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Month: May 2023

Head of Academics at LSBF appointed member of the Board for HE Higher Education Rankings

Posted on by Global University Systems

Dr. Shahnaz Hamid, Head of Academics at LSBF, has been appointed a member of the Board of Experts for HE Higher Education Rankings

With her exceptional leadership and teaching experience at LSBF, and other leading institutions over the last 15 years, she is a highly regarded academic, business consultant and practitioner with expertise in strategic management, human resources management, leadership and organisational development.

“I’m delighted that Dr Shahnaz Hamid is now a member of the the Board of Experts for HE Higher Education Rankings and proud of everything she has done for LSBF,” says Aaron Etingen, Founder and Executive Chairman of Global University Systems.

In addition, her practical experience across diverse industries also makes her a highly valuable addition to the Board of Experts, as does her pedagogy research.

“I was approached by the leaders of HE Ranking because of my academic leadership and teaching experience at LSBF and other prestigious institutions,” says Dr. Hamid. “I have been fortunate to be involved in significant research in pedagogy and have worked with students from different backgrounds and levels of education, be it undergraduate, master’s or doctoral.”

As a board expert, Dr. Hamid will apply her extensive knowledge in higher education to evaluate universities and institutions worldwide, using specific key performance indicators and criteria. This will allow her to collaborate with a team of accomplished academics who possess significant experience and expertise in pedagogy and quality assurance. In addition, her appointment will enable her to work with HE Higher Education Rankings, leveraging their selection criteria to identify top-tier institutions annually and improve the ranking list.

“I’m very proud to have been appointed a member of the board of experts,” says Dr. Hamid. “It will be a great opportunity to work with a team of academics who have extensive experience and expertise in key areas of pedagogy and quality assurance.”

The HE Higher Education Ranking Project is a scientific, academic and research ranking institution that ranks higher education institutions according to specific criteria, and performance indicators that contribute to improving the operation and performance of higher education institutions.

CU Memorial Hall’s VR Program: Chula offfers new dimension to learning history

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Chula’s Institute of Thai Studies and the Faculty of Engineering have worked together to create “The CU Memorial Hall’s VR Program” pioneering the learning of history in three-dimensional virtual reality, rendering modernity to the past and instilling a sense of fun in the new generation.

Technology is an enabling factor today that helps to make learning an entertaining endeavor. Many of us may have thought that history is a boring subject requiring memorization but that is no longer the case today since it is through “experience” that one learns with the help of technology that helps to enliven the subject by making it more vivid.

Many interested persons have experimented with a virtual trip into the past at Chulalongkorn University’s Central Library through the use of “The CU Memorial Hall’s VR Program.”  Each person is given a VR headset and with that, they can enter the CU Memorial Hall without having to leave their seats.

“The moment I donned those VR glasses I felt like I was suddenly transported to the area at the entrance of the Memorial Hall with all the trees and greenery.  I felt like I was standing at that very place.”  One person who had experimented with the CU Memorial Hall’s VR program related that particular experience.

“The moment our fingers touch the controller the image changes creating the feeling that we are walking into the museum. Our fingers take us to any spot we wish to be in.  Everything is so real even the mirrors have a reflection in them.  The objects on display also appear in three dimensions and we can reach out and touch the object.  If you wish to hear the narration of the history of the museum and the objects all you have to do is press the button on the screen.”

The CU Memorial Hall’s VR (Virtual Reality) Program is a part of the
research project entitled “The creation of virtual reality maps in the CU Memorial Hall that present its history in a 3D format via a 5G platform and above.”  It marks the collaboration between the Institute of Thai Studies and the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.  The project aims to develop the presentation of data, objects, and stories in the CU Memorial Hall to make it more interesting.  The program is also a part of the “Creation of an eco-system and 5G network for Chulalongkorn University’s industrial, educational, and medical research.”

The CU Memorial Hall VR Program:  A Modern Way to Present History

VR is a type of media that is used to create virtual experiences through various forms of three-dimensional techniques that have yet to be used very much for educational purposes.  The research team and program developers have therefore employed modern technology as a tool to entice the new generation to appreciate what is of historical value.

“The youth of today are less interested in history.  Working with these students enables us to understand their nature.  We can therefore try to design educational media that is more attuned to their interests and needs.” Dr. Ratchaneekorn Ratchatakorntrakoon a researcher at the Institute of Thai Studies explained.

“We want people to understand that VR isn’t a game but a form of Edutainment (Education + Entertainment) that provides a wide range of opportunities to study any place and any time.”

Three of the concepts at the heart of the development and design of the CU Memorial Hall VR Program are:

1. Easy to understand

  • the technique and content should be interesting and accessible to people of all ages.

2. Easily accessible

  • the CU Memorial Hall can be accessed simply with an internet connection and VR gear.

3. Learning through experience

  • the use of one’s basic senses – seeing, hearing, and touching are important factors that lead to effective learning and remembering.

“VR enables us to see images widely and clearly.  We also hear the sounds clearly through the use of stereo equipment.  Most importantly we can touch the objects which isn’t allowed in real museums.” Dr.  Ratchaneekorn enumerated the advantages of a museum visit via VR programs.

The creation of the experience and the interaction between a virtual museum and the VR program user is at the heart of an entertaining learning experience.

“The CU Memorial Hall VR Program was designed as an interactive game between the program user and the museum itself. When the user reaches out to touch an object they will learn about its significance from the sights and sounds providing them with information making it easy to understand and remember.  Each episode usually begins with a question that leads into the content for example “How was the construction of the equestrian statue of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn relevant in the founding of Siam’s first university?”

“Aside from the difference in terms of media and method of interaction between the VR and the actual exhibition, there are also differences in terms of content since the Memorial Hall periodically alters its exhibitions.  The evolution of Chula student uniforms found in the VR, for example, isn’t found at the CU Memorial Hall in the Chakrabongse Building.”

CU Memorial Hall and the learning of a significant part of Thai history

The CU Memorial Hall’s VR program has been designed not only to show Chula students the historical significance of this
educational institute.

Dr. Ratchaneekorn pointed out that “As Thailand’s first university, the data we have regarding Chulalongkorn University serves the purpose not only as a record of Chula’s history but is also historically significant to Thailand as a nation.”

The CU Memorial Hall’s VR program is now open to the general public who can visit counter 1 of Chulalongkorn University’s Central Library to borrow the necessary equipment.  Free downloading will also be possible soon.  Any agency interested in this program can contact Dr. Ratchaneekorn by emailing her at [email protected].

For the full release of this article and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/107778/

Aroma component of rose fragrance as a novel immunomodulator

Posted on by Tokyo University of Science

Researchers from Tokyo identified a natural immunomodulator, β-damascone, and explored its molecular function in detail.

Dendritic cells (DCs) perform several important immunological functions. However, their hyperactivity can result in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Now, to identify natural compounds that can regulate DC-mediated functions, a group of researchers screened 150 natural aroma compounds. They discovered that β-damascone, a major aroma component of rose, can suppress DC-mediated immune functions. In vivo experiments in mice models demonstrated that β-damascone has anti-inflammatory properties and can be promising as an effective immunomodulatory drug.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important players of the immune system with important functions such as the identification of infectious pathogens, production of cytokines (chemical signalers of the immune system), presentation of antigens to activate T-cells, and more. Despite performing such key functions, DCs may lead to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases when hyperactive. Therefore, to prevent DC-mediated diseases, it is necessary to identify molecules that can modulate the functions of DCs.

Previous studies have indicated that natural compounds can serve as potent immunomodulators. To explore the role of such compounds in modulating the functions of DCs, a team of researchers from Japan, led by Prof. Chiharu Nishiyama from Tokyo University of Science, including Dr. Hikaru Okada, Dr. Masakazu Hachisu, and Dr. Naoki Kodama screened 150 types of natural aroma compounds. “Natural fragrant compounds are found in plants and microorganisms and are also commonly used in foods and daily necessities. However, not much research has been conducted on the physiological activities of individual flavor compounds, particularly on immune responses,” remarks Prof. Nishiyama while discussing their motivation behind this study, which was published in Frontiers in Nutrition on February 9, 2023.

First, the team conducted a two-step screening process of aroma compounds, which led to the identification of a novel and effective modulator of DCs known as β-damascone—a primary component that constitutes rose fragrance.

Next, through a series of molecular and immunological assays, the team found out that β-damascone inhibited several functions of DCs including antigen-dependent activation of CD4+ T-cells and the development of Th1 cells (Type-1 helper cells). In addition, β-damascone reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines such as, interleukin (IL)-6,
IL-12p40, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a.

Discussing these findings, Prof. Nishiyama further adds, “We wanted not only to observe the effective active ingredients, but also to thoroughly examine their mechanisms of action at the molecular level, up to the point of verifying whether they exert physiologically meaningful effects.” True to their word, on exploring the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory functions of β-damascone, the team noted that these functions were mediated by NRF2—a master transcription factor with crucial antioxidative roles. NRF2 was found to exert these effects via its target genes, Hmox1 and Nqo1.

The function of β-damascone was further confirmed by in vivo experiments in contact hypersensitivity mice models. The oral administration of β-damascone reduced ear inflammation in these mice models. Notably, these experiments also corroborated the role of NRF2 in β-damascone-mediated immunomodulation. Indeed, ear swelling was not suppressed in NRF2 knockout mice models, i.e., mice that lacked NRF2.

Taken together, this comprehensive study showed that β-damascone can function as an efficient modulator of DC-mediated functions and can effectively reduce the inflammatory effects of DC-hyperactivation.

We are confident that these findings will lead to the application of β-damascone as a safe and effective immunomodulatory drug very soon!

The London Academy of Trading (LAT) grabs prestigious awards

Posted on by Global University Systems

The UK’s first accredited trading academy, the London Academy of Trading (LAT), has recently bagged a hattrick of top awards, including the “Most Outstanding Trading Courses Provider” from two prestigious, outlets; the Global Excellence Awards and The Global 100.

Organised by Acquisition International magazine, the Global Excellence Awards is a highly respected awards programme that celebrates excellence across a range of industries, with an impressive reach of 85,000 corporate professionals and C-level decision makers.

The Global 100, with its readership of more than 293,000, however, follows a different process to many publishers, using a very specific evaluation process which takes into consideration whether participants were quick, within budget and used ground-breaking or innovative processes.

Paddy Osborn, Academic Dean and Managing Director, says: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as an outstanding provider across so many institutions. It really is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to delivering the best possible trading education and training to our students.”

Elsewhere, LAT also took the “Trading Academy of the Year 2023” at the Prestige Global Excellence Awards for the third time in a row.

In addition, LAT offered 30% Women in Trading scholarships for the fourth year running to help attract more women into this male-dominated industry.

What do people in the UK really think about higher education?

Posted on by John O'Leary

Universities in England have felt generally unloved since the pandemic; criticised by politicians and media alike, first over remote teaching and value for money, and more recently over freedom of speech. In an era of tight public spending constraints, ministers have felt little pressure to loosen the purse strings, even though tuition fees for undergraduates have been frozen for five years and student maintenance loans are set to rise by 2.8 percent at a time of 10 percent inflation.

A new report on public attitudes to higher education suggests that universities may enjoy more support than previously supposed, although perhaps not enough to influence a government that is facing a wave of public sector strikes (including by university lecturers) and gloomy economic forecasts. But the polling, commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and the independent charity UPP, shows more backing for universities than in last year’s initial exercise, and considerably more than in the United States.

The Public First polling organisation, which interviewed almost 2,000 adults last summer, found that 63 percent of those with definite views on the subject believed that universities were heading in broadly the right direction. The findings were effectively reversed in the last equivalent US survey, by the Pew Research Center in 2019, with only 38 percent thinking the country’s universities were taking the right direction and 62 percent feeling they were not.

Nor did the results divide on political lines as much in England as in the USA. There were only two percentage points between Labour and Conservative voters in the positive and negative categories, whereas Republicans and Democrats were 20 percentage points apart. Almost three-quarters of Republicans disapproved of the direction American universities were taking.

There was good news, too, for English universities on the perennially controversial topic of how many higher education students there should be. Ever since Tony Blair’s government set a target of 50 percent participation, there has been a movement, mainly among Conservative voters, to put expansion into reverse. The latest polling found 37 percent were satisfied with the current level of participation and another 17 percent wanted more students, while only 27 percent thought a smaller proportion of the population should go to university.

The findings on research were even more positive, with almost 70 percent agreeing that “university research is one of the best things produced in the UK”. Three-quarters of those polled thought that universities were important to research and innovation, and 57 percent agreed that they were important to the UK economy as a whole. Half of all respondents accepted that even during the current public spending squeeze, research should receive funding from the taxpayer, although more than a third thought a lot of the money spent on it was wasted.

Despite the encouraging overall results, however, English universities will be concerned about negative findings in the “culture wars” sections of the new survey and about the differing perceptions by age group and educational qualifications. One in five thought taking a degree was a “waste of time” and this proportion rose to almost one in three among 18-24 year-olds. Although 75 percent considered collecting a degree an impressive achievement, 58 percent did not think it prepared students for the “real world”.

On freedom of speech, 57 percent believed that it was under “at least some threat” on campus, and these concerns differed little by political persuasion. While 62 percent of Conservatives saw a threat, Liberal Democrat and Labour supporters were only three and four percentage points behind respectively. The findings are significant, considering the succession of ministers, as well as media commentators, who have criticised universities over curriculum changes, trigger warnings and the treatment of individual academics with unpopular views. But the latest polling demonstrates that the critics are far from united on what universities should be doing. While 56 percent said that universities should always defend and promote free speech on campus, even if that offends or upsets some groups of students, only 46 percent thought that universities should completely protect people’s ability to say what they like on campus, even when what they say is offensive to others.

There were also differences of opinion on student funding, with 71 percent of respondents believing that the cost of living and economic pressures would deter people from going to university in the next few years, and 57 percent thinking that the Government should provide additional support to students. Yet only 10 percent placed students among the top three groups they would prioritise for support with the cost of living, compared to 57 percent for those on minimum wage and 47 percent for pensioners.

Richard Brabner, Director of the UPP Foundation, said “These challenging findings around cost of living – and the lack of support from the public to make students a priority group for financial aid – means it is incumbent on all of us working in the higher education sector to continue to make the case for student access and success.”

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the report, however, was the low level of engagement with universities at any level. Three in 10 of those polled were classified as “broadly uninterested”, including 38 percent who had been students themselves. More than half of all respondents thought that society overvalues a degree, although most would still want their own children to go to university.

Nearly half of those interviewed had not interacted with a university in any way over the course of the previous year, whether visiting a campus, having contact with students or staff, or even seeing an academic interviewed on television. Fewer than one in five had been on a campus during the year, a proportion which dropped close to one in 10 for those from the two lowest socio-economic classes. The after-effects of the pandemic may have depressed the figures for in-person visits, but those for other forms of engagement remain surprisingly low.

According to Brabner, these findings encouraged a number of universities to send the report to their governing bodies to debate how they could boost engagement with the public. “The real challenge is how to engage with lower socio-economic groups and make people more aware of the value of universities,” he said. “It is not enough to be able to demonstrate in data that your university is having an economic or social impact if there is no corresponding belief amongst the general public that such an impact exists.”

As in 2021, those taking part in the exercise were divided into seven groups according to their general view of universities, from the 16 percent who see higher education as critical to finding a good job to the 10 percent who support universities primarily for their research – and the similar proportion who see them as an entry ticket to elites. Most displayed similar attitudes to the previous year. The exception was the group labelled as University Pessimists – predominantly Conservative voters who did not experience higher education – who had become “increasingly extreme” since 2021. Two-thirds of them dismissed a university degree as a waste of time, compared to less than half in the last report, and only 6 percent thought universities had a positive effect on the country.

Nick Hillman, Director of HEPI, said: “A sustained advocacy job will need to be done either side of the next general election if more people are to understand the true value of higher education. One of the most dispiriting findings is how many people have only very rarely, or never, knowingly visited – or even apparently engaged passively with – a university. It is clear universities need to do more to welcome people onto campus and to make their activity more visible.”

The polling is intended to become an annual exercise tracking public views of higher education and the value of a degree. Brabner added: “All my conversations with vice-chancellors suggest that they are really interested in these issues and recognise there is a lot of work to be done.”

Universities UK has launched a national conversation on higher education funding, with the fee for home undergraduates worth little more than £6,000 in real terms, compared to the £9,250 originally approved. The Public Attitudes report should provide some ammunition for the campaigners, but also a measure of how far universities have to go to win the support of large sections of the population.

Public Attitudes to Higher Education 2022

This article was from the QS Insights Magazine, Issue 2. Read the full edition.

Berlin School Of Business and Innovation expands to Barcelona

Posted on by Editorial Team

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) is pleased to announce its expansion to Barcelona, in collaboration with its campus partner Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy (CETT) and academic partner, International Telematic University (UNINETTUNO).

As a result of this partnership, BSBI will offer the following programmes which are accredited by UNINETTUNO and taught at CETT`s campus in Barcelona: Global MBA, Masters in Logistics, Masters in Strategic Marketing, and others. Students will be able to enrol in bachelors and masters programmes in Spanish or English.

Located in a vibrant and culturally rich area of Barcelona, the CETT campus is spread over 33,000 square meters and is fully equipped with the latest technology, with auditorium, numerous study and seminar rooms and co-working areas.

Sagi Hartov, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of BSBI, said: “We are thrilled to expand our global degree experience to Barcelona in partnership with CETT and UNINETTUNO. Barcelona is a major international city of culture and education, and we are excited to offer our academic programmes in both English and Spanish. This is a significant milestone for our school, and we are looking forward to building a great partnership with our long-term partner UNINETTUNO and CETT.”

Professor Dr Kyriakos Kouveliotis, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at BSBI, added: “We are excited to establish a BSBI presence in Barcelona, marking another significant milestone
for our institution. This new venture also signifies an opening to LATAM countries, as well as new programmes offered in the Spanish language, covering a diverse didactic spectrum.”

The new BSBI campus in Barcelona is set to welcome students in October 2023, with enrolment beginning in March 2023. This new expansion further reinforces BSBI’s commitment to providing
high-quality business education to students from all over the world.

For more information, please visit: https://www.berlinsbi.com/international-student-guide/living-in-barcelona-spain 

 

The achievements of IPB University alumni in various sectors

Posted on by Editorial Team

IPB University alumni are known for their integrity, innovation, and inspiration. The alumni, who are spread in various fields, play an important role in the nation’s life. Not only at the far reaches of the archipelago but all over the world.

Haidhar Wurjanto’s fight to raise the name Esteh Indonesia is one of the alumni’s achievements in Indonesia. Haidhar rose to prominence at a young age. It began with a modest product idea that many people liked, and it eventually grew into something unique. “Never underestimate your own ideas, even if you think they are too simple,” Haidhar advised.

Esteh Indonesia quickly gained popularity on social media because of its simplicity. With strong integrity, the founder of Esteh Indonesia never gave up, and Haidhar Wurjanto was eventually able to promote Esteh Indonesia to join global markets.

However, Haidhar possesses more than just virality as an advantage. He started thinking about a sustainable business and an effort to adapt, building big dreams in the market until he was able to grow 20 outlets to 100 outlets, 250 outlets, and 800 outlets between 2021 and 2022.

Read more of his story at www.prestigeonline.com/id/40-under-40/haidhar-wurjanto/

In the academic field, IPB University is very proud of the role and achievements of Prof. Anuraga Jayanegara, one of the professors of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at IPB University. His name has just been included in the “Top 2% Scientists in the World” or “2% Most Influential Researchers in the World in 2022” list. There are many criteria that must be met to be included in this ranking. Elsevier BV assesses more than 100 thousand researchers around the world for ranking. So, it really is something to be proud of when this alumnus makes it to the list. Learn more about this alumnus at https://www.detik.com/edu/edutainment/d-6373956/guru-besar-ipb-masuk-daftar-peneliti-paling-berpengaruh-di-dunia.

Putri Ernawati Abidin’s name is now recognized throughout the international community as a result of her production of high-quality sweet potato seeds. Likewise, the sweet potatoes produced are highly competitive, allowing them to enter the international market. The CEO of Reputed Agriculture for Development Stichting and Foundation’s activities and achievements can be found at: https://www.alumniipbpedia.id/post/putri-ernawati-abidin and https://mediaindonesia.com/ekonomi/523118/penggunaan-bibit-unggul-ubi-jalar-agar-tembus-pasar-ekspor.

Dr. Arief Budiono’s brilliance as an academic and researcher is recognized for being able to explain the core of the science of human embryology by studying Koranic explanation. Read Arief Budiono’s outstanding profile and unique ideas on: https://www.alumniipbpedia.id/post/arief-boediono https://edukasi.sindonews.com/read/409710/211/pakar-ipb-university-kaji-penjelasan-alquran-tentang-ilmu-embriologi-manusia-1619453041?showpage=all.

The name Tri Mumpuni remains inspiring. She is the only Indonesian to be included in the list of the 22 most influential Muslim scientists in the world for 2021. She is well-known for her success in promoting community development through the provision of local energy. Her achievements and work can be found at: https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2021/12/20/menerjang-aral-demi-terangi-desa-dari-gelap-gulita-tri-mumpuni-saya-mendapat-kebahagiaan

Sunarso, an IPB University alumnus who specializes in the banking industry, has demonstrated his abilities in the face of difficult global economic situations. Sunarso has produced the finest performance as the Main Director of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BRI, making a net profit while in charge of BRI.

Sunarso has made many achievements as a leader in the banking industry. One of them is the prestigious Best CEO with Distinction award for the Company With More Than 1,000 Employees category at the Indonesia Best CEO 2022 event. Sunarso is recognized for his ability to guide BRI’s growth in the face of tremendous challenges such as technological disruption and the Covid-19 crisis. Check out Sunarso’s achievements and success in protecting the banking sector from the crisis: https://bisnis.tempo.co/read/1660561/bri-borong-penghargaan-sunarso-jadi-ceo-of-the-year also on https://www.inews.id/finance/bisnis/leadership-kuat-bawa-dirut-bri-sunarso-jadi-indonesia-best-ceo-2022 about his journey being named Best of the Best “Marketeer of the Year 2022”. ***

Big leap for Social Policy and Administration in high-profile rankings

Posted on by Editorial Team

The recent release of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 brought some good news for Lingnan faculty and students.

Most noteworthy this time was the advance made by the Social Policy and Administration subject, which jumped up 50 places and is now ranked 3rd in Hong Kong, 7th among institutions in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and 15th in the whole of Asia.

Philosophy has moved up to 2nd in Hong Kong from 3rd the previous year, while also being placed 15th in Asia.

And, thanks to continuous improvements in research work, both Sociology and Economics are now included in the QS subject rankings and recognised as being globally competitive.

These results confirm Lingnan’s unwavering commitment to ensuring quality education and conducting research with policy impact. They also show the value of expanding links with partner institutions in the Greater Bay Area and around the world to promote stimulating academic exchanges and productive collaboration.

Furthermore, they highlight the importance of giving sufficient attention to issues like climate change and shifts in the geopolitical balance, which will shape the lives of untold millions in the decades ahead.

Higher profile and standing

With that in mind, the QS recognition for the Social Policy and Administration subject is especially gratifying.

It shows that efforts made in the classroom, in workshops and seminars, or through organising and speaking at major international conferences, are definitely raising the University’s profile and standing.

The current success in this area is linked to the strengths of four taught postgraduate programmes. Each is designed to give students the skills and knowledge needed to analyse different social policies and how they are implemented. There is also a strong emphasis on critical thinking and an appreciation of real-world practicalities.

Addressing key issues

The Doctor of Policy Studies (DPS) programme, the first of its kind in the Greater China region, was introduced to shed new light on key issues. These include housing, education, social welfare, health care and, increasingly, the wider implications of a rapidly ageing population.

The programme examines current practices and uses experiential learning and field visits, both locally and overseas, to give students an in-depth understanding.

The DPS invites leading scholars and sector experts to lecture on contrasting policy responses to pressing global challenges. The interdisciplinary approach creates opportunities to explore the sociological and economic aspects of labour, children and youth, and poverty issues.

And, therefore, the programme has obvious attraction for professionals building careers in government, with NGOs and think tanks, in public administration, and in the education sector.

In addition, Lingnan offers three master’s degrees, including an MSc in Comparative Public Administration and a Master of Cities and Governance programme. The latter is geared to meeting the ever-changing needs of 21st-century cities and understanding the growing challenges in providing basic services for health and housing, while also dealing with the complexities of climate change, air quality, and sustainability.

Students can opt for a concentration in Environment and Sustainability, which will help to meet the demand for specialists in this area.

 

UMY develops floating rice field technology

Posted on by umy

The Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Community Service Institute (LPM UMY) conducted a joint rice harvest on Wednesday (04/01) at the Green House of the UMY Faculty of Agriculture. The rice harvest this time is different from any other rice harvest events, as in this event LPM UMY presented a demonstration of their floating rice field. Before harvesting rice on UMY’s agricultural land, LPM UMY had conducted community service in Muhuran Village, Kota Bangun District, Kutai Kartanegara and Minta Village, West Kutai, East Kalimantan with this technology.

According to the head of LPM UMY, Dr. Ir. Gatot Supangkat, MP, IPM., ASEAN. Eng. the people of Minta and Muhuran villages often experience crop failures so their paddy and rice production is not optimal. “When we came there, residents complained about crop failure and suboptimal rice production. Residents took advantage of the receding swamp area as rice planting land. However, this land often gets overflowed by the Mahakam river, and as a result the rice is submerged in water, which results in crop failure,” said Gatot.

Gatot also said that the agricultural sector is very vulnerable to climate change, especially rain intensity because it affects cropping patterns, planting time, production, and yield quality. “High and erratic rain intensity results in agricultural land experiencing flooding or waterlogging, therefore an innovative technology is needed to improve our agricultural system. One of the innovations in cultivation technology on flood- and swamp-prone land is by implementing the floating farming system that UMY has developed,” he continued.

He also claims that this technology is very suitable to be applied in the village of Muhuran and Minta village which have areas that are essentially swamps. “This technology is very suitable to be implemented in flood-prone or swamp-prone areas such as in Muhuran village and Minta village. This technology can improve production and income for farmers, because there is an increase in the economic value of the land. Of course, the floating rice farming system is a solution to overcome and optimize the use of flood-prone and swamp-prone land conditions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rector of UMY Prof. Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto MP, IPM., ASEAN. Eng. explained that the technology that has been developed by UMY uses local resources. “The technology we have developed uses 100% local resources. This is also a distinct advantage for the preservation of the technology so that when the service team are finished with their task, the community is still empowered. The locals can source raw materials for making tools and fertilizers from local resources” he said.

Gunawan also revealed that this floating agricultural land utilizes peat land in swamps which often gets overflows from the Mahakam River. He emphasized that peatland has a myriad of benefits for agriculture, but can also have a negative impact on the climate. “What we use as agricultural land here is peat land. Peat is very useful for agriculture. However, if this land is not managed properly, it will have a negative impact for the environment and also the climate,” he explained.

Gunawan further explained that peatlands can store up to 30 percent of the world’s carbon so that it is not released into the atmosphere. If this carbon is released, it will result in climate change and natural disasters. This is also the reason one cannot cultivate peatlands haphazardly.

Gunawan also emphasized that this Project is a part of UMY’s effort of implementing one of the Sustainable Development Goals program to end hunger (Zero Hunger). “With the use of this land as a medium for planting rice, we hope that it will advance the Zero Hunger SDG program,” he continued. Furthermore, LPM UMY will carry out a similar service in the city of Pekalongan, which has the same problem with their rice harvest.

AI-generated drawings: Can it replace human craftsmanship and imagination?

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Artificial intelligence gives people the opportunity to turn “words” into “pictures” and create their art easily and quickly. But will this form of AI reduce and replace human craftsmanship, imagination, and careers? A Chula Engineering professor and an architecture professor share their views.

Presently, Artificial intelligence (AI) allows humans to live more comfortable lives and unlock the potential that constrains many people, such as drawing and creating art, the area in which many consider themselves unskilled and ungifted.

But now, simply by entering words and text, the AI drawing program will convert those words into images as we imagine. It’s easy, convenient, and fast, and you don’t have to be an artist or studied art to create a beautiful piece of work. This type of AI program is widely used both for work and hobbies for fun and relaxation. On the other hand, many questions arise — Will this technology replace artists? How will it affect their work and income? Will human imagination and craftsmanship in the creation of art still be needed? What is the value of art?

In response to this, Assistant Professor Dr. Sukree Sinthupinyo, Chula Engineering lecturer, sees that “AI does not replace human beings, but helps to fulfill them and makes their work faster and do what they want to do (like drawing) better.”

This is in line with Assistant Professor Supawat Hiranathanavivat from the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, who says, “AI helps to transform the image in our head into a clearer image. It is another tool to make the artwork more convenient.”

How does AI draw?

AI creates works by combining raw materials from existing archives, which is similar to the work of the human brain that creates works by building on information in memory and complementing it with imagination.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukree explains the work of AI drawing by citing an example of the popular website Midjourney – a program that creates images from text. “All we do is enter words, text, or text prompt that we want to draw in the image. The AI will then process the results from the existing
data warehouse to create the work that we want.”

Today, both images and word archives in the world are enormous, allowing AI to extract data and use it to create a wide range of different images. Even if we enter the same words and texts, the chances of AI reproducing the same images are very slim.

Meeting every need with AI

According to Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukree, this format of AI focuses on creating images, videos, and animations such as removing the background, make up, converting photos into the cartoon, etc. to help make more appealing and unique pieces of work in the fields of architecture, educational media, marketing, etc.

Nowadays, AI drawing is widely used as a hobby, such as the design of book covers, posters, storyboards for advertising pitches, and create animation features, etc.

Complementing or diminishing the human imagination?

Because AI drawing programs are easy to use, quick to create, and convenient for the general public, many people question whether imagination and artistic skills are still necessary for humans.

“AI does not undermine the imagination. On the contrary, it helps to extend our imagination,” said Professor Supawat. “For example, if we want to draw a low-key image with a small light at night, we may enter the word “twilight”. The AI may create an image with purple light for us to see if we like it without even having to draw the image, and saving us time, while letting us experiment with ideas, and visualizations before we start working.”

Asst. Prof. Supawat added, “AI has no imagination. It works with archives of information.  But humans are endowed with imagination and feelings to create something new. Most importantly, humans are still the ones who have to continue thinking about what to draw or how to do it.”

Replacing or fulfilling human beings?

Many types of work that AI is now doing used to be done by professional artists. So, what will happen to these artists now?

“Technology helps in many ways, like the creation of logos, and posters.  Some people working in this area may feel some impact, but AI won’t be able to replace artists. Art collectors still want the work of artists and not the AI. Though the AI can create wonderful pieces of work, if you ask the owners if they feel possessive of those pieces, or whether they have value for them, I think not.”

From the perspective of an artist like Asst. Prof. Supawat, the value of art is not only in its beauty, but also in the story, creation process, and identity of the creator.

“Unique works of art are mainly derived from the identity, feelings, and inspiration that make up the work, as well as the process of creating it.”

The work of art comes from the power of human beings that Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukree calls the “human touch”, which cannot be found in the work done by AI.

“We have to distinguish between “tools”, and “craftsmanship”, both Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukree and Asst. Prof. Supawat concluded.

“In the art circle, technology is no substitute for human beings. Artists create their work to communicate with society and sell their work for a living. If fewer people buy art, it is not because of AI, but because of economic factors. Those who savor, buy, and collect artists’ work are those who have money and see the value of art to speculate,” said Asst. Prof. Supawat.

The development of artificial intelligence technology continues today. More AI with various potentials and capabilities will help facilitate human beings, said Asst. Prof. Sukree.

“Technology is a tool for self improvement. It creates a career for developers. Now many people are involved in this field, and it’s beneficial for people to start new careers. It’s beneficial for us as a whole.”

Asst. Prof. Supawat added that no matter what role the technology will play, “Life will still belong to human beings. Let us enjoy the technology that brings about changes in life.”

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/97995/