MacJannet Prize Nomination Deadline Extended

The new MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship will serve to recognize and encourage exemplary university programs which have contributed both to addressing needs of the local or global community, as well as helping to develop and support innovative, committed student leaders who will go on to join the community of global citizens.

Eight prizes will be awarded in June 2009, one (1) First Prize of $5,000, two (2) Second Prizes of $2,500 each, and five (5) Third Prizes of $1,000 each. New deadline for nomination: January 15th.

Visit our website for more information and to nominate a program!

La Universidad, en busca de aportes

El ministro de Educación y cuatro intelectuales internacionales coinciden en que no sólo debe haber financiamiento del Estado

En una mesa redonda organizada por la Fundación LA NACION y el Banco Galicia, investigadores e intelectuales internacionales de acreditado prestigio debatieron durante dos horas sobre las deudas pendientes del sistema universitario de la región, que hoy exhibe pobres rendimientos de los alumnos, alta deserción y una escasa dedicación y producción científica de sus profesores, entre otros signos externos de debilidad.

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Financial Literacy program at the University of Western Sydney

When people think about financial literacy, they tend to think of individuals having the ability to make informed decisions in managing their money. However, financial literacy is equally important for business owner-managers who need to make informed decisions to manage and grow their enterprises. Research reveals that poor financial management is one of the key reasons for small business failures. Small businesses are important to modern economies because they are the drivers of economic growth through their contribution to employment, innovation and growth. Within Australia, 1.8 million small businesses employ 3.6 million people, contribute to 30% of economic activity and have a total capitalisation of $4.3 trillion.

To address these financial literacy needs and increase the engagement of our students in community issues, the University of Western Sydney is developing SMExcellence – a partnership project that provides the business community with free online interactive financial skills tutorials and a portal to information resources about business finance in Australia. More than 300 UWS students from business, computing and media fields interviewed small business owners, learned about the owners’ financial literacy needs and then used that data to develop tutorial content and build the web infrastructure. Evaluations show that participation in the SMExcellence initiative improves students’ knowledge, skills and confidence through their interactions with business owners and participation in team projects. Students from many disciplines will continue to support and grow the program by adding additional modules on other areas of business management and operations.

SMExcellence is guided by partnerships between UWS and more than 20 industry associations ranging in membership size from several hundred to several thousand. The program distinctively positions UWS and its partners as key contributors to the small business community while also enhancing student learning and engagement. UWS students and faculty will continue to build and update learning modules with a goal of reaching 90,000 businesses across Australia by 2011.

Article from the University of Western Sydney. Visit the SMExcellence website here>>