Latest news with #ScienceandTechnology
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos tells agencies to speed up aid to flood victims
President Ferdinand Marcos said he has instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the safety of the people amid the floods in Metro Manila and several other provinces, and to deliver assistance to flood victims quickly. "I gave the instructions for them to work and coordinate to ensure that all our kababayans are out of harm's way, and that the relief goods are ready to be delivered," Marcos said in Filipino in a video message posted by the Presidential Communications Office. He was referring to the Office of Civil Defense, and the Departments of Transportation, Health, Science and Technology, Social Welfare and Development, Energy, Public Works and Highways and Interior and Local Government. Marcos is currently in the United States for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. He said medical teams should also be present during the distribution of relief goods. He added there should also be an unhampered supply of water and electricity. Marcos appleaed to the public to heed the instructions of authorities as rains continue to batter Metro Manila and nearby provinces. "The government is here to provide the services needed by our people," he said. Earlier, Malacanang said it approved the recommendation of the Department of Interior and Local Government to suspend classes and government work in Metro Manila, and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Occidental Mindoro. In Memorandum Circular No. 89, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the class and work suspension in the said areas was also "Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council relative to the continuous heavy rainfall." "However, agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions despite the declaration of work suspension," Bersamin added. The rains are mostly brought by the Southwest Monsoon or habagat, as even Severe Tropical Storm Crising, which is already out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, also dampened the country this week.—LDF, GMA Intregrated News
The Mainichi
10 hours ago
- Science
- The Mainichi
Japanese students' English skills improving, but targets unmet
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Over half of Japanese public junior and senior high school students met official English proficiency milestones, but further progress is needed to reach the government's more ambitious targets, a recent education ministry survey showed. As generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, rapidly evolves, the country's education authorities are looking to utilize the technology as an educational tool to improve the English skills of students and help them develop into "global human resources." The government has set targets based on the Eiken Test in Practical English Proficiency, a widely used exam in Japan backed by the ministry that assesses the skills of examinees on an eight-level scale, with Grade 1 being the highest. The government's fiscal 2027 goal is for over 60 percent of students to attain English proficiency equivalent to Grade 3 or above upon completing junior high school, and Grade Pre-2 or higher by the end of senior high school. Those who reached Grade 3 are expected to be able to understand and use English related to everyday topics. Those with Grade Pre-2 can participate in general aspects of daily life using English. As of December, 52.4 percent of final-year junior high school students and 51.6 percent of senior high school students were judged to have met the targets, according to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Among them, 27.8 percent of junior high school students actually passed the test, while another 24.5 percent were confirmed to have met targets set by their teachers. For senior high school students, the figures were 31.8 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively. For junior high school students by prefecture and major city, Saitama had the highest passing rate at 89.2 percent, followed by Fukui Prefecture at 79.8 percent, Fukuoka at 65.9 percent and Yokohama at 65.4 percent. As for English teachers who have passed Grade Pre-1 -- a level roughly equivalent to intermediate university English -- or higher, 46.2 percent of junior high and 82.2 percent of senior high school teachers met the target, the ministry said. In the 2024 English Proficiency Index released by EF Education First, a Swiss company that operates language schools worldwide, Japan ranked 92nd out of 116 non-native-speaking nations and regions, below South Korea, Vietnam and China.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Rs793m corruption scam unearthed at Quaid-e-Awam varsity
A huge financial scandal has been unearthed at Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), where a whopping Rs793 million, allocated for educational development projects, has allegedly been embezzled. On the formal complaint of a university employee, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered a case and arrested the varsity's deputy director finance, Qamaruddin Sheikh, during a raid on the campus. FIA officials confirmed that key financial records were also taken into custody during the operation. While speaking to The Express Tribune, FIA Deputy Director Afroz Kalhoro, who led the operation on Friday, confirmed the arrest, saying that raids were continuing to arrest other suspects involved in the massive financial scandal. The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Shahnawaz Chandio, an employee of the university, who accused senior members of the university administration of embezzling development funds released by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). According to FIA officials, the HEC had disbursed Rs793 million for the upgradation of the Software Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and other academic departments. However, the money was allegedly siphoned off by the university officials, sources claimed. The arrested finance director was produced before a judicial magistrate, who remanded him in FIA custody for four days for further interrogation. Documents obtained during the investigation reveal that the university's purchase committee had procured 52 air-conditioners, 200 computers, and 39 printers under the HEC-funded projects. However, FIA officials said that glaring irregularities were found in the procurement process, raising suspicions of large-scale corruption. Apart from Sheikh, several other senior officials of the university, including Nadeem Soomro, Deputy Director, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology; Prof Pradeep Kumar, Chairman, Software Engineering Department; Prof Adnan Arain, Chairman, Telecommunication Department; and Prof Abdul Nasir Laghari, Environmental Sciences Department have been named in the FIR. Private contractors allegedly involved in the scam, identified as Israr and Syed Mansoor Shah, have also been booked. Sources revealed that QUEST VC Dr Saleem Raza Samoon went on leave shortly after the FIA launched its inquiry. According to university insiders, Dr Samoon was officially on leave from July 14 to 17, but has yet to report back. In his absence, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Zahid Abro has assumed acting charge of the institution. Repeated attempts to contact the vice chancellor for his version remained unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Meanwhile, FIA officials said the investigation was ongoing and further arrests were expected as more evidence was uncovered.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha hosts good governance meet; Centre unveils new farm scheme targeting 100 districts
BHUBANESWAR: Union minister of state (independent charge) for Science and Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the Centre would soon roll out a new scheme focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors in 100 districts across the country. Addressing the two-day national conference on good governance here, Dr Singh said, the first-of-its-kind Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's aspirational district programme and aims at enhancing adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayats and blocks. 'Like the aspirational district programme, 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators of low productivity, low cropping intensity and less credit disbursement. A district plan will be finalised with progressive farmers as members. Committees will be formed at district, state and national level for effective planning, implementation and monitoring,' he said. The Union minister elaborated critical dimensions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led reforms in governance and termed them as revolutionary, breaking away from outdated practices and challenging long-held conventions. 'Several initiatives such as the centralised public grievance redress and monitoring system and digital life certificate have evolved into global models of innovative governance. Most importantly, India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has now surpassed global payment systems like VISA in terms of usage,' he said. Dr Singh said a key hallmark of the Modi administration has been its decisive departure from the 'status quo' approach of the past. 'As a result, over 1,600 obsolete and archaic laws have been repealed, significantly reducing administrative burdens and promoting greater efficiency and transparency in governance,' he added. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said good governance is not the prerogative of a few, but the right of every citizen and the solemn duty of every public servant.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Gujarat becomes first state in India to launch Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
In a pioneering move toward improving healthcare for tribal communities , Gujarat has become the first state in India to launch a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project, Tribal Development Minister Dr. Kuber Dindor announced at a high-level dialogue held in Gandhinagar. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of genetic health risks within tribal populations and improve access to personalised healthcare solutions . The consultation was chaired by Dr. Kuber Dindor, Gujarat's Minister for Tribal Development, along with State Tribal Development Minister Kunvarji Halpati. The project will be implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC). Under this initiative, 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts of Gujarat will undergo genome sequencing. The aim is to build a genetic database that could lead to the early detection and better treatment of inherited diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia , thalassemia , and certain forms of cancer. Additionally, it will identify markers for natural immunity and allow health profiles to be linked with tailored medical care. Speaking at the event, Dr. Dindor stated, "This project will serve as a milestone--bridging the gap between science and tradition--toward a healthier and more prosperous future for our tribal communities. It's not just a scientific initiative, but a focused campaign to bring long-term improvements in tribal health." Experts participating in the dialogue emphasised the critical role of genomic data in tribal healthcare. They noted that the project is not merely about scientific discovery, but about empowering communities through modern technology and advanced data analysis. The initiative will feature cutting-edge facilities for everything from physical sample collection to the interpretation of genetic data. The Tribal Genome Project also addresses the longstanding gap in genomic data for India's tribal populations. Approved under the 2025-26 state budget, the project, titled "Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat", seeks to create a vital reference database for future research and policy planning. Prominent attendees at the event included Members of Parliament and MLAs from Gujarat's tribal regions, Principal Secretary of Science and Technology Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of Tribal Development Ms. Shahmeena Husain, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Vikrant Pandey, GSBTM Mission Director Shri Digvijaysinh Jadeja, GBRC Director Prof. Chaitanya Joshi, and Tribal Development Commissioner Shri Ashish Kumar, along with leading scientists and representatives from tribal communities. This landmark initiative not only sets Gujarat apart in biotechnology but also reflects the state's commitment to inclusive development and scientific progress.
