Latest news with #LondonSchoolofEconomicsandPoliticalScience
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Diaspo #399 : Nouzha Ghoutis, an influential Moroccan voice in the United Arab Emirates
From the heart of the ancient city of Tetouan, born into a family deeply rooted in a love for language and knowledge, Nouzha Ghoutis emerged. Migration was never part of her plans or dreams, yet in 1992, she found herself packing her bags for the United Arab Emirates. Her intent was simply to visit her sister. What was meant to be a short trip turned into a lifelong journey. Her first impression of the UAE left a lasting mark. «I have never seen a woman humiliated in the UAE, regardless of her nationality or job. Women here are respected and prioritized in all aspects of life», she told Yabiladi. That respect, what she saw as a genuine expression of Islamic values, was the first emotional thread that connected her to the country. A French language teacher and linguistics researcher by training, Nouzha's academic ambitions were far-reaching. Her dream was to study languages in their native contexts. But once she arrived in Dubai, she realized the world had come to her. She began her teaching career in Morocco, with a degree in literature and French language, before expanding her horizons through international academic programs. She earned a Master's in Education and Learning, followed by a Master's in Law from France. In 2022, she completed a PhD in Diplomacy and Political Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science. On a professional level, Nouzha also became an international arbitration judge for dispute resolution (London, UK) and a legal advisor. She holds a diploma in Human Resource Management from a British university and a certified trainer diploma from the Dubai Government Academy. Today, she is a member of the International Association of Lawyers and Judges in Paris, the World Federation of United Nations Friends, and serves as a cultural diplomatic ambassador. She also represents Morocco at The Hague Institute for Human Rights and International Law, advocating for rights, culture, and peace. Despite her many roles, Nouzha has never abandoned her first passion: linguistics and language teaching. Living in the UAE, home to hundreds of nationalities, she found a rare academic opportunity and launched a research project that led to the publication of her first book. «In the UAE, dozens of nationalities live and work together in rare harmony. That inspired me to begin my research, which led to the 2023 release of my first book, Contemporary Scientific Solutions for Teaching and Learning the Arabic Language. It combines both theory and practice, bridging Arabic, French, and English». The book's success brought her scientific recognition and led to her participation in the 2024 World Arabic Language Conference in Dubai, which hosts researchers from more than 170 countries. She will return this year, once again proudly carrying the Moroccan flag. But her contributions didn't stop at linguistics. In 2024, she published a second book, The Impact of Economic Diplomacy on Economic Development, reflecting her vision of the intersection between culture, politics, and economics. Although some might describe her journey as one of migration, Nouzha resists the term. «I never felt like a migrant or a stranger. The UAE is an Arab country, its religion is Islam, and its culture is similar to ours. We live our rituals, Ramadan, Eid, our clothing, our food, just as we do in Morocco. Even our holidays become shared celebrations». She adds, «We live here as Moroccans in every detail. We have our restaurants, markets, traditional dress, festivals, and our longing for Morocco brings us together to relive the scent of home». Still, nostalgia remains an inseparable part of her identity. «Of course, we miss our homeland, our families, our friends, and the scent of our beloved Moroccan soil. So whenever we can, we return with hearts full of love and longing, for its skies, seas, mountains, and bustling markets». Today, Nouzha Ghoutis is more than a teacher, researcher, and academic, she is a Moroccan voice in the Gulf, embodying her homeland through both scientific and humanistic contributions. She helps shape a brighter image of Morocco and its people abroad.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Meet Akhil Patel, Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Who Served Tea To PM Modi
Once a data analyst and now a full-time chai entrepreneur, Akhil Patel shot to the spotlight after he served a steaming cup of masala tea to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday. The special moment occurred at Chequers, the country residence of Mr Starmer. PM Modi shared a couple of pictures of his interaction with Mr Patel on the X, writing, "Chai pe Charcha with Keir Starmer, brewing stronger India-UK ties." 'Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025 Who is Akhil Patel? A UK-based entrepreneur, Akhil Patel studied at the University College School, Hampstead, London, and then pursued a BSc in Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). During his college years, he took up various internship roles before working full-time as a data analyst for about a year and a half. In 2018, a trip to Ladakh changed everything for him. Mr Patel had grown up drinking tea, but on this trip, he saw the beverage not as a drink, but a ritual. And that's what laid the foundation for what would become Amala Chai. In 2019, inspired by his grandma's recipe, he founded Amala Chai. Described as "Chai That Feels Like Home," the brand's masala chai begins at the source, with single-origin tea and spices from family farms in Assam and Kerala. To ensure authenticity, Mr Patel returned to India and travelled through Assam and Kerala to meet farmers and build direct relationships with small-scale farms. His focus, he says, was to eliminate middlemen from the supply chain, pay fairly, invest in organic practices, and support a system that puts people and the planet first. In May, Akhil and his grandma were on the cover of the British Museum's Instagram page. He shared that his grandma, now 96, came to the UK 50 years ago to look for better opportunities. In London, where Mr Patel launched his venture six years ago, Amala Chai is now available at five different locations.
News18
20-07-2025
- Science
- News18
‘Pet' Project Made Easy: How AI, LSE Centre Will Help You Understand Your Dog, Cat Better Explained
Last Updated: The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), will develop approaches to study feelings of animals Why is your dog looking sad? Why is your cat doing something new with its toe beans? Not sure if you are actually helping your pet? Soon, artificial intelligence (AI) and science will come to your rescue. The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), will develop new approaches to study the feelings of other animals scientifically. What will the centre do? According to the LSE website, the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, made possible through a multi-year commitment of £4 million from the Jeremy Coller Foundation, will use the emerging science of animal sentience to design better policies, laws and ways of caring for other animals. Under the leadership of its inaugural Director, Professor Jonathan Birch, the new centre – launching in autumn 2025 at LSE – will harness LSE's interdisciplinary expertise, bringing together LSE's outstanding faculty and students and working with global thought leaders across philosophy, veterinary medicine, evolutionary biology, comparative psychology, neuroscience, behavioural science, computer science, artificial intelligence, economics and law around a shared research agenda and a shared commitment to benefiting other animals. The AI project The centre will also work with stakeholders (in sectors such as science, tech and farming) to explore the ethical use of AI in relation to animals, aiming to develop a code of practice to support the AI industry in ensuring animals and their needs are not forgotten. Professor Jonathan Birch, Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at LSE and the Centre's inaugural Director, commented: 'The new centre, the first of its kind in the world, will be a place for ethical moonshots. Let's make a world in which all sentient beings are respected, even the smallest ones. Let's make a world where AI is used to benefit all animals, not to facilitate cruelty. Let's make a world in which people are empowered to act in accordance with their love of other animals rather than being nudged towards indifference. Some say these are impossible dreams, but the boundary between the 'possible' and the allegedly 'impossible' is one we aim to move." Jeremy Coller commented: 'We are a speciesist species – only when we have a better understanding of how other animals feel and communicate will we be able to acknowledge our own shortcomings in how we treat them. Just as the Rosetta Stone unlocked the secrets of hieroglyphics, I am convinced the power of AI can help us unlock our understanding of how other animals experience their interactions with humans." view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 15:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
AI May Soon Let You Talk To Your Pet, Says New Research Initiative
In a groundbreaking move, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is set to launch the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, the world's first research centre dedicated to scientifically studying the consciousness of animals, according to The Guardian. With operations beginning on September 30, the 4 million Pounds centre will investigate how humans can better understand non-human animals including pets through advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Among its many interdisciplinary projects, one of the most exciting is the exploration of how AI could potentially enable communication between humans and animals. By decoding behavioural cues and patterns, researchers hope to develop tools that allow pet owners to better interpret what their animals are feeling or trying to express. However, the centre will also study the potential ethical risks and misuses of such technology, as per the news report. The centre will bring together experts from neuroscience, philosophy, veterinary science, AI, law, and behavioural science to study animals ranging from cats and dogs to insects, crabs, and cuttlefish. "We like our pets to display human characteristics and with the advent of AI, the ways in which your pet will be able to speak to you is going to be taken to a whole new level," said Prof Jonathan Birch, the inaugural director of the centre. "But AI often generates made-up responses that please the user rather than being anchored in objective reality. This could be a disaster if applied to pets' welfare," said Birch, whose input to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act led to it being expanded to include cephalopod mollusks and decapod crustaceans. Birch points to separation anxiety: dog owners often want reassurance that their pet is not suffering when left alone for long periods. Futuristic "translation" apps based on large language models could promise to provide that reassurance, but end up causing harm by telling owners what they want to hear rather than what the animal actually needs. "We urgently need frameworks governing responsible, ethical AI use in relation to animals," said Birch. "At the moment, there's a total lack of regulation in this sphere. The centre wants to develop ethical guidelines that will be recognised globally."
Fashion Value Chain
04-07-2025
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation, Honoring a Lasting Legacy
The spirit of Cheistha Kochhar's compassion and kindness was celebrated at the Young India Fellowship 2025 Convocation, where Pushpinder, this year's recipient, remarked, 'Cheistha's compassion and kindness still echo in the campus.' The annual Cheistha Kochhar Award, now in its second year, was presented in a moving ceremony attended by Cheistha's parents, who were invited on stage to confer the honor. Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation The convocation was preceded by a tree plantation ceremony and a visit to the HDFC Library, where attendees were shown the dedicated Cheistha Kochhar Corner-featuring a collection of her books, graciously donated by her family. Pramath Sinha and Karan Bhola were recognized for their thoughtful invitation and meticulous organization of the event, which underscored the enduring impact of Cheistha's legacy. Events like these, instituted voluntarily, bring warmth and hope to all who knew Cheistha, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations. Late Cheistha Kochhar was a young and dynamic student who was doing her Philosophy (PhD) at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), who lost her life in London in a tragic accident on March 19th, 2024.
