Selected info from RSS Feeds-July issue :p

科学网-如何培养现代化社会所需要的优秀人才 - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/1RPIg

 

科学网-刘运学的博客-[转载]我们工作到底为了什么 - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/1RPIx

 

科学网-赵振营的博客-[转载]放松自我管理就会失去成功 - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/1RPIN

 

How NOT to Receive Phone Calls in Your Job Hunt | Bitesize Bio - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/1RPIZ

 

Is It Time To Quit? | Bitesize Bio - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/1RPJg

Introducing Donah’s Blog

I would like to draw your attention to visit the following blog of my former housemate at Glasgow, Donah from Botswana who obtained his MSc in Edu. Studies.

http://nudohn.wordpress.com/

He shared his points on various educational issues. I learnt that he has written many insightful posts on current educational issue in Botswana, a developing country in Africa, which is similar to the situation in Malaysia.

I had a good time with all my housemates at Glasgow last time. We had birthday celebration for every housemate. Feel free to read the related posts here:-

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2008/12/cks-birthday-and-my-flatmates.html

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2009/06/donahs-birthday.html

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2009/03/eddie-birthday.html

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2009/07/good-bye-gathering.html

 

We had discussed various current issues ranging from politic, religion, education economic and so on.

Feel free to read and share your views on his blog.

P/s Donah: sorry mate, I will read through your post thoroughly during the one-month vacation period (end of Aug onward), and share my views then.

Trip to Cardiff & Liverpool

I went to the Capital of Wales, Cardiff, to renew student visa, & had a walkabout before back to Exeter.
Cardiff Castle



Also, travelled to Liverpool recently and met friends from hometown. They are doing summer programme at John Moore University.

Full album, feel free to visit at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=192425&id=757132962&l=ffe38d94ef

Lafrowda Cottage: Before and After

 

Pictures show my previous university accommodation, Lafrowda Cottage. Before I leave, I informed the accommodation office to put a sign board of the name of residence, The reason was sometime Tesco delivery and other courier services not able to locate our accommodation due to unclear location of this residence.

Happy to see they looked at my comment seriously :p

The accommodation, before put on the sign board 

 

the sign board located on top of the main entrance  & below the window

Trip to Lyme Regis

Went to Lyme Regis, a beautiful seaside town situated on the border of Devon-Dorset. The coastline here forms part of a 95 mile stretch (the Jurassic coast@ http://bit.ly/cM8blU) awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding geology and is recognised as one of the natural wonders of the world. 185 million years of history is represented along the coast, providing a real journey through time. There’s a famous and historic 13^th Century Cobb harbour which offers a fantastic view of the coast. Also, the calm water of sandy beach here offers fun for all the family. A visit to the Lyme Regis museum allowed me to know the local history in this lovely town. (Info extracted from the booklet provided by the tourist information centre)


    

For full album, please visit the following link:-
http://bit.ly/dj60rK

Visit to Stonehenge & Salisbury

Day trip to the medieval city of Salisbury and the world heritage site, Stonehenge. Visited the following places:


1) Stonehenge, the great, unique and ancient stone circles that evolved between 3000 BC and 1600 BC and is aligned with the rising and setting of the sun at the solstices, but its exact purpose remains a mystery. Many myths about the significance of Stonehenge, it may have been an astronomical observatory or used for sacred rituals.

Recent news reported latest discovery of "sister henge“， which is really exciting:-

Stonehenge 'twin' found: Archaeologists discover wooden 'henge' at site | Mail Online - http://ow.ly/2g8xF

2) Old Sarum, ancient site existed since 500 BC, occupied by Iron Age settlers, Roman, Norman. Today, the remains of castle and cathedral stay intact.
 

3) Salisbury Cathedral built in 13^th century. The building has the Britain’s tallest spire, 123m; 1 of the only 4 surviving Magna Carta; Europe’s oldest working clock (1386), etc.

4) Salisbury Museum, a place to discover the history of Salisbury and the archaeology of Stonehenge.



*The info above extracted from booklets@ tourist info centre.

You can visit the complete photo album at the following link:-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191588&id=757132962&l=9d0275f7fe

Quick Update: June to July

Quick update on what I have been doing these days

1) First year PhD viva

A compulsory event before we are allow to proceed to 2nd year. I got good feedback from the assessor. He said:” there’s a price of being good, that’s everyone will have high expectation on you.” Well, I agreed to him, greater opportunity comes greater responsibilities. I will try my best.

 

2) Moved home

My university accommodation contract end in July therefore I have moved to new private accommodation. I am happy with the new accommodation here.

former accommodation

new accomodation

3) A farewell trip to Lyme Reggis

Went to Lyme Reggis, a sea town near south Devon with fellow housemates (former). Here we can see UNESCO natural heritage sites, cliff existed more than billions ago.

4)Farewell dinners

I enjoy eating, so had organised two farewell dinners, oriental and western cuisines  :p

5) Liverpool trip

I went to Liverpool and visited friends from hometown. They are here for summer programme by LJM Uni and TARC.

6) Associate of Higher Education Academy.

I am pleased to obtained recognition from the professional body, more info visit the following link:

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2010/07/associate-status-of-higher-education.html

7) Makaichoon conference

Always happy to chat with bunch of cocky friends, makaichoon

 

Future events:

Travel to Salisbury, for the world famous heritage site: Stonehenge

image source: http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/home

Travel to Cambridge

image source: http://www.visitcambridge.org/VisitCambridge/PhotoLibrary.aspx

The Scientific Century Report

I came across the scientific century report published by the Royal Society, The advisory group of the report is comprised of Nobel Laureates and former ministers.

The report provides suggestions to develop science as a key field for the UK’s economic growth. Six recommendations are proposed:

1. Put science and innovation at the heart if a strategy for long-term economic growth;
2. Prioritise investment in excellent people;
3. Strengthen Government’s use of science;
4. Reinforce the UK’s position as a hub for global science and innovation;
5. Better align science and innovation with global challenges;
6. Revitalise science and mathematics education.

You can download the report (76 pages) from the website--http://royalsociety.org/The-scientific-century/

I’m reading the report these days, hope to gain some insights then.

cheers

Associate status of the Higher Education Academy

I just received a good news from the university, in which I have obtained the Associate status of the UK Higher Education  Academy (AHEA).

image source: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/

I have attended 2 modules for 2 months, and then need to produce an assignment describing my teaching roles. The assignment entitled:‘Learning and teaching at university:
a critical reflection on my role.’

I have discussed three learning outcomes, as follows (extracted from the LTHE assignment guideline, Education Enhancement Unit, Exeter University ):

First UK blood donation experience

At first, I have to make an appointment and fill in questionnaire.

On blood donation day, after registered a big glass of water & guideline (normal and typical procedure) will be given.

Then we’re waiting for consultation, iron level test. etc

 

Then ready for blood donation

 

That’s it. Done, and had refreshment

   

Few days later, a sms of appreciation :p

To date, this is the 7th time I donated my blood, will keep on this noble act :p