Latest news with #UniversityOfCambridge
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Mara to stop sending students to US this year
Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in London for talks with the University of Cambridge on Mara-Cambridge cooperation. (Facebook pic) LONDON : Mara will stop sending its scholarship students to the United States from this year following the introduction of new policies and guidelines by president Donald Trump. Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said discussions have been held with students due to leave in October on studying in other countries. 'We will send them to continue their studies in similar fields in countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and even Japan and China. The cost is also cheaper than studying in the US,' he said in a press conference here. Asyraf is in Britain to meet top management and prominent senior professors at the University of Cambridge to explore the potential of Mara-Cambridge cooperation. Asyraf said Mara had also held discussions with 266 sponsored students in the US for them to continue their studies in other countries in courses such as computer science, engineering and high technology such as robotics and artificial intelligence. The Trump administration recently ordered a halt of visa processing for all foreign students and is considering steps to screen new applicants based on their social media posts.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cambridge English Qualifications Digital: Empowering Schools, Universities, and International Students with a Smarter Way to Certify English Proficiency
SINGAPORE, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's global academic landscape, the ability to demonstrate English proficiency with speed, flexibility, and confidence is more important than ever. Cambridge English Qualifications Digital, developed by Cambridge English (part of the University of Cambridge), offers a modern, computer-based exam experience that meets the evolving needs of educational institutions and international learners. Designed for students from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, these digital qualifications provide the same trusted content and rigorous standards as traditional paper-based exams, while introducing a range of digital enhancements that make the testing process more accessible, efficient, and student-friendly. Whether preparing for university admission, applying for international study programs, or meeting graduation requirements, Cambridge English Qualifications Digital helps learners showcase their language skills with confidence and credibility. For schools and universities, the digital format offers greater scheduling flexibility, faster results, and a streamlined exam experience that aligns with the digital learning environments students are already familiar with. For international students, it provides a globally recognised certification that supports academic mobility and opens doors to higher education and career opportunities worldwide. A Seamless Fit for Modern Education Cambridge English Qualifications Digital are designed to integrate effortlessly into the academic calendar and digital infrastructure of schools and universities. With more exam dates and locations available, institutions can offer students greater choice and convenience, reducing scheduling conflicts and administrative overhead. The digital format also supports faster turnaround times for results, enabling institutions to make timely decisions on admissions, course placements, and graduation eligibility. This is especially valuable for international students who often face tight deadlines for visa applications, scholarship submissions, or university enrolment. "The digital exams have made it easier for us to plan around our academic calendar. Students appreciate the flexibility, and we appreciate the efficiency," says the Director of Language Programs at a leading European university. Designed for Digital Natives Today's students are digital natives. They learn, communicate, and collaborate in digital environments—and they expect their assessments to reflect that reality. Cambridge English Qualifications Digital are built with this in mind, offering a user-friendly interface and intuitive tools that help students perform at their best. Watch the video:The preferred exam experience | Cambridge English Qualifications Digital Key Features: Listening Test: Candidates use headphones with individual volume control, ensuring a comfortable and distraction-free experience. Writing Test: Features like automatic word count, spell check, and easy editing allow candidates to focus on content rather than formatting. Reading Test: On-screen tools enable highlighting, note-taking, and answer review, helping candidates manage their time and strategy effectively. Speaking Test: Remains face-to-face, preserving the real-world communication skills that Cambridge English is known for. These features not only enhance the candidate experience but also reflect the digital communication skills students will need in academic and professional settings. Trusted by Educators, Preferred by Students Cambridge English Qualifications Digital are already being used by schools and universities around the world, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both educators and learners. "It's all advantages for candidates. They like doing it. My students keep coming back to do more exams," says Alex, a teacher from Spain. "The digital format really helps students feel more confident. They're used to typing and navigating screens—it's second nature to them," adds Selin, a teacher in Turkey. For educators, the digital exams offer a reliable and scalable solution that aligns with modern teaching practices. For students, they provide a familiar and empowering way to demonstrate their language skills. No Need to Change How You Teach One of the most reassuring aspects for schools and universities is that the digital exams test the same knowledge and skills as the paper-based versions. This means there's no need to overhaul teaching methods or materials. Teachers can continue using their existing coursebooks and lesson plans while integrating digital practice tools to help students become familiar with the exam format. Cambridge English also provides a wide range of free and premium preparation resources to support both classroom instruction and independent study. Powerful Digital Preparation Tools To help students prepare effectively, Cambridge English offers a suite of digital tools that mirror the exam experience and build confidence: Test & Train: A mobile-friendly platform offering bite-sized practice tasks with instant feedback and expert tips. Ideal for both classroom use and self-study. Authentic Digital Practice Tests: Realistic mock exams that replicate the digital exam environment and provide auto-marked results. Video Tutorials and Sample Tests: Free, level-specific resources that help candidates understand what to expect and how to prepare effectively. "Test & Train is really useful because students can practise on the go. If they have it on their phone, they can even be sitting on the bus or the metro and do a few exercises," says Sarah, an Examination Centre Deputy Director. These tools not only improve exam readiness but also support broader language development goals. Supporting International Students For international students, Cambridge English Qualifications Digital offer a fast, flexible, and globally recognised way to prove English proficiency. Whether applying to universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, or beyond, these qualifications are accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. The digital format also helps reduce logistical barriers. Students can choose from a wider range of test dates and locations, and receive their results more quickly - making it easier to meet application deadlines and visa requirements. "Having access to a digital exam meant I could take the test in my home country and still meet my university's deadline. It made the whole process much less stressful," says Amina, an international student from Morocco. A Commitment to Quality and Innovation As part of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge English is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, fairness, and innovation. The digital exams are developed using cutting-edge research in language assessment and educational technology, ensuring they remain valid, reliable, and globally recognised. Hybrid marking has also been introduced for the Writing component at B1 and B2 levels, combining human expertise with digital efficiency to deliver accurate and timely results. Ready to Bring Digital Exams to Your Institution? Whether you're a school administrator, university admissions officer, or international student advisor, Cambridge English Qualifications Digital offer a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to support your learners' success. Visit to: Explore exam levels and formats Access free preparation resources Find your nearest exam centre Book your digital exam ************************************************************ About Cambridge English Cambridge English is the producer and proud co-owner of IELTS, the world's leading English test for migration and higher education. We help millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world. Part of the University of Cambridge, we provide the world's leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. For us, learning English is more than just exams and grades. It's about having the confidence to communicate and access a lifetime of enriching experiences and opportunities. Whether you're planning to live, work or study in your own country or abroad, we can give you the English language skills to succeed. We provide the world's leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. Globally recognised by more than 25,000 leading universities, employers and governments, our research-based assessments are a mark of excellence that open doors. Our work is supported around the world by a network of 2,800 exam centres, over 50,000 schools and tens of thousands of examiners, teachers, education experts and publishers. Working together, we inspire learners to go further. With the right support, learning a language is an exhilarating journey. We're with you every step of the way. ************************************************************* What we believe – To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world. What we offer – Together with teachers and our partners, we're here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire English language learning journey, helping them confidently prove their skills to the world. How we do things and the impact we have – As part of a university with global reputation for academic excellence, we create insights derived from deep research, expertise and experiences. This ensures our unique approach meets the real-life needs of learners through inclusive and accessible products and services. The global role of English – As a global language, English unlocks a lifetime of experiences, and – because language is at the heart of being human – we help people everywhere connect, communicate and come closer together. What we promise – Where your world grows. - END - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cambridge English Sign in to access your portfolio
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Cooling without climate cost: UK scientists eye air-conditioning revolution minus polluting gases
CAMBRIDGE, May 23 — The soft, waxy 'solid refrigerant' being investigated in a UK laboratory may not look very exciting, but its unusual properties promise an air-conditioning revolution that could eliminate the need for greenhouse gases. The substance's temperature can vary by more than 50 degrees Celsius under pressure, and unlike the gases currently used in appliances, solid refrigerants do not leak. 'They don't contribute to global warming, but also they are potentially more energy efficient,' Xavier Moya, a professor of materials physics at the University of Cambridge, told AFP. Approximately two billion air-conditioner units are in use worldwide, and their number is increasing as the planet warms. Between leaks and energy consumption, the emissions associated with them are also increasing each year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Moya has been studying the properties of these plastic crystals in his laboratory at the prestigious UK university for 15 years. On his work surface, a large red and grey machine, topped with a cylinder, tests how the temperature of a substance changes under pressure. The aim is to identify the best refrigerants among this class of materials, which are already used by the chemical industry and are relatively easy to obtain, even if the exact composition of the crystals eventually selected remains secret. The phenomenon is invisible to the naked eye, but these crystals are composed of molecules that spin on their own axis. When the substance is squeezed, that movement stops and the energy is dissipated in the form of heat. When released, the substance cools its surroundings in what is known as the 'barocaloric effect'. Chilled cans 'We're expecting demand for air conditioning to increase hugely, globally, between now and 2050,' Cliff Elwell, a professor of building physics at University College London, told AFP. He believes barocaloric solids have the potential to be as efficient as gas, if not more so. 'But whatever we introduce as new technologies always has to hit the basic requirements,' which include being compact and quiet enough for use in homes and cars, he said. Alongside his research at Cambridge, Moya founded the startup Barocal in 2019 to turn his research group's discoveries into tangible products. It employs nine people and has its own laboratory, which is currently a modest container in a parking lot. But the startup is attracting interest and in recent years has raised around US$4.5 million (RM19.18 million), notably from the European Innovation Council — an EU programme involving the UK — and Breakthrough Energy, an umbrella group of initiatives founded by US billionaire Bill Gates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It plans to increase its workforce to 25 or 30 this year. The first air-conditioner prototype is the size of a large suitcase and hums quite loudly when a hydraulic circuit increases or decreases the pressure inside the four crystal-filled cylinders. But it works. A small refrigerator is attached to the system, and the cans of soda inside are perfectly chilled. Cheaper bills The prototype has 'not really been optimised yet for either mass, volume, or even sound', acknowledged Mohsen Elabbadi, a materials engineer at Barocal. But the performance of the units they are working to perfect will eventually be comparable with those running on gas, he promised. While the company is currently focusing on cooling, the technology could also be used to produce heat. Several teams are studying these materials around the world, but the Cambridge team is a pioneer in the field, according to Breakthrough Energy, which estimates that these devices have the potential to reduce emissions by up to 75 per cent compared with traditional units. Barocal hopes to launch a first product on the market within three years, according to commercial director Florian Schabus. These will initially be cooling units for 'large shopping centres, warehouses, schools' and even 'data centres', he said. The company reasons that the ultimate promise of cheaper bills will convince businesses to stump up the higher initial costs. Barocal is eventually aiming for retail prices similar to traditional units, allowing it to launch in the residential market. — AFP
Sky News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Extra cancer screenings for women with dense breasts could save hundreds of lives, study finds
Extra cancer screenings for women with dense breasts could save hundreds of lives, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Cambridge found extra scans for some women could identify an extra 3,500 early-stage cancers that can be "hidden" during regular mammograms. Around 10% of women have very dense breasts, which means they have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue than other women. These women are up to four times more likely to develop breast cancer compared to women with low breast density. More than 2.2 million women receive breast screening in the UK each year but mammograms, which are used for breast screening, can be less effective at detecting cancer in dense breasts. This is because denser breasts look whiter on mammograms, which makes it harder to spot small early-stage cancers which also appear white. Some 9,361 women across the UK with dense breasts whose mammograms showed they did not have cancer were studied in the trial, which has been published in the Lancet medical journal. A total of 85 cancers were found among these women when the scientists trialled three extra testing methods. Louise Duffield, a 60-year-old grandmother of four from Ely in Cambridgeshire, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer as a result of the trial. In 2023, she was invited to take part following her regular mammogram, which showed that she had very dense breasts. As part of the trial, Ms Duffield had an AB-MRI scan, a faster type of MRI, which identified a small lump deep inside one of her breasts. Soon after the MRI, Ms Duffield had a biopsy that confirmed she had very early breast cancer within the ducts of one of her breasts. Six weeks later, she had surgery to remove the tumour - by that time, it had already grown larger than it appeared on the scans. "It's been a stressful time and it's a huge relief to have it gone," said Ms Duffield. "The tumour was deep in the breast so if I hadn't been on the trial, it could have gone unnoticed for years." The location of her tumour meant it would have been hard for Ms Duffield to find through self-examination, and since it was not detected during her regular mammogram, it would have been at least three years before she was invited for another. The two methods examined in the trial were contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), where dye is used to make blood vessels more visible, and AB-MRIs. The experts calculated that adding either of these methods to existing breast screening could detect 3,500 more cancers per year in the UK. As screening reduces death for about 20% of cancers detected, this could mean an extra 700 lives saved each year, they said. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Research is being conducted into the use of additional tests for women with dense breasts, as part of the NHS breast screening programme.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Exercise helps maintain vitamin D levels in winter without supplements
Exercise is the key to maintaining vitamin D levels in winter, a study suggests. Regular, moderate-intensity exercise helps maintain crucial vitamin D levels during the darker months – even without weight loss or supplements. Researchers found that overweight and obese adults who completed a 10-week indoor exercise programme over winter experienced significantly smaller drops in vitamin D levels compared with those who did not exercise, even though their body weight was deliberately maintained. More than 50 people took part in four sessions per week of two treadmill walks, one longer steady-state bike ride, and one high-intensity interval bike session. Exercise completely preserved the body's active form of vitamin D, which plays a key role in supporting bone health, the immune system, and various organs. Previous studies suggest that vitamin D supplements alone do not help maintain this active form. The small-scale study was led by academics from the University of Bath, University of Birmingham and University of Cambridge. Lead author Dr Oly Perkin, from the University of Bath, said: 'This is the first study to show that exercise alone can protect against the winter dip in vitamin D. 'It's a powerful reminder that we still have lots to learn about how exercise benefits our health.' People who exercised saw a smaller drop in their overall vitamin D levels over winter of around 15%, compared with a 25% drop in those who did not exercise. Those who exercised kept healthy levels of the active form of vitamin D, which helps support the immune system and bone health. In the non-exercising group, levels of this active form fell by 15%. Weight was kept stable throughout the study, proving the effect was due to exercise, not weight loss. To ensure sunlight did not skew results, the study ran between October and April – when natural vitamin D production from sunlight is minimal in this part of the UK – and participants were asked to avoid supplements. A previous study from the team showed that a single workout can briefly boost vitamin D levels, but this is the first to show that regular cardio exercise can maintain basal circulating vitamin D levels and offer lasting protection during the winter months. Principal investigator Professor Dylan Thompson, from the University of Bath, said: 'Collectively, the findings from the VitaDEx project show that exercise increases the concentrations of vitamin D metabolites each time you are active and, on top of this, doing regular activity helps to maintain your basal resting levels of vitamin D during winter. 'This means exercise gives you a double benefit to your vitamin D, first in and around each exercise bout, and second through changing your baseline levels.' The study offers compelling evidence that exercise could be an effective winter vitamin D strategy, especially for those who are overweight or obese for whom vitamin D supplements are less effective. Liam Kilawee, who took part in the study, said: 'I was impressed on how thorough the process was and how the team engaged with me during research period. 'The results were pleasing as I could see that my actions had a positive reaction.' – The study, Exercise without Weight Loss Prevents Seasonal Decline in Vitamin D Metabolites: The VitaDEx Randomised Controlled Trial, is published in the journal Advanced Science.
