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Category: On The Campus
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Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:50
The 19th Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest was held at Trinity College, Connecticut, in the United States over the last weekend. A Chinese team from Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT) achieved outstanding results. One contestant named Lin Haojie received the third prize in the Olympic Knowledge Competition, which was one division of the contest.
A total of 164 teams representing countries including the United States, Indonesia, Canada etc. participated in the contest. The contest offered prizes in several divisions which were further divided into junior grads, high school, senior and walking (any age). A total of 48 teams, including a team from Pennsylvania State University, participated the senior and walking division. The contest included a poster competition, an Olympic knowledge competition, and fire fighting competition. For non-English contestants, the Olympic knowledge competition is not only a test of the robotics, but also a test of English comprehension, which is even more difficult.
The NBUT team is composed of teachers and students from the college of Mechanical Engineering. As the only Chinese team, the team won first prize in last year's contest. Lin Haojie got the fifth place in fire fighting competition, and Du Kefang and Dong Chunlei got the sixth.
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Category: Governmental News
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Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:49
By the end of 2011, Ningbo had a total land area of 14,570,000 mu(2,400,216 acres), an increase of 3 million mu over 2006, according to the latest statistics released by Municipal Land and Resources Bureau. The figure represents a per capita arable land of 0.57 mu, less than the provincial average of 0.73 mu or the national average of 1.39 mu.
The statistics show 10,170,000 mu of the total land is for agricultural use, which accounts for 69.8%. The figure consists 3,296,000 mu arable land, 55,760,000mu forest land, and 6,970,000 mu garden land. Besides, 2,630,000 mu is for construction use, which accounts for18.1%. The rest 1,770,000 mu remains unused, accounting for 12.1%.
According to the statistics, the land use to boost GDP growth this year saw a substantial decrease over 2006. Ningbo takes lead on the thrift and intensive utilization of land in Zhejiang Province.
An official from Municipal Land and Resources Bureau said, "The rational use of industrial land is key to the intensive utilization of land. We need to develop new mechanisms to promote the thrift and intensive utilization of land. Besides, we will step up the supervision and approval procedures of land use, and we vows to crack down on land hoarding and speculation."
(note: 1 acre is approximately equal to 6.07 Mu)
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Category: Ningbo Business
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Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:48
After 12 consecutive months of negative growth in imports and exports to Libya, Ningbo saw an export volume of $ 4,992,500 this February, according to statistics released by Ningbo Customs. This represents Ningbo enterprises has taken time to watch the Libyan post-war reconstruction. The post-war reconstruction in Libya boosts the domestic demand, which is undoubtedly good news for Ningbo enterprises.
Last October, Ningbo Jide Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd. began to resume their export business in Libya, and saw a rapid increase in export volume. The company exported 1,314 and 1,688 washing machines to Libya respectively in this January and "one manager in the company said.
Most of the Ningbo-made products exported to Libya are air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters and other home appliances products. Although orders from Libya are on the rise, most companies remain cautiously optimistic on the Libyan market.
Take the Ningbo AUX Group as an example. They adopted a series of preventive measures before they recover their export business to Libya. "In order to maximize our risks, we request our Libya customers to clear the payment before shipments. We don't accept the letter of credit and T / T payment in advance." said Hu Lipeng, who is in charge of North Africa Business in AUX. She added that they would have their cargo fully insured as soon as Libya starts the export credit insurance service.
Recently, the Ministry of Commerce, the China International Contractors Association and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation has sent a delegate to look into the post-war reconstruction in Libya. The Liberia authorities expressed their welcome to Chinese enterprises' returning to the Libyan market and their participation in post-war reconstruction.
Experts say, currently there are two potential risks in the Libyan market, namely, the unstable Libyan currency exchange rate, and the tribal conflict, which might threatens the security.
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Category: Charity Ningbo
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Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:47
April 2 marks the fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day. A volunteer activity to publicize and call for more love and understanding for autism group was launched in Tianyi Square yesterday. The program was sponsored by Ningbo Daily, Volunteer Branch of Ningbo Charity Federation(NBCF) and a parents volunteer organization.
During the activity, more than 60 volunteers distributed brochures to the public, handed out blue ribbons which symbolize autism awareness, and collected the public signatures. Their action aims to raise public attention and help to the special group.
Autism, different from schizophrenia or depression, is generally diagnosed at around the age of 3. It is a condition which can affect language development and the ability to relate to others.
Although the cause of autism remains a mystery, it is proved to have nothing to do with the children’s raring methods. The rehabilitation of autism largely depends on early intervention, supplemented by drug therapy. At present, there are no effective drugs or treatment to autism. Early diagnosis and intervention is essential, especially to children aged 0 to 6-year-old.