Category Archives: Education

Easterseals Announces Expansion of Early Intervention and Educational Programming in Hillsborough County

Tampa, FL (September 27, 2023) – Finding services to support children with developmental challenges can be frustrating for caregivers. In response to this pressing need, Easterseals is pleased to announce the expansion of its programs in Hillsborough County. The nonprofit, which is dedicated to creating equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, is now enrolling families in its The Incredible Years® program and is introducing a new private school, the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning, coming to the Bloomingdale area in mid-2024.

THE INCREDIBLE YEARS WITH EASTERSEALS

Enrollment is open for The Incredible Years® with Easterseals, a free group therapy program for caregivers and children ages three to eight years old, with the next session beginning on October 6, 2023, at the Brandon Children’s Board Family Resource Center. Interested families can register online at https://tinyurl.com/incredible years hills borough, and future locations will be added based on demand.

Amanda Lopez, Program Manager for The Incredible Years® with Easterseals, said, “This evidence-based group therapy program is a blessing to our community. The curriculum provided by Incredible Years has been life-changing to the families we have already served in our first few cohorts. Children are able to learn about their emotions and make friends in their small groups, and the caregivers are able to build strategies to strengthen their parenting skills and the bond they have with their child. We are seeing happier families, increased confidence in the caregivers served, and children with healthier coping skills.”

Generously funded by The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, The Incredible Years® with Easterseals program is designed to strengthen child well-being, promote social-emotional learning and academic competence, and prevent, reduce, and treat behavioral and emotional problems in young children.

Families enroll in a 14-week session that meets once a week. In the caregiver-focused group, participants work on strengthening parent-child relationships, increasing parenting strategies, and building community support. Held simultaneously, the child group concentrates on teaching self-control skills, problem-solving strategies, and ways for participants to positively express emotions. The Incredible Years® program also includes a home education component.

Interested families are encouraged to email IncredibleYears@fl.easterseals.com or call 813-836-4739 with any questions.

As more and more families register for The Incredible Years® program, Easterseals is working to open more locations throughout Hillsborough County. Easterseals is also actively recruiting for a Bilingual Family Support Specialist.

In addition to programs like The Incredible Years®, Easterseals is bringing even more early intervention and educational services to the local community.

EASTERSEALS SCHOOL FOR LIMITLESS LEARNING

Easterseals is thrilled to introduce the School for Limitless Learning, a brand-new private school that will serve children who are neurodiverse or have other related disabilities, coming to the Bloomingdale area in mid-2024. The campus, which is currently under construction, will be located at the BayCare Health Hub at 2470 Bloomingdale Avenue in Valrico.

Easterseals School for Limitless Learning will include two specialized programs, a lower elementary program and an early childhood program. The goal of the private school is to provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment, designed to help special needs students reach developmental milestones through hands-on activities.

Jenn Siffermann, Vice President of Programs, said, “Parents and caregivers of children who have autism, or any other type of developmental or learning challenges, are too often told what their child’s limitations are. At Easterseals, we focus on supporting a child’s ability to reach their full potential with limitless learning opportunities.”

The curriculum at the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning will be based on the DIRFloortime® model, which is widely regarded as an effective approach to support children with autism. The objective of the DIR® is to build healthy foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual capacities, rather than solely focusing on skills and isolated behaviors. Teachers in both school programs will be trained in DIRFloortime®.

Operating on a 10-month school year, the lower elementary program in the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning will serve children who are neurodiverse or have other related disabilities in the age range of preschool to second grade. Small class sizes will ensure personalized attention, and the connection, play-based curriculum, led by state-certified teachers, will keep students engaged.

The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning’s early childhood program will operate year-round and will provide classrooms for children with and without diagnosed disabilities, who are six weeks of age through three years old. In addition to DIRFloortime®, this program will utilize the Frog Street Curriculum to foster cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.

The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning will also offer nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, before and after-school care, care during school breaks, and summer programs. The private school will feature a state-of-the-art indoor sensory room, an outdoor boundless playground, and a secure campus.

Registration for the school’s first summer enrichment program for preschool to second grade is planned for spring 2024, along with the opening of enrollment for the child development program.

The lower elementary program is slated to open next fall for the 2024-2025 school year, with enrollment dates to be announced.

Boutique Group Signs MoU with Sommet Education

India, 27 September 2023: Boutique Group, a hospitality company fully owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, merging the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s culture and heritage with contemporary elegance to develop historic and cultural places into ultra-luxury boutique hotels, has signed an MoU with Sommet Education, a leading international network of hospitality management and culinary arts schools. Sommet Education encompasses prestigious institutions such as Swiss originated hospitality business schools Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches, together with culinary and pastry arts school École Ducasse.

Boutique Group is a one-of-a-kind hospitality company developed to deliver a unique ultra-luxury Saudi experience that contributes to the local economy and enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading cultural tourism destination in line with the Vision 2030. The collaboration between Boutique Group and Sommet Education will focus on three main areas: training programs, recruitment, and internships.

Sommet Education will support Boutique Group through customized and bespoke training pathways, enabling Boutique Group employees to benefit from Sommet Education’s vast experience in crafting hospitality programs, tailored to the talent development of the company’s employees.

As Boutique Group continues to recruit talent, locally and internationally, Sommet Education has the opportunity to play a significant role through its established network to ensure that the unique talents from its Hospitality schools join the Boutique Group’s team.

Boutique Group will offer internship programs for students, providing them with invaluable hands-on training and experience. In turn this will help to establish a talent network, ensuring a flow of passionate individuals who are familiar with the company’s ethos and standards.

CEO of Boutique Group Mark De Concinis, and CEO of Sommet Education Benoît-Etienne Domenget met in Abu Dhabi at the Future Hospitality Summit and Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference 2023, to sign the MoU on September 26th, 2023. Boutique Group is a platinum sponsor of FHS & AHIC 2023, an international platform where the world’s most influential hospitality investment decision makers connect, exchange knowledge and explore new partnerships, making the venue a fitting place to solidify the agreement.

Mark De Cocinis, CEO, Boutique Group, said: “Partnering with Sommet Education was a natural next step for us. Their commitment to delivering top-tier hospitality management and culinary arts schooling directly aligns with our goals of cultivating industry professionals and fuels my enthusiasm for fostering Saudi talents. Through innovative training, we aim to nurture possibility and inspire the visionaries who will drive our industry forward.”

Sommet Education is a leading international network of hospitality management and culinary arts schools offering the highest quality of education and training, aligning with industry best practices and standards. It is the only education group with two in the Top 5 globally-ranked institutions for hospitality education and by employer reputation (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, said: “We are excited about our collaboration with novel pioneers, Boutique Group, as it enhances our potential to revolutionize how hospitality professionals are developed. We spark new heights of greatness for generations of leaders via collaborative programs that combine our recognized expertise.”

Signing the MoU confirms the expansion of an already fruitful partnership. Boutique Group previously engaged the educational institution to deliver Medh’Yaf – a hospitality immersion program that focused on the luxury hospitality landscape, techniques to develop and bring to life cultural heritage, and how to deliver the ultra-luxury experience, to more than 70 of their employees.

Silver Oaks International Schools to provide succor to the underprivileged through its Silver Oaks Street Store initiative

Hyderabad, 22nd September 2023: Silver Oaks International School – a 22-year-old institution, nurturing both character and competence with innovative pedagogy and an indigenous research-led curriculum; is hosting a unique charitable pop-up event – Silver Oaks Street Store on Sunday 24th September, 2023 at Silver Oaks International School, Bachupally and Silver Oaks International School, Wadakpally, Beeramguda in Hyderabad.

As part of the initiative, the students of Silver Oaks International Schools, are collecting unused and redundant articles, Books, toys, old clothes in good condition, and other utility items from their homes and that of their relatives and friends. The underprivileged can visit the Silver Oaks Street Store hosted at the Silver Oaks International School at Bachupally or Beeramguda on Sunday 24th September, 2023 between 9.00 am and 12.00 noon and choose and own items of utility for personal use.

Interested good Samaritans can be part of this noble initiative by contributing such items to the Silver Oaks Street Store, that may not be of use anymore, but are in good condition for others to use. They can also create awareness among the impoverished families engaged with them, to avail the opportunity and own needy items from the Silver Oaks Street Store. This way they can join the mission to bring joy in the lives of those who can’t afford some of the basic necessities.

Bryan Strain’s New Book, Elery Is Not Himself, is a Heartfelt Story of a Little Elf

Mount Pleasant, UT, September 14, 2023 –Fulton Books author Bryan Strain, who was born and raised in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California, has completed his most recent book, “Elery Is Not Himself”: a charming story of a young elf who longs to fly like his new friend, but soon discovers the importance of being true to oneself, and his very important role as an elf.

Growing up, stories were always a large part of author Bryan Strain’s childhood. His mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all loved reading and telling stories, which became a regular occurrence and instilled in him a love for the power of stories. Now with a family of his own, Bryan was inspired to write his own set of stories for his children and others.

“Elery, a woodland elf, wishes he could be like his friend, Sammy,” writes Strain. “He thinks Sammy’s ability to fly makes him better and more important than a woodland elf. With the help of a wise friend, Elery discovers that you will never be more happy than when you are being yourself.”

University of Essex unveils new MSc Economics of Business and Management programme

New Delhi, 13 September 2023: University of Essex, UK-based and ranked 18th in the UK for Economics by QS World University Rankings 2023 is proud to announce the launch of its latest academic offering, the MSc Economics of Business and Management programme. This innovative programme, designed to address the needs of both seasoned economists and newbies to the subject, smoothly integrates fundamental economic principles with real-world applications in business and management.

The MSc Economics of Business and Management curriculum is a dynamic educational journey that aims to equip students with theoretical proficiency, technical acumen, and strong communication skills, all developed in the context of economics as applied to business and management. The course ensures that graduates possess a deep understanding of economic theories and cultivates transferable skills such as the ability to construct persuasive arguments and the versatility to excel both independently and in collaborative settings.

During the one-year degree programme, the students will delve into core economic principles and analysis, meticulously crafted to address the unique needs of the business and management landscape, and will cover a range of crucial topics such as mastery of modern microeconomics, encompassing key principles and theories, utilization of statistical methods for comprehensive economic data analysis, in-depth exploration of contract theory, incentive theory, and the theory of the firm, insight into the impact of strategic interactions between firms on sales and profitability and application of economic insights to real-world business and management decision-making.

During the summer term, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent study on a specific topic of interest through the capstone project whereas, during the autumn term students can choose from a variety of optional modules that allow them to explore different areas of specialization such as asset pricing, banking, behavioural economics, and game theory.

The programme opens doors to a world of professional opportunities for the students such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists in prominent banks and financial institutions.

Professor Carlos Carrillo-Tudela, Head of the Department of Economics, University of Essex, expressed his excitement about the launch of the programme and said, “The MSc in Economics of Business and Management is tailored to develop future leaders in the fields of economics and business management. Our commitment to academic excellence and practical relevance will ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their careers. At the University of Essex, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and problem solvers, and this programme is a testament to that commitment””

The module is open to both domestic and international students and the applications for the programme are now open, with the first cohort of students set to begin their studies in January 2024. For more information about the programme, admission requirements, and how to apply, please visit : https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg01569/1/msc-economics-of-business-and-management

St. George’s University’s Dean of Clinical Studies Receives Distinguished Service Award for 40+ Years of Service

St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, Grenada, in the Caribbean, presented Clinical Dean Rodney Croft with a Distinguished Service Award after 43 years with the University, 20 of which he served as Dean of Clinical Studies in the UK. The award is given to members of the faculty and those in the community in recognition of their outstanding service to the University.

“I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Mr. Croft for the remarkable service to St. George’s University School of Medicine,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of the School of Medicine. “Mr. Croft made many significant contributions to furthering our MD program in the UK. I am grateful for his leadership there, most notably as Dean of Clinical Studies.”

Early years

Mr. Croft’s journey started with a bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University back in 1965. He earned his qualification (MB BCHIR) in 1968 and his Master of Arts the following year (MA Cantab). Mr. Croft then became a fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1972, received his Master of Surgery (MChir Cantab) in 1982, and went on to proudly become a fellow of The American College of Surgeons in 1984.

During his tenure as a consultant general and vascular surgeon at North Middlesex University Hospital, Mr. Croft’s dedication and expertise shone as he became the foremost authority in cardiovascular implants within the UK. His influential role included crafting standards for prestigious international bodies such as CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, and the International Organization for Standardization. His commitment to excellence was acknowledged with a commendable long-service award from the British Standard Institute.

Mr. Croft is well-versed in London Medical School education, having previously served as the Clinical Sub-dean at The Royal Free and University College Hospital Medical School in London. Furthermore, he played an active role on The Royal Free Medical School Council for a commendable nine-year period.

A long tenure at SGU

Mr. Croft has dedicated an impressive 43 years to undergraduate medical education at SGU’s School of Medicine. Notably, he served as the Dean of Clinical Studies of the UK program for 20 years, overseeing clinical faculty at SGU’s 17 UK-affiliated hospitals and clinics. His past SGU roles have included Clerkship Director, Director of Medical Education, and UK chair of the School of Medicine Department of Surgery.

“From the entire SGU community, my heartfelt congratulations to Rodney for this esteemed accolade and on his retirement,” Dr. Loukas said.

Bharti Foundation in collaboration with Directorate of School Education

13 September 2023, Jammu: Bharti Foundation in collaboration with The Directorate of School Education (DSEJ), Jammuis extending its ‘Life Skill Development among Students through House System’ project under its Satya Bharti Quality Support Program – At Scale to more than 3,500+ Government Middle Schools of Jammu.

The program lays emphasis on building the capacities of head of schools and teachers to enable students with 21st century skills. The project is being led by the Counselling Cell with support of Aadharshila and Cultural Innovation Cells at DSEJ. Dedicated team from Bharti Foundation will impart training to resource persons to help implement the project. These resource persons will further support schools in developing a comprehensive understanding of life skills education and buildingthe skills through school activities.

In August 2022, the first round of training was organised for more than 390 resource persons who cascaded the life skill development training to 8,500+ teachers from 1,100+ Government High and Higher Secondary Schools in Jammu, benefitting more than 2 lakh students. This year, along with offline training, online training and webinars have also been designed to equip resource persons to support heads of schools and teachers effectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Ashok Sharma, Director of School Education Jammu, acknowledged the Bharti Foundation and applauded the program which intends to build critical life skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, managing emotions, creative thinking, etc. in line with National Education Policy 2020. He said, “strengthening of healthy competition among students in the house system will create positive impact and prepare students for the real-world challenges.”

Dr Romesh Kumar, Head Counselling Cell DSEJ, who happens to be the Nodal officer for the program, opined that this program will offer a paradigm shift in how schools function. It will be very meaningful to conduct co-scholastic activities with “life skills development” as an end in mind.

Speaking on the successful extension of the project, Mamta Saikia, CEO-Bharti Foundation said, “Bharti Foundation has been working in the field of education in rural India for the past 20 years. It is our belief that life skills among students is an important area to work on and can be best delivered to the students when integrated with various school activities. Thanking the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, and all those who are involved in this ambitious project to support Bharti Foundation in creating a meaningful impact.”

Suraj Singh Rathore, CEO of Jammu, addressed while the program was anchored by Dr Sharma from Counselling Cell DSEJ. Other prominent people, present on the occasion, included HR Pakhroo, Joint Director (SE), Devender Singh Manhas, DEPO Jammu,Team members of Bharti foundation, Surjeet Singh, Incharge Cultural Cell DSEJ and other team members of Counselling Cell DSEJ.

Dreamtime Learning Launches Curriculum-Based Model for Futuristic Schools

India, 13th September 2023: After transforming the education industry with micro-schooling, Dreamtime Learning has ushered in an innovative initiative called ‘Powered by Dreamtime Learning’ or “Powered by DTL”. This is a customized and personalized curriculum model which is tailored for future schools to transform and infuse technological advancements. Conceptualized keeping into consideration three Pillars of Futuristic Education viz. Brain & Behavioral Science, Entrepreneurial & Growth Mindset, Social-Emotional Intelligence the curriculum is crafted free from franchise norms or additional costs.

The franchise model in education is tied to numerous limitations, including restricted flexibility, higher expenses, inconsistent quality, and loss of community connection. Recognizing the imperative to transcend these limitations and embrace modernization, renowned educationist Ms. Lina Ashar after a 30+ years stint since Kangaroo Kids & Billabong High School, Introduces a game-changing concept, ‘Powered by DTL’. The curriculum is largely inherited by the International Standard Curriculum and a gamified curriculum designed for self-mastery. Aligned and structured with the NEP 2020, it also features an advanced and user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS) for better learning. Elevating the school management, the model also provides a teacher training program and gives access to upgrade pedagogy with all micro and macro approaches constantly.

Transforming education with an innovative concept, Ms Lina Ashar, Founder of Dreamtime Learning, said, “In an era marked by rapid advancements in AI, robotics, 3D printing, AR/VR, and biotech, it’s crucial to question: Are our schools truly equipping our children for this future? India is on the urge to transform the education ecosystem by adapting personalized learning concepts, however many schools persist with outdated ‘teach to the test’ methods, and focusing on information, which is already, obsolete. By focusing on and developing a dynamic environment for learners that align with their individual interests and preferences, it is also imperative to encourage schools as well as futuristic institutions to boost a new horizon. PoweredbyDTL integrates cutting-edge technological resources and a tailored approach driven by a futuristic curriculum. It also eliminates the franchise model for the school and thereby making the school owner the real Brand Owner. We need to move with the times and create a learning ecosystem that creates future professionals and citizens who can compete and flourish anywhere in the world.”

Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President, Early Childhood Association, said, “Dreamtime Learning’s vision for education is to make it a lifelong journey and future enabled for the kids. I am extremely delighted as President Early Childhood Association to be a part of such a revolutionary initiative by Dreamtime Learning that will not only revolutionize the way we approach education but also help adapt it to the rapidly changing, technologically advanced world. The aim to provide learners with the necessary skills, competencies and flexibility to thrive in any future venture is the need of the hour. This also encourages future schools to create a distinguished platform for learners”.

This curriculum-based model is all set to redefine the future of education by offering a dynamic and adaptable curriculum which comes along with LMS for Teachers, Learners, Parents and 360 degree academic support for the Teachers, that prepares learners of all ages for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Ben-Gurion University invites applications for M.Sc. in Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel is inviting applications from international students for the M.Sc. in Earth and Environmental Sciences for its Fall 2023 session.

The M.Sc. program at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is a research degree with a thesis, designed to impart research skills and professional competence in a variety of fields in geology, earth and environmental science. The disciplines studied in this department enable a deeper understanding of the processes operating on and beneath the surface of the Earth. Study and research facilities in earth dynamics, geochemistry, micropaleontology, engineering geology, and field measurements are cutting-edge.

The program is subject to rules and regulations set by the Faculty of Natural Sciences, including the awarding of credit points and eligibility for scholarships and teaching assistantships.

Program delivery: The 2-year program is taught completely in English. Outstanding students may join the combined M.Sc.-Ph.D. track during the 2nd year of the M.Sc. studies. Students in this track can join the Ph.D. program without submitting an M.Sc. thesis. Students will get opportunities for employment in research laboratories during the course of studies along with exciting prospects to participate in field excursions abroad, usually to neighbouring countries.

Admission Cycle:

Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2023

Course dates:

Academic year October – July

Application deadline:

Rolling admissions

Admission Requirements:

· B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) from a recognized academic institution.

· GRE is required when applying to the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics.

· TOEFL is required when applying to the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, Geological and Environmental Sciences (for students who completed their B.Sc. at an institution where the language of instruction is NOT English).

· Acceptance to the program requires the agreement of a specific faculty member to act as a supervisor of the candidate.

Tuition: Approximately $5000 per year

Scholarship: Full Tuition and Cost of Living Scholarships are available for excellent students.

How to Apply:

Prospective students are required to find an advisor prior to submitting an application. More information on finding an advisor can be found here: https://in.bgu.ac.il/en/international/Pages/Find-an-Advisor.aspx.