Latest news with #educationhub
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
A new act for Miami's Olympia Theater? Charter schools unveil $50 million plan to preserve iconic venue
The historic Olympia Theater, a landmark once graced by legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti, is at the heart of a controversial proposal that could transform the iconic space into an educational hub led by a charter school network. SLAM Miami, along with other local charter groups, including Mater Academy and Somerset, is spearheading an effort to take over the downtown venue. If approved, the City of Miami would eventually deed the property to SLAM, which plans to use the building behind the theater for classrooms and the theater itself for student performances and community events. "So, what we're proposing to do is actually to put programming for the school in the adjoining building, which is the 10-story facility," said Millie Sanchez, co-founder and chief administrative officer of SLAM Schools, during a Zoom meeting Monday night. "The building connects to the theater, and the goal is to re-energize the theater by supplementing the programming." Under the proposal, the school would use the neighboring building for academic purposes, while the theater remains a performance venue, hosting at least 180 days of community programming per year. "If we want people to care about and want this theater to live on for another 100 years, we need to educate," Sanchez said. "What better way than to bring arts programming into the building next door and have students intern and work with professionals in managing this beautiful space." Renovation costs for both the theater and the adjoining building are estimated at more than $50 million. Douglas Rodriguez, principal at Miami Tech and Mater Brickell Academy, said the initiative is backed by nonprofit groups with a history of managing public funding efficiently. "This collaboration is among nonprofit groups that have done this for decades," Rodriguez said. "Combined, we have over $200 million in grants—and we're not doing this at taxpayers' expense." Rodriguez also stressed the long-term value of involving students in cultural preservation. "You create that next generation of students who are going to be interested in preserving theater," he said. "We're only going to be here for a short time—and we need these kids for the next 100 years." Other proposals for the site have included converting it into a hotel or parking structure, but some residents expressed strong support for maintaining its original purpose. "I think it stays as a theater," said Oscar Orellana, a community member. "There's enough hotels and condos. Keeping it as a theater would be a perfect choice to preserve a little history." A final vote on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday, July 24. The Olympia Theater is located in Downtown Miami at 174 East Flagler Street.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Miami's historic Olympia Theater faces transformation into educational hub
The historic Olympia Theater, a landmark once graced by legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti, is at the heart of a controversial proposal that could transform the iconic space into an educational hub led by a charter school network. SLAM Miami, along with other local charter groups, including Mater Academy and Somerset, is spearheading an effort to take over the downtown venue. If approved, the City of Miami would eventually deed the property to SLAM, which plans to use the building behind the theater for classrooms and the theater itself for student performances and community events. "So, what we're proposing to do is actually to put programming for the school in the adjoining building, which is the 10-story facility," said Millie Sanchez, co-founder and chief administrative officer of SLAM Schools, during a Zoom meeting Monday night. "The building connects to the theater, and the goal is to re-energize the theater by supplementing the programming." Under the proposal, the school would use the neighboring building for academic purposes, while the theater remains a performance venue, hosting at least 180 days of community programming per year. "If we want people to care about and want this theater to live on for another 100 years, we need to educate," Sanchez said. "What better way than to bring arts programming into the building next door and have students intern and work with professionals in managing this beautiful space." Renovation costs for both the theater and the adjoining building are estimated at more than $50 million. Douglas Rodriguez, principal at Miami Tech and Mater Brickell Academy, said the initiative is backed by nonprofit groups with a history of managing public funding efficiently. "This collaboration is among nonprofit groups that have done this for decades," Rodriguez said. "Combined, we have over $200 million in grants—and we're not doing this at taxpayers' expense." Rodriguez also stressed the long-term value of involving students in cultural preservation. "You create that next generation of students who are going to be interested in preserving theater," he said. "We're only going to be here for a short time—and we need these kids for the next 100 years." Other proposals for the site have included converting it into a hotel or parking structure, but some residents expressed strong support for maintaining its original purpose. "I think it stays as a theater," said Oscar Orellana, a community member. "There's enough hotels and condos. Keeping it as a theater would be a perfect choice to preserve a little history." A final vote on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday, July 24. The Olympia Theater is located in Downtown Miami at 174 East Flagler Street.
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Quality counts as Hong Kong seeks to lure more international students
With no fewer than five universities ranked among the world's top 100, the city is definitely well positioned to nurture the ' Study in Hong Kong ' brand. Hong Kong's proximity to mainland China and long-established overseas links have further reinforced its status as an international education hub. The priority is to cast the net wider to attract the best and brightest from the mainland and overseas to work and study here. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin revealed that applications from non-local students had increased significantly this year, with the numbers almost doubling in some institutions. The city also tapped the opportunities arising from the United States' recent policy changes for international students; four local institutions made at least 36 offers to those affected. This outcome is encouraging. There is room to do more. There were 17,161 non-local students at public universities in 2024-25. This accounts for about 23 per cent of local student places, still short of the 40 per cent allowed. Noting that the quota is still not fully utilised and that some institutions are not yet ready for increasing their intake in terms of staffing and facilities, Choi said she believed that public universities could enrol more quality overseas students to ensure greater diversity on campuses in future. She said the universities had become more mindful of the number of overseas students compared with those from the mainland, Taiwan and Macau, in response to concerns that mainlanders accounted for more than 70 per cent of the non-local intake. But she stressed that picking the best was still the priority and that this would not be sacrificed to ensure greater diversity. Being an international education hub means the city should aim to attract the top students from different countries. Local universities should come up with more quality and up-to-date programmes, such as tech-related majors, to attract talent from around the world.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Vacancy rates rise while rent increases slow in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, says new housing report
A report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation is shedding new light on the fall 2024 rental market in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo. The most significant factor, it noted, was the federal government's decision to reduce study permits for international students by 35 per cent. 'Historically, [Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo]'s role as an education hub has placed significant pressure on its rental market,' it said. CMHC's report, which was released Tuesday, showed the direct impact of the international student cap. 'The vacancy rate reached its highest level since 1993,' it said. 'This was the result of supply growth outpacing demand.' Slowdown in rent increases The CMHC report also looked at rental prices for purpose-built units. The average price for a 2-bedroom was $1,766, representing an annual increase of 4.2 per cent, down from 7.4 per cent over the same period in 2023. 'Lower turnover meant fewer opportunities to raise rents to market rates,' the report explained. The average vacancy rate was listed as 3.6 per cent. Another factor was a boost in available units. The report pointed out that greater supply, particularly in Central Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, contributed to a slowdown in rent increases and eased pressure on pricier units. Rental rates While there were more units on the market, it did not seem make a huge impact on affordability. 'Affordability for lower-income renters remained a challenge with rents for newer 2-bedroom rental units averaging $2,356,' the report read. 'The vacancy rate was below 1 per cent for units that are affordable (at, or below, 30 per cent of income) to the bottom two renter household income quintiles.' Condo market CMHC said vacancy rates for condominium apartments remained low, at 0.4 per cent, for units in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo. The average for a 2-bedroom unit was listed at $2,013. 'This difference was partly due to condominium apartment owners prioritizing quicker rental turnover, contributing to lower vacancy rates,' the report explained. 'These owners were more willing to make concessions to rent their units than landlords in the purpose-built market, as they had less capacity for financial losses.' Big city trend The Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo area was not the only one with slower rent growth and rising vacancy rates. The report said the Greater Toronto Area had the lowest rent growth of all major urban centres in Canada, increasing 2.4 per cent annually in fall 2024, compared to 8.7 per cent a year earlier. Vacancy rates, meanwhile, were higher in the suburban areas including Durham, York, Peel and Halton regions. Turnover of 'affordable' units, the report noted, also reached a 'new low.' 'Supply remained scarce for low-income renters, with a vacancy rate of only 0.4 per cent for the least expensive units.' 2024 vs. 2025 The CMHC report only focused on the rental market in fall 2024. A separate update, also sent out Tuesday, provided a brief overview of the largest rental markets in the first few months of 2025. It stated that advertised rents declined in some cities due to increased supply. 'In Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax, advertised rents declined between 2 per cent to 8 per cent year-over-year, while Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montréal continue to see an annual increase in the average advertised rent, but at a slower pace,' the report said. CMHC added that slower international migration and a sluggish job market also contributed to the drop.
Android Authority
27-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google starts rolling out Pixel Camera 'education hub' to help you master every feature
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Google has started rolling out the education hub in the Pixel Camera app. The feature was announced in the June Pixel Drop. It allows users to learn how to use various Pixel Camera features and is rolling out on version 9.9 of the Pixel Camera app for the Pixel 6 and above. Google has begun rolling out the new 'education hub' in its Pixel Camera app. Available in version 9.9 of the app for Pixel 6 and newer devices, this feature was first introduced in the June Pixel Drop. So, what does it do? Since the Pixel Camera app is packed with features, and Google keeps adding more from time to time, the education hub is designed to help you get the most out of these features and learn how to use them properly. When you open the Pixel Camera app, you'll now notice a question mark in the top-right corner of the interface. Tapping this circular icon opens the 'Explore ways to take photos' section. Here, you'll find quick overviews of various camera modes, such as Add Me, Astrophotography, Night Sight, Macro Focus, Panorama, Action Pan, and more. The features shown will vary depending on your Pixel model and its camera capabilities. Each mode includes sample images and a handy 'How To' section that gives step-by-step instructions on how to use it. A floating 'Open Camera' button helps you jump straight into that mode. You can also explore the video side of the app by scrolling down from the main page to the 'Explore ways to take videos' section, with guides for features like Cinematic Blur, Macro Focus video, Time Lapse, and others. There's even a 'More Tips' section offering additional advice on how to take better photos with your Pixel. The education hub follows Google's new Material 3 Expressive design, featuring dynamic shapes and the signature friendly, rounded elements for a more modern look.
