Category: Universities

MIL-OSI USA: Study Examines Attitudes, Challenges for Disabled Grad Students

Source: US State of Connecticut

There are multiple entry points in higher education for individuals pursuing a career in physics, beginning with the transition into graduate school and continuing in doctoral and post-doctoral programs. In each of these stages, people with disabilities are underrepresented, and continue to experience marginalization and barriers to accessing physics careers.

A team of researchers looking at how two factors – academic ableism and disability identity – contribute to barriers or help reduce them. Erin Scanlon, a physics assistant professor-in-residence, is the UConn-PI on the three-year project. The team is seeking to identify solutions and increase the representation among disabled scholars in the field of physics.

The National Science Foundation is funding the study through a $1.3 million grant. Scanlon is conducting the study with Allison Lombardi, Carlyn Mueller, and Graham Rifenbark, all faculty at the department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin, and Emily Tarconish, an assistant professor of Special Education at the University of Illinois.

“There has not been a lot of work done in this space,” says Scanlon. “I think this research will help this career be more accessible and inclusive.”

Lombardi, who was an associate professor at UConn for 14 years before joining the Wisconsin faculty, initiated the collaboration, tapping researchers not only interested in the topic, but who may have experienced the barriers the study examines in their own academic journeys. Four of the five researchers working on the study have an identified disability, including Scanlon, who has chronic migraines, depression, and anxiety.

“I’m hoping we’ll hear about lifelong experiences like mine and learn about what’s working and not working to make things work better in the future,” Scanlon says.

The three strands of the project – titled Disability in STEM: Measuring Ableism Not in Teaching, and Learning Environments, or DisMANTLE – will be overseen by the respective institutions of the project team. Scanlon’s role will be to assess perceptions about disabilities among practicing physicists, who will be asked about their knowledge of disability diagnosis, and their attitudes and beliefs about the viability of a career in physics for people with disabilities.

Within the survey, there will be questions about specific categories of disabilities, such as deafness or autism, to determine practitioners’ thoughts on what career in physics might be viable for a scholar with that disability. The answers will help center the narrative about disabilities in academia, says Scanlon.

For their part, Lombardi, Mueller, and Graham will focus on the higher education experiences of disabled scholars pursuing a career in physics. Their research will build on a pilot study conducted by the Lombardi, Tarconish, and Scanlon and published in the Bulletin of the American Physical Society in 2024. That study looked at the lifelong experiences of about 20 graduate students and faculty engaged in physics.

Tarconish, who overcame a traumatic brain injury at 15 to pursue her career in academia, will survey graduate students in engineering from a more holistic standpoint that considers each students experiences in academia as well as their individual disabilities.

The DisMANTLE study will be significantly bigger than the pilot study, says Scanlon, who will tap the membership of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and possibly the American Institute of Physics, to recruit the hundreds of participants needed for her survey.

In addition to the adding to the scant literature about disability in postsecondary physics, the project aims to provide additional supports for disabled scholars by shifting from a traditional disability services model, where the focus is on diagnosis and coursework accommodation, toward one that puts the identity of the student first instead of his or her disability.

While 19.4% of undergraduate students identify with disabilities, only 12% of graduate students do. Researchers note that those numbers likely underestimate the actual prevalence of disabled students in higher education.

Students, graduate students, and often university employees must navigate a multitude of pathways – offices of disability services as well as human resources and employee services – to access reasonable accommodation. Supports can both confuse graduate students and dissuade them from accessing the resources they need. Further, because offices of disability services primarily serve undergraduate students, the types of services they offer may not be the ones needed by graduate students, such as manuscript preparation, course development, or developing conference presentations.

Disability is an often overlooked facet of diversity. And with people with disabilities making up just 3% of the STEM workforce, and 11% of science and engineering doctoral programs, the need for improvement is great.

“We are really trying to combat ableism in the academy and physical science community in higher education,” says Scanlon. “The physical science community has not always been supportive. We’re trying to understand the experiences of disabled people, so we can create opportunities for the disabled and so physicists can be aware and be anti-ableist in their own practice. We want to make sure that anyone who can do science is able to do science.”

MIL OSI USA News –

April 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients

Source: US State of Connecticut

From business success to the National Science Foundation, from policymaking in Hartford to the world’s most popular YouTube sneaker channel, from the Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to the President of the Rwanda Academy of Sciences, the honored guests of UConn’s commencement ceremonies bring a wealth of experience, insight, and wisdom to share with this year’s graduates. Speakers at the ceremonies, which begin on Saturday, May 10, include:

College of Engineering (Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Mark P. Sarkisian ’83

Mark Sarkisian is a partner in the San Francisco office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. He is a licensed professional engineer and structural engineer in 31 states. In 2021, Sarkisian was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and is a member of the University of Connecticut Academy of Distinguished Engineers. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UConn in 1983, and his master’s degree in structural engineering from Lehigh University. Sarkisian’s career focuses on developing innovative structural engineering solutions for over 100 major building projects around the world, including the Jin Mao Tower in China and the Al Hamra Fidrous Tower in Kuwait, both over 1,300 feet[1]tall. Sarkisian holds 10 U.S. patents and five international patents. Sarkisian has authored over 150 technical papers related to the design of building structures, and in 2012 completed his first book, “Designing Tall Buildings – Structure as Architecture.” He teaches integrated studio design courses focused on collaborative design opportunities at the University of California, Berkeley; California College of the Arts; Stanford University; California Polytechnic State University; Northeastern University; North Carolina State University; and the Pratt Institute.

School of Nursing (Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Joan Y. Reede

Dr. Joan Y. Reede was appointed as Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) first Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership in January of 2002, and has been responsible for the development and management of a comprehensive program that has provided leadership, guidance, and support to promote the increased recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse faculty, particularly individuals from groups underrepresented in medicine. This charge includes oversight of all diversity activities at HMS as they relate to faculty, trainees, students, and staff. Reede is a graduate of Brown University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She completed a pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and a fellowship in child psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. She holds an MPH and an MS in Health Policy Management from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and an MBA from Boston University. Reede created and developed more than 20 programs at HMS that aim to address pathway and leadership issues for minorities and women who are interested in careers in medicine, academic and scientific research, and the health care professions. At a national level, Reede’s advice and expertise is highly sought after among several committees and councils, such as being appointed to the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health and serving on the Board of Governors for the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center. She also has many affiliations, including the Task Force for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, CTSA Women in CTR Interest Group of the NIH, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science STEM Education Review Committee.

School of Business (Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Richard Eldh ‘81

Rich Eldh was born in the village of Ardsley, New York, and moved homes five times between the ages of 5 and 15. He attended Staples High School in Westport, graduating as a three-sport athlete and an all-state football player. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut. In what would have been his junior year, 1978–1979, he took a leave of absence to travel abroad, living in Kempten, Germany, in Bavaria. There, he worked at Dixie Union, a manufacturing company, as a computer programmer, where he developed new automation software for the finance department. This experience in Germany highlighted the significant impact computing technology would have on business. Motivated by this realization, he decided to pursue a career in the computer industry. Upon returning to the University of Connecticut for his final two years, he majored in finance at the School of Business and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Finance. He first joined a manufacturing firm implementing automation software, then moved to Four Phase Systems, a Motorola company, selling data entry systems. Later, he joined Hewlett-Packard, specializing in manufacturing systems and automation. It was at HP that he met his wife; they married and started a family. After working for two very large corporations, Rich joined a startup called Gartner Group in Stamford. He was the 100th employee, and in ten years, the company grew from $9 million in revenue to just under $1 billion with 4,500 employees. Today, Gartner boasts a market cap of $38 billion with 21,000 employees. These early career highlights led Rich to co-found Sirius Decisions, which became a leader in high-performance go-to[1]market research and benchmarking. Headquartered in Wilton, Sirius Decisions grew to 400 employees with private equity backing and offices worldwide. The company was eventually monetized for approximately $300 million through a sale to a public company in Boston. Throughout his career, he has had the honor of working with associates and clients across more than 50 countries. Alongside his career, Rich and his wife Joyce raised two daughters and a son. They have each found success in the medical field, the fashion world, and the blockchain and crypto industry, respectively.

School of Social Work (Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Maggie Mitchell Salem

Maggie Mitchell Salem joined IRIS as Executive Director in January 2024. Throughout her nearly 30-year career, Maggie has managed diverse teams focused on civic education, intercultural dialogue, social and political rights, and forced displacement. She arrived in Connecticut following three years leading the National Democratic Institute’s democratic governance program in Tunisia. Given the exponential increase in the number of refugees, humanitarian parolees, and other immigrants that IRIS assists, Maggie has focused on organizational structure, systems, and policies that create a strong foundation for the organization’s continued growth. Her previous experience at Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services) and Fugees Academy have underscored the importance of collaborative, communicative leadership and management. For more than a decade, she was the founding executive director of Qatar Foundation International and expanded Arabic language and culture education to public K-12 schools across the U.S., UK, and Germany. As the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), she expanded or created new programs in Jordan, Iran, and Iraq. Maggie started up and led the Middle East Institute’s Communications Department from 2001-2004. She also served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer in Mumbai and Tel Aviv, and as staff on the Executive Secretariat of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Maggie was a Fulbright Scholar in Syria while studying for her Masters in Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. She has two sons and two daughters. She lives with her six dogs and two cats in East Haddam.

Bachelor of General Studies (Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. at Student Union Theater): Daniel Mercier ‘95

Daniel Mercier graduated from the Bachelor of General Studies program in 1995 with a focus in Visual Communications. After serving as a Graphics Specialist for a few years, Mercier returned to UConn in 1998 as a Media Producer. In 2001, he transitioned to the role of Instructional Developer in the Instructional Design and Development Department. After completing a Master of Arts in Educational Technology in 2003, Mercier became Manager of Instructional Design and Development and ultimately served as Assistant Director and Director of the Institute of Teaching and Learning. In 2015, he took on the role of Director, Instructional Design, in the Center for Pedagogical Innovation at Wesleyan University. In 2017, Mercier returned to UConn as the Director of Academic Affairs at the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Mercier has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of instructional tools, to help faculty utilize technologies to reach our students. In his work, he has supported faculty, staff and students across the higher education landscape. His commitment to the University of Connecticut spans nearly 25 years. In his current position, he recruits faculty, oversees academic advising and other academic support programs, and develops partnerships between the Avery Point campus and other academic entities within and outside UConn. These partnerships include the support of students in the Bachelor of General Studies Program.

College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Rodney Butler ’99 (BUS)

Rodney A. Butler is the Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) since January 2010. Butler’s service on Tribal Council began in 2004, and after one year, he was appointed Tribal Council Treasurer; a position he held through 2009. During his tenure, Butler chaired the Tribe’s Finance, Housing, and Judicial Committees, the MPTN Utility Authority, and served as an Interim CEO for Foxwoods Resort Casino. Butler earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut where he played Defensive Back for the UConn Huskies football team. Prior to Tribal Council, Butler worked in the finance department at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He later became Chairman of the Tribal Business Advisory Board; an executive body responsible for overseeing the Tribe’s non-gaming businesses and commercial properties. Butler was actively involved in multiple resort expansions at Foxwoods, as well as community development initiatives on the Reservation, the establishment of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust, and the legalization of Sports Betting and iGaming in the state of Connecticut. He was also a participant in Harvard Business School’s program “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities.” He is a regular speaker on national panels related to Native American issues. Butler presently serves on the Board of Directors for Mashantucket Pequot Interactive and is on the board of Foxwoods El San Juan Casino. He also serves as the President of Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA), as Alternate Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians, and on the boards for the United South and Eastern Tribes, Indian Gaming Association, American Gaming Association, the Mystic Aquarium, and the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. He is the 2019 recipient of the Citizen of the Year award from the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, and the National Indian Gaming Association’s John Kieffer Sovereignty Award. In 2018, he received the St. Edmund’s Medal of Honor Award from the Enders Island Retreat Center. In 2017, Butler was appointed “Tribal Leader of the Year” by the NAFOA. As Chairman, Butler’s primary focus is to ensure long-term stability for the Tribe’s citizens, government, and business enterprises.

School of Fine Arts (Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Jacob G. Padrón

Jacob G. Padrón is the Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of The Sol Project, a national theater initiative that works in partnership with leading theater companies to amplify the voices of Latino playwrights in New York City and beyond. Padrón has held senior-level artistic positions at theater companies across the country. He was the Senior Line Producer at The Public Theater where he worked on new plays, new musicals, Shakespeare in the Park, and Public Works. He was formerly the Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago where he supported the artistic programming in the Garage – Steppenwolf’s dedicated space for new work, new artists, and new audiences. From 2008 to 2011, he was an Associate Producer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he was instrumental in producing all shows in the 11-play repertory. Under the guidance of his late mentor Diane Rodriguez, he served as the producer of Suzan-Lori Parks’ “365 Days/365 Plays” for Center Theatre Group, a collaboration that included over 50 theater companies to launch Festival 365 in Los Angeles. He is a co-founder of the Artist Anti-Racism Coalition, a grassroots movement committed to dismantling structural racism within the Off-Broadway community. Jacob is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (B.A.) and David Geffen School of Drama (M.F.A.). His first artistic home was El Teatro Campesino located in San Juan Bautista, California.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ceremony I (Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Maureen Ahern ‘85

Maureen Ahern is an Executive Leadership Coach on her third career whose journey began in the same classrooms as today’s graduates. A proud Husky who earned both a Bachelors and a Masters, Maureen’s connection to UConn runs deep. For over 10 years, she returned to UConn Stamford each week as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Interpersonal Communications and Public Speaking after her corporate day job in New York, driven by her belief that becoming a great communicator gives you the power and confidence to take meaningful action to shape your future. Maureen started as a Sales Executive at The Associated Press and quickly rose to lead the Satellite Networks division before transitioning to Standard and Poor’s Comstock. At S&P she led many different departments as Director of Operations, VP of US Sales and Managing Director for Asian and South American markets, building successful international relationships while traveling the world. She was part of the management team that sold Comstock to IDC and then pivoted from corporate into the digital world, as Partner and COO of momAgenda, where she helped build a thriving e-commerce company. Drawing on her teaching background, leadership experience and desire to coach and mentor others, Maureen completed her leadership coaching certification at Georgetown University’s Transformational Leadership Institute. Today as Founder of Ahern Leadership Coaching and Consulting, Maureen partners with C-suite executives and emerging leaders across industries, facilitating leadership development through one-on-one coaching, team coaching, and specialized training and leadership development workshops. Her coaching philosophy – described by clients as “tough but loving”-centers on her belief that leaders aren’t born, they are made and that everyone has leadership capacity waiting to be unlocked through awareness, action and courage. Maureen was a mentor with the Freshman Founders Program at the Werth Institute at UConn Stamford, in addition to her volunteer work with CT NEXT and Startup Westport as a business mentor. She is also an angel investor with Tidal River Fund whose goal is to fund underrepresented founders. When not working with her clients whom she loves and adores, Maureen enjoys yoga, beach walks, and time with her three adult children (Patrick, Brendan and Caeleigh). She shares life in Cos Cob with her husband Mike Santini (fellow UConn grad) and their black lab, Nino.

Neag School of Education (Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Suzanne M. Wilson

Suzanne M. Wilson is the Neag Endowed Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, where she also serves as a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her undergraduate degree is in history and American studies from Brown University; she also has an M.S. in statistics and a Ph.D. in psychological studies in education from Stanford University. She was a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University, where she served on the faculty for 26 years. Wilson also served as the first director of the Teacher Assessment Project, which developed prototype assessments for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Wilson is a committed teacher, having taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral classes in educational policy, teacher learning, and research methods. She has directed 36 dissertations and served as a committee member for another 45. Wilson serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards. She was elected to the National Academy of Education in 2013 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022. Wilson has written on teacher knowledge, qualitative methods, curriculum reform, educational policy, and teacher preparation and professional development. She has published in Science, American Educator, American Educational Research Journal, Educational Researcher, Review of Educational Research, Elementary School Journal, Teaching and Teacher Education, Journal of Teacher Education, Phi Delta Kappa, and Teaching Education. She is the author of “California Dreaming: Reforming Mathematics Education” (Yale, 2003) and editor of Lee Shulman’s collection of essays, “Wisdom of Practice: Essays on Teaching, Learning, and Learning to Teach” (Jossey-Bass, 2004). She is currently working on a collection of essays entitled, “Why Teach?”

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ceremony II (Sunday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Joe La Puma ‘05

Joe La Puma serves as SVP of Content Strategy at Complex NTWRK and hosts Complex’s Sneaker Shopping, the world’s No. 1 sneaker show, which has garnered over 1 billion views on YouTube. He has been at the forefront of sneaker and street culture at Complex for the past 15 years. La Puma started his journalism career writing for The Daily Campus and was voted “Rookie of the Year” by fellow staffers. After graduating from UConn in 2005 with a degree in Journalism, he returned to Bay Shore to manage The Finish Line—where he previously worked in high school—while contributing articles to both local and global publications like Newsday and Hypebeast.com. In 2006, La Puma landed an internship at Complex magazine, a pop culture publication specializing in convergence culture through hip-hop, sneakers, and fashion. La Puma has written more cover stories (21) than any other writer in Complex history, including profiles on Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Kid Cudi. La Puma is also a published author of the book “Complex Presents: Sneaker of the Year: The Best Since ’85.” In his current SVP role, La Puma has led Complex to over 200% growth in audience and engagement. In 2014, Complex debuted the YouTube show Sneaker Shopping, a series that La Puma created and hosts to this day. Over the past decade of Sneaker Shopping, La Puma has interviewed icons like Eminem, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Billie Eilish, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and conducted one of the only lifestyle interviews with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 election cycle. The show has filmed episodes across the U.S., as well as abroad in China, England, Spain, and Japan. With his extensive editorial work on footwear and over 300 episodes of Sneaker Shopping, La Puma is regarded as one of the foremost sneaker experts in the world. La Puma is a three-time Webby Award winner and has been featured on Good Morning America, and The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. In 2024, La Puma was inducted into the Bay Shore High School Hall of Fame, a group that includes only 79 members since the school opened in 1893. La Puma currently lives in Brooklyn, and takes half-days at work when he can during UConn Basketball March Madness runs.

School of Pharmacy – Doctor of Pharmacy (Sunday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): JoAnn Trejo

JoAnn Trejo, Ph.D., MBA is professor of pharmacology and senior assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences Faculty Affairs at the University of California (UC) San Diego. She completed her undergraduate degree at UC Davis, earned her Ph.D. and MBA at UC San Diego and completed postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco. Trejo is a basic science researcher with expertise in cell signaling in the context of vascular inflammation and cancer. Her research has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and she is a recipient of a NIH R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) and the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award. Trejo is an outstanding educator, mentor and a leader actively engaged in initiatives aimed at enhancing excellence in science and pharmacology. She is the director of five NIH-supported training programs including the UC San Diego IRACDA Postdoctoral Scholars Program, FIRST Program and three early career faculty development programs. Trejo served as an elected member of the leadership Council for the ASCB and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is a current member of the scientific advisory boards for Septerna and Versiti. She has also served on multiple NIH Study Sections, the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors for Basic Sciences, and Blavatnik, HHMI and Chan Zuckerberg foundation review panels. Trejo is a current member of the NIGMS Advisory Council. She is the Associate Editor for Molecular Biology of the Cell and is an editorial board member for Proceedings National Academy of Sciences Nexus, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. Trejo is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Fellow and 100 Inspiring Hispanic / Latinx Scientists and was recently elected honorary fellow of the British Pharmacological Society.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ceremony III (Sunday, May 11, 5:30 p.m., Gampel Pavilion): Joe La Puma ‘05

School of Pharmacy – Bachelor of Science (Sunday, May 11, 6 p.m., Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Joe Honcz ‘98

Joe Honcz is a distinguished expert in managed care and market access, boasting a robust 25-year career that spans significant sectors of the health care industry. Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in leading teams for the launch of Medicare Part D, followed by instrumental involvement in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act while at Anthem BCBS and Aetna. Since 2020, Joe has leveraged his profound understanding of managed care to deliver strategic market access insights, empowering over 20 biotech and pharmaceutical clients to effectively navigate complex market dynamics. His contributions have been crucial in the successful launch of innovative products in both traditional and rare/orphan disease categories. As a “pharmacy futurist,” he continues to drive innovation and shape market access strategies at Petauri Health, supporting the emerging pharmaceutical and health tech industries. His exceptional ability to anticipate industry trends has consistently provided clients with strategic advantages, enabling them to stay ahead of competitors with foresight and precision. Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe is actively involved at Yale Ventures as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and at the University of Connecticut Technology Commercialization Services in the same capacity. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Joseph School of Pharmacy and is on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and Avery’s Little Army, whose mission is to honor the legacy of Avery Marie Lafferty, an exceptionally brave cancer rebel, and all patients like her. Joe’s extensive background is complemented by diverse roles at Pfizer, Walgreens, Humana, PrecisionAQ, and CVS. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Connecticut, underscoring his deep roots and commitment to the field. In addition to being a Board member, he is also an AMCP diplomat to the UConn School of Pharmacy, where he fulfills his passion for mentoring and coaching.

The Graduate School – Masters Ceremony (Monday, May 12, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Manasse Mbonye ’95 Ph.D.

Manasse Mbonye is a Founding Fellow of the Rwanda Academy of Sciences (RAS) and its current President. He is also the Group Leader and Professor, Rwanda Astrophysics Space and Climate Sciences Research Group (RASCSRG) at the University of Rwanda and a member of the national Science Advisory Group (SAG). By Training, Mbonye is a theoretical Astrophysicist and Cosmologist. He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1995. Mbonye has taught Physics at various institutions including UConn, the University of Michigan, and RIT. He has also worked at NASA (Goddard Space Flight Center). In 2012, Mbonye returned to Africa. Since then, his appointments have included, Provost (later) Ag Rector (National University of Rwanda), the first Principal (University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology), and Executive Secretary (Rwanda’s National Council for Science and Technology, (NCST)). During Mbonye’s tenure, NCST instituted a major review of Rwanda’s Science, Technology, Research and Innovation (STRI) policy. Further, the National Research and Innovation Agenda (NRIA) was constructed, along with its implementation enabler, the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) framework. Rwanda launched the NRIF in June 2018. Mbonye has served on the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTCO) Board of Directors as its Rapporteur (2017-2018). He has also been Chairman of the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) (2015-2018), Rwanda’s sole electric energy production source and utility company. Prof. Mbonye continues to do research and supervise students, at the University of Rwanda.

UConn Health (Monday, May 12, 1 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Manisha Juthani

Dr. Manisha Juthani, is the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Juthani is the first Indian American to serve as a commissioner in the State of Connecticut. She served as professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine through September 2024 and currently serves as an adjunct professor of medicine. She served as Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program from 2012 to 2021. Juthani received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, completed Internal Medicine residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell campus, and served as chief resident at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She came to Connecticut in 2002 as an Infectious Diseases fellow at Yale School of Medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Juthani was a leader in the COVID response at Yale which led to her appointment as Commissioner of CT DPH in 2021. In the early days of the pandemic, she was a voice to help educate the public in both local and national media outlets, a role she was able to expand in her role as Commissioner. Upon joining CT DPH, she helped guide Connecticut out of the pandemic and worked to revitalize areas of public health, such as gun violence, maternal health, opioid use, and sexually transmitted diseases, that were exacerbated during the pandemic. As she continues in her role as DPH Commissioner, Juthani has shifted her core vision to “Preserve and Protect Core Public Health Principles and Services.” As Connecticut is presented with new public health challenges, she remains committed to preserving public health achievements made over the years, including improvements in regulatory oversight in health care, drinking water, and environmental health which includes food safety. It is more important than ever to highlight the importance of vaccines, control of infectious diseases, road safety, and healthier mothers and babies. Clear, accurate communication about public health risks is vital to her mission. She continues to advocate for health as a human right which is the core vision of CT DPH. Juthani is on the Board of Directors of UConn Health.

The Graduate School – Doctoral Ceremony (Monday, May 12, 6 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Sethuraman Panchanathan

Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan is a computer scientist and engineer who served as the 15th director of the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2020 until 2025. Panchanathan was nominated to by the president in 2019 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on June 18, 2020. NSF is a $9.06 billion independent federal agency, and the only government agency charged with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation and science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

Panchanathan previously served as the executive vice president of the Arizona State University (ASU) Knowledge Enterprise, where he was also chief research and innovation officer. He was also the founder and director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing at ASU. Under his leadership, the university increased research performance fivefold, earning recognition as the fastest growing and most innovative research university in the U.S.

Prior to joining NSF, Panchanathan was appointed by the president to serve on the National Science Board, where he was a chair of the Committee on Strategy and a member of the External Engagement and National Science and Engineering Policy committees. Additionally, he was chair of the Council on Research of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and co-chair of the Extreme Innovation Taskforce of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils. Arizona’s governor appointed Panchanathan as senior advisor for science and technology in 2018. He was the editor-in-chief of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) MultiMedia magazine and editor and associate editor of several international journals.

For his scientific contributions, Panchanathan has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from prestigious universities, distinguished alumni awards, the Governor’s Innovator of the Year for Academia Award, the Washington Academy of Sciences Distinguished Career Award and the IEEE-USA Public Service Award.

Panchanathan is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, where he also served as vice president for strategic initiatives. He is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Association for Computing Machinery, IEEE and the Society of Optical Engineering.

School of Law (Sunday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. at UConn School of Law): Mayor Arunan Arulampalam

The son of Sri Lankan refugees, Arunan Arulampalam was born in Zimbabwe and made a home and a family in Hartford after graduate school. Prior to being elected mayor of Hartford in November 2023, he served as CEO of the Hartford Land Bank, where he developed a first-in-the-nation program to train Hartford residents to become local developers and tackle blight in their city. Arulampalam served in Governor Ned Lamont’s administration as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Before that, he was a lawyer at the downtown firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Arulampalam also served on the Board of the Hartford Public Library, the House of Bread, and on the Hartford Redevelopment Authority. He earned his BA in International Studies from Emory University and his JD from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 30, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Labor maintains clear lead in all polls and is likely to win election

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

Labor leads by between 52–48 and 53–47 in four new national polls from Resolve, Essential, Morgan and DemosAU. While Labor’s vote slumped from a high 55.5–44.5 in Morgan to 53–47, such a slide hasn’t been seen in any other poll. Labor remains the likely winner of the election this Saturday.

A national Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted April 23–28 from a sample of 2,010 by online and telephone polling, gave Labor a 53–47 lead, a 0.5-point gain for the Coalition since the mid-April Resolve poll. Telephone polling by Resolve appears to only be used for their final polls before a federal election.

Primary votes were 35% Coalition (up one), 31% Labor (steady), 14% Greens (up one), 7% One Nation (up one), 8% independents (down four) and 5% others (steady). The 53–47 two-party result was achieved whether preferences were allocated as at the 2022 election or by respondents.

In this poll, Resolve is using seat-specific candidate lists, which Morgan and YouGov are now also doing. This resulted in a drop in the independent vote, as not all seats have viable independents.

Here is the graph of Labor’s two-party share in national polls. There was a 2.5-point drop for Labor in Morgan, but no other poll this week has had such a large change. Although Labor is slightly down, they are likely to win Saturday’s election. This graph does not include the DemosAU poll.

Anthony Albanese’s net approval in Resolve was steady at +1, with 45% saying he was doing a good job and 44% a poor job. Peter Dutton’s net approval slumped six points to -24. Albanese maintained a 47–31 lead over Dutton as preferred PM (46–30 previously).

The change in voting intentions and leaders’ ratings since the late February Resolve poll is dramatic. The February poll had given the Coalition a 55–45 lead by respondent preferences. Albanese’s net approval was -22, Dutton’s was +5 and Dutton led Albanese as preferred PM by 39–35.

The Liberals led Labor on economic management by 37–29 (36–31 previously). On keeping the cost of living low, the Liberals led by 31–28 (tied at 30–30 previously).

Final Essential poll: Labor leads by 52.1–47.9

The Guardian reported Tuesday that the final Essential poll, conducted April 23–27 from a sample of 2,241 gave Labor a 52.1–47.9 lead by respondent preferences with undecided removed, from primary votes of 34% Coalition, 32% Labor, 13% Greens, 10% One Nation, 2% Trumpet of Patriots and 9% for all Others,

In Essential’s usual methods that include undecided, Labor led by 49.6–45.6 (50–45 in mid-April). Primary votes were 32% Coalition (steady), 31% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (down one), 9% One Nation (steady), 2% Trumpet of Patriots (steady), 9% for all Others (steady) and 5% undecided (up one). By 2022 election flows, Labor would lead by about 52.5–47.5.

Albanese’s net approval was steady at -3, with 47% disapproving and 44% approving. Dutton’s net approval dropped three points to -12, a record low for him in this poll. By 52–31, voters thought Australia was on the wrong track (50–33 previously).

A total of 81% rated cost of living one of the top three most important issues, including 49% who rated it the top issue. By 68–32, voters did not think the elected government would make a meaningful difference on cost of living.

Morgan poll: Labor drops to a 53–47 lead

A national Morgan poll, conducted April 21–27 from a sample of 1,524, gave Labor a 53–47 lead by headline respondent preferences, a 2.5-point gain for the Coalition since the April 14–20 Morgan poll.

Primary votes were 34.5% Coalition (up 0.5), 34% Labor (down 0.5), 13% Greens (down 1.5), 7.5% One Nation (up 1.5), 1.5% Trumpet of Patriots (up one), 2% teal independents and 7.5% for all Others. By 2022 election flows, Labor led by 54–46, a 1.5-point gain for the Coalition.

By 52.5–34, voters thought the country was going in the wrong direction (48–34 previously). Morgan’s consumer confidence index was down 2.1 points to 83.4, its lowest for more than six months.

DemosAU poll 52–48 to Labor with low major party primary votes

A national DemosAU poll, conducted April 22–23 from a sample of 1,073, gave Labor a 52–48 lead after a forced choice question for the 14% who were initially undecided.

Primary votes after forcing were 31% Coalition, 29% Labor, 14% Greens, 9% One Nation, 7% independents and 10% others. DemosAU used seat-specific polls, reading the candidate list as it appears on the ballot paper. Other pollsters get higher primary votes for the major parties as those parties are listed first on seat-specific polls.

Albanese led Dutton by 43–34 as preferred PM.

DemosAU poll of outer metro Brisbane seats

DemosAU collectively polled the five seats of Longman, Dickson, Petrie, Bonner and Forde on April 18–23 from a sample of 1,053 for The Financial Review. The Liberal National Party led Labor by 53–47 (53.4–46.6 to the LNP across these five seats at the 2022 election).

Primary votes were 40% LNP, 27% Labor, 13% Greens, 7% One Nation, 2% Trumpet of Patriots and 11% for all Others.

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

– ref. Labor maintains clear lead in all polls and is likely to win election – https://theconversation.com/labor-maintains-clear-lead-in-all-polls-and-is-likely-to-win-election-255426

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “I hope that I will be able to initiate new research at the Higher School of Economics”

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

© TASS

More than 10,000 scientific projects were supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) in 2024. One of the recipients of the foundation’s grants is a scientist from Iran, HSE Associate Professor Ahmad Ostovari Moghaddam. Thanks to the support of the RSF and HSE, he decided to stay in Russia for a long time.

A conference was held at TASS to sum up the results of the RSF’s work last year. In his greeting, RSF Director General Vladimir Bespalov recalled that the foundation carried out its activities in accordance with the presidential decree, which defined the strategic directions for the foundation’s development until 2030. The RSF development program includes activities in four priority areas: support for scientific research and the development of research teams that occupy leading positions in certain areas of science; support for projects to develop promising and priority science-intensive technologies in order to solve problems associated with major challenges for society, the state and science; support for young scientists and popularization of the achievements of Russian science.

In 2024, the funding volume for 10 thousand projects implemented with the support of the Russian Science Foundation amounted to 39.2 billion rubles, 60 thousand performers from more than 800 organizations in 81 regions of the Russian Federation worked on them, including from the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporizhia region. Based on the results of research supported by the Russian Science Foundation, more than 45 thousand reporting publications were published. A significant part of them were published in leading peer-reviewed Russian and foreign scientific journals.

The projects not only contribute to the “development of science, but also have practical value, ensuring the creation of new industries,” Vladimir Bespalov noted. In 2024, 2.3 thousand new projects were supported. “It is very important that one and a half thousand managers received grants from the Science Foundation for the first time,” the speaker said. At the same time, in 2025, with the support of the Russian Academy of Sciences, “the post-grant life of the projects will be implemented,” he added. According to him, “the research teams implementing the projects supported by the foundation are centers of attraction for young people in science.” The majority of project implementers (42.7 thousand) are under 39 years of age (inclusive), including more than 9 thousand postgraduate students and more than 7 thousand students.

Associate Professor of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Ahmad Ostovari Moghaddam, a scientist from Iran, noted that he submitted documents to begin research in Russia and in a number of European countries. “But of all the options that I had, it was work in Russia that seemed the most interesting and convenient. This concerned both the interesting topic for scientific work that was proposed at the Higher School of Economics and the advanced equipment that the university provided,” the scientist said. HSE gave him the opportunity to “form his own research teams.” “I have permanent young research associates who work with me, and I also have the opportunity to implement projects in my own laboratory at the Higher School of Economics,” he noted.

It was thanks to the support of the Higher School of Economics and the Russian Science Foundation (the foundation awarded the scientist a grant twice) that Ahmad Ostowari Moghaddam decided to stay in Russia for a long time. The project that the scientist is currently implementing at the Higher School of Economics is related to the use of catalytic technologies. “I am also studying the reaction of oxygen reduction from carbon dioxide. My future goal is to increase the focus on practical research, to move away from the academic format. Although, of course, publishing articles and participating in scientific projects are extremely important, I would like my research to also benefit people, making their lives easier and more convenient. As one of the recipients of the Russian Science Foundation grant, I hope that I will be able to initiate new research at the Higher School of Economics,” he noted.

The scientist recommends “all young researchers from foreign countries to join scientific work in Russia, to come and implement their projects here.”

The press conference was also attended by Georgy Yakovlev, Assistant to the General Director of Svetlana-Rost (he spoke about the implementation of a new technology in the field of the full-cycle semiconductor industry) and Director of the Research Institute of Neurosciences of the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, laureate of the Russian President’s Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists Susanna Gordleeva. She emphasized that a very important mission of the RSF is to support young scientists. Speaking about her personal experience, Susanna Gordleeva noted that “she started with winning a small RSF grant”, and this year she was lucky enough to win an interdisciplinary RSF grant, where there was a competition of about 20 people per place. “We are trying to develop biologically plausible realistic mathematical models that we build on the basis of experimental data to explain the mechanisms of formation of cognitive functions, as well as the development of neurodegenerative diseases,” she said about her work. The obtained research results allow us to move “to the development of new promising artificial intelligence technologies that will be built on the principles of the brain’s functioning.”

According to the Chair of the RSF Expert Council, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yulia Gorbunova, last year marked the tenth anniversary of the RSF’s existence and its work was cited as an example of the “gold standard”. “Of course, when we talk about finances, it is very important how we distribute them, to whom, for what work we give this money. And here, of course, the correct examination mechanism is very important, which is constantly being improved at the RSF,” she noted. In particular, according to her, the procedure for selecting experts is very thorough: their achievements, their scientific reputation are assessed, possible conflicts of interest are identified, etc.

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HPV health poster design competition launched for WHO Immunisation Week
Source: City of Salford
Salford launches design a HPV vaccination poster competition for young people to support WHO Immunisation Week.

The HPV vaccine plays an important role in preventing cervical cancer, as almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

The poster design competition is free to enter and open to all young people aged 11 to 16 who live in Salford or attend a Salford school.
In a strong pledge of global public health initiatives, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Immunisation Week campaign, “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” highlights the vital impact of vaccines in saving lives.

WHO recommends that at least 95% of children should be immunised against vaccine-preventable diseases targeted for elimination or control, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, measles, mumps, and rubella.

Following this campaign, Salford City Council Health Protection team are working with a group of young people from across the city to take part in an exciting creative health competition to design a poster promoting the HPV vaccination in schools.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. Teenage boys and girl are offered the HPV vaccination at high school, in year 8. The HPV vaccine plays an important role in preventing cervical cancer, as almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

This competition aims to improve health literacy among secondary school pupils in Year 8. By involving students, we can empower them to become champions for the HPV vaccine and own the importance of protecting their health and the health of others.

Cllr John Merry, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Adult Services, Health, and Wellbeing, said: “I’m genuinely excited to see creative approaches to health, like the HPV poster competition. I encourage all children to get involved and hope more Salford high schools join our HPV School’s Education Programme.

We have already seen excellent outcomes with flu vaccination for children aged 2 to 3 in Swinton, Pendlebury, Walkden and Little Hulton Primary Care Networks (PCN). In addition, the Salford University GP service organised vaccination catch-up clinics for students and staff, ensuring our university community remains well-protected.

The more Salford’s public health colleagues, service providers, and key stakeholders work together to boost the immunisation rates, the greater the opportunity to reduce health inequalities and protect the whole community.”

Councillor Arnold Saunders, Vice Chair of the Community and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel, also shared: “While immunisation rates in Salford have declined since 2013, it’s encouraging to note that vaccination rates in children aged five have increased for the first time in over a decade.

Offers of local health events and clinics in Broughton community settings, including evening and weekend sessions have increased, and means more people can now access services at the right time and right place.

Broughton is a diverse community so programmes that educate residents and service providers about vaccinations and other health priorities are vital to encouraging higher vaccine uptake and better community health for all.”

The HPV health poster design competition is free to enter and open to all young people aged 11 to 16 who live in Salford or attend a Salford school.

For information on how to enter, the prizes, and terms and conditions, visit www.salford.gov.uk/hpvposterdesign

Submissions open on 25 April 25 and close on 16 June 2025.

Salford City Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all. To achieve this vision, it has set out seven interconnected priorities as the focus for our work from 2024 to 2028.
- Good growth
- A good home for all
- Tackling poverty and inequality
- Creating places where people want to live
- A child friendly city
- Responding to climate change
- Healthy lives and quality of care for all.
Find out more about our ambitions and how we intend to deliver them in our corporate plan, This is our Salford, at www.salford.gov.uk/this-is-our-salford. The plan builds on past successes and continues to find new and innovative ways to improve residents’ lives.

Salford continues its remarkable story of transformation with already much to celebrate as a city – more well-paid jobs, new affordable and social homes, thriving local schools, award-winning green spaces, iconic infrastructure, cleaner transport, more integrated health and care and a vibrant cultural scene.

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Date published

Tuesday 29 April 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British-built satellite to map Earth’s forests in 3D for the first time
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

News story

British-built satellite to map Earth’s forests in 3D for the first time

A satellite developed by British academics and engineers is set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth’s forests in 3D from space.
Artist’s impression of Biomass in orbit. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.

The European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass Earth observation mission, which launched successfully from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana today, aims to enhance our understanding of the world’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle. The mission will use state-of-the-art radar technology to uncover new insights into forests, including their size and weight, and areas of deforestation.

This work will be crucial to helping us understand how tropical forests are changing and provide critical data to understand the carbon cycle and help develop climate strategies.

Biomass taking to the skies on 29 April 2025. Credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin

The concept was conceived in Yorkshire, at the University of Sheffield by Professor Shaun Quegan, working with the National Centre for Earth Observation in Leicester. Other academics from the University of Edinburgh and UCL have brought modelling and data assimilation expertise to the application of Biomass data.

Since 2016 the UK has won almost £77 million in contracts for Biomass through its membership of ESA.

Minister for Space Sir Chris Bryant said:

The Biomass mission showcases British ingenuity at its very best, from conception in Sheffield to construction in Stevenage.

Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space industry, but of global climate action too.

Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change.

Biomass was built by Airbus in Stevenage, UK. Credit: Airbus.

Shaun Quegan, University of Sheffield’s Professor and lead proposer of the mission concept to the European Space Agency, said:

It’s been a privilege to have led the team in the development of a pioneering mission that will revolutionise our understanding of the volume of carbon held in the most impenetrable tropical rainforests on the planet and, crucially, how this is changing over time. Our research has solved critical operational scientific problems in constructing the Biomass satellite.

Conceived and built in the UK, Biomass is a brilliant example of what we can achieve in collaboration with our partners in industry and academia. The mission is the culmination of decades of highly innovative work in partnership with some of the best scientists in Europe and the US.

Airbus UK is the Prime Contractor and has manufactured the satellite in Stevenage. Throughout construction, it has supported approximately 250 highly skilled jobs, benefitting the local economy and bolstering the UK’s 52,000-strong space workforce.

Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, said:

Biomass is a groundbreaking mission that will advance our understanding of how carbon is stored in the world’s forests – delivering crucial data in the fight against climate change. With more than 50 companies involved across 20 nations, the team in Stevenage has shown exceptional leadership in delivering this flagship ESA mission.

Many other businesses in the UK supply chain have contributed, including ABSL in Abingdon, which has provided the battery, European Astrotech UK in Westcott, which has provided test services, and Nammo, in Cheltenham, providing the service valves.

Its revolutionary technology will help scientists capture vital data on the changes to carbon in forests as ecosystems are increasingly impacted by deforestation. The satellite will create a 3D map of tropical forests after 17 months, then new (non-3D) maps every 9 months for the rest of the 5-year mission, providing insights normally hidden from human sight because of the difficulty in accessing these environments.

Both deforestation, which releases carbon dioxide, and forest growth, which soaks up CO2 from the atmosphere, are crucial parts of climate change.

Data on the biomass of tropical forests is very limited because they are difficult to access.

The Biomass satellite will be able to penetrate cloud cover and measure forest biomass more accurately than any current technology, which only see the top of the canopy. By providing better data it will help create a more accurate global carbon budget and better understanding of carbon sinks and sources which will help in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve net-zero goals.

Observations will also lead to better insight into the rates of habitat loss and, as a result, the effect this may have on biodiversity in the forest environment.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:

The Biomass satellite represents a major leap forward in our ability to understand Earth’s carbon cycle. By mapping the world’s forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to climate change — helping scientists, policymakers, and conservationists take informed action.

We’re proud of the leading role the UK has played in this important mission.

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Published 29 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Adventures of Foreigners in Russia. How a Telegram Channel Helps Foreign Students

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Life is in full swing at the Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University: the university was recently visited by an unusual guest — Arina Rylova, a representative of the popular Telegram channel “Adventures of Foreigners in Russia.” The meeting within the university walls turned into a real brainstorming session: activists of student organizations supervising the adaptation of foreign guests shared their experiences, and the guest shared success stories and plans for the future.

Imagine: a student from Nigeria comes to Russia, gets lost in a pile of documents, doesn’t know where to run. We become his guides, — the channel’s representative begins the presentation. The project, which has united tens of thousands of subscribers, works as a multilingual bridge between foreigners and Russian bureaucracy. Through a bot integrated with the Ministry of Digital Development, the guys quickly resolve migration issues. The channel publishes life hacks in five languages (Chinese, English, French, Arabic, Spanish): how to open an account, extend a visa or find a doctor.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The channel is also a social lift.

“Last year, our activists visited the SPIEF and the Russia-Africa forum,” the speaker says proudly. “The guys were able to communicate with the leaders of their countries.”

The faces of the channel’s heroes flash across the screen. Here is Ibrahim from Algeria. He entered, learned Russian so well that he received citizenship, and now he runs a blog for his fellow countrymen. Next to him is a smiling student from Africa, whose blog about life in Russia was noticed by Yandex and invited to work.

We don’t just provide information – we open doors, the speaker emphasizes.

In response, Polytechnic student leaders are demonstrating their ecosystem of support. PolyUnion is a whole world.

Adapters and tutors meet newcomers at the airport with signs in their native language, help with documents, and even teach them how to pay for the metro. The Council of Associations from 20 countries organizes Nowruz, Chinese New Year, and excursions around St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. The guys act as a link between students and the university administration. The Women’s Club creates a safe space for female students: from culinary master classes to career advice. The UN Model turns classrooms into diplomatic arenas, where foreigners hone their Russian in heated debates.

Polytechnic University foreign students try to take part in activities outside our university: Our volunteer group recently visited Rzhevka, where we spent time walking dogs from a local shelter. For many students who left their pets at home, this trip was special – they happily interacted with animals, played with cats and shared warmth with those who need it, – shared one of the PolyUnion leaders and the ideological inspirer of the “Women’s Club” Alexandra Le Gall.

PolyUnion actively participates in organizing humanitarian aid for countries that have found themselves in difficult situations. For example, in previous years, they collected aid for Syria and Turkey, and now they are holding an action for Myanmar. Collection points are open in the main building of the university, the Interclub and the dormitory: you can bring clothes, medicines, long-term storage products and other necessary things there. Everything collected through the embassy will be sent to Myanmar to support people affected by the crisis.

Olesya Stepanova, Head of the Special Projects Department of the Polytechnic University’s USO, spoke about joint projects with foreign students, including the development of instruction cards for applicants from abroad who want to study at SPbPU. The meeting culminated in joint plans. The first candidates from the Polytechnic University will take part in the Summer International Gathering of the channel, which will become a platform for training bloggers.

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 –

April 29, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Events – Unions to hold Nationwide Day of Action on May Day – CTU

Source: CTU

This Thursday 1 May (May Day) the union movement are holding a Nationwide Day of Action to fight back against the Government’s anti-worker agenda.

Thousands of workers from a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors will be taking action including participating in lunchtime hui, stop work meetings, and strike action, with key events in 12 centres from Whāngarei to Invercargill.

“Every year on May Day workers and their unions around the world celebrate the union movement, our history, and our purpose – to build workers’ power and solidarity,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“This year we are coming together to resist the ongoing assault on workers and unions in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past 18 months. This Government has declared war on working people. They are removing our rights, destroying jobs, and ruining the economy.

“We are sending send a strong message to those in power that we demand a better deal for working people, and an end to the attack on unions. We will also be calling on the Government to deliver pay equity and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“Workers are sick and tired of having their rights trampled on by this Government, and this Thursday will be out in force to demand change,” said Wagstaff.

Details of nationwide events:

Whāngarei	Tarewa Park	12-1pm
Auckland	Manukau Plaza	12-1pm
Hamilton	Hamilton Lake Rose Garden	12.30-1.30pm
New Plymouth	Huatoki Plaza	12-1pm
Mt Maunganui	Hopukiore (Mt Drury) Reserve	12-1pm
Rotorua	Ranolf & Arawa St roundabout	12-1pm
Palmerston North	Arena 3	12.30-1.30pm
Wellington	Queens Wharf	12-1pm
Nelson	1903 Square (Top of Trafalgar St)	12.30-1.30pm
Christchurch	Addington Raceway	12-1pm
Dunedin	Otago University Student Union Hall	12.30-1.30pm
Invercargill	Workingmens Club	12.30-1.30pm

In addition to these main events, health unions have organised events at hospitals focusing on workers’ rights and the public health system. Details of those hui can be found here: https://link.nzctu.org.nz/click/sDAAiSKYLKJS.j2KawNATEPiY.fn2P4wBdbh_/2BOtzy1a/3s/www.psa.org.nz/campaigns/fight-back-together-maranga-ake-2025

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 29, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Albanese will be encouraged by ‘Trump’ effect in helping Canadian Liberals to victory

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Labor will be encouraged by the Liberals’ victory in Canada’s election, undoubtedly much helped by US President Donald Trump.

Trump’s extraordinary attack on the United States’ northern ally, with his repeated suggestion Canada should be the 51st American state, galvanised voters. Former banker Mark Carney, seen as best able to deal with Trump, won the internal race to succeed Justin Trudeau as PM, and now has clinched the election. The Conservatives, favourites a few months ago, couldn’t compete.

The Trump factor is not so dramatic in our election, but it is present and working for Labor. In a time of instability, some potential swinging voters are more inclined to opt for the status quo.

Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, “Mark Carney has stood for Canada’s national interests, just as I stand up for Australia’s national interest”.

Australians don’t like Trump or his policies. A recent Lowy poll found people’s trust in the US to act responsibly in the world has dropped 20 points in a year, although they were nearly equally divided on whether Albanese or Peter Dutton would be better to handle the US and Trump.

After initially thinking Trump’s election could assist the Coalition, Dutton has not been able to shake off the “Trump factor” since it became clear it was a drag.

Meanwhile, Dutton was having another difficult day on the campaign trail on Tuesday. His electorate office had been vandalised (again) in the early hours. Then, when he visited a sporting ground in the highly marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast, three local unionists, outfitted in protective gear, turned up to play for the cameras at finding a spot for a nuclear reactor.

In Gilmore former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance is making another run, after being narrowly pipped by Labor at the 2022 election.

Dutton had planned to hold his news conference at the ground, but cancelled it and moved on. When the press conference finally happened, it was short but not sweet. Both leader and press pack were, by that stage, tetchy.

Unlike his unfortunate experience on Sunday with the price of eggs, Dutton did pass the test when asked the inflation rate. He quickly answered 2.7%. This is not the headline rate, which is 2.4%, but it is the trimmed mean rate. That’s the rate preferred by the Reserve Bank, so he would get a tick from Governor Michele Bullock, even if his choice caused some confusion in the media. On Wednesday we get the March quarter CPI figures.

How the leaders’ debates rated

Nine won by a whisker the “ratings” contest among TV stations in the leaders’ debates, followed by the ABC. These are considered high figures for election debates. What we don’t know is how many viewers watched all four debates. Now that took some stamina!

How voters rate former PMs

Essential Research’s latest poll has an interesting table of people’s ratings of former prime ministers, with John Howard and Bob Hawke filling the first two spots.

Howard, 85, remains in demand for Liberal campaigning. Speaking to The Conversation, he reels off quite a round of seats he’s visited, including Curtin, Tangey, Bullwinkel and Hasluck in Western Australia (all in a day and a half); Wentworth, Mackellar, Robertson, Warringhah and Bennelong (his old seat) in NSW, and Bruce in Melbourne. He agrees the campaign cycle is faster these days, but he obviously still relishes the smell of the political grease paint.

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

– ref. Election Diary: Albanese will be encouraged by ‘Trump’ effect in helping Canadian Liberals to victory – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-albanese-will-be-encouraged-by-trump-effect-in-helping-canadian-liberals-to-victory-255387

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: New Ideas for Cities: The Results of the Urban Development Technologies Hackathon

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The hackathon “Urban Development Technologies” has ended at the State University of Management. It was held for the fourth time as part of the V All-Russian Interuniversity Forum “The Art of Management: Science, Practice, Project Technologies”.

The competition was attended by 80 students from GUU, RUT (MIIT), RGUTIS, RTU MIREA, RUDN, SFedU, SPbGASU of various fields of study as participants and team facilitators.

The organizing committee included representatives of the Department of Acceleration Programs and Project-Based Learning of the State University of Management: Irina Milkina, Evgeny Titov, Anastasia Lobacheva, Ekaterina Illarionova, Irina Denisova, Danila Smirnov.

The goal of the hackathon was to solve management problems for the development of students’ professional competencies in the field of creating a comfortable urban environment, developing urban infrastructure and logistics, improving the ecological environment, supporting social entrepreneurship, and involving young people in urban projects.

The business partners of the competition were the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation”, the Scientific Research Center for Municipal Economics, Sber, Vitra Russia, Roskachestvo and Beyond Taylor, VYSOTA-SERVIS Group of Companies, the State Budgetary Institution “Leisure and Sports Center of TiNAO”, the Museum of Urban Economy of Moscow, the Basmanny District Museum – Basmania and others.

The special feature of the hackathon “Urban Development Technologies” is the original approach to the formation of multi-competence inter-university teams with skills in a variety of areas and directions from information technology to public relations. The guys not only worked on real problem cases from partners, but also participated in an educational master class on team building, during which they got to know each other, formed and presented their teams.

The participants also had a dialogue with the competition’s business partners, both in person and online, and visited the Moscow Museum of Urban Economy, where they were impressed by the visualization of the processes of providing housing and communal services to the population and a full immersion in the topic.

On the final day, the teams presented their projects to a panel of experts consisting of representatives of the event’s partners.

The winner of the hackathon was the team “Infinite”, which worked on the case “Financial model for the maintenance of apartment buildings” from the Center for Municipal Economics, consisting of: Linda Yuliana (RUDN), Lozovsky Viktor (GUU), Baburina Alena (SFedU), Kuznetsov Vladimir (RUT (MIIT)), Kuleshov Ivan (RTU MIREA), Kudin Ivan (GUU), Paramonova Irina Ilyinichna (GUU), Rumeus Elizaveta (GUU).

The 2nd degree diploma was awarded to the team “6 cadres”, which worked on the case from the Basmanny District Museum – Basmania, consisting of: Ivan Gordeev (RUDN), Ilya Kopytin (RGUTIS), Alevtina Maryenko (GUU), Vladimir Komov (GUU), Ksenia Starikova (GUU), Alexandra Nenarokomova (GUU).

2 teams that scored the same number of points from the expert jury received 3rd degree diplomas:

team “WIN 777” (case from Vysota-Service Group of Companies) consisting of: Vasilina Shumskaya (RUDN University), Riad Gubatov (SUU), Anna Akinshina (SFU), Alexander Belov (RTU MIREA), Suzanna Aleksanyan (SUU), Elena Semikolenova (SUU), team “Desperate Innovators” (case from the Museum of Municipal Economy Moscow) consisting of: Anton Petrov (RTU MIREA), Pavel Polyakov (SUU), Valeria Kornienko (SFU), Egor Korostelev (RUDN University), Alexey Ilyin (SUU), Maxim Roenko (RUT (MIIT)), Yesayan Shogik (SUU).

Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov congratulated the winners of the hackathon and presented memorable prizes and gifts from our university and the event partners to all participants.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Getting to Know the Technologies of the Future: Participants of the SUM Accelerator Visited TechnoSpark

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Participants of the Acceleration Interuniversity Program “City Energy. Environment 2.0”, implemented by the State University of Management, visited “TechnoSpark” and got acquainted with the latest developments. The excursion was organized by the Department of Project Management of the State University of Management.

The event was attended by teams of students from our university, Bauman Moscow State Technical University and MIRE, who are developing the following technological startups: thermoelectric material for use in optoelectronics and solar batteries, a device for generating bioenergy, a heated thermo mug, capsule fitness clubs, a bull-machine, a system for automating warehouse complexes, a device for monitoring and cleaning air, an adaptive lighting system, a multifunctional bath, soap production and processing technology and others.

TechnoSpark, a part of the Rusnano Group, is the industrial partner of the program, so the participants came here for expertise and to discuss measures to support their technological startup projects. It should be noted that it was at the request of TechnoSpark that the participants developed their projects and selected young specialists for their teams from other universities.

The tour included demonstrations of the latest production sites, expert consultations with teams, and a pitch session for projects.

Participants learned about contract manufacturing opportunities for startups and corporations and about the most powerful exoskeleton in Russia, visited a metalworking shop and saw ready-made solutions for external customers: umbrella sharing for the Metro, Tubot in-pipe robots for hard-to-reach branched pipelines for the Transneft company.

The teams got acquainted with the latest domestic developments in warehouse management – intelligent logistics robots RONAVI Robotics for solving various tasks of warehouse and production logistics, as well as with the products and services of TEN Optics, which applies various types of coatings to glass. They saw how artificial diamonds are grown.

Specialists and experts from MED Print companies demonstrated their own production of bone and joint implants that quickly grow into human tissue and allow to shorten and facilitate the rehabilitation period, talked about the launch of serial additive production of medical and plastic products, demonstrated finished products for people and animals. And at the Russian Flexible Electronics Center, accelerator participants learned about the production of EPD displays and other components for flexible plastic electronics in the largest clean room in Russia.

At the end of the excursion, a pitch session was held, at which the teams presented their developments on technological projects and discussed the possibilities of further cooperation with TechnoSpark and its partners.

“This accelerator shows the effect of the requests that the teams are developing their projects on: these are extremely popular areas of technological production in our country, these are specific partner companies that are looking for exactly these solutions. It is also great when managers, marketers, and guys from technical universities: chemists, engineers work in one team. The development of the project ceases to be just conceptual, but is overgrown with specific solutions, which we saw today in the form of models, sketches, drawings, formulas. If the guys managed to do this in two and a half months, then it will be interesting to see what they will show at Demodna, taking into account today’s comments and remarks,” said Yuri Bocharov, General Director of Contract Manufacturing TEN Group of the Rusnano Group.

The acceleration interuniversity program “City Energy. Environment 2.0” is held at the State University of Management from February to June 2025 and is already the seventh acceleration program implemented at the State University of Management since 2022. This year, over 120 teams from 26 Russian universities are participating in it.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Digital GTO took place at SPbGASU

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants of the Digital GTO. In the center – Yulia Yakovleva and Ilya Gladushevsky

The Digital GTO test was taken at SPbGASU on April 22. Over the course of an hour, 77 schoolchildren and college students answered one hundred questions about construction, design, and 3D modeling. Those who scored more than 70 points out of a possible one hundred will receive an additional five points to their Unified State Exam results when entering SPbGASU for the training program 08.03.01 Construction and specialty 08.05.02 Construction of unique buildings and structures.

“Digital GTO” is an interactive test developed by the Etalon Group and the National Association of Organizations in the Sphere of Information Modeling Technologies (NOTIM) as part of the career guidance project “I am the builder of the future!” of the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction of Russia. “Digital GTO” is designed to help future young specialists determine the level of their digital competencies in the field of construction. The project’s objectives are to expand opportunities for admission, prepare sought-after professionals, and fill the personnel shortage.

The Digital GTO project was launched at the Growth Point of SPbGASU. Ilya Gladushevsky, responsible secretary of the admissions committee, associate professor of the department of ground transport and technological machines, addressed the participants: “I have already seen many of you and will see you again in the summer. Today you have a unique opportunity to participate in the Digital GTO project! The day will be eventful and interesting!” he noted.

Yulia Yakovleva, Head of Adaptation and Special Projects at Etalon Group, spoke about the tasks included in the test and why it is held at our university: “The tasks were developed by employees of EtalonProekt, the general designer of our group. We can say that this is not a basic level, but a level “with an asterisk”. The test is intended for those who already have in-depth knowledge, participate in career guidance events, and are passionate about their profession. Today, many companies are hunting for personnel and hold their own events to work with future students. Even kindergartens are specialized – they start raising personnel from the cradle!”

We asked the guys why they came to SPbGASU to take the Digital GTO.

Vadim Savelyev, 11th grade student of Gymnasium No. 261 (St. Petersburg): “I am planning to enroll in SPbGASU. I am choosing between the Industrial and Civil Construction and Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures programs. It is interesting to learn about the university, to see it from the inside. I have not been here yet, but I have many friends, and they have told me about it. The fact that you can get additional points is also important. I prepared on my own, studied programs, new technologies. And my school teachers helped.”

Maria Krestyaninova, a fourth-year student at the Academy of Urban Environment Management, Urban Development and Printing (AUGSiP, St. Petersburg): “I came here because I am very interested in this profession. Friends told me that they teach well here, the teachers are good. And the extra points interested me. I have studied many programs over four years. I rely on my knowledge and hope for a good result.

I am currently writing my thesis. I will be applying to SPbGASU this year.”

After the formal part, the participants went to the computer rooms and started taking the test. The children concentrated on solving the tasks for an hour, then they had a tour of our university. Arina Sukhacheva, a third-year student of the architecture department, introduced the audiences, the model workshop, and the drawing department. Returning to the “Growth Point”, the children watched a presentation about the university prepared by Elena Abashina, a fourth-year student of the construction department, a specialist in the admissions committee. The results were summed up and the winners were awarded here. The scores were calculated by a computer program. The best results were shown by five people:

Timofey Isaev (gymnasium No. 52, 9th grade) – 90 points; Alexey Ermilov (school No. 18, grade 11) – 76 points; Yaroslav Karachakov (school No. 531, 10th grade) – 75 points; Ivan Postnikov (gymnasium No. 540, 11th grade) – 75 points; Tikhon Bayruk (school No. 18, 11th grade) – 73 points.

“I have 90 points. Luck was on my side today! I will definitely apply to PGS. It was difficult at the Olympiad itself!” said Timofey Isaev.

“You can only participate in the Digital GTO in person. This time, schoolchildren and college students from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Tula and other cities came to us. In the future, we plan to cooperate with the Etalon Group to disseminate information about the project as widely as possible,” said Elvira Tkachenko, deputy responsible secretary of the admissions committee.

“We will conduct the “Digital GTO” on the platform of the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction of Russia “I am the builder of the future!” quite often. If it didn’t work out this time, there will be a chance next time!” – Yulia Yakovleva, a representative of the Etalon Group, encouraged the guys.

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April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Egypt deliberate to strengthen ties through avenues of strategic collaboration in skill development

Source: Government of India

India and Egypt deliberate to strengthen ties through avenues of strategic collaboration in skill development

Both delegations expressed a shared commitment to creating a globally competitive, future-ready workforce

Posted On: 29 APR 2025 1:15PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, hosted a high-level Egyptian delegation led by H.E. Prof. Dr. Ayman Bahaa El Din, Deputy Minister of Technical Education, for a pivotal round of deliberations at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi on 28^th April, 2025. This engagement marks another milestone in the ever-strengthening India-Egypt relationship, building on the momentum of the 2023 elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the recent recognition of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with Egypt’s highest civilian honour.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, highlighted the enduring people-to-people and institutional linkages between the two nations. He emphasized India’s vision to become the “Skill Capital of the World” through the Skill India Mission, under which already close to 400,000 individuals have already been trained in advanced domains such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data, while nurturing over 1.3 million entrepreneurs.

India’s efforts to align its vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem with global standards, and the establishment of world-class Skill India International Centres, were presented as models for international collaboration.

The Egyptian delegation shared insights into Egypt’s comprehensive TVET reforms, including the EU-supported TVET Egypt Reform Programme and the establishment of Sector Skill Councils, which resonate with India’s scalable and affordable skilling models. Both sides acknowledged the success of ongoing collaborations, such as the 2024 MoU between India’s NIELIT and Egypt’s Information Technology Institute, the El-Sewedy Group’s partnership with Amity University, and the Indian-supported Vocational Training Centre in Cairo.

Looking ahead, the two countries identified several promising avenues for future cooperation. These include joint certification programmes, faculty and student exchanges, digital skilling and entrepreneurship initiatives, and the establishment of Centres of Excellence in priority sectors like information technology, agriculture, tourism, and green skills. Both delegations expressed a shared commitment to creating a globally competitive, future-ready workforce and to using their partnership as a template for broader South-South cooperation.

***

Beena Yadav/Shahbaz Hasibi

(Release ID: 2125101) Visitor Counter : 49

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Passing on the Memory of the Feat”: HSE Hosts Conference in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of Victory

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

© Higher School of Economics

On April 25, the International Student Military-Patriotic Conference was held at the HSE Cultural Center “The Great Victory is 80 years old”. Russian and foreign students, students Lyceum of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and partner schools, teachers and university administrators. The key role in the preparation of the conference was played by Military Training Center of the National Research University Higher School of Economics under the leadership of Hero of Russia Colonel Vladimir Korgutov.

In the hall of the first floor of the Center of Culture, there was an exhibition called “Weapons of Victory”. Students dressed in military uniforms from the Great Patriotic War demonstrated rare rifles, machine guns, grenades, helmets, and even a cavalry saber to guests.

Levitan’s voice was heard from the speakers, announcing the signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945. And in the halls of the second and third floors, students danced to the song “Our Cossacks are Riding, Riding Through Berlin.” There was an exhibition of student paintings on military themes, as well as an exhibition “Coal of Victory” – images of the heroes of the SVO.

At one of the stands, anyone could receive a collection of the best competition works by HSE students for the 80th anniversary of the Victory.

There was no indifference

The conference in the Great Hall began with the carrying out of the banners and the performance of the Russian Federation Anthem. Then the participants were addressed by the Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Sergey Rozhkov.

He called the conference “a significant event in the life of our team,” emphasizing that it was preceded by meticulous work. The commission reviewed more than 200 student studies devoted to various pages of the Great Patriotic War, and the authors of the best of them were invited to speak.

“As the chairman of the commission, I responsibly declare that there was no indifference in these works. They are imbued with a sense of patriotism, personal pride for their relatives and friends who forged the Great Victory on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, on the labor fronts in the rear, and everyone made their contribution to the common cause,” noted Sergei Rozhkov.

The vice-rector emphasized that 80 years separate us from 1945, but we must not forget the price we paid for the victory. “When a person stops remembering, he stops living. And we must pass on the memory of the feat that our ancestors accomplished from generation to generation so that we could study and work in peace,” he said.

After this, a minute of silence was declared.

The Truth About War

The introductory report was given by the HSE full professor, Major General Adam Nizhalovsky.

He recalled that, according to official data, losses in World War II amounted to 55 million people, of which 27 million were losses of the Soviet Union, that is, 14% of its population. “Think about this figure! Every seventh Soviet person died, and these are the best people of our country,” the general noted.

The report touched upon such topics as the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the participation of European armies in it, the atrocities of the fascists, the fate of prisoners of war, and the circumstances of Germany’s capitulation. In the West, it is believed that Germany capitulated to the Allied forces on May 7 in Reims, although the USSR did not recognize this, and the signing of the real act of capitulation took place on May 8 in Karlshorst with the participation of Marshal Zhukov.

“Thus, even before the end of the war, Western countries began to falsify its results. Having begun attacks on the USSR in May 1945, they intensified them in the following years and erased the truth about that war from the consciousness of their citizens, belittling the role of the Soviet Union in the victory over fascism,” Adam Niżalowski emphasized.

In conclusion of his report, he recalled that today only a few creators of victory remain in the veteran ranks and due to their age it is difficult for them to defend what they fought for in the soldier ranks. Now this task and sacred duty falls on us – the heirs of the Great Victory.

Pain and pride

Eight student papers, selected based on the results of the competition, were presented at the conference.

In a report dedicated to the Brest Fortress, the student Faculty of Creative Industries From the Republic of Belarus, Kristina Alekseeva focused on little-known facts: that the fortress was stormed by the Austrians, that it was defended by representatives of more than 30 nationalities, that the inscriptions scratched on the walls of the casemates and the buried banners were found years later, that it was in Brest that the first burial place for Wehrmacht soldiers was created.

Students of the Military Training Center Evgeny Dolgov and Ivan Singay presented the results of a study on military training in universities during the Great Patriotic War.

Such training began already in 1941, most students managed to apply the knowledge they had acquired in practice and maintain contact with universities. Over a thousand MSU graduates were awarded, seven of them became Heroes of the Soviet Union. And, for example, among the graduates of the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers there were partisans who blew up enemy trains.

Family history

Student Higher School of Business Kirill Pivovarov spoke about eight heroes of the Great Patriotic War – members of his family.

Among them is his great-great-uncle Nikolai Shabrov, who volunteered for the front, was seriously wounded, recovered and was again called up to the army, commanded a platoon of the 8th Guards Panfilov Division, was personally acquainted with Marshal Zhukov, who gave him his accordion. And Kirill’s great-great-grandfather Sergei Kraskov fought in the unit commanded by his son Viktor, and they served together until the end of the war.

Student Faculty of Social Sciences Olga Avdeevich from the Republic of Belarus said that her great-great-uncle Mikhail Avdeevich became the secretary of an underground Komsomol organization in a village in Western Belarus at the beginning of the war. In 1943, he was taken into slavery to Germany, and after the liberation of East Prussia, he was drafted into the Red Army and took part in battles, was wounded, and his subsequent fate is unknown.

“My father and I are looking for Grandpa Misha, and according to one version, he died of his wounds and was buried in Poland. But the search for the burial site has now been suspended, since Poland, an unfriendly country, does not respond to our requests,” Olga explained.

Friendly countries

The conference was attended by Chinese and Mongolian students. Xiao Yanbo, student Faculty of Humanities from China, gave a report on the topic “The Great Victory in the Fates of the Peoples of China,” telling about some events of the Sino-Japanese War of 1937–1945.

“If the Bryansk forests are a symbol of the Soviet people’s resistance to fascism, then the fields and hills of Shandong, a region in eastern China, are a symbol of the Chinese people’s resilience in the face of Japanese invaders. Our countries fought together against fascism and militarism, and the actions of Chinese partisans in many ways echo the feat of their Soviet brothers,” the Chinese student noted.

One of the conclusions of his research is that the victory of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War and the decisive actions of the Red Army to defeat Japan made it possible to liberate the lands of China, opening a new page in Soviet-Chinese relations.

A student of the creative industries department, Batjargal Ganbalor from Mongolia, told how her country, despite limited resources, helped the Soviet Union during the war. They sent food, clothing, horses (every fifth horse in the Red Army was Mongolian) to the front, paid for the construction of tanks and planes – the amount of aid was equivalent to three years of the country’s budget.

An activist of the Mongolian Club of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Tugsmandal Sergelen, spoke about her ancestors, one of whom fought against the Nazis in the ranks of the Red Army, was wounded, awarded an order and returned home, and the other, being of advanced age and possessing great authority in his country, personally donated 39 horses and almost 20 kg of silver to the needs of the front.

“I am filled with gratitude to my ancestors for their contribution to the victory. The peoples of Mongolia and the USSR have the right to celebrate this victory together,” the girl concluded.

Made your choice

The leitmotif of the conference was the thesis about the continuity of generations that stood up to defend the Motherland during the Great Patriotic War and now, during the Central Military District.

Anton Yukhnevsky, a graduate of the Military Training Center last year, told how HSE students continue the tradition of helping the front today. A month after the start of the SVO, the “White Raven” movement was created at the university. Its participants organize humanitarian actions and visiting missions in the SVO zone and in areas adjacent to the combat contact line, and hold sports and educational events at the university.

“You and I could have distanced ourselves from this, studied, had fun and spent time carefree,” Anton addressed the students. “But we made our choice long before the start of the SVO, back in childhood, thanks to our upbringing, and I am sure that it was the only right one.”

Social Sciences student Anton Nudny read his poem dedicated to a soldier who defended the Motherland in the 1940s and his grandson who followed his example 80 years later: “…And the years flew by like a moment, / and again Kharkov, again battle and smoke, / and the current soldier is of a different generation, / but his spirit is still the same – he is invincible.”

Betting on talent

The conference reports alternated with concert numbers. The hit of the day was the song “Faith in Victory”, written by the instructor of the military intelligence cycle, Colonel Evgeny Mityukov, and performed by him together with the students. Another discovery was the compositions of the vocal and instrumental ensemble created at the Military Training Center a month ago.

As explained by the head of the Military Training Center, Hero of Russia Colonel Vladimir Korgutov, the organizers decided not to invite fashionable presenters and professional musical groups, relying on the talents of teachers and students.

In closing the conference, he thanked its participants and organizers, congratulated all those present on Victory Day, and reported that the Military Training Center, which has already graduated more than 7,000 officers, sergeants, and reserve soldiers, continues to train true defenders of the Fatherland.

Patriots become

According to Vice-Rector Elena Odoevskaya, to achieve the goals set in the strategic documents of the HSE, it is necessary to have fortitude, to be able to overcome difficulties and move forward, and the conference once again showed that HSE students have these qualities. They also demonstrated unique creative abilities. “I am delighted with the vocal and instrumental ensemble,” added Elena Odoevskaya.

“Patriots are not born – they become them, including thanks to correctly presented and emotionally colored information. The conference was filled with such information about the Great Patriotic War, about the contribution of our people to the victory, and its better perception was facilitated by the concert program. Many facts and conclusions that were voiced here should be known to every schoolchild and student,” noted Vice-Rector Vyacheslav Bashev.

“The main impression from the conference is a feeling of pride for the younger generation. It is worthy of the memory of its ancestors,” concluded Sergei Rozhkov.

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Artificial Intelligence Can Become a Catalyst for Sustainable Development

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Artificial intelligence is transforming all areas of life, expanding our capabilities and boundaries. At the same time, technology is throwing up new challenges to humanity related to safety, ethics, and environmental protection. Today, every neural network leaves behind a large carbon footprint. However, with proper management, AI can benefit the planet and become the key to a sustainable economy of the future. This was explained by the scientific directorLaboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Network Structure Analysis at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Nizhny Novgorod Panos Pardalos in the framework XXV Yasinsky (April) International Scientific Conference on Problems of Economic and Social Development.

Today, the world is experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, the main character of which is artificial intelligence. Like electricity during the last revolution, AI has taken a dominant position among all technologies. Many countries, such as the United States, China, France, Canada, etc., have included the development of machine learning technologies among their national priorities, thereby emphasizing the importance and prospects of this area.

“We talk a lot about artificial intelligence today. It’s amazing how much technology has expanded our biological capabilities in the field of vision, hearing, our cognitive abilities. I think it would be more correct to call these developments not artificial intelligence, but augmented intelligence,” said Panos Pardalos. “Telescopes, sensors, brain-computer interfaces, the metaverse, ChatGPT — all these impressive achievements are based on complex mathematics and optimization algorithms.”

According to Professor Pardalos, the widespread adoption of technology and automation, on the one hand, can bring enormous benefits to the global economy and welfare, but on the other hand, it is associated with serious problems in terms of resource use. For example, machine learning technologies are associated with colossal amounts of energy consumption.

“We often forget the price we pay for technology. Machine learning algorithms have incredible computing power, but they require equally incredible amounts of electricity. The carbon footprint of training a single model is comparable to the emissions of several cars over their entire service life,” the researcher emphasized.

Other problems highlighted by the scientist include recycling electronic equipment and mining rare earth metals. The metals themselves are necessary for the production of green technologies (electric vehicle engines, wind generators, energy-saving lamps), but their mining is not environmentally friendly and is detrimental to the environment.

According to dataresearch 2023, the Earth has already crossed 7 of 8 possible boundaries of safe human life on it, including emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere, reduction of biodiversity, climate change, etc. At the same time, Panos Pardalos believes that it is artificial intelligence that can become the key to a sustainable economy of the future.

“We already have all the necessary technologies for developing a sustainable economy, and with the right policy, AI can become a key factor in the transition to it. The use of nuclear and renewable energy, waste recycling, digital twins of enterprises, the creation of energy storage facilities, the development of new materials – all this is possible today. Of course, the price of implementing new solutions is quite high. Political will and a number of educational, enlightening measures are needed to use the opportunities that AI gives us with maximum benefit,” concluded Panos Pardalos.

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.

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April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: From Cases to Career: The Smolny School Has Ended at the Polytechnic University

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade hosted the final meeting of the participants with the Polytechnic University as part of the career guidance project “Smolny School”. This large-scale initiative is aimed at career guidance for high school students and developing their interest in public service. For five days, schoolchildren participated in expert master classes and solved practical cases.

The project is being implemented by the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the St. Petersburg Governor’s Administration, with Polytechnic University acting as one of the partner universities. The goal is to build a conscious career path for schoolchildren and popularize state civil service as one of the promising areas for future graduates.

The children’s acquaintance with the Polytechnic University began withcareer guidance excursions, where they were told about the history of the construction of the buildings, as well as about the people who made a significant contribution to the development of the university.

The series of events also included familiarization with the educational programs of IPMEiT, interactive lectures, master classes and business games. The project participants visited the laboratories of commodity science and consumer goods expertise, the educational and simulation complex “Factory of production processes”, the educational laboratory “Qualimetry and modeling in quality management” and assessed modern approaches to training at the Polytechnic University.

One of the highlights was the interactive session of the board game “Candidate”. The event was organized by Nikita Golubov, representative of the head of the Kalininsky District Administration for youth affairs, and Varvara Bucherova, deputy chairman of the youth parliament, resident of the student association “Public Administration Laboratory”, a second-year master’s student in the “State and Municipal Administration” program. The participants of the game immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the election campaign: they created their own parties, developed election programs, defined a strategy and made key decisions, striving for victory in the virtual vote.

The students were also very interested in meetings with representatives of the student associations “Model UN Polytechnic” and “Public Administration Laboratory”. Future applicants enthusiastically discussed the possibilities of participating in student life, implementing leadership initiatives and socially significant projects.

Associate Professor of the HSE University Ekaterina Avduyevskaya and 5th-year student of the Economic Security specialty Elizaveta Kulchitskaya held a master class on financial security, where participants modeled a family budget, responding to unexpected life circumstances. Deputy Chair of the Institute’s Student Scientific Society, HSE Master’s student Margarita Yanchevskaya organized an interactive business game on lean manufacturing, where schoolchildren got acquainted with the 5S methodology and its application in the management of production processes. Assistant of the KET Elena Lobova presented an interactive LEGO challenge “Mind Game”, combining elements of a quiz and practical tasks aimed at developing economic thinking, decision-making skills and teamwork.

The student association PROF.IPMET prepared an interactive game for schoolchildren on stations. In an exciting format, the children learned about material support for students, the activities of associations, university sports sections and the organization of seasonal recreation.

The career guidance project “Smolny School” is a unique opportunity to learn about professions in the field of public administration, make useful contacts and decide on a university. We really remember the tour of the Polytechnic territory, meeting students, and the interactive game “Candidate”. We even looked into the classrooms of IMPET and observed the students at work. We want to come back again, – said Alexandra Kalinina and Maxim Guk.

Participants who successfully complete the career guidance project will be able to receive an additional 5 points as an individual achievement when applying for admission to study at SPbPU.

We highly value the initiative and deep interest of the participants of the Smolny School. We create all the conditions so that talented young people can realize their potential to the fullest for the benefit of the state. Awarding additional points upon admission is a logical recognition of their achievements and an investment in the future of the country’s personnel reserve. Such guys are leaders, and we are happy to support them on their way to the Polytechnic, – noted the project curator, Deputy Director of IPMET for educational and organizational work Maxim Ivanov.

The final will take place on May 16 in Smolny, where the names of the winners will be announced.

The series of events of the Smolny School at the Polytechnic University has ended. It is a project that has become a bridge between talented youth and a future profession in the service of the city. We are glad that we were able to show schoolchildren the diversity of our university’s opportunities in the field of public administration, ensuring sustainable development of the region and advanced technologies. “Making the right choice is an art.” Today I see that the first steps have already been taken, – shared the director of the IPMEiT Vladimir Shchepinin.

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: 28 April 2025 Yury Trutnev: EEF big contributor to development of Far East and President’s instructions Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev chaired a meeting in Vladivostok on preparations in the lead-up to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, which is scheduled to take place on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University on 3–6 September. The EEF is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

Source: Eastern Economic Forum

28 April 2025

Yury Trutnev: EEF big contributor to development of Far East and President’s instructions

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev chaired a meeting in Vladivostok on preparations in the lead-up to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, which is scheduled to take place on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University on 3–6 September. The EEF is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

“The Eastern Economic Forum has contributed much over the years to the development of the Far East and the fulfilment of the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Thousands of people from all over the world attend the EEF every year, and no sanctions or anything else will succeed in weakening interest in it. The Russian Far East is a huge region, and its development affects its neighbours and the entire world. We will do our best as always to ensure that our guests receive all the information they seek and are able to carry out their work in comfort and safety at the Eastern Economic Forum,” Trutnev said as he opened the meeting.

The composition of the Forum programme was considered in detail.

“We discussed possible themes for the EEF, and I believe it would be impossible to ignore the Soviet nation’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. Our proposal for the main theme is going to be something like ‘The Far East: From Victory to Victory’, though we’ll think a bit more about the exact wording. The Second World War ended in the Far East. The President of the Russian Federation has ordered us to prepare a major exhibition on the island of Shumshu, where the Kuril landing took place, to educate young people and remind all of us about the heroic feats that led to the great victory,” Trutnev said.

The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic suggested including in the business programme topics of vital importance to regional development and possible integration with the economy of the broader Asia-Pacific region.

“We would focus in particular on technological development. Technology is changing the world now. It is changing the very fabric of life. And many of these technologies either originate in Asia or are first brought to market here. We would like to see the Far East play a bigger role in this process and believe it can. We would like to use new tools like our international advanced-development territories to ensure that these technologies are created and replicated in Russia,” Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov said.

First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Eastern Economic Forum Igor Pavlov touched on organizational issues and how preparations for the 10th Eastern Economic Forum were getting along.

“A great many events have been planned for EEF 2025, including the ‘Welcome to the Far East!’ exhibition, which traditionally enjoys the participation of federal ministries and agencies. And the sports programme will include a special patriotic Parade of Sails, rowing competitions, a hockey match, a run, and more,” Pavlov said.

According to Governor of Primorsky Territory Oleg Kozhemyako, the region has been following the roadmap laid out last year in its preparations for the Forum. Funds have been set aside in the regional budget for the construction of the region’s pavilion at the Far East Street exhibition, sports and cultural programmes, medical care, and road inspections. A special unit has been tasked with ensuring electrical supply, and preparations are underway on transmission lines and at power facilities. Law enforcement agencies are coming together to create a task force to ensure public order and security. 25 hotels in Vladivostok and Artem are on call to accommodate Forum guests and participants in 1,600 rooms.

Mayor of Vladivostok Konstantin Shestakov reported on the measures being implemented as part of the preparations for the Forum in the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District in landscaping, road infrastructure, sanitation and security, building facades, and catering and cultural events. Work has been planned to repair roads, paint elevated and underground pedestrian crossings, and fix metal and concrete fences, bus stops, and bridges. The storm water drainage system will also be cleaned, sunken manholes fixed, pavement and curbs touched up, graffiti and unauthorized advertising removed, and concrete surfaces and road infrastructure painted. The city itself will receive an important facelift, with private investors funding 10 objets d’art across the route that will be travelled by guests through the city. Special events, concerts, and evening programmes are also being planned for the city’s open-air venues, with additional cultural initiatives for Forum participants and the residents of Vladivostok in development.

Far Eastern Federal University President Boris Korobets spoke about the preparation of the Far Eastern Federal University campus for the Forum, with large-scale modernization of infrastructure to begin in May and student service brigades to take part in campus renovation work for the first time this year, for which volunteers are currently being recruited. For the fourth year in a row, FEFU will work together with the Russian Znanie Society to organize a lecture hall for the students and youth of Primorsky Territory at the Forum. 350 top students and talented schoolchildren will attend in person, with another 8.5 million people expected to join the event online. This year, the lecture will focus on the end of World War II, the contribution of the Soviet nation to the fight against fascism, and the events of the Soviet-Japanese War of 1945. A new visual attraction will be installed in the park on FEFU’s central square in the form of a 50-metre-high flagpole flying a 150-square-metre tricolour. As part of the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland announced by the President of Russia, an Alley of Heroes will be established in the campus park and dedicated to the Russian heroes serving their country in the special military operation from all eleven regions of the Far East.

The regions of the Far East are also preparing for this tenth anniversary forum. As in the past, they will present their economic achievements and unique culture and customs at the Far East Street exhibition. 11 region and five industry pavilions have been planned this year: two pavilions for the Ministry of Sport of Russia, the ‘Business’ and ‘GTO Arena’; the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation’s ‘Developing the Far East’ Pavilion; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia’s ‘Falcon House’ Pavilion; and the ‘Corporation Turizm.RF’ Pavilion. The pavilions dedicated to the regions will focus on economic and social achievements of the past ten years, provide information about investment projects, advanced technological developments, and the implementation of master plans for the development of the cities of the Far East, and the celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. An alley dedicated to brands from the Far East is being organized in conjunction with ASI and will present the goods manufactured in the region.

Also discussed during the meeting were issues of sanitary and epidemiological safety to be addressed during the preparation for EEF 2025.

“The EEF is a well-prepared, balanced tool for attracting investment to the Far East that allows all federal executive authorities to see whether they are fulfilling the President’s instructions and for investors to understand that they are on the right track. And we will protect what we have here, even as we turn now to the content and move forward, work on the sessions, and think about how to set the right tasks,” Trutnev said in conclusion.

Read more

MIL OSI Economics –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Last chance to become ArtMasters-2025 champion

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

There are 7 days left until the end of registration for participation in the 6th season of the National Open Championship of Creative Competencies ArtMasters.

Hurry up to submit your application and get a chance to win a cash prize.

You can participate in two age categories: from 14 to 17 years old and from 18 to 35 years old.

The competition will be held in 20 creative competencies:

“Architectural Environment Designer”; “Industrial Engineering”; “Creative Producer”; “UX/UI Web Designer”; “Graphic Designer”; “Virtual World Designer”; “Theater and Film Playwright”; “Clip Director”; “Popular Music Composer”; “Copywriter”; “Media Composer”; “Motion Designer”; “Film and TV Camera Operator”; “Editing Director”; “Sound Designer”; “Computer Game Writer”; “Photographer”; “Design Artist”; “Make-up Artist”; “Costume Designer”.

The championship is held in 3 stages:

Register on the website before May 5, 2025, upload your portfolio and take the online test before May 23, 2025. Complete the correspondence practical assignment before June 23, 2025 and be among the best according to the jury. Complete the modules of the final stage from July 14 to September 30, 2025: correspondence module, in-person completion of the practical assignment, ceremonial meeting of the finalists.

The winners of the Championship will receive cash certificates and the opportunity for an internship and subsequent employment in a large partner company, the use of equipment necessary for creative implementation within the framework of the partnership program, and the integration of final works into existing projects of creative industries.

The award ceremony for the winners of the Championship in the main age category is scheduled to take place on September 30, 2025 at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia in Moscow.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University of Aberdeen team wins at national event awards A conference organised by a team from the School of Psychology and CPD and Event Services at the University of Aberdeen has been recognised for its excellence and impact at a national awards ceremony.

Source: University of Aberdeen

A conference organised by a team from the School of Psychology and CPD and Event Services at the University of Aberdeen has been recognised for its excellence and impact at a national awards ceremony.
The European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP) was named the Best Association Event at The Scottish Event Awards.
The 46th annual ECVP took place in Aberdeen from 25 to 29 August 2024. A team from the School of Psychology led by Professor Constanze Hesse and Dr Mauro Manassi, and with support from the University’s CPD and Event Services team, successfully bid for and delivered the event. The organisers were recognised by the judges for the conference’s commitment to inclusion and impact.
Attracting more than 800 delegates, the ECVP provided a forum for presenting and discussing new developments in the study of visual perception in the disciplines of Psychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences. Last year’s event involved a series of lectures, tutorials, roundtables, and poster sessions on the extensive field of visual perception. The programme also included the Illusion Night, an outreach city event which featured interactive visual experiences, demonstrations of cutting-edge research techniques such as mobile eye-tracking and virtual reality and a scientific magic show, offering insights into visual perception which was attended by more than 1,600 attendees from the public and conference delegates, with more than 40 international researchers involved.
The Scottish Event Awards are Scotland’s only awards evening dedicated to the events and festivals industries. The awards recognise the resilience of the industry, as well as the outstanding companies, organisations and individuals in Scotland’s event scene. This year’s ceremony took place on 24 April at The Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.
Professor Peter Edwards, Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement at the University of Aberdeen, said: “It is a huge achievement to be recognised at The Scottish Event Awards. This win is a testament to the fantastic research coming out of the School of Psychology, the excellent collaboration between teams across the University and our commitment to public engagement with science and research.”
CPD and Event Services was also shortlisted for two other awards: the Public Sector Events Team of the Year, and the Rising Star Award for Jessica Hippey.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Drone racing and UAV control: a course for Moscow teachers at the State University of Management

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The State University of Management held a series of educational events on the management of unmanned aerial vehicles for teachers of comprehensive schools in Moscow.

The program is being implemented by the State University of Management jointly with the Department of Education and Science of the City of Moscow and the State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Professional Education “Moscow Center for Educational Practices”.

During the 4 days of training, teachers became familiar with the legal basis of UAS, the organization of project activities in the field of UAV management, and the management of a drone racing competition project.

The students also learned about current trends in the development of unmanned aircraft systems and became familiar with the design and construction of UAVs.

In addition, the participants tried their hand at controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in a special cube – a safe airspace.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Did ‘induced atmospheric vibration’ cause blackouts in Europe? An electrical engineer explains the phenomenon

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Professor of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology

The lights are mostly back on in Spain, Portugal and southern France after a widespread blackout on Monday.

The blackout caused chaos for tens of millions of people. It shut down traffic lights and ATMs, halted public transport, cut phone service and forced people to eat dinner huddled around candles as night fell. Many people found themselves trapped in trains and elevators.

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has said the exact cause of the blackout is yet to be determined. In early reporting, Portugal’s grid operator REN was quoted as blaming the event on a rare phenomenon known as “induced atmospheric vibration”. REN has since reportedly refuted this.

But what is this vibration? And how can energy systems be improved to mitigate the risk of widespread blackouts?

How much does weather affect electricity?

Weather is a major cause of disruptions to electricity supply. In fact, in the United States, 83% of reported blackouts between 2000 and 2021 were attributed to weather-related events.

The ways weather can affect the supply of electricity are manifold. For example, cyclones can bring down transmission lines, heatwaves can place too high a demand on the grid, and bushfires can raze substations.

Wind can also cause transmission lines to vibrate. These vibrations are characterised by either high amplitude and low frequency (known as “conductor galloping”), or low amplitude and high frequency (known as “aeolian vibrations”).

These vibrations are a significant problem for grid operators. They can place increased stress on grid infrastructure, potentially leading to blackouts.

To reduce the risk of vibration, grid operators often use wire stabilisers known as “stock bridge dampers”.

What is ‘induced atmospheric vibration’?

Vibrations in power lines can also be caused by extreme changes in temperature or air pressure. And this is one hypothesis about what caused the recent widespread blackout across the Iberian peninsula.

As The Guardian initially reported Portugal’s REN as saying:

Due to extreme temperature variations in the interior of Spain, there were anomalous oscillations in the very high voltage lines (400 kV), a phenomenon known as “induced atmospheric vibration”. These oscillations caused synchronisation failures between the electrical systems, leading to successive disturbances across the interconnected European network.

In fact, “induced atmospheric vibration” is not a commonly used term, but it seems likely the explanation was intended to refer to physical processes climate scientists have known about for quite some time.

In simple terms, it seems to refer to wavelike movements or oscillations in the atmosphere, caused by sudden changes in temperature or pressure. These can be triggered by extreme heating, large-scale energy releases (such as explosions or bushfires), or intense weather events.

When a part of Earth’s surface heats up very quickly – due to a heatwave, for example – the air above it warms, expands and becomes lighter. That rising warm air creates a pressure imbalance with the surrounding cooler, denser air. The atmosphere responds to this imbalance by generating waves, not unlike ripples spreading across a pond.

These pressure waves can travel through the atmosphere. In some cases, they can interact with power infrastructure — particularly long-distance, high-voltage transmission lines.

These types of atmospheric waves are usually called gravity waves, thermal oscillations or acoustic-gravity waves. While the phrase “induced atmospheric vibration” is not formally established in meteorology, it seems to describe this same family of phenomena.

What’s important is that it’s not just high temperatures alone that causes these effects — it’s how quickly and unevenly the temperature changes across a region. That’s what sets the atmosphere into motion and can cause power lines to vibrate. Again, though, it’s still unclear if this is what was behind the recent blackout in Europe.

Atmospheric waves can sometimes be seen in clouds.
Jeff Schmaltz/NASA

More centralised, more vulnerable

Understanding how the atmosphere behaves under these conditions is becoming increasingly important. As our energy systems become more interconnected and more dependent on long-distance transmission, even relatively subtle atmospheric disturbances can have outsized impacts. What might once have seemed like a fringe effect is now a growing factor in grid resilience.

Under growing environmental and electrical stress, centralised energy networks are dangerously vulnerable. The increasing electrification of buildings, the rapid uptake of electric vehicles, and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources have placed unprecedented pressure on traditional grids that were never designed for this level of complexity, dynamism or centralisation.

Continuing to rely on centralised grid structures without fundamentally rethinking resilience puts entire regions at risk — not just from technical faults, but from environmental volatility.

The way to avoid such catastrophic risks is clear: we must embrace innovative solutions such as community microgrids. These are decentralised, flexible and resilient energy networks that can operate independently when needed.

Strengthening local energy autonomy is key to building a secure, affordable and future-ready electricity system.

The European blackout, regardless of its immediate cause, demonstrates that our electrical grids have become dangerously sensitive. Failure to address these structural weaknesses will have consequences far worse than those experienced during the COVID pandemic.

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

– ref. Did ‘induced atmospheric vibration’ cause blackouts in Europe? An electrical engineer explains the phenomenon – https://theconversation.com/did-induced-atmospheric-vibration-cause-blackouts-in-europe-an-electrical-engineer-explains-the-phenomenon-255497

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University Wins Gazprom Neft Universities League Prize

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The Science. Business. Education strategic partnership forum was held in St. Petersburg, where experts discussed joint strategies for personnel and technological transformation. Among the key participants was the team from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. It presented the university’s projects and initiatives in the field of digitalization of education and interaction with partners. The main event of the forum was the presentation of the Gazprom Neft University League Prize. The SPbPU program in the field of innovative engineering for oil industry enterprises won in the Great Prospects nomination. It was developed taking into account the current challenges of the industry, including the tasks of creating digital models and technologies for their application in various industries.

Our task is not just to train, but to form engineers of the future, capable of solving problems of technological leadership. Winning the award is recognition of the efforts of the entire team, – noted the head of the program Ivan Kurta.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Gazprom Neft and has become the first additional professional education program in Russia transferred for use by other organizations under a license agreement. This partnership has provided the conditions for its implementation in the leading educational and industrial centers of the country.

The program in the field of innovative engineering for oil industry enterprises was successfully tested in 2024 as part of a case championship, in which students from leading technical universities of St. Petersburg participated. SPbPU provided the organization of training, thereby confirming the practical value of the program.

The interaction of science and industry is a necessity. By joint efforts we can form unique competencies, – emphasized Irina Rudskaya, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Information Technologies and Business Analysis of Gazprom Neft.

In the nomination “Science of Enlightenment”, the winner of the competition was the project “Purchase Management at Oil and Gas Complex Enterprises”, developed by the Polytechnic team. The head of the program is Mikhail Afanasyev, professor at the Higher School of Industrial Management. The program trains specialists for key functions in the oil and gas industry, including for procurement at Gazprom Neft.

We see a consistently high interest in our programs from both industrial partners and educational and scientific organizations. This confirms the demand and potential for scaling up Polytechnic’s educational solutions. The forum showed that we are moving in the right direction, – noted Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU.

The second day of the forum was devoted to discussing strategic directions for the development of the scientific and educational space in Russia. The focus was on issues of training engineering personnel, integrating science, education and business, and forming technological leadership in the regions. The agenda included panel discussions, sessions on franchising educational solutions, the academic mobility program, developing world-class campuses and mechanisms for supporting university technological entrepreneurship.

The work of the sections “Designing network educational projects with regional universities” and “Franchising educational solutions in the field of industrial safety” should be separately noted. They presented proposals for new joint initiatives, and supported projects that are planned to be implemented in the field of additional education in 2025-2026. These decisions strengthen the position of the Polytechnic University as a reliable partner in the implementation of national priorities in education.

Participation in the forum confirmed SPbPU’s status as a leader in the field of additional professional education and its key role in training engineering personnel for the industry of the future.

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Open Day at the State University of Management: Master Classes, Excursions and Answers to All Questions

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

On April 27, the State University of Management held an Open Day, which brought together hundreds of applicants and their family members.

Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov introduced those who came to the history of the first management, the main achievements over more than a century of history and the latest innovations.

Head of the Department for Admission of Applicants Ezizkhan Dzhumaev spoke about the admission process in 2025 and its main changes, and also answered the most popular questions from applicants.

Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky presented the students’ rich extracurricular life, and the Director of the Career Guidance Center Elena Likhatskikh spoke about the importance of choosing the right field of study.

Also, a quiz on knowledge of history, institutes and programs was held for the university guests, in which the children won branded gifts from the State University of Management.

Throughout the day, it was possible to get advice from admissions committee specialists about admission rules, required documents and benefits, as well as get advice on the optimal strategy for preparing for admission.

Representatives of all the institutes also answered questions from those gathered, helping to understand the specifics of each program and employment prospects.

In addition, student clubs prepared interactive activities in which everyone could take part: play board games with the Mind Games club, test your knowledge of Moscow districts with the Student Parliamentary Club, or solve puzzles with residents of the Moscow Government Personal Scholarship.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The first joint seminar with NSU for residents and postgraduate students on immunology issues

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University – Center for Postgraduate Medical Education of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology, branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology and Novosibirsk State Medical University held the first joint interdisciplinary seminar for young specialists.

The meeting took place at the NIIKEL site. Opening the seminar, the head of NIIKEL, Maxim Aleksandrovich Korolev, spoke about the work of the institute and outlined the topic of the meeting – psoriatic arthritis and skin psoriasis.

– There are diseases that cannot be treated alone. And we chose the topic of psoriatic arthritis and skin psoriasis for the first interdisciplinary seminar precisely because dermatologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists participate in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. And multidisciplinarity is the basic principle that allows for success in treating such diseases, – explained Maxim Aleksandrovich.

The introductory lecture on the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases for the participants of the seminar was given by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director of the Research Institute of Physical Culture and Informatics Vladimir Aleksandrovich Kozlov. Then young doctors, immunologists, dermatologists and rheumatologists – residents and postgraduates of NSU and the Research Institute of Physical Culture and Informatics – made presentations.

The prize for the best presentation of her work following the seminar was awarded to Galina Voronina, an allergist-immunologist at the Immunopathology Clinic of the Research Institute of Physical Culture and Infection.

As noted by the Director of the Center for Preventive Medical Research of the Institute of Medical Technologies of NSU Irina Gennadyevna Sergeeva, such meetings are very useful for young specialists. They allow them to present the results of their work, hear constructive criticism and get acquainted with the topics that colleagues from related fields of medicine are working on.

– In the future, we plan to hold similar seminars twice a year at various educational venues in the city so that young specialists can communicate and get acquainted not only with professional problems, but also with each other.

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Victory of the State University of Management: Our Students Conquered the All-Russian Festival of Social Projects

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Projects by students of the Institute of Marketing of the State University of Management became winners and prize-winners of the annual All-Russian student festival of social projects “Media Class”.

The festival has been uniting creative youth of Russia for over 20 years. The theme of this year’s festival was thinking in code.

The projects of our university students revealed aspects of the implementation of new technologies, the possibilities of artificial intelligence, and ways of solving social problems using neural networks.

GUU teams that became winners of the “Media Class” festival

Nomination “Audio”

1st place – project “Get offline”. Authors: Natalia Kruglova, Nina Smirnova (students of the “RISSO in business 3-3” group). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

1st place – project “Take a break and come back to life”. Authors: Anisimova Ioanna, Petrosyan Diana (students of the group “PNB 3-1”). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

“Our audio clip is dedicated to the problem of digital burnout, excessive involvement of children and young people in the digital space and social networks. We set ourselves the task of not only identifying the problematic situation, but also offering optimal solutions. We used the dialogization technique to make the impact of the text on the target audience more focused!”, shared student Ioanna Anisimova.

2nd place – project “The Terrible Truth”. Authors: Daria Yezhova, Elizaveta Fedoseeva (students of the “RISSO in Business 3-1” group). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

2nd place – project “Quarter-life crisis”. Author: Tatyana Letunova (student of the “RISSO in business 3-1” group). Supervisor – Alexandra Timokhovich.

“Many people think that youth is a time of entertainment, carelessness, frivolity. But this is not so. Many young people experience stress from social pressure, anxiety due to uncertainty, lack of confidence due to the need to choose their future profession. In the audio clip, I urge young people to reduce their anxiety level, stop to think about the present and the future,” admitted Tatyana Letunova.

3rd place – project “Save the Silence of the Forest”. Authors: Ksenia Ignatyeva, Anna Vaslyaeva (students of the “RISSO in Business 3-1” group). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

3rd place – project “Say no to energy drinks”. Authors: Ulyana Sorokina, Sofia Alekseeva (students of the “RISSO in business 3-3” group). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

Nomination “Text”

1st place – project “Artificial Intelligence”. Author: Maria Markosyan (student of the “PNB 1-1” group). Supervisor – Alexandra Timokhovich.

“In my essay, I discussed how artificial intelligence can help solve social and environmental problems. I looked at different problem situations that people face and outlined the capabilities that artificial intelligence has for solving various problems, the main thing is to learn how to use it correctly,” said Maria Markosyan.

Nomination “Complex social project”

1st place – project “Never abandon your pets”. Authors: Anna Badayeva, Ksenia Stavtseva (students of the “RISSO in business 3-1” group). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

2nd place – projects “Digital pensioners”, “Leaving online?”, “Modern farm”. Author: Marina Zotkina (master’s student of the “Producing advertising communications 1-1” group). Supervisors – Elena Dianina, Alexandra Timokhovich.

“I am very happy that the social projects that we develop and implement during our studies are recognized and supported. When choosing the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs related to advertising and PR communications, I set myself the goal of contributing to the development of society. Thanks to my project managers, Elena Dianina and Alexandra Timokhovich, I can move forward and implement new ideas,” said Marina Zotkina.

3rd place – project “Loneliness among youth”. Authors: Adamova Nelli, Yarmukhamedova Kamiliya (students of the group “RISSO in business 3-1”). Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

We congratulate the winners and leaders of student projects, wishing them creative inspiration and further success!

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

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 –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney leads Liberals to their fourth consecutive win

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Fiona MacDonald, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Northern British Columbia

Canada’s 2025 federal election will be remembered as a game-changer. Liberal Leader Mark Carney pulled off a dramatic reversal of political fortunes after convincing voters he was the best candidate to fight annexation threats from United States President Donald Trump.

“Together we will build a Canada worthy of our values,” he told cheering supporters in his victory speech in Ottawa.

Canadians gave the Liberals their fourth mandate since 2015, although the race against the Conservatives was much closer than polls predicted.

Nonetheless, only four months ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had a 25-point lead in public opinion polls and a fairly secure path to victory.

Yet Poilievre’s lead soon vanished due to shifting voter sentiments defined less by the official campaign period and more by the months that preceded it. Justin Trudeau’s early January resignation announcement and Carney’s confirmation that he was officially in the Liberal leadership race dramatically changed the political landscape.

Read more:
After stunning comeback, centre-left Liberals likely to win majority of seats at Canadian election

Within a matter of weeks, Liberal support surged when Carney became party leader and Trump continued to make threats about Canada becoming a 51st American state — and to levy punishing on-again, off-again tariffs against the country.

The party went from being 20 percentage points behind the Conservatives to overtaking them, putting the party on track to secure its fourth consecutive victory. A shift described by longtime pollster Frank Graves as “unprecedented.”

Poilievre’s messaging

The emerging “Canada strong” and “elbows up” narratives, linked to the widespread anti-Trump sentiment, proved a major advantage for the Liberals, who made the most out of this political gift.

This shift, alongside Carney’s elimination of the carbon tax, left Poilievre on the back foot as his longstanding messaging on Trudeau and his “axe the tax” slogan became largely irrelevant.

Read more:
Who really killed Canada’s carbon tax? Friends and foes alike

The impact of these shifts in electoral fortunes extended beyond the two main parties. As the election became increasingly a two-party race between the Liberals and Conservatives, the smaller parties struggled for relevance.

Election campaign polling and early results indicated steep losses for the NDP, with Jagmeet Singh losing his own seat in Burnaby, B.C. and then resigning as party leader. This could be due to voters on the left responding to calls to vote strategically to prevent Conservative victories in various ridings.

The Bloc Québecois also lost ground, as did the Green Party of Canada and the People’s Party of Canada (PPC). Neither the Greens nor the PPC fielded full slates of candidates or participated in the leaders’ debates and therefore played comparatively limited roles in this election.

Advance voting in a gendered election

Another notable feature of this election was the record advance voting turnout, which surged to 7.3 million Canadians, up sharply from 5.8 million in 2021.

Early voting has now become a central part of party campaign strategy, with campaigns “getting out the vote” at every opportunity, not just on Election Day. This trend raises questions not only about whether overall turnout will rise, but also whether party platforms remain as influential given so many votes were cast before all parties released their platforms.

While many Canadians take in elections with a focus on party leaders and seat counts, there are other important ways to contemplate election outcomes in terms of inclusion and voice. What does this election tell us about gender and diversity representation in Canada’s Parliament?

This was a deeply gendered election. The major party leaders are all men, with the exception of Elizabeth May, the Green Party co-leader.

Preliminary candidate data showed a decrease in the number of women candidates compared to 2021.

The NDP nominated the highest proportion of women candidates — the majority of its candidates are women — and fielded the most diverse slate of candidates in terms of Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people and LGBTQ+ candidates. But the party’s dramatic losses mean these gains will not translate into more diverse representation in Parliament.

Furthermore, one of Carney’s first actions as prime minister was to eliminate the sex-balanced cabinet and to reduce the size of the cabinet. He eliminated the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) as well as ministerial portfolios focused on youth, official languages, diversity, inclusion, disability and seniors.

These decisions reverse previous efforts taken to institutionalize gender and diversity leadership in Canada’s Parliament.

Party platforms also reflected diverging approaches when it came to women. The Conservative platform only mentioned women four times, and three of those mentions were in the context of opposition to transgender rights.

Read more:
Pierre Poilievre’s ‘More Boots, Less Suits’ election strategy held little appeal to women

The role of young working-class men

Polling also revealed intersections of generation, gender and class are increasingly relevant. Like the last federal election, young working-class men are increasingly drawn to the Conservatives. This trend appears to be driven less by fiscal conservatism and more by concerns about rapid social change, a trend also observed in the 2024 American presidential election.

Many of these young men are expressing frustrations over housing affordability and job security, and what they view as the Liberal and NDP’s “woke culture,” which they view as eroding traditional values that have traditionally benefited men. In contrast, Canadian women of all ages continue to favour parties they view as more progressive — the Liberals and the NDP.

Theoretical explanations for this include young men feeling left behind by the Liberals, while the Conservatives have seemingly figured out a way to connect with them.

This may reflect campaign rhetoric about returning to traditional expectations and values around gender roles and men’s rights to well-paying jobs, an affordable home and taking care of their families.

Electoral reform needed?

In the aftermath of the election, there are avenues through which current gaps in representation can be addressed. Organizations like the United Nations’ Inter-parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as gender and politics scholarship, propose various reforms to continue to strengthen diversity in Parliament.

These reforms are understood to be essential for enhancing the legitimacy, responsiveness and effectiveness of Canada’s parliamentary system. Research on gender-and diversity-sensitive parliaments consistently shows that when legislative bodies reflect the diversity of the societies they govern, they are more likely to produce policies that are equitable, inclusive and trusted by the public.

Overall, this Canadian election was characterized by transformative twists and turns that shed more light on important ongoing questions about representation and the potential need for democratic reform if Canadians want to avoid a two-party system.

The authors 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. Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney leads Liberals to their fourth consecutive win – https://theconversation.com/game-change-canadian-election-mark-carney-leads-liberals-to-their-fourth-consecutive-win-253721

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What Liberal Mark Carney’s election win in Canada means for Europe

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Katerina Sviderska, PhD Candidate in Slavonic Studies, University of Cambridge

Just months ago, Canada’s Conservatives were leading the polls, surfing the wave of radical right ideas and rhetoric sweeping across the globe. But with the election victory of Mark Carney’s Liberal Party, Canada now stands out as a liberal anchor in a fractured West.

This election may not only shape Canada’s domestic trajectory, but also carries significant implications for its international partnerships amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

As some European countries and the United States head towards isolationism, authoritarianism and turn to the East — even flirting with Russia — Canada’s continued Liberal leadership reinforces its position as a key ally for the European Union. Carney’s centrist and pro-EU attitude provides stability and relief for Europeans.

From defence to trade and climate, Canada and the EU share deep economic and strategic ties. With a Liberal government, these connections will strengthen, offering both sides what they need the most: a reliable, like-minded partner at a time of transatlantic unpredictability.

What does Carney’s victory mean specifically for the Canada-EU relationship?

Trade as a strategic anchor

Carney’s election offers new momentum for Canada-EU collaboration. His “blue liberalism” brings Canada ideologically closer to Europe’s current leadership — from Emmanuel Macron’s centrist France to the Christian Democratic Union-led coalition in Germany — providing fertile ground for pragmatic co-operation.

Trade remains the foundation of the Canada-EU relationship, and both sides should aim to build on it. At the heart of this partnership is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has increased EU-Canada trade by 65 per cent since 2017.

European Council President António Costa has called the deal a success story providing clear proof “trade agreements are clearly better than trade tariffs.”

As the U.S. speeds toward toward economic nationalism, CETA has become more than a commercial agreement — it’s a strategic anchor in the global liberal order. One of the Liberal government’s early priorities is likely to consolidate and strengthen CETA. In doing so, Canada can position itself as an ambitious partner, ready to seize new opportunities as European countries seek to reduce their reliance on the American market.

Climate and energy: A balanced agenda

Climate and energy, too, offer new opportunities for co-operation. Both Canada and the EU are navigating the tensions between pursuing ambitious decarbonization goals and managing economic and inflationary pressures. After scrapping Canada’s carbon tax on his first day in office, Carney has already hinted at a more pragmatic environmental stance.

While pledging to maintain key climate policies — including the emissions cap on oil and gas — Carney’s government may recalibrate Canada’s approach to energy. This would mirror shifts among some European allies’ climate policies.

This evolving transatlantic consensus — less about abandoning climate goals, more about making them economically viable — paves the way for closer co-operation based on a common goal: bolstering economic competitiveness while maintaining environmental credibility.

Both Carney and the EU view the investment in new technologies as the path forward.

As Europe accelerates its green agenda and implements new sustainability rules, only countries with strong environmental standards qualify as long-term partners. Canada, provided it stays the course on climate policies, is well-positioned to be a key partner in Europe’s green transition.

Transatlantic defence co-operation

Beyond trade and energy, defence co-operation between Canada and the EU is expected to surge. A key priority for the new Liberal government is to finally reach NATO’s benchmark of spending two per cent of gross domestic product on defence, a longstanding commitment that has eluded previous administrations.

Read more:
What does Donald Trump’s NATO posturing mean for Canada?

This signal of rearmament reflects not only alignment with NATO expectations but also a broader understanding that liberal democracies must be prepared to defend themselves. Nowhere is this more pressing than in Ukraine, the epicentre of Europe’s geopolitical storm.

Canada has been among the most reliable supporters of Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, aligning itself with Europe’s most committed nations — France, Poland, the Baltics and, increasingly, Germany.

But as threats evolve, the battlefield also extends beyond Ukraine’s frontlines. Hybrid attacks — cyber, disinformation campaigns and foreign interference in democratic processes — now wash up on all shores. Canada’s National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025–26 identifies state-sponsored cyber operations as one of the most serious threats to democratic stability, particularly from Russia and China.

Read more:
Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new

In strengthening its defence collaboration, Ottawa is hoping to get a seat in the fight against autocracies. The question is no longer whether to engage, but how to lead in this era of layered and compounding threats coming from rivals like Russia and China — and now from the U.S., a historical Canadian ally.

Under Carney’s leadership, Canada is likely to pursue a pragmatic and globally engaged liberalism definitively aligned with Europe. As Canada and the EU are both looking for reliable allies to weather the storm, this renewed western alliance could solidify around Ottawa and Brussels — anchored in shared democratic values and pragmatic leadership.

Katerina Sviderska receives funding from Fonds de Recherche du Québec and the Gates Cambridge Foundation.

Leandre Benoit receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

– ref. What Liberal Mark Carney’s election win in Canada means for Europe – https://theconversation.com/what-liberal-mark-carneys-election-win-in-canada-means-for-europe-254775

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 29, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: India and Pakistan are on war footing. Can they be brought back from the brink?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

India and Pakistan are once again at a standoff over Kashmir. A terror attack last week in the disputed region that killed 26 tourists – mostly Indian – has brought the two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals close to a devastating conflict.

India claims the incident was an act of cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan and has vowed to hunt down and punish the perpetrators. In retaliation, it has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty to deprive Pakistan of water from the Indus River, which runs through the Indian-controlled region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has condemned India’s action as an “act of war”.

Both sides have put their forces on alert as low-level clashes have broken out along the “Line of Control”, the de facto border established in the region following the first Indo-Pakistan war in 1947–48.

Pakistan’s defence minister now says a “military incursion” by India is imminent. Can all-out war between the two sides be averted?

A long-simmering dispute

At the time of the painful partition of British India in the 1940s, the country’s Muslim minority were given the option of joining the newly created state of Pakistan. Kashmir’s Hindu ruler initially wanted independence for the region, but in fear of invaders from Pakistan, decided to join India.

This laid the foundations for an enduring, bitter dispute over control of the Muslim-majority region. Attempts at a resolution have been hard to come by.

The dispute has also become intrinsically linked to the political and strategic postures of the two protagonists.

New Delhi has vehemently opposed any nationalist demands for independence in Jammu and Kashmir. It fears this would set a precedent for many other minorities who want autonomy in multi-ethnic India.

Initially, the region was given a special autonomous status under Article 370 of the Indian constitution. But since 2014, the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has forcefully sought to bring Jammu and Kashmir under New Delhi’s control.

In 2019, it revoked Article 370 and isolated the region from the rest of India and the outside world.

Modi’s government argued this was necessary to bring progress and prosperity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In reality, it was aimed at squashing separatist movements and easing the way for more Hindus to move to the territory.

Pakistan condemned the scrapping of Article 370, exacerbating the tensions between the two regional powers.

New Delhi has also accused Pakistan of involvement in cross-border terrorist acts over the years. Islamabad has refuted New Delhi’s claims and castigated it for human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and for denying the people their right to self-determination.

Nuclear deterrence has been effective

India and Pakistan fought two wars in 1965 and 1971, the latter resulting in the dismemberment of Pakistan and creation of the state of Bangladesh.

In 1999, the two rivals came very close to a nuclear exchange in the limited Kargil War in Kashmir, but pulled back from the brink. As I wrote at the time, the consequences of a nuclear war played a crucial role in both sides eventually backing down.

This is also the main reason the protagonists have not fought another all-out war in five decades, notwithstanding periodic clashes along the Line of Control and the Kargil conflict. And nuclear deterrence may once more prove effective in preventing the two sides from escalating the current conflict.

Pakistan is also going through a very politically, economically and socially fragile period in its history.

The country has been in political turmoil since the ousting and arrest of popular Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023. The economy is in the doldrums. And the government faces a renewed threat from the Pakistani Taliban, amid growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The main force holding Pakistan together is the military and the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

India is facing its own challenges, despite being in a more stable position. The Modi government’s Hindu nationalism has marginalised minority groups, in particular the country’s Muslim population. And income inequality is growing, with the richest 1% of the country holding 58% of the wealth.

Neither country can afford a war right now – particularly one with potentially catastrophic consequences.

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

– ref. India and Pakistan are on war footing. Can they be brought back from the brink? – https://theconversation.com/india-and-pakistan-are-on-war-footing-can-they-be-brought-back-from-the-brink-255504

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 29, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Tempted to turn on the aircon? Science says use fans until it’s 27°C
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Federico Tartarini, Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture Design and Planning, University of Sydney

New Africa, Shutterstock

Many Australians struggle to keep themselves cool affordably and effectively, particularly with rising electricity prices. This is becoming a major health concern, especially for our most vulnerable people such as the elderly, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular diseases.

Air conditioning is often seen as the only solution to this problem. But relying too heavily on aircon has major downsides. These include hefty electricity bills, increased greenhouse gas emissions, strain on an already weak electricity grid, and dumping heat from buildings to the outside – further heating the outdoor air.

Our latest research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, highlights a simple yet effective solution: a “fan-first” cooling approach.

The approach is simple: use electric fans as your first cooling strategy, and only turn on air conditioning when the indoor temperature exceeds 27°C.

Fan-First Cooling: The Smart Way to Beat Australia’s Heat Crisis (Federico Tartarini)

The solution: ‘fan-first’ cooling

Electric fans can make you feel more comfortable on a hot day simply by moving the air around you. This helps our body release heat in two ways: improving the transfer heat from your body into the air, and increasing the evaporation of sweat from your skin.

A gentle breeze can make you feel up to 4°C cooler, even when the weather is very hot and humid.

This allows you to increase the aircon set-point (the temperature at which cooling turns on) from 23-24°C to 27-28°C. This simple change can significantly reduce the amount of time your aircon is running, leading to substantial energy savings.

For example, in our previous research we showed raising the office air conditioning set-point from 24 to 26.5°C, with supplementary air movement from desk and ceiling fans, reduced energy consumption by 32%, without compromising thermal comfort.

Don’t fans still use electricity to run?

Yes fans still use electricity, but it’s as little as 3% of the electricity used to run air conditioning. That means you can run more than 30 fans with the same amount of energy it takes to run a single aircon unit.

A basic pedestal fan is cheap to buy (A$20 to $150), requires no installation and minimal maintenance, and can be easily moved around to keep you cool in any part of your house. Simply turn on the fan as soon as you start feeling slightly warm.

Fans cool you, whereas aircon cools the whole space, which is less efficient.

We also previously showed that using fans rather than airconditioning is a more effective emissions reduction strategy than switching from old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs to LED lighting.

The problem with over-reliance on aircon

Globally, the use of air conditioning is rapidly increasing. Aircon units sales have tripled since 1990 and are projected to triple again in 2050. It is becoming the go-to solution to heat management.

Aircon is effective but is expensive to buy, run and maintain.

A recent survey showed while most people have aircon, two thirds did not use it due to cost concerns.

Beyond the financial burden, the environmental impact of aircon is substantial. In Australia, electricity mainly comes from burning fossil fuels, creating greenhouse gas emissions. Even with the growth of renewable energy, the sheer demand for aircon cooling could strain the transition and the grid.

Furthermore, the refrigerants used in most aircon units are potent greenhouse gases. It will also take time to replace older and less efficient aircon units.

Aircon units also release heat into the outdoor environment, worsening the urban heat island effect – the phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Finally, over-reliance on aircon might reduce our ability to cope with heat. If we constantly keep our indoor temperatures very low, our bodies may not acclimatise to warmer summer conditions, making us more vulnerable during power outages.

Annual sales of air conditioning units have more than tripled globally since 1990.
aapsky, Shutterstock

Using fans safely and effectively

While fans offer numerous benefits, it’s important to use them correctly, especially in very hot indoor conditions.

There’s a common misconception that fans should be turned off above 35°C because they might blow hot air onto the skin. This ignores the crucial role fans play in evaporating sweat.

We have established safer and more accurate temperature thresholds for fan use by conducting laboratory studies. Just remember to check the temperature indoors, not outdoors.

Electric fans can be safely used in indoor temperatures up to:
- 39°C for young, healthy adults.
- 38°C for older adults.
- 37°C for older adults taking anticholinergic medications (which can impair sweating).
Above these indoor temperatures, fans could worsen heat strain by increasing cardiovascular strain and core body temperature. In such situations, alternative cooling strategies such as wetting the skin, moving to a cooler place, or turning the aircon on are essential.

Below these thresholds, we have proven, in laboratory studies, that there’s no reason to switch fans off, because they provide further thermal comfort and reduce heat stress.

Climate change means many people are experiencing hotter summers.
Zhuravlev Andrey, Shutterstock

Take action now

Based on our field and lab research, we suggest five simple steps to using fans for managing heat at home:
1. consider buying pedestal or ceiling fans
2. point the fan at your body and adjust the speed to your liking
3. wear light clothing and stay hydrated
4. if you have aircon, increase the set-point to 27-28°C
5. enjoy a reduced energy bill and increased comfort.
You may also want to ask your employer to install fans at your workplace and share this “fan-first” cooling strategy with family and friends.

Let’s work together towards a more sustainable future by reducing our reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. This will lead to lower electricity costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased resilience to heat.

Federico Tartarini is affiliated with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Angie Bone is a Board Member of Doctors for the Environment Australia.

Ollie Jay receives funding from National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Wellcome Trust (UK).

– ref. Tempted to turn on the aircon? Science says use fans until it’s 27°C – https://theconversation.com/tempted-to-turn-on-the-aircon-science-says-use-fans-until-its-27-c-252018
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
April 29, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney projected to lead Liberals to their fourth consecutive win

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Fiona MacDonald, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Northern British Columbia

Canada’s 2025 federal election will be remembered as a game-changer. Liberal Leader Mark Carney is projected to have pulled off a dramatic reversal of political fortunes after convincing voters he was the best candidate to fight annexation threats from United States President Donald Trump.

Only four months ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had a 25-point lead in public opinion polls and a fairly secure path to victory.

Yet Poilievre’s lead soon vanished due to shifting voter sentiments defined less by the official campaign period and more by the months that preceded it. Justin Trudeau’s early January resignation announcement and Carney’s confirmation that he was officially in the Liberal leadership race dramatically changed the political landscape.

Read more:
After stunning comeback, centre-left Liberals likely to win majority of seats at Canadian election

Within a matter of weeks, Liberal support surged when Carney became party leader and Trump continued to make threats about Canada becoming a 51st American state — and to levy punishing on-again, off-again tariffs against the country.

The party went from being 20 percentage points behind the Conservatives to overtaking them, putting the party on track to secure its fourth consecutive victory. A shift described by longtime pollster Frank Graves as “unprecedented.”

Poilievre’s messaging

The emerging “Canada strong” and “elbows up” narratives, linked to the widespread anti-Trump sentiment, proved a major advantage for the Liberals, who made the most out of this political gift.

This shift, alongside Carney’s elimination of the carbon tax, left Poilievre on the back foot as his longstanding messaging on Trudeau and his “axe the tax” slogan became largely irrelevant.

Read more:
Who really killed Canada’s carbon tax? Friends and foes alike

The impact of these shifts in electoral fortunes extended beyond the two main parties. As the election became increasingly a two-party race between the Liberals and Conservatives, the smaller parties struggled for relevance.

Election campaign polling and early results indicated steep losses for the NDP, with Leader Jagmeet Singh’s own seat in Burnaby, B.C., under threat. This could be due to voters on the left responding to calls to vote strategically to prevent Conservative victories in various ridings.

The Bloc Québecois also lost ground, as did the Green Party of Canada and the People’s Party of Canada (PPC). Neither the Greens nor the PPC fielded full slates of candidates or participated in the leaders’ debates and therefore played comparatively limited roles in this election.

Advance voting in a gendered election

Another notable feature of this election was the record advance voting turnout, which surged to 7.3 million Canadians, up sharply from 5.8 million in 2021.

Early voting has now become a central part of party campaign strategy, with campaigns “getting out the vote” at every opportunity, not just on Election Day. This trend raises questions not only about whether overall turnout will rise, but also whether party platforms remain as influential given so many votes were cast before all parties released their platforms.

While many Canadians take in elections with a focus on party leaders and seat counts, there are other important ways to contemplate election outcomes in terms of inclusion and voice. What does this election tell us about gender and diversity representation in Canada’s Parliament?

This was a deeply gendered election. The major party leaders are all men, with the exception of Elizabeth May, the Green Party co-leader.

Preliminary candidate data showed a decrease in the number of women candidates compared to 2021.

The NDP nominated the highest proportion of women candidates — the majority of its candidates are women — and fielded the most diverse slate of candidates in terms of Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people and LGBTQ+ candidates. But the party’s dramatic losses mean these gains will not translate into more diverse representation in Parliament.

Furthermore, one of Carney’s first actions as prime minister was to eliminate the sex-balanced cabinet and to reduce the size of the cabinet. He eliminated the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) as well as ministerial portfolios focused on youth, official languages, diversity, inclusion, disability and seniors.

These decisions reverse previous efforts taken to institutionalize gender and diversity leadership in Canada’s Parliament.

Party platforms also reflected diverging approaches when it came to women. The Conservative platform only mentioned women four times, and three of those mentions were in the context of opposition to transgender rights.

Read more:
Pierre Poilievre’s ‘More Boots, Less Suits’ election strategy held little appeal to women

The role of young working-class men

Polling also revealed intersections of generation, gender and class are increasingly relevant. Like the last federal election, young working-class men are increasingly drawn to the Conservatives. This trend appears to be driven less by fiscal conservatism and more by concerns about rapid social change, a trend also observed in the 2024 American presidential election.

Many of these young men are expressing frustrations over housing affordability and job security, and what they view as the Liberal and NDP’s “woke culture,” which they view as eroding traditional values that have traditionally benefited men. In contrast, Canadian women of all ages continue to favour parties they view as more progressive — the Liberals and the NDP.

Theoretical explanations for this include young men feeling left behind by the Liberals, while the Conservatives have seemingly figured out a way to connect with them.

This may reflect campaign rhetoric about returning to traditional expectations and values around gender roles and men’s rights to well-paying jobs, an affordable home and taking care of their families.

Electoral reform needed?

In the aftermath of the election, there are avenues through which current gaps in representation can be addressed. Organizations like the United Nations’ Inter-parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as gender and politics scholarship, propose various reforms to continue to strengthen diversity in Parliament.

These reforms are understood to be essential for enhancing the legitimacy, responsiveness and effectiveness of Canada’s parliamentary system. Research on gender-and diversity-sensitive parliaments consistently shows that when legislative bodies reflect the diversity of the societies they govern, they are more likely to produce policies that are equitable, inclusive and trusted by the public.

Overall, this Canadian election was characterized by transformative twists and turns that shed more light on important ongoing questions about representation and the potential need for democratic reform if Canadians want to avoid a two-party system.

The authors 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. Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney projected to lead Liberals to their fourth consecutive win – https://theconversation.com/game-change-canadian-election-mark-carney-projected-to-lead-liberals-to-their-fourth-consecutive-win-253721

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 29, 2025

Category: Universities

Final Essential poll: Labor leads by 52.1–47.9

Morgan poll: Labor drops to a 53–47 lead

DemosAU poll 52–48 to Labor with low major party primary votes

DemosAU poll of outer metro Brisbane seats

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British-built satellite to map Earth’s forests in 3D for the first time

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Updates to this page

How the leaders’ debates rated

How voters rate former PMs

India and Egypt deliberate to strengthen ties through avenues of strategic collaboration in skill developmentBoth delegations expressed a shared commitment to creating a globally competitive, future-ready workforce

There was no indifference

The Truth About War

Pain and pride

Family history

Friendly countries

Made your choice

Betting on talent

Patriots become

Yury Trutnev: EEF big contributor to development of Far East and President’s instructions

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How much does weather affect electricity?

What is ‘induced atmospheric vibration’?

More centralised, more vulnerable

Poilievre’s messaging

Advance voting in a gendered election

The role of young working-class men

Electoral reform needed?

Trade as a strategic anchor

Climate and energy: A balanced agenda

Transatlantic defence co-operation

A long-simmering dispute

Nuclear deterrence has been effective

The solution: ‘fan-first’ cooling

Don’t fans still use electricity to run?

The problem with over-reliance on aircon

Using fans safely and effectively

Take action now

Poilievre’s messaging

Advance voting in a gendered election

The role of young working-class men

Electoral reform needed?

India and Egypt deliberate to strengthen ties through avenues of strategic collaboration in skill development

Both delegations expressed a shared commitment to creating a globally competitive, future-ready workforce