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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Teachers Flock into ‘Digital Flocks’: The Secret Life of Moscow’s ‘Invisible College’ Revealed

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Thousands of Moscow teachers are forming virtual “digital flocks” and don’t even know it. Educator and researcher Evgeny Patarakin reveals this phenomenon in his new monographs. The book was published by the Moscow State Pedagogical University. The author created it together with students of the course “Building online communities“, which takes place at the base Institute of Education HSE. They found that in the age of digital platforms, educational materials are no longer born in the offices of individuals. Now knowledge emerges thanks to the collective creativity of people who may never meet in person.

    Let’s imagine a football field where the ball is passed from player to player. Every touch is a digital trace, every pass is a connection between people. This is how modern educational platforms work: a document or lesson plan becomes the ball that unites teachers from different schools.

    “We found that 75% of teachers copying each other’s projects form a single community – a giant component,” notes Patarakin, who studied digital traces at the Moscow Electronic School (MES).

    Digital analysis has revealed a surprising picture: teachers who have never met in person form invisible but strong bonds. When a mathematician from Bibirevo downloads a presentation created by a historian from Kuzminki and then refines it, they become part of the same team without even realizing it.

    In science, such communities of experts linked by common interests rather than formal affiliation with an organization are called “invisible colleges.” The term dates back to the 17th century and refers to informal associations of scientists.

    “It’s like a complex, self-organizing system where each participant acts according to their own rules, but together they create something bigger,” Patarakin explains. In his research, he found that teachers in the digital space form “digital flocks” of sorts — groups that act in concert, although their members may not even be aware of each other’s existence.

    To understand the mechanisms of this phenomenon, the researcher developed several virtual “sandboxes” using the programming languages Scratch, Snap! and others. In these models, digital characters, following elementary algorithms, create complex structures that are strikingly reminiscent of real educational communities.

    The researcher built a virtual world with digital teachers and lesson scenarios. It turned out to be something like a computer game, where instead of fantasy heroes there are teachers, and instead of artifacts there are educational materials. In this model, it is possible to configure how accessible the materials are for different teachers: for example, whether they only see scenarios for their subject or can discover the developments of colleagues from other disciplines.

    These computer models have serious practical implications. They help create educational platforms where knowledge is shared more effectively and teachers can find and improve each other’s materials more quickly. In such a world, the collective intelligence of thousands of educators surpasses the capabilities of even the most brilliant individual experts.

    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 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Red Cat Appoints Shawn Webb as President of FlightWave Aerospace

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced the appointment of Shawn Webb as President of FlightWave Aerospace Systems Corporation (“FlightWave”), a Red Cat company, effective immediately.

    Webb brings more than 25 years of experience leading operational strategy and engineering across commercial and military aerospace sectors. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations at AeroVironment Inc., where he led the largest capacity and revenue expansion in the history of the company’s Loitering Munition Systems Business Segment.

    Prior to AeroVironment, Webb served as Vice President of Operations at BEGA North America, where he implemented a multi-site continuous improvement strategy that increased on-time delivery rates, reduced lead times, and generated significant cost savings. He also held senior roles at Bombardier Aerospace, where he spearheaded lean manufacturing and site development initiatives for the Learjet 85 program.

    “Shawn brings years of operational excellence, leadership, and domain expertise that are invaluable as we scale FlightWave’s manufacturing capacity and ramp up production of the Edge 130 Blue,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “His proven track record of driving growth in the highly complex aerospace industry, as well as leading high-performing teams makes him a great addition to the Red Cat family.”

    As part of his new role, Shawn will support the ongoing evolution of the Edge 130 into TRICHON™, which will have enhanced capabilities and further strengthen the Arachnid Family of ISR and Precision Strike Systems.

    “There are significant opportunities for FlightWave at such a pivotal time in the defense industry where sUAS play an increasing role on the modern battlefield,” said Webb. “Red Cat’s vision for its fully integrated Arachnid Family of Systems for ISR and precision strike capabilities, including the Edge 130, aligns perfectly with my experience scaling aerospace operations and building systems that are critical to the success of our warfighters and global allies.”

    Webb holds a B.S. in Business Management from Friends University, with additional coursework in electrical and industrial engineering from Wichita State University. He also holds certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Systems Operation. He has led international operations and worked with regulatory agencies including the FAA and DoD.

    For more information about Red Cat Holdings, please visit www.redcat.red.

    About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

    Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat has developed a Family of Systems. This includes the Black Widow™, a small unmanned ISR system that was awarded the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record contract. The Family of Systems also includes TRICHON™, a fixed-wing VTOL for extended endurance and range, and FANG™, the industry’s first line of NDAA-compliant FPV drones optimized for military operations with precision strike capabilities. Learn more at www.redcat.red.

    About FlightWave

    FlightWave Aerospace Systems Corporation is an industry leading manufacturer of dual-use VTOL drones, sensors and software solutions located in Santa Monica, CA. FlightWave designs and manufactures the Edge 130 VTOL drone and payload cameras for the commercial, defense, security, and intelligence markets. The fully-autonomous Edge 130 sUAS has the best flight endurance in the industry and with AI edge compute capabilities, provides superior aerial data capture to both the commercial and defense markets.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2023. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Contact:

    INVESTORS:
    E-mail: Investors@redcat.red

    NEWS MEDIA:
    Phone: (347) 880-2895
    Email: peter@indicatemedia.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election

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

    Amid the chaos of the tariff crisis and the dark clouds internationally, there is a potential silver lining for Australian mortgage holders.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday pointed out that the markets were expecting several cuts in Australia’s interest rates this year, including one next month. There has been one cut so far, in February.

    “Markets are now expecting around four interest rate cuts in Australia this calendar year”, Chalmers told a news conference. There was even a “more than 50% expectation in the markets that the next Reserve Bank interest rate cut in May might be as big as 50 basis points”.

    While saying he didn’t predict or pre-empt Reserve Bank decisions, Chalmers nevertheless highlighted what the markets are expecting.

    The next meeting of the Reserve Bank is on May 19-20, so a cut would be after the May 3 election.

    Chalmers said the “whole world” was trying to get their heads around the impacts of these “bad decisions” on tariffs.

    Releasing updated Treasury modelling of the impact, Chalmers said it expected big hits to American growth and to Chinese growth, as well as a spike in American inflation.

    “We expect more manageable impacts on the Australian economy but we still do expect Australian GDP to take a hit, and we expect there to be an impact on prices here as well”.

    Chalmers stressed the uncertainty around the modelling and about the economic impacts more generally. “Clearly, a series of decisions are still to be taken around the world when it comes to how countries may or may not retaliate to the decisions taken and announced by President Trump”.

    The Treasury modelling says: “The effects on the Australian economy are expected to be modest, however, some parts of the agriculture, energy, mining and durable manufacturing sectors will be more adversely affected than others”.

    “Australia’s real GDP is estimated to decline by 0.1 per cent and inflation to increase by 0.2 percentage points in 2025 relative to a baseline scenario with no tariffs. Over the medium-term Australia’s GDP is permanently lower; while the effect on inflation is temporary.

    “The direct effects of the United States tariff changes (from bilateral trade) are expected to be small.

    “Most of Australia’s exposure to US tariffs comes from reduced demand for Australian exports from major trading partners including China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

    “The indirect effects of US tariffs on Chinese demand accounts for almost 80 per cent of the total impact on Australian GDP.”

    Government to promise $1 billion for mental health, with emphasis on youth

    Returning to Labor’s core issue of health, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday will promise $1 billion for free mental health services that would fill gaps in the system.

    This includes

    • $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres

    • More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services

    • $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs, and

    • $90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.

    The government says the new network of Youth Specialist Care Centres would ensure young people in “the missing middle” received needed specialist help. It would mean those with complex mental health needs such as personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis would be able to ongoing and intensive care outside hospital.

    Dog day for Dutton

    Saying you got it wrong is never harder than in an election campaign. Peter Dutton bowed to the inevitable in dropping his plan to force Canberra public servants back into the office, but fronting the media for the mea culpa on Monday was painful.

    “I have apologised for the decision we took in relation to work from home,” he said. He added, with false optimism, “Labor’s run this scare campaign and I think we bring an end to that today.”

    It wasn’t the only pain of the day for the opposition leader, who needs – to borrow his own election slogan – to get his campaign “back on track”. The message from Newspoll, the poll many Liberals take most notice of, was bad. Labor had extended its lead in a week, from 51%-49% in two-party terms to 52%-48%. This is close to the result of the 2022 election, and can only alarm the Liberal campaigners.

    Some Liberals, disappointed with the Coalition campaign so far, are recalling John Howard’s mantra: you can’t fatten the pig on market day. “There’s not much evidence the work has been done,” one says.

    As of late Monday, Dutton had still not produced the modelling for his controversial gas reservation scheme, which has made it more difficult for candidates to explain the policy to voters.

    On another front, the Liberals have also failed to do their work properly in vetting candidates. They’ve had to disendorse their candidate for the Sydney Labor seat of Whitlam, Ben Britton.

    Previously Britton had said women should be removed from combat positions in the defence force. “Their hips are being destroyed because they can’t cope with the carrying of the heavy loads and the heavy impacts that’s required for doing combat-related jobs,” he said, among other comments attacking “diversity and equity quotas” for weakening Australia’s defence.

    In previous elections, parties have had to remove candidates after previous embarrassing comments have turned up. Surely the Liberals would have learned to be scrupulous in vetting. But in the New South Wales Liberal organisation, it seems to take a long time for the messages to get through.

    .

    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: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-jim-chalmers-highlights-expectations-of-may-interest-rate-cut-after-the-election-253733

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The II National (All-Russian) Round Table “Science in a Foreign Language – a Step into the Future of a Professional” was held at SPbGASU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants and listeners of the section “Architecture today and tomorrow: design, innovations and trends”

    On April 3, the Department of Intercultural Communication of SPbGASU held the II National (All-Russian) Round Table “Science in a Foreign Language – a Step into the Future of a Professional”.

    This year, the round table brought together students, postgraduates and graduate students from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Omsk, as well as students of the preparatory department of SPbGASU and students studying in master’s and postgraduate programs from China, Morocco, Algeria, Serbia, who presented the results of their scientific research in English and Russian as a foreign language.

    The chairperson of the organizing committee, head of the department of intercultural communication Elena Selezneva addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, expressing confidence: in the modern world, knowledge of a foreign language is no longer just an advantage, but a necessity for success in any scientific field. The ability to convey your scientific ideas, regardless of language barriers, is of decisive importance.

    The Deputy Chair of the Organizing Committee, Professor of the Department of Intercultural Communication Elena Chirkova also gave a welcoming speech. Elena Ivanovna spoke about the word cloud created last year – a visual representation of key concepts and ideas that arose during the discussions.

    The round table was organized in four areas: architecture, construction, economics and intercultural communication.

    Section “Architecture today and tomorrow: design, innovation and trends”

    The section meeting discussed a wide range of issues in the modern development of architecture and the preservation of cultural heritage, including the role of lighting, innovative approaches to design, the development of the urban environment and leisure infrastructure, and technologies for the restoration of historical buildings in Russia and abroad.

    Anastasia Nasedkina (SPbGASU) presented a report on “Landscape architecture techniques for designing public spaces in northern cities.”

    “My report was dedicated to landscape architecture techniques in designing public spaces in northern cities based on the concept of a “winter city”. I chose this topic because projects often do not take into account how the object will look or be used in winter, and this can be a very long time,” shared Anastasia.

    Tatyana Lazareva (SPbGASU) presented a report entitled “15-minute city as a solution to the urban crisis.”

    “I reviewed the model of urban development aimed at creating comfortable, accessible and environmentally friendly urban spaces. I listed the key principles of this approach, successful examples of its implementation in different countries, as well as the challenges that modern megacities face,” the student said.

    Section “Construction today and tomorrow: design, innovation and trends”

    The participants of this section raised such important issues as geological surveys to ensure safety in construction, innovative technologies and building materials and their properties for the stability of structures.

    Liu Zichi (SPbGASU) spoke about approaches to the restoration of historical buildings in China and Russia. The audience also learned about the differences in the choice of building materials between the two countries, which are influenced by the natural environment, climate conditions, cultural traditions and conditions of technological development.

    Yassin Sekuri (SPbGASU) covered the topic “Application of innovative construction technologies in cramped urban environments.”

    “The use of innovative technologies in construction in urban development conditions is a necessary step for sustainable urban development. Digitalization and modular technologies improve the quality of construction, reduce timeframes and minimize the impact on the environment. Safety at construction sites is maintained through new monitoring and automation systems,” Yassin is confident.

    Section “Economy in the era of change: challenges and prospects”

    The section’s reports were devoted to the problems of logistics and digitalization, ecology and tourism, motivation and communication in the economic sphere. It is also worth noting the participants’ interest in using artificial intelligence to solve practical problems.

    Vladislav Tikkoev (SPbGASU) introduced the audience to the prospects and difficulties of the transition to electronic executive documentation in construction.

    “In my report, I drew attention to new methods of maintaining documentation during the construction of capital construction projects. Modern EDI tools now also apply to such an important aspect of the activities of construction companies as the certification of completed works. I cited the main provisions that regulate the forms and procedure for maintaining documentation, distribute areas of responsibility between construction participants, and also provided examples from domestic and foreign practice. I spoke about the problems and prospects of using digital forms of acts in the conclusion. In further research, I will assess the impact of a systematic approach to the preparation of executive documentation on the financial stability of organizations and the feasibility of capital construction projects,” said Vladislav.

    Pavel Timofeev (SPbGASU) presented a report entitled “Problems of logistics in the implementation of the Arctic development program.”

    “My report is dedicated to the main tasks set by the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period up to 2035, as well as logistical problems that may hinder the implementation of these tasks. The report reveals why the projects specified in the strategy, which are of strategic interest to our country, may be under threat, and what decisions are being made to prevent these threats or minimize their consequences,” Pavel said.

    Jamil-Nezhar Benshaban (Saint Petersburg State Forest Engineering University named after S. M. Kirov) presented a report on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Gamification on the Motivation of Company Employees”.

    “What if work felt less like work and more like a game? Imagine you’re at your desk, working on a project, and suddenly bam – you’ve earned points, unlocked a new level, and your name moves up the leaderboard. Your colleague at the next desk says ‘high five’, and your boss sends you a reward. It’s not science fiction. Companies in Algeria, Russia, and elsewhere are already using AI-powered gamification to turn routine work into exciting competitions,” Jamil-Nezhar said.

    The speaker looked at the reasons why people love games; gave examples of how this method is used in some companies; called for starting small – creating a leaderboard for a weekly team competition, conducting employee surveys using AI tools, introducing a rewards system. In his opinion, we need to think globally: “The future is not about making people stay at work: we need to make them want to stay.”

    Section “Intercultural communication, language interaction and translation practice”

    Postgraduate student Li Ruimin, participant of the section “Intercultural communication, language interaction and translation practice”

    During the work of this section, reports were heard on current issues of translation of scientific and technical texts; special attention was paid to the prospects of using artificial intelligence for translation purposes. In addition, the participants conducted a comparative analysis of the organization of the educational process in Russian and Chinese universities. Everyone agreed on the importance and necessity of studying a foreign language for future professional activity.

    Martina Kojović (SPbGASU) presented a report “Serbian and Russian. Language proximity – help or obstacle in mastering the Russian language?” According to the student, the linguistic proximity of Serbian and Russian can be both an assistant and an obstacle in learning. It is important to be aware of the similarities and differences in order to effectively master the language, avoiding traps and “false friends” (words that are similar but have different meanings), grammatical errors.

    The sections were moderated by students Anna Aleshina, Daria Nikulina, Sofia Myagkaya and Fyodor Romanchuk, who successfully completed the professional training program “Translator in the Sphere of Professional Activity” last year.

    “This was my first experience moderating a round table. From it I learned the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations, which will certainly come in handy in the future. I enjoyed interacting with an active audience and, of course, I would like to develop in this direction,” Fedor shared.

    “It was interesting to try myself in a new role and learn more about modern architectural research. I gained valuable experience – I learned how to build interaction between the speaker and the audience, and also met interesting people,” said Anna Aleshina.

    A round table in a foreign language is not only a platform for discussing the results of scientific research, but also an opportunity to improve language skills, which are a significant component of professional growth.

    This year the round table program was very rich. Participants of all sections raised topical issues that are of serious scientific interest.

    The Department of Intercultural Communication of SPbGASU expresses gratitude to all participants and invites them to discuss new scientific achievements next year.

    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 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – A study day on subsidies for new particular Churches at the Pontifical Urbaniana University

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Subsidies and financial autonomy of the Churches subject to the Dicastery for Evangelization will be the focus of a study day of shared reflections and insights to be held on Tuesday, April 8, at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, on the occasion of the IV Day of the “Velasio De Paolis” Chair, named after the Scalabrinian Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, authoritative canonist, who died in 2017.Based on Article 65 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium and in light of the economic difficulties facing missionary activities, the focus of the morning will be to illustrate the financial support and subsidies provided to the Churches subject to the Dicastery for Evangelization.Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches) and Vice-Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, will moderate and preside over the event, which begins at 9:00 a.m.Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, Grand Rector of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, will open the study day, while Professor Andrea D’Auria, Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law, will deliver the introduction. Father Tadeusz J. Nowak (OMI), Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, will delve deeper into the morning’s theme by highlighting what it means to accompany local Churches on their path to financial autonomy, while Sister Roberta Tremarelli (AMSS), who works in the administration of the Pontifical Mission Societies, will address the importance of control bodies to monitor the use of resources and the quality of investments. The concluding lecture by Prof. Yawovi Jean Attila will outline the critical issues surrounding the financial autonomy of some Churches. The study day is aimed particularly at representatives of the administration of dioceses and religious institutes, administrators of church property and assets, ordinary bishops and superiors of religious communities, priests, religious, and students of canon law. The study day, which can also be attended online, is organized by the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical University. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 7/4/2025)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University became the winner of the RSF competitions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Russian Science Foundation has summed up the results of the 2025 competition “Conducting Fundamental Scientific Research and Exploratory Scientific Research by Individual Scientific Groups”. The Polytechnic University submitted 43 applications, of which four projects were supported by grants.

    A total of 4,491 applications were submitted to the competition. The Expert Council supported 534 projects with grants.

    The following projects of the Polytechnic University received grants:

    “Machine Learning Models for Assessing the Effect of Treatment with Heterogeneous Diagnostic Information with Expert Rules”, supervised by Professor Lev Utkin, IKNC; “Identification of Neuron Models and Reconstruction of Their Parameters from Experimental Signals”, supervised by Professor Ilya Sysoev, IFiM; “Strategic Management of Intellectual Maturity of Industrial Ecosystems in the Context of the Data Economy: Methodology, Framework, Tools”, supervised by Professor Vladimir Glukhov, IPMEiT; “Multilevel Microstructural Models of Inelastic Deformation and Fracture of Mono- and Polycrystalline Heat-Resistant Alloys under Complex Thermomechanical Loading”, supervised by Associate Professor Artem Semenov, PhysMech.

    The results of the 2025 competition “Conducting Fundamental Scientific Research and Exploratory Scientific Research by Individual Research Groups” for extending the deadlines for projects supported by RSF grants in 2022 were also announced. A total of 554 applications were received, of which experts supported 280 projects. The Polytechnic University submitted three applications. The project “Research and Development of Complex Optimization Methods for Assembly of Aircraft Structures” under the supervision of Associate Professor Sergei Lupulyak was among the winners.

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Head of the Project Management Department, former rector of the State University of Management Alexey Lyalin has passed away

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 7, 2025, Doctor of Economics, Professor Alexey Mikhailovich Lyalin (04.07.1947–07.04.2025) passed away at the age of 78.

    Alexey Mikhailovich’s entire career is connected with our native university. In 1970, he graduated from the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute named after S. Ordzhonikidze, where he subsequently worked his way up from a department assistant to the university rector, defending his candidate and doctoral dissertations.

    He worked as a senior lecturer, associate professor of the Department of Economics, Organization and Management in Urban Economy until December 1987. At the same time, the staff elected him chairman of the trade union committee of the university. In 1981, he was appointed dean of the preparatory faculty. From 1990 to 2006, he worked as vice-rector for academic work at the State University of Management.

    From April 25, 2006 to February 7, 2011, he was the rector of the State University of Management. Recently, Alexey Mikhailovich worked as a professor, head of the project management department, under his scientific supervision, postgraduate students worked, and a number of scientific studies were conducted. Since 2018, he has been the chairman of the Council of Elders of the State University of Management.

    Alexey Mikhailovich was awarded a number of state and departmental awards: the medal “In Memory of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow”, the jubilee certificate of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Construction, Architecture and Housing Policy, the title of “Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation”, the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” of the 2nd degree.

    Alexey Mikhailovich was distinguished by his great diligence, exactingness towards himself and others, and a very friendly attitude towards them. He had well-deserved authority and respect not only among students and the department staff, but also among all university employees.

    Alexey Mikhailovich put his whole soul and heart into teaching students, and showed truly paternal care both in terms of their acquiring professional knowledge and in terms of their understanding of their civic responsibility.

    The staff of the State University of Management mourns the irreparable loss and offers sincere condolences to his family and friends.

    The memory of the talented scientist and outstanding leader Alexei Mikhailovich Lyalin will forever remain in our hearts.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/07/2025

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic campus has become a regional historical and cultural monument

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg included the complex of buildings of the Polytechnic University Student Campus in the unified state register of cultural heritage sites of regional significance. Four residential complexes built in 1929–1930, located on Lesnoy Prospekt, Pargolovskaya and Kharchenko Streets, a club, a factory kitchen and a mechanical workshop on Kapitana Voronina Street have been recognized as monuments.

    In the 1920s and 1930s, special attention was paid to the training of engineering personnel in the USSR, and workers’ faculties were organized in universities. The number of students at the Polytechnic University then reached six thousand people, and the dormitories that had existed since pre-revolutionary times were no longer sufficient. A site on Lesnoy Prospekt was chosen for the construction of new ones. The project for the complex was approved in February 1930. Its authors were architects S. E. Brovtsev, M. D. Felger, A. V. Petrov and engineer K. V. Sakhnovsky.

    “Probably the most interesting building in the town is the factory kitchen,” says Valery Klimov, director of the SPbPU History Museum. “Its main purpose was to free women from housework. Not only was food prepared for the student canteen here, but semi-finished products were also made to make cooking at home easier. This was an innovative invention of the 1930s.”

    In Leningrad, four factory kitchens opened in 1930 alone. They were all standard: three or four floors, a basement and a semi-basement. The first floor was allocated for production facilities and a cloakroom for visitors, a convenience store, and a snack bar. The second floor was for simple dining rooms, the third for banquets.

    In total, eight factory kitchens were built in Leningrad — the most in the USSR. Four of them are recognized as architectural monuments. These are the Vyborg (Stalin) factory kitchen on Bolshoy Sampsonievsky Prospect 45/2, the Vasileostrovskaya factory kitchen on Bolshoy Prospect of Vasilievsky Island, 68, the Moscow factory kitchen (Leningrad Food Plant) on Moskovsky Prospect, 114, and the factory kitchen of the Polytechnic Institute dormitories on Kapitana Voronina Street, 13a, b, v.

    In 1932, a mechanical laundry building appeared on the territory, which also housed showers and a sanitary checkpoint.

    When the Great Patriotic War began, the student town became the place where the people’s militia was formed. On June 22, 1941, after Vyacheslav Molotov’s speech on the radio, students from all the surrounding dormitories gathered on the third floor of the factory kitchen and began to compile lists of volunteers. Here is how a participant in the storming of Berlin, later associate professor of the hydraulic machinery department, Ivan Nikolaevich Filatov, recalled it: “On June 22, Sunday, we were working in our room, and at 12:00 we were supposed to listen to the scheduled broadcast of Leningrad radio “Let’s not!..” – a satirical music program based on local material, and at the same time relax. But instead, the head of the Soviet government, V. M. Molotov, spoke, reporting on the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany and the beginning of military operations from the Black Sea to the Barents Sea. He ended his speech with a phrase that later became a catchphrase: “Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours!” Despite such an ending, everyone in the room was speechless – everything was unexpected. Then came the time of the highest excitement: I threw my notebooks in the corner, everyone quickly began to run out into the street. And there, near our factory-kitchen, students from all the buildings of our town gathered, a spontaneous rally began: everyone wanted to say their main word, to do something useful for the homeland, to stand up for its defense.”

    Here, in the dormitories of the student campus, in 1941 the 3rd rifle regiment of the Frunze division of the people’s militia and the 5th division of the people’s militia of the Vyborg district were formed.

    Nowadays, the People’s University Theatre “Glagol” is located on the fourth floor of the former factory kitchen.

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bar-Ilan University

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Bar-Ilan University is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel’s second-largest academic university institution.

    Bar-Ilan University has ten faculties: Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Law, Education, Jewish Studies (the largest of its kind in the world), Medicine (the only faculty located on its own campus in Safed), and the Interdisciplinary Studies Unit (Mechina Program). In addition, the university is home to over seventy research institutes covering a vast array of fields.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Comprehensive Security in Universities: The Ministry of Education and Science and the National Anti-Corruption Commission held a seminar for rectors

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 4 and 5, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted a training seminar on “Comprehensive Security in a Higher Education Organization” for rectors of Russian universities. The event was organized by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the National Anti-Terrorism Committee. Participants discussed issues of comprehensive security for universities under the jurisdiction of the ministry.

    The seminar was opened by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov. In his video address, he drew the attention of university rectors to the need to personally monitor student safety issues.

    In the context of a special military operation, the topic of comprehensive security of universities is more relevant than ever. External national threats – extremism, terrorism, “school shooting”, “Columbine”, interethnic and interfaith conflicts – are taking place against the backdrop of an unprecedented hybrid war declared against our state. Today, personal attention and participation of university management in ensuring anti-terrorist security is necessary, – emphasized Valery Falkov.

    In this regard, on behalf of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia has developed and launched a refresher course on “Integrated Security in a Higher Education Organization” for rectors of universities subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. As a result of the training, participants will gain knowledge of effective methods of countering threats among young people and a corresponding certificate.

    Every rector without exception should know the basics of comprehensive security. All universities should develop their own comprehensive security program, which is designed to preserve the lives and health of students, teachers and staff. The management should approach the development of security measures in a comprehensive manner, not only include in the program measures to increase the level of physical security, but also conduct training for staff and students on emergency response measures, noted Valery Falkov.

    The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation called on university leaders to establish cooperation with regional authorities and law enforcement agencies on all issues, especially those related to security. He emphasized that universities should do a lot of work to debunk myths and refute unreliable facts in connection with the information attack, which is primarily aimed at young people.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky also addressed the participants.

    We thank the rector of SPbPU Andrey Ivanovich Rudskoy for organizing the venue for the event. Polytechnic University is an outstanding university, one of our leading universities, so everyone will surely find something interesting here. Rectors face many tasks, and the most important of them is to create conditions for our young people to receive a quality education, to train highly qualified specialists. And such issues as comprehensive security must definitely be in the rectors’ field of vision, – said Konstantin Mogilevsky.

    He said that comprehensive security is a multi-level system that can be divided into two areas: physical protection of facilities and preventive work. Together with the NAC, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science’s universities have developed algorithms for the actions of personnel, employees of private security organizations and students in the event of the commission (threat of commission) of terrorist crimes. Interaction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Guard, the FSB has also been defined, and a model of behavior for offenders has been developed. Konstantin Mogilevsky presented the activities of the Coordination Council and coordination centers on issues of developing an active civic position among young people, preventing interethnic and interfaith conflicts, countering the ideology of terrorism and preventing extremism.

    Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy shared the experience of the Polytechnic University in the field of ensuring comprehensive security.

    This task is one of the priorities for our university community. Taking into account modern realities, we must ensure the sustainable functioning of educational institutions, create safe conditions for students to study for the benefit of Russia’s further development. In recent years, the Polytechnic University has created a fairly effective system of measures to ensure the safety of students and employees, Andrey Rudskoy emphasized.

    Andrey Ivanovich spoke about the technical equipment of the university facilities, interaction with law enforcement agencies and security organizations, and the activities of the University Security Center. The Polytechnic regularly conducts training in various areas with the involvement of the city’s law enforcement agencies. Particular attention is paid to issues of prevention of possible involvement of employees and students in illegal activities using phones and other messengers. Also, the Polytechnic carries out extensive information work in the field of security.

    State Secretary — Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Denis Ashirov spoke about joint work with the National Anti-Terrorism Committee. First Deputy Head of the Office of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee Igor Kulyagin gave a lecture on “Comprehensive Security of an Educational Organization of Higher Education in Counteracting Terrorism. The Structure of Preventive Work”. Director of the National Center for Information Counteraction to Terrorism and Extremism in the Educational Environment Sergey Churilov spoke about ensuring anti-terrorist security within the framework of comprehensive security of an educational organization of higher education.

    The seminar participants considered the most important issues of security in universities, discussed anti-terrorist activities, information threats, and the prevention of illegal actions. In addition, they were given a tour of the laboratories of the Technopolis Polytech research complex.

    On April 5, Andrey Tolmachev, Director of the Department of Information Policy and Comprehensive Security of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, presented certificates to rectors who had completed the training.

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: US college students showcase Chinese language skills at speech contest

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Performers perform Shaolin martial arts during the Greater Houston Spring Festival Gala in Houston, Texas, the United States, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “You are a distant long road, the light in the fog and mountains. I am a child, walking in your eyes.” Ari Watts, a junior student majoring in neuroscience at North Central College in Chicago’s western suburban city of Naperville, was singing the Chinese song titled “As wished” in perfect Chinese Saturday.

    Some 60 U.S. students from eight colleges in the Midwestern states of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa gathered at North Central College to show off their Chinese skills at the 2025 Midwest College Chinese Speech Contest.

    Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Zhang Yiqi said that “China is willing to offer support and provide convenience for the American public, American youth in particular, to learn Chinese.” She urged U.S. students to go to China to see for themselves.

    “Understanding is what helps us to make the world a better place, whether you’re in business, whether you’re in education, whether you’re in social work, (or) whether you’re in health care, that perspective is critical,” said Abiodun Goke-Pariola, president of North Central College. “So I commend you for the curiosity that has made you step outside your comfort zone.”

    Students attending the contest each gave a three-minute speech in Chinese, showed their proficiency in Chinese singing and dancing skills, and recited tongue twisters and Tang poems. One of them performed the “Butterfly Lovers,” a Chinese legend akin to “Romeo and Juliet,” on the violin.

    “All of your hopes and all of your dreams are something that I hope to accomplish, and I hope to walk the path that you walk,” Watts told Xinhua about her understanding of the song “As wished.”

    “I really like that sort of meaning and also the melody, the way that it’s sung, it’s just very pretty,” said Watts.

    Meredith Newcomb, a junior at North Central College, recalled her China travels, calling them “life changing.” “It was a really special experience to be able to have at such a young age,” she told Xinhua.

    “I think the opportunity to be able to learn from people from different places and to open your mind to what the world can be is a very valuable one. And I was very grateful to have it at such a formative age,” Newcomb said, adding she would love to go back one day, as “there’s a lot of China.”

    The contest was jointly organized by Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and North Central College.

    “We have been organizing the contest for 25 years, and the theme of the contest this year is ‘We are the world,’” Northwestern University professor and organizing committee co-chair Gu Licheng told Xinhua.

    The contest aims to “promote Chinese teaching progress at the university level in the U.S. Midwest, encourage students to learn Chinese and become interested in Chinese language and culture,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “India’s young entrepreneurs aren’t chasing success for the sake of it; they’re solving real problems rooted in their communities” – Jayant Chaudhary

    Source: Government of India

    “India’s young entrepreneurs aren’t chasing success for the sake of it; they’re solving real problems rooted in their communities” – Jayant Chaudhary

    Skill India Pavilion Sparks Dialogue, Deals, and Dreams at Startup Mahakumbh 2025

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), MSDE, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, attended Grand Finale of the Futurepreneurs Challenge at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, celebrating India’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event showcased some of the country’s brightest student innovators who presented their pioneering solutions on a national platform.

    The Futurepreneurs Challenge, a key highlight of the event, featured 10 standout student teams who presented their groundbreaking innovations in a rapid-fire format before Shri Jayant Chaudhary and an esteemed audience of investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. Shri Chaudhary personally congratulated and felicitated the top 10 startups, recognizing them as emerging changemakers in India’s startup journey.

    The top prize went to Chitkara University, Chandigarh, for Stick Buddy, a smart assistive device designed for the visually impaired, featuring obstacle detection, time-date updates, and emergency alerts. Tula’s Institute, Dehradun, took second place with Pragati, an AI-powered nurse robot that conducts health check-ups through a simple handshake, offering real-time alerts, especially for underserved regions. Vignan Pharmacy College, Andhra Pradesh, secured third place with Magna Pads, an innovative menstrual care product that combines pain relief with diagnostic capabilities to detect conditions like anemia and PCOS.

    Special Jury Awards were given to Government Polytechnic Deoria for Vayuputra, an AI-enabled agricultural drone aimed at addressing pesticide overuse and labor shortages, and Rajalakshmi College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu, for Jeevitham, an AI-based child healthcare platform that offers personalized nutrition, vaccination tracking, and digital health records. Other notable finalists presented solutions for organ transplant logistics, MSME credit access, sustainable farming, migrant education, and affordable healthcare—illustrating the diverse and impactful ways young innovators are using AI to solve real-world problems.

    In a compelling fireside chat with Shri Jayant Chaudhary, which was hosted by TIE Global, the theme ‘From Skills to Startups: Unleashing India’s Youth Entrepreneurs’ resonated deeply. He emphasized the unique value of these entrepreneurs, stating, “What stood out to me today wasn’t just the ideas—it was the intent. Each young entrepreneur here isn’t chasing success for the sake of it; they’re solving real problems rooted in their communities. That’s the kind of mindset India needs—where skills and startups go hand in hand. Our job now is to nurture this instinct, strengthen the ecosystem, and make sure every student, every dreamer, feels confident that their idea has a place in India’s future. That’s how we build not just a startup nation, but a nation of responsible creators and leaders.

    The Minister also interacted with the 15 Entrepreneurs, supported by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, who exhibited at the Skill India Pavilion showcasing the power of skill-led entrepreneurship, amplifying voices from India’s heartlands and creating meaningful opportunities for youth. The pavilion became a high-impact zone for inclusive innovation, emphasizing that entrepreneurship rooted in skills is the key to building a sustainable, inclusive future for India’s youth.

    Startup Mahakumbh 2025, a gathering of over 3,000 startups, 1,000 investors, and 50+ global delegations, solidified India’s position among the world’s top-three startup ecosystems. Within this vibrant ecosystem, the Skill India Pavilion emerged as a beacon of decentralized, skill-driven entrepreneurship, bridging grassroots innovation with national-scale opportunities.

    As the event concluded, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive and future-ready startup ecosystem where every aspiring entrepreneur—regardless of geography or background—has the platform to innovate, grow, and lead.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government firmly committed to holistic development of minority communities: Shri Kiren Rijiju

    Source: Government of India

    Government firmly committed to holistic development of minority communities: Shri Kiren Rijiju

    Lok Samvardhan Parv to be inaugurated by Minority Affairs  Minister  at Srinagar tomorrow

    Parv being  organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs  will run up to April 13, 2025

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India is firmly committed to the holistic development of minority communities, with a special focus on artisans who represent the rich cultural and traditional legacy of our nation, stated Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, ahead of the grand inauguration of Lok Samvardhan Parv in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.

    Reflecting the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the Lok Samvardhan Parv will be inaugurated by the Minister at 3:00 PM tomorrow, at the Convention Centre Ground, Kashmir University, Srinagar. The event is being organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and will run up to April 13, 2025.

    Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, and Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, will attend as the Guest of Honour. Several other dignitaries, senior government officials, and stakeholders from across the country are also expected to attend.

    The Lok Samvardhan Parv aims to provide a vibrant national platform for artisans and culinary experts from minority communities to showcase their crafts and traditional cuisines. Coinciding with the Tulip Season—a major tourist attraction—the event is expected to draw significant footfall, enhancing market exposure and livelihood opportunities for the participants.

    The exhibition will feature over 100 artisans from 25 States and Union Territories, presenting a diverse array of handicrafts including:

    • Kashmiri arts such as Carpet weaving, Paper Mâché, Sozni embroidery, Crewel, and Ari work
    • Shawls from Punjab
    • Handloom products from Uttarakhand
    • Traditional jewellery from Nagaland
    • Crochet work from Goa
    • Cane and bamboo products from Assam
    • Leather goods from Maharashtra
    • Matka Silk and Baswara Sarees from Bihar

    Additionally, 16 culinary experts from 12 States will offer a rich gastronomic journey through regional delicacies, including:

    • Kashmiri Wazwan
    • Gujarati cuisine
    • Bihar ka Swad
    • UP ki Chaat
    • Flavour & Fire Paan

    To further enrich the experience, daily evening cultural performances will celebrate the music, dance, and storytelling traditions of India’s minority communities.

    As a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Lok Samvardhan Parv aligns with the ‘Vocal for Local’ mission, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional arts, crafts, and cuisines. The event underscores the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to empowering artisans through market linkages, skill development, and financial inclusion, in collaboration with various partner organizations.

    The Ministry of Minority Affairs warmly invites citizens, tourists, art lovers, and cultural enthusiasts to visit the Lok Samvardhan Parv and be part of this extraordinary celebration of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

    ***

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 concludes with the participation of global leaders, including World Bank and experts

    Source: Government of India

    First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 concludes with the participation of global leaders, including World Bank and experts

    Pension for All must become a national priority: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary

    Through the launch of the Unified Pension System, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement: Secretary, DFS

    National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions: Dr. Deepak Mohanty

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 11:17AM by PIB Delhi

    The First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 held in New Delhi concluded yesterday. It   was inaugurated on 3rd April at Bharat Mandapam by Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India. The two-day event was organized by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), to mark a historic milestone in India’s journey toward robust old-age income security.

    This platform brought together policymakers, scholars, industry leaders, and international experts to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of pension reforms, financial preparedness for retirement, and innovative strategies to secure the future of aging populations.

     

    Highlighting a big change in India’s demographic landscape, necessitating urgent and inclusive pension reforms to secure a dignified future for its aging population, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary,  Minister of State for Finance in his key note stated that India’s demographic landscape is on the profound shift in the coming decades. By 2050, one in five Indians will be over 60, and by 2047, the elderly will outnumber children. With 19 percent of the population projected to be elderly by mid-century—predominantly women—securing financial independence through inclusive pension schemes is not merely a goal, but a vital need for the country. ‘Pension for All’ must become a national priority, requiring policy action to ensure a dignified and secure future for our aging population.

    In his address, Shri Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary, Department of Financial Services highlighted that India’s pension framework stands at a pivotal moment of transformation and through the launch of the Unified Pension System and efforts to broaden coverage, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement. UPS provides an assured pension of 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation. India’s pension assets, constituting roughly 17 percent of GDP, fall far short of the OECD average, where they typically exceed 80 percent, revealing a stark disparity in retirement readiness.

    Welcoming distinguished guests, global thought leaders, and industry stakeholder, Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson of PFRDA in his address stated that the National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions, with an accumulated corpus of Rs 14.4 Lakh Cr and 8.4 crore subscribers under NPS and APY. As we embrace technology-driven initiatives and innovative policy solutions, our focus remains on expanding coverage, ensuring financial sustainability, and building a pension-inclusive society for future generations.

    The opening day of the First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam was a resounding success, featuring three dynamic panel discussions that captivated attendees with their depth and diversity.

    The first session, titled “Pension for Future: Building Resilient Old Age Income Security,” saw experts explore strategies adopted by various countries for enhanced pension coverage, building a sustainable pension system and challenges faced in inclusion of informal sector and gig economy workers. The panel was moderated by Somya Kanti Gosh, Member-16thFinance Commission and was addressed by Dr Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, PFRDA, Ms. Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner, FSCA, South Africa,  Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, Director General, PENCOM, Nigeria and Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global.

    This was followed by “Global Lessons on New and Innovative Investment Practices in the Pension Industry,” which showcased innovative investment methods, approaches for the product design and sharing of international success stories to inspire India’s pension sector. The session was moderated by Prof. Abhiman Das, Director , IIM Ahmedabad  and co-moderated by Mr. Tushar Arora, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank and was addressed by Mr. Brian M. Miller, Vanguard, Dr. Paul Yu, Director, MPFSA, Hong Kong, China, Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global, Prof. Prachi Mishra, Director and Head, Ashoka Isaac Center for Public Policy and Mr. R. Mark Davis, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank.

    The first day concluded with the “Pension Forum for Regulatory Coordination and Development of Pension Products,” where a panel of regulators and government debated harmonizing policies for pension products across regulators and innovative strategies to drive the growth and accessibility of pension products in India. The session was moderated by Dr M S Sahoo, ex-Chairperson, IBBI and was addressed by Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, DFS, Mr. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, CEO, EPFO, Mr. Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI, Mr. Rajay Kumar Sinha, Whole Time Member, IRDAI, Dr. Manoj Anand, Whole Time Member (Finance), PFRDA, and other esteemed organizations enriched the discussions with their expertise, making Day 1 a true melting pot of global insights on pension sector.

    The second day, scheduled for April 4, 2025, witnessed elevated discourse with a series of Research Paper Presentations showcasing innovative studies on pension systems. The concluding day featured two additional panel discussions.

    The first panel discussion was focussed on “Promoting Financial Literacy for Sustainable Retirement Planning” by the esteemed scholars from leading educational institutions. The key topics explored included strategies to enhance coverage while ensuring persistency, changing demographic trends, social pressures and gender biases, integrating financial literacy courses into school curricula under the National Education Policy (NEP), adopting a targeted approach for various population segments, and leveraging influencer marketing strategies. The session was moderated by Ms Mamta Shankar, WTM, PFRDA and addressed by Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, SRCC, Dr. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI, Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director, IIM Tiruchirappalli, Dr. Ashok Banerjee, Director, IIM Udaipur, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, Sh. S Karthikeyan, Director, DFS, Ministry of Finance.

    The second session was aimed to discuss ‘Pension Fund Investments with a Focus on Risk and Return’ focused on identifying strategies by the Pension Funds to address long-term pension obligations while maintaining the portfolio’s risk-return balance. Key considerations included optimizing asset allocation, diversifying investments, stress-testing, potential impact of AI/ML in investment decision making and incorporating liability-driven investing approaches to align cash flows with future pay-outs without compromising growth potential. The session was moderated by Prof. V Ravi Anshuman, IIM Bangalore and addressed by Prof. S.V.D. Nageswara Rao, Head, SOM, IIT Bombay, Prof. Rupamanjari Sinha Ray, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon and Mr. Vivek Iyer, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP

    The panel discussion was followed by the award ceremony and Mr Rajan Raju, Invespar Pted Limited and Mr Ravi Saraogi, Samasthiti Advisors India and Ms. Pankhuri Sinha  and Lokanandha Reddy Irala, University of Hyderabad were honored as top honorees for best research papers. The event concluded on a commemorative note, highlighting the insightful discussions and learnings from the Conference by Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive Director, PFRDA. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. P Arumugarangarajan, Chief General Manager, PFRDA, who expressed gratitude to the esteemed speakers, panelists, researchers and participants for their valuable insights and contributions, marking a successful conclusion to the event.

    *****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Curtain of Dust Over the Tarim Basin

    Source: NASA

    Spring is peak dust storm season in China’s Tarim Basin, particularly in the southern part of the dry, barren depression. It’s a time of year when regional wind patterns shift in ways that cause winds and storm systems to sweep in from the northwest. In early spring, when landscapes in this region are especially dry and have minimal vegetation, land surfaces warm rapidly under the Sun’s heat every morning, fueling convection that can help loft dust upward by the afternoon.
    The image above shows dust sweeping across large swaths of the basin on March 27, 2025. The image was acquired at 12:23 p.m. local time (04:23 Universal Time) by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite. A more detailed view (below), captured on the same day about an hour later by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8, shows a gap in a dust layer in the southern part of the basin. Visible through it is part of the Tekilik Shan, a subrange of the Kunlun Mountains with several snow-covered peaks that reach elevations of more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

    The shapes of the fingerlike dust protrusions appear to reflect the underlying terrain. The protrusions line up with underlying valleys, which help control the flow of airborne dust. Dust may have been “self-lofting” over the course of the day. This can occur as the Sun heats recently mobilized near-surface dust, fueling pockets of convection that help lift dust particles higher into the atmosphere, explained Ralph Kahn, an atmospheric scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder and scientist emeritus at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
    Supporting this interpretation, geostationary observations from Japan’s Himawari-9 satellite show dust creeping upward into the Tekilik Shan in hourly increments throughout the day before eventually obscuring the view of the mountains in the late afternoon. A similar process occurred on other days during the late-March outbreak of dust, including March 28 and 29.
    Since the early 2000s, researchers have observed a 1.5 percent decrease in the amount of atmospheric dust detected by MODIS sensors in this region each year. “The trend was likely linked to shifts in the spring—March, April, and May,” not in other seasons, said Hongbin Yu, a research scientist at NASA Goddard. The change is likely related to changes in wind speed or shear, vegetation cover, or soil moisture, he added.
    The Takla Makan Desert is one of the driest, most barren expanses on Earth. Flanked by mountain ranges on three sides and parched by the resulting rain shadow, parts of the Tarim Basin receive no more than 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain per year.
    Dust storms can lead to public health problems in populated areas downwind by transporting small particles, bacteria, and viruses that infiltrate human respiratory systems. Dust storms can also affect Earth’s climate by scattering and absorbing incoming solar radiation and changing the properties of clouds.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MeitY and UNESCO to Host the 3rd AI Readiness consultation in Hyderabad

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 2:33PM by PIB Hyderabad

    The UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ikigai Law as the implementing partner, will be organizing a stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India. This event will take place on April 8, 2025, at 1:30 PM, at T-Works in Hyderabad.

     

    A key segment of the event is a fireside chat on the IndiaAI Mission, featuring Mr. Abhishek Singh, CEO, IndiaAI Mission, and Additional Secretary, MeitY. The event will also include a panel discussion on “Shaping Ethics in AI Governance: Government and Multilateral Perspectives”, with participation from senior officials representing the MeitY, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Amrita University, UNESCO, and the Government of Telangana. Participants will also engage in four thematic breakout groups on governance, workforce readiness, infrastructure, and use cases, facilitating deeper dialogue and input on key dimensions of India’s AI readiness.

     

    About AI RAM initiative

     

    This is the third of five multi-stakeholder consultations under the AI RAM initiative by UNESCO and MeitY, following earlier sessions in New Delhi and Bangalore. Aimed at shaping an India-specific AI policy report, the initiative focuses on mapping strengths and opportunities in the ethical AI ecosystem. Open to policymakers, technologists, academia, and practitioners, this consultation is an opportunity to help shape a responsible, future-ready AI roadmap for the country. Interested participants may register on this link: https://forms.gle/3emuaGpgZuvMghYq9

     

    This initiative comes at a pivotal time as India rolls out its ambitious INDIAai Mission, backed by over ₹10,000 crore in funding. At its core is the Safe and Trusted AI pillar, reinforcing the Government of India’s commitment to ethical, accountable, and secure AI development. By advancing indigenous frameworks, governance tools, and self-assessment guidelines, the mission seeks to empower innovators and make the benefits of AI accessible across sectors.

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 18th National Seminar on National Sample Surveys: “Critical Insights through Research and Emerging Trends in latest Survey Findings”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:12AM by PIB Delhi

    The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) organizes National Seminars at regular intervals following the release of survey reports based on data collected in the National Sample Surveys. The seminar serves as an academic platform where experts, researchers, academia, and government officials from various institutions present and discuss research papers based on the survey findings. So far, seventeen (17) National Seminars have been organized in reputed institutes and universities across the country.

    Continuing this tradition, the 18th National Seminar on survey results of  NSS 78th  Round: Multiple indicator Survey, 79th Round: Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) and Survey on Ayush, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is being organized by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India at Goa University, Panaji, Goa, on the 8th and 9th  of April 2025.

    The seminar will be inaugurated by Director General (NSS) and the Vice-Chancellor of Goa University will grace the occasion. Distinguished members of various expert Committees under whose guidance the survey instruments were finalised will also honour the event with their presence and participation in the discussions.

    The event will host 225 participants, including researchers, academicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The event will also be attended by the experts from international organizations, experts from private survey agencies and professors/scholars from renowned institutions.

    For the 18th National Seminar around 40 research papers were received from Assistant Professors, Research scholars & students of various universities/colleges of across India, in-service and retired officers of Indian Statistical Service, other Government officers of different State /Central Govt. departments, researchers, data users etc.. Following a thorough evaluation by the Paper Selection Committee, 14 papers have been shortlisted for presentation. The seminar will comprise five technical sessions, during which these selected papers will be presented. The presentations will be based on survey findings related to the aforementioned key thematic areas of the seminar.

    The seminar will present research papers which broadly cover emerging topics of current importance, including ICT skills inequality, financial inclusion, the impact of health insurance, digital competency among youth, and insights into the platform economy, particularly app-based cab services and delivery services, all based on NSS survey data. Topics related to consumption patterns across household types, and AYUSH utilization, productivity in informal economies related to the unincorporated sector and industries will also be covered.

    The papers titled “Predicting an NSS Indicator Value: A Machine Learning Approach” , “A neural network approach to identify features associated with multidimensional poverty in rural India”, utilise advanced computational techniques to analyze large datasets, uncover patterns, and make predictions or classifications across various fields.

    Apart from the research papers, a session on presentations by the Stakeholder Ministries/Private survey agencies on utility of National Sample Survey data is also included in the proceedings of the seminar. The seminar aims to facilitate informed discussions, policy recommendations, and data-driven insights on these critical topics, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and governance.

    Participants are encouraged to join this significant event through open registration. The registration link is provided below:

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea7ooVF5HGOs0__FRZ6KmPE1wcMCIgWAu2EDtcIbALXPomvQ/viewform?usp=header

    For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on YouTube. Watch it on the official MoSPI YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@GoIStats.

    For more information about National Sample Surveys and Reports, please visit the MoSPI website at www.mospi.gov.in.

    ****

    Samrat/ Allen

    (Release ID: 2119640) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crane back in business – with a little help from Spot the robot

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Crane back in business – with a little help from Spot the robot

    Spot, the robot “dog,” recently assisted colleagues in Dounreay’s Fuel Cycle Area by reactivating a crucial building crane in a reprocessing plant.

    The crane had been deactivated at the switchboard in 2023 due to concerns about the ageing asset. Safety restrictions prohibited human interaction with the switchboard, which further delayed its reactivation. However, the facility required the crane for waste shipment and for ongoing decommissioning efforts.

    Following consultations with the innovation team, it was decided to use Spot for the task. As the site’s Spot was not equipped with an “arm” handling device, the team asked the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) for support. RAICo — a collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd, and the University of Manchester —specialises in solving shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion energy challenges by accelerating the use of robotics and AI in the industry, and has previously worked successfully with Dounreay on various projects.

    Robotics experts from RAICo brought Spot to the site and worked with the Dounreay team to devise the best approach. After conducting a week of trials on a non-live switch mock-up in a nearby substation storeroom, the team confirmed that Spot could push the switch into the “on” position.

    In an unprecedented manoeuvre, Spot used a gripped pole to flip the switch, successfully restoring power to the crane. A loud “clunk” marked the operation’s success.

    Senior Facility Manager Suzy Nellies said:

    Thanks to outstanding teamwork between the decommissioning team, RAICo, our colleagues in Works Control, and the electrical team, we have achieved an excellent outcome. We can now proceed with modernising the crane to bring it back into full service.

    Kate Canning, NDA’s Head of R&D added:

    This is a fantastic example of collaboration through RAICo leading to acceleration of deployment of robotic technology to unlock a real-world challenge in an efficient and safe way. It’s supporting us to keep our people out of harm while developing them, transferring specialist knowledge and skills across our group.

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    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University welcomes fifth Entrepreneur in Residence The University of Aberdeen has welcomed it latest Entrepreneur in Residence as part of a prestigious Royal Society programme designed to boost industrial links and provide staff and students with valuable expertise and advice on how to become a successful entrepreneur.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Entrepreneur in Residence, Ian PhillipsThe University of Aberdeen has welcomed it latest Entrepreneur in Residence as part of a prestigious Royal Society programme designed to boost industrial links and provide staff and students with valuable expertise and advice on how to become a successful entrepreneur.
    Ian Phillips has taken up the post with aim of helping to add energy transition knowledge and information to teaching programmes, to present the challenges of the energy transition to researchers to help them identify new research opportunities, and to support individual academics, researchers and students to commercialise ideas and technologies – by licencing or by spinning out companies.
    Having gained an MSc in Petroleum Engineering and an MBA, Ian spent more than 25 years working in the oil and gas industry, rising to the role of Project Director for a large gas field development.
    Ian said: “In 1987 I – along with three colleagues – set up the world’s first company trying to do carbon capture and storage (CCS) while also offering energy transition consultancy to industry. My final role before I retired was as Project Director of the Acorn CCS project based at St Fergus, north of Aberdeen.
    “I am delighted to be able to now share my years of experience with staff and students at the University and am looking forward to helping to support, advise and develop their ideas where ever I can.”

    It is fantastic that we are able to welcome Ian to the University of Aberdeen and I know his considerable knowledge and expertise will be hugely valuable to our community.” Professor Peter Edwards

    The University’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme has been running for STEM subjects (funded by the Royal Society) for three years, bringing innovators Paddy Collins of Italmatch Chemicals GB Ltd, Steve Aitken of Intelligent Plant and Christine Reynet, a drug discovery consultant to the University.
    The University also recently welcomed Nuno Sacramento as an Entrepreneur in Residence specifically for culture and the arts.
    Professor Peter Edwards, Vice-Principal Regional Engagement at the University of Aberdeen, said: “It is fantastic that we are able to welcome Ian to the University of Aberdeen and I know his considerable knowledge and expertise will be hugely valuable to our community.
    “The University is committed to making an effective contribution to our region’s economy, and it is through initiatives such as our expanding network of Entrepreneurs in Residence – encouraging commercialisation and entrepreneurship among our students and staff – that we aim to create new business opportunities and equip the students of today with the skills to become the entrepreneurs of the future.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnics’ reports recognized as the best at the conference of young scientists

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The XXVII Conference of Young Scientists “Navigation and Traffic Control” with international participation was held in Saint Petersburg. At the conference, Polytechnic University was successfully represented by 4th-year students Nikolay Kiz and Georgy Makarov from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU, studying in the field of “Mechatronics and Robotics”.

    The conference was held at the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation JSC Concern TsNII Elektropribor and brought together students and postgraduates from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Vietnam and Syria. The program featured more than 120 reports, divided into nine sections.

    Students of the Higher School of Automation and Robotics Nikolay Kiz and Georgy Makarov spoke in the sections “Integrated inertial and satellite systems” and “Artificial intelligence technologies in navigation and traffic control problems”. Nikolay presented a report on the topic “Research and development of a calibration algorithm for a four-diode sensor for the orientation of a small spacecraft”, and Georgy – “Detection of road obstacles on a digital terrain model”. Following the conference, their work was recognized as the best in the sections.

    For Georgy and me, this conference was the first such experience, so the result surprised us both. It is very nice that the experts appreciated our reports. This experience will certainly help in the upcoming defense of the diploma work, so the presentation at the conference can be considered excellent training, – Nikolay noted.

    The conference of young scientists marked the beginning of my scientific career. Nikolay and I really liked the level of organization on the part of the Central Research Institute “Elektropribor”, the involvement of the participants. All the reports were informative and interesting. Winning in the nomination will serve as a good incentive to conduct further research in satellite systems and artificial intelligence, – said Georgy.

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctica’s hidden threat: meltwater under the ice sheet amplifies sea-level rise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chen Zhao, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

    LouieLea, Shutterstock

    One of the biggest challenges in predicting Antarctica’s deeply uncertain future is understanding exactly what’s driving its ice loss.

    A vast network of lakes and streams lies beneath the thick ice sheet. This water can lubricate the ice, allowing it to slide more rapidly toward the ocean.

    Our new research shows “subglacial water” plays a far larger role in Antarctic ice loss than previously thought. If it’s not properly accounted for, future sea-level rise may be vastly underestimated.

    Including the effects of evolving subglacial water in ice sheet models can triple the amount of ice flowing to the ocean. This adds more than two metres to global sea levels by 2300, with potentially enormous consequences for coastal communities worldwide.

    How hidden lakes threaten Antarctic Ice Sheet stability. (European Space Agency)

    Understanding the role of subglacial water

    Subglacial water forms when the base of the ice sheet melts. This occurs either due to friction from the movement of the ice, or geothermal heat from the bedrock below.

    The presence of subglacial water enables ice to slide over the bedrock more easily. It can also cause further melting under ice shelves, leading to even faster ice loss.

    So it’s crucial to understand how much subglacial water is generated and where it goes, as well as its effect on ice flow and further melting.

    But subglacial water is largely invisible. Being hidden underneath an ice sheet more than two kilometres deep makes it incredibly difficult to observe.

    Scientists can drill boreholes through hundreds to thousands of metres of ice to get to it. But that’s an expensive and logistically challenging process.

    Alternatively, they can use ice-penetrating radar to “see” through the ice. Another technique called laser altimetry examines changes in the height of the ice at the surface. Bulges might appear when lakes under the ice sheet fill, or disappear when they empty.

    More than 140 active subglacial lakes have been identified beneath Antarctica over the past two decades. These discoveries provide valuable insights. But vast regions — especially in East Antarctica — remain unexplored. Little is known about the connections between these lakes.

    Hot water drilling at Shackleton Ice Shelf, East Antarctica.
    Duanne White, University of Canberra/Australian Antarctic Division

    What we did and what we found

    We used computer simulations to predict the influence of subglacial water on ice sheet behaviour.

    We used two computer models:

    • an advanced ice sheet model that simulates how the ice sheet flows and responds to climate.
    • a specialised hydrology model that predicts subglacial water production and flow.

    Then we explored how different assumptions about subglacial water pressure affect ice sheet dynamics. Specifically, we compared scenarios where water pressure was allowed to change over time against scenarios where it remained constant.

    When the effects of changing subglacial water pressure were included in the model, the amount of ice flowing into the ocean under future climate nearly tripled.

    These findings suggest many existing sea-level rise projections may be too low, because they do not fully account for the dynamic influence of subglacial water.

    Our research highlights the urgent need to incorporate subglacial water dynamics into these models. Otherwise we risk significantly underestimating the rate and magnitude of future sea-level rise.

    We simulated subglacial water pressure across Antarctica, revealing vulnerable regions potentially influenced by subglacial water, and mapped both active (blue) and stable (yellow) subglacial lakes and subglacial water channels (black lines).
    Zhao, C., et al, 2025. Nature Communications.

    In the video below, the moving dark lines show where grounded ice begins to float. The left panel is a scenario where subglacial water is not included in the ice sheet model and the right panel is a scenario that includes the effects of evolving subglacial water.

    Simulated Antarctic ice velocity over 1995–2300, using the Elmer/Ice model of ice sheets.

    A looming threat

    Failing to account for subglacial water means global sea-level rise projections are underestimated by up to two metres by 2300.

    A two-metre rise would put many coastal cities in extreme danger and potentially displace millions of people. The economic damage could reach trillions of dollars, damaging vital infrastructure and reshaping coastlines worldwide.

    It also means the timing of future tipping points are underestimated too. This is the point at which the ice sheet mass loss becomes much more rapid and likely irreversible. In our study, most regions cross this threshold much earlier, some as soon as 2050. This is deeply concerning.

    The way forward

    Understanding Antarctica’s hidden water system is challenging. The potential for rapid, catastrophic and irreversible ice loss remains.

    More observations are needed to improve our models, particularly from remote regions such as East Antarctica. Continuing to gather information from boreholes, ice-penetrating radar and satellites will help us better understand how the underside of the ice sheet behaves. These techniques can then be combined with computer simulations to enable more accurate projections of future ice loss and sea-level rise.

    Our new research shows integrating subglacial water dynamics into ice sheet models is a top priority. Understanding this hidden threat is crucial as the world grapples with the consequences of global warming especially rising seas.

    Chen Zhao is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Dr Zhao is affiliated with Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, supported under the Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative program.

    Ben Galton-Fenzi is also affiliated with Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), supported under the Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative program, and the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, supported under the Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative, both based at the University of Tasmania.

    – ref. Antarctica’s hidden threat: meltwater under the ice sheet amplifies sea-level rise – https://theconversation.com/antarcticas-hidden-threat-meltwater-under-the-ice-sheet-amplifies-sea-level-rise-250780

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Everything about admission to GUU: answers to the most important questions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The 2025 admissions campaign will begin in June. Information for applicants is available on the official website of the GUU Admissions Committee and in the Telegram channel “Applicant’s Assistant”.

    However, we decided to get answers to the most frequently asked questions directly from the head of the department for organizing admissions of applicants at our university, Vadim Dikikh.

    What applicants need to do now

    At the moment, applicants do not have much time left before the start of the admissions campaign, so it is important to start preparing a portfolio for admission now.

    Applicants to bachelor’s degree programs can pass the GTO, participate in tournaments held by universities and various organizations, and receive volunteer hours.

    Applicants to Master’s programs can take part in SUM tournaments and also publish articles in the Russian Science Citation Index and Higher Attestation Commission.

    Applicants to postgraduate programs can participate in all-Russian and/or international student Olympiads and competitions, publish articles in journals included in the core of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) categories K1, K2, K3, monographs indexed in the RSCI database, and also undergo professional retraining.

    In addition to the above, it is necessary to choose the direction and university in which the potential will be best revealed.

    What areas are recruited at the State University of Management?

    In 2025, recruitment is underway in 16 bachelor’s degree programs, 13 master’s degree programs, and 14 postgraduate research specialties.

    How many budget and contract places are provided in 2025

    I would like to note that this year the innovations affected places for training under a contract: now their specific number is set at the beginning of the campaign and does not change anymore, so the competition here may become stricter and you should not postpone the conclusion of the contract until the last days of the campaign.

    In 2025, the State University of Management has allocated 188 budget places and 2029 contract places for undergraduate studies, and 37 and 1206 places for graduate studies, respectively.

    In 2025, 15 budget places and 98 contract places are provided for in scientific specialties of postgraduate studies at the State University of Management.

    Who can apply using the Unified State Exam, and who will have to take entrance examinations

    For applicants to bachelor’s degree programs who graduated from Russian schools and do not have benefits, admission will be based solely on the results of the Unified State Exam; no additional entrance examinations need to be taken.

    For graduates with secondary vocational education (colleges, technical schools, etc.), there is the possibility of admission based on the results of the Unified State Exam and/or based on the results of entrance examinations in a specialized field, conducted by the State University of Management independently.

    Other categories that have the right to take general education entrance examinations (in subjects and assignments of the Unified State Exam), conducted by the State University of Management independently:

    disabled persons; applicants entitled to a separate quota (participants, children of participants of the Secondary Military School); foreign citizens who have not passed the Unified State Exam; graduates of schools located in the territory of foreign states and who do not have the Unified State Exam results.

    Applicants to master’s and postgraduate programs, regardless of category, take entrance examinations.

    What entrance examinations will you have to take and in what form?

    In 2025, entrance examinations at the State University of Management will be held online using neural networks and a proctoring system.

    The full list of entrance examinations required for applicants to bachelor’s degree programs is set out in Appendix No. 1 to the Admission Rules and is available at the link. For convenience, we have prepared visual cards with the names of subjects and the minimum acceptable scores.

    To enroll in a Master’s program, you must pass 1 entrance exam for each area of study, for example, to enroll in the Management area, you must pass the comprehensive entrance exam “Management”. Entrance exams for the corresponding areas of study are taken in a similar manner.

    The minimum score for admission in all areas of study is 40.

    Applicants to postgraduate studies must pass 3 entrance examinations

    Entrance examinations

    Number of points

    Philosophy

    30

    Foreign language

    35

    Special discipline

    45

    A special discipline is a comprehensive entrance examination in the chosen specialty. For example, for applicants to the specialty “Regional and Sectoral Economics”, the entrance examination is “Special Discipline (Regional and Sectoral Economics)”

    What individual achievements are taken into account and for what period

    Infographics with ranking of achievements have been prepared for applicants to the bachelor’s degree. In addition, applicants to targeted training can receive 5 points for participating in career guidance events of customers of targeted training.

    It is important to note that the All-Russian and list Olympiads of the Ministry of Education and Science are taken into account exclusively for the 11th grade, and all other things being equal, the average grade point average will play an important role.

    You can also find out what individual achievements are taken into account on the website of the Admissions Committee of the State University of Management.

    What individual achievements provide the greatest advantages when applying

    The most obvious individual achievement that gives the highest score at all levels of education is an educational document with honors.

    In addition, scientific activity and participation in tournaments and olympiads provide a great advantage in both undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies.

    “Today is exactly the time when applicants can get additional points and increase their chances of admission.”

    What documents must be provided to confirm achievements

    The document confirming an individual achievement may vary, depending on the type of achievement.

    Since 2025, most individual achievements will be verified and confirmed through the public services portal when submitting documents.

    For example, to receive additional points for graduating from an educational institution with honors, you must provide a scanned copy or receive confirmation on government services when submitting documents.

    For reliability, we recommend that you attach all documents that confirm individual achievements (diplomas, certificates, etc.).

    Minimum passing scores for budget/contract courses last year

    How to apply for targeted training: step-by-step instructions

    Start filling out an application for admission to a university on public services. Indicate that you are ready to consider targeted training. You will see a list of offers from customers of targeted training. The offer includes the university and the competitive group, the future employer, the conditions of study and work, and support measures. Select the ones you like — at this stage, you can indicate several offers. Finish filling out the application to the university. Make sure that you have selected the competitive groups specified in the application for targeted training. After sending the application, the customer of targeted training will receive your application automatically. If you are under 18, your legal representative must give consent to conclude an agreement on targeted training. He will receive a notification in his personal account. The submitted application will be available in your personal account. Edit it if you find an error. For example, you can check whether the competitive groups from the application for targeted training have been added to it. Pass the competitive selection and wait for enrollment in the university. An agreement on targeted training will be sent to your personal account, sign it in the Gosklyuch application. The terms of the contract can be changed by agreement with the customer. If the terms of the contract are not met, you will have to pay a fine – the details will be specified in the contract

    What documents are needed for admission?

    How to submit documents

    Documents can be submitted in any convenient way:

    in person; online through the unified portal of public services; online through the university’s personal account; via a postal operator.

    Is it possible to submit documents online: pros and cons

    Submitting documents online has many advantages:

    Submission of documents without being tied to a specific location; step-by-step and convenient procedure for submitting documents; the ability to track the status of document processing; a convenient procedure for concluding an agreement on the provision of paid educational services.

    One of the disadvantages is the lack of live communication with university representatives.

    What to do if an applicant is in another city or country and cannot submit documents in person

    In 2025, applicants located in other cities and countries have an excellent opportunity to submit documents for admission to the State University of Management remotely in two ways:

    online through the unified portal of public services; online through the university’s personal account.

    It is important to know that if an applicant does not have a SNILS, application can only be submitted through the university’s personal account.

    The most common mistakes of applicants

    Critical

    changing a passport right before the day of the entrance exam; submitting documents through State Services without having a full account in your personal account; typos in certificates that no one checked when they were received at school.

    Simple but inconvenient

    travel time to the university (if you live in the Moscow region, the university will not be able to provide a dormitory right away, since applicants from distant regions will be given priority); loss of SNILS, passport or even a volunteer book; refusal to take the Unified State Exam in specialized mathematics.

    Frequent changes in statuses on the State Services portal, which can lead to a technical error in the service and universities simply will not see changes in priorities or documents that have changed more than 5-8 times in an hour.

    Advice for applicants for successful admission this year

    Do not miss the admissions campaign checklist dates and get into the desired university. Do not be afraid to participate in the budget competition, use any opportunity to get a higher education. While there is an opportunity, try to participate in Olympiads and competitions, and even if you have not yet tried to engage in volunteer activities, do not waste a minute, you can still manage to gain the necessary 100 hours to qualify for individual points in most universities in the country. Upload all the achievements that you have, and the admissions committee staff will check the entire set of documents and select those achievements that give additional points. Do not make emotional and ill-considered decisions that can only be changed during the next admissions campaign, and thereby lose an entire year of study.

    The most important thing is to make a conscious choice of higher education institution and the field of study. Try to understand the profession now, and if you have any questions, come to the Open Days, we will definitely help you make the right choice.

    Key dates of the admission campaign

    For applicants to bachelor’s degree programs

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; July 15 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget based on entrance examinations; July 25 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget based on the Unified State Exam results; July 27 – publication of competitive lists of applicants to the budget; August 1, 12:00 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants under quotas; August 3 – publication of the order on enrolling applicants to places within quotas; August 5 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; August 7 – publication of the order on enrolling applicants to budget places; August 15 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract based on entrance examinations; August 23 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract based on the Unified State Exam results; August 24 – end of concluding contracts; August 25 – publication of an order on the enrollment of applicants to contractual places.

    For applicants to Master’s programs

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; August 20 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget; August 24 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; August 29 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to budget places; September 10 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract; September 18 – end of concluding contracts; September 20 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to contract places.

    For applicants to postgraduate specialties

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; September 7 – end of accepting documents; September 23 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the target quota; September 24 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to the target quota; September 25 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; September 26 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to the budget; September 27 – end of concluding an agreement; September 28 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to an agreement.

    How can I get advice and answers to questions from the admissions committee if the applicant cannot come to the university in person?

    We are always available not only in person, but also remotely on social networks VKontakte and Telegram, and during working hours we answer phone calls at 8 (495) 371-00-55.

    If the question includes the need to check a certificate or other copy of a document, it is better to contact via e-mail prkom@guu.ru

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/07/2025

    официальном сайте Приёмной комиссии ГУУ и в телеграм-канале «Помощник абитуриента»….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/ГУУ-2024.1.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b2%d1%81%d1%91-%d0%be-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b8-%d0%b2-%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d0%be%d1%82%d0%b2%d0%b5%d1%82%d1%8b-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%b0%d0%bc%d1%8b%d0%b5/”>

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gut health links to frailty in old age explored The role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Dr Candice QuinThe role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.
    Researchers at the University of Aberdeen will try to pinpoint what change occurs in gut microbiota as we get older which may lead to us suffering more illnesses.
    Frailty can increase the risk of vulnerability to infections and inflammatory diseases including cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
    Older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience disability, yet the factors which contribute to some people becoming frail while others do not are poorly understood.
    The microbiota – bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. – that live in our intestine play a critical role in regulating our immune systems and as we age, the composition of this microbiota changes.
    The Aberdeen researchers will attempt to zero-in on the specific changes which occur in later life.
    The research project is one of 62 across 41 UK universities receiving a share of £7.6 million through the Academy for Medical Science’s Springboard programme, in its largest ever funding initiative. The funding for early-career researchers aims to tackle urgent health challenges.
    Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Aberdeen Dr Candice Quin, who will lead the project, received £125,000 to further her research on frailty in older adults.
    “There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies,” said Dr Quin. We have shown that age-related changes in the intestinal microbiome contribute to the development of frailty, providing an exciting new avenue for therapeutic intervention.

    There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies.” Dr Candice Quin

    “The proposed experiments in this Springboard application will identify novel microbial targets that contribute to frailty with age, which we can selectively deplete in future intervention studies and clinical trials. Vaccination with the microbiota has already been shown to improve metabolism and reduce diet-induced obesity.
    “This research will pave the way for similar cutting-edge interventions against frailty and ultimately provide older people with more years of healthy, independent living.”
    Dr Quin will conduct the research in collaboration with Dr Marius Wenzel from the School of Biological Sciences and Dr Huan Cao from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
    Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This record investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders. By backing these talented early-career researchers, we’re not only addressing today’s urgent health challenges but also strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in medical research.
    The breadth and ambition of projects funded by the Academy’s Springboard programme is remarkable–from understanding teenage drinking behaviours to investigating why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public.
    “The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”
    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas. “Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do I need another COVID booster? Which one should I choose? Can I get it with my flu shot?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland

    Tijana Simic/Shutterstock

    Australians are being urged to roll up their sleeves for a flu vaccine amid rising cases of influenza.

    It’s an opportune time to think about other vaccines too, particularly because some vaccines can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine.

    One is the COVID vaccine.

    Should you get another COVID shot?

    More than five years since COVID was declared a pandemic, we hear much less about this virus. But it’s still around.

    In 2024 there were 4,953 deaths involving COVID. This is nearly 20% lower than in 2023, but still nearly five times that of influenza (1,002).

    Vaccines, which do a very good job at reducing the chances of severe COVID, remain an important tool in our ongoing battle against the virus.

    Case numbers don’t tell us as much about COVID anymore as fewer people are testing. But based on other ways we monitor the virus, such as cases in ICU and active outbreaks in residential aged care homes, there have essentially been two peaks a year over recent years – one over summer and one over winter.

    This doesn’t mean we can predict exactly when another wave will happen, but it’s inevitable and may well be within the next few months. So it’s worth considering another COVID vaccine if you’re eligible.

    Who can get one, and when?

    There are several risk factors for more severe COVID, but some of the most important include being older or immunocompromised. For this reason, people aged 75 and older are recommended to receive a COVID booster every six months.

    In the slightly younger 65 to 74 age bracket, or adults aged 18 to 64 who are immunocompromised, booster doses are recommended every 12 months, but people are eligible every six months.

    Healthy adults under 65 are eligible for a booster dose every 12 months.

    Healthy children aren’t recommended to receive boosters but those who are severely immunocompromised may be eligible.

    What COVID shots are currently available?

    We’ve seen multiple types of COVID vaccines since they first became available about four years ago. Over time, different vaccines have targeted different variants as the virus has evolved.

    While some vaccine providers may still offer other options, such as the older booster that targeted the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, the recent JN.1 booster is the most up-to-date and best option.

    This is a relatively recently updated version to improve protection against some of the newer strains of COVID that are circulating. The new booster only became available in Australia in late 2024.

    This booster, as the name suggests, targets a subvariant called JN.1. Although JN.1 has not been the dominant subvariant in Australia for some time, this shot is still expected to provide good protection against circulating subvariants, including new subvariants such as LP.8.1, which is descended from JN.1.

    While it’s great we have an updated booster available, unfortunately uptake remains poor. Only 17.3% of people 75 and over had received a COVID vaccine in the six months to March.

    COVID vaccine uptake has been poor recently.
    Steve Heap/Shutterstock

    Getting a flu and COVID shot together

    Data from more than 17,000 people who completed a survey after receiving the JN.1 booster shows that while 27% reported at least one adverse event following vaccination, the majority of these were mild, such as local pain or redness or fatigue.

    Only 4% of people reported an impact on their routine activities following vaccination, such as missing school or work.

    If you choose to get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine at the same time, they’ll usually be given in different arms. There shouldn’t be a significant increase in side effects. What’s more, getting both shots at the same time doesn’t reduce your immune response against either vaccine.

    Now is the ideal time to get your flu vaccine. If you’re eligible for a COVID booster as well, getting both vaccines at the same time is safe and can be very convenient.

    We’re conducting trials in Australia, as are scientists elsewhere, of combined vaccines. One day these could allow vaccination against COVID and flu in a single shot – but these are still a way off.

    If you’re not sure about your eligibility or have any questions about either vaccine, discuss this with your GP, specialist of pharmacist. Australian state and federal government websites also provide reliable information.

    Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator on many vaccine clinical trials and received speaker honoraria and been a member of medical advisory boards for vaccine manufacturers. He is also a scientific advisory board member and director of the immunisation coalition.

    – ref. Do I need another COVID booster? Which one should I choose? Can I get it with my flu shot? – https://theconversation.com/do-i-need-another-covid-booster-which-one-should-i-choose-can-i-get-it-with-my-flu-shot-252914

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Financial markets are tanking. Here’s why it’s best not to panic

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Hartigan, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney

    Financial markets around the world have been slammed by the Trump adminstration’s sweeping tariffs on its trading partners, and China’s swift retaliation.

    Share markets have posted their biggest declines since the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, as fears of US recession surged. Iron ore, copper, oil, gold and the Australian dollar have all tumbled.

    On Wall Street, leading indices have fallen around 10% since the tariffs were announced, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is down 20% from its recent peak. European and Asian markets have also slumped.

    In Australia, the key S&P/ASX 200 slid another 4.2% on Monday to levels last seen in December 2023, taking its three-day losses since the announcement to more than 7%.

    Why are markets reacting so badly?

    Financial markets reacted so negatively because the tariffs were much larger than expected. They represent the biggest upheaval in global trade in 80 years.

    Many traders were hoping the tariffs would be used mainly as a bargaining tool. But comments by US President Donald Trump that markets may need to “take medicine” seem to suggest otherwise.

    The tariffs are expected to weaken economic growth in the US as consumers pare back spending on more expensive imports, while businesses shelve investment plans. Leading US bank JP Morgan has put the chance of a US recession as high as 60%.

    This comes at a time when the US economy was already looking fragile. The highly regarded GDPNow model developed by the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank indicates US March quarter GDP will fall 2.8%, and that was before the tariff announcement.

    Worries about global growth

    Fears of a recession in the United States and the potential for a global downturn has led to a broad sell-off in commodity prices, including iron ore, copper and oil. Further, the Australian dollar, which is seen as a barometer for risk, has fallen below 60 US cents in local trading – its lowest level since 2009.

    While the direct impact of tariffs on Australia is expected to be modest (with around 6% of our exports going to US), the indirect impact could be substantial. China, Japan and South Korea together take more than 50% of Australia’s exports, and all have been hit with significantly higher tariffs.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Monday that the direct impact on the Australian economy would be “manageable”.

    The full effect on Australia will depend on how other countries respond, and whether we can redirect trade to other markets.

    The rapid decline in the Australian dollar will help offset some of the negative effects associated with a global downturn and the fall in commodity prices.

    We can also expect some interest-rate relief. Economists are now predicting three further interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank, starting in May. This brings economists into line with financial market forecasts.



    Read more:
    US tariffs will upend global trade. This is how Australia can respond

    Hang in there, markets will recover

    Watching equity markets tumble so dramatically can be unsettling for any investor. However, it is important to note that equity markets have experienced many downturns over the past 125 years due to wars, pandemics, financial crises and recessions. But these market impacts have generally been temporary.

    History suggests that over the long term, equity prices continue to rise, supported by growing economies and rising incomes.

    The key thing for investors to remember is to not panic. Now is not the time to decide to switch your superannuation or other investments to cash. This risks missing the next upswing while also crystallising any current losses.

    For example, despite the steep market sell-off in March 2020 as the first COVID lockdowns came into effect, the Australian share market had completely recovered those losses by June 2021.

    It is good practice for investors to regularly reassess their risk profile to make sure it is right for their current stage of life. This means reducing the allocation to riskier assets as investors get closer to retirement age, while also maintaining a cash buffer to avoid having to sell assets during more turbulent periods such as now.

    Super funds are exposed to global risks

    The current sell-off has highlighted a potential issue facing the superannuation industry.

    So much of our superannuation is now invested in global equity markets, mostly in the US, because Australia’s superannuation savings pool – at more than A$4 trillion – has outgrown the investment opportunities available in Australia.

    Another issue facing the superannuation industry is the growth of cyber attacks, with several funds targeted in a recent attack. Given the massive size of the assets held by some funds, it would seem they need to improve their security to be on par with that of the banking system.

    Luke Hartigan receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Financial markets are tanking. Here’s why it’s best not to panic – https://theconversation.com/financial-markets-are-tanking-heres-why-its-best-not-to-panic-253929

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Instrumental Music Program welcomes new principal

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New IMP Principal Joel Copeland with University of Canberra High School Kaleen students Matilda (trumpet), Yohaan (saxaphone), Isabel (trombone), and Sofia (percussion).

    The ACT Instrumental Music Program has long focused on teaching year 5 and 6 students woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments in a group setting.

    Its new principal, however, is also a fan of making music without a physical instrument. Or, at least, without a tangible one.

    “Singing is a beautiful thing and a powerful tool in education,” Joel Copeland said.

    “Everybody has a voice.”

    The respected educator has shown before how powerful singing can be in building community. He founded a hugely successful choir at his last school, Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS), which welcomed singers regardless of ability.

    As with the IMP, it was an experiential program that fostered the joy of making music together.

    Joel took on the role of Principal in January and has seen such joy in the faces of IMP students during school visits across Canberra.

    “Within a few lessons in the IMP, our students are making a great sound together,” he said.

    “That’s the beauty of the way the system is set up … group tuition is more time efficient and staff efficient, but it’s also more fun.”

    The Instrumental Music Program operates instrumental music classes in 57 public primary schools and 8 public secondary schools across the ACT.

    There are also performance opportunities via Step into the Limelight, the ACT’s creative and performing arts showcase event for public schools.

    Once fully settled into the new role, Joel will consult widely and with experts on the IMP’s strategic direction, considering ways to build on the quality music learning children have experienced through the IMP’s first 50 years.

    His dream is for every child to have access to high-quality music education.

    Joel was motivated to apply for the role when he heard Naida Blackley was retiring as IMP Principal after an incredible 17 years in the role.

    “Naida had always been a bit of a hero of mine,” Joel said.

    “She is exceptional, and I guess I thought she would be here forever … when I learnt she was retiring, that was the catalyst.”

    Part of what attracted him to the role was the opportunity to work with the IMP’s teachers, who he calls “a brilliant team of music educators”.

    But most of all, he is passionate about ensuring children who are keen to learn and be part of something get the most out of their IMP experience.

    “Music can make a significant difference in these students’ lives,” he said.

    The IMP at a glance:

    • Over 2300 ACT public students are in IMP programs
    • 57 primary schools and 8 high schools are in IMP programs
    • there are 12 teaching staff, 1 admin officer, 2 Executive Teachers and 1 Principal
    • the System bands include 3 concert bands, percussion ensemble, string ensemble, primary and senior choir and jazz band
    • non-band programs include ukelele (4) and strings (2)
    • over 3000 instruments
    • over 2600 music scores.

    Find out more about the Instrumental Music Program at imp.act.edu.au

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Without women, Australia’s defence force will struggle to recruit enough people

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Percy, Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland

    Australia faces crisis-level workforce shortfalls in security and defence. Recruiting more people to the defence force is now an urgent matter of national security.

    So, comments – such as those recently made by a Liberal candidate that we “need to remove females from combat corps” in order to “fix” the military – come at the worst possible time.

    Such beliefs are not just unhelpful. They are dangerous.

    Without women in the national security workforce, and in combat roles, Australia will fail to hit its recruitment targets – at a time of critical international insecurity.

    Why is it so hard to attract women to the defence force?

    We know women are interested and engaged in international affairs.

    So, why don’t they want to join the defence force? In short, we don’t know – but we desperately need to find out.

    Women make up just 20.7% of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

    Compared with a decade ago, this is an improvement. But the improvement has stalled. The latest figure represents a mere 0.1% increase compared with 2021 figures.

    This is serious.

    Australia’s recruitment problems put at risk our ability to:

    • conduct maritime patrols
    • defend against cyber attacks
    • maintain force readiness.

    Other democratic states worldwide are also struggling to achieve recruitment targets.

    Despite ambitious multi-year government programs aimed a boosting women’s participation in national security, and thousands of pages of reports and reviews on the issue, results have been limited and inconsistent.

    Most attempts to attract more women are focused on workplace improvements.

    Efforts include:

    • improving recruitment and promotion policies
    • initiatives to address gender discrimination and sexual harassment
    • questioning whether the inherently hierarchical structures of defence agencies is to blame.

    Of the many government reviews and audits analysing the question, the vast majority focused on such workplace solutions.

    But what if the problem doesn’t lie in the workplace, but rather in wider society?

    What if one factor dissuading women was the archaic idea women just don’t really belong in the military at all?

    Societal attitudes matter

    The Liberal candidate who made the recent comments about women in combat roles has now been replaced. It’s positive to see his party saying such views are “inconsistent with the party’s position.”

    However, the incident suggests doubt remains in some quarters about women’s readiness to serve and take up combat roles.

    There’s a dearth of research on why exactly Australian women appear reluctant to join the ADF. Some of the reasons may be linked to the perception the ADF has a problem with sexual assault or sexism.

    But broader social gender norms matter too. When women hear comments reinforcing the idea national security is primarily a male field, they may simply not see a future for themselves or their daughters in it.

    A recent US study found 60% of teenage girls “have never considered joining the military or pictured themselves in uniform”.

    A passing glance at American politics demonstrates the often precarious position of women already working in national security. There, in recent months, debate has turned to:

    • critics questioning the presence of women in Trump’s Secret Service detail
    • coverage of old comments by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth espousing a view women should not fight
    • Trump’s claim it was “common sense” a Black Hawk helicopter crash this year was caused by diversity, equity and inclusion policies
    • Trump’s broader crackdown on initiatives on diversity and inclusion in the military and decision to fire the Chief of Naval Operations (who was a woman).

    Trump’s America is not Australia, of course. But the recent backlash against women in the US security and defence arenas shows how quickly previous progress can be unwound.

    Could these debates be having a chilling effect on women in Australia who might otherwise consider a career in the military?

    More research is required to answer that question. But it’s possible public denigration of women in these roles deters women from seeking them at all, and may reinforce attitudes of those seeking to keep women out.

    Broadening the talent pool

    Australia’s own response to supporting diversity in the military has been mixed. In 2013, Chief of Army David Morrison made international headlines for a powerful speech about diversity.

    But Morrison faced criticism in the aftermath. Petitions called for his resignation and condemnation after he spoke about gender equality (and not veterans’ welfare) at an awards ceremony. He was criticised for caling for non-gendered language in Defence workplaces.

    Women make vital contributions to critical and creative thinking and decision-making in national security.

    Women in the military can do jobs men cannot do. Think, for example, of women who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, where it would be culturally unacceptable for a male soldier to talk to and work with local women. These were roles female soldiers were able to take up.

    Including women in defence increases the available talent pool, addressing pressing issues of workforce capability in the ADF.

    Australia’s national security requires women to be part of our military, including in combat roles. Without them, recruitment targets will fail. It is not diversity, equality and inclusion: it is reality.

    It is critically important to Australia’s national security we resist the trend from the United States. We must find out what’s stopping women from joining our defence force and address those problems urgently.

    Sarah Percy receives funding from the Australian Army History Unit.

    Elise Stephenson receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian government. She is affiliated with Women in International Security Australia.

    Maria Rost Rublee has received funding from the Australian Department of Defence, the Canadian Department of Defence, and the US Institute of Peace. She is affiliated with Women in International Security-Australia and Women in Nuclear-Australia.

    Rebecca Strating receives funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    Danielle Chubb 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. Without women, Australia’s defence force will struggle to recruit enough people – https://theconversation.com/without-women-australias-defence-force-will-struggle-to-recruit-enough-people-253844

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to the IV All-Russian Conference “Library Marketing 360°”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 17, 2025, the State University of Management will host the IV All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “Library Marketing 360°”, organized by the Scientific Library of the State University of Management and the Knorus publishing group, with the support of the Section on Library Management and Marketing of the Russian Library Association and the University Book journal.

    The purpose of the conference: exchange of experience in the field of library marketing, study of effective channels for attracting readers, analysis of the resource component and current marketing tools in libraries.

    The main areas of work of the conference:

    Artificial intelligence tools in library marketing; Patriotic education as an aspect of library marketing activities; Formation of an inclusive library space; Development of creative thinking of library staff; Gamification in library project activities; Marketing in librarianship (library as a brand, library marketing trends, work with social media, organization of library space).

    The target audience is employees of public, scientific and university libraries.

    We invite students, postgraduates and graduates to take part in the work of the youth section.

    You can register and find out more information on the conference website.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 04/7/2025

    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 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture Research – Climate change conditions impacting critical element for plant growth, fertiliser need

    Source: AgResearch

    Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus (P) available for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by farmers.

    New research published in the Global Change Biology journal by scientists from AgResearch and Lincoln University has found that the test used in New Zealand to estimate the amount of available P in the soil may be underestimating the true accessibility of this crucial element for pasture plant growth.

    The research, which drew on data from a long-running AgResearch experiment* in which carbon dioxide is artificially elevated on an area of grazed pasture, is the latest to throw up surprising new results about what happens under rising carbon dioxide levels tied to climate change.

    “For decades, New Zealand farmers have relied on the Olsen P test to determine the P available in soils and to guide decisions about fertiliser use,” says lead author Zac Beechey-Gradwell. 

    “The data from the AgResearch experiment shows a substantial and sustained reduction in available P in the topsoil extracted by the Olsen P measure under elevated carbon dioxide, prior to annual P fertiliser application. In addition, the effectiveness of P fertiliser in raising Olsen P was significantly reduced.”      

    “Scientists have known for a while that elevated carbon dioxide reduces the amount of P extracted by the Olsen P test, but we didn’t fully understand why or what the consequences of this might be. Our latest research confirms that more of the fertiliser P that is applied under elevated carbon dioxide is rapidly converted into organic forms in the topsoil, in a process called ‘biological immobilisation’. This essentially makes it invisible to standard soil P tests.”

    “If a soil P test indicates phosphorus deficiency, farmers may respond by applying more fertiliser than is necessary, driving up costs without improving pasture performance. Phosphorus is an essential macro-nutrient for plant growth. Without it, production will decline.”

    “At a minimum, this research suggests we are going to need to recalibrate soil P test targets under elevated carbon dioxide to ensure that P fertiliser recommendations remain cost-effective and environmentally sustainable in the years ahead.”

    AgResearch principal scientist Alec Mackay says the phosphorus findings have landed against a backdrop of expected gains in pasture productivity not materialising under climate change.

    “We need further research to see if similar trends are occurring in different soil types, and what the impact is on clovers and nitrogen fixation.”

    Research co-author, Professor Leo Condron of Lincoln University, says: “Phosphorus fertiliser manufacture in New Zealand is dependent on imported phosphate rock and the cost has increased and become more volatile since 2007-08, and it is therefore important to ensure that fertiliser P is being used efficiently”.

    Read the full research at: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70150

    *New Zealand’s globally unique Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment has allowed scientists to study plant and soil responses to elevated carbon dioxide in a sheep grazed pasture for almost 24 years (1997-2021). Read more at:https://www.agresearch.co.nz/our-research/future-facing-experiment-helping-to-combat-climate-change/

    AgResearch’s core focus is to deliver high quality science to enhance the value, productivity and sustainability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sectors. More at www.agresearch.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Global cooling may have caused the Neolithic revolution in the ancient Volga region

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Scientists from NSU together with colleagues from Samara State Social and Pedagogical University and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied artifacts from Mesolithic sites in the Volga region using radiocarbon and isotope analysis methods. Human and animal bone fragments, tools and even soil were studied at the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center. These studies are intended to shed light on the history of the development of the forest-steppe by ancient human populations and to identify the connection between fluctuations in human activity and major climatic events. The result of this work was the creation of an absolute chronology of Mesolithic complexes in the forest-steppe Volga region.

    — The work was interesting for us for several reasons. First of all, the wide range of dating centers that analyzed the presented samples and the combination of results from two different radiocarbon dating methods: scintillation and accelerator mass spectrometry. It is impossible not to note the diversity of objects for dating and the results of the accompanying analysis of stable isotopes (isotopes C-13 and N-15) in the entire set of samples. We described 28 samples dated in six centers, of which 6 samples were analyzed by the scintillation method (one in Moscow, five in St. Petersburg), and 22 samples by the accelerator mass spectrometry method. Scientists abroad worked with six samples (1 in Belgium, 2 in Finland, 3 in the USA), in Russia — with 22, of which 16 were dated here, at the NSU-NSC UMS Collective Use Center.

    All the results fit into a single theory of the development of forest-steppe by ancient human populations, which suggests significant fluctuations in human activity associated with major climatic events of the Holocene, namely, with pronounced cooling phases against the background of general climate warming. These short periods are called the “preboreal oscillation”, which occurred 11.3-11.15 thousand years ago, the “event of 10.2 thousand years ago”, the “event of 8.2 thousand years ago”, etc. For example, it is known that in the Upper Volga basin in the European territory of Russia during the cooling period corresponding to the “event of 8.2 thousand years ago”, the average annual temperature dropped by 2-3 °C, and on average in Europe – by 1 °C. The probability distribution obtained on the basis of the dates presented in the work demonstrates approximately the same fluctuations as the average annual temperature, said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the UMS NSU-NNC Collective Use Center and Candidate of Chemical Sciences.

    The set of objects studied included human bone fragments and bone items (parts of a knife, a chisel, a bow overlay). There were also teeth of bears and elks, antlers of aurochs and elks, bones of beavers, horses and even soil. Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained that the diversity of materials and full isotope analysis ensure the reliability of dating, since they allow taking into account various interfering factors, such as the characteristics of the human and animal diet or the so-called reservoir effect. It occurs, for example, if a person eats fish. As a result, the isotopic composition of his bone collagen (isotopic shifts in C-13 and N-15) can differ significantly from the indicators of those people and animals that live and eat mainly on land. Obviously, the same phenomenon will be observed for C-14 – people and animals with a marine diet will show an older radiocarbon age compared to land creatures that lived at the same time. Therefore, it is so important to conduct the most complete studies of a wide variety of archaeological objects. Moreover, determining not only the radiocarbon age, but also the isotopic and chemical composition of the material.

    — In addition to interesting technical aspects, this work is also important for us because it was carried out jointly with specialists from the European part of the country. Our center conducted most of the research on radiocarbon and isotope analysis and provided a tenfold increase in the database on the chronology of the Mesolithic forest-steppe Volga region. It is encouraging that the work continues, there are still many historical discoveries ahead! — Ekaterina Parkhomchuk summed up.

    Associate Professor of the Department of Russian History and Archaeology of the Samara State Social and Pedagogical University, Candidate of Historical Sciences Konstantin Andreev noted that within the framework of this study, an intermediate result of many years of work on establishing the absolute age of the existence of Mesolithic complexes of the forest-steppe Volga region was summed up, which found support in the projects of the Russian Science Foundation (No. 19-78-10001 and No. 23-78-10088).

    — Up until the beginning of the 21st century, we did not have a single absolute date for these materials, and we had a very general understanding of the time of existence of this or that cultural tradition in the region. Thanks to the efforts of the last five years, about 30 age estimates have been obtained for many artifacts, which made it possible to date the region’s reference sites. Moreover, more than half of them were made at the NSU-NNC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Collective Use Center. The earliest estimates of about 30 definitions of the appearance of new people in the forest-steppe Volga region include the period of the third quarter of the 9th millennium BC. At this time, population groups first from the Southern Urals, and then from the Southern Trans-Urals penetrated into the forest-steppe Volga region, with which contact was subsequently maintained until the end of the Mesolithic era in the first half of the 7th millennium BC. These population groups, in all likelihood, practiced hunting large ungulates – elk and horses. Judging by the short duration of their stay at the sites, they made frequent transitions following the beast. The basis of their stone industry was the tradition of obtaining plates and making a few tools from them (scrapers, piercers, etc.). Bone was also used, but it is rarely preserved in the cultural layer, – said Konstantin Andreev.

    According to the obtained dates, scientists were able to establish that from about the middle of the 8th millennium BC, individual groups from more northern (forested) territories penetrated the forest-steppe Volga region, which led to the spread of chopping tools and a few arrowheads. Thus, the thesis about active contacts of different cultural groups in the forest-steppe is confirmed, and thanks to the conducted determination of the absolute time of existence of the region’s support complexes, it became possible to tie these contacts to a chronological scale.

    In the future, Samara scientists plan to continue their collaboration with the NSU-NNC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Collective Use Center, since the data obtained as a result of their joint work allowed them to significantly refine their understanding not only of the Mesolithic era, but also of later periods and cultures of the Middle Volga region.

    Associate Professor of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics of NSU Petr Menshanov explained that modern archaeological research does not end with simply determining radiocarbon dates for found artifacts – scientists must reconstruct the course of events that took place in the distant past. To do this, they actively use machine learning and artificial intelligence methods that build chronological models based on dates obtained, among other things, by the Novosibirsk Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

    — Using a chronological model created using machine learning methods for radiocarbon dates obtained from the ancient Volga region, we determined periods of high and low activity for the Stone Age people who inhabited this territory. And then we compared the time boundaries of the activity of the people of the ancient Volga region with global data on climate changes that occurred on Earth after the end of the last ice age. It turned out that the ancient people who inhabited the Volga region in the Stone Age did not differ much in behavior from modern people. If the living conditions of our ancestors were satisfactory and stable, then they stayed in one place for a long time, fished, hunted, raised children. And with sharp climate changes, the ancient inhabitants of the forest-steppe Volga region preferred to change their “apartment” and move to more comfortable conditions, where there was still prey and water.

    During the most difficult periods, ancient people actively invented and mastered the innovations of their time, which led to a change of eras. In our case, after the Global Cooling Event 8.2k, people of the ancient Volga region were forced to think about the future, – said Petr Menshanov.

    Konstantin Andreev explained that the global cooling event of 8.2k had the most significant impact on the Mesolithic communities of the forest-steppe Volga region and led to the extinction of their cultural tradition. The Mesolithic people were replaced by new migrants, who, in addition to specific stone processing skills, also brought to the region one of the innovations of the next archaeological era (Neolithic) – ceramics.

    Scientists are confident that further research will allow them to more accurately establish the course of events that influenced the life and everyday life of the ancient people of the Volga region, the Urals and Siberia in the Stone and Bronze Ages.

    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 7, 2025
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