A US-based programme called Meyerhoff Scholars was established in 1988 with a $500,000 grant to help prepare African-American students for scientific research careers. From that initial instalment, the scheme boosted the numbers of Black science students in the United States. The programme has been open to anyone who is committed to increasing diversity in STEM fields.
Learn more →US President Joe Biden, during a phone call with Atlanta radio show host Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan, listed off what he claims he has done for black Americans. Biden said he’s done for Black Americans by lowering unemployment rates and cancelling some student debt. However, a recent poll revealed that 38% of Black Americans felt Biden’s policies have helped Black people.
Learn more →US President Joe Biden’s visit to Atlanta’s Morehouse College on September 14 has been called off after protests by students against the war in Gaza. The White House said it wanted Biden to “focus on pressing pressing issues”, adding, “It’s unfortunate that the president’s visit has been cancelled.” Students had staged protests after Biden said some of them used “violent” methods.
Learn more →Four US colleges and universities have reached an agreement with pro-Palestine protesters, ending clashes on their campuses. The schools include Rutgers, Brown, Northwestern and the University of Minnesota. Students at the schools said they would not disrupt finals or graduations, while the university said students would be honoured “individually alongside their peers”.
Learn more →A journalist at Northwestern University in the US has been arrested at a university protest against pro-Palestinian protests. Steven Thrasher, a professor at the university’s Medill School, said that he was defending student protesters. “Caroline Fohlin was aStudent Protester at Washington University, in Actions and in Words,” he added. He further said that he’d been arrested by police for no reason.
Learn more →A student protest at Columbia University on Wednesday was boycotted by students in solidarity with Palestinians. The protest was organised against the university’s plans to take over a public park and build a gym. As per reports, the university suspended all students participating in the protest after protests broke out at the park on Wednesday.
Learn more →A new breed of generative AI has been developed in which the computer uses natural language processing to mimic the human mind and write text. The technology was first developed with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is being used in a range of applications including robotics and artificial intelligence-powered medicine. It can also be used to help people understand more complex problems.
Learn more →Cybersecurity hackers are targeting young public school students, according to a case study by Minneapolis Public Schools and a Centre for Education and Public Safety. Minnesota’s Minneapolis Public Schools said that it provided impacted individuals with free credit monitoring services for one year. It added that it provided impacted individuals with guidance on ways to protect against identity theft and fraud.
Learn more →The US’ New York City may see up to 6 inches of snow and Boston could get 8 inches of snowfall, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). As much as 2 inches per hour is possible on Tuesday in some areas of central Pennsylvania and southern New England. Boston City Hall and all public schools are closed on Tuesday.
Learn more →Harvard University’s President Claudine Gay, the first person of colour to hold the post at Harvard, has resigned following allegations of plagiarism in her works. Gay’s resignation comes after she appeared before a US House committee last month to answer questions about allegedly plagiarising other people’s work. Gay had apologised after a review found some instances of inadequate citation.
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