The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of the book ‘Future of Indian Universities:
Jul172017
Jul172017
Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of receiving the First copy of the book ‘The Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives’
I am indeed very happy to welcome all of you to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is indeed my pleasure to receive the first copy of the book-The Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives edited by Professor Raj Kumar, founding Vice Chancellor of O. P. Jindal Global University and published by Oxford University Press, India.
Jul172017
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of Afghanistan’s ‘ugly war’ – UN report
17 July 2017 – Civilians lives – including those of women and children – continue to be lost at record high levels amid a worsening toll of suicide attacks, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan said today, calling on anti-government forces to stop indiscriminate attacks against civilians as well as on the Government to stop using mortars and rockets in populated areas.
“The human cost of this ugly war in Afghanistan – loss of life, destruction and immense suffering – is too far too high,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Tadamichi Yamamoto, in a news release today.
“The continued use of indiscriminate, disproportionate and illegal IEDs [improvised explosive devices] by anti-government elements is particularly appalling and must immediately stop.”
According to the UN Mission’s 2017 Mid-year Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict in Afghanistan, 1,662 civilian died (up two per cent on the same period last year) and 3,581 were injured (down one per cent) between 1 January and 30 June 2017.
Many of those casualties occurred in a single attack in Kabul city on 31 May, when a truck bomb killed at least 92 civilians and injured nearly 500. This was the deadliest incident documented by UNAMA since 2001.
Women and children in the country continue be particularly affected. In the report, the UN Mission noted that so far this year, 174 women were confirmed killed and 462 injured (an overall rise of about 23 per cent), reversing a decline documented in 2016.
The statistics in this report, horrifying though they are, can never fully convey the sheer human suffering of the people of AfghanistanUN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
Child casualties, overall also increased by one per cent, with 436 deaths (a nine per cent increase) and 1,141 injuries, it added, highlighting that the use of pressure-plate IEDs and aerial operations in civilian-populated areas led to substantial increases in both women and child casualties.
Also in the news release, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights underscored that behind each death or injury, there is a broken family, unimaginable trauma and the brutal violation of people’s rights.
“Many Afghan civilians are suffering psychological trauma, having lost family and friends, and are living in fear knowing the risks they face as they go about their daily lives. Many more have been forced from their homes and suffered lasting damage to their health, education and livelihoods,” he stated.
“The continuing national tragedy of Afghanistan must not be overlooked.”
Highest number of casualties occurred in Kabul
The UNAMA report also highlighted that 40 per cent of all civilian casualties during the six-month period were due to anti-government forces using IEDs, such as suicide bombs and pressure-plate devices.
In total, anti-government forces caused the deaths of 1,141 people and injured 2,348. These deaths and injuries represent 67 per cent of the total number of civilian casualties, with 43 per cent attributed to the Taliban, five per cent to Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), and the rest to unidentified attackers.
Also in the report, the UN Mission noted continued efforts by the Afghan security forces to reduce civilian casualties resulting from ground engagements, which represent the second leading cause of deaths and injuries.
Pro-government forces were responsible for 327 civilian deaths and 618 injuries, a 21 per cent decrease compared with the same period last year, although UNAMA noted a 43 per cent rise in civilian casualties during aerial operations (95 deaths and 137 injuries).
In terms of locations, 19 per cent of the casualties occurred in the capital, Kabul and deaths and injuries increased in 15 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, mainly due to increased attacks by anti-government forces. After Kabul, the highest numbers of casualties occurred in Helmand, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Uruzgan, Faryab, Herat, Laghman, Kunduz and Farah provinces.
Recommendations
In its recommendations, the report has called on anti-government forces to stop targeting civilians and to enforce directives from the Taliban leadership calling for an end to such attacks. It has also urged the Government to stop using weapons such as mortars and rockets in civilian populated areas, and to disband pro-government militias and similar groups.
It also recommended ongoing support from international military forces to support and train the Afghan national army.
In the news release, the UN Mission also noted that the report includes only those incidents that have been confirmed after a thorough verification process, meaning that the actual figures could be higher.
Jul172017
News story: Graduation ceremony takes place for UK’s first Degree apprentices
Eleven Capgemini Degree apprentices were awarded Bachelors of Science (BSc’s) in Digital and Technology Solutions, following 3 years of working at Capgemini combined with study.
64% of apprentices from Capgemini achieved a 1st class honours degree and all others received 2nd class honours degrees.
Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Anne Milton said:
I am delighted to offer my own personal congratulations to the UK’s first ever degree apprentice graduates. The hard work and commitment involved is truly admirable and highlights the opportunities apprenticeships can bring.
I hope this will encourage more people to consider a degree apprenticeship. It is a great way to earn while you learn at some of the UK’s top Universities and to go on to secure a rewarding job. Well done to all the students and also congratulations to both Aston University and Capgemini for breaking new ground.
Also being recognised today at the Aston University School of Engineering & Applied Science graduation ceremony was Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service who collected an honorary Doctorate in Science (Dsc), conferred by Vice Chancellor, Professor Alec Cameron.
Sue Husband said:
I am absolutely delighted to attend the graduation of the first cohort of Degree apprentices in the country, for what is a momentous occasion.
Degree apprenticeships are a significant step forward, providing the opportunity to develop and nurture talented individuals, and are a key part of our apprenticeships reform programme – with the ambition of creating 3 million quality apprenticeships by 2020 – and includes apprenticeships at higher levels, in more occupations and sectors.
The 11 Degree apprentices receiving their degrees today highlight the significance of higher level apprenticeships and the benefits to apprentices and their employer. Capgemini must be extremely proud of their successes.
As someone who has worked in the education and skills sector for many years, it is also a real privilege for me to receive an honorary DSc. I am a huge advocate of the transformative power that gaining skills and qualifications has on a person’s life and I am thrilled to have been recognised by Aston University.
Degree apprenticeships give people the opportunity to attain a Degree from some of the country’s best universities and higher education institutions whilst training in a top flight career. They and are already available in sectors such as Automotive, Banking, Digital Industries, Chartered Surveying, Aerospace and the Nuclear industry. Many universities and colleges are offering higher and degree apprenticeships across the country.
Higher and Degree apprenticeships are available at levels 4 to 7 and combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry. Level 6 is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree and level 7 is equivalent to a Master’s Degree. Typically, higher apprentices study part-time at college, university or with a training provider.
Currently, over 240,000 workplaces employ an apprentice including Capgemini, Ford, ITV, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Barclays and the BBC, alongside many small and medium sized enterprises. There are between 12,000 and 20,000 apprenticeship vacancies across all levels on the find an apprenticeship site at any one time.
Find out more about apprenticeships on GOV.UK.
Jul172017
Press release: Bicentenaire de la disparition de Jane Austen
Véritable icône de la littérature britannique, l’écrivain Jane Austen est disparue le 18 juillet 1817. Avec ses livres et ses personnages, aussi adulés au Royaume-Uni qu’en France, le bicentenaire de sa disparition est symbolique des liens historiques et culturels qui unissent nos deux pays. Pour célébrer son œuvre, l’Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne en France et le British Council ont préparé une saison culturelle dédiée à Jane Austen avec un bal, un cinéma en plein air, des conférences et une compétition pour visiter sa ville fétiche.
Le Bal Jane Austen: Une discothèque du début du 19ème siècle
La saison culturelle a démarré le 30 juin à la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur avec l’association Carnet de Bals qui a effectué une démonstration d’un bal de l’époque de Jane Austen devant des jeunes Français étudiant l’anglais et des associations de fans de Jane Austen. Accompagnés par des musiciens et habillés en robe et costume d’époque, les membres de l’association ont fait valser la Salle de Bal de la Résidence, elle-même construite au début du 19ème siècle. Suite à la démonstration, les étudiants et autres invités ont rejoint la piste de danse pour un cours de danse à la Austen avant de danser aux rythmes plus contemporains d’un DJ électro. Résultat : une discothèque qui a chevauché les 19ème et 21ème siècles en plein cœur de Paris.
Le Cinéma Jane Austen: Raison et Sentiments et Orgueil et Préjugés au clair de lune
Les soirs du 10, 11 et 12 juillet, trois adaptations cinématographiques des œuvres de Jane Austen ont été projetées sur grand écran dans les jardins de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur. Malgré la menace de pluie, plus de 500 fans de Jane Austen, dont des gagnants d’une compétition organisée par Livre de Poche, se sont installés sur des plaids et dans des transats prêtés par La Villette, pour savourer le drame, la romance et l’humour de Raison et Sentiments, Orgueil et Préjugés, ainsi que Bridget Jones inspiré par ce dernier. Les invités ont pu apprécier une courte intervention dédiée à chaque film par Marie-Laure Massei-Chamayou, maître de conférences en anglais à l’université Panthéon-Sorbonne et expert en Jane Austen. Avec en bonus l’option de déguster un Pimms – cocktail estival so British – ainsi qu’un fish’n’chips du food-truck installé au fond du jardin.
Les Conférences Jane Austen
Deux conférences (en anglais) organisées par le British Council. La première à la Sorbonne, le 18 juillet, et la deuxième au British Council le 21 juillet avec Nicolas Watson, spécialiste de la littérature romantique du 19eme siècle, qui explore l’influence de ‘L’Austenmania’ sur la culture britannique et européenne.
Compétition pour visiter la ville de Jane Austen
Compétition en ligne organisée par Visit Britain pour un weekend à deux au festival de Jane Austen en septembre à Bath, ville régence classée au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO et où l’écrivain a vécu. La compétition ferme le dimanche 23 juillet.
Si vous ou des membres de votre rédaction souhaitez couvrir ces événements ou avoir plus d’informations, merci de contacter Tess Mendibe, Tel : 01 44 51 33 39.
Le programme bicentenaire de Jane Austen s’inscrit dans notre programme ‘Les Voisins’, lancé en mars 2017 par Leurs Altesses Royales le Duc et la Duchesse de Cambridge lors de leur première visite officielle à Paris. ‘Les Voisins’ célèbre les liens culturels, historiques et humains entre la France et le Royaume-Uni, vécus au quotidien par les centaines de milliers de Français et Britanniques qui habitent, travaillent ou voyagent de part et d’autre de la Manche.
Pour en savoir plus sur notre campagne ‘Les Voisins’.
Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne
35 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
75383 Paris Cedex 08
Tél. 01 44 51 33 39