Category Archives: Education

Learn How to Become a Security Specialist

This Computer Security Specialist job description template is optimized for posting to online job boards or careers pages and easy to customize for your company. The enforcement officer is someone who promotes and enforces policies, instructions, and obligations of tenants. An enforcement officer aims to resolve two parties’ issues that may arise from orders given by the admin or management. Among the enforcement officers’ tasks is to assist in evictions, render payments, and inform them of new ordinances and instructions for tenants to abide by. An enforcement officer may also be tasked to ensure that a judgment or resolution is enforced and observed.

A great job description is a hand tool for attracting top talent, while a job description that is vague or hard to read may frighten off the candidates that you most want to attract. However, writing a truly great job description is often easier said than done, which is why we have provided you with this information security specialist job description sample. As you may tell from the ‘chief’ in the job title, the role of a CISO is not a beginner’s one. In fact, one becomes a chief information security officer only after years and years of experience.

Security Specialist Related Careers

An employer might want candidates to have gained specific certificates, as these can teach you particular essential skills. Also, even if one of these certificates isn’t required for a role, it may still be preferable, or at least beneficial. To get hired as a security specialist, you always want to develop your skills and knowledge as much as possible, and certificates help you to do exactly that. Since a security specialist is essentially an entry level position in the large world of cyber security, there are positions you can start out in at first and then, you can work your way up the ladder into a management role. It is a great career to enter as there are several roads to travel toward executive-level roles. A protective officer is in charge of preventing theft and damages in stores and other establishments.

  • Others consider these cybersecurity careers to exist under the same umbrella of computer security.
  • Like with other career paths, there are countless ways a cybersecurity expert can integrate their skills from different careers and become something never-heard-of before while still fitting into the computer security industry.
  • Capella’s competency-based online degree programs provide knowledge, real-world skills and IT certifications that are immediately applicable to your career goals.
  • Currently, Target has 942 security specialist job openings, while there are 194 at Allied Universal and 99 at Lincoln Financial Group.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics regards computer security specialists as a type of network and computer systems administrator. In their 2006–07 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau reported that the median annual wage for all network and computer systems administrators in 2004 was $58,190. According to the “Computerworld Salary Survey 2005” , the median yearly wage for an information security specialist in 2005 was $81,035. Trained computer security specialists are hired by corporations and institutions needing their services and by independent consulting firms. Jobs are posted on the Internet by groups such as the Computer Security Institute and the Information Systems Auditing and Control Association . It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Key Hard Skills for Security Specialists

The second should be a list of preferred skills, accomplishments that will set an applicant apart from other jobseekers, but that are not necessary to be in contention for the job. Other companies may stipulate that they seek cybersecurity specialists with a specific amount of professional experience. Candidates can accrue experience in other cybersecurity roles or through internships while still pursuing their degrees to meet this requirement. A security specialist is an excellent way to jump start your career in cyber security. Whether it is something you are striving for before college, or making a job transition, be prepared by garnering as much knowledge as possible toward what companies are looking for in potential employees. Major job requirements can widely vary among employers and you might miss the opportunity to build up your work experience and knowledge before making the leap towards a senior or management position. However you choose, a security specialist role is a career with many opportunities.

For example, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 35% projected employment growth rate for information security analysts from 2021 to 2031. This title encompasses roles like cybersecurity analyst and information security specialist. Cybersecurity specialists handle a broad set of technical responsibilities related to safeguarding sensitive digital information and data. Depending on the size of their employer, these cybersecurity experts may work in niche, specialized areas of the field or oversee more general security tasks. They provide ongoing oversight for organizations’ cybersecurity efforts through several methods. Most entry-level IT security jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, information assurance, or a related field of study; these programs typically take 4 years to complete as a full-time student.

Begin your job search

In fact, enforcement officers salary difference is $11,446 lower than the salary of security specialists per year. Once you’re ready to become a security specialist, you should explore the companies that typically hire security specialists. According to security specialist resumes that we searched through, security specialists are hired the most by Target, Allied Universal, and Lincoln Financial Group. Currently, Target has 942 security specialist job openings, while there are 194 at Allied Universal and 99 at Lincoln Financial Group. Some of the skills we found on security specialist resumes included “ladders,” “security incidents,” and “physical security.” We have detailed the most important security specialist responsibilities below.

  • They implement vulnerability assessments and configure audits of operating systems, web servers, and databases and detect patterns, insecure features, and malicious activities in the infrastructure.
  • Digitally, infrastructure security refers to creating and maintaining protected systems from breaches.
  • Cyber security jobs of all sorts are becoming increasingly crucial in the digital age.
  • Network + is also offered by CompTIA this certification focuses on networking infrastructure and operations.
  • These professionals also educate coworkers on best practices, as breaches may occur accidentally or deliberately by bad actors within their companies.
  • Choosing a reputable online degree program can make earning your bachelor’s or master’s more accessible by granting you freedom and flexibility in managing your course load.
  • Additionally, cybersecurity specialists are often called on in times of crisis or emergency — or when there are issues with networks or data systems.

Controlling all aspects of cybersecurity for an organization involves the expertise of many trained professionals. Top positions in cybersecurity include security auditor, security how to become a security specialist software developer, security manager, and security architect. Cybersecurity specialists inhabit an interesting role in the companies and organizations where they are employed.

Your Top Tax Questions About Working Remotely, Answered The TurboTax Blog

We’re focused on the employee experience while improving your bottom line. Reduce complexity and minimize disruption with Experian Employer Services. Your tax office may offer delinquent tax installment plans that may be less costly to you. You can request information about the availability of these plans from the tax office. BDO USA, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, is the U.S. member of BDO International benefits of working remotely Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on February 2, 2023, released additional technical guidance for the implementation of the Pillar Two global anti-base erosion minimum tax model rules. Overall, if you have the opportunity to work remotely abroadfor a while, don’t pass it up.

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  • If you paid in cash, the receipt should include the payee’s name, the date of the payment, and the amount.
  • You may have been working from home toward the end of last school year and part of this school year.
  • To itemize, rather than claim the standardized deduction, all expenses had to add up to more than 2% of the tax return’s adjusted gross income.
  • Each state has its own approach to taxation, and depending on where you live and work, this tax obligation varies.

Well, those who don’t comply with tax laws, might face some criminal charges and even face prison time. Estimated quarterly tax payments are when you take out a set amount of taxes based on your income for each quarter and send this payment over to the IRS. Your income is taxed where you live, which is known as your domicile or home. However, you could also be taxed if you worked remotely somewhere else. Beyond these broader trends, here are some specific examples of how states are adjusting and adapting their tax credit and incentives programs to account for remote and hybrid work. Many states may not consider temporary changes in an employee’s physical work location to alter the apportionment of income during the periods in which temporary telework requirements are in place, or through a specific end date.

Antonio Prota: “Flexible work has made me feel so much more peaceful — it’s changed my life!”

A simplified home office deduction claims $5 per square foot up to a maximum of 300 square feet, for a $1,500 deduction. In fact, the home office deduction is the biggest tax option for self-employed workers, said Anna Barker, founder of LogicalDollar, and an attorney who advises clients on tax matters. The catch is the portion of your home must be “used exclusively and regularly for business purposes,” Barker said, it’s not just a matter https://remotemode.net/ of setting up the laptop on the kitchen counter and calling it an office. If you are an employee of a business, even if you work from home 100% of the time, you cannot deduct your home office from your taxes. A simple tax return is one that’s filed using IRS Form 1040 only, without having to attach any forms or schedules. Employers are also comfortable managing remote employeesnow, and have found benefits in reduced business overheads.

tax benefits of working remotely

Another potential tax issue is whether you worked remotely out of convenience. To determine all of this, you need to think about where you worked this past year and for how long. Then, review the tax laws for each state, along with your home state’s laws, to figure out what you might be liable for. Where you worked also plays a significant role in your tax situation, especially when you work remotely. The views expressed on this blog are those of the blog authors, and not necessarily those of ADP.

Can you claim work from home tax deductions?

Experiencing other countries and cultures as an expat is an experience that will broaden your horizons, and one that you’ll never regret of forget. One of the long-term legacies of the Covid pandemic is forecast to be a widespread transition to remote working. Combined with a pent-up appetite for international travel, this is likely to mean that the next couple of years will bring a surge of interest in working remotely from abroad. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.

tax benefits of working remotely

IRS Form 8829 is where you show your math in claiming the deduction, said Goldberg, who’s personally been working from home for 10 years. If a person owns the home, they can tack on costs like property taxes and mortgage interest, Goldberg noted.

Working unleashed: Optimizing your remote work infrastructure

For W-2 employees looking to deduct expenses, Ng suggests keeping careful records in case of an IRS audit. If you are self-employed and your home is your principal place of business, you can qualify for a home office deduction. If you have traveled to another state and worked while there, you may owe taxes in the state where you worked, even if you weren’t there for the whole year.

Most people working at home would have expenses well below those figures. If you’re self-employed and work at home, the tax picture is a little brighter, but also a lot more complicated. You can deduct a home office and a variety of other expenses related to working from home, but there are strict rules. Debt.org wants to help those in debt understand their finances and equip themselves with the tools to manage debt. Our information is available for free, however the services that appear on this site are provided by companies who may pay us a marketing fee when you click or sign up. These companies may impact how and where the services appear on the page, but do not affect our editorial decisions, recommendations, or advice.

Explain IT: Season 4, Episode 5 Bringing company culture to a remote workforce

This time we’re talking about the office of the future – how big will they be? Well as we speak we’re still in lockdown; most of us are stressed to some degree; there’s fear of infection, of isolation, there’s fear of redundancy and major financial worries. And all too soon those personal and family worries can tip over into mental health issues. Let’s face it, it could be your organisation’s insensitive or disorganised management which is to blame.

To be honest, that individual would not have been successful in building the size team that was needed if he hadn’t reached outside his comfort zone, because you just have to do it. What we’re seeing is it’s no longer that the place to be is Silicon Valley, London, and New York. Now, the place to be is online, and the digital economy is booming. Companies don’t care where people are anymore. I think that some of the barriers around like that mental barrier of, “This person’s in Mexico. Two years on, it is pretty clear that remote working is now a permanent fixture in the working life of many people.

A Two-Year Retrospective on Remote Work

The descriptions per episode are the original ones. This research does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual clients. Clients should consider whether any advice or recommendation in this research is suitable for their particular circumstances remote work podcast and, if appropriate, seek professional advice. TNC’s CEO, John Waterhouse discusses how organisations can achieve sustainable remote working with TNC’s CTO, Craig Northveth in Down The Wire Podcast’s 5th Episode. You can find links to all of the topics we’ve spoken about today in the show notes and even more on our website at itpro.co.uk.

95% of Remote Workers Stream Content While Working – Tech.co

95% of Remote Workers Stream Content While Working.

Posted: Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:32:12 GMT [source]

More than two years on, however, there’s no excuse for working hunched over your laptop on the kitchen table. There’s a plethora of peripherals and devices that can improve your comfort and productivity while working from home. And adding a couple of key pieces of equipment can dramatically boost your experience.

Interpersonal Isolation Leaves Remote Workers Looking for New Ways to Connect

But I think I think a little bit more realistically. For me, I always prioritise monitors like I couldn’t, I would have enough monitors to, you know, satisfy every single Chrome tab I have open if if one my budget allowed or my electricity bill allowed. But yeah, I think if, if you’re gonna if you’re gonna prioritise one thing in an idealistic home working set up, it’s got to be displays; more the better for me. It’s true – those subscriptions do start to add up after a while. But think about why you’re making your podcast.

Podcasts for Remote Workers

I’m getting a proper proper swivel chair with actual armrests. Yeah, and I did invest in my first pair this year. Some Sony XM4s and yeah, I just don’t know how I don’t know how I’ve gone without it to be honest. And just any any any level of noise any I don’t even have anything playing most of the time. It’s just the slight the the active noise cancellation, just blocking out just enough is fantastic. And I have a couple of colleagues I’ve got at IT Pro will know that I do take it a step further sometimes and listen to white noise. So if anyone is like me, and it does kind of make you go a bit insane after a little while.

Episode 355: How to Manage Asynchronous Remote Work With Kendra Dixon, Director of Operations for Parabol

And what they found overall, and it was published in a UK journal, was that for every pound invested in that manager training programme it saved £10 in sickness absence over the following six months. Security efforts are not limited to security teams. High impact strategies need to engage everyone from employees to the board of execs, DevOps teams and IT. Learn how how to become not just an effective partner but a trusted advisor across an organization.

Podcasts for Remote Workers

You can choose whether to record the video or discard it, but the video is an important part of the call. Seeing the other participants means you can give non-verbal cues, and receive others’. You can see when someone’s itching to jump in, so you can invite them to share.

What Is a Hybrid or Work From Home Model?

Having access to a wider talent pool means you can hire people with specialized skills. This can give your organization a competitive edge, help you move into new markets, and ensure around-the-clock productivity. When you switch to the asynchronous communication style mentioned earlier, you won’t have to hold meetings every day to discuss project updates or touch Fogbyte Lda Lisbon: AWS Cloud Engineer base with your team, saving everyone time. These tasks can all be accomplished using project management software. First, you must create policies that benefit both WFH employees and in-house team members alike, even if they look slightly different. Employees should feel like they’re equals and not second-class citizens, which sometimes happens with remote teams.

What are the risks of hybrid working?

  • Harder to collaborate with remote employees. There isn't a perfect virtual substitute for spontaneous water cooler chat or bump-ins around the office.
  • Faster employee burnout.
  • Difficulty keeping up with hybrid schedules.
  • Not suitable for all industries.

What works for big corporations may not work for smaller organizations. Furthermore, the same model may not be beneficial to businesses in the same industry due to their different workplace cultures. Saying your company is a hybrid workplace is much easier than Best JS Framework for NET MVC developer? : dotnet creating an effective one. Without a doubt, hybrid work will be more challenging for managers than their old ways of working. And hybrid work raises questions of trust, accountability and measuring productivity — even equity and access to hybrid opportunities.

Companies Shifting to Hybrid Work

When considering the right option, consider your organization’s needs, goals, and hybrid work model. Managers and HR teams will want to keep employees feeling connected with fellow staff at all times. Isolation and disconnect are one of the few concerns voiced by hybrid employees, but they should be taken very seriously. Creating virtual water cooler moments is key to keeping employees feeling they are in the know as well as forming team bonds. Kumospace’s virtual drinks feature has been used 10s of millions of times by teams as they create their virtual water cooler environment. Companies that are embracing hybrid working are situated well for the future should demographic or social changes further affect their workforce.

What are the disadvantages of working from home?

  • Increased isolation.
  • Home office costs.
  • Risk of overworking.
  • Risk to productivity.
  • Distractions at home.
  • Workplace disconnect.
  • Disproportionate work-life balance.
  • Less face time.

A policy is not an answer to why people should come to the office. Leaders need to develop a compelling workplace value proposition that represents the culture, benefits and interactions employees will experience on-site. To help leaders explore the first question, we asked employees who want hybrid work how many days they would prefer to spend in the office during the typical workweek. Employees’ fourth and fifth reasons remind us that in our increasingly digital world, they still need to feel connected to their coworkers and their organization. Connecting with their team and feeling that they are part of the company culture is simply easier to experience in person. Naturally, work locations and policies are not the sole determinants of the employee experience.

Improve Tech Support for Employees

As a result, employees have resisted returning to full on-site workplace schedules, so managers have adopted hybrid working structures. A Microsoft research study found that 66% of company leaders are considering redesigning their physical office space to better suit a hybrid workforce. And 73% of employees want the hybrid option to become permanent versus returning to an in-person office. So how can you propel your firm toward an anywhere, anytime model?

  • The flexibility gives employees more autonomy in the workplace and improves their overall job satisfaction and productivity.
  • What’s more, employees can use company spaces for more effective community building.
  • Learning Discover courses and other experiences that bring out what’s best in you, the people around you and your entire organization.

During the following six months, teams of six employees—each drawn from multiple divisions, levels, and generational cohorts—worked together virtually across Brit Insurance. They began with diagnostic tools that helped them profile and share their own working capabilities and preferences. Then they embarked on a series of learning modules designed to create deeper insights into how they could work together to better serve one another’s needs and those of the company as a whole.

The value of hybrid work

• Hybrid workers were the most productive, albeit marginally so, with remote and office workers following close behind. Companies today must meet the needs of their workforce or risk losing talent to employers that do.

hybrid work from home

Labbox, Kosovo edtech startup teaching kids engineering, is looking to expand beyond the Balkans

For more than two years, edtech startup Labbox Education has been bringing science, electronics, and computer engineering closer to children across Kosovo, through fun and interactive ways that encourage thinking and finding new and innovative solutions for various challenges.

According to the startup’s founder Arta Zaimi, who has already founded a coding academy in Kosovo and also has extensive experience in programming and electronics, the idea about the company originated while she was searching for a solution that would solve both the difficulty of teaching and understanding the complex scientific fields. 

Enjoying the magic of creation

“Labbox aims to expose children to real-world electronics and engineering as early as possible. Based on our testing and general pedagogical advice related to child development, the best age to start exposing children to technology from a creator’s perspective is age 8. This is the time when their mathematical thinking is developing strongly and children have a grasp of the basic math functions, which if compared to how electronics work, are similar in difficulty,” Zaimi tells The Recursive.

“By learning and practicing engineering activities, kids not only start to enjoy the magic of creation, but they also develop crucial skills in the process. That form of thinking takes children a long way in life,” Zaimi points out.

Arta Zaimi combines more than nine years of experience developing complex systems for bank and enterprise use, as well as more than four years of experience in the field of education.

The main concept behind the startup’s products is using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Every month, kids that are using Labbox are getting boxes with new STEM projects and engineering tasks, through which they learn to understand ‘Why’ and ‘How’ things work. 

Expansion plans

While public schools in Kosovo have already started using Labbox’s curriculum, now the company is looking to expand on foreign markets as well.

In 2018, Labbox received joint-equity financing from the EBRD and the EU through the Western Balkan Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WBEDIF). Labbox is also a Techstars portfolio company, accelerated from Techstars Berlin in the first quarter of 2021.

This year, Zaimi and Labbox will also be featured in the Romanian investment platform SeedBlink. For Zaimi, this cooperation means that the startup will also gain more exposure and visibility.

“As Labbox is growing beyond the borders of the Balkans, and with the demand, we are seeing from European countries, we felt it is the right time for a crowdfunding round. We decided to share the opportunity of investment with smaller investors that usually don’t have the chance to invest in a startup at this stage,” Zaimi tells The Recursive.

“We also would like to give the opportunity to high-value individuals who are also parents, as we believe that the best supporters and investors we can have with us are those that will be our customers,” she adds. 

At the moment, with an investment of €300K the company has set up its own production line in Kosovo. And Zaimi points out that there is room for growth.

“There is an amazing opportunity for growth for Labbox and due to the economics that we are seeing and the market performance, I think the business is basically a no-brainer,” Zaimi explained during the SeedBlink presentation earlier this month.

“The other reason is, especially for those that understand the importance of our mission and the value proposition, I think that there is an opportunity to take joy in helping our world develop in the right direction and opening the minds of those that will hold our future,” Zaimi concludes.

This article was first published at The Recursive – an independent community-born online media focused on the emerging tech and startup ecosystems in Southeast Europe (SEE).

How to Become a Cloud Engineer?

You can also look into developing a broader set of skills in networking, virtualization, and storage through your current company. Cloud engineering is a fast-growing field with many exciting perks, and the importance of cloud engineers in this digital age is evident. However, you must understand the technicalities, gather the required knowledge, and gain experience to better position yourself for the opportunities in this field.

how to become an azure cloud engineer

This certification is designed for people who want to become Azure IoT developers and already have experience with software development https://remotemode.net/ and Microsoft Azure. To get this Azure certification, you need to pass the AZ-120 Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty exam.

How much does an Azure administrator make?

This rapid growth has led to a dramatic increase in the number of jobs requiring Azure skills. One of the best ways to prove that you have those skills is by obtaining certifications.

  • The Director of the Marketing Department has commissioned a project for the software development team to create a solution that will enable the…
  • An Azure cloud engineer is a member of the engineering team that helps design, deploy, operate, and manage the Azure cloud platform.
  • You should also understand the linkage between cloud operations and the development teams working alongside you.
  • To get this Azure certification, you need to pass the AZ-120 Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty exam.
  • If you would like to become a Cloud Engineer, then attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or related field is definitely your first step.

To get this Azure certification, you need to pass the AZ-140 Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty exam. This certification is designed for people who have experience administering Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop. This certification is designed for candidates who have an advanced knowledge of Azure architecture. You don’t have to take the AZ-104 exam before taking azure cloud engineer AZ-305, but you have to pass both of them to get the certification. Candidates for this exam should have at least a general knowledge of IT architecture and software development experience, especially using REST APIs. Then, this person migrates the function to the new system, and maintains it. Microsoft Azure is the largest public Cloud computing platform in the world.

Earn relevant certifications.

Are you interested in the role of a cloud engineer and want to become one? Martin Yate is a career coach and one of the foremost experts in the world of job search and career management. Sierra Gawlowski, PE, earned her BS in civil engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Washington.

Big Job Cuts are Coming to Goldman Sachs – The New York Times

Big Job Cuts are Coming to Goldman Sachs.

Posted: Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:08:24 GMT [source]

Organizations hire cloud engineers to employ cloud services, improve their utilization of cloud resources, or gain an understanding of cloud service operations. Cloud engineers’ work draws upon a mixture of technical and managerial skills.

Mentorship Program for Kosovar Students

There is so much potential that students who live in Kosovo have. There is a lot of talent that needs to be nurtured and guided. The lack of access to platforms where they can channel their potential and achieve personal development is a huge barrier to them. But why does this only remain rhetoric? Why are so few Kosovar students achieving their dreams and goals? After racking my brain for an answer, I realized that the root of the problem was not the students themselves, but rather the lack of opportunities that are presented to these students. 

Upon attending the sixth form in the United Kingdom, I have noticed a large amount of differences between the schemes and programs available to students in the UK and in Kosovo. In the UK, we have various career meetings, opportunities to talk to professionals about their careers, we get chances to visit workplaces that we might be interested in, and weekly exposure to various different challenges and schemes. However, I have recently become aware that a large majority of schools in Kosovo do not have these opportunities. Economic difficulties may prove to be barriers for such programs, however, I’ve started my own initiative to give students who are interested in STEM a chance to a virtual network with professionals for free.  

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are such important career paths for the development of humans but also for the development of a fledgling country like Kosovo. These careers contribute towards the formation of a better society, for example, medicine helps medicate ill patients and technology improves the methods of living by making processes more efficient. After witnessing the lack of support for students in Kosovo to achieve a STEM career, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and create a mentoring opportunity for these students. Kosovar-Albanian students who have an interest in STEM have the opportunity to sign up for a mentoring scheme that partners any interested student with a professional or researcher from their field of choice. After the coordination of dates and times, the student and mentor will be able to participate in one-hour weekly Zoom calls, in which the mentor will be able to explain the pathways for entering their career, and any other relevant information that the student might need. The program is three weeks long and has begun on August 3rd, and any interested students can sign up by clicking the link and filling out the form. (https://forms.gle/Tg4yHrR813bugpsN9)  

I am very lucky to be a part of the Kosovo diaspora in the UK, because I am aware that I have opportunities here which youngsters in Kosovo most likely don’t have. Not only do I have the possibility to encourage positive change in Kosovo by voicing my opinions here in the UK and abroad, but I also have the chance to gain support from a wider variety of people here in the UK and promote awareness of a lack of opportunities for Kosovar students. I aim to use my power to create a positive environment in terms of career development for students in Kosovo because going into STEM requires students to have a lot of knowledge about the subject. Making informed decisions in terms of a career and commitments is also a key aspect to having a successful career, so I hope that this program provides these students with the right amount of knowledge, and to have any questions answered about their future. No student should be left without support, and this is what I hope to promote through the creation of this mentoring program. 

– 

My name is Ideja Bajra, and I am a 16-year-old currently living in the UK. Since the age of 7, I have aspired to become a scientist, and I wish to fulfill that dream by studying biochemistry at university, focusing on the importance of protein structure for the function of proteins in the human body.  

It has always been a particular passion of mine to encourage more youth into STEM, therefore, I have created a non-profit, ‘Based In Science’, that aims to encourage more of the youth in the UK and Kosovo into STEM-related careers. As part of the non-profit, I will be offering free activities, events, and opportunities to students interested in STEM who are from the UK and Kosovo. Aside from organizing a non-profit, I am a student at Drapers’ Academy Sixth Form in the UK, studying Biology, Chemistry, and Physics for A Levels.  

In my spare time, I enjoy reading and writing and am currently writing a book about the contribution of the 21st-century female biochemists to the field of biochemistry, and the major scientific developments that have occurred in the last 50 years. I also co-authored a featured article about BAME women in STEM for the Biochemist magazine, as well as having written a book review for the Biochemist. As the Ambassador for Biochemistry at the Young Scientists’ Journal, I regularly write articles and interviews for the journal, to promote a love for science and to encourage more people into biochemistry careers.

Covid-19: Interview with Dr. Marsela Ceno, Leader of the Association of Albanian Doctors in Germany

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty and instability in its management in terms of health, even in the most powerful states, all this due to its extremely rapid and widespread. This rate of spread of infection has taken many developed countries unprepared by not having sufficient capacity in hospitals to treat all infected patients. Given the situation created, we considered it very important to conduct an interview with Mrs. Marsela Ceno who leads the Association of Albanian Doctors in Germany, in order to provide lessons and information on how Germany as a developed country has managed the situation with Covid-19, as well as what we (Kosovo and Albania) should do as countries developing, that we have limited capacity compared to a developed country such as Germany.

KD: Could you tell us about the situation in Germany regarding the Covid-19?

Dr. Marsela Ceno:Well, the situation here in Germany can be said to be under control, of course, the number of those affected is increasing, especially those who return from vacation, but here the health system has shown stability, even in the pursuit of people who are confirmed as affected or in finding persons who have been in contact with the latter. Tracing is a very important process in Germany as well as mass testing, so a map is created of people who are affected, and those who have had contact, then self-isolation is required for 14 days until the onset of symptoms. You should also know that the health system has very large capacities, so even if a significant number of patients go to the family doctor or are in serious health condition and need intensive therapy, the capacities in Germany are very large, so at the moment the situation is under control and the trust that the Germans have in the health system of their state made them experience the situation without the panic that characterized it at the beginning of this pandemic.


KD:As you may know, in Kosovo and Albania, in recent days and weeks there has been an increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19. What do you think are the main reasons for such a thing?


Dr. Marsela Ceno: I think the reasons are several. The pandemic in Europe has reached Italy probably since December, while it became official in March. Even the Balkan countries, here referring to Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania suffered a very heavy lockdown and very large restrictive measures, and this was different from the reality we experienced in Germany. It is true that in Germany most of the public services, schools and kindergartens were closed, but life in a way “continued normally”, so there was no curfew. The person who went to work if he was not obliged to do home office, leaving the house was not forbidden, going to the markets also, so there was no closure of life, complete isolation of life and this made the wave of spread of the disease to be not in the highest numbers, but to be continuous, while in our countries both in Albania and in Kosovo perhaps the lockdown caused the postponement of the spread of the disease in the population. Then with regret, I want to point out a phenomenon, which I have actually followed through the constant contact I have with my family in Tirana, but also through my short visit I had in Albania a month ago, and the awareness of the general population, at least until recent weeks has been very small. There have been people who questioned the existence of this virus, and by not really appreciating the importance of the situation they also showed negligence, either in respecting the distance or also wearing the mask, so it is unfortunate, in a way irresponsible or the easy taking of the situation by a large number of the population, caused that by not observing the necessary measures, the spread of the virus increases in the months or year we are observing. Then we must take into account the regulation of movement between countries, so we who came from Germany to Albania, and also the possibility of movement from the Balkans to European countries, certainly increases the risk of spreading the virus. I say the reasons are multifactorial and I believe the time has come for us to reflect on each of these reasons together so that the pandemic passes as easily as possible.


KD: It has been emphasized many times that citizens are neglecting the danger of the virus, maybe this fact needs research…


Dr. Marsela Ceno: I think those coercive measures are in fact against the instinct of every human being because the main principle of every human being is to be free, free in living daily life. So indeed the figures of the countries we had at the border like Italy with a very large number of deaths per day made it a little easier psychologically for people to accept the lockdown when in fact the figures of the persons affected or those who had lost their lives were not dramatic so it was a precaution which people because of the danger they thought might come easily accepted, but seeing that the level of those affected fortunately remained very low, then people believed that all this great measure of restraint, prevention was probably not necessary, so for this reason, some thought it was just a game or it was a lie or it was a conspiracy theory, so they thought it would not find them which the danger had passed. If now they think it is just a fabricated situation, a situation created for certain purposes, of course, the vigilance decreases, they do not start taking care of themselves, they see no reason why to wear the mask, to maintain physical distance. But I have an appeal for all those who doubt the existence of this virus, to see the persons who are hospitalized. Even young ages who may not have concomitant diseases fail to win the battle against this virus, so it is fortunate for the part of the population who are not to see these sights. People should be aware of respecting the minimum distance of 1.5m to each other, to keep the mask especially in environments where physical distance can not be preserved, large gatherings should also be given up whether on holidays, engagements or even at funerals. We are in a pandemic situation and solidarity between us is the only way to emerge victorious in this situation.


KD: How do you assess the work of state institutions in Kosovo and Albania in pandemic management?


Dr. Marsela Ceno: I do not have very accurate first-hand information to say or I am not in a position to judge the work of institutions. I think that both health systems in Albania and Kosovo have done their best, but now it is felt that the situation is slowly getting out of control.

KD:How do you see the contribution of the diaspora in combating the COVID-19 virus pandemic? Is there room to do more? If so, how can such a thing be done?


Dr. Marsela Ceno: I have mentioned in other interviews also that every evil has a good, and the good of the pandemic caused by Covid-19 was the emergence, the advertising of the Albanian diaspora as an extremely powerful instrument, with dignity and personality. I am referring here to the contribution given by a very large number of Albanian doctors working in Germany, who within the initiative of the association since mid-March 2020, so we just realized that the pandemic or virus had arrived and in Germany, and many Albanians, whether from Albania, Kosovo, or Northern Macedonia, remained confined to Germany, and perhaps lacked a family doctor or, due to a lack of knowledge of the language were unable to find out how they should act like. We set up our own support groups for each German Bundestag, made our telephone numbers and e-mail addresses available, and tried to give as little support as possible to all Albanian citizens who needed our advice. In fact, this is a part of the great contribution of all other Albanian doctors everywhere in the world. You may have followed on almost all TV channels or also in the print and radio media, there have been interviews from all Albanian doctors everywhere who have faced this virus in their countries where they live, and tried to share with their countries of origin a way of strategy in the first place how diseases could be identified, secondly what are the preventive measures, to give an appeal to the Ministry of Health in the way of testing patients and providing therapies, what are the alternatives, what has resulted in effective therapy, ie has been a mobilization or is still ongoing extraordinary life of the diaspora, at least in the prism of Albanian doctors who are in the diaspora, and also we have noticed or heard that in recent months the economic aid that has come from Albanians living in the diaspora to their families has been higher than ever. Then we have the philanthropist, for example, the director of the international firm Ecolog, who has donated free tests for COVID, whether in Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, as well as in Albania, so it is a mobilization and an extraordinary commitment. So I can not say at the moment what there is room for improvement, I have the impression that each of us who is in exile either individually or even organized, we have managed to give the maximum of what we have had the opportunity.

KD:It has often been pointed out by infectologists that in case of an increase in the number of infected, there may be a shortage of anesthesiologists. In this aspect, how much could the diaspora or the doctors there have contributed?


Dr. Marsela Ceno: Yes, this is a very fair remark because all those patients whose condition worsens and need treatment with intensive therapy, ie integrated, to give them enough and necessary oxygen, which they can no longer realize lungs affected by Covid-19, they all end up in intensive therapy and anesthetists are the ones who mainly give the first treatment. What has been done in Germany and so far has been very successful, has been the mobilization of other medical forces which means all doctors regardless of their field of action, so it does not matter if they are internists or surgeons, you should to be trained so that at the moment the situation becomes such, that anesthetists are no longer enough to provide assistance to these patients, to have the opportunity for doctors of other profiles to come to the service of treating these patients. Many universities in Germany have also invited students who are engaged in the treatment of these patients, certainly not in making the main treatment but in providing assistance, such as assistance to the anesthetist. There have also been people of different profiles who have given their free contribution through hospitals, whether for moving beds from one ward to another. Before turning our eyes to diaspora doctors, it is important for me that the medical and non-medical staff present in our countries be trained in such a way that if the situation reaches such a level that the situation gets out of control, then other staff be prepared to provide first aid. Perhaps what can be thought and that would be very good, is that some of the doctors who are in the diaspora come and give their contribution in Kosovo or Albania, but we hope that this point does not reach, and also probably would be a very good alternative for the respective countries then come in contact with countries such as Germany that have very large capacities in intensive care, that cases in which are difficult that can not be treated to the end in Kosovo or Albania then to be sent by special transport and treated in Germany. Germany provided such assistance to France, it also received some of the patients who were in very bad condition from Italy, but these are agreements that must be concluded at the state level between these two countries.


KD: What would you suggest to prevent the spread of the virus in Kosovo and Albania, based on the experience of the country where you live?


Dr. Marsela Ceno: Then I refer to the experience as well as reality or actuality in Germany. Starting from the individual behavior of each of us, i.e. maintaining social distance and also wearing a mask in all those environments where maintaining distance is not possible, i.e. in the supermarket, post office, or restaurants which are not well ventilated. I must also emphasize that wearing a mask is something that has two medals of its own, i.e. if textile masks are used they should be washed occasionally if disposable ones are used they should not be worn for days, but even after 4 hours of use should be changed, because in recent days there are announcements which talk about the complications caused by wearing the disposable mask for a long time. They make up a very favorable terrain through the moisture and warmth that comes from our breath and the placement of fungi for causing inflammatory lung diseases, which lungs are just as at risk as pneumonia caused by Covid-19, so I take the chance in this interview to emphasize this appeal, i.e. textile masks should be washed regularly and those that are disposable should not be used for days, weeks or even months, but should be changed after 4 full hours of use. I also want to appeal to all people, to give up the holiday, the big family gatherings, no matter how great the reason to be happy or even sad. We are in a time of pandemics and therefore we must show solidarity, not only to protect ourselves but also to protect others, especially the ages who are most at risk of this virus are people over the age of 55 or 60, people who are polymorbid, ie suffering from diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, or persons who have other systemic diseases of the immune system. I also want to urge people who feel they may have signs of COVID, cough, or fever to isolate themselves for 14 days and see a doctor only if their condition worsens.

The Biberaj Foundation Inc. announces $1.1 million scholarship for 40 students at Rochester Institute of Technology – RIT in Kosovo

The Biberaj Foundation Inc. announces a new academic scholarship, in the amount of $1,160,000, for 40 students to study to obtain a Bachelor’s degree at Rochester Institute of Technology in Kosova/American University in Kosova Foundation (“RIT Kosova (A.U.K)”).

The competitive Biberaj Family Scholarship provides for a total of 40 scholarship awards, granted over four years, to students with strong academic records and demonstrating financial need. Thirty-six of the scholarship awards will be granted to students of Albanian descent from Tropoja, Plava, Gucia, Presheva, Tetova, Shkup, and rural parts of Kosova, and four to students from minority groups in Kosova. It is the goal of the Biberaj Family Scholarship to grant a minimum of fifty percent and up to seventy-five percent of the scholarships to women.  Preference in receiving a scholarship will be given to students interested in Science, Engineering, Technology, Math and Journalism concentrations.

Mr. Ken Biberaj, a spokesman for the Biberaj Foundation stated that: “The Biberaj Foundation is proud to support this innovative and exciting program. Like countless other families that emigrated to the United States, our family is very appreciative of the opportunities that America has given us and the success we have achieved.  This scholarship aims to provide a truly global experience for these young people, with a strong emphasis on women and those prioritizing course work in science, engineering, technology, math and journalism.”  

RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) will administer the scholarship and be responsible for recruiting the students. The College will provide Room and Board.

The RIT Kosova (A.U.K) President, Dr. Kamal Shahrabi, upon establishment of the Biberaj Family Scholarship thanked the Biberaj Foundation by stating: “I am very happy and appreciative that the Biberaj Foundation has selected RIT Kosova (A.U.K) to be the institution of their choice to provide the education to the recipients of the Biberaj Family Scholarship. The generosity of the Biberaj Foundation will enable 40 youngsters of Kosova and the region to receive an exceptional American education near home with the opportunity to get U.S. experience as well. The Biberaj Foundation generosity is a clear indication that the Biberaj family counts on our graduates for a better future in Kosova and the region. Thank you for placing your trust and support in RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) to turn the passion of the recipients of the Biberaj Family Scholarship into a career.” 

As requirements of the Biberaj Family Scholarship, each student will spend one month each summer between each academic year, working to support community service in their home region, and each student will be required to complete a Capstone project by the end of their fourth year. Additionally, each student will spend one academic semester studying in the U.S. under RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) Global Scholar Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s New York campus. To maintain his or her scholarship, each student will need to maintain a superior grade point average.

Mr. Ken Biberaj, a spokesman for the Biberaj Foundation stated that: “The Biberaj Foundation is proud to support this innovative and exciting program. Like countless other families that emigrated to the United States, our family is very appreciative of the opportunities that America has given us and the success we have achieved.  This scholarship aims to provide a truly global experience for these young people, with a strong emphasis on women and those prioritizing course work in science, engineering, technology, math and journalism.”  

RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) will administer the scholarship and be responsible for recruiting the students. The College will provide Room and Board.

The RIT Kosova (A.U.K) President, Dr. Kamal Shahrabi, upon establishment of the Biberaj Family Scholarship thanked the Biberaj Foundation by stating: “I am very happy and appreciative that the Biberaj Foundation has selected RIT Kosova (A.U.K) to be the institution of their choice to provide the education to the recipients of the Biberaj Family Scholarship. The generosity of the Biberaj Foundation will enable 40 youngsters of Kosova and the region to receive an exceptional American education near home with the opportunity to get U.S. experience as well. The Biberaj Foundation generosity is a clear indication that the Biberaj family counts on our graduates for a better future in Kosova and the region. Thank you for placing your trust and support in RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) to turn the passion of the recipients of the Biberaj Family Scholarship into a career.” 

As requirements of the Biberaj Family Scholarship, each student will spend one month each summer between each academic year, working to support community service in their home region, and each student will be required to complete a Capstone project by the end of their fourth year. Additionally, each student will spend one academic semester studying in the U.S. under RIT Kosova (A.U.K.) Global Scholar Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s New York campus. To maintain his or her scholarship, each student will need to maintain a superior grade point average.

This merit-based financial need scholarship is open to anyone who meets the following requirements:

  • Is of Albanian descent from one of the following regions: rural parts of Kosova, Tropoja, Plava, Gucia, Presheva, Tetova, and Shkup, or is from one of the minority groups of Kosova.
  • Completes RIT (A.U.K)’s application specifically for this program.
  • Able to demonstrate an outstanding academic record and achievements.
  • Has been active in extra-curricular activities.
  • Must have completed a High School Degree by the time of scholarship award.
  • Able to demonstrate financial need.
  • Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application. The application, selection process, and interview are all conducted in English.
  • Able to demonstrate strong mathematical skills.

An announcement with more information and access to the online applications for the 2021-2022 academic year, will become available at https://Kosovo.rit.edu/

Source: Here