Latest news with #UWL
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UW La Crosse utilizes Win-Win Program to help finish degrees
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – UW La Crosse is providing a chance for students who left the university early to finish their degrees. Director of the UWL Career Services Office, Becky Vianden, explains, 'Sometimes they don't even realize how close they were or that it's even possible to come back and do classes at UWL, even if they've been gone for a certain amount of time. By us reaching out to them, they're given this opportunity that can help improve their lives economically, educationally, or even career-wise to help them progress in their careers.' To be eligible for the Win-Win Program, students cannot have enrolled elsewhere in the past 2.5 years, have earned at least 50 credits, and are close to completing an associate's or bachelor's degree. Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Sally Grunwald, adds, 'If they are close, we reach out to them and let them know that they have actually either earned their degree or are really close to earning their degree. We encourage them to reach back out to us and to finish the paperwork in order for them to get their degree.' University officials say it's usually a surprise when students receive a call from UWL years after they leave school. Grunwald explains, 'They usually see it as a great gift to them that they actually have enough to earn their degree. It can really be a life-changing event for the student to realize that the time they have spent at UW-La Crosse is time well spent.' Vianden adds that students obtaining degrees is not only beneficial for the student and the university, but also important for the state of Wisconsin. 'We think that the more students that we can help to complete their bachelor's degree or their associate degree, it will not only help themselves as an individual, but it us collectively as a state of Wisconsin to have people who have education that can help them progress in their careers and improve that state of Wisconsin.' According to university officials, the Win-Win Program has helped 126 former students over the last four years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UW La Crosse helping students finish what they started with the Win-Win Program
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – College is difficult. Not only is rigorous academics and a step up in skills and approach, but you are also barely an adult when they tell you it's time to go do it. First time out of your parents' home, first time being 'self-sufficient', first time forced to be an adult. All of that pressure and all of the 'newness' make some students leave school. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is hoping that it can help some of their own finish what they started. Over the past four years, UWL's Win-Win program has helped 126 former students turn unfinished college business into a proud accomplishment. The annual outreach initiative reconnects with students who were close to completing their degrees but left before finishing, giving them a clear, supported path to graduation. The results speak for themselves: Since 2020, 44 students have earned their bachelor's degree, while 82 have been awarded an Associate of Arts (AA) degree through the program. UWL Academic Advisor Mic Nauman says. 'The Win-Win program recognizes this and reminds them that earning a degree is still a possibility and we can work together to make that happen.' 'This is a great example of a multi-unit UWL collaborative project that has a potentially life-changing impact on individuals,' says Sandy Grunwald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. 'It exemplifies what makes UWL so great, people working together to positively impact our students, former or current.' Most students contacted by the Win-Win program express excitement, relief, and hope for the future. The program shows that the university understands that life doesn't always follow a straight path, she adds. 'Students stop out for a variety of reasons,' Nauman says. 'The Win-Win program recognizes this and reminds them that earning a degree is still a possibility, and we can work together to make that happen.' About Win-Win The Win-Win program targets former UWL students who: Have not enrolled elsewhere in the past 2.5 years Meet certain academic criteria, such as having earned at least 50 credits Are close to completing an associate's or bachelor's degree Eligible students receive both email and mailed letters outlining next steps. Once they respond, advisors help chart a path to completion. When all requirements are met, the Records and Registration office awards the degree. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Khaleej Times
22-02-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UWL RAK celebrates historic NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 win
The University of West London (UWL) RAK branch campus recently celebrated the outstanding achievement of its BSc (Hons) Computer Science students, who made history by winning the 'Most Inspirational Project Award' at the 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge. Competing against 93,000 participants from 163 countries, the team's innovative project, 'Eco-Metropolis: Sustainable City Simulation', secured a prestigious global accolade. Eco-Metropolis is an interactive game designed to educate youth on sustainability, climate resilience, and smart city development. Through various levels tailored to different age groups, the game incorporates NASA datasets to provide a realistic and engaging platform for urban planning and resource management. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on creating sustainable, resilient cities. To honour this remarkable achievement, a felicitation ceremony was held on February 13 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Marjan Island, RAK. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr Steve Reissig, executive director - RAK DOK, Dr William Ed Obryan, space affairs attaché, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, Zubair Ibrahim, co-chairman, UWL RAK, and Ahmed Rafi, co-chairman and CEO, UWL RAK. They were joined by delegates from Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge, deans, deputy deans, delegates from UWL UK, school principals, UWL RAK faculty and staff, and proud parents, all of whom congratulated the winners and commended their exceptional innovation. Speaking at the event, the invited guests and dignitaries spoke about the importance of innovation and sustainability in education, highlighting the students' remarkable achievement as a milestone for UWL RAK. They emphasised how such accomplishments inspire future generations and strengthen the university's position as a hub for technological advancement. The UWL leaders expressed immense pride in the students' accomplishment, stating: "This achievement is a testament to the talent, dedication, and innovative spirit of our students. Winning this award on a global stage showcases UWL RAK's commitment to fostering future leaders in technology and sustainability." The winning team members, Rikzah Noorul Huda Khattal, Umamah Ali, Samira Rafiq Khan, and Shafeeqa Fathima Jahangir, were celebrated for their vision and dedication in transforming an idea into an internationally recognised project. UWL RAK continues to uphold its reputation as 'The Career University', empowering students with real-world experiences, industry-driven education, and a commitment to innovation.
Khaleej Times
30-01-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
University of West London RAK branch campus team wins prestigious award
A team of four final-year BSc (Hons) Computer Science students from the University of West London (UWL) RAK campus has made history by winning the Most Inspirational Project Award at the 2024 Nasa International Space Apps Challenge. Competing against 93,000 participants from 163 countries, the UAE team emerged victorious with their innovative project, 'Eco-Metropolis: Sustainable City Simulation' — marking the first-ever win of this esteemed award by a UAE team. The winning project, Eco-Metropolis, is an interactive city-building game designed to raise awareness among youth about sustainability, climate change, and smart city development. Featuring different levels tailored to various age groups, the game teaches players how to make informed decisions about urban planning, climate resilience, and resource management. By incorporating Nasa datasets, the game provides a realistic and engaging platform to educate players on these critical topics. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on building sustainable, resilient cities. The team, consisting of Rikzah Noorul Huda Khattal, Umamah Ali, Samira Rafiq Khan, and Shafeeqa Fathima Jahangir, combined their expertise in coding, game design, data analysis, and problem-solving to develop the educational game. They transformed an initial idea into a globally recognised project that addresses crucial environmental challenges. Shafeeqa discovered the Nasa Space Apps Challenge through LinkedIn, where a story about a previous participant inspired her to gather her friends. "When I came across the Nasa Space Apps Challenge on LinkedIn, I was inspired by a story of a woman from the UAE who had participated before. Even though her team didn't win, her experience stuck with me — it wasn't just about winning, but about using technology to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. It made me wonder: What if we could do the same? That thought sparked the idea to bring my friends together. We weren't just looking for a win — we wanted to create solutions that could make a real difference," Shafeeqa said. The team credited their success to the invaluable mentorship of Mohamed Mahmoud and Bansan Thomas George, whose guidance helped refine their project, as well as support from NASA, the UAE Space Agency, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The team also credited the entire faculty of UWL RAK for their encouragement. The team's achievement underscores the UAE's growing leadership in space innovation and environmental sustainability. This accomplishment highlights the UAE's commitment to fostering technology and innovation that tackles pressing environmental issues. The team's success brings global recognition to the UAE while reinforcing the country's dedication to advancing sustainability through groundbreaking solutions.
