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Expert opinion: Why aren't mass shootings considered acts of terrorism?
With tragic news of a mass shooting in Buffalo this past weekend, and along with it evidence that the massacre was racially motivated, some leaders and citizens alike are calling to have this crime considered an act of terrorism. Though that may be the immediate reaction of some, Augusta University's Dr. Lance Hunter, associate professor of political science in the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, explains why there's a lot to consider before rushing to brand an action as terrorism. “We argue that it’s very important to consider these acts of domestic terrorism if they fit the definition, because it’s easier for governments to monitor individuals that may possibly carry out these attacks,” said Hunter. “Looking at the incident in Buffalo, in my estimation and based on the evidence that I’ve seen, it fits all the criteria to be considered a form of domestic terrorism.” If that's the case, then why are people reluctant to consider mass shootings an act of terrorism? “I think individuals at times tend to have a preconception that terrorism tends to be something that’s carried out by ISIS or Al Qaeda, or a group of organizations such as that, and if it’s an individual outside of those organizations, it may not be considered terrorism. But when you look at the actions, they clearly fit the criteria for terrorism. Secondly, I think it’s the form of the attack type that does matter a lot, regarding people’s perceptions.” When it comes to domestic terrorism, what about privacy rights? What about an invasion of privacy? "We’re not arguing to create a policy saying we are constantly monitoring people for no reason at all," said Hunter. "What we’re arguing is someone who’s showing extremist tendencies and then also a tendency to possibly violently harm people, are there warning signs? In a lot of cases of mass murders, there are warning signs. If these individuals are monitored more closely, it’s not 100% guarantee these attacks will be prevented, but the likelihood will be much greater it could have possibly been prevented and we’ve seen this throughout a lot of cases and our research.” Dr. Lance Hunter is an assistant professor of political science with a background in international relations. His research focuses on how terrorist attacks influence politics in democratic countries and how political decisions within countries affect conflicts worldwide. Hunter is available to speak with media about this important topic - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
Metaverse...have you met AcceleRoute?
The Internet is a testament to the power of evolution. But there's a bigger picture looming. A discontinuity. Driven by a new breed of application environments including the Metaverse, multi-player gaming, VR and more. Will this drive the need for a "new Internet"? Many believe, as a minimum, networking will need a serious upgrade. Moore's Law can cover us for throughput for awhile, but latency is a different story. The speed of light creates the limit. No getting around that. There is only one solution. Park the services closer to the users. And that ushers in a new architectural paradigm in the form of Edge Data Centers. Those facilities will operate in global federations, serving tight geographies while hot-syncing with each other. A tidy solution. Job done, right? Not so fast. If people only cared about what and who is geographically close to them, we might be ok. Remember we need to park the services AND THE DATA close to the users. We're not talking about old slow data like websites, but the fast stuff like fast-twitch gaming, or VR, or avatar movements in the Metaverse. How can a byte in Tokyo stay in "white-hot" sync with a byte in London? Predictive caching, that's how. The new frontier. The geography-buster. Let's say you’re VR-interacting with someone across the planet, there will be a lag. It won't feel real. But what if the application servers use laws of physics to predict far-end movement for local render, with algorithms to reconcile laggy incoming real-position data. Done right, that might feel real. Take that example and scale it in all directions. That's the future. Can incrementally-evolved networks handle that? Its anybody's guess what the future of networking will look like but let's try anyway. Some believe this brave new application world will be the catalyst for significant infrastructure change. Not the " N+1" kind, but the "all-new" kind. The kind we thought we'd never need because incremental upgrades were getting it done. But that was before the Metaverse discontinuity. AcceleRoute is a forward-thinking next-generation network architecture designed for this category of challenge. All-new thinking. Designed from the ground up around a bufferless core architecture, AcceleRoute achieves network throughput and latency on a scale not seen before. Bufferless means no hops. Essentially an endless supply of instantly provisioned virtual direct links, each with as much dynamic bandwidth as needed at any point in time. Incorporating novel paradigms like network fusion and expansion by constellations, AcceleRoute can scale to new orders of magnitude, all while embracing absolute simplicity for network control and management. An infinitely-expandable network, based on new principles, that can glue CPUs/DPUs/GPUs to globalized data with one seamless fabric. Perhaps a full AcceleRoute solution won't be required, but it’s likely the pursuit of network optimizations will be relentless. AcceleRoute represents 2 decades of invention embodied by 36 patents with over 700 claims and more on the way. That's a massive starting position for anyone playing the long game.
Aston University offers emergency interpreter training for Ukrainian speakers to support refugees
Dr Emmanuelle Labeau and Dr Yvonne Fowler are running Emergency Interpreting Training for Ukrainian Speakers to introduce them to the basics of interpreting The 10-hour training (10 x one hour) will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings online for five weeks It is part of an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project with support from Aston University’s College of Business and Social Sciences. Aston University has kicked off a five-week introduction to interpreting course for Ukrainian speakers to enable emergency interpreters to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK. It is part of an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project called BRUM (Birmingham Research for Upholding Multilingualism) with support from Aston University’s College of Business and Social Sciences. Dr Emmanuelle Labeau (AHRC fellow for the Future of Language Research) and Dr Yvonne Fowler are running Emergency Interpreting Training for Ukrainian Speakers. The 10-hour training scheme (10 one-hour sessions) started on 28 April 2022 and will take place every Tuesday and Thursday evening online for five weeks. It has been devised to enable emergency interpreters to deliver a better service to traumatised Ukrainian refugees whose English is limited and who may require interpreting help in every aspect of their lives to access housing, physical and mental healthcare, educational facilities and welfare benefits. Dr Emmanuelle Labeau, co-director of Aston Centre for Applied Linguistics (ACAL) at Aston University, said: “Ukrainian refugees are arriving in the UK and there are few trained qualified Ukrainian interpreters to support those refugees with limited or no English in their dealings with public services. “We have had a fantastic response to our offer of free emergency training in interpreting for Ukrainian speakers in the West Midlands, as part of the AHRC-funded BRUM project. “I am thrilled that we have been able to pull this together and I am really pleased with how the first session went. We have people of all walks of life such as social services, healthcare, education and even a refugee who are so committed to help in any way they can, and it is lovely to empower them to do so!” Dr Yvonne Fowler said: “I am really proud to see this project get off the ground and help people in need. “I have been a public service interpreter trainer for the last 25 years. “My work has mostly involved preparing interpreters for the Diploma In Public Service, Interpreting Law and Healthcare options. “But during this period, I delivered emergency interpreter training to support various waves of refugees who have come to Birmingham over the last 20 years: the Vietnamese boat refugees, the Bosnian refugees in the aftermath of the Bosnian war, and a month in Kosovo after the war there to train Albanian and Serbian interpreters at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
UConn Expert Weighs In On 'What Drives a Black Mass Shooter?'
“We would be missing a critical moment," says Dr. Wizdom Powell, "for us to look at the systems that we have set up and ask ourselves, are we serving every person who has a mental health need well, and if we’re not, what are we going to do about it?” Director of the Health Disparities Institute and associate professor of psychiatry at UConn Health, Dr. Powell studies the impact of modern racism and gender norms on African American male health outcomes and healthcare inequities. In a recent interview with the Amsterdam News following a mass shooting incident involving an alleged Black suspect, Dr. Powell weighed in the ways in which implicit racism can frame how law enforcement classifies shootings, the importance of deconstructing harmful racial and gender stereotypes, and the delivery of mental health services to communities and individuals in need: “When you call something gang violence, I think people’s empathy goes down to zero because they think those people are killing themselves,” said Powell. “You know, it’s their problem. Nevermind the victims.” Powell said that in the event of a mass shooting incident there is usually a “sympathy” conveyed for a person as a “complicated human” as opposed to a person of color who was involved in a gang shooting. “When do you get a full picture of that person? Who they were as a child, all of the traumas they experienced, their lack of resources,” said Powell. Powell thinks there’s a conflation in general between individuals who are mentally ill and those who commit mass shootings. She said mass shootings are a massive public health crisis with many factors contributing, with mental illness being one of many. ********** Powell said that the emotionality or interior lives of Black men are always spoken about with an undue amount of concentrated attention on their anger. She strives to deconstruct the stereotype of the ‘angry Black male.’ She said that there is a prevailing presumption that anger is somehow bad or pathological when it’s actually a legitimate response to emotional suffering and injustice. So when an incident that fits the stereotype of the ‘angry Black male’ occurs, people hyper focus on it because it confirms their bias. “I think there is a disproportionality in our reporting about these incidents by race,” said Powell, “we also tend to paint the picture of these shooters more sympathetically, when the shooters are non-Hispanic white males as opposed to males from other socially marginalized groups.” In the 1960s, said Powell, there was a shift in the way that the field of psychology and psychiatry viewed Black men and their symptomatology while civil rights protests were erupting around the country. Prior to the ’60s “middle class, white housewives” were diagnosed with schizophrenia more often, but there was a sharp uptick among Black males afterwards. “Again, reminiscent of an earlier time where Black people’s quest for liberation was pathologized,” said Powell. Powell said that health and science is still at the “tip of the iceberg” in identifying symptoms of depression in Black men. She said her studies have found that societal racism or experiencing racism or secondary traumas of racial reckoning is definitively at the root of Black and Brown male depression. Dr. Powell is available to speak with media – simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Disney and other corporations are being pushed into social and political battles
At one time, corporations didn't get get in the middle of social and political battles, according to David Primo, professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester. The Disney Corporation recently came out in opposition to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law, and Primo says it was "dramatic" how quickly the state responded by removing the company's self-governing special district status. As Primo sees it, increased political polarization across the country is leading employees, consumers, and activists to push corporations to take positions on issues like police brutality and LGBTQ rights. The irony, though, is that Americans are polarized over whether corporations ought to be doing this. "In general, Democrats are highly supportive of this, and Republicans are not," says Primo. "It's pretty straight forward to think that a corporation ought to be taking positions on issues related to its core business operations," says Primo. "The challenge for an executive, who has a fiduciary responsibility to the company, is knowing where to draw the line." So, if a company stakes out a position, Primo says it's just as likely to alienate a significant portion of its consumer base, as it is to gain the support of another portion of its base.
It’s official — President Biden has selected Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she will the first Black woman to sit on the highest court in the nation. This is a momentous occasion for American history and reporters are clamoring to learn more. Our experts are ready with answers to help with your stories. Dr. Martha Ginn, professor of political science at Augusta University, is an expert on the judicial process, constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. She discussed Jackson's credentials and the significance of her nomination. What is Ketanji Brown Jackson’s background and what credentials would bring to the Supreme Court? Why is she President Biden's top choice? President Biden made a campaign promise to nominate a Black woman to the SCOTUS if he had a vacancy to fill. While he had several strong contenders, Judge Brown Jackson is an obvious choice for many reasons. Like all current Justices, excluding Justice Barrett, Judge Brown Jackson has an Ivy League education. She has also clerked at the Supreme Court for Justice Breyer (whom she would replace). Interestingly, Justice Kavanaugh clerked for the Justice he replaced (Justice Kennedy) as well. Background and experience: Judge Brown Jackson was a federal district court judge for eight years (appointed by President Obama) and was just confirmed to the DC Court of Appeals last summer. The DC circuit court is seen as a training ground of sorts for Supreme Court Justices, as many nominees serve there first. What makes Judge Brown Jackson different is her experience as a public defender and then vice chairman of the sentencing commission. Bringing that experience to the Court will provide a much needed perspective on the rights of the accused. The Court recently heard a case regarding implementing the First Steps Act retroactively and it was apparent in the oral argument that some Justices did not appreciate the realities and complexities of sentencing in our criminal justice system. Judge Brown Jackson’s background will help fill that void. What does her appointment signify, seeing as she would be the first Black woman (but only third Black justice) in the history of the Supreme Court, as well as the first former public defender? Having four women on the Court at the same time will be important. More women than men attend law school now but the higher ranks of the profession are still male dominated, so having near parity in the nation’s highest Court is meaningful. Her race is also significant, since she will be only the third Black member of the Court and this would be the first time we have two Black members serving together. It’s likely she and Justice Thomas will be very different ideologically but regardless, demographic representation matters. More than ever the Supreme Court is deciding very controversial matters that impact everyone. Having a Court that represents all voices is significant in maintaining its legitimacy and making sure opposing viewpoints are considered in decision-making. With everything going on currently the nation and world, when do you project a vote will happen, and do you see it going through? Even with all that is going on in the world right now, this will be a top priority to the Democratic Party, particularly with President Biden’s low polling numbers and the upcoming midterm elections. With the slimmest of voting margins possible, the sooner the vote occurs, the better for the Democrats. The Republicans set the precedent with the Barrett nomination that the process can be done in weeks rather than the months taken in previous nominations. I anticipate the Democrats will follow that expedited model. It will be interesting to see if the three Republican senators who voted for her Court of Appeals appointment less than a year ago will oppose her nomination here. Justice Breyer conditioned his retirement on the successful appointment of his replacement. He intends to retire at the end of this year’s term (likely early July), so I would anticipate her confirmation vote by then at the latest. If you are a journalist covering this story, that’s where our experts on this topic can help. Dr. Martha Ginn, professor of political science at Augusta University, is an expert on the judicial process, constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. Ginn is available to speak with media about this topic — simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.
How Express Entry to Canada works: Moving as a Permanent Resident (PR)
The Express Entry program is one of the most sought after and popular ways to immigrate to Canada, mainly due to its simplicity and quick processing timelines. Express Entry is ideal for skilled individuals who want to settle in Canada permanently. Here are 5 steps to apply for PR through Express Entry: 1. Determine if you qualify for Express Entry In order to apply through Express Entry, you must be eligible for one of the three economic immigration streams: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program: This program is for applicants with significant foreign work experience and/or a high level of education who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This program is for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for foreign nationals who have been working in Canada for a period of at least one year to apply for Permanent Residence (PR). To understand the key differences in these three programs, check out the comparison table provided by the government of Canada. Confused about which immigration program you qualify for? Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also have an easy-to-use tool to determine the immigration program you qualify for; all you need to do is answer a few questions online, and you will receive your results. This tool gives you a number at the end (a personal reference code). Use this number to move your information from the tool to your Express Entry profile. Note: Consult an immigration lawyer to know your best options and be sure to check their credentials to avoid scams. 2. Create an IRCC account and an Express Entry profile If you qualify for one of the Express Entry programs, first, you will need to create an account on the IRCC website and submit your profile to formally enter the Express Entry pool of candidates. During this step, you won’t need to upload any documents. However, based on the information you enter on your profile, once you are selected and invited to apply for PR, you will need to upload copies of relevant documents to support your application. What do you need to create an Express Entry profile Occupation: Your National Occupational Classification (NOC) number. It is a system that the Canadian government uses to classify various jobs and occupations, which are grouped based on categories and skill levels. Education: Your education credential assessment (ECA) report. An ECA is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a Canadian one. There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes. If you have another type of ECA, you may be able to get it reissued, depending on the type of ECA and/or issuing organization. You will have to include your ECA report and the reference number in your Express Entry profile. Language skills: Results from an approved language test. Canada has two official languages — English and French. You can provide language test results from any one of these two languages. Each of these tests evaluates your language skills on four parameters: speaking, reading, listening and writing. For English: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) For French: Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) Note: Your test results have to be less than two years old at the time of submitting your application. 3. Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) Canada uses a point-based system (considering factors such as skills, education, language ability, work experience, etc.) to rank and evaluate individual immigration applications. The CRS tool is very intuitive; upon answering a few questions, it generates your score. This score can be used to check if you rank above the minimum required points from the most recent round of invitations. Candidates for Express Entry are awarded up to 1200 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) meant to identify candidates who are most likely to succeed in Canada. 500 points: Core human capital factors which include age, education, language and Canadian work experience. 100 points: Skill transferability which is a combination of foreign qualifications, work experience, education and language ability. 600 points: A provincial nomination certificate. 50-200 points: For arranged employment through a valid job offer — this requires very specific criteria to be met. Note: (1) Express Entry only awards points for skilled work experience (NOC skill type O, A or B). These should be selected based on job duties performed, not your job title. You will also have to provide proof of work experience to claim these points. (2) Applicants can also be awarded points for bonus factors including having a Canadian sibling or for studying in Canada. These bonus points are often what can make a difference for a non-competitive profile and convert it to a competitive one. Tip: If your CRS is slightly lower than the scores for latest Express Entry draws, you may still want to consider submitting your profile, mainly because: - You may have a chance at being selected through the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). - There is no cost associated with submitting an Express Entry profile. 4. Submit your profile Your Express Entry profile enables you to enter the pool of potential candidates for immigration. Once you fill out your profile and submit it online, you’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system — the CRS. This score is based on the information in your profile. Note that submitting an Express Entry profile is not the same as submitting a PR application. Everyone intending to immigrate submits a profile, but only the high-ranked candidates are invited to apply for PR. Profiles may remain in the candidate pool for up to one year. If during this time, any of your ranking factors change, you must ensure you update your profile in the candidate pool. Those who do not hold a qualifying job offer can register with Canada Job Bank. Candidates are encouraged to promote themselves to prospective employers in order to increase their chances of being invited to apply. This is not mandatory but may be a good way to connect with employers. Note: Each applicant is given a personalized document checklist while filling out the PR application. Ensure you review it and the document requirements thoroughly before submitting. 5. Receive an invitation and apply for PR Draws from the candidate pool occur every few weeks, and the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool receive an Invitation to Apply, after which they have 60 days to complete an application for PR in Canada. Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application as deadlines cannot be extended. Once you are invited to apply, you will need to submit supporting documents. Some of them are: Passport or travel document Language test results ECA report Work experience certificates Police certificates Medical exams Proof of funds It is a good idea to keep a copy of the application you submit. After submission, IRCC estimates a total processing time of approximately six months. At first glance, the Express Entry process may seem complicated. The resources provided by the government of Canada along with advice from authorized immigration lawyers/consultants, can make your Canadian dreams come true. Sources: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Green and Spiegel Immigration Law Firm Note: The information provided in this article is general, is subject to frequent changes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific immigration legal advice that you can rely on, please contact Green and Spiegel. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs. RBC supports Arrive, and with a 150-year commitment to newcomer success in Canada, RBC goes the extra mile in support and funding to ensure that the Arrive newcomer platform is FREE to all. Working with RBC, Arrive can help you get your financial life in Canada started – right now. * Based on market capitalization
10 tips for choosing the right Canadian study program as an international student
To start your journey as an international student in Canada, you’ll need to find a study program that fits your needs and academic goals. Each year, hundreds of thousands of international students get admission into a variety of study programs in Canadian universities and colleges. If you’re planning to move to Canada for your undergraduate or graduate studies, you’ll have many options to choose from, based on your areas of interest, career objectives, and budget. Choosing the right study program can introduce you to new areas of learning, uncover additional professional pathways, and set you up for a successful career. Here are some tips for choosing the right Canadian study program as an international student. 1. Choosing between university and college As an international student, the difference between university and college may be unclear to you. In many countries, the two terms are used interchangeably, but in Canada, they have different meanings. Both colleges and universities offer post-secondary education programs which students can enrol in after completing high school, but they differ in many ways. Canadian universities Canadian universities offer undergraduate (or bachelor) and graduate (or master’s or doctoral) programs in academic or professional fields. Once you have completed the program, you’ll be awarded a degree. Undergraduate programs typically require three years of study with a fourth “honours” year, if you want admission into a graduate program. Some undergraduate university programs, like Engineering, may require four years to complete. If you’re looking for admission into specialized professional programs such as Medicine, Law, and Dentistry, you may first need to complete two to four years of undergraduate study with relevant courses to qualify. Graduate (Master’s) programs are only offered by universities and you’ll require an undergraduate degree, and in some cases, prior work experience, to be eligible. In addition, many universities also offer doctoral or PhD programs across various fields. Colleges in Canada Canadian colleges offer programs of study that focus on job market readiness, such as technology, trades, or technical training. Typically, college courses lead to a diploma or certification, although some colleges also offer degree programs in applied areas of study. International students also find college programs useful for skill upgrading, continuing education, and language training. Many newcomers who come to Canada with an undergraduate or graduate degree from their home country find it valuable to add a Canadian certification or diploma to their resume to increase their employability in the Canadian job market. A diploma from a Canadian college may also be useful if you’re planning to switch career paths and move to a new industry or job function. Unlike universities, college programs are usually one or two years long. There’s a common misconception that colleges are less serious, but in reality, college programs can be as intensive as university courses, given that they are shorter and more technical in nature. Which is better for you – university or college? Whether you choose a university or college will depend on your career goals and your current educational credentials, the study programs offered, and what you want to achieve from your education. Here are some things to keep in mind while comparing your options: Academic versus technical training: Universities have a more academic approach, with a focus on research, lectures, and assignments. On the other hand, college programs are less theoretical and focus more on applied knowledge and work-related training. Program length and cost: University programs are typically longer and more expensive than colleges. Program flexibility: Many college courses offer the option of part-time study, while university programs are more likely to be rigorous and immersive. However, you may have fewer course options or elective subjects to choose from in a college. 2. Understand your interests and career goals Before choosing a study program, spend some time thinking about your areas of interest and long-term career goals. This will help you narrow down your options to programs that align with your interest. If you already have a target career in mind, you may also want to go through some job postings in that field to see what education requirements employers are looking for. If you’re unsure, don’t worry. You may still have room to change your mind later. If you’re applying to an undergraduate program or Bachelor’s in Canada, you generally don’t need to commit to a specialization at the time of admission. Instead, you have the freedom to pick a general subject and then opt for specific courses or electives that interest you as you progress in your studies. Universities may offer more flexibility compared to colleges, and you’ll have a wider range of subjects to choose from. 3. Identify top institutions in your field of interest Once you’ve identified the potential programs you might be interested in, the next step is to make a list of top institutions that offer those study programs in Canada. Canada has many prestigious universities and colleges and no matter what subjects you’re interested in, you’ll find some leading institutions that offer it. As an international student, it’s important that you don’t discount colleges while looking for options to study in Canada. College programs can help prepare you for the Canadian work environment faster, especially if you’re interested in technical or applied programs. 4. Review the eligibility criteria for study programs you’re interested in Like in many other countries, you’ll need to meet certain qualifying criteria to be eligible for admission to Canadian study programs. Depending on your chosen field of study or institution, you may require a certain score or GPA (grade point average) in your past academic record, proof that you’ve completed specific courses or credits, proof of language proficiency, or prior work experience. You may also need to sit for a qualifying exam and secure a minimum score to be eligible for some courses. For some competitive programs, you may also require a proven track record of extracurricular activities or volunteer work, a letter of intent or statement of purpose, and professional or academic references to support your application. Once you have a list of study programs you’re interested in, be sure to check the eligibility criteria for international students for the programs at the top universities on your list. This will help you shortlist programs where you’re more likely to qualify for admission. 5. Identify the province or city you want to live in While the quality of education may be your primary deciding factor, you may also want to shortlist programs or institutions based on the province or city they are in. While many international students choose to move to popular provinces like Ontario and British Columbia for their education, you may find the cost of living (and even program costs) to be lower in other provinces. Each province in Canada has something unique to offer, in terms of culture, quality of life, ease of immigration, or future job opportunities. Be sure to learn about the various provinces and territories in Canada and make a decision based on where you’d like to spend your academic years. 6. Make sure the institutions you’ve shortlisted are DLIs A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an educational institute that’s approved by the provincial or territorial government to accept international students. You will only be eligible for a study permit for Canada if you receive an acceptance letter from an authorized DLI. Before you apply, be sure to check that the post-secondary schools you’ve shortlisted are on the government’s designated learning institutions list. If you’re planning to start your study program in Canada during COVID-19, you’ll also need to make sure that your DLI has a COVID-19 Readiness Plan in place. 7. Evaluate admission and program costs The cost of studying in Canada as an international student can be high, even though the education cost is generally less expensive compared to countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. The tuition costs vary by program and institution, with the average cost of undergraduate programs being higher than that for graduate programs. If you’re assessing how much it’ll cost to study in Canada, be sure to factor in fees for university/college applications, study permit application, biometrics and medical tests, tuition fee, and living costs, including the funds you’ll need to put in a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) as part of your application. A full or partial scholarship can offset not only your tuition fee but also your cost of living in Canada during your study period. Be sure to check if your academic institution offers scholarship options for international students. If not, explore other ways in which you can fund your education, such as through student loans, lines of credit, education grants, bursaries, or by working part-time while studying. If you’re planning to apply for a student loan or line of credit, be sure to check your eligibility and the amount you may qualify for before applying for admission to the study program of your choice. 8. Understand future career opportunities after your study program The study program you choose should set the foundation for your future professional success. This means that not only should the program align with your career goals, it should also provide you with the support you’ll need to enter the Canadian job market in terms of skills, professional networking opportunities, workplace readiness, and career support or coaching. Do your research about whether the study program offers co-op or internship opportunities, and whether that work experience is considered to be Canadian experience by recruiters. To further narrow down the list of study programs that meet your requirements, you can check if the universities or colleges you’re targeting offer career resources for resume building, interview preparation, or placement support. At this stage, it’s also a good idea to research the alumni of each program to look at the job roles they are in and their career paths. This will give you a better idea of the types of career opportunities that’ll be available to you after you graduate and the companies that recruit students from different institutions. 9. Explore extra-curricular programs offered by the institution In addition to academic courses, many universities and colleges in Canada also offer extra-curricular programs that can help in your overall development. If you’re interested in sports and athletics, check if the institution has sports clubs or teams. You may also be able to find student clubs around other areas of interest, such as volunteer work, theatre, or politics, or student societies based on culture or religion. Joining student groups is a great way of making friends in your new country, building your professional network, and learning new skills. Some Canadian universities and colleges also offer English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for international students to help them improve their language skills. 10. Check if the program fits your lifestyle Not all Canadian study programs are structured in the same manner. As an international student, it's important to check if the program you’re applying to fits your overall lifestyle. For instance, if you plan to work while studying in order to support yourself financially, you may want to look for a program that has a flexible class schedule or a program that will qualify you for a student work permit. If your objective is to prepare yourself for the Canadian job market, you may be more interested in technical programs or programs that have internship or co-op terms, so you can get some valuable work experience while studying. Some international students also move to Canada with their families, and balancing their studies and family obligations becomes an important priority. In such cases, a hybrid model of course delivery that offers a mix of in-person and online classes might be more suitable than a completely on-campus program. The length of the study program can also be an important factor for many international students, both from a cost and ease of immigration perspective. Studying in Canada is a great way to prepare yourself for the global workforce. Canadian universities and colleges offer a wide range of study programs for international students to choose from. While choosing a program, you should make sure that it meets your needs based on your lifestyle, financial considerations, and your academic and career goals. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs. RBC supports Arrive, and with a 150-year commitment to newcomer success in Canada, RBC goes the extra mile in support and funding to ensure that the Arrive newcomer platform is FREE to all. Working with RBC, Arrive can help you get your financial life in Canada started – right now.
Kelley expert: Olympics could be targeted by hacktivists, others seeking to embarrass Beijing
Scott Shackelford, associate professor of business law and ethics at Kelley, IU Cybersecurity Risk Management Program chair and director of the Ostrom Workshop Program on Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, said the high-profile diplomatic breach leading up to the games — including the boycott led by the United States – “means that the games could be targeted by hacktivists and other groups seeking to embarrass or otherwise harass Beijing.” Scott Shackelford “There are always issues associated with the Olympics given that they are a target-rich environment for criminals seeking to target athletes and spectators alike,” Shackelford said. “Beijing’s harsh data localization, cybersecurity, and cyber sovereignty laws also raises human rights concerns for athletes and reporters attending the games.” He also noted that ironically while the Olympic games generally often coincide with a peaceful break from ongoing geopolitical tensions, this might not last long. “Witness the Russian invasion of Crimea three days after the 2014 Sochi games concluded,” he said. Shackelford can be reached at sjshacke@indiana.edu.
American Rescue Plan Act can do more to address racial wealth inequality
While the American Rescue Plan Act provided a major infusion of economic aid to low-income and middle-class Americans, more should be done to tackle racial wealth inequality and the structural issues in the tax code that allow those at the top of the income distribution to benefit disproportionately from tax subsidies, an Indiana University professor wrote. Goldburn P. Maynard Jr., assistant professor of business law and ethics at the IU Kelley School of Business, analyzed the American Rescue Plan Act's major provisions to determine their potential impact on racial equity, presenting his findings in Yale Law Journal. The article, "Biden's Gambit: Advancing Racial Equity While Relying on a Race-Neutral Tax Code," was published Jan. 9 and is part of a series that examines the novel tax implications of the American Rescue Plan Act through the lens of fiscal impoverishment, race, unemployment insurance, and state and local responses to economic crises. "While analysis reveals that the Biden Administration made some progress on (racial equity) through ARPA, in the months since its passage, federal courts have undermined some of this progress by halting race-conscious equity programs in ARPA," wrote Maynard, who worked as an estate tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service before entering academia. His essay argues that "race consciousness is central to achieving" racial equity and "requires more than traditional policies that target financial need." The bulk of the stimulus measure focused on redistribution through the tax system, which does not incorporate racism and other dimensions of social inequity into its notions of fairness, Maynard wrote. To this day, the IRS does not collect racial data on taxpayers. He also noted that several policies targeted people or groups based on need. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development in November provided $14 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support fair housing organizations. But few new policies under the plan have addressed systemic discrimination, and most were designed to be temporary, such as the child tax credit. "Where these policies fall short is their lack of focus on historic systemic discrimination," Maynard wrote. "ARPA does not tackle the central issues that lead to racial inequity in the first place. Because RE requires the consideration social hierarchy and historical injustices, these provisions of ARPA are not as impactful as others." Several core policies in the American Rescue Plan Act target individuals or groups based on need, particularly racial minorities, he said. But several courts with conservative judges have treated race-based policies designed to counteract racial inequities as discriminatory in their interpretations of the Constitution. "Today, many courts equate efforts to promote RE with efforts to promote racial segregation. The odds of having all three branches in perfect alignment are slim," Maynard wrote. "ARPA also illustrates weaknesses in our current understanding of the Constitution as limiting the government's ability to redress historic wrongs. The status quo limitations are so strong that it is hard to imagine any large pro-equality advancements in the foreseeable future. "At our current pace, achieving RE will be a centuries-long project. This is discouraging, but highlights the importance of continuing the fight for wealth taxation and other levies on capital. It also underscores the smallness of the tax system when tackling a problem as embedded as RE. There are many decisions, regulations and laws that have embedded racism structurally and systematically. The tax system serves as an efficient compensator of harm, but this is not always what the victims of harm want. Instead of after-the-fact compensation for discrimination, victims of inequities often prefer to have the discrimination eliminated. That is the purpose of RE. The tax system can play an important role in promoting RE, even if it is not the leading one."