The Rock, a youth project dedicated to supporting young people in Cheltenham, has been awarded a £41,000 grant to expand its services. The funding, provided by a consortium of local organizations including Cheltenham Borough Homes, NHS Gloucestershire, and the Gloucestershire Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), will enable The Rock to reach more young people who may be struggling with school, mental health, or social isolation. The Rock’s approach focuses on providing support both within youth centers and in the community. Their outreach workers engage with young people in parks, public spaces, and other locations where they gather. Victoria Atherstone, Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet member for safety and communities, said The Rock had “a fantastic application” for the grant. “[The council] recognised we did need to focus more on detached youth work to meet young people in the environments they’re actually at,” she said. “The town centre, St Paul’s and St Peter’s are three specific areas we’re honing in on to support young people.” The project has already made a positive impact by offering a range of services, including mobile sports activities and health and wellbeing advice. By providing opportunities for social interaction and personal development, The Rock is…
Shuttleworth, a renowned heritage attraction, has launched SENsing Shuttleworth, a new initiative dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This innovative project aims to make the attraction more accessible by integrating sensory resources into all school visits. By providing hands-on exploration opportunities, Shuttleworth seeks to create more meaningful learning experiences for young people with SEND and sensory processing differences. For visitors with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities, the focus will shift from traditional historical learning to sensory engagement. This includes using sensory lights to illuminate objects and creating sensory stories that utilize the acoustics and unique atmosphere of the collection. Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, Learning Coordinator at Shuttleworth, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are excited to launch SENsing Shuttleworth and improve our SEND offering. Our goal is to make Shuttleworth an accessible and appealing cultural space for all audiences.” Shuttleworth offers educational visits for all school levels, providing access to a collection of vintage aircraft, vehicles, machinery, and the historic Swiss Garden. The project is supported by a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which will be used to develop workshops, sensory resources, and collaborate with local SEND school…
Bournemouth University (BU) has successfully completed the SUNRISE project, a collaborative initiative with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) funded by the British Council’s UK-Malaysia Going Global Partnerships Grant for Student Mobility. The SUNRISE project aimed to build capacity for sustainability research and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a series of events and workshops, the project facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration between researchers from both universities. Key activities of the project included joint research seminars, student research conferences, capacity building workshops, and training on diversity and inclusion in research. By fostering collaboration and sharing expertise, the project has contributed to the development of innovative solutions to global sustainability challenges. The SUNRISE project has had a significant impact on both universities, strengthening academic partnerships and creating a culture of sustainability research.
The World Bank, established in 1944, is a vital international financial institution dedicated to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable economic development. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the World Bank comprises two main institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries, enabling them to implement projects that foster economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance social services. By leveraging its extensive network and resources, the institution aims to create a more equitable world where all individuals have access to opportunities that can improve their quality of life. The World Bank’s mission is to eradicate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. Over the decades, the institution has evolved significantly, adapting its strategies to meet the changing needs of its member countries. It operates on the principle of collective action, bringing together governments, civil society, and the private sector to address complex development challenges.
Edinburgh College recently hosted delegates from Sunyani Technical University (STU) in Ghana as part of a collaborative project funded by the British Council’s Going Global Programme. The visit aimed to strengthen the partnership and further develop entrepreneurial skills among STU students and staff. Through a series of face-to-face and online training sessions, Edinburgh College lecturers are sharing their expertise in entrepreneurship, enabling STU to embed entrepreneurial thinking into its curriculum. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to pursue start-up and self-employment opportunities. During their visit to Edinburgh, STU delegates explored the state-of-the-art facilities at Granton Campus, including the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Training Centre, Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS), and various vocational training facilities. They also engaged in discussions with Edinburgh College staff to learn about innovative teaching methods and student support services. Shona Pettigrew, Director of Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange at Edinburgh College, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to welcome our partners from Sunyani Technical University to our campus. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to fostering global learning and empowering students to become future entrepreneurs.” Juanita Ahia Quarcoo, CBT Coordinator for Sunyani Technical University, highlighted the benefits…
Seddon, a leading UK construction company, has officially commenced construction on a £8.6m expansion project for The Orchards Nursery, Cherry Tree Primary School, and Green Fold Special School in Farnworth. The project aims to increase the schools’ combined capacity from 140 to 185 pupils, addressing the growing demand for special school places in Bolton. Two new extensions will be built, along with internal remodeling to create eight additional classrooms and upgrade existing facilities. The improvements will also include enhanced outdoor spaces, a new multi-use games area, and upgraded hygiene suites to meet the specific needs of students with autism, severe learning difficulties (SLD), and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Katie Hague, executive head of The Orchards Federation, said: “This is an exciting project which will further enhance our oversubscribed outstanding provision. Green Fold continues to be the special school of choice for many families and we are delighted that we will be able to welcome more pupils to flourish with us. Seddon is committed to supporting the local economy and has pledged to spend £2.25 million with local suppliers throughout the project. The construction is expected to be completed by April 2026, with careful planning to minimize disruption to…
The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network (CNMI SBDC) at the Northern Marianas College, in partnership with the Commonwealth Women’s Association (CWA), recently awarded certificates to participants who successfully completed the 2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort 4. This year’s program, designed to foster a focused learning environment, limited enrollment to the first 30 registrants. All participants who attended all four sessions received certificates of completion. The four-day training series covered a range of essential topics for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Sessions included: The program fostered active participation, with sessions often extending to accommodate participant questions. Fatima Celis, Vice President of locally-owned Rice to Meat You, a catering business that prepares and delivers pre-packaged platters and food plates, shared her praises on the sessions presented by First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam and CEDA, “For small businesses looking to expand, it was very helpful for us to find this type of training where we could come to one place to hear from banks on what small businesses need to know about the loan process and what we also need to do if we want to improve our financials to receive that approval.” Frank Celis, President and Co-owner of Rice…
CIL Management Consultants, a leading growth strategy consulting firm, has proudly become a certified B Corporation™. This recognition reflects CIL’s dedication to making a positive impact on society and the environment, and reinforces its commitment to responsible governance and transparency as part of the global B Corp community. Founded in 1986, CIL is a dedicated strategy consulting firm that partners with management teams and investors to identify and prioritize growth opportunities across diverse sectors. Driven by its core values of excellence, integrity, and supportiveness, CIL offers a dynamic and engaging work environment for both clients and employees. B Corp certification is a global standard for sustainable business, awarded to companies that meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards. It signifies a company’s commitment to using its business as a force for good, considering all stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment. Certified companies must publicly disclose their performance against the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous assessment tool that measures a company’s social and environmental impact. B Corps must also legally commit to considering all stakeholders in their decision-making processes. Achieving B Corp certification demonstrates a company’s dedication to sustainability and ethical business practices, providing a competitive advantage and…
UNESCO is partnering with the Government of the Maldives to review the Maldives’ Information and Communication Technology in Education Master Plan 2 for 2021-2024 and develop a new national digital learning policy. The Maldives, a small island nation, faces significant challenges and opportunities in its digital transformation and climate crisis. The review process involved over 1,360 teachers, 79 schools, and 50 stakeholders from various government institutions, schools, universities, and companies. The review aims to assess the outcomes of the Master Plan, identify key priorities, and synthesize lessons learned for the design of the next version. Dr Abdul Latheef Mohamed Minister of State for Education, Government of the Maldives, said: “We can link our current initiatives and the ongoing transformation in the digital era. Taking into consideration the digital innovations, we have to make the necessary changes in the new master plan.” UNESCO Programme Specialist Jian Xi Teng presented an overview of the review process, highlighting the key educational issues that technology should address. He emphasized the need for a learner-centered approach that engages all stakeholders and focuses on lifelong learning. Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of State for Education, recognized that “one of the main areas [for the Maldives] is digitalization…
Hetal Vyas, a veteran project management professional with over 30 years of experience, is proud to announce the release of his new book, Project Management Power Play: Your Guide to Delivering on Time, Every Time, now available on Amazon in several languages. This comprehensive guide offers practical project management training for professionals at the beginner and intermediate levels. “I am very excited to release the latest edition of my project management master class,” said Vyas. “Project Management Power Play is the guide I wish I had when starting my career. It covers everything a project manager needs to know at every level and applies to virtually every industry.” Throughout his distinguished career in the manufacturing industry, Hetal Vyas has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead complex projects successfully. Vyas received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Michigan State University in 1990, where he further specialized in supply chain management and strategic leadership. He was an active member of The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), the Aerospace Club, and Hindu YUVA, experiences that helped shape his multidisciplinary approach to project management. In addition to his expertise in the field, Vyas is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals. He regularly…
