For jobseekers these days, staying on benefits is about accumulating points.
It used to be cruder. Until 2022, unemployed Australians who wanted to stay on benefits had to apply for up to 20 jobs per month, a requirement a parliamentary inquiry found
burdens employers, who are receiving masses of poor quality applications often from people who are not suited for the position.
Since July 2022, jobseekers have instead been required to collect points.
Creating or updating a profile earns five points, applying for a job earns five points, attending a job interview earns 25 points, attending a jobs expo earns 25 points, starting a job earns 50 points, and so on.
For most jobseekers the target is 100 points per month. The target can be eased by 20 points for jobseekers who live in locations that have fewer opportunities to work and by 40 points for jobseekers who are carers, have a reduced capacity to work or who are over 55.
Jobseekers who fail to report enough points or who fail to include four job applications per month in total face automatic suspension of benefits.
Workforce Australia.
41% of jobseekers are being failed
New data released by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations show 41.1% of participants are being tripped up by the system.
In the quarter between April 1 and June 30, 410,485 of the 999,470 jobseekers enrolled in the scheme failed to meet its requirements. And 212,915 of them reported no points whatsoever.
It’s an improvement on the previous year. For April to June 2023, 45.3% of participants failed to get enough points.
First Nations people, refugees, people with disabilities and young people are over-represented among those who fail to get enough points.
My calculations using the department’s data show 58% of Indigenous participants in the program, 49% of participants without a Year 12 education and 47% of participants on youth allowance are failing to meet the requirements.
Around two-thirds of breaches lead to suspensions. Between July 2022 and September 2023 1,838,410 payments were suspended.
My research just published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues finds that a shift away from face-to-face help to online interactions is partly responsible.
When jobseekers find it difficult to talk to humans about why they are unable to accumulate points their payments are more likely to be suspended.
Jobseekers’ fault or the system’s fault?
The Department of Employment has been working hard to increase understanding of the points system. Among other things, it has produced a series of fact sheets aimed at First Nations Australians.
But an independent evaluation of the system prepared for the department in June found two-thirds of the participants in it had little or no knowledge about how it worked.
This suggests the 41% failure rate might be an indictment of the system as much as the jobseekers who use it.
It might even be an indictment of the idea of points to quantify compliance with mutual obligations.
While the committee supported the use of points, it wanted the default requirement halved to 50 points, with human case managers given discretion to vary the target up or down based on their professional judgments.
Simone Casey is employed as a policy advisor at Economic Justice Australia, the peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights. The research and analysis for this article was completed in her academic capacity as recently published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Young persons in custody (PICs) at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (October 23) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.
Over the past year, 97 PICs participated in various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the City and Guilds International examinations, the Cambridge English Examinations and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi. They obtained vocational certificates in areas such as Food and Beverage Services, Coffee Making and Latte Art Training, Specialty Drink (Non-alcoholic) Making, Cantonese Cooking, Multimedia Design, Music, Building Services and Laundry Skills. These examinations were organised by the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong; the School of Professional and Continuing Education, the University of Hong Kong; Christian Action; the Construction Industry Council; Tom Lee Music Foundation; the Vocational Training Council and Caritas Institute of Community Education. During the year, the PICs attained 127 merits out of 302 certificates obtained. In the ceremony today, 22 PICs were presented with 135 certificates, of which 76 were marked with merits.
Officiating at the ceremony, the President of the Hong Kong Shanxi Union Community Limited (HKSUCL), Mr Ng Tang, said that the HKSUCL has been highly supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and has set up the HKSUCL – Igniting Hope Education Fund to provide education and vocational training subsidies to PICs with financial difficulties to enable further studies. He encouraged the young PICs to strive for self-improvement, and to walk hand in hand with their families and CSD staff on the path of rehabilitation to live a fulfilling life.
During the ceremony, members of the lion dance team performed with accompaniment by a marching band. Moreover, PICs put their training into practice and produced a short video by using shooting and editing skills acquired in the Creative Multimedia Production Technology Training Course to showcase their learning outcomes at the ceremony. There was also a singing and musical instrument performance by PICs, with piano accompaniment by CSD staff, to demonstrate their determination to change.
In the sharing session, one young PIC expressed gratitude to his mother for taking good care of him on her own and her unwavering support during his time in custody, which inspired him to reflect on his past mistakes and make good use of his time to study diligently. Two other young PICs also expressed appreciation for the encouragement and guidance from CSD staff, who helped them mend relationships with family members and learn valuable skills in a band. They hope to apply what they have learnt to contribute to society in the future.
Also attending today’s certificate presentation ceremony were representatives from non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.
STCI accommodates young male PICs aged from 14 to under 25. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs of training centres and rehabilitation centres to assist them to rehabilitate and prepare for reintegration into society.
Christchurch, New Zealand’s third-largest city, today became the first local government in the country to sanction Israel by voting to halt business with organisations involved in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
It passed a resolution to amend its procurement policy to exclude companies building and maintaining illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.
It was a largely symbolic gesture in that Christchurch (pop. 408,000) currently has no business dealings with any of the companies listed by the United Nations as being active in the illegal settlements.
However, the vote also rules out any future business dealings by the city council with such companies.
The sanctions vote came after passionate pleas to the council by John Minto, president of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), and University of Canterbury postcolonial studies lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese.
“We’re delighted the council has taken a stand against Israel’s ongoing theft of Palestinian land,” said Minto in a statement welcoming the vote.
He had urged the council to take a stand against companies identified by the UN Human Rights Council as complicit in the construction and maintenance of the illegal settlements.
‘Failure of Western governments’ “It has been the failure of Western governments to hold Israel to account which means Israel has a 76-year history of oppression and brutal abuse of Palestinians.
“Today Israel is running riot across the Middle East because it has never been held to account for 76 years of flagrant breaches of international law,” Minto said.
“The motion passed by Christchurch City today helps to end Israeli impunity for war crimes.” (Building settlements on occupied land belonging to others is a war crime under international law)
“The motion is a small but significant step in sanctioning Israel. Many more steps must follow”.
The council’s vote to support the UN policy was met with cheers from a packed public gallery. Before the vote, gallery members displayed a “Stop the genocide” banner.
Minto described the decision as a significant step towards aligning with international law and supporting Palestinian rights.
“In relation to the council adopting a policy lined up with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, this resolution was co-sponsored by the New Zealand government back in 2016,” Minto said, referencing the UN resolution that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories “had no legal validity and constituted a flagrant violation under international law”.
‘Red herrings and obfuscations’ In his statement, Minto said: “We are particularly pleased the council rejected the red herrings and obfuscations of New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes who urged councillors to reject the motion”
“Mr Kepes presentation was a repetition of the tired, old arguments used by white South Africans to avoid accountability for their apartheid policies last century – policies which are mirrored in Israel today.”
Postcolonial studies lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese . . . boycotts “a long standing peaceful means of protest adopted by freedom fighters across the world.” Image: UOC
Dr Varghese said more than 42,000 Palestininians — at least 15,000 of them children — had been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza.
“Boycotting products and services which support and benefit from colonisation and apartheid is the long standing peaceful means of protest adopted by freedom fighters across the world, not only by black South Africans against apartheid, but also in the Indian independent struggle By the lights of Gandhi,” she said.
“This is a rare opportunity for us to follow in the footsteps of these greats and make a historic move, not only for Christchurch City, but also for Aotearoa New Zealand.
“On March 15, 2019 [the date of NZ’s mosque massacre killing 51 people], we made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and today could be an opportunity where we make headlines global globally for the right reasons,” Dr Varghese said.
“Sanctions on Israel” supporters at the Christchurch City Council for the vote today. Image: PSNA
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
A strategic session on interaction with the State Corporation Rosatom was held at the Institute of Power Engineering of SPbPU. Its participants — representatives of the university, scientific institutions and industrial enterprises — discussed promising areas in power engineering, mechanical engineering and digital technologies.
Acting Vice-Rector for Prospective Projects of SPbPU Maria Vrublevskaya gave a welcoming speech. She spoke about the successful model of interaction between the university and industrial partners, which allows training unique personnel and creating developments necessary for the technological sovereignty of the country.
Serious, large-scale tasks now really require a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, which our university can provide, – says Maria Vrublevskaya. – The Polytechnic University has many areas, opportunities, a solid material base, equipment. We cooperate with a huge number of research institutes and departments, and also maintain contacts with industry. We know where to get resources, so the main thing for us is trust and tasks from the industry, for which we are ready to assemble teams and competencies, and solve interesting cases.
Director of the Department for Support of New Businesses of Rosatom State Corporation Dmitry Baidarov expressed hope that the results of the strategic session will be able to present specific tasks and ways to solve them for both parties.
Rosatom is a geographically distributed company that requires a large personnel reserve both in cities of federal significance and in other regions of the country, – noted Dmitry Baydarov. – Our goal is not only to hire graduates of Rosatom’s flagship universities, but also to ensure that those specialists come to us who want and can realize themselves with us. Another area that is interesting and necessary for Rosatom: we simply must have our own technologies that ensure our energy and resource security and technological sovereignty. This is required to solve the problems set before the nuclear industry.
Director of the Institute of Power Engineering Viktor Barskov introduced the guests to the work of the departments, the implemented projects of the Priority 2030 program, and educational solutions. It is planned to create design bureaus, new educational products, and expand the laboratory and technical base of the institute. All activities are closely related to the needs of the industry: the university develops unique solutions due to its flexibility and multidisciplinary nature.
The section “Digital Solutions in Energy and Engineering” featured reports from representatives of leading energy and engineering companies JSC TVEL, JSC Consyst-OS and JSC NPO KIS. Modern technologies for improving the efficiency of energy equipment and promising areas of IT in nuclear energy were discussed.
At the section “Reliability and durability of equipment”, representatives of the companies “AEM-technologies” and “OKBM Afrikantov” presented reports on extending the service life of unique designs, as well as on training engineering personnel for the implementation of high-tech projects.
The section “Nuclear Medicine” was devoted to the possibilities of cooperation between SPbPU and the V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute in the field of scientific and technological developments for medical applications of nuclear technologies.
Participants of the section “Reliability and Durability. Power Engineering” discussed scientific and technological solutions for upgrading equipment and increasing its reliability with the participation of specialists from JSC NPO CNIITMASH and JSC Atomenergomash. During the discussion, several areas of interest to representatives of both Polytechnic University and Rosatom were identified: joint work on standards, additive technologies, and the development of domestic software. In the educational area, participants discussed joint laboratories, basic departments, and the Digital Engineering PISH. The moderator of the section, Director of the Higher School of Power Engineering Alena Aleshina, summing up the results, emphasized that the leitmotif of the meeting was the issue of personnel: training young specialists, developing the infrastructure for their training, and additional education to improve their qualifications.
Participants in the “Electric Power Industry” section, moderated by the Director of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Power Engineering Alexander Kalyutik, highlighted several topics related to digitalization in the energy sector: digital technologies and digital modeling, their use in the design, operation and optimization of energy facilities, and the integration of digital models into existing solutions of Rosatom State Corporation.
Associate Professor of the Higher School of Atomic Energy and Technical Establishment Irina Anikin summarized the results of the section, noting the existing problems in her report and proposing their solutions. For example, the insufficient competence of operating personnel in the field of digital technologies can be improved with the help of training simulators, and the low awareness of students and teachers about the software products of the Rosatom State Corporation – by introducing them into the educational process.
Participants in the section “Electrical Equipment. Testing and Engineering” moderated by Professor of the Higher School of High-Voltage Power Engineering Vasily Titkov highlighted several topics in communication with industrial partners: adaptation of educational programs to the goals and objectives of Rosatom State Corporation enterprises and import substitution of power electrical equipment and software.
According to the participants, the solution to the problem of the gap between the results of the university’s research and the lack of effective mechanisms for their commercialization could be the organization of an application campaign to search for and select ideas and projects for IE and their subsequent examination at the Institute for Technology Transfer of JSC Rosatom RDS, which will certainly increase the efficiency of technology transfer and developments.
Understanding the demands of the industry helps to adjust the direction of work in the educational and scientific spheres, – Director of the Institute of Energy Viktor Barskov is sure. – The development of innovative solutions is possible only with constant dialogue, which was proven by today’s event. The solutions presented in various sections today can be implemented tomorrow, since such a pace is set by the constantly developing industry in the era of digitalization.
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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ15: Making good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services LCQ15: Making good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services *************************************************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):Question: It has been reported that according to the information of the Department of Health, both the proportions of students in Hong Kong who planned to commit suicide and who attempted suicide in the 2022-2023 school year hit a record high for the past five years, reflecting the severe challenges faced by Hong Kong’s mental health services and support system. There are views that as there are now only some 460 psychiatric specialists in Hong Kong, and people in need may not be able to receive timely support given such limited manpower, Hong Kong can make good use of counselling professionals to share and support its work on mental health services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of subsidised programmes related to the counselling profession offered by tertiary institutions in Hong Kong;(2) whether it knows the number of graduates with qualifications related to counselling in each of the past five years and, among them, the number of those who joined the counselling profession after graduation;(3) whether it has compiled statistics on public and subsidised mental health service items currently provided by counselling professionals in Hong Kong (set out by public and subsidised services);(4) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of counselling professionals that need to be employed and have been employed by public organisations in Hong Kong at present;(5) of the community support services provided to new patients on the waiting list for psychiatric specialist services in public hospitals, and whether the authorities will consider providing additional support to patients with longer waiting time, such as arranging counselling professionals to provide services (including emotional counselling and service referrals) for patients with mild symptoms; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;(6) whether the authorities will consider setting up a registration system and the relevant qualifications framework for counselling professionals in Hong Kong, as well as drawing up related professional standards and formulating codes of professional conduct, so as to regulate the relevant profession; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and(7) of the authorities’ future planning to make good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services in Hong Kong, as well as the details of the relevant work?Reply:President, Student suicide is a complex social problem involving multiple risk and protective factors which should not be addressed solely through mental health factors or from a medical perspective, and issues on relevant supporting manpower should be tackled through co-ordination between different professionals and supporting personnel. In consultation with the Education Bureau (EDB), the Hospital Authority (HA), the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the consolidated reply in response to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows:(1) and (2) The eight University Grants Committee-funded universities do not offer publicly-funded counselling degree programmes at present. As regards the self-financing post-secondary education sector, various post-secondary institutions offer a total of 14 locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes that are relevant to the counselling profession in the 2024/25 academic year, including two sub-degree, one undergraduate and 11 taught postgraduate programmes. The number of graduates of relevant programmes in the past five academic years are set out in the table below.
Level of Study Academic Year
2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
Sub-degree 104 84 59 37 110
Undergraduate 92 103 90 97 90
Taught Postgraduate 313 378 426 407 466
Note 1: The table above includes programmes with English titles involving the keywords “Counsel” / “Guidance”.Note 2: Sub-degree programmes cover full-time Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes.Note 3: Undergraduate programmes cover full-time first-year-first-degree and top-up degree programmes.Note 4: Taught postgraduate programmes cover both full-time and part-time Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum duration of one year, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programmes.Note 5: Information on the number of graduates for the 2023/24 academic year is not yet available from relevant institutions. Apart from providing mental health support, counselling staff also provide appropriate counselling services in other service units, such as family services, schools and the workplace, according to the needs of the service targets. The EDB does not collect information on the graduates of the abovementioned programmes who have joined the counselling profession. (3) and (4) Mental health service providers within the structure of the Government and the HA such as doctors, nurses, clinical and educational psychologists and social workers, will consider whether to incorporate the element of counselling in the course of service delivery according to the needs of the service targets. Relevant organisations and the HA will also arrange training for relevant personnel to enhance their counselling skills. Apart from the aforementioned professional grade staff members, schools and social welfare organisations may employ counselling personnel on a need basis. For welfare service units, subject to their compliance with the requirements of the Funding and Service Agreement as well as the relevant statutory staffing requirements, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) subvented by the SWD may flexibly deploy resources to arrange appropriate personnel, including employing counselling personnel or purchasing counselling services to meet the operational and service targets’ needs. For example, Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) may employ counselling personnel according to their needs to provide services to persons with mental health needs. For schools, the EDB provides comprehensive student guidance services through multi-disciplinary collaboration and the “Whole School Approach”. Apart from teachers, school social workers and school-based educational psychologists, schools can also employ additional student guidance personnel or procure related services from organisations according to students’ needs, flexibly deploying grants provided by the Government or pooling together other school resources to strengthen the support for students.(5) The HA has specifically set an additional target for psychiatric specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) last year, that is, the overall median waiting time for urgent and semi-urgent new cases should be no more than one week and four weeks respectively. The relevant target has already been achieved, ensuring that patients with urgent needs can receive treatment within a reasonable time. The HA will continue to strengthen its psychiatric SOPC services and improve the waiting time for urgent and semi-urgent new cases, including increasing consultation quotas. The HA will also take care of more psychiatric patients in need by strengthening its manpower and through the Public-Private Partnership Programme, as well as enhancing the services of psychiatric nurse clinics to allow patients to receive follow-up while waiting for SOPC services or follow-up appointments. If there is any change in the mental conditions of patients, they may return to their respective psychiatric SOPCs for re-assessment to determine whether they need to advance their consultation or seek treatment from the accident and emergency services. The Health Bureau launched the Pilot Scheme on New Service Protocol for Child and Adolescent with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbidity to provide multi-disciplinary assessment, treatment and support services to children and adolescents with or suspected to have Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbidities while they are waiting for HA services. In addition, the SWD provides subvention to NGOs to operate ICCMWs across the city. Following the Chief Executive’s announcement in the 2024 Policy Address that an additional ICCMW will be set up in the first quarter of 2026, the total number of ICCMWs across the city will increase to 25, providing community support services to persons with mental health needs.(6) and (7) Mental health encompasses various levels and aspects such as social service, school education, community support and medical care. Not all individuals with mental health problems need to seek treatment from psychiatrists. In recent years, mental health services introduced by the Government have, in varying degrees, implemented the concept of stepped care model, under which members of the public are referred to different levels of mental health services according to their mental health needs and severity. For example, the Student Mental Health Support Scheme launched in the 2016/17 academic year has applied the stepped care model to provide multi-disciplinary support services to students with mental health needs in schools through tripartite collaboration among the medical, education and social sectors. The 2024 Policy Address announced that the Government will extend integrated services based on a medical-educational-social collaboration model to promote mental health. The Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) will formulate a stepped care model for mental health, through developing a multi-disciplinary framework with tiers from dealing with general emotional problems in the frontline to handling cases requiring follow-up and more serious mental illnesses cases. The framework sets out the roles of different professionals (such as teaching staff, social workers and healthcare workers, along with other supporting personnel and services providers) and their division of work in the provision of mental health services for cases in each tier, enabling them to work together and perform their respective roles smoothly, with a view to making good use of multi-disciplinary staff to assist in handling various types of cases with mental health needs in a systematic manner. To ensure the quality and standard of services, the Government will review the appropriate training qualifications and quality assurance requirements for different professionals and support staff according to risk-based needs during the formulation of the stepped care model for mental health. In the process, the Government will also review the relevant personnel providing counselling services. A working group on the stepped care model for mental health has been established under the ACMH to take forward the work and is expected to submit a report by end???2025.
Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 15:45
Aotearoa’s best and brightest Māori business leaders were honoured at the 2024 Ngā Tohu Kaiārahi Pakihi Māori o Aotearoa | Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.
Whakatō te kākano, marotiritiri ai te māra, ka māea ngā hua | Plant the seed, cultivate the garden, reap the benefits.
A macadamia pioneer, sustainable fisheries champions and a plastic waste-to-product business, were among those honoured at the 2024 Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.
The event, held on 23 October and hosted by the University of Auckland Business School, celebrated the remarkable contributions of the Māori entrepreneurs, leaders and organisations shaping Aotearoa’s business landscape.
Six awards were presented, acknowledging the unique and powerful contributions of Māori leaders, each with their own inspiring story and unique approach to business.
Vanessa Hayes, founder of kaupapa Māori business Torere Macadamias, won the Entrepreneurial Māori Business Leader award.
Vanessa and her team are growing the New Zealand macadamia industry, which has historically relied on imported macadamias.
Torere Macadamias is working with Plant and Food Research, expanding its nursery and encouraging other growers and grower collectives by providing training, workshops and supplying plants from their nursery.
The company’s orchard produces around 20 tonnes of macadamias annually. And recently, Vanessa and the Torere team celebrated a milestone, winning a contract to supply Air New Zealand on their long haul and business class flights.
Moana New Zealand was honoured with the Kaitiaki Business Leader award for their dedication to sustainable fisheries management. The seafood company is a 100 percent iwi-owned organisation with a deep sense of responsibility and respect for New Zealand’s fisheries.
Māori Women’s Development Inc., a charitable trust formed, managed and operated by Māori women, earned the Mānuka Henare award for its continued support of Māori women in business, offering loans and wrap-around support.
Traci Houpapa, chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities, won the Māori Governance Leader award for her extensive leadership in business and governance, shaping the Māori business landscape. She holds a number of directorships and Ministerial appointments, including Chiefs Rugby and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
The Outstanding Māori Business Leader award went to Harry Burkhardt, co-founder and managing director of Replas Ltd, an innovative company transforming waste plastic into valuable products.
Meanwhile, the Dame Mira Szászy Alumni Award went to Karleen Everitt, a University of Auckland Business School graduate who has had a stellar career and is currently leading Te Ao Māori Strategy at ANZ Bank.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Information Systems and Technologies Section
The LXXVII National Scientific and Practical Conference of Students, Postgraduates and Young Scientists “Current Issues of Modern Construction” was held at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering from October 15 to 18. The conference brought together more than 1,000 participants and listeners not only from SPbGASU, but also from Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Chuvash State University named after I.N. Ulyanov, Saint Petersburg State University of Railway Engineering named after Emperor Alexander I, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Donbass National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture and other universities, giving them the opportunity to exchange ideas and test scientific results.
The topics of the reports covered a wide range of issues in modern construction, including those related to computer science, information systems and technologies, technosphere safety, economic security, legal regulation of urban development and transport, and many others. The work was organized within 31 sections.
Several reports at the architectural design section were devoted to the topic of Arctic development. Nikita Milov, a second-year master’s student at the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture, presented a report entitled “Functional Zoning of a Site and Planning Structure of a Marine Terminal in the Northern Conditions (the City of Kandalaksha)” (supervised by Aleksey Mikhalychev, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design).
According to the author of the report, Kandalaksha can become a cultural and tourist hub for water routes of river and sea cruise transport. Nikita proposed breathing new life into this city by creating a new sea passenger terminal in it. It could include hotels, exhibition transformable spaces, and office centers.
Museum complexes are necessary in the cities of the Far North, says Artem Martynenko, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Architecture of our university (his academic supervisor is Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Sergey Ivanov). According to Artem, the development of territories located in the Arctic zone is one of the main tasks of the Russian Federation. To do this, it is necessary to create a pleasant, well-maintained environment, including for cultural leisure. It is also worth considering the modern policy aimed at patriotic education of youth and awakening interest in studying the history and culture of our country. Given these factors, the design and construction of museum complexes is becoming an urgent task for architects. Artem formulated the principles of designing museum complexes beyond the Arctic Circle: multifunctionality, which allows the complex to gather the maximum number of consumers and remain in demand all year round, taking into account climatic features when choosing design solutions, etc.
Anzhelika Ivanikhina, a fourth-year bachelor’s student at the Faculty of Architecture (supervised by Milena Zolotareva, Deputy Dean for Research, Associate Professor of the Department of History and Theory of Architecture), spoke about the algorithm for using generative neural networks to form an architectural concept using the example of creating a glamping site at the section on the history and theory of architecture. The audience learned how work on one of the projects was carried out in the workshop where the student works. According to Anzhelika, there is nothing wrong with using generative neural networks. You need to start with analyzing the territory and the initial data; then you should develop a functional plan and functional zoning, determine the concept of a specific part of the general plan and develop sketches. After that, you can start creating a prototype for the neural network, then analyze and adjust it. The final stage will be color correction of the result, post-processing in editing programs.
The architectural and spatial features of Omsk, using the central part of the city as an example, became the topic of the report by the second-year undergraduate student of the Faculty of Architecture Arina Peteshova (supervised by Milena Zolotareva). Arina believes that the central part of Omsk has unique architectural and spatial characteristics that can be successfully used for the further development of the city. It is necessary to optimize the planning of the urban environment, pay attention to the development of integration solutions for historical and modern buildings, and study the impact of new architectural projects on the existing urban structure.
The creation of tools for processing data on the working hours of the organization’s employees is being carried out by a second-year master’s student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy Egor Abramov under the supervision of the acting head of the Department of Information Systems and Technologies Olga Yarkova. Egor gave a report on the topic of his research at the section of information systems and technologies. The student analyzed the information environment of the enterprise, formulated the requirements for the developed tools, and determined the methods and technologies for implementation. The researcher plans to develop an application for solving work tasks and performing additional functions.
The conference “Current Problems of Modern Construction” was held within the framework of a subsidy from the federal budget to educational institutions of higher education for the implementation of events aimed at supporting student scientific communities No. 075-15-2024-854. Scientific materials of the conference will be published in a collection of materials indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index.
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.
Two years on from a review which identified institutional misogyny, racism and issues in handling mental health, what progress has the London Fire Brigade (LFB) made in tackling its cultural problems?
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Fire Committee will ask academics, unions, and women in the fire service about how much progress has been made since the review and what work can still be done.
Members will closely examine whether the LFB’s recently launched Professional Standards Unit and its External Complaints Service are working effectively to drive up standards in the service, and will learn more about the challenges of the delivery of complex cultural change in other institutions.
The guests are:
Panel 1: 10am-10.45am
Ann-Marie Barlow, Director, Energise Development
Suzanne McCarthy, Independent Chair, Fire Standards Board
Dr Jessica White, Acting Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies, Royal United Services Institute
Dr Rowena Hill MBE, Professor of Resilience, Emergencies and Disaster Science, Nottingham Trent University
Panel 2: 10.55am-12.15pm
Paula Lyons, Company Secretary, Women in the Fire Service
Anna Snelson, LFB Women in the Fire Service
Gareth Cooke, London Regional Organiser, Fire Brigades Union
Adam Shaw, London Regional Treasurer, Fire Brigades Union
Deborah Riviere Williams, Chair of Unison within the LFB
The meeting will take place on Thursday 24 October from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A team of teachers from the State University of Management took part in the program “Voice of a Generation. Vice-Rectors Teachers”, held with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Representatives of more than 50 universities of our country gathered at the Mashuk Knowledge Center in Pyatigorsk.
This year, the main topic of the meeting was educational work, which was examined from different points of view: psychology, law, neurobiology.
The delegation of the State University of Management included: Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Finance for educational work Valeria Ivanova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies and the Bureau of Culture Svetlana Grishaeva, Deputy Director of the Institute of Information Systems for educational work Kirill Putilov, Deputy Head of the Department of Management in the Sphere of Culture, Cinema, Television and Entertainment Industry Anna Akopyan and Lecturer of the Department of Marketing Alina Gorchakova.
The forum’s guests of honor were Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova and Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Madeleine Baturina.
The forum program included not only the usual presentations by speakers, master classes and seminars, but also other formats of work: quiz, business games, round tables, reflection and an immersive game with immersion, where teachers together decided what the future world will be like in terms of values, specialties and what the student of the future will be like.
During four days of intensive work, the team from each university had the opportunity not only to reconsider their views on the educational process at the university, but also to plan specific actions applicable in their work, as well as to exchange experiences with colleagues from other universities and even make their own proposals for changing the points of the educational work program at their university.
At the end of the final evening, all participating teams had to formulate a phrase describing the main insight after completing the program.
The quote from the GUU team is: “The happiness of discovering yourself through discovering others.”
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 23.10.2024
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.
“Talk about extreme.” That was the response of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris at September’s televised debate, after her rival, Donald Trump, made the baseless claim that migrants had been eating the dogs and cats of their neighbours in Springfield, Ohio.
Despite mounting criticism, Trump doubled down on the accusation. Likewise, during the more recent vice-presidential debate, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, falsely claimed that the migrants in Springfield are illegal.
The arrival of hurricanes Milton and Helene then gave them more opportunities to disseminate disinformation. Trump’s team attacked the government over its response to the disaster, claiming that government money earmarked for disaster victims has been spent on migrants who crossed illegally into the US.
“Kamala spent all her Fema [Federal Emergency Management Agency] money – billions of dollars – on housing for illegal migrants”, Trump said at a rally in Michigan. This point was also repeated by Vance in an opinion piece on October 8 in the Wall Street Journal.
The claim is false. But does it make sense for Trump’s team to spread such extreme disinformation? Mathematical analysis suggests it can.
The positions of the candidates on the various issues, such as migration, can be represented on the political spectrum from the left to the right. It is fair to say that Trump places himself at the right end of the spectrum, while Harris sits at the centre.
If you are at the far end of the spectrum, left or right, then you want to move people as far in your direction as possible. So, given that these days, in the US at least, there appear to be no consequences for disseminating disinformation, you want your messages to be extreme.
By consistently hyping up the dangers of migrants, for example, more voters will start feeling that something needs to be done, even if they have never encountered an issue themselves.
Indeed, mathematical models show that the probability of a candidate positioned at the end of the spectrum winning an election can, at least theoretically, reach 100%, if the messages are nothing but extreme. The same does not apply to a candidate positioned in the middle.
We have seen this effect manifesting itself in the recent elections in Germany and France. Unless the public already has a strong appetite for the centre ground, which was the case for July’s general election in the UK, positions at the centre are often precarious.
The path to victory for Harris therefore remains steep. But there are means for an effective counteroffensive.
Clear communication
Political messages have two purposes: communicating where the candidate stands on the various issues, and making the voters feel that those positions are desirable. We can apply the mathematics of communication, which explains our cognitive response to digesting information, to infer the impact of political messages.
In particular, we can study how different messages on a given issue combine and interact. This, of course, only concerns voters who consume a variety of information sources, as opposed to those confined to an information echo chamber.
For those who consume both Democratic and Republican messages, the effect of combining them can be subtle. But, in many cases, they combine in an additive way with some weights on each message.
You can think of it as a weighted average of the two information sources. For example, if Harris says one thing and Trump says something opposite on a particular issue, then the net effect is each message muting the other slightly.
So, if Trump says the illegal Haitian migrants in Springfield are eating people’s pets, and Harris says the migrants are there legally and are not eating anyone’s pets, then people might come to the conclusion that, while there may be illegal Haitian migrants in Springfield, they may not be eating pets.
However, in some cases, one of the weights can take a negative value. This means that rather than adding them, the receiver of the two messages will subtract them. When this happens, the effect of that message is unexpectedly reversed.
For example, when clear and convincing evidence of the legal status of the migrants in Springfield is presented, the prevailing noise about their pet-eating habits will, in anything, strengthen people’s belief that the claim is false.
This can happen when the message from Harris is sufficiently loud and clear. Importantly, this does not mean Harris should loudly deny the disinformation. Provided that Harris sticks to her own messages in a clear and transparent manner, the mathematics of communication predicts that disinformation can turn itself against its spreader, for the following reasons.
The idea, roughly speaking, goes as follows. Suppose that a recipient of the messages is unaware of the prevalence of disinformation, and that there is a considerable gap between the unsubstantiated disinformation and reliable information, with the latter being communicated very clearly.
In this situation, communication theory shows that the receiver will dismiss disinformation more strongly than someone who is aware of the prevalence of disinformation.
It is reminiscent of the Japanese martial art judo where the ultimate aim is to use your opponent’s momentum, rather than your own force.
Disinformation should be challenged. And, indeed, both Harris and her predecessor Joe Biden have come out to condemn Trump’s “onslaught of lies” in relation to the two hurricanes.
But merely focusing on challenging disinformation is counterproductive. What is more important is for their own message to be communicated loud and clear.
No crystal ball can tell us whether the Democrats will retain the White House in November. But simply repeating the point that Trump is a threat to democracy, as Biden was prone to do, will not cut it.
Industrial relations will be hotly contested at next year’s election.
Labor has introduced a raft of new worker protections and pushed for wage increases for lower paid workers.
Business groups have argued against further red tape and claimed the government’s new regulations have contributed to rising costs.
The union movement, meanwhile, has been mired in the fallout from the CFMEU controversy, with some union leaders angry over the government and ACTU’s tough treatment of that union after revelations of its infiltration by criminals.
To talk about these issues and more, we’re joined by ACTU secretary Sally McManus and Innes Willox, the head of the Australian Industry Group, one of the peak employer groups.
On how to fix the construction industry, Willox advocates an oversight body but not the reintroduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission,
We believe that the construction sector does require its own oversight. We had the ABCC previously. We’re not saying go back to that. You don’t have to replicate that model entirely. But the sector has shown that it does require an oversight body that has the ability to launch both civil and criminal claims for poor behaviour. You’re not going to clean it up through sort of task forces and the like, which actually don’t do anything on the ground to change and moderate behaviour.
What other changes to industrial relations would employers want from a Coalition government?
I think what we can expect or hope that the Coalition will look long and hard at things like the right to disconnect. Which came from nowhere. It came out of left field right at the end of a process. It’s created huge uncertainty in workplaces. It’s a bit of a minefield both for employers and employees.
The definition of’casual’ is now a 17-page manual that employers have to work through, rather than a straightforward definition. We’d hope that the Coalition would look at that. And, of course, union right-of-entry powers which have now tilted the balance totally in favour of unions. They’re the sort of things we think that they should look at as a priority and examine what they can do to take off the rough edges that have been put in place there.
On the unions’ wish list from Labor, McManus says they are talking with the government about further action on the issue of equality.
At the moment, the gender pay gap is at the lowest ever recorded. So that’s a good thing. But in terms of equality in the workplace, that issue is still a big one, and there is a big push that we are making for reproductive leave. This isn’t just for women, it’s also for men.
So many women suffer from things like painful periods. Of course, there’s a whole issue of menopause.
For men, there’s a whole lot of issues to do with reproductive issues as well. […] So this is something that we are talking to the government about and campaigning around.
Another issue is that of youth wages:
It’s really totally outrageous that 19, 20-year-olds are paid discount wages in Australia. It’s not acceptable in 2024-2025 and should be fixed. The union movement’s taking it up at the moment and have got rid of it in a lot of industries, and we want to finish the job. So we’re going to try and achieve that through campaigning and through the industrial commission. But if we don’t, if there’s no way of fixing it that way, there’ll be no option then other than to say to the government, listen, ball’s in your court now.
On the split in the union movement over the government and ACTU actions against the construction division of the CFMEU, McManus says the ACTU will continue to keep its door open,
Look, no one likes what’s happened. No one likes the fact that, obviously, that union was infiltrated by organised crime, outlaw motorcycle gangs. And no one supports corruption. The other construction union who works with the CFMEU all the time, which is the ETU, the Electrical Trades Union – they’re the ones who have disaffiliated from the ACTU.
They’re mates, they’re all mates, right? And so, obviously, they’re also not happy with what’s happened. And obviously we will always keep the door open and encourage unity. The ACTU is a place where truck drivers and community workers and teachers and nurses and road workers, everyone of every profession, gets together and talks. It’s always a good thing because you’re listening to other people and you’re stronger together.
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.
With Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general installed as Indonesia’s new president, residents in the disputed Papua region were responding to this reality with anxiety and, for some, cautious optimism.
The remote and resource-rich region has long been a flashpoint for conflict, with its people enduring decades of alleged military abuse and human rights violations under Indonesian rule and many demanding independence.
Many Papuans remain haunted by past abuses, particularly those associated with Indonesia’s counterinsurgency campaigns that began after Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 through a disputed UN-backed referendum.
For people like Maurids Yansip, a private sector employee in Sentani, Prabowo’s rise to the presidency is a cause for serious concern.
“I am worried,” Yansip said. “Prabowo talked about using a military approach to address Papua’s issues during the presidential debates.
‘Military worsened hunman rights’ “We’ve seen how the military presence has worsened the human rights situation in this region. That’s not going to solve anything — it will only lead to more violations.”
In Jayapura, the region’s capital, Musa Heselo, a mechanic at a local garage, expressed indifference toward the political changes unfolding in Jakarta.
“I didn’t vote in the last election—whether for the president or the legislature,” Heselo said.
“Whoever becomes president is not important to me, as long as Papua remains safe so we can make a living. I don’t know much about Prabowo’s background.”
But such nonchalance is rare in a region where memories of military crackdowns run deep.
Prabowo, a former son-in-law of Indonesia’s late dictator Suharto, has long been a polarising figure. His career, marked by accusations of human rights abuses, particularly during Indonesia’s occupation of Timor-Leste, continues to evoke strong reactions.
In 1996, during his tenure with the elite Indonesian Army special forces unit, Kopassus, Prabowo commanded a high-stakes rescue of 11 hostages from a scientific research team held by Free Papua Movement (OPM) fighters.
Deadly operation The operation was deadly, resulting in the deaths of two hostages and eight pro-independence fighters.
Markus Haluk, executive secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), described Prabowo’s presidency as a grim continuation of what he calls a “slow-motion genocide” of the Papuan people.
“Prabowo’s leadership will extend Indonesia’s occupation of Papua,” Haluk said, his tone resolute.
“The genocide, ethnocide, and ecocide will continue. We remember our painful history — this won’t be forgotten. We could see military operations return. This will make things worse.”
Although he has never been convicted and denies any involvement in abuses in East Timor or Papua, these allegations continue to cast a shadow over his political rise.
He ran for president in 2014 and again in 2019, both times unsuccessfully. His most recent victory, which finally propels him to Indonesia’s highest office, has raised questions about the future of Papua.
President Prabowo Subianto greets people as he rides in a car after his inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, last Sunday. Image: Asprilla Dwi Adha/Antara Foto
Despite these concerns, some see Prabowo’s presidency as a potential turning point — albeit a fraught one. Elvira Rumkabu, a lecturer at Cendrawasih University in Jayapura, is among those who view his military background as a possible double-edged sword.
Prabowo’s military experience ‘may help’ “Prabowo’s military experience and strategic thinking could help control the military in Papua and perhaps even manage the ultranationalist forces in Jakarta that oppose peace,” Rumkabu told BenarNews.
“But I also worry that he might delegate important issues, like the peace agenda in Papua, to his vice-president.”
Under outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Papua’s development was often portrayed as a priority, but the reality on the ground told a different story. While Jokowi made high-profile visits to the region, his administration’s reliance on military operations to suppress pro-independence movements continued.
“This was a pattern we saw under Jokowi, where Papua’s problems were relegated to lower levels, diminishing their urgency,” Rumkabu said.
Yohanes Mambrasar, a human rights activist based in Sorong, expressed grave concerns about the future under Prabowo.
“Prabowo’s stance on strengthening the military in Papua was clear during his campaign,” Mambrasar said.
Called for ‘more troops, weapons’ “He called for more troops and more weapons. This signals a continuation of militarized policies, and with it, the risk of more land grabs and violence against indigenous Papuans.”
Earlier this month, Indonesian military chief Gen. Agus Subiyanto inaugurated five new infantry battalions in Papua, stating that their mandate was to support both security operations and regional development initiatives.
Indeed, the memory of past military abuses looms large for many in Papua, where calls for independence have never abated.
During a presidential debate, Prabowo vowed to strengthen security forces in Papua.
“If elected, my priority will be to uphold the rule of law and reinforce our security presence,” he said, framing his approach as essential to safeguarding the local population.
Yet, amid the fears, some see opportunities for positive change.
Yohanes Kedang from the Archdiocese of Merauke said that improving the socio-economic conditions of indigenous Papuans must be a priority for Prabowo.
Education, health care ‘left behind’ “Education, healthcare, and the economy — these are areas where Papuans are still far behind,” he said.
“This will be Prabowo’s real challenge. He needs to create policies that bring real improvements to the lives of indigenous Papuans, especially in the southern regions like Merauke, which has immense potential.”
Theo Hesegem, executive director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, believes that dialogue is key to resolving the region’s long-standing issues.
“Prabowo has the power to address the human rights violations in Papua,” Hesegem said.
“But he needs to listen. He should come to Papua and sit down with the people here — not just with officials, but with civil society, with the people on the ground,” he added.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, is beginning to study the value orientations of Russian youth in 2024.
Part of this research is a nationwide youth survey, in which all interested students and young teachers of our university aged 14 to 35 are invited to participate. The research can be helped by distributing information among friends from other universities.
According to the head of the research team, head of the department of state and municipal administration of the State University of Management Sergey Chuev, the scientific project will assess changes in the attitudes and guidelines of young people since 2017.
“Conducting this type of research allows us to dynamically assess a number of indicators in the youth environment, including changes in the life priorities of young people, the level of patriotism, and attitudes toward the most pressing social issues,” said Sergei Chuev.
This work will allow us to assess and significantly reduce the risks of deviant behavior of young people and unpredictable reactions of the student environment and its surroundings to various events at both the regional and federal levels.
Let us recall that this is the second such study by the State University of Management. Our university conducted the first one in 2017 as part of the preparation of the report to the Government of the Russian Federation “On the implementation of the state youth policy”. Results of the study.
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10.23.2024
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.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On October 25 at 12:00, the State University of Management will host the grand opening of the student expeditionary corps, a public organization whose goal is to conduct student expeditions of historical, patriotic and environmental focus.
The grand opening will be attended by:
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, Deputy Director General of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives Evgeny Murakhveli, Vice-Rector of the Russian Technical University MIREA Igor Tarasov, as well as invited guests and students.
The expedition team members will share their impressions, successes in the work they have done, and demonstrate their findings.
In 2024, the State University of Management joined the unique inter-university project “Arctic Team” and began to actively develop cooperation with RTU MIREA and other higher education institutions in organizing and conducting volunteer expeditions.
As a result of the expeditions, the remains of seven soldiers who died defending the borders of our Motherland were found and ceremoniously buried, two unique pillboxes (long-term firing points) were cleaned, which were part of the “Stalin Line” erected to protect the western borders of the USSR. Parts of German military equipment and insignia of German officers were found. In one of the pillboxes of the Sebezh fortified area, students of the State University of Management and the Russian Technical University of Radio Engineering and Electronics set up an exhibition, the exhibits of which are items from the Great Patriotic War found on the territory of the fortified area, and which can be visited during a shift as part of an organized excursion.
Students of the State University of Management took part in 10 expeditions, including search operations in the Sebezh fortified area at the sites of battles of the Great Patriotic War, went to the Arctic to clean up scrap metal – about 120 tons of scrap metal were collected, helped restore a kindergarten in the territory of the ethno-settlement “Land of Hope” (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug).
Having assessed the high activity and involvement of students in expedition trips, a decision was made to open our own expeditionary corps in order to expand the possibilities and geography of travel.
We are waiting for everyone on October 25 at 12:00 at the Information Technology Center of the State University of Management.
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/25/2024
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.
Survey responses can still be returned by post and online until 5 NovemberShetland residents have supported a new research project looking at ways to help make the islands’ population sustainable.
More than 450 households took part in a study investigating changing population dynamics and the role policy and place-based interventions can play to help create and maintain healthy and balanced populations in Shetland and other Scottish island communities.
The project is led by Marcus Craigie, a PhD student based at the University of Aberdeen, supervised by academics in the Department of Geography and Environment at the School of Geosciences and The James Hutton Institute. Marcus’ research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Marcus, who grew up in Orkney, said: “I am delighted by the support shown by local communities during fieldwork in August and September and with the response rates to surveys distributed across Unst, Bressay, Burra and Trondra, and Walls and Sandness.
“It is vitally important that the challenges and opportunities associated with retaining existing residents and attracting new and returning residents – for example, transport, housing and jobs – are considered in a way that is geographically nuanced and to do this, we need people to have their say.”
Over 450 surveys have already been returned but, from discussions in the community, Marcus says he is aware others were filled out but may not have been returned or were left in places the restrictions of his role prevent him from accessing.
“From chatting to local residents, I know that a number left their surveys ready to be collected inside their front doors but I wasn’t able to enter someone’s home and collect in this way without prior permission from the homeowner,” he added.
“The survey will help increase awareness of the Shetland context in Scotland-wide discussions about island population change and support policy recommendations for national and local government, so we want the best representation possible. I am hugely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views, and it would be a real shame not to collect any responses which either missed the initial deadline for collection or were left for collection in this way.”
If anyone has already received an invitation to take part in the survey and has a completed response that was not collected it may be returned by 5 November 2024 to: Marcus Craigie, Doctoral Candidate, Geography and Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, St Mary’s, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF.
An opportunity to complete and submit a response online at https://bit.ly/ShetlandSurvey using the participant ID on the invitation to participate also remains available until 5 November 2024.
Key representatives from the Liverpool City Region are currently on a trade mission to the United States. Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, outlines why the visit is vital for the city’s future economic success...
One of Liverpool’s key strengths is that, thanks to our maritime, music and sporting heritage, we are known around the world.
No matter whether you are in Boston, or Botswana, mentioning the city’s name means instant recognition – usually linked to our history as a place of emigration, the city that gave birth to The Beatles, and is home to two Premiership football clubs.
It is a useful ‘foot in the door’ when you want to have conversations with the right people about driving trade and investment.
That is why I am delighted that ‘Team Liverpool City Region’ are currently on a high-level mission to the United States aimed at driving tens of millions of pounds of long-term investment, trade and tourism to the Liverpool City Region.
Liverpool has a rich shared history with the United States and was the exit port for millions of people emigrating to America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The delegation includes senior representatives from the city region’s Health and Life Sciences sector, including the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast, as well as leaders from our hugely successful cultural, museums and events sectors.
They are taking part in a packed schedule of meetings with civic and business leaders aimed at promoting our city region as a place that is ready to do investment deals, and is a must-visit destination for tourists.
The United States is already the Liverpool City Region’s largest export market worth £1.8bn a year.
Total trade between the city region and the US is worth £2.5bn, and Liverpool is the UK’s largest western-facing port, handling 45% of the UK’s trade from the US.
But we believe there are huge opportunities to do more.
The trade mission is all about sowing the seeds for future investment, collaboration and economic growth.
We know our city region is a great place to live, work and visit – but it is vital that, in an increasingly competitive world, we do all we can to spread that message around the globe.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addresses Australian International Education Conference Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Hon. Jason Clare, MP in Melbourne
Establishment of Australian university campuses in India just the beginning, much more potential to be realized – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Cooperation in education is the fulcrum of India-Australia relationship – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
NEP 2020 has transformed India’s learning landscape into a powerhouse of possibilities – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
As a ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’, India is committed to being a trusted partner in human-centric development – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
By 2035 one in four people around the world who get a university degree will get it in India – Hon. Jason Clare, MP
Posted On: 23 OCT 2024 3:09PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, delivered the plenary speech at the Australian International Education Conference in Melbourne, Australia, today. Shri Pradhan also held a Bilateral Meeting with his counterpart Minister for Education, Government of Australia, Mr. Jason Clare MP. Members of the Indian delegation, heads of the universities of both countries, and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
Shri Pradhan in his speech commended the strong and evolving partnership between India and Australia that ties the history of the two countries and will also pave the way for a brighter future together. He also reaffirmed the further strengthening of these ties under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Mr. Anthony Albanese.
Shri Pradhan also highlighted that in the 4th Industrial Revolution, education must prepare students to be creators and managers of technology. India’s National Education Policy provides a framework emphasising digital literacy, soft skills, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary studies to adapt to evolving job markets, he added.
Shri Pradhan emphasized that cooperation in education is the fulcrum of the India-Australia relationship. He stated that the main objective is to enhance India’s education system into a competency-based framework, focusing on skills-based education as outlined in India’s National Education Policy (NEP).
The Minister spoke about how NEP 2020 has transformed India’s learning landscape into a powerhouse of possibilities, the enduring India-Australia ties and the remarkable strides made in education cooperation powered by NEP 2020. The establishment of Australian university campuses in India is just the beginning, with much more potential to be realized, he added.
He also added that together, the countries can advance knowledge, leverage technology for global challenges, and create endless opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship for the students.
The Minister also expressed that as a ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’, India is committed to being a trusted partner in human-centric development. The idea is to build and nurture global citizens, contributing to a brighter future for the next generation, he said.
Mr. Jason Clare MP, in his speech, emphasised the importance of a good education system that can change more than just lives. It can change nations, he added. Commending India’s education systems, he said that by 2035 one in four people around the world who get a university degree will get it in India. He mentioned how Australian universities like Deakin had been in India for 30 years and now Wollongong has one campus. He expressed his gratitude to Shri Pradhan for encouraging these initiatives. He also praised the work the six Innovative Research Universities are doing by exploring options for a consortium campus in India.
Earlier in the day, Shri Pradhan also met Mr. Jason Clare MP for a discussion regarding shared priorities of India and Australia in early childhood care, capacity building of teachers, and the potential for school twinning initiatives. Building on the strong institutional linkages between Indian and Australian higher education institutions, they agreed to further strengthen the partnership in critical and emerging technologies. They also explored the possibility of establishing branch campuses of Australian universities in India.
During these discussions, Shri Pradhan also met the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tim Watts MP.
Shri Pradhan met Mrs. Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria, Australia. He highlighted that Victoria is home to the largest Indian diaspora in Australia. They had engaging conversations on ways to strengthen institutional linkages of schools and universities in Victoria with India.
Shri Pradhan also visited South Melbourne Primary School and engaged with young learners. He explored the school’s innovative approaches to early childhood education. He emphasized how NEP 2020 in India places a strong focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), which is essential for a child’s holistic development. He reaffirmed his commitment to adopting global best practices to make early learning universal, enjoyable, and stress-free.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), a hub for technology, design, and enterprise. He explored their ‘Discovery to Device’ med-tech facility, fast-tracking ideas to products. He also appreciated the university’s emphasis on industry experience, hands-on skills, and focus on transforming ideas into products. Shri Pradhan explored how RMIT can partner and work with top Indian HEIs to equip Indian students with future skills and jobs.
Discovery to Device transforms ideas into products, through prototyping and scale-up manufacture, to create real-world impact.
Shri Pradhan also visited Monash University, which has notably welcomed Indian students since the late 1960s. Shri Pradhan received key insights into the university’s research & innovation ecosystem and their plans to strengthen educational ties with Indian institutions through its New India Plan. He also toured the Innovation Lab & Center for Nanofabrication— commending their impressive facilities supporting talent in driving ideas into impactful innovations.
In a significant move to enhance bilateral cooperation in the education sector, Shri Pradhan is visiting Australia from 22 to 26 October 2024. The visit is expected to foster collaboration, participation, and synergy in critical areas of mutual interest in education. Earlier this week from 20-21 October, Shri Pradhan visited Singapore and met the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Education Minister and other dignitaries to expand bilateral cooperation in skill-based education and research.
Day 2 of ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 Highlights Cutting-Edge AI Innovations for Sustainable Development “ITU Kaleidoscope 2024: Bridging Technology and Sustainability for a more secure, equitable, and sustainable digital ecosystem “: Rohit Sharma Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission, DoT
Posted On: 23 OCT 2024 8:42AM by PIB Delhi
The second day of ITU Kaleidoscope 2024, which concluded yesterday on the sidelines of ITU-WTSA 2024 in New Delhi, brought forward transformative discussions focused on AI and digital technologies driving sustainable development. Kicking off with a special presentation by Mari Carmen Aguayo Torres, the day emphasized inclusive technology solutions, particularly through public-private partnerships to attract women to tech fields.
Kicking off with a special presentation by Mari Carmen Aguayo Torres, the day emphasized inclusive technology solutions, particularly through public-private partnerships to attract women to tech fields.
Eva Ibarrola, from the University of the Basque Country, Spain, chaired the session for the presentation on Attracting Girls to Technology Through Public-Private Partnership, and Applications and Services for Sustainable Development. Mr. Rohit Sharma, Member (services), Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and Mr. Sunil Kumar, President – IETE chaired the sessions on Social, economic, environmental and policy aspects for sustainable development.
The event presented groundbreaking insights into AI applications for healthcare, education, and sustainable development. Themes included AI’s impact on healthcare, education, and agriculture, with discussions on AI-driven diagnostics and AI’s role in rural education access. The sessions also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in IoT applications and explored AI’s ethical implications in content creation. Overall, the event underscored the critical need for innovation and international collaboration in developing technologies that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The afternoon poster session fostered vibrant research collaboration, with topics covering AI’s role in education and the use of space systems to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Rohit Sharma Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission, DoT said, “ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 provided a crucial platform for exploring the intersection of technology and sustainability. From the cybersecurity implications of agricultural IoT devices to the complexities of AI-generated copyright and the future of international taxation for ICT solutions, the discussions highlighted the importance of global cooperation in ensuring that technological advancements contribute to sustainable development. The insights shared by experts across fields underscore the need for robust policies and innovative standards to create a more secure, equitable, and sustainable digital ecosystem.”
Mr. Atul Sinha Dy. Director General National Communications Academy said that, “The diverse research presented today showcases practical solutions to pressing global challenges, emphasizing the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration. I am confident that the ideas shared will help shape the future of technology for the greater good.”
ITU WTSA New Delhi 2024 witnessed another happening day yesterday with Mr. Sunil Kumar, President IETE, who chaired sessions on Social, economic, environmental and policy aspects for sustainable development, with presentations on “The Role of Refurbished Mobile Phones in Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Development”, “Advancing Trustworthy AI for Sustainable Development: Recommendations for Standardising AI Incident Reporting” and on “Modelling Internet Use in the Global Development Context.”
Concluding the day, interactive discussions focused on the social, economic, and policy impacts of AI, particularly cybersecurity challenges in agriculture and copyright issues in AI-generated content. These sessions provided critical insights into real-world challenges and opportunities that arise with the integration of AI into key sectors.
On Day 3, two important panel discussions will take the spotlight, delving into the future of global standards and innovation opportunities, followed by the presentation of paper awards.
Kaleidoscope 2024 continues to inspire meaningful dialogue around technology, standards, and sustainability, propelling forward global efforts for a more inclusive digital future.
About ITU Kaleidoscope
ITU Kaleidoscope is an annual event that has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academia and industry, promoting the exchange of ideas that contribute to the global standardization of telecommunications technologies. Since its inception in 2008, Kaleidoscope has become one of the most influential platforms for discussing the future of digital communications, providing a space where researchers and innovators can present their most promising work.
WTSA 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as a platform for the development and implementation of global telecommunications standards, uniting regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of communications worldwide.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 23 — The BRICS mechanism is a pillar in promoting a multipolar world and fostering an inclusive economic globalization, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday as leaders gathered in Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit.
Xi made the remarks while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the leaders’ formal meetings. He noted that BRICS is the world’s most important platform for solidarity and cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries.
He also voiced his hope to have in-depth discussions with Putin and other leaders participating in the summit on the future development of the BRICS mechanism, so as to secure more opportunities for the Global South.
Putin thanked China for its support during Russia’s presidency of BRICS, stressing that Russia is ready to closely cooperate with China to ensure the success of the first BRICS Summit after its expansion and bolster BRICS cooperation.
Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and the fifth-largest city in Russia, holds historical and cultural significance. Xi told Putin during their meeting that around 400 years ago, the Great Tea Road that connected the two countries went past Kazan, through which tea leaves from China’s Wuyi Mountain region found their way into many Russian households.
The city is also home to Kazan Federal University, where notable figures like the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin studied.
Russian fighter jets escorted Xi’s plane before its landing at the Kazan International Airport around noon on Tuesday. Guards of honor lined both sides of a red carpet to salute Xi, while Russian youths in traditional attire offered him a warm welcome.
Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin, one of the Russian officials who greeted Xi at the airport, told Xinhua that the city is honored to host the Chinese president.
During the three-day summit, Xi will attend small- and large-scale leaders’ meetings and the BRICS Plus leaders’ dialogue. He will also have in-depth exchanges with leaders of other countries on the current international situation, BRICS cooperation, the development of the BRICS mechanism and important issues of common concern, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.
GREATER BRICS
Observers see the BRICS Summit as an opportunity for Global South countries to voice their needs.
Victoria Fedosova, deputy director of the Institute for Strategic Research and Forecasts of the Russian Peoples’ Friendship University, said the very dynamic development of BRICS and the growth in its membership reflect a demand for a platform to address global issues.
“The BRICS mechanism has enormous potential in adjusting the imbalances in global development accumulated over the last 80 years,” said Fedosova.
The New Development Bank (NDB) is a flagship project of BRICS cooperation. As the first multilateral development bank established by emerging economies, the NDB, headquartered in Shanghai, provides financing support for infrastructure development, clean energy, environmental protection, and the building of cyber infrastructure across BRICS countries.
Dilma Rousseff, president of the NDB who is also in Kazan, told Putin during a meeting on Tuesday that the summit is “very important.”
BRICS has emerged as “the core of this multipolar world” alongside other global and regional organizations, said British author and political commentator Carlos Martinez. “It is essential to move away from the dominance of Western voices and allow countries from the Global South to have a meaningful say in international relations.”
“BRICS, with its focus on inclusivity and equality, serves as a shining star of this new type of international relations,” he said.
Zukiswa Roboji, a researcher at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, said that BRICS has “undoubtedly made notable strides in recent years,” offering emerging economies easier access to financial resources and better opportunities for trade, investment and development.
Experts also highlighted China’s role in BRICS cooperation and development. Timirkhan Alishev, vice rector for International Affairs at Kazan Federal University, told Xinhua that all initiatives introduced by China are rooted in multilateralism, fostering communication and dialogue on multiple levels.
“We see China puts a lot of efforts into developing BRICS,” said Alishev, adding that there are no preconditions for BRICS cooperation as one can begin dialogue on equal footing with everyone.
STRONGER APPEAL
The term BRIC was initially coined in 2001 by Jim O’Neill, former chief economist at Goldman Sachs, as an investment concept referring to emerging market economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. With South Africa’s inclusion in 2010, BRICS officially took shape.
Following last year’s expansion, the BRICS grouping now represents approximately 30 percent of global GDP, nearly half of the world’s population, and one-fifth of global trade.
“Measured by GDP, the BRICS countries have already surpassed the G7 in importance,” said Rousseff in a recent interview with Xinhua.
One of the key priorities of Russia’s BRICS chairmanship is integrating the new members into the BRICS framework, according to the official website. Other areas of practical cooperation include boosting trade and direct investment, as well as fostering a balanced and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.
As BRICS’ influence grows, its appeal has strengthened. Over 30 countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have either formally applied for or expressed interest in its membership, while many other developing countries are seeking deeper cooperation with the group.
“Joining BRICS will benefit Thailand in many ways, including advancing cooperation with other developing countries and increasing its influence in the international arena,” said Tang Zhimin, director of China ASEAN Studies at the Bangkok-based Panyapiwat Institute of Management.
BRICS “has become an engine of growth for the world economy and plays an important role in global policymaking,” Tang added.
Starget’sSmart Targeted Radioligand (STR)TheranosticsEnablePreciseTargetedDelivery ofHighlyFocusedMolecularRadiationDirectlytoCancerCells whileMinimizingDamage to HealthyTissues
Lead Program DOTA–PTR-58Was DevelopedUsingStarget’sProprietary PeptideBackbone DynamicsPlatformthatLeveragesBackboneCyclicInnovationsand In-SilicoAItoRapidlyDesign HighlySpecificLigands
TEL AVIV, Israel and HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starget Pharma (Starget), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing precision peptide radioligand therapies, and Cancer Focus Fund, LP, a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) to provide funding and clinical expertise to advance promising clinical therapies, today announced a $5.1 million investment from Cancer Focus Fund to support a Phase 1b clinical trial of Starget’s lead theranostic, DOTA-PTR-58. The trial will target tumors overexpressing somatostatin receptor type 3 (SSTR-3), including sarcomas, neuroendocrine tumors (NET), melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The trial will be conducted at MD Anderson and other centers and will begin enrolling patients in early 2025.
Targeted theranostic radiotherapy combines diagnostic imaging with targeted treatment to provide personalized care for advanced metastatic cancers. Using patient data, theranostics precisely targets tumor cells, delivering localized radiotherapy that can either generate diagnostic images or directly destroy cancer cells. This approach offers greater precision and a wider therapeutic window than conventional radiation therapy.
“This investment validates the potential of our smart targeted radioligands to provide safer and more effective therapies for challenging cancers,” said Sigal Kalmanson Cusnir, CEO of Starget Pharma. “Our Backbone Dynamics technology enables us to transform peptides into next-generation radiopharmaceuticals with enhanced properties. We look forward to collaborating with MD Anderson on this Phase 1b trial of DOTA-PTR-58, a first-in-class theranostic that has demonstrated both safety and tumor uptake in early studies. We believe our proprietary technology offers significant advantages over existing radioligand therapies, particularly for advanced cancer patients with limited options.”
Starget’s Backbone Dynamics technology is an innovative peptide radioligand drug design platform that uses proprietary backbone cyclization to create molecules with enhanced stability, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics. The platform accelerates the design of new radioligand candidates, facilitating the rapid development of cancer therapies with enhanced efficacy and safety.
“Starget Pharma’s novel STR technology exemplifies the potential cancer breakthroughs we seek to support,” said Ross Barrett, a founder and Managing Partner of Cancer Focus Fund. “Recent successes with peptide-based radioligands have begun to realize the promise of this approach, and Starget’s proprietary Backbone Dynamics technology further advances these gains by enhancing peptide diversity and optimizing candidate selection for a variety of difficult-to-treat cancers.”
Jordi Rodón, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at MD Anderson, will serve as Principal Investigator of the Phase 1b trial.
AboutDOTA-PTR-58and SSTR-3 DOTA-PTR-58 is a first-in-class superagonist radioligand with sub-nanomolar affinity targeting selective somatostatin receptor type 3 (SSTR-3), a receptor highly expressed across multiple tumor types including sarcoma, melanoma, NET and hepatocellular carcinomas. Unlike the more commonly used target SSTR-2, SSTR-3 shows lower expression in normal tissues, offering a broader therapeutic window. DOTA-PTR-58 comprises a theranostic pair: Imaging with a Ga-68 isotope and therapy with a Lu-177 isotope. A follow-on program will include Imaging with a Ga-68 isotope and therapy with an Ac-225 isotope. The molecule demonstrates high in vivo tumor uptake and internalization, selectivity and significant antitumor activity.
AboutStarget Pharma Starget Pharma is a clinical stage company developing a pipeline of radiotherapy programs generated using its proprietary Backbone Dynamics peptide platform that leverages backbone cyclic innovations and in-silico AI to rapidly design highly specific Smart Targeted Radioligands (STRs) that deliver focused radiation for the imaging and treatment of cancer. These STR’s are designed to engage novel and validated tumor-specific targets with either alpha or beta isotopes. Starget’s lead program targets SSTR-3, a somatostatin receptor that is overexpressed in tumor cells compared to healthy tissues and has enhanced cell internalization compared to other tumor targets. First-in-human data has demonstrated promising safety and good tumor uptake. A Phase 1b trial is expected to begin in early 2025 at MD Anderson and other centers. Beyond its lead program, Starget has a robust pipeline encompassing novel tumor targets and isotopes, offering first-in-class and best-in-class potential for a variety of metastatic cancers. For more information, visit stargetpharma.com.
About Cancer Focus Fund The Cancer Focus Fund LP is a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson). The fund provides investment support to advance promising cancer therapies that are close to being tested in humans or are in early clinical development, as well as the clinical trial expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson and strategic partners Ochsner Health System Precision Cancer Therapies Program New Orleans and the LSU Feist Weiller Cancer Center Shreveport. The Fund’s objective is to leverage this unique combination to provide investors with superior risk-adjusted returns. In collaboration with partner MD Anderson, the Cancer Focus Fund provides both capital and translational research expertise with the goal of accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies that result in better outcomes for patients while generating returns for investors.
Disclosures The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s relationship with Cancer Focus Fund, and all research conducted at MD Anderson related to Cancer Focus Fund, has been identified as an institutional financial conflict of interest by MD Anderson’s Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and therefore is managed under an Institutional Conflict of Interest Management and Monitoring Plan.
Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson and Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Liashko have signed a technical agreement between Sweden and Ukraine. The aim is to intensify cooperation and advance Ukraine’s process of integration into the EU. Ms Ankarberg Johansson also visited several care facilities in Kyiv, including the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital that Russia attacked in July.
“The Government has made clear that Swedish support to Ukraine will continue for as long as necessary. This includes the area of health care, which is an essential part of the country’s resilience and reforms. For me it was important to be here on the ground and show my support and that of the entire Government to the war-affected country,” said Ms Ankarberg Johansson.
The agreement covers matters such as cooperation on transfer of knowledge to healthcare staff, efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and exchange of experience of rehabilitation for Ukrainians affected by the war. It also covers cooperation and capacity-building aimed at supporting reforms that are required for EU integration in areas such as medicines.
The ministers signed the agreement at Ukraine’s Ministry of Health. It builds on earlier agreements between the countries.
Ukrainian translation of Swedish handbook on spinal cord injury
Ms Ankarberg Johansson visited a hospital in Kyiv, where Spinalis Foundation co-founder Professor Claes Hultling presented the Ukrainian translation of the Foundation’s handbook A new page of life with spinal cord injury. Speakers during the presentation included First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Mr Liashko, Ms Ankarberg Johansson and Professor Hultling.
The Spinalis Foundation promotes research and rehabilitation of spinal injuries.
During the visit in Kyiv, Spinalis concluded an agreement on international medical partnership with the Rivne Regional Hospital for Veterans of War.
Visit to bombed children’s hospital
Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, Okhmatdyt, is located in Kyiv. It was the target of a Russian missile attack on 8 July 2024, and a major portion of the hospital was destroyed in the attack and is in need of reconstruction. Ms Ankarberg Johansson was given a tour of the destruction and met with patients at the hospital.
The Government has provided nearly SEK 10 million in support to help rebuild the children’s hospital. This support goes to the volunteer organisation Beredskapslyftet, which together with Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital at Karolinska University Hospital initiated the project and is responsible for purchasing equipment.
Following the attack, the Government decided to provide immediate humanitarian aid, which was channelled via the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and distributed directly to the affected children and their families.
Ms Ankarberg Johansson’s visit to Kyiv took place on 15–16 October. During her stay, she also visited a primary care clinic in Makariv that was rebuilt following an attack in March 2022 and met with injured soldiers who had undergone surgical reconstruction at a military hospital. Ms Ankarberg Johansson later stopped by the pharmaceutical company Farmak and attended the conference ‘European Integration of Ukraine: Healthcare’ to deliver an opening address.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on MHRA saying ‘Donanemab licensed for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in some adults’, and NICE draft guidance saying ‘Donanemab does not currently demonstrate value for the NHS’.
Prof Andrew Doig, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Manchester, said
“Donanemab is a new drug for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) which tackles the build-up of a form of amyloid-β in the brain, the likely root cause of AD. It is an antibody that is administered through a needle inserted into a vein. Donanemab was tested with a clinical trial on about 2000 people with early-stage AD, run over 18 months.
“Donanemab shows real benefit to patients with mild AD by slowing down cognitive decline. The benefits are small, however, and there are concerns with the drug. Firstly, donanemab is not a cure for AD and it does not reverse, or even halt, the disease. All it does is to slow down the rate at which the disease progresses, as measured by loss of memory and other cognitive skills. In effect, patients who take donanemab see a delay to their loss of brain function by around six months. Secondly, carrying out a diagnosis to see who is eligible to take donanemab can only be carried out by a PET scan, similar an MRI scan, or by analysing cerebrospinal fluid, carried out by a lumbar puncture. These diagnosis methods are expensive and can be unpleasant for patients, so are not routinely available. Genetic tests to check that a patient is eligible for the drug are also useful. Thirdly, there is a small, but real risk, that donanemab can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain. About a quarter of patients in the trial showed evidence of this. Finally, the cost of the drug is very high, as is the cost of administering the drugs, as it requires regular MRI scans. Given the small benefits and high costs of the drug, NICE has not approved donanemab. NHS resources are limited (e.g. MRI machines) and are better spent elsewhere.
“This decision will be disappointing for patients and carers who are living with the burden of this horrible disease that has no cure. Nevertheless, there is hope. Better diagnostic methods are in development, such as a simple blood test, which would mean that PET scans or lumbar punctures are not needed. Donanemab has not been ruled out forever and this decision could change. We will continue to track how well it works over longer time periods. Costs may also come down. In addition, many other AD therapies, such as other antibodies are on the way. Some of them are likely to work better than donanemab and could be approved.
“Donanemab and other related drugs have shown that it is possible to slow cognitive decline caused by AD. They therefore point the way to a future where AD can be treated, bringing benefit to millions of people.”
Prof B. Paul Morgan, UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, said:
“NICE has reached the decision that the Alzheimer’s drug Donanemab, despite having a modest effect on rate of disease progression, does not clear the clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness hurdles for approval for use in the NHS. The drug requires monthly infusions and carries significant risk of side effects, necessitating very close monitoring using imaging and other expensive tests.
“The decision is not surprising in that it closely mirrors that made for another Alzheimer’s drug, Lecanemab, in August. Both drugs are monoclonal antibodies that target amyloid, the main component of the plaques that develop in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. They differ subtly in that Lecanemab targets the soluble form of amyloid to prevent plaque formation while Donanemab targets amyloid aggregates in plaques. Nevertheless, both efficiently clear amyloid and have a similar slowing effect on progression of cognitive decline in patients. Both also share the same risks, notably an increase in inflammation in brain blood vessels that can lead to bleeding in the brain.
“The decision will be a disappointment to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers. It means that there are no disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer’s currently approved in the UK. The decision also highlights the problems with the amyloid-targeting drugs – eye-wateringly expensive, difficult to administer and potentially harmful. Balancing these against a modest impact on the disease, the decision made by NICE is understandable. These drugs are already in use in the US and elsewhere, albeit at lower than predicted uptake, and more will be learned from their wider use. In particular, improvements in patient selection and monitoring may tip the balance in the future.
“The final lesson from these disappointments is that we need better drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, moving beyond the focus on amyloid clearance and targeting other aspects of the disease that may provide better, safer and affordable routes to effective therapy of this awful disease.”
Prof Rob Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University College London (UCL), said:
“NICE have made the correct and responsible decision that donanemab treatment within the NHS cannot be considered to represent a cost-effective use of resources. Importantly, the estimated potential value-based benefits of donanemab to patients with dementia and their families were between only a fifth and a sixth of the actual costs of buying and administering the treatment.
“Although there is considerable uncertainty about both the meaningfulness of the very small benefits seen with treatment and any longer term effects beyond the 18 months of data collected in the pivotal trials, NHS access to these new drugs would not have made an appreciable difference to the experience of patients and families affected by dementia.
We have well-established drug treatments and psychosocial interventions for Alzheimer’s disease that are already available to people with dementia within the NHS but are not universally accessed. Our priority now should be to ensure that everyone with dementia who might benefit from these cost-effective interventions and adequately resourced adult social care services is able to access them. It would be unhelpful if the conversation about how we adequately fund NHS and social care for people with dementia was distracted by the issue of these new drugs. We should thank NICE for their leadership and clarity in this regard.”
Prof Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said:
“These first drugs are just the opening chapter for Alzheimer’s treatments. Today’s MHRA approval of donanemab is another step towards a future where we can begin to offer treatments to people affected by dementia. In this case, NICE’s initial recommendation is that the benefits of the drug are not significant enough to make it cost effective, which means it will not be available to patients on the NHS. This will be disappointing to many. However, I do believe we are at a pivotal moment in our research mission to develop better, safer treatments.
“This is a long journey and is only possible because of long-term investment in research that underpins the identification and development of new treatments. The MRC-funded UK Dementia Research Institute is at the forefront of research into dementias, and working together with our many partners from patient charities, leading UK universities, the NHS and industry we are hopeful that major advances in diagnostics and treatments are ahead of us.”
Prof Charles Marshall, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“This will be very disappointing news for people affected by Alzheimer’s who are desperate for something that can slow the course of the disease. Hopefully, future developments will allow the introduction of treatments like this in the NHS. For this we will need investment in modernised dementia clinics that can deliver diagnosis and treatment appropriately, as well as evidence that Donanemab continues to slow Alzheimer’s disease over a longer time period, which could make it cost effective. We need NHS patients to be involved in generating this evidence so that we can see how effective Donanemab might be if used widely in the UK.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and President of the British Neuroscience Association said:
“While people living with dementia and their loved ones will undoubtedly be disappointed by the decision not to fund this new treatment on the NHS, the good news that new treatments can slow disease even a small amount is hopeful. New research is bringing us closer to treatments that should be safer and more effective. This decision on the amyloid targeting drug donanemab is not a surprise as it is consistent with the recent recommendations for lecanemab, a very similar drug. Donanemab is an antibody that removes amyloid pathology from the brain. This is not a cure. The treatment slows disease progression modestly but does not stop or reverse symptoms. The treatment also comes with potentially serious side effects of brain swelling and brain bleeding.”
Prof Tom Dening, Professor of Dementia Research, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, said:
“Given the MHRA and NICE positions previously stated on lecanemab, these decisions in relation to donanemab are hardly surprising. My personal position stands more with NICE, because I think that we don’t do enough to support people with dementia after they get a diagnosis, and the expensive monoclonal antibodies are a bit of a distraction from the main issue, which is to help people live the best lives they can with the diagnosis.”
Professor Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“Disease-modifying therapies like donanemab and lecanemab offer a new horizon of hope in the fight against dementia. MHRA’s approval of donanemab marks another milestone in this journey, but it comes alongside a draft NICE decision not to recommend donanemab for use on the NHS. While this is disheartening, we respect the decision of the regulator.
“In other diseases like cancer, treatments have become more effective, safer and cheaper over time and we hope to see similar progress in dementia.
“With around 20 Alzheimer’s disease drugs in late-stage clinical trials, more drugs will be submitted for approval within the next few years.
“New treatments are an important catalyst for change, but they are only one piece of the puzzle. While preparing for the future, we must not lose sight of the million people living with dementia in the UK today – a third of whom don’t have a diagnosis.
“We need to see significant government investment to bring about radical change so that everyone with dementia in the UK can get an early and accurate diagnosis. Without this, people won’t be able to access existing treatments and interventions to help manage their symptoms today or be ready for the disease slowing treatments of tomorrow.”
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“Today’s announcement marks another frustrating setback for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. We finally have two new treatments licensed in Britain for Alzheimer’s, but it’s incredibly disappointing that NHS patients in England and Wales won’t receive them. While these drugs are not cures and come with risk of side effects, trials show they are the first treatments to slow the decline in memory and thinking skills linked to Alzheimer’s, rather than just alleviating symptoms.
“NICE’s recent interim decisions on lecanemab and donanemab highlight uncertainty about their benefits compared to the significant costs of delivering them in the NHS. Yet dementia remains the UK’s leading cause of death, and without action, an ageing population means more families will be affected, driving up NHS costs through emergency admissions and care.
“NHS England has identified nearly 30 other dementia treatments that could be available by 2030, giving the government and NHS a crucial opportunity to transform how dementia is treated – just as Labour pledged in their manifesto. But we still haven’t heard from Health Secretary Wes Streeting on how he plans to break the deadlock we’re facing, where research is delivering new treatments but they remain out of reach for NHS patients. We’ve written to the Health Secretary again, calling for his leadership to bring together NICE, NHS England and industry so that people with dementia in the UK aren’t left behind.
“Today’s decision also risks signalling that the UK is no longer a good place to launch new dementia treatments. Although the UK has a strong history in dementia research, it currently hosts just 7% of global dementia trials and under 3% of participants in phase 3 trials for dementia worldwide live here. How the government tackles these challenges will show if they’re serious about bringing innovation to the NHS and cutting the red tape that is limiting people’s access to research and innovative medicines.”
MHRA decision and NICE draft guidance on donanemab for Alzheimer’s disease was published at 10:00am UK time Wednesday 22nd October 2024.
Prof Andrew Doig: Andrew Doig is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manchester. He is a founder and director of PharmaKure, a spin-out company working on diagnostics and drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Prof Rob Howard: I don’t have any relevant CoIs.
Prof Charles Marshall: I have no relevant conflicts to declare.
Prof Siddharthan Chandran: Siddharthan is the academic lead of Neurii, a £5M partnership to deliver patient focused digital health solutions for dementia, part funded by Eisai. The UK Dementia Research Institute holds partnerships with charities (BHF, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and LifeArc), and industry (Lilly, Eisai, Astex, SPARC and Ono).
Hilary Evans-Newton No COI.
Prof Tom Dening: No COI.
Professor Fiona Carragher: No conflicts of interest.
Prof Tara Spires-Jones: I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several charities and non-profit institutions.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)
COOKEVILLE, TN—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) announced two key changes to his Tennessee staff. Ray Render, who has served as Deputy District Director since 2019, has been promoted to District Director. Rep. Rose is also pleased to welcome back Leah Grider to the team as Deputy Chief of Staff.
Rep. Rose released the following statement:
“Ray Render and Leah Grider have shown up for the good people of Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District every day since joining my team,” Rep. Rose said. “They both reflect the best of Tennessee, and I have no doubt they will continue to work diligently to meet the needs of our constituents, from East Nashville to East Tennessee.”
About Ray Render
Ray Render was born and raised in Madison, Tennessee, where he graduated from Madison High School in 1985. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 1989. In 1993, he completed a Master of Business Administration from Belmont University.
Following a long career at Bridgestone, Ray took on the role of Deputy District Director for Rep. Rose in 2019. At that time, he served those living in the western counties of Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, including Robertson, Sumner, and Wilson. In 2023, when a significant section of eastern Davidson County was added to the 6th district and Robertson County was removed from the district due to redistricting by the state legislature, he ensured relationships with all new stakeholders were formed. From Madison to Lebanon to Gallatin, Ray is known by local elected officials, business owners, civic leaders, and other constituents as someone who can be counted on to help.
Ray’s community involvement extends far beyond his official duties. In fact, his dedication to service earned him the of title of 2023 Wilsonian of the Year. He is involved with Leadership Wilson, Leadership Middle Tennessee, Wilson Rides, Habitat for Humanity, Compassionate Hands and Various Chambers of Commerce. Most recently, Ray served as president of the Mt. Juliet Breakfast Rotary Club.
About Leah Grider
Grider, a Smith County native, spent more than four years serving the 6th District from the Washington, D.C. office. Her new role for Team Rose will be based in Tennessee, primarily serving counties on the eastern end of the district, including Cumberland, Putnam, Fentress Pickett, and Scott.
Leah was raised in Carthage and is a graduate of Smith County High School. She is also an alumna of Tennessee Technological University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting.
Prior to her work with Representative Rose, Bane worked as an Economic Development Planner for the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD), where she collaborated with elected officials, key stakeholders and community leaders from across Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District in both banking and economic development job roles.
OXFORD, United Kingdom, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EBC Financial Group (EBC) is proud to announce its continued collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics for the 2024-2025 edition of the acclaimed “What Economists Really Do” (WERD) webinar series. The upcoming event will be the first WERD event to feature a dedicated panel discussion session in a hybrid setting, titled “Sustaining Sustainability: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Resilience”. It also marks the second collaboration between EBC and the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics this year, following an earlier success in March. EBC’s ongoing collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics builds on the success of their previous WERD webinar, which focused on The Economics of Tax Evasion. That session explored the impact of tax evasion on both global and local economies, highlighting the importance of financial literacy in addressing complex economic issues.
The hybrid event will take place on 14 November 2024 at the Sir Michael Dummett Lecture Theatre, Christ Church College, and will bring together prominent thought leaders to discuss the intersection of economic policies and environmental sustainability.
As global climate challenges intensify, this event comes at a critical time when the financial sector’s role in fostering sustainable development is under increased scrutiny. In today’s economic landscape, aligning financial strategies with environmental stewardship is essential. Through sponsoring this upcoming WERD episode, EBC will shift its focus toward addressing the pressing issues of climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. The panel discussion will explore how macroeconomic policies can help address some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges while ensuring economic stability. This timely dialogue underscores EBC’s commitment to fostering discussions on how financial markets can lead the charge in sustainability.
David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration: “We are excited to partner once more with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics for the second episode of the ‘What Economists Really Do’ webinar series for the 2024-2025 edition. This collaboration embodies our commitment to advancing academic research and addressing the pressing issue of climate change through macroeconomic perspectives. At EBC Financial Group, we believe in the power of strategic partnerships to drive meaningful change, and we are proud to support such an esteemed partner in a collective mission to shape a more sustainable future.”
Banu Demir Pakel, session moderator and the Associate Head of External Engagement and Associate Professor of Economics, added: “We are pleased to welcome EBC Financial Group back to sponsor another special episode of ‘What Economists Really Do’ (WERD). In the previous WERD episode, we welcomed David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd to discuss ‘The Economics of Tax Evasion’—proving how invaluable industry insights can be to an academic discussion. On the basis of this success, we are looking forward to hosting a larger hybrid panel event with further guests from the industry, plus a keynote lecture from Professor Andrea Chiavari on the topic of ‘Macroeconomics and Climate.’ The Department of Economics is proud to facilitate thought-leadership discussions between academia and industry, and we are grateful for EBC’s ongoing support. We look forward to a prosperous event.”
The University of Oxford’s Department of Economics is globally celebrated for its rigorous academic research and significant contributions to economic policy. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how macroeconomic principles can align with sustainable growth objectives, informed by perspectives from both academia and the financial sector. With discussions that bridge the gap between theory and practice, this event will provide a forward-looking view of how economic policies can uplift environmental resilience and ensure global economic stability. Participants will also hear from industry leaders about the practical steps businesses and institutions can and are taking to achieve sustainable growth.
Embracing a Broader Vision of Sustainable Development EBC Financial Group’s support for this initiative comes at a time of strategic global expansion. With a growing presence in key financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney, as well as emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and India, EBC is committed to empowering local markets with financial solutions that are both robust and sustainable. By engaging with leading academic institutions like the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics, EBC aims to strengthen its role as a catalyst for positive change in regions that are traditionally underserved by major financial institutions.
The proceeds from this year’s WERD event will support the Department and its goal to produce leading research and world-class education. Registration for the event is now open, offering both in-person and online access to accommodate a global audience. To reserve your spot, please visit this link.
About EBC Financial Group Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services that includes financial brokerage, asset management, and comprehensive investment solutions. EBC has quickly established its position as a global brokerage firm, with an extensive presence in key financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, the Cayman Islands, and across emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. EBC caters to a diverse clientele of retail, professional, and institutional investors worldwide.
Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to the leading levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group’s subsidiaries are regulated and licensed in their local jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.
EBC is the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, offering specialised services in regions such as Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. EBC is also a partner of United to Beat Malaria, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, aiming to improve global health outcomes. Starting February 2024, EBC supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, demystifying economics, and its application to major societal challenges to enhance public understanding and dialogue.
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Moacir Goulart de Figueredo, M.S.C., until now superior of the order of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in the province of Curitiba, as vicar apostolic of San Miguel de Sucumbíos, Ecuador.Msgr. Moacir Goulart de Figueredo, M.S.C., was born on 30 September 1965 in Salto do Lontra, PR, in Brazil. He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Universidade São Franciscodi São Paulo and in theology at the Nossa Senhora da Assuncão University, where he was awarded a licentiate in missiology.He gave his perpetual vows on 2 February 1990 and was ordained a priest on 16 November 1991.He has held the following offices: formator and provincial vicar in São Paulo (1990-1996), missionary in Ecuador and parish vicar in Chunchi, province of Chimborazo and diocese of Riobamba (1996-2001), provincial superior in Curitiba, PR, Brazil, and parish vicar (2001-2007), formator in Ecuador and parish vicar in Quito (2007-2016), assessor of the Ecuadorian Conference of Religious (2007-2016), formator of candidates of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2007-2016), archdiocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (2010-2015), executive secretary of the Centro Misionero Nacional of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (2015-2018), and parish priest of the Good Shepherd in Turubamba in Quito (2016-2022). Since 2022 he has served as provincial superior in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. (E.G.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/10/2024)
Share:
For more than 100 years, Storrs students have been able hop on buses of varying kinds – from a 1920s jalopy to today’s sleekly designed “Ice Bus” – on their way to their classes, residence halls, and activities around campus.
While UConn Storrs has grown and even the school’s name has evolved, one thing has remained the same: The buses have been powered by fossil fuels, which has been the standard technology for decades in mass transit around the world.
But that’s about to change. As the State of Connecticut pursues more clean energy options, it is providing two new battery electric buses to the Windham Regional Transit District (WRTD), which operates UConn’s bus system, for use on the Storrs campus starting in the spring semester.
The electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions and provide all the features that today’s students need for a comfortable and productive ride. Those amenities include three-position bicycle racks, phone charging ports, comfortable silica cushion seats, on-board electronic information displays, and other features envisioned in the Customer Experience Action Plan of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).
The new buses are part of a larger initiative by CTDOT and state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) in partnership with transit providers to transition from diesel to zero-emissions models under an executive order that Gov. Ned Lamont issued in 2021.
The new 32-seat electric buses fit ideally into UConn’s clean-energy transportation vision, which is part of the broader plan to attain carbon neutrality on campus by 2030. Some of the related initiatives in the works include installing a hydrogen fuel dispenser at Storrs next spring; replacing 24 aging utility fleet vehicles with hydrogen-fueled models; and adding nine hybrid buses, which are currently on order.
Many more electric vehicle charging stations are also being added at Storrs, UConn Health, and other locations statewide. Like the hydrogen fuel station, they will be accessible for public use.
“Transportation is a critical piece in the puzzle at UConn as we work toward carbon neutrality by 2030 and the goal of net carbon zero by 2040,” says Stan Nolan, UConn’s interim associate vice president for facilities operations, which include transportation and fleet services.
“Transitioning our University vehicles to models that operate on more sustainable fuel sources will significantly enhance our progress, along with providing amenities like the charging stations to support and encourage others to adopt green-friendly transportation in our community,” he says.
All told, the University’s fleet vehicles are driven a combined total of about 2,000 miles per day on and around its campuses. About three-quarters of them run on gasoline or diesel fuel, but that percentage is decreasing as vehicles reach the end of their serviceable lives and many are being replaced with clean-energy vehicles.
President Radenka Maric, an internationally recognized expert in clean energy technology, says the impact of transitioning UConn’s fleet to green-energy sources will be an important step in the work toward carbon neutrality.
It also establishes UConn and the State of Connecticut as a partnership model for other states to emulate and underscores ideals of UConn’s Strategic Plan, in which the wellness of people and the planet – starting right on its campuses – are among the six top focus areas.
The two electric buses are expected to be added to the Storrs routes in the spring semester once the charging infrastructure is installed and ready for use at the WRTD bus garage.
The electric buses can run for about 150 to 180 miles per charge in winter, and about 200 to 220 miles per charge in summer. That range is ideal for a location like the Storrs campus, where the buses are constantly circulating on a typical day and the per-charge mileage is expected to be on the higher side since they will travel on flat topography at low speeds, officials say.
They will be around the same size as the current buses, most of which are seven or eight years old. Many of those buses will be taken off the road in coming years as they reach the end of their service life, with more clean-energy vehicles envisioned in their place.
The two new electric buses will include UConn’s logo and other recognizable branding, along with a white noise sound for safety to ensure pedestrians can hear the bus even if they are wearing headphones, ear buds, or other clothes and gear.
The new buses also will include the current audio warnings that are broadcast to indicate to people nearby whenever a bus is turning.
The two new electric buses being deployed at Storrs are part of the State of Connecticut’s initiative to electrify at least 30% of the medium and heavy-duty transit fleet statewide by 2030, and 100% by 2035.
Of the 50 new buses being delivered this year, 34 have been deployed across the various CTtransit divisions in addition to 11 already operating in the Hamden and Stamford areas from the 2022 Electric Bus Pilot program.
“Transitioning our fleet from older diesel models to newer zero-emission buses reduces greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution,” says Benjamin Limmer, CTDOT’s Bureau Chief of Public Transportation. “These state-of-the-art buses are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and offer additional amenities that today’s riders deserve. We’re excited to see them running on the Storrs campus this spring.”
Though UConn is moving into a new generation of clean energy mass transit, bus service at Storrs dates back to the days when it was still the Connecticut Agricultural College.
A news story from a 1921 version of the Connecticut Campus student paper includes a colorful description of transportation options in previous years, including a 25-passenger Kissel car that often lost its front wheel on Route 195’s Spring Hill and a faster but short-lived Studebaker.
One of the most famous – or infamous, some would say – was an old Pierce-Arrow they jokingly called the “Black Maria,” a common nickname for police vehicles.
“Students will remember a good many times when they gave vent to their feelings because of Maria’s mulish behavior,” the newspaper wrote in an April 1921 profile of the driver, who transported students three times daily between Willimantic and the campus.
The idea of a 32-seat passenger bus would have been inconceivable to students then.
In fact, electricity had only arrived on campus starting in 1906 – and only in the chapel, library, and dining hall, not the dorms. Now, almost 120 years later, the two new electric buses and nine new hybrid buses represent the next generation of transportation at UConn.
“UConn has always worked to ensure that its campuses are provided with the most modern, user-friendly, and socially responsible transportation options available. The addition of the new electric buses fits perfectly into that mission,” says Andy Kelly, UConn’s associate director of logistics in its facilities operations division.
From Monday 4 to Friday 8 November, in celebration of Green Careers Week, the Skills team at Plymouth City Council are inviting local people to take part in activities that will inspire them to get involved in developing the city’s green economy.
Students, career changers, job seekers, or anyone simply interested in the transition to a more sustainable and green economy can sign up to attend free sessions that aim to inspire local people to contribute to a sustainable future, while also exploring the range of green careers available in Plymouth.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Whether you’re interested in renewable energy, conservation, or sustainable construction, taking part in these Green Careers Week activities can help you to find out how your skills can play a part in a greener, more resilient Plymouth.
“There’s a fantastic line-up of activities with organisations including MVV Plymouth, Fugro, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, Poole Farm, Secure Forests, the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Bus and Southwest Highways, and it’s a great chance for people to find out more about the career opportunities that are out there.
“Join us to discover how various sectors in our city are contributing to a sustainable future and explore the range of green careers available!”
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic delegation visited the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Our university was represented by Acting Director of the PhysMech Institute Alexey Filimonov, Advisor to the Rector’s Office Vadim Korablyov, and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Engineering Physics Vyacheslav Bondarenko. The program of the trip included discussion of cooperation prospects and participation in scientific events.
The visit began with a working meeting at the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. It is headed by the Head of the Department of Aerospace Activities of the NAS, Academician Pyotr Vityaz. During the discussion, in which the Director of the Institute of Applied Physics of the NAS, Professor Mikhail Kheifets, also took an active part, the scientists considered a number of promising areas for joint research. In particular, they discussed plans to prepare materials for the Union State program in the areas of “Life Sciences” and “Materials Science”.
After that, the SPbPU delegation visited the VII International Scientific Conference “Modeling of Synthesis and Destruction of Materials”, where issues of deepening cooperation in this extremely important applied area of research were considered. Colleagues emphasized the seriousness of the publication activity of the Union State countries and agreed to strengthen it. The Belarusian side proposed to conduct an economic analysis and make a decision on expanding the composition of the founders of the highly rated journal “Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems”.
Polytechnicians took part in the XI International Scientific Conference “Materials and Structures of Modern Electronics”, which is traditionally held at the Physics Department of the Belarusian State University. Specialists present to the scientific community the main results of experimental and theoretical research in the field of semiconductor physics, condensed matter and nanotechnology. More than 50 oral reports were heard at the conference.
The team of polytechnics presented two reports. The first report “Natural size effect in heterocontacts” is devoted to obtaining information about the nature of the electronic properties of the surface of semiconductors and contact structures. Our scientists showed the results of a study of the natural size effect in semiconductor heterocontacts during the distribution of space charge on point and extended linear defects, which is extremely relevant in debugging the technology of manufacturing modern electronic devices on heterojunctions.
The second report, written in collaboration with colleagues from the A. A. Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was called “Magnetostriction anomalies and magnetocaloric effect of rare-earth Laves phases based on cobalt.” It presented the results of comprehensive studies of the structure and magnetic properties of practically significant rare-earth alloys, as well as the study of anomalies in the area of phase transitions using various techniques.
On the sidelines of the conference, several working meetings were held with the Director of the B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Academician S. V. Gaponenko, Deputy Head of the State Center “Belmicroanalysis”, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus V. A. Pilipenko, Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician N. A. Poklonsky, Dean of the Instrument-Making Faculty of the Belarusian National Technical University A. I. Svistun and Professors of the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics A. G. Smirnov and G. G. Gorokh.
The outcome of these meetings was a decision to prepare a large, comprehensive interdisciplinary application within the framework of the Union State research program.
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.
Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a leading global insurance company, will establish a new innovation hub in DeKalb County. The facility will triple AIG’s current Atlanta-area office space to accommodate over 1,000 employees, including the creation of more than 600 new roles over the next five years.
“Again and again, job creators are choosing the No. 1 state for business not just for first-time investment, but for expansion as well,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “AIG’s decision to grow their footprint here in Georgia is just the latest confirmation that we have what businesses want and are leveraging those assets to their fullest so we can bring new opportunity to all parts of the state. I want to thank our local and state partners who made this project possible, and I look forward to it’s long-lasting, positive impacts.”
With operations and network partners in more than 190 countries and jurisdictions, AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals protect their assets and manage risks. AIG’s new Atlanta innovation hub, set to open in 2026, will be designed as a collaborative workspace where teams representing every aspect of AIG’s business will work together to test new processes and incubate digital capabilities to build value for clients and partners.
“For many years, AIG has been a part of Atlanta’s thriving business community, and we look forward to creating more than 600 high-quality jobs that will provide rewarding opportunities for the talented and skilled local workforce,” said Peter Zaffino, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, AIG. “This investment is part of our commitment to continue to enhance our expertise to help our clients and partners navigate complex and emerging risks, while building additional capabilities for the future.”
The company will hire for various roles across underwriting, claims, operations, data engineering, and AI. Interested individuals can learn more about open roles and careers with AIG at http://www.aig.com/careers. For more information about AIG’s new Atlanta hub, visit http://www.aig.com/newsroom.
“Known for its highly regarded universities, hospitals, and healthcare industry, DeKalb County is renowned for fostering sustainable economic growth and prosperity,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Ranked as a top Fortune 100 company and recognized on Forbes’ first-ever list of America’s Best Employers for Tech Workers, we are delighted that AIG will bring additional business investment and employment opportunities to our county.”
“The quality of a company like AIG and the caliber of the employees that will call it home is a perfect fit for Brookhaven’s Perimeter Summit,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park. “Job creation is extremely important in any economy, and we appreciate the leadership and collaboration of GDEcD and Decide DeKalb to bring AIG to Brookhaven.”
“AIG’s expansion is a testament to what we’ve been saying for years: this region was built for business,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “The new Brookhaven location strengthens AIG’s presence in metro Atlanta and creates new jobs for Georgians as the company builds on its continued success.”
Assistant Director of Statewide Projects John Soper represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this project in partnership with Decide DeKalb, Georgia Power, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the University System of Georgia.
“For years, we lost some of our best and brightest talent to out-of-state opportunities. That’s no longer the case,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “AIG’s office hub is a great example of the type of investment that will keep our well-educated, diverse talent engaged here at home after graduation.”
About American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals in approximately 190 countries and jurisdictions protect their assets and manage risks through AIG operations and network partners. For additional information, visit http://www.aig.com
Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore (SRI-B) has collaborated with Garden City University (GCU), Bangalore to set up a ‘Samsung Student Ecosystem for Engineered Data (SEED) Lab’, providing students and faculty an exciting opportunity to delve into the world of AI/ML and data engineering.
At the lab, students and faculty members of GCU will get hands-on experience through joint projects on emerging cutting-edge tech areas such as Natural Language Understanding, Speech and Text recognition and Machine Learning, with senior engineers at SRI-B.
Samsung has already launched four SEED labs – two each in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu (VIT- Vellore & VIT- Chennai) earlier, engaging more than 400 students in AI and data-related projects.
“We’re at a time when technology is evolving faster than ever. We are collaborating with the local ecosystem where we strive to develop talent and upskill Indian engineers / linguists, to not only make them industry-ready, but also become the game changers of the future. Our strategic partnership with Garden City University will further advance our efforts and explore new opportunities in creating innovative products for India”, said Mohan Rao Goli, Chief Technology Officer, SRI-B.
The Lab at GCU plans to leverage the capabilities of Linguists in executing AI and Multi-lingual, data-centric projects by building an end-to-end pipeline for data, which includes Text/Speech Data generation in global languages, engineering (curation, labelling, and more), data management and archival.
“Collaboration with industries is crucial for universities to produce the workforce and innovators of the future. Our partnership with Samsung through the SEED (Student Ecosystem for Engineered Data) program aligns perfectly with the ethos of Garden City University. I am confident that this collaboration will greatly benefit our students while also strengthening Samsung’s industry-academia relationships. This marks a significant step forward for both parties”, shared Dr. Joseph V.G., Chancellor, Garden City University.
The SEED Lab, which is a collaborative initiative between SRI-B and GCU for 5 years, is spread across 1,500 sq ft. In its initial phase, the Lab has been equipped with state-of-the-art Infrastructure for the Students to collaborate with Samsung in generating datasets. The lab also has a robust backend infrastructure to store, process, and archive large volumes of data, and can accommodate about 30 people.