France plans to welcome 10,000 Indian students by 2020

France is aiming to more than double the enrollment of Indian students at French universities in the next three years. As part of efforts to strengthen its “strategic partnership” with India, the country aims to be hosting 10,000 Indian students by 2020.

Last year, France welcomed 4,000 Indian students. Although this number is 50 times higher than 20 years before, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told Times of India that it is still “insufficient in terms of the quality of the relationship between the two countries”.

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With trade between France and India reported at €8 billion a year, Mr Ayrault also commented that French president Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are in agreement regarding the importance of higher education and student exchange programs in strengthening relations between the two nations.

Studying abroad “a guarantee of freedom”

Mr Alyrault also spoke more generally about the benefits of international study, telling Times of India: “Four million students studied in foreign countries in 2012. Around the world, international student mobility has become a major issue. This mobility is a guarantee of freedom.”

France welcomed a total of 310,000 international students in 2015/16, with around 43% originating from African countries, and 30,000 coming from China.

It’s not yet clear how France will set about attracting more Indian students. But for now, the message is clear: if you’re an Indian student interested in studying in France, you’re more than welcome!

European Charlemagne Youth Prize

Take part in the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2017!

If you believe that European consciousness matters, participate in this competition and win prizes.

The prize is awarded to projects made by young people which foster understanding, promote the development of a shared sense of European identity, and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community. The projects can focus on the organisation of various youth events, youth exchanges or online projects with a European dimension.

Who can participate?
Citizens or residents of one of the 28 EU Member States between 16 and 30 years old, either individually or in groups.

Prizes
- The prize for the best project is EUR 7.500, the second, EUR 5.000 and the third, EUR 2.500.
- Representatives of the 28 national projects selected will be invited to a four-day trip in Aachen, Germany on 23 May 2017.
- The prizes for the best three projects will be presented by the President of the European Parliament and representative of the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.
- As part of the prize, the laureates will be invited to visit the European Parliament (in Brussels or in Strasbourg).

How to apply?

Applications in all official languages of the European Union are eligible.

The projects submitted for the competition must have started and:
a) finished within the calendar year (1 January 2016 and 30 January 2017) preceding the current application deadline or
b) be still running.

Deadline: 30 January 2017. 

Read more: http://www.charlemagneyouthprize.eu/en/introduction.html

The European Charlemagne Youth Prize is awarded jointly and annually by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.

WHAT IF WE WIN?

The prize for the best project is €7500, the second €5000 and the third €2500. As part of the prize, the three European laureates are invited to visit the European Parliament in Brussels or Strasbourg.

One representative of each of the 28 national winners is invited to Aachen for several days to attend several events, including the Youth Prize Award Ceremony, which always takes place two days before Ascension Day, the day on which the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen is awarded.

The prizes for the best three projects will be presented by the President of the European Parliament and representatives of the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.

Your project will also receive lots of coverage through the European Parliament’s and the Foundation’s media channels.

... and last but not least, your stay in Aachen will be a unique chance to meet and network with other dynamic young people from all over Europe, a platform to share your vision about Europe in front of European leaders and for many it will be the beginning of some long-lasting friendships with like-minded young people from all over Europe!

Traineeships in the European Commission

 What is in it for you?

·         A paid traineeship of 5 months with the European Commission (or some executive bodies and agencies of the European Institutions like, for instance, the European External Action Service or Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation), starting on either 1st March or 1st October.

·         You will receive a monthly grant of 1,159.40 € as of 1st March 2017 and reimbursement of travel expenses. Accident and health insurance can also be provided.

·         Every year, there are about 1,300 places available.

·         If you are one of the selected candidates you get hands-on experience in an international and multicultural environment. This can be an important enrichment for your further career.

 Calendar

OCTOBER 2016-FEBRUARY 2017 Traineeship

TRAINEESHIP: on-going

MARCH 2017-JULY 2017 Traineeship

APPLICATIONS: closed

PRESELECTION/eligibility: October-November 2016
Sending of offers: start in January 2017

OCTOBER 2017-FEBRUARY 2018 Traineeship

APPLICATIONS: 4/01/2017 (12:00 noon, Brussels time) - 31/01/2017 (12:00 noon, Brussels time)

Apply

Whats Engineering all about | Why Study Engineering

Why study engineering?
Studying engineering can lead to exciting career prospects and top salaries, as engineering companies, career specialists and students themselves highlight.
If you're considering studying engineering in some form, it's good to know how you'll benefit from a qualification in this area. We spoke to a number of career specialists, engineering companies and engineering students themselves to give you a full run down of the reasons why you should study engineering.
Good money, lots of variety, the chance to be part of a renowned group of professionals and always in demand - what's not to like about a career in engineering?

Scotland join Finland in launching scheme to offer everyone a basic monthly income

Scotland join Finland in launching scheme to offer everyone a basic monthly income regardless of employment status or salary

Scotland is poised to join Finland and Canada in testing Universal Basic Income (UBI), a welfare system in which all citizens are given a fixed sum of money, regardless of their income or employment status. Any money earned from salaries or businesses is then taxed progressively. 

Proponents of UBI say that it could empower people by offering them the flexibility to earn, learn, start a family or a business, safe in the knowledge that they will have enough money to get by. It is seen as a means to reduce welfare dependency and income inequality.

Critics believe UBI is nothing more than a socialist utopian ideal or “fairytale”. They say that it would be unaffordable, leading to tax hikes and discouraging business investment whilst causing a drop in productivity. They also argue that, given everyone would receive the benefit, it would do nothing to combat inequality.

As Fife and Glasgow look into establishing trial schemes for 2017, Finland is already one step ahead. Though some smaller, successful trials have gone on at local level since the 1970s from India to the United States, Finland will be the first to conduct a UBI experiment on such a scale. The two-year pilot scheme will provide 2,000 – 25 to 58 year-old, unemployed Finnish citizens with a monthly basic income of 560 euros replacing their other benefits. They will continue to receive the UBI even if they find work.

For Kela, the organisation running Finland’s social security and managing the pilot scheme, the hope is to see an increase in employment and a reduction in the current costly bureaucratic mechanisms which can, reportedly, discourage some people from finding employment.

Scotland has seen a huge increase in health inequality, poverty and the use of food banks in recent years. In Glasgow where one-third of all children are living in poverty, the idea is being warmly welcomed by the public and supported by both the SNP and Labour.

The Guardian quoted radical Economist and UBI champion Guy Standing on the subject. It said: “The sense of insecurity, the stagnating living standards, all of those things are clear in Scotland and the fact that so many within the SNP are supportive means there’s a real opportunity to do a pilot in Scotland… People relate to the idea that everyone should have a social dividend. Everywhere I go, it’s the communities that feel left behind by globalisation that are most interested [in the idea of a basic income]. We have seen a sea-change in attitudes.”

UBI is still a pipe dream for most, even Finland is only at the very beginning of a long and time-consuming study but if the results are promising, this could mark a new era in the relationship between the individual and the state.

Tips for choosing an internship abroad

Have you decided to do an internship abroad?

Is it a mandatory part of your programme or you need to gain international experience?

1.     Need to look for a company/Industry  that can allocate an experienced manager/staff as your mentor. It is very important to have a knowledgeable colleague willing to guide and inspire you. This colleague needs to have time to sit down with you in order to give you a good overview of the company’s operations and a clear explanation of your everyday tasks, as well as, check on you, help you out and contribute towards your growth in gaining Experience.

2.     Choose a company that can offer you the transition opportunity into a full-time position. Don’t be afraid to ask when applying. Depending on your performance the possibility of  turning from a Interns to a full-time experience and valuable colleague exists and you should use it.

3.     Choose an internship that offers you flexible work hours. The idea of doing an internship abroad is to gain more work experience but you would also like to have some free time to explore the country and to know the culture, travel and make new friends.

4.     Try to find a company or an institution that can offer you Paid Internship. Not all internship positions offer you a salary, but in this case, you should choose a company that offers you some good benefits that would help you in your daily life course.

5.     Look for a company that values its employees and organizes social activities and team bonding events for them. This is a great way to get to know your colleagues at a more personal level and who knows, you can even make new friends! These activities will make you feel as a part of the team and will allow you to work in a more relaxed environment.

6.     Choose a medium size company. Working in a medium size company rather than an international corporate will be less stressful and you will have more personal interaction chances with your new colleagues. Also, try to go for a company with people around your age as it will be easier for you to connect with them and have fun.

7.     Consider the location of the company’s premises. Your working place should be accessible by public transportation.  Don’t go for an internship at a company that is far away from the city center.

8.    Stay in alliance with your values. Do an internship that makes you feel good and it’s not against your life principles.

A last piece of advice, would be to do an internship before you start with your Master’s programme as the internship will offer you the experience you need to make a more mature decision when choosing your Master course. 

Of course, don’t forget that studying or doing an internship abroad is a great chance to indulge into a new culture, learn about the history of the country, taste the local cuisine and improve your foreign language skills, so try to make the most out of it! In case you are considering Italy, I can assure you that you won’t regret it! 

SAPIENZA University Collaborates on First KENYAN Satellite

Kenya is ready to send its first satellite into orbit in collaboration with Sapienza University.

The 1Kuns Satellite, which stands for “First Kenyan University Satellite” will be built by a team of university students from Nairobi University and Sapienza University in Rome with the support of the Italian Space Agency. The CubeSat is a small cubic satellite that should be completed in 2017 and will be used to observe the Earth.

The satellite will be assembled by students of the International Master Course in Space Mission Design and Management organized by the Astronautics, Electrical and Energetics Engineering Department at Sapienza University in collaboration with the University of Nairobi.

Mwanghi Mbuthia, the scientific representative of the Engineering School of Nairobi University visited  Rome on December 6 and illustrate the project and meet with the Project Scientific Manager, Fabrizio Piergentili from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Fabio Santoni, Master Course Director from the Department of Astronautics, Electrical and Energetics Engineering.

The idea developed as part of the Ikuns contract, which was already part of a Sapienza-ASI Agreement for the management and development of research activities at the Sapienza Broglio Space Center managed by ASI in Malindi, Kenya. The project brings together both scientific and technological objectives and promises to have a great educational impact.

The 1Kuns Satellite is an extraordinary goal for a developing country such as Kenya and a unique opportunity for students at the two universities, who will be able to work in a stimulating international environment. The competitive character of the Italo-Kenyan university team and the value of its work has been rewarded when the 1Kuns-KenyaSat Mission was selected by UNOOSA – Spatial Affairs Office of the UN and JAXA – the Japanese Spatial Agency, selected it to be launched into orbit on board of the Japanese KIBO module on the International Space Station.

The official announcement of the first Kenyan CubeSat was held at the “UN-IAF Workshop on Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits,” organized in September by the United Nations in Guadalajara, Mexico.