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Year: 2024

Bridging Academia and Industry in the UAE with Work-Integrated Learning

Posted on by Editorial Team

In recent years, technology drastically changed how we live, work, and learn. Professionals no longer need to live close to their jobs: remote work reduces their commute. Learning is now easier than before too, thanks to better online access and flexible schedules.

But, these changes haven’t been all positive. Employers, academic institutions, and students, all face challenges in keeping up as technology continues to advance. They must all work together to ensure they remain relevant amid the challenges ahead. Work-integrated learning (WIL) can help.

Work-Integrated Learning

Around the world, employer surveys often cite a lack of skills among graduates as a reason for labor market challenges in hiring. WIL is one way to narrow this gap between employer requirements and graduates’ attributes. After all, employers are expected to provide some level of training for new employees anyway. But the experiential nature of WIL allows university students to blend real-world work experience during their studies. WIL opportunities require a partnership involving three participants:

(1) a host organization (an employer);

(2) an academic institution; and

(3) a student.

These three all collaborate to enhance the student’s profile in several areas and cultivate a talent pipeline for the market.

Why WIL is relevant to the UAE

As part of its National Strategy of 2030, the UAE aims to promote education and human capital. The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) helps to deliver on this aim through its mission to support Emirati and Arab youth development and employability under its Education 360 pillar. The Foundation also promotes experiential learning pathways—i.e. WIL—under this pillar.

Supporting WIL through partnerships

“Work-integrated learning is a benefit to the student and the employer. Real-world work experiences that support both academic outcomes and boost employment prospects is a win for everyone,” said AGF’s CEO, Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar.

In carrying out its Education 360 activities, the Foundation partnered with the global leader in WIL: The University of Waterloo. Together they are exploring how WIL can improve UAE graduates’ labor market outcomes.

They started in 2022 with a Work-Integrated Learning Readiness Assessment. Multiple stakeholders including government agencies, students, employers, and universities all reported enthusiasm for WIL as a method to enhance work readiness among youth in the UAE. In addition, they found that the existing environment is a strength for developing WIL opportunities.

Carolyn Lee, Educational Developer at Work Learning Institute, University of Waterloo, highlights WIL’s importance when launching the assessment by saying, “Work Integrated Learning is a very effective strategy for post-secondary institutions to provide opportunities for students to explore different sectors, different employers and different job types before they graduate. This way students are better able to integrate into the labour market after graduation.”

This outcome paper summarizes key findings and recommendations emerging from the first phase. Phase 1 gauged the feasibility of WIL models within UAE-based institutions.

Follow us for our updates on our pilot with UAE universities and how students are finding new ways to learn, earn, and find pathways to better work opportunities with industry partners.

The future of Turing

Posted on by John O'Leary

Most students and universities in the UK opposed their government’s decision to leave the European Union’s Erasmus+ exchange programme and had little confidence that its successor, named after World War II code breaker Alan Turing, would be an acceptable replacement. There are still plenty of doubts about the way the new scheme operates, but it has been far from the disaster that many predicted.

Unlike Erasmus+, the Turing Scheme offers study destinations beyond the EU, but it is not a classic exchange scheme designed to bring similar numbers to the UK. Some universities have negotiated their own exchange agreements, but the government’s priority was to increase the outbound flow of students, which has always lagged behind the equivalent in most developed countries.

In its first year, in 2021-2, Turing missed its target of 35,000 placements. With the Covid pandemic yet to end, however, 20,000 was not a bad outcome – still more than the 16,000 British students who used Erasmus+ in its record year. Most of the places were taken by university students, but the scheme also caters for further education colleges and schools.

In the current year, numbers are up to 41,000 studying or working in 160 different destinations, with applications twice oversubscribed. Half of the top 10 locations are outside the EU, with the United States, India and Canada among the leading group, although France and Spain hosted the largest numbers overall.

It is the backgrounds of the participants that has pleased the architects of the scheme most. Ministers prioritised the recruitment of more students from disadvantaged groups, and almost 60 percent of the latest cohort come from such families. No equivalent figure was published for Erasmus+, but the proportion is generally accepted to have been lower.

Robert Halfon, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, says the scheme is “a real game-changer for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, empowering them with transformative opportunities abroad, a chance to experience other cultures and learn vital skills for life and work”.

“It showcases our positive ambition post-Brexit, fostering a global outlook for more students who deserve every chance to thrive,” he adds.

Professor Sir Steve Smith, the Government’s International Education Champion and former vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter, says he has been pleasantly surprised by the level of demand from both students and institutions. “I think the Turing Scheme has been a lot more successful than many people expected,” he says. “In particular, the number of participants coming from disadvantaged groups has been really encouraging – significantly higher than under Erasmus. Going abroad to study can be genuinely life-enhancing for them.”

A government-commissioned evaluation found that more than half of higher education providers who had previously participated in Erasmus+ had increased the number of international placements offered through the Turing Scheme. But the scheme continues to face criticism over the way it operates and the level of funding for students. It was already compared unfavourably with its predecessor for excluding staff and failing to encourage inward mobility.

The evaluation, which covered the first year of the scheme, found that 79 percent of universities considered the application process unnecessarily complex and the six-week window for applications too short. Even after efforts were made to streamline the process, only 11 percent thought there was any real improvement. Some students were forced to withdraw from the scheme because places were confirmed too late, while others failed to receive funding until after their return. Turing provides funding for travel costs for disadvantaged students and pays for visas, passports and related travel insurance, but many still found that this did not cover all their costs.

The Turing Scheme has a budget of £110 million and is guaranteed until 2024-5. The mean duration of overseas placements, in the latest analysis, was 109 days for higher education students, 26 days in further education and seven days for schools.

Its future is uncertain, dependent on whichever party wins this year’s general election. Labour has said the lack of funding to cover tuition fees undermines the government’s stated commitment to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, while the Liberal Democrats have described the Turing Scheme as “woefully inadequate”.

The House of Lords European Affairs Committee has called for the UK to rejoin Erasmus+ if a reciprocal element is not added to the Turing Scheme. Lord Hague, a former Conservative leader, said a “two-way flow [of students] is extremely important”.

Read more articles like this from QS Insights Magazine, Issue 16.

Lingnan’s President chairs digital panel at QS China Summit

Posted on by Editorial Team

The QS China Summit 2024 held in Shanghai on April 17-18 saw Professor S. Joe Qin, President of Lingnan University, chair a special session examining ways in which digital innovation is reshaping the world of higher education.

The high-profile participants in this Presidential Panel Discussion focused on the foreseeable impact of new technology like generative AI on course content and teaching.

More broadly though, they also considered how universities can help China become a global leader in an era when digital developments are driving rapid change in so many different spheres.

The invited panellists included Professor Zhang Dongxiao, Provost and Executive Vice President of the Eastern Institute of Technology in Ningbo and Professor Lyu Peiming, Executive Vice President of Tongji University in Shanghai.

Joining them on stage was Ms Alice Wei Wei, senior consultant for QS Quacquarelli Symonds, as well as Professor Chen Zhi, President and Chair Professor at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai.

In addressing the given theme of “Fostering Distinction in Chinese Higher Education through Digital Innovation”, each of the speakers highlighted both challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and made it clear that, like it or not, every person on campus must be prepared for a period of significant transformation over the next few years.

In his preliminary remarks, Professor Qin outlined how Lingnan had been a pioneer in Hong Kong in terms of digital uptake since his appointment in 2023, for instance, the university has already made ChatGPT freely available for all students, faculty members and administrators – and expects them to make full use of its advantages.

In addition, as from the 2024/25 academic year, a core course on generative AI will be part of the curriculum for all first-year undergraduates. It will teach fundamental concepts and practical skills, while also dealing with ethical considerations, so that students can benefit from positives the technology offers and know to avoid the negatives.

Prof Joe Qin noted that such moves reflect Lingnan’s whole-person approach to higher education and, importantly, will give students and graduates the kind of skills needed to excel in their chosen careers.

“Digitalisation is really revolutionising our cognitive tasks,” he said. “And with the adoption of generative AI tools at university level, it feels like China is helping students to learn faster and in more individualised ways.”

These advances will have major implications not just for higher education, but also for the pace of economic development in South China’s Greater Bay Area and beyond. In short, many of today’s standard practices are set to be transformed by new possibilities.

To illustrate this, the panellists drew on their own experiences to show how AI adoption is changing the curriculum for sciences and humanities and why student skill sets must evolve, without sacrificing essentials like critical analysis and good writing.

Indeed, a recent QS survey found that problem solving and creativity are increasingly viewed as key workplace skills. AI will devise solutions but must be guided by human ingenuity.

Please click here for the detailed write-up.

Republican scientific and practical conference with international participation at Children’s City Clinical Hospital

Posted on by Asfendiyarov National Medical University

In Almaty, at the Children’s City Clinical Hospital No. 2, the two-day (April 18-19) Republican scientific and practical conference with international participation “Barlybaev Readings” completed its work today. Dedicated to the 135th anniversary KazNMU and the 100th anniversary of the outstanding pediatrician, scientist, one of the founders of the national pediatric school and science of Kazakhstan Nina Barlybaeva.

It should be noted that the conference was held to support the scientific interest of practical healthcare doctors in the health problems of the children’s population. Pediatricians, pediatric anesthesiologists and resuscitators, and pediatric cardiologists took part in it.

The main scientific directions of the conference covered clinical aspects of childhood pathology; rare diseases in pediatric practice; socially significant diseases in pediatric practice; vaccine prevention in pediatrics; medical rehabilitation in pediatric practice; nutrition of a healthy and sick child; emergency conditions in pediatrics and pediatric surgery.

As part of the conference, a master class was held with the participation of the director of the National Children’s Specialized Hospital ” Okhmatdit ” of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, pediatric resuscitator, professor Vladimir Zhovnir on the topic “Heart rhythm disorders in children – according to ECG.”

The organizers of the conference were Children’s City Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Almaty, the School of Pediatrics and the Department of Childhood Diseases named after Professor Barlybaeva of the KazNMU. As the organizers noted, the conference will be annual and will become a traditional platform for the exchange of experience and innovative technologies in pediatrics between leading experts, young scientists and practicing physicians.

Kyiv Polytechnic team soars to first place in international cybersecurity competition

Posted on by Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute

With rating points of 49,000, the dcua team of the Technical Information Security educational and research laboratory at Ukraine’s Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) took first place in the Space Heroes CTF competition. Led by Mykola Ilyin, an Associate Professor at the KPI Department of Information Security, who serves as both the head of the laboratory and the team’s coach, dcua comprises 10 adept members.

Space Heroes CTF was hosted by the Florida Institute of Technology in conjunction with Hack Space Con 2024, a cybersecurity conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A total of 614 teams from around the globe entered the competition, which unfolded in mid April.

During this annual online cybersecurity competition, challenges included all levels of difficulty, ranging from beginner to expert, for pwn, re, crypto, web, and forensics. This year’s event also included prizes for the top in-person competitors, as the organizers held it in coordination with Hack Space Con 2024.

More information:

https://ctftime.org/event/2254/

3 FISIP study programs at Universitas AIrlangga gain FIBAA international accreditation

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga has achieved another commendable milestone. Three study programs from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UNAIR have officially attained international recognition. The Sociology, Political Science, and Anthropology programs have gained international accreditation by FIBAA.

FIBAA, Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation, is an international accreditation body that ensures the quality of education according to the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) criteria. FIBAA has globally recognized assessment standards, making it prestigious.

Accreditation process

The accreditation journey with FIBAA for these three programs has been quite extensive. Numerous stages and adjustments were carried out by the teams at FISIP UNAIR. Collaboration has involved all academics in the programs, including students and alumni.

Kalimah Wasis, S.IP., M.Sc., the FIBAA Accreditation Manager for the Political Science study program, explained efforts were made to conduct a workload study survey among students to ensure FIBAA standards are met. It is aimed to measure the students’ study loads.

Furthermore, a tracer study of alumni experiences during their studies was conducted, along with surveys involving stakeholders and alumni who are now employed.

“Students were involved in the preparation for FIBAA accreditation. Student assessments are crucial in this accreditation,” she explained.

After submitting curriculum documents, Semester Learning Plan (RPS) documents, Self Evaluation Report (SER), appendices, and other supporting documents, the next stage involved the three departments undergoing accreditation visits by FIBAA assessors and report evaluations.

Commitment to quality

One of the lecturers in the Department of Sociology, Ratna Azis Prasetyo, S.Sos., M.Sosio, explained that the main supporting factor for the success of FIBAA accreditation is the collective determination and commitment to improvement. Commitment to educational quality through national and international accreditation is crucial.

“So far, the Sociology national accreditation has been excellent, supplemented by previous accreditation by the international Accreditation Service for International Schools (ASIC). With FIBAA’s accreditation, it will undoubtedly strengthen the study program’s position both nationally and internationally,” she elaborated.

On the other hand, the Head of the Anthropology Department, Pudjio Santoso, Drs., M.Sosio, is highly optimistic that this FIBAA accreditation will give a positive impression. “The Anthropology program at FISIP UNAIR is the only anthropology study program in Indonesia specializing in socio-cultural and physical anthropology. That’s what impresses them (the FIBAA assessors),” he stated.

With this achievement, the three study programs remain committed to enhancing quality and welcome feedback from various stakeholders, including students and alumni.

The study program managements extend gratitude to all those who have assisted in the accreditation process. Without such assistance, the international accreditation process would not have proceeded smoothly.

Grant-based education at top foreign universities: New horizons for entrants, students of Satbayev University

Posted on by Satbayev University

In 2024, about two hundred students and teachers of Satbayev University will have the opportunity to study and work at top universities in the world: Pennsylvania State University, USA, Songyungwan University, South Korea, Glasgow University, Great Britain, as well as in CIS countries and neighboring countries. The signing of Memorandum of strategic partnership with CityU in Hong Kong also allows National Research Technical University to train bachelors and doctoral students, exchange personnel and conduct research with one of the best universities in the world.

“Satbayev University and CityU are preparing the younger generation for society evolvement of their countries and the whole world. We are proud to cooperate with the oldest technical university in Kazakhstan,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of CityU Board.

Mr. Lester Huang noted that after several months of fruitful dialogue and preparation for launching the double-degree programs, universities are ready to start their implementation.

During working meetings at CityU, the working groups including Rectors and Vice-rectors of universities, departments’ and laboratories’ heads worked out in detail further steps to organize a joint educational process in artificial intelligence, materials science, construction spheres and implementing the scientific projects.

“We are interested in close cooperation. The joint work of our students, undergraduates and doctoral students will ensure not only the exchange of knowledge, but also intercultural interaction,” says Professor Freddy Boy, President of CityU HK.

Satbayev University’s Rector Meiram Begentayev, and CityU President Freddy Boy, signed documents that make it possible to open joint degree programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Satbayev University’s Rector Meiram Begentayev noted: “From this moment on, a new era in the development of Polytech begins, which we open with the partnership agreement in the field of science and higher engineering education with one of the best universities in the world.”

Satbayev University delegation also got acquainted with the activities of CityU laboratories. Kazakh scientists have agreed with the heads of the best of them to conduct joint scientific research.

The project is being implemented with the support of Minister of RK Science and Higher Education Sayassat Nurbek. The signed memoranda were witnessed by Lester Huang and Mr. Almas Seytakynov, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in SAR Hong Kong and Macao.

Satbayev University is actively working in the academic mobility field – in 2023-2024, the range of international partners of University was expanded at the expense of the USA, Hong Kong, Britain, South Korea and other countries’ universities.

Pesticides as “Medicine”, Investigating Pesticide Use Among Farmers by USU Student

Posted on by Fotarisman Zaluchu

The escalating use of pesticides has become a cause for concern. In just the past decade, pesticide usage has surpassed previous levels, raising significant alarm due to its impacts not only on the environment but also on farmers, with further implications extending to consumers. Clearly, this situation is quite worrisome.

Novi Fitriani Nazara, a student of the Social Anthropology Department at Universitas Sumatera Utara, conducted research to delve into pesticide usage in one of the largest agricultural areas in North Sumatra. “Indonesia’s position is alarming as it ranks among the top five countries in the world in terms of pesticide usage,” stated Novi, the researcher. “This is based on data from the FAO in 2024. However, we acknowledge that the actual data may be much larger”.

After conducting research for four months in the Karo Regency using a live-experienced approach, Novi elucidated, “I found that pesticide usage is intertwined with local perceptions. Farmers express that pesticides are their only option. They are facing changing climates, and they do not want to fail in their harvests. “Ironically even though they are aware of the health impacts of pesticides, they overlook them. They view pesticides as medicine for their plants, similar to how humans need treatment when they are sick.”

The research supervisor, Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, revealed that this study employs a structural violence approach. By utilizing the concept of structural violence, we reflect on the vulnerable position of farmers exposed to pesticides, while they are far from accessing health empowerment. This research demonstrates that farmers do not receive adequate protection to prevent continuous exposure to pesticides. “Thus, the use of pesticides by farmers is a long-standing consequence of human-nonhuman relations, leading to dependency effects. This cannot be severed as the government plays a limited role in protecting farmers, instead allowing these incidents to persist.”

Novi presented her research findings in a seminar organized by the Social Anthropology Department at the end of April 2024. It is hoped that this research will produce a policy brief that will benefit stakeholders.

Breakthrough Rice Bran Nanoparticles Show Promise as Affordable, Targeted Anticancer Agent

Posted on by Tokyo University of Science

Plant-derived nanoparticles have demonstrated significant anticancer effects. Researchers from Japan recently developed rice bran-derived nanoparticles (rbNPs) that efficiently suppressed cell proliferation and induced programmed cell death of only cancer cells. Furthermore, rbNPs successfully suppressed the growth of tumors in mice having aggressive adenocarcinoma in their peritoneal cavity, without any adverse effects. Given their low production costs and high efficacy, rbNPs hold great promise for developing affordable and safe anticancer agents.

Several types of conventional cancer therapies, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, destroy healthy cells along with cancer cells. In advanced stages of cancer, tissue loss from treatments can be substantial and even fatal. Cutting-edge cancer therapies that employ nanoparticles can specifically target cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue. Recent studies have demonstrated that plant-derived nanoparticles (pdNPs) that have therapeutic effects can be an effective alternative to traditional cancer treatments. However, no pdNPs have been approved as anticancer therapeutic agents till date.

Rice bran is a byproduct generated during rice refining process that has limited utility and low commercial value. However, it contains several compounds with anticancer properties, such as γ-oryzanol and γ-tocotrienol. To explore these therapeutic properties of rice bran, a team of researchers led by Professor Makiya Nishikawa from Tokyo University of Science (TUS) in Japan developed nanoparticles from rice bran and tested their effectiveness in mice models. Their study, published in Volume 22 of Journal of Nanobiotechnology on 16 March 2024, was co-authored by Dr. Daisuke Sasaki, Ms. Hinako Suzuki, Associate Professor Kosuke Kusamori, and Assistant Professor Shoko Itakura from TUS.

“In recent years, an increasing number of new drug modalities are being developed. At the same time, development costs associated with novel therapies have increased dramatically, contributing to the burden of medical expenses. To address this issue, we used rice bran, an industrial waste with anticancer properties, to develop nanoparticles,” explains Prof. Nishikawa.

The study evaluated the anticancer effects of rice bran-derived nanoparticles (rbNPs), which were obtained by processing and purifying a suspension of Koshihikari rice bran in water. When a cancer cell line named colon26 was treated with rbNPs, cell division was arrested and programmed cell death was induced, indicating strong anticancer effects of the nanoparticles. The observed anticancer activity of rbNPs can be attributed to γ-tocotrienol and γ-oryzanol, that are easily taken up by cancer cells resulting in cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. Additionally, rbNPs reduced the expression of proteins, such as β-catenin (a protein associated with Wnt signaling pathway involved in cell proliferation) and cyclin D1, which are known to promote cancer recurrence and metastases. Moreover, the rbNPs reduced the expression of β-catenin only in colon26 cells without affecting the non-cancerous cells.

“A key concern in the context of pdNPs is their low pharmacological activity compared to pharmaceutical drugs. However, rbNPs exhibited higher anticancer activity than DOXIL®, a liposomal pharmaceutical formulation of doxorubicin. Additionally, doxorubicin is cytotoxic to both cancer cells and non-cancerous cells, whereas rbNPs are specifically cytotoxic to cancer cells, suggesting that rbNPs are safer than doxorubicin,” highlights Prof. Nishikawa.

To confirm the anticancer properties of rbNPs in the living body, the researchers injected rbNPs into mice having aggressive adenocarcinoma in their peritoneal cavity (enclosed by the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and pelvis and houses organs like intestines, liver, and kidneys). They observed significant suppression of tumor growth with no adverse effects on the mice. Additionally, the rbNPs significantly inhibited metastatic growth of murine melanoma B16-BL6 cells in a lung metastasis mouse model.

Rice bran has several attributes that make it an excellent source of therapeutic pdNPs. Firstly, it is economic as compared to many other sources of pdNPs. Nearly 40% of the rice bran is discarded in Japan, providing a readily available source of raw material. Secondly, the preparation efficiency of rbNPs is higher than that of previously reported pdNPs. Besides being practical and safe as an anticancer therapeutic, the physicochemical properties of rbNPs are very stable. However, a few parameters, such as establishment of separation technologies at the pharmaceutical level, assessing production process control parameters, and evaluation of efficacy and safety in human cancer cell lines and xenograft animal models, must be investigated prior to clinical trials in humans.

In conclusion, rice bran, an agricultural waste product, is a source of therapeutic pdNPs that are affordable, effective, and safe, and has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment in the future.

“By establishing a manufacturing method for rice bran nanoparticles with stable quality and confirming their safety and effectiveness, we can develop drugs for cancer treatment that are sustainable, eco-friendly, and affordable. Consequently, we may be able to help more cancer patients maintain good physical and mental health after treatment,” concludes Prof. Nishikawa.

Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Singapore’s Republic Polytechnic Sign MOU for Student and Staff Exchange Program

Posted on by John Clewley

The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) at Chulalongkorn University and the Republic Polytechnic, School of Technology for the Arts (RP), Singapore signed an MOU on 27 March 2024 to collaborate in order to facilitate country, cultural, cognitive, social and emotional engagements amongst youths via staff-students exchange programs. FAA Dean Professor Dr Kumkom Pornprasit and Dr Terence Chong, Diector, International Relations, RP signed the document at a ceremony at FAA.

The exchange programme refers to Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange Programme 2024-2025 (or TF SCALE X), which extended an invitation to FAA to work on what is referred to as a “structured immersion programme”.

The MOU between the two educational institutes states that each party will select 20 student leaders and supervisory lecturers to be part of the exchange programme. The TF SCALE X programme includes, FAA, Universitas Islam Bandung (UNISBA), Bandung, Indonesia, University of Social Scinces nd Humanities (USSH) and RP.

For the agreement between FAA and RP, both institutions will exchange teams of 20 students leaders and supervisory lecturers for a two-week structured programme in September 2024. The programme runs for 18 months from the date of signing.

The programme was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been reactivated. The RP campus news site, The Republican Post, noted in a quote by RP’s International Relations Director Dr Terence Chong that each intake is different, “It never ceases to amaze me. Every time is different but I can feel the love,” he said in October 2022.

One participant in the last group meeting in Singapore for the four participating institutions explained why she joined the programme. “We volunteered to participate in this programme because it seemed like a great opportunity to go overseas and learn about the cultures in other countries.”