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BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/7
Premium growth slumps in first half; Businesses receive support for US market expansion; Vietnam's US trade surplus hits new heights; Mitsui eyes IT parks in Da Nang city
TPP agreement facilitates Vietnamese goods
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, once realised, will help push forward Vietnam's market reform, modernisation and integration, said participants at a July 17 seminar on the TPP's impacts.
Addressing the seminar, Ray Nayler from the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said the TPP would create many favourable conditions for Vietnamese exports to penetrate the markets of the US, Australia and other TPP members. At the same time, it will help increase the flow of foreign investment into Vietnam .
According to Nayler, besides the increase of export staples such as garment and textiles, seafood, and wood products, Vietnam will also access more markets for its new products such as auto parts and processed seafood, as well as expand trade partnership.
At the same time, participants noted that each TPP member can benefit from the agreement only when they also allow other members to access their domestic markets, as TPP is a reciprocal arrangement.
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Customs said it has adopted electronic customs procedures, which is a practical tool in helping businesses improve competitiveness when Vietnam joins the free trade markets.
The seminar was held by Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, in partnership with Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation and the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam).
The 18th round of TPP negotiations is taking place in Malaysia from July 15–25.
Negotiations have ended on five of the 29 planned chapters including trade facilitation, telecommunications, small and medium-sized enterprises and have effectively been completed on nine others.-
Premium growth slumps in first half
The insurance market experienced a lower rate of growth in the first half of this year, mainly due to economic difficulties, according to Trinh Thanh Hoan, Director of the Ministry of Finance's Insurance Supervisory Authority (ISA).
The ISA's statistics showed that non-life insurance premiums in the first six months came to a total of 11.8 trillion VND (562 million USD), a rise of only 2.2 percent over the same period last year.
The rise was substantially lower in comparison with the same periods over the last two years, which were recorded at around 20 percent, Hoan said.
Life insurance also struggled to maintain a growth rate of 13 percent, reaching 9.1 trillion VND (434 million USD).
In total, all insurance premiums experienced a growth rate of 6.86 percent over the same period last year, down from the growth rates of 2012 and 2011, which came in at 17.8 percent and 22 percent respectively.
The figures reflected that the insurance market was slowing down, which were mainly attributed to the range of economic difficulties that were adversely impacting on domestic businesses, said Hoan.
According to the ISA Deputy Director Phung Ngoc Khanh, the insurance industry aimed at reaching a total premium of 43.711 trillion VND (2.082 billion USD) this year, a rise of 6.5 percent over last year.
More than 54 percent of this was non-life insurance, which recorded a growth rate of only 5 percent but life insurance is expected to grow at 9 percent.
Experts at the ISA's conference on July 15 to review the insurance market performance in the first half of the year also pointed out that the insurance market is too complicated and managing it is difficult due to the lack of an adequate information system, which will prevent fraud and link enterprises together electronically.
The ISA will upgrade the management regime in the coming months, Khanh said, adding that inspections could also be carried out at some insurance companies, including BIDV Insurance Joint Stock Corp, ACE Life Vietnam and the Vietnam Airlines Insurance Joint-Stock Company.
Figures show that there are 58 insurance companies currently operating in the country, 29 of which are non-life insurance, 13 life insurance, 12 insurance brokers and two are reinsurance companies.
Saigon Airport Plaza completes first stage
Ho Chi Minh City's Saigon Airport Plaza – a mixed-use project of four components namely apartment, office, hotel/serviced apartment and shopping centre – has launched its first phase.
Available for use are the Blue Sky Apartment, Blue Sky Serviced Apartment, and Blue Sky Office Tower.
The plaza project span on 1.6 hectares next to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and is less than 30 minutes to the city's core business district.
It is also in a close proximity to other retail centres and greenery parks such as Hoang Van Thu Park and Gia Dinh Park.
Inside, Saigon Airport Plaza offers a full range of facilities such as a well-equipped gym club, outdoor swimming pools separately for adults and children, a Jacuzzi, spa, garden café and restaurants overlooking an impressive water-show fountain at its heart.
This year's second quarter saw significant new supply from Saigon Airport Plaza with 84 fully-furnished one-bedroom units, the first Grade B serviced apartment in Tan Binh district, said CBRE Vietnam managing director Marc Townsend. Half of the serviced apartment building is exclusively leased by CBRE Vietnam.
The project's second phase will be for the construction of four-star Star City Airport Hotel with 240 rooms. The W-shaped hotel will offer connect-to- airport services such as pick-up at the domestic and international terminals, five-minute shuttle bus, and flight check in services.
The project was broke ground in September 2010, and its total investment is $100 million, according to its developer Viet Lien A-Phu Hung Gia, an arm of the SSG Group.
SSG is the developer of Saigon Pearl in Binh Thanh district and Thao Dien Pearl in District 2. Both are home to diplomatic residences and foreign business executives.
Sacombank's H1 profit exceeds half of target
Sacombank, a major Vietnamese lender, posted its January-June 2013 before tax profit at 52 per cent of this year's target.
The Ho Chi Minh City-based bank said it reached VND1.448 trillion ($69 million) before-tax profit in the first half of this year. The total assets exceeded VND159.66 trillion ($7.6 billion), up 5.5 per cent at the end of last year. Sacombank added its non-performing loans now accounted for just 2.46 per cent of total outstanding loans.
The bank currently operates 421 transaction offices across Vietnam and in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos.
The State Bank of Vietnam has approved Sacombank's plan to increase its charter capital by 17 per cent, from VND10.74 trillion ($511 million) to VND12.425 trillion ($592 million) by issuing shares to pay dividends of 2011 and issuing shares to core staff members.
However, Sacombank is seeking to make another capital increase this year, scheduled for completion by the final quarter.
Fitch Ratings early July maintained the 'B' notch in the Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) for 4 Vietnamese banks – Agribank, Vietinbank, Sacombank and Asia Commercial Bank (ACB). The US credit rating agency also reaffirmed the 'stable outlook' rate in the IDRs for three of them, excluding ACB with a 'negative outlook'.
Vietnam advised to heed advice on port operations
Port operators in Vietnam were urged to take advantage of opportunities generated by key emerging world trends in order to become more relevant to the market and able to compete with established players.
At the 11th Asean Ports and Shipping Conference in Ho Chi Minh City July 11-12, Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, identified five key emerging trends that could help Vietnam.
Won-Joon Lee, Accenture's Asia-Pacific managing director for automotive, industrial equipment, infrastructure and transportation said that Accenture has two offices in Vietnam. "We are here this week to meet with industry and business leaders to share our research on the port industry and see how we can participate in the growing economy".
Hong Kong-based Fox Chu, Accenture's director for port industry, Asia Pacific, said the five trends were dynamic supply chain, impact of automation technology, economic volatility, reduced time for profit maximisation, and talent shortage and immobility.
As for supply chain, he said regional port operators needed to become more customer-centric businesses that could flexibly respond to the needs of shipping lines for a lower cost. They should streamline operations and offer more personalized services for shippers to increase customer loyalty.
Meanwhile, productivity can be increased by 30 per cent through automation, Chu said. As for the third trend, he said uncertain economic conditions required port operators to create agile and streamlined businesses.
For profit maximisation, he stated that port operators need scalable business models to weather a negative cash flow period and speed up the scalability of a business to capitalise on the short profit-making period.
He also remarked that talent shortage was a common problem experienced by all industries, and this could be addressed by standardising processes and IT infrastructure.
The two-day conference revolved around the belief that the regional port industry's widespread growth has come to an abrupt end as a result of economic stagnation which has made it difficult for operators to maintain high performance.
Regarding building high performance ports, competing in this highly dynamic environment calls for port operators to be more nimble in their operations. They must differentiate themselves in the eyes of customers by rapidly identifying and developing new services that set them apart from competitors. This is especially true in Asian countries such as China, India and ASEAN, including Vietnam.
In view of economic volatility, port operators were also encouraged to adopt flexible cost structures and use external partners to quickly build core competencies. They were also advised to standardise processes and IT infrastructure to build a good foundation for growth.
The conference participants agreed upon the fact that ASEAN consists of port operators at different stages of port lifecycles. Among them, the region's leader, Singapore, is the most advanced; Malaysia and Indonesia are established; while Vietnam is an emerging port.
Singapore is expected to retain its lead and "exporting Singaporean expertise" will continue to benefit its overseas expansion plans. Vietnamese ports should be near manufacturing areas or import and export hubs, because this will allow operators to secure traffic from nearby factories, ensuring regular vessel visits and ongoing revenue.
The Vietnamese port industry is still facing many challenges that hinder its advancement, said Chu from Accenture. For example, traffic congestion is prevalent in ports located near big cities, and uneven distribution of the shipment loads is seen across ports in Vietnam.
He added that the Vietnamese port sector's inefficiencies led to higher costs and lower productivity. In 2012, Vietnamese ports operated at just 20 to 30 per cent of their capacity. Meanwhile, a 40-foot container shipped from Hong Kong to Los Angeles is 28 per cent less expensive than the one shipped from Ho Chi Minh City.
Another problem faced by Vietnamese ports is poor cooperation. Chu said this could be improved by entering into partnerships and privatising port businesses especially with worldwide port operating groups for financial and operational support.
Moving forward, Accenture now intends to increase its presence in the local market, said Lee.
Businesses receive support for US market expansion
Mayer Brown JSM Government and Global Trade Group member Nguyen Van Hai has outlined the challenges Vietnamese export products regularly encounter during a conference on US food and drug regulations in Ho Chi Minh Cityon July 19.
He noted major commodities like tra fish, shrimp, plastic bag, and steel oil pipe exports have provoked more than 50 anti-dumping and anti-subsidiary lawsuits in a variety of international markets.
But in spite of the legal action led by the US Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission, the US remains one of Vietnam's most lucrative markets.
In the first four months of 2013, seven out of Vietnam's 14 major export commodity groups earned over 15 percent more from US customers than during the same period last year.
To successfully ship their goods to the US,Vietnamese businesses mustminimise the risk of incurring anti-dumping and anti-subsidiary lawsuits by obeying all the country's import regulations as stringently as possible.
Chitra Ananda, Head Representative of Singapore's and Malaysia's Registra Corp, said the US is gradually increasing the quantity of imported consumer goods.
Therefore exporters should study the US Food and Drug Administration's updated regulations and accept their responsibility for the quality of their products.
Vietnam's US trade surplus hits new heights
Vietnam posted a trade surplus of US$8.3 billion with the US in the first half of the year, representing an 18.5 per cent year-on-year increase.
Statistics from the General Statistics Office showed that Vietnam's exports to the country last year was 116 times higher than that of the same period in 1995, with average annual growth of 32 per cent.
Rising export turnover to the US would help to meet this year's export target of $23 billion.
Vietnam saw 29 staples exported to the US with turnover of more than $10 million each, of which 14 items had turnover of over $100 million.
Garments and textiles took the lead with turnover of $3.2 billion, followed by footwear with $1.03 billion, wood and wooden products posting $710 million, and computer, electronics and components at $479 million. Seafood at $470 million, and machinery and parts at $362 million.
Exports to the US accounted for 18 per cent of Vietnam's total export value.
However, Vietnam's exports accounted for only 1 per cent of US imports, with Vietnam ranking 40th in countries with the greatest export values to the US.
Vietnamese enterprises should pay attention to technical barriers when exporting to the US, especially anti-dumping disputes.
Vietnam's imports from the US last year also grew by 37 times when compared to 1995, with average annual growth of 24 per cent.
Import turnover from the US market in the first six months of the year rose 14 per cent over the same period last year.
The US exported 18 items to Vietnam with turnover of more than $10 million, of which 5 items have turnover of more than $100 million.
Vietnam expected it would post a trade surplus of $17 billion with the US this year, contributing to lowering the national trade deficit. US foreign direct investment in Vietnam during the period was at $10.5 billion, with the US ranking 7th among top investors in Vietnam. The number of US visitors to Vietnam has also increased, with an average of 400,000 arrivals per year since 2007.
US-funded project enhances SMEs' competitiveness
A project to connect and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was officially kick-started on July 19 under the sponsorship of the US embassy in Vietnam.
The project aims to offer opportunities for young entrepreneurs to share experiences through consultancy with economists, successful entrepreneurs from major groups and companies.
Hoang Le Vinh, project manager, said the project would also create a forum to connect young entrepreneurs who are enthusiastic about building their careers.
This year, the project will be implemented in the north for 10 months, to help local young entrepreneurs experiment with business solutions and experience.
Vo Tri Thanh, Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) Deputy Director said that Vietnamese SMEs lacks strong co-ordination and connectivity, which are weaknesses and a risky factor for the national economy.
To survive and develop in the context of economic turmoil, Thanh said, SMEs should create markets instead of simply selling what markets currently need. In addition, strong connectivity will help them secure a firm foothold in the market.
Launched in October, 2011, the project is one of the 36 worldwide which have been selected by the US Department of State for funding.
Export surplus hits US$85 million in half month
Vietnam's import-export value in the first half of this month reached US$10.23 billion, bringing the total value in the seven months and a half to US$134.11 billion, up 7.1% from a year earlier.
Of the figure, exports hit nearly US$66.68 billion, up 15% while imports were US$67.43 billion, up 15.2%, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
the trade surplus of US$85 million in the first half of this month helped narrow the total trade deficit to US$755 million in the reviewed period equal to 1.1% of the country's total export value.
However, exports in the first half of this month, dropped by US$604 million compared to the second half of June. Sharp declines were seen in telephones and components (US$313 million), crude oil (US$96 million), steel (US$39 million), coal (US$38 million) and machinery, equipment and tools (US$34 million).
Garment exports grew byUS$137 million to US$881 million. Exports from foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses reached US$3.15 billion in the first half of July, down 11.2%, while imports were US$3.04 billion, up 1.5% compared to second half of June.
Exports to the UK up 41.6% in H1
Vietnam's export turnover to the UK reached US$1.76 billion in the past six months, a year-on-year increase of 41.6%, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Telephones and components earned the largest turnover of more than US$611 million, up 79.6%, followed by footwear (US$260.1 million, up 4.6%), and garments (US$205.1 million, up 3.5%).
Notably, computers, export earnings of electronics and components rose 315.5% to nearly US$173 million.
Some commodities such as wood and wooden products, coffee, seafood and ceramics also fetched relatively high growth in revenue.
Meanwhile, some goods saw a decrease in turnover including cashew nuts, fruit and vegetables, iron and steel, and electrical wire & cable.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) reported last year Vietnam earned US$3.03 billion from exporting goods to the UK, up 42 percent compared to 2011's figure.
The UK is a demanding market as its consumers are interested in health and environmental issues. Vietnamese businesses will make a higher profit if they meet the UK's strict requirements.
Green growth's necessary inevitability
It is essential for Vietnam to approach green growth and build green economy to pursue sustainable development goals.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong says the country is faced with a number of challenges in implementing the 2011–2015 socio-economic development plan and the 2011–2020 socio-economic development strategy, particularly in protecting macroeconomic health, environmental preservation, and social welfare.
To achieve the goal, Vietnam must improve the quality of growth, avoid middle income traps and defend itself against the potentially devastating impacts of climate change.
Vietnam is confronting the repercussions of environmental degradation and industry's reckless natural resource management, unbalanced labour development,, and a rural and urban area wealth gap. Unchecked urbanisation wreaks environmental havoc and can even increase poverty.
Despite noting Vietnam's specific green growth targets, a World Bank representative recommends that the country focus specific goals such as green growth plans at local levels and strengthening the capacity for institutional supervision of the strategy's implementation.
Ministries, departments, legislators, and the private sector should coordinate with each other during the implementation process.
Pham Hoang Mai, Head of the Ministry of Planning and Investment's Department for Science, Education, and Natural Resources, says Vietnam's national green growth strategy looks to 2050 and targets low carbon growth, green production, and green lifestyles. It sets Vietnam on the path towards carbon usage reductions and greenhouse gas emission minimisation and amelioration.
Experts believe the universal acceptance of green growth guidelines is an inevitable long-term sustainable economic development trend.
Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Deputies Delegation Tran Du Lich says promoting green growth is an effort to reclaim what has been lost in the drive towards development.
Successfully fostering low-carbon industries and clean technologies is very difficult. Green economic restructuring rests heavily on the effectiveness of Government, ministry, and department macroeconomic policies.
Quang Nam province is one of Vietnam's green growth leaders. Provincial authorities are consolidating the ecological credentials of Hoi An and Sapa's green tourism models and sustainable management of the Republic of Korea's Suwon and green urban development of the US's Portland.
Quang Nam People's Committee Chairman Le Phuoc Thanh says the province will soon boast a completed action plan tailored to a green growth roadmap.
Quang Nam will host a green growth forum every two years to evaluate the progress made along this roadmap and adjust the province's course if developments demand it.
Hanoi has a green growth strategy implementation plan for the 2011–2020 period that will require the united efforts of its citizens and governing institutions.
Hanoi is also targeting rapid and sustainable development, environmental protection, and climate change adaption. It wants to push advanced industry and green technology to 42–45 percent of gross regional domestic product (GRDP), reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8-10 percent from 2010 levels, increase urban green tree coverage to 10–12 sq.m per person, and secure universal access to safe water. All businesses are encouraged to embrace environmentally friendly technologies and all industrial and processing zones are required to meet waste water treatment system standards.
High hope for expected growth
Gradual economic recovery, reasonable consumer price index (CPI) growth, controlled inflation and stable industrial production are considered positive signs for the national economy to reach its expected growth rate.
Economic experts argue that despite inflation being under control, the government's year-end management policies should be focused on stimulating economic growth to ensure this year's 5.5 percent growth target set by the National Assembly (NA).
To reach this goal, GDP in the remaining months must grow at nearly 6%.
In the first half of this year, the country's GDP saw an estimated 4.9% increase against the same period last year, thanks to significant contributions from economic sectors and GDP growth of 4.76% in the first quarter and 5% in the second quarter.
Apart from economic growth, improved social welfare policies have facilitated low-income earners' purchase of social housing.
According to Ha Quang Tuyen, head of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) National Asset Department, it is not an easy task to achieve the 5.5 percent growth target in the current economic doldrums, with declining aggregate demand, an unexpanded scale of production, persistently high inventory and businesses' difficulties in accessing bank loans.
Consequently, it is imperative to have breakthrough solutions from the Government as well as great efforts from all ministries and sectors.
The first half CPI growth rate of 6.7 percent has basically met the target set by the NA. However, economic experts say that the macroeconomy has not yet developed steadily in the context of possible high inflation.
A recent MPI survey shows that each country's economy has different inflation rates. For example, the inflation rate of 1 percent for the Japanese economy is reasonable, while Vietnam's level, ranging from 7-8%, is good for higher economic growth.
Nguyen Huu Thang, head of the General Statistics Office (GSO) Price Statistics Department says growth stimulation is essential, in tandem with ensuring money supply growth and aggregate demand.
The possibility of the return of high inflation requires the Government to focus on keeping inflation in check. This year's inflation is predicted to stay at a low level, but large increases in investment and disbursement will adversely affect growth rates in the following years, Thang notes.
Aside from the potential for development of the industrial and service sectors, Vietnam remains an attractive investment destination for foreign investors. Therefore, the attraction of more foreign investment will be an effective solution to speed up Vietnam's future economic development.
Ho Thanh, head of the MPI Department for Construction and Investment Capital, says this year's foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction has increased in both registered and disbursed capital. Investment contribution to GDP in the first six months accounted for 29.7% and will be estimated at approximately 30 percent for the whole year.
The country is currently focusing on developing infrastructure facilities and investing in high-tech sectors to improve people's living standards on par with those in the region. For that reason, 'hot' growth and increasing investment is evitable, Thanh stresses.
According to the MPI, 2013 can be seen as the bottom and 2014 will see recovery of economic growth under the base of the "U" curve. Therefore, the set 5.5 percent growth rate is a hard nut to crack.
However, advantages have been seen in the second half, such as higher purchasing power, improved banking restructuring and settlement of bad debts and continuously adjusted interest rates, in line with developments of the macroeconomy and inflation.
Mitsui eyes IT parks in Da Nang city
Mitsui company plans to seek an investment opportunity at Da Nang's Hi-Tech Park and Information Technology Park, Ha Noi branch manager of Mitsui, Kazutaka Kiuchi, said.
The company paid a visit to the city on Wednesday to explore the possibility of investment in information technology.
Da Nang has developed the Quang Trung and Da Nang software parks as centralised centres to attract 140 information technology companies and over 2,000 employees.
Last month, the US firm Rocky Lai&Associates started construction of the Da Nang Information Technology Park with a total investment of US$278 million.
Binh Duong to build modern logistics centre
The People's Committee of southern Binh Duong Province has approved a project to establish a modern logistics centre that will boost entrepot trade in the 2015–20 period.
The centre will be built on a 100-ha site in Di An Town, very near HCM City, Dong Nai Province and many ports.
Binh Duong has an annual export-import turnover of US$25billion. The province's warehouses receive more than 72 million tonnes of goods a year.
Copyright violations threaten exports
As the economy continues its downward trend, companies are finding competition - and copyright regulations - have become tighter.
This was revealed in a series of audits and inspections by agencies in charge of companies nationwide in the first half of the year.
The pressure comes not only from Viet Nam. The United States' Unfair Competition Act is also being rolled out in various states in the US targeting exporters.
Raids have been made on a dozen large firms in various Vietnamese provinces and cities in recent months.
The largest check was launched by inspectors from the Ministry of Culture-Sports-Tourism in co-operation with the Hi-tech Crime Police from the Ministry of Public Security at SunWood Vina Co Ltd.
The wholly-owned Korean company, based in Bau Bang IP, Ben Cat, Binh Duong, is in the business of providing and installing fireproof doors -and doors for homes and interior design.
The inspection team said it checked 14 computers being in use at Sunwood Vina Co and found the contained 49 pirated software copies, including Autodesk's AutoCAD propriety design application and many popular office software programmes, such as a Lac Viet dictionary, Windows XP, Office and others.
An officials from the company signed his name on the inspection record, acknowledging the use of copyrighted software without licence.
Economists claim that companies using illegal software have pricing advantages and are engaged in unfair competition against other companies that spend billions of dong on licensed software.
They also say that the use of pirated software also stifles the local software industry and mars the nation's reputation.
At a recent workshop, Vu Manh Chu, former head of the Viet Nam Copyright Office, spoke about the risks companies, including foreign firms, may face when exporting merchandise to international markets.
"A foreign company caught faces the risk of having its exporting rights withdrawn if the importing country knows that it is not using licensed software."
Recently, Indian and Chinese companies exporting textiles were sued in Los Angeles Supreme Court for using unlicensed software to gain undue competitive edge over American companies.
Viet Nam's largest export market is the US, with a turnover of US$8.846 billion, a $1,276 billion growth over 2012.
Commodities sold to the world's largest economy include those from farming, forestry and fisheries, textiles, footwear, telephones, computers and building materials.
Licensed software has become a requisite for all firms wanting to sell in the US.
SBV moves to strengthen foreign exchange market
The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) asked all of its branches and local credit institutions to strengthen their forex management in order to further stabilise the local forex market.
Accordingly, all SBV branches must report their forex activities to the central bank prior to the end of August. The SBV also asked other credit institutions to strictly comply with forex regulations.
SBV's report on banking activities from July 8-12 said that US dollar transactions in the interbank market increased from the previous week while transactions of Vietnamese dong decreased.
According to the report, dong transactions reached over VND101.8 trillion (US$4.847 million) while US dollar transactions reached about $4.790 million. Compared to the first week of this month, interbank transactions in dong decreased by 23.6 per cent but the US dollar increased by 52 per cent.
With the exception of last week, US dollar trading between banks has remained high. US dollar transactions between banks jumped 2.5 percent during the last week of June.
The report also said that forex market began to stabilise after the SBV intervened and that the price of US dollar was trending down. Prior to the intervention, the US dollar was trading above the ceiling price of VND 21,246 per dollar, while selling for VND 22,000 on the free market.
Yesterday, the US dollar was trading at its ceiling price of VND21,246 per dollar in most banks, while selling for VND21,500 per dollar on the free market.
VN label lassitude is bad for business
Inaccurate and sloppy labelling are common mistakes Vietnamese firms make when exporting food to the US, and they end up paying a price for them, a conference on exporting food and drugs to the US held in HCM City yesterday heard.
Chitra Ananda of Registrar Corp, a US-based consultancy on compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, said Vietnamese companies often copy their labels from others and do not always fully comply with FDA regulations.
This is a major problem because when they did not comply or have inaccurate information on labels, the shipment would immediately be stopped for investigation.
"Get it right the first time and not copy labels.
"Do not have general things, only specific things on labels."
Speaking to Viet Nam News, Ananda said: "Vietnamese cuisine has become popular in the US. When consumers care, they would read the label more to check the ingredients before trying further."
At the conference, she also suggested that in addition to information on labels, companies should also pay attention to information in their websites because the FDA reads them to verify consumers' complaints.
They should ideally have a representative in the US who understands FDA regulations and can answer questions if there is an investigation, she added.
Attendees agreed that is not too difficult to follow the FDA's regulations since they are spelled out on its websites.
The conference also discussed other regulations in the US and how to deal with things when being investigated or sued.
The US is one of Viet Nam's biggest importers.
Last year despite the recession, the US bought nearly US$20 billion worth goods from Viet Nam, a year-on-year increase of over 16 per cent.
Some 15-20 per cent of foods consumed in the US originate from other countries.
Tax cuts hit State budget revenue
State Budget collection in the capital city fell by about VND10 trillion (US$476.1 million) during the first half of the year due to the Government's preferential policies on tax exemptions, reductions and extensions.
Thai Dung Tien, deputy head of the city's Taxation Department, said more than 4,500 organisations and households benefited from reduced land-hire taxes, with reductions totalling VND1 trillion ($47.6 million).
The department received 33 applications to extend tax payments on land-use rights. The proposed total amount was VND9.2 trillion ($438 million), accounting for 68 per cent of all land-use rights taxes.
The department assessed 28 applications out of the total with tax extensions on land-use rights at VND1.5 trillion ($71.4 million).
In addition, the department also extended payment on value-added tax during the first three months of this year to more than 13,200 businesses with a total of VND456.4 million ($21,700) in reduced payments.
More than 3,700 businesses also received extensions on payment of corporate income tax, totalling VND61.8 million ($2,900).
About 8,300 vehicles benefited from reduced registration fees in April, with savings totalling VND248 million ($11,800).
In May, more than 8,200 vehicles were given registration fee reductions totalling VND275 million ($13,000). Tax on environment protection for businesses was also reduced by VND26.4 billion ($1.2 million).
Tien said the tax reductions and exemptions reflected the city's efforts to support Government policies for businesses.
However, the department said it would strengthen supervision of taxpayers who enjoyed exemptions, reductions and extensions to prevent businesses unfairly taking advantage of these policies.
PM agrees to regional development programme
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has passed a 2020 master development plan for the north-central coastal region, according to the Viet Nam Government Portal.
Under the plan, the region will strive to reach a per-capita GDP of US$2,500 by 2020.
By 2015, industry, services and agriculture should make up 41.9 per cent, 39.9 per cent and 18.2 per cent of the region's economy, respectively.
The poverty rate is expected to drop yearly by 2-3 per cent.
Regarding agriculture, specialised cultivation zones will be used to grow high-quality, high-yield products, especially fruit and timber.
Aquaculture, one of the region's major industries, will focus on developing high value products such as lobsters and seahorses. A number of salt fields in Thanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Quang Nam and Khanh Hoa will also be expanded.
The industrial sector will focus on areas such as ship building, mechanical engineering, textiles and garments, cement and aquaculture processing. Developing tourism, renovating education and training, and improving healthcare services are also included in the plan.
Interest cuts fail to impress investors
Following the State Bank of Viet Nam's decision to lower the deposit interest rate cap to 7 per cent in June, banks have cut interest rates accordingly.
While many thought this would cause investors to switch to other asset classes like gold, real estate, or securities, this has not happened.
Vietnamese have for long had a predilection for gold as an asset, and prices of the metal are now at the lowest levels in two years, meaning it is an attractive investment option as deposit interest rates plummet.
But two factors are keeping them away from gold – the extreme volatility in prices in recent weeks and the central bank's measures to tighten management whose outcomes remain untested.
Besides, domestic prices remain significantly higher than global prices despite a recent narrowing, and this suggests a further reduction may be on the cards.
Property is another traditional investment channel and here too prices are continuing to slide.
But with the economy yet to turn around, the sector is not thought to be profitable.
That leaves securities, which seem to be pretty now attractive following the market's strong recovery in the first five months.
But it is an inherently risky investment and requires knowledge of companies and their functioning in the absence of mutual funds.
With the other asset classes not yet ripe for inflows, in the short term bank deposits seem the best option.
Interest on deposits of more than one year is still 8-9 per cent, meaning that with inflation expected to be no more than 6-7 per cent this year, real returns will be in positive territory.
Banks lose enthusiasm
In the last few months government bonds were a prime choice for banks with excess liquidity that sought reasonable profits without risks.
But that is changing. With the relentless fall in interest rates, bond yields have become very modest, and banks are less keen on them.
The first six months saw the issue of bonds worth VND78 trillion (US$3.63 billion) or equivalent to the value of those issued in the whole of 2012.
The coupon rates have plummeted by 2.5 percentage points for two-year government bonds and 2 per cent for five-year bonds.
For terms of one and three years they are down by 2.1-2.2 percentage points, and for five – and seven-year bonds by 1.5-1.7 percentage points.
Thus, recent auctions of bonds have proved to be duds, with a mere 2 per cent being bought.
Demand for the bonds is unlikely to pick up this year due to various factors that are at play, according to analysts at the Bao Viet Securities Joint Stock Company.
A significant amount of money is, instead, likely to be used by banks for preferential loans for low-income earners to buy housing.
With the Viet Nam Asset Management Company starting operations and likely to take some of the bad debts off banks, lenders are likely to focus on lending.
Fast-food market
After much consideration, McDonald's has finally decided to take the plunge: The US fast-food giant will open its first restaurant in Viet Nam next year.
Though a latecomer to a country where other western brands like Starbuck, Subway, and Pizza Hut have a big presence, it has managed to create a buzz in the market.
Its arrival despite the economic situation shows that Viet Nam's youthful population – more than half the people are aged less than 25 – is a strong attraction for foreign consumer firms.
It is also the culmination of a recent rush by US food companies to the country. Late last year the world's second largest fast-food chain, Burger King, and largest coffee brand, Starbucks, made their debuts.
With all the big boys finally in town, the Vietnamese fast-food market is set for an exciting time, especially for Vietnamese operators.
Last year W&S Online Market Research Company made a survey of the domestic fast-food market and found that the most popular brands are KFC, Lotteria, and Pizza Hut.
KFC and South Korea's Lotteria each have 140 outlets.
But in a market growing at 30 per cent per year, Vietnamese fast-food operators seem indifferent.
As a result, there are a mere handful of them like Pho 24, Vietmac, and Wrap&Roll.
Nguyen Minh Duc of Ha Noi's Viet Nam National University, who researched the market, says: "This lucrative market is the playing field of international brand names.
"Vietnamese fast-food products are still not successful though some have tried to penetrate the market."
The reasons are not hard to see.
Fast-food restaurants are mostly located in crowed places, supermarkets, and shopping malls, generally expensive places to lease.
A prime location is a critical factor for the success of fast-food restaurants. The ability to sustain losses for a long period is another.
Obviously, these take money and Vietnamese investors cannot match the financial muscle of the big chains.
Economic zone grows into industrial centre
The Vung Ang Economic Zone (EZ) in the central province of Ha Tinh has gradually been developed into a large-scale industrial centre serving both the central region and the country at large.
The Government has selected the 7-year-old economic zone as one of five key coastal areas for priority investment during the 2013-15 period.
Situated in an advantageous location for the transport and steel industries, the zone has become the home of many important national projects in the energy, steel and oil refining sectors.
The Vung Ang-Son Duong deep-sea port, the deepest in the northern central region, can accommodate ships of up to 300,000-500,000 tonnes.
It is also located on the main maritime routes to South Asia, North America and Europe. In addition, Vung Ang is a gateway to the sea for the land-locked neighbouring country of Laos.
Sixty kilometres to the north of Vung Ang EZ is the Thach Khe iron mine, which is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The mine has reserves of 544 million tonnes of iron, accounting for 60 per cent of total national iron reserves. Infrastructure at the mine is under construction, paving the way for the steel industry to develop further in Vung Ang EZ.
More than 200 businesses have been licensed to do business and invest in Vung Ang EZ with total registered capital of US$16 billion.
A number of key projects in the area are close to completion, including the 1,200 MW Vung Ang 1 thermo-electric power plant, which has an investment capital of $1.5 billion, and the Son Duong Formosa steel and seaport complex, which has received initial capital worth almost $10 billion.
Many other large-scale projects are completing procedures for investment licences such as a $12.4 billion refinery, a $5 billion steel plant and the $2.5 billion Vung Ang II thermo-electric power plant.
Additionally, a large number of potential domestic and foreign investors are also seeking business opportunities in the zone.
According to Le Trung Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Ha Tinh Department of Planning and Investment, the locality attaches importance to attracting investment from multinational groups, aiming to access their new technologies and learn more about management.
At the same time, small and medium-sized businesses are encouraged to invest in support industries and services.
Source: VEF/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri/VIR
gold market


text:
Raising Babies With Companion Dogs May Help Their Respiratory Health
There is a large body of literature evaluating the relationship between early childhood exposure to animals and the risk of asthma, allergies, and respiratory illness. This study, conducted in Finland, focuses specifically on the effect of dog and cat contacts on respiratory tract infections during a child's first year of life. The authors found a benefit to increased contact with dogs and cats.
From Beef To Beans: Mitigating Climate Change
To curb rising temperatures, most countries have focused on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) as a way of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also significant GHG contributors to climate change. Livestock farming is the primary producer of both of these GHGs, and is responsible for about 15% of all GHG emissions related to human activity. CH4's short atmospheric lifespan and the mean global warming potential of both CH4 and N2O over the next century make reducing these GHGs...more >>
Cold snap makes lizards evolve in just a few months
Have you ever considered what we learn from animals? It's one of those arguments supporting the ideology of animal protection that is often tabled by conservation advocates.
We may complain about freezing temperatures, but most cold snaps leave us little worse for the wear. That's not the case for a common lizard living on the Texas-Mexico border, which, in just the span of a few months, underwent a dramatic genetic transformation in response to cold weather. In fact—in one of the most detailed examples of rapid evolution to date—a new study shows that just one...more >>
Sentience: "The third evolution of animal law" (FREE webinar, 6 and 7 September 2017)
Now that the law has recognised animals as "sentient" (defined as "the capacity to have negative and positive experiences"), how will that make a difference for the animals, and for people?
Come and hear what leaders from industry (Lindsay Burton), non-government organisations (Philip Lymbery), government regulators (Kate Littin) and other...more >>
An archived "look back" to Madrid's Royal bullfight in 1902
The use of animals as a source of entertainment continues to be a contentious subject for many people engaged in the field of animal welfare, standards of animal care, and the relevant rules ("laws").
So this retrieved account from the archives of "the Guardian" newspaper reporting a "Royal bullfight in Madrid" (1902) is likely to receive a variety of responses.
115 years ago, the reporter began this article by stating "The crowd yelled for darts provided with fire crackers to be stuck in the...more >>
Can a monkey own the copyright to his own photograph? (The "property or personhood" debate in action)
True story. The monkey pressed the shutter button on the camera and took a "selfie". A US appeals court has debated whether or not a monkey can own the copyright to a selfie. In the meantime, photographer David Slater could not afford the air fare to San Francisco to attend the hearing, afford to replace his broken camera equipment, or pay the attorney who has been defending him since the crested black macaque sued him in 2015, and is exploring other ways to earn an income.
The story of the monkey selfie began in 2011, when Slater traveled to Sulawesi, Indonesia, and spent...more >>
Australian court has been told that the 2011 live export ban to Indonesia was not justified
Australia made world headlines in 2011 when it banned live exports to Indonesia. Brexit, Trump, and a host of other events have pushed the Australian live export ban well out of a competing position for media headlines in the last six years. But demonstrating the long reach of major incidents involving animal welfare, politics, and international trade, there are still people, communities, and businesses who are feeling the effects of that decision. And particularly where the losses are significant, it is possible that there will be lawyers seeking compensation.
Can you imagine greyhounds racing on a straight track? (Australia)
Sometimes the simplest ideas seem so obvious in hindsight, and we wonder why we didn't think of them before. That same principle of "make a small change to make a big difference" can be applied to the field of animal welfare, as illustrated in recent recommendations to the Greyhound industry.
A report recommending greyhounds race on straight tracks against fewer opponents has been welcomed by the NSW racing minister, but it's not clear who would foot the bill for such an overhaul of the industry.
The report,...more >>
Should rhino horn be sold?
Take just a moment to answer the question "should rhino horn be sold" before reading the rest of this article.
In a recent survey, more than 80% of people quickly responded "no". Are you in that 80%? If you are, then what are the assumptions underpinning your no response? Perhaps it's got something to do with issues of poaching, and rhino as an endangered species?
Endangered species around the planet are usually on the endangered list for one of two reasons. They've either been hunted to the point of...more >>
Exported EU animals subject to abuse and illegal conditions
Animals exported live from EU countries are routinely being subjected to abuse, illegal transportation conditions and inhumane slaughter, an investigation has found.
Dozens of undercover videos and photographs obtained by the Guardian show live cattle and sheep from EU countries being beaten, shocked with electric prods, held for days in overcrowded pens and covered head to toe in faeces as they are transported from Europe to their final destinations in Turkey and the Middle East in conditions that breach European law. At their destination, at least some of the animals are...more >>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I know, noodle sushi sounds crazy. I thought the same thing when I saw it on a show about somen noodles. After all, I always thought rice was a pretty essential ingredient in sushi. But after watching a bunch of noodles float down a tiny river for people to grab (see video), I thought I'd give it a shot. River noodles can only make things better.
The soft noodles made for delicious sushi, and cooking them took a fraction of the time and effort it takes to make rice. The whole process was much easier. I will definitely be doing this again, especially when I feel like having sushi and don't have time or energy to worry about rice.
Boil 2 quarts of water in a large pot. When the water has reached a rapid boil, add the somen noodles.
Return to a boil and cook about three minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
If you want to give the noodles a taste similar to sushi rice, add 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar and 2 Tbsp of sugar. Note, this step isn't really necessary. The noodles are delicious all on their own.
Slice the salmon into thin strips. For the small pieces that don't make the cut, mix with 1/4 cup mayo and a little cream cheese. Add sriracha if you like it spicy.
Slice the lemon into paper thin slices, leaving the peel on.
Wrap your sushi mat in plastic wrap so the sushi won't stick and the mat will stay clean. Place a sheet of nori on the mat, shiny side down.
Lay somen noodles in a line near the bottom of the nori.
Add salmon or crab, cream cheese, cucumber, green onion, and any sauce you'd like.
Once you've added all the ingredients you want, roll the sushi, starting at the bottom. Use the mat to help shape the roll as you go.
If you'd like, add thin-sliced lemon to the top of the roll before slicing.
Dip the edge of a sharp knife in water and slice the roll into pieces, being careful not to squish the roll as you do.
Drizzle your favorite Asian sauce over the top of the sushi, pull out the soy sauce and wasabi, and enjoy!


text:
Request a screening
The first time we've met Daryl in Venice
Tied into me
Hi! This is the second article of a series that we have in mind to let the story of Daryl spread as much as possible.
If you haven't had the opportunity to already know what is documentary about, I suggest you to read the article: The high tide in Venice: a tale told through a documentary but you can also read the logline below.
Logline: A young Irish man puts every possible effort to recover his floating house, sunken in Venice after the tragic flood of November 2019.
I can still remember the first time we went to Venice and we met Daryl. It was friday november 29th 2019. It was a cloudy and cold day and in the darkness of the morning we approached to the train station.
I remember we were so afraid of what we could have found. Would he have been a good character? Yes or not? Would we have had our story? We were conscious this was a risk and maybe Daryl would have not been the right person for a documentary.
But when we saw him outside the train station of Venice it appeared a typical Irish man with his reddish hair, a full beard and his wonderful english accent. He immediately recognised us that we were full of gear and he came to us.
It was a lovely day where we had a long walk across Venice until we reached the place where was his boat Gina. And when we saw her, in the bottom of the sea, we could still see the mast that leaned over the water. Daryl told us how he found the boat and the decision to live on board.
"There's no reason for me to come back here while the water is high. She's not moving anywhere".
He was continuing to repeat with regret. He couldn't do much more at that moment because he didn't have enough money for calling a shipyard and commissioning it to raise the boat. Even though it happened an extraordinary climate event, the municipality of Venice couldn't ensure to recover the boat, especially because Gina sank in the parking place and not in the open sea where it would have been dangerous.
We will always remember how this sounded to us as an incredible paradox. It's true, Venice is a world apart. The only chance he had to raise the boat would have been to wait for the low tide and using a pump.
Word after word we were realising that he was the perfect character for a documentary. We would have told all Daryl's efforts in order to recover Gina and we would have accompanied him in this long path. Where to start? We needed to better know him and so we schedule a meeting for the following week and we would have started to press finally REC!
If you want to read more details about the story of Daryl and Gina, I suggest you to read the article The high tide in Venice: a tale told through a documentary where we tell how was this documentary born.
Where you can find us:
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This article was written to commemorate the Basser Computing Laboratory's early contributions to communications technology by examination of an underused modern technology. It commences with a brief tutorial on spread-spectrum communications, together with a summary of the salient characteristics of the technology. Outdoor uses of Wireless LAN NICs are then introduced with two case studies. In conclusion, the policy implications of spread-spectrum technology for broadband Internet access in regional Australia are examined, together with an analysis of some opportunities for Australian entrepreneurs. July 2001, published JRPIT Vol 33 November 2001.
This paper discuses a hardware implementation of the Data Encryption Standard (DES) and its variants using FPGA technology. DES was implemented in Electronic Codebook Mode (CEB) mode and Cipher Feedback (CFB) mode, as well as a three-stage pipelined implementation of Triple Data Encryption Algorithm. It was found that the Altera CPLD FLEX10K device family was well suited to various aspects of the algorithm, especially the S-Boxes. The algorithm was modeled in VHDL and was synthesised for FLEX10K100 using the Altera Max Plus software. Furthermore the DES implementation was used for real-time secure voice communication using the CFB mode. The implementation was undertaken by N Rowcroft under the supervision of AHJ Sale and S Nooshabadi; S Nooshabadi wrote the first draft of the paper. July 2001.


This roundup of music tech news features major announcements from Elektron, Native Instruments, FXpansion, and Sony as well as emerging technologies from Arturia, iConnectivity, Pioneer, Hive, and AudioThing.
Arturia have launched a special edition red version of their Mini and Microbrute synths that are currently available at Sweetwater.
Bass Station II users – you can grab a free download of patches for your synth that were designed by artists such as Nite Jewel, Cian from Super Furry Animals, Jeremy from Everything Everything, Jason Miles, Victor Parris Mitchell, Adam Freeland. Grab the Bass Station II Artist Pack here.
FXpansion's Geist is a powerful drum machine and sequencer plugin that is championed by many music producers and sound designers. The company has recently launched an upgraded version of the software which is available for $199. Read more at FXpansion.
iConnectivity make some of our favorite MIDI products so we are very excited to hear that the company has designed an advanced MIDI interface. The Mio 10 is a 10 channel MIDI interface that can operate as a stand-alone interface or it can connect up to 6 Apple or PC computers at the same time and offers built-in MIDI merging, filtering, remapping, and routing functions. Read more at iConnectivity.
"It's the end of an era – but maybe not such a golden era. Once upon a time, ACID and Sound Forge were each industry-leading software tools, originally developed by Sonic Foundry. Now, languishing alongside their stablemate, video editor Vegas, they're seeing ownership pass from Sony (via its creative software division) to German software house and holding company MAGIX." Read more at Create Digital Music.


text:
Climate change making stronger El Ninos, study finds
by: SETH BORENSTEIN, Associated Press
Posted: Oct 21, 2019 / 02:21 PM CDT / Updated: Oct 21, 2019 / 02:54 PM CDT
FILE – In this Jan. 5, 2016, file photo, Chris Lene sweeps water out of one of the businesses in the building he owns that was flooded by rainwater in Sacramento, Calif. Climate change is making stronger El Ninos, which change weather worldwide and heat up an already warming planet, according a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Climate change is making stronger El Ninos, which change weather worldwide and heat up an already warming planet, a new study finds.
Scientists examined 33 El Ninos — natural warming of equatorial Pacific that triggers weather extremes across the globe — since 1901. They found since the 1970s, El Ninos have been forming farther to the west in warmer waters, leading to stronger El Ninos in some cases.
A powerful El Nino can trigger drought in some places, like Australia and India. And it can cause flooding in other areas like California. The Pacific gets more hurricanes during an El Nino and the Atlantic gets fewer.
El Nino makes winters milder and wetter in the United States, which generally benefits from strong El Ninos. They're devastating elsewhere. The 1997-98 event caused thousands of deaths from severe storms, heat waves, floods and drought, costing between $32 billion and $96 billion, according to a United Nations study .
The shift for the origin of El Nino by hundreds of miles from the east of the International Dateline to the west of that point is important because the water to the west is naturally warmer, said study lead author Bin Wang, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Hawaii.
Before 1978, 12 of the 14 El Ninos formed in the east. After 1978, all 11 were more central or western, according a study in Monday's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
Researchers did not study La Ninas, the cooler flip side to El Nino.
Wang said there have been three "super" El Ninos, starting in 1982, 1997 and 2015 and all started in the west. During each of those El Ninos, the world broke new average temperature records.
The study adds to growing evidence that "El Nino events are becoming stronger under continued climate change," Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb, who wasn't part of the research, said in an email.
Florida State University El Nino expert Allan Clarke, however, said the study focused too much on water temperature, when so much of El Nino formation depends on how water and the atmosphere are interconnected.
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter: @borenbears
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
More AP Science Stories
No astrovans for SpaceX, crews riding to rockets in Teslas
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronauts launched by SpaceX in coming months will ride to their rockets in high fashion. Instead of using a retro-style astrovan, SpaceX crews will travel to the launch pad in Tesla sports cars.
Elon Musk, who also runs both SpaceX and the electric car company, used Teslas to get around Kennedy Space Center for Sunday's launch escape test. No one was aboard for the test flight, just two mannequins. But during a launch dress rehearsal Friday, the two NASA astronauts assigned to the first SpaceX crew got a lift to the pad in a Tesla Model X.


text:
Andilly és un municipi francès situat al departament de l'Alta Savoia i a la regió d'Alvèrnia-Roine-Alps. L'any 2007 tenia 747 habitants.

Demografia

Població
El 2007 la població de fet d'Andilly era de 747 persones. Hi havia 295 famílies de les quals 74 eren unipersonals (49 homes vivint sols i 25 dones vivint soles), 82 parelles sense fills, 114 parelles amb fills i 25 famílies monoparentals amb fills.

La població ha evolucionat segons el següent gràfic:

Habitants censats

Habitatges
El 2007 hi havia 343 habitatges, 298 eren l'habitatge principal de la família, 25 eren segones residències i 20 estaven desocupats. 270 eren cases i 72 eren apartaments. Dels 298 habitatges principals, 222 estaven ocupats pels seus propietaris, 67 estaven llogats i ocupats pels llogaters i 9 estaven cedits a títol gratuït; 4 tenien una cambra, 20 en tenien dues, 40 en tenien tres, 65 en tenien quatre i 169 en tenien cinc o més. 271 habitatges disposaven pel capbaix d'una plaça de pàrquing. A 103 habitatges hi havia un automòbil i a 185 n'hi havia dos o més.

Piràmide de població
La piràmide de població per edats i sexe el 2009 era:

Economia
El 2007 la població en edat de treballar era de 513 persones, 414 eren actives i 99 eren inactives. De les 414 persones actives 389 estaven ocupades (208 homes i 181 dones) i 24 estaven aturades (11 homes i 13 dones). De les 99 persones inactives 29 estaven jubilades, 39 estaven estudiant i 31 estaven classificades com a «altres inactius».

Ingressos
El 2009 a Andilly hi havia 279 unitats fiscals que integraven 706 persones, la mediana anual d'ingressos fiscals per persona era de 29.091 €.

Activitats econòmiques
Dels 19 establiments que hi havia el 2007, 1 era d'una empresa alimentària, 5 d'empreses de construcció, 1 d'una empresa de comerç i reparació d'automòbils, 1 d'una empresa d'hostatgeria i restauració, 1 d'una empresa financera, 1 d'una empresa immobiliària, 4 d'empreses de serveis, 2 d'entitats de l'administració pública i 3 d'empreses classificades com a «altres activitats de serveis».

Dels 8 establiments de servei als particulars que hi havia el 2009, 2 eren paletes, 1 guixaire pintor, 1 fusteria, 1 electricista, 2 perruqueries i 1 restaurant.

L'únic establiment comercial que hi havia el 2009 era una fleca.

L'any 2000 a Andilly hi havia 10 explotacions agrícoles.

Equipaments sanitaris i escolars
El 2009 hi havia una escola elemental.

Poblacions més properes
El següent diagrama mostra les poblacions més properes.

Referències

 Résumé statistique Fitxa resum de dades estadístiques d'Andilly a l'INSEE.
 Évolution et structure de la population Fitxa amb el detall de dades d'Andilly a l'INSEE
 France par commune  Dades detallades de tots els municipis de França accessibles a partir del mapa.

Municipis de l'Alta Savoia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The founding of Dresden Kinsmen Club as told by...
Douglas Weese, Charter President, Dresden Kinsmen Club, 1939:
Editor's note by Ted Misselbrook
The late Douglas Weese was a founding member and charter president of the Kinsmen Club Dresden.
The first meeting was held in March 1939 with twenty young men present.
Here is the rest of the story as written by Doug Weese at my request. Originally I had asked Doug to attend a Kinsmen meeting at a time in 1979 when I was president. He agreed to be guest speaker. Later, however, Doug called to inform me that he was unable to attend, but said he would provide a written detailed accounting of how the Dresden Kinsmen Club was formed.
The following is his report.
President Ted, Guests and Fellow Kin:
The subject I want to say a few words on is the organization of the Kinsmen Club of Dresden in the Town of Dresden.
I wanted to talk on this subject at the meeting when Past Presidents were presented with their plaques but I was too emotional I guess or you could call it "chicken-hearted". The only words that I could say, with out breaking down, were thanks and that I was so proud to be in the group.
In looking over the photos of the past presidents on the wall it brings back fond and happy memories to my mind and I might add, deep sorrows for the past presidents who have passed away and not only for them but for the members of the club who did not make the President's chair but certainly helped make this club what it is today.
One November night in 1938, three members of the Wallaceburg Kinsmen Club, named Lynn Ayres, Fred Leach and Floyd Harrington introduced themselves to me and told me what they were interested in. We had a long talk in my service station re the organization of a Kinsmen Club in the town of Dresden. After closing the station we dropped into McKays restaurant and had lunch. I introduced them to Morley McKay who thought that forming a Kinsmen Club in Dresden would be an excellent idea. I am sorry to mention that Morley never became a member.
About two weeks later, Morley and myself were invited to a Kinsmen meeting in Wallaceburg held at the Mirwins Park Hotel. The guest speaker for the evening was Banty Bantick who was at that time the general secretary of the Kinsmen Club of Canada. We were treated royally and enjoyed every part of the meeting. Before closing they asked me to say a few words. I thanked them for a very enjoyable evening and suggested to them that since it was near Christmas time they contact us early in 1939 and perhaps we could get serious in forming a Kinsmen Club in Dresden.
In March 1939 I received a phone call from Lynn Ayres and he asked me to contact as many young men in the town and community who I thought might be interested in forming a club here. This I did and was personally surprised with the enthusiasm I received. However, there were a few a little skeptical, in fact the late Bob Sayers, Canadian Bank of Commerce manger, felt that the town could not afford a service club but a few years later he joined the club and turned out to be an excellent member and further you will see his name on the wall as a Past President.
Lynn asked me to send him a list of the young men with their addresses who were interested and to contact the hotel manager to see if he would accommodate us for a organization meeting. He was very co-operative and requested that we give him four or five day's notice re the date and the number to attend.
Lynn set a date and one week before this meeting a bulletin was sent daily to every name on the list, from the Wallaceburg Club. Through this effort I believe we had 100% attendance. I took the liberty to invite the late Robert Brandon to the meeting. Mr Brandon was a very civic minded person and I was sure that he would give us a lift. I was not wrong as he did an excellent job and I think that his talk put the "icing on the cake."
A dinner meeting was held with Lynn Ayres the chairman. A motion was passed to make myself President, Maurice Sullivan secretary and Wilson Clark, Treasurer pro tem. That night 20 men joined the club and before the weekend 12 more. We were in business. We then contacted the ladies of the Heather Club and asked if they would cater to us and also if we could hold our meetings in the Sunday School Hall of the Presbyterian Church. They co-operated 100%,
At our second meeting, Doug Bell, Crown Attorney for the County of Kent and Past President of the National Kinsmen Club of Canada, was the guest speaker. After the meeting the guest speaker and several members of the Wallaceburg Club and the executive of our local club met to make plans for Charter Night.
A month or so later in the old town hall, we were presented our charter by the governor of our district, Mickey McKee. To me and I believe all members of the club, charter night was more or less of a dream. The Hall was packed. The ladies of the Heather Club catered for us and what a job they did.
The visiting club members, "most of them loaded, raised proper hell" if you can call it that. The members of the Dresden Club felt sorry for the ladies and I believe, in turn, felt sorry for us. After the meeting all the members of the Dresden Club went straight home, including myself and personally, I felt that this was the end of the Kinsmen Club of Dresden, and I am sure that other members felt the same, in fact three of the members resigned over it.
A few days later I contacted Lynn Ayers and requested a meeting with him and a few members of the Wallaceburg Club. At this meeting, I told him how disturbed we were and after talking for a couple of hours was informed that most all charter nights were the same and it was their feeling that if the charter night could ride out this storm, it is bound to be a successful club, and it turned out that they were a 100% right.
Next year the Dresden Kinsmen Club will be celebrating their 40th anniversary. Over these years the Kinsmen Club has been a great asset to the town of Dresden and Community.
An in closing, President Ted, it is a great honour to be President of this club and with this honour comes many problems and headaches but it is all worth while and after your turn is over with I am sure that you will remember my words.
Yours In Kin
Charter President
Doug Weese
*The report was dated February 26th/1979:
Justin Brown Belt
DCHF Officers
Weese Letter / DCHF
DCHF Opens Nov. 2012
Leader Photo Album
BETH & FRIENDS
WEESE PHOTOS 07
Childhood Homes
CLASS PHOTO 1953
PAT'S 60th BIRTHDAY
DORIS STINSON 80th
OLD TYME PHOTOS
Sturgis Sum Sizzler
1921 SCHOOL PHOTO
My Favorite Photos
Misselbrook Blog
Joy and Peace


text:
What Is Amazon's Feedback Manager?
If social proof is one of the cornerstones of eCommerce, Amazon is largely responsible for laying the foundation. Even during a time in which the lines between social media and digital commerce are becoming increasingly blurred, the largest global online retailer can rightfully claim the role of pioneering social proof as a key element of marketing in the digital age.
We all know the value of constructive feedback. It's a critical element of our business reputation. And business reputation is one of the first things potential customers look for.
Feedback can make or break our business. And a single bad review is difficult not to take personally. Constructive feedback is hard to come by in a culture of increasing negativity and sarcasm. Trying to find a customer who's willing to provide honest, direct and above all, critical feedback can seem like the proverbial needle in a haystack.
The Value of Feedback as a Seller
It doesn't have to be.
Think of a customer review as the retail equivalent of upward feedback in the corporate world, where buyer reviews (employee feedback) float directly back to sellers (management) in order to provide insight which can directly affect future performance (teamwork.)
The only difference is that giving feedback isn't just requested in most corporate environments. It's frequently mandatory for many employees, whereas it's not at all necessary for a buyer to provide feedback about your performance (even though many eventually will.)
But many customers generally don't like requests for unsolicited feedback from companies, particularly if it's not part of an order confirmation. Giving feedback never stems from persuasive tactics, but from both the quality of a product and service provided. Persuasion is the cause of marketing, while feedback and testimonials are the result.
Amazon's not just fully aware of this. They've taken active steps to ensure that any communication between sellers and buyers isn't misconstrued as marketing. As a result, adhering to regulations which have been put into place can be one of the more frustrating challenges of receiving honest feedback as a seller.
Seller feedback is just one of several metrics used to evaluate your overall performance. It's rare to find two way feedback between sellers and buyers on Amazon. Amazon's focus on customer-centricity frequently leaves sellers with little recourse to defend themselves against feedback, to speak nothing of using positive feedback as social proof.
You may not be able to reach out to customers as effectively as you'd like. But there is a tool that can help you maintain both positive and negative feedback. It's called Feedback Manager and it just might be one of the more valuable ways of obtaining both constructive criticism as well as actionable insights into just how you can better operate your business.
Why Feedback Manager?
Feedback and reviews are fundamental to Amazon's business just as much as they're fundamental to yours. In fact, they're so indispensable that just one bad review could put you at risk of violating community guidelines. Too many bad reviews could result in being suspended from the platform altogether.
There's always going to be at least one customer who simply won't be satisfied with their order—no matter how hard you try. And while simple common sense should tell you that any overwhelming issues should be resolved as graciously as possible, an uptick of bad reviews and negative feedback might just be saying something about your business practice.
That's why Feedback Manager is so valuable. By helping you measure critical feedback metrics for both short and long term performance, you can identify just where you're succeeding in your business as a seller. And where you aren't.
How Does Feedback Manager Calculate My Ratings?
Positive feedback consists of 5 or 4 star ratings, neutral feedback only 3, while negative feedback consists of 1 or 2 star ratings. Keep in mind that these ratings don't always reflect your service but can refer to a product itself.
Ratings are then reported in aggregate and separated into two different tables:
Feedback Manager's Feedback Rating Table.
Feedback percentages are rounded off to the nearest whole number and are calculated based on the sum of all positive feedback and the sum of all feedback based on intervals of the past 30 days, 90 days, 365 days and lifetime. This consists of both percentages and actual feedback accrued during the course of 12 months.
Feedback Manager's Recent Feedback Table
Recent feedback is ordered by the date in which it was received over the past 30 days and displays actual feedback associated with the order, allowing you to view comments, post a reply, contact the buyer and request the removal of incorrect feedback if proven to be blatantly false.
What If A Buyer Has Left Incorrect Feedback?
Incorrect feedback isn't uncommon from dissatisfied customers, particularly from seller-fulfilled orders.
You may have shipped your order in a timely manner. But somehow along the way, it arrived late or damaged. Even if you're not at fault, reasoning may not be enough for a buyer to refrain from sharing feedback which reflects poorly on you.
Unfortunately, incorrect feedback cannot be edited by you directly. But you can request the buyer to delete their review in Feedback Manager. It's as simple as logging in, reviewing the Order ID in the Recent Feedback Table and selecting the "Request Removal" button under the Actions column. Include an explanation of the situation in question and see if either of you can come to a mutual understanding and solution. You'll often find that listening to a buyers' perspective can teach you about their own needs.
Note that personal opinion is not considered incorrect feedback per Amazon's guidelines. Likewise, pressuring or incentivizing a buyer to remove any negative feedback is a violation of official policy.
If a product arrived late or damaged through no fault of your own, contact the customer directly to see if you can clarify or resolve the complaint. Be polite and open-minded, even if the buyer left feedback rashly.
Can I Respond To Feedback?
So long as your response doesn't contain a defamatory personal attack, you can post a public reply through Feedback Manager:
Go to Feedback under the Performance tab
In the Recent Feedback table, select Post a public response
While this won't remove negative feedback, other users will frequently take note if you attempted to resolve any unaddressed concerns. Often, you'll find that responding professionally and courteously to a rude or hostile review will reflect much better on you than it will the reviewer.
More Feedback = More Recognition
Sellers need all the support and recognition they can get in a highly competitive marketplace. More feedback has a direct impact on the health of your account and your ability to continue selling on Amazon.
Positive feedback will obviously garner you more recognition. But so will negative feedback. And rarely in a good way.
Receiving feedback gives you the opportunity for improvement as a seller. It can point out both the weaknesses and strengths of your customer service. But above all, it can give you perspective—perhaps one of the more overlooked aspects of being a seller.
Feedback Manager may seem like a simple tool. But it's an extremely valuable one. Pay attention to it, and you may find out more about your performance than you think. Ignore it?
That's the same as ignoring your customers altogether.
Color More Lines manages all aspects of your account, including feedback. Find out more at Color More Lines.
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A huge country on the borders of Europe, Turkey is the door to the East; it is a fascinating country of ancient cultures. The centre of the Ottoman Empire, it was proclaimed a republic in 1923 and Atatürk, its first president, guided the country towards secularity and growth. In 2002, the moderate Islamic party Justice and Development Party (AK) obtained the majority vote in parliament and pursued the economic development of the country.
Travelling in Turkey presents no major risks. However, given the events on the Syrian border, you should make enquiries at the Foreign Office in London, especially if you wish to visit the Eastern Anatolia Region or the Southeastern Anatolia Region. These regions are home to very beautiful cities that have a wealth of cultural heritage, such as Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, and let's not forget Ishak Pasha Palace and Lake Van.
Above all, don't leave Turkey before exploring the wonders of Istanbul. Take the time to soak up the exuberant, warm atmosphere of the megalopolis. Discover Taksim Square—a popular venue for protests—and then visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Cami Mosque), and the Topkapi Palace. Go and have tea on the Galata Bridge and cross the Bosphorus on one of the many steamers to reach the eastern coast. From there, you can easily enjoy the beaches along the Black Sea on the country's northern coastline; they are very popular with the region's inhabitants.
Situated inland, the capital city of Ankara holds little interest for tourists if it is not on their way to Cappadocia, where you can find "fairy chimneys" or hoodoos and other cave churches in the Göreme National Park.
Still on the huge plateau, explore Konya, the country's most conservative city. Plan to arrive on Saturday to enjoy the Mevlevi Order's ceremony: the whirling dervishes. When you set off again, visit the underground towns and the very pretty Ihlara Valley with its cave churches at the back of a canyon.
Make the most of the mild climate by the Mediterranean Sea to walk along the Lycian coast and explore magnificent towns like Demre or Izmir. Visit Nemrut Dağı, where the last Hellenistic king ordered a temple built, or Ephesus, unless you prefer a less-frequented site like Pergamon. Don't forget the region's natural wonders either, especially the magnificent Pamukkale.
Gaëtan MOLENE
Anatolie
The western peninsula of Asia, Anatolia is the main part of Turkey.
Ani is an unusual site. The ruins of the medieval capital of Armenia are today within the borders of Turkey, separated by an Armenian canyon which they dispute. On the site, eloquent ruins of churches, mosques and palaces.
Antakya is situated in the province of Hatay, on the border of Syria. This is a city with a long and rich history; you will not believe your ears when you listen to all the things you are told about it!
One of the best preserved and least visited sites in the country, Pergamon should definitely be on your Turkish itinerary.
Büyükada Kanalı
The Princes' Islands comprises of 9 islands, situated to the south of Istanbul, in the Marmara Sea. The biggest and most beautiful is Büyükada. Lots of Istanbul residents have summer homes on the island.
Çınarcık
Cinarcik is a popular coastal city located off the Marmara Sea.
A must if you are going to Bodrum, Datça is a peninsula in the Mugla province to the south of Turkey. It's close to the big touristy towns and borders the Mediterranean Sea.
Demre
An ancient Lycian city, Demre (also known as Myra or Kale) still retains its ancient treasures.
Considered as the capital of Turkish Kurdistan, Diyarbakir is a very beautiful city overlooking the Tigris Valley and encircled by walls dating from the Roman Empire.
A frontier town on the eastern edge of Turkey, Dogubeyazit benefits from amazing views of Mount Ararat.
Eğirdir
The pretty town of Eğirdir is located in Turkey's Lakes Region and stands on a narrow peninsula surrounded by impressive natural scenery. Lying on the road between Cappadocia and Pamukkale, it is an ideal place to spend a relaxing break
Göreme
Magnificent landscapes classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
The greatest Christian monument until the capture of Constantinople by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453. Hagia Sophia then became a mosque, then a museum.
A must-see. This city is amazing and the perfect introduction to Turkey. It sums up Turkey's Eurasian heritage.
İstiklal Avenue
Covering 1.5km, Istiklal Avenue stretches from Taksim Square to the Galata quarter.
Kayaköy
8 km south of Fethiye, Kayaköy looks like a ghost village, but is also an open-air museum.
Kızılçukur
Kizilçukur, the "Red Valley", lies at the heart of Cappadocia and is one of the scenic highlights of Turkey. These surrealist fairy chimneys and badlands – tuff formations ravaged by erosion and exhibiting a range of tones all the way from orangey hues to reds – are simply incredible.
A must-see stop-off point during a trip to Eastern Turkey. Mardin is North of Mesopotami and is mainly populated with Kurdish people.
Nemrut Dağı
Nemrut Dağ, a mountain in the province of Adiyaman, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last Hellenic king, Antiokhos l (69-49BC) built a temple and sanctuary dedicated to Greek and Persian gods.
Heavenly scenery between the sea and the mountains.
Ortahisar
An amazing little Cappadocian town, whose development has adapted itself to its bizarre geology, Ortahisar is a marvel that's not yet on the usual tourist radar.
Safranbolu has the best preserved and restored Ottoman architecture in Turkey.
Taksim Square
Taksim is located in the Beyoğlu District of Istanbul's European side and has been the site of numerous protests.
It's an ancient Greek city, abandoned on a mountain.
Tokat Province
Tokat is a large city in the northern central Anatolia region. It boasts a preserved district of the Ottoman period and contains a host of historical monuments: a fortress, mosques, madrasas, konagi, Greek churches.
Uzungöl
A village, a lake and a valley of fascinating natural beauty.
Lunar landscape located at the centre of Anatolia, the White Valley belongs to the region of Cappadocia. The latter has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.
Vallée d'ihlara
In this steep valley in Turkey, men and women hollowed out the walls to build the churches. A true explorer's path, very fun for children (big and little).
Vallée de Péristréma
The Peristrema Valley differs from the large valleys of Cappadocia. It does not contain unusual rock formations, though it is nevertheless spectacular: a deep canyon with sheer rock walls and a smattering of rock churches. It truly is a beautiful place.
The largest lake in Turkey, Lake Van lies at an altitude of 1,600 meters at the eastern extreme of the country.
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First Impressions: Sacred Heart University (CT)
I visited Sacred Heart University (CT) over a two-day open house. This is one of the fastest growing schools in the country. Right now it's the second largest Catholic college in New England. Founded in 1963 with fewer than 200 non-resident students, Sacred Heart now has more than 6,000 undergrads and nearly 3,000 graduate students. About half of the undergrads live on campus, while others live nearby in Bridgeport, Fairfield or Trumbull. I have been to only one other school that has grown as fast as Sacred Heart: Quinnipiac University, which is also in Connecticut. It was no surprise to learn that Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac are cross-shopped against each other. I gathered a few photos of Sacred Heart on Pinterest for you. There's a lot to unpack about this school, so please read on!
Sacred Heart University has grown by fulfilling demands in a large target market.
Sacred Heart draws most of its students from the Boston and New York metro areas. It attracts new students not only by having an attractive campus setting, but also by offering as many programs as large state schools. For example, there are 10 programs in the health professions, eight of which are accelerated pathways to advanced degrees as well as two paths to a Bachelors in Nursing. There are also 17 programs in business and technology under a single school as well as a five-year path to a Master of Arts in Teaching.
During my two-day visit I attended presentations for programs in business, computer science and engineering and health professions. Sacred Heart has some of the newest equipment and facilities to support those programs, especially in the health professions. It acquired the former General Electric corporate headquarters and converted it to become the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology. One interesting aspect of business education at Sacred Heart: you can get golf lessons for free and play in a foursome in business school golf tournament when you're ready. Your foursome will include a faculty member, employer and an alumnus. There are over 34,000 Sacred Heart alumni registered in LinkedIn.com based around New York City. That's a huge community to tap for advice and connections.
Sacred Heart University is a Catholic college. But it welcomes students from all faiths.
The university also offers spiritual counseling from an imam and a rabbi. However, the Core Curriculum is much like other Catholic colleges that I have visited. Prefer not to take required courses in Catholic Tradition, Great Books, philosophy or religion? Then consider another school.
Sacred Heart is classified as a National Research University in US News rankings.
I'm not sure if that hurts or helps this school. But it might be the right academic neighborhood for Sacred Heart. Among the top ten Regional Universities-North only The College of New Jersey had more students, but very few in graduate programs. A ranking among research universities might help from the image standpoint, especially if the school wants its academics (especially in the health professions) to be taken seriously. But at the same time, the ranking of National Research Universities favors schools with larger or higher-profile graduate programs. That's why Sacred Heart may have a lower ranking than it probably should.
Seton Hall University and Quinnipiac University have academic overlap with Sacred Heart.
But both schools rank higher as National Research Universities Seton Hall ranks 127th and Quinnipiac ranks 148th while Sacred Heart ranks. 202nd. The major academic difference: Seton Hall and Quinnipiac have a law school as well as a medical school. All three schools attract a 3.4+ student (3.7+ for the health fields) with a 1200+ SAT/25+ ACT. But Sacred Heart is the most selective. Sixty-six percent of the students who applied to Sacred Heart during the 2020 cycle were accepted. That's compared to 78 percent for Seton Hall and 82 percent for Quinnipiac.
As a result of the academics and the campus life, Sacred Heart retains around 85 percent of a freshman class and graduates two-thirds of the class on time. Those are about the same numbers as Seton Hall, though Quinnipiac does better at retaining and graduating a class.
Sacred Heart University has interesting admissions practices for Early Decision.
While Sacred Heart is not ultra-selective for most academic programs, those who are interested in applying Early Decision are required to interview. The university offers incentives for applicants who choose this route. In addition, I have never seen this language under Early Decision on the Web site of any other school that I have visited:
While Early Decision is a binding contract that commits students to enroll upon admission, SHU will not hold you to the contract if you and your family determine that enrollment is not financially feasible.
Sacred Heart does not provide information about the percentage of applicants who applied Early Decision and were accepted. Nor does the university disclose the percentage of the class that was filled through Early Decision.
Sacred Heart University considers Demonstrated Interest to be Very Important.
If you have any inkling of interest in Sacred Heart, attend an Open House, talk with your local admissions representative and sign up for an accepted students event. The university awards merit-based scholarships that range between $8,500 and $17,500/year as well as awards for participating in extracurricular programs. Sacred Heart's direct charges are just over $62,000 for the current academic year. The more generous awards might make Sacred Heart more affordable than Neighboring State U for the students in the top quarter of a freshman class.The awards are especially helpful for those who intend to pursue an accelerated program towards an advanced degree. The savings earned for the undergraduate education could be applied towards the graduate school charges.
Sacred Heart University takes the non-academic experiences quite seriously, too.
I have been to three schools that have opened "New Jersey diners" on campus. Two are in New Jersey, the third is Sacred Heart University. The diner, JP's, is not the only eatery outside of a dining hall on campus. I had lunch at Thea's Abbey , a very nice dining space with Hogwarts style decor and a dinner at Linda's, named for Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Linda's has great pizza and several big screen TVs to watch football on NFL Sunday. The university also makes it easy to get into New York City for those who want to intern during the school year, or find more entertainment off campus.
Sacred Heart school competes in 32 NCAA D-1 varsity scholarship sports–20 for women–plus competitive cheerleading. Within New England, only Dartmouth and Harvard compete in more D-1 sports–and they don't award scholarships. To lend perspective, Seton Hall is D-1 in the Big East and plays only 14 sports, The recreation center, which is quite impressive, was named for former Mets and Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine, who briefly served as the school's athletic director. A new hockey arena is under construction. Greek social life is relatively important at Sacred Heart, unusual for a Catholic college. It attracts just over a fifth of the men and more than 40 percent of the women. However, Connecticut law prohibits social fraternities and sororities from having their own houses near campus.
Sacred Heart University has one of the nicest college campuses that I have ever visited. It was easy to imagine that students could feel safe, educated and happy at this school and that the faculty and staff would not give up on them. The selection of academic programs is quite impressive. Career development services are quite extensive.
But I had to wonder what this school's next steps would be. Would Sacred Heart move into the Big East or the Patriot League for sports? Or would it try to open a law school or medical school? Maybe do both? It would not surprise me if Sacred Heart became the largest Catholic college in the Northeast within the next two decades. It has plenty of room to grow in a market that will always have prospective students.
Report Card: Sacred Heart University
Four-Year/Six-Year Graduation Rates: B+/B+
Freshman Retention: B
Costs: B
Curriculum: A
Comforts: A
Community: A
Connections: A (New York City)/C (elsewhere)
Need help on the journey to college? Contact me at stuart@educatedquest.com or call me at 609-406-0062.
Want to know more about me? Check out these podcasts!
Listen to my talk, College Is A Learning AND Living Community, hosted by Dr. Cynthia Colon from Destination YOUniversity on Voice of America Radio!
Listen to my talk, What Exactly Is a Good College? hosted by test-prep experts Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin on Tests And The Rest!
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Hello and welcome to Educated Quest! With in-depth research, coaching and essay writing assistance, Stuart Nachbar will help you make the best-informed decisions about a college education-and beyond!
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