Latest news with #Empowerment
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
NAFAS boosts agricultural input delivery with stockist training
PUTRAJAYA: The National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) is reinforcing Malaysia's agricultural input distribution system by improving stockist efficiency through specialised training. The Stockist Enhancement and Empowerment Course for the Central Zone aims to optimise the role of stockists under the Federal Government's Padi Fertiliser Scheme and Padi Production Incentive Scheme. Mohd Zulkifli Harun, secretary of the Padi Industry Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), highlighted the importance of refining stock management and distribution procedures. 'We must ensure timely delivery of inputs to farmers while maintaining accurate information flow,' he said after the course's closing ceremony. The three-day programme involved 70 participants from 28 Area Farmers Organisations (PPK) across Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, and Melaka. Noor Azizah Abdul Aziz, NAFAS deputy general manager, emphasised that stockists serve as crucial intermediaries in delivering agricultural aid. 'Efficiency is key—delays or mismanagement can disrupt the entire system,' she stated. Technical briefings were conducted by agencies including KPKM, MARDI, the Department of Agriculture, and the Project Implementing Authority. Mohd Sukri Abd Razak, PPK Merlimau general manager, noted the training helped stockists refine fertiliser distribution processes. 'We gained clarity on subsidy mechanisms, ensuring smoother operations,' he said.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Science
- Associated Press
Women in Engineering: Honoring Progress, Purpose, and Perseverance
Logitech Blog International Women in Engineering Day is a global platform to recognize, celebrate, and amplify the contributions of women in shaping the world through engineering. In a field historically dominated by men, this day serves as an inspiring reminder of the diverse talents and perspectives women bring to the table and a compelling call to action for creating a more inclusive and innovative future. At Logitech, we know that diversity fuels innovation. Women in engineering are breaking stereotypes and redefining what's possible, pioneering solutions, enhancing collaboration, and driving progress in STEM. Today, we honor the groundbreaking achievements and relentless determination of women engineers while fostering the critical conversations needed to move toward equal representation. Established in the United Kingdom in 2014 by the Women's Engineering Society, International Women in Engineering Day celebrates years of progress while addressing the persistent need for change. This movement isn't just about recognition, it's about inspiration: empowering the next generation of women to envision themselves as engineers, leaders, and trailblazers in science, technology, and beyond. Hear more from Laleh Makarem, Eileen Wu, and Meena Ramani, three Logitech engineers who are redefining what it means to be a woman in engineering. Their stories illustrate the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of pursuing a path in STEM; proof of how empowerment can pave the way for future innovators. What does it mean to you to be a woman in engineering? Eileen: It's about the responsibility of showing up so the next generation sees engineering as a place they belong, too. It's the resilience in facing challenges, and the joy in knowing your work is part of something bigger, building technologies, communities, and ideas that move the world forward. What advice would you give girls studying STEM and young women who want to get into engineering? Laleh: My advice is to approach engineering with confidence, curiosity, and persistence. Seek a network that supports and inspires you, or create one! Don't hesitate to pursue your interests, speak up, and share your perspectives. Most importantly, remember that your abilities and potential define your career far more significantly than gender. Can you share a project or achievement you're most proud of in your career? Laleh: One project I'm particularly proud of is co-founding the TinyML Switzerland community. We built a space for professionals and researchers to exchange knowledge and drive innovation in deploying machine learning on ultra-low-power microcontrollers. Through workshops, hackathons, and demo days, we've helped foster a vibrant ecosystem and accelerate real-world applications of Edge AI. EdgeAI engineering is the field focused on designing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) that runs directly on edge devices close to the source of data such as our mice and keyboard and headset. What do you do on a day-to-day basis, and what are some recent projects you've worked on? Meena: I lead the Digital signal processing and Machine learning team at Logitech. My team works on the Research, Development, and Implementation of audio algorithms for Hardware Audio engineering products, including Gaming headsets, Logitech for Business headsets, Microphones, and Ultimate Ears speakers. Our work focuses on enhancing audio in both the microphone path ('how you sound') and the speaker path ('what you hear'). Recent accomplishments include the implementation of 48 kHz Embedded Bluevoice Microphone processing for the newly announced G522 gaming headset. What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering? Eileen: My path to engineering was inspired by a deep curiosity about how materials shape our everyday experiences. During my studies in chemistry, I became fascinated by the potential of materials to solve real-world problems, whether through improving performance, enabling new functionalities, or enhancing sustainability (green energy). This interest naturally evolved into a passion for engineering, where I could bridge scientific understanding with practical application. Laleh: What initially drew me to engineering was my passion for math and physics. I soon realized engineering would allow me to pursue these interests while providing practical applications to satisfy my desire for problem-solving. Meena: Growing up in a family that valued education and learning ignited my fascination with understanding how things work, particularly satellites! This led me to pursue my undergraduate studies in Electronics and Communication Engineering. During my Master's program at the University of Florida, my work as a research assistant at the Computational Neuro-Engineering Laboratory sparked my interest in Biologically inspired signal processing. This ultimately led to my PhD research on Hearing and Speech enhancement, and I have been working on audio signal processing ever since. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Logitech
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Digital drive: Telangana Waqf Board to train 15,000 muthawalis for handling property documents online on UMEED Portal
HYDERABAD: With the Centre rolling out portal Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) to streamline waqf properties across the country, Telangana Waqf Board has decided to train 15,000 muthawalis, who are custodians and caretakers of waqf properties in the state. The muthawalis will have to upload documents related to waqf properties and also register themselves on the portal. The waqf board has decided to train them as majority of the muthawalis do not even have basic knowledge of computers. The muthawalis have to upload details of about 33,000 properties and 77,000 acres of land in the state. "There is a three-tier system for entry of waqf properties. Once the muthawali (maker) enters the details, waqf board officials (inspectors or verifiers) check the details, whether all the relevant information is provided or not. The chief executive officer (CEO) (approver)will then approve the details uploaded by the muthawalis," Telangana Waqf Board CEO Md Asadullah told TOI. The problem is a majority of the muthawalis are aged above 50 and no well versed with computers. In such a scenario, the board would permit their immediate family members to help them by taking an undertaking. The officials said 'master trainers' were trained by the representatives of the Union minority affairs ministry. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The master trainers would coach the district-level waqf inspectors and auditors. The inspectors would, in turn, teach muthawalis in the third phase, which is likely to begin next month. Officials said the digital platform UMEED has real-time uploading facilities and ensures transparency and accountability for the waqf properties. "It has features such as geo-tagging of all waqf properties, an online grievance redressal system for better responsiveness, transparent leasing and usage tracking, integration with GIS mapping and other e-Governance tools, and public access to verified records and reports," a senior official said. Officials hope the new digital platform would end illegal leasing and encroachment of waqf properties in the state.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Union Secretary reviews UMEED portal's implementation in Maharashtra
Ahead of the roll out of rules for the Waqf portal, Union Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar held a review meeting with Maharashtra officials for smooth uploading of details related to properties on UMEED, an official said on Sunday. Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 (UMEED) Central Portal, launched on June 6, needs the rules to support the statutory requirements. During the meeting on Saturday, the Secretary encouraged proactive participation and invited suggestions from state authorities to streamline the implementation process. As per the mandate of the UMEED Portal, details of all registered Waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded within six months. Those present in the meeting, chaired by the Union Secretary, included the state secretary, senior officials, and the CEO of the Maharashtra State Waqf Board. This was the Union Secretary's second such visit following a similar review in Bihar last week. Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar encouraged proactive participation and invited suggestions from state authorities to streamline the implementation process, said an official statement. The CEO of the Waqf Board requested the Centre to revisit and ease certain leasing provisions related to Waqf properties. The Union Secretary assured that the request will be examined sympathetically, reaffirming the Centre's commitment to empowering Waqf Boards and enhancing Waqf property management. Apart from reviewing UMEED implementation, the Secretary also assessed the status of projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) in Maharashtra. He directed the state officials to submit all pending proposals to the Ministry within one week for necessary action. Kumar also held a meeting with officials of the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) in Mumbai, congratulating them on the smooth and successful conduct of Haj 2025. He expressed satisfaction that this year recorded the lowest number of deaths and health-related incidents among Indian Haj pilgrims. He attributed this achievement to improved coordination between the Ministry, the Haj Committee of India, deputationists, Saudi Arabian authorities, and local support systems. The Secretary specially acknowledged the effectiveness of the Haj Suvidha App, which played a crucial role in enhancing the pilgrim experience and easing on-ground challenges. He said that insights from this year's Haj operations will be used to further improve arrangements for Haj 2026.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Honors Juneteenth by Celebrating Economic Justice Partners and a Legacy of Community Empowerment
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In commemoration of Juneteenth, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated hosted a virtual Economic Justice Town Hall on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, honoring the trailblazing vision of its Five Founders and the enduring legacy of Dr. Opal Lee—known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta. The Town Hall highlighted the Sorority's commitment to economic empowerment and featured a robust discussion on community-driven resources and opportunities made possible through Zeta's longstanding partnerships. "Our Economic Justice Town Hall was both a tribute to Dr. Opal Lee's historic contributions and a call to action," said Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. "Juneteenth is more than a holiday. It's a reminder of the work still needed to dismantle systemic barriers to equity. Economic justice is essential to achieving the American Dream, and it will take all of us working together to eliminate disparities in areas like employment, housing, healthcare access, and financial literacy." Throughout the event, Zeta leaders celebrated a range of strategic alliances that strengthen the Sorority's ability to deliver internal and community-based economic resources through the Sorority's Signature Initiative established in 2022, Women Who initiative supports small business owners in creating generational wealth through entrepreneurship. Honored partners included: Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Dfree Movement The BOSS Network National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) World of Money The Sorority's partnership with WBENC, a first of its kind within National PanHellenic Council organizations, advances opportunities for women entrepreneurs through business certification, mentorship, and scalable development programs. Zeta also showcased another first, with theirncollaboration with NAREB, aimed at equipping aspiring homeowners with tools and knowledge to navigate and access the real estate market. Leaders from The BOSS Network, Dfree Movement and World of Money emphasized the importance of financial education and how partnerships like these are critical to advancing economic equity in Black and Brown communities. The full Economic Justice Town Hall is available for viewing on Zeta Phi Beta Sorority's official YouTube channel: About Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated:Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization's principles, Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood, guide its members in uplifting communities and creating positive change. With a legacy of excellence, Zeta Phi Beta continues to impact lives through its diverse philanthropic efforts and dedication to empowering women worldwide. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
