USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights

Republicans in the Wisconsin state senate have approved a regressive plan to strip public-sector and teacher trade unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

The US state's 14 Democratic senators had sought to prevent the move by fleeing the state, leaving the chamber short of the number needed for a vote, but the Republicans used a rarely used procedural move to allow them to vote on the measure in committee instead.

Crowds of protesters from EI's U.S. affiliates, the AFT and NEA, swamped the state capitol in Madison following the vote.

"The whole world is watching," they shouted as police guarded the entrance to the senate chamber. In the senate gallery, spectators shouted "you are cowards" as voting took place.

The plan has prompted weeks of protests in support of public workers and teachers.

The Republican-controlled state assembly is due to take up the legislation on Thursday morning, after which it will go to Republican Governor Scott Walker for signature.

Mr Walker argues the move is needed to help tackle a $3.6bn budget gap over the next two years but the education unions have said it is intended to weaken the power of the unions, which tend to back the Democrats in elections.

The Democrats had called for the Republicans to compromise over public-sector unions' bargaining rights.

But Mr Walker's proposal was approved by a special conference committee after it was stripped of financial measures, meaning that a quorum was no longer needed in the Senate. No Democrats were present to vote against the legislation. Republican Senator Dale Schultz cast the only 'no' vote.

In a statement published on his website, Governor Walker said: "I applaud the legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government."

He added that the state's Democratic senators - who fled to neighbouring Illinois nearly three weeks ago to block a vote - had had plenty of chances to come back to Wisconsin and act.

Democratic senate minority leader, Mark Miller, said the Republicans had shown disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights: "Tonight, 18 senate Republicans conspired to take government away from the people. Tomorrow we will join the people of Wisconsin in taking back their government."

State unions had said they would agree to Mr Walker's proposed changes to their benefits - which would amount to an eight per cent pay cut - as long as they retained collective bargaining rights.

National Education Association President, Dennis Van Roekel, said: “These are actions more fitting for comic book arch-villains. A new crop of state leaders have launched blistering attacks on working families disguised as budget and education reforms, and many have sought to strip workers’ rights to have a voice through their union.”

EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, said: “Educators around the world are behind their U.S. colleagues, and strongly condemn this assault on trade union members’ basic right to collective bargaining.

“Those political leaders who attack education workers with such regressive moves, fail to understand that successful education reform cannot be achieved without the involvement and consent of teachers, education workers and their school communities. EI will make this point, among others, to ensure that the teacher voice is heard at next week’s International Summit on the Teaching Profession in New York, where we will advocate for a strong and respected teaching workforce in all countries.”

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1555&theme=rights&country=usa

Students from USA visit Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh : A team of students of Public Health and Human Rights from different universities of United States of America visited Department of Community Medicine, J. N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University. The students have come under university exchange programme of India-Health and Human Rights, SIT Study Abroad and World Learning of USA. The team will assess the different levels of health care delivery system in India.

Dr. M. Athar Ansari, Chairman of the Department welcomed the students and team members presented a brief introduction of Department of Community Medicine and its role in the community for the advancement of Public Health especially in urban slums and marginalized population. Students visited different OPD of J. N. Medical College, which is a tertiary care health facility. They observed the functioning as well as resources available in the hospital.

Later, an interactive session was organized in the Committee Room of Dean?s Office. Prof. S. Abrar Hasan, Dean Faculty of Medicine welcomed the students and repied their queries regarding academic activities in the college. Prof. M. Ashraf Malik, Principal and Chief Medical Superintendent, JNMC thanked the students and team members for coming to J. N. Medical College Hospital for assessment of health care and discussed future plan of expansion of activities in the hospital like availability of smart card (Health Insurance) for below poverty line (BPL) patients.

The team also visited Z. A. Dental College and had a brief interactive session with Prof. S. H. Hashmi, Principal, Dental College. The visit to Dental College was organized by Dr. S. S. Ahmad, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Azim A. Khan Sherwani, Academic Director, World Learning, USA thanked the Dean, Principals and Chairman, Community Medicine for organizing the visit. The team will also visit Malkhan Singh District Hospital (Secondary Care Level) and Primary/Community Health Centre, Jawan, Rural/Urban Health Training Centres, and ROME Mobile Health Clinic of Department of Community Medicine.

source:http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in/ShowUNI.asp?newsid=7984

Symposium on trends in biochemistry inaugurated at AMU

Aligarh: Inaugurating a National Symposium on 'Current Trends in Biochemical, Biomedical andEnvironmental Sciences' organized by the Department of Biochemistry, Vice Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) said that it is quite appropriate in the present day scenario where interdisciplinary research is the norm and boundaries between various disciplines are getting blurred.

Prof. Azis said that the Department of Biochemistry has produced distinguished scientists and entrepreneurs and these alumni are working in theUnited States. He pointed out that AMU had decided to establish central instrumentation facilities with modern equipment to boost more research activities. 

Prof. Azis emphasized that the university needed biomedical, bio-engineering and environmental sciences departments and urged the faculty members to submit proposals for the same to theUniversity Grants Commission (UGC). 

He hoped that the symposium will promote scientific exchange and also encourage more collaborative and inter-disciplinary research at AMU. 

Organizing Secretary of the symposium Qayyum Husain, in his welcome addresses said that the first batch of M.Sc. Bio Chemistry passed out in 1959. "Since, then 56 students have obtained M.Sc. and more than 200 candidates awarded have gone to developed countries on post-doctoral assignment," he said.

He further added that the research activities of the department have been founded by national and international funding agencies. 

Faculty of Life Sciences Dean Masood Ahmed said that teaching of biochemistry had regained and affirmed the status of a foundation course on medical sciences. Health and disease of living organisms including human beings as well as of ecosystems are empirically assessed by biochemical parameters. 

He said that the product of the department has proved its worth in the developed world including USA, Canada, England, France and Germany and this department is considered as flagship department of this university. 

Prof. Rajiv Bhatt of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) said that AMU is a vibrant campus. He said that Bio Sciences will be leading the future.

Prof. Bilqees Bano, Chairperson of the Department of Biochemistry proposed a vote of thanks and Ms. Maria Salman conducted the inaugural session. A large number of delegates from all parts of the country participated in the deliberations.

source:http://indiaedunews.net/Uttar_Pradesh/Symposium_on_trends_in_biochemistry_inaugurated_at_AMU_13577/

IIT-Kharagpur to accept LSAT scores

In a move which could open the doors for aspiring law students from India and abroad to its campus, IIT-Kharagpur has decided to acceptLaw School Admission Test (LSAT) scores for admission to its 3 year LLB Programme in Intellectual Property Laws.

Disclosing the development, a senior faculty of the IIT's law school said, LSAT-India is administered by Pearson VUE, the global leader in assessments and testing. LSAT-India provides a standard measure of acquired reading and analytical and logical reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants.

LSAT-India is a standardised test designed for admission to Indian law school by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), USA, which also administers the LSAT-global used by leading lawschools worldwide.

This is the first time that IIT Kharagpur has given recognition to LSAT and now it has the unique distinction of being the only law school in any IIT in India.

IIT Kharagpur's Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL) has been set up in collaboration with the George Washington University Law School.

Candidates from India and abroad with LSAT-India or LSAT-global scores are qalso will be eligible to apply for the programme.

source:http://www.indiaedunews.net/Delhi/IIT-Kharagpur_to_accept_LSAT_scores_13526/

US varsities taking holistic view of Asian students' applications

New Delhi: The focus is shifting from the entrance test scores to a holistic assessment of the profiles of Indian and Asian students aspiring to pursue higher education in the US and Canada, officials said on Saturday.

IDP Education India, one of the largest education placement companies in the world, is currently hosting global education fairs showcasing US and Canadian universities across the country for aspiring students.

"The universities are paying attention to other things than just test scores lately to judge aspiring Asian students seeking admission to American universities. They are trying not to penalize the profiles of students if they fail to log high scores in SAT, GMAT and GRE entrance tests," Luna Das, IDP Education's national manager for training and client relationship (North America), said at a press briefing here on Saturday.

Citing a recent instance, she said, "An Indian student who scored 580 in GMAT (Graduate Management Test Examination) applied to studymaster of business administration at the StanfordUniversity.

"Usually, one cannot expect a student with a GMAT score of 580 to make it to Stanford University. But the university took into account the student's exceptional credentials, professional experience, insightful essays, social work and contacts in the industry to decide that his presence would add value to the classroom."

She said the IDP expected to send nearly 250 Indian students to the US in 2011 fall term. The firm partners with 80 US universities and counsels students applying to 200 universities in America.

According to Mirjana Radulovic, international marketing and recruitment specialist at the University of Waterloo in Canada, "more and more universities in North America were adopting a holistic approach to admission than just relying on the entrance test scores".

Her university, which works with the IDP Education, was no exception.

"Many universities in Canada do not require entrance test scores. We assess students on their bachelors programme and high school scores," Radulovic said.

A tentative break-up of GMAT scores for outstation students for the year 2011 and the corresponding ranking of universities shows that non-American aspirants with an average score of 700 and above are eligible for US universities like HarvardUniversity, Stanford University, U-PENN (Wharton), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT-Sloan), Northwestern (Kellogg), Columbia University , Berkeley,University of California, Yale and New York, says Learn Hub, a campus listing group.

A tentative trend of the average Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for 2010-2011 shows that top US universities like the MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Cal Tech, Harvard and Cornell require a aggregate of 1,200 and above.

Pointing out changing trends in technical education, Jeffery W. Grundy, director, office of international students and faculty of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, said: "Students from India were more inclined to newer streams of technology like bio-informatics, bio-medical technology, electrical technology, pharma-tech and communication technology.

"Nearly 99 per cent of Indian students wanted to have work experience in the US," he said.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology has 670 Indian students in its fraternity of 1,250 students.

IDP has a network of 17 offices in 16 cities of India. "We are planning to set more centres in northeastern India and in Ranchi and Patna," a spokesperson said, adding that the "next two years would see at least 30,000 to 32,000 Indian students applying to foreign universities after a period of low following incidents of racial violence". IANS

source:        http://www.indiaedunews.net/Today/US_varsities_taking_holistic_view_of_Asian_students'_applications_13472/

World education rankings: which country does best at reading, maths and science?

The OECD's comprehensive world education ranking report, PISA, is out. Find out how each country compares

• Get the data

• Jessica Shepherd
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 7 December 2010 15.43 GMT
• Article history

World education rankings show how countries do atreading, maths and science. A pupil in a science lesson. Photograph: David Sillitoe/Guardian

The world education rankings from the OECD are out. The UK is slipping down in maths, reading and science, and has been overtaken by Poland and Norway, this major study of 65 countries reveals today.

Around 470,000 15-year-olds across the world sat a numeracy, literacy and science test last year, the results of which inform the latest Pisa study by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

PISA rankings within OECD. Illustration: Paul Scruton for the Guardian

The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) is highly respected across the globe, and enables politicians and policy-makers to assess how different country's education systems compare.

It shows the UK's reputation as one of the world's best for education is at risk, and has tumbled several places since 2006.

The UK is ranked 25th for reading, 28th for maths and 16th for science. In 2006, when 57 countries were included in the study, it was placed 17th, 24th and 14th respectively. Poland has stretched ahead of the UK in maths, while Norway is now ranked higher in reading and maths.

Andreas Shleicher, head of the Pisa programme, said the picture for the UK was "stagnant at best". "Many other countries have seen quite significant improvement," he added.

source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/dec/07/world-education-rankings-maths-science-reading

Geology, a career for outdoor enthusiasts!

Geology is gaining popularity in line with the growth in the demand for fossil fuel and discovery of new reserves.
Fast Facts
Best Schools: Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jadavpur University, University of Madras, Ranchi University.
Qualification: BSc, MSc in Geology
What you become: Marine geologist, Petrologist, Mineralogist, Geohydrologist, Hydrologist, Paleontologist, Seismologist
Recruiters: Geological Survey of India, Central Ground Water Board, ONGC, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mineral Exploration Authority, Indian Space Research Organisation
How do mountains rise? How are rocks created and destroyed? These questions can be answered if we study Geology, a field-oriented, scientific discipline, which investigates the properties of the earth, its substances, shapes, processes and history. Geology is a multi-disciplinary subject, which includes study of minerals (mineralogy), rocks (petrology), the structure of the Earth (structural geology), volcanic phenomena (volcanology), landforms and the processes that produce them (geomorphology and glaciology), study of fossils (paleontology), the development of sedimentary strata (stratigraphy) and the evolution of planetary bodies and their satellites (astrogeology).
By studying the history, composition, changes that occur on the earth, geologists foresee how events, processes of the past influence the future, says Prof. Mallickrarjun Joshi, Professor, Department of Geology, Benaras Hindu University (BHU). A geology class all starts with rocks and minerals, which are not just stones but stories. For instance, the knowledge on the age of the rock would help a student of geology to identify the type of mineral. The study of rocks, minerals, mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, rivers, glaciers, landslides and floods fall into this broad field.
What a geologist does
A geologist’s job involves two main functions: Exploration and Research. Exploration: Involves detailed identification of structures (mountains, rivers, rocks), investigation of the resources of a region (drilling into the ground to locate water, mineral, energy resources), predict future geologic hazards like earthquakes, floods, landslide.
Research: Compiles the data into a geological map, which shows the distribution and relationship of the properties. It is supplemented by laboratory investigation, where a geologist uses microscopic, electronic equipment and computing techniques to analyse samples collected from the field. After the analysis (which includes calculations) a geologist prepares a report.
A geologist’s work significantly includes - field activity, office-based data processing, report writing and project planning. The scope of the job depends on the work area of the company or organization, you work for. For instance, Pranjal who works as a Geologist with ONGC’s Oil Exploratory Division in Gujarat monitors the oil wells to locate how much oil can be extracted for developing process.
According to Soma Sengupta, Senior Advisor (Geology) at Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, majority of the geologists working in the petroleum and oil industries are involved in both exploratory and laboratory work. “Working in the field may mean spending long hours outdoors, doing exploration, surveying and production,” she said.
Entering the field
To kickstart your career as a geologist you must have completed an MSc in Geology. Most universities across the country offer a Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhDs in Geology. You must have completed 10+2 in Science to enrol for a BSc in Geology.
“A Master’s degree is enough for any entry-level positions. But an advanced degree like PhD will help you enter colleges to teach,” says Joshi.
BSc
A BSc focuses on the basic concepts of Petroleum Geology, Marine Geology etc.
MSc
It comprises both pure and applied geology, which focuses on the advanced learning of the fields. It builds upon the foundation laid during a BSc, by building a strong theoretical and practical framework. Writing a dissertation is one of the general requirements. According to Amit Sarma who works in the petroleum industry as a geologist in Noida, the theory learnt during his MSc helped him to put concepts into practice.
Further specialisation
After MSc, one can also opt for MSc (Tech)/MTech for specialisation in Geotechnical and Geo-environmental engineering etc., which are parts of Civil Engineering field. In order to be eligible, one must have a GATE score.
An added advantage for these students is that all institutes offer scholarships of at least Rs. 8,000 per month with a contingency fund of Rs. 10,000 per annum. Due to the increase in the demand of oil and natural gas and also because of new findings of reserves, the most recent trend spotted in many colleges is the rush towards taking up MSc Petroleum Geology/MTech Petroleum Exploration.
Qualities required for the job
* Ability to visualise
* Good scientific/technical skills
* Audacious as an explorer
* Physical fitness
* Ability to interpret statistical and graphical information
* Attention to detail
* Report-writing skills
Field trips
Since geology is related to environment, a large portion is taught outdoors. So, field work becomes an integral part of all degree programmes. It may include collection of geologic data, constructing a measured section, interpreting geologic structures and geologic mapping.
Geology and the environment
Geologists have an important role in preserving and keeping the environment clean as they assess natural disasters and its effects. Their activities include - monitoring waste disposal sites, preserving water supplies and minimising the threat to communities at risk from geologic hazards like earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and tsunamis. Geological maps are important inputs for the generation of hazard maps. It helps the mitigation team to engage in disaster management in an efficient manner.
Geology meets engineering Geologists play an inevitable role in engineering projects. The meeting point of engineers and geologist is in the irrigation, nuclear power and communication projects like bridges, tunnels, roads etc. Every civil engineer has to get well-equipped with geology. According to Dr K.S Rao, Professor, IIT, Delhi, there is a wide application of geological principles in the areas like Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental, Hydraulics, Structure and Transportation Engineering. Prior to any building construction, an engineer has to determine the properties of soil. “To determine the stability of the structure, the engineers work closely with geologists to identify the type of bedrock at building sites,” he stressed.
Opportunities galore
Geology prepares you to be part of varied areas, right from resource management and environmental protection to mineral and oil exploration.
They can specialise in innumerable fields. A geologist can work in engineering and consulting firms, government agencies, mining companies, petroleum companies, museums. The UPSC conducts exams for placement in GSI, Central Ground Water Board etc. They also have an option to take up IAS/Forestry Service. PSUs like ONGC, Hindustan Zinc Ltd conducts All India Entrance exam for hiring Geologists.
With an advanced degree, a geologist will qualify for supervisory/ research/ teaching positions through NET in Universities or institutes.
Demand for geologists often mirror the price of geological commodities such as fuels, metals and construction materials. As rise in international oil price directly relates to Geology. The oil companies become more viable for exploration and this creates a major demand for Geologists in the market.
Kinds of geologists
Marine Geologist
Studies marine environment. With the help of remote sensing they locate old rocks and vegetations and effects on sea and atmosphere.
Petrologist
Conducts explorations for new oil and gas fields both the onshore and offshore activity. All types of survey like geophysical and seismic surveys are carried out before drilling.
Mineralogist
Identifies useful mineral in rocks and sea beds. It’s mostly work in the underground.
Geohydrologist
Locates and assesses sources of water and also find threats which can pollute the water.
Hydrologist
Studies underground sources of water and all related parameters to it like infiltration and pollution threats.
Paleontologist
Works with fossils (dead remain of creatures and plants). They estimate their age and try to find how the earth was at that time and what lead to their deaths.
Seismologist
Works with movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, which causes earthquakes.
Surveyor
Collects data about land and sea and maintain a database and keep monitoring the changes in data with past and present values.
They hire geologists
* Geological Survey of India (GSI)
* Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
* Directorate of Geology and Mining (DGM)
* Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)
* Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
* Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
* National Geophysical Institute (NGRI)
* Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun
* Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Public Sector Undertakings * Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC)
* National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC)
* National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
* Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC)
* National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)
* State Mining Corporation (SMC)
* National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)
* NALCO
* Hindustan Zinc Limited
* Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
* Theri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC)
* Mineral Exploration Authority Private sector companies
* Broken Hill
* Rio Tinot
* De Beers
* Cairn Energy
* Reliance Energy
* Shell
* Service providers - Schlumberger, HLS
Money talk
Government jobs (GSI, CGWB) offers you a decent living style, while public sector (ONGC, HPCL, IOC ) offers handsome salary with good perks and better working conditions.
In both the private and public sector, a fresher with an MSc in Geology can expect a salary between Rs. 25,000-38,000. It will vary also based on the location of your work (metropolitan cities, areas prone to harsh weather conditions etc).
Opportunities abroad Besides the USA, Australia, Canada, the need for geologists is rising in developing countries. Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan require geologists for civil works such as the construction of highways, airports, dams, pipelines etc. “The Middle East, the goldmine for oil, is a paradise for geologists,” says Amit.
The flipside As a field geologist you may be placed in situations that will test you in every possible way. Be prepared to work in remote terrains and travel widely as project requirements dictate. There are instances when you might get dehydrated or injured, and most of the time you are not close to the city where you can get aid. Also, working in vulnerable areas (earthquake, flood prone) could be dangerous if he/she is not prepared for it. A geologist has to cope with potential problems which may occur during the construction of tunnels, dams and other gigantic projects. In the tunnels, inaccessibility to proper ventilation, radio connections, traffic lights would lead to accidents.
Filling the jobs in offshore oil fields is proving to be a major challenge. There are several reasons for reluctance: Not many people are willing to live in the middle of the ocean on an oil rig, extremes of temperature - either extremely cold (most deep ocean oil rigs) or extremely hot, sometimes both. If all these pitfalls do not scare you too much, then the field becons you with open arms.

source : http://in.education.yahoo.com/news/yeducareers360/geology-career-outdoor-enthusiasts-20110131