Category Archives: Education

Palestine Writes Literature Festival Announces Program in Philadelphia

PALESTINE WRITES LITERATURE FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH AN OUTSTANDING LINE-UP OF WRITERS AND ARTISTS

PHILADELPHIA, PA (Aug 1, 2023) – Three years after Covid-19 forced the inaugural Palestine Writes Festival to be held virtually, the only Palestinian literature festival in North America is back with an impressive list of writers, artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, and other intellectuals. The festival will be held at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Irvine Auditorium on September 22-24, 2023. One-off events will also take place in the days leading up to the festival’s opening on Friday.

Speakers include Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, Arabic Booker Prize winner Ibrahim Nasrallah, celebrated filmmaker Darin Sallam, rock music legend Roger Waters, and dozens more renowned authors, such as Elias Khoury, Huzama Habayeb, Isabella Hammad, Sahar Mustafah, Suad Amiry, Salman AbuSitta, Gary Younge, Nur Masalha, and more.

The festival will be bilingual, with simultaneous translation for most sessions. The program and speaker list are published online, featuring 1) continuous children and YA programming; 2) Coffee & Books sessions; 3) Panel discussions; 4) Plenaries; 5) Hakawati oral storytelling; 6) An art exhibit; 7) Workshops; 8) Presentations; 9) A film screening, and; 10) Live performances.

Some highlights of the festival include:
The Cost and Rewards of Friendship. A discussion with Viet Thanh Nguyen, Gary Younge, Roger Waters, and Rachel Holmes on what it means to live ethically and in solidarity with Palestinian in the midst of an empire that holds Palestinian in contempt.

The Novel as a Historic Record. Lebanese writer Elias Khoury, Aboriginal Australian writer Ali Cobby Eckerman, and Viet Thanh Nguyen will talk about the ways in which novels correct, obfuscate, reinvent, or destabilize history.

Film director Darin Sallam, creator of Farha, a ground-breaking Palestinian film that streamed on Netflix and was Jordan’s submission for the Oscars, will talk about her film and Palestinian cinema in general.

Palestinian chefs Fadi Kattan, owner of Fawda Restaurant and akub London, and co-author of Craving Palestine, and Reem Assil, owner of Reem’s California and author of Arabiyyeh, will talk about Palestinian cuisine, food appropriation, and agricultural traditions cultivated over centuries in Palestine.

Al Ajaweed Dabke Troupe, traveling to Philadelphia from the Palestinian refugee camp of Baqa’a in Jordan, will perform Palestinian traditional line dance to folkloric songs.

The Festival will be the most dynamic gathering of Palestinian creatives in North America. In addition, the newly formed Palestine Writes Press will launch its first book, a translation and reprint of Ghassan Kanafani, at the Festival; the book was written by the Palestinian legendary writer’s widow, Anni Kanafani, and will feature a new foreword by Kanafani’s childhood friend Dr. Fadle Naqib, and an introduction by scholar and historian Louis Allday. The Press also plans to release an anthology of fiction, poetry, and other creative prose by Palestinians across the diaspora in 2024.

ABOUT PALESTINE WRITES
Palestine Writes is the only North American literature festival dedicated to celebrating and promoting cultural productions of Palestinian writers and artists. Born from the pervasive exclusion or tokenization of Palestinian voices in mainstream literary institutions, Palestine Writes brings Palestinian cultural workers from all parts of Historic Palestine and our exiled Diaspora together with peers from other marginalized groups in the United States. Crossing multiple borders—geographic, linguistic, generational, and cultural boundaries—writers, artists, publishers, booksellers, scholars, musicians, and thinkers hold conversations about art, literature, and the intersections between culture and power, struggle, politics, climate change, sexuality, human rights, animal rights, food sovereignty, and more.

CONTACT
For more information, contact Laura Albast or Rana Sharif (coordinator@palestinewrites.org).

VMC to conduct NAT test on 30th July 2023

Vidyamandir Classes (VMC), the nation’s leading institution and a hub for JEE (Main & Advanced), NEET preparation, is gearing to conduct its flagship test for Admission & Scholarships, National Admission Tests (NAT) on the 30th July 2023 through both offline and online modes in order to reward and encourage good students worldwide and elevating them towards academic growth.

This Test will give a significant boost to the preparation of JEE and NEET aspirants with Mentorship, Free Doubt Resolution, Motivational sessions from Founders & Top Faculty, and Free mock tests and practice school / board exams for current class final exams.

Students currently in Classes V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, & XI have the chance to take this test as a way to enroll in one of the many programs offered at Vidyamandir Classes, giving them a head start, access to scientifically designed Free Practice Tests, Mock Board Tests, a wide variety of E-study Material for the current class, and the chance to receive scholarships of up to 100%. Extra 10% concession will be provided on Tuition Fee to Girl students and to the children of school teachers.

“Building a solid foundation of scientific and technical knowledge and thus to prepare competent and motivated engineers and doctors is the primary motto of Vidyamandir Classes. The National Admission Test is targeted to provide an early start advantage for students to get more time to adapt to the quantum leap in the level of difficulty with ease. The emphasis is given on our programs which will enable students to imbibe the fundamental concepts of Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics/ Biology and on sharpening their analytical skills and parallel thinking process, making them capable to creatively solve complex and tricky problems by mere application of basic concepts.” Said Saurabh Kumar, Chief Academics Officer (CAO), Vidyamandir Classes

Students in grades V, VI, VII, and VIII will benefit from the National Admission Test’s Early Start advantage and help develop strong fundamentals that will give them an edge on other competitive tests like the IIT-JEE (Main & Advanced), NEET, NTSE, INSPIRE -KVPY, and Olympiads. Students will be prepared for scholastic and competitive assessments with early exposure to competitive exams, top-notch staff, and an all-encompassing teaching technique.

“Understanding students’ needs at different stages of their preparation has been the guiding force behind the teaching methodology at VMC. It is also the secret behind the success of our students in various National and International Level exams. VMC facilitates classes from highly experienced faculty with minimum experience of 10 years in the field of preparing students for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.” Said Mr. Abhishek Sharma, CBO, Vidyamandir Classes.

Candidates for the JEE and NEET who wish to attend the nation’s top engineering and medical schools should not miss this test. The top faculty members, including the VMC Founders, will participate in these classes and seminars.

World Campus Connections Creates Strategic Funds

Woodstock, GA, July 28, 2023 — World Campus Connections, Inc. (WCC) has created two strategic funding accounts. The first is a scholarship fund that will be established in the name of Luerene Brooks Caddle, mother of one of WCC’s co-founders. Mrs. Caddle was an incredibly strong Christian woman and proponent of advance education. Each scholarship recipient will exemplify the determination and Christian values that Mrs. Caddle demonstrated throughout her life. Today would have been Mrs. Caddle’s 90th birthday.

The second strategic fund will be an endowment created in the name of Christine Glantz, mother of WCC’s first donor. The fund was created as a lasting tribute to celebrate the life of Mrs. Glantz, and a way to continue to help others as she did through her teaching career, participation in community service, and endless dedication as a mother, wife, grandmother, and friend to many.

Together, these two funds will continue to help support the mission of WCC and provide the resources and support to further the education and careers of our young adults. WCC is proud to announce the Luerene Brooks Caddle Memorial Scholarship and the Christine Glantz Endowment Fund.

Huntington Study Group and CHDI Foundation Collaborate on Enroll-HD

Rochester, NY, July 26, 2023 –HSG Clinical Research, Inc. – the Huntington Study Group’s clinical research organization (CRO) and wholly owned subsidiary (collectively referred to here as HSG) – has begun providing CRO services for CHDI Foundation’s Enroll-HD observational study and clinical research platform in the USA and Canada.

“CHDI has long supported and worked with the HSG as a clinical investigator-facing network of healthcare professionals dedicated to Huntington’s disease,” said Robi Blumenstein, President of CHDI Management. “HSG is very familiar with the HD clinical sites throughout North America and, with the establishment of its clinical research arm, HSG Clinical Research, it was only natural that we would turn to HSG as a CRO for Enroll-HD. HSG brings exceptional domain knowledge and continuity to Enroll-HD and the studies and trials it supports, and we look forward to the continued expansion of this relationship over time.”

Enroll-HD is a clinical research platform and the world’s largest observational study for Huntington’s disease families that serves as a resource for the entire HD community, including families, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and the vitally important engagement of pharma and biotech companies developing novel therapeutics. Currently, the Enroll-HD clinical database comprises more than 30,000 participants from around the world at more than 155 clinical sites in 23 nations.

CHDI and HSG will leverage their expertise and innovation to continue gaining knowledge and insight into the natural history of HD, combine their strengths in research, clinical expertise, and study execution to ensure the ongoing success of Enroll-HD, and work together to accelerate therapeutic development to make a difference for those affected by Huntington’s disease.

Shari Kinel, CEO of Huntington Study Group, noted, “CHDI is an incredible organization and HSG could not be more excited to work with them on this important study. Our organizations have a shared commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by HD, and we are confident that our joint efforts will lead to meaningful outcomes. We are already looking forward to future collaboration opportunities.”

Learn more about Enroll-HD, including how to participate and how it can help your research.

If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities to collaborate with HSG, please contact info@hsglimited.org.

Breakthrough Research Published in Nature Enabled by Dynamic Single-Molecule Analysis

World Youth Skills Day held at British Lingua

New Delhi, 16th July 2023: Marking the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, a seminar on the need for skilled teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future was held at British Lingua, an institute of international repute for English communication skills.

“Everyone is required to have a set of life skills for a comfortable life, and further to fit into today’s job market, youth must equip themselves with the current requirement of skill set wherein a fair degree of knowledge of communicative English is the need of the hour for a decent lifestyle.”, said Dr. Birbal Jha, noted author and Managing Director of British Lingua which has a track record of imparting English skills training to more three lac and fifty thousand trainees.

“You will be left behind if you fail to keep pace with the time and look over what the job market looks forward to. It would be highly advisable for the young generation to understand and appreciate the current employability skills coupled with soft skills needed,” added Dr. Jha, the author of ‘English for Social Justice in India’.

“It was 2014 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to annually celebrate the strategic importance of equipping youth with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.”, pointed Dr Jha while addressing a gathering at British Lingua, Delhi.

The theme fixed for the current year was ‘skilling teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future’ with the highlights of the essential role that teachers, trainers, and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the job market and to actively engage in their communities and societies.

Technological advancements and shifting job market dynamics increasingly call for agile and adaptable skill sets. We must empower our youth to navigate these changes effectively.

“Technical and vocational education and training have to be well-placed to meet these demands. This could be done by ensuring that skills gained are relevant, recognized, and certified, promoting green skills and practices, and offering skills development opportunities for youth”, opined Dr Jha.

“On World Youth Skills Day what is needed is to unite in recognizing the potential of today’s youth as agents for change and commit to providing them with the skills and opportunities they need to build a prosperous and sustainable world for today and tomorrow”, said Dr Birbal Jha in a concluding remark.

MILAP Publications Launches ‘League Of Extraordinary Young Writers’ to Inspire Young Minds

# Teenage author Soumya Nigam’s book, ‘The Day After Yesterday’ is a collection of poetry brimming with deep philosophy.

Delhi, 15th July 2023-

MILAP Publications is proud to introduce its latest program, the ‘League Of Extraordinary Young Writers,’ designed to ignite the creative potential of young minds. This program aims to inspire and empower children to achieve their full potential through the art of storytelling.

Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Yogi Suri, MILAP Publications firmly believes in the power of young minds and their boundless creativity. The launch event at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art on 15th July witnessed esteemed guests, including dignitaries, educationists, parents, children, and future members of the League of Extraordinary Young Writers, gathered to celebrate the occasion and unveil Soumya’s book, ‘The Day After Yesterday.’

“We believe in the power of young mind and frosting creativity. Our mission is to craft stories that ignite minds, touch hearts, and leave a lasting impact on the world,” said Mr. Yogi Suri, Founder of MILAP Publications. “We believe in the power of young minds and fostering creativity. The League of Extraordinary Young Writers is our endeavor to inspire young talent and help them achieve their dreams.”

The launch event featured the presence of the illustrious Shivani Wazir Pasrich, a remarkable figure renowned for her achievements in activism and performing arts, as well as her work with children. Shivani Wazir Pasrich, along with Mr. Yogi Suri, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, adding an extra layer of significance and prestige to the event.

Shivani Wazir Pasrich, expressed her admiration for the program, saying, “The League of Extraordinary Young Writers program by Milap Publications is a wonderful initiative that nurtures the creative talents of young authors and provides them with a platform to showcase their writing skills. It is truly unique and inspiring.”

“Being a part of the League of Extraordinary Young Writers program has been a transformative experience for me. It has given me the confidence to showcase my writing and has opened up opportunities for my literary career,” said, Author Poetess Sowmya Nigam.

MILAP Publication’s ‘ League of Extraordinary Young Writers ‘ is not merely limited to publishing books but also aims to provide a comprehensive platform for children to explore their creativity fully. Through this program, young talents will receive guidance and support to channel their creative ideas effectively.

Mr . Suri shared the inspiration behind launching the League of Extraordinary Young Writers, stating, “One of the reasons I started LXY was to spend more time with my children. However, now they are telling me that I don’t spend enough time with them due to LXY. Parents often ask me what they can expect from the program, and my answer is simple: be amazed by your child’s creative potential.”

The League of Extraordinary Young Writers goes beyond traditional publishing techniques and introduces young authors to innovative tools and technologies of the future. Whether it’s writing a fantasy novel or exploring other creative endeavors, the program offers invaluable assistance in creating consistent and logical worlds while preserving the originality and authenticity of young storytellers.

“We understand the importance of logical reasoning to this generation. Hence, we have developed tools to enhance the creative process and ensure that their efforts are not wasted,” emphasized Mr. Yogi Suri.

An avid reader Dr. Anubhav Verma said, “Soumya Nigam’s book of poetry, ‘The Day After Yesterday,’ is a mesmerizing masterpiece that weaves emotions into lyrical verses. It showcases Soumya’s profound understanding of the human experience, leaving readers captivated and introspective. A true gem in the realm of contemporary poetry.”

Mr. Suri concluded, “We invite parents, children, and anyone involved in or interested in the world of storytelling to explore the League of Extraordinary Young Writers. Let us continue to unleash our superhero creativity, one story at a time. Your creativity knows no bounds.”

For more information about the League of Extraordinary Young Writers program and Milap Publications, please visit – www.milappublications.com

IIITH Celebrates Corporate Founders Day as part of its Silver Jubilee Celebrations

Hyderabad, July  2023…..: As part of IIITH’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations, the International Institute of Information Technology(IIIT) Hyderabad celebrated its Founders Day here on its Campus at Gachibowli in a late evening function on Friday.

Ms. Debjani Ghosh. the President of NASSCOM joined virtually. Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Govt of Telangana graced along with Prof Raj Reddy, founding and present chairman of IIITH’s governing council.

The event, which was attended by industry leaders included the felicitation of IIITH’s 6 corporate founding partners namely IBM, Oracle, Metamor, Microsoft, Motorola, and Satyam, interesting conversations around research trends, and a showcase of emerging technologies.

It was encouraging to see the presence of industry leaders from across tech industries from Hyderabad and across the country. The industry has played a key role through IIITH’s 25 years in funding research, and innovation and also hiring IT students.

Congratulating IIITH on its 25th milestone, Ms. Debjani Ghosh said, “Nasscom partnered with IIIT Hyderabad, as a founding partner during its inception in 1998, to put the plan in place towards making India a true talent hub for the rest of the nation. The vision was to build a dedicated institute that would focus on technology learning and research with very strong industry partnerships. The pedagogy was designed to prepare students with experiential learning and entrepreneurship approach. Overall I think the lack of legacy combined with the innovative governance model that was available in the PPP model tremendously helped us. And while India now has 20 IIITs, IIIT Hyderabad is the only institution where Nasscom is a founding partner and we are very proud of this association, this partnership, and the journey that we have been on together. It is just fantastic to see what this institute has achieved over the past 25 years under the leadership of Prof. Raj Reddy, Prof. P J Narayanan, and the entire team”.

Mr Jayesh Rajan while addressing 250 plus gathering said the State Government is also immensely benefited from IIIT Hyderabad. It is a jewel in our crown, he said. He added that the State had made tremendous progress in the last 9 years, unlike any other state in the country. He asked three things from IIITH. Leverage your quality education for the benefit of 256 engineering and other colleges in the state. The second thing he asked was to work with Government, on societal problems and solutions. The third thing he asked was to make the excellency of your faculty available to other colleges, industries, and society at large.

Prof Raj Reddy spoke about education and research. IIIT H is known for project-oriented learning, learning by doing. This is going to be the center of learning in the future. The future of education is going to be the Waterloo Model. This model allows partly to study and partly to work.

Mr. Srini Raju, Governing Council member spoke about Vision 2050. He said it is neither the government nor the private institute. It is truly a public institute. This education model had a ripple effect and a lot of institutions have come up with this model. IIITH has been successful in the past 25 years in giving good and quality engineers to industries he said. He urged corporates to join in its journey.

Prof P.J Narayanan, Director said IIIT is a public institute. It is the institute by the society, for the society, and of the society. It is governed by the enlightened board of the governing council. Speaking further he added that no software product can be produced in the world without India being in it

Leading the Way: ISA MPSTME Student Section Recognized as First in India and Asia Pacific to Receive Student Section Excellence Award

Mumbai, 14thJuly 2023: NMIMS Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering’s (MPSTME) ISA Student Section has achieved a remarkable feat by receiving the prestigious “Excellence Award” 2023 from ISA USA. This distinguished recognition positions the ISA MPSTME Student Section as the first in India and the Asia Pacific District to receive such an honor, showcasing their exceptional achievements in the field of automation and innovation.

ISA, the International Society of Automation, recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals and member groups. The Executive Board confers these recognitions upon recommendation from established selection committees. The Student Section Excellence Award reflects the remarkable achievements of the ISA MPSTME Student Section in advancing the mission of the society.

The Student Section Excellence Award recognizes the remarkable efforts and achievements of the student leaders and members of the ISA MPSTME Student Section. By organizing successful events and competitions such as the India Automation Games and ARS Automatika, the student section showcased their talent and innovation. These events provided a platform for students from all corners of the country to come together and present solutions that exceeded the set criteria.

Prof. Dattatray Sawant, the Faculty Advisor of ISA MPSTME, played a pivotal role in guiding the student leaders to success. With his profound expertise in automation and control systems, Prof. Sawant provided valuable insights and strategic direction, ensuring the section’s activities aligned with ISA’s mission and objectives. His mentorship inspired student leaders to think innovatively and develop impactful initiatives. Prof. Sawant’s collaborative approach also facilitated strong connections with industry professionals and academic institutions, expanding the student section’s network and opportunities for growth.

The ISA MPSTME Student Section had an exceptionally fruitful year, receiving well-deserved recognition and achieving remarkable milestones. They were awarded the Best Student Section at PPPA 2023, along with the Best Student Leader Male and Best Student Leader Female. Students Adan Amir and Siddharth Bangera earned prestigious scholarships while hosting the India Automation. Furthermore, Kartik Devani and Prof. Dattatray Sawant were shortlisted for the esteemed World Automation Games. Prof. Sawant’s design patent for the “OMNIDIRECTIONAL SPHERICAL ROBOT” further highlighted his innovative contributions to automation.

The recognition of ISA MPSTME with the Student Section Excellence Award signifies a significant milestone for the student body, members, and the entire institution. It acknowledges their hard work, dedication, and exceptional contributions to the field of automation. This accolade will enhance the visibility and credibility of the student section, attracting more students, faculty, and industry professionals to collaborate on future events and workshops. The award opens doors to expanded networking opportunities, industry connections, and potential sponsorships, enabling ISA MPSTME to host more impactful events.

Dr. Alka Mahajan, Dean, MPSTME, said, “We offer a unique and transformative learning environment that prepares students to excel on a global stage. Through our collaborations, industry partnerships, and international exposure, we provide students with the opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives, gain global insights, and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the international arena. This recognition by ISA USA further highlights the global impact of our students and reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in automation. We are proud to provide a platform that empowers our students to become future leaders in the field.”

Siddharth Bangera and Adan Amir, students from B Tech Mechatronics shared their views on the momentous occasion by saying, “Receiving such recognition from a renowned international organization like ISA USA signifies the exceptional achievements and dedication of the student section. The prestigious scholarship evokes feelings of pride, joy, and satisfaction among the members of the student section. Prof. Dattatray Sawant, as the faculty advisor of the ISA MPSTME Student Section, made significant contributions to the success of the student section through
his guidance, support, and expertise. It validates our hard work, leadership, and collective efforts in promoting the goals of ISA and advancing the field of automation. It also serves as motivation to continue their endeavours with even greater enthusiasm and dedication.”

Saint Louis University Launches LevelUP; Guarantees Work Experiences for International Students Upon Graduation

July 14th, 2023 | India – In the current landscape of the workplace in the United States, many companies are hesitant to hire international students, largely due to misconceptions that the process is time-consuming, expensive and inconvenient. These misconceptions create barriers that leave international students at a significant disadvantage in the American job market.

Recognizing this challenge, Saint Louis University (SLU) has boldly launched the LevelUP program for its international students. LevelUP is a career-orientated pathway guaranteeing work experience opportunities to students. It seeks to boost the employability of international students with an assurance of career preparedness.

Saint Louis University announced LevelUP during recent events in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

“I am elated to announce the launch of Saint Louis University’s LevelUP program, which revolutionizes the career trajectory of international students in the United States,” said Luchen Li, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Global Engagement and International Enrollment at SLU.

The program’s comprehensive support system not only prepares students for their chosen careers but also dispels the misconceptions surrounding the hiring process for international students. By doing so, LevelUP empowers international students to excel in their chosen fields, stand out in the job market and achieve their career aspirations.

LevelUP provides a journey map for professional success. With access to opportunities such as internships, career events, workshops, competitions and more, the program equips students with the tools they need to thrive at SLU and beyond.

This exceptional program is made possible through SLU’s unique partnership with Excelerate, the world’s first platform for gaining 21st-century skills through personalized experiences and internship opportunities from anywhere in the world. Through the Excelerate platform, students participating in LevelUP can map their journey to success, track their progress and will get a guaranteed work experience w upon completion of LevelUP.

Eric Armbrecht, Ph.D., Saint Louis University’s Associate Provost and Director of SLU’s Global Graduate Program, noted that modern universities must focus on supporting the achievement of students’ career goals and personal ambitions.

“Saint Louis University’s LevelUp program reaffirms our pledge to support international students by guaranteeing the experiences known to provide advantages, Armbrecht said. “LevelUp complements SLU’s long-standing excellence in teaching, research and healthcare, and the Excelerate platform enables us to connect with people all over the world in a new way.”