From the compiler

Hello and welcome to the October 2011 REEDS NEWS. I am sure most of you had a joyful Dasara and Diwali both of which symbolizes the victory of good over evil!

Steve Jobs - A visionary lost

During the month, the world has lost a visionary. On 5 October 2011, Steve Jobs died from complications of pancreatic cancer at the age of 56. The late Steve Jobs, one of the greatest inventor-entrepreneurs in history, took knowledge and content to the masses. He said quality education was the key to equality of opportunity. His innovations in personal computing over the last twenty years have resulted in the most dramatic enhancement of the learning environment since the invention of the chalkboard.

As numerous sites and blogs have pointed out, his legacy and influence on education will be felt countless years beyond his life. As President Obama put it 'there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.'

It is interesting that we could relate ourselves (just for name sake) to Steve Jobs; Steve has attended a college by name REED at Portland, Oregon, USA. Steve named his son as REED.

Our International Engagement

An encouraging development during the month has been receiving a communication from Hon'ble Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk. This was a follow-up of our APIEF international delegates' interaction with his Excellency in August 2011 at Brisbane. It is of great importance in our International Engagement because Brisbane and Hyderabad are sister cities!

It is interesting to note that at the biennial 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit held in Brisbane in July, of the three commercial MoUs that were signed between Brisbane and Indian companies two were with Hyderabad companies. Lord Mayor was of the view that vocational education, training and skills developments are the areas in which Brisbane can assist Hyderabad. Lord Mayor wishes to hear about business opportunities and outcomes between the two cities.

With Hon. Lord Mayor of Brisbane Graham Quirk in August 2011 at Brisbane

It was a pleasure to come to know that Kay Ganley has been nominated to two important positions by the Queensland Premier - Member of the Australia India Council; and Study Queensland Industry Council Board.

The role of the Council is to provide advice on issues about trade, investment, education, science, tourism and culture and an initiative designed to furthering the Queensland-India relationship. Study Queensland Industry Council Board is an industry led body representing Queensland's international education and training sector.

Kay has been a source of encouragement in our engagement in promoting Australia-India collaborations. As the chairperson of ACPET she led a strong delegation to REEDS organized SKILLS2010 conference last December at Hyderabad.

Our congratulations to Kay on these appointments. With these new positions, I am sure Kay will enhance her contribution to the International Education and Training sector.

We do hope, with these developments of support and encouragement, that we will be able to increase the pace in the progress of our engagement in strengthening the cooperative relationship between Australia and India by leveraging Australia's vast experience and expertise in vocational training to fill the huge gap in the availability of skilled personnel in India.

I would like to remember and join all others in paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occasion of their birth anniversaries - 142 and 107 respectively falling on 2 October 2011. Even years after their death, their teachings are of greater importance, inspiration and so relevant even today.

Thanking you for your continued support in all our endeavors, and look forward to more such support on our many upcoming initiatives.

Ravi K Reddy
November 24, 2011