Category: Education

A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals a significant association between microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in carotid artery tissues and cardiovascular health risks.

Led by Raffaele Marfella from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, the research found that individuals with plastic particles in their arteries faced double the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death within three years compared to those without such contamination.

The study marks the first human research linking plastics to cardiovascular diseases, raising concerns about their health impacts.

Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College highlighted the urgency of addressing these findings, questioning whether plastic exposure should be recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor and expressing concerns about its effects on other organs, especially nanoplastics’ potential to disrupt cellular processes and introduce harmful chemicals.

While previous studies detected plastics in various human ti
ssues and bodily fluids, their full health implications remain uncertain.

Amidst growing concerns, experts stress the need for further research to understand and mitigate plastic exposure.

Source: Oman News Agency

Japanese and Swiss scientists have developed glass capable of generating electricity when exposed to light, potentially paving the way for clean energy production.

Using a femtosecond laser, researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne etched circuits onto the glass’s surface, causing it to produce a current.

The unexpected discovery was reported in Physical Review Applied. Yves Bellouard, from the Swiss school, described the technology as “surprising and innovative,” as it transforms the material without additives.

The accidental creation of a semiconductor crystal by researcher Goezden Torun, while experimenting with tellurite glass, led to this breakthrough.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat Municipality launched today the first stage of the electronic certification service for lease contracts, which includes new residential lease contracts only.

The subsequent stages of the service will include the electronic certification process for various other types of lease contracts. In the first stage, the service targets all members of society, with the exception for agencies and government entities, which will be dealt with according to the previously followed procedures.

This step stems from the importance of regulation of the rental relationship and documenting rental contracts between the owner (lessor) and the beneficiary (tenant), and in an effort to simplify and simplify the procedures for providing services and digital transformation in completing service transactions.

The implementation of this service comes within Muscat Municipality’s plan for electronic transformation of services, re-engineering some municipal services procedures, simplifying them, and reducing the time to complet
e transactions. This move comes is in line with the country’s approach towards achieving the goals of e-government.

Source: Oman News Agency

Manama, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education met with Hisham Abu Alfateh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB).

The minister expressed his thanks to NBB for its continuous support of various educational projects in the Ministry of Education.

The meeting discussed cooperation between the ministry and NBB in supporting student scholarships and coordination on educational programmes.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) held a graduation ceremony for one of the specialised officers’ courses.

Major-General Ibrahim Ghanim Al Fadhala, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations at the BDF.

The Assistant Chief of Staff handed out certificates to the graduates and prizes to the outstanding.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) held a graduation ceremony for one of the specialized courses, in the presence of Major General Shaikh Ali bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower.

The ceremony included a briefing on the course and the stages of training, including theoretical materials and practical applications.

The Assistant Chief of Staff handed out certificates to the graduates and prizes to the outstanding.

The course also included officers from the Ministry of Interior and the National Guard.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education met with Vinod K. Jacob, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain.

The meeting discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in the education field.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education met with Vinod K. Jacob, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain.

The meeting discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in the education field.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth today visited Riyadh International Book Fair 2023, in which the Sultanate of Oman takes part as a guest of honour.

During the visit, HH Sayyid Theyazin was accompanied by Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture.

HH Sayyid Theyazin went on tour of various pavilions of the fair, which witnesses wide participation from cultural institutions, as well as local, Arab and international publishing houses.

He also toured the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion and viewed the Omani publications that reflect the civilizational, cultural and intellectual reality of Oman.

HH Sayyid Theyazin also familiarized himself with the Omani cultural programme in the fair that includes various activities.

Source: Oman News Agency

Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Ambassador to the United Kingdom, hosted a lunch banquet for Bahraini students studying at universities of Manchester and its surrounding cities.

The ambassador expressed pride in Bahraini students studying in the UK, and doing their utmost to acquire knowledge and gain experience across various fields, affirming the important role they play in the kingdom’s comprehensive development process.

Shaikh Fawaz stressed the Bahraini Embassy’s constant readiness to provide assistance and consultation for Bahraini students across the UK, commending the efforts of the Cultural Office at the Embassy, and confidence in the students’ endeavours to showcase the kingdom’s civilisational image.

The ambassador also indicated that studying abroad, especially at UK universities, is a unique and distinguished experience from which Bahraini students should benefit, not only in the academic field, but also in building their personalities, increasing their knowledge and enhancing their communication with various civilisations, while seeking to highlight their country’s bright and honourable image, wishing them continued success.

On the occasion, doctoral student Captain Yousif Al Kaabi, delivered a statement on behalf of other students. He affirmed that Bahraini students’ academic excellence is the fruitful outcome of the support and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the close follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He also expressed the appreciation of the Bahraini students in the UK of the ambassador for his unwavering interest in supporting them.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Council of Presidents of Palestinian Universities held its meeting, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, linked via visual communication technology with the Gaza Strip, headed by Minister A. Dr.. Mahmoud Abu Muwais, to discuss a number of topics and issues related to developing and improving the outputs of the higher education and scientific research sector.

After opening its session by reading Al-Fatihah for the souls of the martyrs, the Council discussed: Several topics focused on ways to develop and advance the higher education sector, the policies, priorities and development projects that the Ministry is working on, as well as national priorities for scientific research, in addition to discussing the importance and repercussions of the visit of the Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities to Palestine. During which he reviewed the development taking place at the level of the Palestinian higher education sector and its institutions.

In this context, Abu Muwais stressed the Ministry’s keenness to advance the higher education sector, pointing to the efforts made to enhance the excellence of Palestinian higher education institutions and their continued achievement of successes at the local, regional and global levels.

The Minister pointed out that the Ministry, with the support and guidance of Prime Minister Dr. Muhammad Shtayyeh; It is working to establish a national center for artificial intelligence with support from South Korea, so that this center will be an umbrella for Palestinian researchers interested in this field, stressing the importance of higher education institutions keeping pace with the topic of artificial intelligence, which is multiplying significantly.

For their part, university presidents spoke about several axes to improve the higher education and scientific research sector in Palestine. They also presented a number of comments on the proposal for a guide to national priorities for scientific research in Palestine. Prepared by the Ministry of Higher Education in cooperation with relevant authorities from various sectors.

In addition, the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Dr. Basri Saleh explained the ministry’s efforts, its development projects, and its strategic plan for the next six years, stressing interest in strengthening the governance of higher education, leadership, creativity, and excellence among higher education students, improving the outcomes of scientific research, supporting technical education, promoting scholarships, and striving for optimal investment in international agreements. And enhancing the benefit of Palestinian higher education institutions from international projects related to scientific research, touching on the Ministry’s partnerships at the international and local levels.

The head of the National Commission for Accreditation, Quality and Quality of Higher Education Institutions, Dr. Muammar Shteiwi explaining a proposal for the National Testing Center; The aim is to measure competencies through a standardized test to measure the level of mastery of the outcomes of educational programmes

Source: Maan News Agency

A joyous mood permeated the grand ballroom in New York City where 250 alumni, friends, and trustees of LAU gathered September 15 to lend their unwavering support to the institution’s students. With Lebanon still mired in an economic crisis, LAU’s financial aid has reached unprecedented scale, covering 85% of the student body. To maintain high standards, this has been accompanied by massive faculty and staff retention packages. Initiatives such as the Legacy Scholarship Gala, which raised over $1 million both from attendees and from donors far and wide, are now critical to the university’s success in empowering new generations of professionals, creators, thinkers, entrepreneurs. Kicking off with a surprise appearance by New York City mayor Eric Adams, the evening featured a succession of international honorees, special guests, lively appeals, and delightful music, all in celebration -and material support- of this great cause. ‘The diaspora, of which many of you are a part, is Lebanon’s gift to humanity,’ said Philip Stoltzfus, the chairman of LAU’s Board of Trustees. He described the Lebanese as ‘a people so talented and industrious that they lift and transform every community they adopt as their own.’ LAU president Michel E. Mawad appealedfor help ‘from the ranks of outstanding faculty, physicians, staff and students deeply committed to the pursuit of quality education and healthcare’ and ‘on behalf of an institution that proudly embraces a dual identity of American and Lebanese.’ He characterized the university as ‘an academic and professional lighthouse in the darkness of Lebanon.’ The call for support resonated throughout the event’s colorful program – and it did not go unheeded. The live appeal byauctioneer CK Swett drew swift responses throughout the room from beaming donors. ‘We are here for the students, for their future and for the future of Lebanon,’ and to ‘open doors for the students, which will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on their lives,’ said gala committee co-chairs Zeina Fares and Micheline Nader, respectively. ‘We need you more than ever right now,’ said mayor Adams referring to institutions such as LAU. ‘[Our] children are undergoing so much – we’ve never had to go through what these young people are going through,’ he said, before presenting a proclamation as a recognition ‘on behalf of 8.3 million New Yorkers.’ LAU’s two honorees received the Sarah Huntington Smith award with warm and forward-looking words. ‘Education has been my anchor, my foundation of knowledge, and the source of valuable life lessons,’ said basketball star Wael Arakji ’16, accepting the award on behalf of the national basketball team of Lebanon. ‘And tonight, I want to inspire and stand next to and behind the next generation in Lebanon … I want them to know that regardless of where they start, with hard work and dedication, they can aspire to greatness,’ he added. In a heartfelt impromptu speech, H.H. Sheikha Intisar AlSabah highlighted her fondness for Lebanon, the work of her NGO that helps women overcome violence and war trauma, and her upcoming return to serve as an LAU trustee again. ‘So if you were thinking of giving $1,000 before, make them $10,000, because there are a lot of students that need help,’ she said to a captive and cheerful audience. ‘I am so honored and proud to be here receiving this award … I promise you we will continue and increase our efforts to support all the students at LAU,’ she said. Mona Abou Hamzeh, the award-winning presenter of the TV show Talk of the Town,was also on hand as a special guest. She reaffirmed the importance of Lebanon’s diaspora in the recovery and reform efforts. A special attendee this year was Jana Sharara, MD class of 2023. Her success exemplifies the triumph that is LAU’s financial aid program with the additional support of major donors, who were there to reinforce her safety net at the worst moments of the economic crisis. They did not let her fall, and that is what this event was all about. The gala concluded with a musical feast by Guy Manoukian.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon