OUP launches Oxford Achiever

Oxford University Press (OUP) has launched ‘Oxford Achiever, a comprehensive web-based English language learning and assessment solution for primary and secondary school students in Hyderabad. Oxford Achiever is the first paid digital offering by OUP India, which is fast building a full suite of digital and assessment products and services. There are more digital products and ‘app’ launches on the anvil in this financial year – including the OUP dictionary and atlas ‘app’.

Ranjan Kaul, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India said, “I am indeed proud that we are launching Oxford Achiever, which is testimony to OUP’s continuous commitment to working with schools for improved learning outcomes. Oxford Achiever meets the requirement of schools for continuous assessment of English language skills as also provides the necessary diagnostics for self-paced learning. It is one of OUP India’s key digital innovations to be launched this year, which will use technology and are far more learner-centric.”

“I am delighted to be a part of this event by Oxford University Press, which has been at the forefront of education publishing in India, especially in the context of ELT books. A structured level-based offering, such as Oxford Achiever, should help students make steady progress in language learning.” said Prof. Paul Gunashekar, Professor in the Department of Materials Development, Testing and Evaluation, and Dean, Publications at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad.

Oxford Achiever has been successfully pilot-tested by OUP India in schools from different regions and the feedback from students and teachers has been positive. Oxford Achiever covers six core areas of English – Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CONFERENCE (MIBSRC) 2015

Dates:  2 – 4 October

Conference Venue: Hotel Bay View on the Park Hotel

52 Queens Road, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Conference Web: www.aabl.com.au/melbourne-conference

Abstract submission deadline: 17 August 2015

 

CALL FOR PAPERS: Melbourne International Business and Social Science Research Conference (MIBSRC) 2015 aims to provide an opportunity to academics and practitioners around the world to discuss and share the contemporary issues of business and social science research. The proposed conference provides an outlet for high quality research in all areas of accounting, , CSR, finance, economics, econometrics, education, information technology, Islamic finance and Sharia, law, management, marketing, social business and multidisciplinary.

 

CONFERENCE THEME: The broad theme of the conference is ‘innovation in research and research training’. Australian Academy of Business Leadership (AABL) recognises the importance of ‘innovation in research to promote publication excellence.

BEST PAPERS AWARDS AND BENEFITS: Best Paper Awards (value A$500) and one Best Student Paper Award (value A$300) from several tracks will be conferred at the conference. In order to qualify for an award, the author must submit a full paper to the conference and it must be presented at the conference. The authors of best papers will also get certificates.

• Participants can also enjoy a range of benefits, e.g. getting a fellow membership of AABL, which will allow them to enjoy a 10% discount on any future AABL event.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: Conference proceedings based on the accepted abstracts of the registered participants will also be prepared and published online, with ISBN 978-0-9942714-1-9, on Friday the 18 September 2015.

PAPER SUBMISSION: To submit your abstract or full paper please visit conference websitehttp://www.aabl.com.au/melbourne-conference 

Alternatively, submissions can be made via e-mail to: conference.melbourne@aabl.com.au

Download Call for Papers in PDF

First steps to your U.S. study

For pursuing higher studies in the U.S., you need to follow a systematic step-by-step process right from the application to scholarship. Renuka Raja Rao, country coordinator, EducationUSA Advising Services, United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), provides suggestions for students aspiring to study in the U.S.

What is the best way to apply for higher studies in the U.S.?
We recommend that students connect with an EducationUSA advising centre. EducationUSA (www.educationusa.state.gov ) is a U.S. Department of State-funded programme hosted by the United States-India Educational Foundation in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad and by two other independent centres in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.

Our advice to students is to start preparation at least 12 - 18 months prior to the start date of the programme and to follow the timeline suggested in ‘Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study’ (https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study).

How can high school students, who wish to pursue higher studies in the U.S., work towards building a strong application to ensure they get admission into the college and course of their choice as well as a scholarship?Preparing a strong application is a complex process. Students and their parents need to understand the nuances of admission and financial aid at American institutions of higher education.

While a large number of private U.S. colleges and universities are able to provide some scholarships for international undergraduate students, public institutions (government-funded) provide little funding to undergraduate applicants. For detailed information on financial aid, students are advised to visit their nearest EducationUSA centre (http://www.usief.org.in/Study-in-the-US/USIEF-Centers.aspx ) or tune in to the webinars conducted by EducationUSA advising staff and U.S. university admissions officers. Upcoming events and webinars can be found at http://www.usief.org.in/index.aspx.

Students are also encouraged to call the EducationUSA toll-free helpdesk at 1-800-103-1231 (Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.).

Could you highlight the assistance provided by the USIEF to Indian students with their application process?Students wishing to explore U.S. higher education receive accurate, current and comprehensive information on higher education opportunities in the U.S. at all EducationUSA centres throughout India. The libraries are well-stocked with descriptions of programmes and universities, as well as helpful material on standardised testing and how to write compelling statements of purpose. All EducationUSA centers also conduct comprehensive pre-departure orientation sessions. There are also useful posts on the EducationUSA channel on YouTube that students can use to understand the admission process better. (https://www.youtube.com/user/EducationUSAtv)

Can a good extracurricular activities record make up for mediocre academic scores? How is the application assessed?
American universities and colleges take a holistic approach when reviewing student applications. All components of the student’s profile are taken into consideration, including academic merit (grades), statements of purpose, standardised test scores, leadership potential, letters of recommendation, volunteer work/community service and extra-curricular activities. Indian students should understand that U.S. universities and colleges do not establish cut-offs or minimum scores for admission.

Are there avenues for students who have not received a full scholarship to fund their studies once they begin with the course in the U.S.?

All students are allowed to work part-time on campus while the school is in session (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time during vacation periods (40 hours per week). Additional information can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment.

Can students who have finished their graduation (10+2+3) also apply to U.S. universities?
Most graduate programmes in the U.S. require the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (12+4). However, there are some exceptions. U.S. universities enjoy a great deal of administrative freedom, so the best course of action is to enquire with individual universities and departments about their treatment of three year degrees from India.

Is there something you would like to highlight that students applying to U.S. universities should keep in mind?Currently, there are over 1,00,000 students from India studying throughout the U.S. across a wide range of academic disciplines. There are thousands of universities and colleges to choose from and identifying the best fit can be a challenging, yet rewarding, process. Proper planning and following ‘Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study’ is a great way to begin your journey

20-minute walk cuts risk of heart failure

Men who get regular, moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling for 20 minutes daily, may have a lower risk of heart failure.

Men who get regular, moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling for 20 minutes daily, may have a lower risk of heart failure compared to those with the lowest and highest levels of activity, a new study has claimed.

Researchers followed 33,012 men from the Cohort of Swedish Men from 1998 until 2012 — or first event of heart failure — to determine if physical activity was associated with heart failure risk.

Overall, men who had the lowest and highest levels of physical activity had a higher risk of heart failure, 47 per cent and 51 per cent respectively, than men with a median level, the study found.

The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure.

Keywords: heart failure, brisk walking, benefits of walking

Super-30' founder honoured with Maharshi Ved Vyas award

Anand Kumar, founder of Bihar-based 'Super 30' educational programme, was honoured with the 'Maharishi Ved Vyas national award' for his contribution in the field of education in Bhopal.

The award for year 2014-15 was bestowed upon Kumar by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday evening at a function organised on the occasion of Independence Day.

The award is given annually by state government for outstanding contribution and creativity in the field of education.

It carries a citation and cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. During his address, Chouhan appealed to youths to become entrepreneurs even as he claimed the growth rate of the state is the "highest" in the country.

Kumar said such awards motivated him to do better. "These awards and honours give me motivation to do even better. It shows that society is sensitive to the needs of the poor and anybody making even a small effort for their uplift is recognised. That in itself is a big motivation. I hope I will continue my work with greater passion," he said.

Under the innovative educational programme, launched by Kumar in 2002, 30 meritorious students from the economically-backward sections of the society are selected every year and are trained to crack the country's prestigious IIT exams.

The students are offered free coaching, food and lodging facilities under 'Super 30'

Aggressive wildlife conservation is the need of the hour

India’s wildlife is once again caught in the crosshairs.

This was borne out by two reports that appeared in the media last week.

According to the National Tiger Protection Authority and Traffic India, an NGO that works globally on trade in wild animals and plants, India has lost 41 tigers in the first seven months of this year and only seven of those died of natural causes.

Another report stated that investigators in Kerala have found that poachers had killed more than 20 elephants in the last 10 months, and the toll in the southern region of the country in the past two years could be 100. The main reason for deaths in both cases is poaching.

According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), until now, habitat loss was thought to be the largest single threat to the future of tigers.

But now it has been established that the trade in tiger bones, destined for use in oriental medicine outside India’s borders, is posing an even larger threat.

After decimating their own sources, Far Eastern traditional medicine manufacturers are now targeting India for their supply of tiger bones.

But poaching cannot happen without the help of the ‘chinks’ in the forests department’s armour or without the connivance of people who stay in and around the forests, who are often not integrated into the conservation efforts.

As far as elephants are concerned, the WPSI has recorded the loss of over 121 elephants due to poaching between 2008 and 2011.

During this same period, a further 50 wild elephants died in road and train accidents and a shocking 111 elephants died from electrocution.

But in the case of elephants too poaching remains the major cause of death for wild elephants.

If poaching is one aspect of the conservation challenge, the other side of the story is the government’s aggressive focus on growth that threatens endangered animals and the environment.

This is apparent in the way it is razing forests, giving green signals to dams and pushing industrialisation.

In fact, funding for the environment ministry in the 2015 budget has been cut by 25% and support for tiger protection by 15%.

Those who believe growth is the final target of civilisation must remember that by promoting conservation, we not only ensure our own survival, but also the diversity of the ecosystem.

Why Sundar Pichai's rise matters for India

It was nice to see Sundar Pichai being named as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Google, the core unit of the reformed Alphabet Inc powered by tons of cash from the search engine. I was glad to see that my prediction about his importance for the giant company last October take strong shape. I had said then that his then title, Senior Vice President, did not go far enough in conveying his significance for the company.

As he spearheaded the Android revolution, and with product management experience par excellence, any keen watcher of Silicon Valley would have smelt the coffee like I did. And Twitter, the microblogging service looking for leadership after the exit of Dick Costolo, seemed to have smelt the filter coffee smell from Tamil Nadu, in a manner of speaking. Rumours have it that Google was forced to rename itself and promote the Chennai-born IITan so that he won’t fly the coop.

While Indians exulted in their native connection, some hands did go up in scepticism. Is Sundar Pichai really something that Indians should gush about as Indians? Fact is that Google is an American company and Sundar a US citizen. HT even ran an online poll asking if India should feel proud of him as his achievements were in the US.

Read: India-born Sundar Pichai appointed the new CEO of Google

So what gives?

I think Sundar’s rise was worth celebrating (alongside that of Manipal-educated Satya Nadella of Microsoft) especially in the anniversary week of India’s Independence. For a colonized nation first dismissed as a half-starved Third World country and then as a hub for cheap coding services, these two gentlemen symbolize the rise of true overall leadership in technology right in the hub of the world’s most frenetic technology hub. Both are “made in India” as engineers and hence a vindication of the higher education policy of Nehru.

Kanwal Rekhi, educated at IIT Mumbai, co-founded Excelan in 1982 in the US, took it public on Nasdaq in 1987 as its CEO and then merged it with Novell in 1989 when the networking revolution was being ushered in. Yet, the story goes, Novell never made him CEO and he left as chief technology officer because of the patronizing belief that Indians make great techies but not in marketing or overall leadership.

People including venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, Nadella and Sundar Pichai have helped explode that myth that borders on the glass ceiling. Such achievements raise the confidence levels of Indians based in India so they can take entrepreneurship to new heights.