27Nov Cosmology: The State Of The Universe
Over the past 2000+ years, three undeniable trends have emerged in our on-going studies of life, the Universe and everything. It’s probably worth while keeping these in mind when pondering the cosmos and what future discoveries are likely to reveal.
Firstly, our place in the central scheme of things has gone from be-all-and-end-all uniqueness, a unique life form created in God’s image, the cream of all there is and ever will be, to, well, just another life form in the Darwinian scheme of things. Detection of extraterrestrial life, especially extraterrestrial intelligence will be the final straw (nail) in that scenario (coffin).
26Nov A Foundation on Teaching Imagery
INTRODUCTION
In the field of teaching language and literature, teachers are often on the look-out for appropriate literary texts to help students develop their ability in using the English language competently. Literary texts selected from any of the four major genres (novels, short stories, drama and poetry) are beneficial to the learner. The English language translations of the meaning of the Quran can be exploited in some of the courses being taught in the English language curriculum to teach both imagery and Islam. The figurative language used in the Quran- its metaphors, similes, symbols, etc.- can certainly be looked at in more detail. Translators of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran, in striving to put across the closest meaning they can of the original Quran, do not neglect to use figurative language effectively.
There are many techniques for teaching a language or aspects of the language in the classroom. According to D.A. Wilkins, there is no single best way of teaching a language. He says that language teaching is a pragmatic business and what works is good, what does not work is bad. Nevertheless, he makes the statement that “ the ultimate aim of learning a second language must generally be to achieve the same flexibility, the same linguistic creativity that the native speaker possesses” (Wilkins, 1974:3).
25Nov Executive MBA : What, Why and How of Executive Education in India
Take for example NIIT Imperia, which was set up in September 2006 by NIIT to address the demand for executive training. In merely 18 months, it has grown rapidly and now has a presence in 8 cities and, it has aggressive plans to be present in 75 cities by 2010! Numerous other organizations like Reliance Webworld, HughesNet Global Education, NIS Sparta, 24 x 7 Learning and U21 Global are growing rapidly too.
Top tier management institutes like the IIMs, XLRI, MDI too have recognized this require-gap and have launched many long-term executive education courses. For instance, IIM A delivers Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGPX), IIM C provides Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEX), IIM I provides Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management. IIM L has launched its International Programme in Management for Executives (IPMX) this year.
Prior to we go any further, lets define Executive Education. According to Wikipedia, “Executive Education is the term employed for programmes at graduate-level enterprise schools that aim to give classes for Chief Executives and other top managers or entrepreneurs. Executive education developed in the 1980s and 1990s, as the growing pace and scope of global enterprise demanded higher levels of education among employees. As longstanding company concepts became obsolete, continual training was necessary–but earning a degree was not.”