Latest news with #NFS
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
The U.S. Could Lose a Crucial Futuristic Telescope to Spain if Trump's Budget Passes
Spain has offered to spend up to €400 million ($471 million) to host the Thirty Meter Telescope, an enormous observatory project facing imminent cancellation due to U.S. budget constraints. If Spain strikes a deal, the TMT would be built on La Palma in the Canary Islands rather than on Mauna Kea, a mountain in Hawaii. In 2016, La Palma became the backup location for the observatory in case the primary site in Hawaii didn't work out as an option, according to the TMT International Observatory. Now more than ever, it looks like that may be the case. President Donald Trump's Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal for the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is funding the TMT's development, would reduce the agency's budget by nearly 60%. To make ends meet, the NFS has opted to halt progress on the TMT and instead prioritize development of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) project in Chile. Now that U.S. investment in the TMT has been thrown into question, Spain is chomping at the bit to take over the project. On July 23, Diana Morant, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities in Spain, announced that the Spanish government is willing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to move construction of the telescope to La Palma. 'Spain wants and can be the home of the future of astronomy and astrophysics,' Morant said, according to a statement translated from Spanish. 'We have the capacity and the political will to do so.' The TMT would bring significant scientific value to Spain. With its nearly 100-foot-wide (30-meter-wide) light-collecting mirror, this optical telescope would be one of the largest in the world. It's one of three huge ground-based telescopes currently in development, including the GMT and the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Spain already contributes to the ELT—the largest of the three telescopes. Once complete, these huge observatories will allow astronomers to study the cosmos with extremely high resolution. In response to Morant's announcement, the TMT International Observatory said there has not been a final decision about the telescope's future at its primary site in Hawaii. Whether Trump's budget proposal actually passes will likely be the deciding factor, and there's reason to believe that it won't. Congress has shown signs that it would broadly resist NSF budget cuts, according to Inside Higher Ed. Still, the project faced significant hurdles long before Trump's second term, largely due to mounting federal pressure on the NSF to cut costs by pursuing one major telescope project instead of two. The TMT has also been mired in controversy due to the fact that its primary construction site is located on a sacred Hawaiian mountain. In 2019, thousands of protestors gathered on the Mauna Kea Access Road to halt construction of the telescope, according to the Honolulu Civil Beat. TMT developers chose this site for its exceptionally dark, light pollution-free skies, making it a premier vantage point from which to observe the cosmos. There are already 13 astronomical observatories seated atop this mountain. La Palma isn't as advantageous. The Spanish site sits at a significantly lower altitude than Mauna Kea, which means the telescope would have to peer through more layers of the atmosphere. This would lower the quality of observations, according to Nature News. If the U.S. moves forward with the proposed NSF budget, that may be a sacrifice worth making. Spain certainly seems to think so. 'Faced with the risk of paralyzing this major international scientific project, the Spanish government has decided to act with a redoubled commitment to science and major scientific infrastructures for the benefit of global knowledge,' Morant said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Not found suitable: Reality of Dalit, Adivasi and OBCs in Indian universities
Various bodies governing academic institutions have established systems to ensure transparency and accountability in recruitment, promotions, and related academic activities. The teaching experience, papers published in refereed journals, research projects, and other accomplishments are the blueprints on which academic careers are built. All these 'academic' activities are not value-neutral and must be read through a socio-political prism. Often, the media highlights caste-based discrimination during recruitments/promotions. Still, nothing changes. Last week, while responding to a question from Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, the Centre informed the RS that 80 per cent of the posts sanctioned in central universities for professors under the OBC category and nearly 83 per cent in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category are currently vacant. However, there is no centralised data on 'not found suitable' (NFS). It was recently reported that the University of Delhi snubbed a scientist belonging to the SC community as NFS to be promoted as professor. Similar instances could also be found during direct recruitments for reserved positions. The Registrar of Rajasthan Central University, in a notification dated May 29, provided a list of selected candidates for teaching positions. More than 50 per cent of positions were declared 'NFS' — 11 among them belong to SC/ST/OBC and EWS (two positions) categories at various levels. The data provided fails to mention the number of women candidates from these communities who have been declared NFS. The data compiled on higher education reveals that increasing numbers of SC/ST and OBC candidates are accessing higher education institutions. So, it is not the lack of 'qualified' and eligible candidates that keeps these seats vacant. According to German philosopher Jürgen Habermas, universities carry the seeds of the reproduction of social life-worlds and hence, constant vigilance is required to unleash its transformative potential. Similarly, sociologist Pierre Bourdieu emphasised that education plays a key role in maintaining the status quo , thereby perpetuating existing social inequalities. This is apparent in the deeply hierarchical Indian society. In public institutions, due to constitutional provisions, reservation has become mandatory, but a line needs to be drawn when it comes to teaching appointments/promotions. Only through promotions will the candidates from the marginalised communities be able to become associate professors, professors, deans and heads of the departments. This is the only way to ensure their active participation in decision-making bodies. However, 'casteplaining' prevalent in academia doesn't let this happen. Recently, Bangalore University was in the news as Dalit faculty alleged that despite having served in administrative roles for several years, alongside their teaching responsibilities, they are being 'sidelined' in appointments to statutory positions and are being given only 'supervisory' roles without adequate authority or recognition. Academia involves not only the attainment of relevant knowledge but also the grasping of soft skills such as mannerisms, clothing, diction, etc. This cultural capital, or the lack of it, becomes difficult to navigate during the selection process. Women candidates lose out if their speech or body language is seen as aggressive. Such candidates seem to disturb the equanimity of the department. I was part of an interview panel to select assistant professors for a private university. A Dalit woman candidate had a good grasp of the subject matter but lacked a polished English accent. The head of the panel observed that she would not be able to 'manage' the class as her speaking skills were limited. The class had students from management and commerce backgrounds from affluent families. Hence, even after recruitment, many were asked to perform more administrative duties than classroom teaching. Another bone of contention during the selection process is the quality of publications, which are subjective in nature. The publishing field is an exclusive zone, and very few students have the wherewithal to publish in 'reputed'/'impact factor' journals. Support of the research supervisor/mentors/peer group is vital in getting published, as one needs the right academic network to get labelled a good scholar. For the past few years, UGC has published the Care List of journals, and only those publications have been given weightage. Many journals that dealt with caste, gender, marginality, exclusion, etc., were removed from the list. Often, dubious and predatory journals had a higher 'impact factor' than scholarly ones such as the Economic and Political Weekly. Many were forced to pay to get the required scores. Even after the applications are screened by a duly constituted committee, the interview panel can refuse to recognise the publications commenting on their quality, language and content. What has seldom been acknowledged in the recruitment process are the ideological affiliations of the institutions/candidates. This is also a major reason for candidates being declared NFS. In the majority of the selection committees, experts constitute a small pool, belonging to the dominant communities, while exercising their caste and gender privileges. In DU colleges, the same set of experts is called to conduct the interviews, which raises questions of impartiality and fairness of the selection process. In DU and JNU, many teachers who protested against the institution were denied promotions for many years, citing flimsy reasons. The situation in regional and state universities is even worse. Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson succinctly observed that when an 'accident of birth' aligns with what is most valued in a given caste system — being able-bodied, male, white, or other such traits — it becomes their moral duty to develop empathy for those who must endure the indignities they have been spared. It calls for a radical kind of empathy. This implies that as a society, we need to relearn a new consciousness, to understand another's experience from their perspective, not as we imagine. Only through such engagements can we rebuild institutions based on equality and fraternity, and the objective of social justice be attained. The writer is professor in Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi. He is the author of Caste Discrimination and Exclusion in Indian Universities: A Critical Reflection (Routledge)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SP will set up ‘pathshalas' in villageswhere govt has shut schools: Akhilesh
1 2 Lucknow: Accusing the BJP govt of attacking the education system by shutting basic and primary schools in villages, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said his party would set up 'PDA Pathshalas' in such villages. "When SP is voted to form the govt, these schools will be re-opened with better facilities," he said. The announcement came amid reports that the govt has over shut 26,000 and merged another 5000 schools – mostly in rural areas. "Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, we told the people how BJP was conspiring to change the Constitution of India. People voted against them and the BJP could not get the numbers to do so. Now they have started taking steps to weaken the Constitution by shutting schools and depriving the poor of their right to education enshrined in the Constitution," Akhilesh said. "With schools being closed, poor children from PDA families will be deprived of education," he said, talking to the media in Kannauj. Akhilesh called upon party functionaries to rope in retired teachers and educated youth to impart education to children in villages where schools have been closed by the govt. "I urge the retired teachers and educated youths to set up 'PDA Pathshalas' in such villages and impart education to poor children. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo We will not let poor children be deprived of education," he said. Akhilesh assured people of his constituency that pathbreaking development projects would be launched in the region after the SP forms govt. "The BJP govt has neglected development projects across the state and particularly in parliamentary constituencies of the opposition leaders," he said. "SP govt had set up a medical college in Kannauj, apart from a host of projects like cow milk plant, perfume park and kisan mandis but the BJP govt stalled these projects halfway through. Had the BJP govt got the medical college operational, it would have provided specialised healthcare to people. The govt did not complete these projects apparently because they were started by the SP govt," Akhilesh said. 'Will defeat BJP in Bihar polls' Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the opposition will defeat BJP in Bihar polls. Responding to a media query. Akhilesh's comment comes close on the heels of RLD's Tejashwi Yadav saying that the way BJP was manipulating the electoral rolls in Bihar, the opposition may decide to boycott the said the BJP was looking for ways to deny people their right to reservation. "The BJP has coined a new word– NFS (Not Found Suitable) - to deny reservation to the people," he said. This was in apparent reference to appointments in various institutions where candidates were rejected after being termed as 'NFS'. SP alleged that these were mostly candidates from the PDA community.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pradhan hits back at congress on OBC claims, cites Modi govt's record on reservation
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan (File photo) NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday accused Congress of spreading 'lies' over the issue of OBC representation and alleging that the party has historically opposed reservations for marginalised communities. 'The Congress party has become bankrupt — its leaders, its policies, and its rhetoric,' Pradhan said, countering Rahul Gandhi's claim that the Modi government has neglected the OBCs. Pradhan cited data from central universities to argue that the NDA government has strengthened inclusiveness in higher education by increasing sanctioned posts from 16,217 in 2014 to 18,951 in 2025 and reducing vacancies from 37% to 25.8%. Over 8,150 SC, ST, and OBC faculty members have been appointed in recent years, he said, adding that the Congress had failed to act on this front during its tenure. Hitting at Congress leaders across generations, Pradhan said: 'From Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress has opposed reservations. Rajiv Gandhi opposed the Mandal Commission on 11 points, and Nehru even wrote to chief ministers against reservation.' The senior BJP leader also accused the Congress of misusing the 'Not Found Suitable' clause to block reserved category appointments. 'I challenge Rahul Gandhi to a debate inside or outside Parliament. Let him explain how many reserved posts were converted under 'NFS' during Congress rule and how many after 2019,' Pradhan said. Referring to the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Act, 2019, Pradhan said that for the first time, a law ensured reservation for SC, ST, and OBCs in all faculty positions. 'This is not tokenism. This is justice in action,' he said. Calling Congress 'anti-OBC and anti-social justice', Pradhan said its criticism is rooted in discomfort over an OBC leading the country for the past 11 years.
New Paper
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
FairPrice Group Food rescue initiative to have 60 distribution points
More vegetables and fruits will be shared with lower-income families and the elderly as FairPrice Group plans to expands its food rescue initiative to 60 distribution points by end-2025. The Neighbourhood Food Share (NFS) programme gives away vegetables and fruits that cannot be sold in supermarkets due to defects in their appearance but are not spoilt. It started in September 2023 with 15 distribution points and now has 51, providing more than two tonnes of fruits and vegetables a month. Since its launch, it has distributed close to 30 tonnes of fresh produce, and serves more than 25,000 beneficiaries a year. Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee said on July 23 that initiatives like this NFS are important because resources in Singapore are scarce. These programmes can only run because of the unspoken social compact in Singapore, where everyone is prepared to work together, he said at an event in Boon Lay to announce the expansion of NFS. For NFS, FairPrice Group leverages on its networks and supermarkets to provide good produce, on-the-ground groups work to publicise the events to those in need, and volunteers collect items and set up the distribution points, Mr Lee said. "We think about ways to work together to benefit society and people, and many of us are prepared to step forward and volunteer," he added. Other groups in Singapore that work towards reducing food wastage include Food from the Heart and The Food Bank Singapore, both of which collect unsold or excess food to be distributed to the public. FairPrice Group, which turns 52 in 2025, works with the People's Association and on-the-ground groups like social service agencies to connect disadvantaged residents or lower-income families with distribution events. They conduct outreach to ensure these families know when free produce is being given out nearby. In 2023, the National Environment Agency found that Singapore disposed of more than 755,000 tonnes of food waste, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. A portion of this waste is attributed to food nearing its expiry date or being deemed visually unappealing, even if it is still edible, the agency said. Madam Alice Lim, 89, was among more than 200 seniors who collected fresh produce at the July 23 event in Boon Lay. FairPrice Group has a distribution point near her home which gives out fruits and vegetables weekly. More than 1,400 families in Boon Lay benefit from the initiative. Madam Lim has lived in Boon Lay for 15 years. After her husband's death in 2020, she found it hard to leave her flat correct and would only walk nearby in the estate. "I am glad there is something like this near me. I don't like wasting food, so at least these things are going to us and not a dustbin," she said.
