More than 100 people were arrested and summons were issued against them for trespassing after an encampment was set up by the protesters at New York’s Columbia University to show their solidarity with Gaza.

More than 100 people were arrested and summons were issued against them for trespassing after an encampment was set up by the protesters at New York’s Columbia University to show their solidarity with Gaza. According to the police, among those arrested was Republican Ilhan Omar’s daughter Isra Hirsi. For 30 hours, the space on the South Lawn of the university was occupied by the demonstrators, said Mayor Eric Adams, after the arrests were made on Thursday (April 18). The university asked the New York Police Department (NYPD) for help and stated that the university suspended the students, however, they still did not leave. 🚨UPDATE🚨 THOUSANDS of students at Columbia University are on the plaza with 100s of students occupying the West Lawn pic.twitter.com/0maFuvzs0R — sebas 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩🇵🇬 (@cybersebb) April 18, 2024 × “Columbia University’s students have a proud history of protests and raising their voices,” said Adams, but added that the students do not have the right to violate the policies of the university. “We will not be a city of lawlessness,” said the mayor. Also Read: Pro-Palestinian protesters block traffic on Golden Gate Bridge, airport highways in major US cities Twenty-one-year-old Hirsi, who attends Barnard College in Manhattan, wrote on X that she was suspended for “standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide,” along with two other students. Hirsi, who is an organiser of a student group which advocates for Palestinians, said that for the first time, she is being punished as a student activist in her three years at the school. "Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated,” Hirsi wrote. Protesting students call police officers "KKK", "baby killers" Police arrested more than 108 students and gave them summonses for trespass, which included Hirsi. Two of them also faced charges of obstructing governmental administration, as per the authorities. As per NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, the students were peacefully arrested and did not resist and said what they wanted to stay "in a peaceful manner". However, nearly 500 other students left surrounded the police “and were telling us that we’re the KKK,” among other insults, said Caban. Another police official said that they called them "baby killers" and to "go kill ourselves". "It was very sad to see," he added. NYC Mayor Eric Adams said, "It's very troubling when you protest protesting for peace. You should not be using inflammatory comments like we saw. It was very vile." Watch: US: How Pro-Palestine protests overshadow Biden's re-election bid | Israel war Earlier in the day, Columbia University’s president, Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, in a memo to the police, said that more than 100 students had occupied the area. "I have determined that the encampment and related disruptions pose a clear and present danger to the substantial functioning of the University," said the memo. Shafik added that she authorised police to clear the encampment “out of an abundance of concern” for safety on campus. "Columbia is committed to allowing members of our community to engage in political expression — within established rules and with respect for the safety of all," the memo read. (With inputs from agencies)

US police arrest more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University

It is believed that each fingerprint on our hands is unique. However, scientists at a university in the United States challenged this with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

It is believed that each fingerprint on our hands is unique. However, scientists at a university in the United States challenged this with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a report by BBC on Thursday (Jan 11), researchers at Columbia University trained an AI tool to examine 60,000 fingerprints to see if it could work out which fingerprints belong to the same person. The AI tool could identify with an accuracy of 75-90%, whether prints from different fingers came from one person, the report said. 'We were very sceptical...' Researchers at Columbia thought the AI tool was analysing fingerprints in a different way from traditional methods. Speaking to BBC, Professor Hod Lipson, who supervised the study, said the researchers were not sure how AI did it. "It is clear that it isn't using traditional markers that forensics have been using for decades," said Professor Lipson. "It seems like it is using something like the curvature and the angle of the swirls in the centre," he added. "We were very sceptical... we had to check and double check," he further said. Also read: WEF warns AI-driven disinformation may pose risk to elections around the world Professor Graham Williams, who teaches forensic science at Hull University, told the network that the idea of unique fingerprints had never been set in stone. "All we can say is that as far as we are aware, no two people have yet to demonstrate the same fingerprints," Professor Williams said. The findings of the study were deemed so surprising that they were rejected by an unnamed forensics journal. Also watch: Artificial Intelligence: Job killer or job creator? × "I don't normally argue editorial decisions, but this finding was too important to ignore," Lipson added. He pointed out that if the findings tip the balance, then "I imagine that cold cases could be reviewed and even that innocent people could be acquitted." BBC reported that the research's findings could have the potential to impact both biometrics and forensic science. (With inputs from agencies)

US university uses AI to prove our fingerprints are not unique: Report

After donning the hat of US secretary of state and Democrat presidential nominee for White House, Hillary Clinton will now join Columbia University as global affairs professor. Clinton will teach at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The official announcement came from Columbia University's president Lee Bollinger this week.

"Given her extraordinary talents and capacities together with her singular life experiences, Hillary Clinton is unique, and, most importantly, exceptional in what she can bring to the University’s missions of research and teaching, along with public service and engagement for the public good," Bollinger said in a statement.

Clinton will reportedly assume her new position on 1st February. She will work alongside the SIPA dean, Keren Yarhi-Milo, and other senior faculty members on a "variety of major initiatives," Bollinger said.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-greatest-speeches-ever-made-435629">Gravitas: The Greatest Speeches ever made</a>

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"Secretary Clinton will help us deliver on our mission to educate a new generation of principled policy leaders and generate innovative ideas grounded in research," Yarhi-Milo said.

"Starting in the 2023–24 academic year, students will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from her in the classroom, benefiting from her unparalleled experience in foreign and domestic policy," she added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hillary-clinton-called-war-criminal-as-she-becomes-chancellor-of-queens-university-416187">Hillary Clinton called 'war criminal' as she becomes Chancellor of Queen's University</a>

Clinton will reportedly lead a "major new Sipa effort to convene the best policy minds from around the world for robust debate and collaboration aimed at developing innovative policy solutions."

In response to her upcoming appointment, Clinton said that university's academic pursuits resonate with her personally. “Columbia’s commitment to educating the next generation of US and global policy leaders, translating insights into impact, and helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges resonates personally with me. I look forward to contributing to these efforts,” she said.

In 2022, Columbia University had conferred an honorary doctors of law degree to Hillary Clinton. 
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After donning the hat of US secretary of state and Democrat presidential nominee for White House, Hillary Clinton will now join Columbia University as global affairs professor.

After donning the hat of US secretary of state and Democrat presidential nominee for White House, Hillary Clinton will now join Columbia University as global affairs professor. Clinton will teach at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The official announcement came from Columbia University's president Lee Bollinger this week. "Given her extraordinary talents and capacities together with her singular life experiences, Hillary Clinton is unique, and, most importantly, exceptional in what she can bring to the University’s missions of research and teaching, along with public service and engagement for the public good," Bollinger said in a statement. Clinton will reportedly assume her new position on 1st February. She will work alongside the SIPA dean, Keren Yarhi-Milo, and other senior faculty members on a "variety of major initiatives," Bollinger said. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: The Greatest Speeches ever made × "Secretary Clinton will help us deliver on our mission to educate a new generation of principled policy leaders and generate innovative ideas grounded in research," Yarhi-Milo said. "Starting in the 2023–24 academic year, students will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from her in the classroom, benefiting from her unparalleled experience in foreign and domestic policy," she added. ALSO READ | Hillary Clinton called 'war criminal' as she becomes Chancellor of Queen's University Clinton will reportedly lead a "major new Sipa effort to convene the best policy minds from around the world for robust debate and collaboration aimed at developing innovative policy solutions." In response to her upcoming appointment, Clinton said that university's academic pursuits resonate with her personally. “Columbia’s commitment to educating the next generation of US and global policy leaders, translating insights into impact, and helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges resonates personally with me. I look forward to contributing to these efforts,” she said. In 2022, Columbia University had conferred an honorary doctors of law degree to Hillary Clinton. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hillary Clinton to teach Global Affairs at Columbia University

A Columbia university Economics professor was censured during a live TV interview when he suggested that US and Poland might be responsible for the mysterious leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

He further claimed that several journalists have reported insinuating Washington for the sabotage of pipelines &nbsp;

Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University’s professor, was on Bloomberg TV on Monday to talk about the Ukraine conflict.&nbsp;

"The destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline, which I would bet was a US action, perhaps US and Poland," Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Bloomberg TV.

But his remarks triggered a strident reaction from the host, Tom Keene, who intervened saying, “Jeff, we've got to stop there,” adding, “Why do you feel that was a US action? What evidence do you have of that?'”

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To which Sach replied, "First of all, there is great evidence that US helicopters, military helicopters that are normally based in Gdansk, were circling over this area. We also had the threats from the United States earlier this year that one way or another, we are going to in Nord Stream. We also had the remarkable statement by Secretary [of State] Blinken.”

“Last Friday in a press conference he says this is also a tremendous opportunity. It's a strange way to interact. Sorry, it's a strange way to talk if you're worried about the international infrastructure of vital significance.”

"I know this runs counter to our narrative and you're not allowed to say these things in the West," he added.

The western media has been blaming Russia for the gas pipeline leaks in a bid to escalate the conflict and pressure Europe to withdraw its support for Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Columbia university Economics professor was censured during a live TV interview when he suggested that US and Poland might be responsible for the mysterious leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

A Columbia university Economics professor was censured during a live TV interview when he suggested that US and Poland might be responsible for the mysterious leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipeline. He further claimed that several journalists have reported insinuating Washington for the sabotage of pipelines Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University’s professor, was on Bloomberg TV on Monday to talk about the Ukraine conflict. "The destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline, which I would bet was a US action, perhaps US and Poland," Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Bloomberg TV. But his remarks triggered a strident reaction from the host, Tom Keene, who intervened saying, “Jeff, we've got to stop there,” adding, “Why do you feel that was a US action? What evidence do you have of that?'” × To which Sach replied, "First of all, there is great evidence that US helicopters, military helicopters that are normally based in Gdansk, were circling over this area. We also had the threats from the United States earlier this year that one way or another, we are going to in Nord Stream. We also had the remarkable statement by Secretary [of State] Blinken.” “Last Friday in a press conference he says this is also a tremendous opportunity. It's a strange way to interact. Sorry, it's a strange way to talk if you're worried about the international infrastructure of vital significance.” "I know this runs counter to our narrative and you're not allowed to say these things in the West," he added. The western media has been blaming Russia for the gas pipeline leaks in a bid to escalate the conflict and pressure Europe to withdraw its support for Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Economics professor censured live on TV for suggesting US role in Nord Stream leaks

Columbia University, widely regarded globally as one of the best universities in the world, is facing criticism for submitting inflated data to US News college rankings. The rankings released by US News have also faced questions about their trustworthiness.

Columbia University was ranked number two in the rankings but after it was understood that the university presented inflated data, it slipped to 18th place.

The university has admitted to sending incorrect data. CNN reported that a spokesperson for the university confirmed that the previous figures were overstated. Specifically, the figures related to how many small classes the university offered and number of faculty members holding terminal degrees.

“We deeply regret the deficiencies in our prior reporting and are committed to doing better,” said the spokesperson in a statement, as reported by CNN.

In February this year, Columbia University faced criticism from within its own ranks. Mathematics professor Michael Thaddeus accused the university of submitting inaccurate data. The professor underlined data that described class sizes, number of full-time faculty and other data.

“The broader lesson everyone should keep in mind is that US News has shown its operations are so shoddy that both of [the rankings] are meaningless,” Thaddeus said to the Times.

“If any institution can decline from No 2 to No 18 in a single year, it just discredits the whole ranking operation.” he added.

This is not the first time a university has faced accusations of manipulation of college rankings. In March this year, a former dean of Temple University even received a 14-month prison sentence for fraud. The dean had reportedly submitted false data to boost the school's master's program ranking.

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&nbsp;

Columbia University, widely regarded globally as one of the best universities in the world, is facing criticism for submitting inflated data to US News college rankings.

Columbia University, widely regarded globally as one of the best universities in the world, is facing criticism for submitting inflated data to US News college rankings. The rankings released by US News have also faced questions about their trustworthiness. Columbia University was ranked number two in the rankings but after it was understood that the university presented inflated data, it slipped to 18th place. The university has admitted to sending incorrect data. CNN reported that a spokesperson for the university confirmed that the previous figures were overstated. Specifically, the figures related to how many small classes the university offered and number of faculty members holding terminal degrees. “We deeply regret the deficiencies in our prior reporting and are committed to doing better,” said the spokesperson in a statement, as reported by CNN. In February this year, Columbia University faced criticism from within its own ranks. Mathematics professor Michael Thaddeus accused the university of submitting inaccurate data. The professor underlined data that described class sizes, number of full-time faculty and other data. “The broader lesson everyone should keep in mind is that US News has shown its operations are so shoddy that both of [the rankings] are meaningless,” Thaddeus said to the Times. “If any institution can decline from No 2 to No 18 in a single year, it just discredits the whole ranking operation.” he added. This is not the first time a university has faced accusations of manipulation of college rankings. In March this year, a former dean of Temple University even received a 14-month prison sentence for fraud. The dean had reportedly submitted false data to boost the school's master's program ranking. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Columbia University's admission of fudging data for ranking throws up questions

Milloni Doshi, a 25-year-old student from India who is supposed to start her master’s degree this fall at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, has a problem.

Although Doshi has been vaccinated against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, she received two doses of Covaxin, which is made by an Indian manufacturer and is not currently approved by the World Health Organization, as required by the university in New York.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/give-us-priority-covid-19-vaccination-foreign-bound-students-to-tamil-nadu-govt-388954">Give us priority COVID-19 vaccination: Foreign-bound students to Tamil Nadu govt</a>&nbsp;

Columbia has told her she will need to be revaccinated with a different <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> once she arrives on campus, but no one can say for sure if it is safe to do so.

“I am just concerned about taking two different vaccines,” she wrote via a messaging app. “They said the application process would be the toughest part of the cycle, but it’s really been all of this that has been uncertain and anxiety-inducing.”

Since March, more than 400 colleges and universities in the United States have announced vaccine mandates, requiring students to be immunized against the coronavirus. But the rules have been designed primarily with domestic students in mind, leaving international students scrambling, particularly those in India and Russia.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-distribute-80-million-vaccine-doses-through-covax-india-included-in-list-white-house-389263">US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India included in list: White House</a>

Neither Covaxin nor the Sputnik V vaccine, which is manufactured in Russia, has been approved by the WHO. American students, however, have access to the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines, three of the eight authorized by the health agency, according to a WHO spokesperson.

The disparity could hinder colleges that have made it a major priority to retain international students, who brought in close to $39 billion in tuition dollars in the year before the pandemic, according to one analysis.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worldwide-coronavirus-cases-cross-171-million-death-toll-at-3557281-388897">Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 171 million, death toll at 3,557,281</a>

“Universities want to enroll international students because they add diversity to the campus community, and they bring money,” said Terry Hartle, senior vice president at the American Council on Education. “It’s why this has been a subject of intense discussion.”

The situation is particularly challenging for students in India, which sends approximately 200,000 international students to US&nbsp;colleges every year, the second most after China. The subcontinent is emerging from the grips of one of the most severe waves of the pandemic, when burial grounds were running out of space and funeral pyres were nearly constantly burning. Vaccine shortages are so acute that only 3 per cent&nbsp;of the population is fully immunized, and getting an appointment is a taxing affair.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-virus-surge-singapore-set-to-vaccinate-students-from-june-3-388595">Amid virus surge, Singapore set to vaccinate students from June 3</a>

In some parts of India, students planning on attending US&nbsp;universities have turned to the black market, paying hundreds of dollars to be vaccinated. Others have hired people to spend up to 12 hours online trying to line up a vaccination slot.

It is hard enough just to get an appointment, but even more so to secure one for a vaccine that will be accepted by US&nbsp;campuses.

“Every day, we get 10 to 15 messages and inquiries, saying, ‘What does this mean? How does this impact me?’” said Sudhanshu Kaushik, 26, who dropped out of his MBA program at New York University last year to run the North American Association of Indian Students, which is working to help fellow students.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-says-us-teens-should-get-vaccinated-by-autumn-younger-children-next-year-368711">Fauci says US teens should get vaccinated by autumn, younger children next year</a>

Among the questions flooding Kaushik’s inbox: What happens if I cannot get my vaccine in time? Will I still be allowed to matriculate in the fall? What should I do if the vaccine I can get locally is not approved by my college?

At Indiana University, which announced its vaccine requirement less than two weeks ago, administrators are working overtime to answer the roughly 200 phone calls and 300 emails that are pouring in every day from the university’s roughly 6,000 students overseas, said its vice president for international affairs, Hannah Buxbaum.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thanksgiving-will-soon-empty-campuses-will-students-bring-coronavirus-home-342124">Thanksgiving will soon empty campuses. Will students bring coronavirus home?</a>

“Ringing off the hook doesn’t begin to describe,” said Buxbaum of the volume of calls from overseas students who are trying to navigate the vaccine bureaucracy in their home countries as well as a host of other virus-related problems, from flight bans to shuttered consulates.

“There is no question that there is anxiety and concern among our international students,” she said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/students-sue-top-us-universities-over-switch-to-online-courses-297080">Students sue top US universities over switch to online courses</a>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tried to provide guidance. The agency considers people fully vaccinated several weeks after they have received the requisite doses of any of the vaccines authorized by the WHO, said a spokesperson, Kristen Nordlund.

Besides the three vaccines currently available in the United States under emergency authorization by the FDA, the world body has, according to its website, also approved three versions of the AstraZeneca vaccine, including one made in England and one made in India; the Sinopharm vaccine, which is manufactured in China; and, as of this week, the Sinovac vaccine, also made in China.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/375-million-dollars-from-foreign-countries-to-ivy-league-schools-us-department-of-education-investigates-280716">375 million dollars from foreign countries to Ivy League schools, US Department of Education investigates</a>

Many universities appear to be following these guidelines: “If a student has had a WHO-approved vaccine,” said Clayton Rose, president of Bowdoin College, “then the student will be considered to be vaccinated.”

At Columbia, where one-third of the student body is from overseas, international students will be asked to present either their WHO booklet or a letter from a physician confirming they have received the requisite doses of one of the vaccines vetted by the world body, said Donna Lynne, chief operating officer of the university’s medical center, who heads the campus’s COVID-19 response.

But that leaves two categories of students that will face a more complicated, and potentially problematic&nbsp;process.

There are those who will not succeed in securing a vaccine before the start of the fall semester. Bowdoin and many other universities say they plan to have clinics on campus that will offer one of the three FDA-authorized vaccines.

The trick is that two of those, Pfizer and Moderna, require the first and second dose to be spaced three weeks apart; because someone is only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose, the process lasts a minimum of five weeks. During that time, will students be required to quarantine while the rest of campus goes back to normal? Will they need to undergo routine testing?

Campuses are proposing different measures, with some saying that those students will need to self-isolate in their dorm and attend classes remotely. Others are saying the students will be expected to wear a mask and undergo testing.

The more complicated scenario is if students received a vaccine that has not been approved by the WHO, like Sputnik or Covaxin. Many colleges are proposing that those student will need to be revaccinated, which presents both medical and logistical conundrums.

No data exists on whether combining vaccines from different companies is safe.

“Since COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable, the safety and effectiveness of receiving two different COVID-19 vaccines have not been studied,” Nordlund, the CDC spokesperson, wrote in an email.

She added that the CDC was recommending that people who were vaccinated outside the United States with a vaccine that was not authorized by the WHO should wait a minimum of 28 days before taking the first dose of one of the FDA-sanctioned vaccines.

Many universities were vague on how they plan to deal with the logistical complexity of spacing out these unrelated vaccines, beyond saying that they planned to accommodate students undergoing this process.

While much remains in flux, at least one major university system is planning on deviating from the CDC guidelines.

California State, the largest public university system in the country with 23 campuses enrolling nearly a half-million students, plans to accept any vaccine a student received if it was authorized by the regulatory agency in their country of origin, said Chancellor Joseph Castro.

“They will be able to satisfy the requirement,” he said, “as long as the vaccine they receive is approved by something similar to an entity like the FDA.”

Facing mounting pressure from confused and anxious students, at least six regional governments in India have announced emergency clinics in the past week to vaccinate students heading to US&nbsp;universities.

One of them is in Maharashtra, the state that includes Mumbai and is where Doshi lives, although the move came too late for her since she is already vaccinated with an injection Columbia does not accept. Instead of concentrating on her future course of study, she is fretting over whether the vaccine she will need to get upon arriving at Columbia will cause an adverse reaction.

“Truthfully, it was easier to get admitted than to handle the post-admissions process,” she said.

Milloni Doshi, a 25-year-old student from India who is supposed to start her master’s degree this fall at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, has a problem.

Milloni Doshi, a 25-year-old student from India who is supposed to start her master’s degree this fall at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, has a problem. Although Doshi has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, she received two doses of Covaxin, which is made by an Indian manufacturer and is not currently approved by the World Health Organization, as required by the university in New York. Also Read | Give us priority COVID-19 vaccination: Foreign-bound students to Tamil Nadu govt Columbia has told her she will need to be revaccinated with a different vaccine once she arrives on campus, but no one can say for sure if it is safe to do so. “I am just concerned about taking two different vaccines,” she wrote via a messaging app. “They said the application process would be the toughest part of the cycle, but it’s really been all of this that has been uncertain and anxiety-inducing.” Since March, more than 400 colleges and universities in the United States have announced vaccine mandates, requiring students to be immunized against the coronavirus. But the rules have been designed primarily with domestic students in mind, leaving international students scrambling, particularly those in India and Russia. Also Read | US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India included in list: White House Neither Covaxin nor the Sputnik V vaccine, which is manufactured in Russia, has been approved by the WHO. American students, however, have access to the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, three of the eight authorized by the health agency, according to a WHO spokesperson. The disparity could hinder colleges that have made it a major priority to retain international students, who brought in close to $39 billion in tuition dollars in the year before the pandemic, according to one analysis. Also Read | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 171 million, death toll at 3,557,281 “Universities want to enroll international students because they add diversity to the campus community, and they bring money,” said Terry Hartle, senior vice president at the American Council on Education. “It’s why this has been a subject of intense discussion.” The situation is particularly challenging for students in India, which sends approximately 200,000 international students to US colleges every year, the second most after China. The subcontinent is emerging from the grips of one of the most severe waves of the pandemic, when burial grounds were running out of space and funeral pyres were nearly constantly burning. Vaccine shortages are so acute that only 3 per cent of the population is fully immunized, and getting an appointment is a taxing affair. Also Read | Amid virus surge, Singapore set to vaccinate students from June 3 In some parts of India, students planning on attending US universities have turned to the black market, paying hundreds of dollars to be vaccinated. Others have hired people to spend up to 12 hours online trying to line up a vaccination slot. It is hard enough just to get an appointment, but even more so to secure one for a vaccine that will be accepted by US campuses. “Every day, we get 10 to 15 messages and inquiries, saying, ‘What does this mean? How does this impact me?’” said Sudhanshu Kaushik, 26, who dropped out of his MBA program at New York University last year to run the North American Association of Indian Students, which is working to help fellow students. Also Read | Fauci says US teens should get vaccinated by autumn, younger children next year Among the questions flooding Kaushik’s inbox: What happens if I cannot get my vaccine in time? Will I still be allowed to matriculate in the fall? What should I do if the vaccine I can get locally is not approved by my college? At Indiana University, which announced its vaccine requirement less than two weeks ago, administrators are working overtime to answer the roughly 200 phone calls and 300 emails that are pouring in every day from the university’s roughly 6,000 students overseas, said its vice president for international affairs, Hannah Buxbaum. Also Read | Thanksgiving will soon empty campuses. Will students bring coronavirus home? “Ringing off the hook doesn’t begin to describe,” said Buxbaum of the volume of calls from overseas students who are trying to navigate the vaccine bureaucracy in their home countries as well as a host of other virus-related problems, from flight bans to shuttered consulates. “There is no question that there is anxiety and concern among our international students,” she said. Also Read | Students sue top US universities over switch to online courses The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tried to provide guidance. The agency considers people fully vaccinated several weeks after they have received the requisite doses of any of the vaccines authorized by the WHO, said a spokesperson, Kristen Nordlund. Besides the three vaccines currently available in the United States under emergency authorization by the FDA, the world body has, according to its website, also approved three versions of the AstraZeneca vaccine, including one made in England and one made in India; the Sinopharm vaccine, which is manufactured in China; and, as of this week, the Sinovac vaccine, also made in China. Also Read | 375 million dollars from foreign countries to Ivy League schools, US Department of Education investigates Many universities appear to be following these guidelines: “If a student has had a WHO-approved vaccine,” said Clayton Rose, president of Bowdoin College, “then the student will be considered to be vaccinated.” At Columbia, where one-third of the student body is from overseas, international students will be asked to present either their WHO booklet or a letter from a physician confirming they have received the requisite doses of one of the vaccines vetted by the world body, said Donna Lynne, chief operating officer of the university’s medical center, who heads the campus’s COVID-19 response. But that leaves two categories of students that will face a more complicated, and potentially problematic process. There are those who will not succeed in securing a vaccine before the start of the fall semester. Bowdoin and many other universities say they plan to have clinics on campus that will offer one of the three FDA-authorized vaccines. The trick is that two of those, Pfizer and Moderna, require the first and second dose to be spaced three weeks apart; because someone is only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose, the process lasts a minimum of five weeks. During that time, will students be required to quarantine while the rest of campus goes back to normal? Will they need to undergo routine testing? Campuses are proposing different measures, with some saying that those students will need to self-isolate in their dorm and attend classes remotely. Others are saying the students will be expected to wear a mask and undergo testing. The more complicated scenario is if students received a vaccine that has not been approved by the WHO, like Sputnik or Covaxin. Many colleges are proposing that those student will need to be revaccinated, which presents both medical and logistical conundrums. No data exists on whether combining vaccines from different companies is safe. “Since COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable, the safety and effectiveness of receiving two different COVID-19 vaccines have not been studied,” Nordlund, the CDC spokesperson, wrote in an email. She added that the CDC was recommending that people who were vaccinated outside the United States with a vaccine that was not authorized by the WHO should wait a minimum of 28 days before taking the first dose of one of the FDA-sanctioned vaccines. Many universities were vague on how they plan to deal with the logistical complexity of spacing out these unrelated vaccines, beyond saying that they planned to accommodate students undergoing this process. While much remains in flux, at least one major university system is planning on deviating from the CDC guidelines. California State, the largest public university system in the country with 23 campuses enrolling nearly a half-million students, plans to accept any vaccine a student received if it was authorized by the regulatory agency in their country of origin, said Chancellor Joseph Castro. “They will be able to satisfy the requirement,” he said, “as long as the vaccine they receive is approved by something similar to an entity like the FDA.” Facing mounting pressure from confused and anxious students, at least six regional governments in India have announced emergency clinics in the past week to vaccinate students heading to US universities. One of them is in Maharashtra, the state that includes Mumbai and is where Doshi lives, although the move came too late for her since she is already vaccinated with an injection Columbia does not accept. Instead of concentrating on her future course of study, she is fretting over whether the vaccine she will need to get upon arriving at Columbia will cause an adverse reaction. “Truthfully, it was easier to get admitted than to handle the post-admissions process,” she said.

Colleges say students must get a Covid vaccine. But no, not that one.

Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai announces the launch of the Urban Works Innovation Challenge 2019-2020 for transforming India`s cities into safe and sustainable places through technical innovation.

The challenge, which is part of a three-year program inaugurated in 2018 and supported by the RMZ Foundation, gives young innovators a globally competitive opportunity to receive mentorship from faculty and alumni of Columbia University`s prestigious Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science as well as from distinguished entrepreneurs and academics in India.

Winning teams can also avail of unrestricted capital from a total annual fund of Rs 1.2 crores, and peer networks and infrastructural support from a tech-first collaborative workspace at The CoWrks Foundry for a six month period.

"There is a huge opportunity in this country to harness the imagination, invigoration, and forward-looking vision of the youth in India to think about how Indian cities can be at the foundation of a global economy that advances human development," said Patricia J Culligan, Professor of Civil Engineering at Columbia University.

Almost 600 million Indians will live in cities by 2030. Rapid urbanization poses serious environmental and societal challenges, including degrading air quality, rising plastic waste, hindered mobility, mental health problems, and reduced safety for women.

In this evolving landscape, there is growing recognition that the country`s urban workforce requires workplaces and city-wide ecosystems to become more productive, innovative, and inclusive.

"Solutions that make use of contemporary technology can play a critical role in addressing these needs, thereby making our cities and work environments sustainable and safe for all," said Dr Ravina Aggarwal, Director of Columbia`s Mumbai Center.

The 2019-2020 challenge will support tech-based solutions to transform 21st-century cities into sustainable and safe work environments that span diverse industries and socio-economic geographies.

Broad areas for solution development include green technologies, decentralised energy-efficient solutions, sustainable resource use, waste management, accessibility, health and wellbeing, and gender security.

The innovation challenge is open to applications till November 15, 2019, from start-ups, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and practitioners intent on designing the future of Indian cities and improving urban work environments.

Teams with successful design prototypes will have the opportunity to pitch their design to leading corporations and investors.

"Our engagement with Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai and Columbia Engineering was formed with the vision of seeking out and empowering the most incredible minds doing deeply intentional and well-researched work into solving these problems at a global scale," said Nruthya Madappa, Managing Partner of The CoWrks Foundry.

&nbsp;

Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai announces the launch of the Urban Works Innovation Challenge 2019-2020 for transforming India`s cities into safe and sustainable places through technical innovation.

Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai announces the launch of the Urban Works Innovation Challenge 2019-2020 for transforming India`s cities into safe and sustainable places through technical innovation. The challenge, which is part of a three-year program inaugurated in 2018 and supported by the RMZ Foundation, gives young innovators a globally competitive opportunity to receive mentorship from faculty and alumni of Columbia University`s prestigious Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science as well as from distinguished entrepreneurs and academics in India. Winning teams can also avail of unrestricted capital from a total annual fund of Rs 1.2 crores, and peer networks and infrastructural support from a tech-first collaborative workspace at The CoWrks Foundry for a six month period. "There is a huge opportunity in this country to harness the imagination, invigoration, and forward-looking vision of the youth in India to think about how Indian cities can be at the foundation of a global economy that advances human development," said Patricia J Culligan, Professor of Civil Engineering at Columbia University. Almost 600 million Indians will live in cities by 2030. Rapid urbanization poses serious environmental and societal challenges, including degrading air quality, rising plastic waste, hindered mobility, mental health problems, and reduced safety for women. In this evolving landscape, there is growing recognition that the country`s urban workforce requires workplaces and city-wide ecosystems to become more productive, innovative, and inclusive. "Solutions that make use of contemporary technology can play a critical role in addressing these needs, thereby making our cities and work environments sustainable and safe for all," said Dr Ravina Aggarwal, Director of Columbia`s Mumbai Center. The 2019-2020 challenge will support tech-based solutions to transform 21st-century cities into sustainable and safe work environments that span diverse industries and socio-economic geographies. Broad areas for solution development include green technologies, decentralised energy-efficient solutions, sustainable resource use, waste management, accessibility, health and wellbeing, and gender security. The innovation challenge is open to applications till November 15, 2019, from start-ups, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and practitioners intent on designing the future of Indian cities and improving urban work environments. Teams with successful design prototypes will have the opportunity to pitch their design to leading corporations and investors. "Our engagement with Columbia Global Centers, Mumbai and Columbia Engineering was formed with the vision of seeking out and empowering the most incredible minds doing deeply intentional and well-researched work into solving these problems at a global scale," said Nruthya Madappa, Managing Partner of The CoWrks Foundry.

Columbia University's Urban works innovation challenge for start-ups in India

In the third session of WION Global Summit, we discuss the blueprint for India's foreign policy under Modi 2.0 with the Founder & Chairman of USINPAC Sanjay Puri, BJP foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale and Dr Philip K Oldenburg, Faculty in Columbia University moderated by WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay.

WION Global Summit: Re-imagining India's foreign policy landscape | Brand Modi 2.0

The session explores ways in which governments, businesses, and NGOs can address the challenge of climate change and find reliable solutions.

Global Summit - Climate Change: Stewarding a common goal

Less than five weeks before elections that will determine control of the US Congress for the next two years, about a third of registered voters do not know the name of their party's candidate for office, a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll found.

Name recognition is critical in motivating voters, is the reason candidates spend millions of dollars on TV ads and is a major factor in incumbents' advantage in fending off challengers.

But it may be slightly less critical on November 6 as many voters may view their choices as referendums on a man whose name will not be on the ballot: Republican President Donald Trump.

"With the current party polarization, voters increasingly vote based on party (read: like or dislike Trump) rather than the local candidates," Robert Erikson, a professor of political science at Columbia University in New York City, wrote in an email.

A Reuter/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found that 34 per cent of Republican registered voters and 32.5 per cent of Democratic registered voters said they did not know the names of their party's congressional candidates in their districts.

The poll of 2,597 registered voters taken September 24-30 had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 3 percentage points.

The level of congressional candidate name recognition is about in line with recent elections, said Marc Hetherington, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina.

"People aren't voting for their side as much as they are voting against the other side," Hetherington said. "It really doesn't matter what the names are these days."

Generic party interest is not working to Republicans' advantage nationally. Some 54 per cent of US adults told Reuters/Ipsos they disapprove of the way Trump is handling the presidency and Democrats have a 9 percentage point lead in a generic question on which party they expect to vote for in Congress.

Democrats need to pick up 23 seats in the House to win a majority that they could use to more effectively oppose Trump's agenda.&nbsp;

Beyond party and name recognition, gender may play a role in voters' decisions this year, said Michael Cornfield, an associate professor of political management at George Washington University. The #MeToo movement and protests around Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have played into that trend.

"In these cases, it's not just the name," Cornfield said in an email. "Gender relations may be the top issue."

Less than five weeks before elections that will determine control of the US Congress for the next two years, about a third of registered voters do not know the name of their party's candidate for office, a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll found.

Less than five weeks before elections that will determine control of the US Congress for the next two years, about a third of registered voters do not know the name of their party's candidate for office, a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll found. Name recognition is critical in motivating voters, is the reason candidates spend millions of dollars on TV ads and is a major factor in incumbents' advantage in fending off challengers. But it may be slightly less critical on November 6 as many voters may view their choices as referendums on a man whose name will not be on the ballot: Republican President Donald Trump. "With the current party polarization, voters increasingly vote based on party (read: like or dislike Trump) rather than the local candidates," Robert Erikson, a professor of political science at Columbia University in New York City, wrote in an email. A Reuter/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found that 34 per cent of Republican registered voters and 32.5 per cent of Democratic registered voters said they did not know the names of their party's congressional candidates in their districts. The poll of 2,597 registered voters taken September 24-30 had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 3 percentage points. The level of congressional candidate name recognition is about in line with recent elections, said Marc Hetherington, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina. "People aren't voting for their side as much as they are voting against the other side," Hetherington said. "It really doesn't matter what the names are these days." Generic party interest is not working to Republicans' advantage nationally. Some 54 per cent of US adults told Reuters/Ipsos they disapprove of the way Trump is handling the presidency and Democrats have a 9 percentage point lead in a generic question on which party they expect to vote for in Congress. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats in the House to win a majority that they could use to more effectively oppose Trump's agenda. Beyond party and name recognition, gender may play a role in voters' decisions this year, said Michael Cornfield, an associate professor of political management at George Washington University. The #MeToo movement and protests around Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have played into that trend. "In these cases, it's not just the name," Cornfield said in an email. "Gender relations may be the top issue."

What's in a name? One-third of US voters don't know candidates

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