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Open Access Library Journal > Vol.6 No.4, April 2019
Assessing the Need for PhD in Information Studies: Stakeholder Insights ()
Sajjadur Rehman, Abdus Sattar Chaudhry, Hessah O. Alasousi
Division of Information Studies, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1105322 PDF HTML XML 276 Downloads 525 Views Citations
Seeking insights of stakeholders is an important element of the needs assessment process for starting a doctoral program. This paper reports a study that reviewed the perspectives of stakeholders with regard to a PhD in information studies. Feedback from major stakeholders was sought using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods: a web-based survey of 180 relevant stakeholders (including current master students, alumni of the department, faculty members and working information professionals) followed by a focus group discussion with 7 faculty members from Kuwait University and Public Authority for Training and Education. Findings showed that there was a need for starting a PhD program in information studies at Kuwait University. Data also provided important insights about the structure of the proposed program, its content, areas of coursework and specializations. Results of the study might be useful for developing a PhD program in other universities. The findings are also expected to provide guidelines for conducting needs assessment for doctoral programs in information studies.
Information Studies Higher Education, Doctoral Programs, Stakeholder Insights, PhD Program Development
Rehman, S. , Chaudhry, A. and Alasousi, H. (2019) Assessing the Need for PhD in Information Studies: Stakeholder Insights. Open Access Library Journal, 6, 1-18. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1105322.
1. Background
Melville Dewey designed early tradition of library training programs in the academia of Columbia College and Albany School. Albany School awarded the first Master's degree in 1905 [1] . Subsequently several other universities started training programs and awarded varied degrees. Undergraduate degrees were later transformed into Master in library science until the 50s. Williamson Report provided an impetus to education programs in librarianship to be raised to the graduate level [2] . A number of universities offered Master's degrees, notably Columbia, Michigan, Illinois, California, Toronto and few others. This report was also instrumental in the development of PhD in the field of library and information science. It brought fundamental shift in LIS education moving it from vocational training to technical and subsequently professional education in academia spanning. Several authors have discussed the impact of these developments on the field of library and information science [1] [3] [4] [5] .
Introduction and implementation of PhD at Chicago University in 1926 was a pioneering doctoral program in the field of LIS [3] . The Library Trends published an issue on LIS education in 1986 that provided details of the curriculum, content, and degree requirements of PhD programs. Doctoral studies have been instrumental in moving LIS to an academic and intellectual field of practice. An important conclusion emerging from these writings was that a shift to an academic context necessitated the development of doctoral studies in LIS. As mentioned in [3] Bobinski analyzed the evolution of doctoral studies at Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Columbia, Case Western, and Berkley. Development of PhD programs continued for two decades of the 60s and the 70s. This is the era of boom in the award of PhD in US. In the 80s some reputable programs were closed down. Also, it was analyzed in [6] the demise of schools that were closed and [7] provided more details of these closings.
Despite the closing of several schools, growth of doctoral programs continued during the 80s and the 90s as reflected by statistics maintained by the Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE). These showed PhD enrollment in the range of 489 - 518 during 1979-84 in 23 - 24 doctorate awarding programs. Those who received doctorates ranged 11 - 40 during 1961-69 whereas during 1970-81, 64 - 135 were produced. The number of graduates exceeded 100 during 1973-80. Pittsburgh had a much larger share as it posted 56 dissertations during 1980-84. During this period a total of 345 doctorates were done in 24 schools. Interestingly, library science doctorates were 55% in 1982 out of doctorates awarded in various fields in the US [3] .
Recently iSchools have evolved as a general umbrella for the field of information, interacting with diverse disciplines. Most of the founders of the iSchool caucus were deans/directors of the former "library schools." These iSchools had distinctions of multi-disciplinarily, broad-based disciplinary orientation, and adoption of new types of coursework. These schools included the disciplines of library science, communication, computer science, and information systems [8] . This interdisciplinary nature of the area of information studies could be a challenge when developing a doctoral curriculum, as students and faculty come from many different backgrounds. A study was conducted in [9] about future trends for doctoral education in library and inforamtion science. They examined the hitorical progress and current landscape of doctoral degree programs in the United States and Canada. This study provided a comprehensive rendering of the history of LIS doctoral education.
PhD has been an integral part of LIS education during the last 90 years. Changes in the content and conduct have been noteworthy since iSchools have assumed new role and identity; making them more prominent, visible, and engaging. The demand for doctoral programs in the job market has generally been consistent. In [10] it was noted that about half of graduates apply research results to their professional work. Fleming-May & Yuro found that academic librarians also had a role to assist doctoral students for the development of their research facilities such as databases and online catalogs [11] . Dominican University launched its first PhD program in library and information science as a professional degree for librarians in managing a balance between theory and practice. It was 3-year program with 36 credit hours and 2 years of coursework [12] .
As described in [13] the state of doctoral education in LIS using a mentoring framework consists of four linear stages of initiation, cultivation, separation, and re-definition. This exploratory description is informative for producers and consumers of doctoral education. Bennett-Kapusniak [14] discussed a doctoral cohort program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that focused on educating the next generation of doctoral graduates in library and information science. Challenges in LIS doctoral education such as lack of financial support, exposure to research, mentoring, promotion of diversity were highlighted.
The above review of professional literature indicated that role of doctoral studies was important in gaining maturity as an academic discipline in the field of library and information science. Role of doctoral programs was widely recognized and the number has been on the increase. With the expansion of scope of the LIS field to information studies further increased the growth of docotoral studies. In [15] [16] [17] [18] highlights were given to the potential of doctoral studies for academics, researchers and practitioners. The peculiarities of the field, however, need to be taken into consideration in making a decision to start a doctoral program. Field of information studies has a strong practical orientation in spite of meeting the critereia of an academic discipline. While the emergence of information studies opens more opportunities, interdisciplinarity and multi-disciplinary nature of the field brings more challenges for managing a doctoral program.
A well-thought out needs assessment is considered crucial before making decisions for starting a doctoral program in an information studies department. Understanding of insights of all stakeholders is an important element of this assessment and should include assessing market needs, developing detailed proposals, and converting proposals into programs of studies. This study was conceived with these considerations in view. Input from stakeholders provided preliminary data needed for peparing a proposal. Data on questions on the motives and the perceived challenges allowed valuable insights in the value of PhD in terms of its success, which can enhance the effectiveness of PhD programs. While the study was carried out in the context of a paticular university, the findings are expected to be useful for developing PhD program in other universities.
This study was conceived to seek opinions of stakeholders focusing on the following aspects:
・ Values underlying the design of a PhD program
・ Pedagogical considerations in developing a PhD proposal
・ Specializations and curricula for the proposed PhD program
・ Possible collaboration and inter-disciplinary initiatives for the success of PhD program
・ Enrollment, graduation requirements, and incentives for graduates of the doctoral program
Data gathered in above areas indicated the value and need of doctoral program. Data were useful to examine the views and perceptions of stakeholders of a doctoral program in information studies. This information provides a step-by-step approach for needs assessment and development of a doctoral program in the field information studies.
3.1. Research Setting
Locale for this research was Kuwait University. The university was established in 1966. A master's progamin library and information science was introduced at the College of Graduate Studies in 1996. This program was upgraded to an academic department, which was placed in the College of Social Science in 1998, Nomenclature for the master's degree was changed from library and information science to information studies in 2016. The name of the department was changed to that of Information Studies in 2017. More than 200 graduates have been produced by this department. They are working in different sectors in the country. A minor in information studies has also been available in the department for the last 10 years. The department has recently initiated a request to start a 4-year bachelor in information studies. Kuwait University is the only public university in the country. There are four private universities that run undergraduate and graduate programs in different major fields of studies. However, no other university is offering any program in the field of information studies. A 4-year bachelor's program in information studies is offered in the College of Basic Education of the Public Authority of Applied Education and Training (PAAET). Department of Information Studies at Kuwait University has been considering the possibility of starting a doctoral program in information studies. The study being reported in this paper was conducted about insights of skateholders so as to understand the implications of starting a PhD program.
This study was conducted to seek feedback from major stakeholders of doctoral program. Major stakeholders included the current master students, alumni of the department, faculty members, and working information professionals. Professionals working in different Kuwaiti information organizations are the primary stakeholders who are expected to provide valuable and pertinent input about PhD studies at Kuwait University. It was realized that developing a viable proposal for Kuwait University required an assessment of the needs of job market and understanding of perceptions and views of stakeholders. A need was felt for conducting a comprehensive survey in order to gather views and insights of the stakeholders.
A list of potential participants was pepared by reviewing the list of alumni of the Department of Libray and Information Science. The list was expanded by adding working information professssionals identified from the various directories. Current master students were also added to this list. About 200 potential participants were identified but the list dropped to 180 as contact details could not be confirmed for 20 professioanls included in the list. Eventually, we approached 180 potential participants, out of whom 104 filled in the questionnaire. A cover letter was attached to the questionnaire that explained the purpose of the study in detail. The respondents included a wide range of executives, managers, professionals, and current master degree students, faculty members and other stakeholders in Kuwait. The selection of participants was essentially a convenience-based sample.
3.3. Procedures
The focus of this paper is on the survey focusing on seeking feedback from major stakeholders of doctoral studies at Kuwait University. Before conductinng the survey, a series of pre-survey steps were taken. A sub-committee of the Master Program Committee was appointed for developing a proposal for doctoral studies. The sub-committee consisted of three faculty members holding the academic rank of professor and associate professor. All faculty members hold PhD in information studies. The sub-committeee reviewed relevant documents particularly the guidelines for preparing proposal for graduate programs of the university. The sub-committee also collected information about faculty members' research and academic credentials, particularly about their areas of specialization so as to determine the availability of resources for teaching courses in the doctoral program.
A quesstionnaie was designed for the web-based survey. The questionnaire also sought feedback from participants about the job market and other implications of producing doctoral graduates. It contained 3 main sections:
・ The first section contained an introduction where the main purpose of the study was given.
・ The second section contained the demographic Data of the participants such as education, specialization, instituition affiliated with, age and experience.
・ The third section contained 12 questions about needs assessment, curriculum design, and various features of the doctoral program.
All potential participants were invited through email to fill up the online questionnaire. They were also requested to forward the questionnaires to other information professionals who might be interested in the PhD program. Earlier response was not very encouraging. In line with the practice of survey-based studies, potential participants were reminded to fill-in the questionnaire, who might not have been able to spare time because of their professional and academic assignments. After a follow up was done through email messages and phone calls, the number of responses reached to 104, thus raising the response rate close to 58 per cent.
A focus group discussion was also conducted after the survey. The participants included seven faculty members from Kuwait University and Public Authority for Training and Education. Results from the survey were distributed to the participants of the focus group discussion. They were also given a copy of lead questions related to the need for a PhD program (including the needs of implementing it in Kuwait, career opportunities and who would benefit from it), the proposed structure (including the duration, format, component and registration type), and the proposed course contents (including the areas of specialization). Information from the focus group discussion were from a broader perspective, particularly in terms of professional implications and job market. Comments from the focus discussion have been integrated in the finding to discuss results.
Procedures used for gathering needs assessment data are in line with the best practices for developing doctoral programs in different disciplines. Edwards reported that a web-based survey was used to seek opinions concerning current and future educational needs, as well as for the need for graduate level education programs [19] . Methods used to collect data to explore the need for a PhD program in Public Administration at Texas State University included document analysis, website analysis, survey research, and interviews with key stakeholders [20] . Cancis and Canc isused a quantitative-based needs assessment procedure with convenient sampling to establish the needs of graduate studies at a university in Turkey [21] .
4. Findings
4.1. Participant Profile
The majority of the participants were former graduates of the department of information studies who were aspiring to pursue higher education in the field of information studies. Questionnaires were also sent to information professionals who were not graduates of Kuwait University. Table 1 demonstrates the participants profile where 80% of 104 respondents, had Master's degrees with specializations in humanities and social sciences. Respondents with specializations in science & technology, and business were 62, 21, 14 percent respectively. The participants were working in schools, health sector, ICT organizations, universities and other public and private organizations. More than 30% of them were from academic and research institutions and 28% worked in public domain agencies. About 70% were 37 years or younger, 48% had work experience of 7 years or less whereas 19% had work experience of 13 year or longer.
4.2. Interest in Enrollment in PhD Program
Table 2 shows participant responses about enrollment possibilities if a PhD is introduced in Kuwait University. Quite significantly, 87% of the participants were keen in seeking admission in the program while 64.7% would recommend admission to other colleagues. Also 45.7% noted that students from the other GCC countries (Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) might be interested to enroll in the program. About every third participant reported that the program might attract students from outside the region.
Rehman quoted an example from Southeast Asia about enrollment in PhD program of the Nanyag Technological University (NTU) of Singapore [22] . NTU selects students in. its PhD program from many neighboring or regional countries. Some regions are like one unit in geographic, linguistic and cultural aspects and any program of doctoral studies may serve the needs of its region. In case of Kuwait, regional cooperation has better chances of success due to proximity of language and culture.
Table 1. Participant profile.
Table 2. Interest in program [N = 104].
Two Saudi Arabian universities have introduced PhD programs, but these programs, by and large, have been inactive and dormant. Since these are research-based, these do not have the distinct features of coursework, seminars, and preparation of prospective teachers. It was a widely expressed view that the PhD degree should attract applicants from the GCC and other neighboring Arab nations. Kuwait University aspires to become an academic leader in the Arab world.
In [23] Smith et al. alerted about the attrition of students in doctoral programs. They pointed out several organizational and personal factors that contribute to the number of students leaving PhD programs after enrollment. The study suggested intervention and program modification to reduce the attrition.
Production of doctorate graduates was important for new knowledge economy as reported in [24] . They thought there was a vital need to look into ways to boost admission and production of doctoral graduates. This study examined the underlying determinants for the choice of pursuing a doctoral degree in Malaysia. They reported that contributing factors to attract individuals into the doctorate program were opportunity, personal attributes, working relevant knowledge, financial support, program structures, and social support.
4.3. Perception about Career Opportunities
The participants were asked to give their views about career opportunities after graduation. Table 3 displays frequencies and percentages for different perceptions. More than 80% of them observed that the degree would broaden their intellectual horizon and opportunities for an academic career. About 70% considered that it would enhance research capabilities of graduates. About half of them viewed it would enhance their social status. Approximately half of the participants considered PhD valuable for obtaining senior management positions.
Focus group discussion participants were concerned about the lack of teaching and research jobs for doctoral graduates from Kuwait University. They emphasized that further studies need to be done to make sure that there are ample opportunities available for working professionals after completing PhD in information studies.
It was a considered view that the utilization of doctoral studies needs to be seen beyond Kuwait and also it should not be restricted to teaching and research positions. The focus group discussants expressed that a quick review of policy statements is needed about the scope of doctoral studies for a wider coverage.
Syracuse University states that graduates develop skills in leading classes, participate in academic service, and pursue independent scholarship (https://ischool.syr.edu/people/phd-students-on-the-job-market/). University of Maryland considers doctoral studies crucial to professional success and life-long learning. Given the diverse and complex information landscape, students with wide-ranging interests or interdisciplinary experience are well served by the iSchool PhD program (https://ischool.umd.edu/phd-careers).
Table 3. Career opportunities [N = 104].
Rehman reported that librarians would like to pursue PhD because of personal, professional, and academic reasons. These include better job, personal fulfillment, higher salaries, and social prestige [22] . Librarians wish to pursue doctoral studies for academic reasons including conducting research, adding to body of knowledge, teaching and supervising graduate studies, belonging to academic fraternity, and seeking higher academic positions.
Hiring degree holdets of PhD is affected by several factors. Basil & Basil stated that institutions and candidates do not have similar conditions [25] . Hiring institutions differ in whether they seek teaching or research ability and this is expected if the institution grants PhD. Candidates are also looking for something different―work environment, lifestyle, or research support.
4.4. Pedagogical Features
We sought participant input about the desirable pedagogical features of the program. Table 3 shows distribution of their views. About 84% considered a combination of coursework and research and admission for both full- and part-time students. About half of them favored the options of online courses and conduct of research at employment venues. About one-third of them noted the need of major and minor as specialization and provision of either as an external or a resident scholar. About one-fourth endorsed an external examination.
We also gathered participant perceptions about length of duration of the proposed PhD program. Opinion was evenly split for the two options of 3 years or 3 - 4 years. Only seven participants thought that the duration should be 5 years. Table 4 displays these results.
Focus group discussion participants concurred with the views of survey participants. There appears to be a consensus that the doctoral program in information studies in Kuwait University should follow a combination of course work and research. It should be offered both full-time and part-time and should employ both face-to-face and online course delivery. There is also a concurrence about the duration of the program of 3 - 5 years.
Table 4. Pedagogical features [N = 104].
4.5. Areas of Specialization
It was significant to seek participant input about their intended areas of specialization. Table 5 shows perceptions about different possibilities. Three areas, topping the list in the range of 71% - 77%, were related to information technology applications, information and knowledge management, and management. It is interesting to note that 65% of the participants still consider the area of library and information science as an important specialization of the field of information studies. Sixty-three percent chose the area of information behavior as a major specialization. Only 20% - 30% found legal informatics, health informatics and archives and records as their choices at the bottom.
Areas of specialization, preferred by participants, reflect the latest trends in the field of information studies. Popular doctoral programs in reputable universities also include these areas of specializations in their PhD programs. Focus group discussion participants also concurred with the opinions of the survey participants.
McGill University in Canada emphasizes that students develop scholarly and innovative expertise in the broad research area of human-information interaction and the core research areas, information behavior & services, and information & knowledge management. Students begin with a set of common core courses and proceed to specialization through advanced course work and dissertation topic, focused on areas of expertise and supported by research interests of the faculty members. https://www.mcgill.ca/sis/programs/phd.
Nanyang Technological University of Singapore focuses on the following areas in Phd of Information Studies: Human computer interaction, games and gamification, information retrieval and analytics, social media, mobile and ubiquitous computing, information behaviour, information literacy, knowledge organization, knowledge management applications and practices.
http://www.wkwsci.ntu.edu.sg/programmes/ProspectiveStudents/Prospective%20Masters%20and%20PhD%20students/Programmes%20by%20Research/Doctor%20of%20Philosophy/Pages/Home.aspx
About half of the participants preferred 18 - 21 credit hour coursework; another 37% favored 24 - 27 credit hours and only 18% considered the choice of 30 - 36 credit hours. Participants of focus group discussion also agreed with the input from survey participants. Credit hour course requirement vary in overseas universities.
4.6. Coursework Area
In Table 6, the participants identified areas of coursework they considered viable for the PhD program. Five areas, topping the list, identified by 77%, 72%, 71%, 69%, and 68%, were respectively related to information and knowledge applications, advances in information studies, information technology applications, knowledge organization, and research methods. Apparently, uniformity prevails about the significance and relevance of these courses. Management and statistics course were the two last areas, each identified by 46% and 40%.
As shown in Table 6, participants considered information and knowledge management and information technology applications as the main focus of doctoral studies. It also reflected the latest trends and the focus of the discipline of information studies. Focus group discussion participants agreed with the input from survey participants. In Kuwaiti context, they recommended to add archives and records management in the focus areas for doctoral studies. Focus group discussion participants also recommended to have seminar courses in major focus areas of information studies.
Table 5. Areas of specialization [N = 104].
Table 6. Coursework areas [N = 104].
A modular approach to PhD in the field of information studies was described by Druin et al. [26] suggesting to embrace the unique interdisciplinarity and multi-disciplinary nature of the field. They highlighted a combination of conceptual and content modules as a way to conceive new approach to doctoral education that foster students' ability to conduct research in their areas of research.
University of Maryland places emphasis on a range of research courses, two foundational doctoral seminars, and electives chosen by the students and their faculty mentors provide both the structure necessary for individuals to become successful researchers and the flexibility that allows them to pursue the research areas about which they are most passionate. https://ischool.umd.edu/phd.
4.7. Resources in the Department
The participants also identified those resources they perceived important for the parent department. Table 7 shows the results. Seventy percent of the participants marked the significance of faculty and provision of research and teaching opportunities for scholars. Also 67% of the respondents marked the statement of support from university management.
Five elements received similar focus and had the percentages of 67%, 61%, 58%, 58%, 57%, and 54%. These elements were related to library resources, experience in managing graduate studies, experience in academic leadership, engaging visiting professors, and faculty's international exposure to research and publication, Forty percent marked the need of adequate physical facilities in the college.
As shown in Table 7, participants appear to be convinced that the Department of Information Studies has adequate qualified faculty to run the doctoral program. Focus group discussion participants, however, expressed concerns about the adequacy of library and information resources.
4.8. Desirable Collaboration
The participants' views about possible collaboration with internal or external choices are presented in Table 8. It was found that 82.8% favored on-campus collaboration with other departments. Sixty of them (57.1%) marked alliances with external industries. Many of them preferred collaborating with other universities. Fifty-eight (55.2%) marked the choice of collaborating with external examiners.
As shown in Table 8, survey participants considered collaboration with other academic departments very important in the success of the doctoral program. There appears to be a consensus among the focus group discussion participants about the existing thinking about multi-disciplinary collaborations in the university. It is however encouraging to have the name of the program and the department to be changed to information studies. This is an indication of interdisciplinarity in the field. It is in line with the international trends. Nelson reported that structure of PhD programs could be affected as a result of collaboration between academia and industry [27] . Such collaborations are becoming more successful in the changing landscape of education.
Collaboration may have different forms. Universities encourage collaboration in doctoral studies by allowing students take courses outside their parent department. For example, at City University of New York, the Graduate Center offers a number of interdisciplinary concentrations which encourage students to find courses across different academic disciplines.
https://www.gc.cuny.edu/Degrees-Research/Doctoral-Programs/Collaborative-and-Interdisciplinary-Programs
Strategic partnerships can also be initiated with other universities for joint supervision of research and with anchor information industries to carry out practical research projects. Universities also collaborate, with research organizations in seminars. For example, at McGill University, research seminars are presented by Canadian and international guest speakers throughout the year. The series offers a valuable opportunity for PhD students to learn about current research topics and developments in the field of information studies. https://www.mcgill.ca/sis/programs/phd.
4.9. Incentives for Students
Table 9 presents four incentives that might attract students. Eighty-one percent preferred the provision of financial assistance. Sixty-eight percent noted the needs for the award of research grant from KFAS. On the lower end, 44 and 38 percent of the participants noted the need for leave of absence and university stipend. Since Kuwaiti public sector employers have a generous policy for study leave and the university has the established practice for the award of scholarship, respondents may have treated them for granted provisions.
Table 7. Needed resources [N = 104].
Table 8. Desirable collaborations [N = 104].
Table 9. Desirable incentives [N = 104].
The strongest area in favor of PhD studies at Kuwait University is the incentives for applicants for PhD in information studies. The current university policies are sympathetic and favorable for students. Focus group discussion participants pointed out further possible opportunities through sponsorships from KFAS.
Cookestated that the doctoral process is a difficult one. She pointed out that it is more complicated when considering minority doctoral students [28] . Nonetheless, it is a vital, transformative, and worthwhile process that more librarians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, should seriously consider. Even though her comments are with regard to diversity in PhD programs in the US most of the factors she mentioned will be applicable to doctoral candidates in the GCC region.
Most reputable doctoral programs offer generous financial support to PhD students. College of Information Studies at University Maryland announces "We guarantee funding for all admitted full-time students. We also encourage part-time students working in areas that complement their doctoral research." https://ischool.umd.edu/phd.
5. Conclusions and Implications
Doctoral programs are important for the maturity of information studies as an academic discipline. These are also crucial for building scholastic and research capabilities in senior information professionals particularly those holding higher management positions. Introducing a doctoral program is an important undertaking that requires commitment of substantial resources on the part of the academic institution. It is also a big commitment on part of those who intend to enroll in a doctoral program in terms of opportunity cost and hard work required to complete the PhD degree. It is therefore important that input is sought from all stakeholders in the process of development of doctoral degrees.
This study was conducted to understand the insights of stakeholders of a PhD program in information studies in a university in the Arabian Gulf Region. There was a great deal of diversity among the participants of the survey in their areas of study, professional positions, and institutional affiliation. It is reliably premised that the insights of this group are overwhelmingly reassuring. Most participants expressed interest in pursuing a doctoral degree. They perceived that a PhD program will provide them an opportunity to advance their career in research, teaching, senior management, and consulting. Initiation of doctoral program appeared to be popular as expressed by information professionals in the needs assessment study. Faculty who participated in the focus group discussion were quite confident that a doctoral program in information studies at Kuwait University will attract applicants from the other Arabian Gulf countries. Needs assessment exercise was reinforcing for the Department of Information Studies as the survey clearly showed a need for starting a PhD program.
The input of the respondents provided information that was helpful in the design of the structure of the proposed program, its content, areas of coursework and specializations. Stakeholder input through questionnaire and focus group discussion indicated that an interdisciplinary degree will be more appropriate considering the job market and potential pool of participants. Stakeholders' insights also suggested focusing on theoretical and applied research and the program to be run with flexibility and diversity in delivery options to provide opportunities to a wide range of professionals.
Suggestions were made on inclusion of advanced information studies course to provide foundation to enhance intellectual and scholarly abilities of doctoral candidates. Most participants thought that doctoral studies with strong theoretical orientation will help produce intellectual, inquisitive, and enlightened leadership for national and regional leadership roles in the spheres of information and knowledge. Doctoral studies will also help prepare professionals for higher-level positions in research, teaching, and practice in the area of information. PhD graduates will contribute to research and scholarship in the broad field of information and knowledge management.
This study is not without limitations. As data were only collected from the GCC region. The context and process imposed constraints on this sample size; however results of this study provide useful guidelines for conducting needs assessment for doctoral programs in information studies. This study was helpful in exploring the future needs for a doctoral program that collected information from working information professionals. Future studies may also include prospective employers including the academic administrators and top management in anchor information industries: libraries and information centers, archives and records management departments, and the corporate sector. Findings also provide useful information that can be used for initial outline for program structure and course content for parties interested in initiating a proposal for developing a doctoral program. The methodology used in this exercise will also be helpful to those interested in conducting feasibility for PhD program in a university.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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[22] Rehman, S. (2018) Doctoral Studies: Development and Design. In: Chaudhry, A.S., Rehman, S. and Majid, S., Eds., Information Education: Imperative of the Digital Environment, Noor Publishing, Saarbrücken, 280 p.
[23] Smith, R.L., Maroney, K., Nelson, K.W., Abel, A.L. and Abel, H.S. (2006) Doctoral Programs: Changing High Rates of Attrition. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 45, 17.
[24] Ng, S.F., Muhd, N.M.N., AbRahman, K. and Ismail, N. (2011) Influential Factors to Pursue Doctorate Degree in Malaysia. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 2028-2032.
[25] Basil, M.D. and Basil, D.Z. (2006) The Marketing Market: A Study of PhD Supply, Demand, Hiring Institutions, and Job Candidates. Journal of Business Research, 59, 516-523.
[26] Druin, A., Jaeger, P.T., Golbeck, J., Fleischmann, K.R., Lin, J., Qu, Y., Xie, B., et al. (2009) The Maryland Modular Method: An Approach to Doctoral Education in Information Studies. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 293-301.
[27] Nelson, K. (2014) Challenges and Opportunities for PhD's: Expectations of Employment in Non-Academic or Non-Tenure Environments. Aaua, 29, 68-77.
[28] Cooke, N.A. (2014) The Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program: Enhancing the LIS Professoriate. InterActions: UCLA Journal of Education and Information Studies, 10. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7vb7v4p8
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SABESP is one of the five largest water utilities in the world. CEO Professor Jerson Kelman recently toured Israel and opened doors for business cooperation.
Sao Paulo's water utility, SABESP (Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo S.A), serves a population over three times the size of all of Israel, but Israeli water technologies are making significant headway in the region and helping it to overcome water shortages.
"SABESP presents a huge opportunity for the Israeli water sector," explains Boaz Albaranes, Israel's Economic Attaché is Sao Paulo. "With over 26 million customers, and 15 thousand employees, the utility's scope of activity is tremendous." Israel NewTech and the Commercial Office in Sao Paulo were able to bring CEO Professor Kelman to visit Israel, and this in itself is a significant accomplishment, and promises to expand Israeli business in the region.
"Nothing can compare to seeing Israeli technologies at work in person," says Albaranes. While on a tourist break from the professional tour, Professor Kelman walked through Jerusalem's Old City, and kept stopping to inspect the water meters spread throughout the area. "He was intrigued that even in such historic, cramped streets, the Jerusalem Water Authority vigilantly keeps tabs on water consumption and metering," says Albaranes.
Professor Kelman's visit, which took place at the end of March, showed him first hand some of Israel's most advanced water technologies, and included visits to Mekorot, Hagihon, Eshkol, Shafdan and other major sites and companies. Professor Kelman presented on "Brazilian Water Sector and Opportunities" at a seminar with Israeli companies.
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If you are looking for something casually elegant, these pretty little goblets could be just the thing to give your table some real character. The sturdy plastic goblets are perfect for outdoor dining or special events, and they can simply be recycled when you're finished using them. No worries about expensive broken glasses, these are safe and pretty enough for weddings or anniversaries and more. They even make the perfect vessel for serving individual trifles at your dinner parties, and they make lovely table decorations when filled with pastel coloured mints or other wedding sweets.


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All NewsLegislating under a cloak of fear
Legislating under a cloak of fear
Related Topics: News
If there is a real and pressing terrorist threat then now is the time for the Federal Police and State and Territory Police to act with urgency on that threat using their existing extensive powers. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre today called upon the Police to take such action and for the Government to provide Australians with appropriate information to enable them to avoid or respond to that threat.
Today the Prime Minister claimed that he has received advice that gives 'cause for serious concern about a potential terrorist threat'. The urgency with which the Prime Minister is acting suggests that the threat is not only potential but imminent.
Robin Banks, Chief Executive Officer at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, said today:
There is nothing in the current law that prevents the police from taking action where they become aware of a plan to commit a criminal act. Any act of terrorism is already a criminal act and planning an act of terrorism is, similarly, already a criminal act. The Police, both Federal and State, can and should act on any potential threat.
Ms Banks continued:
The Bill does nothing more than to clarify that the existing criminal offences of being involved in training for, preparation for or possessing a thing will be made out if done in connection with 'a' terrorist act rather than 'the' terrorist act. It also clarifies that an offence will have been committed even if a terrorist act does not occur.
Activity of this sort is already a criminal offence.
It is completely unclear how these changes can be relevant to deal with an imminent threat. If there is such a threat, shouldn't the Government be providing the community with appropriate warnings to avoid the threat.
Ms Banks concluded:
Given the Prime Minister has indicated that the remaining aspects of the proposed anti-terrorism legislation are not 'urgent' per se, we call upon him and upon the states and territories to ensure that sufficient time is given, once the legislation is made publicly available for real and genuine community debate on the meaning and impact of the Bill.
MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic O'Grady, Media and Communications Officer,
Public Interest Advocacy Centre. Ph: 02 8898 6532 or 0400 110 169
Media Releases & Coverage
20 Jan 2023Australia fails to meet anti-torture deadline

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Consideration of proposals will be finished in a timely fashion in order of receipt. Individuals or projects awarded grants before are more competitive and thus more inclined to obtain funding later on. Simply allow it to be very clear that you are trying to get additional funding from various other sources.
Browse through 5,301 PhD programmes Before you commence writing a research proposal, carefully check the site of the university you're applying for. A research proposal is designed to convince others that you get a worthwhile research project and you have the competence and the workplan to complete it. It should include a bibliography.
Other questions can be made to your research supervisor. Usually, a research proposal should contain http://www.cashforestimates.com/get-started/ all the vital elements involved with the research procedure and include sufficient information for those readers to assess the proposed study. A research paper is normally the very first step for students to acquire funding for their project, so it's essential to create a thoughtful and deep paper.
The plan of the study is essential for survey type studies because the reader wishes to understand the way the researcher has planned his study to get a representative set of information. You might be wondering how it is possible to write the research proposal results whenever you haven't actually conducted the research yet. Just select the field that you have to compose a paper within.
Read everything you may find in your field of interest. To begin with, you must be precise and execute a crystal clear vision of what you're likely to describe (provide a very clear concept, time, place and so forth). There are a couple characteristics company website of an excellent research title but the principal thing authors will need to keep in mind is that the point of the title is to hold the reader's attention and pique their interest in the remainder of the research proposal.
Specify the question your research will answer, establish the reason it's a considerable question, show how you're likely to answer the question, and indicate what you expect we'll learn. The thing about the PhD research proposal is that you must encapsulate everything which you need to achieve, communicate in a concise way what you would like to do, the resources it will require, and finally you need to convince the reader of the viability and necessity of the undertaking. Just because you don't have to really conduct the study and analyze the results, this doesn't indicate that you are able to skip speaking about the analytical procedure and prospective implications.
A research paper has huge quantity of information, all which are important and will need to get included in a single research paper document. A number of the research topics are simple (you may locate them at the start of each list), whereas others are very complicated. You should consider how soon you will introduce the precise subject of your research area, or your customer's name.
Before writing a proposal, you need to decide on how you'll answer the research question. The proposal should have enough info to convince your readers that you have a significant research idea, that you've got a great grasp of the appropriate literature and the important problems, and your methodology is sound. A thesis proposal is a brief document that explains what the thesis that you want to write will be about, what kind of research you'd do in order to write this, and what kind of problem you're trying to solve http://kolostahl.com/test/ by writing it.
To be well worth doing, your project has to be well-founded, and has to also produce a large enough contribution to understanding in its area. First focus is going to be development of the neighborhood market clientele. The target is to present and justify the demand for your research.
There are many companies which can offer custom MLA research proposals though the majority of them are unreliable and reliable. There are also a number of samples of PhD proposals that are accessible online. While preparing your Business Proposal, you have to include in depth info about your products and solutions.
Most projects are small enough they most likely don't have an exact compelling intrinsic price. A proposal is probably a consequence of careful study and formal analysis compiled relating to a different small business venture that might prove to be profitable or financially beneficial. If you're unsatisfied with the research proposal writing services we've provided, we'll revise your order at no cost.
Locating possible grantors is a time consuming endeavor, but in the very long run it will yield the best benefits. Don't use all Internet sources.
In case you have any questions regarding the application procedure or funding, please get in contact with us. Define the range of the undertaking and any theoretical approaches you'll use. Fortunately our team consists of professional writers which possess the capability to make remarkable content for you.
The approach or solution to an issue involved with the proposal is crucial to winning the true proposal. There are two common classifications of a company proposal. Research proposal is usually around 2,500 words long although there is not any upper or lower limit to preparing a research proposal, the first thing you need to do is to determine what it is actually you want to learn more about.
Please note both terms are different and ought to be addressed individually. A paragraph needs to have a minimum of five sentences. You could possibly be asked to compose a proposal that comprises every one of these sections.


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Join the Big Give and help support more than 100 local non-profits
by: Melanie Morris
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – There is still time to join the Big Give and support local non-profit organizations on this Giving Tuesday.
The United Way of Greater Knoxville is collaborating with more than 100 local non-profits for a community-wide day of giving. It's an easy way to donate to your favorite organizations in one place.
At the time of the posting, more than $140,000 has been raised collectively among these organizations, but the need is greater this year than ever. The pandemic has caused numerous cancellations of fundraising events and millions of dollars in lost revenue. These non-profits rely on community support to keep serving the most vulnerable among us during a particularly difficult time.
If you can make a donation of any amount, please visit www.biggiveknox.org.
More Living East Tennessee Stories
by Chelsea Haynes / Jan 14, 2021
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - The 13th Annual Snow Days fundraiser with Beardsley Community Farm is underway.
Six local restaurants will compete for the title of "best soup" in Knoxville, and it's up to the community to decide who the lucky winner will be. To sample these soups at varying restaurants during the month of January, purchase soup tickets for each restaurant's designated soup week:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - It's safe to say that Americans all across the country experienced a rather interesting year in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altering the way life ebbs and flows.
While not everyone feels as if 2020 just flat out sucked, author and happiness expert Dannie De Novo, said no matter the sentiments surrounding 2020, there's a few sure-fire ways to "not make 2021 suck."
by Justin Young / Jan 13, 2021
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Do you have a business idea, but need help getting started? The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center is ready to help you.
CO.STARTERS is a nine-week business development program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs put ideas into action, and turn a passion into a sustainable and thriving small business. This year's program begins on January 25. For more information, visit Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.
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Q: Javascript Google Classroom API I'm trying to access the Google Classroom API with Javascript and am running into a syntax problem when trying to create a student.
The relevant code is
  function createStudent () {
     var course_id = '146694xxx'
     var enrollment_code = '7ytxxx'
     var student = {
        userId: 'xxx@gmail.com'
    }
    student = gapi.client.classroom.courses.students.create({courseId:course_id,enrollmentCode:enrollment_code, params: student}).execute();
}

The problem is with the named parameter for the student object. It is where I have "params". I have tried every name I can think of like requestBody, body and a million others. The error I get is
{
  "error": {
    "code": 400,
    "message": "Invalid JSON payload received. Unknown name \"params\" at 'student': Cannot find field.",
    "status": "INVALID_ARGUMENT",
    "details": [
      {
        "@type": "type.googleapis.com/google.rpc.BadRequest",
        "fieldViolations": [
          {
            "field": "student",
            "description": "Invalid JSON payload received. Unknown name \"params\" at 'student': Cannot find field."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

How should I be representing that request body object in the call?
Thanks.
Harry

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text:
Pierre d'Ailly lub Piotr z Ailly (ur. około 1350 w Compiègne – zm. 9 sierpnia 1420 w Awinionie) – teolog francuski, kardynał, astrolog, rektor Uniwersytetu Paryskiego w latach 1385–1395.

Życiorys
Uczestnik soborów w Pizie (1409) i Konstancji (1414–1418). Mentor Jana Gersona. Dzieło d'Aillyego Imago Mundi miało duży wpływ na Krzysztofa Kolumba.

Ważniejsze dzieła
 Tractatus de materia Concilii generalis (ok. 1403)
 Tractatus vel capita agendorum in concilio generali de reformatione ecclesiae (ok. 1409)
 Imago Mundi (1410)
 Tractatus et sermones Erstdruck (1490)
 De Ecclesia, conciliis generalis et summi Ponitificis auctoritate (1416)

Upamiętnienie
Jego imieniem nazwano krater Aliacensis na Księżycu.

Przypisy

Bibliografia
 Pierre d'Ailly

Francuscy astrologowie
Francuscy kardynałowie
Francuscy teolodzy katoliccy
Ludzie urodzeni w Compiègne
Ludzie związani z Le Puy-en-Velay
Osoby upamiętnione nazwami kraterów na Księżycu
Uczestnicy soboru w Konstancji
Urodzeni w XIV wieku
Zmarli w 1420

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Kevin Morrissette's Page - THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG"
Thanks Kevin, Happy New Year!!
Kevin's interest in music started at a very early stage of life, and he began playing piano by ear at age 4. By seven, Kevin was performing professionally. Throughout Kevin's music career he has warmed and shared stages with many noted performers including Ronnie Laws, B.B. King, and the Pointer Sisters to name a few. He has been retained to perform for President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Richard Daley, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and Ambassador Carol Mosley Braun; and the list goes on.
Kevin is the proud Father of Nicole and Kevin Jr. and he simply adores his five grandchildren Timothy, Kevin, Amari, Nadia and Isaiah II . Kevin is also the youngest of six.
Kevin gives all glory and gratitude for his talent to God!


SN 28 stationary scrap loader DAVON Mining and construction .
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What is NAICS code 333131 Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing . Concentration machinery, mining type, manufacturing; Core drills, underground mining type, manufacturing; Crushing machinery, stationary, manufacturing.
Complete Solution for Your Mining Project. DOVE® Alluvial (Placer) Processing Plants feature self sufficient, automatic, complete processing equipment.
Apr 21, 2016 . Visit https://goo.gl/cJPUcb for more information on MSHA compliant training packages. Mining operations require the use of many different types of equipment and structures. This course discusses the most common types of mobile and stationary equipment used in the mining industry, such as dozers,.
D A Mining products are designed for modern high pressure power systems used in construction equipment and stationary industrial and mining installations.
. offers an array of individual solutions and components in every stage of coal mining: as single device, for the integration in existing systems or as a complete electrotechnical system. Our experts design, manufacture and supply apparatus tailored to customers' specifications for mobile and stationary mining machinery.
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Premier Products and Services for Mobile Equipment. Direct Mining and industrial is a leading supplier of premier mobile and stationary equipment products and services to the mining industry in Perth and Worldwide. You are here > Mining Equipment >.
10,000L Double Skinned Diesel Tank Mining Spec Stationary .
Home » Fuel Storage » Stationary Tanks » 10,000L Double Skinned Diesel Tank Mining Spec . (w,d,h); Lockable access hatch for tank filling & keypad access; Inner/outer tank thickness: 6mm; Large secure cabinet to house pumps & equipment; Designed to the Australian Standard AS1696; Mechanical Overfill Valve.
Working Around Mining Equipment MSHA Video Convergence .
Working around mobile and stationary equipment can expose miners and others on site to a range of physical and environmental hazards. This course.
Stationary Conveyors . Masaba Masaba Inc.
For mining operations that are in for the long haul, stationary hoppers are the perfect stockpiling equipment. Masaba custom engineered mining equipment will fabricate sturdy, reliable stockpiling hoppers that last the life of your aggregate operations. Reduce transition time from loader to conveyor and maximize output by.
The Challenges of Monitoring Mobile Mining Equipment / Cmms .
Mar 20, 2016 . One solution has been to perform the vibration measurement task on the machine in a quasi steady state condition. Consider a typical mine shovel as illustrated on the next page. During routine PM inspections the shovel is stationary at level ground and the 2000HP electric motors are run at constant.
Apr 14, 2017 . According to Balasuriya, mine operators are looking for reliability in their rockbreakers like all mining equipment downtime cost money as well as a smooth operation of the boom both for productivity and operator comfort. About 20 to 30 percent of stationary rockbreakers are remote controlled, useful for.
75.1719 2 Lighting Fixtures; Requirements The required illumination may be provided by light fixtures which are mounted on board mining equipment and receive power from the equipment, by stationary light fixtures which are mounted on the roof or along the rib and receive power through trailing cables, or by a.
Portable or Stationary we take pride in the quality and durability that accompanies all of our mining and aggregate equipment. We started with the development.
Apr 12, 2017 . GE's successful history in mining spans electric drives for off highway vehicles, water treatment technologies, and an innovative Digital Mine that combines advanced software, models, analytics and solutions to help miners enable safer mining practices for creating a more efficient and reliable mining.
These cages either have their own stationary winding machine or they are used . are cages for transportation of persons and material in staple pits to the mine.


Opening Hours Staff 07.00 - 19.00 (Mon-Fri) Closed Bank Holidays.
Plan your journey with Google Maps or plan a walk with Walkit.
Delamere house is the main office location for Cheshire East Staff based in Crewe. It is also the location of the Crewe Customer Service Centre.
Pedestrian access to Delamere House is via automatic doors on an extension to the left of the building (looking at it from Delamere Street). The entrance is wheel chair friendly and the reception is on the ground floor, lifts to the upper floors are available for people who need to use them. Access is available for staff and deliveries at the back of the building.


I'm trying to put together a writer's workshop for people working on 200 to 400 page books.
I need some critical feedback on Picking Up the Ghost and I don't feel right asking people to read 284 pages for me unless they have a project requiring equal effort from me.
I've dropped in on the writers groups at meetup.com and sandiegowriters.org and while I've met some nice people I haven't met anyone with a project of this size. So far it's me and Justin with large projects (Justin's writing about his time in Africa) and Melissa, David and maybe Tina who are either look for an incentive to start writing again or just interested in offering feedback.
I think we could use one or two more nearly finished books in the mix so if you know of anyone in San Diego who might be interested in workshopping please let me know.
I so totally need to start a novel. I have all these notes packed away somewhere [never unpacked them after I moved in] and just lost all writing momentum. Therefore, I need an incentive to start writing again. Keep me posted, I may be interested.


text:
Energy and Economy
Fourth Industrial Revolution Affiliate Center Set to Open in Kazakhstan
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) signed a letter of intent to complete a Fourth Industrial Revolution affiliate center at the Davos Forum. The center will stimulate technological advances in the region by encouraging cooperation and investment from Central Asian governments and corporations. This new development will elevate Kazakhstan's role in the technology sector and improve innovation within the region.
The International Finance Corporation Expresses Interest in Cooperating with Azerbaijan
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has expressed their interest to work closely with Azerbaijan to reform its development and energy sectors. Future cooperation between the two parties could result in expanding the usage of renewable energy sources, improving production capacities, and attracting greater flows of private investment to fund projects.
Uzbekistan's President Announces New Reforms to Combat Economic Issues
Uzbekistan's president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state-of-the-nation address announced his intention to reduce long-term economic issues in the country, including poverty and corruption. He spoke of his desire to work with global entities such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and other international organizations to create a poverty-reduction force that will tackle long-term economic issues arguably stemming from Uzbekistan's continued use of Soviet-style perestroika reforms. Furthermore, he said that he will develop a new anti-corruption force that will be answerable only to the president and parliament to enforce his initiative.
Agreement on the Construction of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Power Line Signed
An agreement on the cooperation between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and TAPP-500 Power Transmission Line FZE to construct a Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line was signed. The project will allow Turkmenistan to export electricity to Pakistan and other South Asian countries through Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan to Export 1.4 Billion Dollars' Worth of Uranium to Japan
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree to export 1.4 billion USD worth of uranium to Japan between 2023-2030. Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NGMK) is the only producer of natural uranium in the country and will oversee export to Japan. These exports are expected to constitute over 90 percent of MGMK's total exports.
Kazakhstan Bans Live Animal Exports in Favor of Supporting Domestic Processing Plants
Kazakhstan will impose a ban on live animal exports according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Approximately 156,000 head of cattle and 264,000 head of sheep were exported in 2019 with its largest buyers being Uzbekistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Proponents of the ban argue that it will stimulate local meat processing enterprises who are currently experiencing a shortage of raw produce and help lower domestic meat prices.
Politics and Security
U.S. Secretary of State to Visit Central Asia
On Jan. 30, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Pompeo plans to meet with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; the former President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev; and Kazakh Foreign Minister, Mukhtar Tileuberdi to discuss plans for reaffirming their dedication to ensuring regional success. In Uzbekistan, Pompeo is to convene with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to discuss plans for effective regional connectivity.
President of Uzbekistan Announces New Citizenship Rules
The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced that Uzbekistan will now allow residents of Uzbekistan, who have lived in the country since 1995, to obtain Uzbek citizenship. This law is projected to grant around 50,000 people citizenship. He also announced plans for nullifying a Soviet law that prevented Uzbeks living in rural areas to obtain work in the capital, Tashkent. In the past, this internal migration barrier has pushed many Uzbek nationals to seek work in other countries and its abolishment will strengthen the incentive for Uzbeks to work in Uzbekistan.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Visits Brussels Before New EU-Kazakh Agreement
Kazakh Foreign minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi visited Brussels to take part in the meeting of the Cooperation Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU. The council concluded the EU-Kazakhstan Advanced Partnership Cooperation Agreement (ECPA) that will enter into force on March 1. The new ECPA is designed to increase economic and political ties between the EU and Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan Adds More Content to Banned Material and Websites
Uzbekistan updated their banned content list to include religious literature, websites, social media pages of religious figures, and outlawed organizations. The majority of the newly banned content is connected to different interpretations of political Islam or criticisms of how religion is controlled by the government.
Kazakhstan and UAE Sign Cooperation Agreements
During the official visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the United Arab Emirates, both countries signed cooperation agreements in the spheres of trade, energy, and finance. They discussed cooperation in agriculture, transport, petrochemicals, and investment.
Green Central Asia To Be Launched at a Berlin Conference This Week
Green Central Asia is an initiative supported by the European Union's strategy on Central Asia adopted last year to foster regional cooperation to take preventative measures to curb climate change and its effects in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The initiative aims to improve greater access to information on climate change and its negative impacts on Central Asian industries and to provide countries in the region with the necessary support to take action against its impacts. The initiative is projected to launch at the "Green Central Asia" conference in Berlin on January 28, 2020.
1374 Candidates Running for Parliamentary Election in Azerbaijan
Among 2431 initially registered candidates, 1374 will continue running in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan scheduled for February 9, 2020. As the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan reports, 409 international observers and 55,492 local observers have passed accreditation to participate in the upcoming election.
(Sources: AKI Press, Armen Press, Astana Times, AzerNews, Eurasianet, RFE/RL, Times of Central Asia)
The Effects of Georgia's Cancellation of the Anaklia Deep-Water Port Contract
Kazakhstan Now Chairs the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries
Energy and Economy Azerbaijan Commences Regular Natural Gas Deliveries to...


text:
President's Day: Celebrating Presidential Pups
Today is President's Day, a holiday to celebrate our presidents' contributions to our society. As we look back on past presidents, we thought it would fun, and insightful, to look back at presidential pups as well.
Many presidents throughout our history have owned dogs, many of whom have made an impact on who was elected and how they served in the white house. For example, it was one of George Washington's dogs that eventually helped lead to him being selected commander and chief of the continental army. And Herbert Hoover's dog, King Tut, helped him break the ice on the campaign trail, helping him ultimately win his election. Both Franklin Roosevelt and Richard Nixon focused on their dogs during presidential and vice presidential (respectively) speeches where they ultimately saw victory as well.
While fulfilling his presidential duty, James Garfield named his Newfoundland Veto to send a message to congress. President George H. W. Bush also utilized his dog to send a message, but less politically focused. His dog, Millie, had a book written about her life and Barbara Bush dictated it. More than $900,000 in royalties from the book were donated to support literacy.
Learn more about the history of presidential pups and how they shaped our past presidents, their campaigns, and their work in the white house. Listen in as Kevin King discusses a number of presidential dogs from the Washington administration through the Obama administration.
https://lawdogs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/20190215-Atty-Kevin-King-on-Presidential-Dog.mp3
This entry was posted in Law Dogs, People's Law Talk and tagged president pet, president pup, President's Day, presidential dog, white house dog, working dogs on February 18, 2019 by J. Kevin King.