楊崇偉騎車遇禍過世一週年 父母同學追念再查究竟

波士頓大學學生楊崇偉的父母與同學，十二日晚在布來頓道（Brighton Ave.)點燃22根蠟燭，紀念一年前的這天，他在這地點出車禍過世，也藉以提醒學生們，留學在外，千萬要注意交通安全，別讓父母，親友傷心，難過。

            一年前的十一月十二日，楊崇偉在哈佛道和布來頓道交界處，和同學揮別後，騎上腳踏車，要去剪頭髮，卻和57號巴士撞上，跌倒在地，送醫不治。

            巴士在撞倒楊崇偉時，並未停下來。警方及薩福克俊檢察官辦公室，其後涉入調查。

            楊崇偉的父母，楊瑞和及任瑞娟為紀念獨子過世一週年，十二日下午，和楊崇偉生前的同學，好友，十幾，廿人，在波士頓大學教堂舉行追思會，再一起到出事地點，點亮22根蠟燭，祭奠若未辭世，今年已22歲的楊崇偉，也希望這行動，能促使更多留學生注意交通安全。

            任瑞娟表示，楊崇偉是他們夫妻兩唯一的小孩。他們希望不會再有任何家長，經歷他們那時的所有希望寄託在一霎那間化為烏有的錐心之痛。

            楊瑞和表示，在殯儀館時，他問過殮葬師，楊崇偉的身體全無外傷。這讓他一直想不明白，從哈佛道和布來頓道交界處，楊崇偉所騎腳踏車跌倒的地方來看，57號巴士應該才剛從紅綠燈路口開出來，速度不快的話，就算撞倒楊崇偉，應該也只是把他撞倒在地，擦傷而已，怎麼會撞到楊崇偉胸腔內部大量出血。

            楊瑞和和任瑞娟也不明白，為什麼警方的檢驗報告拖了將近一年，直到他們這次來波士頓，再次催促，才要在13日交給他們的律師。MBTA當局在出事後，對他們不聞不問，也讓他們不滿。他們打算在律師拿到檢驗報告後，提出控告。

圖片說明：

            楊崇偉的父母（前中），和生前同學，在楊崇偉出事地點，點燃22根蠟燭，紀念他今年22 歲。（菊子攝）

            楊崇偉出事地點，在兩條街交界的轉角處。（菊子攝）

MOOCs: Top 10 Sites for Free Education With Elite Universities

轉載自BDPA

MOOCs: Top 10 Sites for Free Education With Elite Universities

MOOCs: Top 10 Sites for Free Education With Elite Universities

MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses.  Although there has been access to free online courses on the Internet for years, the quality and quantity of courses has changed. Access to free courses has allowed students to obtain a level of education that many only could dream of in the past.  This has changed the face of education.  In The New York Times article Instruction for Masses Knocked Down Campus Walls, author Tamar Lewin stated, “in the past few months hundreds of thousands of motivated students around the world who lack access to elite universities have been embracing them as a path toward sophisticated skills and high-paying jobs, without paying tuition or collecting a college degree.”

Although MOOCs are the latest trend, not everyone agrees that schools should offer them.  Joshua Kim Insight Higher Ed articleWhy Every University Does Not Need a MOOC noted that offering free material may not make sense for the individual university.  It may be more important to stand out in other ways.

There may also be some issues for students who lack motivation.  Since a MOOC is voluntary and there is no penalty for dropping the program or lagging behind, there may be issues with course completion.  Although a student may have received an excellent education, there will not be a corresponding diploma.

For those who desire a free education and have the motivation, the following includes the:  Top 10 Sites for Information about MOOCs:

1. Udemy Free Courses – Udemy is an example of a site allows anyone to build or take online courses.  Udemy’s site exclaims, “Our goal is to disrupt and democratize education by enabling anyone to learn from the world’s experts.” The New York Times reported that Udemy, “recently announced a new Faculty Project, in which award-winning professors from universities like Dartmouth, the University of Virginia and Northwestern offer free online courses. Its co-founder, Gagen Biyani, said the site has more than 100,000 students enrolled in its courses, including several, outside the Faculty Project, that charge fees.”
2. ITunesU Free Courses – Apple’s free app “gives students access to all the materials for courses in a single place. Right in the app, they can play video or audio lectures. Read books and view presentations.”
3. Stanford Free Courses -  From Quantum Mechanics to The Future of the Internet, Stanford offers a variety of free courses. Stanford’s – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence was highly successful. According to Pontydysgu.org, “160000 students from 190 countries signed up to Stanford’s Introduction to AI” course, with 23000 reportedly completing.”  Check out Stanford’s Engineering Everywhere link.
4. UC Berkeley Free Courses – From General Biology to Human Emotion, Berkley offers a variety of courses.  Check out: Berkeley Webcasts and Berkeley RSS Feeds.
5. MIT Free Courses – Check out MIT’s RSS MOOC feed.  Also see:  MIT’s Open Courseware.
6. Duke Free Courses – Duke offers a variety of courses on ITunesU.
7. Harvard Free Courses – From Computer Science to Shakespeare, students may now get a free Harvard education. “Take a class for professional development, enrichment, and degree credit. Courses run in the fall, spring, or intensive January session. No application is required.”
8. UCLA Free Courses – Check out free courses such as their writing program that offers over 220 online writing courses each year.
9. Yale Free Courses – At Open Yale, the school offers “free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn.”
10. Carnegie Mellon Free Courses – Carnegie Mellon boosts “No instructors, no credits, no charge.”

GOVERNOR PATRICK BREAKS GROUND ON UNIVERSITY STATION

Mixed-use development project will bring growth and opportunity to Westwood and surrounding areas

WESTWOOD – Wednesday, November 13, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today broke ground on University Station, a major mixed-use development project including retail and restaurant space, along with housing opportunities that will grow jobs and opportunity in Westwood and the surrounding area.  During theceremony, Governor Patrick announced a $5.5 million award through the MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program to support the reconstruction of the Canton Street/University Avenue intersection in Westwood and provide improved access to the University Station development, which will unlock significant private investment in the area. The University Station project is supported in part by funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED).

“Growth requires investment, and University Station is a true testament of how a little bit of government support can leverage significant private sector investment,” said Governor Patrick. “If we want to expand opportunity in our Commonwealth, this is what government must do and do well.”

The University Station Project will be built through a partnership between New England Development, Eastern Real Estate, National Development and Clarion Partners. The Station is a $750 million, 2.1 million square foot mixed-use development in Westwood and will take place on 130 acres of primarily vacant, partially cleared land located in the underutilized University Avenue Industrial Park, near the I-93/95 interchange and the Route 128 transit station. Phase I of the project will include 350 units of housing and approximately 600,000 square feet of retail space, and is projected to create 1,130 new construction jobs and 920 new permanent retail jobs. 

“We remain committed to working with local communities to help identify opportunities to maximize growth and spur regional development,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Bialecki. “I look forward to our ongoing partnership with the town of Westwood and private industry leaders to explore additional ways to promote continued growth.”

"Transportation infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting development projects like University Station,” said Transportation Secretary Richard Davey. “Not only will the roadway work we are doing around this project make the area more easily accessible for residents and patrons, but it will ease congestion and restore significant wetland space."

The final plans for University Station include 750,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a grocery store, 325,000 square feet of office space, 650 residential housing units, a 160 room hotel and an assisted living/memory care facility with approximately 100 units, with anchor tenants Wegmans and Target. 

"This project has been a long time in the works and I am pleased that is finally coming to fruition," said Senator Mike Rush.  "I want to thank the Patrick Administration, our local officials, and the citizens of the surrounding towns for their partnership in creating a mixed-use development project that will provide jobs and economic opportunities for the region."

This groundbreaking builds on a range of investments the Patrick Administration is making in the region to facilitate growth and opportunity. The Governor announced earlier this year his commitment to funding the $238 million I-93/I-95 Interchange project, which will significantly reduce congestion in the area. As part of that commitment, MassDOT is currently working on the reconstruction of the I-95/University Avenue Interchange (formerly Blue Hill Drive Interchange) and the widening of Dedham Street. The I-95/University Avenue interchange will make traffic and safety improvements and create a direct connection from I-95 South to University Avenue, providing direct service to the University Station development and is a necessary prerequisite for the early action development. The widening of Dedham Street entails the construction of a new ramp from I-95 North to Dedham Street, widening Dedham Street from two to four lanes and reconstructing three bridges – one over I-95, one over the MBTA and one over the Neponset River.

波士頓准市長推出網站邀民眾參與政府交接

波士頓准市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh） 昨（十二）日公佈網站，http://www.boston14.org，容許市民追蹤他接掌波士頓市府過程，也邀市民加入交接團隊，或在新政府內申請一份工作。

            馬丁華殊陣營以電郵向民眾表示，願意和該陣營分享電郵地址者，可獲得交接過程的最新狀況，以及如何“建造一個更好波士頓”的想法。

            對於有意進波市府工作的人來說，這網站最重要的部分，是能夠遞交履歷表，申請波士頓市政府的工作機會。

            該網站目前並無太多信息。打開該網站後，出現的頁面有，主頁，關於馬丁華殊，參與（get involved)，最新消息，目的等數大網頁。

            主頁寫著歡迎到波士頓2014交接委員會，以及准市長的“一起，我們將使波士頓成為所有人的機會樞紐”宣言。

            “關於馬丁華殊“這頁，有著740字的馬丁華殊生平簡介。

            “參與”這頁，有“保持訊息”，“遞交你的履歷表”，“分享你的構想”等三個按鈕。其中的“遞交你的履歷表”部分，還未列出任何工作機會或職務名稱，要求。但在申請這職位部分，要求申請者說明希望加入華殊政府的原因，想要找什麼樣的工作，是否公民，或具合法工作身份，能流利說哪些語言等。說明部分指出，任何人都可申請波市府工作機會，但在上任第一天起，必須是波士頓市居民。

            在“目的”這一頁終，馬丁華殊解釋，在選舉夜上，他誓言要做“一個波士頓”的市長，讓市內居民不論是誰，住在那裏，都能分享繁榮與平等。他要為掙扎中的人們，打開機會大門，跨進中產階層。

            設立該網站，是讓民眾參與政府的方式之一。

洪傳陳式太極會長薛斌哈佛談太極

目前在哈佛大學醫學院做訪問學者的中國南京“洪傳陳式太極拳協會”創辦人薛斌，上週末應哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會學術組邀請，講談“太極”，不但引發熱烈討論，還吸引來2011年香港武術節的太極冠軍陳慶蘭，要合作在海外推廣太極。

根據哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會學術組的介紹，薛斌是細胞生物學博士，南京大學醫學院副教授，中國細胞生物學學會青年委員會委員，也是洪傳陳式太極拳第三代傳人，南京洪傳陳式太極拳協會會長。

        薛斌在哈佛大學教育學院舉行的這場講座中表示，每個人練太極拳或許各有不同目的，但太極其實應該是靜心修道，恢復本心，有著術，學，藝等三個層次，講究“敬，靜，淨”的一門“簡單卻不容易”的功夫與學問。是以中國傳統易理文化為根基，融和儒家，釋家，道家文化基礎，結合感悟，體悟，心悟於一體的自然和諧追求。

            在聽完哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會學術組主席岳林朗誦他以自己對太極的體會所撰散文後，回應他的評論時，薛斌表示。太極沒有所謂養生太極，自衛防身的攻擊性太極之分。百匯穴是沒練過太極，武俠小說看太多的人才強調的穴道。在他看來，太極是講求在動態中達到平衡的一種藝術，讓人與自然渾成一體。太極拳中的所謂拳，只是一種載體，讓人從“示之以向，破相示宗，絕相超宗，成圓歸己“，學個調節身心的規律。

            不過，薛斌強調，就如佛教的有七萬八千法門，太極也是各師各法，每個人學太極的方法，學會太極的程度，也差異極大。他認為，學太極也有“一字之差，謬以千里“的現象。

根據薛斌的網站，2001年他創辦了“洪傳陳式太極拳協會”，目前有學生近千，海外學生逾百。

當天有不少他的學生出席。其中一名學生于品澤透露，今年四月薛斌抵達波士頓後，發出以武會友的邀約，他也去了。比畫之中，怎麼打都贏不了的敗下陣來，就開始跟薛斌學太極了。

中醫師劉京，這天也抱著好奇心到會。他也認為現代太極，有很多被人扭曲的地方。

曾於2011年獲得香港武術節太極冠軍的陳慶蘭，這天也在經紀陳若儀陪同下出席，還當場提出建議，要和薛斌合作，邀有心人，一起在海外推廣真正的太極。

圖片說明：

            薛斌（左）應哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會學術組主席岳林（右）之邀，談太極。（菊子攝）

            薛斌應出席者要求，即席示範一套太極。（菊子攝）

            對太極有興趣的聽眾不少。（菊子攝）

            薛斌（中）和學生鄒明鐘（右）與要求合作的陳慶蘭也留個合影。（菊子攝）

哈佛中國之夜談未來十年中國經濟

哈佛大學甘乃迪政府學院的學生組織中國協會(The China Society)，日前邀專家分享他們對中國的看法，請名師演奏優美中西樂曲，由學生自己示範中國武術，推出了一場豐富的“2013中國之夜”。

            當晚的活動主題為“中國未來十年經濟展望”。三名講者，中國國家開發銀行副行長高堅博士， 哈佛大學商學院教授暨哈佛中國基金成員John A. Quelch，中國證券監督管理委員會主席助理張育軍等人，依序就“中國的經濟展望”，“中國消費者會消費得夠嗎？”，“中國資本市場改革及開放”，分別發表了看法。

            被人稱為中國政府債券創始人之一，中國債券市場教父的高堅表示，自從中國成為世界第二大經濟體後，中國的經濟前景，一直是全世界政客，政策制定者，以及經濟學者間最熱門的話題，近來還隱約出現悲觀看法。他認為，由於中國城市化，工業化，以及經濟體系改革的潛能，未來十年，中國仍然能夠維持高成長。

            高堅表示，改革將著重於私有化國營事業，土地改革，社會安全體系改革，教育改革，稅務及財政體系，金融體系，金融市場的改革，以及利率自由化，資本市場整合，金融法規框架整合等。

            短期來說，適度成長有助於舒緩系統性金融危機帶來的危險，投資進基礎設施領域可以是可靠的政策選擇。在社會安全體系和稅務體制改革整頓之後，消費才可能刺激出來。經濟改革，經濟架構重組，以及經濟成長有著非常緊密的關係。

            曾任中歐國際工商學院院長的John A. Quelch認為，中國其實希望能適應，融入國際社會，但卻顯得特別突出。中國面對的挑戰之一，是如何把北京，上海那樣的消費風氣，推廣到二，三線城市，甚至鄉下地方去。 他相信中國未來的零售經濟，有很大的百分比會由電子商務所控制，而容許人們有更多市場，商品選擇，將是促進消費的關鍵之一。他也認為上海或北京要趕上倫敦等國際都會，還有很長一段路要走。

            張育軍強調價值這個字，鼓勵哈佛學子重視中國現在的機會。

            哈佛中國協會當晚安排的表演包括曾任香港中樂團嗩吶首席的郭雅志，和柏克萊音樂學院畢業的薩克斯風手劉培藝等人演奏“彩雲追月”，中央音樂學院畢業的翁會彈奏古箏“家鄉”，波士頓中國音樂家協會的張正山，翁慧，林湛濤，王德成，黃少堅，甄若矛，林瑩玉等人演奏“茉莉花”，“旱雷”等曲。哈佛武術俱樂部示範工夫。

哈佛中國協會會長李琦表示，哈佛中國之夜是哈佛和大波士頓地區中國華人，華僑，美國學術政商領袖歡聚一堂，增進友誼的日子。當晚活動得以順利舉辦，全靠該校中國學生學者聯合會會長李可誠，哈佛商學院全球中國連接等校內各團體，以及陳奮，木蘭藝術團的王藐若等社區人士的支持。她希望各團體將來能互相支援，把彼此的活動辦得更精彩。

  

圖片說明：

            哈佛中國協會會長李琦（右六）和王藐若（右五）等工作人員會後合影。（圖由哈佛中國協會提供）

            右起，林湛濤，甄若矛，林瑩玉，翁慧，黃少堅，張正山，王德成等波士頓中國音樂家協會成員為哈佛“中國之夜”演出。（菊子攝）

            郭雅志（右）這天吹橫笛。（菊子攝）

            中國國家開發銀行副行長高堅博士為“哈佛中國之夜”發表談話。（圖由哈佛中國協會提供）

            中國證券監督管理委員會主席助理張育軍為“哈佛中國之夜”發表談話。（圖由哈佛中國協會提供）