Industry Leaders Offer insight to Future Technicians
The Global Energy COE offers associate degrees and certificates in multiple engineering technology career fields that can lead to work in energy, petrochemical and related industries.
Refineries, petrochemical and manufacturing plants are part of the economic engine that fuels the Houston economy. Highly trained technicians working in the industry help keep the economic engine going.
Houston Community College (HCC) process technology students poised to enter the industry learned firsthand from experts about job opportunities and what it takes to work in the field. The HCC Global Energy Center of Excellence (COE) welcomed two guest speakers to the classroom who discussed industry operations, hiring standards and the importance of making safety a priority.
Tony Wood, operations manager for the Lyondell Basell Bayport Complex, spoke to the students about what his company looks for in potential candidates and the rigorous hiring process. For Lyondell Basell, future technicians are expected to meet entry-level training standards and new operators must also get certified on the units they are assigned as a part of post-hiring. Wood emphasized the critical component of safety compliance and the knowledge of its impact on the company and adjacent communities.
With massive plants located across the Gulf Coast region and often in close proximity to residential communities, workplace safety is imperative to those communities. HCC students also heard from Richard Nickerson, an official with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency that enforces workplace safety. Nickerson elaborated on OSHA’s responsibility to ensure that employers provide a hazard-free and safe work environment for employees. He also stressed the importance of the technician’s role in following safety practices and reporting unsafe situations when they occur.
HCC students and faculty gained invaluable information from the two speakers.
Wood and Nickerson also shared their personal career journeys and answered questions about their roles in the industry, providing realistic insights on what is expected when joining the workforce.
“It is very important that our students interact with and hear directly from the industry leaders to set their career goals and job search strategies according to the industry standards,” explained Dr. Ammar Alkhawaldeh, a member of the process technology faculty. .
Dr. Alkhawaldeh, who coordinated the two visits to HCC, also believes that direct meetings between students and industry leaders give them networking connections for potential hiring opportunities. “It is a win-win strategy for our students, the program and the hiring companies alike.”
The Global Energy COE offers associate degrees and certificates in multiple engineering technology career fields that can lead to work in energy, petrochemical and related industries. Registration is now open for the spring 2018 semester. For more information on the Global Energy COE, visit hccs.edu/centers/global-energy.
Dr. Melissa Gonzalez named interim president of HCC Southeast College
Gonzalez has been an associate professor of management at University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she also served as assistant chair for the college.
Dr. Melissa Gonzalez has been selected as the interim president of Houston Community College’s Southeast College. Gonzalez, currently the vice chancellor and chief of staff to HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado, will assume her new position December 1.
Maldonado said Gonzalez’s outstanding leadership qualities will make her the perfect choice for interim president of HCC Southeast College. “Dr. Gonzalez has a proven track record of leadership here at HCC and at other educational institutions,” Maldonado said. “I know she will do an excellent job at Southeast College.”
Gonzalez welcomes the opportunity to play a key role in creating student success at Southeast College. “I want to thank Dr. Maldonado for this appointment and for his confidence in me.”
Gonzalez came to HCC in 2015 from Lone Star College, where she served as vice chancellor, workforce and economic development. While at Lone Star College, Gonzalez held several other positions, including interim vice president at Greenspoint and Victory Centers, special assistant to the president and dean of instruction. Gonzalez has been an associate professor of management at University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she also served as assistant chair for the college. In addition, Gonzalez has held teaching positions at the University of Houston-Downtown, University of Texas-Pan American and South Texas College.
Gonzalez received her Ph.D. in international business and management, an MBA and a B.B.A. from the University of Texas-Pan American.
Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 15 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, visit www.hccs.edu.
University of St Andrews Scholarships for International Students in UK, 2018
The University of St Andrews is inviting applications for international undergraduate scholarships for 2018 entry. These scholarships will be awarded as a tuition fee reduction of up to £4,000 per year.
The University of St Andrews is one of the UK’s top universities and is one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning.
All students entering the University must provide evidence that they can use English well enough to study effectively at St Andrews.
Scholarship Description:
•Application deadline: March 16, 2018
•Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing undergraduate degree level at the University of St Andrews in UK.
•Study Subject: Scholarships are provided to learn any of the courses offered by the University of St Andrews in UK.
•Scholarship Award: The scholarships will be awarded as a tuition fee reduction of up to £4,000 per year for each year of the student’s undergraduate studies and will be awarded on the basis of financial need.
•Number of Scholarships: Numbers are not given.
•Nationality: International students
•Scholarship can be taken in the UK
Eligibility for the Scholarship:
•Eligible Countries: International students can apply for these scholarships.
•Entrance Requirements: The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for scholarship: •International Students can apply for the scholarship.
•Entrant scholarships are for international students who will be studying at St Andrews for an undergraduate degree starting in 2017.
•English Language Requirements: All students entering the University must provide evidence that they can use English well enough to study effectively at St Andrews.
International Scholarships
Application Procedure:
This scholarship is available for application through Scholarships and Funding.
How to Apply: This scholarship is available for application through Scholarships and Funding. After you have applied to a new course beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, you can access Scholarships and Funding through My Application.
Application Deadline: Scholarship application deadline is March 16, 2018.
The Centre of African Studies Visiting Fellowship at University of Cambridge in UK, 2018-2019
Applications are invited for Centre of African Studies Visiting Fellowship for 2018-2019 academic year. Applicants who are residents in Africa are eligible to apply for these fellowships.
The aim of the fellowships is to enable the visiting academics to focus on a period of research and writing in Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge has long been one of the world’s leading centres for study of Africa. In addition to fostering PhD level research, we run a one-year interdisciplinary MPhil in African Studies, with teaching contributions from faculty in History, Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology, Geography and English. The course also includes training in an African language.
Scholarship Description:
•Application deadline: January 15, 2018
•Course Level: This is a visiting research fellowship programme.
•Study Subject: Fellowships are awarded in all the disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.
•Scholarship Award: Each award is worth up to £17,000; out of which travel, college accommodation, maintenance costs and medical insurance will be paid by the Centre on behalf of the fellow.
•Number of Scholarships: Numbers are not given.
•Nationality: Africa
•Scholarship can be taken in the UK
Eligibility for the Scholarship:
•Eligible Countries: Offers are normally made to applicants who are permanent residents in Africa.
•Entrance Requirements: Applications are invited from candidates in all the disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Applicants are expected to have completed a doctoral degree before the Fellowship start date. Preference will be given to candidates with a distinguished research profile commensurate with their academic rank. Early- to mid-career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Offers are normally made to applicants who are permanent residents in Africa. It is expected that applicants would be intending to come to Cambridge to work on a project building on existing research for which a period of residence in Cambridge is demonstrably appropriate. They should present a clear and feasible plan for preparing one or more pieces of work for publication. The initiation of a new research project will not be ruled out where there is a realistic expectation that it could be substantially advanced by the end of the tenure of the Fellowship.
•English Language Requirements: Applicants from outside the home country will often need to meet specific English language/other language requirements in order to be able to study there.
UK Scholarships
Application Procedure:
In order to apply for a Fellowship you will need to submit an application to the Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, by 15 January 2018 and to arrange for your references to arrive at the Centre by the same date. The Centre is not able to consider applications that are not complete.
How to Apply: This application package contains the following:
•A copy of the notice of award;
•Guidance on the information required in your curriculum vitae;
•Guidance on the type of project details required;
•Guidance for you to pass to your referees.
Your application must include the following:
•Your curriculum vitae including details of publications;
•Your project details;
•A photocopy of your PhD certificate (if applicable);
•A photocopy of your passport;
•Two references to be sent directly by your referees to the Director, University of Cambridge, Centre of African Studies, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DT, UK. E-mail: centre-at-african.cam.ac.uk.
Nigeria – Women and Minority advocate, Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma gears for PDP’s Deputy National Chairman
HAJIYA INNA MARYAM CIROMA – “We have to be accepted by the masses before we could present our leadership picks. We have to address their needs in our blueprint for building a great nation before the population could trust and accept us. We have been through this road before, so we could do it again. But doing it again require the necessary talent; the required strategies and tools to attain success.”
The People Democratic Party (PDP) expected to rebound after an upcoming December 9 national elective convention
Staff Reporter, Texas International Guardian
As the National Caretaker Committee of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) readies for an elective December 9th convention, a projected image of an anticipated new look is beginning to emerge with more diverse organizational structure. This time around, the party is opening its doors to every demographic segment of the population – allowing women an unrestricted participation in building a solid front to retake the government. Among those in the projected line of duty is Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, a veteran politician and former Minister of the of State for Women Affairs.
Hajiya Ciroma will be running for the first female Deputy National Chairman (North) of the party at the Convention. “Our focus right now is to bring the party in shape for National politics and this would require strong leaders with that competence,” She said in an interview November 14th in New York, during her recent visit to the United States.
Hajiya Ciroma’s political involvement has permeated PDP’s delegate community with positive outcomes. Last week, her candidacy was endorsed by PDP- USA with a proclamation signed by the Chairman, Dr. Harold Molokwu. According to Dr. Molokwu, “her candidature and imminent emergence as the First Female Deputy National Chairman (North) portrays a great step in the right direction by our Party leadership. Women are the very integral part of every society including political parties.” Dr. Molokwu said that generally, the involvement and integration of women into the affairs of the PDP in this era, is an essential ingredient desperately needed to propel the Party to victory come 2019 electioneering year and beyond.
PDP it may be recalled, has faced several leadership tests since the 2015 presidential election, when the Party lost its control of the Government. Amidst intense law court battle, the party struggled with both in-house governance and a blue print to move forward. However, it was gathered, the upcoming convention facilitated by the current leadership, a caretaker committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi would substantiate the Party’s readiness to proceed with it national agenda. “With a national convention devoid of any resentment, we are certain to provide not just vivacious opposition, but also confront the APC head-on in the years ahead,” Hajiya Ciroma said.
Currently trending is Hajiya Ciroma’s bid for Deputy Chairmanship. She is not new to politics and has always been instrumental to major national campaign policies in PDP. In 2003, she made a bid to become PDP’s candidate for the Borno South Senatorial District. Then in July 2005, she was appointed Minister of State for Women Affairs. In August 2005 she started a nationwide advocacy tour of the 36 states of the Nigerian on matters of child’s rights and discrimination against women.
Hajiya Ciroma’s advocacy for women participation in National politics has been consistent. For instance, before the 2007 elections, she called for a percentage of the electoral positions to be reserved for women, decrying the marginalization of women in Nigerian politics. In her tenure as the Minister of State for Women Affairs, the Federal Government approved the National Gender Policy to establish gender equality and children welfare in the country.
In January 2007, her ministry issued the “National Guidelines and Standards of Practice for Orphans and Vulnerable Children”. Speaking in May 2007 of the action plan spelled out in this report, Hajiya Ciroma predicted that without taking determined steps to address the specific needs of children, there would be no chance of meeting the Millennium Development Goals at the time. Her push for this cause invigorated hundreds of non-governmental organizations to follow suit.
After leaving office, Hajiya Ciroma became the National Weman Leader of the PDP. She also served as Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority, Lokoja, Kogi State Nigeria. She was accredited with turning around water transportation process in Nigeria; as well as origination of massive enlightenment programs about safety on Nigerian Waterways. In December 2014, she was recognized by the ECOWAS Students body, the West African Students Union Parliament-WASUP with the WASUP Kwame Nkrumah Honor. In her view of her service to the nation, the Nigerian Coordinator for WASUP, Comrade Daniel Emeka Nwachukwu described her as “A great woman, leader, and mentor; and an example of selfless service for both women and children rights with positive effects on the youths”
Hajiya Ciroma is from Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. She attended primary School in Biu, proceeded to Government Girls Secondary School Maiduguri, from 1968 to 1972. She did her Advance Level Certificate studies at the Bayero University Kano; earned Bachelors in Political Science at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; and accordingly, served at the national Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee, SEN AHMED MAKARFI, speaking to party faithful, at the PDP Secretariat recently. The Party is expected to rebound after an upcoming December 9 national elective convention.
Her first employment was with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as a cadet Editor, in 1979. She however moved to Lagos when her husband, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma was appointed a Minister under Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s regime. Hajiya Ciroma worked at Federal Civil Service as Administrative Officer Grade1V, where she underwent a post Graduate diploma course in Public Administration.
She took a brief break from politics and proceeded to set up her Business ventures in Kaduna. She was elected as President of Nigerian Women in Business ( NANWIB) Kaduna Chapter, and served from in1987 to 1989. Hajiya Ciroma in her career in politics and business has attended many conferences both nationally and Internationally. She has equally received many awards, including Thisday Newspaper Awards, celebrating women of Distinction. In further recognition of her immense contribution to national development especially on Gender and Child issues, she was awarded with the prestigious honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON by the Nigerian Federal Government.
With a long string of achievements in government and political leadership, Hajiya Ciroma believes that her experience would play a role in regaining PDP’s favorability status. “We have to be accepted by the masses before we could present our leadership picks. We have to address their needs in our blueprint for building a great nation before the population could trust and accept us. We have been through this road before, so we could do it again. But doing it again require the necessary talent; the required strategies and tools to attain success,” Hajiya Ciroma said.
She continued, “With the current surge in the women population – I mean voters – how could we explain a lack of women representation in our party structure and political leadership? I would urge Nigerians to watch out for the PDP they have known and trusted; the PDP that threads on social, political, and economic possibilities as it positively impacts the population- irrespective of zonal origins. By next month, they will see PDP back as the leading Party of the People.”
The People’s Club of Nigeria International donates to the victims of Hurricane Harvey
■ Rolling out the food – PCNI’s Chief Iwuanyanwu (far left) and Assistant Protocol Officer: Lady Adavin Onwudiegwu (far right). While the majority of businesses are back up and running after Harvey, city and county officials say the recovery from personal loss presents a bigger challenge that could drag on for years
In September, 2017, Hurricane Harvey – an extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane descended cities of Texas, including Houston, dumping so much water and shattering the record set by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 by nearly double.
Last week, the People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI), Houston branch, in its mission to promote charitable and philanthropic causes, donated tons of nonperishable food items to the to the victims of Hurricane Harvey through the Houston Food Bank (HFB). The PCNI Houston is a non-profit social organization founded by selected Nigerians who share the desire to foster good relations amongst mankind through sponsorship and promotion of charitable and philanthropic causes.
■ Pictured, Chief Nnanyelugo Mbachu: “We have always partnered with the HFB to deliver hope to the population; we recognize their vision for providing food access for the public, and share their primary mission in leading the fight against hunger.”
But in September 2017, Hurricane Harvey – an extremely destructive Atlantic tornado descended on cities of Texas, including Houston, dumping so much water and shattering the record set by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 by nearly double. Till date, most of that damage was sustained in Harris County, which includes the heavily populated Greater Houston region. While the majority of businesses are back up and running, city and county officials say the recovery from personal loss presents a bigger challenge that could drag on for years.
PCNI’s group’s chairman, Chief Nnanyelugo Obinna Mbachu said that the donation was just the beginning in their commitment to assisting victims of this storm in sustaining their food pantries while they go through recovery. According to Chief Nnanyelugo Mbachu, “We have always partnered with the HFB to deliver hope to the population; we recognize their vision in providing food access to the public, and share their primary mission in leading the fight against hunger. In fact, their community participation and services fall within our fundamental values, and this is why we have always partnered with them in this project.”
The HFB is a food rescue organization, leading a decisive fight against hunger and distributing over 59 million nutritious meals food and other necessities to the citizens who need them. Last year alone, HFB, distributed more than 83 million nutritious meals to those in need. Since Hurricane Harvey hit the city of Houston and neighboring cities and counties, HFB has been providing emergency disaster food distribution and assisting recovery efforts, distributing as much as three-times more per day than during non-disaster times.
The PCNI is structured in alignment with its Nigerian overseers, and prioritizes the wellness and advancement of their members. Members are known for cheery personality, sophistication and devotedness and are selected within specific conditions that reflect upright charisma and integrity. Worldwide, The PCNI currently has under its stable, branches in Nigeria, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The PCNI Houston is a non-profit social organization founded by selected Nigerians who share the desire to foster good relations amongst mankind through sponsorship and promotion of charitable and philanthropic causes.
