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星期三, 9月 02, 2015

台大副校長陳良基訪波分享台大推動創新創意經驗

BTBA創辦人陳昇宏(左)介紹台大副校長陳良基。(圖BTBA提供)
(Boston Orange)台灣大學學術副校長陳良基日前訪波士頓,暢談“台灣大學推動創意創業的努力與展望”,以4i做提點,令與會學子熱血沸騰,形容台灣有如創意創意神島,讓人心中生起無限希望。
            這場在哈佛大學科學中心A廳舉辦的講座,源於國立台灣大學電機工程學系特聘教授兼國立臺灣大學學術副校長陳良基和創辦波士頓台灣人生物科技協會(BTBA的台大校友陳昇宏的因緣際會結識。
        陳良基本人有過研究成果產業化,並決定把成果留在台灣的親身經歷。這天他從自己的經歷講起,侃談台大推動創意創業的努力與展望。
當年,陳良基還是年輕教授,到美國貝爾實驗室做研究,沒想到他在台灣研究出來的方法,帶到貝爾實驗室,竟被做成在美國一台要價一千美的影像電話這產品
部分出席者與台大副校長陳良基(前右六)合影。(圖BTBA提供)
由於台灣團隊當年普遍把研發成果直接發表為論文,貝爾實驗室做成的影像電話產品,沒給台大帶來任何好處。
看到這種情況,陳良基在貝爾實驗室工作一年多後,決定把回台灣貢獻所學,並在幾年後,憑藉研究成果,開了兩家公司,還參與經營,培養經驗。
他在借調到工研院電子研究所當所長期間,觀察到老一輩一旦事業有成,就不如年輕人有創新創業動機,要創造未來產業,應從教育著手,培養學生間的創業風氣,以及年輕人的創業能力。
            以美國為例,大部份新工作機會都來自新成立公司。平均每年約三百萬個的新職缺,也大都由最近五年內所開辦公司增設。
台大因此決定從課程上推廣創新開始,由陳良基設計,兼顧藝術與創業,強調4i,啟發(inspiration),執行(implementation),整合(integration),孵化原則(incubation),還仿效矽谷,成立台大車庫。在創業需要的會計,專利,法律等事務,台大邀會計師,律師領域校友參與,整合創業資源的逐漸形成創業生態圈。
台大還和矽谷的天使投資人合作,篩選出少數團隊到矽谷接受三個月培訓。第一批受訓團隊中,有一隊以3D列印在kickstarter網站上募到一百六十幾萬美金,生回台灣後就全職創業。
台大也由鑽石投資成立種子基金,讓學生團隊能用種子基金作創業的初步發展。
陳良基當天還分享了包括台大生技中心等許多生技領域進展,包括台大Spark,直接邀請史丹佛Spark來結合醫學院的需求與工程領域的設計技術等培訓計畫;譬如在智慧型手機上加一個裝置可以測血糖的iXensor,Aidmics用手機相機加裝透鏡變成行動顯微鏡,拿來做不孕症的精子檢測,也有做fMR影像的、紅外光影像檢測乳癌的,生技方面的創業團隊也越來越多。
陳良基指出,台大如今鼓勵教授進一步發展研究成果,使成為可能實用的新藥或是醫材。台大生技中心裏,就有許多正在推動的生技創業計畫。

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

BOSTON, September 2, 2015—Beginning this fall Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) will offer courses for college credit in the fields of healthcare and criminal justice in Everett, Massachusetts.

“By offering college courses in Everett, Bunker Hill Community College provides Everett residents with convenient access to higher education,” said James F. Canniff, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs and Student Services.

The courses will be offered at Everett High School, located at 100 Elm Street. The allied health courses include Vital Signs (AHE-1014-EH) and Medical Terminology (NHP-180-EH). The criminal justice courses include Criminal Law (CRJ-103-EH) and Street Law (CRJ-117-EH). All courses are held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8:45 p.m. beginning September 16. A number of seats in these courses are reserved for Everett High School students as part of the College’s Dual Enrollment and Early College programs; additional seats are open to prospective and current BHCC students as well as to the general public.

Everett High School Principal Erick Naumann lauded the benefits of dual enrollment for high school students. “Studies show that students in dual enrollment are more prepared, persistent and practical. They achieve higher grade point averages in college, and fewer development courses are needed,” said Naumann.

“BHCC draws many students from this community,” said Nuri Chandler-Smith, Dean of Academic Support and College Pathways Programs. “Locating courses in the communities where our current and potential students live, work or seek services makes the transition to college easier and encourages students to regard a college education as more attainable as they look to the future.”

The College is also offering courses beginning this fall at the Asian American Civic Association in Boston’s Chinatown. 

To find out more about courses offered in these locations or to register, visit: bhcc.edu/instructionalcenters/. You may also register in person at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, Room B202 and Room E235.

RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches

RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches
Customers enjoy free internet service during branch visits

BOSTON – Wednesday, September 2, 2015 – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles today announced the availability of free in-branch WiFi service for customers performing transactions at eight branch locations across the Commonwealth.  The RMV is offering this amenity as part of its effort to enhance customer service and modernize branch operations.

“The RMV is pleased to expand access to WiFi to enhance our customers’ service experience,” said Registrar Erin Deveney.  “Customers will now have the convenience of internet access at their disposal to perform either work or other leisure activities online.”

The WiFi service has been available in the Boston Haymarket Branch since the facility opened last September.  The RMV recently opened the network to customers earlier this month for seven more branches.  Since that time, approximately 5,000 people have used the service. The RMV intends to monitor usage prior to bringing the service to additional branch locations.

The information below outlines the total number of connections to WiFi per branch since the service’s inception at the beginning of last month.

RMV Branch Location
Average Number of Customer Connections to WiFi
Braintree
2,158
Brockton
672
Haymarket
4,374
Revere
1,258
Springfield
1,169
Watertown
2,831
Wilmington
2,587
Worcester
1,845

WiFi gives customers the ability to connect to the internet and other sources through various portable technologies including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.  Customers logging on are directed to www.MassRMV.com and from there are able to access the internet. For service reliability and bandwidth reasons, video streaming sites such as Netflix and YouTube are not available.  In addition, adult content sites have also been blocked.  

Customers are encouraged to Tweet us about the service @MassRMV #InBranchWiFi.

Governor Charlie Baker Enlists State’s Medical Schools In Combatting Opioid Epidemic

Governor Charlie Baker Enlists State’s Medical Schools In Combatting Opioid EpidemicFirst-in-the-nation effort aims to educate all medical students on pain management and safe opioid prescribing methods
BOSTON – In an effort to arm the next generation of doctors with the tools to curb the opioid epidemic, Governor Charlie Baker met with the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Deans from four medical schools today to discuss opportunities for enhancing curriculum and establishing cross-institutional best practices in pain management and safe prescribing of opioids.
“The avenue prescription pain pills can provide to addiction and heroin use further stresses the need for advancing safe and responsible prescribing methods in the medical community,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “I am proud that the leaders of the major medical schools here today are committed to working collaboratively with us and each other to review the existing curricula for medical students around safe prescribing and proper use in order to begin curbing this public health epidemic.”
Providing doctors additional training on opioids was part of the comprehensive set of 65 recommendations released in June by the Governor’s Opioid Working Group. The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) has been a strong partner, leading the way in reviewing best practices for opioid prescribing. 
“Massachusetts is home to the best medical care in the world.  We are a national leader of cutting-edge diagnostics and innovative technologies to treat complex conditions,” said MMS President Dennis M. Dimitri, M.D. “With this collaboration by four major medical schools, we are again setting a new standard—this time for giving our young medical students and residents enhanced education to manage pain properly, while identifying addictive behaviors and getting patients into treatment, when needed.”
The four medical institutions – University of Massachusetts Medical School; Harvard Medical School; Boston University School of Medicine; and Tufts School of Medicine – instruct about 3,000 medical students per year.  With today’s first meeting, attendees agreed to continue towards making recommendations regarding identified best practices, curricula enhancements, and opportunities for public/private, cross-institutional collaboration.
“Whether they aspire to be a primary care doctor, emergency physician or a surgeon, participating in this type of training early on gets them thinking about the importance of pain management for their patients as well as the importance of choosing the right pain management tool,” said Commissioner Monica Bharel, M.D., Department of Public Health.

星期二, 9月 01, 2015

開學季 波市強調學生租住安全

又到開學季節了。數以千計大波士頓學生這星期都在搬家,遷進,遷出。50個穿著橘色背心的房屋檢查員,也和警察,公共工程部,鄰里發展部等工作人員攜手,穿街過巷的檢查出租房是否安全,符合規定。
            學生密集的社區,例如奧斯頓(Allston)及任務丘(Mission Hill)的街頭,都會出現人們丟棄的傢俱。交通要道會擠滿了搬運卡車,商店貨架上的家居基本用品,也將一掃而空。
            波市檢查服務局局長威廉克里斯多夫(William “Buddy” Christopher)表示,今年,波市府官員誓言要讓學生們搬進宿舍或租住處的過程更平順,一早就和房東及大學協商,要把學生搬遷的日子錯開,展延到勞工日為止,而不是集中在兩天48小時之內。
            這些檢查員們檢查房屋的窗戶,門鎖,以及屋頂,看有沒漏水,漏瓦斯,廚房是否太過油膩,逃生門是否完善可用,以免再度發生2013年有名波士頓大學生喪生火災的慘劇。當年事故發生後,波市府加強檢查,發現了有589個出租單位,違反了市府的區域規劃法修訂案所規定的,每一單位不可出租給四名以上全時大學本科學生。今年迄今的檢查,至少有一戶出租房屋犯規多達30餘項。
            根據2013年的美國社區調查,波士頓有164,000個出租單位。在網上連結房東及租客的出租獸(Rental Beast)董事長Ishay Grinberg表示,其中63%的這些出租單位,租約是從91日開始的。當然有些人會更新租約,但不會搬遷。
            波市府指出,上週發出2088張在91日前後使用的卡車停車許可證。在劍橋市,也有數以百計卡車停車許可證發了出去。
            波士頓市府將在奧斯頓(Allston),任務丘(Mission Hill),布萊頓(Brighton),芬衛(Fenway)及洛士百利(Roxbury)都將有臨時性的交通及停車限制,以紓緩交通阻塞。
            在這開學週期間,一名校長在報上發表看法,指波士頓市人口如今更加多元化,學校裡的老師,校長面孔,也應配合改變。
他指出,1985年美國地方法院法官 W. Arthur Garrity Jr. 規定波士頓市打破種族隔離計畫,訂出了學校要有25%黑人老師,以及10%其他少數族裔老師的比率,但是現在的波士頓市教員組成卻是58.9%白人,22.7%黑人,10.9%西語裔,以及6.2%亞裔。
            至於波士頓市57,000名學生的族裔背景,如今也顯然更加多元化,約有41%西語裔,36%黑人,13%白人,以及9%的亞裔。在波士頓市學區86%的學生都是有色人種之際,一半以上的學校校長,卻仍是白人。

圖片說明:

        波士頓首名華裔學校總監張欽棠(左)和薩福郡治安官湯普金(Steven W. Tompkins)(右)出席活動。(圖由薩福郡治安官辦公室提供)

廚藝玉女張柔安再出新書 烘培少放糖

大波士頓華裔著名烘培師張柔安(Joanne Chang)又出新書了。這回她試著教人做少糖,卻一樣美味的糕餅。
波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)日前在該中心會址舉辦新書發佈會,請張安揉為這本“用更少的糖烘培(Baking with Less Sugar)”的新書,作個介紹。
哈佛大學畢業,卻走上當烘培師這條路的張柔安坦言,她寫的這第三本書出版後,許多烘培師開始追問她,怎樣才能加入少糖行列。
其中一個最常見的問題是,“能不能就把糖量就這樣減半?”。張柔安說,但是好比人生中的許多問題一樣,答案是看情況。她也希望有個標準答案,適用於所有的烘培,但實際上沒辦法那麼做。
由於糖還有保持糕餅濕潤,柔軟的功用,想要少放些糖來烘培的人,就得用其他方式來增加濕氣,甚至得用點脂肪,或者是額外份量的水果,堅果,來平衡、補充可能會更乾燥的結果。
糖還具有讓糕餅新鮮得更久些,因此少糖的東西就應該儘快在一天之內吃掉。
當她在為“用更少的糖烘培”做食譜測試時,她有個核心品嚐隊,並在幾個星期之內就了解到,有些人覺得不夠甜。
張柔安出版的另外兩本書為,“麵粉:一名烘培師收藏的精美糕點食譜(Flour: A Baker's Collection of Spectacular Recipes),以及接著出版的”也是麵粉( Flour, Too)。

圖片說明:

            張柔安出版新書談少糖烘培。(菊子攝)
           波士頓華埠社區中心陳小慧(左)介紹張柔安。(菊子攝)

亞裔創業基金推出講者系列 從基因談起

波士頓大學創業教授Janak Sanariya(右)介紹
“加基因“創辦人范肯(
Ken Fan)分享心得。
亞裔創業基金(AEF)日前在劍橋市舉辦“創業講座”,邀得”加基因(Addgene)”創辦人范肯(譯音,Ken Fan)分享經驗。
            “加基因”是一家非牟利公司,供應質粒(plasmid)研究樣本給78個以上國家的研究機構。他們代表不能,或者沒時間來分享樣本的實驗室,以及其他組織,來追蹤研究者的研究進展,成果,是同領域公司中的佼佼者。得過無數獎項,榮譽,包括因為對研究工作有創新貢獻,獲得麻州非營利網路優異獎。
            波士頓大學創業教授,曾經創辦2011年被收購公司Kahoots的Janak Sanariya,當晚主持講座,請“加基因”創辦人范肯分享心得。
            范肯畢業於塔芙茨大學讀電腦工程系,起初在投資銀行做分析師,後來和還在學校念書的妹妹及妹夫合作,創辦了這家公司,以解決他們自己和同行在取得研究項目樣本上所遭遇的困難。
亞裔創業基金的創辦人冼卓豪()宇寅(左)日前為亞美專業人士
協會舉辦了一場“波士頓亞洲節”。(菊子攝)
            11年過去後,這公司已成長到有50人,是最大的質粒儲存所,營收來自分送樣本時收取的費用,約有50%客來自美國以外地區。
            范肯闡述了他們為探討企業可行性所做的市場調。在當初那個年代,實驗室經常免費送出質粒樣本,但這些實驗室因為太忙碌,又因為得花錢來處理這些數難以記的要求,常常不回覆索取樣本的要求。
            在樣本能轉送出去之前,技術轉移和必須取得許許多多的法律協議,則是另一個大問題。
            他們的另一項創新之舉是發展出了標準化的電子文件系統,來自動化法律工作。 他們通常經由學術網路來取得第一個合約。
            “加基因”成功的另一原因是,他們沒有傳統的銷售隊伍,而是作為團隊的和學術界合作,以宣傳他們的品和服務,同時發展新客 
            范肯相信,他們的客服務品質優異是成功的關鍵因素之一。
            他們並沒有申請獎助金來開辦公司,也因此在自給自足下,財務上更有紀錄。 當他們打入國際市場後,出現了最大幅度的成長。
            范肯表示,“加基因”致力於讓科學家在分享質粒上更容易。
            亞裔創業基金的創辦人冼卓豪,林富,宇寅等人表示,該機構將繼續舉辦一系列活動,幫助亞裔更順利的創業,擴展。