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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pearl S. Kyei, Senior lecturer, University of Ghana

    Ghana, like many sub-Saharan Africa countries, began investing substantially in free education three decades ago. This led to an increase in the number of children that attend primary school. But what has the impact been on learning outcomes?

    The Conversation Africa spoke to demographer Pearl Kyei, who, with economists Fred Dzanku and Samuel Annim, has researched population literacy and numeracy in Ghana after three decades of free education.

    How long has Ghana offered free basic education?

    Ghana introduced what it calls the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme in 1994. This meant that families could send children to public schools without paying school fees. In 2005, it introduced the Capitation Grant Scheme to further reduce financial barriers to education and increase access. The grant was to discourage schools from charging unapproved fees and levies to make up for the lost tuition fees.

    Basic education in Ghana currently covers the pre-primary, primary and lower secondary levels. Pre-primary involves two years of kindergarten (for ages 4 and 5 years), primary is six years (for ages 6 to 11 years), and lower secondary is three years of junior high school (for ages 12 to 14 years). After junior high school, students have the option to continue to senior high, technical or vocational school (for ages 15 to 17 years).

    Several other countries on the continent, such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, have put in place free basic education policies too. This is due to the adoption of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2016 – 2025) which references the post-2015 commitment of African governments to provide a basic education of 10 to 12 years and to provide at least one year of free pre-primary education.

    How is the policy implemented?

    Ghana’s 1992 constitution states that “basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all”. From 1994, primary and junior high schools had to provide fee-free tuition. Financial support from government was later introduced (capitation grants) to compensate public schools for the loss of fees.

    The Capitation Grant Scheme provides money to schools each term to help cover costs. The government gives a set amount of money per student to public schools every year. This money is distributed to public schools based on the number of enrolled students, and each student receives a specific amount of money under the grant. This amount is in addition to the main education budget. The 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review reported that the capitation grant was GH₵ 15 per child (approximately US$1) per term in 2024.

    Is it working?

    Since the introduction of the 1994 free schooling programme, Ghana has recorded substantial increases in enrolment rates at the basic education level.

    Research shows there are several problems, however. These include:

    All these are likely to affect the quality of education and learning outcomes of students.

    What has the impact been on outcomes?

    We conducted research to understand whether people’s basic reading and math skills in Ghana had improved over time after many years of expanding education. The study compared groups with similar levels of schooling using two national surveys taken 10 years apart to find out if there had been a meaningful change in basic reading and math skills.

    We used data from two nationwide Ghana Living Standards Surveys, conducted in 2006 and 2017. During the data collection, interviewers used flashcards to measure the basic reading and math skills of survey respondents. Persons aged 11 or older were shown flashcards. To answer “yes” to questions about whether they could read or solve written calculations, they had to read a sentence fully and answer a simple math problem correctly.

    In the study we defined “basically literate” as being able to read a short English sentence, and “basically numerate” meant being able to solve a simple written math problem. The sample for our study comprised 25,424 and 42,376 persons in 2006 and in 2017 respectively.

    We found that the percentage of persons 11 years and older in the sample who have never attended school declined from 28% in 2006 to 16% in 2017. But there was a decline in literacy and numeracy for persons with basic education.

    The observed decline was larger for math than for literacy. For instance, those with upper primary education (class 4 to 6) were 14% less likely to be able to correctly read a short sentence in 2017 compared to 2006. For math, the likelihood of persons with upper primary education correctly solving the math problem was 25% lower in 2017.

    The study additionally found that basic literacy and numeracy declined more in urban areas than in rural areas at the lower and upper primary levels. Trends for males and females were largely similar.

    How can it be improved?

    Our findings suggest that without focusing on investments that maintain quality as enrolment increases – like hiring well-trained teachers, providing enough funding, and supplying schools with adequate materials – free education programmes could lead to long-term declines in learning outcomes.

    Such declines in basic literacy and numeracy would likely have a negative effect on job productivity, the economy, and social inclusion in the long run.

    So there is a need to invest more in quality education to go along with increased access. These investments would help students acquire the foundational skills they need and ensure that free education leads to lasting improvements in skills that are crucial for national growth.

    – 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card
    – https://theconversation.com/30-years-of-free-basic-education-in-ghana-a-report-card-253993

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Azwihangwisi Judith Mphidi, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology

    Corruption in South Africa’s public institutions has been a pressing issue for the past two decades. From national government offices to local municipalities, stories of officials enriching themselves at the expense of the public have become all too familiar.

    The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department – responsible for traffic policing, crime prevention, and by-law enforcement in South Africa’s capital city – has not escaped this crisis.

    With over four million residents spread across 6,298 square kilometres, Tshwane plays a vital role in the country’s political and economic landscape. Yet its municipal police department, one of the largest in South Africa, with an average of 4,000 operational staff, is increasingly associated with allegations of bribery, abuse of power and unethical behaviour.

    I am a postdoctoral researcher with a focus on criminal justice, and an active social justice advocate. In a recent research paper, I explored how corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is damaging public trust and compromising law enforcement and crime prevention.

    I was able to observe the culture and environment of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as a motorist and as an employee under the city’s Community and Social Development Department.

    My research drew on texts and context rather than analysis of numbers, since the study was written after I left the City of Tshwane. I relied on my first hand experience, and already published and documented evidence. I did not need special permissions to do this but cited sources consulted.

    The study found that motorists view the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as predators rather than protectors. Corruption in the traffic police is more than a betrayal of public trust. When officers take bribes instead of enforcing traffic laws, road safety suffers.

    Inside the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department

    In recent years, the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department has been accused of recruiting members with criminal records and cases of corruption.

    My key findings were about:

    Hiring practices: Individuals with criminal records have been recruited into the department. Vetting is conducted, but the reports come later when they are already employed, then they are expelled.

    Bribery: Motorists frequently report officers soliciting bribes during routine traffic stops or other bribery related incidences. Some of these reports are made to the mayoral committee member for community safety.

    Lack of accountability: Officers implicated in corruption are not always dismissed, or may face minimal consequences.

    Public complaints: Over 200 officers have been under investigation for various misconduct allegations in recent years.

    Political interference and leadership instability

    In the course of the research, I found that another key factor undermining the effectiveness of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is political interference in operational matters and leadership appointments as a result of the structure of the municipalities across the country. All mayoral committee executives and council members are politicians.

    Frequent reshuffling of senior leaders based on politics rather than merit weakens strategic direction and fosters corruption. Politically connected individuals often secure positions without proper vetting, either due to delays in completing reports or human resources not waiting for the report before proceeding with appointments.

    The combination of weak vetting processes, inadequate oversight, and political interference has created an environment where corruption is not only possible but, in some cases, normalised.

    Damage to the capital city’s global reputation and tourism

    The corruption within the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department not only affects local residents but also tarnishes Pretoria’s reputation as South Africa’s administrative capital, home to embassies from around the world.

    As the city hosts more than 130 foreign diplomatic missions — the second-largest concentration of embassies in the world after Washington DC — the behaviour of municipal police officers directly influences the capital city’s global image.

    When officers solicit bribes or abuse their power during routine traffic stops, they might not distinguish between local residents, foreign diplomats or tourists. This indiscriminate targeting is likely to create an unsafe environment for international visitors and damage the trust of foreign nations engaging with South Africa.

    What needs to be done

    Addressing corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department will require urgent reforms. Based on the research, I argue that the following actions are essential:

    Stricter recruitment processes: Background checks should be mandatory for all officers. Individuals found to have criminal records should be disqualified from serving.

    Body cameras and digital monitoring: Equipping officers with body cameras would provide an objective record of interactions with the public.

    Independent oversight: An external body should be established to investigate complaints and ensure accountability. Currently, municipal policing is governed by the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigates some complaints. But it appears to have limited resources.

    Ethics training: All officers should get regular training to reinforce the importance of integrity and professionalism. They are currently trained at the Police Academy and get support from academic institutions, including the University of Pretoria.

    Community engagement: Building partnerships between the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department and the communities it serves can help restore trust and improve transparency.

    Municipal policing law

    Restoring public confidence requires more than piecemeal reforms — it demands a new legal framework.

    A South African Municipal Policing Act could create a unified standard for municipal policing across the country, addressing many of the root causes of corruption. This legislation could introduce:

    National municipal police officers register: A centralised database that records applications, criminal background checks, disciplinary history, and performance assessments of all municipal officers.

    Uniform ethical standards: Clear ethical guidelines that apply to all municipal police officers, regardless of location.

    Independent oversight: An investigative body focused solely on municipal policing.

    Mandatory pre-vetting process: All applicants would undergo fingerprint-based criminal record checks.

    Cross-municipal blacklisting: Officers dismissed or suspended from one municipality would be automatically barred from working in another.

    Digital recording systems: All municipal police vehicles and personnel would be equipped with body cameras and GPS tracking systems to improve accountability.

    A framework like this would close loopholes that allow corrupt officers to move between municipalities undetected. It would also prevent the recycling of officers with criminal records.

    – City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it
    – https://theconversation.com/city-police-in-south-africas-capital-have-a-bad-image-how-to-fix-it-251505

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Marine fossil found in South Africa is one of a kind, thanks to unusual preservation

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Sarah Gabbott, Professor of Palaeontology, University of Leicester

    A fossilised creature found in a South African roadside quarry 25 years ago has finally got an official name. The small, segmented, crustacean-like creature, dated to 444 million years ago, can now be introduced as Keurbos susanae. It belongs to the arthropod group of animals, which accounts for about 84% of all known species that exist today, including insects, spiders and crabs.

    Palaeontologist Sarah Gabbott explains what’s so unusual about her discovery, which she named as part of the process of describing it scientifically.

    What can you tell us about this creature and the environment it lived in?

    The fossil is about 50cm long and has 46 almost identical segments. Projecting from each is a delicate, gill-like structure. It would probably have looked like a bit like a horseshoe crab and the gills would have been for absorbing oxygen from the water it lived in. Its insides are exquisitely well-preserved, which is very unusual for fossils – normally only the hard, more decay-resistant external features would be preserved. You can see bundles of muscle fibres that would have powered the limbs, tendons and an internal scaffold structure that gave the animal rigidity.

    We think it would have spent most of its life living on, or more likely just above, the seafloor, probably walking and swimming in an undulatory (waving) motion.

    It lived in the immediate aftermath of the end Ordovician extinction event more than 440 million years ago, caused by glaciations (the spread of icy conditions) across vast swaths of the planet. This extinction wiped out about 85% of Earth’s species. The marine basin that Keurbos susanae inhabited was probably very cold and at times covered with sea ice.

    It was a relatively hostile environment in other ways too. Our analyses of the chemistry of the shales – the sediments on the sea bed where this animal and others lived, now turned to rock – shows that they were deposited under anoxic conditions (that is, there was no oxygen circulating freely in the water). And at times free hydrogen sulfide occurred in the sediment porewaters (the water in tiny spaces between grains of sediment) and even above the seafloor. Not much could live in these conditions and this was critical to this fossil’s amazing preservation.

    It meant the carcass was not scavenged by other animals after it died. Also, the chemistry was important in the process whereby the soft tissues, which should usually rot away rapidly, became mineralised quickly after death. This turned the animal’s anatomy to mineral which survived for hundreds of millions of years until it was discovered.

    It is preserved “inside out”.

    Keurbos susanae is a new genus and species which we are still trying to place among other early arthropods. The fact that its insides are better preserved than its outside makes it difficult to compare with other fossils that are preserved the “other way round”.

    How did you find the fossil and what else has been found in that area?

    The site is in the Cedarberg mountains, north of Cape Town. To collect fossils in this area you need a permit granted by the Council for Geoscience. Fossil-bearing rocks are protected by law because of their heritage and scientific value.

    Fossil hunting in these rocks takes a lot of hard work and patience, splitting open the shales with a hammer and chisel. These shale rocks are what’s left of layers of silt that were once on the sea floor. The fossils here are super rare: you can dig and split shale for days and not find a single fossil! But we know there are some in there because of discoveries made previously.

    I found two specimens. The first one is complete but the second one only has the middle part of the body preserved.

    In the same rocks we have found some of the earliest vertebrate fossils with mineralised teeth, called conodonts. They were eel shaped and predatory. Also eurypterids (sea scorpions), arthropods with powerful swimming appendages, which would have cruised through the frigid waters. There are also orthocones – a type of chambered cephalopod – like the mollusc fossils called ammonites, which have been found in large numbers, but with a straight shell instead of coiled.

    Why has it taken 25 years to describe Keurbos susanae scientifically?

    Two reasons really.

    First, because of the nature of preservation, where all the insides are perfectly preserved but the outside (the carapace or body covering) is absent, it is just difficult to interpret and compare to other fossils. And secondly because the specimen’s head and legs are missing and these are key characteristics that palaeontologists would use to help them to understand the evolutionary relationships of such fossils.

    If more specimens were to be found, with their heads and legs, we could be more certain about where this fossil fitted in the scheme of life. But the site where I found it has been covered in a lot of rock from quarrying activity. So we decided to describe what we had in the meantime, and not wait for more examples.

    The fossil’s name, Keurbos susanae, refers to the place where I found it and to my mother, Sue, who encouraged me to follow a career that made me happy, whatever that might be.

    – Marine fossil found in South Africa is one of a kind, thanks to unusual preservation
    – https://theconversation.com/marine-fossil-found-in-south-africa-is-one-of-a-kind-thanks-to-unusual-preservation-255256

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Mentors Students at University of Maryland School of Medicine

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dr. Cato T. Laurencin’s talk, “Regenerative Engineering, The Future is Here,” delivered this Spring, was sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

    The endowed biennial lectureship was established to honor the memory of Stephen R. Max, Ph.D., a great scientist, and the former and founding MD-Ph.D. Program Director. The lectureship invites an outstanding physician scientist to visit the scientific community, interact with and mentor MSTP students there, and deliver a major scientific lecture.

    Laurencin earned a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. He completed the Harvard Medical School Medical Scientist Training Program, earning his MD from the Harvard Medical School, Magna Cum Laude, and his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute named in his honor at UConn.

    In his talk, he encouraged students to pursue excellence in all they do. He discussed his autobiography entitled, Success is What You Leave Behind, published by Elsevier. He encouraged students to give back throughout their careers. Laurencin’s work in mentorship is well known. He has created and established numerous programs in his career including the UConn Young Innovative Investigator Program, the UConn M-1 Program, the UConn Pre-K Program, the UConn NSF EFRI Regenerative Engineering REM and REU Programs, and the UConn NIH T32 Regenerative Engineering at the University of Connecticut alone. The UConn Foundation established the Cato T. Laurencin Scholars Award given to undergraduate students, while nationally, the Society for Biomaterials created the Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D. Travel Award given to undergraduate students in Biomaterials Science. He is the first to receive the three principal national awards for mentoring: the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring given to him by President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House.

    The pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering, Laurencin is the first surgeon elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. As an orthopaedic surgeon physician-scientist he is the first individual to receive the Nicolas Andry Award (highest honor of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons), the Kappa Delta Award (highest research honor of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), the Marshal Urist Award (highest honor in regeneration of the Orthopaedic Research Society), and the American Orthopaedic Association’s (AOA) Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedic Surgery with induction into the AOA Awards Hall of Fame.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ambassador Gerard McGurk assumes duties as new Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Ambassador Gerard McGurk assumes duties as new Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo

    Ambassador Gerard McGurk of United Kingdom, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Prishtinë/Priština, 5 May 2025. (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti ) Photo details

    PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 05 May 2025 – Ambassador Gerard McGurk, a career member of the British Diplomatic Service, has been appointed as the new Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and has officially assumed his duties today.
    Ambassador McGurk’s previous diplomatic experience includes extensive engagement in crisis management, bilateral and multilateral international relations across a variety of regions, from Madrid, Amman, and Skopje to the United Nations in New York. Ambassador McGurk was part of the British Government’s Final Status Team related to the work of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari (2005-2007).
    “These experiences have shaped my approach to diplomacy, focusing on inclusive dialogue, partnership, respect and collaboration. These are virtues that are deeply rooted in OSCE’s work here. As the new Head of Mission, I am committed to building on the outstanding work of my predecessors in fulfilling the Mission’s core mandate to improve good governance, protect and promote human and community rights, and enhance public safety for all,” Ambassador McGurk said.
    Ambassador McGurk’s previous roles include Deputy Director and Head of the Security and Resilience Department in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Deputy Director of Network and Performance.
    He led the Consular Pillar in the Afghanistan Task Force in London, playing a critical role in crisis leadership during the high-profile international Kabul evacuation in August-September 2021. He was part of the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York as the UK Government’s representative to the Iraq and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committees. He deployed to Iraq to work with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in the summer of 2003. His first overseas assignment was at the British Embassy in Athens, Greece, in 1991.
    Ambassador McGurk holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University in the UK. Apart from his mother tongue, English, he speaks Macedonian and some Spanish. He is married with two adult children.
    In his role as the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, he succeeds Ambassador Michael Davenport of the United Kingdom.
    For more information on his biography, click here: https://www.osce.org/node/590342

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU were invited to build a career in the companies “Region” and “Petersburg-Dorservis”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Students of SPbGASU are already actively immersed in the industry during their studies. In April, our university was visited by representatives of the companies “Region” and “Petersburg-Dorservis”. The meetings were organized by the Department of Water Use and Ecology.

    The professionals told the students about the intricacies of their work and the prospects that open up for future young specialists.

    Alexey Shchukin, founder and CEO of Region, graduated from SPbGASU in 2003. He is the founder of a company that has completed more than 230 projects in the field of designing water supply and sanitation facilities and maintains a personal expert blog. From his speech, students learned about the methodology for designing water intakes for cities and enterprises, and about the mistakes and problems that specialists in this field encounter.

    Maria Bezruk, a marketer at Region, emphasized that the team consists of people with different experience, skills, and qualities. This helps young professionals gain knowledge directly from people who have worked on large-scale, unique projects. “You will gain the skill of designing complex industrial water supply and sanitation facilities; an understanding of how to achieve your goals and the goals of the team; the opportunity to reveal your full personal and professional potential. And, in addition, knowledge of the basics of construction, which will allow you to build your dream home or your parents’ house in the future!”

    Students took part in a production-themed game and received corporate souvenirs.

    Vladimir Fedotov, Deputy General Director for Non-Urban and Special Facilities at Petersburg-Dorservis, has worked for the company for 33 years. He introduced the audience to the company, which designs and builds highways, city streets, bridges, overpasses, tunnels and other road infrastructure facilities.

    Company representatives invited students for internships, practical training, and, in the future, jobs.

    Ekaterina Dundukova, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy, is already working at Region. According to her, the company has a very friendly and pleasant atmosphere, the employees are genuinely interested in their work and are always happy to help each other, share their work knowledge and experience.

    Under the scientific supervision of Yulia Romanova, assistant of the Department of Water Use and Ecology, Ekaterina is writing her final qualification work “Reconstruction of water intake and water treatment facilities in the city of M.” The object of the study is being developed by the design organization “Region”.

    The student is confident in the relevance of her work for two reasons. Firstly, at present, a significant portion of the existing water intake and water treatment facilities throughout the country are becoming obsolete and require reconstruction or complete replacement, as their service life is coming to an end. Secondly, the required productivity is growing due to the increase in the scale of production in individual cities and the migration of the population within the country from small settlements to larger ones.

    “I plan to connect my future life with this specialty, because I consider it interesting and necessary, because no person and no production can do without water. I like to see the results of my work and know that it will benefit people,” Ekaterina shared.

    “Defending a final qualifying work is a key moment in the educational process of each student. This stage not only demonstrates accumulated knowledge and research skills, but also opens the way to a future professional career. Effective interaction with a production supervisor can significantly improve the quality of the final work and the student’s confidence in successful defense,” believes Yulia Romanova.

    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: EnerPure Further Strengthens Board with New Independent Director, John Cooper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Winnipeg, MB, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EnerPure Inc. (“EnerPure” or the “Company”), a recycling and energy transition company, is pleased to announce that John Cooper has joined the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EnerPure and joins Todd Habicht, Rick Koshman, Albert Krahn, Rachel Carroll, Robert Peterson, and Paul Paradis who were re-appointed as Directors at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on April 30, 2025.

    “Over the years we have always looked to continually strengthen our Board to help ensure we can deliver on the tremendous opportunity before us. The addition of John, with his 30+ years of experience in the energy industry and broad-based leadership experience will provide invaluable guidance as we transition from development into commercialization.” commented Todd Habicht, Founder and Executive Chairman.

    “I’m honoured to join the Board of EnerPure and support the management team as it enters its commercialization and growth phase.” said John Cooper. “The EnerPure team has done a great job developing a commercial solution related to the handling of UMO. It is innovated and sized very well to address underserved markets across North America.”

    About John Cooper – LinkedIn

    With over 30 years of leadership in public and private entities with significant experience in energy, industrial waste and logistics, Mr. Cooper is currently CEO of PTW Energy Services. Prior to PTW, he has served in various senior positions including as Chief Executive Officer of Tervita Corporation; President and Chief Executive Officer of ClearStream Energy Services Inc.; Chief Operating Officer of Savanna Energy Services Corp.; President and Chief Executive Officer at Enermax Services Inc.; General Manager at Waste Management and President of Superior Propane Inc. Mr. Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Western Ontario.

    About EnerPure – https://enerpure.tech

    “We recycle Used Motor Oil (UMO) to reduce GHG emissions while producing a lower carbon-intensive marine fuel.”

    Each year ~17 billion litres of UMO* are improperly burned or dumped, causing widespread environmental harm. EnerPure sees a tremendous opportunity to solve this problem through the deployment of its modular micro-scale recycling plants using its patented technology to convert UMO into high-quality marine fuel.

    EnerPure is entering its next phase of growth, with our first commercial plant planned for Alberta. Our recycling plants require ~5% of the capex of traditional solutions, enabling localized recycling (while reducing the cost of collection) and providing strong economic returns.

    Our technology has been proven via our pilot plant (operating at 43% of scale) with 1.6 million litres processed and validated through the sale of over 1.2 million litres. Our drop-in ISO 8217-compliant marine fuel is in high demand in a growing market with its 14.6% lower carbon intensity. Annually each recycling plant can reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and criteria air contaminants by 36,315 and 437 tonnes, respectively.

    EnerPure, while delivering strong economic returns, offers a proven, scalable platform where environmental need meets commercial opportunity, powering the energy transition through smart regional recycling.

    *UMO is defined as any petroleum-based or synthetic lubricating oil that cannot be used for its original purpose due to contamination.

    Disclosure and Caution

    This press release may contain certain disclosures that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. However, the forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to economic, capital expenditures, and engineering projections, that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The securities referred to in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Top Animal Health Experts Address H5N1 Bird Flu in Trupanion Webinar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trupanion (Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for dogs and cats, will host an upcoming webinar focused on the evolving state of bird flu (H5N1) and its impact on pets, pet parents, and the veterinary community.

    The complimentary one-hour RACE®-Approved CE webinar “Bird Flu: What We Know Now” will be available on-demand on petpublichealth.org/h5n1-update/ on Thursday, May 8th, at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET.

    Hosted by Trupanion’s Chief Veterinary/Product Officer, Dr. Steve Weinrauch, BVMS, MRCVS, the webinar features a panel of leading animal health experts, including:

    • Gail Golab, PhD, DVM, MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), DACAW: Associate Executive Vice President & Chief Veterinary Officer, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
    • Professor Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM: Veterinary Internist, Fellow (Canadian Academy of Health Sciences), Chief of Infection Control (Ontario Veterinary College), Director (University of Guelph Centre of Public Health & Zoonoses)
    • Professor Michael Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM: Veterinary Internist, PhD (Parasitology), Director (Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University), Advisor (World Small Animal Veterinary Association One Health Committee)
    • Carrie Jurney, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology): Veterinary Neurologist, Owner (Remedy Veterinary Specialists), Founding President (Not One More Vet – NOMV)

    Presented as part of Trupanion’s Pet & Public Health Early Warning & Detection System, the webinar aims to equip veterinary professionals and pet parents with the latest information and practical guidance on avian flu in pets. 

    Panelists will delve into various topics, including:

    • Which pet populations may be at highest risk for avian flu.
    • How the virus can potentially spread to cats and dogs.
    • Current knowledge of clinical signs observed in pets.
    • Preventative steps veterinary teams can implement.
    • Data insights from North America and their potential implications for emerging cases.
    • Educational resources for both veterinary professionals and pet parents.

    Dr. Weinrauch commented, “The veterinary profession serves as a first line of defense for protecting both pets and public health. Empowering those entrusted with the care of our family pets is vital. Using real-time illness data, the Early Warning & Detection System concept aims to rapidly detect patterns and signs of illness in dogs and cats anywhere, any breed, any age, any sex, at any time.”

    To learn more and to stream the webinar, visit petpublichealth.org/h5n1-update/.

    About Trupanion’s Pet & Public Health Early Warning Detection System

    Trupanion’s Pet & Public Health Early Warning Detection System utilizes real-time pet health data from over 11,000 veterinary hospitals to rapidly identify illness and disease trends impacting companion animals. By collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mars Science & Diagnostics, the American Veterinary Medicine Association, and other leading pet and public health authorities, Trupanion aims to proactively detect and respond to potential pet and public health threats. For more information, please visit petpublichealth.org.

    About Trupanion

    Trupanion is the leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia with over 1,000,000 pets enrolled. For over two decades, Trupanion has given pet parents peace of mind so they can focus on their pet’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet parents with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. With its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “TRUP”. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada or GPIC Insurance Company. Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard Insurance Company. Policies are sold and administered in Canada by Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion 309-1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 0A2 and in the United States by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. is a registered damage insurance agency and claims adjuster in Quebec #603927. Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard Insurance Company. For more information, please visit trupanion.com. 

    Contact: 

    Laura Bainbridge, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
    Gil Melchior, Director, Investor Relations
    Investor.Relations@trupanion.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A pope of the Americas: What Francis meant to 2 continents

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Neomi De Anda, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

    A portrait of Pope Francis is projected onto a water fountain in Lima, Peru, on April 21, 2025. AP Photo/Martin Mejia

    Most stories about Pope Francis mention that he made history as the first pontiff from Latin America. In fact, Francis was the first pope in centuries to be born outside Europe. But what impact did that actually have on the Catholic Church? The Conversation U.S. asked Neomi De Anda, a theologian at the University of Dayton, to explain the significance of having a pope from the Southern Hemisphere.

    Where do you see the influence of Pope Francis’ Latin American background?

    In reality, Francis is not only the first Latin American pope; he’s the first American pope. Francis is Argentine, the child and grandchild of Italian immigrants, and the first to be born in “América.” Though geography divides it into two continents, North and South, it is one land – one many Indigenous communities call “Turtle Island” or “Abya Yala.”

    In the pope’s 2024 video message to the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, he called upon them “to be bridge-builders between the Americas” and to be a church that “welcomes, accompanies, and integrates” migrants. Speaking in Spanish, he invited the academy “to do theology with your head, your hearts, and your hands” and to integrate “the richness of both cultures, North and South, at the service of a dignified life.”

    Pope Francis arrives for a massive open-air Mass in a park just a few yards from the U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Feb. 17, 2016.
    AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

    This message emphasizes Francis’ view of “synodality” – meaning a church that walks together – and his understanding of the connection among all people in the Americas and the Caribbean. It also shows a recurring theme of his papacy: the connections between pastoral care and theology.

    The greeting also highlights his desire for all to have a life of well-being, or “buen vivir,” through God’s love. As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” This is also a key theme in a 2007 document produced after a meeting of Latin American bishops, known as Aparecida. Francis, then a cardinal, was a primary drafter.

    Aparecida points out Latin America’s abundance of aquifers and forest lands, which are “humanity’s lungs.” It laments economic factors leading to environmental destruction and climate change – themes that would prove important to Francis’ papacy. The document stresses God’s care for people whose lands are being pillaged and who are forced to migrate. It claims “nothing and no one” can take away the strength, joy and peace God gives to the world’s most vulnerable.

    Francis repeatedly acknowledged the Catholic Church’s role in crimes against Indigenous people, and he apologized. How did ideas about colonialism shape his papacy?

    Francis spent much time and attention learning more about the experiences of Native communities: from his visit to Chiapas, Mexico, in 2016; to the Amazon Synod, a meeting of Catholic bishops from the Pan-Amazon Region, Indigenous leaders from this region, theologians and other subject matter experts in 2019; to his tour across Canada in 2022.

    After the synod, Francis released a letter titled Querida Amazonia, which includes a call for Catholic leaders to learn more about the lives of Native peoples from across the nine countries of the Amazon.

    During the papal Mass Francis celebrated in Chiapas, Mexico, in 2016, you can see the deep intermixing of local cultures and customs with the liturgy. For example, women spread incense across the altar using clay vessels, alongside deacons using a thurible, the metal burner typically used in services. Animal images at the front of the platform represented the integration of all of creation.

    Pope Francis delivers his message during Mass in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, on Feb. 15, 2016.
    AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

    Throughout his trip to Canada in 2022 – whose purpose, in part, was to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in the Indigenous boarding school system – Francis presented a disposition of listening and care. He spent more time meeting with people and hearing about their experiences than giving prepared speeches on the perspective of the church.

    For First Nations peoples, the pope’s visit was an opportunity for reconciliation – but for some, it also reopened old wounds. One of their requests was that the church reject the Doctrine of Discovery: ideas about conversion to Christianity that colonial powers used to justify abuses.

    Talking to reporters on the plane returning to Rome, Francis named what had been done to Indigenous children in boarding schools as “genocide.” The following year, the Vatican released a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and documents associated with those ideas.

    Are there other ways that the pope did – or didn’t – make the church feel more inclusive?

    Francis’ papacy did less to change teachings on another topic shaped by colonialism: gender, sexuality and women. The Catholic Church maintains that there are two genders – male and female – which complement each other, a binary system that replaced more flexible ways of thinking about gender in some cultures.

    Members of a delegation of Indigenous peoples in Quebec await a meeting with Pope Francis on July 29, 2022.
    Ciro Fusco/Pool ANSA via AP

    The question of whether to ordain women as deacons arose from the Amazon Synod and continued at the church’s global Synod on Synodality, but without resolution.

    An emphasis on women’s role as child-bearers is embedded in the theological understanding of Mary as mother of Christ and the mother of the church. Whether intentionally or not, however, I would argue Francis laid groundwork for teaching about women and gender to expand.

    Appointments of women to high Vatican positions point to small shifts in practice. The presence of trans people among the last people who paid respects to Francis at his funeral marks a sign of possibilities that hopefully will continue.

    Although of “the church” might make us think of clergy, all who are baptized are the church. Around the world, Catholic communities have developed in many ways, with multiple forms of leadership – especially women lay leaders. The Vatican needs to continue to affirm that reality.

    The Catholic Church understands diversity as a gift of the Holy Spirit. My hope is for someone to continue in Francis’ vein of appreciating that pluralism.

    Neomi De Anda consults for the Louisville Institute, funded by Lily Endowment Inc. She receives funding from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology. She is a past president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States and is affiliated with the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative.

    – ref. A pope of the Americas: What Francis meant to 2 continents – https://theconversation.com/a-pope-of-the-americas-what-francis-meant-to-2-continents-255093

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis encouraged Christian-Muslim dialogue and helped break down stereotypes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Craig Considine, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Rice University

    Tributes being paid to Pope Francis at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Lahore, Pakistan, on April 22, 2025. AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

    Pope Francis’ pontificate marked a distinct shift in the Catholic Church’s engagement with the Muslim world. While his predecessors fostered dialogue and tolerance, Francis sought more active engagement with Muslims, particularly in the Middle East.

    Francis framed his efforts around the “culture of encounter,” which he explained in a 2016 morning meditation. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 7, he noted that this approach was about “active engagement” rather than passive observation. He urged individuals to embody Jesus by “not just seeing, but looking; not just hearing, but listening; not just passing people by, but stopping with them.”

    In my 2025 book “Beyond Dialogue – Building Bonds Between Christians and Muslims,” I stress the importance of moving beyond mere tolerance to collaboration as a way to engage with religious diversity − something that Francis demonstrated in his interfaith dialogue efforts with Muslim countries.

    Francis in Iraq after IS destruction

    In 2021, Francis visited regions in Iraq once held by the Islamic State, or IS. This was the first papal visit to the country. He held masses in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and he addressed a gathering in the courtyard of the Al-Tahera church, the hub of the Syriac Catholic population in Mosul. The historic 18th-century church was partially destroyed by IS during its occupation of the city from 2014 to 2017. An estimated 5,000 Christians were killed and some 125,000 displaced in Iraq during that time.

    Iraqis put up a poster with Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the leader of Iraqi Shiite Muslims, in Najaf, Iraq, on March 4, 2021.
    AP Photo/Anmar Khalil

    At Church Square in Mosul, where there are four churches, Francis prayed for the victims of the conflict and called for harmonious coexistence between Christians and Muslims. He also invited displaced Christians to return to their homes and praised the young Iraqi volunteers – both Christians and Muslims – working side by side to rebuild the churches and mosques destroyed by IS.

    In addition, he convened an interreligious gathering in Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, a prophet revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    His actions not only brought together Christians and Muslims but also helped break down stereotypes.

    The year of tolerance

    In 2019 he visited the United Arab Emirates, marking the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam. The visit coincided with the Emirati government proclaiming 2019 the Year of Tolerance, promoting coexistence, diversity and respect.

    During his visit in Abu Dhabi in 2019, Francis celebrated a historic Catholic Mass in Zayed Sports City, drawing 180,000 attendees from over 100 countries, for which the UAE government declared a special holiday.

    This unprecedented event challenged negative Western stereotypes about the Arabian Peninsula’s religious intolerance. The UAE Constitution, for example, guarantees religious freedom to all people, albeit with restrictions on proselytization among non-Islamic communities. It also offered a counternarrative of unity between Christians and Muslims in a region often viewed through a lens of religious strife and war.

    Francis’ visit to the UAE also culminated in some crucial interfaith initiatives. In Abu Dhabi, Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, Ahmed El-Tayeb, cosigned the document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. The document stresses the need to work together to promote a “culture of reciprocal respect.” While the Emirati president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, did not directly sign the document, he supported the interfaith initiatives that followed Francis’ trip.

    This document led to the setting up of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, a collaborative project of a diverse groups of academic, cultural and religious leaders and entities from around the world. The committee created the Human Fraternity Education and Leadership for Peace program, a global youth movement. It also worked with the United Nations General Assembly to designate Feb. 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity.

    The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity also guided the construction of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, a shared space for a church, mosque and synagogue that opened in 2023.

    I had the opportunity to attend the opening ceremony of the Abrahamic Family House in 2023. It was a memorable experience. A Christian girl, a Muslim boy and Jewish boy each brought a cube representing each house of worship to the center platform of the forum and placed them side by side on the ground. The simple act mirrored the architectural design of the Abrahamic Family House by bringing the abstract concept of interfaith harmony to life in a concrete and relatable way. The Emirati youth provided a glimpse into what a tolerant future could look like.

    History of Catholic-Muslim relations

    The closest historical comparison to the Document on Human Fraternity is the Nostra Aetate, a declaration from the Second Vatican Council of 1965, when major reforms were initiated in the Catholic Church.

    Nostra Aetate marked a turning point in the Catholic Church’s relations with Islam and all non-Christian traditions. After a history of conflict, limited positive engagement and mutual suspicion, it emphasized harmony, dialogue and respect with Islam.

    However, the Document on Human Fraternity went further. For starters, it was a joint declaration with prominent Muslim leaders, signifying a deeper commitment to Christian-Muslim partnership, whereas Nostra Aetate was an internal Catholic document. The document called for grassroot activities, pointing to a more action-oriented approach to Christian and Muslim relations. Given that it was signed by the pope, it held influence within the Vatican leadership and among liberal cardinals. Its core principles are being integrated into pastoral initiatives and interreligious dialogue at the national and international levels.

    Francis’ approach to Christian-Muslim dialogue differed notably from his predecessors. While Pope John Paul II focused on intellectual exchange and theological dialogue, Francis emphasized that they were insufficient on their own. In turn, he prioritized direct action and personal engagement with others as a means to a deeper understanding of the other.

    Pope Benedict XVI, despite his commitment to dialogue, faced challenges due to remarks that outraged Muslims worldwide. During his Regensburg address in 2006, he mentioned a medieval dialogue attributed to Manuel II Palaiologus, the Byzantine emperor who reigned from 1391 to 1425, a period of growing power of the Ottoman Empire. Manuel II had criticized the concept of jihad in Islam and referred to Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, as “evil” and “inhuman.” While Benedict repeatedly emphasized that he was quoting Manuel II’s views on the relationship between faith and reason and not personally endorsing the emperor’s assessment of Islam, the pope’s comments were perceived as disrespectful toward the Islamic faith and its prophet.

    Upon Francis’ death, the president of the UAE – Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – described him as “a symbol of human fraternity, cultural coexistence and interfaith dialogue,” adding that he inspired “future generations in upholding the values of tolerance and mutual understanding.”

    Francis’ gestures of solidarity, personal relationships and frequent visits to Muslim countries, I believe, laid a tangible foundation to move beyond dialogue and toward human fraternity.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis encouraged Christian-Muslim dialogue and helped break down stereotypes – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-encouraged-christian-muslim-dialogue-and-helped-break-down-stereotypes-255193

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU are among the winners and prize-winners of the All-Russian Olympiad “Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – SPbGASU Team: Vitaly Chumakov, Nikita Chernikov, Vasily Gromov and Rostislav Benfialov

    The All-Russian Olympiad “Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation” was held at the Don State Technical University (Rostov-on-Don). Students from 15 leading Russian universities took part in it: 37 undergraduate students and 29 master’s students.

    Nikita Chernikov, a fourth-year student of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management in the field of Construction (Engineering Life Support Systems in Construction), was recognized as the winner; Vitaly Chumakov, a second-year master’s student of the same faculty in the field of Construction (Heat, Gas Supply and Ventilation), took third place.

    Victory at first attempt

    Nikita Chernikov admits that he had never participated in Olympiads before and was glad to learn what they are like, including university-level all-Russian ones.

    “Participation in the Olympiad gave me the opportunity to assess the real level of my knowledge, compare it with students of our specialty from universities in other cities. It was very nice to know that I have such a high level of preparation in my specialty. I hardly prepared for the Olympiad: I applied the knowledge that I had accumulated over several years of studying in specialized subjects. Only before the trip I looked at the topics of the Olympiad problems that were given in previous years. I would like to thank SPbGASU for providing students with the opportunity to attend such events and demonstrate their level, and personally the teacher of the Department of Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation Viktor Aleksandrovich Yakovlev, who invited me to take part in the Olympiad,” said Nikita.

    The Olympiad motivates and expands communication!

    Vitaly Chumakov took part in this Olympiad not for the first time, and already became a winner. Due to his experience and knowledge, he believes that it is quite possible to complete all the tasks correctly. The competition tests included a test task, tasks and practical tasks. For example, in an office there are violations of the ventilation systems, which led to fogging of windows, high humidity, and an unpleasant smell. It is necessary to determine what could have gone wrong? But there is one nuance in completing the tasks: you need to complete them in four hours.

    “The time limit is also a test of skill: it is not enough to be able to solve everything, you need to be able to do it quickly. The Olympiad gives you the opportunity to test your strength, understand the gaps in your knowledge, meet the best students of other universities, and these contacts can be useful in the future in your professional activities, since different regions have different schools, and the exchange of experience is interesting and useful. I had a gap in heat and gas supply and heat supply of external networks due to the fact that in practice I did not deal with them that much. I work in design, and my area is internal networks. I want to continue my studies in graduate school. The results of the Olympiad motivate and give me confidence that I can also master graduate school. You can’t stop at a specific result, you always need to develop yourself,” Vitaly noted.

    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: SEC Announces Agenda, Panelists for Roundtable on Tokenization Plus Date Change for Roundtable on DeFi

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has announced the agenda and panelists for its May 12 roundtable, “Tokenization — Moving Assets Onchain: Where TradFi and DeFi Meet.”

    “Tokenization is a technological development that could substantially change many aspects of our financial markets,” said Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, leader of the Crypto Task Force. “I look forward to hearing ideas from our panelists on how the SEC should approach this area.”

    The roundtable, announced in March as part of a series on crypto asset regulation, will be held at the SEC’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. from 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The event will be open to the public and webcast live on the SEC’s website. Doors will open at 12 p.m.

    For online attendance, registration is not necessary; a link to watch the event will be available on May 12 on www.sec.gov. Please register for in-person attendance.

    In addition, the date for the Crypto Task Force’s roundtable, “DeFi and the American Spirit,” has been changed from June 6 to June 9. All those who previously registered were informed of the change of date, and their registrations have carried forward to the new date. New registrations can continue to be completed.

    To learn more about the Crypto Task Force and the roundtable topics, please visit the Crypto Task Force webpage.

    *    *    *

    Agenda

    1 p.m. –

    2 p.m.

    Opening/Welcome Remarks from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

    • Richard B. Gabbert, Chief of Staff, Crypto Task Force
    • Chairman Paul S. Atkins (keynote address)
    • Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw
    • Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda
    • Commissioner Hester M. Peirce

    2 p.m. –

    3:30 p.m.

    Evolution of Finance: Capital Markets 2.0

    Moderator:

    • Jeff Dinwoodie, Cravath

    Panelists:

    • Cynthia Lo Bessette, Fidelity
    • Eun Ah Choi, Nasdaq
    • Will Geyer, Invesco
    • Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton
    • Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock
    • Christine Moy, Apollo Management
    • Johnny Reinsch, Tokenized Asset Coalition
    • Christian Sabella, DTCC
    • Alex Zozos, SuperState

    3:30 p.m. –

    4 p.m.

    Break

    4 p.m. –

    5:30 p.m.

    The Future of Tokenization

    Moderator:

    • Tiffany Smith, WilmerHale

    Panelists:

    • Hilary Allen, American University Washington College of Law
    • Gene Hoffman, Chia Network
    • Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood
    • Kelly Mathieson, Canton
    • Sidney Powell, Maple Finance
    • Georgia Quinn, Securitize
    • Joshua Rivera, Blockchain Capital
    • Angela Walch, Independent Researcher

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Worsening allergies aren’t your imagination − windy days create the perfect pollen storm

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christine Cairns Fortuin, Assistant Professor of Forestry, Mississippi State University

    Windy days can mean more pollen and more sneezing. mladenbalinovac/E+ via Getty Images

    Evolution has fostered many reproductive strategies across the spectrum of life. From dandelions to giraffes, nature finds a way.

    One of those ways creates quite a bit of suffering for humans: pollen, the infamous male gametophyte of the plant kingdom.

    In the Southeastern U.S., where I live, you know it’s spring when your car has turned yellow and pollen blankets your patio furniture and anything else left outside. Suddenly there are long lines at every car wash in town.

    On heavy pollen days, cars can end up covered in yellow grains.
    Scott Akerman/Flickr, CC BY

    Even people who aren’t allergic to pollen – clearly an advantage for a pollination ecologist like me – can experience sneezing and watery eyes during the release of tree pollen each spring. Enough particulate matter in the air will irritate just about anyone, even if your immune system does not launch an all-out attack.

    So, why is there so much pollen? And why does it seem to be getting worse?

    2 ways trees spread their pollen

    Trees don’t have an easy time in the reproductive game. As a tree, you have two options to disperse your pollen.

    Option 1: Employ an agent, such as a butterfly or bee, that can carry your pollen to another plant of the same species.

    The downside of this option is that you must invest in a showy flower display and a sweet scent to advertise yourself, and sugary nectar to pay your agent for its services.

    A bee enjoys pollen from a cherry blossom. Pollen is a primary source of protein for bees.
    Ivan Radic/Flickr, CC BY

    Option 2, the budget option, is much less precise: Get a free ride on the wind.

    Wind was the original pollinator, evolving long before animal-mediated pollination. Wind doesn’t require a showy flower nor a nectar reward. What it does require for pollination to succeed is ample amounts of lightweight, small-diameter pollen.

    Why wind-blown pollen makes allergies worse

    Wind is not an efficient pollinator, however. The probability of one pollen grain landing in the right location – the stigma or ovule of another plant of the same species – is infinitesimally small.

    Therefore, wind-pollinated trees must compensate for this inefficiency by producing copious amounts of pollen, and it must be light enough to be carried.

    For allergy sufferers, that can mean air filled with microscopic pollen grains that can get into your eyes, throat and lungs, sneak in through window screens and convince your immune system that you’ve inhaled a dangerous intruder.

    When wind blows the tiny pollen grains of live oaks, allergy sufferers feel it.
    Charles Willgren/Flickr, CC BY

    Plants relying on animal-mediated pollination, by contrast, can produce heavier and stickier pollen to adhere to the body of an insect. So don’t blame the bees for your allergies – it’s really the wind.

    Climate change has a role here, too

    Plants initiate pollen release based on a few factors, including temperature and light cues. Many of our temperate tree species respond to cues that signal the beginning of spring, including warmer temperatures.

    Studies have found that pollen seasons have intensified in the past three decades as the climate has warmed. One study that examined 60 location across North America found pollen seasons expanded by an average of 20 days from 1990 to 2018 and pollen concentrations increased by 21%.

    That’s not all. Increasing carbon dioxide levels may also be driving increases in the quantity of tree pollen produced.

    Why the Southeast gets socked

    What could make this pollen boost even worse?

    For the Southeastern U.S. in particular, strong windstorms are becoming more common and more intense − and not just hurricanes.

    Anyone who has lived in the Southeast for the past couple of decades has likely noticed this. The region has more tornado warnings, more severe thunderstorms, more power outages. This is especially true in the mid-South, from Mississippi to Alabama.

    Severity of wind and storm events mapped from NOAA data, 2012-2019, shows high activity over Mississippi and Alabama. Red areas have the most severe events.
    Christine Cairns Fortuin

    Since wind is the vector of airborne pollen, windier conditions can also make allergies worse. Pollen remains airborne for longer on windy days, and it travels farther.

    To make matters worse, increasing storm activity may be doing more than just transporting pollen. Storms can also break apart pollen grains, creating smaller particles that can penetrate deeper into the lungs.

    Many allergy sufferers may notice worsening allergies during storms.

    The peak of spring wind and storm season tends to correspond to the timing of the release of tree pollen that blankets our world in yellow. The effects of climate change, including longer pollen seasons and more pollen released, and corresponding shifts in windy days and storm severity are helping to create the perfect pollen storm.

    Christine Cairns Fortuin receives funding from U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

    – ref. Worsening allergies aren’t your imagination − windy days create the perfect pollen storm – https://theconversation.com/worsening-allergies-arent-your-imagination-windy-days-create-the-perfect-pollen-storm-254645

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Testimonials] Positive Impact of Samsung Innovation Campus on WSU Students

    Source: Samsung

    In today’s digital age, traditional qualifications alone are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the local economy – practical skills, problem-solving abilities and technological fluency are now also essential to develop work-ready job seekers and entrepreneurs with in-demand skills needed by the local economy.
     
    In response to this need, Samsung has – over the years through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as the global Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) – collaborated with esteemed academic institutions such as the Walter Sisulu University (WSU). This strategic partnership was formed in an effort to bridge the gap between traditional education and the demand for skills training tailored specifically for the current job market that requires modern tech expertise.
     
    Importantly, Samsung recognises how essential SIC is in driving economic growth and technological advancement in South Africa and the continent as a whole. This partnership with WSU therefore, aims to provide ICT education to students from underserved communities in the Eastern Cape. This global SIC programme is designed to provide practical, cutting-edge training in digital skills and has since inception, also trained participants on a range of soft skills to foster talented youth who will go on to shape the future society. This SIC programme is a forward-thinking initiative that seeks to continue addressing the evolving demands of the modern workforce.
     
    These are some of the reasons why Samsung has remained dedicated to making a long-term social impact by investing in education, youth skills training and technological innovation. Over the years, the company has invested in youth development and workforce skills training by equipping students with in-demand digital skills needed by the local economy.
    Along with core competencies such as artificial intelligence (AI) as well as Coding and Programming (C&P) training in Python – SIC has been providing progressive knowledge to students ensuring that they are both academically qualified and industry work-ready.
     
    These high-demand skills are positioning the country’s youth for careers in technology-driven sectors and entrepreneurship. The institution is making these incredible strides because it has long recognised that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is reshaping education, work and daily life. WSU has now also ensured that technology is integrated into its teaching, research and student development initiatives. Importantly, the university has now made sure that digital transformation has become a strategic priority, by establishing an AI Centre that will serve as a hub for advanced digital skills training, research and innovation.
    For Samsung’s CSR initiatives, measurable impact on the country’s youth including young women has always been essential. This SIC programme has now touched the lives of about 71 young people at WSU – a combination of both males and females. With this programme, WSU students have now been prepared for careers in technology by creating both employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that will help them make a positive impact on society. For this reason, Samsung spoke to some alumni students about their experience in the programme and this, is what they had to say:
     
    A graduate and an alumni from the WSU-SIC programme who is originally from Lusikisiki, Atsho Nota has a diploma in Application Development studies which she believes has given her a strong foundation in technology and problem-solving.

    Atsho has always been passionate about technology and how it can be used to improve people’s lives. She added that this programme has made a significant difference in her personal and professional growth.
     
    “It has given me the opportunity to develop hands-on technical skills”, she explained: “I’ve now gained industry experience and it has improved my confidence in working with advanced technology. Also, the practical training has enhanced my problem-solving abilities significantly and prepared me for real-world challenges in the tech industry,” she added. Atsho’s future plans include advancing her career in the tech industry, possibly specialising in software development. She hopes to use her skills to contribute to innovative solutions and maybe even start her own business in the future. Atsho also wants to continue learning and growing in the field of technology to stay updated with industry advancements.
     
    Another impressive alumni student from the SIC programme is Lazola Leonardo Mbangata, who is currently running his own start-up company called Xero Technologies, while also pursuing a postgraduate degree – majoring in Software development. Born and raised in Butterworth, this young man has various certifications in data science and cyber security. For Lazola, this SIC programme has played a crucial role in his career and advancement in IT.
     

     
    He believes that studying Python and AI has advanced his development skills and enhanced his projects for automation and usability – thus bringing him one step closer to his future goal of AI security. “I decided to sign up for the programme because of my interest in AI and Python because I believed that this would grow my mind and understanding in the field, he said. “Also, working with a big company like Samsung was potentially an opportunity for crucial doors to be opened for me.”
     
    What Lazola found most interesting during the SIC lessons is the diversity in IT and the opportunity to not only build software but also to deal with software management and publishing. These skills that Lazola acquired have ensured that his business is on track for success. What is still a bit of a challenge is finding local clients, however he’s still quite determined and very optimistic.
     
    For Samsung, this partnership with WSU exemplifies the kind of university-industry collaboration that has ensured that together, they can continue training the leaders of tomorrow to use AI tools and other innovative technology platforms to effectively maximise the benefits of these new and exciting emerging technologies in their future careers.
    These testimonies are proof that this SIC initiative not only enhances individual career prospects, but also contributes significantly to building a group of resilient and future-ready workforce as well as technology entrepreneurs. Samsung’s efforts underscore its broader commitment to technological innovation and sustainable community development in the country.
     
    Sinethemba Mpambane, DVC: Institutional Support and Development at WSU said: “In a country that is facing significant youth unemployment, this SIC curriculum is a game-changer as it offers students direct access to opportunities in AI, software development and digital solutions, while also fostering innovation and problem-solving. As WSU, we are now looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with Samsung, expanding these programmes and continuing to empower students with future-ready skills.”
     

     
    Mpambane added that all these WSU-driven initiatives will complement this SIC programme by providing a platform for students and industry partners to engage in cutting-edge AI-driven projects. For WSU – the impact of this SIC programme is clear. Graduates are leaving with more than just certificates; they possess tangible, in-demand skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
     
    And furthermore, WSU in partnership with Samsung is committed to shaping the next generation of African technology leaders. This institution is seeking to become an impactful, technology-infused African university that remains relevant in today’s digital world, while preparing its students for the future. The SIC programme is but one of the ways of ensuring that WSU achieves its vision for the future.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Philly’s forgotten history as a hub of anarchism with a thriving radical Yiddish press

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Geoffrey Baym, Professor of Media Studies and Production, Temple University

    The first edition of Bread and Freedom came out on Nov. 11, 1906. From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of Broyt un Frayheyt (Bread and Freedom)

    On a late summer day in 1906, a small group of newly arrived Jewish immigrants in Philadelphia took a streetcar across town to Fairmount Park. Several miles from the cramped row houses and oppressive sweatshops of the immigrant quarter of South Philly, the neighborhood now known as Queen Village, they enjoyed a sunny picnic.

    They weren’t there to make small talk, though.

    Instead, they wanted to write “revolutionary articles” that would spark the “struggle against all that degrades and oppresses humanity,” as one of the leaders of the group, Joseph Cohen, later wrote in his 1945 memoir.

    More specifically, the picnicgoers wanted to start a newspaper. It would be titled Broyt un Frayheyt – Yiddish for Bread and Freedom – the anarchist reminder that to live the good life, one needs both.

    I’m a professor of media and politics at Temple University in Philadelphia. For the past year I’ve been tracking the life and times of my great-grandfather Max, a radical Yiddish journalist in the early years of the 20th century.

    To my surprise, I found he had lived here in Philadelphia, and his story is part of a largely forgotten moment in U.S. history: when Philly was an epicenter of the national anarchist movement, heartily supported by the city’s burgeoning Jewish immigrant community.

    Beyond the Russian pale

    By 1906, thousands of people like Max had made their way to Philadelphia from the Russian “pale” – the only part of the Russian Empire where they could legally reside. They fled economic isolation and state-sanctioned persecution in search of a more stable life.

    South Philly was better than where they had come from, but immigrant life then, as now, was by no means easy. They had escaped a legal regime of oppression and the perpetual threat of antisemitic mob violence. But in turn they found a world of dark alleys and dead ends. Their labor was exploited, their living conditions meager.

    For some, the American promise of freedom and prosperity seemed to ring hollow.

    They did, however, find one freedom they had not experienced before. They were able to speak, write and publish their ideas no matter how outlandish or against the grain.

    And they could do so in Yiddish, the vernacular of daily life but a language of exile – one that in the old world had often been outlawed in print.

    The Yiddish press in the United States was experiencing extraordinary growth at the time. In New York, Philadelphia and other cities, newspapers quickly emerged – and often disappeared – month over month.

    Jewish anarchists in America

    Max moved to Philadelphia in 1906 to work with another immigrant named Joseph Cohen. Cohen had arrived in Philadelphia three years earlier. He earned a scant living making cigars, but his real work was advocating anarchism.

    At the dawn of the 20th century, anarchism was not the nihilistic chaos the term may bring to mind today. It was a heartfelt dream of a free and egalitarian society.

    The anarchists believed that man-made hierarchies – political, economic and religious – were illegitimate and limited the full expression of humanity. They rejected the authority of the state. That particularly appealed to many Jewish immigrants, for whom laws in the old country had long served as vehicles of oppression.

    Cohen had studied this philosophy of local autonomy and communal life with the Philadelphia activist Voltairine de Cleyre.

    History may remember Emma Goldman, a Lithuanian-born New Yorker and perhaps the leading voice of American anarchism from that era. But de Cleyre was the heart and soul of Philadelphia’s anarchist scene.

    Goldman once described de Cleyre as a “poet-rebel,” a “liberty-loving artist” and “the greatest woman anarchist of America.”

    Voltairine de Cleyre in Philadelphia circa 1901.
    Wikimedia Commons

    A tireless critic of the inequities of the industrial age, de Cleyre had taught herself Yiddish to better serve as “the apostle of anarchism” in the Jewish ghetto.

    While de Cleyre could often be found speaking in front of city hall, Max, Cohen and their colleagues were more likely to gather at the corner of Fifth and South streets, the hub of Philadelphia’s Yiddish press and its culture of rambunctious street debate.

    By 1906, Cohen had co-founded the anarchist Radical Library in the upstairs rooms at 229 Pine St. This provided the Philadelphia anarchists a meeting space and reading room.

    But “the Jewish newspaper men, the radicals and the tireless talkers,” as the Philadelphia historian Harry Boonin wrote, still congregated in the ramshackle cafes lining the 600 block of South Fifth, where they would argue over anarchism and atheism deep into the night.

    Competition with NYC comrades

    Cohen’s goal was to publish a nationally influential anarchist paper that would give voice to the “comrades from Philadelphia.”

    That meant direct competition with the New York Yiddish press and the influential weekly newspaper Freie Arbeiter Stimme, or The Free Voice of Labor. Edited by Saul Yanovksy on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, FAS was the center of the Jewish anarchist movement and of the Yiddish intelligentsia more broadly.

    “To be able to say ‘I have written for Yanovsky,’” wrote the sociologist Robert Park in 1922, “is a literary passport for a Yiddish writer.”

    Freie Arbeiter Stimme (The Free Voice of Labor) was the intellectual center of the Jewish anarchist movement at the turn of the 20th century.
    From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of Freie Arbeiter Stimme (The Free Voice of Labor)

    Although the FAS masthead said the paper was located in New York and Philadelphia, Yanovksy controlled the operation from New York, much to Cohen’s dismay.

    The Philadelphia anarchists were also routinely disappointed in Yanovsky’s politics. He was too moderate for their tastes. Yanovsky favored organizing labor and voting in elections, while the Bread and Freedom group, according to Cohen, wanted to cultivate “the militancy and fighting spirit which our young comrades brought with them from cold Russia.” They advocated for more aggressive measures to counter “the submissive indifference of the bourgeoisie and the slavish patience of the workers.”

    Cohen had partnered with Yanovsky earlier in 1906 to publish a daily anarchist newspaper. He maintained a small office in the back of Finkler’s cigar store at Fifth and Bainbridge streets. But the paper was printed in New York and delivered back to Philadelphia each morning by courier train.

    Cohen wrote in his memoir that he suspected Yanovsky intentionally sabotaged the effort by insisting that he personally write the daily editorial, but then turning in his copy too late for the paper to make the train. After two months the partnership, and the paper, fell apart.

    For Cohen, the lesson was that to be the genuine voice of the anarchist movement, he had to print the paper locally in Philadelphia.

    A digest of anarchist argument

    Editions of the Bread and Freedom anarchist weekly list the Radical Library at 229 Pine St. as its headquarters.
    From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of Bread and Freedom

    Bread and Freedom published its first issue on Nov. 11, 1906. The date was symbolic. It was the anniversary of the execution of the “Chicago martyrs” – the four men wrongly sentenced to death for the 1886 bombing at a labor rally at Chicago’s Haymarket Square. The Haymarket affair galvanized the anarchist movement among immigrants, even as it accelerated the wider fear of foreign-born radicalism.

    Over the next three months, the newspaper offered a weekly digest of anarchist arguments. It translated into Yiddish Voltairine de Cleyre’s critique of capitalism and what she called its “moral bankruptcy” – its hunger for wealth, power and material possessions. It attacked what de Cleyre called the “dominant idea” of the times – “the shameless, merciless” exploitation of the worker, “only to produce heaps and heaps of things – things ugly, things harmful, things useless, and at the best largely unnecessary.”

    In the strongest of terms – “bombastic,” in the words of one local historian – the paper echoed de Cleyre’s call for the “restless, active, rebel souls” of immigrant Philadelphia to rise up to oppose the “great and lamentable error” of industrial capitalism.

    Almost as soon as it began, however, Bread and Freedom ran out of money. Its rhetoric was exciting but ineffective. The paper offered no real solutions beyond an impossible demand to dismantle the capitalist state.

    Although two members of the group were briefly detained by the police in Baltimore for selling a radical newspaper, their fiery propaganda lit no revolutionary spark.

    Instead, it disappeared quietly, folding in January 1907.

    Shifting tactics

    Even then, a different kind of immigrant was arriving in the U.S. from Russia. Their radical politics were coupled with organizational acumen.

    Many of the older anarchists would join forces with these newcomers, and the effort morphed into something more pragmatic. They helped build the foundations of the 20th-century labor movement, which successfully fought for once-radical ideals such as the eight-hour workday and paid sick leave.

    Cohen moved to New York and took over as editor of FAS in 1923. That was a tense period for the Jewish left, following the Russian revolution of 1917 and the Communist rise to power. In response, the U.S. government suppressed domestic radicalism, arresting and at times deporting foreign-born leftists, and anarchism fell out of favor.

    A few years earlier, though, the streets of South Philly had been home to a vibrant space of free speech and boundless political imagination. It would not last long, but it is a moment I believe is worth remembering.

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

    – ref. Philly’s forgotten history as a hub of anarchism with a thriving radical Yiddish press – https://theconversation.com/phillys-forgotten-history-as-a-hub-of-anarchism-with-a-thriving-radical-yiddish-press-252869

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Teachers and librarians are among those least likely to die by suicide − public health researchers offer insights on what this means for other professions

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jordan Batchelor, Research Analyst at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Arizona State University

    One reason teachers have a low suicide rate may be that they find meaning in their jobs. Digital Vision/Getty Images

    Where you work affects your risk of dying by suicide. For example, loggers, musicians and workers in the oil and gas industries have much higher rates of suicide than the rest of the population.

    But on the flip side, some professions have very low rates of suicide. One of them is education. National and state data shows that educators in the U.S., including teachers, professors and librarians, are among the least likely to die by suicide.

    We’re a team of researchers at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University. We manage Arizona’s Violent Death Reporting System, part of a surveillance system sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with counterparts in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. We collect data on violent deaths, including suicide, thanks to agreements with local medical examiners and law enforcement.

    When public health researchers like us look at suicide data, we often focus on high-risk populations to learn where intervention and prevention are most needed. But we can learn from low-risk populations such as educators too.

    Why some professions have higher suicide rates

    Over the past 25 years, the suicide rate in the U.S. has increased significantly.

    The age-adjusted rate in 2022 was 14.2 suicides per 100,000 people, up from 10.9 a little over two decades earlier, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Epidemiologists often adjust data for age to allow for a fairer comparison of incidence rates across populations with different age distributions.

    But not all populations are affected equally. For example, military veterans die by suicide at higher rates than civilians, as do men, older adults and American Indian and Alaska Natives, to name a few demographics. In 2022 the suicide rate for men, for instance, was 23 suicides per 100,000, versus 5.9 for women.

    The rate of suicide among the working-age population is also growing. Over the past two decades it has increased by 33%, reaching a rate of 32 suicides per 100,000 for men and eight for women in 2021. And workers in certain occupations are at higher risk of dying by suicide than others.

    The reasons why are complex and diverse. Workers in construction, an industry with some of the highest suicide rates, may face greater stigma getting help for mental health issues, while people in other fields such as law enforcement may be more exposed to traumatic experiences, which can harm their mental health.

    In short, some explanations are directly tied to one’s work, such as having low job security, little autonomy or agency, and an imbalance of work efforts and rewards. Other factors are more indirect, such as an occupation’s demographic makeup or the type of personality that chooses a profession. Together, factors like these help explain the rate of suicide across occupations.

    Teachers, professors and librarians

    Educators, on the other hand, have relatively little suicide risk.

    By educators, we mean workers classified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as “educational instruction and library,” which includes teachers, tutors, professors, librarians and similar occupations.

    Nationally, about 11 in 100,000 male educators died by suicide in 2021, with the figure for women being about half that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By contrast, the rate for male workers in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media was 44.5 suicides per 100,000, and the rate for male workers in construction and extraction was 65.6.

    Data from our state of Arizona follows the same pattern. From 2016 through 2023, a total of 117 educators died by suicide, mostly primary and secondary school teachers. This works out to be an incidence rate of 7.3 suicides per 100,000 educators − one-third the rate for all Arizona workers and the lowest among all occupations in the state.

    Why educators have a low suicide rate

    So why are educators at such a low risk of suicide? After all, educational professions certainly present their own challenges. For example, many teachers experience high amounts of burnout, which can cause physical and mental health problems such as headaches, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

    A good place to begin is the profession’s demographic composition. A disproportionately high share of educators are women or are married − traits associated with lower suicide rates. Educators also tend to have high educational attainment, which may indirectly protect against suicide by increasing socioeconomic status and employability.

    Another factor is workplace environment. Workplaces that offer increased access to lethal means such as firearms and medications are associated with higher suicide rates. This helps explain why workers in law enforcement, medical professions and the military tend to show high rates. The comparatively low availability of lethal means in schools may help keep educators’ rates low.

    In addition, educators’ workplaces, typically schools and campuses, offer rich opportunities to form strong social relationships, which improve one’s overall health and help workers cope with job stress. The unique, meaningful bonds many educators form with their students, administrators and fellow educators may offer support that enhances their mental health.

    Finally, based on more contextual information in our Arizona database, we found that a lower proportion of educators who died by suicide had an alcohol or drug abuse problem. Alcohol or substance abuse problems can increase suicidal ideation and other work-related risk factors such as job insecurity and work-related injury. In short, educators may live a healthier lifestyle compared with some other workers.

    Improving worker health

    So, what can workers and employers in other professions learn from this, and how can we improve worker health?

    One lesson is to develop skills to cope with job stress. All professions are capable of producing stress, which can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health. Identifying the root cause of job stress and applying coping skills, such as positive thinking, meditation and goal-setting, can have beneficial effects.

    Developing a social network at the workplace is also key. High-quality social relationships can improve health to a degree on par with quitting smoking. Social relationships provide tangible and intangible support and help establish one’s sense of purpose and identity. This applies outside the workplace, too. So promoting work-life balance is one way organizations can help their employees.

    Organizations can also strive to foster a positive workplace culture. One aspect of such a culture is establishing a sense of meaning or purpose in the work. For educators, this feature may help offset some of the profession’s challenges. Other aspects include appreciating employees for their hard work, identifying and magnifying employee strengths, and not creating a toxic workplace.

    It is worth noting that continued research on occupational health is important. In the context of educators, more research is needed to understand how risk differs between and within specific groups. Despite their overall low risk, no person or demographic is immune to suicide, and every suicide is preventable.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of crisis, the free and confidential 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available to call, text or chat.

    This research was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention, who sponsor the Arizona Violent Death Reporting System data. The findings and conclusions of this research are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC.

    Charles Max Katz is affiliated with Arizona State University.This research was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention, who sponsor the Arizona Violent Death Reporting System data. The findings and conclusions of this research are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC.

    – ref. Teachers and librarians are among those least likely to die by suicide − public health researchers offer insights on what this means for other professions – https://theconversation.com/teachers-and-librarians-are-among-those-least-likely-to-die-by-suicide-public-health-researchers-offer-insights-on-what-this-means-for-other-professions-252795

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Hurricane forecasts are more accurate than ever – NOAA funding cuts could change that, with a busy storm season coming

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chris Vagasky, Meteorologist and Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Radar shows a NOAA Hurricane Hunter flying through the eye of Tropical Storm Idalia during a mission in 2023. Nick Underwood/NOAA

    The National Hurricane Center’s forecasts in 2024 were its most accurate on record, from its one-day forecasts, as tropical cyclones neared the coast, to its forecasts five days into the future, when storms were only beginning to come together.

    Thanks to federally funded research, forecasts of tropical cyclone tracks today are up to 75% more accurate than they were in 1990. A National Hurricane Center forecast three days out today is about as accurate as a one-day forecast in 2002, giving people in the storm’s path more time to prepare and reducing the size of evacuations.

    Accuracy will be crucial again in 2025, as meteorologists predict another active Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

    Yet, cuts in staffing and threats to funding at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – which includes the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service – are diminishing operations that forecasters rely on.

    I am a meteorologist who studies lightning in hurricanes and helps train other meteorologists to monitor and forecast tropical cyclones. Here are three of the essential components of weather forecasting that have been targeted for cuts to funding and staff at NOAA.

    Tracking the wind

    To understand how a hurricane is likely to behave, forecasters need to know what’s going on in the atmosphere far from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

    Hurricanes are steered by the winds around them. Wind patterns detected today over the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains – places like Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota – give forecasters clues to the winds that will be likely along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts in the days ahead.

    Satellites can’t take direct measurements, so to measure these winds, scientists rely on weather balloons. That data is essential both for forecasts and to calibrate the complicated formulas forecasters use to make estimates from satellite data.

    A meteorologist prepares to launch a weather balloon at Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyo. Data collected by the balloon’s radiosonde will help predict local weather that can influence fire behavior.
    Neal Herbert/National Park Service

    However, in early 2025, the Trump administration terminated or suspended weather balloon launches at more than a dozen locations.

    That move and other cuts and threatened cuts at NOAA have raised red flags for forecasters across the country and around the world.

    Forecasters everywhere, from TV to private companies, rely on NOAA’s data to do their jobs. Much of that data would be extremely expensive if not impossible to replicate.

    Under normal circumstances, weather balloons are released from around 900 locations around the world at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time every day. While the loss of just 12 of these profiles may not seem significant, small amounts of missing data can lead to big forecast errors. This is an example of chaos theory, more popularly known as the butterfly effect.

    The balloons carry a small instrument called a radiosonde, which records data as it rises from the surface of the Earth to around 120,000 feet above ground. The radiosonde acts like an all-in-one weather station, beaming back details of the temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and air pressure every 15 feet through its flight.

    Together, all these measurements help meteorologists interpret the atmosphere overhead and feed into computer models used to help forecast weather around the country, including hurricanes.

    Hurricane Hunters

    For more than 80 years, scientists have been flying planes into hurricanes to measure each storm’s strength and help forecast its path and potential for damage.

    Known as “Hurricane Hunters,” these crews from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and NOAA routinely conduct reconnaissance missions throughout hurricane season using a variety of instruments. Similar to weather balloons, these flights are making measurements that satellites can’t.

    Hurricane Hunters use Doppler radar to gauge how the wind is blowing and LiDAR to measure temperature and humidity changes. They drop probes to measure the ocean temperature down several hundred feet to tell how much warm water might be there to fuel the storm.

    They also release 20 to 30 dropsondes, measuring devices with parachutes. As the dropsondes fall through the storm, they transmit data about the temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and air pressure every 15 feet or so from the plane to the ocean.

    Dropsondes from Hurricane Hunter flights are the only way to directly measure what is occurring inside the storm. Although satellites and radars can see inside hurricanes, these are indirect measurements that do not have the fine-scale resolution of dropsonde data.

    That data tells National Hurricane Center forecasters how intense the storm is and whether the atmosphere around the storm is favorable for strengthening. Dropsonde data also helps computer models forecast the track and intensity of storms days into the future.

    Two NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight directors were laid off in February 2025, leaving only six when 10 are preferred. Directors are the flight meteorologists aboard each flight who oversee operations and ensure the planes stay away from the most dangerous conditions.

    Having fewer directors limits the number of flights that can be sent out during busy times when Hurricane Hunters are monitoring multiple storms. And that would limit the accurate data the National Hurricane Center would have for forecasting storms.

    Eyes in the sky

    Weather satellites that monitor tropical storms from space provide continuous views of each storm’s track and intensity changes. The equipment on these satellites and software used to analyze it make increasingly accurate hurricane forecasts possible. Much of that equipment is developed by federally funded researchers.

    For example, the Cooperative Institutes in Wisconsin and Colorado have developed software and methods that help meteorologists better understand the current state of tropical cyclones and forecast future intensity when aircraft reconnaissance isn’t immediately available.

    Forecasting rapid intensification is one of the great challenges for hurricane scientists. It’s the dangerous shift when a tropical cyclone’s wind speeds jump by at least 35 mph (56 kilometers per hour) in 24 hours.

    For example, in 2018, Hurricane Michael’s rapid intensification caught the Florida Panhandle by surprise. The Category 5 storm caused billions of dollars in damage across the region, including at Tyndall Air Force Base, where several F-22 Stealth Fighters were still in hangars.

    NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite shows Hurricanes Irma, left, and Jose in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 7, 2017.
    NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), CC BY

    Under the federal budget proposal details released so far, including a draft of agencies’ budget plans marked up by Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, known as the passback, there is no funding for Cooperative Institutes. There is also no funding for aircraft recapitalization. A 2022 NOAA plan sought to purchase up to six new aircraft that would be used by Hurricane Hunters.

    The passback budget also cut funding for some technology from future satellites, including lightning mappers that are used in hurricane intensity forecasting and to warn airplanes of risks.

    It only takes one

    Tropical storms and hurricanes can have devastating effects, as Hurricanes Helene and Milton reminded the country in 2024. These storms, while well forecast, resulted in billions of dollars of damage and hundreds of fatalities.

    The U.S. has been facing more intense storms, and the coastal population and value of property in harm’s way are growing. As five former directors of the National Weather Service wrote in an open letter, cutting funding and staff from NOAA’s work that is improving forecasting and warnings ultimately threatens to leave more lives at risk.

    Chris Vagasky is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.

    – ref. Hurricane forecasts are more accurate than ever – NOAA funding cuts could change that, with a busy storm season coming – https://theconversation.com/hurricane-forecasts-are-more-accurate-than-ever-noaa-funding-cuts-could-change-that-with-a-busy-storm-season-coming-255369

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How was the Earth built?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alexander E. Gates, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University – Newark

    The Earth formed in a ring of debris around the Sun, like the one around Vega, a bright star, in this artist’s conception. NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

    How was the Earth built? – Noah, age 5, Florida

    It isn’t easy to figure out how the Earth was built, because it happened 4½ billion years ago, and no one was there to watch. So scientists have had to look at what the Earth looks like now and at all of the other planets, moons and debris in the solar system.

    They’ve concluded that the Earth was built in the same way that you would build a big snowball to make a snowman. The mass that would become our home rolled through planetary debris – rocks floating in space – for more than 100 million years, adding more and more material, until it grew into a full-size planet.

    How do scientists like me know this is what happened? First, studies of the size, composition and location of asteroids and comets, many of which are as old as the Earth, indicate that 4½ billion years ago the solar system looked the way Saturn looks today, with rings of space rocks orbiting around the Sun. There’s still one such ring around the Sun – it’s called the asteroid belt and lies between Mars and Jupiter, with the Sun’s gravity holding the rocks in orbit.

    The solar system that includes Earth formed from a spinning disk of dust and gases.

    All of the other bodies that we know as planets today began as similar rings of space debris. An eddy, or area of rolling, developed in each of these rings and caused the debris to clump up in a snowball effect. But these pieces of debris were asteroids that smashed violently into the growing planets.

    We can see those impacts on planets and moons whose surfaces haven’t weathered or reformed. If you look at the Moon or the planet Mercury, you can see that they are covered with craters from asteroid impacts.

    When asteroids or comets struck these building planets, they crashed into their surfaces at speeds as high as 40,000 to 50,000 miles per hour (65,000 to 80,000 kilometers per hour). The impacts caused huge explosions that emitted massive amounts of dust and broken or melted rock.

    In fact, scientists believe that the Moon was once part of the Earth, until a large asteroid crashed into the Earth so hard that the Moon broke away and shot into space. There, it began orbiting the Earth as it does now.

    Still under construction

    Most big asteroids and comets collided with the Earth when it was young, about 4½ billion years ago. The number of such collisions has steadily decreased ever since. However, at least 100 tons of dust-size space rock rains down on the Earth every day, increasing the size of our planet bit by bit.

    The Earth also collides with space rocks, called meteors, that show up as shooting stars in the night sky. Some of these meteors come from an impact that struck Mars at some point, breaking away rock from the planet surface and shooting it into outer space. These rocks have been falling to Earth ever since.

    What’s the difference between an asteroid and a comet? Asteroids are large space rocks, while comets are large, dirty ice balls. Meteors are smaller − typically the size of pebbles or even dust.

    About 65 million years ago, a huge asteroid struck the Earth in the Gulf of Mexico. The enormous Chicxulub explosion drove large tsunamis throughout the ocean and raised so much dust into the air that it made the dinosaurs go extinct.

    Another large asteroid impact, about 35 million years ago, made a huge crater in the area that is now the Chesapeake Bay, near Washington, D.C. More recently, in 1908, an asteroid likely exploded over Tunguska, Russia, flattening 830 square miles (2,150 square kilometers) of trees. Fortunately, no one lived in the area, so there were no known casualties.

    Barringer Crater in Arizona was caused by a meteor strike about 50,000 years ago. It measures about 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) across.
    D. Roddy, USGS/Wikipedia

    Once a mass of space debris was assembled into the Earth, many processes continued to shape the planet’s surface. Wind, water, heat and cold cause rocks to weather and break down and soil to erode. Mountains are created as pieces of Earth’s crust collide and crack. Rivers and glaciers wear down the planet’s surface to make it smoother.

    The Earth is a dynamic planet that is constantly being built, and these processes will continue for billions of years into the future.

    Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

    And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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

    – ref. How was the Earth built? – https://theconversation.com/how-was-the-earth-built-254257

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Seeing Is Believing: UConn’s Materials Library Helps Student Researchers Weigh Options

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    If there’s one thing Christopher Sancomb freely admits, it’s that he likes things like foamed aluminum, pieces of copper, chunks of iron, and sticks of ebony.

    “I’ve always been a materials person,” says Sancomb, an assistant professor of industrial design in the Department of Art and Art History. “It’s always been a big part of my work.”

    For 15 years before coming to UConn in 2019, Sancomb designed museum exhibitions for children, a job that required him to carefully consider each material he planned to use: Would it do what he wanted it to do? Is it environmentally friendly? How hard is it to obtain? Can it be ethically sourced?

    “That began my collection and fostered a deeper interest into all the things that go along with the stuff we use in the world,” he says.

    Industrial designers and engineers – really, anyone who builds something from scratch – must think about things like this when working on projects, he says, and until now UConn students studying for these professions had no place to learn about the infinite number of materials available in the world.

    Sancomb has changed that.

    Christopher Sancomb, assistant professor of industrial design at UConn, arranges some of the items in the Materials Library within the Fine Arts Complex on Monday, April 28, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    UConn’s Materials Library, of which he is founder, has been a project five years in the making, stalled by the pandemic but now finishing its first year as a resource for students and faculty.

    In the rear of the Art Design Center – that’s Room 108 in the Art Building – the library houses a collection of raw, manufactured, and reclaimed materials from all over the world that go into the built environment around us, he explains.

    “We want to use this as a hands-on learning space, so you can see the thing, touch the thing, measure it, mark it, uncover where it comes from, learn more about it as a way to understand what we use in the world, what we put into the world as designers,” he says.

    It’s a place where people can feel the weight of a brick of mycelium, the gentleness of a tuft of alpaca wool, the grooves of a crocodile pattern on a piece of bioleather, and the sturdiness of recycled plastic turned into a 1.5-inch-thick felt-like board.

    It’s a place to refine ideas, develop new ones, and spark creativity.

    “Let’s say you came in and were thinking of using an existing plastic that had certain qualities – maybe it needs a high breaking strength and high UV sensitivity. Maybe it needs to be washed and sanitized. Traditional plastics from the petrochemical world might work, but the library would show you there are alternative biomaterials that are just as well-suited and they’re less toxic,” he says.

    Assessing Alternatives Through Hands-on Research

    Samantha Wilkins ’25 (ENG) freely admits that she loves everything about airplanes, from the ailerons to the yaw string. There’s just something about them, she says.

    As one of five interns at the Materials Library this academic year – each with their own research project in addition to helping Sancomb establish the library – she’s been thinking about sustainable aviation.

    What alternative textiles can be used as seat covers and cushions? What plant-based products can form the cabin’s airframe?

    “We have a bunch of different materials in here that I didn’t even know existed,” she says of the library.

    Take hemp, for example.

    “I was doing a lot of research and found an aircraft designer who made a completely sustainable, flyable aircraft out of hemp because it comes in all different forms. He made the entire fuselage structure out of it. This is just the textile version,” Wilkins, a multidisciplinary engineering major who’s concentrating in industrial design, says as she holds a fabric hemp sample in her hand.

    “I’ve been researching a lot about hemp, jute, flax, things like that and the different forms they can take,” she says. “It really intrigues me that you can have so many different forms from one single material and it can serve so many different uses. I love that.”

    Pamela Mackingue ’26 (SFA) says that after working as an intern this year, hemp also has become one of her new favorite things.

    A pile of wool sits on a table as Christopher Sancomb, assistant professor of industrial design at UConn, arranges some of the items in the Materials Library within the Fine Arts Complex on Monday, April 28, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    The double major in digital media and design and art with a concentration in industrial design says she’s focused her research on the fashion industry and finding materials that are more sustainable than many other products used today.

    She’s growing her own leather – out of kombucha – fermenting black tea to create a biofilm that can be dried out to resemble the texture of animal leather, conditioned to restore some of its natural oils, and dyed any color in the rainbow. What she freely admits is that it’s not her own novel idea – it’s a process she came across while researching sustainable leather alternatives.

    “As a designer, you have to think about the product you’re using, why you’re using it, what’s the purpose of it, how does it help your design,” she says. “It’s important information to know and getting that hands-on experience in the Materials Library is equally important.”

    In addition to their research projects, Sancomb says the interns are helping him with the day-to-day work of the library – that is, cataloging each item and deciding what information is important for someone to know, then putting that information into a database, which eventually will go online.

    Nonetheless, Wilkins says, “You can look at a database or inventory, but you don’t really know what you’re looking for until you get in here. The hands-on element is super important. A database can help you grasp the basics, then you can come in here to narrow down the possibilities and interact with the material you settled on.”

    Personal Belongings, Donated Items, Purchased and Procured Objects

    Sancomb opens the lid of an old cardboard box labeled “Constantine’s Rare Collection of the World’s Fine Woods” and carefully lifts out rectangle samples of cabinet wood veneer. They’re about 50 years old, he says, and were a donation from a friend.

    Each of the 50 samples no doubt has a story, he says. Some of the wood might have been over forested and no longer is available. Some might have been the root of a humanitarian conflict. Some might be lost to forest fires and labor disputes.

    “I find it really interesting the stories that can be told just from this collection and what might be in here that’s just gone,” he says.

    With hundreds of items in the library, Sancomb says the collection includes some of his personal belongings like a chunk of marble with machined, cut, and polished faces brought back after a research trip to Italy, along with donated items like a bag of wool from UConn’s farm.

    Other items have been purchased or procured without a cost other than a written request. No hazardous materials are part of the collection, and nothing is of significant monetary value – important things, Sancomb says, to keep the library freely open for all.

    “My students are required at different times to think about the library and work with it, but we want students from other disciplines to know they can come here and access the materials,” he says.

    UConn Bound in April drew dozens of prospective students and their families, and a steady stream of people came through during an open house the month prior, everyone wanting to see the library, which surprisingly isn’t something all schools have.

    A variety of items sit in the Materials Library within the Fine Arts Complex on Monday, April 28, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    The Rhode Island School of Design has a materials library, and so does the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the University of Texas at Austin, but not every school with an industrial design program boasts such a research space, Sancomb says.

    Over the next decade, he says he hopes UConn’s library can outgrow its current home and move into a larger, more permanent location, maybe joining with another library on campus to bring its catalog to the UConn community.

    Its hundreds of items could become thousands, with Connecticut industries and Connecticut products figuring prominently, he envisions. A larger budget would allow for more acquisitions, although donations likely will always be accepted.

    “We recently got a large donation of wood and veneer,” Sancomb says, “so we’re working to catalog that collection and make it available to students through an application process. This way, if someone got an IDEA grant and needed to build some furniture, for instance, they might come to us with a proposal, and we would help supply them.”

    Sancomb reaches across a table and hands off a small block of what looks like compressed soda can flip-tops.

    Imagine that someone dipped a straw into a vat of molten aluminum and blew bubbles, he says. This is the solidified result, light airy panels of foamed aluminum that are sturdy enough for some structural applications, like for insulation or exterior cladding.

    “They’re sound-dampening. They have a high fire retardancy because they’re made of metal, and they’re recyclable,” Sancomb says. “It’s a visually stunning material because you look at it and ask, ‘Is this what I think it is?’ And it is.”

    Donations of raw, manufactured, and reclaimed items can be made to the Materials Library by emailing Sancomb at christopher.sancomb@uconn.edu. Check out @uconnindustrialdesign on Instagram for its Material Monday campaign, featuring materials that might not be in the library but have interesting backstories.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congratulations Class of 2025

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Special Feature

    Commencement is more than a ceremony—it’s a defining moment.

    Read Our Stories

    When the members of the Class of 2025 first arrived at UConn in the fall of 2021, they were beginning their college careers at a time when the country and the world were still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, with nothing but uncertainty in the near-term forecast.

    Very quickly, it became clear that at least one thing was certain: the students of this class were determined to make their mark at UConn. Entering as the most diverse class in the history of the University, they soon established themselves as scholars, entrepreneurs, activists, and mentors.

    They experienced many milestones during their four years at UConn: a new University President; the opening of Science 1, Connecticut Hall, and the Toscano Family Ice Forum; the largest philanthropic gift in the University’s history; consecutive records for fundraising at HuskyTHON; and, in case you hadn’t heard, back-to-back national championships for the men’s basketball team and a 12th national championship for the women’s basketball team.

    This is a group of Huskies who refused to let adversity or uncertainty define their time at UConn, an attitude they’ll bring to whatever they pursue next – business, public service, art, professional sports, graduate education, families, military service, and more.

    So congratulations, Class of 2025 – from Avery Point; from Farmington; from Hartford; from Stamford; from Storrs; from Waterbury; and from all over Connecticut, the nation, and the world. When you look back, it won’t be on what you missed four years ago, but on everything you’ve gained in the four years since. Yesterday, today, tomorrow: Huskies Forever.

    Inspiring. Impactful. Unforgettable. For UConn’s Class of 2025, the last four years have been nothing short of exceptional. As this impressive class of soon-to-be brand-new Husky alumni prepares to take its next steps into the world, we look back and celebrate some of the moments that have made their time at UConn truly historic.

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    I felt like I was a lot closer to the friends I made in college than in high school. I felt like I sort of like came into my own.
    – Lilian Vito ’25 (CAHNR, CLAS)

    Go to a basketball game! The energy is a lot different than anywhere else on campus, and you don’t get that sort of experience on any other college campus really. I met Paige Bueckers, I think it was the first week of class, on campus, and I wasn’t entirely familiar with UConn basketball at that point. I just didn’t watch sports really. But I met her, found out she was a really good player and then just from that point on, I’ve been keeping up with both the women’s and the men’s basketball teams.
    – Justin Coe ’25 (ENG)

    Don’t be afraid to try new things. UConn has so many opportunities, so many doors that can be opened for you. Don’t just try to stick in your lane. Try something new every week – every week, try a new club. Every week, meet someone new.
    – Jadon Gomez-Stafford ’25 (ENG)

    There are two different things that college life prepares you for. One’s obviously the professional life. But I think what college helps with more deeply is that interpersonal connection and also finding a sense of community, finding great friends, finding great people for you to interact with. And not all of them stick with you for the rest of your life, but the ones that do can really make your life a lot easier as go forward.
    – Harsh Shah ’25 (BUS, CLAS)

    Don’t be afraid to try things out and see what sticks. There’s a lot to this school.
    – Milo Barron ’25 (ENG)

    As the Class of 2025 embark on the next chapter of their lives, they share their thanks for the incredible memories, lifelong friends, professors, and staff that have inspired and helped them grow into the individuals they are today.

    [embedded content]

    Try as many things as possible. There are many opportunities at UConn, some that you have to look very hard to find and some that are just out there. In my experience just trying different opportunities that UConn provides helped me with my soft skills, like communication and dealing with uncertainties. They also provided me with a good opportunity to meet people, to network. And I think that’s a huge part of college.
    – Ammar Alsadadi ’25 (BUS, CLAS)

    Get involved in stuff early. I found out about a lot of the resources and programs that we have later on, that I wish I knew about earlier. So, try to get as much as you can out of the school while you’re here.
    – Sahana Chinthak ’25 (CLAS)

    I came from a really small town; my graduating class was 96 students. So, coming to a big campus and collaborating with other students and professors that’s been very eye opening, and it’s expanded my knowledge to a point where I can communicate better with people and I’m able to work better with people. I feel like I’ll carry those values and all the stuff I’ve learned into the real world.
    – Braden Gutierrez ’25 (CAHNR)

    I got to take a whole bunch of different classes because I’m in general studies. So, I got to take big classes, small classes, different types of majors. Creative writing is definitely my favorite.
    – Natalie Levy ’25 (BGS)

    My number one piece of advice to anyone is join a club. You need to be involved in the campus because there are so many opportunities where you can meet your next best friend or maybe your next partner. If you get involved in a club, something that you’re interested in, you’re going to meet these people that are also interested in this thing. You can really build your network that way.
    – Minh Vu ’25 (BUS)

    Congratulations and welcome to our newest UConn alumni!

    [embedded content]

    When you’re walking around campus you don’t recognize anyone, but then in your class – junior year, senior year – it’s like 10 to 15 kids, maybe 20 in your classes. So, it gets pretty small, and you get to know everyone there.
    – Matthew Henrickson ’25 (BUS, CLAS)

    I’m originally from India but I live in-state, so a lot of the people from my high school came to UConn and actually I was a little hesitant. I really wanted to go into business, and I didn’t really know what to do, but UConn provided me with a lot of real-world experiential learning opportunities where I could actually be in the real world and learn by doing rather than being in the classroom. I never expected to be able to do that as a student, gain all that experience.
    – Atharva Bhatnagar ’25 (CLAS)

    One thing I was looking for in a university – I wanted it to have a lot of school spirit. I didn’t realize what I was getting into coming here! It’s been really fun to be a part of this community.
    – Isabel Angelo ’25 (ENG)

    What will always make me think about UConn is my friends and the people that I’ve met here. Also, my parents both went here, so whenever I’m with them, it just kind of reminds me of my time here.
    – Paige Dolyak ’25 (CLAS)

    A lot of people move off campus too early, but being on campus and being constantly surrounded by thousands of people your age is the best thing that you could do. You can have such a fun, unique experience. I love it. I’m sad that I’m leaving.
    – Alexia Landry ’25 (CLAS)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Study Shows Large Improvements in Long COVID Symptoms and Return to Work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have identified what is believed to be the first intervention found in a randomized controlled trial to show large and very large improvements in multiple symptoms associated with Long COVID, and to result in people debilitated by those symptoms returning to work. The study deployed progressively challenging computerized brain exercises alongside a progressively challenging coaching approach. The brain exercise used in the study is commercially-available only in the brain exercise app, BrainHQ made by Posit Science.

    While estimates of those still coping with Long COVID vary, some 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with Long Covid, and an estimated 9-10 million still report symptoms, with nearly 14% reporting an inability to return to work even 90 days after infection.

    The UAB study showed that the intervention resulted in statistically significant and very large benefits on its primary measures of performance and satisfaction with daily activities.

    It also showed significant benefits in many secondary measures, including large to very large benefits on depressive, fatigue, and brain fog symptoms, as well as a significant benefit in brain processing speed, and a trend toward large benefits on anxiety symptoms. No significant change was noted in a measure of global cognition.

    Perhaps, most strikingly, the researchers reported that eighty percent of the non-retired participants in the intervention group returned to work, and none in the control group.

    This was a modest-sized study designed primarily to assess feasibility and to help scope follow-on studies. The researchers enrolled 16 community residents, who were three or more months past COVID infection, with mild cognitive impairment and with dysfunction in the performance of instrumental activities of daily living. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or to a wait-list control.

    The intervention is based on the science of neuroplasticity, which has established that intensive, repetitive, and progressively challenging activities can drive beneficial changes to the brain. The approach is based on the seminal work of Dr. Michael Merzenich, who upended the field of brain science four decades ago, by showing that brains remain plastic — capable of chemical, physical and functional change — at any age.

    After discovering lifelong plasticity, Dr. Merzenich first harnessed plasticity in his co-invention of the cochlear implant to restore hearing to hundreds of thousands of people. For the past three decades, he has focused on creating computerized brain exercises to improve brain health and function. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the company that makes the BrainHQ exercises.

    The intervention in this study reflects further work in plasticity of two distinguished UAB faculty members. Dr. Karlene Ball pioneered plasticity-based exercises to address age-related cognitive decline. Her UAB colleague, Dr. Edward Taub, developed plasticity-based, constraint-induced movement therapy to address movement disorders. His supportive and progressively challenging coaching inspired the coaching used in this study.

    Prior studies of BrainHQ exercises in older adults, and in patients with various health conditions, (cancer, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment) suggested the kind of improvements seen in this study (in cognition, daily activities, depressive symptoms, stress, fatigue, and employment status). However, the magnitude of the improvements in this study were quite large as compared to some prior studies.

    “That may be because this study population had substantial deficits with room for substantial improvement, or it may be there is extra benefit from combining the exercises with this type of coaching,” commented Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “Either way, it suggests that brain training is a promising approach to helping people with Long COVID.”

    “It’s been a long road to address Long COVID,” observed Dr. Mahncke. “We hope this will be a turning point in identifying tools to address a condition that is often quite debilitating.”

    BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is offered by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by sports, military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Economics Faculty Girls Win Step Aerobics Competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    More than 250 people (39 teams) took part in the traditional championship in fitness aerobics on steps as part of the Spartakiad between faculties and institutes of NSU.

    This year it became truly special. The competition was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and was dedicated to women – soldiers and home front workers.

    Our talented students spent several months preparing programs with mandatory aerobic elements, selecting music and creating costumes for themselves, mostly in Russian folk style. And only after that, a colorful show took place in the large game hall, where the girls showed their compositions, in which strict judges assessed the technique of basic steps, correctness of execution of elements, artistry, synchronicity, performance skills, as well as appearance and originality.

    All teams demonstrated excellent preparation, wonderful grace and team spirit. The atmosphere in the hall was incredible – everyone supported each other, applauded and charged with positive energy. At the end of the holiday, the NSU aerobics team performed their composition.

    And the winners among first-year students were:

    1st place – team of the EF “Quadrille” consisting of: Elizaveta Cheremisina, Ulyana Shepeleva, Ekaterina Ponasenko, Elizaveta Limanova, Arzhaana Saryglar, Anastasia Smorodina and Anastasia Smirnova

    2nd place – team of the Kulemushki EF: Daria Andryushchenko, Angelina Veretennikova, Polina Gnedenko, Maria Komashko, Angelina Lubyagina and Daria Cheremisina

    3rd place was shared by students of the IMPZ “Vasilechki”: Yulia Filatova, Varvara Sebeleva, Alina Shushakova, Elizaveta Chernousova, Daria Sirotkina, Zhanna Matveeva and Anastasia Kopylova and another team from the EF “Nightingales”: Anna Feoktistova, Veronika Pribytkina, Daria Popova, Maria Mozhaitseva, Anastasia Zheravina, Karina Pinoeva and Ulyana Trushkova

    Among 2nd year students:

    1st place – team of the EF “Ivanushki”: Daria Maksimova, Nadezhda Smolyaninova, Victoria Guseletova, Anastasia Surova, Olesya Ustimenko, Velora Obraztsova and Irina Yaroshenko

    2nd place – the team of the State Institution “Deffchonki”: Anastasia Matusevich, Valeria Myakisheva, Alexandra Yatsunova, Vera Chernenkova, Elizaveta Cherepanova, Daria Novoselova, Anna Krivopalova and Alida Ramazanova

    3rd place – team of the EF “Venochek”: Victoria Zotova, Ksenia Ivanova, Angela Shestakova, Anastasia Ganus, Ksenia Stolenskaya and Anastasia Abdulaeva

    Combining the fiery energy of step aerobics with bright folk motifs, the competition became a real celebration of sports, youth and patriotism!

    We congratulate the winners on their awards, thank all the participants for their beautiful performances, and the teachers of the Department of Physical Education Anna Yuzhakova, Olga Maneeva and Olesya Vyshegorodtseva for organizing and holding this wonderful event.

    Link to photos

    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 results of the competition “Do you know the history of your alma mater?” have been announced.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Great universities are like monuments of time: they preserve not only scientific discoveries and the names of outstanding graduates, but also the spirit of the eras they have lived through. To touch this heritage, you need to go on a journey through time. This is exactly the chance that undergraduate students of the 1st to 3rd years received thanks to the historical competition of the Polytechnic Museum “Do you know the history of your alma mater?”

    The competition became a real quest through the pages of our university’s past. Participants went through three stages, in each of which they revealed unique facets of the Polytechnic’s history and had the opportunity not only to test their knowledge, but also to feel the atmosphere of bygone years. The main prize – a trip to Kazan – and other valuable gifts became an incentive. But the main thing is that the students received vivid memories and a sense of involvement in great history.

    Of the 26 teams, four reached the final: “de-TOXIC”, “Zaichatki razuma”, “Byvnyy LIST im. Engelsa” and “Polnyy privod”. “de-TOXIC” won, having scored 77 points. Its members are: Ruslan Ablyazov, Anastasia Beresneva, Alexandra Gerasimova and Elena Medvedeva. They will go to Kazan to get acquainted with the history of one of the oldest cities in Russia and, of course, try real chak-chak.

    The second place was taken by the team “Zaichatki razuma” with a score of 76 points: Olga Tarunova, Aryuna Dorzhieva, Maria Abakumova and Diana Akhmetshina. The guys will go to Kholomki, where the estate of Prince Gagarin is located.

    We are very grateful for the ocean of emotions, the sea of knowledge and a small lake of pleasant fatigue! – shared Aruna.

    Third place went to the team “Former LIST named after Engels”, which scored 74.66 points. It included Daniil Zelensky, Ratibor Ryasnyansky, Artur Shakhkulyan, Andrey Shvarev. The guys received branded merch of the university and the museum. They assessed the competition with the following words: History plus excitement plus atmosphere equals delight!

    Also, the finalists of the competition were the participants of the team “Full Drive”: Valeria Yurchenko, Artem Somov, Varvara Kulikova, Eva Doroshenko, Arina Filipova. They enthusiastically passed all the tests and thanked the organizers for the opportunity to learn more about their native university.

    Four-wheel drive – we’ll roll it all the way to space! – that’s how the guys described themselves.

    The competition “Do you know the history of your alma mater?” became not just an intellectual competition, but also an opportunity to feel part of a large polytechnic family. It reminded us that history lives not only in books, but also in walls, routes, meetings, emotions. It is in us.

    We thank all the participants for their genuine interest and sincere enthusiasm. Thanks to them, the history of the Polytechnic University has been resounding with new voices and has come to life in our hearts. Let this immersion into the past inspire new discoveries. The history of the alma mater continues — and we are writing it together! — noted Tatyana Novitskaya, Deputy Director of the SPbPU History Museum.

    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 became the arena for the National Project Management Championship

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The National Project Management Championship was held at the State University of Management, organized jointly with the youth wing of the project management association SOVNET Young Crew Russia.

    The National Project Management Championship is a two-stage competition consisting of a qualification round and a final. The event aims to increase student involvement in project management, interest in professional project management, and the exchange of knowledge and experience between researchers and the professional community.

    The championship brought together representatives from 24 Russian cities. At the first stage, 93 teams from 47 universities passed the ICB 4.0 standard test prepared by SOVNET Vice President Alexander Kaltykov and consisting of 28 cases. The finalist teams met at the State University of Management to get acquainted, exchange experiences, try their hand at developing a project based on a real case from the Project PRACTICE Group of Companies and compete for the main prize – the opportunity to undergo free IPMA Level D certification.

    To evaluate the teams’ work, a pool of experts was formed, which included seven professionals in the field of project management:

    Dmitry Bryukhanov – Vice-Rector of the State University of Management; Dmitry Medvedev – Director of the SOVNET-SERT Certified Center; Yuri Kim – General Director of ANO TsORPU; Maxim Guzenko – Head of the Department for Work with Universities of the Moscow Bank of PJSC Sberbank; Natalia Starkova – Director of the Department of Academic Policy and Implementation of Educational Programs of the State University of Management; Evgeny Bespalov – Head of the Project Office of JSC GT Energo; Mikhail Zorin – Chairman of the Young Crew SOVNET youth community

    The partners of the event were: – SOVNET – National Project Management Association; – GC “Project PRACTICE”; – PJSC “Sberbank”; – ANO “TsORPU”; – Business Studio “LAB”; – Case Club Garnet.

    Teams from GUU, HSE, RTU MIREA, Financial University, PNIPU and RANEPA defended their projects. Four hours of non-stop brainstorming: participants, like seasoned architects of the future, designed a solution for one of the key national projects, tying it to the region of Russia they had chosen.

    The third place was taken by the team of the National Research University Higher School of Economics with a project to develop a digital product aimed at developing a culture of blood donation in the Samara region. The second place was taken by the team of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, which proposed the development of the SPO program “Innovation Engineer”, which solves the problem of shortage of qualified personnel in the Kaluga region. The well-deserved victory was won by the team of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation with a project to develop and implement stops in the city of Gorlovka that ensure safety for local residents.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 05.05.2025

    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: Projects of the Future: The Final of the PROproject Competition Was Held at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The final of the All-Russian competition of school projects “PROproject” was held at the State University of Management.

    In total, over 200 projects were submitted for participation, and 72 students from 37 general and vocational educational organizations, as well as institutions of additional education from 22 cities of the Russian Federation reached the final of the competition: Moscow, Obninsk, Ramenskoye, St. Petersburg, Orel, Lugansk, the village of Shira (Republic of Khakassia), Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa, Vsevolozhsk, Serpukhov, Perm, Borisoglebsk, Krasnoperekopsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Magnitogorsk, the urban-type settlement of Mostovskoy (Krasnodar Territory), Sergiev Posad, Nalchik, Rostov-on-Don.

    This year, the competition was held in areas that correspond to the national development goals of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 7, 2024 No. 309: long and active life; family; youth and children; personnel; infrastructure for life; efficient transport system; environmental well-being; efficient and competitive economy; international cooperation and export; data economy and digital transformation of the state.

    Due to the large number of participants from different cities, the final was held over several days from April 26 to 28, 2025 in person at the Boiling Point of the State University of Management and the Kuzminki School, as well as on April 29, 30 and May 3, 2025 in an online format.

    The experts and jury members noted the high level of development of the projects: detailed business models, a prototype of the proposed technological solution and the results of laboratory experiments were presented. The high level of presentations and speeches was also pleasing.

    In particular, the following projects were presented in the final:

    Patriotic education of preschoolers through participation in the events of the All-Russian public movement “VOLUNTEERS OF VICTORY”; Potential of Sosnowsky’s hogweed as a source of furanocoumarins; Interactive educational quest “Ecotoxicants”; Solar tracker; Organic glue for painting restoration; Use of hydroponic systems in everyday life; Rubber paint; Moscow cultural lottery; 3D models of photographs; National kaleidoscope; Anti-icing reagents and the environment; Design project “TAKE OFF” for the Center for Children’s Initiatives; Healthy nutrition at school; Ways to improve memory; and others.

    Let us recall that the PROproject competition has been held annually since 2018 by the Project Management Department at the State University of Management with the participation of partner organizations: MIR Moscow State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, the SOVNET Project Management Association, and the Young Crew SOVNET Youth Project Management Association.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 05.05.2025

    PROproject”.

    In total, over 200 projects were submitted for participation,…

    ” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/1746392349944-scaled.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b5%d0%ba%d1%82%d1%8b-%d0%b1%d1%83%d0%b4%d1%83%d1%89%d0%b5%d0%b3%d0%be-%d0%b2-%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d1%88%d0%b5%d0%bb-%d1%84%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%bb-%d0%ba%d0%be/”>

    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: Delegation of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University visited the Open Education Center of SPbPU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Representatives of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University once again visited Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and its Open Education Center. The guests learned how the Open Polytechnic Distance Learning System (DLS) works, how educational video programs are created, and much more.

    The KRSU delegation included: Head of the Department of Artistic Design of Products Maksat Maksutova, Associate Professor of the Department of Fundamentals of Architectural Design and Fine Arts Zarina Muksinova, Associate Professor of the Department of Information and Computing Technologies Irina Khmeleva, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Physics and Microelectronics Andrey Malkin and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Architectural Environment Design Yulia Rudenko.

    Director of the SPbPU Open Education Center Svetlana Kalmykova introduced the guests to the possibilities of using online courses in the main educational process. Educational and methodological specialists Larisa Kovtunovich and Margarita Sergeeva spoke about the organization of the distance learning system. The delegation was particularly interested in the selection of tools and resources of the Open Polytech LMS for the existing educational materials, as well as the possibilities of assessing and building individual student learning trajectories.

    Timur Khludeev, Head of the Electronic Resource Development Department at the Open Education Center, shared with his colleagues from KRSU the basics of video production for educational activities. They discussed what an educational video is, how it differs from other formats, and studied trends in this area. They discussed the technical nuances of building video studios for recording educational content. In addition, the guests tried themselves as authors and independently recorded several video lectures in the Open Education Center studio and in a self-recording studio.

    An online advanced training course “Tools for Content Development and Organization of Electronic Learning Service” was also opened for KRSU employees, with almost 150 participants.

    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 Global: A basic income support grant can address extreme poverty and inequality in South Africa – economic model shows how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Carolyn Chisadza, Associate professor, University of Pretoria

    South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. The country’s per-capita expenditure Gini coefficient, a measure of how spending from income is distributed, stands at 0.65. This puts it among countries with the most unequal distribution of spending globally.

    Nearly 55% of the population were living in poverty in 2023. The country also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world: 33.5% in the second quarter of 2024. To compound these issues, economic growth has stagnated since 2008.

    Ending extreme poverty, unemployment and inequality requires economic growth that includes more people. To get that result, there must be a set of interventions that work together. One intervention being considered in South Africa is basic income support to relieve poverty among unemployed citizens.

    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, basic income support had been on the policy agenda in South Africa for at least two decades, since the Taylor Committee in 2001. The pandemic made existing inequalities worse through job losses. A “social relief of distress” grant was introduced in 2020 to support the unemployed.

    The grant targeted those affected by sudden income loss, including unemployed working-age individuals who did not qualify for other grants. The introduction of the grant renewed interest in the concept of a universal basic income, or a more comprehensive form of income support. It highlighted the welfare potential for a more permanent basic income support system.

    Very few cases of universal basic income support pilots exist in developing countries. Where they do exist, studies point to the vital benefits a basic income grant system might provide. Examples include evidence from a pilot in Namibia, nine villages in India, and rural Kenya.

    In a recently published paper, a team of economists explored the possible effects of introducing permanent basic income support to:

    • all individuals aged between 18 and 59

    • only those who are unemployed

    • only unemployed individuals in extremely poor households, defined by the food poverty line.

    The economic modelling exercise demonstrates that a basic income grant targeting all individuals aged between 18 and 59 could significantly reduce poverty and inequality. These gains would, however, require carefully targeted and implemented interventions over a multi-year period.

    Our approach

    The study identifies which socio-economic groups would benefit the most from the grant, and sheds light on the impact of basic income support on the welfare and livelihoods of individuals and their households. We used market income or pre-transfer income as the starting point to see how public spending changed poverty or income inequality.

    We used data from the 2017 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, a measure of employment and unemployment based on the country’s working population. Using the three scenarios, we calculated the likely effects.

    The first scenario was based on the universal grant being paid to all those aged 18 to 59. In the second, only those aged 18-59 who were unemployed received it. Lastly, only those who lived in extremely poor households and were unemployed in 2017 were included.

    Some form of support exists for children under 18 (child grant) and for adults aged 60 and over (pension). That’s why we allocated the grant only for adults from 18 to 59.

    In all the scenarios, the income support transfer is assumed to be R595 (US$38) per individual per month in 2021, equivalent to what it cost to provide a basic basket of food (that is, the food poverty line). We use R595 as it closely aligns with the COVID social relief of distress grant extension and reflects the grant amount for the 2021/22 financial year.

    Main findings

    The main findings show that in general, a basic income support grant has the potential to reduce poverty and inequality in South Africa. However, the effect varies based on the targeting mechanism used to identify beneficiaries. Absolute poverty, its gap (the ratio by which the mean income of the poor falls below the poverty line) and income inequality fall the most when the transfer is universal or targets the unemployed and the extreme poor.

    In the first scenario (support for all individuals aged 18 to 59) and the third scenario (the unemployed and extremely poor), both poverty headcount (the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line) and the poverty gap (the ratio by which the mean income of the poor falls below the poverty line) decrease more than in the second scenario (targeting only the unemployed). The income inequality reduction is also larger in the first and third scenarios compared to the second scenario.

    Significance of findings

    The significance of these findings is that better targeting makes basic income support more pro-poor and progressive, and reduces the leakage of the benefit to the non-poor.

    In countries such as South Africa, where poverty and inequality are extensive and public resources are limited, the case for targeting is attractive. But it’s important to recognise that effective targeting entails higher administrative costs. Conversely, while a universal basic income grant may be more expensive in terms of total disbursement, it has the greatest potential to reduce poverty and overall inequality.

    The government can make the best use of its resources by focusing on vulnerable populations, such as those who are extremely poor and unemployed.

    Finding the right criteria to identify the poor, and running the grant properly, largely determines the programme’s success in improving welfare.

    Concluding remarks

    South Africa is currently saddled with high poverty and inequality. Our study brings the debate on the potential welfare benefits of expanding existing social grants back to the forefront of social policy.

    Eleni Abraham Yitbarek is affiliated with Partnership for Economic Policy (Research Fellow)

    Carolyn Chisadza, Kehinde Oluwaseun Omotoso, Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Nicky Nicholls, and Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A basic income support grant can address extreme poverty and inequality in South Africa – economic model shows how – https://theconversation.com/a-basic-income-support-grant-can-address-extreme-poverty-and-inequality-in-south-africa-economic-model-shows-how-247954

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Assessment of selected Islam-related projects – E-001639/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001639/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Harald Vilimsky (PfE)

    • 1.How was the University of Amsterdam’s project ‘White Islam: A New Religion for Europeans’ justified and assessed as regards its content?
    • 2.What objectives were pursued by the University of Leiden’s project ‘Entangled Universals of Transnational Islamic Charity’, which is receiving EUR 1.99 million in funding, and by the University of Amsterdam’s project ‘Eco-Islam in Indonesia’, which runs until 2029 and is receiving EUR 2 million in funding?
    • 3.On what content-related basis were Istanbul Bilgi University’s projects ‘Nativism, Islamophobism and Islamism in the Age of Populism’ and ‘Choosing Islamic Conservatism’ each supported with EUR 2.27 million in funding?

    Submitted: 23.4.2025

    Last updated: 5 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: A basic income support grant can address extreme poverty and inequality in South Africa – economic model shows how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Carolyn Chisadza, Associate professor, University of Pretoria

    South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. The country’s per-capita expenditure Gini coefficient, a measure of how spending from income is distributed, stands at 0.65. This puts it among countries with the most unequal distribution of spending globally.

    Nearly 55% of the population were living in poverty in 2023. The country also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world: 33.5% in the second quarter of 2024. To compound these issues, economic growth has stagnated since 2008.

    Ending extreme poverty, unemployment and inequality requires economic growth that includes more people. To get that result, there must be a set of interventions that work together. One intervention being considered in South Africa is basic income support to relieve poverty among unemployed citizens.

    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, basic income support had been on the policy agenda in South Africa for at least two decades, since the Taylor Committee in 2001. The pandemic made existing inequalities worse through job losses. A “social relief of distress” grant was introduced in 2020 to support the unemployed.

    The grant targeted those affected by sudden income loss, including unemployed working-age individuals who did not qualify for other grants. The introduction of the grant renewed interest in the concept of a universal basic income, or a more comprehensive form of income support. It highlighted the welfare potential for a more permanent basic income support system.

    Very few cases of universal basic income support pilots exist in developing countries. Where they do exist, studies point to the vital benefits a basic income grant system might provide. Examples include evidence from a pilot in Namibia, nine villages in India, and rural Kenya.

    In a recently published paper, a team of economists explored the possible effects of introducing permanent basic income support to:

    • all individuals aged between 18 and 59

    • only those who are unemployed

    • only unemployed individuals in extremely poor households, defined by the food poverty line.

    The economic modelling exercise demonstrates that a basic income grant targeting all individuals aged between 18 and 59 could significantly reduce poverty and inequality. These gains would, however, require carefully targeted and implemented interventions over a multi-year period.

    Our approach

    The study identifies which socio-economic groups would benefit the most from the grant, and sheds light on the impact of basic income support on the welfare and livelihoods of individuals and their households. We used market income or pre-transfer income as the starting point to see how public spending changed poverty or income inequality.

    We used data from the 2017 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, a measure of employment and unemployment based on the country’s working population. Using the three scenarios, we calculated the likely effects.

    The first scenario was based on the universal grant being paid to all those aged 18 to 59. In the second, only those aged 18-59 who were unemployed received it. Lastly, only those who lived in extremely poor households and were unemployed in 2017 were included.

    Some form of support exists for children under 18 (child grant) and for adults aged 60 and over (pension). That’s why we allocated the grant only for adults from 18 to 59.

    In all the scenarios, the income support transfer is assumed to be R595 (US$38) per individual per month in 2021, equivalent to what it cost to provide a basic basket of food (that is, the food poverty line). We use R595 as it closely aligns with the COVID social relief of distress grant extension and reflects the grant amount for the 2021/22 financial year.

    Main findings

    The main findings show that in general, a basic income support grant has the potential to reduce poverty and inequality in South Africa. However, the effect varies based on the targeting mechanism used to identify beneficiaries. Absolute poverty, its gap (the ratio by which the mean income of the poor falls below the poverty line) and income inequality fall the most when the transfer is universal or targets the unemployed and the extreme poor.

    In the first scenario (support for all individuals aged 18 to 59) and the third scenario (the unemployed and extremely poor), both poverty headcount (the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line) and the poverty gap (the ratio by which the mean income of the poor falls below the poverty line) decrease more than in the second scenario (targeting only the unemployed). The income inequality reduction is also larger in the first and third scenarios compared to the second scenario.

    Significance of findings

    The significance of these findings is that better targeting makes basic income support more pro-poor and progressive, and reduces the leakage of the benefit to the non-poor.

    In countries such as South Africa, where poverty and inequality are extensive and public resources are limited, the case for targeting is attractive. But it’s important to recognise that effective targeting entails higher administrative costs. Conversely, while a universal basic income grant may be more expensive in terms of total disbursement, it has the greatest potential to reduce poverty and overall inequality.

    The government can make the best use of its resources by focusing on vulnerable populations, such as those who are extremely poor and unemployed.

    Finding the right criteria to identify the poor, and running the grant properly, largely determines the programme’s success in improving welfare.

    Concluding remarks

    South Africa is currently saddled with high poverty and inequality. Our study brings the debate on the potential welfare benefits of expanding existing social grants back to the forefront of social policy.

    – A basic income support grant can address extreme poverty and inequality in South Africa – economic model shows how
    – https://theconversation.com/a-basic-income-support-grant-can-address-extreme-poverty-and-inequality-in-south-africa-economic-model-shows-how-247954

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 60 years of international education: Polytechnic celebrated the anniversary of the preparatory faculty

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University celebrated the 60th anniversary of the preparatory faculty for foreign students. This event was not just an anniversary date, but a vivid demonstration of many years of successful experience and achievements in the field of international education.

    The history of the faculty began in 1965, when the first 200 students from Cuba, Arab countries and Africa crossed the threshold of the classrooms at 21 Politekhnicheskaya Street. Under the leadership of Dean A. N. Nosov, a unique educational structure was created with three departments: Russian language, natural sciences and humanities. In 1988, the faculty found a new home – a modern building at 28 Grazhdansky Prospekt, which today remains a center of attraction for foreign students.

    The special value of the preparatory faculty is its ability to adapt to the challenges of the time, while maintaining the best traditions. Today we see how graduates of the preparatory faculty become successful specialists all over the world, and many remain in Russia, contributing to the development of our economy and science. This is the best assessment of our work, – noted the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev.

    Over six decades, the preparatory faculty has achieved impressive results in educational activities.

    When I came to Russia, I knew only a few Russian words. But thanks to the unique teaching method, after a month and a half I could understand speech and participate in dialogues, recalls 2016 graduate Hanaa Itri from Morocco. Today, she successfully works at a large Russian university, continuing the traditions of intercultural communication.

    The anniversary celebrations lasted two days. On the first day, an all-Russian scientific and methodological seminar was held, where representatives of leading Russian universities – Moscow State University, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Kazan Federal University, Tomsk and Volgograd Polytechnics – discussed current issues of teaching taking into account the ethnic factor.

    On the second day, a festival of Russian language and culture was held, where students enthusiastically competed in linguistic contests, participated in master classes on folk crafts, and mastered the secrets of traditional Russian cuisine.

    The culmination of the celebration was the gala concert in the White Hall “Day of the Russian Language”, in which more than 60 students from 30 countries participated. The staff and veterans of the Higher School received gratitude from the Committee for Science and Higher School of St. Petersburg and honorary certificates from SPbPU.

    Preparatory faculty graduates shared their memories of their student years. One of them is the senior teacher of additional education at the Higher School of MOP Mukbil Mansur Hassan Muhammad from Yemen. After studying at the preparatory faculty, he graduated from the physics and metallurgy faculty and defended his PhD thesis at the Polytechnic University.

    The Polytechnic Institute has become my home. I love my job and my students. My students are my friends. I know from my own experience how difficult it is to adapt to life in another country where everything is new: the climate, the cuisine, the language, the people. Creative events help students get to know the country and get to know each other better, – shared Mukbil Mansur Hassan Muhammad.

    Foreign students performed Russian songs and dances at the concert. The numbers dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War were presented: the compositions “Katyusha”, “Wait for me”, “Yablochko” and “Siniy kerchief”.

    The event was attended by students from Turkmenistan, China, Latin America and Africa, as well as from other parts of the world. Many students of the preparatory faculty have talents: they dance, sing, recite poems. Concerts and similar events help foreign children adapt to our culture. Creativity plays an important role in this process, – said Lyubov Stepanova, senior teacher of additional education at the Higher School of MOP and the organizer of the event.

    Last year’s preparatory faculty graduates and current first-year students of the Institute of Historical and Cultural Studies Anzhi and Roz from Haiti also took part in the concert: Russia is a large, beautiful country with a rich culture and history. When we were choosing a university for study on the Internet, we really liked the Polytechnic, and were impressed by the opportunities for students. And our friends study here, and they told us a lot of good things. We like it here, the teachers are very helpful, for which we are very grateful to them.

    60 years is not just a number. It is thousands of graduates, dozens of countries, hundreds of educational programs. But the main thing is the traditions of quality and innovation that we carefully preserve and develop, – summed up the director of the Higher School of International Educational Programs Viktor Krasnoshchyokov.

    Today, the preparatory faculty of SPbPU is a modern educational center, where time-tested methods and innovative approaches are harmoniously combined. As a graduate from Indonesia, Desmarnov Tirto Pamangin, said: Here they not only give knowledge of the language, but also open the door to a new life. This is precisely the mission of the Higher School – to be a bridge between cultures and peoples.

    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 –