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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Academics and taxpayers deserve better than AUT’s discriminatory travel policy

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT has obtained a copy of AUT’s policy for funding researcher travel, which allocates 30 percent more points to travel applications for researchers who identify as Māori, and 20 percent more for Pasifika.

    “This policy will put some academics at a disadvantage relative to others, simply because they have the ‘wrong’ ancestry,” says ACT Tertiary Education and Skills spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

    “Allocating travel funding based on race is a disrespect to those who would otherwise secure opportunities based on merit, or on the value their travel can offer to the university and society.

    “After hearing reports of the existence of this policy, my office requested a copy of the points system from AUT on Wednesday morning. With no response from the university, I emailed around 500 AUT researchers over the weekend asking them if they knew about the points system and if they could provide a copy. This must have caused a stir, because yesterday morning AUT sent my office a copy of the points system, and the Vice-Chancellor sent an email to researchers and staff defending the policy. However, the Vice-Chancellor opted not to link directly to the points system so staff could easily view and understand it.

    “I have now sent a copy of the points system to AUT researchers so they can view it themselves.

    “Many researchers told me they were not aware of the points system, which is not listed publicly and is not easily found on internal systems. The University has not been up front with its staff and researchers, who deserve better.

    “Last week the Government issued a circular to government agencies setting the expectation that public resources be allocated according to need and value, not race. However, as the Tertiary Education Minister has pointed, universities are given autonomy under the Education Training Act 2020 to adopt their own policies. Of course, academics, politicians, and taxpayers can still – and should – debate and challenge funding decisions.

    “ACT will continue to shine sunlight on the discriminatory use of public funds. Having seen the Vice-Chancellor’s defence of the policy, I do not agree with the Tertiary Education Minister’s assessment that AUT’s rationale is ‘good’. ACT is deeply concerned that universities who fail to uphold equal opportunity for students and academics damage their own reputations and place divisive political ideology ahead of value for taxpayers.”

    Editor’s note: The AUT points system for travel funding prioritises applications based on a number of criteria, before an ‘equity multiplier’ of up to 1.3x is applied to advantage selected groups. This means that while a Māori-identifying researcher can earn up to 37.7 points, a researcher not eligible for an equity multiplier may only accumulate 29 points. This means, in effect, that an Asian academic seeking to attend a conference to which they are contributing a paper could lose funding to a Māori-identifying researcher who is merely visiting the conference, solely on the basis of race.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Global: After recent attacks, the Hezbollah-Israel confrontation could become more intense

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Emilie El Khoury, Postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University’s Centre for International Policy and Defence (CIDP), Queen’s University, Ontario

    The violent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified in recent days. Reports from Lebanon indicate Israeli air strikes have killed 356 people and injured more than 1,200.

    These latest air strikes come shortly after thousands of pagers and other electronic devices exploded across Lebanon on Sept. 17 and 18, killing 37 people and injuring thousands.

    Hezbollah quickly laid the blame for the explosions on Israel, which has not taken credit for the attack. Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said international humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-trapped devices and that “it is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians.”

    Days later, Israel bombed a building in Beirut, killing 45 people, including a Hezbollah commander.

    Israeli officials have reportedly said their recent attacks on Lebanon are an attempt to reach “de-escalation through escalation.” However, in response, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets deep into Israel, signalling that Israeli attempts at de-escalatory escalation are unlikely to work.

    In a speech following the pager explosions, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Israel had “crossed all red lines,” that the group remained resolved and that it would continue its attacks on Israel.

    Psychological warfare

    Since the current Hamas-Israel war began in October 2023, the violent exchanges between Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been based on a logic of deterrence, with each side attempting to discourage the other from widening the conflict.

    However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recently said the focus of Israel’s war effort is moving to the north of the country and that Israel plans to deepen its attacks on Lebanon.

    Israeli President Isaac Herzog has claimed Hezbollah hides rockets in civilian homes, suggesting they could become targets. Meanwhile, the Israeli education minister has called for “a massive war against Lebanon.” He has also declared: “There is no difference between Hezbollah and Lebanon. The way things are progressing, Lebanon will be annihilated.”

    Such comments, along with the attacks on Lebanon, indicate the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel may become more intense in the coming weeks and months. They also exacerbate the level of terror among civilian populations already grappling with the uncertainty and stress the war has wrought.

    While Israel has not confirmed it was behind the pager explosions, Israeli jets regularly fly over Lebanon, causing sonic booms as they break the sound barrier. This is a tactic designed to spread fear among the civilian population.

    Israel has adopted a similar tactic in Gaza, using drones that produce a loud constant buzzing sound that causes anxiety and a sense of insecurity.

    These displays allow Israel to demonstrate the strength of its military capabilities. In this context, Israel is intensifying its attacks across Lebanon to erode the morale of the Lebanese people.

    What is terrorism?

    The explosions across Lebanon instilled deep terror among the population. Among the injured and killed were innocent civilians, including children.

    This raises the question: Do indiscriminate attacks that spread fear among civilian populations qualify as terrorist if they possess all the characteristics of terrorism but lack a specific objective or motivation given that no one has claimed any?

    Politics scholars have attempted to come up with definitions of terrorism. Some argue any action that generates terror or panic and aims to destabilize society can be considered a terrorist act.

    However, the lack of a clear claim complicates this classification. These acts seem more akin to criminal acts, as the political or ideological motivations are not formally established.

    The concept of terrorism originated during the French Revolution, particularly during the Reign of Terror, a violent period marked by the execution of tens of thousands by revolutionary governments.

    In response to state terror, groups identifying as revolutionaries emerged, employing similar tactics to resist their authorities, and these groups were seen as terrorists.

    Since then, terrorism has been viewed as a form of violent communication directed at a state, using lethal means to instil fear and achieve specific ideological or political goals.

    In 1979, the United States government began designating certain countries as “state sponsors of terrorism,” with Iran notably implicated in supporting such activities following the Iranian Revolution.

    Today, the question of whether states employ tactics akin to terrorism is complex and widely debated. Anti-terrorism strategies typically aim to protect nations from immediate threats, while counterinsurgency focuses on stabilizing and supporting existing governments.

    But violent counterinsurgency raises ethical dilemmas. It can perpetuate cycles of violence, cause more terror and reinforce rebellion among affected populations.

    Do such attacks work?

    If the goal is to spread fear, then these attacks are successful. The explosions triggered scenes of panic in public places as shops, restaurants, schools and hospitals became sites of terror.

    However, if — as the Israeli government has suggested — the attacks seek to weaken Hezbollah’s support among the Lebanese population, they can have the opposite effect. Although many Lebanese people have been critical of Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict, these recent attacks are perceived as targeted against all Lebanese.

    Many innocent civilians were killed or injured, including women, children and health-care workers. People from all walks of life felt a palpable threat, giving rise to unprecedented solidarity.

    From an anthropological perspective, Israel’s latest attacks have galvanized a greater sense of solidarity within the Lebanese population. Following the attacks, calls for blood donations poured in, while various political parties and religious groups expressed support for the victims.

    For Hezbollah, these attacks, despite the significant human losses, can bolster it politically. They reinforce its narrative of martyrdom and portray the group as a defender of Lebanon to its supporters.

    The cross-border attacks by Israel and Hezbollah are in part designed to pressure the civilian populations, and in turn, the opposing side. However, this psychological war has not yielded the expected results for either side. Thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have had to flee their homes. However, neither side has seemingly been deterred.

    As the attacks become more deadly and rhetoric more inflammatory, there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions, abandon this violent approach and return to diplomacy.

    Emilie El Khoury receives funding for her postdoctoral research at Queen’s University from Queen’s Research Opportunities Postdoctoral Fund.

    – ref. After recent attacks, the Hezbollah-Israel confrontation could become more intense – https://theconversation.com/after-recent-attacks-the-hezbollah-israel-confrontation-could-become-more-intense-239554

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Parkinson’s research landscape

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    September 23, 2024

    Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting around 153,000 people in the UK. It affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and leads to many symptoms, mainly tremor, slowness of movement, and rigidity.

    Currently, there are no specific diagnostic tests or disease-modifying drugs available to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s. Diagnosis is based on medical history, symptoms, and a neurological and physical exam. Treatments focus on replacing the lost dopamine but are associated with long-term side effects and do not stop remaining neurons from dying.

    Remarkable progress is being made by scientists in the UK and globally to understand the mechanisms of neurodegeneration, develop diagnostics, stratify patients, and prevent/treat Parkinson’s. Journalists came to this Science Media Centre briefing to hear three leading experts discuss the current research landscape, including early detection, models to test the effect of genetics and environment and test new therapies, and the new Landmark programme; a consortium led by Parkinson’s UK using big data to accelerate treatments.

    Speakers included: 

    Professor David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK

    Professor Alastair Noyce, Professor in Neurology and Neuroepidemiology at Queen Mary University of London and Consultant Neurologist at Barts Health NHS Trust

    Professor Sonia Gandhi, MRC Senior Clinician Scientist, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology & Senior Group Leader, The Francis Crick Institute

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation  Ministerial

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, the members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, – or the Atlantic Partnership – came together and reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Atlantic region and a healthy, sustainable, and resilient Atlantic Ocean that is a resource for future generations. Since its launch, the Atlantic Partnership has grown to forty-two members, representing more than 75 percent of the Atlantic coastline. Countries from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean come together to address shared challenges, promote common solutions, and advance collective principles. In addition to the 32 original founding members, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago have joined the Atlantic Partnership over the past year.
    Members have endorsed a Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation promising engagement on the basis of international law, existing national and international legal frameworks, mutual collaboration, and respect for differences in capacity and political perspective, and acknowledging the special role and primary interest of Atlantic states in the Atlantic.  At today’s ministerial, the Partnership’s members reaffirmed their commitment to work together to uphold the guiding principles for Atlantic cooperation as outlined in the Declaration. These include:
    A commitment to uphold international law, including the UN Charter, to promote an open Atlantic in which Atlantic states are free from interference, coercion, or aggressive action;
    A commitment to uphold the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and political independence of states;
    Recognition of the special interest and primary role that Atlantic states have in the Atlantic.
    The Atlantic Partnership has focused on three lines of effort: 1)Sustainable Blue Economy, 2) Science Capacity Building and Exchange, and 3) Ocean-based Food Security.
    Sustainable Blue Economy
    The blue economy is the sustainable use of Atlantic Ocean resources for economic growth. The increase in the use of the ocean space, resources, and services, and their impact on marine biodiversity and ocean ecosystems, can put the ocean’s benefits at risk. The Declaration and its accompanying Plan of Action established the objective of advancing sustainable blue economic development as an overarching Atlantic Partnership goal. The United States is contributing to the Sustainable Blue Economy line of effort with the following programs and initiatives:   
    Marine Spatial Planning Technical Assistance – The Atlantic Partnership has established a working group on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), which is co-chaired by Spain, Morocco, and Angola. MSP is a process that helps coordinate multiple ocean-related industries to use marine resources sustainably. MSP can provide an integrated, ecosystem-based framework to allow for sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment, maintain biodiversity, and ensure alignment of government policies, community needs, and economic drivers. The United States is sponsoring MSP capacity building via directed technical assistance, local case studies, and global best practices.         
    Blue Economy/Blue Tech Solutions Public Diplomacy:  The United States is sponsoring a series of Atlantic Partnership Blue Economy/Blue Tech Solutions events.  The events will bring the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and technical government offices together with U.S. counterparts to develop and deploy solutions to environment- and ocean-related challenges with the United States as a model.      
    Partnering Across the Atlantic on the Blue Economy – The United States is sponsoring technical assistance and capacity building to strengthen Atlantic Partnership members’ efforts to grow the blue economy. The Atlantic Partnership is strengthening the blue economy via support for work on aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal planning, coastal resilience, science-based decision making, technology and data management, and early career development for scientists.     
    Support for Ghost Gear Reduction in the Atlantic – Ghost gear is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. The United States is working with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and technical experts and local partners in West Africa and Central America to identify factors contributing to ghost gear in the Atlantic Ocean and potential solutions. In April 2024, The United States and Canada convened Atlantic Partnership members to focus on the problem of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) or “ghost gear,” a form of marine plastic debris.  Canada, Costa Rica, and Ghana shared response experiences, best practices, and challenges, creating a new network of pan-Atlantic practitioners addressing the issue.    
    Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Marine and Blue Economy “4TheAtlantic” Incubator – To bolster cooperation among Atlantic Cooperation countries in the Gulf of Guinea to address emerging oceanic environmental issues, the United States is funding a three-day capacity building program designed to help entrepreneurs across Atlantic Partnership members to tackle emerging oceanic environmental issues such as food security, rising sea levels, deteriorating marine life, increased oceanic and surface temperatures, unregulated fishing, and marine pollution. 
    Ocean-related or “Blue” Technology – In August 2024, the Atlantic Partnership convened technology leaders to introduce new and innovative technology solutions to improve the blue economy, enhance environmental stewardship, and address challenges posed by climate change. These included technologies for ocean mapping, hydrography, GIS, ocean observation, robotics and telepresence, and vessel monitoring.
    Innovative Financing: In April 2024, the United States convened members and external partners to focus on innovative financing solutions for marine conservation. Co-hosted by Pew and the Nature Conservancy, the event highlighted opportunities and processes associated with debt-for-nature programming and the Belize and Gabon’s experiences of with innovative finance to protect their marine areas.    
    Science Capacity Building and Exchange    The Atlantic Ocean is at the heart of the Atlantic Partnership.  Under the leadership of Brazil, Portugal, and the United States, the Partnership has created a platform to advance Atlantic Ocean observation and understanding. The Platform creates a mechanism to bring in world-class science, connect with ongoing scientific endeavors, strengthen member participation, and deliver benefits to members. The United States is contributing to the Science Capacity Building and Exchange line of effort with the following programs and initiatives:   
    Building Ocean Observation and Modeling Capacity – The United States is sponsoring a targeted effort to support diverse, equitable, and inclusive all-Atlantic research collaborations with facilitated trainings and workshops that respond to Atlantic Partnership members’ needs, including building the technical capacity and increasing global access to Atlantic Ocean research data through increased access to and training on ocean observing equipment for under-resourced countries and communities, and will collaborate with All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Partners. 
    Atlantic Partnership/AAORIA Ocean Observation and Modeling Workshop – The United States hosted a joint Atlantic Partnership/AAORIA workshop on ocean observation and modeling capacities in Washington, DC. Collaboration with AAORIA brings access to the broader Atlantic Ocean science community, strengthens the potential for internal interagency coordination in member governments, and further demonstrates the power of the Atlantic community.     
    Ocean-Based Food Security  
    Food security and food system resilience affect all countries, and some of the coastal Atlantic states face acute pressures. Over half the world’s population depends on ocean-derived foods as a vital food source, underscoring the immense importance of ocean-based food security. In addition to conflict and political challenges, Atlantic States face increasing pressures from changing precipitation patterns, shifting fisheries stocks, and warming oceans, all of which affect food and nutrition security in real terms. 
    The United States is contributing to the Food Security of effort with the following initiative:   
    Ocean-based Food Security Solutions Exchange: The Atlantic Partnership “solutions exchange” will focus on sustainable aquaculture as a food security solution, highlighting global food security as its signature issue for its December 2024 UN Security Council Presidency General Debate. Working with the Environmental Defense Fund, the United States will bring together government officials, private sector leaders, NGO and academic experts, philanthropies, and multilateral groups to focus on the nexus between food security and the Atlantic Ocean. This exchange will highlight the critical importance of the issue of food security, particularly the potential for the Atlantic Ocean to support sustainable responses.   
    Public Private PartnershipsThe United States is partnering with the Schmidt Ocean Institute and with additional philanthropies, academics, private sector, and NGOs to bring their significant resources and expertise to augment government efforts, with a particular focus on ocean research and observations and harness opportunities for early career scientists. 
    Partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute:  The United States is partnering with Schmidt Ocean Institute to leverage its planned work in Atlantic Ocean scientific observation, research, and capacity building, through the 2025-2029 R/V Falkor (too) Atlantic Expeditions.
    Cabo Verde Partnership Opportunity Delegation:  The United States will bring a delegation of interested U.S.-based research, private sector, and conservation organizations to explore opportunities to collaborate with Cabo Verde at the nexus of science exchange and sustainable economic development.    
    Ongoing U.S. Atlantic ProgramsConsistent with our leadership of the Atlantic Partnership, the United States has implemented and continues to advance programs across the Atlantic on a range of shared challenges:
    The End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) – The United States initiated EPPIC, a new international public-private partnership to incentivize investment and solutions to end plastic pollution, starting upstream. EPPIC engages partners beyond national level governments to take on ambitious commitments that reduce demand for plastic and maximize circularity.
    Save Our Seas Initiative – The United States addresses ocean plastic pollution in the northern coast of Dominican Republic through its global and bilateral programs. The global Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program focuses on supporting an improved solid waste management system and remediating opened dump sites in Samana Province and preventing waste, including plastic waste entering the Samana Bay. The Dominican Republic Solid Waste Reduction Program works to reduce waste in municipalities on Puerto Plata, Monte Cristi, and Dojabon provinces leading to cleaner oceans, enabling communities and economies to thrive and build resilience to climate and economic shocks.  
    Coastal Resilience, Carbon, and Conservation Finance – The United States Climate Finance for Development Accelerator launched the Coastal Resilience, Carbon, and Conservation Finance (C3F) program to encourage the flow of private capital into coastal resilience and blue carbon projects. These projects generate biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and adaptation outcomes while safeguarding local communities’ benefits.  The United States is partnering with the Ocean Risk and Resilience Alliance to identify and engage stakeholders in Senegal, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Suriname, and other countries to build capacity to develop bankable, climate-positive projects and address information asymmetries between communities and investors – leading to investments that safeguard local resources and livelihoods.
    Blue Carbon Inventory Project – Through the Blue Carbon Inventory Project, the United States will continue to provide partner countries with technical assistance on the integration of coastal wetlands in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and maximizing the value of these ecosystems in terms of coastal resilience and blue economies. Through an integrated series of workshops, engagements and directed bilateral collaboration, the Blue Carbon Inventory Project has already collaborated to varying degrees with Costa Rica, Ghana, and Senegal and hopes to engage with other members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation in the years to come.
    Atlantic Ocean Marine Microbiome Working Group – Marine microbes play pivotal roles in the environment and climate, the food value chain, biodiscovery, and a host of cross-cutting challenges, including the need to demonstrate the socio-economic value of marine microbiomes and environmental DNA (eDNA). The United States co-chairs and provides in-kind contributions to the Atlantic Ocean Marine Microbiome Working Group, which focuses on building a network of marine microbiome researchers and disseminating knowledge about the important role microbiomes play in the functioning of the ocean.
    Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) Pole to Pole of the Americas – The United States continues to provide support for MBON Pole to Pole, a knowledge sharing network dedicated to the collection, use, and sharing of marine biodiversity data in a coordinated, standardized manner, leveraging existing infrastructure and standards.
    U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) – The United States has provided over $100 million in new resources to increase access to climate finance, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and build resilience to climate change and natural disasters under PACC 2030. PACC 2030 has established a network of Caribbean-based scientific experts to develop new climate mitigation and adaptation measures, identified new opportunities for clean energy infrastructure, and enhanced resilient food production systems to feed the region. 
    Caribbean Sustainable Ecosystems Activity – The United States Caribbean Sustainable Ecosystems Activity aims to reduce threats to coastal-marine biodiversity in the Caribbean while building coastal communities’ resilience to climate change. The Sustainable Ecosystems Activity harmonizes regional conservation approaches and engages the tourism sector to advocate and conserve marine protected areas
    Caribbean Biodiversity Program – Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help support biodiversity and climate resilience in the face of climate change. The Caribbean Biodiversity Program facilitates international and regional peer-to-peer exchange between MPAs in areas of enforcement, protected area financing, communication, outreach, public education, coral reef monitoring, and socio-economic monitoring.
    Sargassum Inundation Embassy Science Fellow – Sargassum inundation events occur when rafts of this algae are carried to shore by winds and currents. These events are a type of harmful algal bloom that can adversely impact coastal ecosystems, tourism, and public health. The United States embedded an environmental engineer at the University of the West Indies to focus on collaborative research to better detect and address Sargassum influxes in the Caribbean and to support developing a plan for identification and response strategies for Sargassum inundation events in the Eastern Caribbean. 
    National Marine Litter Action Plans – The United States assisted several Atlantic Partnership members (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala) in the development of their National Marine Litter Action Plans which establish a roadmap for relevant authorities in each country to better manage marine litter issues.
    Ocean Conservation Skill Sharing – The United States is working to build relationships among regional institutions to share approaches and learning to improve conservation of mangroves, shellfish, seagrass, and coral reefs.
    Support for fisheries management efforts of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – The United States provides extensive support for ICCAT, which oversees the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, marlin and sharks, and adopts measures to minimize bycatch of sea turtles, seabirds, and other protected species associated with these fisheries. This responsibility is shared among ICCAT’s 53 members, including a number of members of the Atlantic Partnership. 
    Support for the Atlantic Centre Course on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in the Atlantic” – The United States partners with the Atlantic Centre, a “Multilateral Centre of Excellence,” to promote defense capacity-building for the Atlantic, including the recent course on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in the Atlantic,” held in the Azores. 
    Joint Presentation of the Five-Day Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Seminar – The United States has deployed an exportable, internationally-focused seminar to assist partner nations (including Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) to develop and strengthen their fisheries enforcement regimes to help prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing products from entering the global seafood market. 
    Maritime Advisor to Côte d’Ivoire – The United States supports a Maritime Advisor to Côte d’Ivoire, who assists in countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and improving maritime governance, port security, and port state control in West Africa. A mobile training team completed a two-week Boarding Officer Course for 18 Ivorians from their Navy, Gendarmerie, Customs and Fisheries organizations.  
    Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity – The United States funds the Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA) – a five-year, $17.8 million project that is mitigating the near collapse of Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries and establishing a foundation for their ecological recovery. The GFRA reduces overfishing and improves small pelagic fisheries management, which encourages ecological sustainability and marine biodiversity conservation and improves the socioeconomic well-being, food security, and resilience of fishers and coastal communities in Ghana. 
    Women Shellfishers and Food Security Activity – The United States works in field sites in The Gambia and Ghana to demonstrate effective shellfishing and natural resource management approaches to women-led, community-based shellfishing operations.
    Protecting Natural Ecosystems in Sierra Leone – The United States provided $10 million in political risk insurance to support West Africa Blue’s equity investment in a mangrove blue carbon project in the Bonthe and Moyamba regions of Sierra Leone. The project builds on a longstanding relationship with local communities and aims to develop long-term conservation, restoration, and income diversification activities funded sustainably through the issuance of high-quality, certified carbon credits. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to Uzbekistan from 24th to 28th Sept. 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to Uzbekistan from 24th to 28th Sept. 2024

    Union Finance Minister will attend 9th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB during the visit

    Smt. Sitharaman will also sign Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan

    The Union Finance Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and AIIB President

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to Uzbekistan from 24thto 28thSeptember, 2024. The Union Finance Minister will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance.

     

    During the visit, Smt. Sitharaman will attend the Ninth Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) scheduled in Samarkand on 25thand 26thSeptember 2024, besides other important bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and AIIB President.

    In the Annual Meeting of AIIB, the Union Finance Minister will attend as the Indian Governor to the AIIB. India is the second largest shareholder of the bank. The multilateral discussions centred around a broad spectrum of important global issues relevant to the development agenda.

    As part of the official visit, the Union Finance Minister is expected to call-on H.E Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan.

    During the visit, the Union Finance Minister will sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan. The BIT will be signed by the Union Finance Minister and Uzbekistan Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade. The treaty aims to promote more extensive economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries on a long-term basis.

    The Union Finance Minister will also participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business forum discussions, jointly organised as well as represented by industry captains from both the countries.

    Besides the above engagement, Smt. Sitharaman will also visit the Samarkand State University and Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent. The Union Finance Minister will also interact with Indian diaspora representing leading voices from multiple sectors.

    About AIIB and Annual Meetings

    The AIIB Annual Meeting witnesses’ participation of delegations from around 80 countries, and other international organisations. As a multilateral development bank, AIIB is focused on developing sustainable infrastructure in Asia and in promoting investments in infrastructure and other productive sectors with a view to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth and improve infrastructure connectivity.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2057978) Visitor Counter : 80

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation  Ministerial

    Source: The White House

    Today, the members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, – or the Atlantic Partnership – came together and reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Atlantic region and a healthy, sustainable, and resilient Atlantic Ocean that is a resource for future generations.
     
    Since its launch, the Atlantic Partnership has grown to forty-two members, representing more than 75 percent of the Atlantic coastline. Countries from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean come together to address shared challenges, promote common solutions, and advance collective principles. In addition to the 32 original founding members, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago have joined the Atlantic Partnership over the past year.

    Members have endorsed a Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation promising engagement on the basis of international law, existing national and international legal frameworks, mutual collaboration, and respect for differences in capacity and political perspective, and acknowledging the special role and primary interest of Atlantic states in the Atlantic. 
     
    At today’s ministerial, the Partnership’s members reaffirmed their commitment to work together to uphold the guiding principles for Atlantic cooperation as outlined in the Declaration. These include:

    • A commitment to uphold international law, including the UN Charter, to promote an open Atlantic in which Atlantic states are free from interference, coercion, or aggressive action;
    • A commitment to uphold the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and political independence of states;
    • Recognition of the special interest and primary role that Atlantic states have in the Atlantic.

    The Atlantic Partnership has focused on three lines of effort: 1)Sustainable Blue Economy, 2) Science Capacity Building and Exchange, and 3) Ocean-based Food Security.

    Sustainable Blue Economy

    The blue economy is the sustainable use of Atlantic Ocean resources for economic growth. The increase in the use of the ocean space, resources, and services, and their impact on marine biodiversity and ocean ecosystems, can put the ocean’s benefits at risk. The Declaration and its accompanying Plan of Action established the objective of advancing sustainable blue economic development as an overarching Atlantic Partnership goal. The United States is contributing to the Sustainable Blue Economy line of effort with the following programs and initiatives:   

    • Marine Spatial Planning Technical Assistance – The Atlantic Partnership has established a working group on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), which is co-chaired by Spain, Morocco, and Angola. MSP is a process that helps coordinate multiple ocean-related industries to use marine resources sustainably. MSP can provide an integrated, ecosystem-based framework to allow for sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment, maintain biodiversity, and ensure alignment of government policies, community needs, and economic drivers. The United States is sponsoring MSP capacity building via directed technical assistance, local case studies, and global best practices.         
    • Blue Economy/Blue Tech Solutions Public Diplomacy:  The United States is sponsoring a series of Atlantic Partnership Blue Economy/Blue Tech Solutions events.  The events will bring the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and technical government offices together with U.S. counterparts to develop and deploy solutions to environment- and ocean-related challenges with the United States as a model.      
    • Partnering Across the Atlantic on the Blue Economy – The United States is sponsoring technical assistance and capacity building to strengthen Atlantic Partnership members’ efforts to grow the blue economy. The Atlantic Partnership is strengthening the blue economy via support for work on aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal planning, coastal resilience, science-based decision making, technology and data management, and early career development for scientists.     
    • Support for Ghost Gear Reduction in the Atlantic – Ghost gear is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. The United States is working with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and technical experts and local partners in West Africa and Central America to identify factors contributing to ghost gear in the Atlantic Ocean and potential solutions. In April 2024, The United States and Canada convened Atlantic Partnership members to focus on the problem of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) or “ghost gear,” a form of marine plastic debris.  Canada, Costa Rica, and Ghana shared response experiences, best practices, and challenges, creating a new network of pan-Atlantic practitioners addressing the issue.    
    • Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Marine and Blue Economy “4TheAtlantic” Incubator – To bolster cooperation among Atlantic Cooperation countries in the Gulf of Guinea to address emerging oceanic environmental issues, the United States is funding a three-day capacity building program designed to help entrepreneurs across Atlantic Partnership members to tackle emerging oceanic environmental issues such as food security, rising sea levels, deteriorating marine life, increased oceanic and surface temperatures, unregulated fishing, and marine pollution. 
    • Ocean-related or “Blue” Technology – In August 2024, the Atlantic Partnership convened technology leaders to introduce new and innovative technology solutions to improve the blue economy, enhance environmental stewardship, and address challenges posed by climate change. These included technologies for ocean mapping, hydrography, GIS, ocean observation, robotics and telepresence, and vessel monitoring.
    • Innovative Financing: In April 2024, the United States convened members and external partners to focus on innovative financing solutions for marine conservation. Co-hosted by Pew and the Nature Conservancy, the event highlighted opportunities and processes associated with debt-for-nature programming and the Belize and Gabon’s experiences of with innovative finance to protect their marine areas.    

    Science Capacity Building and Exchange  
      
    The Atlantic Ocean is at the heart of the Atlantic Partnership.  Under the leadership of Brazil, Portugal, and the United States, the Partnership has created a platform to advance Atlantic Ocean observation and understanding. The Platform creates a mechanism to bring in world-class science, connect with ongoing scientific endeavors, strengthen member participation, and deliver benefits to members. The United States is contributing to the Science Capacity Building and Exchange line of effort with the following programs and initiatives:   

    • Building Ocean Observation and Modeling Capacity – The United States is sponsoring a targeted effort to support diverse, equitable, and inclusive all-Atlantic research collaborations with facilitated trainings and workshops that respond to Atlantic Partnership members’ needs, including building the technical capacity and increasing global access to Atlantic Ocean research data through increased access to and training on ocean observing equipment for under-resourced countries and communities, and will collaborate with All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Partners. 
    • Atlantic Partnership/AAORIA Ocean Observation and Modeling Workshop – The United States hosted a joint Atlantic Partnership/AAORIA workshop on ocean observation and modeling capacities in Washington, DC. Collaboration with AAORIA brings access to the broader Atlantic Ocean science community, strengthens the potential for internal interagency coordination in member governments, and further demonstrates the power of the Atlantic community.     

    Ocean-Based Food Security  

    Food security and food system resilience affect all countries, and some of the coastal Atlantic states face acute pressures. Over half the world’s population depends on ocean-derived foods as a vital food source, underscoring the immense importance of ocean-based food security. In addition to conflict and political challenges, Atlantic States face increasing pressures from changing precipitation patterns, shifting fisheries stocks, and warming oceans, all of which affect food and nutrition security in real terms. 

    The United States is contributing to the Food Security of effort with the following initiative:   

    • Ocean-based Food Security Solutions Exchange: The Atlantic Partnership “solutions exchange” will focus on sustainable aquaculture as a food security solution, highlighting global food security as its signature issue for its December 2024 UN Security Council Presidency General Debate. Working with the Environmental Defense Fund, the United States will bring together government officials, private sector leaders, NGO and academic experts, philanthropies, and multilateral groups to focus on the nexus between food security and the Atlantic Ocean. This exchange will highlight the critical importance of the issue of food security, particularly the potential for the Atlantic Ocean to support sustainable responses.   

    Public Private Partnerships
    The United States is partnering with the Schmidt Ocean Institute and with additional philanthropies, academics, private sector, and NGOs to bring their significant resources and expertise to augment government efforts, with a particular focus on ocean research and observations and harness opportunities for early career scientists. 

    • Partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute:  The United States is partnering with Schmidt Ocean Institute to leverage its planned work in Atlantic Ocean scientific observation, research, and capacity building, through the 2025-2029 R/V Falkor (too) Atlantic Expeditions.
    • Cabo Verde Partnership Opportunity Delegation:  The United States will bring a delegation of interested U.S.-based research, private sector, and conservation organizations to explore opportunities to collaborate with Cabo Verde at the nexus of science exchange and sustainable economic development.    

    Ongoing U.S. Atlantic Programs
    Consistent with our leadership of the Atlantic Partnership, the United States has implemented and continues to advance programs across the Atlantic on a range of shared challenges:

    • The End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) – The United States initiated EPPIC, a new international public-private partnership to incentivize investment and solutions to end plastic pollution, starting upstream. EPPIC engages partners beyond national level governments to take on ambitious commitments that reduce demand for plastic and maximize circularity.
    • Save Our Seas Initiative – The United States addresses ocean plastic pollution in the northern coast of Dominican Republic through its global and bilateral programs. The global Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program focuses on supporting an improved solid waste management system and remediating opened dump sites in Samana Province and preventing waste, including plastic waste entering the Samana Bay. The Dominican Republic Solid Waste Reduction Program works to reduce waste in municipalities on Puerto Plata, Monte Cristi, and Dojabon provinces leading to cleaner oceans, enabling communities and economies to thrive and build resilience to climate and economic shocks.  
    • Coastal Resilience, Carbon, and Conservation Finance – The United States Climate Finance for Development Accelerator launched the Coastal Resilience, Carbon, and Conservation Finance (C3F) program to encourage the flow of private capital into coastal resilience and blue carbon projects. These projects generate biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and adaptation outcomes while safeguarding local communities’ benefits.  The United States is partnering with the Ocean Risk and Resilience Alliance to identify and engage stakeholders in Senegal, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Suriname, and other countries to build capacity to develop bankable, climate-positive projects and address information asymmetries between communities and investors – leading to investments that safeguard local resources and livelihoods.
    • Blue Carbon Inventory Project – Through the Blue Carbon Inventory Project, the United States will continue to provide partner countries with technical assistance on the integration of coastal wetlands in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and maximizing the value of these ecosystems in terms of coastal resilience and blue economies. Through an integrated series of workshops, engagements and directed bilateral collaboration, the Blue Carbon Inventory Project has already collaborated to varying degrees with Costa Rica, Ghana, and Senegal and hopes to engage with other members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation in the years to come.
    • Atlantic Ocean Marine Microbiome Working Group – Marine microbes play pivotal roles in the environment and climate, the food value chain, biodiscovery, and a host of cross-cutting challenges, including the need to demonstrate the socio-economic value of marine microbiomes and environmental DNA (eDNA). The United States co-chairs and provides in-kind contributions to the Atlantic Ocean Marine Microbiome Working Group, which focuses on building a network of marine microbiome researchers and disseminating knowledge about the important role microbiomes play in the functioning of the ocean.
    • Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) Pole to Pole of the Americas – The United States continues to provide support for MBON Pole to Pole, a knowledge sharing network dedicated to the collection, use, and sharing of marine biodiversity data in a coordinated, standardized manner, leveraging existing infrastructure and standards.
    • U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) – The United States has provided over $100 million in new resources to increase access to climate finance, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and build resilience to climate change and natural disasters under PACC 2030. PACC 2030 has established a network of Caribbean-based scientific experts to develop new climate mitigation and adaptation measures, identified new opportunities for clean energy infrastructure, and enhanced resilient food production systems to feed the region. 
    • Caribbean Sustainable Ecosystems Activity – The United States Caribbean Sustainable Ecosystems Activity aims to reduce threats to coastal-marine biodiversity in the Caribbean while building coastal communities’ resilience to climate change. The Sustainable Ecosystems Activity harmonizes regional conservation approaches and engages the tourism sector to advocate and conserve marine protected areas
    • Caribbean Biodiversity Program – Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help support biodiversity and climate resilience in the face of climate change. The Caribbean Biodiversity Program facilitates international and regional peer-to-peer exchange between MPAs in areas of enforcement, protected area financing, communication, outreach, public education, coral reef monitoring, and socio-economic monitoring.
    • Sargassum Inundation Embassy Science Fellow – Sargassum inundation events occur when rafts of this algae are carried to shore by winds and currents. These events are a type of harmful algal bloom that can adversely impact coastal ecosystems, tourism, and public health. The United States embedded an environmental engineer at the University of the West Indies to focus on collaborative research to better detect and address Sargassum influxes in the Caribbean and to support developing a plan for identification and response strategies for Sargassum inundation events in the Eastern Caribbean. 
    • National Marine Litter Action Plans – The United States assisted several Atlantic Partnership members (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala) in the development of their National Marine Litter Action Plans which establish a roadmap for relevant authorities in each country to better manage marine litter issues.
    • Ocean Conservation Skill Sharing – The United States is working to build relationships among regional institutions to share approaches and learning to improve conservation of mangroves, shellfish, seagrass, and coral reefs.
    • Support for fisheries management efforts of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – The United States provides extensive support for ICCAT, which oversees the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, marlin and sharks, and adopts measures to minimize bycatch of sea turtles, seabirds, and other protected species associated with these fisheries. This responsibility is shared among ICCAT’s 53 members, including a number of members of the Atlantic Partnership. 
    • Support for the Atlantic Centre Course on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in the Atlantic” – The United States partners with the Atlantic Centre, a “Multilateral Centre of Excellence,” to promote defense capacity-building for the Atlantic, including the recent course on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in the Atlantic,” held in the Azores. 
    • Joint Presentation of the Five-Day Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Seminar – The United States has deployed an exportable, internationally-focused seminar to assist partner nations (including Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) to develop and strengthen their fisheries enforcement regimes to help prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing products from entering the global seafood market. 
    • Maritime Advisor to Côte d’Ivoire – The United States supports a Maritime Advisor to Côte d’Ivoire, who assists in countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and improving maritime governance, port security, and port state control in West Africa. A mobile training team completed a two-week Boarding Officer Course for 18 Ivorians from their Navy, Gendarmerie, Customs and Fisheries organizations.  
    • Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity – The United States funds the Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA) – a five-year, $17.8 million project that is mitigating the near collapse of Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries and establishing a foundation for their ecological recovery. The GFRA reduces overfishing and improves small pelagic fisheries management, which encourages ecological sustainability and marine biodiversity conservation and improves the socioeconomic well-being, food security, and resilience of fishers and coastal communities in Ghana. 
    • Women Shellfishers and Food Security Activity – The United States works in field sites in The Gambia and Ghana to demonstrate effective shellfishing and natural resource management approaches to women-led, community-based shellfishing operations.
    • Protecting Natural Ecosystems in Sierra Leone – The United States provided $10 million in political risk insurance to support West Africa Blue’s equity investment in a mangrove blue carbon project in the Bonthe and Moyamba regions of Sierra Leone. The project builds on a longstanding relationship with local communities and aims to develop long-term conservation, restoration, and income diversification activities funded sustainably through the issuance of high-quality, certified carbon credits. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why virtual reality nature can’t provide the same wellness benefits as the real thing

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Savannah Stuart, PhD Candidate in Social and Ecological Sustainability, University of Waterloo

    VR headsets let users explore natural settings like beaches, greenery and oceans, choosing the time of day and the weather. (Shutterstock)

    As nature connection researchers, we’re aware of the innumerable benefits of spending time outside in nature. We’re also aware that, like so many other interactions, immersing oneself in nature is an experience that is now available virtually. In fact, virtual reality (VR) companies now promote VR nature as tools for corporate wellness.

    Some universities have also added VR to staff or student services. When we learned that our staff association at University of Waterloo was offering a new wellness initiative linked to nature, our excitement faded upon realizing the initiative wasn’t about real nature — such as encouraging staff members to take regular breaks to sit by the stream on campus, or to walk around nearby Columbia Lake — but VR nature.

    Headsets would be available for use in libraries pre-loaded with the Nature Treks VR app, which lets users explore natural settings like beaches, greenery and oceans, choosing the time of day and the weather.

    Waterloo is not the first institution to turn to such tools to support well-being. The McGill Student Wellness Hub similarly offers VR sessions with “Mindful Escapes,” an app in which users can “embark on virtual journeys to serene landscapes, calming forests, ocean depths or mountain adventures.”

    VR nature appears to be a wellness trend.

    Technological nature

    Virtual reality companies now promote VR nature as a tool for corporate wellness.
    (Shutterstock)

    We’re skeptical that VR nature will enable the diverse benefits that real nature offers. What might be the consequences of such “technological nature” — nature mediated and augmented by a technological interface?

    Peter H. Kahn of the University of Washington, who has done foundational work in this field, concludes from a multitude of studies that:

    “in terms of human well-being, technological nature is better than no nature, but not as good as actual nature.”

    Turning to technology such as VR headsets for nature immersion contributes to what one expert in environmental psychology, Susan Clayton, calls a transformation of experience. First, VR allows the user to control and therefore optimize and homogenize their nature experience, perhaps selecting only glorious weather and the most sensational or pristine wilderness. Technologically optimized depictions of nature “may lead people to be less interested in, or satisfied by, messy, unexciting, local ecosystems.”

    Might VR headsets diminish users’ appreciation of immersive and restorative nature experiences that can be found in their local greenspace?

    Sensory immersion

    The disparities in benefits between the virtual and real nature experiences raise a big question: Why are wellness initiatives investing in these new tech tools rather than hands-on experiences that prioritize sensory immersion?
    (Shutterstock)

    Second, VR headsets fail to provide the sensory immersion and embodiment of actual nature. Sensory inputs such as smell, sound, touch and sight are all intertwined in the complex relationship between nature immersion and well-being, but VR headsets remove the sensuality of nature experiences.

    For example, stimulating one’s sense of touch can lead to increased psychological restoration and numerous tree species produce chemical compounds that have psychological and physiological benefits. The rapidly growing area of research on the microbiome-brain connection stresses the importance of encountering beneficial bacteria through contact with soil, something that a VR headset cannot replicate.

    And finally, a recurrent issue with VR headset use is the onset of “cybersickness,” nausea that appears to be exacerbated by walking or movement. This may make users of VR headsets wary of moving while wearing the headset, which is another disadvantage compared to being outside free of one.

    In addition to losing these facets of experience in nature, another factor we wonder about is the evidence base for purchasing these devices. The study cited in the University of Waterloo announcement, which specifically evaluates the efficacy of Nature Treks VR for wellness, lacked a control group and had a small sample size. The study authors state that due to their lack of a control group, “a causal relationship between the VR experience and participants’ mood could not be established.”

    More research on the contrast between VR and real nature for well-being must be undertaken to rigorously compare the two.

    Access and equity issues

    VR nature experiences may appeal to those who did not grow up with opportunities to have immersive experiences in nature and thus don’t feel entirely comfortable there. They may also appeal to those who have accessibility limitations.

    However, defaulting to VR could contribute to the existing inequity in access to the benefits of real nature immersion. It may make it easier to turn to technological nature experiences rather than developing accessible nature programming.



    Read more:
    How cities can avoid ‘green gentrification’ and make urban forests accessible

    The disparities in benefits between the virtual and real nature experiences raise a big question: why are wellness initiatives investing in these new tech tools rather than hands-on experiences that prioritize sensory immersion?

    Funding opportunities often seem to favour the new “techno-fix” that offers a streamlined and simple solution. But the introduction of such tools necessitates reflection on values of workplace wellness. Is the goal to attain wellness as efficiently as possible, instead of aspiring to the most effective modalities?

    Rather than donning headsets, we encourage people to engage in simple outdoor activities to cultivate a deeper connection with nature. There’s a lot to be said for making use of whatever green space you have access to: go outside, slow down and, if possible, smell the proverbial roses.

    Savannah Stuart receives funding from OGS.

    Brendon Larson receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    Steffanie Scott receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    – ref. Why virtual reality nature can’t provide the same wellness benefits as the real thing – https://theconversation.com/why-virtual-reality-nature-cant-provide-the-same-wellness-benefits-as-the-real-thing-234124

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Global: Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Victoria (Vicky) McArthur, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University

    Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are just one of many wearable tech devices on the market. The glasses, which first launched in 2021, are a collaboration between Meta and Italian-French eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, which owns Ray-Ban among many other brands.

    The smart glasses feature two small cameras, open-ear speakers, a microphone and a touch panel built into the temple of the glasses. To access these features, users must pair them to their mobile phone using the Meta View app. Users can take photos or videos with the camera, listen to music from their phone and livestream to Meta’s social media platforms.

    Users can operate the glasses using spoken commands or the built-in Meta AI assistant, which responds to prompts like “hey Meta.” For example, users can say, “hey Meta, look and…” followed by questions about their surroundings.

    To take a photo or video, users press and hold a button on the frame, which activates an LED in the front of the glasses. The LED signals to others that the camera is actively capturing a photo or video. If the LED is covered, the camera won’t work and the user will be prompted by the Meta AI assistant to uncover it.

    Although the LED helps to signal that the camera is in operation, the relatively small size of the LED garnered criticism from privacy regulators in Europe.

    Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on display in Cremona, Italy, on July 29, 2024.
    (Shutterstock)

    Data privacy concerns

    As a company that makes nearly all of its money from advertising, there have been concerns raised about how images captured with the glasses will be used by the company.

    Meta has a long history of privacy concerns. When it comes to user data, folks are rightly concerned about how their images — potentially captured without their consent — might be used by the company.

    The Meta smart glasses add another layer to this debate by introducing AI into the equation. AI has already prompted numerous debates and criticism about how easy it is to decieve, how confidently it gives incorrect information and how racially biased it can be.



    Read more:
    AI technologies — like police facial recognition — discriminate against people of colour

    When users take photos or videos with the smart glasses, they are sent to Meta’s cloud to be processed via AI. According to Meta’s own website, “all photos processed with AI are stored and used to improve Meta products, and will be used to train Meta’s AI with help from trained reviewers.”

    Meta states this processing includes the analysis of objects, text and other contents of photos, and that any information “will be collected, used and retained in accordance with Meta’s Privacy Policy.” In other words, images uploaded to the cloud will be used to train Meta’s AI.

    Leaving it up to users

    The ubiquity of portable digital cameras, including wearable ones, has had a significant impact on how we document our lives while also reigniting legal and ethical debates around privacy and surveillance.

    In many Canadian jurisdictions, people can be photographed in a public place without their consent, unless there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, restrictions apply if the images are used for commercial purposes or in a way that could cause harm or distress. There are exceptions for journalistic purposes or matters of public interest, but these can be nuanced.

    Meta has published a set of best practices to encourage users to be mindful of the rights of others when wearing the glasses. These guidelines suggest formally announcing when you plan to use the camera or livestream, and turning the device off when entering private spaces, such as a doctor’s office or public washrooms.

    As someone who owns a pair, I can ask my Ray-Ban Meta glasses to comment on what I can see and it will describe buildings, translate signs and accurately guess the species of my mixed-breed dog, but will let me know that it is not allowed to tell me anything about people whenever a person appears in frame.

    What remains unclear is the issue of bystander consent and how people who appear unintentionally in the background of someone else’s photos will be used by Meta for AI training purposes. As AI capabilities evolve and these technologies become more widespread, these concerns are likely to grow.

    Meta’s reliance on user behaviour to uphold privacy norms may not be sufficient to address the complex questions surrounding consent, surveillance and data exploitation. Given the company’s track record with privacy concerns and its data-driven business model, it’s fair to question whether the current safeguards are enough to protect privacy in our increasingly digitized world still.

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

    – ref. Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data – https://theconversation.com/metas-ai-powered-smart-glasses-raise-concerns-about-privacy-and-user-data-238191

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Telecommunications takes key initiatives as part of the Government of India’s 100-Day Programme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Telecommunications takes key initiatives as part of the Government of India’s 100-Day Programme

    These initiatives reaffirm to expanding and enhancing India’s Telecom ecosystem, for a more digitally empowered future

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, briefed the media about achievements of Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecom & Department of Post) during a Press Conference held today at National Media Centre, New Delhi.  The Minister also launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Application.

     

     

    The Minister apprised the media that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has successfully completed several key initiatives as part of the Government of India’s 100-day programme. During this period, DoT has made significant strides in strengthening the four goals of a developed telecom ecosystem – Samavesit (ubiquitous connectivity fuelling inclusive growth), Viksit (developed India through triad of perform, reform and transform), Tvarit (accelerated development and swift resolution), and Surakshit (safely and securely). The major achievements of 100-day programme are:

    Samavesit

    • 4G Coverage to uncovered villages/ locations across India

    Under various initiatives funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (Erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)), 4G mobile coverage is being expanded to uncovered villages across India. These efforts are focused on regions such as aspirational districts, the North-Eastern region, border areas, islands, and areas affected by left-wing extremism. A total of 7,101 4G mobile towers have been commissioned by Telecom Service Providers (Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel & BSNL) under various Digital Bharat Nidhi funded 4G schemes including 4G Saturation scheme. Out of these 4G towers 2,618Towers have been made on-air since June 2024.

     

     

    • Expansion of 5G Mobile networks

    5G technology has reached almost all districts of India. As of today, 98% districts in India have presence of 5G technology thereby empowering citizens with highspeed data network. 5G networks have been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and more than 4.5 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed across the country.

     

     

    Viksit

    • 6G Accelerated Research Assistance

    Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Bharat 6G Vision in March 2023 with the objective to be a front-line contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030. In line with the Bharat 6G Vision and to support India’s prominence in 6G technology and develop the 6G RAN for the world, the DoT invited proposals from academia, industry, and other bodies engaged in R&D. So far 111 project proposals have been processed for funding to expedite the research under “Accelerated research on 6G Ecosystem”.

     

    • 100 5G Labs 

    Labs with indigenously developed 5G technology are being set up at 100 institutions, equally distributed across four zones in the country. The labs are being set up with the aim of capacity building in new telecom technologies and creating use cases in various socio-economic sectors for 5G technologies in collaboration with academia and start-ups. From June 2024 onwards, 41 out of the total 100 labs have been installed making the cumulatively installed labs to 81.

     

     

     

    • Centres of Excellence (CoE) for 6G

     

    A Centre of Excellence (CoE) on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” has been established at IIT Madras. Another MoU has been signed between the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) India and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) – Visvesvaraya Research & Innovation Foundation (VRIF) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Quantum Technology, focusing on associated 5G/6G technologies. These CoE will serve as a hub for innovation bringing together industry and academic experts to collaborate on cutting edge project in advance telecommunication technologies to foster and spearhead the development and deployment of 6G technology

     

    • Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Telecom Security

    A MoU has been signed between TCoE India and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Gandhinagar for setting up of Centre of Excellence on Telecom Security. The MoU envisages strengthening the National cyberspace by securing the Telecom network and to develop an Indian telecom network security stack to enhance security of the nation’s communication infrastructure.

     

    • Leveraging Telecom data and capabilities to enable cross sectoral Infrastructure planning.

    Sangam Digital Twin with AI Driven Insights: Digital Twin with AI-Driven Insights is an initiative to revolutionize infrastructure planning. This two-stage initiative began with a creative exploration phase designed to build confidence among participants through networking events. Over 150 organizations and experts participated in Stage-I in the form of networking events held in July 2024, demonstrating a willingness and foundational capability to develop the envisioned ecosystem for advanced infrastructure planning. In the Stage-II of Sangam development and demonstration of specific use cases are being planned.

     

    PoC of Metro route planning: DoT, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have successfully conducted a Proof of Concept (PoC) to demonstrate the feasibility of using aggregated telecom data for metro route planning addressing privacy challenges. PoC explored solution’s flexibility to evolve and tackle ridership issues in ongoing metro projects by accurately identifying catchment areas, analysing arrival times, assessing interchange durations, utilization optimize operations, generating an Origin-Destination (OD) matrix for metro network planning and improving ongoing operational strategies. The promising results achieved endorse the Sangam Digital Twin initiative and represent a significant first step.

    • Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products

    To boost domestic manufacturing, investments and export in the telecom and networking products PLI scheme with a financial outlay of ₹ 12,195 Crores over a period of 5 years has been initiated. So far, 42 PLI beneficiary companies, collectively invested Rs. 3,718 crores achieved sales of Rs. 57,498 crore including export of Rs. 11,506 crores and direct employment of 22,315.

     

     

     

    Tvarit

    • Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business

    MSME Certification assistance scheme: DoT launched reimbursement scheme aimed at easing financial burdens for startups and Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the telecom sector. With the objective of fostering domestic manufacturing, attracting investments and enhancing exports, the scheme will reimburse up to INR 50 lakhs per startup or MSE for testing and certification costs essential for product quality and market access.

    • Revised Standards of Quality of Service

    With an objective of improving the telecom network performance, benchmarks are will be gradually tightened for key network parameters like network availability, call drop rates, packet drop rates, etc. In this regard, TRAI has released its revised regulations, “The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024 (06 of 2024)’.

     

    • Telecommunications Act, 2023 – Enforcement and framing of rules

    In order to update the existing laws and to address the challenges of the Telecom sector, Central Government enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023 on 24th Dec, 2023. The Act replaces colonial era’s Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. Enforcement of its provisions and rules will enable effective and modern regulation of Telecom sector. It will provide clearly defined framework for Spectrum assignment and its optimal utilization, Effective and efficient RoW framework, Strong provisions for National Security and Public emergency, etc

    In accordance with section 1(3), the Central Government has on 21.06.2024 issued Gazette Notification enforcing sections 1,2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the Telecommunications Act w.e.f. 26.06.2024. The Department has also, on 04.07.2024, notified sections 6 to 8, 48 and 59(b) of the Act w.e.f. 05.07.2024.

    Draft Rules for Security related provisions have been published for public consultation. Public consultation on draft rules for Adjudication, Amateur Station Operator and Commercial Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency to operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System has been completed. Two set of rules i.e. Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 and Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 have come into force through gazette notification dated 31.08.2024 and 18.09.2024 respectively.

    • Spectrum Auction

    Spectrum Auction in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands was held in June 2024. A total of 141.4 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2500 MHz bands were sold at a market determined price of Rs. 11340.78 crores.

    Surakshit

    • On-boarding State/UT Police on Digital Intelligence Platform

    DoT has developed an online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) under Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) Project for sharing information related to misuse of telecom resources among the stakeholders on near real time basis for prevention of cyber-crime and financial frauds. Different stakeholders are being onboarded on it including Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), law enforcement agencies, RBI, banks, financial institutions (FIs), GSTN, UIDAI and social media platforms. 32 States/UTs police, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) have on boarded this platform during Jul-Aug 2024.

    Till date 750 users of various stakeholders have on boarded on DIP. These stakeholders include field units of Department of Telecommunications (DoT), telecom service providers (TSPs), MHA, Indian Cybercrime coordination centre (I4C), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), 32 States/UTs police, 460 banks, FIs, fintechs, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), SEBI, GSTN, IRCTC and social media platforms

    The Department of Telecommunications, through these 100 days achievements, reaffirm to expanding and enhancing India’s telecom infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity, promoting digital inclusion, fostering innovation and preparing the country for a more digitally empowered future.

     

    *****

     

    MG/PD/DP

    (Release ID: 2057958) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Kicks-off “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat” Maharashtra chapter at NMIMS University, Mumbai campus

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Kicks-off “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat” Maharashtra chapter at NMIMS University, Mumbai campus

    Youth must play a pivotal role in the journey of Viksit Bharat: Union Environment Minister

    Government is preparing youth of today to build progressive India of tomorrow: Shri Bhupender Yadav

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 3:43PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 23 September 2024

     

    “The Government is ensuring our ‘Amrit Generation’ is ready to enjoy the fruits of this transformative era. By focusing on quality education, skill development, job creation, and nurturing entrepreneurial ambitions, the government is preparing the youth of today to build the progressive India of tomorrow,” stated Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav. He was addressing the students at the Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat at Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM’s) Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) in Mumbai today.

    In his keynote address, Shri Bhupender Yadav spoke about youth power and its importance in Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat. “The youth of India is dynamic and determined, and India’s path to becoming a Global Leader rest upon their shoulders. As we work towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience, Yuva Shakti must lead the charge in fostering a greener and more sustainable future,” he added. He also mentioned that the goal of the government is to convert youthful energy into a powerful force that lights up India’s sustainable future.

    The Minister also spoke about the critical importance of economic reforms for achieving a Viksit Bharat. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at transforming the economic landscape and promoting sustainability across various sectors. Key among the reforms is the Jan Vishwas Bill, which encompasses 183 provisions designed to streamline regulations. The Minister also pointed out the removal of several unnecessary compliance requirements, significantly simplifying processes for businesses and fostering a conducive environment for growth. He also mentioned that the government is also committed to promoting sports through various initiatives.

    “To facilitate economic development, the government has initiated the Gatishakti initiative, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, essential for the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” he remarked. Notably, the Minister mentioned the remarkable strides made in the startup ecosystem, highlighting the government’s support for entrepreneurship.

    The Minister stressed the necessity for consistency and continuity in all government policies, stating, “For a successful startup culture, we must focus on a circular economy. This includes sustainable practices in managing used oil, rubber, e-waste, and solid waste. Additionally, the establishment of a Green Fund is crucial for increasing green cover.”

    Highlighting the government’s vision for Net Zero emissions by 2070, the Minister reaffirmed the commitment to implement measures that reduce carbon footprints and promote a better environment. He urged citizens to refrain from single-use plastics and adopt a mindset of responsible consumption and self-discipline. He encouraged the youth to remain dedicated to sustainable practices, as their involvement is vital for India’s development.

    Highlighting the impact and importance of this event, Shri Yadav emphasised, “It is time for the youth to champion change in sustainable development, and that can spearhead key steps toward a truly developed India. The youth should initiate more tree plantations like the ones undertaken today at NMIMS, along with clean energy drives, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the local communities.

    During the event the Minister took part in a tree plantation ceremony under the initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.

    Vice Chancellor, NMIMS University Dr Ramesh Bhat, in his welcome address emphasized, “We at NMIMS are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to build a prosperous and sustainable nation.” President SVKM and Chancellor Shri Amrish Patel shared about his contribution towards environment and society through his tree plantation initiatives.

    The session concluded with a compelling video clip from the Prime Minister’s “Join My Bharat” campaign, encouraging active youth engagement in India’s developmental journey. The event brought together young women achievers, prominent YouTube influencers, and students to engage in discussions on climate change, green initiatives, and India’s future vision.

     

    * * *

    PIB Mumbai | DL/ DR

     

    Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com  /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai

    (Release ID: 2057862) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA, WIPP, AMEX to Cohost Education Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs This Fall

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON –Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, announced that the federal agency will cohost two events in the Washington, D.C., area and Florida alongside Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express (AMEX) this fall as a continuation of the 2024 National ChallengeHER road tour.

    ChallengeHer is a government contracting education initiative that aims to bring more women-owned firms into the federal government’s supply chain, encourage participation in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program, and provide an avenue for government agencies to meet qualified women-owned small business contractors. 

    The two events will be held outside of Washington, D.C., at George Mason University (GMU) on October 10 and in Fort Lauderdale at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel on December 3. The event is free for all registrants; register at www.ChallengeHER.us.

    “ChallengeHER has helped more than 26,000 women-owned small business owners gain access to federal contracts and grow their revenue by selling to the world’s largest buyer: the U.S. government,” said Jackie Robinson-Burnette, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. “Our continued collaboration with Women Impacting Public Policy and American Express on the ChallengeHER initiative reaffirms the SBA’s pledge to eliminating disparities for women-owned businesses in the federal marketplace by empowering them to connect with federal buyers directly via matchmaking events and by continuously advocating on their behalf.”

    “WIPP is honored to be a national partner on this much needed and well-respected program. Now in its 11th year, we have served nearly 26,000 women-owned small businesses, providing the education and resources needed to navigate the road to success and sustainability during these historical times,” said Angela Dingle, President & CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

    “American Express has a long history of backing small businesses, providing the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive as we aim to help businesses do more business. We’re proud to continue to support ChallengeHER, which unlocks real opportunities for women-owned businesses to drive sales and growth through access to contracts and important connections, said Jessica Ling, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Advertising, American Express.

    SBA Administrator Guzman announced the Biden-Harris Administration exceeded its FY23 small business contracting goal of 23%, awarding an all-time high 28.4% of federal contract dollars to women-owned small businesses (WOSB), who received $30.9 billion in federal contracting dollars, which marks the highest dollar amount ever awarded to WOSBs.

    The ChallengeHER events provide matchmaking opportunities between women-owned businesses and government contractors and networking opportunities. It also provides world-class programming and training facilitated by subject-matter experts and entering and navigating the public sector supply chain. These sessions are offered in-person and online.

    The ChallengeHER Road Tour schedule is as follows:

    National ChallengeHER Road Tour Schedule 2024:

     

    ###

     

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: Cai Guo-Qiang’s big bang of art, science and AI

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    When art meets science, the result can be explosive and revolutionary.

    This fusion lies at the heart of Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey, an exhibition currently on at the University of Southern California Pacific Asia Museum, which runs until next June.

    The exhibition goes beyond the traditional gallery format, merging art with chemistry, physics and artificial intelligence to display the pioneering work of contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who uses gunpowder in his creations.

    “Cai’s work is a masterful demonstration of how art and science can converge to create something entirely new,” Bethany Montagano, director of USC Museums, told reporters at a preview event on Sept 13.

    “We are excited to host this transformative exhibition, which not only celebrates Cai’s innovative use of gunpowder, but also highlights the important research and collaboration happening at the intersection of art, science and AI,” she says.

    A Material Odyssey features a series of gunpowder test pieces produced for the Getty Research Institute to study.

    The 67-year-old was born in Quanzhou, Fujian province, and trained in stage design at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in the early 1980s. From December 1986 to September 1995, he worked in Japan and has lived and worked in New York since then.

    Best known for his use of gunpowder in intricate paintings, drawings and large-scale pyrotechnic performances, Cai has spent decades pushing the boundaries of art by incorporating volatile materials into his creative process.

    These materials have been central to his philosophy and creative practice, symbolizing both destruction and creation.

    “I am often inspired by the calmness and the natural strength manifested in the work after the vibrant colors fade. Changes in the gunpowder bring about uncontrollability and unpredictability, which is what makes working with gunpowder so fascinating. The change itself is part of my work,” Cai says.

    According to Rachel Rivenc, lead curator and head of Conservation and Preservation at the Getty Research Institute, A Material Odyssey highlights something rarely seen in exhibitions: science as a tool for understanding artistic techniques, and presents imagery that explores the molecular behavior of gunpowder, and its evolution as an artistic medium in the artist’s hands.

    “Cai has embraced the use of gunpowder because he wanted to relinquish control over the creative process. No matter how precisely a gunpowder drawing is planned, the results are still unpredictable,” Rivenc says.

    “The awe-inspiring nature of Cai Guo-Qiang’s work embodies many of the values we hold dear at our museum,” says Rebecca Hall, USC PAM curator. “His gunpowder drawings and paintings, when presented alongside the museum’s permanent collection and housed in this historic building, remind us that as we push the boundaries of art and science, we remain deeply connected to the wisdom and creativity of the past.”

    The event serves as a companion to the artist’s latest project, WE ARE: Explosion Event for PST ART, which lit up the skies above the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept 15. Integrating AI-driven choreography with fireworks, drones and data science, the free daytime performance commissioned by Getty launched PST ART’s new theme, Art & Science Collide, in a spectacular fashion.

    “Today, with the rapid rise of technologies like AI, culture and the arts often seem powerless. I hope WE ARE will serve as a monumental gesture of how the art world can merge the virtual and real in this new AI-driven era, while also standing as a strong voice and decisive action in these turbulent times,” says Cai, who has been researching AI since 2017.

    The event was one of the first large-scale daytime fireworks display in the US to incorporate drone formations equipped with pyrotechnic devices, according to Katherine Fleming, president and CEO of the J Paul Getty Trust.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU publications are recognized as the best at interregional and all-Russian book competitions

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    In mid-September, the award ceremony for the winners and prize-winners of the Interregional Competition “Book of the Year: Siberia – Eurasia – 2024” took place on the main stage of the “Book Siberia” festival. This year, the competition was held for the eighth time, and all these years it has successfully achieved the goals set before it: support for publishers, innovative ideas and practices in the field of literature, book publishing, popularization of books and reading among the population, in scientific, educational and cultural circles. The winner in the nomination “Best educational book” was the textbook “Course in Computational Physics” by Academician M. P. Fedoruk, published by the Publishing and Printing Center (PPC) of NSU. In total, about two hundred publications from different cities of Russia participated in the competition.

    NSU has consistently been the leader of the All-Russian competition of scientific and educational publications “University Book” from year to year. The geography of the competition is vast; this year it was held in Yekaterinburg at the Ural Federal University. More than 500 publications took part in the competition, and the geography of the competition covered 37 cities of the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, the European part of Russia, and the Republic of Belarus. Books of the Publishing and Printing Center of NSU received three certificates and five diplomas in the following nominations: “Best Scientific Publication in Earth Sciences”, “Best Scientific Publication in Economics and Management”, “Best Scientific Publication in Historical Sciences”, “Best Scientific Publication in Culture and Art”, “Best Educational Publication in Physics and Mathematics and Programming”, “Best Educational Publication in Natural Sciences”, “Best Scientific Publication in Philology”, “Best Biographical Publication”.

    NSU publications were also highly appreciated at the oldest all-Russian competition “Best Books of the Year” of the Association of Book Publishers of Russia (ASKI). In 2024, more than 700 publications from all over Russia were submitted to the competition. N. I. Krasnyakov (“Best publication in the field of humanitarian knowledge”) and M. P. Fedoruk (“Best educational publication for higher education”) were awarded diplomas.

    — If we talk about the All-Russian ASKI competition “Best Books of the Year”, it is the most prestigious and significant. We managed to win diplomas in 2017, 2023, 2024. In other years, our university’s publications were consistently included in the competition’s long list, and this is no more than 10 publications in a nomination. Every year, university teachers present worthy, high-level publications. The publishing house’s staff does everything to ensure that these works receive the best editorial preparation and design. We are very proud that the work of the authors and the Publishing and Printing Center not only bears fruit in the educational and scientific environment, but is also highly appreciated in professional competitions, — noted Dmitry Shamov, Director of the NSU IPC.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/science/NSU publications-recognized-the-best-at-interregional-and-all-Russian-book-competitions/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 350 Students of Samsung Innovation Campus certified in Future-Tech Skills at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University in Presence of Shri Yogi Adityanath, Honourable Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung India’s flagship CSR initiative, the ‘Samsung Innovation Campus,’ (SIC) has concluded its Coding & Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT) courses for 350 students in Gorakhpur at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University. The students were handed over certificates of completion by the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath at a ceremony held at the University premises. This initiative reiterates the brand’s commitment to being a strong partner of the country and working alongside the government in its mission to skill India and power #DigitalIndia.
     
    Senior Samsung executives and representatives from the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), which collaborated in training and mentoring the students were also present during the occasion. A total of 350 students were awarded certificates across various future-tech domains, including 150 in Coding & Programming, 100 in Artificial Intelligence, 50 in Big Data, and 50 in Internet of Things (IoT).
     
    Samsung will train 3500 students across India as part of this programme in 2024. At the conclusion of the 2024 programme top performers of Samsung Innovation Campus will be awarded a cash prize of INR 1 lakh and will have the chance to visit Samsung’s facilities in Delhi/NCR. During these visits, they will have the opportunity to engage with and receive mentorship from Samsung’s leadership team. Not just that, the national course toppers will also receive exciting Samsung products, including Samsung Galaxy Buds and Samsung Galaxy Smartwatches.
     
    “Samsung has been in India for around 29 years now and Uttar Pradesh has been a hub for manufacturing and research-led initiatives for Samsung during this time. We are a committed partner to the growth story of both India and Uttar Pradesh. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, our flagship CSR programme, we are committed to the mission of educating the youth of the nation in future-tech skills, which will strengthen our vision of powering Digital India,” said Mr. JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.
     
     “Skill development of the youth is a key priority of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. We welcome this initiative by Samsung that will impart employment-oriented future-tech skills to our students. Samsung has been a strong partner of Uttar Pradesh for many years, and this programme will further strengthen our bond,” said Shri Yogi Adityanath, Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
     
     “This collaboration reinforces the shared vision of equipping India’s youth with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. It is heartening to see the programme expand and reach a vast pool of young talent across the country, including those in remote areas. Through this initiative we want to empower the youth and create opportunities for them in domains like Coding & Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Internet of Things,” said Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India.
     
    Samsung Innovation Campus offers in-depth training across four key technology areas — AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming. Students gain hands-on experience through capstone projects and soft skills training aimed at boosting their employability. The AI course participants undergo 270 hours of theory training followed by 80 hours of project work, while those enrolled in IoT and Big Data courses receive 160 hours of theory training and complete 80 hours of project work. Participants in the Coding & Programming course complete 80 hours of training and take part in a hackathon.
     
    The programme covers eight educational institutions across four states. In the northern region, training centres are established in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, besides two in Delhi NCR. In the southern region, which includes Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, training centres are located in Chennai and Sriperumbudur, in addition to two in Bengaluru.
     
    During the programme, participants will continue to receive instructor-led blended classroom and online training. Youth enrolled for the programme will undergo classroom and online training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas in AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming.
     
    They will also be imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability. The participants are being mobilized through ESSCI’s training and education partners across India. The approach includes a combination of offline and online learning, immersive hackathons and capstone projects, as well as expert mentorship provided by Samsung employees.
     
    During 2023, Samsung Innovation Campus successfully trained 3000 students in future-tech courses. Samsung’s involvement in this initiative underscores its commitment to nation building through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in India. It complements Samsung’s other CSR endeavours, including Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Through these initiatives, Samsung aims to empower future leaders of India by providing them with the necessary education and skills to drive meaningful change.
     
    With the global CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’, Samsung Electronics is committed to provide education to young people around the world to empower the leaders of tomorrow. Read more stories on Samsung Electronics’ CSR efforts on our CSR webpage http://csr.samsung.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-Evening Report: More Australians are using their superannuation for medical procedures. But that might put their financial health at risk

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neera Bhatia, Associate Professor in Law, Deakin University

    fizkes/Shutterstock

    A record number of Australians are accessing their superannuation early on compassionate grounds, mainly to fund their own medical procedures – or those of a family member.

    Some 150,000 Australians have used the scheme in the last five years. Nearly 40,000 people had applications approved in 2022-23, compared to just under 30,000 in 2018-19 – an increase of 47%.

    Some people think this flexible use of funds is a good way to ensure people can fund their own medical needs. But more transparency and better oversight is needed.

    What are compassionate grounds?

    Since July 2018, the Australian Tax Office has administered the early release of superannuation – meaning before retirement – under certain circumstances, including compassionate grounds.

    Compassionate grounds for you or your dependant (such as child or spouse) are:

    • medical treatment or transport
    • modifying your home or vehicle to accommodate special needs for a severe disability
    • palliative care for a terminal illness
    • death, funeral or burial expenses
    • preventing foreclosure or forced sale of your home.

    The medical treatment must be for a life-threatening illness or injury, or to alleviate acute or chronic pain, or acute or chronic mental illness.

    The treatment cannot be “readily available” through the public system. Cosmetic procedures are excluded.

    You also have to prove you cannot afford to pay part or all of the expenses without accessing your super, for example, by spending your savings, selling assets or getting a loan.

    People who can access other funding for the expense, such as via the National Disability Insurance Scheme, are ineligible.

    Why are people using this scheme more?

    The ATO has not explained what is driving the surge. General cost-of-living pressures may play a role. People may have fewer savings to draw on for medical procedures.

    But the treatments most commonly being accessed using superannuation – fertility treatments, weight loss surgeries and dental care – point to other systemic issues.

    There have long been issues with IVF and dental care not being readily available or funded in the public health system.

    Weight loss surgeries (including bariatric surgery) can help combat potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease. Recent research suggests there has been an overall drop in the number of Australians having bariatric surgeries since 2016. But of those, 95% are performed through the private system.

    Australians are increasingly turning to their super to fund dental care, which is not covered by Medicare.
    Pixabay/Pexels

    While early access to super can provide individuals access to critical treatment, there are issues with how compassionate grounds are defined and regulated.

    Lack of clarity

    As my co-author and I have shown, the vague wording of the Superannuation Industry regulations leaves them worryingly open to interpretation.

    For example, the meaning of “mental disturbance” is not defined.

    You may not meet the criteria of having an acute or life-threatening illness, or acute or chronic pain. But if you can show a certain condition causes you acute mental disturbance, you may qualify to release your superannuation early.

    People accessing their superannuation for IVF use this criterion, for example, by arguing they need to access funds to continue treatment and alleviate the acute mental distress caused by ongoing infertility issues.

    Two registered medical practitioners are each required to submit a report demonstrating the treatment is needed, and one must be a specialist in the field in which the treatment is required. However, the regulations do not specify clearly that the specialist should have relevant qualifications.

    In the IVF example, this means the specialist opinion can be provided by a fertility doctor rather than a mental health expert – and that person may stand to profit if they later also provide treatment.

    A closed-loop system

    Conflict of interest is another major issue.

    There is nothing in the regulations to stop a medical practitioner – such as a dentist – being involved in all steps and then financially benefiting. They could encourage a patient to access superannuation for a treatment, write the specialist report and then also receive payment for the treatment.

    Some clinics promote accessing superannuation as an option to pay for expensive treatments.

    This raises important questions about the independence of the process, as well as professional ethics.

    Medical practitioners making recommendations for early release of superannuation should be doing so on genuinely compassionate grounds. But the potential for exploitation remains an ethical concern, when a practitioner can financially benefit from recommending early access to nest egg funds.

    Transparency around potential conflicts of interest are impossible to ensure without proper oversight.

    What is needed?

    1. Mandatory financial counselling

    The ATO has warned accessing super early is not “free money”, with a spokesperson urging people to get financial advice. But the law should go a step further and make this compulsory. That way people making decisions during an emotionally charged moment can understand any future implications.

    2. Tightening of the criteria

    Greater clarity in the legislation – such as defining “mental disturbance” – would help prevent loopholes being exploited.

    3. Better oversight

    Less health-care industry involvement would promote greater transparency and independence. An independent body of medical practitioners could assess applications rather than practitioners who could financially benefit if applications are approved. This would help alleviate perceived and actual conflicts of interest.

    Accessing superannuation early may be the only option for some people to start a family or access other life-changing medical care. But they should be able to make this decision in a fully informed way, safeguarded from exploitation and aware of the implications for their future.

    Neera Bhatia receives funding from The UK Arts and Humanities Research Council for an unrelated project.

    – ref. More Australians are using their superannuation for medical procedures. But that might put their financial health at risk – https://theconversation.com/more-australians-are-using-their-superannuation-for-medical-procedures-but-that-might-put-their-financial-health-at-risk-239588

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians to manufacture direct laser growing complex for KER-Holding

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has signed an agreement with the Management Company “Complex Energy Development Holding” (KER-Holding) for the production of a direct laser growing complex.

    As part of long-term cooperation with KER-Holding, employees of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport (NIL “LiAT” IMMiT) SPbPU restored elements of imported and domestic gas turbine engines. Some of the repaired components have already worked for 12 thousand hours. After comprehensive studies, the parts were approved for further use.

    The laboratory staff demonstrated the ability to effectively solve the problems of restoring complex parts from superalloys. The developed technology significantly extends the service life of the equipment. The laboratory confirmed its reputation as a reliable partner in the field of restoring critical parts of power plants, – noted the director Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich.

    As a result of fruitful cooperation, the partners chose SPbPU as a supplier of the direct laser growth installation. The sealed chamber of the technological complex is equipped with systems for creating, monitoring, maintaining and recirculating an inert atmosphere with excess pressure. The supply of equipment in the field of additive laser and welding technologies is carried out with a set of spare parts, personal protective equipment, transfer of the technological process, warranty and support.

    Documentary confirmation of long-term cooperation between our laboratory and KER-Holding is very important for each employee of the department. Signing the contract for the production of a direct laser growth complex once again emphasizes the high level of trust of industrial partners in our competencies in the field of laser and additive technologies, – emphasized the head of the Scientific Research Laboratory “LiAT” of the Institute of Metallurgy and Technology of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Mikhail Kuznetsov.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/polytechnics-will-produce-a-complex-direct-laser-growing-for-ker-holding/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fellows fly for seabirds and wildlife conservation research

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 23 Sep 2024

    With diverse projects ranging from embryo production for animal conservation to mapping Great Barrier Reef seabirds, four Fellows will fly to the USA or Panama to embark on their respective research projects.

    The Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship funds Queensland professionals to work within a Smithsonian Institution, either in the United States of America or Panama, giving them an opportunity to access sought-after expertise, collections, and facilities, and increase their knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

    The latest Queensland-Smithsonian Fellows are:

    • Dr Lily Bentley, movement ecologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, receiving $23,000 in funding.
    • Dr Andres Gambini, senior lecturer in Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland, receiving $19,800 in funding.
    • Dr Ana Cecelia Villacorta Rath, Senior Research Officer at James Cook University, receiving $23,000 in funding.
    • Mr Christopher Salter, Head of Cultures & Histories at the Queensland Museum, receiving $19,800 in funding.

    Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said the Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship allows Queensland researchers to tap into the significant resources and expertise available at the world’s largest research and museum complex.

    “Queensland’s program with the Smithsonian Institution is the only agreement of its kind in Australia, offering a unique opportunity for researchers to collaborate, connect and share mutually beneficial learnings in their chosen fields,” Professor Wilson said.

    “I am eager to see the results of these research projects and how the knowledge and skills gained at the Smithsonian Institution can be brought back to the science ecosystem in Queensland.”

    Dr Bentley’s research project aims to quantify the migratory connectivity of Queensland seabirds to improve conservation outcomes and ultimately support a healthy Great Barrier Reef.

    By quantifying the known migratory connectivity of seabirds, the project will undertake a gap analysis to identify and map important but untracked species/colonies.

    Dr Gambini’s research project aims to develop successful methods for producing embryos from dried sperm, with significant implications for the conservation of wild species.

    Advancing assistive reproductive technologies for wild animal species is critically important for enhancing the genetic management and health of small populations.

    Dr Rath’s research project aims to develop more accurate methods for assessing the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It will involve characterising bacterial communities to measure habitat health.

    Outcomes of this project will improve our capacity to understand the impacts of industrial activities in the Great Barrier Reef catchments and on the reef itself through better understanding of processes such as coral bleaching.

    Mr Salter’s research project aims to review and redescribe collection objects that reflect LGBTQ histories and lived experiences.

    The project aims to analyse Smithsonian collection management practices, data, community engagement models and exhibition interpretation to implement a pilot program at the Queensland Museum, to determine how collections can reveal LGBTQ histories.

    Since 2001, the Queensland Government has provided $1,083,801 through the Smithsonian Fellowship Fund to 60 Fellows from universities, science agencies, museums and art galleries across Queensland.

    View this page to learn more about current and previous Fellows and more information on the Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Program.

    MIL OSI News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Embracing life-long learning in forestry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A case study of Forestry Commission and Forestry England staff on the support they’ve received to develop their careers in forestry.

    Forestry is a highly rewarding career, as you, alongside other passionate people, are helping to look after something incredibly valuable. You can make a real difference to the environment, people’s enjoyment of the great outdoors, nature recovery and the green economy. The sector also offers a wide range of roles and encourages life-long learning.

    Meet those across forestry making a difference and learn about the support they’ve received to develop the crucial skills needed to perform at their best.

    Abi Davis, Recreation Ranger, Forestry England

    Abi Davis on her mountain bike at work, Crown copyright

    Abi started her career with the Forestry Commission in 2015 and over the years has taken on various roles including surveying, craftsperson and recreation support. Transitioning to a role in recreation introduced her to the exciting world of mountain biking, where she learnt alongside experienced colleagues.

    As part of her role, Abi underwent ‘Cycling at Work’ training (Levels 1 and 2) with British Cycling. Over the 2 days, she honed her skills and knowledge in bike maintenance as well as her mountain biking abilities and confidence both on and off the trails.

    Abi said,

    A highlight was the support from one of the coaches who got me riding down a rock garden – something I didn’t think I was capable of!

    Abi describes the training as invaluable. Inspecting cycle trails on her mountain bike allows her to experience them as visitors do. She can promptly identify issues with waymarking, vegetation management and trail flow. After stormy weather, she’s able to assess the trails quickly and safely for damage to enable faster reopening for visitors to enjoy.

    Abi added,

    Being a Recreation Ranger allows me to combine my love for the outdoors with my passion for helping others to enjoy nature, ensuring our forests are accessible and enjoyable for all.

    Seeing people enjoy our forests, especially through initiatives like our off-road mobility scooters – otherwise known as ‘trampers’, is incredibly fulfilling. These scooters provide access to those who might not otherwise be able to experience the forest, and hearing how it changes their lives is truly humbling.

    Tristan Haynes, Woodland Creation Officer, Forestry Commission

    Tristan on a site visit for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant, Crown copyright

    As a Woodland Creation Officer, Tristan provides expert advice on woodland design, site preparation and the grants available to landowners considering woodland creation.

    Tristan must keep abreast of the latest guidance and forestry best practice, which led him to complete a 2-day training programme on soils and woodland resilience. The course contributed to his continued professional development and in-depth understanding of forestry. Learning about these highly technical elements means Tristan can apply his specialist knowledge to improve the standard of woodland plans put forward for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG).  

    The training provided an understanding of how site soil analysis can improve the results of Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification (ESC) tool. It also gave insight into how soil analysis can inform what ground preparation and site maintenance operations are necessary ahead of planting. Tristan feels more confident in helping applicants and agents with deciding the optimal tree species to plant, to ensure the longevity and success of their tree planting scheme.

    When asked what he loves most about working in forestry, Tristan said it was his involvement in the process of developing well-considered woodland creation plans and their future management.

    Tristan added,

    Woodlands contribute in so many ways to immediately improve social well-being, the wider environment and economy.

    He feels his role is contributing towards further developments to the forestry sector and long-term sustainability of the wider rural sector in England.

    Ordel Gillson, Compliance Manager, Forestry Commission

    Ordel at her desk, Crown copyright

    As Compliance Manager, Ordel provides advice to ensure that teams adhere to legal standards, regulatory requirements and internal policies. Her role includes risk monitoring, assurance of grant processes and collaborating with grant managers.

    Ordel is currently in her third year of a CMI Chartered Managers Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria.

    Her degree is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and covers all aspects of business operations with a focus on taking responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long-term organisational success. The course has helped her to manage projects more efficiently and to effectively lead her team to deliver on the Forestry Commission’s objectives for woodland creation and management.

    Ordel hasn’t always worked in forestry. Prior to her career change, she served in the Royal Navy for 23 years. This is her first degree, and she says that her line manager has been very supportive of her professional development, especially as over 20% of her working week goes towards her apprenticeship.

    Her favourite part of her job is the team ethos. It was a big change for her to leave behind her military career and because of the team collaboration and support, she still feels she has that sense of community and belonging.

    Ordel said,

    It makes you feel valued by the organisation because they’re investing in you to get this qualification and ultimately, it’s going to benefit the organisation as well.

    Katarzyna Bromek, Incentives Development Project Officer, Forestry Commission

    Forestry Commission staff learning about a harvester on the ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’ course, Crown copyright

    Katarzyna, otherwise known as Kasia, is an Incentives Development Project Officer who works within the Incentives Development Team. The team is responsible for supporting the operations team to develop and improve all aspects of the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).

    As part of Kasia’s training, she took part in ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’, a highly sought after 2-day course offered to non-operational forestry staff acting as a crash course on forestry operations in the field.

    Kasia gained valuable knowledge about different tree species and the direction that UK forestry is heading. She also learned a lot about the current forest operation policies and the ins and outs of the forester and woodland officer roles.   

    The course helped deepen her understanding of how the Forestry Commission operates and how her team contributes to the bigger picture. She says the course has inspired her to learn more about nature and the environment and is keen to take more forestry courses as a result.

    Kasia added,

    I love working for forestry and knowing that future generations will benefit from the woodland planting that I am involved in. It gives me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It is great to know that through my work I can contribute to addressing the climate emergency and create an environment which will be beneficial for wildlife and people.

    Discover more forestry careers resources and stories of those making a difference in forestry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS begins Spain visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan arrived in Madrid, Spain yesterday and began his trip by leading a group of Hong Kong tech startups to visit the country’s innovation organisation Spain Startup.

    Mr Chan met Spain Startup President Maria Benjumea and representatives from its partner IE University of Spain.

    Spain Startup organises the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which has been running since 2012 and brings together startups, tech talent, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.

    Through a variety of programmes, including startup competitions, networking events, and workshops, the event offers startups opportunities to build global networks, exchange knowledge, and connect with investors. South Summit has now expanded to Brazil.

    Spain Startup indicated that it is actively considering organising an Asian version of the summit.

    Mr Chan said Hong Kong welcomes the event to be hosted in the city to attract startups and investors from the Mainland, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as well as the broader Asian region, adding that he will instruct relevant departments to actively follow up.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Fourth Media Law School concluded in Mostar

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

    Headline: Fourth Media Law School concluded in Mostar

    The Fourth Media Law School on “Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs)” is held from 18 to 23 September in Mostar. (OSCE) Photo details

    Mostar, 23 September 2024 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the EU in BiH and the Law School of the University of Sarajevo held the Fourth Media Law School on “Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs)” from 18 to 23 September in Mostar.
    During the five-day event, 18 law students from all public law faculties in BiH, along with two additional students from the region, analysed the risks and dangers of SLAPP lawsuits and their impact on the enjoyment of freedom of expression. The students participated in a simulated trial, worked on a hypothetical case, and gained valuable practical experience. Their diligence and commitment were commendable, earning them three European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits towards their law degrees.
    In addition to an accredited media law school program, a specialized Masters of Arts (MA) study will commence in the next academic year.
    Dr. iur. Zinka Grbo, the Law School of the University of Sarajevo Dean underlined that “SLAPP lawsuits as an instrument of censorship of freedom of speech and expression (of journalists and activists) are a threat to civilization.” She elaborated further “Approaching the judiciary from the position of “arms inequality” is an abuse of rights and often unjustified pressure and a mechanism of demoralizing individuals and legal entities that present information of public interest. The reasons for filing any lawsuit must be not only legally based, but also morally justified.”
    Ferdinand Koenig Head of Communications and Spokesperson of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina said that it is encouraging to see a continuous interest among students to attend the Media Law School. “Media law is one of the most interesting areas of jurisprudence that is continually evolving to take into account the changing media environment. This year’s school addresses the problem of strategic litigation against public participation, so called SLAPP suits. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are worrying tendencies for civil suits to be used to silence critics or unfavourable reporting. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and its legislative framework needs to be aligned with European standards, including anti-SLAPP legislation. I am glad that the EU is cooperating with the OSCE and University of Sarajevo Law Faculty on the Media Law School – it is very important that students, as future legal professionals are aware of the current jurisprudence on media law.”
    “In 2021, the OSCE’s Representative on Freedom of the Media published a Special report on legal harassment and abuse of the judicial system against the media, elaborating on specific examples where the law is misused to prevent journalists from doing their work and reporting about matters of public interest”, added Jiri Rous, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mostar Field Office. “We are aware that this is yet to be regulated in BiH, but with the developments at the EU level and evolving international standards and case law in other jurisdictions, there is no doubt that the issue of SLAPP is becoming increasingly relevant for law students and future legal practitioners in BiH”, he concluded.
    The Media Law School is part of the broader efforts of the OSCE Mission and the EU to promote and protect media freedom.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New smartphone skin cancer app could save lives An AI-enabled smartphone app to help skin cancer patients is being developed by scientists at the University of Aberdeen, thanks to funding of £421,000 from Cancer Research UK.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    An AI-enabled smartphone app to help skin cancer patients is being developed by scientists at the University of Aberdeen, thanks to funding of £421,000 from Cancer Research UK.

    We believe this technology will not only be reassuring for patients, help them receive any treatment they need quickly but will also be more efficient, resulting in fewer NHS appointments, lower costs and less travel for patients.” Professor Peter Murchie

    The app will help people previously treated for melanoma examine their skin regularly to reduce anxiety and help catch any recurrence of the disease.
    A built-in AI chatbot will enable users to upload high quality images and information about worrying skin changes, so concerns can be quickly triaged and dealt with by human healthcare professionals.
    The project, led by the University of Aberdeen, has already successfully trialled a tablet app called ASICA with a group of patients who had previously been successfully treated for melanoma.
    Around 120 melanoma survivors used the app for a year to regularly check their skin and then send photos and text about any areas of concern to a specialist doctor for review.
    The app was found to be effective, leading to quicker resolution of concerns and reducing anxiety for users. However, some users struggled to maintain monthly skin checks and provide high-quality text and images for the specialists to review.
    The new funding will go towards developing an enhanced smartphone version of the ASICA app with an integrated AI chat bot which will better support users to check their skin monthly.
    Professor Peter Murchie, Chair in Primary Care and lead of the Academic Primary Care Research Group at the University of Aberdeen, said:
    “Melanoma can return, and we know the quicker recurrence is diagnosed, the more likely treatment is to be successful.
    “If melanoma survivors check their total skin once per month, they are more likely to spot recurrence or if a new melanoma has appeared. They can then get medical attention at the earliest stage.
    “We believe this technology will not only be reassuring for patients, help them receive any treatment they need quickly but will also be more efficient, resulting in fewer NHS appointments, lower costs and less travel for patients.
    “AI will never replace the need for human healthcare professionals in diagnosing cancer but can be of great support and reassurance for patients and in directing them to healthcare professionals when needed.”
    Each year around 17,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK*. With around 2,400 people in the UK sadly losing their lives to the disease annually, finding new ways to tackle the disease is vital**.
    Primary teacher, Adele Hughes, from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, welcomed the project. The mum of two was diagnosed with melanoma just a month before her 40th birthday.
    After six surgeries and 18 cycles of immunotherapy, Adele has now been cancer free for three years, but lives with the awareness that the cancer could return and has regular surveillance scans and check-ups every six months at Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen.
    Adele said: “This project represents a fantastic initiative for individuals like myself who have experienced melanoma and continually navigate the possibility of its recurrence.
    “This app not only aims to relieve anxiety by providing access to professional healthcare support when necessary, but it also holds the potential to save numerous lives. Its proactive approach could significantly enhance the well-being of those affected by this condition.”
    Dr Catherine Elliott, Director of Research at Cancer Research UK, said:
    “We are delighted to support this innovative research which aims to use emerging technologies to ensure the best possible future for those who have already experienced the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis.”
    The new app will be developed and tested with up to 50 melanoma survivors and around 20 healthcare professionals.
    The study team would like to hear from people in region who have been treated for melanoma in the last five-years and healthcare professionals interested in taking part. They can get in touch via asica@abdn.ac.uk to find out more.
    In future it’s hoped the project could be developed further to create a deep learning-based computer-assisted decision (CAD) model to support nurse triage.
     
    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Global: AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Green, Professor of Politics, Aston University

    German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD has narrowly held off the rightwing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in regional elections in Brandenburg, nudging them into second place.

    The close call follows two other recent elections in Germany’s eastern federal states (Länder). In Thuringia, the AfD won the highest share of the votes. In Saxony, the AfD narrowly came second to the centre-right CDU. Importantly, the regional AfD organisations in both Saxony and Thuringia, along with Saxony-Anhalt, have officially been designated as extreme right. This means that the party in these states is formally considered by Germany’s domestic security service to be a threat to the country’s democratic constitutional order.

    Although the country’s proportional electoral system means that the AfD cannot form a government in any of the three states by itself, this is the first time since 1945 that an officially extremist party has won an election in Germany.

    It’s not unreasonable for those outside Germany to questions whether these election results show that the country once more stands on the cusp of a slide into fascism, as it did in the 1930s. However, quite apart from the fact that 2024 is not the same as 1933, there is one important structural difference: Germany’s constitution (the Grundgesetz or Basic Law). This was explicitly designed to prevent a recurrence of a totalitarian regime such as national socialism.

    The Basic Law dates back to 1949 – a time when the country was in the process of splitting into west and east. Coming into force during this period of transition, the document was only a provisional constitution. Yet the Basic Law has outlasted any of the previous three state forms since Germany was first unified in 1871. Today, it enjoys widespread popular support: a recent survey showed 81% of the population view it positively.

    In its content, the Basic Law is a living testimony to Germany’s desire to prevent a return to National Socialism. In articles 1-19, it enshrines a comprehensive catalogue of fundamental rights, which cannot be removed from the constitution. These include the right to dignity, freedom, privacy, free assembly, freedom of the press and to political asylum.

    The Basic Law also established one of the most powerful independent constitutional courts in the world. The court even has the right to ban political parties, or to limit the fundamental rights of individuals who are found to be undermining the constitutional order, as had been in the case in Weimar Germany. For this reason, Germany is considered to be a militant democracy. While the outright banning of parties is fraught with political difficulties (and hence rare historically), there is a live debate over whether the AfD’s policies and rhetoric are ultimately compatible with Germany’s constitution.

    More subtly, Germany’s governance structures are designed to make it practically impossible for a hostile grouping to seize power democratically. The German chancellor has much less power than, say, the British prime minister. In particular, the structures of federalism and coalition government further constrain the room for manoeuvre of any individual politician or indeed any single political party.

    The Grundrechte is inscribed on a wall in Berlin for all to see.
    Jakob-Kaiser-Haus/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

    Major functions of policy implementation are delegated to powerful societal actors, such as professional bodies. These are geographically distributed around the country, along with the media, key corporate headquarters and the unions. The ability of Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, to set monetary policy independent of political control, itself a response to the hyperinflation of the early 1920s, has made it a model for both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England today.

    In short, and in the words of the German-American political scientist Peter Katzenstein, the German state is only “semisovereign”.

    In consequence, the Basic Law is not just a document setting out the political “rules of the game”, but an expression of Germany’s values. Its longevity has benefited from the willingness of political elites down the years to adapt its provisions, where necessary, to changing circumstances. And in several respects, the past remains very much the present in German politics. For instance, the right to privacy, which was originally included to prevent the reoccurrence of Nazi Germany’s pervasive surveillance, is given new meaning in an age of global digital connectivity.

    Pressures ahead

    Certainly, Germany today faces multiple challenges. As society has evolved, Germany’s party system has fragmented, with more parties securing seats in the national parliament, the Bundestag. Of these, the AfD has been by far the most successful, and could potentially become the second largest party at the next parliamentary elections in 2025. This fragementation, which is not unique to Germany, has made the formation of coalition governments harder. Fortunately, this has so far not led to out-of-cycle national elections, of the kind which plagued the latter years of the Weimar Republic.

    And there are concerns beyond politics. From the “economic miracle” in the 1950s, Germany’s growth has slowed significantly, averaging just 1.2% per year between 2012-2022; in the last two years, the economy has barely grown at all. Compared to other advanced economies, it remains disproportionately reliant on exporting high added value manufactured goods.

    The reunification of Germany in 1990 also continues to cast a long shadow. In any number of economic and social indicators, including household incomes, religion and childcare patterns, eastern Germany remains structurally different to western Germany. Across the country, the population is ageing and, without substantial net migration over time, will decline over the next 30 years. Yet immigration also remains one of the biggest political issues of the day, and a key driver of the AfD’s electoral success.

    Nonetheless, given Germany’s difficult journey to statehood in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Basic Law remains a strong guarantor of Germany’s democratic credentials. For this reason, former federal president Joachim Gauck was surely right to declare earlier this year that the Germany created by the Basic Law is “the best that ever existed”.

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

    – ref. AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind – https://theconversation.com/afd-how-germanys-constitution-was-designed-with-the-threat-of-extremism-in-mind-230594

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Translation: The 5 secrets of the Reims campus

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Universities – Science Po in French

    Students in front of the entrance to 1, Saint-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)

    Bachelor open house on November 30, 2024

    Come and meet our teams and our students on our regional campuses.

    Sign up

    Open house for masters on October 19, 2024

    Discover our 30 masters and interact with the teams and students of our 7 professional schools.

    Sign up

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The 5 Secrets of the Reims Campus

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    Students in front of the entrance at 1 St-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)

    Virtual Undergraduate Open House day on 30 November 2024

    Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.

    Sign-up

    Virtual Graduate Open House day on 19 october 2024

    Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU students became finalists of the social video contest of the Student Media Rally “Our Values”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Students of the State University of Management took part in the Student Media Gathering “Our Values” in the Senezh Management Workshop, where they became finalists in the social video competition.

    The gathering will take place from September 14 to 18, 2024. More than 150 representatives of student media from 25 regions of Russia, as well as guests from 16 countries, took part in it: Argentina, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Italy and others. The State University of Management was represented at the gathering by the head of the General Press SUM (GPS) media club Ekaterina Lavrova, deputy head of the media department of the IOM Student Council Valeria Lebert, and the head of the Garnet case club Larisa Sokolova.

    The program of the event included lectures, master classes, cultural evenings and open dialogues with famous speakers, such as Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova, Head of the Media Monitoring and Analysis Department of the Press Service of the Federation Council Olga Anderson and others.

    During the five days of the event, each team had a task – to create a social poster and a social video on one of the 17 topics prepared by the organizers. Our students were given the topic “Service to the Fatherland and Responsibility for Its Fate” during the draw. Despite all the difficulties and sleepless nights that the girls faced, they coped with the task and reached the final of the competition works, where they were assessed by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Olga Petrova and Director of the Department of Information Policy and Comprehensive Security Andrey Tolmachev.

    Deputy Head of the Media Department of the IOM Student Council Valeria Lebert shared her impressions after the Gathering: “Having attended the Gathering of Student Media “Our Values” in Senezh, I realized how powerful the young generation is now. Everyone defends their position and goes all the way, showing stunning results. This was my first experience of such trips, and I want to call it successful. Thanks to the girls, the organizers and the State University of Management for such an opportunity and a great time!”

    The head of the case club Larisa Sokolova also gave a comment: “During the five days spent in Senezh, I rethought many things. The topics that the speakers raised touched me to the depths of my soul. At the end of the Gathering, I did not even want to leave, to part with the amazing people whom I had managed to love in such a short time. I am grateful to the State University of Management for this opportunity. When I return, I will convey to our students the meanings that I found in Senezh.”

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 09.23.2024

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    GUU students became finalists of the social video contest of the Student Media Rally “Our Values”

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: ​New sci-fi animation ‘The Wild Robot’ assembled itself

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Renowned animation director Chris Sanders told China.org.cn how his crew were very driven while creating “The Wild Robot” as well as other intriguing insights during an interview promoting the film in China earlier this month.

    Director Chris Sanders speaks at a special screening event held for “The Wild Robot” at Peking University in Beijing, Sept. 5, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    “One of the things that was unusual in this film, which I had never experienced before, was that the entire crew making this film was so excited about it that they really couldn’t be stopped from doing their jobs,” Sanders highlighted an extraordinary level of enthusiasm among his team during the production of “The Wild Robot,” which hit Chinese theaters on Sept. 20. 

    Usually, scenes are first discussed one by one by the director and animators during an animation production process . However, animators for “The Wild Robot” were so keen to create that they often completed scenes before any discussions were held with the director. 

    Sanders recalled how animators would “stop” him during discussions for scene development to explain how they had already completed the scene after breaking “into the database” to get information on the scene’s general concept. “And this happened more than once,” Sanders added.

    This enthusiasm extended to the songwriting team as well, who composed a song for the end credits without the usual preliminary meetings, but simply because they felt inspired by the film. “So that’s another example of how this film almost wanted to make itself. It was putting itself together, even when we weren’t around. It was an absolutely amazing experience to have that happen. Everybody was working so hard and was so inspired to do what they were doing.”

    A Chinese poster for “The Wild Robot.” [Image courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    Both directed and written by Sanders, acclaimed for animated hits like “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010), “The Wild Robot” is a new sci-fi animation based on a popular children’s novel of the same name by American illustrator and author Peter Brown. 

    The film follows a robot named ROZZUM unit 7134, or “Roz” for short, who was programmed to serve humans but finds herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After adapting to the harsh, uninhabited environment, she then bonds with the island’s wildlife, even becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. By acclimating to these new circumstances, Roz breaks boundaries and surpasses programming. Roz is voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, with other characters being voiced by Pedro Pascal, Mark Hamill and Ving Rhames. The film is set for North American release on Sept. 27. 

    During the China.org.cn interview, Sanders stated that when DreamWorks Animation presented various projects for him to direct, he was immediately drawn to “The Wild Robot.” He later realized why this project interested him: his daughter had previously read the Peter Brown’s book and he had, at one point, also brainstormed an idea for an animated picture about a machine being lost in a forest, making this project feel familiar. It seemed destined for him to direct it and his daughter was excited when she heard the news, even contributing ideas for the film’s creation. Also, Brown’s objective with the story that “kindness could be a survival skill” deeply touched and resonated with Sanders.

    “It was a very powerful story,” Sanders said. “We all might have to change our programming at some point as there are always challenges in our lives, you may have to change the way you do things in order to prevail. That’s a really powerful message of the story. I hope that people who watch this film, no matter what their age, really find something to relate to in it.”

    He also stressed that one of the most memorable parts of this entire project was engaging with the actors as they helped bring the characters to life. For the animated picture’s visuals, Sanders took inspiration from Disney animated classics and the works of Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki, giving the film a unique style that combines both CGI animation and illustrations done by hand. 

    “We were always trying to get back to something that animation had at the very beginning, which was the hand-painted warmth that you see in films like ‘Bambi’ and ‘My Neighbor Totoro.’ Those films have such beautiful human warmth that comes from their handmade painted backgrounds. We were always trying to get back to that,” he said.

    Director Chris Sanders poses for a group photo with special guests and the audience at the China premiere for “The Wild Robot” held in a cinema at Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    Another aspect he remembers fondly is working with famed composer Kris Bowers, who Sanders had the most meetings with during the animation’s development. “So, it’s one of the things I’m really excited for people to experience — not only the visuals, the voices and the story, but also the music. It’s one of my very favorite scores of all time.”

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Ministry’s #Ideas4LiFE Initiative Gains Momentum with 46.5 million Impressions, 13.5 million Reach, and Over 1000 Ideas Submitted on Portal

    Ideas4LiFE Ideathon Covers Seven Key Themes Aligned with Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, and More

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 2:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, launched the Ideas4LiFE portal on 29th July 2024 at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi for inviting innovative ideas related to products and services, which induce behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles.

    The portal ‘Ideas4Life.nic.in’, created in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, will allow participants to submit their ideas and innovations online. The winning ideas under each of the seven themes of Mission LiFE will be recognized and awarded with attractive prizes for individuals as well as for institutions.

    Further, an event aiming to inspire innovative environmental solutions, at IIT Bombay, was organised on 31st Aug’24 in collaboration with the State Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra. Therein Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the extension of deadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from 15th September to 15th October 2024.

    Partnerships with key educational bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to strengthen the initiative’s presence in academic institutions, encouraging students, faculty, and researchers nationwide to contribute innovative ideas toward sustainable living has been made.

    The UGC, AICTE, IITs, and various educational institutions nationwide will play a key role in promoting the Ideas4LiFE Ideathon among students, researchers, and the academic community. They are encouraged to contribute innovative, citizen-focused ideas and technologies that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. The Ideathon encompasses seven themes aligned with the Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, E-Waste Management, Minimizing Single-Use Plastics, Embracing Sustainable Food Practices, and Fostering Healthy Lifestyles.

    The Ministry is also propagating the ideas4LiFE initiative through social media outreach on #Ideas4LiFE.  As on date appx 3300 registrations and 1000 ideas have been received at the Ideas4LiFE portal. Social Media Outreach of the #Ideas4LiFE shows that there are 46.5 million impressions and 13.5 million reach.

    It is planned to further amplify the reach of campaign by having meetings with UGC/AICTE/ Department of Education/ State Governments etc. After the culmination of the challenge, innovative ideas will be evaluated by a jury to announce shortlisted and winning ideas. These ideas will not only be recognized with attractive prizes but will also be part of a national repository of innovations. These can be nurtured, scaled, and implemented by various stakeholders, including government bodies and private entities.

    *****

    NB/GS

    (Release ID: 2057810) Visitor Counter : 84

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Authority announces senior appointment (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

         The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following senior appointment today (September 23):
     
         Dr Ada Yu will be appointed as Hospital Chief Executive of Bradbury Hospice, Cheshire Home, Shatin, and Shatin Hospital with effect from October 1.
     
         Dr Yu is a specialist in emergency medicine by background. She is currently the Chief Manager (Planning and Commissioning) of the New Territories East Cluster (NTEC) overseeing all major hospital projects in the NTEC including the planning and commissioning of the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) Phase 2 Redevelopment Project, the North District Hospital Expansion Project and the North District Community Health Centre Project. As an experienced senior executive, Dr Yu steers the strategic planning of the NTEC and drives a wide spectrum of projects for enhancement of clinical services and improvement of patient experiences in the hospitals. In her concurrent role as the Co-ordinator of Clinical Services of the PWH, she formulates the cluster annual plan, drives innovative technology development and smart solutions in the NTEC, and co-ordinates the service collaboration between the HA and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre.
     
         The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, congratulate Dr Yu on her new appointment and wish her every success in taking up the new role.
        

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Taking Action to Support Auto Workers and Manufacturers, Including in  Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    In Detroit, the White House will convene the Michigan Workforce Hub to announce new commitments to support the auto workforce and increase capital access for auto suppliers
    The American auto industry has driven the U.S. manufacturing base for generations, and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that the future of the auto industry is made in America by American union workers. Today, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard is traveling to Detroit, Michigan to convene the Michigan Workforce Hub and announce a suite of new actions to support automakers and auto workers, with an emphasis on historic auto communities in Michigan. The Michigan Workforce Hub is one of nine Investing in America Workforce Hubs launched by the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda.
    Today’s announcement builds on the actions that Vice President Harris announced in May to support small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers with access to capital to expand or retool manufacturing facilities, new workforce training resources, and new technical assistance programs.
    “I believe in an economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed. Investing in the ambitions and aspirations of our people is the best way to grow the American economy and the middle class,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “Yet for far too long, we have seen lack of investment in communities across America and profound obstacles to economic opportunity—including in communities with historic manufacturing expertise such as Detroit. Earlier this year, I was proud to announce new support for small- and medium-sized auto suppliers in Detroit. Today’s announcements build on those investments by making sure our auto supply chains stay here in America, strengthening our economy overall by investing in historically underserved communities, and keeping more auto jobs in Detroit.”
    $1 Billion in Financing for Small- And Medium-Sized Auto Suppliers
    Auto suppliers support the majority of auto manufacturing jobs, and small- and medium-sized suppliers employ more than 250,000 workers across the country—serving as economic engines in Michigan, Ohio, and other historic auto communities.
    Today, the Department of the Treasury is announcing a $9.1 million grant to launch the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program to help small and underserved automotive manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers secure financing to scale and shift to supplying the electric vehicle supply chain. Made possible by Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program will provide financial, legal, accounting, and other support services to underserved and very small businesses, including helping these firms access the over $230 million in additional lending and equity investments made available to support Michigan businesses through the American Rescue Plan’s SSBCI program. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will oversee the Auto Supplier Transition program in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. Additionally, Monroe Capital is announcing a commitment to raise up to $1 billion for a new “Drive Forward” Fund to facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses. The Drive Forward Fund builds on successful investment funds catalyzed by the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company program, which provides low-cost government-guaranteed leverage funding to lower the cost of capital for portfolio companies. The Drive Forward Fund will be advised by a council with experts from across the automotive industry to ensure that capital is directed to small and medium-sized auto suppliers with high-road labor practices and significant domestic manufacturing content. A focus will be placed on manufacturers that are well-positioned to lead in the future of the automotive industry and need additional capital and support to grow their manufacturing capacity, including companies making critical investments in the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) production to electric vehicles (EV).
    These new announcements build on investments that the Biden-Harris Administration has already made in auto manufacturers, including in Michigan. For example, under the Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grant Program, the Department of Energy announced a $500 million award to General Motors in Lansing and a $158 million award to ZF North America in Marysville to support the conversion of these legacy ICE facilities to EV production—retaining or creating over 1,000 combined jobs. Both of these facilities are UAW unionized. The Department of Energy also announced that the State of Michigan is eligible to receive over $18 million in funding to provide grants to small- and medium-sized auto suppliers converting their facilities to electric vehicle production. To protect these investments from unfair trade practices abroad, the President has taken strong and strategic action, including by raising tariffs to 100% on EVs and batteries from China.
    The Administration welcomes additional commitments and actions from stakeholders across industry to support automakers and auto workers.
    Michigan Workforce Hub Commitments
    In 2023, First Lady Jill Biden announced the Investing in America Workforce Initiative in five initial locations where the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda is catalyzing historic investments in industries of the future. In April, President Biden announced Michigan as one of four new Workforce Hubs, designed to prepare Michigan workers for the good-paying and union jobs created by these historic investments, with a focus on the auto sector. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, industry has announced $28 billion in private investment in clean energy and manufacturing in Michigan. The Hub is focused on four pillars: improving alignment between training programs and industry needs, standardizing training program guidelines for emerging occupations in the auto supply chain, promoting career readiness with a focus on underserved communities, and addressing structural barriers to employment.
    The Michigan Workforce Hub is coordinating across the Department of Labor, the Department of Energy, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, community colleges, unions, employers, philanthropy, nonprofits, and others to deliver on President Biden’s announcement. Since the launch of the Hub, the Department of Labor has invested more than $5.4 million to modernize, expand, and diversify registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan across key industries, including manufacturing, and connect workers to good-paying jobs, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has continued to leverage $25 million in American Rescue Plan funding to expand apprenticeships in the state. The Detroit Regional Partnership is also continuing to implement its $52.2 million grant from the American Rescue Plan to invest in the Detroit area’s legacy automotive industry and unite 135 local coalition members around a common vision for a collaborative and equitable regional economy; the coalition is undertaking
    To institutionalize the work of the Michigan Workforce Hub, the Department of Energy is announcing the selection of a full-time Michigan Fellow, hosted by the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. This Fellow is part of an inaugural cohort of ten fellows and host organizations funded by the Community Workforce Readiness Accelerator for Major Projects (RAMP) program—which is designed to address workforce gaps while ensuring that historic clean energy investments lift all communities, especially those historically left behind.
    Today, the Michigan Workforce Hub is announcing a suite of new federal, state, philanthropic, nonprofit, and private sector commitments:
    Building pipelines to careers for underserved communities:
    The Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is announcing a new pilot program to train workers in Wayne County for over 140 high-quality jobs in the auto supply chain. The pilot will partner with local automotive employers to train workers while they earn a paycheck, addressing a major barrier to enrollment. As part of the pilot, the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) will work with employers, including Roush, and provide supportive services to address transportation, childcare, and other needs to make it easier for Detroit-area residents from underserved communities to access both training and good-paying manufacturing jobs.
    The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has partnered with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and invested $4 million to support more than 500 Michigan workers to receive the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program credential in preparation for good-paying, union jobs installing EV chargers, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Forty percent or more of the participants served will be from underserved targeted populations.
    Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) are launching an accelerated Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to Registered Apprenticeship Program pilot to expedite preparation of RAP candidates who have completed CDL training. Through collaborative efforts with Labor partners and the IBEW, leveraging innovative Apprenticeship Readiness Programs, 15 participants from traditionally underrepresented groups will receive CDL training and participate in a registered apprenticeship resulting in a good-paying union job.
    Taskforce Movement is partnering with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity to create career pathways for transitioning service members and veterans into electronic vehicle, manufacturing, and cybersecurity jobs. Transitioning service members and veterans will leverage the skills and discipline honed during military service to build a more robust workforce while providing veterans with stable, high-quality careers.
    The Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons will partner with Detroit Public Schools to launch new manufacturing career exposure programs for over 1,000 high school students, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented and employment-distressed neighborhoods.
    Driving career readiness and standardizing training programs for good-paying jobs:
    The Department of Energy and over a dozen industry sponsors are providing $23.6 million in funding for the Battery Workforce Challenge to invest in equipment, technical support, mentorship, internships, and job placements and train up to 14,000 workers across the country for careers across the EV value chain—including technicians, electricians, skilled trades, and engineers. The program will invest more than $600,000 in colleges in Michigan to train over 300 Michiganders. Sponsors include Stellantis, Samsung SDI America, the American Battery Technology Company, AVL North America, Vector, and the Battery Innovation Center.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Challenge Program, managed by Argonne National Laboratory, will create STEM talent pipelines in battery manufacturing hubs across the nation—the first being piloted in Michigan with the support of at least $400,000 in total, direct funding. Key partners in the Michigan pilot will include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, high schools, vocational institutions, higher education, and industry. The Department of Energy will provide $200,000 in seed funding to Henry Ford Community College in Detroit to establish a state-of-the-art Battery/EV Technical Center. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will also award $200,000 to the University of Michigan-Dearborn to establish an undergraduate-level training program as well as a summer boot camp to educate undergraduate students in EV battery technology and build a talent pipeline.
    The Department of Energy and Argonne will partner with New Energy New York to develop battery and EV training and educational content, “BattTech,” to be used in the Michigan pilot and the other Battery Workforce Hubs. BattTech will provide industry-aligned educational content and training in battery technology, EV development, safety, manufacturing, and recycling—ensuring participants are equipped with the skills required for roles across the battery and electric vehicle value chain.
    As part of the Battery Workforce Challenge, the Department of Energy will provide $250,000 to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to pilot a battery manufacturing career pathway in high school career technical education courses in Michigan. The battery manufacturing career pathway will be integrated into the SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) program that currently is serves 110 schools and 10,000 students annually across 23 states. SME PRIME also intends to further expand its existing footprint in Michigan.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative and Michigan community colleges will launch discussions for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deploy industry-approved classroom and on-the-job training with battery manufacturers and their community college partners for high-demand occupations. This training program has also been certified by the Department of Labor as the guidelines for battery manufacturing machine operator apprenticeship.
     Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Building local capacity and promoting economic development:
    With the support of up to $250,000 in funding from the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network will team up with the State of Michigan, local officials, and economic development leaders to build capacity in the historic auto communities of Saginaw and Flint as well as rural communities in the Upper Peninsula. This initiative will work to close gaps related to workforce participation, infrastructure, and poverty—driving local economic comebacks. This work builds upon place-based capacity building efforts that the Network is providing to other parts of Michigan and across the country.
    The City of Lansing will increase representation of women in construction and skilled trades through the Leveraging Infrastructure Networks for Equity Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the non-profit Accelerator for America. This project has been renewed for second year with nearly $500,000 in funding to improve pathways for women to access the good jobs being created by historical investments in infrastructure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU participate in the survey “DNA of Russia”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Students of SPbGASU – participants of the survey “DNA of Russia”. On the left, behind the podium – Irina Lapina

    From September 17 to October 7, the “Not Indifferent Person” platform is conducting a survey called “DNA of Russia”. First-year students of SPbGASU studying the discipline “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” are actively participating in it.

    “Any civilization is a living organism. This explains the application of such a term as DNA to Russia. After all, DNA is one of the most important molecules through which the genetic code of all living beings is transmitted,” Irina Lapina, head of the history and philosophy department at our university, addressed the survey participants at a meeting with students.

    According to Irina Yuryevna, thanks to digital technologies, expressing one’s opinion has become much easier: in ancient times, one had to gather a veche to do this.

    Student Leonid Razumov reported on the importance of the topics covered by the survey: its questions concern the future of Russia and how young people see themselves in 10–15 years.

    Student Polina Dmitrieva believes that this survey is very relevant, because it makes you think seriously about life.

    “Such a survey motivates, helps to systematize thoughts. It is interesting for people who do not sit still, constantly develop, set goals and want to move towards them,” says student Yaroslav Kudryavtsev.

    The DNA of Russia survey is conducted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of the state assignment “Organizational and methodological support for research into the socio-psychological well-being of students and employees of higher education institutions using a digital survey system, automated data collection and analysis.” A total of six online surveys are planned for this year.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/students-spbgasu-participating-in-a-survey-DNA-Russia/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    September 29, 2024
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