NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 12 June
12-06-2007
by Stephen Errity
Experts say new approach to science teaching needed | Darklight Film Festival programme released
Europe should adopt a new inquiry-based approach to science education that breaks radically with traditional pedagogical methods. That's the opinion of an expert group set up by the EU to study the declining interest in science among school students. The Gago group, chaired by former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, delivered its final report to the EU Commission on Tuesday. Commenting on the conclusions, EU Commissioner for Research Janez Potocnik said: "These recommendations need to be taken seriously -- stimulating interest among Europe's young for science and technology is crucial if Europe is to have a future based on the best use of knowledge."
The programme for the 2007 Darklight Film Festival Symposium was unveiled Monday at Filmbase in Temple Bar, Dublin. Now in its eighth year, the Darklight festival is an annual celebration of new practices in filmmaking and art. This year's programme consists of a range of film screenings, discussion forums, master classes and workshops. Themes for 2007 include the future of TV, game and film convergence, digital archiving, exhibition and distribution of film. The full schedule of events can be viewed at www.darklight.ie/pages/2007schedule.htm.
Ninety-two percent of employees interviewed in a recent survey worked outside their office for at least part of the working week. The survey was commissioned by IP telephony provider ShoreTel to highlight the growing need for remote-access and 'teleworking' technology in the modern workplace. The results were taken from a survey sample of 105 UK IT managers, working in a range of sectors and organisation sizes. Remote access to e-mail and the company network and use of a BlackBerry device were regarded as the most crucial requirements for employees working away from the office.
Fibre networks operator euNetworks has announced the appointment of Charles Cernicky as Vice President of Network Operations. Cernicky previously held a number of senior executive positions at Broadwing Communications, MCI/Verizon and Abovenet, amongst others. Cernicky will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all activities associated with the pan-European all fiber network. euNetworks provides mission critical communication infrastructure and services to large corporations, carriers, and service providers.
Wombat Financial Software, has announced a STG2 million expansion of its engineering 'Centre of Excellence' in Belfast. It has also launched a recruitment initiative to attract graduates and experienced professionals for high value development, technical and consulting positions. Wombat will be in attendance at the forthcoming NI Graduate Recruitment Fair and GradIreland Summer Recruitment Fair events which take place in Belfast and Dublin respectively next weekend. Recent Wombat recruits, such as 2005 DCU digital media engineering graduate Noel Colleran, have achieved rapid promotion within the company.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 