What I had earlier disregarded as a hype on the internet, has changed after watching this clip. It was informative and ACTAs purpose was well illustrated. A couple of times though, the word choice was a bit too attention-grabbing. Nevertheless, I recommend watching it.
Definitions cited from the clip provider:
ACTA – ‘The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement’ is a proposed plurilateral agreement for the purpose of establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement.
ACTA would establish a new international legal framework that would create its “own governing body outside existing international institutions” such as – the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or the United Nations.
Watch this to learn more about ACTA and its possible trails:
The article Higher Education amid Financial Meltdown on today’s University World News points to some interesting facts, such as the expected drop in U.K. university applications, the migration of U.K. students to apply elsewhere, and the effect of the overall transnational academic mobility and migration.
Our son, a senior at Frankfurt International School, has applied to five universities in the U.K. And yes, starting university autumn 2012, we have to pay £9,000 (US$ 14,200) in annual tuition fees.
Just like many other parents, we will be sitting here wondering if and how many colleges will accept him. Additionally, the criterion of getting accepted has been made more difficult by raising the International Baccalaureate (IB) points.
On the other hand, applications by U.K. born-students have dropped 15.1% due to the increase in tuition fees.
I can foresee a great shift in academic education around Europe. Mobility in academics, among an increasing competitiveness, might just become the norm.
Starting 6 Dec 2011, Katia Fox’s book The Copper Sign has become available in English.
I read the German version about a year ago and was immediately captured by Katia’s writing style. In the end, I read all three books, with the first two The Copper Sign and The Silver Falcon being my favorites.
The second book also got me interested in falconry, which prompted a visit to the same falconry, where Katia had done her research on the topic.
The Copper Sign is a historical novel, set in the 13th century in medieval England. Ellenweore, the main character, is a young girl aspiring to become a sword smith. She manages to enter an apprenticeship and dreams of forging the perfect sword for the King someday.
She has to overcome many obstacles on her journey, all the while depicted as a strong protagonist. This historical fiction, with interesting tidbits along the way, makes for a very good read. The writing is so good that I am contemplating reading the same book once more – in English, this time.
Only today, 09 December 2012, Kindle readers can download The Copper Sign, written by Katia Fox, from Amazon.co.uk for only 99 pence including VAT & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet.
This offer is only valid today (source: Katia Fox on facebook).
When I got this blog five years ago (to the day), installed with the help of Graham Tappenden, I had absolutely no idea where this would lead me. The detours I have taken, the tasks I have accomplished, and the things which are yet to come, are the fun part about being a blogger.
My initial reason for setting up this blog was the many requests I got from fellow teachers looking for employment. Being associated with Frankfurt International School supplies a big market for potential students.
But in the end, after having posted their names and contact information, not much came out. There were other ideas which looked great at first – as in important and needed – which also did not pan out.
The biggest accomplishment in itself is the fact that I still keep the blog. I have become a more confident writer and research more carefully. I know when to write and when to keep quiet.
Then I decided to let the blog develop a life of its own and this was the right thing to do, at least in my case.
It has been a fun five years and I have learned a lot.
