Free information technology courses

Two Bay area schools are teaming up with the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance to offer free information technology courses.Drawing from a U.S . Department of Labor grant, the classes are offered at Hilsborough Community College and St. Petersburg College. Administrators say the training is a response to an increased demand for information technology hires.

We're looking at skills gaps. What does industry need? And how can we feed them the workforce that they require in order to get their business done in Tampa Bay? said Rachel Gelbmann, a program director with the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance.Entrance into the classes is competitive. To be accepted, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, in addition to passing either a computer literacy test or college placement test.

Online courses speeding catching city's fancy

Studying abroad and getting an international tag of reputed institutes on their resumes is a dream of many. But a few are able to realize it. However, with advancement of technology and the world turning into a global village, students studying in city colleges and even working professionals are getting hooked to online courses offered by foreign universities like Harvard, Stanford and MIT to get certificates and enhance their knowledge.From colour theories to mythology, sociology and healthcare, several websites such as coursera.org and udacity.com are offering online courses from foreign universities such as Harvard and Stanford as well as Indian institutes like IIT Delhi and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The courses are catching fancy of many. Several universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology also have opened courseware that allows students from across the world to attend online classes (www.ocw.mit.edu). One can study everything  from cryptography to epidemiology  absolutely free.

Jalaj Jain, an engineering student of SGSITS, has found fancy of doing courses that can enhance his knowledge and expertise. He said, Technology has made it easy to enhance your expertise and I am enjoying doing it. I have enrolled for various computer Science related online courses. You can sign up and get enrolled and choose topics of your choice.Preeti Mukati, a maths teacher at a city-based school said, "There are several sites that offer online courses from these universities. I have signed up for some other certificate courses in education, mathematics and accounting. Once you sign up, you are informed in advance when the course will begin so that you can free up your time.Working professionals who have got school-going kids, loans to pay and finding no way to take a break to pursue a course in the university are finding the online courses a right option. Kshitij Sharma, who runs his own company, completed an MS in Computer Science from Minnesota several years ago and has now signed for a course from Wharton on operations management, which he believes has helped him run his business better. "Honestly, I don't find too much of a difference between actually being there on campus and doing the course online. In fact, I think I am more focused now," says Sharma.

Though there are various international universities that are offering online courses, the ministry of human resources and development too has come up with a concept of online courses.Dr Narendra Chaudhary, a senior professor of IIT-I said, The ministry has developed the concept long ago where engineering students can enrol and choose courses of their choice to update their knowledge. Even working engineers too upgrade themselves through such courses.

universities search at free online courses to complement conventional

 Michael Hwan didn’t have to pay for the Stanford University computer science and Economics and Management Science course he took online. The class on gamification  applying game techniques beyond games from the University of Pennsylvania was also free.Hwan earned a psychology degree in 2011 from Arizona State University but was thinking about going back to school. Instead, he signed up for two free online classes offered by Coursera, a company founded by Stanford professors that partners with dozens of universities to provide what are called massive open online courses, or MOOCs.

“I definitely feel like it puts the student in control of what they really want to learn,” Hwan said.These free online courses feature lessons by instructors from recognized universities. The courses are available to anyone with Internet access. Most MOOCs have no size limits, so tens of thousands of students are able to enroll in the same course.Arizona’s three public universities are moving to expand online degree options and the availability of online courses, but officials said they are exploring the potential of MOOCs to complement those efforts.None currently offers classes through Coursera or edX, another major MOOC initiative founded by Harvard and MIT, but Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University are working toward implementing MOOCs of their own. The University of Arizona is evaluating options to build on a series of early MOOCs it offered through iTunes U several years ago.

Northern Arizona University President John Haeger said that the school is trying to decide which courses it should offer as MOOCs. Haeger said he hopes NAU can begin implementing these types of courses by the summer or fall and that the university will discuss options with Coursera and others.Haeger said while MOOCs are disruptive to traditional models of education, they could potentially be beneficial to both universities and students.It offers the university a way to change its delivery system, and, in effect, it could lessen the cost of an undergraduate degree, which is in the students’ best interest, Haeger said.ASU is planning to debut a MOOC of its own in August, according to Phillip Regier, executive vice provost and dean of ASU Online.

Regier said ASU’s MOOC will be distinct from what other schools have offered. The course won’t replicate content of an existing ASU class but instead will span multiple disciplines, he said.It will showcase all of the areas around ASU and what the university does in terms of knowledge-creation,” Regier said.Regier said that the course will likely be offered on ASU’s own platform, rather than through an organization like Coursera. He added that that ASU has no plans to offer credit for the free course initially, or to offer existing ASU classes for free online.The University of Arizona offered a series of entrepreneurship courses for free on iTunes U in the past few years. Mike Proctor, dean of the Outreach College at University of Arizona, said the university is evaluating how it might be able to build upon that experience.

We’re not close to inking a deal with anybody,” Proctor said.Proctor said he thinks MOOCs have the potential to be both beneficial and disruptive.They might be both,” he said. “Time will tell how that plays out.Students who successfully complete a MOOC through Coursera or edX can earn a certificate of completion, but the American Council on Education is evaluating a way to determine credit equivalency for some Coursera classes, a step toward enabling students to earn college credit for these courses.ACE President Molly Corbett Broad said if the organization can determine credit equivalency, MOOCs have potential to break through barriers to college access.The MOOCs make it possible for the issues of time and location to be removed as barriers to a completion of a degree,” she said. “And because they are free they also address the escalating costs of higher education.Coursera co-founder and co-CEO Daphne Koller said that MOOCs, including those offered by Coursera, can provide education for people who are held back from going to school by financial, geographic or family reasons.We actually believe that this has the potential of increasing the number of people who get degrees in the United States,” Koller said.

Study abroad in different countries

 Muslims living overseas practise cultural and religious traditions during the holy month of Ramadan more devotedly than their counterparts at home, a newly released study said.Specifically, Muslims living and working overseas said that their actions during Ramadan changed after arriving in their host countries, with half of respondents (50 per cent) saying they fasted more and two in five (41 per cent) practised sharing and giving more.The Western Union-sponsored study ‘Traditions of Ramadan by Global Citizens of Muslim Faith’, was conducted in July by the Nielsen Company and covered Muslims of 11 nationalities living in 12 countries in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the United States and Western Europe.

The study found that despite being away from family and loved ones, 96 per cent practised fasting, 89 per cent prayed, 78 per cent engaged in iftar or evening meals to break the day’s fast and 75 per cent read the Quran during Ramadan.The study covered around 550 Muslims emigrants originally from the Middle East and North African countries of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia and the Asian countries of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.A majority of Muslims (94 per cent) shared their wealth during the month of Ramadan, by giving away money, known as zakat while five per cent of them shared by giving away food and clothing.Two out of five surveyed said love of family and friends, along with dedication to work, were the key factors motivating them to fast, pray and share their wealth.

The respondents were residing in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East; Malaysia and Singapore in Asia; the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria,France in Europe; and the United States.The study said zakat obligation was most commonly fulfilled through sharing with people who are known to the giver locally or overseas (65 per cent). Arab Muslims are more likely to share with people they know locally (42 per cent) than overseas (29 per cent), while the reverse was true for non-Arabs     

students illustrate what makes them glad they decided to study abroad in University Language Services’ scholarship contest

Whether high in the sky or firmly at ground-level, college students who entered University Language Services’ latest scholarship contest gave a bird’s-eye view of what it’s like to study abroad.College students across the United States and around the world submitted photos of the scene that made them realize that they made the right decision to study abroad. Winner: Ava Macchiaverna, class of 2013 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Macchiaverna, of Seaside Park, N.J., took a photo of a friend jumping from a gondola 450 feet above a lake in Switzerland, right before it was her turn. studying abroad proved to me that until you spread your wings, you will never know how far you can fly,” she wrote.

 2nd place: Kotchaphorn Mangkalaphiban, class of 2015 at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Penn. She was scared when she left Thailand to study abroad in the United States and took her photo high above the Pacific Ocean, but the experience was worth it. “Between homesickness and sometimes frustration, the hollowness in me was filled with friendship, from my host family to students at school to the community,” she wrote.

  3rd place: Jenna Lanzaro, class of 2013 at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J. As an Italian-American, she aimed to “embrace the culture” by studying in Florence and exploring Italy. Lanzaro, of Commack, N.Y., plans to return to Italy this fall as a student teacher, and a photo of a lemon grove in Sorrento reminds her to teach her students to “seize the day.The photographs submitted by the winners and by all contest entrants show the significance that studying abroad plays in the lives of so many college students every year.University Language awarded a $500 college scholarship to the grand prize winner and $100 scholarships to the 2nd and 3rd prize winners. Profiles of the scholarship winners will be posted on University Language Services’ blog, Campus Commons.Honorable mentions were awarded to another 12 entrants who submitted photos of places ranging from Iceland to Japan.

Awareness programme for engineering courses

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Malabar sub-section will organize a one-day programme for students aspiring for admission to engineering courses on Saturday. The programme is aimed at creating awareness about different areas of engineering and the skills needed to succeed in the field.

The programme, to be organized at the Sports Council Hall, is intended to address the decline in pass percentage in many engineering institutions and help students get detailed information and job prospects of various branches in engineering. S Gopakumar, former deputy director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) will lead the panel discussion on the need to develop soft skills to become 'employable' engineers.K P Mohandas, former dean, National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) will speak on the topic, 'special tips for engineering studies'. M P Sebastian, professor, Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) will talk on 'engineering career paths and prospects'.

Study Abroad Fairs

The SF Study Abroad programs are abroad right now! SF students are exploring the Louvre, climbing the Great Wall of China, and discussing best practices in health care with other students in Sweden. By next week they will have many pictures to share. If you want to join the programs for 2013, check out the SF Study Abroad website to see details on the general education courses you can take care of while abroad, the places you would stay, and scholarship information.

The popularity of studying abroad is increasing, and there are many benefits on offer for those who want to travel overseas to carry out their studies

It is not only jobseekers in Britain who are opting for a new life overseas: now the number of students applying to foreign universities has also soared.The news comes as the first batch of students face the prospect of paying the increased £9,000 tuition fees when they start university in 2012. It seems that many students are realising that there are other often less expensive options to studying in the UK.£27,000 for three years at university is going to be quite a large amount for many students and parents to cough up, so the appeal is obvious for students who want to live abroad and carry out their studies in another country.Students can also get a lot of exposure while studying in such universities and different course International Agricultural, Materials Science and Engineering.

It is for this reason that, according to an article in the Telegraph, parents are paying for their children to travel abroad to visit foreign campuses to have a better idea about the options that are available to them.One of the most popular choices for students seeking out study abroad information seems to be the USA, which is surprising because it is often thought of as having very high fees.The Netherlands is also proving to be a popular option for studying abroad. Many courses here are taught entirely in English, and as well as cheaper fees, students can also take advantage of a potential grant from the Dutch government. And with a train journey of only a few hours from London, it doesn’t seem so far away after all.

But it’s not just about the money: more people are now realising that a degree from a foreign university could provide them with a competitive edge in what is proving to be a very difficult job market.An internationally recognised degree from overseas might get more attention from potential employers as well as suggesting that the student is more independent.Although the number of students applying to foreign universities is still relatively low, this could well prove to be a turning of the tide. Even in other countries across the world where the fees are just as high as in the UK, the cost of living is often a lot cheaper, meaning over time many more students may end up looking further for possible study options.For those students who do end up going overseas to study, the adventure of a lifetime awaits. Perhaps they’ll enjoy it so much that they decide to stay on working abroad. That option is also becoming a lot more popular, and those who have a degree from a foreign university may find that they are even better suited to get a job overseas.Live Work Abroad is a website dedicated to helping anyone with an ambition to move abroad to work. It includes tips, advice, news and information on all aspects of moving and living overseas. It also provides tips on study abroad information for people who are considering studying overseas.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology free online course

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is offering a free, undergraduate-level circuits and electronics course online, to virtual learners around the world.The MITx course, 6.002x (Circuits and Electronics), has been designed to serve as a first course in an undergraduate electrical engineering or electrical engineering and computer science degree.Topics covered by the course include resistive elements and networks, amplifiers, digital abstraction, and analogue and digital circuits and applications.

Offline, the course is one of the core subjects that all MIT undergraduates studying electrical engineering and computer science have to take.The online course which will be delivered on an open source, scalable software infrastructure will feature interactive lessons and online laboratories. Students will be able to communicate with each other and with the course lecturers via the platform.Furthermore, students' work can be assessed individually, and they will also be able to work towards gaining an electronic certificate of accomplishment from MITx.

According to MIT, to succeed in the course, students must have taken an AP-Level (A-Level equivalent) physics course in electricity and magnetism. They must also know basic calculus, linear algebra and have some background in differential equations.Students are expected to spend around 10 hours a week on the course, which starts on 5 March 2012 and runs for three months until 8 June 2012.MIT is expected to offer additional courses online from autumn 2012

Ancient cultures come to life through architectural exploration

During the summer, Austin Community College offers nine study abroad programs, which cover interests ranging from anthropology and language immersion to literature and film history. This semester, the Accent will spotlight different study abroad programs in each issue.This summer, as part of ACC's study abroad program, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture and study anthropology in Peru's capital and largest city, Lima.

Dr. Karen Bell, an adjunct professor of anthropology, will lead the trip.Students will spend three weeks in Peru visiting sites of archaeological and anthropological importance around Lima, all the while earning six credit hours in ANTH 2302 Introduction to Anthropology and ANTH 2373 Field Methods in Archaeology.Bell said Peru holds great importance in the field of anthropology.Peru is one of the two seats of high civilization in the new world, Bell said. What we call Mesoamerica is one, [which is] Mexico and Guatemala essentially. Peru is the other.Students will also have the option of traveling to Machu Picchu, Peru, which is host to a famous site and monument of Incan culture. The cost of this excursion is separate from that of the main program and

participation is not mandatory.I try to show students the archaeology of Peru that is not Machu Picchu, Bell said.Americans ... tend to fly into Lima and the next step is to fly to Cuzco and go to Machu Picchu.She said that while students will have the opportunity to go to Machu Picchu, there is so much spectacular archaeology outside of the city. Her favorite part of Peru is the north coast.We're going to go to a little town of Huanchaco, and that is where the great Moche civilization was," Bell said. "The huge sights of Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, El Brujo I'm just amazed at how big they are and we know virtually little about them." She said Americans aren't tuned into those huge sights in Peru especially along the north coast. Bell, who has led the

summer Peru program since 2008, said she is excited to teach students about other civilizations in Peru besides the Incas. Very few of the sights the class will visit outside of Machu Picchu are Incan sights, she said.The Incans were mountain based, up in the Andes, and we're going to be primarily along the coast,Bell said.Most of the sites we'll be seeing will be of other cultures, especially the Moche.Although students will not be studying in a classroom while in Peru, there will be two weeks of class time in Austin associated with the program. Students will be responsible for two major projects during the length of the program, one for each course taught.

In one case, each student will become an expert on each of the archaeological sites we see, Bell said. "In Peru, the student will brief us on the site and what to be especially aware of. At the end, the student will give us a verbal report on the site he or she has become an expert on.The trip itself is an excellent opportunity for students, Bell said, and last year one student got a little extra from the program.Two of our young ladies fell in love with Peruvian men, Bell said. "One of [them] came back to this country, but the other came back, divorced her husband, went back down there and hasn't been heard from since.Shannon Smith is a student who participated in the 2010 Study Abroad program in Peru.There's one site called the Armament Museum... it was amazing, I've never seen more weapons in my life! Smith said.Whether a student's major is anthropology or something completely unrelated, students can find many opportunities for educational and cultural enrichment in Peru this summer with this study abroad program.

More students taking advanced courses

Over the past five years, the number of Aiken County high school students taking Advanced Placement exams has increased by 68 percent, yet the number of students scoring proficient on the final exams including 2011 has held steady, said Dr. Randy Stowe, the Aiken County School District’s director of administration.Advanced placement courses are more rigorous classes offered in a variety of content areas, such as English, calculus, French, physics and other subjects depending of the size of the school. At the end of the year, students take a national exam, scored with a grade of 1 through 5, with 5 being the highest. Students with a 3, 4 or 5 grade are considered to be proficient.

The State Department of Education reported Friday that South Carolina ranks first in the nation for the percentage of students scoring proficient on an AP exam. Its percentage of 16.5 percent fell slightly short of the national average at 18.1 percent, said State Department spokesman J.W. Ragley.Aiken County students in total many of whom took more than one AP exam passed the exams with a 53.4 percent rate, about two percentage points less than the state as a whole.South Aiken High at 64 percent and Aiken High at 56 percent scored above the state average. The other schools included Midland Valley (47 percent), North Augusta (45) and Silver Bluff (38). Percentages at Ridge Spring-Monetta and Wagener-Salley aren’t reported because of their lower participation numbers.

This report is another reminder that South Carolina is not 49th or 50th as we are so often portrayed,Stowe said.This is a measure of our students’ preparation for four-year college or university, and our state is 21st in rank, compared to the 50 states and the District of Columbia, in terms of students scoring proficient on the AP tests.The AP exam is intended to provide information to colleges in terms or receiving college credit. In many cases, colleges will provide credit for grades of 3 through 5, but some will not accept a 3 or less frequently, a 4. That exam grade does not impact the actual grade earned in class, said South Aiken Principal Bryan Skipper.Most of our kids don’t fail these AP courses, he said.One of our main goals is to prepare kids for college. The more rigorous the courses, the more likely it is they will find success in college. Even for those who don’t the exams, they’re better prepared than those without exposure to AP courses.

For that reason, the Aiken County School District doesn’t deny students the opportunity to take AP courses, Stowe said.It’s a balancing act, he said.We could limit participation and have higher scores. Instead, we allow the opportunity for many students.Senior writer Rob Novit, a journalist for the past 41 years, joined the Aiken Standard in 2001. He covers education news and general assignments.

KSOU offer science courses

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa said KSOU, which is taking education to the door steps of people through distance mode, will start MSc in Physics and Chemistry on its Vigyan Bhavan campus. He said Vigyan Bhavan will be constructed at the cost of `22 crore.When Hayward University can start Computer Science courses online, why can’t KSOU offer science courses to those who cannot pursue studies in conventional universities, he said.

The varsity will extend distance education through online and distance mode with an objective to emphasise basic science courses, he added. Observing that nothing can be achieved without basic science, he said there is no Nobel laureate with basic science knowledge.�Rangappa said that India with a good number of� bureaucrats still needs to produce good faculty, scientists, engineers, economists and doctors.He said there is no bureaucratic interference in the field of higher education in other countries. However, the Vision Group of Science and Technology spends a lot of money and has focused on inter disciplinary subjects. He called upon teachers to ask students to tap resources and programmes that were launched by both the state and Union governments for encouraging students in basic science course.He said the country with a lot of human resource needs good faculty who can inspire and groom young scientists.

754 students chosen from pool of 1,535; English language programs prove most popular

Antsy students are dreaming of Big Ben, the Colosseum and the Parthenon this week in the wake of Friday's release of study abroad decisions from the Office of International Studies (OIS) for the 2012-2013 academic year.Kathleen Opel, director of OIS, said her department is as excited as ever for next year's class of international scholars.We've given our decision, and now students need to either confirm that they're going to accept or decline the offer,Opel said.If that's the case, then we're able to offer that spot to somebody else.

Opel said OIS received a total of 1,535 applications from 1,005 students. Out of the 1,005 students who applied, 754 were accepted into a study abroad program for next year, she said.
Out of these 754 accepted students, Opel said 721 were admitted to their first choice program.Additionally, 245 students were waitlisted for study abroad programs. Opel said she has seen an increase in the popularity of English language programs such as London, Dublin and Perth, making them more competitive for students to get into.

"Specifically the programs that we have in English tend to be those that can suit the needs of business,Computer science, engineering and Arts and Letters students, Opel said.There is a growing number of business students, and because of that growth in the College of Business, where they do not have a language requirement, more of those students are gravitating toward programs where language is not a requirement.Opel also said spring programs are more popular overall than those in the fall by a very small margin.The number of applicants remained relatively stagnant from last year's numbers. Last year, 1,011 students applied for study abroad programs during the academic year and 780 students were initially accepted.

Waitlisted students should not lose hope, Opel said, because some students do choose not to attend the program in which they have been accepted.Opel's advice to waitlisted students is be patient and be optimistic.We will stay in touch with waitlisted students and let them know at what point we've pretty much filled capacity and don't see any more changes coming,Opel said.
Opel added accepted students should begin to think about what is required of them before they travel abroad. OIS will offer pre-departure programs in the coming months for students studying abroad during the fall 2012 semester, but she said they should work on obtaining a passport and familiarizing themselves with safety and security measures as soon as possible.

By the time students studying abroad leave campus, they should have a pretty good grounding of what to expect when they get there, she said.Sophomore Matt Hayes said he is already gearing up to spend the spring 2013 semester in Bologna, Italy.A Program of Liberal Studies and Italian major, Hayes said he hopes to become fluent in Italian during his time abroad.I chose Bologna for the opportunity to become fluent and study at an actual Italian university, he said.
Hayes also plans to spend Easter at the Vatican. However, he said he is most looking forward to the food.

Bologna is called ‘La Grassa,' meaning ‘the Fat One.' It is the food capital of Italy, Hayes said. I'm excited to eat my way through Italy.Sophomore Margeaux Prinster will spend the spring 2013 semester in Rome. As an anthropology major with a peace studies minor, Prinster said she is fascinated by the archeological value of Rome.I'm really interested in archeology, and Rome is an awesome place to be for that because you're basically living in ancient Rome with a modern twist, she said.Prinster added she also wants to travel beyond Rome.I'm most excited about travelling and seeing everything,Prinster said.I really, really want to go skiing in the Alps.

Students to study abroad in Cuba

While Cuba has remained off-limits to United States citizens for decades, the veil will be lifted for Marquette students looking to learn about Cuban theater and culture this summer through a new study abroad program.The program, called Drama and Performance in Cuba Today,will focus on learning about the culture of Cuba through the lens of theater. Undergraduate and graduate students who have completed Spanish 3001 or higher can attend the program in the summer.

According to Mindy Schroeder, a study abroad adviser in the Office of International Education, the program will focus on the work by famous Cuban playwright Virgilio Pinera. The trip will coincide with a celebration honoring the playwright. While theater is the main focus of the trip, Cuban culture as a whole will also be explored.The focus is to study the reality of Cuba today through the lens of theater,Schroeder said.They will be viewing and discussing plays. Students who are interested in other aspects of the culture, such as health care and politics, will have the opportunity to learn about that as well.

This is a unique opportunity because of political tensions between the United States and Cuba. Since 1959, American citizens have not been able to visit Cuba because of an embargo that was put in place after the Cuban Revolution. This changed in January 2011, when the Obama administration decided that students could visit Cuba using a General Education License, which allows American students to enter Cuba for academic reasons.Schroeder said that while students still have strict requirements to enter the country, Marquette is lucky to have the opportunity to allow students to study in Cuba.

Some of the requirements include that the students must be pursuing a degree at a United States institution, and they must be earning credit for the program, Schroeder said.The adviser of the program, Raquel Aguilu de Murphy, is allowed to travel there as well because she is advising the academic program.Schroeder added that Aguilu de Murphy, an associate professor of Spanish at Marquette, has studied Cuban culture and brings an experienced perspective to the program.This is an exceptional opportunity to visit a country that we know so little about, Schroeder said.Application numbers are still low, but students have shown interest.Students going to Cuba will prepare for their trip at Marquette from June 27 through 29, leave Milwaukee for Miami June 30 and arrive in Cuba July 1. After 15 days, students will depart from Cuba and arrive back at Marquette July 16 or 17.

Francisca Meraz, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, said that she wants to study in Cuba to experience something that so few Americans will get to see firsthand.Since people weren’t allowed to visit Cuba for so long, I think it would be a once in a lifetime experience, Meraz said. “Cuba has always been very attractive to me. It’s something that people (from the U.S.) haven’t been able to see or experience in a long time.

Policy Substitute needed to bridge gender gap for science courses

Gender disparity in education in Uganda has for long been one of the major issues. A number of investigative studies have revealed major disparities especially in higher education and have called for action to address the disparities. From early on, government sought to address the gender disparity in education as part of the broader women emancipation campaign introducing a bonus 1.5 points to university entry to boost their chances in 1990.Also, in 2001, the Female Scholarship Initiative (FSI), a partnership between Carnegie Corporation and Makerere University, was introduced. Its major aim was to support the poor female students who qualified for private sponsorship at the University but could not afford to pay. The scheme was implemented for 10 years and mainly targeted science students.

These policies were effective in arts courses as the general enrolments for female and male students at Makerere University is almost equal as evidenced by the number of graduates by sex in the 60th and 61st graduation ceremonies for those who were awarded degrees and diplomas that is, 51.7 per cent (6,415) females compared to 48.3 per cent (5,988) their male counterparts in the 60th graduation in January 2010. For the 61st graduation early 2011, female students constituted 50.1 per cent (6,051) compared to 49.9 per cent (6,036) males.However, for science courses, the situation is different. The data for the 61st graduation for the same institution early last year reveals that the gender gap in science courses is still wide. For example, for Bachelor of Architecture, female students constituted 22 per cent, Civil Engineering 17 per cent, Electrical Engineering 29 percent, Mechanical Engineering 11 per cent, Pharmacy 30 per cent, Medicine and Surgery 31 per cent, BSc with Education 26 per cent, Telecommunication Engineering 19 per cent, Technology 37 per cent, and BSc with Agriculture 27 per cent.

For the 62nd graduation, which started on Monday 16, 2012, female students’ representation in sciences was as follows; Bsc. Dental Surgery 13 per cent, Pharmacy 37 per cent, Architecture 25 per cent, Medicine and Surgery 38 per cent, Civil Engineering 14 per cent, Electrical Engineering 22 percent, Mechanical Engineering 9 per cent, Bsc Agriculture 19 per cent, Surveying 18 per cent, Bsc with Education 14 per cent among others.For such a long period of implementing the 1.5 Bonus Points Policy (21 years) coupled with the 10 years of implementing the Female Scholarship Initiative Scheme (FSI) which was mainly science based (70 per cent of the scholarship was given to girls offering sciences) without achieving the intended target means there is need for alternative policies if meaningful achievements are to be registered. This may necessitate implementing the redistributive policies such that resources are reallocated to secondary level where the problem stems from. Since few students do science combinations at A-level, of which female students form a small percentage, it results into low number of those who pass to join the University to do sciences.

According to Unesco (1998), low enrollment of girls for science subjects is attributed to the fact that teachers, parents and society at large usually use remarks which are both belittling and offensive to girls in regard to sciences. Because science is considered a boy’s preserve, girls who venture to study it often find themselves in a hostile male environment which creates a distasteful attitude to science.In view of this, there is need launch a serious campaign to improve female students’ perception of sciences, nurture a culture in them of embracing sciences at lower educational levels so that this undesirable bias can be eliminated. It is through this way that meaningful gains can be registered in bridging the gender gap.

Study Abroad in New Zealand is the best choice among the students

Espire Education Pvt. Ltd. works hard and offers its services to all students, who have dream to study in Zealand. You always get a right solution by our Consultants easily and the most benefit is to choose right university. The advantages of the education system in New Zealand to international students can not be overemphasized, its a system that offers an attractive and stimulating academic environment. We are providing the best solution and facilities to the students.Students can also get a lot of exposure while studying in such universities and different course Global Production Engineering,Business Administration and Industrial Engineering.

Espire Education Pvt. Ltd. is the India's best consultant that is leading in offering full information to the students about the top universities of New Zealand. New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage. To Study Abroad in New Zealand is the best choice among the several students, who have a real dream to Study in New Zealand.

We are professional in providing study supports in the top universities to our students and provide all facilities to stay and gain high skill knowledge. Our team works as like as New Zealand Study Consultants in Delhi. We offer visa and admission facilities easily. International students can expect a high standard of education and living conditions during Study in New Zealand. English is the everyday language of New Zealanders and there is strong English Language support for international students.

Free computer classes at DPL

The Dover Public Library will be offering a series of free computer classes for the public throughout the winter and early spring of 2012. Part of its Tech Nights the Library Series, this technology training will help participants looking to get back into the job market, change careers, or who are just looking to learn something new. Classes are completely free and begin at 6 p.m.,said Technology Room Manager Mary Prysi.The library tries to offer classes on a variety of topics, from skills needed to enter the job market to fun things like social media and eBooks.

Scheduled classes are as follows:

Introduction to the Ohio eBook Project, today; Online Dating & Social Media, Feb. 6; Using Your Kindle, Feb. 13; Facebook 101, Feb. 16; Online Research, Feb. 27; Typing 101, March 5; Digital Photography 1, March 19; Digital Photography 2, March 26; Microsoft Word Basic, April 9; Microsoft Word Intermediate, April 16; Creating an Online Presence for Your Organization, April 30.The library is also excited about offering a program called ‘Ask the Computer Guy!,’ Prysi added.Our ‘Computer Guy’ will be available on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon to meet with the public to address any technology, computer, or electronic gadget need they may have. This is a fun way to have one-on-one time with a ‘techie’ and to get the help you need.

UDM students, faculty planning spring journey

An educational and cultural tour of Cuba will be offered by UDM Saturday, April 28, to Sunday, May 6.Ready for that one-week excursion?Professors are inviting students and staff to explore the island, connect with its people and discover their culture and history. Studying abroad in Cuba is new for UDM and most American colleges. It recently became possible when President Barak Obama eased restrictions regarding travel to Cuba.Students and those not affiliated with the university can go if they enroll in at least one credit of study.

The Courses include:

EDU 3200/5200 Comparative Education (three credits) with Dr. Lorri MacDonald.

SPA 3990 Advanced Culture (one credit) with Prof. Ann Eskridge,

CST 3140 Intercultural Communications (three credits) with Dr. Barbara Bolz and


The cost of the trip is based on a 16-participant minimum, meaning that the more people come the less you as a study abroad student will have to pay. The cost is $1699 per participantbased on double occupancy. The price reflects the land package only. The cost of airfare will be determined 90 days prior to the departure.For those who want to experience the strip in a private room, the cost will be $1899.

Want to use financial aid?

Tuition is assessed separately. Special tuition discounts apply to this study-abroad program, but students will be able to use their financial aid to fund their trip.A non-refundable $200 deposit is due to Cuba Education Tours at the time of enrollment.An administrative fee of $300 is required for all participants not enrolled for academic credit.

Study abroad in India

During the university's 2012 Winter Term, 12 graduate students led by iSchool professor Dr. Taverekere Srikantaiah embarked upon a 12-day study tour in Bangalore and Mysore, India. Nine students came from the university's iSchool Master's programs in Library Science,Social Sciences and Information Management, Intercultural Anglophone Studies and three joined the group from Indiana University and the University of Illinois.One of the course goals was to compare Library Science and Information Management practices in India with those taught at this institution. Students participated in round-table discussions with information professionals from various sectors, met with professors and students from several business and information management schools and scientific research institutes and attended lectures on topics such as Knowledge Management, leadership, innovation, Indian culture and history, Indian economics, education in India and corporate librarianship.

In Bangalore — the IT capital of India, commonly referred to as India's "Silicon Valley" — students stayed at the Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) in Electronics City — the site of many of India's biggest software industries. Students spent an entire day touring the campus of Infosys, India's second largest software firm, and an employer of nearly 150,000 of India's brightest engineers and IT consultants. While in Bangalore, students also visited the following institutions: The Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (IIMB), India's equivalent of MIT or Harvard; the Indian Institute of Science; IndiaCan, a journalism school; the Karnataka State Public Library and Children's Library; and HCL, the fourth largest software consulting company in India.For the second half of the course, students traveled to Mysore, a former princely state within the current state of Karnataka. There, students were hosted by the Infosys Mysore campus, the training center for all new Infosys employees. Course site visits in Mysore also included Mysore University's iSchool the International School of Information Management (ISiM) and the Central Food Technological Research Institute.

In addition to the educational site visits, study tour participants had the opportunity to explore several famous sightseeing locations including the Mysore Palace, Bangalore's Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Gardens, 12th-century Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebid and the Jain statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a 55-ft monolithic sculpture dating to 983AD. For the final experience of the two-week course, students were treated to a stay at the Ratnagiri International coffee estate in the mountains near Chikmagalur where they witnessed the harvesting and curing processes of coffee beans. The program participants departed with a deep respect for the people and culture of India, as well as a new perspective on the field of Library and Information Science as it is practiced both at home and abroad.

Free Math and English Course

Sign up now to start our Free English and Math course starting in September 2012. The course is free and run by South Downs College. Work towards gaining your level 2 in English and Maths which is the equivalent to GCSE grade A-C.For more information please contact South downs College.