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Showing posts from June, 2025

Computer Technology with 2D Materials

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  Recent advancements in computer technology have emerged from The Pennsylvania State University. Researchers have successfully built a computer using two-dimensional (2D) materials, marking milestone in the evolution of semiconductor technology . This development offers a potential alternative to traditional silicon-based systems, which have faced limitations as devices continue to shrink in size. CMOS Technology Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology is the foundation of modern electronic circuits. It is known for low power consumption and high component density. The recent shift towards 2D materials like molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2) aims to enhance the functionalities of these circuits. These materials are incredibly thin and scalable, making them suitable for future electronics. Limitations of Silicon Silicon has been the mainstay of electronics since the invention of the transistor in 1947. However, its effectiveness has platea...

2025 World Investment Report

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  The 2025 World Investment Report marks challenges in the global investment landscape. It reveals that foreign direct investment (FDI) is not reaching the nations and sectors that require it the most. Despite a notable increase in FDI in Africa, overall investment in developing countries has stagnated. The report puts stress on the urgent need for investment to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Foreign Direct Investment Overview Foreign direct investment is crucial for economic growth. In 2024, FDI in Africa rose by 75% to $97 billion. This increase was largely driven by megaproject in Egypt. However, FDI flows to developing nations remained flat overall. The stagnation in investment hampers job creation and infrastructure development. Investment Gaps in Developing Nations The investment gap is a pressing issue. In 2024, investments related to the SDGs in developing countries dropped by over 25%. Key sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and agrifood s...

What is the second wave of global work? And how will it affect my team?

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  A few years ago, hiring globally felt like a breakthrough. Fuelled by COVID, a rise in remote work and enabled by solutions like Employer of Record (EOR), HR teams could suddenly scale across countries with agility and speed. For many, it felt like the finish line. But today, the headlines tell a different story. Amid economic uncertainty, budget tightening and shifting regulations, global teams are under pressure. HR leaders aren’t just being asked to grow headcount — they’re being asked to do it faster, cheaper and with zero margin for error. And the work doesn’t stop once a new hire is made. In fact, that’s when many of the biggest challenges begin. The first wave of global work was about access: opening up hiring pools beyond borders. The second wave is about resilience: building systems and strategies that can withstand economic volatility, regulatory shifts and organizational scale. “Six years ago, helping companies to hire their first remote team member was a breakthrough,...

Darwinbox completes third ESOP buyback in 4 years

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  Darwinbox , a global provider of AI-powered HR technology, has completed a $10 million Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback, the third such program in just four years. Over 350 employees spread across the company’s 11 global offices in India, North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, benefited from this buyback round. “At Darwinbox , we’ve always believed that those who help build value should share in it. Even as we invest deeply in innovation and global growth, we remain equally committed to creating meaningful outcomes for our people. This buyback, like the ones before, reflects our belief in sharing success with our people and building a culture of ownership,” said Jayant Paleti, Co-founder, Darwinbox . Also Read: Cushman & Wakefield appoints Sona Aggarwal as MD, Head of Retail Sales and Strategy, Asia Pacific “Talent has always been at the heart of what we do at Darwinbox , and we’ve been intentional about ensuring they grow with the company—not just in...

Inside the mind of a CHRO: What it takes to build the future-ready pharma workforce

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  The pharmaceutical industry is in the midst of a fundamental transformation. Scientific breakthroughs, digital acceleration, and shifting patient expectations are not only redefining drug development but are also rewriting the rules of workforce planning. For HR leaders, the challenge is clear: to build a workforce that is as agile and multidimensional as the business itself. Namita Patwari, Chief Human Resources Officer at Alembic Pharmaceuticals, offers a lens into this evolution. Under her leadership, Alembic has embraced a talent acquisition strategy that goes far beyond filling vacancies. It’s about calibrating talent to complexity—aligning individuals not just to roles, but to purpose, environments, and future demands. Also Read: Intel begins layoffs with 107 roles slashed, up to 20% cuts expected in factories In a wide-ranging interview with People Matters, Patwari shared how the company is adapting its approach to recruitment, skilling, and retention to meet the growing s...
  The RN4CAST pilot was part of a large-scale research effort (2009–2011) involving 11–12 European countries and over 350 hospitals. Nurses in medical and surgical wards completed surveys on job satisfaction, burnout (via the Maslach Burnout Inventory), workload, staffing levels, nurse–physician collaboration, and practice environment (PES–NWI). These data were linked with patient satisfaction surveys and hospital discharge outcomes (e.g., in‑hospital mortality, failure‑to‑rescue) to model how workplace conditions impact nurse retention, quality of care, and forecasting models for nurse staffing. #RN4CAST #NurseForecasting #NurseWorkEnvironment #Burnout #JobSatisfaction #PatientOutcomes #StaffingLevels #MultilevelSurvey #HealthcareResearch #NurseRetention Human Resources Management Awards website Link : humanresourcesmanagement.org Nomination Link : humanresourcesmanagement.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee Contact Us : contact@humanresourcesmanagement.or...

Snowflake Yeast Reveals Into Multicellularity

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  Recent studies on snowflake yeast have revealed intriguing vital information about the evolution of multicellular organisms. This yeast, which exhibits unique growth patterns, has become a focal point for researchers exploring how lifeforms transitioned from unicellular to multicellular structures. The findings suggest that physical processes may play role in this evolutionary leap, challenging established genetic theories. About Snowflake Yeast Snowflake yeast, a variant of regular yeast, grows in clusters rather than as single cells. This growth occurs when the yeast’s buds do not detach from the parent cell, leading to the formation of large, visible clusters. Unlike typical yeast, which relies on genetic changes for reproduction, snowflake yeast demonstrates a different growth mechanism. Growth Mechanism of Snowflake Yeast The growth of snowflake yeast involves a physical process rather than solely genetic changes. Researchers observed that these yeast clusters thrive in nutr...

Panel Formed to Address Coaching Centre Dependency

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  The Union Education Ministry has established a panel to address the growing reliance of students on coaching centres. This initiative aims to evaluate competitive entrance examinations and the overall schooling system. The panel, led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, will explore various factors contributing to this trend. Terms of Reference The panel’s primary goal is to identify gaps in the current schooling system. It will focus on the limited emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills. The prevalence of rote learning practices will also be examined. The panel will investigate the emergence of “dummy schools” that promote coaching over formal education. Assessing Formative Assessments An important aspect of the panel’s work is to evaluate the role of formative assessments. The committee will determine how the absence of these assessments impacts students’ understanding and readiness for competitive exams. This analysis aims to improve educational outcomes. D...

eClerx appoints Asma Sultana as Principal, Human Resources

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  eClerx Services Ltd, a productised services company, has announced the appointment of Asma Sultana as Principal, Human Resources. The strategic move reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and HR capabilities as it marks its 25th anniversary and enters a new phase of accelerated growth and transformation. Asma Sultana joins eClerx with a distinguished career spanning over 20 years in human resource leadership roles across global organisations. She has built a reputation for driving transformative HR initiatives in areas such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, leadership development, digital HR transformation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Also Read: Nippon Koei India gets G Sampath Kumar as first Indian MD Prior to her appointment at eClerx , Sultana served as Head of HR for India and Global Talent Management Lead at Alorica, where she was responsible for building scalable people strategies in high-growth environments. Her earl...

Samarth Program for Telecom Startups

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  The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has initiated the ‘Samarth’ Program to support startups in the Telecom and ICT sectors. This programme aims to cultivate innovative business models by offering essential resources and mentorship. Recently, C-DOT selected 18 startups for its first cohort through a competitive evaluation process. The selected startups are provided with financial grants, office space, and access to advanced lab facilities at C-DOT’s campuses in New Delhi and Bengaluru. Overview of the Samarth Program The Samarth Program is an incubation initiative designed to nurture startups in telecom applications, cybersecurity, 5G/6G technologies, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies. It consists of two cohorts lasting six months each, accommodating a total of 36 startups. The program offers financial grants of up to ₹5 lakh and fully furnished office space. Selection Process for Startups A Selection Committee evaluated applicants based on criter...

Meta hires 28-year-old CEO to lead AI lab after $14.3B stake in scale AI

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  Meta is making one of its most significant strategic bets in the artificial intelligence space yet, with a whopping $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI — a company best known for providing the annotated data that powers large language models across the industry. In a bold and closely watched move, Meta has also appointed 28-year-old Alexandr Wang, Scale AI’s CEO, to lead a newly formed AI lab within Meta, according to The Verge. As part of the deal, Meta has purchased a 49 per cent non-voting stake in Scale AI . This allows the tech giant to exert influence and integrate Scale’s data capabilities without inviting further antitrust scrutiny — a calculated legal step, especially given Meta's existing regulatory pressures in the US. Wang will now report directly to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, while remaining on Scale’s board. Former Scale AI chief strategy officer Jason Droege has stepped up as interim CEO of the startup. Also Read: Renault confirms CEO De Meo’s resignation, successi...

Why change management is crucial for making AI stick

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  The conversation around artificial intelligence has evolved dramatically in recent years - from experimental use cases to real-world deployment across industries. Even with these advances, though, Tamarah Verhoog, senior consultant, Valcon, explains that change management – and how companies help employees adapt to AI – remains central to getting the most from the technology. The possibilities of AI are undeniably exciting: smarter processes, higher productivity, and stronger profit margins. But turning AI’s potential into performance is not just a matter of plugging in new tech. It’s about transformation. And real transformation hinges on people. That’s why change management is not just an optional add-on to AI adoption – it’s a fundamental pillar of success. Technology is only half the story Implementing AI in any organisation goes beyond a simple technology upgrade. It often calls for a complete rethink of workflows, business processes and even company culture. These shifts ca...

India’s Gender Gap Ranking in 2025

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  India’s position in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 has deteriorated, ranking 131 out of 148 countries. This marks a decline from 129 in 2024. The report, released on June 12, 2025, marks India’s gender parity score of 64.1%. This score places India among the lowest in South Asia. The Global Gender Gap Index assesses gender equality across four dimensions – Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. Economic Participation and Opportunity India’s score in this dimension has improved slightly, rising by 0.9 percentage points to 40.7%. However, it still ranks 144 globally. The parity in estimated earned income also saw a modest increase from 28.6% to 29.9%. Despite stagnant labour force participation at 45.9%, this remains India’s highest figure. Educational Attainment India achieved a remarkable score of 97.1% in educational attainment. This reflects improvements in female literacy and tertiary education enrol...

2025 State of World Population Report

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  The 2025 State of World Population Report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marks reproductive challenges in India. The report, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis,” reveals that a substantial portion of the population faces unintended pregnancies and unfulfilled desires regarding family size. The findings indicate that the focus should shift from concerns about population size to addressing unmet reproductive goals. About Unintended Pregnancies Unintended pregnancies affect 36% of adult Indians. Many individuals do not have the means to achieve their desired family size. This marks a lack of reproductive autonomy. Financial barriers are the most obstacles. Nearly 40% of respondents cited financial limitations as a primary reason for not having the families they want. Barriers to Reproductive Autonomy The report identifies various barriers to reproductive choices. Job insecurity affects 21% of individuals. Housing constraints and lack of reliable childcare are also majo...

Construction Leaders, Elected Officials, and Airport Partners Unite to Highlight Mental Health at Sacramento International Airport

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  SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 28, leaders from the construction industry, government, and Sacramento International Airport came together for AGC of California's Mental Health Media Day, an event aimed at elevating mental health as a core pillar of jobsite safety and worker well-being. Hosted on the site of the airport's future Terminal B parking garage and pedestrian bridge, nearly 100 construction workers paused their efforts on the jobsite and shifted their attention to mental health. The event featured remarks from local dignitaries, construction leaders, and mental health advocates, who spoke candidly about the mental health challenges facing the construction industry and the benefits of addressing those challenges head-on. "Your mental health is just as important as your physical health," said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07). "When we care for ourselves and for one another, we build a stronger, safer, more resilient industr...

Growth of Gig Workforce in India by 2047

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  The gig economy is rapidly evolving in India. Recent studies predict that by 2047, the gig and platform workforce will reach 62 million. This will represent about 15 per cent of the total non-agricultural workforce . Technological advancements and changing labour preferences are key drivers of this growth. The VV Giri National Labour Institute conducted a study using data from a 2022 NITI Aayog report. This study indicates doubling of gig workers in the coming years. Current Landscape of the Gig Economy The gig economy in India began with sectors like ride-sharing and food delivery. It has now expanded into healthcare, education, creative services, and professional consulting. In 2020, over 3 million workers were employed by around 11 platform companies. By 2030, this number is expected to grow to 23 million, making up 7 per cent of the non-agricultural workforce . Future Projections and Growth Potential The VVGNLI study suggests a compounding growth pattern. Under optimistic con...

Environmental Crises and Global Responsibility in 2025

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  The world faces environmental challenges as of 2025. These challenges include rising carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and persistent pollution. Over the past decade, global awareness has increased, yet the crises have deepened. Carbon emissions rose from 34.1 billion metric tonnes in 2015 to 37.4 billion metric tonnes in 2024. India’s emissions also surged, reflecting its heavy reliance on coal and oil. Main Environmental Crises The three primary environmental crises are carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Carbon emissions continue to rise, driven by fossil fuel dependency. Biodiversity loss is marked by mass extinctions and habitat destruction. Pollution remains rampant, particularly in air quality, with cities like Delhi consistently ranking among the most polluted globally. Causes of Environmental Degradation Several factors contribute to environmental degradation. Firstly, fossil fuel dependency is a major driver of carbon emissions. In India, coal accoun...