Graduation Speech College And The Umkc Campus - 964 Words

Graduation season is in full swing and here at UMKC the first ever class of bridge to college is graduating Friday, May 6th, 2016. Many local students knew that becoming a Roo was an option if they worked hard. That statement has not always been true for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.†¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨The Bridge to College program is for students with disabilities who would like to go to college and/or explore career options. It is a course that is offered to High School students free of charge annually during the spring semester. Students get the opportunity to see if both college and the UMKC campus is a good fit. During the program the students take a course on campus while exploring the new environment. The Bridge to College program is only one of the programs offered. In October of 2015 UMKC received a grant to start both the bridge to college and propel program. The programs were funded by the Missouri department of Higher education in response to the declining enrollment of Higher education. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨According to the Missouri department of educations website in the past five years, college enrollment has decreased by 3.6 percent. This is a problem for the community as it is predicted that by 2018 60 percent of jobs in the state will require a college degree or certificate. Steps need to taken to open up higher education to more Missourians. There are only two other programs in the state Missouri that are similar to Propel they are Thrive at the UniversityShow MoreRelatedJob Shadowing a Dentist3438 Words   |  14 Pagesget an Associate’s degree from a junior college, followed by another four years at a college or university to complete a Bachelor’s degree. Remember, you must complete all the schooling even before a dental college will even accept you. Most students have at least a Bachelors degree when they begin dental college and there are even some who will take it one step further to obtain a Master’s degree from a college university before applying at a dental college. To be accepted, a person’s previous degrees

The Value Of Loan Payment Essay - 928 Words

Annuity Due – an annuity due in which all the cash flow occurs at the beginning of each period ( Titman et al, 2014,p. 167). Annuity dues are payment such as apartment rent payment at the beginning of the period. The outstanding of the loan - information is helpful beyond the professional front. The outstanding interest rate can be calculated by using the same formula as a present value with a slight variation. The present outstanding value of the loan = PMT [1- 1/ (1+ annual rate of interest/m) ^number of years *m / annual rate of interest/m]. Here, m is a number of times compounding occurred in the year. Note – The book â€Å"Financial management† suggests the balance amount of loan one owes must be equal to the present value of the remaining loan payment (Titman et all, 2014). The information regarding the calculation of loan and outstanding loan gave us a fair idea about how the loan financing occur. Another important aspect learned is how the principle and i nterest affect the amount of any loan. This knowledge also brought other factors into consideration such as refinancing mortgage loan cost. The refinancing cost involves distinct hidden costs such as appraisal fee, legal fee, origination fee, and application. Hence, if one plan to refinance the loan by getting attracted to lower interest rate. The refinance must put some extra money aside to pay the refinancing cost. Future Value of Annuity payment due – PMT [(1+ i) ^n -1 / i] (1+ i). Discounting annuity due -Show MoreRelatedVisual Basic for Applications and Function Essay1169 Words   |  5 PagesPMT function returns the payment amount for a loan based on an interest rate and a constant payment schedule. †¢ The syntax for the PMT function is: †¢ PMT( interest_rate, number_payments, PV, [FV], [Type] ) †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ interest_rate is the interest rate for the loan. number_payments is the number of payments for the loan. PV is the present value or principal of the loan. FV is optional. It is the future value or the loan amount outstanding after all payments have been made. If this Read MoreHome Insurance Case : The Premium For PMI Insurance727 Words   |  3 PagesThe cost The premium for PMI insurance varies according to the size of the loan, and the down payment made, but is typical around one percent of the loan amount. The cost is not based on the lender’s credit score but is based on the size of the mortgage and the amount of the down payment. When it is necessary If a home buyer cannot afford to make a large down payment, typically at least twenty percent, to purchase a home, purchasing PMI insurance allows the buyer to pay as little as five percentRead MoreEssay on Solving the Foreclosure Crisis 1305 Words   |  6 PagesThe frequency of foreclosure in our nation today is dangerously high. The strain from the recent economic downturn has put many families and individuals in a financial chokehold preventing them from being able to make their monthly mortgage payments. Consequently, many of these people feel they’ve punched a one-way ticket to foreclosure. With all these homes being foreclosed on, we face a very real crisis. The best way to solve this foreclosure crisis is preventing homes from foreclosing one houseRead MoreWhat Is Private Mortgage Insurance ( PMI )?1096 Words   |  5 PagesIn the process of applying for a home loan, a borrower is typically required to make a down payment of at least twenty percent of the homes purchase price. When a borrower is unable to provide the required percentage, a PMI payment is required. What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)? Also known as Primary Mortgage Insurance, PMI is the lenders insurance in the event that you default on your mortgage loan. It is a financial protection plan that seeks to protect the lender in the event thatRead MoreThe Management Of Chicago Bank1153 Words   |  5 Pages â€Æ' Contents Abstract 2 Introduction 3 Proposal 4 Loan 4 Amortization 5 Balloon Payment 5 Loan-to-Value 6 Abstract Consortium Bank - â€Å"A subsidiary bank created by numerous banks. A consortium bank is created to fund a specific project (such as providing affordable homeownership for low- and moderate-income home buyers) or to execute a specific deal (such as selling loans in the loan syndication market)†. (Investopedia, 2009) The Consortium generally strengthens the individual bank’sRead MoreSolution to the Foreclosure Crisis: Lending Laws1518 Words   |  7 Pagesbe taken to repair our nation’s foreclosure problem. We first need to reduce the risk of the loan to the lender, and then we need to increase the consumer’s buying power, and also work to make the foreclosure process more efficient. To come to any resolution at all we first need to discover how we got to where we currently are. Real estate values and how they are set must be well understood. The value of a home is determined by how much an individual is willing to pay for it at a given time. SinceRead MoreThis Model Predicts That White Pre-Retirees Have A Significantly1137 Words   |  5 Pagesfinancial assets is positive, yet lessens as the value of income increases. For example, a one percent increase in income is predicted to increase financial assets by $2,770, with this amount diminishing as income continued to increase. In this study, pre-retirees were not expected to accumulate financial assets while repaying 401(k) loans, as some plans may limit participation while a loan is outstanding. Therefore, pre-retirees with qualified plan loans were not expected to take full advantage of employerRead MoreMortgage Options Analysis1161 Words   |  5 PagesAfter shopping around for a mortgage loan, you found that the following two deals from the Mortgage One Company are very attractive: Option 1: A 15-year fixed rate mortgage with no point and an APR of 5%, compounded monthly. Option 2: A 15-year fixed rate mortgage with two points and an APR of 4.5%, compounded monthly. The closing costs (not including the points) for the two loans are identical. According to the law, the interests on your mortgage payments are tax deductible. In fact, at theRead MoreGeneral Maths Financial Maths1145 Words   |  5 PagesFinancial Mathematics Credit and Loans: Simple Interest and Flat Rate Loans: A flat rate loan is one where flat or simple interest is charged on an amount borrowed or principal for the term of the loan. Interest is always charged on the full amount of the loan. I = Prn P = principal r = rate per period expressed as a decimal n = number of periods E.g. Phil borrowed $4000 for three years at 8%p.a. (per annum) (flat rate) a) What is his interest? b) What is the total repaid? c)Read MorePros And Answers : Choosing The Best Loan?917 Words   |  4 PagesChoosing the best loan Fixed rate / variable rate | Amortization / interest only | Mortgage Term Options | Down payment options When you start looking for a loan program, it is important to consider the following issues: †¢ The stability of your payment. †¢ Your ability to qualify for the loan amount. †¢ How long do you plan to live in the house? †¢ If your income is stable or increasing. †¢ The possibility of significant changes in interest rates. †¢ The amount of the initial expenses. †¢ If you can comfortably

A systems look at a construction problem Free Essays

System theory, in general, is a field of study involving complex interactions between different groups or objects that work together to achieve a specific result. (O’Connor McDermott 1997:11) In applications for management and organizations, systems theory involves the efficient communications of information. There are many different applied approaches such as the soft systems approach as well as the hard systems approach. We will write a custom essay sample on A systems look at a construction problem or any similar topic only for you Order Now This paper looks into the application of both approaches in a construction project. The Pre-contract Situation The situation I will be discussing is the design of a world standard university to be provided through Descon Construction Company. The contractor (Descon) was selected after the due process, as listed out below: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Invitation by the university to Descon to bid for the contract 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Identification by the university of suitable construction companies with the capability of carrying out the work from the total list of bidders 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Recommendation of Descon to the university 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Descon tenders a copy of project management works and provides for complete audibility of the process 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Assessment of Descon by the university 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The university tenders Descon with a copy of their evaluation and review of the construction company 7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Submission of contract recommendations by Descon to the university 8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Estimation by both parties of project cost, functionality, quality and time 9.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Reporting by Descon and the university of their individual assessments of the project. 10.   Compromise is reached by both parties and a final project plan is developed 11.   Initiation by both parties of services and agreements stipulated within the contract The situation that arose after the university building committee’s appointment of Descon as preferred bidder, and as the parties moved into the next stage of detailed negotiation of the services (including buildings) to be provided, was what prompted this paper. During any contract or agreement, people enter into relationships. Such relationships will result in an outcome which, in this case, was the relationship between the University and Descon, the preferred bidder. The preferred bidder will ensure that the buildings are up to standard. Descon will also be responsible for any breach of contract and any poor services provided. The university building committee, on the other hand, will pay the stipulated amount as laid down in the Contract deed Matters arising No doubt numerous problems will arise in any given building contract situation, and this particular situation is no different. There is the problem of expecting complaints from the client as a result of building or design specification. However, the design desired by the client can still be met as result of good managerial and interdepartmental functions within the system or organization. It should be understood that the two organizations are separate, large systems with different interacting units that make up the whole, and as such, room is made for adjustments in order to achieve the set objectives. These organizations are a collection of separate decision making systems, each with their own identity, purpose, understanding of the environment, beliefs and values based on which their decisions are made. Figure 1 below shows the structure of relationship between the two parties, the University and Descon, involved in the design project. This shows the clear distinction between the two groups as separate entities. How to cite A systems look at a construction problem, Papers

Role of Technology and Innovation in Promoting Food Security

Question: Discuss about theRole of Technology and Innovation in Promoting Food Security. Answer: Introduction Agriculture is an economic activity that is carried out globally. It employs a large number of people and acts as the chief source for food for the international community. Meaning, t have a healthy and prosperous society, agriculture sector should be able to produce enough food to sustain all the populations. Unfortunately, the world has of late become prone to hunger because of poor agricultural productivity, an undesirable development that caused by challenges like global warming or high population. Nevertheless, the agriculture sector can still be salvaged if deliberate measures are taken to eradicate global warming and improve the output. One way of accomplishing this goal is to embrace the use of modern technology in agricultural activities[1]. If a proper choice of technology and innovations are made, and effectively adopted, the society will be hunger-free. Meaning, there will be enough food to feed everyone. This can in turn be desirable because a hunger-free society is not only healthy, but productive as well. Role of Technology and Innovation in Promoting Food Security One of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was to fight world poverty. However, as it is today, hunger still remains one of the major challenges facing the global community especially in the developing nations. Unlike their developed counterparts, the developing countries are prone to serious problems such as climate change which negatively impacts on agricultural productivity. Therefore, to deal with the situation, feasible measures should be taken[2]. One of the ways through which the challenge of food insecurity can be ultimately resolved is the adoption of modern technologies in agriculture. The application of modern advancements in science, technology and innovations can greatly transform the global community. It can benefit the agriculture sector in many ways. Improvement in the Yields and Nutritional Value of the Crops The application of modern technological innovations can play an integral role in the production of adequate food to be consumed. Despite the rocketing population, improved technologies in animal and crop production can enable the society to get enough food for everyone. This can help in ultimately eradicating the challenge of food insecurity in the society. When applied in farming, modern technologies can enable the famers to use available resources to ensure that high yields are obtained at all times. Apart from helping to boost the yield, modern technologies can enable the modern day farmers to improve the quality of the produce. This can be a commendable accomplishment because quality production can help in ensuring that nutritious food is availed to the people[3]. Feeding on nutritious foods can help in the realization of a healthy and stronger society. The goal of high food productivity can be attained by realized through the improved productivity of crops. Just like animals, human beings heavily rely on crops for the provision of nutritious food products such as fruits and vegetables which of course act as chief sources of vitamins, mineral salts, starch, proteins, and carbohydrates. Therefore, to produce high quality and quantity crop products, the famers should embrace modern crop production technologies such as Plant breeding, hybridization, molecular marker, agricultural biotechnology, and crop protection[4]. These strategies can help in producing high quality crop species that are tolerant to pesticides, but resistant to drought, diseases, and pests that might hinder quality production. Once a crop can resist all the environmental pressures, it cannot fail to produce satisfactory output as it ought to. Plant breeding is a modern technology in which a crops genetic makeup is optimized. It can be done in different ways notably hybridization in which science is used to cross different crop species so as to generate a blend containing the traits of the parent breeds[5]. When different crop breeds are crossed together, a more desirable product is obtained. Such products are hybrid because they contain useful traits such as high productivity, disease and pest-resistance, as well as tolerance to harsh weather conditions. The same approach can be adopted when using molecular marker technologies to improve the quality of crop production[6]. These technologies are noble because they can transform crop husbandry. If properly utilized, the technologies can play a significant role in addressing the persistent problem of food insecurity that has been troubling the global community for quite a long time. It can give an answer to the problem of persistent poor quality that in mainly associated wit h adverse weather conditions, disease, and pest infection[7]. Since the realization of food security should not only be pegged on high crop productivity, it can be quite rewarding if similar efforts are made to transform animal husbandry. This is because human beings rely on animals for various food products such as milk, meat, blood, and other products. These are common food products that are popular with very many people especially in non-vegetarian societies in which people are free to feed on animal products[8]. Hybrid is one of the modern techniques that can help in improving the quality and yield of animal products. When different varieties or breeds of livestock are cross bred, a mode sophisticated breed is obtained. Such offspring are high yielding in terms of quality and quantity because of their ability to adapt to the environment no matter how adverse it might be. At the same time, more complex advanced technologies can be applied in the improvement of livestock production for example tissue culture[9]. When there is a need to improv e animal production, cultural engineers can resort to what is known as cultured meat. As its name suggests, cultured meat is a type of meat that is made using a cell culture and availed for consumption. This can help in increasing the amount of food to deal with food insecurity especially at this time of high population and climate change. Efficiency in Farm Management, Resource Utilization and Increased Profitability Modern technological innovations should be extensively used in agriculture because it has a potential of enhancing efficient agricultural productivity as well as promoting a cost-effective agricultural production. As an investment, agriculture should not be viable. Meaning, it should be able to be organized in a manner that can enable the farmer to get a rewarding returns from it. Meaning, the output should be higher than the input. This goal can indeed be achieved if the farmers embrace the use of modern technologies and innovations[10]. The adoption of the use or modern irrigation techniques to irrigate the land can be quite efficient to the farmer. Instead of relying on manual labor, the farmer can mechanize all the activities. This can help the farmer to effectively carry out all the activities and save on time resources. The same goal can be realized when the farmer uses machines like helicopters to spray chemicals; combined harvesters for harvesting the produce; and tractors to till, plough, and weed the farm[11]. Mechanization is much better than manual labor because it requires little energy and time to perform. A mechanized farm is quite efficient to manage than a manual one because it can give a farmer an opportunity to rely on modern innovations to carry out each activity. After all, each agricultural activity has its own machines that can be applied whenever necessary[12]. Mechanization of farming activities can be less costly in the long run since the volume of productivity is much higher than manual production. Meaning, it can enable the farmer to turn farming into a profitable activity. For example, instead of hiring laborers to till a large plantation, he farmer can resort to the use of tractors. This can help in minimizing the costs of production because of the large volume of work to be carried out. It should therefore be incumbent upon a modern farmer to embrace the use of latest technologies in farming activities[13]. Once the costs of operations are minimized, the farmer can be assured of maximizing profitability since that is the main goal of engaging in agricultural activities. Protection of the Environment As already hinted, one of the major challenges facing the agriculture sector is global warming. The problem of climate change which has been mainly attributed to the rampancy of pollution can be addressed if different aspects of modern technological innovations are applied in agriculture. For example, the pollution of soil can be tackled if adequate research s carried out to come up with environmental-friendly pesticides, fertilizers, and other agro chemicals usually applied in farming activities. Over the years, farmland and nearby environment have been at a threat of pollution from such chemicals, since they have not been properly applied by farmers. However, to address the challenge of agrochemical-related environmental degradation, modern farmers should not shy away from embracing latest technological innovations in farming. For example, when it comes to the use of fertilizers, the farmers should take the necessary measures to ensure that a proper choice of fertilizers is made[14]. To do so, a thorough research should be carried out to ascertain the soil qualities and nutritional requirements at any given time. This can help in ensuring that a right type and quality of fertilizer is applied in the farm. Should that be the case, the environment cannot be polluted at all[15]. Practices such as soil testing can be a remedial measure to environmental degradation that has been linked to the wrong use of fertilizers and other types of agrochemicals used by farmers. Sustainable agricultural production cannot be divorced from environmental conservation. So, any farmer who is interested in enjoying the fruits of agricultural activities should be concerned about the environment in which they operate. Farming is a long-term project that can only be beneficial if done in a safe environment. If the environment is protected from degradation, it can end up benefiting the farmers[16]. Therefore, to achieve this goal, the farmer should always be aware of the latest developments and get familiar with all the useful fertilizers and other agrochemicals that can add value to the soil. At the same time, it should be upon the experts to constantly carry out a research and generate the most environmental-friendly agrochemicals and avail it for use to the farmers[17]. The most important strategy to adopt while tackling the problem of food insecurity is the active involvement of the government in agricultural matters. To do so, the government should collaborate with the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), global community, and individual farmers. So, enough resources should be set aside and used in supporting agricultural activities. Such resources should be used in supporting agricultural research so as to help in addressing the problem of low crop and animal productivity. When properly done, research can be relied upon to generate new and improved livestock and crop breeds that are adaptable because of the ability to resist pests, diseases and unfavorable weather conditions[18]. At the same time, adequate resources should be set aside to provide extension services to the farmers as well as avail credit facilities to the farmers. With accessibility to finances, farmers can be empowered to acquire modern agricultural technologies such as tractor s, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agro chemicals that are relied upon to improve the yield and quality of crops and livestock products. Conclusion Hunger is a serious challenge that should not be taken lightly. It should be upon the farmers to come up and fully embrace the use of modern technologies. If deliberate efforts are taken to improve crop and animal production, world hunger can be a thing of the past. However, to achieve this goal, it should be upon the concerned stakeholders to come up and take the necessary measures to ensure that modern technology is fully adopted by all the farmers across the world. References Asseng, Senthold, and David J. Pannell. "Adapting dryland agriculture to climate change: Farming implications and research and development needs in Western Australia." Climatic change 118, no. 2 (2013): 167-181. Davenport, Thomas H. Process innovation: reengineering work through information technology. Harvard Business Press, 2013. Dibden, Jacqui, David Gibbs, and Chris Cocklin. "Framing GM crops as a food security solution." Journal of Rural Studies 29 (2013): 59-70. Du, Chengzhang, Shaojun Liang, Yanhua Li, Hong Chen, Ping Wang, Zhigang Hu, and Jijun Zhang. "Development Strategy of Characteristic and Profitable Agriculture in Chongqing." Agricultural Science Technology 14, no. 7 (2013): 1061. Enyedi, Gyorgy, and Ivan Volgyes, eds. The Effect of Modern Agriculture on Rural Development: Comparative Rural Transformation Series. Elsevier, 2016. Garnett, Tara, M. C. Appleby, A. Balmford, I. J. Bateman, T. G. Benton, P. Bloomer, B. Burlingame et al. "Sustainable intensification in agriculture: premises and policies." Science 341, no. 6141 (2013): 33-34. Gianinazzi, Silvio, Hannes Schepp, Jos Miguel Barea, and Kurt Haselwandter, eds. Mycorrhizal technology in agriculture: from genes to bioproducts. Birkhuser, 2012. Hozayn, M., M. M. Abdallha, Abd El-Monem AA, A. A. El-Saady, and M. A. Darwish. "Applications of magnetic technology in agriculture: A novel tool for improving crop productivity (1): Canola." African Journal of Agricultural Research 11, no. 5 (2016): 441-449. Kraehmer, Hansjoerg, Bernd Laber, Chris Rosinger, and Arno Schulz. "Herbicides as weed control agents: state of the art: I. Weed control research and safener technology: the path to modern agriculture." Plant physiology 166, no. 3 (2014): 1119-1131. Li, Juntao, Weihua Gu, and Hang Yuan. "Research on IOT Technology Applied to Intelligent Agriculture." In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Automatic Control, pp. 1217-1224. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2016. Mushtaq, S., T. N. Maraseni, and K. Reardon-Smith. "Climate change and water security: estimating the greenhouse gas costs of achieving water security through investments in modern irrigation technology." Agricultural Systems 117 (2013): 78-89. Parihar, Subhash Singh, Bharat Mishra, and D. P. Rai. "Sustainable models of information technology for agriculture and rural development." Indian Research Journal of Extension Education 10, no. 1 (2016): 20-23. Wheeler, Tim, and Joachim Von Braun. "Climate change impacts on global food security." Science 341, no. 6145 (2013): 508-513.