Archive for January, 2011

Everybody knows just how complicated it really is to pick between online schools. It seems like every time we turn around there are more, so precisely how are you ever to make an educated choice? You need to know that you’re the only one that can make this decision. Indeed, you may take suggestions and pointers from friends, family and even other people online, however you are the person who has to live with your decision, and that means you ought to be cautious before signing on the dotted line. Cautiously weigh your options to find out which school is the right fit.

Review your particular requirements to discover which university fits best with these necessities. If you want a lot of individual attention, it is important to choose one of the many online schools that are experts in that. If you’d like to be left on your own, then you could check out an online school that features bigger class sizes. If you conduct adequate research, you’ll be able to feel comfortable in your choice.

If you’re looking for the best way to find the right university for your needs, you will need to think about this choice as you would with a brick and mortar school. Consider the reputation of the school and its professors. If the professors of the online schools do not have any qualifications to their names, then chances are that the school isn’t the best in existence, though it may be cheap.

Price is just one of the smaller factors you need to consider when looking at online schools. Prices are obviously important, but it’s even more important to get your money’s worth. You do not want to throw away your money on a diploma that prospective employers will simply scoff at. This is why you should keep your eyes peeled for ripoffs or those who are only wanting your money but don’t care about your schooling.

Accreditation is perhaps the most crucial element you should consider of all of the online schools. If the university you are considering has obtained government recognition and accreditation, you may rest assured that employers will certainly respect your degree. But if the college is sketchy, then you are just shooting yourself in the foot. Many different organizations do accreditation, but make sure to take a look at a few institutions to compare their reputations.

The reason why accredited online schools are better is because it provides an industry standard. Accreditation shows your education and learning meets a specific level, and your companies will recognize that. Whether you would like to continue your training to acquire a higher degree or you want to join the workforce right away, accreditation is important.

If you are looking at online schools, you’re making an important decision for the future, and that’s why you shouldn’t sell yourself short. Look towards the long run and ensure that that institution can help you get there. It may also be a good idea to interview people in your desired career to find out how they would view an online degree from that school.

If you conduct your research and discover the college that matches your personal requirements, then you will not end up being disappointed with the results. If a school claims things that are too good to be true, then simply walk away. You should not rush into the decision and realize you can begin your online education whenever is practical for you. Take your time and know that you’re making a decision that may change your life.

About Author
Online education is growing rapidly. There are many accredited online schools out there and there are many scams as well. Make sure you choose the right school. Visit our website to check out more information.  
Ayinde O. Chase – AHN News Editor

San Ramon Valley, CA, United States (AHN) – The San Ramon Valley fire department has created a new app which notifies residents of cardiac emergencies and also locates Automated External Defibrillators.

The mobile, GPS-based notification system was designed specifically to get people who are trained in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the site of a heart attack faster than first responders.

Dispatchers notify users via text of the emergency incident.

The iPhone app, which is available for free download, is coordinated by the fire department and communicates with over 700 members of the Community Emergency Response Team using the app. Over the last few months an early version include the public with more than 22,000 iPhone users.

However because San Ramon Valley is only 155 square miles, that’s nearly 150 people per square mile who are connected and ready to assist with CPR should the need arise.

Another feature of the app allows users to monitor in real time on the status of each reported incident, and ascertain when a rescuer has reached the scene and when professional emergency services are expected to arrive.

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Modernization has drastically transformed the way in which the ordinary individuals used to think to a great extent. Introduction of online learning is the greatest evidence of this contemporary thinking in various parts of the globe counting the remotest area also. India has been criticized badly due to the learning method that it follows. As the befitting answer to these criticisms, the online study programs are introduced in India. The system of distance learning in India has captured the focus of the world. India has been capable to establish itself as the talent pool that has been admired well by the world. The growth and development of the Indian economic system and the obligation to continue this progress has also been a guiding force for Indian government to speed up the process of developing all branches of distance learning in India these days. Online degree in India allows individuals especially the working professionals to earn a degree, without spending any excess time for the study program.

Online degree in India comes in several packages. Apart from full time courses numerous colleges and universities are there offering specialized executive study programs as well. The interested individuals can decide themselves about the study programs suitable for them depending upon definite field of learning. The total education system prevailing in India can be divided into primary education, secondary education and higher education. Primary education consists of eight years of education. Higher studies in India begin after individuals pass the higher secondary. Then students opt for graduation and keep their first step into the world of higher education. Graduate study programs are usually of three years. Study programs included in the online degree in India courses have fascinated enthusiastic learners from various academic interests. Science, Arts, Technology, Medicine, Engineering, Fine Arts, Social Science, Business, Media Studies and numerous vocational study programs complete the orbit of online degree in India. Online bachelor degree has been a popular choice among students opting for distance learning courses.

These days, online degree in India has an essential role in the field of education. Online colleges and universities offer an array of study programs as the part of the system of earning an online degree in India which will suit the educational objectives and schedule of several aspiring candidates. The degree program of an individual represents how he has mastered the knowledge and it may be termed a symbol of their devotion level. Availing this online study facility is actually a great way to advance the career of an individual and open up the doors of new opportunities. Completing any course through this medium is equally beneficial as studying the conventional campus based courses and that also in a convenient way.

Online studying is the most essential term that is applicable for the computer-enhanced study. Earning an online degree in India may be a good choice for individuals who can not attend regular campus classes. The procedure of study under distance learning in India is different from conventional system of learning. Classrooms or face to face interaction with teachers is not required in this mode of learning.

About Author
Samantha Desouza is doing her online degree in India from India. For more information on distance learning in India she recommends you to visit http://www.rdi.co.uk/
Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News

Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Ten construction workers plunged to their death Thursday noon when the cables of the improvised elevator they were using snapped, causing the gondola to collapse mid-air. The accident led to the indefinite suspension of work at the 39-story Eton Residences Greenbelt building in Makati, the Philippines’ central financial district.

The workers, on their way down from the upper floors for lunch, fell from the 34th floor to the seventh floor. Two of them landed on the street pavement.

It appears overloading was the cause of the accident because the gondola measuring about 1 by 3 meters could only hold about two to three workers. The gondola had three men when it moved down from the 34th floor. Seven more boarded the elevator when it stopped at the 17th floor, causing the lift to collapse upon reaching the 10th floor.

One worker survived the fall, 10 died instantly. All 11 were workers of E.M. Pinon, the subcontractor of ARLO Aluminum, the contractor in charge of installing glass windows on the building. The sole survivor is confined at the Ospital ng Makati, where he underwent surgery.

The accident led the Labor Department to issue immediately a suspension order on the project while the agency conducts an investigation into the cause of the accident. Among the causes being eyed are overloading, lack of permit to operate the service elevator and lack of safety devices. All of the 11 workers were apparently not wearing safety helmets and harnesses, as mandated by law.

While maintaining it follows and enforces safety regulations in all its projects. Eton Properties promised to review compliance with safety regulations. Eton said this is the first accident among the 27 buildings it has constructed.

Even if the ill-fated workers were employees of the subcontractor, Eton Properties – owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan – vowed to extend financial assistance to the accident victims.

Construction accidents are common in the Philippines because of lack of safety inspections by government regulators and some developers cutting corners by not providing safety equipment. Construction workers also are to blame for often violating safety regulations in spite of warnings and reminders from supervisors.

In the past few months, similar accidents have been reported in different construction sites in major urban centers that are enjoying a construction boom.

The accident and the Tuesday bus bombing, which also happened in Makati, led the city government to declare Friday a day of mourning.

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Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – The University of Santo Tomas in Manila celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding Friday. The school is the oldest university in Asia and has been recognized by the Vatican as a royal and pontifical university.

Pope Benedict XVI greeted the university on its quadricentennial with a taped video message played during a mass that marked the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of Catholic schools. The mass was held at the UST Grandstand and Open Ground, where two other popes had celebrated masses.

The university, which counts among its alumni national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and several Philippine presidents and bishops, holds the distinction of being the only educational institution visited three times by two popes – Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.

Pope Leo XIII declared UST in 1902 a pontifical university, while Pope Pius XII gave the educational institution the title The Catholic University of the Philippines in 1947.

Aside from the video message, Pope Benedict sent a representative to join UST in its celebration, Polish Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the prefect of Vatican’s Sacred Congregation of Catholic Education, who led the concelebrated mass.

The university made a Thursday night countdown at the Quirino Grandstand with a program and fireworks display.

There are several alumni homecomings scheduled throughout the week, with graduates coming home from abroad to attend reunions. UST unveiled on Thursday a 10-meter bronze and glass sculpture to mark its quadricentennial. The sculpture has four figures – a priest, a teacher, and a male and female student.

The university is known for its academic excellence with its medical and nursing graduates topping government board examinations. It is considered one of the top four universities in the country.

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AHN News Staff

London, United Kingdom (AHN) – Despite the European Commission’s warning to take measures to control air pollution in Greater London and Gibraltar, the presence of tiny airborne particles beyond EU limits in the two regions could put the United Kingdom under legal action.

The British government is now left with six months to persuade EU officials over meeting European clean air standards in London.

Talking to reporters in London on Thursday, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said that the UK was at the second stage of a six-stage infringement process. Potocnik said that Britain was not the only EU member facing sanctions over its air quality, adding that 20 out of 27 members were facing the same.

Slovenia and Sweden are already facing a legal action at the European Court of Justice over their air quality levels.

The commission said that industry, traffic and domestic heating create PM10 – a tiny particle that could cause lung cancer, cardiovascular problems, asthma and even death. The commission’s deadline for the UK is due to expire in June.

“States can choose whatever measures they want – they have their own menus. Our concern is the level that should be met,” Potocnik said. “We work in good faith with governments. We can’t look at all the monitoring stations, check every day,” he added.

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Many engineering schools offer bachelors degrees, graduate certificates, masters degrees and doctoral degrees online. The standard distance learning colleges offer online engineering courses, but so do some of the best engineering colleges and universities in the country. Unlike other professions, in engineering, an online degree is completely equal to a traditional degree.
Our non-renewable energy resources, like coal and oil are fast depleting. Hence, there is a need to use renewable energy, like sunlight, wind, and water for power generation. However, today only a very small percentage of power is generated through these resources. So, the government is asking builders, organizations, and educational institutions to install solar panels for power generation.
To enter and successfully pursue the career of a green engineer there are many green engineer courses that you can choose from. With all the world governments, UN and the corporations reacting to the global warming by promoting the green surroundings, green engineering has come up as a great career option.
The advantage of distance learning is the distance. Distance learning means that you can take classes without being physically present where the class is taught. This is even truer of online distance learning, where your classroom is wherever you can find a computer with an internet connection. In addition to being convenient, that means that you can learn from the best of the best, no matter where you are.
The audio skills and principles of audio engineering have to be properly learned in order to apply them effectively. The coursework for audio production are varied and all of them are aimed at preparing the students for professional careers. The extensive audio engineering programs, coursework, projects, hands on assignments are offered.
Students who are drawn to the engineering professions are often inquisitive, love to solve problems, and have a keen interest in computers. They like to research solutions, test their findings, and trouble-shoot technology as it is applied. If you don’t think engineering is a diverse field that attracts a wide range of thinkers, consider this.
Let us discuss some major engineering courses: – aeronautical engineering basically deals with aircrafts (construction, designing and research) and other related facets. Then we have agricultural engineering which relates to agriculture (how science can help agriculture flourish). Bioengineering is a science where life forms are researched (DNA, genes, etc.).
A good coaching institute will be helpful for keeping the students updated with the latest developments in the examination patterns and requirements. Similarly, it will also be helpful for covering the entire scene before the actual exam, which includes the entrance forms and the likes. Some of the entrances coaching institutes also offer on line coaching for the students preparing for diploma courses.
Engineers are trained to use acquired scientific knowledge to solve practical and technological problems in the process of design and development. Engineering schools offer training in the specifications, functions, and design of products, as well as the testing and evaluation of all components of product effectiveness.
There are also many non-academic institutions which offer degrees online for payment. Prospective candidates should ask for accreditation validation from the regional or national accrediting bodies before to signing up .

Many engineering schools offer bachelors degrees, graduate certificates, masters degrees and doctoral degrees online. The standard distance learning colleges offer online engineering courses, but so do some of the best engineering colleges and universities in the country. Unlike other professions, in engineering, an online degree is completely equal to a traditional degree.
Our non-renewable energy resources, like coal and oil are fast depleting. Hence, there is a need to use renewable energy, like sunlight, wind, and water for power generation. However, today only a very small percentage of power is generated through these resources. So, the government is asking builders, organizations, and educational institutions to install solar panels for power generation.
To enter and successfully pursue the career of a green engineer there are many green engineer courses that you can choose from. With all the world governments, UN and the corporations reacting to the global warming by promoting the green surroundings, green engineering has come up as a great career option.
The advantage of distance learning is the distance. Distance learning means that you can take classes without being physically present where the class is taught. This is even truer of online distance learning, where your classroom is wherever you can find a computer with an internet connection. In addition to being convenient, that means that you can learn from the best of the best, no matter where you are.
The audio skills and principles of audio engineering have to be properly learned in order to apply them effectively. The coursework for audio production are varied and all of them are aimed at preparing the students for professional careers. The extensive audio engineering programs, coursework, projects, hands on assignments are offered.
Students who are drawn to the engineering professions are often inquisitive, love to solve problems, and have a keen interest in computers. They like to research solutions, test their findings, and trouble-shoot technology as it is applied. If you don’t think engineering is a diverse field that attracts a wide range of thinkers, consider this.
Let us discuss some major engineering courses: – aeronautical engineering basically deals with aircrafts (construction, designing and research) and other related facets. Then we have agricultural engineering which relates to agriculture (how science can help agriculture flourish). Bioengineering is a science where life forms are researched (DNA, genes, etc.).
A good coaching institute will be helpful for keeping the students updated with the latest developments in the examination patterns and requirements. Similarly, it will also be helpful for covering the entire scene before the actual exam, which includes the entrance forms and the likes. Some of the entrances coaching institutes also offer on line coaching for the students preparing for diploma courses.
Engineers are trained to use acquired scientific knowledge to solve practical and technological problems in the process of design and development. Engineering schools offer training in the specifications, functions, and design of products, as well as the testing and evaluation of all components of product effectiveness.
There are also many non-academic institutions which offer degrees online for payment. Prospective candidates should ask for accreditation validation from the regional or national accrediting bodies before to signing up .

Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – More teeth have been added to the ongoing global efforts to curb excessive executive compensation and bonuses. Amid plans by European Union regulators to curb bankers’ bonuses, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved Tuesday new rules that grant stockholders a say on company officials’ salaries, bonuses and retirement packages.

On a 3-2 vote, SEC commissioners allowed shareholders of publicly traded firms to vote at least once a year on executive compensation. However, the vote is non-binding.

Republican commissioners Kathleen Casey and Troy Paredes cast the dissenting votes on the ground that the changes would be too costly for smaller firms.

The new rules, however, won’t be in effect until 2013. It will apply only to companies where stockholders hold less than $75 million of shares. SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro said the two-year deferral is sufficient time to ensure the new rules would not unduly burden smaller companies.

The new rules are a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the regulatory overhaul enacted in July as a response to the 2008 credit crisis. Fat paychecks and compensation packages were blamed for the risky trading that lead to the collapse of major American financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers Holdings and Bear Stearns.

Law experts said that although the shareholders’ vote is non-binding, rejection by investors of executive pay would be big news and be embarrassing to a company’s board, which could prompt the directors to respond to stockholders’ opinion.

The SEC vote came a week after Wall Street paid millions of bankers their 2010 bonuses, even as the rest of the nation copes with the harder times caused by the global financial crisis.

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Kris Alingod – AHN News Contributor

Annapolis, MA, United States (AHN) – A California graduate school instructor believed to have profited from fake military and academic credentials for a decade has been charged with mail fraud.

According to a criminal complaint, William Hillar has been offering workshops, accepting paid speaking engagements and conducting training for government agencies under fraudulent pretenses.

Hillar allegedly claimed for the past 10 years to be a retired colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces who served in Asia, the Middle East and South America. His padded resume includes training in tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance and psychological warfare.

He claimed to have a master’s degree in education, a doctorate in health education, and an honorary doctorate in intercultural relations.

The 66-year-old maintained a business called Bill Hillar Training as well as a website that outlined his alleged service record and university degrees. The Maryland resident taught a workshop at the Monterey Institute for International Studies from 2005 until he was removed by the school last year.

California-based Monterey Institute is a graduate school of Middlebury College that offers courses and workshops on areas such as international policy and sustainable development.

The school completed an investigation in November that found Hillar’s claims to be false. The institute said Hillar was not subjected to a pre-employment background check because he was an independent contractor who taught a one-credit workshop every semester.

The FBI says Hillar received a total of $32,500 from the school for 12 courses he taught.

Hillar has no service records with the Army and was never sent to any of the places he claimed to have been deployed. He served as an enlisted sailor for the Coast Guard reserves from 1962 through 1970. He attended the University of Oregon but has no post-graduate degree.

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