Latest news with #ECAT
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
BSEK puts off automated paper checking
The results of the 2025 annual matric examinations will be declared by July 31, said the chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), Ghulam Hussain Soho, on Friday. However, he added that in case of any unforeseen technical or administrative delay, results will be announced in the first week of August. Speaking to The Express Tribune, the BSEK chief said that nearly 180,000 students appeared in this year's matric exams, making result preparation a logistical challenge. To address concerns of transparency and efficiency, he said that both manual checking and Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) systems will be used for assessment this year. Soho clarified that the previous software system, found to be both expensive and lacking transparency, has been scrapped after a review of its contract. A new, cost-effective system is being planned to streamline the process without compromising quality. The chairman further stated that OMR sheets will be used for compiling award lists this year, while from next year, all Class X exams and selected Class IX papers will be conducted using the OMR system to enhance transparency and expedite result processing. The goal is to complete result preparation within one month in the future. Chairman Soho also disclosed plans to revamp the existing mark-sheet, citing deficiencies in its design and quality. The BSEK will study mark-sheets from national and international educational boards to introduce a redesigned document that will feature improvements in weight, font size, colour scheme, security features, and overall design aesthetics, he added. The redesigned mark-sheet is expected to be introduced from next year to ensure both durability and protection against forgery. The chairman said that the BSEK is moving towards full digitisation of its services. An online portal is being developed, through which students will be able to easily access their personal data, forms, roll number slips, and examination results. He added that efforts are underway to automate all board operations. Chairman Soho revealed that the BSEK plans to make 70% of matric exam questions multiple-choice based in the coming years. This change aims to align students with the format of competitive entry tests such as ECAT and MCAT, enabling them to adjust to the testing pattern earlier and reducing reliance on expensive entry test preparation academies. This initiative, aimed at relieving financial pressure on parents and psychological stress on students, will be implemented after necessary approvals from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). The BSEK has also decided to raise the passing marks to 40% from the upcoming academic year to improve academic standards and motivate students to work harder. Chairman Soho affirmed that all these reforms are part of the BSEK's broader strategy to modernise examination systems and enhance transparency in line with contemporary educational standards.
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust's (ECAT) Certified Results of 2025 Annual Meeting Announced
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock Advisors, LLC ('BlackRock') announced today the final certified voting results of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the 'Annual Meeting') of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT) (the 'Fund'). All ten of ECAT's unanimously Board approved Nominees standing for re-election, Cynthia L. Egan, Lorenzo A. Flores, Stayce D. Harris, Catherine A. Lynch, R. Glenn Hubbard, W. Carl Kester, John M. Perlowski, Robert Fairbairn, J. Phillip Holloman and Arthur P. Steinmetz, will continue to serve on the Board. Shareholders also rejected a shareholder proposal to terminate BlackRock as investment adviser of the Fund. 'We thank shareholders for their ongoing support for ECAT's Board and management team. We are proud of our track record of strong performance and consistent distributions, and we are committed as ever to keep delivering for all shareholders and helping them achieve their long-term financial goals,' said R. Glenn Hubbard, Chair of the Board of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What pays $75-90K? This open role at Erie Center for Arts & Technology
The Erie Center for Arts and Technology is looking for a new executive director. The nonprofit, which offers adult career training programs and after-school arts classes at no cost to Erie County residents, announced on both its website and Facebook page that it is seeking "a visionary leader with a passion for transforming lives through creativity, opportunity, and community empowerment." A full job posting/description can be found at ECAT's website, where interested candidates can also submit an application online. ECAT announced via Facebook on June 2 that its most recent executive director, Kate Neubert-Lechner, has "moved on to new opportunities." Neubert-Lechner recently announced on LinkedIn that she is starting a new position as the Erie-based regional manager for Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Previous coverage: Building trades program at Erie Center for Arts & Technology gets $1 million boost From Walmart to future nurse: ECAT helps Erie woman begin health-care career According to the ECAT job posting, the position pays between $75,000 and $90,000 annually with benefits. Qualifications for the job include, but are not limited to: A Bachelor's degree in a related field such as non-profit management, business administration, finance and/or accounting. A Master's degree in non-profit management, public administration, or business administration is preferred The ability to secure/pass FBI and state police background checks and state Department of Public Welfare child abuse clearances At least five years of public sector and/or nonprofit experience; executive leadership is preferred Experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational management Demonstrated experience leading an organization through change/growing an organization A hands-on approach to problem solving Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and public speaking/writing skills Experience with budgeting, financial planning, analysis and oversight and an ability to communicate complex financial information to stakeholders Exceptional organizational & time management skills ECAT was created in 2021. Its first executive director was Daria Devlin, the current Erie School Board member and director of social impact at Hamot Health Foundation who won the Democratic nomination for Erie mayor in the May 20 municipal primary. Voting breakdown: How Daria Devlin captured Erie's Democratic mayoral primary Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why the Erie Center for Arts and Technology is seeking a new director
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ISS Recommends ECAT Shareholders Vote to Support Nine out of Ten Board Nominees and Against Saba's Termination Proposal
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock Advisors LLC ('BlackRock') announced today that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ('ISS'), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, recommended that shareholders of BlackRock ESG Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT) (the 'Fund') vote on the WHITE card FOR nine out of ten of the incumbent Board nominees and AGAINST the proposal put forth by a dissident shareholder to terminate BlackRock as investment adviser ahead of the Fund's annual meeting on June 26, 2025. In making its recommendation, ISS rejected the dissident's full slate of eight nominees. ISS joins Glass Lewis, which recommended in favor of all incumbent nominees and against the proposal put forth by the dissident. Important statements by ISS in issuing its voting recommendations include 1: 'The dissident has not presented a compelling case for change.' 'It would therefore appear that the board's actions have had a positive impact on the discount since the 2024 AGM.' '…it is important to recognize that ECAT outperforms both peer groups from inception to present.' As previously announced, Glass Lewis recommended shareholders vote on the WHITE proxy card FOR all of the Board nominees and AGAINST the termination proposal, and that they do NOT vote on the dissident's gold proxy card. VOTE FOR ALL BOARD NOMINEES AND AGAINST TERMINATION ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY Only your latest dated proxy will count at the meeting. Please do NOT send back any proxy card other than the one you receive from BlackRock as this will cancel your prior vote for the Board nominees. If you have already sent back a gold proxy card, you can still change your vote by: (1) using the website provided on the WHITE proxy card; (2) calling the toll-free number provided on the WHITE proxy card; or (3) promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card. Any of these actions will replace the proxy card you previously completed. If you have any questions about the nominees or proposal(s) to be voted on, please call Georgeson LLC, the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies, toll free at (866) 441-6128. The Fund's letters, proxy statement and proxy card for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 26, 2025 are available at More information about ECAT may be found here:
The Journal
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish embassies contact passport holders in Israel and Iran as evacuation plans considered
LAST UPDATE | 40 mins ago IRISH EMBASSIES IN Iran and Israel have been in touch with Irish passport holders residing in both countries as it considers evacuation plans following the escalation between the two countries. Iran and Israel have been arch-foes for decades but are now actively attacking each other after Israel launched attacks on Iran on Friday. According to figures released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office yesterday, a total of 24 people have been killed in Israel since the first Iranian shots fired in response to the Israeli strikes on Friday. Iran's health ministry reported at least 224 people killed and more than 1,200 wounded in Israeli attacks in the same time frame. It is understood that as of today, there are no plans for the Irish government to launch a rescue of Irish citizens currently residing in either country, nor are there plans to sent an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT) to either country. An ECAT would be comprised of an Army Ranger Wing Team and diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is also understood that there is a scoping exercise ongoing between Ireland and a number of other European countries to assess the situation. Meeting with EU Foreign Ministers This morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran and EU efforts 'to de-escalate the situation'. Harris, who attended the emergency conference by video link, confirmed the number of Irish citizens known to be in either country. Speaking to media this morning, Harris said that he will 'call for a de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' at the meeting and for 'the European Union to stand ready to assist in any way that it possibly can'. 'There has to be a focus on how we can evacuate our citizens, including Irish citizens, who want to leave Iran and want to leave Israel,' he said. Advertisement 'This morning, I spoke with our ambassador in Tel Aviv and our ambassador in Iran to get an update on the number of Irish citizens seeking assistance. 'We now have around 30 people registered in Iran as Irish citizens – many of them are long-term residents in Iran – and in Israel we have around 200 people on our citizens' register there. 'I think it's so important that Europe today considers how we can much better co-ordinate in terms of how we get our citizens out of Israel and out of Iran if and when it's safe to do or if and when routes become available.' Citizens of Poland and Austria assemble at a hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel, for evacuation amid heavy strikes on Israel by Iran. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Yesterday, several Irish MEPs slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for publicly supporting Israel and placing blame on Iran in the escalating Middle East conflict, accusing her of acting without the consensus or mandate of EU member states. In a statement on Sunday evening, following a call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen claimed that Iran 'is the main source of regional instability' in the Middle East and implied that the nation was at fault for the ongoing conflict with Israel. In the statement following her call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen pointed to the UN nuclear watchdog's finding earlier in the week that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations. 'In this context, I underlined that Israel has the right to defend itself,' she said. 'Europe has always been clear: Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon. There is an urgent need for a negotiated solution,' she said. Harris said earlier that Irish embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are in 'close contact' with Irish citizens on the ground. 'Any Irish citizens in the region are advised to remain in close contact with their nearest Embassy, to be vigilant, and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place. We continue to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens.' Additional reporting by Niall O'Connor and Lauren Boland Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
