Sustainable international engagement using a partner co-hosted teaching model

Internationalisation is a significant activity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide and is typically embedded within the aims, ambitions, vision, and strategy of the institution. It incorporates the policies and procedures required to facilitate participation within a global academic environment, [1] and is often considered to be a transformative process that impacts practices in teaching and learning, research, and administration. With formal protocols to establish partnerships, such as memoranda of understanding and articulation agreements, the business of formally creating international partnerships is well defined. However, the motivations, corresponding metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) of successful partnerships are not as well defined. At the institute level, there are often KPIs to measure student mobility, revenue generation, and funding. But internationalisation strategies also often include social, political and academic output and can be an important source of inspiration for wider innovation and entrepreneurial activity. In Ireland, for example, objective 2 of the 2018-2020 Higher Education System Performance Framework [2] includes the strategic goals of increasing international student numbers, increasing the foreign language provision for Irish students, and increasing the number of academic publications with international peers. The issue facing HEIs is not that international partnerships cannot be created, it is that many such partnerships do not evolve, often fail to develop into meaningful long-term relationships, and do not adequately contribute to the underlying strategic goals of participating partners. These failures are attributed to the fact that, while support exists at a higher institute level, there is often a lack of buy-in and support at the faculty level, including language barriers, a lack of ongoing post-agreement communication, and cultural issues creating inertia in the relationship [3]. While English is seen as the global language of science [4], it often puts at least one of the partners at a disadvantage if they are not natively proficient. Even when this barrier can be overcome, cultural differences can also contribute to unsustainable relationships [5]. While faculties, and individuals within them, are ultimately the engines that drive the KPI activities of university strategic goals, research has shown that it is frequently through the building of friendships and the discovery of common interests between staff that is the key to developing sustainable partnerships [6]. Brockington [7] calls for a clear vision which is embraced by all stakeholders including faculty, administration and senior institution management, and that appropriate financial and international support models must be put in place to help nurture productive international partnerships. HEIs typically create significant numbers of partnerships with other international institutions. However, many of these simply fail to become active for the reasons already outlined. The hope would seem that simply increasing the quantity of partnerships will ultimately result in the desired level of activity. However, in this paper, we argue that a more nuanced understanding of the ecosystem is required to foster successful partnerships and to increase the productivity rate of these relationships. While there may not be a single model that addresses all issues given their dynamic nature and number of stakeholders required to make a partnership successful, a set of best practices and guidelines can be extracted based on examples of key partnerships that have been successful. In this paper we describe a successful and ongoing partnership between TU Dublin School of Computer Science and the Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) College of Information Science and Technology. The model presented in this paper, Partner Co-hosted Model (PCM), evolved over many years and is based on a mutual desire to build meaningful and sustainable joint academic activity between the two institutions. This model has continued to evolve to sustain an ongoing cooperation and meaningful partnership and has demonstrated both its resilience and utility during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the following section, we review the context and background to the development of this model. In section three, we introduce the model and describe in detail its core features. Section four offers a summary of our conclusions and considers the possibility for further development of models of international partnerships as well as possible future research opportunities. This paper draws on the experiences and reflections of the programme team, including TU Dublin and BUCT staff members. As this programme has undergone a real time process of change and development, the lead authors have been able to reflect on (a) the changing nature of the programme, (b) the value of the programme to individual and institutional stakeholders, (c) the strengths and limitations of the model as it has involved and (d) and the experiences of dealing with the day-today challenges of international working. What is core to this discussion, is a recognition that running international programmes and partnership is only possible through clear, direct and ongoing dialogue (as this paper will address) but also a recognition that processes and experiences are inherently nonlinear and at times, as all authors here attest, challenging and ‘messy’. All authors recognise that the development of this programme has required the involvement of a range of colleagues, both at TU Dublin and BUCT, from departments including finance, teaching excellence, marketing, international and technology learning specialists

International Reflections on the Challenges of Entrepreneurial Education Working with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

With the European Council looking to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to help support the strategic goal of increasing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) activity through increased entrepreneurial education, we reflect on the challenges facing both HEIs and SMEs through the lens of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 funded research and innovation staff exchange project ‘Global Entrepreneurial Talent Management 3’ (GETM3). This research generated data during the three-year duration of the project and through a mixed-methods approach. The effectiveness of entrepreneurial education against this strategic requirement and the barriers which need to be overcome to achieve it are considered. We observed that common ground between academia and SMEs is favoured where partnerships are interactive, agile and flexible. We finalise this paper by offering a series of recommendations and guidelines to help HEIs work more closely together to fuel further entrepreneurial activity

Academic Access and Achievement for At-Risk Students – Improving High School and Postsecondary Outcomes for Students Who are Homeless or in Foster Care — Positive Impact of Georgia’s Public and Private Sectors Collaborating for Student Success

Description: Key steps examined and shared to create community-based solutions to improve outcomes and education success for at-risk high school and college students. Examples of successful collaborations achieving collective impact: 1) GA Chambers\u27 best practices community-based solution helping at-risk high school students improve education success with independent program evaluations from Clark Atlanta University and Fort Valley State University; 2) Overview of Coaching for College Completion pilot helping at-risk college freshmen and sophomores stay on track for postsecondary success in partnerships with Georgia State University, United Way, Carrie Steele Pitts Home, Atlanta Technical College, Orange Duffel Bag and the Governor\u27s Office for Children and Families. Objectives: Workshop Objectives 1) Present a case studies and student outcomes resulting from ODB\u27s After school coaching program, ongoing advocacy, and community collaborations. Highlight a GA Chambers best practices community based solution, local businesses, the school district, county homeless liaisons, and higher education institutions working together to help high school students who are homeless or in foster care stay on track to achieve their high school education and create a plan for post secondary success. 2) Present independent evaluations of the ODB\u27s 2013 classes and student outcomes conducted by Clark Atlanta University and Fort Valley State University research students. 3) Present ODB\u27s Coaching for College Completion pilot project (CCC) in partnership with GSU, United Way of Greater Atlanta, GA\u27s Governor\u27s Office for Children and Families, to help at - risk college freshman and sophomores to stay on track to achieve post secondary success

ABNORMAL COUPLING OF KNEE AND HIP MOMENTS DURING MAXIMAL EXERTIONS IN PERSONS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

ABSTRACT: The motions of lower-limb extension, adduction, and internal rotation are frequently coupled in persons with cerebral palsy (CP) and are commonly referred to as an extension synergy. However, the underlying joint moments that give rise to these coupled motions are not well understood. We hypothesized that maximal voluntary exertions in a direction of one component of a synergy (e.g., hip extension) would result in the concurrent presence of other components of the synergy in subjects with CP but not in control subjects. To test this hypothesis, we measured three-dimensional moments about the hip and knee as nine subjects with spastic CP and six control subjects performed maximal isometric exertions of the hip and knee flexors and extensors. During maximal hip extension exertions, control subjects simultaneously generated a knee flexion moment, whereas CP subjects generated a knee extension moment (P Ͻ 0.05) and a larger hip internal rotation moment than did controls (P Ͻ 0.05). During maximal knee extension exertions, control subjects generated a hip flexion moment, whereas CP subjects generated a hip extension moment (P Ͻ 0.05). The patterns of joint moments generated by CP subjects are consistent with an extension synergy and may underlie the coupled motion patterns of the lower extremity in such persons

Number 2 J Swine Health Prod

This article is available online at http://www.aasv.org/shap.html. Summary Objectives: To determine whether people can mechanically transmit enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) from infected to susceptible weaned pigs during direct pig contact and to determine biosecurity measures that will prevent such transmission. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty-five 19-to 21-day-old weaned pigs, culture-negative for ETEC M1823B, were randomly allocated to six treatment groups housed in five separate isolation rooms. Inoculated Pigs were offered 1.36 × 10 10 to 8.92 × 10 10 colony forming units of E coli mixed in strawberry gelatin on two occasions. Pen Sentinels were housed with Inoculated Pigs. A caretaker fed pigs, checked waterers, and directly contacted each group of pigs for 10 minutes daily for 10 consecutive days. The caretaker contacted Inoculated Pigs and moved directly to Direct Sentinels, recontacted Inoculated Pigs, washed hands twice, changed outerwear, then contacted Hand-wash Sentinels. The caretaker then recontacted Inoculated Pigs, showered, changed outerwear, and contacted Shower Sentinels. Non-exposed pigs had a separate caretaker. Results: Escherichia coli M1823B was isolated from all 20 Inoculated Pigs, all five Pen Sentinels, 20 of 25 Direct Sentinels, and 23 of 25 Hand-wash Sentinels. The 25 Shower Sentinels and 25 Non-exposed Pigs remained culture-negative for M1823B. Implications: In this study, people mechanically transmitted E coli without extraordinary measures to enhance caretaker contact with pig excretions and secretions beyond that which would occur in a typical pork production unit. Hand washing and donning clean outerwear did not prevent E coli transmission. However, showering and donning clean outerwear did prevent transmission

ONLINE FIRST ORIGINAL ARTICLE Evaluating Revascularization and Flap Survival Using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in an Irradiated Rat Model

Objective: To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasmid DNA (pDNA) in improving flap revascularization in a previously developed rat model. Our hypothesis was that the uptake and expression of VEGF pDNA in the wound bed would improve revascularization and flap viability. Design: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats received a total dose of 40 Gy electron beam radiation to the ventral abdominal wall. After a recovery period, they underwent a ventral fasciocutaneous flap procedure with a 2-hour ischemia period. Group 1 (n=14) received topical VEGF pDNA, in vivo cationic polymer, and fibrin sealant. Group 2 (n=14) received topical cationic polymer and fibrin sealant only. Seven of the rats from each group underwent pedicle ligation at 8or14days.Theprimaryoutcomemeasurewaspercentage of flap revascularization 5 days after pedicle ligation. Results: Rats receiving VEGF pDNA had a significantly higher rate of flap revascularization (90.8 % vs 79.8%) after pedicle ligation at 14 days (P=.045). At 8 days, rats receiving VEGF pDNA (group 1) had an increased rate of flap revascularization (58.2 % vs 42.8%) that approached significance (P=.11). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of VEGF pDNA to improve revascularization and flap viability in previously irradiated tissue

Pilot studies to evaluate the efficacy of a truck-mounted tire sanitizer system

This article is available online at http://www.aasv.org/shap.html. Original research Peer reviewed Pilot studies to evaluate the efficacy of a truck-mounted tire sanitizer system Sandra F. Amass, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ABVP; Jessica L. Schneider, RVT; Darryl Ragland, DVM, PhD; Michael A. Hill, PhD, MRCVS Summary Objective: To determine whether using a tire sanitizer system to apply a disinfectant or water would reduce or eliminate bacteria on the tires of a truck after it was driven through a swine farm. Materials and methods: After truck tires were contaminated by driving on a farm road in the spring and fall, disinfectant or water was sprayed on the left tires using a tire sanitizer system. The right tires were untreated controls. Bacterial counts were compared from swabs collected from standard areas of the tire after contamination and after treatment. Results: Use of the tire sanitizer system with disinfectant was effective in removing bacteria from the tire footprint and, in most cases, the tread grooves of tires in fall and spring seasons. Use of the tire sanitizer system to spray water was not effective in reducing bacterial counts. Driving along an asphalt road, without use of disinfectant, removed bacteria from tires in some cases. In cool, muddy conditions, bacterial counts on the tires were lower when the tire sanitizer system was used than when the system was not used, but counts were not consistently lower in warm, dry conditions. Implications: Bacterial numbers on tires varied with temperature and moisture conditions. Use of the tire sanitizer system with disinfectant was effective in removing bacteria from the footprints and, in most cases, from the tread grooves. Use of tire sanitizers with disinfectant may be an adjunct tool in protocols for vehicle decontamination

Improving access to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV among international migrant populations

Summary: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for people susceptible to HIV acquisition, and the scale-up of PrEP programmes has contributed to new HIV case reductions at a population level. However, international migrants continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. Understanding barriers and facilitators to PrEP implementation among international migrants can optimise PrEP use among this population and ultimately reduce HIV incidence worldwide. We reviewed the evidence regarding factors influencing PrEP implementation among international migrants; 19 studies were included. The barriers and facilitators at the individual level were related to knowledge and risk perception of HIV. Cost, provider discriminations, and health system navigation influenced PrEP use at the service level. Positive or negative perception towards LGBT+ identities, HIV, and PrEP users affected PrEP use at the societal level. Most existing PrEP campaigns do not target international migrants; therefore, culturally tailored approaches for people from different backgrounds are warranted. Potentially migration-related and HIV-related discriminatory policies must be reviewed to increase access to HIV prevention services to end HIV transmission at a population level