COMSTECH Launches Virtual Incubator for Science-based Businesses

(Islamabad), July 14: OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) has launched a Virtual Incubator for Science-based Businesses (VISB) for the Islamic World.

VISB will help OIC member states’ companies, research institutions and scientists to transfer their homegrown technologies to other OIC countries. The terms of technology transfer will be mutually acceptable to both parties, and could include sharing royalties or setting up joint venture partnerships.

VISB is a pioneering initiative launched by the COMSTECH which aimed at strengthening links between scientific research and business development through promoting interaction between researchers and industry as well as investors who can translate potential scientific ideas and technological solutions into viable breakthrough products.

The VISB has been launched in view of the fact that the road to progress for OIC member countries lies in developing dynamic knowledge-based innovation societies.

Some OIC member countries have started to make good progress in developing science and technology. However, the industrial communities within the OIC region normally tend to acquire technology on turn-key basis from the West although there is much that can be shared among them.

“We hope that the VISB will prove to be an important step in creating technological self-reliance in OIC member states.” Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Coordinator General COMSTECH, said in his message.

COMSTECH, the 57-country science cooperation body of the Organization of Islamic Conference has also announced the launch of the first issue of e-monthly bulletin of the Virtual Incubator for Science-based Business (VISB) entitled "empowering innovation for development"

COMSTECH is also establishing an e-library titled “Scientific Ideas for Investors…Turn Potential into Profits” which will list potential scientific ideas that could be translated into viable breakthrough products. These ideas will be presented to investors and private sector to develop them.

Under COMSTECH’s VISB initiative, “Ask the Experts” service is also being established which will help potential investors and the science-based private sector to acquire, adopt and upgrade technology. www.visbdev.net is the dedicated website for this COMSTECH initiative for the Islamic world. Queries may be directed to comstech@comstech.org.

Reported by: Ameen Amjad

131 Scholarships for Diploma and Degree courses, UK

SAE have announced that they are to award 131 scholarships for diploma and degree courses at their UK colleges.

For over 30 years SAE have been training the world’s creative media professionals. Now with these unique scholarship awards SAE are making it easier than ever to get started on the creative media career path of your choice – are you ready to start your dream career?

My Creative Future has teamed up with SAE Qantm and Future Publishing to offer 131 scholarships for Qantm and SAE courses. Prospective students can apply for one of 11 full scholarships or 120 part-scholarship places in order to study a diploma or bachelor’s degree in your choice of Audio, Music Business, Film, Web, 3D, Design or Games Development.

All courses commence on the 28th September, 2009.

How to apply for full and part scholarships for degrees and diplomas: In order to apply, all you have to do is choose the course you would like to study and which SAE you’d like to study at, then tell us why you’ve always wanted to enter the creative media industry. It’s that simple!

Full scholarships waive all course fees, with potential savings of over £11,000. Part scholarships waive up to 50% of fees, guaranteeing savings of almost £6,000.

The following diploma and degree courses and locations can be chosen:

Audio Engineering Diploma – Audio Engineering Diploma available at SAE London, SAE Oxford, SAE Liverpool, SAE Glasgow

Music Business – Music Business Diploma only available at SAE London
Film – Film Making Diploma available at SAE London, SAE Glasgow
3D – 3D Animation Diploma only available at Qantm London

Web – Web Design & Development Diploma only available at Qantm London
Games – Games Design & Development Diploma only available at Qantm London
Design – Graphic Design Diploma only available at Qantm London

SAE Tonmeister (requires a BA or BSc in a related field or similar work experience) – SAE Tonmeister course only available at SAE Oxford
All courses (with the exception of the SAE Tonmeister course) include an Apple MacBook.

SAE London manager Matthias Postel said: “Here at SAE we’ve been committed to providing first class education in a range of creative media for over 30 years now. We’re convinced that our experience and the extensive network of SAE campuses and staff around the world make us the first choice for anyone looking to embark on the world’s most exciting careers. And now with the addition of this unique scholarship scheme we’re making it even easier for potential students to reap the benefits of an SAE education.”

Availability:

Deadline for applications is Monday, 31st August 2009.
Apply online at:
http://www.mycreativefuture.com/
sae.edu

* applications for UK residents only

** degrees validated by Middlesex University, England

Reported by: Ameen Amjad

Post-Graduate Fellowship at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Call for Applications (Winter Cohort 2010)

The Post-Graduate Fellowship is a highly intellectual, structured, and focused didactic program where talented researchers can leverage their expertise to help advance the field of health metrics. Strong candidates for this program have graduate-level training in quantitative methodology from one of the following areas: health policy, economics, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, health services, demography, engineering, physics, medical sciences, or other related fields.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is a new organization at the University of Washington. Its mission is to monitor global health conditions and health systems, as well as to evaluate interventions, initiatives, and reforms. It uses cutting-edge techniques to tackle some of the most difficult and most critical questions in global health and find answers that will become the foundation for better policies and, ultimately, better health.

Fellows receive training through on-the-job research, methods workshops, access to University of Washington courses, and on-site lectures and seminars. Post-Graduate Fellows contribute directly to IHME's research agenda through their involvement in work groups, development of new methods, and managing and driving research projects to meet deliverables.Post-Graduate Fellowships are appointed at IHME for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second year upon mutual agreement. The salary is $50,000. As University of Washington employees fellows are eligible for an insurance benefits package that includes a choice among several medical and dental insurance plans, life insurance, and long-term disability. Please note that there is no retirement package included with this appointment.

Eligibility and application information

In order to be considered for a Post-Graduate Fellowship, candidates must have the following:• PhD or MD.• Strong quantitative background.• Advanced research experience, especially with data analysis and statistical methods.• Proficiency in the English language. Each year, the IHME Post-Graduate Fellowship offers a fall cohort beginning in September and a winter cohort beginning in February. Applications for the winter cohort are due August 1. Candidate selection includes a phone interview and final interview, usually held at IHME offices.

Required materials for applications:

1. A cover letter. Ensure that your cover letter includes:


your full contact information (address, phone number and email), • the name, affiliation and full contact information of three references, • which cohort you wish to be considered for (Fall or Winter), • which of IHME's areas of work you are most interested in,• how you became aware of the program.2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume.3. Personal statement describing your interest in IHME and your professional and academic interests and objectives. Personal statements should be between 750 and 1000 words. 4. Three sealed letters of recommendation.5. Educational transcript from your highest degree attained. If your transcripts are not in English, please also provide a listing of all coursework with grade and credit hour information.6. English reprint of your most significant publication or research paper.7. Proof of proficiency in English for candidates whose native language is not English.


Candidates who have completed a degree wholly in English can provide a copy of their degree. All other candidates should send a copy of their scores in an approved English Language Test, specifically: (i) Princeton Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – for the paper-based test, minimum overall score of 600 including a minimum score of 5.0 in the test of written English; for the computer-based test, minimum overall score of 250 including a minimum score of 5.0 in the test of written English; for the internet-based test, a minimum overall score of 100 including a minimum score of 24 in the test of written English. (ii) British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - a minimum score of 7.0 overall, including a minimum score of 7.0 in the written component.

Complete applications should be mailed to:

Institute for Health Metrics and EvaluationUniversity of WashingtonAttention: Post-Graduate Fellowship Program2301 5th Avenue, Suite 600Seattle, WA 98121USAFor more information, visit http://www.healthmetricsandevaluation.org/


Reported by: Ameen Amjad

Cambridge scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students

In conjunction with the commemoration of Cambridge University’s 800th anniversary, school officials announced a scholarship programme that will admit as many as 15 Pakistani undergraduate students to the prestigious UK institution.

The programme, funded through the Cambridge Assessment Department, offers an opportunity to expand historic links between the two countries, and expresses the university’s commitment to the youth of Pakistan. Almost US$2 million will be available to cover university fees, maintenance and travel costs for the scholarship programme in its first five years.

The Cambridge Assessment is a not-for-profit organisation and a department of the university. It oversees the varsity’s three examination boards: the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

“The new scholarship programme for undergraduates from Pakistan will start in the academic year 2010-2011”, said Cambridge Assessment Chief Executive Simon Lebus. Prospective applicants will be interviewed in Pakistan in October and November this year.

“We play an important role in supporting the university's outreach mission", Lebus said. "In doing so [we] provide opportunities for more and more young people to access the benefits of education.”

According to Ann Puntis, Cambridge's international examinations chief executive, “This year several Pakistani students secured top global scores in a number of different … subjects, including economics, psychology, mathematics, chemistry and literature … The Pakistani high achievers are very creative and enthusiastic learners. Pakistani teachers were also continuously augmenting their learning base and holding workshops for them.” She asserted they characterised potential Pakistani applicants for admission to Cambridge next year.

The last date for the submission of applications for the scholarship is September 20. More information on the Cambridge scholarship programme is available at www.cam.ac.uk.

Reported by: Amna Nasir Jamal