementation of the state strategy to ensure technological sovereignty and reject imported solutions. For universities, this is especially important not only as users, but also as scientific and educational organizations that shape the digital culture in the country. Mastering the new operating system allows employees to work in a safe, modern environment that meets the requirements for information protection and digital independence.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “The World Is Becoming More Complex and Less Predictable”: What Scientists Say About the Future

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The future is now more difficult for researchers to predict, and events that are less predictable are becoming increasingly important. But there is good news: scientists are convinced that humanity will adapt to any changes. This was discussed at the conference that was launched as part of XXV Yasinsky (April) International Scientific Conference International Symposium “Foresight in a rapidly changing world“.

    Rapid technological progress, alarming climate change, rapid digitalization, rising inflation and stagflation are causing major changes. “The world is becoming more complex and less predictable,” said a leading expert Foresight Center ISSEK HSE University Yulia Milshina. According to her, rapid changes cause nervousness and depression among the population. Some researchers associate their emergence with the development of digital technologies and a sense of insecurity.

    “The digital transformation of education and labor systems is not keeping up with the times, creating a mismatch between human capital and market demands,” says Yulia Milshina. Demographic statistics are also alarming. “The increase in the age of the population, in contrast to its size, in developed countries poses a threat to the pension and health care systems,” she adds.

    At the same time, there has been an exponential growth in the number of scientific publications devoted to the so-called wild cards (random factors) recently. These include poorly predictable events that may prove to be extremely important. An early warning system for such random events is important in order to formulate approaches to reducing the negative consequences of the implementation of wild cards, explained Yulia Milshina. If in 2022 there were more than 50 such events, then in 2025 there will be more than 300.

    The global financial crisis has served as a trigger for the research community to take low-probability, high-impact events more seriously, she stressed. Unpredictability makes traditional forecasting difficult. “Despite increased awareness, we remain vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances,” the expert notes. The new social world requires integrated strategies that can adapt to rapid developments. Therefore, more sophisticated tools are being developed “to anticipate, assimilate and adapt to such disruptive changes.”

    Senior Research Fellow Laboratories of Innovation Economy HSE ISSEK Alena Nefedova spoke about the system ifora — an intelligent platform for analyzing big data and megatrends, developed by the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge.

    Among the megatrends that will influence the future, Alena Nefedova named climate change, increased attention to the physical and psycho-emotional state of a person, the transformation of the education system, and global changes in the labor market. At the same time, the development of interdisciplinary research is becoming very important in science itself, she emphasized.

    “Universities began interdisciplinary research in the mid-20th century in collaboration with industry. By the 1970s, interdisciplinarity was recognized as vital to strengthening universities as key players in innovation ecosystems,” Alena Nefedova noted. Digitalization is also increasingly influencing scientific activity. “We have virtual forums, we have virtual labs, we have international projects, we have an open science project, and this helps to exchange scientific data and developments,” she added.

    Fabienne Goux-Bodiment from the Research Center for the Future (France) noted that the world has changed dramatically. “One of the catalysts for these changes is carbon. We see that large-scale use of carbon leads to global warming and climate change. Another catalyst is silicon. Thanks to silicon, we have generative artificial intelligence, and it can compete with humans,” she said. And finally, the third important trend that is currently observed, according to Fabienne Goux-Bodiment, is general chaos. In particular, it is noticeable in the economy and geopolitics. But change is “not some kind of anomaly, it is a natural process of human evolution and, in fact, life in general,” she reassured. Society is thus evolving, and technology accelerates this evolution. We can move, “make a quantum leap into a completely new state,” the researcher is sure. “One world essentially dies, and a new world appears, albeit not immediately,” says Fabienne Goux-Bodiment. But because we have resistance to change, this process slows down. However, we are still entering an era of acceleration.

    The world will not be as we know it now, but this transition does not mean the end of humanity, says the futurologist. “First, it is not the first time that humanity has gone through major changes. Second, the human race as a whole adapts quickly. In addition, this time we know what is happening. We are aware of it. This means that we can do something,” Fabienne Goux-Bodiment reassured.

    Now, according to the researcher, a new mentality is being formed. “More and more people recognize that the way we think, manage and produce goods no longer meets the requirements of the times. This is not just some unnoticeable change. The younger generation is not just asking themselves what they want to do, but thinking about what kind of world they would like to create together with their like-minded people. “Pessimism is not a solution. We must experiment, create new formats,” Fabienne Goux-Bodiment is sure.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of the State University of Management held a seminar for the Day of United Actions in Memory of the Genocide of the Soviet People

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 17, 2025, a seminar dedicated to the Day of United Actions in Memory of the Victims of the Genocide of the Soviet People by the Nazis and their Collaborators during the Great Patriotic War was held at the Institute of Economics and Finance of the State University of Management.

    This memorable date is celebrated throughout the country on April 19. It was on April 19, 1943 that the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was issued “On measures of punishment for German-fascist villains guilty of murder and torture of the Soviet civilian population and captured Red Army soldiers, for spies, traitors to the homeland from among Soviet citizens and for their accomplices.” This decree became the legal basis for investigative actions to establish the crimes of the Nazis against citizens of the Soviet Union.

    The Extraordinary State Commission for the Establishment and Investigation of the Crimes of the Nazi Invaders collected 250,000 testimonies about the occupiers’ crimes and compiled 56,000 reports on them. It was calculated that the enemy destroyed 1,710 cities and towns, burned more than 70,000 villages, and destroyed about 6 million buildings, thus depriving 25 million people of shelter. The damage to the national economy of the USSR amounted to 679 billion rubles.

    Today it is especially important to preserve the memory of the victims of that war, in order to prevent the development of neo-fascism. For this purpose, the IFE held a thematic seminar in the form of reports by first-year students on the eve of the memorable date. A total of nine reports were made at the seminar.

    The first of them was dedicated to the unofficial symbol of fascist atrocities against the civilian population – the village of Khatyn, burned down along with all its inhabitants. In her report “Khatyn: An Unhealed Wound of the Belarusian Land”, student Alla Korobkova spoke about the terrible events of the spring of 1943. Each time, talking about the tragedy of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War, the students also recalled modern events, because exactly 81 years after the Khatyn tragedy, on March 22, 2024, a terrible terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall.

    The echo of modern times was also heard in the report by Elizaveta Kotova and Diana Popova, “The Feat of Youth in the Fight against Genocide of the Peoples of the USSR.” In their report, the girls told about the feat of the Young Guard. Krasnodon, where the guys lived and fought the fascists, is still in the frontline zone today. Diana Popova noted after the seminar: “The event dedicated to the victims of genocide makes us think about the heroism and responsibility of the Soviet people. Its unity and endurance should still find a response in the hearts of people and especially the younger generation.”

    Mikhail Semakov Mikhail in his report “Babi Yar Concentration Camp: Symbol of Nazi Terror in the Occupied Territory of the USSR” spoke about the terrible tragedy of 1941, when the Nazis and local collaborators shot about 150 thousand people, with more than 30 thousand people killed in the first two days of mass shootings.

    Anna Feshchenko and Anna Evtyukhina in their report drew attention to the living conditions of civilians in the occupied lands: hunger, terror and deprivation. During the discussion of the report, the children recalled the Salaspils children’s concentration camp – a blood factory, where about 3,500 liters of blood were pumped out of children kept in inhumane conditions over three years.

    In addition to stories about the atrocities of the fascists, the children noted the fortitude and heroism of the Soviet people. Thus, Nikolai Stroyev in his report “Resistance and Survival: How Soviet Citizens Fought Genocide During the Great Patriotic War” noted the fact that genocide did not break the Soviet people, but on the contrary, raised them to fight the invaders.

    Dmitry Kamchatov and Diana Mikhailova spoke about the trial of fascist ideologists at the Nuremberg Trials. Diana Mikhailova noted: “The students conveyed important historical information with dignity, awakening deep respect for the past. The event left a strong impression and emphasized the need to preserve the memory of tragic events.”

    The seminar continues the series of events held by the IEF for the 80th anniversary of the Victory. Students noted the importance of the meetings. Dmitry Kamchatov said: “Events of a social and educational nature are in demand more than ever. The very fact of holding such meetings shows the involvement of students in cultural programs. During today’s meeting, speakers and listeners mastered important material on the topic. It is worth noting the active participation of the IEF Directorate in the discussion and coverage of this topic in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.”

    Let us recall that last week we celebrated the Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps.

    The crimes committed by the fascist occupiers have no statute of limitations, and we have no right to forget them.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/18/2025

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Complex Russia: HSE scientists present index of economic complexity of state financial support

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Industrial policy is becoming one of the important instruments of structural change in the world to increase the competitiveness of national economies. In order to assess what kind of state support certain sectors receive, Yuri Simachev and Anna Fedyunina from Center for Structural Policy Research HSE University has developed an index of economic complexity of state financial support. The study is presented at XXV Yasinsky (April) International Scientific Conference.

    The conference included a round table discussion entitled “New Industrial Policy: Between Technological Sovereignty and International Cooperation”. Experts from universities and research centers discussed the report by Anna Fedyunina and Yuri Simachev entitled “Priorities and Instruments of Modern Industrial Policy: Subsidies for a Complex Economy”.

    The study notes that attention to the implementation of active industrial policy has increased significantly worldwide, which has become an important tool for increasing the competitiveness of national economies. Thus, references to industrial policy in the media have increased 8 times since the 2000s. The authors note that the most important prerequisites for increased attention to industrial policy instruments are increased competition between developed and developing countries in the markets for complex products, regionalization and expanded use of trade protection instruments, and strengthening of the tasks of technological sovereignty.

    Scholars define modern industrial policy as an attempt by the state to facilitate the flow of resources into specific sectors that the state considers important for future economic growth. In addition, industrial policy aims to improve the business environment and/or the structure of economic activity by sector, technology, and should ensure that, through intervention, the prospects for economic growth and public good are better than those without such intervention.

    It is important that developed countries, contrary to popular belief, also actively use industrial policy. The share of such measures in trade policy increased in developed economies from 11% in 2010 to 53% in 2022, and in emerging market and developing countries — from 9 to 22%. Subsidies have become the key instrument of industrial policy; today, they account for about half of all measures formalized in regulations. Moreover, subsidies are used more often by developed countries, since they have greater financial resources. OECD countries spend an average of 1.4% of GDP on grants and tax breaks and an additional 1.8% of GDP on financial instruments: loans, guarantees, and investments (of which 1.1% of GDP is accounted for by export financing programs).

    Yuri Simachev and Anna Fedyunina developed an index of economic complexity of state financial support (IESFS), which reflects the complexity of product groups/activities receiving state support: the higher the IESFS, the more technologically complex the sectors supported. The study showed that, in general, those countries with a more complex economy tend to provide more assistance to relatively simple (within the country’s economy) sectors for the purpose of equalization and greater sustainability, while those countries with a simpler (less competitive) economy are more motivated to develop more complex sectors.

    Russia is characterized by the highest relative complexity of state support (which is comparable with Vietnam and China) in the group of countries with similar economic complexity. Iran, under sanctions, has placed its bets on developing its own technologies. Mexico and Malaysia are among those lagging behind in the “complexity” of state support, since their economies are connecting and use the effects of friend-shoring (transfer of production activities from other countries). For the United States, with its leadership in economic complexity, support for relatively simple sectors that provide employment (for example, metallurgy) is politically significant.

    “Developed countries are redistributing the rents of technological leadership to achieve sectoral convergence, while emerging market countries are trying to find new sectoral and technological opportunities for rapid growth to escape the middle-income trap and reduce the distance with leading countries,” the researchers conclude.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Cybersecurity Day at Polytechnic University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University became a platform for a rich program in the field of information security and digital technologies. Polytechnic was visited by representatives of companies from the Educational League of Vendors — Positive Technologies and Cyberprotect.

    Director of the IT and BA SEC Gazprom Neft Irina Rudskaya, Director of the Higher School of Business Engineering Igor Ilyin and Acting Director of the Higher School of Public Administration Olga Nadezhina met with representatives of the Cyberprotect company – Head of the Educational Department Yulia Chernikina and Lead Manager for Work with Educational Organizations Sarkis Shmavonyan. The guests got acquainted with the work of the Scientific and Educational Center and discussed prospects for cooperation.

    Also on this day, events for students were held in the Polytechnic Tower.

    Positive Technologies held a lecture and master class from the head of educational projects of the company Dmitry Fedorov. Cyberprotect organized a lecture, which was given by the HR director Elena Kalatsey and Sarkis Shmavonyan.

    We are sincerely glad to see representatives of leading IT companies within the walls of the Polytechnic University. Cooperation with Cyberprotect, Positive Technologies and other participants of the Educational League of Vendors helps to create a lively and rich educational environment in which students can not only gain knowledge, but also build a career in interaction with the professional community. I thank my colleagues for the visit, warm communication and inspiring lectures. I am sure that many new joint initiatives await us ahead, – noted Irina Rudskaya.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Theory to Practice: SKB Kontur and NSU Will Open the Door to the World of IT Technologies for Students

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The Rector of Novosibirsk National Research State University Mikhail Fedoruk and the Operations Director of SKB Kontur Svetlana Strelnikova took part in the ceremonial signing of the cooperation agreement.

    The partnership between SKB Kontur and NSU is an opportunity to exchange experience, knowledge, hold conferences, presentations and other events in the IT sphere. The agreement also gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a real IT environment: practices, internships, mentoring from company specialists and participation in joint projects.

    Students of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics and the Faculty of Information Technology are already taking the course C developed by Kontur

    Svetlana Strelnikova, Operations Director of SKB Kontur:

    — The agreement is a new stage of our cooperation. I am sure that it will become the basis for expanding our joint projects in the field of education and scientific and technical cooperation. SKB Kontur is always happy to welcome young specialists. We do not stand still, but grow and develop. This means that we are interested in participating in the training of talents, ready to share our knowledge and experience with them. Cooperation with NSU will allow us to cultivate highly qualified specialists, many of whom, I hope, will join our team in the future.

    Mikhail Fedoryuk, Rector of Novosibirsk National Research State University:

    — Novosibirsk University has traditionally been a “training ground” for the country’s scientific system, and close cooperation with the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has helped us successfully cope with this task. In recent years, we have been actively developing new areas of training personnel for the manufacturing sector of the economy – specialists in information technology and artificial intelligence, robotics and space instrumentation, etc. In this work, we use a similar approach, developing cooperation with companies – leaders in various sectors of the economy, which improves the quality of training of our graduates and their demand in the market. The agreement with SKB Kontur is another important stage in the implementation of this strategy for us.

    Since 2008, SKB Kontur has been actively developing IT education: it pays grants and scholarships, conducts internships and organizes classes at the industrial development school. Together with the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, it is modernizing the Fundamental Informatics and Information Technology, Digital Humanities, as well as the educational programs Business Informatics and Digital Technologies in Business. Together with ITMO University, it is developing additional education programs, conducting internships and scholarship competitions for the best students of the university.

    The partnership between SKB Kontur and NSU is a new step in the development of IT education, aimed at solving the problem of personnel shortage for the Digital Economy.

    The signing took place within the framework of the thirteenth conference “Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language” (AINL), which is being held at NSU this year. AINL is the largest Eastern European conference on artificial intelligence and text processing.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: HICOOL 2025 sets records in projects registration, participants

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The HICOOL 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Competition has hit a new milestone, attracting 10,055 startup projects and 13,150 participants from 139 countries and regions – a 36% increase from last year in both projects and participants.
    This year’s competition has expanded from seven to 12 tracks, with high-tech sectors like integrated circuits, quantum information, and 5G/6G elevated to top-level categories. Notably, entries in the integrated circuits track more than doubled, up 107% year on year.
    International participation continues to grow, with 5,588 projects, or 56% of the total, submitted from overseas. A total of 3,886 foreign participants registered, many of whom graduated from top universities around the world such as MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Peking University, and Tsinghua University.
    The competition kicks off in May and June, with preliminary rounds held in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Over the coming months, startups will compete through multiple rounds, with 200 winners ultimately selected across various award categories.
    Since its launch in 2020, HICOOL has become a platform for discovering and supporting global entrepreneurial talent. To date, it has helped incubate 16 unicorns as well as 157 specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products, and supported 154 winning projects in raising over 44.6 billion yuan (US$6.11 billion) in follow-up funding.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic at the expert platform of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia: strengthening Russian-African cooperation

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University took part in a strategic meeting of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation dedicated to the development of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). Representatives of the Polytechnic University presented a report on the activities of the consortium, noting key achievements and plans to strengthen cooperation with African countries. The meeting was held in the board room of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia with the participation of more than 50 RAFU universities, including Moscow State University, MGIMO, RUDN University, MPEI, RSUH, MGRI.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky emphasized the role of SPbPU in the development of the project in his speech: Two years ago, at the Russia-Africa economic forum, the baton of coordinating RAFU was passed to St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. During this time, the consortium has made a qualitative leap: today it includes 90 Russian and 45 African organizations from 15 countries. The Summer Multidisciplinary University, which we are holding for the fourth time, has become a key project. However, it is important to move forward – to develop higher education programs, network formats and double degrees. SPbPU, which has serious experience in this area, can become a driver of such changes.

    Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev focused on the transformation of RAFU into a multifunctional platform: We consider RAFU not only as an educational project, but also as a tool for accessing scientific, personnel and youth resources. Over two years, we have managed to expand the geography, create a working project office and hold dozens of events. The next step is the integration of network programs and quotas, which will enhance the practical benefits of the consortium for Russian-African relations.

    Head of the RAFU project office Maksym Zalyvsky presented the consortium’s achievements. An important step was the update RAFU website, which has evolved into a working tool with 14 sections, an online catalog of 120 courses, and regularly updated news. To promote the consortium brand, RAFU days were held in Mali and Morocco, where information centers were opened, as well as large-scale sessions at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Youth Festival, and the Russia-Africa Summit.

    Maxim Zalyvskiy paid special attention to the Summer Multidisciplinary University of RAFU, which in four years has increased the number of participants from 100 to 300 people, and the geography – from 10 to 33 countries. The program has shifted focus from cultural and historical tracks to professional internships and advanced training with the participation of industrial partners, such as the Mali Artificial Intelligence Center. In 2025, 20 educational programs are planned, some of which will be associated with a project dedicated to the development of a concept for reforming higher engineering education in Mali. Russian universities are participating in the development of a concept for the creation and curricula of educational programs for the new Polytechnic University of Bandiagara in priority areas of development of Mali. The speaker especially noted the initiative creation of network master’s programs with universities in Egypt, Algeria, Zimbabwe and other countries, as well as the development of ten joint Russian-African projects in 2024, which the Russian Ministry of Education and Science annually supports with grants.

    The participants of the meeting discussed initiatives to allocate quotas for African students within the framework of network programs and the significant role of the project in developing cooperation with African countries. They emphasized the importance of RAFU as an effective tool for interaction and made proposals for optimizing the consortium’s work aimed at increasing its practical impact.

    The universities participating in RAFU highly appreciated the work of SPbPU as the coordinator of the consortium. Polytechnic will continue to expand the partner network and introduce new formats of cooperation aimed at the sustainable development of the regions of Russia and Africa.

    Summing up the meeting, Konstantin Mogilevsky proposed creating scientific laboratories for assessing colonial damage on the basis of leading universities participating in the RAFU consortium — a project capable of strengthening the expert status of the association. The participants also agreed to hold regular meetings of the RAFU presidium to develop strategic decisions, operational planning and strengthen partnerships with African countries.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU and “Small Business of Moscow”: opportunities for future entrepreneurs

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 17, 2025, students of the State University of Management met with representatives of the business lounge of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” Nadya Oleynikova and Alexey Nekrasov.

    The event was held within the framework of the agreement between the State University of Management and the Museum of Entrepreneurs, Patrons and Philanthropists (Moscow). The organizers were the Project Start club of the Department of Industrial Organization Management with the support of the project office of the Institute of Industry Management and the management of the institute.

    Businessman Alexey Nekrasov spoke about the opportunities of the organization “Small Business of Moscow” for small and medium-sized businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, which, with the support of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of Moscow, allow children to organize their startups and begin their path in business. This information interested many students.

    The guys also talked to Nadya Oleynikova, a former producer of Channel One, speaker and moderator of federal and regional platforms, lecturer at the Russian State Social University and co-author of the book “Women’s Business”. Nadya told how she got to Channel One, became an organizer of the Olympic Games, created her own business on maternity leave, overcame her fears and became a federal speaker and the best lecturer. Her inspiring story of victories and failures left a bright mark in the hearts of the event participants.

    At the end of the meeting, the children asked their questions to the speakers and talked to them personally.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/18/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From a project competition to university development: GUU students discussed plans for 2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 16, the State University of Management held a General Conference of Students, where projects were presented for participation in the All-Russian Competition of Youth Projects among Higher Education Institutions in 2025 from Rosmolodezh.

    About 300 representatives of student government, including members of the GUU Youth Committee, the Student Council, and the headman, got acquainted with fourteen projects that will be presented as part of a comprehensive application from the State University of Management.

    In addition to the presentation of projects, the participants discussed the key tasks of the formation and development of an educational organization within the framework of youth policy and educational work of the State University of Management.

    As a result, the following criteria were identified within the target model:

    an increase in the proportion of student activists at the University; an increase in the number of traditional events that promote the development of a sense of belonging to the history and culture of the University; an increase in the number of foreign students involved, as well as full-time and part-time students, in the University’s events; an updated infrastructure of the University that meets modern requirements not only of educational standards, but also promotes the development of youth initiatives; improving intercultural and interethnic interaction among University students, drawing attention to the culture and traditions of the regions of Russia; an increase in the proportion of students involved in volunteer projects and in systematic physical education and sports.

    We express our gratitude to everyone who showed their social activity and took part in this significant event for all students, because all the goals and objectives are aimed at you, our dear students!

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/18/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The prospects for the development of investment and construction activities in Russia were discussed at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 16, the State University of Management hosted the annual round table “Prospects for the Development of Investment and Construction Activities in Russia”, organized by the Department of Economics and Management in Construction with the participation of the NP NO TCA.

    The event was attended by representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in the investment and construction sector, heads of engineering, consulting companies and the Scientific and Research Center “Construction”.

    The round table included several sessions, including “Small and medium-sized businesses in construction: prospects and challenges” and “Experience and prospects of interaction between representatives of the real sector of the economy and the department: a practice-oriented approach, trends in the development of investment and construction activities and their impact on personnel training.”

    The official opening of the event began with a greeting to the participants of the round table from the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, a graduate of the State University of Management Tatyana Ilyushnikova, in which she noted that the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the investment and construction complex in recent years is associated with their high flexibility and rapid adaptation to modern economic conditions. The Deputy Minister emphasized that small and medium businesses are becoming an increasingly important sector of the economy and a key factor in the sustainability of regions.

    Andrey Tarakanov, Director of the Department for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship and Tax Incentives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, spoke about the tasks of the SME sector for the period 2025-2030.

    “The President has set a goal: by 2030, real income per employee of small and medium-sized businesses should grow faster than GDP by 20%. This should be done by strengthening the role of small businesses in structural changes in the economy and in the development of the technological agenda,” noted Andrei Tarakanov.

    The President of the National Association of Technological and Price Auditors Anna Lupashko gave a report on the capabilities of the FGIS services “Unified Digital Platform “National Spatial Data System”.

    In the second session, the head of the Department of Economics and Management in Construction, Olga Astafieva, reflected on the experience of interaction between representatives of the real sector of the economy and the department.

    “As part of project-based learning, students perform work at the request of our partners. Today, the round table presented the results of the interaction between the Scientific and Research Center “Construction” and the department, within which our students developed a methodology for assessing the commercial potential of an innovative project in construction. Based on the methodology, it is possible to identify factors of project attractiveness, forecast project development opportunities, assess risks and possible financial losses,” Olga Astafieva noted.

    During the round table, it was emphasized that the implementation of such practices will allow the formation of practical skills and competencies in cooperation with companies in the investment and construction complex, including small and medium-sized businesses.

    At the end of the meeting, the participants noted the importance and necessity of developing the department’s educational programs: “Economics and Management of Investment and Construction Activities” (bachelor’s degree), “Management of Investment and Construction Business” and “Investment and Construction Business Engineering” (master’s degree) for the development and strengthening of human resources.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/18/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Addresses Nevada State Legislature at State Capitol Outlining Her Work to Deliver for Nevadans, Oppose Harmful Actions Threatening to Raise Costs & Cut Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    CARSON CITY, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) delivered remarks to the Nevada State Legislature detailing how she is working to deliver for hardworking Nevada families, including by fighting back against cost-raising tariffs and cuts to Medicaid to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Senator Rosen also reiterated her commitment to finding areas to work with Republicans to take meaningful action to lower costs and improve the lives of hardworking Nevadans.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s remarks:
    Since the last time I spoke here, a lot has changed in Washington.
    But there’s something that hasn’t changed, and will not change. And it’s my commitment to always put Nevada first. 
    I’ve built a record as one of the most bipartisan, independent, and effective U.S. Senators because I focus on getting things done for our state. Agree where you can and fight where you must.
    No matter who’s in the White House or who’s in control of Congress, I will do everything I can to deliver for Nevada families who work hard every day. They count on me and they count on all of you.
    And as I said, as some of you know, my motto has always been: Agree where you can, fight where you must. 
    […]
    Nevadans are practical and pragmatic and they want solutions…They want stability… They want us to work together to tackle rising costs, create better paying jobs, and protect the freedoms and opportunities that define our state. 
    And I can tell you what they don’t want. They don’t want the reckless actions this new Administration is taking: Funding Cuts. Mass Firings. Economic chaos.
    These actions have put millions of dollars that our state depends on, that all of you are depending on as you do our budgets, putting it all at risk. Every single bit of it.
    These actions have led to many Nevadans losing their jobs. They are jeopardizing the jobs of veterans who were hired by the federal government to help and serve our veterans, our local communities.
    […]
    This is no way to run a country. It’s no way to treat the men and women who risked their lives to protect our freedoms.
    We should be doing everything we can to honor their service, recognize their sacrifice, and make sure they can access every benefit that is owed to them, that they earned. We sit here free, able to do what we do because they put their lives on the line. And I want those calls to be answered at the Veterans Hotline, and I know you all do too. 
    Earlier this year, I helped introduce bipartisan bills to help veterans access their VA benefits more easily, and to increase veterans’ awareness of things like the VA Home Loan Program.
    For those who were injured while fighting to protect all of us, the least we can do is ensure they all have full benefits. 
    Current red tape is preventing more than 50,000 combat-injured veteran retirees from receiving both their retirement pay through the Department of Defense and their disability payments through the VA.
    That’s wrong. They earned it, they deserve it, and I helped introduce a bill with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, because veterans come from all over this great country, to fix and repeal the offsets that are currently in place. I’m proud of that bill and hope that we can pass it.
    Now at a time when families are seeing their budgets tighten, I’m working across party lines to eliminate taxes on military retirement pay so our veterans can keep more of their money.
    Military families aren’t the only ones being squeezed by higher prices. Because when costs go up, they hurt all Nevadans.
    This is why Nevadans I’ve talked to are worried about the Trump tariffs.
    These tariffs – they’re essentially a national sales tax – are going to raise the cost of everything you buy: your groceries, your gas, your medications, not to mention construction materials, which will make housing even MORE expensive. Interest rates go up, prices go up, everything goes up and up. 
    This is the complete opposite of what I believe we should be doing right now. We should be finding ways – every way we can – to lower costs. 
    It’s why I took action to help stop the Kroger-Albertsons mega-merger that would’ve raised those grocery prices for Nevada families.
    It’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to lower housing costs by helping to train and grow our housing construction workforce – because houses don’t build themselves – and I’ve introduced a bill to crack down on corporations who buy up housing and jack up prices for families.
    It’s also why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to help lower the costs of child care and provide some relief for working families.
    And just last week, I helped introduce legislation to provide those hardworking Nevada families with a much-needed tax cut, and expand the Child Tax Credit. 
    This is in addition to the bipartisan bill I helped introduce to eliminate taxes on tips, and allow working families to keep more of their paychecks.
    I’m doing all of this because we should be providing relief for our Nevada families, for people who work hard and play by the rules, and we shouldn’t be giving more tax breaks to billionaires who frankly don’t need the money.
    […] 
    And that’s exactly why I’m fighting back. 
    I recently helped pass legislation overturning Trump’s tariffs on Canada, which is Nevada’s largest trading partner. That was bipartisan legislation we voted to pass, by the way.
    I also helped introduce a bill to require the United States International Trade Commission to investigate how Trump’s recent tariffs will impact the American people, and make that information public.
    And I am leading the charge in the Senate in making sure the Administration knows how destructive its tariffs are for small businesses.
    […]
    I know many in this room know just how important, how critical Medicaid is. It makes up a sizable portion of our state budget, and we stand to lose more than half billion dollars if Medicaid is cut.
    It’s more than just funding. It’s a lifeline for families. It’s a lifeline for moms and for children. I’ll talk about my special guest in a moment. This is more than a number. It’s more than a number they’re cutting. These are our families, our friends, our neighbors. And attempts to cut this important lifeline for children is going to put more than 300,000 children in Nevada at risk of losing their only source of health care coverage.
    Nevada children like Levi, Levi is my guest, along with his really incredible mother Allyson Marchus.
    They are here tonight because Medicaid has made a difference in their lives. And with their permission, I’m going to share just a little bit of Levi’s story because sometimes we look at budgets and there’s numbers you’re trying to balance and make all of this work, but there’s people behind every one of those numbers.
    When Levi was just three years old, Allyson noticed a strange mole behind his ear.
    So she thought she was just going to go to the doctor, like all of us who are parents here, you just go to the doctor, it’s just a little thing, you’ve got a bug bite. Simple doctor’s visit. But every parent’s worst fear was realized when a biopsy came back positive for melanoma — not just a person who’s been in the sun their whole life, that happens when you’re three years old, skin cancer –  he had to have further tests, and his cancer spread. 
    Levi and Allyson have had to jump through hoop after hoop in order to implement a care plan — treatments, and medications, and surgery, and radiation – they had to repeatedly travel out of state to get special pediatric care, you have to go to hospitals where they know how to take care of young children. 
    […]
    No family should have to go through this, but Allyson never gave up. She and Levi have shown awe-inspiring strength and resilience every step of the way –  they refused to quit fighting this awful disease.
    And, the one thing that they didn’t have to worry about on this journey was how they were going to pay for that care, how are they going to get to the doctor, how are they going to go to these treatments, how are they going to be cared for, because they had Medicaid. So thanks to Medicaid she was able to be there for her son.
    [Medicaid] made sure they had not one expense while dealing with some of the worst moments any parent can go through. Not one out-of-pocket expense. It took that burden, that one extra stress right off their back.
    Today, Levi is five years old, and we are glad to say that he is in remission. It’s a pretty good thing. Of course he’s going to continue to be watched and cared for, but it’s a success story. It’s a success story because she had Medicaid.
    This is why Medicaid matters. Not just for Levi and his family, but for all the Levis and all the families in Nevada and across the country, story after story after story, this is just one of them. I’m sure many of you in this room can tell stories like this as well. 
    Medicaid has made the difference in their lives. It covered medical care, it covered travel expenses, just like it did for Allyson and Levi. 
    It is literally a lifeline. All of these children, every one of them, have a name, have a family, and I want everyone in Nevada and in America to see these kids and see these families and know their names before they cut that budget.
    So it’s shameful and immoral, I believe, that Republicans want to cut this program just to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. 
    [..]
    And while all of you in this legislature work to expand health care access in rural communities and tackle our doctor shortage, I want to tell you that in the Senate I’m doing the same thing. I have multiple bills to help bringmore nurses, doctors, and dentists to underserved areas. […] So I’ll tell you about a couple of bills I have, I know I’m going to partner with you on some of them, and they’re all bipartisan.
    The first one is called the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act. It’s going to take the long overdue step of revising the graduate medical education process to increase the likelihood of states with physician shortages – like we are – to get more medical residency slots. We don’t have enough slots to take care of the people we have. So we’re going to fight to do that.
    These bills are all bipartisan. Why? Because we’re not the only state who has a physician shortage. So we find our friends across the aisle, agree where you can and fight where you must. This is what we agree on. So I have a bipartisan bill called the REDI Act. It’s going to help increase the number of doctors and dentists – we never can forget the dentists because dental care is important too – in Nevada’s underserved areas by allowing them to defer their student loan payments without interest until they complete their residencies and internships. So they can go serve some of our rural communities, it’s hard for them to get dentists and doctors out there. We know this. This is a benefit. Everybody benefits.
    My bipartisan SPARC Act, which I introduced just last week, will help increase the number of medical specialists in rural communities. 
    And finally, my Train More Nurses Act. We’ve been lucky in the past few years, we’ve been able to fund programs in our community colleges and universities to build out our nursing training. We’re about 4,000 nurses short, like I said. But we need nurse educators to train the new nurses. So the Train More Nurses Act does just that, makes new nurse educators. It passed the Senate unanimously last Congress, and we’re going to get it through again, and that’s going to help us address Nevada’s nursing shortage because we have all the space, but if we don’t have all the teachers, you all know it’s for nothing. So we’re hoping to get that through.
    So much to do there. Health care, housing. We have to complement the efforts we work on together to improve access to tackle our housing crisis by creating new legislation to help small home builders, small local home builders, access financing to build new affordable housing.
    […] 
    Nevadans chose each and every one of you here for a reason, and they are counting on all of us together to support each other and support success in our state. It doesn’t always mean you agree on everything – find the things you agree on and do those. People are counting on us. They sent us here to find the places we agree – do that. Don’t let it stop you.
    There is a lot to fight about in Washington, but there are a lot of places for agreement too, especially right here in Carson City. 
    I just really want to leave you all with a call to action and something that in my eight years now in the United States Congress I’ve really been using every day, and it has shown in my work that I’m proud of. The call to action is to find places to work together to deliver for the Nevada families, for our home, for the Nevada we care about. 
    I’m not asking anyone to compromise your values. What I’m asking you to do is value compromise. Find the places where you can agree and do that because babies are counting on you, seniors are counting on you, the vets are counting on you. Twelve things on the to-do list; you can find six. Do them. People will applaud you for that. You can argue about the other six, but trust me, they will send you back here and be proud, and they will tell you how proud that makes them to see you do that. You don’t have to compromise your values, just value compromise where you can agree. People are counting on all of us to lead. They’re looking to us in these tough times. […]
    It’s not easy. It takes energy. It takes passion. It takes commitment. It takes care. Something I know every person in this room has or you wouldn’t have fought to be here. You could all be doing something else but you chose to come here and do this. 
    So in Nevada, we are not just Democrats or Republicans—we are Nevadans first. In this room especially, we are Nevadans first.
    So I want us to think about moving forward together – with common purpose, shared values, and that unshakable commitment to build a stronger, more prosperous, and just a better Nevada for all of us. For the Levis, for our parents and grandparents, and all the kids in the future. I’m so grateful to have you all as partners and to be here today and speak to all of you. Thank you for your work.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Strongest evidence yet of possible life detected on distant exoplanet

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Astronomers have reported the strongest evidence to date of potential biological activity beyond our solar system, following the detection of key molecules in the atmosphere of the distant exoplanet K2-18b, located approximately 124 light-years from Earth.

    K2-18b – 8.6 times as massive and 2.6 times as large as Earth – orbits in the habitable zone of a cool red dwarf star in the constellation Leo. Previous studies had already revealed the presence of methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.

    The latest findings, published Thursday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, mark the first time carbon-based molecules have been identified in the atmosphere of an exoplanet located in a habitable zone.

    Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team of astronomers led by the University of Cambridge detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the planet’s atmosphere. These sulfur-based compounds, on Earth, are produced exclusively by living organisms – primarily marine microbial life such as phytoplankton – making them promising biosignatures in the search for extraterrestrial life.

    While an unknown chemical process might be responsible for producing these molecules on K2-18b, the discovery represents the most compelling evidence so far that life could exist on a planet beyond our solar system.

    “Decades from now, we may look back at this point in time and recognize it was when the living universe came within reach,” said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan from Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, who led the research. “This could be the tipping point, where suddenly the fundamental question of whether we’re alone in the universe is one we’re capable of answering.”

    Although the discovery marks a major milestone in astrobiology, scientists emphasize the importance of rigorous verification. Madhusudhan noted that while the findings are exciting, more data is needed before any claims about extraterrestrial life can be made.

    Currently, the observations have reached the “three-sigma” level of statistical significance, indicating only a 0.3 percent probability that the findings are due to chance. However, to meet the standard threshold for scientific discovery, the results must achieve five-sigma significance, reducing the chance to less than 0.00006 percent.

    Researchers estimate that an additional 16 to 24 hours of follow-up observation with JWST may be required to reach this benchmark.

    While cautiously optimistic, Madhusudhan acknowledged that unknown chemical processes on K2-18b could also explain the presence of DMS and DMDS. He and his colleagues plan to pursue further theoretical and experimental work to investigate whether these molecules could be produced non-biologically at the levels currently observed.

    “Our work is the starting point for all the investigations that are now needed to confirm and understand the implications of these exciting findings,” said co-author Savvas Constantinou, also from Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but it’s barely ahead in Freshwater

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Labor increased its lead again in a YouGov poll, but Freshwater put the party ahead by just 50.3–49.7. This article also covers the final WA upper house results for the March 8 election.

    A national YouGov poll, conducted April 11–15 from a sample of 1,506, gave Labor a 53–47 lead, a 0.5-point gain for Labor since the April 4–10 YouGov poll. It’s Labor’s biggest lead in YouGov for 18 months. Primary votes were 33% Labor (up one), 33% Coalition (down 0.5), 7% One Nation (down 1.5), 2% Trumpet of Patriots (up one), 9% independents (steady) and 3% others (steady).

    Using 2022 election preference flows would give Labor about a 54.5–45.5 lead from these primary votes. YouGov is applying preference flows from its previous poll that was conducted from late February to late March.

    However, recent polls that use respondent preferences suggest the gap in the Coalition’s favour between respondent and 2022 preference flows has dropped to nearly zero. This means YouGov’s current preference assumptions may be too pro-Coalition. Analyst Kevin Bonham has more on this.

    In contrast to voting intentions, leaders’ ratings moved to Peter Dutton and against Anthony Albanese. Albanese’s net approval was down four points to -6, with 49% dissatisfied and 43% satisfied. Dutton’s net approval was up five points to -10. Albanese had a 48–38 better PM lead over Dutton (48–37 previously).

    I’ve said before that changes in leaders’ ratings may indicate the next change in voting intentions in a poll, though this doesn’t always follow.

    While YouGov shows Labor’s surge continuing, the Freshwater poll below only gave Labor a 50.3–49.7 lead. However, this was still a gain for Labor from the post-budget Freshwater poll. Freshwater has the Coalition primary vote at 39%, four points higher than in any other poll in the past week.

    Here is the poll graph. I’m using the unrounded two-party numbers for Freshwater’s last two polls, improving Labor from a 51–49 deficit in the post-budget poll to a 50.6–49.4 deficit. There’s a big difference between this week’s Freshwater and all other national polls taken in the past week.

    Freshwater poll has very narrow Labor lead

    A national Freshwater poll for The Financial Review, conducted April 14–16 from a sample of 1,062, had a 50–50 tie by respondent preferences, a one-point gain for Labor since the Freshwater poll conducted after the March 25 budget. Before rounding, Labor led by 50.3–49.7.

    Primary votes were unchanged at 39% Coalition, 32% Labor, 12% Greens and 17% for all Others. By 2022 election flows, this poll would give about a 50–50 tie.

    Albanese’s net approval was up one point to -10, while Dutton’s was steady at -11. Albanese led as preferred PM by 46–41 (46–45 previously).

    The Coalition’s lead over Labor on cost of living has been cut from a high of 14 points last October to two points in this poll. The Coalition held a 17-point lead on economic management last November, which has been reduced to six points. Cost of living remained the most important issue, with 73% citing it as a top issue.

    Resolve poll on tax and housing policies

    To gauge the popularity of Labor and the Coalition’s housing policy announcements at their April 13 campaign launches, a Resolve poll for Nine newspapers was conducted April 14–15 from a sample of 801. This poll didn’t report voting intentions, which were assessed in the April 9–13 Resolve poll.

    By 40–34, voters preferred Labor’s tax policy to the Coalition’s, which were both announced the week of the March 25 budget. By 40–27, they preferred Labor’s housing policy.

    JWS polls of Greens-held Brisbane seats

    The Greens hold three seats in Brisbane: Ryan (by 52.6–47.4 vs the Liberal National Party), Brisbane (by 53.7–46.3) and Griffith (by 60.5–39.5). The Poll Bludger reported Thursday that JWS polls for Australian Energy Producers gave the LNP a 57–43 lead over Labor in Ryan with the Greens a distant third on primary votes.

    In Brisbane, Labor led the LNP by 51–49 with the Greens once again a distant third. In Griffith, Labor led the LNP by 51–49, but the LNP led the Greens by 53–47.

    Seat polls conducted by JWS Research have had very strong results for the Coalition. While the Greens could lose these seats to Labor, I believe the massive swings to the LNP shown here are unrealistic. I expect inner city seats to be good for left-wing parties relative to the national swing.

    Redbridge poll: Labor close to majority

    A national poll by Redbridge and Accent Research, using MRP methodology and reported by the News Corp tabloids, was conducted from February 3 to April 1 from a sample of 9,953. Labor was still polling poorly in February before they started to lift from early March.

    The most likely outcome was 72 of the 150 House of Representatives seats for Labor, four short of a majority, 63 for the Coalition and 15 for all Others. The previous MRP poll by Redbridge and Accent Research in December had the most likely outcome as 71 Coalition seats to 65 for Labor.

    Unemployment rate steady at 4.1%

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday that the unemployment rate was 4.1% in March, unchanged from February, with over 32,000 jobs added. The employment population ratio (the percentage of eligible Australians that are employed) was steady at 64.1% after dropping from a near-record high of 64.4% in January.

    WA upper house final result

    The button was finally pressed on Wednesday to electronically distribute preferences for the upper house for the March 8 Western Australian state election. The upper house used a reformed system with 37 members elected statewide by proportional representation with preferences. A quota was just 1/38 or 2.63%.

    Labor won 16 of the 37 seats (down six on 2021 when they won their first WA upper house majority on a massive landslide), the Liberals won ten seats (up three), the Nationals two (down one), the Greens four (up three), One Nation two (up two), Legalise Cannabis one (down one), Australian Christians one (up one) and Animal Justice one (up one). Overall, left-wing parties won the upper house by 22–15 over right-wing parties.

    Final primary votes gave Labor 15.54 quotas, the Liberals 10.3, the Nationals 2.1, the Greens 4.2, One Nation 1.45, Legalise Cannabis 1.1, Australian Christians 1.0, an independent group 0.51 and Animal Justice 0.46.

    After distribution of preferences, One Nation’s second candidate had 0.83 quotas Labor’s 16th candidate 0.70 quotas, Animal Justice’s top candidate 0.66 quotas and Sophia Moermond, the independent group’s top candidate, 0.63 quotas. Owing to exhaustion, the top three were elected to the last three seats short of a quota.

    Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but it’s barely ahead in Freshwater – https://theconversation.com/labors-poll-surge-continues-in-yougov-but-its-barely-ahead-in-freshwater-254708

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shooting in Florida State University leaves multiple people injured

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    At least six people were hospitalized on Thursday as a shooting took place in Florida State University campus in Tallahassee, Florida, according to media reports.

    “An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union,” said an alert by Florida State University at noon.

    Florida State University asked people continue to shelter in place as of 1 pm Eastern time while police have responded to an active shooter.

    A suspect is already in custody following the shooting, said a report by CNN, citing two law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

    All classes and university events including athletics events scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled and individuals should avoid coming to the Tallahassee main campus, said Florida State University.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Strong Chinese economy in Q1 demonstrates resilience, say pundits

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s economy delivered a strong start in the first quarter, demonstrating steady performance and resilience, economists and observers have said.

    The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4 percent year on year to 31.8758 trillion yuan (about 4.42 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2025, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday.

    Describing China’s improved GDP as “excellent news,” Professor John Bryson from the University of Birmingham in Britain, told Xinhua that China has been shifting away from a focus on exports combined with infrastructure investment to a more balanced approach that includes an increase in consumer demand within China.

    “This process of rebalancing means that some of the drivers of national economic growth are being localized,” Bryson said, adding that the outcome of this rebalancing exercise is seen with the release of the latest GDP figures.

    A rebalanced Chinese economy with more local consumer demand represents one approach to ensuring national economic sustainability, Bryson said.

    China’s GDP grew 5 percent year on year in 2024 and the country has targeted its full-year economic growth at around 5 percent for this year. The strong performance of the Chinese economy in the first quarter of 2025 shows its resilience, positioning the country to better weather global uncertainties.

    Despite the ongoing global economic headwinds and U.S. tariff pressures, China’s focus on domestic demand expansion and consumption promotion through policies like trade-in programs appears to be bolstering its economic resilience and stability, said Moteb Alshammary, chief of staff of Hisense Electronics in Saudi Arabia.

    “The Chinese economy possesses significant internal strength, capable of navigating external uncertainties,” Alshammary added.

    A series of measures taken by the Chinese government have enabled China’s economy to maintain rapid and stable growth, said Irfan Karsli, head of the Istanbul-based tourism agency Ligarba Travel. “In the field of consumption, the Chinese government has implemented many preferential policies, which have brought real benefits to the people and also driven the production and sales of various industries in China.”

    Seeing the Chinese economy as a “stabilizer” of global economic growth, experts believe that China’s sustained economic growth has a profound impact on the world economy.

    James Shikwati, a Kenyan economist, said that in the context of international trade friction and the U.S. tariffs, China’s economic growth is of great significance in boosting world confidence and promoting the world economy.

    The Chinese economy is important to the rest of the world, said Dawie Roodt, a senior economist at South African wealth management company Efficient Group, adding that China will help maintain global economic growth by continuing to expand domestic demand and boost consumption.

    In the views of Abu Bakr al-Deeb, advisor to the Cairo-based Arab Center for Research and Studies, China’s sustained economic expansion and its persistent efforts to integrate itself into the global economy have generated opportunities for nations worldwide.

    “The size of China’s domestic market presents a matchless consumer base as this vast market translates into substantial potential for companies across many industries,” the expert noted.

    By maintaining policy stability and action predictability, China has emerged as a pivotal force in overcoming global turbulence, said Marcos Pires, a professor at the Department of Political and Economic Sciences at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, adding that amid a landscape of global uncertainties, China serves as a safe harbor and predictable anchor for nations and businesses alike.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN celebrates Chinese language in New York

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The United Nations this week launched its 16th Chinese Language Day series — “Poetic China: Rhymes and Romance” — at UN headquarters, offering an immersive cultural experience that blends Chinese tea culture, calligraphy and poetry.

    Curated to draw wisdom and inspiration from China’s classical heritage, the two-week celebration seeks to rally cultural strength and a shared vision amid global challenges and change.

    To celebrate the opening on Tuesday, the UN Staff Recreation Council Chinese Book Club hosted an evening reception that drew diplomats, UN staff and international guests.

    Keynote speakers included Cherith Norman Chalet, assistant secretary-general for General Assembly and Conference Management; Chen Li, consul general of China in New York; Zu E, a nationally recognized, intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor; and Ning Hongliang, deputy curator of the National Museum of Chinese Writing.

    Chalet described Chinese Language Day as a vivid expression of the UN’s commitment to multilingualism and thanked the organization’s Chinese-language professionals, whose expertise keeps the UN’s work moving forward “in six languages, advancing peace and understanding”.

    Chen described Chinese as a “golden key” for mutual learning among civilizations, a “new driver” for innovation and a “bridge of hearts” connecting people. Noting that more countries are listing Chinese among their critical languages, he urged learners to master it, share the Confucian wisdom of “harmony without uniformity”, and help create a future of “shared beauty”.

    Ning introduced Between the Lines – The Civilization Codes in Chinese, an exhibition curated by the National Museum of Chinese Writing. Centered on the story of an ancient warrior living during the Shang Dynasty in the 14th century BC, the exhibition illustrates how Chinese characters encode the ideal of “harmony among all nations”.

    Representing the featured artists in the exhibition, Zu noted that the landscapes, flora, fauna and figures portrayed convey both a yearning for harmonious lives and a sincere wish for world peace and human well-being.

    The reception, hosted by Chinese Book Club President Yuxi Zhang and Vice-President Tinghua Zhou, also featured a tea ceremony by Lanfei Tea, a live calligraphy demonstration by master calligrapher Xia Pengcheng, and the unveiling of three bilingual books to enrich cross-cultural dialogue: Classic Poetry and the 24 Solar Terms by Professor Yao Xishuang, Belt and Road in the Eyes of Ambassadors by Sun Chao, and From China With Love: 20 Ancient Chinese Poems in English Translation edited by Ji Chen.

    This two-week series of Chinese Language Day events featured lectures and immersive cultural experiences. On Thursday, linguist Yao will guide audiences through classical poems tied to the 24 solar terms, while tea craftsman Yang Juncheng will explain the cultural depth of Chinese tea.

    On April 24, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine will host an open day showcasing traditional Chinese medicine through talks, exhibitions and interactive sessions.

    By weaving together exhibitions, lectures, music, poetry and interactive encounters, the series highlights both the historical depth and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture. It also underscores the importance of Chinese as one of the UN’s six official languages, adding a rich humanistic dimension to the organization’s 80th anniversary commemorations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU has completed the installation of the main technological equipment on the 4th and 5th floors of the flow auditorium building

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    In the building of the NSU flow auditoriums, which is one of the second-stage facilities modern campus of NSU, which is being built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, active work is underway to install technological equipment. The main work on the 4th and 5th floors has already been completed; some of the equipment in the multifunctional space on the 1st floor has also been installed – an interactive screen, a stage, shelves, decorative elements. Most of the flow auditoriums and many classrooms are equipped with desks and furniture.

    — We are already at the final stage of equipping the building of the flow auditoriums, in the new academic year it will be ready to receive students. The modern building will allow NSU to increase the capacity of the educational areas at its disposal by 25%. The building will also become an exhibition complex for demonstrating the achievements and technologies developed by the NSU Center for Artificial Intelligence. The concept of a “smart library” will be implemented here, services for ordering documents and submitting applications, for booking auditoriums and premises, “smart parking” and much more will be introduced, — commented NSU Rector Mikhail Fedoruk.

    The multifunctional space is located on the 1st floor, its area is about 2.5 thousand square meters, it includes a free-plan area, a scientific library, and quiet areas. The design concept is based on minimalism, calm colors, bright accents, and natural materials. This space can be adapted to changing conditions and various operating requirements. A stage has already been installed, which, when there are no performances, turns into a part of the space where the guys can sit freely on ottomans.

    The multifunctional space has an information station and a large interactive screen, which has also already been installed. It is equipped with work and reading areas, quiet areas where you can lie on sofas. There are special acoustic panels that completely or partially muffle the sound. There are places for storing chairs, which will be in demand during cultural events.

    Construction of two other second-stage facilities of the NSU campus is also ongoing: the educational and scientific center of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (construction readiness – 28%) and the NSU research center (construction readiness – 25%).

    The general contractor for the construction of the second stage of the facilities is the company “MONOTEK STROY”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –