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Month: August 2021

20-Year UiTM’s Impact Study

Posted on by mel @ nurul muzamel rasidi

To study the impact of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) on the surrounding localities and population, a 20-year study was conducted to evaluate its significance as a university since its declared change of status in 1999.

“It is a worthwhile return of investment for the community’s development and sustainability. The past (legacy of our forefathers) is the key to the future. Education empowers the community” says, Professor Ts. Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) / Acting Vice-Chancellor, who is also the Co-lead Researcher, in her preamble.

Dato’ Prof. Dr. Rahmat Mohamad who the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) and the Co-lead Researcher of the project added, “ It is undeniable that the original policy and goals of  UiTM’s establishment are still relevant in today’s context, as they have proven successful in balancing equity distribution for the Bumiputeras as well as improving their position in the country”.

He added, “UiTM has also had a positive impact in increasing socio-economic development, education and unity of races in Malaysia.”

Perspective outlines 10 vital facts comprising the study of land and its physical development, the increase in land value, graduate and alumni mobility, community feedback, and graduate employability.  To date, students’ enrolment has reached 189,008 and a recorded 890,334 have graduated with an employability rate ranging between 82 per cent to 83 per cent.

This 20-year UiTM impact study is a follow-up of a similar 2007-2008 study that focused on the economic impact of UiTM on the communities surrounding UiTM campuses. Both study summaries reveal the major impact that UiTM has had on the regeneration of socio-economic development of the surrounding communities.

It is hoped that these two consecutive 20-year studies are proof that UiTM should forge ahead in strengthening the education of the Malays and the Bumiputera through continuous engagement with the community and industry in its goals and efforts to advance national education development.

Oil Engineer shares his experience of studying at Mining University

Posted on by St. Petersburg Mining University

Graduates of Saint Petersburg Mining University have different career paths to choose from. They can stay in St. Petersburg and work in an office. Or, they can leave to the Far North of Russia and work in a field – onshore or offshore. They can apply for a job in a Russian company. Or, they can be hired by a foreign organisation. One of the graduates is Viktor Feller.  

 

Viktor studied the development and exploitation of oil & gas fields. This programme had existed until the mid-20th century, but then it was closed. In the late 90s, the first higher technical university in Russia re-opened the programme and started admitting students. 

Considering global trends, it became evident that in the Petroleum Age, specialists in hydrocarbon extraction would enjoy high demand, especially in a country with vast reserves, like Russia. Initially, students were enrolled in the Department of Ore Mining (1996-1997), with the next groups studying at the Department of Underground Mining (1998-2003) and the Department of Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology (2004-2005). In 2006, the Department of Development and Exploitation of Oil and Gas Fields was established to improve the quality of education.

 

Viktor Feller entered the university in 1999 and was one of the first students in this speciality.

 

“When I started my education, the university had almost zero oil & gas lab facilities to offer. The department of drilling was the only one to stand out from the rest. At the same time, thanks to the university’s contacts with oil-producing companies, we could undergo field internships. Thus, after my second year, I got training and was certified as an oil & gas production operator, grade 3. And upon completing the third year of studies, I went to Nefteyugansk to earn some field experience at one of Yukos’ subdivisions,” Viktor says.

 

“It was mainly fieldwork, but still, we gained numerous competencies: teamwork skills, the ability to think systematically and take responsibility for one’s own actions. But most importantly, we got such a push. We became encouraged to progress further through the advice of professional oil workers, physical labour, millions of tons of oil underneath our feet, and swarms of mosquitoes and midges,” Viktor adds.

 

“By the end of my PhD studies in 2007-2008, the university had changed completely. The teaching process, laboratories, scientific activities — everything had been modernised and brought up to date. For instance, the laboratory of enhanced oil recovery was equipped with installations for core testing. Fundamental research of this kind has since become a common practice when evaluating the geophysical properties of reservoir rocks. But back then, only one research institute in Russia had such a sophisticated device in its possession,” says Viktor.

 

“The rocking machine delivered to the Neftyanik training ground of the Sablino facility generated a not-so-little buzz,” he recalls.

 

“Nowadays, the university houses several scientific centres focusing on various disciplines. This means the students can choose pretty much any area of the oil & gas industry they would want to specialise in. The quality of postgraduate education has been taken to a whole new level, and research papers of PhD students have become of academic interest,” says Viktor.

 

“Young researchers – and these are often students, supervised by the teaching staff, are helping with R&D work. One notable example is the work carried out under the long-term contract with Gazprom Neft. It aims to select and develop new fluids for killing oil wells. The company thereupon tests the formulations and uses them at its extraction facilities,” he adds.

 

“I think it is safe to say that current graduates have a significantly stronger academic background compared to 10-15 years ago,” notes Mining University’s graduate.

After earning the PhD degree, he spent the next two years working as an assistant professor at the department he graduated from. Despite his great interest in science, he realised that he should “dive into the real world” to develop professionally. Since then, he tried himself in various projects until becoming the Chief Expert at the Department of the Expertise of Offshore Projects in Gazprom.

 

Viktor Feller is a regular guest to his alma mater. During the visits, he talks to future oil & gas specialists about working in the industry and shares his own experiences.

Amity University Chhattisgarh and UNICEF Chhattisgarh sign strategic partnership to ensure clean water supply in rural homes

Posted on by Anurag sharma

Amity University Chhattisgarh (AUC) and UNICEF Chhattisgarh signed a Programme Corporation Agreement for Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure clean tap water supply in every rural home. This noble and life changing mission has taken deep roots and is taking a shape of people’s movement.

The tribal region of Chhattisgarh has been battling with the issue of groundwater depletion and chemical contamination. Understanding the need and a visible gap for Clean Water, the priority is given on water quality surveillance through active participation of the university’s deployment of B. Tech Graduates as Project Associates as well as involving the local community. Chhattisgarh State has planned to provide 100% Functional Tap Water Connection (FHTC) by 2023 thus contributing to UN SDGs.

To achieve the objective of providing improved and sustainable drinking water services in
rural communities through Jal Jivan Mission, the Project associates from Amity University Chhattisgarh would focus on water distribution networks, water quality management, sources sustainability, sustainable service delivery (including operation and maintenance), building professional capacity and strengthening decentralized governance.

This includes overall monitoring, establishment and strengthening decentralized contract management systems that are timely, transparent, accountable and adhere to state government guidelines for the mission.

Amity University Chhattisgarh, built on the genesis of innovation and research would also work on New water purification technologies like smart water purifiers and auto- aintenance systems, paving the way to a better future. The introduction of IoT technology, sensors, and data-driven approach in water purification by tech-support would be showing the ray of hope to solve this problem. W

ith IoT technology real-time tracking of input water quality, water consumption, and filter use is being tracked which assures safe drinking water, as endorsed by Prof. R K Pandey, Vice Chancellor Of Amity University Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

E-learning journal co-edited by EdUHK’s professor ranked first for six consecutive years

Posted on by eduhk

The Internet and Higher Education, co-edited by Professor Lim Cher Ping, Chair Professor of Learning Technologies and Innovation at The Education University of Hong Kong, who took over as Editor-in-Chief in 2015, was ranked first again in the e-learning category for the sixth consecutive year (2015 to 2020), according to the latest SCImago Journal Rank.

Under the Education category, the journal has been ranked consistently in the top 15. The 2021 Journal Citation Reports of Clarivate Analytics showed that the journal was ranked fifth by the Journal Impact Factor (7.178) in the Education and Educational Research category, and was ranked second by the Journal Citation Indictor (5.01) in the same category.

UiTM Perak Branch organizes Low Carbon Campus Convention 2021

Posted on by Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch

In line with the direction of universities to actively move to achieve sustainability missions, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch organized a virtual convention known as Low Carbon Campus Convention (LCCC) 2021 for five days from 15th to 19th March 2021. The program was organized by the Green Campus Committee led by Sr. Dr Nur Azfahani Ahmad. It was programmed to visible UiTM Perak Branch has mobilized various green practices and initiatives for the campus residents.

The program successfully gathered about 1,386 participants from various local and international universities and industries from the public and private sectors. The convention included multi-series programs such as a terrarium workshop, green-safe cities seminar, and green talk series comprising 12 speakers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Germany.

The green talk series discussed ideas, knowledge, and the country’s experience related to green practices, green procurement, green building design, agricultural efforts, and recycling practices (3R). One of the talk series highlights was a session by the famous Malaysian fashion designer Mr. Hatta Dolmat who shared his aspirations in addressing sustainable fashion using recycled products.

Another attention-grabbing session was from Ar. Shyuan Kuee, an award-winning architect from the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), shared her experience handling international and local projects on green building design. The convention was also attended by researchers and postgraduate students from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Nigeria.

Up to this date, the UiTM Perak’s Green Campus committee has launched various green programs, including solar panels and rainwater harvest installation to schools and mosques, energy efficiency projects, recycle campaign, green talk series, and community seminars on green education.

The LCCC program has benefited the academics and staff of various universities and hopefully inspire more green project initiatives to lower carbon emissions within universities. It has also successfully formed a research nexus and collaborations between academia, industries, and communities to enhance green technology and green practices.

UniMAP@Global: UniMAP’s new outfit for internationalization

Posted on by SQM UniMAP

With internationalization being a key challenge in the midst of the pandemic, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) has launched UniMAP@Global, leveraging digital platforms to run promotional activities and engage with potential students and stakeholders online, with a view to consistently and significantly increase the number of its international students.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd. Rizal Arshad, who is currently the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university notes that the success of  UniMAP@Global thus far is partly due to the initiative getting full support from UniMAP’s Alumni Chapters abroad.

The university’s strategic partners have also agreed to accommodate the university’s satellite offices on their premises and to run the virtual promotion activities. From thereon, UniMAP will establish contact with students keen to pursue their studies at the university and provide facilitation towards getting them enrolled.

Since its inception in early 2021, UniMAP@Global has organized several promotional sessions with its strategic partners via the satellite offices in Indonesia, UniMAP alumni in Uzbekistan, Jordan, Yemen and Nigeria.

According to Mohd Rizal Arshad, “We have received positive feedback from students who participated in the sessions, which is very encouraging. We now need to screen the applications based on our entry requirements, while some have been accepted for our English and Pre-University Preparatory Programme (EPPP), as well as for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes”.

In its full operational mode, the sessions will be run by UniMAP Marketing and Promotions Unit (UPP), in collaboration with the Centre for International Engagement (CIE) and UniMAP’s Centre for Alumni Relations (PPA).

Complementing operations of UniMAP@Global is the university’s One Stop Centre for International Students (OSCi), which has been enhanced to cater to the needs of international students, covering issues related to academic, student visa and insurance,
accommodation, tuition fees and student welfare in general. The OSCi is currently supervised by UniMAP international alumni.

Both UniMAP@Global and the OSCi are the university’s latest initiatives to attract more
international students to pursue their higher education at UniMAP and to ensure that their needs will be efficiently and effectively addressed.

New method of spraying water to improve oil treatment and fire fighting

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

The scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University were able to improve industrial methods of spraying water by creating a complete mathematical description of this process. According to them, the data obtained will help improve fire extinguishing technologies, as well as a number of processes in the petrochemical industry. The research findings were published in the Powder Technology academic journal.

Spraying water with various impurities and its subsequent evaporation is an important part of many technologies applied in the petrochemical industry, the TPU scientists said. According to them, such systems have a low efficiency, which affects the cost of production.

For instance, in thermal treatment chambers, where byproducts are separated, relatively large drops of an aqueous solution do not have enough time to evaporate during one operation cycle, which significantly reduces efficiency and increases time consumption.

The scientists assume energy and resource consumption can be optimized due to the special conditions of spraying liquid, under which it will be impossible for large droplets to form. The exact mathematical parameters of such a process are provided in the new research conducted by the TPU physicists.

“Crushing droplets of liquids, emulsions, solutions and suspensions can multiply the surface area of their evaporation. Using this effect along with changing the design and position of the sprayers, it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency of a large number of systems, from fire extinguishing to thermal energy using water vapor,” Pavel Strizhak, Professor of the TPU Butakov Research Center, told Sputnik news agency.

The data obtained, according to the authors of the research work, will help significantly increase the thermal power of combustion engines and boiler furnaces, as well as raise heat absorption in heat exchange systems by three to five folds. In the long run, this will also make it possible to optimize the dimensions of the combustion chambers, heat and mass transfer devices and the entire set of the other elements of heat and power systems.

Another area that will be significantly affected by the research findings is environmentally friendly energy, the TPU scientists believe. According to them, nowadays, the systems are being actively implemented which allow capturing hazardous products of combustion of hydrocarbons by using water and water vapor, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

“We have determined the transformation and decay time of droplets under the action of aerodynamic forces and for the first time have found the exact values of the critical criterion for the Weber and the Reynolds number, taking into account the capillarity and the Ohnesorge and Laplace numbers. This makes it possible to mathematically describe the entire process of crushing drops and make adjustments to the existing methods of spraying,” Ivan Voytkov, a TPU invited research engineer, one of the authors of the research, said.

According to the scientists, the new experimental data are highly accurate, since the crushing of drops was first studied in the dynamics of a real air flow, for which video recording was used at a frequency of up to 100,000 frames per second. Water-containing mixtures of various compositions used in the industry were analyzed as well.

Students of St Petersburg University develop a drink that reduces inflammatory activators during pregnancy

Posted on by Alina Perevizintsova

The finalists of the ‘SPbU Start-up 2021’ contest have created a functional beverage that could help reduce the negative effects of alcohol on expectant mothers who have consumed alcohol before and during the early stages of pregnancy.

Studies show that alcohol triggers an immune system response, which starts to synthesise alarmins (from the English ’alarm’). These ’alarm molecules’, such as the amphoterin protein, take part in cell division and initiate inflammatory processes. There is scientific evidence to demonstrate that increased levels of alarmins in the blood of a pregnant woman can impair the cognitive abilities of the child. This is the challenge that the product, developed by the PreLife team, is meant to address.

’We have created a functional beverage whose components reduce the amount of alarmins in the body. It helps to reduce harmful compounds that can cause pathologies in the baby. Sometimes in the early stages of pregnancy a woman is unaware of her pregnancy and consumes alcohol. In this case, the drink will help to reduce the amount of alarmins. However, it is not able to neutralise the effects if alcohol is constantly abused,’ said Sergei Eresko, PreLife team captain.

This product is for those who take a responsible attitude to their health and want to prepare for pregnancy by reducing the level of alarmins in the blood, if necessary.

Sergei Eresko, PreLife team captain According to research, alarmins can still be detectable in the human body for more than six months. So, if a woman has consumed alcohol shortly before pregnancy, there is a need to reduce their amount. The drink has a cumulative effect: in order to normalise alarmin levels, it requires a course of treatment after consultation with a doctor.

The ‘SPbU Start-up’ contest was held at the University for the sixth time. Teams that presented best knowledge-intensive and commercially viable business models receive monetary prizes from the Endowment Fund of St Petersburg University: 300,000 roubles for the first, 200,000 for the second, and 100,000 for the third place.

Additionally, the two winning teams may be offered to establish a small innovative enterprise with the participation of St Petersburg University. Grants for their projects’ development will amount to 1,000,000 and 700,000 roubles for the first and second places respectively. For detailed information about the ‘SPbU Start-up 2021’ student contest please visit the website of the Endowment Fund of St Petersburg University.

The drink contains compounds from anti-inflammatory plants (ginseng, rhodiola, sage, and walnut) in combination with a fruit and berry base. This will make it pleasant to drink and diversify the flavour range. It took the students of St Petersburg University about five years to calculate the concentration of the substances in the product to avoid overdosing and side-effects. However, the drink has no contraindications except for individual intolerance to the components and allergies. This makes it a universal and safe preventive remedy.

Our idea is to produce medicines, which many people are reluctant to use, in a tasty and convenient form. In this way, we can encourage people to take better care of their health.

Natalia Serebrianaia, Research Supervisor of the start-up project, Professor in the Department of Cytology and Histology at St Petersburg University

’The risks are minimal: adaptogens, such as ginseng, have been used in medicine for a long time. People often refuse to drink unpalatable medicines from pharmacy bottles, but in this case, flavour and benefits are combined. This approach lets people take care of their health and significantly improve the condition of those who need it,’ said Natalia Serebrianaia, Professor in the Department of Cytology and Histology at St Petersburg University and Research Supervisor of the start-up project.

The team that developed the functional beverage included students from Biology, Chemistry, Management and Law departments. The projects that made it to the finals of the St Petersburg University Start-up Contest can subsequently become graduation projects. For example, a presentation of a start-up project and its business plan are a sufficient requirement for a graduation project in bachelor’s programmes.

This year, Ekaterina Sizova, a second-year master’s student of the Graduate School of Management of St Petersburg University, presented the project for defence. Ekaterina developed a financial model and a business plan as a project manager. She conducted a study of the theoretical aspects of marketing communication and market research on the Russian market for functional beverages for her graduation project under the supervision of Sergei Starov, Professor in the Department of Marketing of the Graduate School of Management.

On the PreLife team were: Sergei Eresko, first-year doctoral student in Biology, author of the project and team captain, Ekaterina Sizova, second-year master’s student in Management, responsible for the development of the project and product launching,
Roman Khabibullin, second-year master student in Chemistry, responsible for testing plant products at the Institute of Chemistry, and Kristina Tokareva, fourth-year bachelor’s student in Law, responsible for legal support and legal aspects of the project

“To defend a start-up as a graduation project is an excellent opportunity. I am very happy that the University allows me to do so, as PreLife has been very important to me. It’s great that in my last semester I was able to focus on the project and improve it. The project has provided the basis for conducting empirical research and my graduation project now meets all the requirements of the curriculum,” said Ekaterina Sizova.

The effectiveness of the compounds selected for the functional drink and their dosage have undergone laboratory tests on rats and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Now the developers are negotiating testing on a group of volunteers at the St Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University under the supervision of Marat Airapetov, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, and the Faculty of Medicine of St Petersburg University. There is also an agreement on the production and release of the first batch of the beverage.

MIM Thammasat University wins the New Venture Championship 2021

Posted on by Thammasat University

Students from MIM Thammasat Business School has won the 2021 New Venture Championship (NVC) organized by the Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon, USA.  The winning team, Molly Ally, received USD 20,000 prize and the Reinmuth Cup respectively.

This year’s competition ran virtually with leading universities participating from around the world – Kellogg Business School, Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, MIT and many others.

Molly Ally team impressed the VC judges with their premium plant-based ice cream that has zero cholesterol, low sugar, and is diabetic friendly. The product also accounts for less dairy carbon dioxide emissions.

The Language Gallery welcomes back international students with new university pathway programmes

Posted on by Global University Systems

The Language Gallery (TLG) has launched a range of new university pathway programmes designed to equip EU and international students with the English language and study skills required by UK university partners for their degree programmes.

The three International Foundation Programmes in Business, Health Science, Engineering and the Pre-Masters Programme in Business provide students from a non-UK educational background with the necessary English language and subject-specific content to embark on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at one of the UK partner universities. For many students, this course will close the gap between their current educational level and the level required by most universities for admission to undergraduate and graduate programmes in the UK. These new courses are available in The Language Gallery UK centres in London, Birmingham and Nottingham.

Pranav Brahmbhatt, Managing Director at TLG, says, “It is the Language Gallery’s mission to provide easier access to the UK higher education system and promote equal opportunity for all international students. We want to ensure undergraduates and graduates achieve their goals of studying abroad, and not miss out on this enriching experience. Alongside our dedicated and qualified staff, students will gain confidence in English through an interactive and positive approach to learning.”

These new courses join the successful Pre-Sessional Programme which has been recognised by 18 other universities including The Language Gallery’s new partner, Harper Adams University. Harper Adams University is the leading specialist in tackling the future development of the planet’s food production, including processing, animal sciences, engineering, land management and sustainable business. The university was named modern university of the year by The Times Good University Guide in 2020, with graduates achieving an employment rate of 98 per cent.

Harper Adams will give The Language Gallery students greater diversification of degree course choices alongside other prominent university partners including Coventry University, The University of Law, the University of Greenwich and Bangor University. Commenting on this new partnership, Pranav Brahmbhatt adds: “We are extremely excited to partner with Harper Adams University and contribute to the training of the next generation of agricultural leaders”.

Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University says, “We are pleased to have forged this new partnership with The Language Gallery to help support international students wishing to study in the UK in our specialist subject areas.  The fields in which we work are vital to the future provision of food, to the protection of the environment and to animal health and welfare, as well as to running businesses across the agri-food
system.  We, therefore, look forward to working with The Language Gallery team in the years ahead to help provide exciting educational and career opportunities for students from around the globe.”