Current Qualifications Research Articles

Call to Action: Leveraging American Nurses Credentialing Center Nursing Continuing Professional Development Credit for Prior Learning-Part 2.

In "The Future of Workforce Development in Professional Nursing Practice," Graebe et al. (2022) propose addressing nursing workforce shortages through Recognition of Prior Learning and related frameworks. They argue for a new health care learning model that leverages stackable certificates and accredited professional development to award academic credit, bridging the gap between current qualifications and advanced education. This approach could enhance enrollment and retention in advanced nursing programs, addressing shortages in specialty areas such as academia and leadership. By recognizing experiential learning, these methods create accessible, sustainable career pathways, fostering a more diverse and adaptable nursing workforce. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(9):416-420.].

Integration of Artificial Intelligence Applications and Knowledge Management Processes for Construction Projects Management

Artificial intelligence systems have gained access to various scientific and research fields, especially in the construction industry. The study seeks to confirm the vital role of introducing Knowledge Management (KM) integrated with Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the projects. It requires qualifying engineers and imposing their current qualifications to achieve the benefits of Integration of AI Applications based on KM processes to perform their professional roles and recognize the need to develop their capabilities through training and development. The field survey was intended only for 85 engineers working on construction projects (public and private sectors). Three axes were clarified to allocate the extent of the sample response and determine the benefits of using the KM process and AI applications for the success of construction projects. The results showed a positive relationship between the demographic variables of the response and the benefit of using the KM process and AI applications and explaining the variance in the regression relationships. Therefore, the study suggests integrating AI applications based on the KM process to achieve business goals and effectively benefit and exchange management, as its use leads to faster and more effective decision-making, especially if the project strategy approves it. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-06 Full Text: PDF

Administrative-territorial changes and their impact on urban development in Austria and Austria-Hungary (second half of the 18th - beginning of the 20th century)

The article analyzes the causes and consequences of administrative and territorial changes and their impact on urban planning in Austria and Austria- Hungary (second half of the 18th - beginning of the 20th century). It is noted that in the XVIII-XIX centuries. urban planning activities in the Austrian Empire were regulated by various normative legal acts, which included legal and bylaws. The main sources of legal regulation of urban planning activities in the Austrian Empire at that time were the Constitution of Charles VI of Habsburg, the Law on City Rights (Stadtrecht), the Civil Code (Allgemeines burgerliches Gesetzbuch) of 1811, the Construction Law (Bauordnung) of 1829, the Building Statute of 1882 (Budownicza ustawa), Laws on city rights, etc.
 It is shown that in 1784 the Austrian government began to organize urban planning activities by carefully classifying settlements. The need for such a classification was determined by the need to add an index to a detailed map of the country. The division of settlements into cities/towns/villages was to be carried out by the circular offices themselves as a result of the order of the court decree dated October 28, 1784. In the new governor's order on this matter dated December 13, 1784, it was noted at the very beginning that the circular offices, despite clear instructions governorates, qualified settlements as cities, towns and villages only on the basis of their location, size, number of inhabitants, buildings, and therefore not on the basis of proper attributes. The province also ordered that a city (Stadt) should be considered a settlement that has the privilege of being a city. When settlements did not have this privilege, they were to be considered villages (Dorfer). The classification of settlements was to be based solely on their privileges and no other considerations could be taken into account; therefore, only the historical criterion was applied, and as a result, all the privileges from Polish times were accepted in those clauses of their provisions that recognized the settlement as a city or town.
 It was established that the qualification of the suburb (Vorstadte) had to be considered differently. Here it was necessary to take into account: 1) distance from the city; 2) the judicial authority to which they were subject; 3) privileges. However, if the district office had certain doubts about the qualification of the settlement on the basis of the above instructions and felt compelled to qualify it in another way, then after consultation with the district commission (Werb-Bezirks-Kommando) it had to proceed as follows: appoint the authority and the local community ( Obrigkeit und Ortsgemeinde) and in the presence of the commandant of the recruitment commission to determine: 1) reasons for current qualifications and 2) reasons for changing qualifications for the future. All this classification of settlements, as emphasized by the order of the viceroyalty, was only intended to familiarize with the essence of these settlements, and in no case was intended to turn burghers into peasants or peasants into burghers.

SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TEACHER RELATED BARRIERS TO CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Ponte Academic JournalMay 2023, Volume 79, Issue 5 SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TEACHER RELATED BARRIERS TO CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAuthor(s): Mohammed I. ,Cishe E.N., Lukman Y.J. Ponte - May 2023 - Volume 79 - Issue 5 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.5.1 Abstract:This study sought to investigate school district and teacher related barriers to continuous professional learning and development through university education in the Elliotdale Circuit of the Dutywa Education District, South Africa. The research was a qualitative study based on Bioecological Model of Human Development Theory. A sample size of twenty-two (22) respondents (principals, teachers and subject advisors) was used. Face-to-face in-depth individual interviews were conducted using an open-ended interview schedule. Data were analysed thematically. The study found the following to be the barriers to teacher continuous professional learning and development through university education in the Elliotdale Circuit: long hours of travel to and from school by teachers, long distance between the Elliotdale Circuit and cities where Higher Education Institution are situated, deprived and underdeveloped nature of the circuit, teacher workload, insufficient time for further studies, inadequate support from the education district, inadequate information on sources of financial support and bursaries, laziness on the part of teachers and teachers’ self-sufficiency with their current qualifications. Recommendations made were that the Department of Education should make provisions for continuous self-improvement of all teachers in the circuit; the Education Circuit should work with all school principals to support teachers financially to embark on further studies. School Management Teams should work hand in hand with the District Education to organize career guidance workshop for all teachers focusing on the need for teachers to move from their comfort zones and to upgrade their teaching qualifications in the education system. Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password

CHANGE IN COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT ROLES DUE TO GLOBALIZATION: A CASE OF COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES MAPPED BY INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATIONS (2015–2020)

Research background: The role of communication has now become much more critical than during previous periods, not only to compete with other organisations in the stream of communicating messages but also to develop and implement organisational strategies and support the organisation’s top-level managers and decision-makers. The goal of public relations (PR) associations is to develop PR professionals’ competencies. Comprehensive research at the European level signals the need for constant improvement of competencies, especially business development and technologies (Zerfass et al., 2020; Adi, 2019). A vast majority of practitioners across Europe highlight the importance of digitalising stakeholder communications and building a digital infrastructure to support internal workflows (Zerfass et al., 2021). However, instead of technical and managerial training, PR practitioners continue to overwhelmingly offer communication training and development opportunities (Tench et al., 2013; Zerfass et al., 2018; MacNamara et al., 2017; Feldman, 2017; The USC Annenberg Centre for Public Relations, 2017; Communicating AI, 2019). There are discrepancies between the perceived importance of competencies and the current qualifications of professionals due to digital transformation and changes impacted by globalisation. Purpose: To identify changes in PR specialists' competencies due to the impact of globalisation. Methods: Content analysis of information provided in the webpages of international professional PR associations for the period 2015–2020. Findings and value added: The study results show that professional PR associations do not respond to the challenges of the changing environment in a timely manner by providing training, but present and discuss relevant topics with the help of specialists from other fields while encouraging the sharing of good practices. Such a functioning position occupied by professional PR associations in developing the model of competence for PR specialists reveals that PR associations are engaged in strengthening or maintaining competencies, but not developing them.

Simulation Studies of the Sodium Hydraulic Behavior to Design a Mockup for Eddy Current Flowmeter Testing

Abstract The Eddy current flowmeter sensor plays an important part in the instrumentation of the future sodium fast reactors, which will allow when located above the core to detect plugging (partial or total) of a subassembly and when located on the primary pump to measure core pressure drop and core flowrate. This article describes the predesign phase of a mockup for Eddy current flowmeter tests and qualifications under sodium conditions for the detection of a partial or full plugging of a fuel subassembly. These tests will be the first of their kind, as the Eddy current flowmeter had never been qualified at nominal conditions of a reactor core outlet (sodium temperature, velocity, and output flow).

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION PRODUCTS BASED ON THE FUZZY–AHP SYNTHESIS MODEL

Abstract. As one of the critical products National Geographic Conditions Monitoring Achievements (NGCMA), land cover dataset has great value for the practical needs of China natural resources investigation and monitoring. For providing This paper proposed a fuzzy-AHP synthesis model, for assessing the quality of land cover classification products, based on the current qualifications of inspection and acceptance as well the characteristics of the inspection process of this type of results. The model is practiced on a data set that is the inspection results from 27 surveying areas in northern China. By comparing the results to the results from minimum method (MinM) and weighted average methods (WAM), this study pay attention on giving the analysing of the reasonability and feasibility of this model on practical uses and to provide a technical reference for quality evaluation of the new-type of fundamental surveying and mapping products.

Library and Information science in Spain: an assessment of 40 years of university studies

Universities first taught Library and Information science (LIS) studies in Spain in 1982, reaching a zenith at the end of the 1990s. However, from 2000 onwards, student enrolment began to drop and some programmes closed, producing a crisis in the studies on offer, which is yet to end. The evolution of LIS education in Spanish universities over 40 years is analysed and its future is evaluated based on the opinions of academic leaders from Spanish university centres that offer LIS degrees. The article aims to provide a detailed analysis of the opportunities, threats and necessary priorities in the field and a general assessment of its chances of remaining an independent discipline. 23 interviews were carried out with lecturers of the Spanish university system, and a Likert questionnaire was responded by 34 experts. Disappointments are noted: loss of interest in the subject, failure to generate academic and professional visibility, and failure to take advantage of technological change to position the field in the mainstream. Opportunities: orienting the degree course toward new topics, and prioritising postgraduate programmes. Threats: loss of students, failure to convey the value of the discipline to society, and failure to redefine its profile. Priorities: adapting current qualifications more closely to needs, participating in European research projects, and adopting technological change. More than 60% of the respondents agree that Library and Information science will remain an independent discipline in the short and medium term, while 20% disagree, although they do not see this as a problem.

Empirical Evaluation of Art and Design Students’ Online Assessments: A Case of Construct Validity Analysis at STEP

Educational institutions are bound to take online assessments due to pandemics, which drives the need to identify the perceived satisfaction of both teachers and students about the effectiveness of this process. The current study aims to explore perceptions of Art & Design students and teachers since the issue becomes even more complex due to the practical nature of these subjects and assessments. A total of 157 students participated in this research study, whereas the data is collected through convenient sampling. The data from teachers was collected through a focus group discussion. The purposive sampling process was used for this purpose. A self-developed survey instrument was used to collect data with an alpha value of .73. The results of the survey indicate the satisfaction of students with the process and effectiveness of online assessment. Demographic analysis includes current qualifications (mean=2.69), previous qualifications (mean=.41), current working status of students (mean=.96), and students enjoying any scholarships (mean=.39) etc. The data collected through focus group discussion was studied through thematic analysis techniques. The results of the study promised to help in designing and implementing strategies when conducting online assessments particularly for Art & Design qualifications.

Mitomycin C Induces Immunogenic Cell Death Biomarkers In Human Bladder Tumors

IntroductionStandard‐of‐care for non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer is complete transurethral tumor resection followed by intravesical therapy with BCG, mitomycin C (MMC), gemcitabine, or other agents. Tumor recurrence is common and occurs in 40% to 80% of patients, with 10–20% progressing to muscle‐invasive disease. Earlier studies have shown selected cytotoxic agents induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) that promotes tumor response to immunotherapy and thereby offers the opportunity of developing synergistic combinations of ICD‐inducing cytotoxics with immune checkpoint blockers. The current qualifications for an ICD‐inducing cytotoxic include induction of DAMPs (danger‐associated molecular patterns) in vitro and vaccination with cytotoxic‐treated tumor cells in immunocompetent mice. Under these criteria, MMC is considered a poor ICD inducer. The present study tested the hypothesis that MMC can induce ICD in a more clinically relevant model, i.e., 3D histocultures of bladder tumors obtained from patients.MethodsWe evaluated the ability of MMC to induce two ICD biomarkers (i.e., ecto‐CRT (calreticulin) and release of HMGB1 from nucleus) and/or dendritic cell (DC) maturation in 3 bladder cancer cell lines with different differentiation status (RT4, T24, and TCCSUP), and 21 MMC‐treated human bladder tumor histocultures including 11 archived paraffin‐embedded tumors and 10 freshly obtained surgical tumor specimens. The methods included immunocytochemical staining flow/immune‐cytometry, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical staining and quantitative imaging. Co‐cultures of human peripheral blood DC with MMC‐treated tumor cells (48 h) were used to detect DC maturation markers (CD83 and HLA‐DR).ResultsOver 85% of human bladder tumors (7/10 fresh tumors and 11/11 archived tumors) showed ecto‐CRT and/or HMGB1 release upon treatments with MMC at clinically achievable concentrations (1 and 3 μM). Induction of ICD markers by MMC was time‐dependent (peaked at 18 h) and increased with tumor grade (TCCSUP (grade 4) >T24 (grade 3)>RT4 (grade 1) (3 experiments, P<0.01, 2‐way ANOVA). HMGB1 release was increased in three cell lines with a dose‐dependent manner after 48 h MMC treatment (2 experiments, p value<0.05, 2‐way ANOVA). MMC further induced DC maturation in TCCSUP cells but not RT4 cells.ConclusionOur results indicate MMC induced ICD biomarkers and/or DC maturation in cultured human tumor cells and histocultures of human bladder tumors; the MMC effects were dependent on time, tumor grade and culture conditions.Support or Funding InformationSupported in part by Mosier Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Oklahoma, Albert Charitable Trust, 1R01CA163015 from National Cancer Institute, and University of Kansas Cancer Center P30‐CA168524‐03.

Three Kinds of Humility in Bioethics Certification

The author's skepticism about certifying bioethicists has a 20-year history. The hazards of certification include doubts about whether an online, multiple-choice exam measures what is important in bioethical deliberation. Other worries include the potential neglect of informal reasoning processes used by patients and families, the creation of a false sense of expertise, and how certification can disenfranchise lay members of ethics committees. This essay does not seek to reverse the growing trend toward certification but urges humility both in the process of certification and in interpreting the results. Humility is here defined through the works of Judith Andre and Jack Coulehan. Three kinds of humility are described as important for bioethics work: epistemic, moral, and ontological. The current qualifications for taking the certification exam are discussed, and suggestions for a better approach are offered.

Improvement Plan of Physical Education Leader Qualification Framework - Focusing on improving eligibility, levels, and written test subjects

5년 동안 시행되어온 체육지도자 자격제도에서 가장 우선적으로 개선이 필요한 부분인 자격체계와 이에 따른 체육지도자 자격별 필기시험 교과목의 개선에 대한 문제점을 살펴보고 그 대안을 제시하고자 한다. 현행 체육지도자 자격제도의 가장 큰 문제점은 지도 분야(전문체육, 생활체육)와 지도 대상(유소년, 노인, 장애인), 수준(1급, 2급)에 따라 자격체계를 너무 세분화함에 따라 자격의 종류가 너무 많다는 것이다. 체육지도자 자격증은 각각의 자격에 따라 직무역량을 수행할 수 있는 전문성을 반드시 갖추어야 함에도 불구하고 이러한 전문성 강화를 위한 학력과 자격기준의 연계성, 전공분야의 전문성을 확보하지 못하였다. 이럴 바에는 자격체계를 단순화하여 혼란과 경제적 비용을 줄이고, 사회의 요구에 맞는 자격체계로 변경하는 것이 더 타당하다고 생각된다. 현재의 자격체계에서 전문스포츠지도사와 생활스포츠지도사로 나누어진 지도 분야, 유소년/노인/장애인스포츠지도사로 나누어진 지도 대상도 통합하여 ‘스포츠지도사’라는 하나의 자격명칭으로 단순화했으면 한다. 수준에 따라 ‘2급 스포츠지도사’와 ‘1급 스포츠지도사’로 구분하고 현행 2급 전문/생활스포츠지도사, 유소년스포츠지도사, 노인스포츠지도사, 장애인스포츠지도사를 ‘2급 스포츠지도사’로 단순화하는 것이 현실적이라고 생각한다. 이런 방안이 어렵다면, ‘2급 스포츠지도사’를 취득한 후 유아체육론, 노인체육론, 특수(장애인)체육론 추가 합격 시 각각의 전문자격을 부여하는 방법도 생각해볼 필요가 있다. ‘2급 스포츠지도사’ 위에 ‘1급 스포츠지도사’를 두고 이들은 모든 대상(전문체육, 생활체육, 유소년, 노인, 장애인)을 지도할 수 있도록 하는 매우 단순한 자격체계가 직무중심의 전문성에 부응할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 사회적 요구와 직무역량을 강화를 위한 필기시험 교과목의 변경이 필요하다. ‘2급 스포츠지도사’는 현행 시행되고 있는 7개 과목에서 5개 과목을 선택하는 제도에서 ‘운동생리학’, ‘스포츠심리학’, ‘운동역학’은 필수과목으로 지정하고, ‘한국체육사’, ‘스포츠사회학’, ‘스포츠교육학’, ‘체육측정평가’ 중에서 2과목을 선택하도록 하여 총 5과목(필수: 3과목, 선택: 2과목)을 필기시험 교과목으로 변경하는 것이 바람직하다고 생각된다. ‘1급 스포츠지도사’는 ‘장애인스포츠론’, ‘운동상해 예방 및 처치’, ‘체육측정평가 및 경기분석’, ‘스포츠심리분석’, ‘트레이닝론’ 과목 중에서 ‘운동상해 예방 및 처치’, ‘트레이닝론’을 필수로 하고 나머지 과목에서 1개 과목을 선택하도록 하는 방안이 바람직하다고 생각된다.The purpose of this study is to examine the problems of the qualification system, which is the first priority improvement in the Physical education leader qualification framework, and the improvement of the written test curriculum for each Physical education leader qualification which has been implemented for five years. The biggest problem of the current qualification system for sports leaders is the types of qualifications, which are too subdivided into the qualifications system according to the field of instruction (elite athletes, sport for all), targets (for youth, for old people, for the disabled), and levels (levels 1 and 2).Is too much. Although the physical education leader certificate must have the expertise to perform job competency according to each qualification, it has not secured the connection of educational background and qualification standards and expertise in the major field. In this sense, it is more reasonable to simplify the qualifications framework to reduce confusion and economic costs, and to change the qualifications framework to meet the needs of society. In the current qualifications system, I would like to simplify the guidance subjects divided into Sports/Exe. Specialist for Elite Athletes and Sport for All Director s, and the subjects divided into Sports/Exe. Specialist for Youth, Sports/Exe. Specialist for Old People, Sports/Exe. Specialist for the disabled into one qualification name of “Sports/Exe. Specialist ”. According to the level, it is divided into Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist and Level 1 Sports/Exe. Specialist and simplifying the current Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist for Elite Athletes, Sports/Exe. Specialist for Youth, Sports/Exe. Specialist for Old People, and Sports/Exe. Specialist for the disabled into Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist I think it s realistic. If this is difficult, it is necessary to consider the method of granting each professional(special) qualification after acquiring the Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist and passing the youth’s physical education, the elderly physical education, and the special(disabled) physical education. With a Level 1 Sports/Exe. Specialist on top of a Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist, they have a very simple qualification system that can guide all subjects (Sports/Exe. Specialist for Elite Athletes, Sport for All Director s, Sports/Exe. Specialist for Youth, Sports/Exe. Specialist for Old People, Sports/Exe. Specialist for the disabled ) to meet their job-oriented expertise. Changes to the written exam curriculum are needed to reinforce social needs and job competencies. Level 2 Sports/Exe. Specialist designates exercise physiology , sports psychology and exercise mechanics as mandatory subjects in the system which selects five subjects from the seven subjects that are currently in operation. It is advisable to change the total of 5 courses (mandatory: 3 courses, optional: 2 courses) into a written test course by selecting 2 courses from Sports Sociology , Sports Education, and Physical Measurement Evaluation . The Level 1 Sports/Exe. Specialist include disability sports theory , prevention and treatment of sports injuries , physical evaluation and competition analysis , sports psychology analysis , training theory , I think it is desirable to have training theory and to choose one subject from the remaining subjects.

Lecturers experiences, challenges and prospects on continuing professional development

This study was undertaken at the School of Education, University of Zambia, to establish factors that influence lecturers to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as well as factors inhibiting their participation in CPD. To establish these factors, open-ended questionnaires were used in conducting the study by means of a descriptive survey. Data were analysed qualitatively using emerging themes from the respondents’ answers and descriptive statistics were also utilised. The findings show that University lecturers are motivated to engage in CPD to update their current qualifications and as a way of showing professional competence. Among factors inhibiting lecturers from taking up CPD was lack of funds, to engage in some CPD activities and time constraints.

Towards certification of computational fluid dynamics as numerical experiments for rotorcraft applications

ABSTRACTVirtual Engineering (VE), also known as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), is necessary in both current operational engineering qualifications and to help reduce the costs of future vertical lift design and analysis. As computational power continues to provide increasing capability to the rotorcraft engineering community to perform simulations in both real time and off line, it is imperative that the community develop verification and validation protocols and processes to certify these methods so that they can be reliably used to help reduce engineering cost and schedule. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become a major Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) tool in the fixed wing and vertical lift communities, but it has not been developed to the point where it is accepted as a replacement for testing in certification of new or existing systems or vehicles. Since the rise of modern CFD in the 1980s, the promise of CFD’s capabilities has been met or exceeded, but its role in certification arguably remains less prominent than projected. The ability to implement transformative technologies further drives the need for CFD in design. To meet CFD’s role in certification, several goals must be met to provide a true “numerical experiment” from which accuracies (error estimates), sensitivities, and consistent application results can be extracted. This paper discusses the progress and direction towards developing CFD strategies for certification.

In pursuit of quality: early childhood qualifications and training policy

This paper aims to critique policy discourses around the pursuit of quality in early years education. Taking England as a focal point, it problematizes the use of the term ‘quality’ and attempts to standardise its meaning; highlighting the disconnect that exists between policy and practice. The paper combines discourse analysis of a small number of key government documents with a series of interviews with early years stakeholders in order to identify issues that will have resonance and can inform a much needed continuation of debates about what quality might mean. Over the course of the research it became apparent that there was considerable disquiet amongst early years practitioners with regards the current qualifications and training landscape, particularly with regards to what many viewed as ideologically-driven policy-making, not informed by proper dialogue with the sector.

FEATURES OF COMPETENCY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL

The problems of skilled personnel shortage meeting current and strategic needs of national economics are discussed in this paper. The factors defining the necessity of constant qualification potential improvement are examined. The context of life cycle of qualification potential and its main stages are specified and updated. In this paper we compared national job standards of several countries as well as their current qualifications frameworks. The main branches of government’s work to create effective national qualification system are analyzed. Also the authors offer the ideas of adding employees’ qualification potential characteristics for its deeper assessment. The article analyzes the main directions of the RF Government on creation of the effective national system of qualifications, the authors also provide suggestions on how to complement the characteristics of the qualification potential of employees for more in-depth evaluation.

Back to School: a Student Insight into LIS Qualifications, the LIS Sector and What it can Offer to New Professionals

AbstractJosephine Bailey, the inaugural recipient of BIALL's Professional Studies Bursary, provides a student's perspective on current LIS qualifications, what they can offer to individuals hoping to enter the profession and the challenges facing new professionals today. Her observations and comments are based on her experiences of the MA course in Librarianship and Information Services Management which is offered by the University of Sheffield and is currently ranked as the top university for Librarianship and Information Management.

The Significance and Impact of Innovation Networks of Academia and Business with a Special Emphasis on Work-Based Learning

Abstract The Europe 2020 Strategy puts the quality and relevance of education and training systems at the heart of EU’s efforts to improve innovation and competitiveness and to achieve intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth. The development of partnerships between vocational schools or higher-education institutions and the business sector must be considered as a critical factor in identifying learning requirements, improving the relevance of education and facilitating access to education and learning. The growing lack of skills is one of the major challenges for companies that rely on more highly qualified personnel. To increase the cooperation between academia and the business world means to integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), since 99.2 per cent of European businesses are SMEs. They are the blood cells of the European economy and are essential for growth, yet a very heterogeneous group that can only be integrated in cooperation networks by intermediate organisations which tackle the needs of this diverse group of businesses. Such a partnership of 17 universities and polytechnics, including the University of Latvia, was founded in 2010 and is shortly introduced as a best practice example.To stay competitive in the globalised world, companies need to be innovative and that requires cooperation with knowledge institutions. A survey conducted in 2013 revealed that one of the major obstacles for SMEs to improve their innovation capabilities is their inability to find qualified personnel. This corresponds to the huge challenges the labour markets face in Europe. Almost all countries report a growing lack of skilled workforce while at the same time youth unemployment is increasing. This gap between the current qualifications and the qualifications demanded by businesses sector can be overcome by a closer cooperation between enterprises and education facilities, on a national but also international level between Western and Eastern countries. The introduction of work-based education plays a crucial role in narrowing this divide.

Two National Surveys of Hospital Pharmacy Technician Activities to Support the Review of National Qualifications

ABSTRACTAimTo explore if the 2006 Certificates III and IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support qualifications meet workplace requirements and to make recommendations on the changes needed so that the qualifications meet workplace requirements.Method2 national web‐based surveys were undertaken of Australian hospital pharmacy technicians/assistants (HPT) and hospital pharmacy managers.ResultsDistribution activities are the core business of the majority of HPT. A minority undertake extemporaneous compounding or support clinical pharmacy activities, which are considered advanced practice activities and covered in the Certificate IV qualification. Most of the 10 management activities undertaken by HPT are not supported by the current qualifications. The number of HPT performing these activities highlights a gap in the current qualifications.ConclusionThe day‐to‐day activities undertaken by HPT validates the need for, the content of and competencies obtained via the Certificates III and IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support. There is room to improve the content and relevance of both qualifications.

An investigation of the special practitioner system of pediatric dentistry in Japan

We sent questionnaires to all the members (4,298 people) about the specialist pediatric dentistry system in Japan (Hereafter, termed specialists). The survey (1,129 dentists answered the questionnaire) revealed the following: 1. About 29% of the members who have qualifications for pediatric dentists, authorized by Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry (JSPD), hoped for a specialist qualification immediately. 2. Eighty point six percent of the members who do not have qualifications authorizing them as pediatric dentists answered that they wanted to take an examination to become a specialist as soon as they were qualified to take it. 3. Many members hoped that the examination to become a specialist would be strictly carried out. 4. Twenty-two point eight percent members thought that the qualifications for pediatric dentists authorized by Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry should be abolished after putting the specialist system into effect. 5. Fourteen percent of those that have the qualification of pediatric dentists, authorized by Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, did not want to acquire the specialist title but they wanted to renew their current qualifications. 6. As dentists got older, the ratio of children patients (under 18 years old) tended to decrease. 7. However, about one-quarter, 112 members (about 10% of all) of dentists who are 50–69 years old (347 members) it occupied 34.7% of all treated exceeded 90% children patients.