Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Teachers report limited or no training to support neurodivergent pupils, new study finds
YORK, England, April 3 -- York St John University posted the following news:
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Teachers report limited or no training to support neurodivergent pupils, new study finds
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Nearly 25 percent of teachers report receiving no training on how to support neurodivergent pupils, and most of those who did describe it as brief and limited in scope, according to new research from York St John University and the University of Surrey.
Researchers surveyed 177 teachers and support staff in mainstream schools in the UK about their experiences of working with neurodivergent pupils.
In England, the number
... Show Full Article
YORK, England, April 3 -- York St John University posted the following news:
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Teachers report limited or no training to support neurodivergent pupils, new study finds
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Nearly 25 percent of teachers report receiving no training on how to support neurodivergent pupils, and most of those who did describe it as brief and limited in scope, according to new research from York St John University and the University of Surrey.
Researchers surveyed 177 teachers and support staff in mainstream schools in the UK about their experiences of working with neurodivergent pupils.
In England, the numberof children identified with a special educational need (SEN) has increased each year since 2016, with 5.3 per cent of pupils having an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) entitling statutory support, whilst an additional 14.2 per cent receive SEN support without an EHCP. Despite this sustained rise in identified need, many classroom teachers report feeling underprepared to meet increasingly complex profiles of support.
Researchers found training of neurodiversity within the classroom to be an area of concern. Of those who had received training, most received short sessions (less than half a day), with only 16 per cent receiving sessions that lasted one day or more and 19 per cent taking longer courses.
A lack of time was also identified as a major challenge encountered by teachers. Participants reported that limited time prevented them from getting to know children's needs, adapting lesson plans, and implementing tailored strategies consistently.
However, many teachers did report rewarding aspects of working with autistic and neurodivergent pupils. Nearly 60 percent of respondents highlighted the reward of witnessing student development and progress, and over 20 percent mentioning the satisfaction of contributing to positive changes in their lives.
Professor Lorna Hamilton, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Inclusive Education at York St John University, said:
"What is striking in these findings is not a lack of commitment, but a lack of structural support. Teachers are motivated and value inclusive practice, yet they are working within systems that do not consistently provide the time, training or resources required."
"If policy aims to reduce exclusions and improve long-term outcomes for neurodivergent pupils, workforce development must be central to reform."
Dr Anna Cook, a Developmental Psychologist at the University of Surrey, said:
"Our findings suggest a clear mismatch between the complexity of pupils' needs and the training teachers are currently receiving. Many participants described short, one-off sessions that did not equip them with context-specific strategies tailored to the particular needs of pupils in their own classrooms.
"Teachers told us they want to provide appropriate support, but constraints on time and training make this extremely challenging. If we are serious about inclusion, professional development in neurodiversity needs to be sustained, evidence-informed and embedded into everyday school practice rather than delivered as isolated workshops."
This study was published in the journal Neurodiversity.
A briefing prepared by Professor Lorna Hamilton and Dr Anna Cook Supporting neurodivergent pupils in mainstream schools (PDF, 0.3MB)
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Original text here: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/news/2026/neurodivergent-pupil-support/
University of Michigan: Sentiment Falls Amid Iran Conflict, Soaring Gas Prices
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 28 (TNSrep) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Sentiment falls amid Iran conflict, soaring gas prices
Consumer sentiment fell 6% this month for its lowest reading since December 2025, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.
These declines were seen across age and political party. Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, who are buffeted both by escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets, exhibited particularly large drops in sentiment.
"At this time, consumers appear to believe that any
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ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 28 (TNSrep) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Sentiment falls amid Iran conflict, soaring gas prices
Consumer sentiment fell 6% this month for its lowest reading since December 2025, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.
These declines were seen across age and political party. Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, who are buffeted both by escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets, exhibited particularly large drops in sentiment.
"At this time, consumers appear to believe that anynegative economic consequences of the Iran conflict are likely to be limited primarily to the short run," said U-M economist Joanne Hsu, director of the surveys. "These views are subject to change, however, if the conflict becomes protracted or if higher energy prices lead to meaningful, sustained increases in the prices consumers pay."
Interviews for this release were collected between Feb. 17 and March 23, with about two-thirds completed after the start of the U.S. military conflict in Iran.
Consumers expect gas price spikes to continue
Year-ahead gas price expectations surged about fivefold from last month, reaching its highest reading since June 2022, soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the peak of post-pandemic inflation.
"Long-run gas price expectations were just a touch higher than the year-ahead reading, suggesting that consumers do not necessarily expect short-term spikes to persist," Hsu said. "Five-year gas price expectations increased as well, but remain near their historical average. At this time, consumers expect at least a short-term shock to prices at the pump with limited long-term increases for gas prices."
Outlook sours for various domains of the economy
Consumers perceived meaningful declines in the trajectory of multiple dimensions of the economy.
Year-ahead expectations for personal finances fell 10%, while one-year expected business conditions plunged 14%. About 61% of consumers expect unemployment to rise in the year ahead, up from 58% last month.
"Generally speaking, expectations for longer time horizons saw more modest declines than for the short run," Hsu said. "The persistence of high prices continues to be the dominant factor for consumer views of the economy, with 47% of consumers providing unsolicited comments that prices are weighing down their personal finances."
Consumer Sentiment Index
The Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 53.3 in the March 2026 survey, down from 56.6 in February and below last March's 57.0. The Current Index fell to 55.8, down from 56.6 in February and below last March's 63.8. The Expectations Index fell to 51.7, down from 56.6 in March and below last March's 52.6.
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About the surveys
The Surveys of Consumers (http://umich.edu/~umsurvey) is a rotating panel survey at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. It is based on a nationally representative sample that gives each household in the coterminous U.S. an equal probability of being selected. Interviews are conducted throughout the month by web. The minimum monthly change required for significance at the 95% level in the Sentiment Index is 4.8 points; for the Current Economic Conditions Index and Index of Consumer Expectations, the minimum is 6 points.
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About ISR
Established in 1949, the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan is among the world's oldest social science research organizations and a world leader in the development and application of social science methodology. ISR conducts some of the most widely cited surveys and studies in the nation, including the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, American National Election Studies, Monitoring the Future Study, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, Health and Retirement Study, National Survey of Black Americans and World Values Survey. ISR is also home to the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, which maintains the world's largest computerized social science data archive.
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Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/sentiment-falls-amid-iran-conflict-soaring-gas-prices/
TSTC's Waco Campus Receives Funding Through Lowe's Foundation
ROSENBERG, Texas, March 28 -- Texas State Technical College issued the following news:
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TSTC's Waco campus receives funding through Lowe's Foundation
Texas State Technical College has been awarded a $675,000 grant through the Lowe's Foundation's Gable Grants program which is transforming the lives of students.
"The TSTC Foundation appreciates the Lowe's Foundation's selection of TSTC as a Gable Grant recipient," said Karen K. Martin, president of The TSTC Foundation. "This will impact the lives of many of our students preparing to move into high-demand jobs. The funding for scholarships,
... Show Full Article
ROSENBERG, Texas, March 28 -- Texas State Technical College issued the following news:
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TSTC's Waco campus receives funding through Lowe's Foundation
Texas State Technical College has been awarded a $675,000 grant through the Lowe's Foundation's Gable Grants program which is transforming the lives of students.
"The TSTC Foundation appreciates the Lowe's Foundation's selection of TSTC as a Gable Grant recipient," said Karen K. Martin, president of The TSTC Foundation. "This will impact the lives of many of our students preparing to move into high-demand jobs. The funding for scholarships,equipment and tool kits through The TSTC Foundation shows Lowe's investment in skilled trades education nationally."
Within the grant, $250,000 was used to purchase modern, state-of-the-art equipment for the Construction Technologies Center, which opened earlier this year at the Waco campus. The 120,000-square-foot structure is home to the Building Construction, Electrical Construction, HVAC, Plumbing and Pipefitting and Solar Energy programs. More than 1,000 students are expected to work with the new equipment funded through the grant.
Funding is also being used to provide scholarships and tool kits to students in the Building Construction, Electrical Construction, HVAC, Plumbing and Pipefitting and Solar Energy programs at TSTC's Waco campus. Low-income and Pell Grant-eligible students receiving the tool kits are ensured regardless of financial circumstances that they have the resources needed to maximize their potential.
Participants in select courses taught at TSTC'S The WorkSITE (Skills, Innovation, Training and Education) on Wycon Drive in Waco can receive scholarships. This helps area companies access a pipeline of trained workers.
More than 130 students have so far been awarded scholarships. The grant is expected to impact about 1,000 students.
TSTC is among the 12 two-year institutions receiving $7 million in strategic grants from the Lowe's Foundation. The cohort joins a national network of more than 60 organizations in 28 states. The Gable Grants initiative began in 2023 and has awarded about $43 million.
"We're thrilled to partner with the Lowe's Foundation on this incredible opportunity," said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC's Waco campus. "Their support is a game changer for our programs and the students we serve. Together, we're helping build real pathways into high-demand skilled trades and creating lasting impact in our community."
For more information on the Lowe's Foundation, go to lowesfoundation.org.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.tstc.edu/blog/2026/03/27/tstcs-waco-campus-receives-funding-through-lowes-foundation/
SUNY Chancellor King Announces Guaranteed Transfer Pathway Agreement Between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase College
ALBANY, New York, March 28 -- The State University of New York issued the following news release:
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SUNY Chancellor King Announces Guaranteed Transfer Pathway Agreement Between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase College
Westchester Community College Students Enrolled in Programs Including Computer Science and Environmental Science Can Automatically Transfer to SUNY Purchase College Beginning in Fall 2026
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Valhalla, NY -- State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced a new Guaranteed Pathway Agreement between Westchester Community College and SUNY
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ALBANY, New York, March 28 -- The State University of New York issued the following news release:
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SUNY Chancellor King Announces Guaranteed Transfer Pathway Agreement Between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase College
Westchester Community College Students Enrolled in Programs Including Computer Science and Environmental Science Can Automatically Transfer to SUNY Purchase College Beginning in Fall 2026
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Valhalla, NY -- State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced a new Guaranteed Pathway Agreement between Westchester Community College and SUNYPurchase College. Through the agreement, students enrolled in associate degree programs including Computer Science and Environmental Science at Westchester Community College will be eligible to automatically transfer to SUNY Purchase College beginning in Fall 2026.
"Ensuring our community college students have the opportunity to seamlessly transfer and continue their education at one of our four-year institutions is an important part of SUNY's commitment to student success," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Through this partnership, more Westchester Community College students will be able to pursue the education of their dreams at SUNY Purchase and continue their path to upward mobility. I applaud both campuses for their work to support our students as they continue their higher education journey."
SUNY Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said, "Through this Guaranteed Pathway Agreement, students at Westchester Community College will be able to easily transfer to SUNY Purchase and continue their education without interruption. We commend both campuses for their work to make this partnership possible, and we are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued support and investment in SUNY, so our students can thrive."
Chancellor King joined SUNY Purchase College President Michael Steiper and Westchester Community College President Belinda Miles to make the announcement and sign the Guaranteed Pathway Agreement during his visit to Westchester Community College. Through the agreement, students enrolled in associate programs including Environmental Science, Computer Science, Communications and Media Arts, and Performing Arts, that earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at Westchester Community College will be guaranteed admission to SUNY Purchase beginning in the Fall 2026 semester.
Upon meeting their program requirements, eligible students from Westchester Community College will transfer to SUNY Purchase with junior standing. SUNY Purchase will also guarantee admission to 25 Westchester Community College Viking Roads/Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) graduates into SUNY Purchase's Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program to earn a bachelor's degree. SUNY ASAP|ACE helps students gain and maintain academic momentum so they can graduate on time through access to a wide array of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree.
SUNY Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper said, "We're proud to partner with Westchester Community College to offer this new Guaranteed Pathways program. Purchase and WCC have a shared mission to deliver a high quality, affordable education to students in Westchester and beyond. Together we're empowering the next generation across countless fields, we're fueling the economy of Westchester County, and we're strengthening families and communities. We look forward to welcoming more students from Westchester Community College to Purchase and ensuring they have the support they need to transfer easily, thrive on campus, and graduate on time."
Westchester Community College President Belinda Miles said, "This agreement reflects what we do best at Westchester Community College--open doors to an affordable, high-quality education that leads to meaningful opportunity. By creating a seamless pathway to SUNY Purchase, we are ensuring that our students can begin their academic journey close to home, build a strong foundation, and continue toward a bachelor's degree with confidence and support. The impact extends well beyond the classroom--strengthening families, expanding career possibilities, and contributing to the vitality of the communities where our students live and work."
SUNY has worked to expand seamless transfers to help streamline the experience of students moving from community college to a bachelor's degree-granting institution. In his 2024 State of the University Policy Agenda, Chancellor King outlined steps SUNY would take to modernize seamless transfer to increase completion, which included the conclusion of the work of SUNY's Transfer Task Force in improving the transfer process. In October 2024, SUNY announced the release of the SUNY Transfer Task Force Report, and in December 2024, SUNY adopted the final Transfer Task Force, Recommendations, which provided a system-wide road map to improve transfer between SUNY campuses and directly support students at all stages of their educational journey.
At last month's SUNY BOT meeting, senior leadership presented two policies designed to maximize transfer credit and degree applicability for students who move between SUNY campuses. The two new policies, developed by a cross functional committee of faculty and staff from all SUNY sectors, propose minimum course grades and standardized exam scores accepted for transfer credit. The two policies are now open for public comment, with feedback welcome from all SUNY stakeholders before they are presented to the SUNY Board of Trustees later this spring for final approval. Draft policies and the online feedback form can be found here (https://step.transfer.suny.edu/hub/public-comment/).
In March 2024, SUNY announced a dual admission partnership between Hudson Valley Community College and the State University of New York at Albany to help students earn their associate degree and bachelor's degree from the two campuses, made possible by the SUNY Transformation Fund. Earlier this month, the State University of New York at Albany also announced a dual admission agreement with Columbia-Greene Community College (C-GCC) so that students will be able to transfer into related bachelor's degree programs after completing an associate degree at C-GCC.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "For so many students, community colleges like Westchester Community College open the doors to higher education, new opportunities, and brighter futures. This Guaranteed Pathway Agreement with SUNY Purchase builds on that foundation by creating a clear and reliable next step for New York students who are working hard to earn their degrees. The State Legislature remains committed to supporting SUNY and expanding access to higher education. These investments strengthen our students, our workforce, and our region, and I am proud to support an initiative that will make a meaningful difference for so many students in Westchester."
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, "This agreement creates a clear path for students in the lower Hudson Valley to continue their education without unnecessary barriers. Strengthening the connection between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase means more students can stay on track, complete their degrees, and enter fields critical to our future. We should be building more pathways like this across SUNY."
State Senator Shelley Mayer said, "I am pleased to join Chancellor King, faculty, and educators in announcing this Guaranteed Pathway Agreement between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase - an important step forward in making higher education more accessible. New York has a long-standing commitment to education equity and student success, and this agreement strengthens that commitment by creating a clear, supportive pathway for students who work hard and aspire to continue their education at SUNY Purchase. I thank Chancellor King, Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda S. Miles, and SUNY Purchase President Dr. Michael E. Steiper for their leadership and shared commitment to New York's students.
State Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, "I continue to be impressed and grateful for the innovative and nurturing approach of the SUNY system. This is just the latest example why New York has one of the finest public higher education systems in the country. The Guaranteed Pathway Agreement between SUNY Purchase College and Westchester Community College will open doors to many students and lead to an easier path to success. Congratulations to both institutions."
State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, "The announcement of a guaranteed pathway program between Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase is a huge win for our local students and our local economy. Community college credits that don't transfer increase the cost of a degree and the length of time students need to spend in school. This agreement means that our WCC students planning to study in specific fields can move forward confidently through their associate programs, knowing that none of their hard work, time, and money will be wasted during the transfer process. It also means we will have more students graduating in a timely fashion, equipped with skills that local employers are looking for. I congratulate the leaders and administrators of WCC and SUNY Purchase who made this agreement possible and look forward to seeing the results of its implementation."
State Assemblymember Steve Otis said, "This new partnership ratifies a connection that has existed for decades, the importance of Westchester Community College and Purchase College in providing a pathway for students to follow their dreams. These are two great colleges with a history of providing outstanding programs for generations. WCC has given many students a start and choices for academic and career paths. Purchase College has been the next step for many WCC graduates with this new agreement further solidifying the collaboration of the two schools. It is this kind of energy that demonstrates why the SUNY system has had increased enrollment in each of the last three years."
State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, "The Guaranteed Pathway Agreement creates a supportive path from associate to bachelor's degrees for SUNY students. It's an initiative that will remove barriers and sustain momentum, to help more students graduate on time and succeed. I am thrilled that young people in Westchester County will benefit from this forward-thinking program as they seek to make their way in the world."
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About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country's oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/3-26/3-27-26/wcc-purchase.html
Next Up For ATU Robotics: 2026 World Championships
RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas, March 28 -- Arkansas Tech University issued the following news:
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Next Up For ATU Robotics: 2026 World Championships
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Arkansas Tech University is going back to the VEX U Robotics World Championships with a specific goal in mind: the Excellence Award.
The VEX U Excellence Award is based upon a combination of performance in matches, execution in skills demonstration, effective documentation of the team's engineering, design and coding processes and the rating provided by judges following a team interview.
That award will be the ATU robotics team's target when
... Show Full Article
RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas, March 28 -- Arkansas Tech University issued the following news:
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Next Up For ATU Robotics: 2026 World Championships
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Arkansas Tech University is going back to the VEX U Robotics World Championships with a specific goal in mind: the Excellence Award.
The VEX U Excellence Award is based upon a combination of performance in matches, execution in skills demonstration, effective documentation of the team's engineering, design and coding processes and the rating provided by judges following a team interview.
That award will be the ATU robotics team's target whenit arrives at the America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Mo., for the world championship competition April 25-27.
"The excellence award is what these guys are shooting for, and that's what they deserve," said Steve Ward, ATU instructor of computer and information science and one of the coaches for the ATU robotics team. "With all the work they've put in over the years and the designs they've come up with, these guys deserve to be in the talk."
Arkansas Tech has earned that reputation through its performance over the past three years.
ATU made it to the quarterfinal round of its division at the 2023 VEX U Robotics World Championship and finished top 16 in the world.
Arkansas Tech advanced through the qualification stage to reach the elimination round at the 2024 VEX U Robotics World Championship and completed the 2023-24 robotics season with a top-4 global skills ranking.
In 2025, ATU finished sixth in the robotics skills competition and advanced to the elimination bracket at the VEX U Robotics World Championship.
Hunter Mathis of Hope, president of the ATU robotics club, is part of a group of five seniors who have built the team under the leadership of Jacob Weidenfeller, ATU senior instructor of electrical engineering.
"This year, knowing this is it for a lot of us, we're prepared to give it everything we've got," said Mathis. "Even if we come home with nothing, we walk away knowing we gave it everything we had. That's all we're going for. It's time to hone it in, give it full devotion and execute as much as we can to see what we can walk away with. Even if we win nothing, I promise we will not go unnoticed at the tournament."
Mathis is joined on the team by fellow seniors Brady Bray of Greenwood, Jason Easterling of Hope, Brandon Gallegos of Hope, Juan Leon of Hope and Ryan Nanthalangsy of Sheridan.
The roster also includes juniors Preston Diehl of Conway, Bo Huey of Conway and Everett Otis of Conway; sophomores Kavin Kannangara of Bentonville, Judit Morales-Mora of Russellville, Brody Peterson of Bentonville and Cooper Stober of Bentonville; and freshmen Layke Bennett of Cabot, Gavin Copeland of Cabot, Mckenzie Morris of Booneville, Jhon Perez of Centerton and Lukas Spain of Alma.
The robot the ATU team is using in competition during the 2025-26 academic year was 90 percent custom-made by team members through processes such as computer numerical control (CNC) fabrication, 3D printing and laser cutting.
"They know what it takes to be successful, and that is put in the work," said Weidenfeller. "Last year we calculated that the team put in 10,000 hours...spread across the whole season for every individual...and it's basically been the same thing this year. They work very well together. Our seniors have been working on this team since they were freshmen. They've gotten pretty comfortable working with each other, and they know how to push each other beyond what they would be able to do by themselves.
"The skills they're learning in here (in the Corley Hall robotics lab at ATU) obviously contribute to the success of the team," continued Weidenfeller. "At a tournament in Houston, someone from NASA reached out and was looking for people from our team for an internship opportunity. Getting our name out there and being able to build a bigger manufacturing infrastructure through our sponsors has definitely played a role in our success, and hopefully that continues to grow."
The customized 2025-26 robot is part of the senior design project for several members of the ATU robotics team.
"It's been a privilege and honor to get to know every member of this team," said Mathis. "It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life the last four years in college. Being able to do this since I was a freshman, and watching myself and this entire team grow as whole...we've grown, and we've met new guys and helped them grow with us. That's been the whole process with all of this...to just keep it growing. We don't want to see any of our progress stop. We want to keep pursuing max potential every year and keep getting better and better.
"Just when we think there's nothing else we can do to improve, we find a way," continued Mathis. "That robot is the best we've ever looked in the last four years, and I expect them to look even better than that next year and the year after that, too. I don't want what we did to be the best we ever do. I want someone to outdo everything that our group has ever done. That's the whole idea...to keep representing Arkansas Tech and the whole state the best we can."
Ward, who was on hand to witness the ATU robotics team win the Excellence Award during a qualifying tournament in Houston, Texas, at the end of February, said team chemistry is a big element in ATU's robotics success.
"This is such a tight-knit group...it's a family in here," said Ward. "They got down there (to Houston) and showed such a high level of professionalism. You'd see other teams yelling at each other, and if one of our guys makes a mistake, they just tease each other about it. There's a level of camaraderie here that is hard to explain. The fact that they manufacture so many of their own parts...it's a lot more personal. These guys put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it, and it shows."
Those efforts are paying off in ways beyond robotics competition. Mathis, Leon and Nanthalangsy recently signed to accept full-time jobs after graduation. The offers were based, in part, on their involvement in and excellence in robotics.
With graduation approaching in a few weeks and their immediate futures secured, the seniors on the ATU robotics team have one mission remaining during their undergraduate careers.
"Every year, they design a game and you have to solve a problem," said Mathis. "That's exactly what engineers do. They're faced with a problem, and they have to design a solution within a set of parameters. Robotics has taught us about operating within a budget and how to make something work, or in our case, how to win...and that's what we aim to do."
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Original text here: https://www.arkansastechnews.com/next-up-for-atu-robotics-2026-world-championships/
Middlebury Institute of International Studies: How Hamas Monetized the Gaza War
MONTEREY, California, March 28 (TNSrep) -- The Middlebury Institute of International Studies issued the following news:
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How Hamas Monetized the Gaza War
By Amir Tadros
Terrorism and organized violence are "crucially reliant on adequate sources of funding."
What is less well understood is how the fundraising environment itself can be deliberately engineered. That is, how a non-state actor (with or without the support of a state actor) can construct, amplify, and sustain the conditions that activate donor networks, legitimize sham charitable infrastructure, and embed financial flows within
... Show Full Article
MONTEREY, California, March 28 (TNSrep) -- The Middlebury Institute of International Studies issued the following news:
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How Hamas Monetized the Gaza War
By Amir Tadros
Terrorism and organized violence are "crucially reliant on adequate sources of funding."
What is less well understood is how the fundraising environment itself can be deliberately engineered. That is, how a non-state actor (with or without the support of a state actor) can construct, amplify, and sustain the conditions that activate donor networks, legitimize sham charitable infrastructure, and embed financial flows withinhumanitarian frameworks that Western economic warfare tools are structurally ill-equipped to reach.
This paper examines precisely that phenomenon: Hamas's operationalization of narrative warfare as the primary engine of its raise phase during and after the Gaza conflict that followed October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Read full report (https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/media/28943).
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Original text here: https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/academics/centers-initiatives/ctec/ctec-publications/how-hamas-monetized-gaza-war
Harper Adams University: Shropshire Research Aims to Find Ways to Sustainably Boost British Forests
NEWPORT, England, March 28 -- Harper Adams University issued the following news:
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Shropshire research aims to find new ways to sustainably boost British forests
Sustainable ways to help boost British forests - without the use of imported saplings or peat-based composts - are to be trialled in Shropshire under a new collaboration.
The work will draw together expertise from Harper Adams University, Prees Forest Nurseries, Shropshire Council, Agrovista and Westland Horticulture - and it's hoped it can help the UK's forestry industry fight climate change and bring about long-term benefits.
Senior
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NEWPORT, England, March 28 -- Harper Adams University issued the following news:
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Shropshire research aims to find new ways to sustainably boost British forests
Sustainable ways to help boost British forests - without the use of imported saplings or peat-based composts - are to be trialled in Shropshire under a new collaboration.
The work will draw together expertise from Harper Adams University, Prees Forest Nurseries, Shropshire Council, Agrovista and Westland Horticulture - and it's hoped it can help the UK's forestry industry fight climate change and bring about long-term benefits.
SeniorLecturer in Forestry and Woodland at Harper Adams University, Nick Covarr, said: "This project came through a long-standing connection between the University and Prees Heath Forest Nurseries.
"David Gwilliam, the nursery owner, has been a long-term supporter of our students, offering site visits and talks to his nursery.
"During one visit, he expressed concerns to us regarding the increasing amount of irrigation required to grow his outdoor trees during the hot and dry summers we increasingly endure as climate change progresses."
David added: "Our primary interest for the project was to work with new growth media that could help us retain soil moisture during the growing season, both in the field and in the polytunnel, at a time of year when young trees need water and nutrient the most and which is increasingly difficult in hotter and drier summers.
"We really welcome the opportunity to work with our partners at Westlands, Agrovista, Shropshire County Council and Harper Adams University to help try out some new ideas"
Tree planting is high up the political agenda and has cross-party support as one of the ways in which the country can meet Net Zero targets - yet the way trees are currently grown in the UK runs counter to these aims.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Forestry, Max Davis, who will be helping steer the new project, added: "The reliance on peat in tree nurseries, when it is a rich natural store of carbon if left untouched, and the import of additional saplings hampers these Net Zero ambitions.
"We hope our trials can provide sustainable options to bolster UK forest nursery production and also enhance their resilience under the threat of climate change."
Working with Prees Forest Nurseries and the other industry partners at Agrovista, Westland and drawing on the expertise of Harper Adams academics such as Professor Simon Jeffrey, the project team came up with a range of sustainable novel products to trial as ways to grow new saplings.
They will also draw on a long-established link with Shopshire Council, who have a project developing sustainable growing media for plants which is derived from biochar, a form of charcoal made from the hedges, woods and gardens the authority manages.
Dan Wrench, Shropshire Council's climate and carbon project officer, said: "Shropshire Council sees significant potential in the use of biochar, but it's vital that this is supported by strong, independent evidence.
"That's why this research matters--not only to us, but to the future of tree planting in Shropshire. With a target of planting 345,000 trees by 2030, and more than 120,000 already in the ground, our work with Harper Adams University and other partners will help ensure every tree we plant has the best possible conditions to thrive."
As these cell-grown and bare-root oak trees develop, the team will measure how well seeds germinate, tree growth and shape, how well the trees cope with drought - and how the soil responds to different inputs.
Nick added: "The sustainable sources we'll be trialling between our industry and council partners have the potential to adequately support young trees in an increasingly challenging physical environment.
"We will be trialling them in the outdoor tree beds at Prees Heath Forest Nurseries to see which perform best for the bare-root trees and how they modify the nursery's soils over two to three years.
"We will also be trialling peat-free products for cell grown saplings growing in the nursery's polytunnels, which are a very different environment to the outdoor beds."
The work has been made available thanks to the Forestry Commission's Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF), which supports projects that will enhance or facilitate tree production methods used in the UK and develop new technologies that will overcome barriers to domestic tree production.
Nick added: "We need to support our home-grown tree production as it reduces transport emissions, risks from pest and disease transfer and supports UK rural employment.
"Our UK nurseries need to be resilient to the effects of climate change.
"We hope our trials can support the nursery to go on producing quality saplings for new woodlands in the long-term - and are looking forward to bringing students on-site next year to see how the research is progressing."
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Original text here: https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/213476/shropshire-research-aims-to-find-new-ways-to-sustainably-boost-british-forests
