Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
UCO Foundation Scholarship Portal Open for 2026-27 Academic Year
EDMOND, Oklahoma, Dec. 15 -- The University of Central Oklahoma posted the following news:
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UCO Foundation Scholarship Portal Open for 2026-27 Academic Year
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The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation has opened its scholarship application portal for the 2026-27 academic year, providing current and incoming students the opportunity to apply for more than 450 donor-funded awards that support academic success, student leadership and transformative learning.
Through the portal, students can complete a single streamlined application to be considered for numerous scholarships made possible
... Show Full Article
EDMOND, Oklahoma, Dec. 15 -- The University of Central Oklahoma posted the following news:
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UCO Foundation Scholarship Portal Open for 2026-27 Academic Year
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The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation has opened its scholarship application portal for the 2026-27 academic year, providing current and incoming students the opportunity to apply for more than 450 donor-funded awards that support academic success, student leadership and transformative learning.
Through the portal, students can complete a single streamlined application to be considered for numerous scholarships made possibleby the generosity of alumni, donors and friends of the university. Awards range from need-based assistance to discipline-specific, leadership and merit-based scholarships.
The foundation's scholarship program plays a vital role in UCO's commitment to meeting students where they are and supporting their movement toward graduation and career readiness. Last year, the foundation awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to 1,198 students across all colleges, helping ease financial barriers and empower students to focus on their studies.
The application is open to continuing students and newly admitted students planning to attend UCO for the 2026-27 academic year. Students are encouraged to apply early and thoroughly review eligibility requirements for individual scholarships.
The portal is open now through Feb. 6, 2026.
To apply, students should visit scholarships.uco.edu and log in with their UCO credentials. Incoming students must be admitted to the university to be eligible to apply.
UCO is currently accepting applications for admission for fall 2026. In addition to foundation scholarships, incoming freshmen and transfer students will be automatically awarded academic scholarships, pending eligibility, upon submission of a completed online application and all required admissions documents by Feb. 1, 2026.
For more information, contact the UCO Foundation at foundation-scholarships@uco.edu.
To apply for admission, visit apply.uco.edu.
Kandace Taylor
UCO Office of Advancement
* ktaylor55@uco.edu
* 405-974-3553
* www.centralconnection.org
* UCO.Alums.Friends
* @ucoalumsfriends
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Original text here: https://news.uco.edu/uco-foundation-scholarship-portal-open-for-2026-27-academic-year
University of Plymouth: Study Explores Why Some Drug Therapies are Ineffective for Brain Tumour Patients
PLYMOUTH, England, Dec. 13 -- The University of Plymouth issued the following news:
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Study explores why some drug therapies are ineffective for brain tumour patients
New research will try and find the first effective non-surgical treatments for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2
By Alan Williams, Media and Communications Manager
Scientists at the University of Plymouth have been awarded significant funding to explore why certain drug treatments are proving ineffective in brain tumour patients.
The two-year project, supported by the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), will specifically
... Show Full Article
PLYMOUTH, England, Dec. 13 -- The University of Plymouth issued the following news:
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Study explores why some drug therapies are ineffective for brain tumour patients
New research will try and find the first effective non-surgical treatments for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2
By Alan Williams, Media and Communications Manager
Scientists at the University of Plymouth have been awarded significant funding to explore why certain drug treatments are proving ineffective in brain tumour patients.
The two-year project, supported by the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), will specificallybe aimed at NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2), a rare genetic condition which frequently causes patients to develop multiple tumours. These can include schwannomas on the nerves responsible for hearing and balance, as well as under the skin and along the spine, and meningiomas that develop in the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
At present, the only available treatments for NF2-related tumours are surgery and radiotherapy. However, these approaches are not suitable for all patients, particularly those with multiple tumours throughout the body, or with tumours located in neurologically sensitive regions. Even in patients who are eligible for surgery or radiotherapy, treatment is often associated with significant side effects.
Numerous drugs used clinically to tackle other tumour types have shown only limited or no effectiveness in treating NF2-related schwannoma and meningioma tumours. In recent studies, carried out at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University the scientists discovered that Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) - caused by specific proteins located on the surface of tumour cells - may be responsible. These proteins can actively transport drugs out of the cells, thereby preventing the drugs from exerting their therapeutic effects.
To address this challenge, the new project will explore whether clinically tested and FDA-approved cancer drugs, specifically those that inhibit MDR mechanisms, can be repurposed for use in combination with the drugs that failed in NF2 clinical trials.
The goal is to develop the first truly effective therapies for patients - and because NF2-related tumours closely resemble their sporadic counterparts, treatments shown to be effective in NF2-related schwannoma and meningioma could subsequently be extended to the much larger population of patients with sporadic tumours, which are highly prevalent, particularly meningiomas, the most common type of primary brain tumour.
The project is being funded through a grant of over $175,000 from the CTF's Drug Discovery Initiative (DDI) Awards programme and will be led by Associate Professor Dr Sylwia Ammoun and PhD researcher Summer Henderson, in collaboration with Research Fellow Dr Juri Na.
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"For many years, researchers worldwide, including our laboratory, have searched for new therapeutic targets and tested numerous drugs in NF2-related and sporadic schwannoma and meningioma tumours.
Although many of these agents showed promising effects in laboratory models, most ultimately proved to be ineffective or only partially effective in patients during clinical trials. This led us to suspect that there is a fundamental feature of these tumours that prevents the drugs from working effectively. Our research so far has shown that schwannoma and meningioma tumours are inherently drug resistant and therefore do not fully respond to drug therapies. If we are to find effective treatments for these tumours, that is something we urgently need to address. Our ongoing research is possible thanks to generous support from organisations such as the Children's Tumor Foundation, as well as patients who donated samples, for which we are deeply grateful.
- Dr Sylwia Ammoun, Associate Professor
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Dr Ammoun and Summer Henderson have been working for the past three years to examine drug resistance in schwannoma and meningioma tumours, with their research focused on tumour cells taken from patients during surgery, and made available to researchers through the Plymouth Biobank and Brain UK.
Their work has demonstrated that combining proposed NF2 treatments with direct MDR inhibitors clinically tested in other cancers can enhance therapeutic efficacy in meningioma and schwannoma tumours. Their studies further showed that MDR can also be targeted indirectly by inhibiting signalling pathways that regulate the expression and activation of MDR proteins, including the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Using clinically tested and FDA-approved drugs which target this pathway resulted in markedly improved treatment outcomes in laboratory cell models. These combinations have proved effective at low doses, offering the potential to minimise side effects experienced by patients, while improving therapeutic outcomes.
With the new funding, researchers will first test these drug combinations in the laboratory on tumour cells taken from schwannoma and meningioma patients. The most promising treatments will then be tested in living models in a follow-up study to assess how well they work within the body.
Since the drugs under investigation are either already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency, or currently in clinical trials for other diseases, the hope is that if the project is successful it can be swiftly translated into clinical trials and then be used in patient treatments.
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"The grant awarded by the Children's Tumor Foundation is an exciting milestone for the project I have been working on over the past three years.
Securing the support of such a dedicated charity is truly inspiring; without funding of this kind, our research may not have been able to progress. Addressing multi-drug resistance in meningioma and schwannoma tumours has the potential to make a significant difference for patients, and we remain hopeful that our work will ultimately lead to better, more effective options for those living with these conditions."
- Summer Henderson, PhD Researcher
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Funding support from the Children's Tumor Foundation
In 2025, the CTF has awarded nearly $2 million to a range of projects that will accelerate the development of new therapies for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), schwannomatosis (SWN), and NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN).
This year's awards mark the largest round of DDI funding to date, advancing bold ideas that tackle NF's toughest challenges: shrinking tumours, overcoming drug resistance, and developing innovative targeted therapies. These projects reflect CTF's unwavering commitment to transforming scientific discoveries into tangible, life-changing treatments for patients and families.
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"We funded this project because drug resistance has long been a barrier to developing effective therapies for NF2-related schwannomatosis. By exploring ways to restore drug sensitivity and test safer, low-dose combinations, this research could redefine treatment for NF2 patients - offering more effective tumour control, safer therapies, and more real options for those who urgently need them."
- Irene Morganstern, PhD, Director of Preclinical Initiatives, Children's Tumor Foundation
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From Biological Sciences graduate to brain tumour researcher
Growing up in Plymouth, I was always drawn to the beach, nature and animals, which led me to study Biological Sciences as a way of combining those interests with the science subjects I enjoyed. My degree provided broad training across ecology, plant sciences and biomedical sciences, and I discovered a particular passion for molecular biology and understanding how the smallest components of cells function.
For my final-year project, I conducted research into honeybee viruses at the Marine Biological Association, gaining valuable experience in core laboratory techniques such as DNA and RNA extraction. This confirmed my desire to pursue a research career. After graduating, I joined The Vaccine Group, a University of Plymouth spinout, where I worked on the development of a bovine mastitis vaccine. Being trusted to work independently in the lab gave me a strong sense of responsibility and reinforced my enthusiasm for research.
After taking a year to travel, I was eager to continue my scientific development and applied for a PhD with Dr Sylwia Ammoun. My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of multi-drug resistance in meningioma and schwannoma tumours and finding ways to combat them. Clinical trials for drug therapies in these tumours have had limited success, and our work aims to uncover whether multi-drug resistance proteins play a key role. We have begun identifying ways to inhibit these proteins to enhance drug effectiveness, and early findings have been promising - progress that we will now build on through this new project.
Each day, I pass the Wall of Hope at our Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of this work and the people it aims to help. Being part of this research environment has also inspired me to carry out fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, giving me the opportunity to contribute not only through my work in the lab but also by supporting the charitable efforts that make it possible.
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Original text here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/study-explores-why-some-drug-therapies-are-ineffective-for-brain-tumour-patients
University of Manchester: First Global Study Finds Young People Redefining Sexuality Around the World
MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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First global study finds young people redefining sexuality around the world
A major new global study led by a researcher at The University of Manchester has found that younger generations around the world are embracing a more diverse and fluid understanding of sexual identity than ever before.
The research - which analysed data from over 900,000 users of the queer women's and nonbinary dating app Zoe - offers one of the first truly global pictures of how people identify their sexuality
... Show Full Article
MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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First global study finds young people redefining sexuality around the world
A major new global study led by a researcher at The University of Manchester has found that younger generations around the world are embracing a more diverse and fluid understanding of sexual identity than ever before.
The research - which analysed data from over 900,000 users of the queer women's and nonbinary dating app Zoe - offers one of the first truly global pictures of how people identify their sexualityin 122 countries, from the UK and the US to Brazil, South Africa and Taiwan.
The study, published in Demographic Research, found that lesbian and bisexual are the most common identities - but it also shows that younger users are far more likely to describe themselves using newer or broader terms such as queer, pansexual or asexual, suggesting that traditional labels are evolving rapidly.
"Younger generations are showing us that sexuality is not a fixed category - it's a spectrum," said Dr Francesco Rampazzo, lead author and Lecturer in Social Statistics at The University of Manchester. "Across the world, more young people are comfortable describing their identities in diverse and fluid ways."
The research highlights how openness about sexuality often depends on cultural and social context. Countries in Europe, North America and Oceania show the greatest diversity of identities, while users in some parts of Africa and Asia were less likely to share information about their sexuality - likely reflecting differences in social acceptance or legal protection.
"Where people feel safe, they are more likely to express who they really are," said Dr Canton Winer, co-author from the Northern Illinois University. "In places where LGBTQ+ identities remain stigmatised or even criminalised, that freedom is much narrower."
The team emphasises that the study is not just about numbers - it's about visibility. Behind each data point is a real person choosing to be seen.
The findings also show a small but visible proportion of users identifying as asexual, an often-overlooked orientation that's now appearing beyond Western contexts. This hints at a growing global recognition of lesser-known identities.
By working directly with Zoe, which shared anonymised, aggregated data for research, the study marks a new frontier in demographic research. Rather than relying only on national surveys - which often miss sexual minorities - digital data from dating apps can help paint a more inclusive global picture.
"At Zoe, we have always believed that responsible collaboration between industry and academia can produce insights that genuinely benefit LGBTQ+ communities," said Milan Kovacic, the former CEO of Zoe. "Studies like this show how data, when handled with care and respect, can deepen our understanding of people's experiences and help create safer, more inclusive digital spaces. We are proud to support research that contributes to that goal."
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"Our study is a reminder that technology isn't just transforming how people meet - it is reshaping how we understand ourselves and each other."
- Dr Francesco Rampazzo
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The study was conducted by researchers from The University of Manchester, Northern Illinois University and the Zoe App, and is part of ongoing efforts to build a more global understanding of LGBTQ+ identities.
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Original text here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/young-people-redefining-sexuality-around-the-world/
University of Birmingham: NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre Appoints First-ever Deputy Directors
BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 13 -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news:
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NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre appoints first-ever Deputy Directors
Professors Patricia Lalor and Alex Richter will work alongside Professor Andrew Filer to further strengthen the BRC's leadership team.
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Professor Patricia Lalor and Professor Alex Richter, from the University of Birmingham's Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, have been appointed as Deputy Directors of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). This
... Show Full Article
BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 13 -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news:
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NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre appoints first-ever Deputy Directors
Professors Patricia Lalor and Alex Richter will work alongside Professor Andrew Filer to further strengthen the BRC's leadership team.
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Professor Patricia Lalor and Professor Alex Richter, from the University of Birmingham's Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, have been appointed as Deputy Directors of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Thisdouble appointment aims to further strengthen the BRC's leadership team to deliver world-class translational research that improves patient care.
Professors Lalor and Richter will work closely with Professor Andrew Filer, who was recently appointed as Director of the BRC, to drive the Centre's ambitious vision and strategic priorities.
The NIHR Birmingham BRC is hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham and six associate academic and NHS partners across the region. It brings together clinicians, scientists and healthcare professionals to drive translational research improving outcomes for people with inflammatory diseases.
About the new Deputy Directors
* Professor Patricia Lalor
Patricia (Trish) Lalor is Professor of Experimental Hepatology at the University of Birmingham, internationally recognised for her research on the molecular mechanisms underpinning human liver diseases. She also brings extensive expertise in academic career development and capacity building, supporting the next generation of clinical and translational researchers.
* Professor Alex Richter
As Professor and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Immunology at the University of Birmingham, Alex Richter brings a wealth of expertise in translational immunology and diagnostics, with a strong track record of clinical research that impacts patient outcomes. Alex drives cross-sector collaboration, integrating academia, healthcare, and industry to accelerate innovation.
Professor Andrew Filer welcomed the appointments, saying:
"This is an exciting moment for the Birmingham BRC. Trish and Alex bring exceptional expertise and leadership that will help us deliver on our mission to translate cutting-edge research into real-world benefits for patients. Their appointment reflects our commitment to building a strong, collaborative leadership team."
Professor Patricia Lalor said:
"It's an honour to take on this role and continue supporting the development of research careers and translational research excellence across the BRC. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and I look forward to working with colleagues to achieve our shared goals."
Professor Alex Richter added:
"It's a privilege to help lead the BRC at such an exciting time. I am passionate about ensuring our research translates into tangible benefits for patients and communities, and I look forward to strengthening partnerships across Birmingham and beyond."
Dr Vicki Day, Head of Infrastructure for the BRC, commented:
"Introducing Deputy Directors for the first time is a significant step forward. It ensures resilience in our leadership structure and enables us to better support researchers, clinicians, and public contributors across the Centre."
Public contributors Kanta and Sadia, who served on the interview panel for these positions, said:
"It was inspiring to see the commitment of all candidates to patient involvement and research impact. Patricia and Alex stood out for their vision and dedication to making research meaningful for the people it serves."
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Original text here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/nihr-birmingham-biomedical-research-centre-appoints-first-ever-deputy-directors
Technical University of Munich: Adults in Germany are Good at Solving Problems
MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- The Technical University of Munich issued the following news:
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PIAAC study: skills strongly depend on social background
Adults in Germany are good at solving problems
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Adults in Germany are better than the international average at coping with problems in new and complex situations. However, this adaptive problem-solving skill depends more heavily on sociodemographic characteristics than in other countries. This is shown by a new evaluation of the latest PIAAC study, in which adults in around 30 countries were tested.
The ability to respond successfully
... Show Full Article
MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- The Technical University of Munich issued the following news:
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PIAAC study: skills strongly depend on social background
Adults in Germany are good at solving problems
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Adults in Germany are better than the international average at coping with problems in new and complex situations. However, this adaptive problem-solving skill depends more heavily on sociodemographic characteristics than in other countries. This is shown by a new evaluation of the latest PIAAC study, in which adults in around 30 countries were tested.
The ability to respond successfullyto new, complex and dynamic situations is a key skill in modern societies. In addition to its importance for the lives of individuals, this so-called adaptive problem-solving skill is also considered important for society as a whole, for example, for coexistence, for adapting to changing circumstances and for innovative thinking.
The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), which conducts international comparisons of basic skills in adulthood, has therefore tested for the first time how competent adults are at adaptive problem solving. More than 160,000 randomly selected individuals aged between 16 and 65 in 31 countries took part in the study, including around 4,800 in Germany.
Significant differences within the population
The results show that adults in Germany have skills that are significantly better than the average for the participating OECD countries. At the same time, there are significant differences within the population, especially between people with different levels of education, social backgrounds and countries of birth. Adults with low educational attainment have only limited adaptive problem-solving skills. Employed people have higher skills than those who are not employed.
Adults whose parents have a low level of education have, on average, lower adaptive problem-solving skills than those whose parents have a high level of education. This correlation between skills and social background is particularly strong in Germany in international comparison.
There are also differences depending on whether people were born in Germany or abroad. People who were not born in Germany have lower problem-solving skills on average than those born in Germany, when tested in German. This difference is also high in international comparison.
"Decoupling opportunities from social background"
"Most adults in Germany are well equipped to face the challenges of a complex, changing social and working life. However, it is not a good sign for a society if it fails to decouple opportunities for acquiring skills from social background. We regularly see that this dependency is stronger in Germany than in other countries in the PISA studies, too, in which we examine the skills of 15-year-old students. To solve the problem, we need to start at an early age," says Samuel Greiff, one of the study's authors and professor of educational monitoring and effectiveness at TUM. He led the international group of experts that developed the concept of adaptive problem solving for the PIAAC study.
Everyday tasks
The PIAAC study, coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), was conducted for the second time in 2023. Participants worked independently on everyday tasks in their respective national languages on a tablet. This skills assessment was supplemented by a comprehensive background questionnaire that collected information on, for example, sociodemographic factors, formal education, continuing education, employment and occupational status as well as the use of skills at work and in everyday life.
In Germany, PIAAC was led by GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences. The study was funded in Germany by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) with the participation of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).
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Publications
Sanja Kapidzic, Britta Gauly, Samuel Greiff, Silke Martin, Natascha Massing, Anouk Zabal, Beatrice Rammstedt (2025). Adaptives Problemlosen Erwachsener im internationalen Vergleich: Ergebnisse von PIAAC 2023. Waxmann Verlag, Munster. DOI:10.31244/9783818850784
PIAAC main study:
OECD. (2024). Do adults have the skills they need to thrive in a changing world? Survey of Adult Skills 2023. OECD Publishing. DOI:10.1787/b263dc5d-en
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Original text here: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/adults-in-germany-are-good-at-solving-problems
Radford University Issues Highlander Highlights Wrap Up for the Week of Dec. 8, 2025
RADFORD, Virginia, Dec. 13 -- Radford University issued the following Highlander Highlights wrap up for the week of Dec. 8, 2025:
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Highlander Highlights: Week of Dec. 8, 2025
By Pam McCallister
Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, staff and faculty.
Collier helms Center for Applied Analytics
Zach Collier, assistant professor of management, has been named director of the Center for Applied Analytics (formerly the Center for Innovation and Analytics).
... Show Full Article
RADFORD, Virginia, Dec. 13 -- Radford University issued the following Highlander Highlights wrap up for the week of Dec. 8, 2025:
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Highlander Highlights: Week of Dec. 8, 2025
By Pam McCallister
Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, staff and faculty.
Collier helms Center for Applied Analytics
Zach Collier, assistant professor of management, has been named director of the Center for Applied Analytics (formerly the Center for Innovation and Analytics).The center focuses on practical applications of analytics to solve real-world problems, including teaching students about how analytics can be used in their careers and working with local organizations to use analytics to develop insights into business problems.
"We plan to host speakers during the academic year who are experts in analytics across a variety of disciplines and application areas," Collier said. "We will promote analytics education through workshops and training sessions and also work with faculty to pursue applied analytics research. One idea that we are excited about is organizing analytics competitions where teams are given datasets and then compete to generate solutions and pitch recommendations to complex problems. I look forward to leading this new center and working with partners across the university to advance the study and practice of analytics."
More information about the center is available here (https://www.radford.edu/davis-college-business-economics/applied-analytics/index.html).
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Boyd presents research at Australian symposium
Donna Boyd, eminent professor of anthropological sciences and director of Radford's Forensic Science Institute, co-presented a paper at the 27th Symposium of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 13 with co-author Jade de la Paz of the University of Otago, New Zealand.
The paper was entitled: "Exploring the Global Development and Use of Standards in Forensic Anthropology."
This research evolved from Boyd's participation and leadership in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences' Academy Standards Board, of which she is vice-chair, and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, both of which have as their goal the creation of national standards for forensic science. With this presentation, these standards for conducting forensic science case work and research were distributed to a global audience.
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We Are Radford winner for December
The We Are Radford employee recognition program is a monthly honor recognizing an individual whose daily interactions with students and colleagues represent the best of the Radford University experience. The winner for December is Jessica Fenton, an instructor of undergraduate nursing.
"Professor Fenton goes above and beyond for the nursing students," her nominator wrote. "She ensures each student has what they need for their individual success. She acts as an advocate for her students."
Employees who have served at least one year at Radford are eligible to be recognized for upholding the university's core values.
Nominate a Highlander! (https://radford.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d2q7toHaPD1MLY?Q_CHL=qr)
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Original text here: https://www.radford.edu/news/2025/highlights-12-12.html
Missouri State-West Plains: Dr. Thakur Speaks at International Conference
WEST PLAINS, Missouri, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- Missouri State University's West Plains Campus issued the following news release:
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Dr. Thakur speaks at international conference
The Kerala Urban Conclave, hosted by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brought together local government leaders, national and international experts, researchers, and civil society organizations to collectively shape the next decade of urban policy for the region.
By Amanda Collins
Dr. Rajiv Thakur, professor of geography, was formally invited by the Government of Kerala, India, to speak at the Kerala Urban
... Show Full Article
WEST PLAINS, Missouri, Dec. 13 (TNSjou) -- Missouri State University's West Plains Campus issued the following news release:
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Dr. Thakur speaks at international conference
The Kerala Urban Conclave, hosted by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brought together local government leaders, national and international experts, researchers, and civil society organizations to collectively shape the next decade of urban policy for the region.
By Amanda Collins
Dr. Rajiv Thakur, professor of geography, was formally invited by the Government of Kerala, India, to speak at the Kerala UrbanConclave 2025, an international gathering of policymakers, scholars, and urban development leaders.
Dr. Thakur served in the high-level policy session titled, "Growth Drivers for Urban Kerala." The invitation recognizes his significant scholarly contributions to urban and regional planning, sustainable development, resource management, and governance--areas he has explored through his edited volumes published by Springer Nature in 2020 and 2021.
International Platform with Global Impact
Kerala is widely recognized as one of India's most progressive and rapidly urbanizing states, distinguished by its world-leading literacy rates, strong public health outcomes, gender equity initiatives, and long-standing commitment to decentralized and participatory governance.
The Kerala Urban Conclave, hosted by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brought together local government leaders, national and international experts, researchers and civil society organizations to collectively shape the next decade of urban policy for the region.
Benefits for MSU-West Plains Students and Community
University officials emphasize that Dr. Thakur's participation directly aligns with MSU-West Plains' public affairs mission to foster global citizenship and enhance educational excellence. His engagement is expected to contribute to curriculum enhancement, global learning opportunities, student career readiness, and engagement in the community and on the West Plains campus.
"This is an opportunity to learn from one of the most innovative policy environments in the world and bring those insights back to our students and community," Dr. Thakur said. "Kerala offers a rich model of participatory planning and sustainable development that can inform global conversations--including those happening here in southern Missouri."
Strengthening MSU-West Plains' Global Reach
"Dr. Thakur's invitation is an important recognition of his expertise and the university's growing commitment to global engagement," said Zora Mulligan, MSU-WP chancellor. "His participation will provide our students with expanded perspectives and strengthen our academic connections internationally."
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Original text here: https://news.wp.missouristate.edu/2025/12/12/dr-thakur-speaks-at-international-conference/
