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Education

Texas Music Festival Announces 33rd Season at the University of Houston

The Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival is set to return for its 33rd season at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music from June 4 to June 22, 2024. The festival, a platform for classical and jazz music, promises intensive musical training for aspiring musicians and over 25 public performances for the community to enjoy.Highlighted in the 2024 season are performances by acclaimed artists such as the Formosa Quartet, pianists Kenny Broberg, William Wolfram, and Vadym Kholodenko, who will grace the stage alongside the Festival Orchestra and Festival...


Education

Kaushik Rajashekara Elected International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan

Kaushik Rajashekara, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, has been elected as an International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan. He is being recognized for his significant contributions to power conversion and the electrification of transportation.According to the academy, Rajashekara's election as an International Fellow is in honor of his outstanding scientific research and technical developments in the field of energy, focusing on promoting greater efficiency and environmental security for energy...


Education

Pradeep Sharma Wins PNAS Cozzarelli Prize for Paper on Musical Perception

Pradeep Sharma, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor of Mechanical Engineering and interim dean of the Cullen College of Engineering, has been awarded the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 2023 Cozzarelli Prize for his groundbreaking paper on musical perception.Sharma's paper, titled "A minimal physics-based model for musical perception," delves into the intricate world of musical perception and seeks to answer the question of why some individuals have a superior ability to hear music compared to others. The paper...


Education

HISD’s Counseling Department Hosts Virtual Career Information Sessions

HISD’s Counseling Department is hosting two virtual Career Information Sessions for those interested in becoming a school counselor in the District. The sessions are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 30, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, May 21, from 4 to 5 p.m.According to the HISD’s Counseling Department, the sessions will provide crucial information on various aspects related to the career path, including the recruitment and selection process, eligibility requirements, compensation, and benefits. In the words of the department, "Sessions will include...


Education

Nourishing Hope and Success: Cougar Cupboard Expands to Meet Growing Demand

In January 2020, the Cougar Cupboard first opened its doors at the University of Houston to address food insecurity among students. The program manager, Jessica Haney, reflects on the rapid growth of the initiative, stating, “We went from a few hundred visits per semester to a few thousand visits and gradually took over some offices, but we just couldn’t expand that space any further.”With a 1900% increase in usage from Fall 2020 to Spring 2023, the Cougar Cupboard initiated a search for a new, larger space. Now, after nearly a year, the cupboard is moving to University...


Education

HISD students showcase creativity in 37th Annual Art Car Parade

Students from 26 HISD campuses recently participated in the 37th Annual Art Car Parade in Houston, showcasing their creative talents to the community. The event, which had been canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, saw students collaborating to design and build unique Art Cars that wowed spectators along the parade route.One of the participating schools, Parker Elementary School, took inspiration from NASA astronaut Shannon Walker for their space-themed Art Car. Art teacher Julie Dickinson shared, “Projects like Art Car have tremendous value in the lives of all people,...


Education

UH’s Mielad Ziaee Named 2024 Truman Scholar

Student Mielad Ziaee has been named the 2024 Truman Scholar from the University of Houston, making him just the third recipient of this prestigious scholarship from the institution. Ziaee's dedication to public service and academic excellence has earned him this esteemed recognition.Ziaee expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunities that come with the Truman Scholarship, stating, “I’m excited to engage with changemakers, stakeholders, and leaders at all levels of public service—to both learn new topics and continue to grow my expertise in others.” He also highlighted...


Education

Trucking Along, Living the Sweet Life

Kayce Ekpenike, a sophomore at the University of Houston, is defying the norm by successfully running her own business, Funnelocity Gourmet Funnel Cakes, alongside her academic pursuits. When asked how she manages it all, Ekpenike humorously admits, “That’s a great question. I’m still figuring that out now.”Ekpenike's journey into the world of funnel cakes stems from her childhood memories in Louisiana. Recalling her early experiences with fairground funnel cakes, she remarked, “They were mediocre... They were small and crispy. But they were sweet, and I was young, so I...


Education

University of Houston Lands 18 Programs in Latest QS World University Rankings

The University of Houston has once again proven its global standing with 18 programs ranking among the top in the world, as per the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The rankings were released today by QS Quacquarelli Symonds.Among the highlighted programs, UH’s hospitality programs at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership secured a world rank of No. 35, while the petroleum engineering program in the Cullen College of Engineering also made its mark by ranking in the top 100 worldwide (51-100).Diane Z. Chase, senior vice...


Education

HISD to Host Campus Hiring Event April 20

The HISD Teacher Recruitment and Selection Team is gearing up to host a Campus Hiring Event on April 20, as announced by the organization. Educators from kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to attend the event at Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas, to learn more about the opportunities available within Team HISD.According to the event details, starting teacher salaries vary based on school levels and whether they are at Non-NES or NES schools. For Non-NES schools, the starting salary is $64,000, while NES schools offer different rates: $75,435 for Elementary,...


Education

University of Houston and Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University Forge Strategic Energy Alliance

The University of Houston (UH) and Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University (HWU) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at fostering global collaboration in education, research, and innovation in the energy sector and beyond. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions marks the beginning of a joint effort to address pressing energy challenges and drive sustainable innovation on a global scale.Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "I am thrilled to...


Education

UH College of Pharmacy Researcher Examines Trends in Rising Cost of Medicine

Newly published research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy sheds light on the alarming rise in prescription drug costs, particularly in diabetic medications. According to the study, diabetic medications, including insulin, have been leading the surge in prescription drug prices in the U.S.The research, led by Tyler Varisco, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy at the University of Houston, highlighted the concerning trend in diabetic medication expenditures. Varisco, along with Whanhui Chi, a second-year doctoral student in...


Education

HISD students to explore careers at annual When I Grow Up expo

Houston Independent School District (HISD) is gearing up for its 12th annual When I Grow Up career expo, set to take place on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.According to a statement released by HISD, the event will host over 100 exhibitors from local companies, organizations, and post-secondary institutions. The expo aims to assist students in grades K-12 and their families in exploring career opportunities in high-demand, high-growth industries.In the words of the organizers, participating businesses will...


Education

HISD students witness solar eclipse with guidance from NASA

Students in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) had the unique opportunity to witness a solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, thanks to the collaboration between NASA and Space Center Houston. Astronaut and Space Center Houston Chief Science Officer Megan MacArthur visited several schools to deliver "eclipse in a box" kits, allowing students to safely observe the celestial event.Anderson Elementary Principal Erica Tran expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The kids were able to ask a lot of questions and prepare themselves for what an eclipse really is,...


Education

U.S. News & World Report Ranks UH Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best in 2024

The University of Houston has once again solidified its position as a leading institution in graduate education, with several of its programs ranked among the top in the nation in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report graduate program rankings. According to the report released today, 13 of UH's programs have secured spots in the top 50 nationwide, with a total of 17 programs in the top 50.Among the top-ranked programs are several specialties from the UH Law Center, with Health Care Law, Part-Time Law, and Intellectual Property Law securing spots in the top 10 nationwide....


Education

Houston-Area Energy Startup Incubator Wins Phase 1 of DOE Competition

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) has announced the selection of Texas Innovates, a Houston-based non-profit organization focusing on hydrogen and carbon innovation, as one of the 23 phase 1 winners of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Round 3 competition. Texas Innovates is the sole Texas entity to advance to phase 2 of the competition.In a statement, Alex Rozenfeld, President of Texas Innovates, expressed the organization's dedication, saying, "We have been working towards this day since we identified the need for...


Education

Extreme Makeover: Eric’s Edition

The University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hotel Leadership has recently undergone a significant transformation with the renovation of Eric's Restaurant, a longstanding favorite among students, alumni, and visitors.Dean Dennis Reynolds explained the motivation behind the makeover, stating, “We wanted to up our food and atmosphere game as well, and this was the perfect time to do it.” The refresh aims to align Eric's with the college's commitment to providing top-notch hospitality education and experiences.Under the guidance of Head Chef Curtis Taylor...


Education

University of Houston Researchers Confirm Ozone & Particulates Are Issues in San Antonio Air

University of Houston Researchers Confirm Ozone & Particulates Are Issues in San Antonio AirIn a groundbreaking study, University of Houston researchers have confirmed that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area exceed federal limits, leading to the city receiving a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency non-attainment designation. The research, which also examined air quality in Dallas and Houston, revealed unique challenges facing each city.Lead researcher Jimmy Flynn expressed, "This was the first time we deployed our mobile air-quality laboratory to the San...


Education

University of Houston Research Reveals Pre-Collapse Monitoring of Kakhovka Dam, Ukraine

On April 3, 2024, new research conducted by the University of Houston sheds light on the events leading to the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine in 2023.The study, published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment, reveals that the dam may have shown signs of deformation before its collapse. According to UH assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Pietro Milillo, "Through our analysis, we observed displacements characterizing different segments of the dam, up to two years prior to the actual collapse."The research team utilized...


Education

$3 Million Gift Funds New Scholarships for Working Students at the University of Houston

A new, $3 million gift has been announced to establish the Houston Works Scholarship Fund at the University of Houston, aimed at providing scholarship support to working junior and senior students in select majors. Senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at UH, Diane Chase, emphasized the importance of the gift, stating, “It is no secret that the University of Houston is home to hard working students, and that goes double for those Cougars holding down full-time jobs while taking classes.”The generous donation, funded by an anonymous donor, will provide...