The 22nd gathering of the Conference of International Interconfessional Religious took place this year in Sweden between 31st August and 5th September. 43 monks and nuns from 8 different Church traditions were represented (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, Coptic, Bulgarian Orthodox and Syrian Orthodox). What participants held in common was their monastic life and coming together to live it in the Swedish Lutheran Retreat Centre of Stjanholm and the newly founded monastery of Korsets Kloster at Alberga which is in the Syriac Orthodox tradition.
The CIR conference has always sought to find unity through the common monastic life, praying for unity and sharing the pain of disunity around the Eucharist. Each day the Eucharist was celebrated according to one of the traditions represented. The Syrian Orthodox parish of St Gabriel’s Norrkoping kindly hosting the participants on the Sunday. The Lutheran celebration took place in the cathedral church at Vadstena where the conference had a day’s visit. The Roman Catholic celebration of the Vigil of Sunday taking place at Korsets Kloster and the Anglican celebration in the chapel at Stjanholm.
The theme of the presentation for each of the speakers from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican and Reformed traditions was “How can our treasure become our gift?”. After each paper was presented there was a chance for questions and then small group discussion in language groups. Many participants find it is here that there is deep exchange between those of different traditions and cultures. Friendships and exchanges have been fostered through this meeting over many years and one of the joys of this conference was the widening of participation with religious attending from Sweden as well as Latvia, Bulgaria and Hungary, countries not previously represented in recent years.
The 23rd Conference will be held in 2025 at the Anglican convent of Tymawr in Wales.
Photo by Ahmed akacha: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-girls-in-floral-dresses-smiling-and-standing-near-white-tent-6729257/
Germany is the EU country where the largest number of unaccompanied children from Syria and Afghanistan seeking asylum
The number of refugees who have asked for protection status in European countries is growing. In June of this year alone, a new 83,385 people have officially applied for asylum. This represents a 25% increase from the previous month, when claims were 66,845.
A little under 5,800 people are those who applied for the second time/due to the refusal or expiration of a previous permit, which represents a 9% drop compared to June 2023.
The EU countries which received the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors in June 2023 were Germany (805), followed by Austria (570) and the Netherlands (445) and Bulgaria (400). The figure for Bulgaria has increased significantly compared to the previous month, when there were 285 children for Bulgaria. In February, the number was 100.hen there were 285 children. In February, their number was 100.
Nearly 3,000 applications for the protection of children who migrated alone have been submitted for the entire European Union, and the countries from which they most often come are Syria and Afghanistan.
In June 2023, 2,975 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU, mostly from Syria (980) and Afghanistan (910). This is according to Eurostat data.
As in previous months of the year, four countries remain favorites to host refugees. These are Germany (23,190), Spain (16,075), France (12,475) and Italy (10,730), which continue to receive the largest number of asylum seekers. Their number represents 75% of all migrants and asylum seekers in the European Union.
Syrian nationals make up the largest group of asylum seekers
Throughout the year, also in July, Syrians make up the largest part of the flow of migrating citizens. A total of 13,150 representatives of the people have asked for asylum within the EU. They are followed by Afghans (7,775), Venezuelans (6,925) and Colombians (6,165).
Since Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, there has also been a significant increase in Ukrainians applying for asylum, but the number has been decreasing every month to 1,065 in June 2023. This is also because people fleeing Ukraine benefit from a temporary protection, explained by Eurostat. Again, their data reports more than 4.1 million citizens who fled Ukraine and received temporary protection status in EU countries. According to the data of the statistical agency, in Bulgaria their number is 162,980. And compared to the number of the population /per 100,000/, the highest number of total beneficiaries of temporary protection per thousand people at the end of July 2023 is observed in the Czech Republic (33.0), Poland (26.4), Estonia (25.9), Bulgaria (25.3) and Lithuania (25.0), while the corresponding figure at EU level is 9.2 per thousand people.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering the introduction of measures to deprive the next generation of the opportunity to buy cigarettes, the Guardian reported.
Sunak is considering anti-smoking measures similar to laws announced last year by New Zealand, which include a ban on the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2009, the publication cited by Reuters said.
“We want to encourage more people to quit smoking and meet our ambition to live smoke-free by 2030, which is why we have already taken steps to reduce the proportion of smokers,” a British government spokesman told Reuters.
Measures include free vaping kits, a voucher scheme to encourage pregnant women to quit smoking, and counseling and more, the spokesman said.
The policies discussed are part of a consumer-oriented new campaign by Sunak’s team ahead of next year’s election, the publication noted.
In May, Britain announced it would close a loophole that allowed retailers to hand out free samples of vape devices to children as part of a crackdown on e-cigarettes. Separately, councils in England and Wales called on the government in July to ban the sale of single-use wipes by 2024 on both environmental and health grounds.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/alcoholic-drinks-and-cigarettes-on-a-wooden-table-5921118/
A 2,000-year-old burial web site has been found by Israeli authorities.
The discover is named the “Tomb of Salome”, one of the midwives who attended the delivery of Jesus
The Israeli authorities have revealed “one of the most impressive burial caves” ever found on the territory of the nation, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
The discover dates again to about 2000 years in the past and is named the “Tomb of Salome”, one of the midwives who attended the delivery of Jesus, based on some colleges of Christianity.
The web site was found 40 years in the past by antiquities thieves within the forest of Lachish, positioned between Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. This led to archaeological excavations, which revealed an enormous vestibule, testifying, based on archaeologists, to the significance of the burial cave.
The web site the place the bone containers have been discovered contains a number of rooms in addition to niches carved into the stone. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, that is one of probably the most spectacular and intricately constructed caves found in Israel.
The cave was initially used for Jewish burial rituals and belonged to a rich Jewish household who devoted lots of effort to its preparation,” based on the supply.
The cave later grew to become a Christian chapel devoted to Salome, as evidenced by the crosses and inscriptions on the partitions referring to her.
“Salome is an enigmatic figure,” the Israel Antiquities Authority mentioned. “According to Christian (Orthodox) custom, the midwife in Bethlehem couldn’t imagine that she was being requested to ship the child to a virgin, her hand withered and solely recovered when she cradled him.
The cult of Salome and use of the positioning continued into the ninth century, after the Muslim conquest, the Israel Antiquities Authority mentioned. “Some of the inscriptions are in Arabic, while Christian believers continue to pray at the site.”
Excavations of the 350-square-meter vestibule uncovered store stalls that archaeologists imagine offered clay lamps.
“We found hundreds of whole and broken lamps dating from the eighth or ninth century,” mentioned excavation leaders Nir Shimshon-Paran and Zvi Fuhrer. “The lamps were probably used to illuminate the cave or in religious ceremonies in the way that candles are distributed in tombs and churches today,” they added.
For centuries, Europe has been a land rich in history and folklore, where myths and legends have been passed down from generation to generation. These enchanting tales have woven their way into the fabric of European culture, shaping beliefs, traditions, and even architecture. From the haunting tales of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland to the ancient Greek myths of gods and heroes, Europe is a treasure trove of untold stories waiting to be explored. Join us as we embark on a journey through Europe’s mystical legends and delve into the magic that lies within.
Delve into the Ancient Lore: Europe’s Enchanting Myths
As we delve into the ancient lore of Europe, we discover a tapestry of enchanting myths that have captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. In Greece, the birthplace of Western civilization, we encounter powerful gods and goddesses, such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Aphrodite. These celestial beings have ignited the imaginations of countless individuals and have been the inspiration behind countless works of art and literature.
Moving northwards, we encounter the Norse legends of Scandinavia, where mighty gods like Odin and Thor ruled over majestic realms. These tales of epic battles, mythical creatures, and valiant heroes offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Vikings. Meanwhile, in Ireland, the land of leprechauns and fairies, ancient Celtic mythology tells of brave warriors and mystical beings that reside in the emerald landscapes. Each corner of Europe has its own unique tales, adding to the collective tapestry of enchantment that is Europe’s folklore.
Mystical Tales of Europe: Discovering the Unexplored Legends
Beyond the well-known legends lies a world of unexplored tales that will leave you spellbound. In the heart of Romania, the legend of Dracula casts its dark shadow. Explore the ancient castles and discover the truth behind the myth of the blood-thirsty vampire. Journey to Scotland and uncover the secrets of the Loch Ness Monster, a creature that has evaded capture and fascinated generations with its elusive presence. These lesser-known legends add an extra layer of mystery to the already intriguing world of European folklore.
From the haunting Banshee of Ireland to the seductive Sirens of Greece, Europe’s mystical tales serve as a reminder that the human imagination knows no bounds. These legends have stood the test of time, captivating the masses and inspiring countless artistic endeavors. By exploring the untold tales of Europe, we not only discover the magic that lies within each story but also gain a deeper understanding of the cultures and histories that have shaped the continent.
===
Europe’s enchanting legends have the power to transport us to a world of fantasy and wonder. They are more than just stories; they are a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations. Whether you choose to explore the well-known myths or venture into the unexplored tales, Europe’s folklore offers a captivating journey into the realms of magic and mystery. So, embark on this enchanted adventure and let the untold tales of Europe guide you through a world where legends come to life.
When building nests, ants strike a balance between transportation efficiency and architectural constraints. Researchers say that observation could help humans design more efficient transportation systems tailored to specific needs.
Could ants’ nests hold the secret to reducing traffic congestion on the 405 Freeway?
In a new study, UCLA biologists discovered insights about how ants build their nests that could be useful for designing more efficient human transportation systems.
The scientists were interested in learning whether the way ants build their nests is more influenced by the evolutionary history of each individual species or current ecological conditions.
What they found was that evolution could not explain the variations they observed among different species’ nests. Rather, they found, the environments in which ants forage and the way they transport food are the main factors that dictate how each species builds its nests.
The lesson for humans? If roads were better tailored to the ways goods and people move through our cities, transportation networks could be more efficient.
For example, congestion on Southern California’s freeways might be improved if there were dedicated lanes or roads for trucks traveling to and from major logistics hubs like ports, warehouses and distribution centers.
According to the study, the environments in which ants forage and the way they transport food are the main factors that dictate how each species builds its nests. Image credit: Jorge Coromina/Unsplash
“Ants deal with the same issues we deal with when it comes to living in crowded spaces,” said Sean O’Fallon, a UCLA doctoral student in ecology and evolutionary biology, and the study’s first author.
“We’re densely packed in cities, and ideally we should be densely connected, but there are constraints to how closely packed together we can be. There’s only so much space to construct buildings and roads.”
In the study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, scientists analyzed information from two sources — details about 397 ant nests came from previously published data and images, and the authors conducted new studies of 42 other nests, all located at the Archbold Biological Reserve near Venus, Florida. In total, the 439 nests represented 31 different species of ants.
They discovered that nest structures were largely determined by factors like whether ants foraged alone or in groups, as well as the methods they used to recruit other ants to help find and carry food. In a nutshell, the animals’ activity and behavior play bigger roles in nest construction than any innate evolutionary template.
“You can think of the nest itself as a transportation network — it’s where ants live, but it’s also a kind of highway network they move things in and out of,” said Noa Pinter-Wollman, a UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and the paper’s corresponding author.
The researchers examined four common foraging strategies used by ants. In some species, individual ants hunt for food. In others, an ant brings food to the nest as a means of recruiting other ants to accompany it to the food source.
Ants can also form a continuous trail between the food source and the nest that can persist for months. Or they can leave a pheromone trail that members of the colony can follow in large numbers — a phenomenon the researchers called “mass recruitment.”
Ants’ nests consist of a tunnel leading down to an entrance chamber, where ants enlist other members of their colony to help them find or transport food. From the entrance chamber, tunnels lead down to other chambers, which are connected by tunnels to still deeper chambers. Chambers serve different purposes, such as food and waste storage and rearing young.
The researchers expected that in ant species that use the mass recruitment style of foraging, the nests’ entrance chambers would be larger than they are in other species’ nests, because those spaces would need to allow larger numbers of ants to interact. And indeed, they found that to be the case.
However, the scientists also expected that nests for the mass recruitment foragers would have greater “network density” — meaning larger numbers of connections among the chambers — than nests built by other species. Greater network density, the scientists reasoned, would help facilitate more movement of ants and resources throughout the nest.
But the research revealed that for ants representing all four foraging strategies, network density was relatively low — even for large nests with hundreds of chambers. In fact, the study revealed, across all foraging strategies, nests with the most chambers tended to have the lowest network density.
In the paper, the researchers write that finding could be simply a function of architecture: Too many tunnels between chambers could weaken the structural integrity of the nest, which could cause the entire system to collapse.
“Ants have to balance the efficiency of highly connected nests with architectural stability,” Pinter-Wollman said. “On one hand, they want transportation to be faster, but if they start making too many connections, the nest will crumble.
Running a hospital or healthcare center is not easy. It requires more than just a highly skilled staff. It demands efficiency, quality service, and top-notch operations. One essential tool in today’s healthcare landscape is a robust healthcare management system software. While shifting from older systems to modern healthcare software may seem costly, it is an inevitable step towards providing quick, high-quality care to patients and ensuring the hospital functions efficiently.
Hospital, operating room – associative photo. Healthcare management systems and software are used in all modern hospitals. Image credit: Piron Guillaume via Unsplash, free license
Understanding the needs of staff, patients, and management is the key when considering custom solutions or working with contractors to implement such software. Custom solutions can tailor the system to the unique requirements of a healthcare institution.
Benefits you get from having implemented HMS Software
Hospital management systems offer a variety of features that significantly benefit doctors. They help them in providing better patient care while they still can dedicate more time to their patients rather than being bogged down with paperwork. Modern hospitals equip their staff with the right infrastructure, centralizing patient information in a single, accessible database. This enables quick access to patient history and test results, optimizing processes and making them more efficient.
A proficient hospital management system should include a range of features that contribute to the hospital’s smooth and efficient functioning.
#1 Automatic call processing
Automated call processing ensures effective and efficient communication within the hospital. No more missed or unanswered phone calls. And no more nurses spending half a day on the phone.
#2 Appointment notifications
Sending appointment notifications to patients helps in better appointment management and reduces no-shows. Doctors can be sure they will have their day as planned.
#3 Medical test results notifications
Automated notifications of medical test results to patients improve communication and the overall patient experience. There is no need to go back to the laboratory to get your paper results.
#4 Automatic filling of medical records
No more tons of papers! The system of automatic filling of medical records saves time and ensures accuracy. Moreover, both doctors and patients can have access to all the information.
#5 Quick patient registration
No more 1-hour paper questionnaires or phone talks with spelling exercises. HMS allows for simplifying this process and provides timely care.
#6 Online doctor’s consulting hours
The pandemic has shown that having the option of getting an appointment online can be a lifesaver! Everyone can get fair treatment and, most importantly, on time.
#7 Online prescriptions
It is a common problem that people may lose or forget a piece of paper with a prescription on it. That is why having it online makes sure patients can always buy their medication when needed.
#8 Integration of patients information across multiple doctors
It is no secret that our health information is not specified to just one doctor. It is important for them to be able to see the whole picture. So, providing access to patients’ information across all doctors is a must, and it improves the whole delivery of healthcare services.
When the integration of all systems and processes is fulfilled into a unified platform, it ensures smooth operations throughout the hospital or any other medical institution.
When speaking of the most significant advantages of a healthcare management system, we should mention the efficient scheduling it offers to doctors. They are able to see the whole day and analyze how to make better decisions on planning. As a result, it improves the services patients get. It is impossible to overestimate the help HMS brings to doctors and nurses as well as patients.
Moreover, hospital management systems focus on revenue management. What does it mean? The system aids in optimizing durations of appointments without compromising on service quality. By analyzing doctor schedules, the administration can calculate work hours, considering peak times and equipment maintenance. Doctors can easily recommend treatment protocols based on predefined illness categories, providing a structured approach to care. The system also offers insights into hospital profitability and campaign effectiveness tracking.
Features to include
When you are considering implementing the hospital management system software, there are several critical features that should be taken into account. Let’s explore them!
#1 Editing and printing patient data
The software should allow easy editing and printing of patient details and data. All doctors and nurses get quick access to vital patient information, treatment plans, prescriptions, and complaints.
#2 Automated cost calculations
This feature is especially great for patients. When there is an automatic calculation of service costs, patients can more freely book appointments. It boosts important aspects of healthcare services – transparency and efficiency.
#3 Payment history tracking
This feature simplifies and improves financial management. It includes tracking and retrieval of payment history, services provided, and associated costs.
#4 Billing and invoicing
This feature is needed for simplifying financial transactions. It handles billing for services, generates invoices, and supports various payment methods. Both hospitals and patients benefit from it as they choose the most suitable payment method.
#5 Mobile accessibility
Responsive solutions are a must in the modern world. HMS software is not an exception. Healthcare professionals and patients should be able to access the system on the go, at any place and time. It ensures flexibility and accessibility to crucial data when needed.
#6 Security and compliance
There is no need to explain why these features are essential. What should be included? Robust security features, data encryption, user authentication, and compliance with healthcare data privacy regulations (such as HIPAA) to protect sensitive patient information.
Last but not least
Hospital management system software is a vital tool in modern healthcare institutions. There are many improvements that come with its implementations. High-quality services, optimized working hours, and advanced healthcare services. And these are just the main of them. Be up to date and enhance your medical institution with this state-of-the-art solution!
MIT engineers and collaborators developed a solar-powered desalination device that avoids salt-clogging issues of other designs.
Engineers at MIT and in China aim to turn seawater into drinking water with a completely passive device inspired by the ocean and powered by the sun.
A tilted ten-stage desalination system prototype is located into a “boat-like” reservoir. Image credit: Jintong Gao and Zhenyuan Xu / MIT
In a paper appearing in the journal Joule, the team outlines the design for a new solar desalination system that takes in salt water and heats it with natural sunlight.
The desalination device’s configuration allows water to circulate in swirling eddies, like the ocean’s much larger “thermohaline” circulation. This circulation, combined with the sun’s heat, evaporates water, leaving salt behind. The resulting water vapor can then be condensed and collected as pure, drinkable water.
In the meantime, the leftover salt continues to circulate through and out of the device, rather than accumulating and clogging the system.
The new desalination system has a higher water-production rate and a higher salt-rejection rate than all other passive solar desalination concepts currently being tested.
The researchers estimate that if the system is scaled up to the size of a small suitcase, it could produce about 4 to 6 liters of drinking water per hour and last several years before requiring replacement parts. At this scale and performance, the system could produce drinking water at a rate and price that is cheaper than tap water.
Outdoor test of the prototype under natural sunlight. Image credits: Jintong Gao and Zhenyuan Xu / MIT
“For the first time, it is possible for water, produced by sunlight, to be even cheaper than tap water,” says Lenan Zhang, a research scientist in MIT’s Device Research Laboratory.
The team envisions a scaled-up desalination device could passively produce enough drinking water to meet the daily requirements of a small family. The system could also supply off-grid, coastal communities where seawater is easily accessible.
Zhang’s study co-authors include MIT graduate student Yang Zhong and Evelyn Wang, the Ford Professor of Engineering, along with Jintong Gao, Jinfang You, Zhanyu Ye, Ruzhu Wang, and Zhenyuan Xu of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.
A powerful convection
The team’s new desalination system improves on their previous design — a similar concept of multiple layers, called stages. Each stage contained an evaporator and a condenser that used heat from the sun to passively separate salt from incoming water.
That design, which the team tested on the roof of an MIT building, efficiently converted the sun’s energy to evaporate water, which was then condensed into drinkable water.
But the salt that was left over quickly accumulated as crystals that clogged the system after a few days. In a real-world setting, a user would have to place stages on a frequent basis, which would significantly increase the system’s overall cost.
In a follow-up effort, they devised a solution with a similar layered configuration, this time with an added feature that helped to circulate the incoming water as well as any leftover salt. While this design prevented salt from settling and accumulating on the device, it desalinated water at a relatively low rate.
In the latest iteration, the team believes it has landed on a desalination system design that achieves both a high water-production rate, and high salt rejection, meaning that the system can quickly and reliably produce drinking water for an extended period.
The key to their new design is a combination of their two previous concepts: a multistage system of evaporators and condensers, that is also configured to boost the circulation of water — and salt — within each stage.
“We introduce now an even more powerful convection, that is similar to what we typically see in the ocean, at kilometer-long scales,” Xu says.
The small circulations generated in the team’s new system is similar to the “thermohaline” convection in the ocean — a phenomenon that drives the movement of water around the world, based on differences in sea temperature (“thermo”) and salinity (“haline”).
“When seawater is exposed to air, sunlight drives water to evaporate. Once water leaves the surface, salt remains. And the higher the salt concentration, the denser the liquid, and this heavier water wants to flow downward,” Zhang explains.
“By mimicking this kilometer-wide phenomena in small box, we can take advantage of this feature to reject salt.”
Tapping out
The heart of the team’s new design is a single stage that resembles a thin box, topped with a dark material that efficiently absorbs the heat of the sun. Inside, the box is separated into a top and bottom section.
Water can flow through the top half, where the ceiling is lined with an evaporator layer that uses the sun’s heat to warm up and evaporate any water in direct contact. The water vapor is then funneled to the bottom half of the box, where a condensing layer air-cools the vapor into salt-free, drinkable liquid.
The researchers set the entire box at a tilt within a larger, empty vessel, then attached a tube from the top half of the box down through the bottom of the vessel, and floated the vessel in saltwater.
In this configuration, water can naturally push up through the tube and into the box, where the tilt of the box, combined with the thermal energy from the sun, induces the water to swirl as it flows through. The small eddies help to bring water in contact with the upper evaporating layer while keeping salt circulating, rather than settling and clogging.
The team built several prototypes of this desalination device, with one, three, and 10 stages, and tested their performance in water of varying salinity, including natural seawater and water that was seven times saltier.
From these tests, the researchers calculated that if each stage were scaled up to a square meter, it would produce up to 5 liters of drinking water per hour, and that the system could desalinate water without accumulating salt for several years.
Given this extended lifetime, and the fact that the system is entirely passive, requiring no electricity to run, the team estimates that the overall cost of running the system would be cheaper than what it costs to produce tap water in the United States.
“We show that this device is capable of achieving a long lifetime,” Zhong says. “That means that, for the first time, it is possible for drinking water produced by sunlight to be cheaper than tap water. This opens up the possibility for solar desalination to address real-world problems.”
“This is a very innovative approach that effectively mitigates key challenges in the field of desalination,” says Guihua Yu, who develops sustainable water and energy storage systems at the University of Texas at Austin, and was not involved in the research.
“The design is particularly beneficial for regions struggling with high-salinity water. Its modular design makes it highly suitable for household water production, allowing for scalability and adaptability to meet individual needs.”
The 9th edition of the prestigious European Rover Challenge (ERC) space robotics competition has concluded this Sunday. After intense competition on the world’s largest artificial Marsyard, team AGH Space Systems emerged as the best robotic team, meeting the rigorous demands of the jury.
Second and third place were won by two teams from Switzerland: FHNW Rover Team and EPFL Xplore. For the first time, participants underwent a certification process confirming their knowledge and skills.
The exciting rivalry of teams from around the world was accompanied by numerous attractions and surprises: a meeting with the ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański, an outdoor cinema, sky observations, and the opportunity to control rovers, drones, and walking robots.
Kalman – the winning rover of AGH Space Systems Team. Image credit: ERC
35 of the world’s best academic teams from almost all continents participated in the finals. This year’s edition took place in two formulas: 20 teams competed on-site, while 15 took part remotely from the farthest corners of the globe.
The competition took place on the surface which was inspired by a fragment of the Martian landscape, and the teams had to meet the challenges faced by engineers of real Martian missions. The tasks prepared by the organizers posed significant obstacles for the teams this year.
The geological puzzle turned out to be so complex that only a few teams managed to solve it. Meanwhile, the terrain’s formation caused significant difficulties for the rovers.
1st prizes in the competition were awarded to AGH Space Systems from Poland (ON-SITE formula) and Makercie from Netherlands (REMOTE formula). The following places were taken by the teams: second place: FNHW Rover Team from Switzerland and DJS Antariksh from India and the podium was closed by the teams: EPFL Xplore from Switzerland and ProjectRED from Italy.
For the first time, except for the experience of participating in the unique space project, members of the academic teams could also obtain a formal certificate as part of the “ERC Space & Robotics Industry Standard Practice Programme”, confirming their competence in specific scientific and technological areas.
Thanks to this, every member of the participating team could receive a document certifying their knowledge and experience. Like other certificates from the space industry, the ERC document became a formal confirmation of the participant’s substantive contribution to the rover’s construction and their commitment to the project.
Visitors to the 9th edition of the European Rover Challenge, could also experience educational workshops prepared by exhibitors, scientific experiments, and immerse themselves in interactions with robots and space technologies.
Meetings with ESA Astronaut Slawosz Uznanski, and Robert Zubrin, an advocate for Mars exploration, attracted great interest. The youngest attendees learned about the Solar System and found out where in the Universe life might exist.
The European Rover Challenge was held under the constant patronage of the European Space Agency and the Polish Space Agency. Co-organizers of ERC 2023 were the European Space Foundation, the Kielce University of Technology, and the Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.
The City of Kielce once again serves as the Host City of the event, and among the partners, were: Mars Society Poland, ESA BIC Poland / Industrial Development Agency, Poznań University of Technology, Polish Space Professionals Association PSPA, Employers’ Association of the Space Sector, Pyramid Games, Pokojowy Patrol, Poland Convention Bureau, Polish Tourism Organization, as well as the American corporation Mathworks and RedWire.
The project is partially financed by the “Social Responsibility of Science” program of the Minister of Education and Science.
More about the European Rover Challenge can be found: roverchallenge.eu
If you are looking or have been looking for IT workers, you know very well that it is not at all easy to find trustworthy professionals. We live in unstable times, constant insecurity results in business failures. That’s why we so badly need reliable colleagues and effective solutions. One way to succeed is to work with experienced recruitment specialists. The IT recruitment Poland service offered by the Sowelo agency is just the key to success.
IT recruitment Poland is a fast way to increase the number of skilled IT employees in your company. Image credit: Pexels, free license
Sowelo has been in business for more than 15 years. It has dozens of successful recruitment projects to its credit. Sowelo headhunters work with both Polish and international clients. They recruit for various positions of specialists representing different backgrounds, cultures and languages.
When looking for highly qualified employees, it is worth taking advantage of the experience of professional headhunters representing independent agencies. With their help, you can not only quickly find professionals for a given position, but also get good results in your business much faster. Sowelo offers tailor-made recruitment service perfectly adapted to the expectations of individual clients. Unlike in-house HR specialists, Sowelo employees have recruitment expertise gained from working with clients from home and abroad, so their offer and assistance is much more extensive.
IT Recruitment Poland by Sowelo – minimizing risks
Sowelo Agency has been on the market since 2007. Throughout its history, it has experienced many different situations in the recruitment market. With experience in various circumstances, the consultants have served many clients both at home and abroad. Sowelo will ideally adapt its activities and offerings to changing market conditions, and having the right know-how has a significant advantage over in-house HR staff.
Speaking of projects completed by Sowelo so far, it is worth mentioning just a few of them. Mention Branch Manager, Chief Accountant, Operation Director, Sales Executive, Team Supervisor or Unit Manager, PMO Director, System Architect and so on. High-quality specialists representing various industries and coming from different countries have been found. Sowelo’s clients are very satisfied with the cooperation with the agency and are very eager to return with further projects, as well as recommend cooperation to other companies. Sowelo offers services such as IT Contracting, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, as well as Talent Market Mapping and Employer Branding.
Working with a recruitment agency means minimizing the risk of unsuccessful recruitment. Together with the client, consultants create a profile of the ideal candidate and develop a list of requirements that he or she must meet. Carefully selected candidates with the required skills and competencies are invited to a job interview. Sowelo employees are able to quickly find candidates even for very niche positions, they are also able to reach out to those who are not currently looking for a job and get them interested in the offer.
Cooperation with Sowelo Consulting agency is also, as already mentioned, an opportunity to avoid the serious consequences that bad hires bring. After all, hiring the wrong people can not only cost a lot, but also drag down a company and lead to its bankruptcy.
IT Recruitment Poland by Sowelo – professional knowledge and up-to-date information from the labor market
Sowelo’s expertise and experience is something that anyone can benefit from at any time. IT Recruitment Poland is a service designed for clients both at the early stages of their operation and for companies that have been on the market for some time. The advice and assistance of a good, experienced recruiter not only saves a lot of money, but also saves a lot of time. You can avoid the consequences of bad hires, but also gain the time you need to run your business and make your company more competitive.
Sowelo consultants have contacts that, unfortunately, in-house HR staff do not have. This allows them to quickly contact the best candidates for a given, even the most niche position. This is also important because often high-level professionals are reluctant to contact corporate HR staff, do not trust them and are not willing to cooperate. They are more likely to join independent headhunters and are much more accommodating to the job offers they offer.
Independent headhunters can find truly hidden, rare talent. It is not a problem for them to find specialists representing very rare specializations, because they deal with such cases on a daily basis. As part of the IT Recruitment Poland service, they will quickly find specialists with unique skills or using very rare programming languages.
The key role of recruiters in the IT recruitment Poland process
By using the services of the Sowelo Consulting agency, many of the problems that the recruitment process brings can be avoided. As statistics show, as many as 89% of recruitment failures are due to poor attitudes of new hires. Therefore, experienced recruiters who can read the subtle signs and body language of candidates can really be an invaluable aid in the recruitment process. By seeing arrogant, disrespectful behaviour, negative comments regarding former employers, a Sowelo recruiter is able to avoid hiring the wrong person.
After all, it is well known that an inadequate employee is not only a waste of money, but also a danger of passing on confidential business information to competitors, a negative impact on the company’s image and a waste of valuable time. It is therefore a good idea to use the services of an agency that already has experience in its field and is aware of the risk of various kinds of failures.
Sowelo headhunters are very effective and achieve great results in their work. Their in-depth knowledge gained over years, their willingness to help and their commitment to the project are what clients really appreciate and what they come back to when proposing to collaborate on new projects. Therefore, whenever you are in need of professionals to provide recruitment services to your company, feel free to contact Sowelo team and hire developers and qualified candidates to your team.
