Presenting a research paper in a foreign university

Presenting abroad has been a worthwhile experience, every time. Not because you could get opportunity to see Pyramids in Egypt, get a pint of bitter tastes better in a pub on the River Cam, or you will never forget the sight of St. Peter's Basilica on a winter morning. Taking part in international intellectual exchanges simply broadens your horizons, enhancing your teaching and scholarship.

Here are some important points to consider while you are presenting abroad:

• Practice reading your paper ahead of time
• Try to attend smaller gatherings for better interaction. Mega-conferences, by contrast will have many sub-sessions, will have all-too-brief time for papers, and a miniscule audiences for many panels.
• Don't just present your own paper and leave. Attend many sessions, if not most.
• Go slow and make it plain. When you are delivering a paper at an international conference, remember that your audience will be composed in large part of people for whom English is a second language.
• Never exceed your share of the time for more than a minute or two; indicate that you are aware when you have hit the time limit; and reassure your audience that you are wrapping it up
• Look at your audience - every now and then. Of course, looking at your audience also means you have to be able to remember a sentence or two of your own words for the twenty seconds it requires to say them. Another reason to rehearse.
• Display a sense of humor
• Interact

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Right social skills are essential to succeed in workplace

Tiziana Casciaro, a professor at Harvard Business School, says, "People who lack social competence end up looking like they lack other competencies too." And in today’s world where technical skills are given more importance than social skills, seeking expert coaching to improve on them is a worthwhile investment.

The kind of relations an individual develops and maintains at his workplace defines his professional success. The way the person relates himself to others has a direct impact on his emotional state and hence his performance.

The social relationships of a person determine the quality of life he can have. Good relationships make life more fulfilling and complete. Social support is necessary to accomplish tasks, succeed and grow.

Especially at the workplace, the relationships between the team members, managers and clients decide the future of not just the individuals but also of their teams and the organisation on the whole.

With businesses getting more global today, the need to improve one’s social skills is more than ever before. This begins with working on one’s communication skills, a vital aspect of social skills.

To make interactions effective or build good relationships, communication skills are very important. It is observed that while some people lack proper communication skills, some others have the necessary skills but lack the confidence to exercise them. In either case, the individual can improve by trial and error and repeated practice.

Some areas linked to communication that one has to work on are:

• Conversation skills
• Nonverbal communication skills
• Assertiveness
• Likeability

Good conversation skills are not just about using the right words; they are more about following the right norms of conversation. The best way to pick up conversation skills are by observing people; understanding what keeps a person interested in the talk and what turns him off from it.

Based on this information, you can shape your conversation to influence the other person. Reading books that deal with human nature and behaviour is also helpful.

Nonverbal skills: Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures and body language. While words express what you want to say, nonverbal cues can suggest what you mean to say. They inform your subjects about your emotional state, your attitude towards them and the subject of discussion and your knowledge on the topic. So, to create the right kind of impact on the other person, they should match your words.

The best way to improve nonverbal skills is by seeking feedback from friends and mentors and following their suggestions to improve.

Assertiveness: This is an important aspect of conversation in the context of building relationships and social skills. It is important that you project a right image of yourself, speak out your mind honestly and express yourself appropriately. You should express your needs, limitations, feelings, expectations and fears, while respecting those of others. Your approach should be non-threatening and non-judgemental.

Assertiveness can be a bit difficult to learn and can slip into aggressive or passive styles. Experimenting and learning from the outcome is the way to learn this skill.

Likeability factor: Likeability is another important aspect of social skills. It adds up to your ability to get along with others, make friends and resolve conflict. Executive coach Susan Hodgkinson says, "The people who are likeable actually care about other people and care about the connections they make."

Listening to others is the best way to express that you care about them. Then comes extending support. "Recognise what you’re trying to get done and who you are trying to get it done with. Then think beyond your own stuff to what the other people want," advises Hodgkinson. This approach makes others like you and willing to support you. But make sure you do not compromise this skill with assertiveness.

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Don't go for a ccareer change completely blind

After two decades of selling at the front line, one seems logical that one may wish to put the skills and expertise to good use training others. Although you don’t have direct experience as a sales trainer, you have led and developed teams as part of your day job, so you’re not coming to this career change completely blind.

According to the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (www.ismm.co.uk), some of the big sales training consultancies such as Huthwaite or Mercuri receive more than 10 speculative CVs a day. Getting on to the books of one of these agencies would be ideal, as it could lead to regular contracting work.

The trouble is that there are many sales people out there trying to do the same thing. The jobs market is 'very competitive' for sales trainers, and with positions far and few between compared to general sales. Read more here.

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What do employers want?

Employers ask for evidence that you have:

• motivation for the role;
• the ability to adapt to and share the organisation’s vision and ethos;
• relevant skills and competencies.

Many roles are open to graduates of any discipline as employers are often interested in your potential rather than your existing knowledge. The application procedures of many major graduate employers have become explicitly focused on motivation, organisational fit, and competency.

Even for those jobs that require specific technical or scientific expertise, the successful candidate will be the one who demonstrates motivation and the personal and transferable skills needed to succeed.

It is not uncommon to find that a personality profile is a part of the initial application process and to be asked to provide very detailed examples of competencies such as ‘teamwork’ or ‘problem solving’ on the application forms.

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It’s time to take a good look at your resume - Get free resume evaluation

There are hundreds or even thousands of applicants for every vacant position. In order to win, you have to stand out in the crowd. Your resume is the first thing an employer will see. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

To employers and recruiters, your resume is your first impression. It must show an interesting and complete account of you, but in a brief form. It should highlight your accomplishments and focus on your strengths.

Are you being ignored in the recent applications or interviews? If so, we can help.

Send your resume to resumes@mydailycareernews.com for a FREE evaluation and get response within 2-3 working days!

Please note: The free evaluation period is over. See details..

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Salary Negotiations: Distributive Bargaining

Salary negotiation is more of an art than a science. It usually is one of the most neglected and under-rated aspects of a Job search. Salary negotiation is an important aspect of any job situation, and is often perceived as the trickiest part. Most common doubts raised are " Is it safe for me to negotiate a salary without jeopardising my chances of getting a job?", as well as "When and how do I negotiate my salary?".

The situation in which a salary is negotiated could vary depending on whether the individual is a candidate with a certain degree of work experience, applying for a position in a company, or is a candidate with no prior work experience, applying for an entry level position in an organisation. Another situation could be an employee looking for career advancement in his current organisation. The details of each of these situations might be different, however certain basic principles and rules regarding salary negotiation remain the same.

Principles for Negotiating: Points to consider

1: Be Prepared
Preparation is critical when negotiating the terms of your employment. The more information you have, the more successful you will be.

2: Recognize That Employment Negotiations Are Unique
Employment negotiations are different from other types of negotiations. They are not a one-shot deal like buying a house or a car. When the employment negotiations are over, you will have to work with your former "adversary" on a daily basis; more important, your career success may depend on the person with whom you have just finished negotiating. Therefore, even though you want to negotiate the best possible deal, you need to proceed in a way that doesn't tarnish your image.

3: Understand Your Needs and Those of Your Prospective Employer
Any employment negotiation is going to involve trade-offs. To be successful in this type of negotiation, you need to examine your own priorities. What is it that you want? Are comfortable with a low salary and a large equity stake? Do you feel confident that you can meet the requisite criteria to earn a bonus? Are you able to handle dramatic swings in income from year to year? How important is job security to you?

4: Understand the Dynamics of the Particular Negotiations
Sometimes you will have skills or experience for which there is a great demand. You may be the only qualified candidate to have made it through the interview process, and the company would like to hire someone quickly. Similarly, if you have been able to defer discussing compensation until the company has determined you are the best candidate for the job, your bargaining position will be greatly strengthened. These are enviable positions to be in.

5: Never Lie, but Use the Truth to Your Advantage
Honesty is important. If you lie during the negotiations, sooner or later you are likely to be caught. Once you are caught lying, you lose all credibility. Even if you don't lose the job, you will be placed at a tremendous disadvantage, and your future credibility on the job will be undermined.

6: Understand the Role That Fairness Plays in the Process
The guiding principle for most employers in determining what they will agree to is fairness. Within the constraints of their budget and organization structure, employers will usually agree to anything that is fair and reasonable in order to hire someone they want. Appeals to fairness are the most powerful weapon available in employment negotiations. Sometimes such an appeal may even convince an employer of the need to adjust its salary structure or increase the amount of money budgeted for a position.

7: Use Uncertainty to Your Advantage
If an employer is not certain what it will take to recruit you , its initial offer is likely to be close to its best offer. If you have divulged too much information, it will likely not offer you as much as it might have otherwise. By not disclosing exactly what your compensation package is or exactly what it would take to get you to leave your current job, you will force a potential employer to give you its best offer.

8: Be Creative
You may not be able to get everything you want, but you want to be sure to get everything you can. Focus on the value of the total package. Look for different ways to achieve your objectives. Be willing to make trade-offs to increase the total value of the deal. Limit your "requirements." When you lock yourself into a position, you limit your ability to be creative.

9: Focus on Your Goals, Not on Winning
Too often in negotiations winning becomes more important than the actual goals that are achieved. This tendency is particularly problematic in employment negotiations. Not only is it important to focus on achieving your goals; it is also important not to make your future boss feel like a loser in the negotiations. Remember, that this person will control you future career. You will have gained little by negotiating a good deal if you alienate your future boss in the process.

10: Know When to Quit Bargaining
There comes a point in every negotiation when you have achieved everything that you could gave reasonably expected to achieve. At that point you should thank the person you are dealing with and accept the offer. If you don't recognize when to stop negotiating, you run the risk of having the company decide that it made a mistake by offering you the job in the first place. Most companies will want to treat you fairly and make you happy, but few companies want to hire a prima donna. Being perceived as greedy or unreasonable may cause the deal to fall apart. Even if it does not, you will have done immeasurable harm to your career with your new employer.



Employment negotiations are the starting point for your career with the company. They set the tone for your employment relationship. Get too little and you are disadvantaged throughout your career; push too hard and you can sour the relationship before it even begins. How you handle the initial negotiations can have an impact, for better or worse, on how successful your tenure with a company will be.

The above points were taken from a book titled 'Get More Money on Your Next Job... in Any Economy'.

Get More Money on Your Next Job... in Any Economy

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Women in Science - Botanical Society of America

Dr. Jenny Xiang
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

My journey to botany with a specialty in plant systematics dates back to the early eighties in China and has continued in the US since 1989. It’s a journey of adventure, excitement, and hard work that would not have been possible without the help and support of my colleagues, friends, and family. [Read More]

Dr. Mudassir Asrar Zaidi
Balochistan University of Information Technology,
Engineering and Management Sciences
Quetta, Pakistan

Love of flowers and plants is the motto of my life. As far as I remember in my early life at the age of five onwards I used to say that I can’t live without flowers and plants. Since then I always had my own flower beds where I used to grow and take care of my favorite plants and flowers. [Read More]

You can also send your entries for publishing under "Women in Science" Section in this website. Send your profile now!


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Women in Science

This is about 16 successful women in science. The women scientists profiled here span several centuries and several nationalities. Despite many barriers, women all over the world have participated in unraveling the secrets of nature since the dawn of civilization. As historian of science Naomi Oreskes said recently, 'The question is not why there haven't been more women in science; the question is rather why we have not heard more about them.' Most of the women whose stories are told here, in fact, were active in recent times, when the sciences had already become professionalized endeavors.

Read about:

1. Rosalind Elsie Franklin (1920-1958) Pioneer Molecular Biologist
2. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, OM (1910-1994) A Founder of Protein Crystallography
3. Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992) Pioneer Computer Scientist
4. Maria Goeppert-Mayer (1906-1972) Nobelist in Physics
5. Helen Sawyer Hogg (1905-1993) A Gift of Stars
6. Rozsa Peter (1905-1977) Founder of Recursive Function Theory
7. Roger Arliner Young (1899-1964) Lifelong Struggle of a Zoologist
8. May Edward Chinn (1896-1980) Physician
9. Emmy Noether (1882-1935) Creative Mathematical Genius
10. Lise Meitner (1878-1968) A Battle for Ultimate Truth
11. Lillian Moller Gilbreth (1878-1972) Mother of Modern Management
12. Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941) Theorist of Star Spectra
13. Rosa Smith Eigenmann (1858-1947) ÒFirst Woman Ichthyologist of Any AccomplishmentsÓ
14. Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852) Analyst, Metaphysician, and Founder of Scientific Computing
15. Mary Anning (1799-1847) Finder of Fossils
16. Sophie Germain (1776-1831) Revolutionary Mathematician

Read the PDF e-book

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Katerina Aifantis: Ahead of Her Time

'I got a degree at 19, PhD at 21'

Katerina Aifantis is passionate about science. She passed her degree at 19, and was awarded a PhD in natural sciences and mathematics at the age of 21.


Her studies took her from Michigan Tech in the US, to Cambridge University, UK, and then to the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Katerina Aifantis got her PhD with Prof. Dr. Jeff Th.M. De Hosson at Dept. Applied Physics, University of Groningen, The Netherlands on April 18th 2005.

When she was a child, Katerina Aifantis wanted to understand the work of her father, Elias, who today is a professor of mechanics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in the United States. "I really wanted to find out what he was doing, and he wasn't telling me," she says today. All he would say was, "'You will find out when you grow up,'" she recalls.
At 16, she was given the opportunity to enrol at Michigan Tech by her High School principal. She passed her degree in engineering at 19, then went to Cambridge University in the UK for her PhD. She was supervised by the applied mathematician, Professor John Willis.

"He let me go straight ahead into research instead of making me take courses and following the traditional path," she says.

Although she finished her dissertation within a year, she was unable to submit for a PhD at Cambridge because rules stipulate a minimum of three years of study.

"John Willis and I thought that I could transfer to a different university in Europe that has no time requirements," she explains.

If you have any news relevant to our site, please send to us for publishing.

Careers in Botany

Dr. David Spooner of University of Wisconsin says that he wanted to be a botanist right from his childhood. Do you? [Read full story]. He was not alone. Dr. Mudassir Asrar Zaidi from University of Blaochistan tells that she had a passion for studying plants and its flowers since she aged 5 years [More]. This is not the case always. Dr. Jenny Xiang working at the North Carolina State University reveals that she dreamed from her childhood for becoming an astronaut, but ended up as a botanist with a passion. She is happy that her biology department opened a whole new world for her [Read it]. Dr. Jack Horner from Iowa State University has glorious reflections of a happy botanist [Story].

Dr. Marshall Sundberg of Emporia State University asking Why study botany? [Here is the answer!] Dr. Scott Mori of New York Botanical Garden explains how he became a tropical botanist [Know more]. Dr. Joseph Armstrong from Illinois State University remember that he became a botanist under the influence of three botanists at SUNY Oswego (Jim Seago, Lee Marsh, and Hank Spang) [More].

If your story is same or different, you may send us your comments to publish here. Comments on any subject is acceptable provided that it inspires young minds. Send your comments now.

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Job applications: Selling your skills

Do you know what skills to highlight when compiling a CV, covering letter or application?

You should focus on presenting evidence of the skills and qualities that the employer is seeking (it means you need to change your CV every time you apply for a vacancy), including your academic projects and achievements and also responsibilities you have held during work experience or voluntary activities, involvement in societies, or management of sporting activities.

Recruiters want to see skills and qualities that match their selection criteria. When examining your past involvements more closely, consider:

* What exactly have you done?
* What were you responsible for?
* What were the outcomes?
* How did you achieve success?
* Is there evidence of ‘how’ you have demonstrated relevant skills?

Although it is important to be concise, it is not enough just to list your skills. Where is the evidence? Employers cannot simply take your word for it.

Thinking about how to express the evidence for your experience can also be a challenge. Focus on active verbs. Go to power words for descriptors of responsibilities and language suggestions that may help.

* Consider how your motivation, personal qualities and aspirations reflect the ethos of the recruiting organisation and the post you are applying for.

* Understand the skills and competencies required for the role. This will be transparent where a job specification is made available. It may be more difficult when there is only an advertisement to go on, as is more commonly the case with small to medium sized employers.

* Decide on the best way to sell your skills. Which CV format will you use? What should you to put in your covering letter?

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Why you should clean up your online reputation

Before posting those wild party photos on Facebook, keep in mind that employers tend to Google their prospective employees -- and might not like what pops up.


With the advent of social networking and sites such as Facebook, Myspace, YouTube and Twitter, people are able to share their thoughts, experiences and everyday lives with millions of people worldwide. However, some of the personal content shared on the Internet isn't always positive, private or otherwise flattering.
Read full article here

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Resume Tips, Part 4: Online résumés and Europass CV

Online résumés

Many employers and job-seekers use the Internet almost exclusively in their search. Keeping résumés exclusively in electronic format has altered the dynamic of résumé reading and writing in several ways.

* Job seekers must choose a file format in which to maintain their résumé. Many employers insist on receiving résumés only as Microsoft Word documents. Others will accept résumés formatted in HTML, PDF, or plain ASCII text.
* Many potential employers now find candidates' résumés through search engines, which makes it more important for candidates to use appropriate keywords when writing a résumé.
* Including an e-mail address in an online résumé may expose the job seeker to spam.

Don't forget to update your resume!
Every three months, pull out your resume, dust it off, and update.

If you maintain your resume, you'll find it all ready to go when you need it for your next performance appraisal or job search.

Europass CV

There are many sites about Europass, the official one is http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu. Its purpose is to help all users to create, with a simple wizard, a Curriculum vitae or a Language passport in the "European Format", and to get information about the other Europass documents.

What is Europass

Whether you are planning to enrol in an education or training programme, looking for a job, or getting experience abroad, it is important to be able to make your skills and competences clearly understood.

Europass is a new way of helping people to:

• make their skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in Europe (European Union, EFTA/EEA and candidate countries);
• move anywhere in Europe.

Europass consists of five documents:

• two documents (Europass curriculum vitae (CV) and Europass Language Passport) you can fill in yourself; and
• three other documents (Europass Certificate Supplement, Europass Diploma SupplementEuropass Mobility) filled in and issued by competent organisations. and

Europass is supported by a network of National Europass Centres.

Europass has been established by the Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 December 2004 on a single transparency framework for qualifications and competences.

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What are the transferable skills that are particularly popular with graduate recruiters

The competencies or transferable skills that are particularly popular with graduate recruiters include:

• gracommunication - ability to communicate orally, in writing, or via electronic means, in a manner appropriate to the audience;
• teamwork - being constructive and willing to take on less attractive tasks, contributing practically to the team’s success;
• leadership - being able to motivate and encourage others, whilst taking the lead;
• initiative - ability to see opportunities, to set and achieve goals and act independently;
• problem solving - thinking things through in a logical way in order to determine key issues, often also including creative thinking;
• flexibility/adaptability - ability to handle change and adapt to new situations;
• self-awareness - knowing your strengths and skills and having the confidence to put these across;
• commitment/motivation - having energy and enthusiasm in pursuing projects;
• interpersonal skills - ability to relate well to others and to establish good working relationships;
• numeracy - competence and understanding of numerical data, statistics and graphs;
• IT knowledge - a basic understanding of common office equipment and programs and the ability not to be daunted by a change in the technology.

In addition, private sector employers like applicants to have some commercial awareness and knowledge of the business world and its relevancy to their organisation. You should therefore research the companies you apply to. Knowledge of their competitors can also provide you with a deeper level of understanding.

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Interview questions

Already appeared for job interview(s)? What are the questions asked to you? Would like to share your experience with others?Anonymously or not, just comment your interview questions and if possible with answers to us.

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Visa Information: Know the requirements before you fly

Many countries require visitors to have a visa or other personal identification documentation prior to entry. To determine the particular immigration needs of any country you are considering visiting, go to the link above, select the type of passport you hold and your nationality from the list provided. Finally select your destination point along with any single or multiple transit points. This will provide you with a quick overview of requirements. However, for the latest information on specific country requirements, we strongly recommend that you contact the local Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Questions about Salary History – Salary Negotiation Do’s and Don’ts

Q: I am underpaid in my current job. But how do I respond to the salary history question when I am trying to correct that as I interview for new jobs?

A: Do some homework and try to analyze your skills and abilities. Your best strategy is to keep them focused on what is an appropriate amount for you given your experience, skills and credentials today. In addition, be prepared to explain why you are seeking a significant jump in your salary and be ready to help the employer justify paying you this increased amount - those people do not want to feel as if they are overpaying you.

Here are the keys to successful salary negotiation. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this important strategic tool of job-hunting.

    * Make sure you've done your research on the salary you should expect for the position you're seeking.
    * Don't bring up salary before the employer does.
    * Be aware of your strengths and achievements.
    * Let the employer make the first salary offer.
    * Don't inflate your current earnings just to get a higher salary offer.
    * Don't feel obligated to accept the first salary offer. And do negotiate salary if the offer made is inadequate.
    * Don't get overly aggressive in negotiating the salary you want.
    * Don't just focus on salary. Do look at the entire compensation package.
    * Try to obtain other concessions or benefits if you aren't successful at negotiating a salary you want.
    * Don't enter salary negotiations as part of an ego trip or part of a game.
    * Don't accept the first acceptable salary offer you receive if you're not sure about the job or the company.
    * Do get the offer in writing.


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Resume Tips, Part 3: Resume structure

Resumes: In many contexts, a résumé is short (usually one or two pages), and therefore contains only experience directly relevant to a particular position. Many résumés use precise keywords that the potential new employers are looking for, are self-aggrandizing, and contain many action words.

Traditionally, résumés have rarely been more than two pages, as potential employers typically did not devote much time to reading résumé details for each applicant. However, employers are changing their views regarding acceptable résumé length. Since increasing numbers of job seekers and employers are using Internet-based job search engines to find and fill employment positions, longer résumés are needed for applicants to differentiate and distinguish themselves. Since the late 1990s, employers have been more accepting of résumés that are longer than two pages.

Curriculum vitae: As with résumés, CVs are subject to recruiting fads. For example,

• In German-speaking countries a picture was a mandatory adjunct to the CV for a long time.
• In the huge Indian job market, photos and good looks are strongly preferred in the service industry (hotels, aviation, etc.) and in sales-marketing, front office and customer service jobs.
• Including a photograph of the applicant is strongly discouraged in the U.S. as it would suggest that an employer would discriminate on the basis of a person's appearance — age, race, sex, attractiveness, or the like. The theatre and modeling industries are exceptions, where it is expected that résumés will include photographs.
• When listing non-academic employment in the U.S., the newest entries generally come first (reverse chronological).
• The use of an "objective statement" at the top of the document (such as "Looking for an entry-level position in stores") was strongly encouraged in the U.S. during the mid-1990s but fell out of favor by the late-1990s. However, with the avalanche of résumés distributed via the Internet since the late 1990s, an "objective" and/or "skills summary" statement has become more common to help recruiters quickly determine the applicant's suitability. It is not prevalent elsewhere.
• A profiling statement (or thumbnail description) was a protocol developed by placement agencies in the late 1980s. Many candidates now open their CV with such a statement. This can be a short paragraph or a handful of bullet points delineating the candidate's most desirable skills and experiences.
• Listing of computer skills (such as proficiency with word processing software) was a strong differentiator during the 1980s but was considered passé for most professional positions by the 1990s.
• In the 1980s and early 1990s in the U.S., the trend was to not allow a resume to exceed one page in length. In the late 1990s, this restriction fell out of vogue, with two- or even three-page resumes becoming common.

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How to analyse job adverts

The vacancy below is one for which a PhD degree holder might apply.

Lecturer/Post Doctoral Research Associate - University Research Dept of Psychology
Applications are invited for the post of Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Research Department of Psychology. The position is full-time for 3 years, working on a Research Grant: 'Affective Processing in Childhood’ held by Dr David Leaman.

The post holder will be responsible for conducting research in the cognitive neuroscience of affective processing in children. This role will entail development of experimental paradigms, subject recruitment, testing child participants and data analysis. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Psychology, including excellent experimental and data analysis skills. The role will also include preparing and delivering lectures and hosting open days, so proven teaching experience is required. Interested candidates should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and the names of at least three academic referees to the department before the end of the month. We anticipate many responses and intend only to contact applicants we wish to call for interview. If you do not hear from us, please assume that your application has not been successful in this instance.

Analysing the advertisement

1. The skill set required is academic and specific. It is not a role open to postgraduates in general.
2. Transferable and soft skills will be helpful but not as important as specific qualifications.
3. The department expects applicants to be familiar with the research and the grant holder, so if you are not, you would need to do some research yourself.

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Preparing for an interview

Your interview could include a technical discussion of the projects you've worked on, your future career plans or other brainteasers queries. The types of questions you'll be asked will vary depending on the position you're looking for, but all are meant to investigate your capabilities and potential to grow. Employers look for original, creative thinkers, people with a passion for what they do and the energy to make those around them better. Points to remember...

Come well rested. You will typically meet with three to six different people over the course of your interview. You want to be mentally prepared.

Dress comfortably. Wear whatever makes you comfortable in an interview.

Relax and be yourself. Natural enthusiasm and positive attitude will take you a long way to making a positive impression.

Be honest.

Be prepared for abstract questions. You will probably be asked one or two. There may be no right or wrong answer: they are usually asked to see how well you think on the spot.

Remember, an interview is an opportunity for you to get to know the employer, as well as for employer to get to know you. Relax. Ask questions. Listen. Learn. This may be the beginning of an incredible journey.

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How to Craft a Winning Résumé or CV

3 important points to remember:

First, remember that Résumés and CVs are different. The differences between the two include structure, content, length, and style. The most common mistake that science-trained individuals make in their job search is submitting a résumé that looks too much like a CV.

Second, the purpose of a résumé or CV is to get you an interview. Getting the job comes later, after going through interviews and sometimes follow-up interviews. Your goal when submitting your résumé or CV should be to get your foot in the door, that’s all!

Third, a principal difference between a CV and a résumé is that CVs focus on where you’ve been, whereas résumés must also convey where you are going. A résumé cannot simply be a list of your past experiences. It must be a selection of those experiences and skills that are best suited to the job to which you are applying.

Basic Parts of a Résumé
There are some sections of your résumé that may appear identical to your CV. Other sections will be much different.

Name and Address
Statement of Professional Objective
Summary Statement
Education
Experience/Work Experience
 
Other sections: a list of particular skills like Computer skills and foreign-language skills

What not to include: personal information such as hobbies and the like. Also verboten are the following: date of birth, your marital status, the number of children you have, and salary requirements.

References: References, if requested, should be listed on a separate page with their full name, job title, place of employment, relationship to you, full address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address.

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Resume Tips, Part 2: Resume types

Résumés may be organized in different ways

Functional résumé
A functional résumé lists work experience and skills sorted by skill area or job function. The functional résumé is used to assert a focus to skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological résumé format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. The functional resume works well for those making a career change, having a varied work history and with little work experience.

Combination résumé
The combination résumé balances the functional and chronological approaches. A résumé organized this way typically leads with a functional list of job skills, followed by a chronological list of employers.

Curriculum Vitae
In the United States and Canada, a CV is expected to include a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of employment, academic credential, publication, contribution or significant achievement. In certain professions, it may even include samples of the person's work and may run to many pages.

Within the European Union, a standardized CV model known as Europass has been developed (in 2004 by the European Parliament) and promoted by the EU to ease skilled migration between member countries.

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What is the difference between a CV, a Resume and a Bio-data?

Recently I came across a question in a career forum - "Could you please tell the difference between resume, CV, Bio-data etc.?"

Someone suggested an answer for this question as "CV is normally for the education industry.... it means Curriculum Vitae .... and Bio-data is universal it can be used for everything including applying for Jobs... and Resume is always used when you send your work profile/experience for middle and top management positions...."

Another person said, "Resume - very well defined, most commonly used. Strictly One Page, include Experience, Education, Skills and contacts - specifically customized to target the job profile in question..... CV - is more detailed, 2-3 pages or more. CV generally meant for people who wants to hire you...... Bio Data - is very old fashioned word, i think mostly used as a key word in India for government jobs. This is, I think, Resume + Biography, specifically requiring legal things like - date of birth, nationality, residence, very clearly."

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BSA Student Profile pages

Tatiana Arias
University of Missouri - Columbia
I learned to love biology and the natural world as a small child. I used to visit my father once a year in Bahia Solano, Choco, Colombia. There we spent our vacations exploring the jungle, and I made my decision to become a biologist because I wanted to know more about the biodiversity of my country.

Janelle Burke
Cornell University, L. H. Bailey Hortorium
What I really wanted after high school was an internship at the Brookfield zoo. My initial interests were in the biology of cute, cuddly mammals. Instead a friend helped me find a job in the herbarium of the Morton Arboretum, where he was a volunteer.

Laura Burkle
Dartmouth College
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in plants. As a kid, the first thing I noticed about plants is that they sit still. My parents always kept house plants and rattled off long names, like Philodendron, that I never seemed to be able to remember.

Julia Nowak
University of British Columbia
Ever since I can remember, I was fascinated with the natural world. I loved picking and drying flowers and leaves and observing how nature worked. When we lived in Ukraine, my parents and I would often go mushroom picking. These trips got me out to appreciate nature and learn about it, as well as about the mushrooms that we picked.

Cheng-Chiang Wu
Harvard University
The blessed journey to Botany started when I was admitted to the Department of Botany at National Taiwan University (NTU), as certified Talented Students in Biology by the Ministry of Education, Republic of China. Since my study in college, the wonderful biodiversity in the subtropical island of Taiwan has never failed to amaze me.

More student profiles are available at the Botanical Society of America website

If you want to publish your profile here, please write to us with a short description and a photograph. Send your entries to us.

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U.S. Student Visas

Students are Encouraged to Apply Early

(Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html)

Student Applicants (for F-1 and M-1 visas) - Overview

If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a visitor visa. You should inquire at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need a student visa. Please read this information for general information on how to apply for an F1 or M1 student visa. For additional student related information, visit the EducationUSA website created by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to learn about educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, opportunities for scholars, financial aid, testing, admissions, and much more.

In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult Embassy web sites or call for specific application instructions.

Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community.

Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. It is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by embassy or consulate. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on our website at Visa Wait Times , and on most embassy websites. During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply. Also, because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student's situation.

All applicants for a student visa must provide:

• Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I-20, which was provided to you by your school.You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. All students, as well as their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents (F/M-2 visa holders). Your school is responsible for entering your information for the I-20 student visa form into SEVIS. Students will also have to pay an SEVIS I-901 fee for each program of study. Questions regarding your exchange program should be directly to your program sponsor;
• A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. The DS-156 must be the March 2006 date, electronic "e-form application." Select Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 to access the electronic version of the DS-156.
• An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. During the visa interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken, as well as a digital photo. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.
• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
• One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in nonimmigrant photograph requirements;
• A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the Visa Reciprocity Table ) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.While all F visa applicants must pay the MRV fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.

All applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended;
• scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.;
• financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

Applicants with dependents must also provide:

• Proof of the student's relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.);
• it is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.

Additional Information

• No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
• Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, do not remove the visa page from the expired passport. You may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

What Items Do Returning Students Need?All applicants applying for renewals must submit:

• A passport valid for at least six months;
• an application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices and on the Visa Services website under Visa Applications Forms;
• a receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed;
• a new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the back by a school official within the past 12 months.

All applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit:

• A certified copy of your grades from the school in which you are enrolled;
• financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling.

Students Away from Classes More Than Five Months

Students in or outside the U.S., who have been away from classes for more than five months, will likely need a new visa to enter the U.S.

How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa?

When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, the student is allowed the following additional time in the U.S. before departure:

• F-1 student - An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S. or to transfer to another school.
• M-1 student - An additional 30 days to depart the U.S. (Fixed time period, in total not to exceed one year). The 30 days to prepare for departure is permitted as long as the student maintained a full course of study and maintained status. An M student may receive extensions up to three years for the total program.

As an example regarding duration of status, if you have a visa that is valid for five years that will expire on January 1, 2001, and you are admitted into the U.S. for the duration of your studies (often abbreviated in your passport or on your I-94 card as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are a full time student. Even if January 1, 2001 passes and your visa expires while in America, you will still be in legal student status. However, if you depart the U.S. with an expired visa, you will need to obtain a new one before being able to return to America and resume your studies. A student visa cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United States; it must be done at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.

November 2007 (Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html)

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Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A CV is used by those with graduate degrees (i.e., M.S., Ph.D) to apply for positions in academia or for scientific positions. CVs are longer than resumes and focus on education, publications, presentations, classes taught, and professional activities. CVs tend to include all experience not just selective experiences. CVs are also used in European countries for all positions.

Your career counselor is available to critique your CV. View an example of an academic CV, or an example of a research CV.

Source: University of Kentucky | Career Center

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Writing cover letters - Useful phrases: Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely

Do you present yourself in a professional manner when you write job or postdoc applications? In short, you want to give a professional image when you write to Employers. To get you started, we've prepared some lists of standard phrases.

Opening lines

Why do we need an opening line in a cover letter or formal email?

- to make reference to previous correspondence
- to say how you found the recipient's name/address or vacancy advert
- to say why you are writing to the recipient.

10 Good Opening Lines:

With reference to your letter of 8 June, I ...
I am writing to enquire about ...
After having seen your advertisement in ... , I would like ...
After having received your address from ... , I ...
I received your address from ... and would like ...
We/I recently wrote to you about ...
Thank you for your letter of 8 May.
Thank you for your letter regarding ...
Thank you for your letter/e-mail about ...
In reply to your letter of 8 May, ...

Closing lines

Why do we need a closing line in a cover letter or email?

- to make a reference to a future event
- to repeat an apology
- to offer help

10 Good Closing Lines:

If you require any further information, feel free to contact me.
I look forward to your reply.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to seeing you.
Please advise as necessary.
We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience.
We hope that we may continue to rely on your valued custom.
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.

When 'Yours faithfully' and when 'Yours sincerely' in a business letter?

When the recipient's name is unknown to you:

Dear Sir ... Yours faithfully
Dear Madam ... Yours faithfully
Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully

When you know the recipient's name:

Dear Mr Hanson ... Yours sincerely
Dear Mrs Hanson ... Yours sincerely
Dear Miss Hanson ... Yours sincerely
Dear Ms Hanson ... Yours sincerely

When addressing a good friend or colleague:

Dear Jack ... Best wishes/Best regards

Addressing whole departments:

Dear Sirs ... Yours faithfully

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20 Tips for improving your resume

1. CONTENT! CONTENT! CONTENT!
Employers glance over resumes and decide in less than 20 seconds. Note specifics that demonstrate your abilities, your accomplishments, and your past experiences -- these are crucial to making your resume get their attention.
 
2. VISUAL APPEAL
The appearance of a non-electronic resume cannot be overemphasized! It should catch the eye. Watch for spacing and margins. Allow for lots of WHITE SPACE and BORDERS. Make use of italicizing, CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize your important points.
 
3. USE A ONE PAGE RESUME
Be brief & concise! One page, to the point works best in this competitive marketplace. Be a skillful editor, deleting the portions which are not relevant or least helpful to your securing that particular position. Emphasize your more recent experience in the last 5 - 7 years.
 
4. BE TARGETED
Focus every resume to the job type being applied for. It's actually better to create a different resume for each job type (i.e., one resume for business, another for human resources). This will eliminate the tendency to crowd your resume with too much non-related information
 
5. SHOW ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Be sure to demonstrate results of your work and how your former employers benefited. Use numbers and percentages that show money or time saved. List anything you did that helped the bottom line.
 
6. BE CLEAR
No vague generalities. Say exactly what you mean, using the smallest number of words to make the point.
 
7. BE ACCURATE
State your skills, qualifications, and experience as positively as possible without exaggerating or misstating the truth. If your job responsibilities are not adequately described by your job title, indicate your abilities with appropriate terms (i.e. Events Coordinator, instead of Staff Coordinator).
 
8. DON'T USE GIMMICKS
Employers are very suspicious of gimmicks believing they represent a person who lacks proven substance and accomplishments. Overnighting a resume won't bring you to the head of the pile so save the expense.
 
9. APPROPRIATE TYPE SIZE
Use type size of at least 12, but up to 14, for easier reading.
 
10. AVOID GRAPHIC DESIGNS
Designs often distract to the reader. Colors are not the key to making you stand out. Lines, boxes, shadings or fancy borders should be avoided. Lines are often read as page breaks when employers scan a resume so delete. Plain, but nicely formatted white or cream, high quality paper have all tested well with employers.
 
11. BE COMPLETE
Spell out names of schools, cities, abbreviations, and titles completely, since employers may not recognize abbreviations or acronyms.
 
12. USE ACTION VERBS
Start each sentence with a descriptive action verb - such as established, managed, organized, developed, planned, etc. They add power to your sentences making it easier to note your actions and the important results those actions created.
 
13. MAKE POINTS QUICKLY
Complete sentences are not necessary in resume writing; it is better to use simple descriptive statements to make a point.
 
14. PROOFREAD
Don't trust computer spell checkers. The computer will not correct "SEA" which is a word when, unfortunately, you meant see.
 
15. BE PERFECT
The resume you send out must be flawless. No mistakes or typos, no white-out, no crossing out information to update. Sloppy resumes don't get interviews. This is the employers #1 complaint that we hear from employers in the career center.
 
16. MAKE IT READABLE
A crammed, cramped resume often gets left unread. Make deletions wherever necessary to achieve a readable product.
 
17. DON'T INCLUDE PERSONAL STATISTICS
It is no longer considered professional or wise to include information about marital status, gender, height, weight, health, or a picture on your resume.
 
18. DON'T WASTE SPACE
Employers know you'll provide references if they request them, therefore it is not necessary to put "References upon request" at the end of your resume.
 
19. DON'T ADVERTISE NEGATIVE INFORMATION
The resume is the wrong place to advertise that you were laid off, fired, or had an extended illness. Never state why you left a job; just list the dates of employment.
 
20. EDIT IT
Does your resume clearly and quickly communicate to employers that you can do the job? Do your strengths come across? Does everything support the job you are targeting? Should anything be removed? Final test: are employers calling? If not keep improving your resume until they do.

Sample Resumes

• Engineering Resume (DOC)
• Research Resume (DOC)
• Marketing Resume (DOC)
• Retail Resume (DOC)
• Nursing Resume (DOC)
• Functional Sales Resume (DOC)

Source: University of Kentucky | Career Center

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Country profile: Qatar

Qatar (Arabic: قطر ‎ Qaṭar; IPA: [ˈqɑtˁɑr], local pronunciation: [ɡitˁar]), officially the State of Qatar (Arabic: دولة قطر transliterated as Dawlat Qatar), is an Arab emirate in Southwest Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south; otherwise the Persian Gulf surrounds the state.

FACTS

Capital Doha
25°18′N 51°31′E / 25.3, 51.517

Official languages Arabic

Demonym Qatari

Government Absolute Monarchy
- Emir HH. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani

Independence1
- current ruling family came to power December 18, 1878
- independence from the United Kingdom September 3, 1971

Area
- Total 11,437 km2 (164th) / 4,416 sq mi
- Water (%) negligible


Population
- October 2008 estimate 1,541,130
- 2004 census 744,029[6] (159th)
- Density 74/km2 (121st) / 192/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate
- Total $95.130 billion
- Per capita $86,669

GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate
- Total $116.851billion
- Per capita $106,459

HDI (2007) ▲ 0.875 (high) (35th)

Currency Riyal (QAR)

Time zone AST (UTC+3)
- Summer (DST) (not observed) (UTC+3)

Drives on the right

Internet TLD .qa

Calling code 974

EDUCATION

Along with the country’s free healthcare, citizens enjoy free education from kindergarten through to high school. Qatar University was founded in 1973. More recently, with the support of the Qatar Foundation, some major American universities have opened branch campuses in Education City, Qatar. These include Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Texas A&M University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Cornell University’s Weill Medical College and Northwestern University. In 2004, Qatar established the Qatar Science & Technology Park at Education City to link those universities with industry. Education City is also home to a fully accredited International Baccalaureate school, Qatar Academy. Two Canadian institutions, the College of the North Atlantic and the University of Calgary, also operate campuses in Doha.

Moreover, Stenden University Qatar (Former CHN University of Professional Education) has been around in Doha for 8 years. It offers four year bachelor degree programs (BBA) in International Hospitality Management, International Business & Management Studies, and Tourism Management. It is a Dutch university and its programs are fully accredited by Ministry of Education, Qatar.

In November 2002, the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani created the Supreme Education Council. The Council directs and controls education for all ages from the pre-school level through the university level, including the “Education for a New Era” reform initiative.

The Emir’s second wife, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, has been instrumental in new education initiatives in Qatar. She chairs the Qatar Foundation, sits on the board of Qatar’s Supreme Education Council, and is a major driving force behind the importation of Western expertise into the education system, particularly at the college level.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned has been actively engaged in education and social reform in Qatar for many years and has played a major role in spearheading various national and international development projects. For further details, please go to http://www.mozahbintnasser.qa/


Qatar Foundation

Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people.

The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development. For more information please visit: http://www.qf.org.qa/.

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) brings research and business together to support the country's development of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy - a process in which Qatar Foundation plays a leading role.

The role of QSTP is to support international companies, institutes and entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge technologies in Qatar, and to foster their partnership with the renowned universities at Qatar Foundation's Education City.

An artists impression of the new QSTP premises due to open in early 2009.

The science park provides an ideal environment for technology business: research-friendly buildings, commercialization support programs, free-trade zone incentives, and the commitment of Qatar's senior leadership. It is also an incubator for start-up ventures, helping to commercialize the fruits of Qatar's strong investment in research and development.

QSTP's new $300 million facilities open mid 2008. ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total are establishing research and training centers that add value to Qatar's hydrocarbons sector; local software company iHorizons joins Microsoft and Cisco in developing new IT applications; EADS and GE are at the forefront of industrial technologies; SMARD is Qatar's first bio medical research company; and Gartner Lee is specializing in environmental management.

QSTP is co-located at Education City with universities of some of the world's most famous research-based universities. Companies at the science park are forming research and education partnerships with the institutes.

The outcomes of this collaboration will be new technology-based enterprises that will help diversify Qatar's economy, and will provide exciting career opportunities for the country's bright young scientists and engineers. By partnering with world-leading corporate and academic research teams, QSTP will also be a base for platform technologies that will underpin the growth of knowledge industries in Qatar for years to come.

For more information on Qatar Science & Technology Park, please visit www.qstp.org.qa

Sidra Medical and Research Center

Located in Education City and due to open in 2011, Sidra will incorporate the most sophisticated digital technology in all areas - from administrative functions to the assembly and application of genetic coding in advanced scientific research.

Sidra's specialization will be women's and children's health, but it will offer select medical and surgical services for all adults. The facility will also focus on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and other illnesses.

Sidra will serve as a premier teaching venue for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and it will help establish the nation as a leader in the creation of scientific knowledge through its biomedical research center. Translational and clinical research will begin prior to Sidra's opening through partnerships with WCMC-Q and Hamad Medical Corporation, the country's major public health provider. The translational research agenda will encompass pregnancy health and infertility, women's health and developmental and preventive medicine. The clinical portfolio will include medical devices, diagnostics, drugs and vaccines.

Qatar Foundation has committed $7.9 billion USD to Sidra the largest cash endowment of a medical center anywhere in the world. Construction will begin in 2008.

For more information and ongoing updates about Sidra Medical and Research Center, visit www.sidra.org.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS AT UNIVERSITIES

Research and teaching are integrated to a large degree in the Education City universities. Students are introduced to research methodologies by their teachers and work closely with them on individual and group projects.

Student researchers have benefited from The Qatar National Research Fund's
Undergraduate Research Experience Program, and more recently a number of major awards have been granted at faculty level through the National Priorities Research Program.

Particular emphasis is placed on research that will be of clear benefit to the State of Qatar. In many cases, it is being carried out in concert with local organizations - something that will encourage the development of an indigenous research culture.

Texas A & M University at Qatar

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

Georgetown University

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Faculty Of Islamic Studies

North Western University of Qatar

RESOURCES & LINKS

ROYAL

	The Emiri Diwan

	Web site for His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and the Government of Qatar.

GOVERNMENT

	Ministry of Foreign Affairs

	Government web site outlining Qatar's foreign policy.

	Ministry of Education

	Official Government web site for education.

	Supreme Education Council

	Web site providing information on Qatar's program of education reform.

	Ministry of the Interior

	Government ministry for home affairs.

	Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

	Information about Islam in Qatar.

The Planning Council The Official web site of the Planning Council of Qatar

CHARITABLE

	The Shafallah Center

	Web site for the organization providing healthcare and learning support for people with special needs in Qatar.

EDUCATION

	The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development

	Home page of the organization which promotes educational, social and technological advancement in Qatar.

	Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar

	Information about the Qatar campus of Cornell University.

	RAND Qatar Policy Institute

	Web site for the research and development organization with a branch in Education City.

	Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

	Details about the business and computer science programs available in Education City.

	Texas A&M University

	Information about the engineering degree programs on offer in the university's Education City campus.

	VCU School of the Arts in Qatar

	Outline of design courses offered by Virginia Commonwealth University in Education City.

	University of Qatar

	Web site of Qatar's public university.

Administrative Development institute Provides training courses and administrative studies.

OTHER

	Experience Qatar

	Information about Qatar as a destination for visitors and business.

	Qatar Petroleum

	Web site for the national corporation responsible for oil and gas industry processes in Qatar.

	Foreign Information Agency

	The Official Site of Foreign Information Agency of the State of Qatar.

	National Council for Cultural Art & Heritage

	Concerns about the Cultural, Artistic and Heritage movements in Qatar.

	Qatar National Olympic Committee

Official web site of Qatar National Olympic.