My Father: No Ordinary Man Essay -- Personal Narrative, essay about my

My father was a great fan of Mark Twain. He had a couple of Twain quotes he loved to recite, and one in particular he liked to recite around me: "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." I could never really think of dad as ignorant, even when I was fourteen. He was a walking encyclopedia, an encyclopedia I consulted daily. But he was an easy man to underestimate. In part this was because he was a great listener, and like all great listeners would rather hear than be heard. That was another one of his favorite Twain quotes: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." But he was also easy to underestimate because he tended to underestimate himself. He would have been astonished, genuinely astonished, at the outpouring of love and admiration that has washed over our family in the last week. And there is enough of my father in me that I have been astonished as well. Friends of mine, some of whom I thought barely knew dad, have called or sent word from as far away as Vienna and Taipei to say that my father changed their life for the better. My oldest friend, who is now a mountain climber and a nature photographer, astonished me by saying he might never have becom... ...e Bailey couldn't see in the movie It's A Wonderful Life. George Bailey saw himself as a very ordinary man. And because he was a man of great intellect and potential, he sometimes saw his ordinary life as a kind of failure. It was not until the angel took him out of his own life and showed him the profound connections between his life and every other life in his community, that he was finally able to see himself for the hero that he was. My father was a George Bailey. And just as George's friends came together and emptied their pockets for him when he was in trouble, all of his friends joined together in a celebration of his life. I only wish he could have seen it, because he never would have believed it. My Father: No Ordinary Man Essay -- Personal Narrative, essay about my My father was a great fan of Mark Twain. He had a couple of Twain quotes he loved to recite, and one in particular he liked to recite around me: "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." I could never really think of dad as ignorant, even when I was fourteen. He was a walking encyclopedia, an encyclopedia I consulted daily. But he was an easy man to underestimate. In part this was because he was a great listener, and like all great listeners would rather hear than be heard. That was another one of his favorite Twain quotes: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." But he was also easy to underestimate because he tended to underestimate himself. He would have been astonished, genuinely astonished, at the outpouring of love and admiration that has washed over our family in the last week. And there is enough of my father in me that I have been astonished as well. Friends of mine, some of whom I thought barely knew dad, have called or sent word from as far away as Vienna and Taipei to say that my father changed their life for the better. My oldest friend, who is now a mountain climber and a nature photographer, astonished me by saying he might never have becom... ...e Bailey couldn't see in the movie It's A Wonderful Life. George Bailey saw himself as a very ordinary man. And because he was a man of great intellect and potential, he sometimes saw his ordinary life as a kind of failure. It was not until the angel took him out of his own life and showed him the profound connections between his life and every other life in his community, that he was finally able to see himself for the hero that he was. My father was a George Bailey. And just as George's friends came together and emptied their pockets for him when he was in trouble, all of his friends joined together in a celebration of his life. I only wish he could have seen it, because he never would have believed it.

The Importance of French Education for Engineers

French education for engineers is significantly different from that of the United States. This fact will be the topic of this paper as well as the sequencing of French education. There are four schools in France that provide for the bulk of the engineering education after high school. These are called National Instituts For Applied Sciences or INSA. These institutions are very comprehensive and high level. The National Instituts For Applied Sciences or INSA take students who have completed their secondary school studies and select them on the basis of their examination results and their academic records. The recruitment is highly selective. In 1991, 11,000 candidates with a science baccalaureat applied for about 1,200 places.[1] It is therefore obvious, that the INSAs attract students with a high level of scientific education in mathematics, physics and chemistry. The studies begin with a two-year basic study program in the Premier Cycle, which is comprised of general science courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics and computer science. These courses are also complimented with courses in the Liberal Arts. The students who pass the first and second year exams are admitted to the Engineering Departments where they continue their studies for three additional years. This enables the students to specialize in nearly all the different engineering sciences: computer studies, mechanics, physics, chemistry and biochemistry. One original aspect of the INSAs is that, the number of students in a department can vary depending on the state of employment prospects. All the INSAs train their students according to the same principles and curricula as the other four institutions. The First cycle is a two-year program of common core classes that welcomes secondary school graduates. Its goal is to prepare students for entry into one of the Institute's specialized departments. The initial qualifications of those who apply for admission to INSA guarantee the high quality of the students: 80% of them graduate in 5 years and 5% in 6 years. [1] Engineering studies start concurrently with the first year of their training. After a two-year preparatory phase, the first cycle begins putting an ambitious regiment into place. The goal of this regiment is, first of all, to give students the common scientific, technical, and liberal arts training necessary for all departments. In order to achieve this goal, course work is divided into modules that are independent of each other. The second goal of the regiment is to encourage students to make the transition from high school student to a responsible higher level student with clearly defined professional goals. As a result of the quality of these different goals, the first cycle plays an important role in both engineering sciences as well as the liberal arts through both years. EURINSA is another two-year European first cycle in engineering studies that has, since 1991, been training European students (including French students) to be part of an international team. The scientific training, conducted in French but adapted to engineering students from different backgrounds (language abilities), allows the students to enroll in any one of the four INSAs in France or even in one of their European counter parts. The program is open to approximately 100 students (at each institution) of whom 1/3 are French, 1/3 are from other European countries, and 1/3 from Central and Eastern Europe.[3] The INSAs produce highly qualified engineers. There are some main differences between studying at an INSA and in the universities of the other European countries. One difference is that French students specialize only at the end of the first two years (the â€Å"Premier Cycle†). This form of training provides them with a vast scientific background, which guarantees a good overall training in the engineering sciences. This method also allows them to change their area of concentration, if necessary during the course of their career. As the INSAs and the â€Å"Grandes Ecoles† are highly selective, very few students drop out during the Premier Cycle whereas, in the traditional university system, there is a high dropout rate or at least a decision to change their course of study. Unlike the University system, the students at an INSA have many general courses. Although all European countries announce a training scheme which lasts approximately 5 years, the fact that attendance is not 100% and that students are permitted to repeat years, means that becoming a qualified engineer could take two or three years longer.[3] Engineering training fields and engineer status differ widely among countries. In other European Countries as well as the United States for example, the seemingly simple problem of correspondence among degrees, not to mention equivalence, is far from being solved, and the notion of harmonizing the numerous systems does not seem realistic. Educational system's specification's are deeply rooted in the country's culture, industry and economy. Large discrepancies appear in Europe between: kinds of high-school studies and their length before college entrance, means of student recruitment, length of training (in terms of number of years of study), degree awarding, academic recognition, professional recognition, etc. In many countries, two engineer profiles coexist: a design engineer with a broad background training, and a production and application engineer. For each profile, there are nevertheless important national particulars. With such diversity, one may understand why a foreign candidate admission in a French engineering college does not assume automatic level equivalence rules. Instead results from various factors: number of study years, major and minor fields of studies, major projects, etc. Therefore, there is only one European general objective in this area, dealing with recognizing degrees obtained after at least three higher education years. These are valued for entrance in professions having regulated access. Because of this definite lack of equivalence standards, Europeans have decided to develop student and professional mobility by recognizing and validating studies engaged in at colleges in other countries . This process has strongly developed in some cases, through the development of programs leading to double degrees, or through the E.C.T.S. project (European Credit Transfer System), based on academic credits which are transferable within higher education institutions of the European Union.[3] Institutions wishing to participate in E.C.T.S., particularly those following non-university framework, must make great efforts to adapt. They have to reorganize their training programs or curriculum with credit hours and they have to use a universal grading scale. The University of Technology of Compiegne (UTC) was the first French engineering school to engage in ECTS in the field of mechanical engineering. Other schools, like INSA of Lyon have more recently done the same. Apart from this very structured system, recognition of study periods among institutions from several countries appears more and more to be an essential component of an international open policy. Partnership agreements exist also with American universities, for instance between the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine and Kansas State University and University of Wisconsin at Madison. Developing this practice and expanding the student exchanges depends on firm relationships between foreign schools. A new attitude has developed, where one takes notice of differences between systems, without making value judgements. Thus, these new relations are creating more awareness of the equivalence problem and providing better methods for rectification. The École Polytechnique constitutes the â€Å"graduate schools.† It takes 2 to 3 years of study and, in 1993, there were 46,000 students enrolled in the second cycle.[3] Each year, the École Polytechnique admits slightly more than 400 students into the Second Cycle, via traditional competitive examinations.[4] These students are of both sexes, may be either French or foreign, and are approximately 21 years old. The instructional program for the Second Cycle consists of two years of advanced courses in the fundamental sciences. The program is evenly divided between a core curriculum, and an elective curriculum that includes individual research projects. All students follow the core curriculum, which includes courses in pure and applied mathematics, computer science, mechanics, physics, chemistry, biology and economics. The core curriculum also includes courses in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in several modern languages. Upon successful completion of these two years, students are awarded the diploma of Ingenieur de l'École Polytechnique. Relatively few of them begin their careers upon graduation. The vast majority of graduates choose to follow their studies with specialized training in engineering or business administration, or with the preparation of a doctoral degree. The French nationals, in view of the obligations of their status as polytechniciens, may choose to pursue technical training in France, at one of its engineering schools (such as the École des Mines, the École des Ponts et Chaussees, or the École des Telecommunications) They complete their last two years of education, and receive the corresponding Diplome d'Ingenieur. Since 1996, French nationals have undertaken such training at foreign institutions, in Europe, America or Asia: they have a choice among 100 different instructional programs, at 29 foreign institutions, leading to an Engineering degree or a Masters of Applied Science or Engineering, depending on the institution selected.[3] These programs generally require between two and two and a half years. Special arrangements with the École facilitate admission to some of these institutions. After research training in France or at a foreign university, engineering school, or public or private research center, approximately four years, they obtain a doctoral degree, a Ph.D. or a similar degree in a basic or applied science. For business studies abroad, after several years of practical experience, they earn an MBA degree at one of seven institutions. Foreign students may undertake specialized training or prepare dissertations at institutions of their choice, including, of course, their home institutions. The past shows, however, that they tend to favor the programs offered to their French classmates. In any case, the École attempts to arrange that the two years of study at Palaiseau be properly validated in the programs of the students' home universities. Foreign students are entitled to the same agreements as those offered to French nationals. The École Polytechnique's Second Cycle in the fundamental sciences together with a specialization acquired at another first class institution, represents a training that is proving to be in particular demand in today's economic market place. Indeed, each year large corporations come forward with expressions of their needs and suggestions as to where they believe the necessary applied training may best be obtained.

Essay on The Causes of the Civil War - 1496 Words

The Causes of the Civil War In 1642, Civil War broke out in England, Parliament against the King. Civil War is said to be the worst kind of war because it is when a country fights against itself and unfortunately, this was the case in England. Many familys were torn apart and many people were killed but how had this happened? How had a great country gone so low that they would have to fight themselves? How had England gone into Civil War? This is what we are going to find out. King Charles got off to a bad start. England was a protestant country and so, you would expect him to marry a protestant, but he did not. Charles married Henrietta Maria, a French Catholic, in 1625. This was bad†¦show more content†¦He ruled without them for 11years, until 1640. Some say that Britain was happy during this time and others say that Charles polices, his taxes and religious reforms, during this time made him very unpopular and were one of the main reasons why we had Civil War. I am for Charles but I think this was a bad move. Here are Charles policies: Money- Charles had to find a new method of raising money and one method he used was Ship Money. This tax was usually paid by coastal counties in time of war to improve the navy. In 1634, Charles started asking coastal counties for ship money even though the navy didnt need any improvements and it wasnt time of war and in 1635, Ship Money was taken from inland counties too. It looked like Charles wanted this tax to become permanent even though it was very unpopular but people paid it and Charles got his money so, to him, the ship money tax was successful! Religion- Charles and Archbishop Laud started making changes to the Church of England in 1630. They said they were trying to improve it but lots of people, particularly the puritans, thought they were trying to turn their Protestant church into a Catholic one and the fact that Charles wife was Catholic didnt help! Archbishop Laud and King Charles started decorating the churches and thought that this would make the people feel closer to god and theyShow MoreRelatedCauses of the Civil War951 Words   |  4 PagesCAUSE OF THE CIVIL WAR In 1860, the world s greatest nation was locked in Civil War. The war divided the country between the North and South. There were many factors that caused this war, but the main ones were the different interpretations of the Constitution by the North and South, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the arrival of Lincoln in office. These factors were very crucial in the bringing upon of the destruction of the Union. They caused immediate war. In 1791, the tenth amendment wasRead MoreThe Causes Of The Civil War1016 Words   |  5 Pages In 1861, a Civil War broke out in the United States when the South declared their independence from the Union.  There is a great amount of reasons that people can argue how the Civil War was started. However, what most people don’t understand, is that most of the events leading up to the Civil War were related to slavery.  Slavery was the core of the North and South’s conflict, which led to a very vicious feud.   The immediate cause of the war was slavery. Southern states, including the 11 statesRead MoreThe Causes Of The Civil War1409 Words   |  6 PagesThe causes of the Civil War were complex and have been controversial since the country began. Some causes include; states’ rights, economics, and slavery. The most recognizable and popular cause is slavery. The freeing of the slaves was an important moral issue at the time and one of the greatest causes of the civil war. It was only by carefully avoiding the moral issue involved in slavery that Northerners and Southerners could meet on any common ground. (Goldston, 79). The time came in which ourRead MoreThe Cause of the Civil War800 Words   |  4 Pages The Cause of the Civil War Generally, it is thought to be the South’s fault for causing the Civil War. Contrary to popular belief, the Civil War was mainly provoked by the North; through using the federal government to overtake the South, removing slavery which would destroy Southern economy, and creating the moral issue of slavery. The North was the primary reason for the start of a war that ripped our country apart. The North had full control over the federal government and used that to suppressRead MoreCivil War Causes1382 Words   |  6 Pages Causes of the Civil War John Brown’s Raid vs. Industrial Revolution John Brown’s Raid was a more influential cause to the civil war than the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused incompability between the North and the South. The North relied on wage laborers with the new machine age economy while the South relied heavily on slaves. So, the North did not need slaves for their economyRead MoreCauses Of The Civil War1740 Words   |  7 PagesThe Civil War was not an event that erupted overnight or something that no one had seen coming. It was a result of long stemming conflicts. â€Å"The road to civil war was complex and multi-faceted† (Wells, 1). These conflicts kept creating a divide amongst the states in the nation. The divide finally became so great, that the United States split into the Confederacy (South) and the Union (North), and fighting erupted. â€Å" â€Å"The Civil War,† Randall Jimerson observes, â€Å"became a total war involving the entireRead MoreThe Causes Of The Civil War1238 Words   |à ‚  5 PagesGalindo Mr. Scheet AP U.S History 5 November 2017 Unit 4 Essay The initial causes of the Civil War have been previously discussed and analyzed by historians, but have remained one of the most controversial debates, due to its numerous causes that created the most devastating war in American history. The country had been avoiding the disputes that would later become the causes of the civil war for decades. The Mexican War is proof that the issue of slavery was put on hold by President James K. PolkRead MoreCause of the Civil War1296 Words   |  6 PagesHistory 11 12/17/2006 The root causes and precipitating events that led to the Civil War (1861-1865) The Civil War between northern and southern states was a consequence of contradictions of two social systems inside the country. At the basis of these contradictions was a question of slavery, completely determining economic and political interests of South. North strived to enforce Federal government power to protect their own economic stability. As a result the South wanted a separationRead MoreCauses of the Civil War1489 Words   |  6 PagesThe Causes Of The Civil War The Political War The North and South fought over politics, mainly the idea of slavery. Basically the South wanted and needed it and the North did not want it at all. The South was going to do anything they could to keep it. This was the issue that overshadowed all others. At this time the labor force in the South had about 4 million slaves. These slaves were very valuable to the slaveholding planter class. They were a huge investment to Southerners and if taken awayRead MoreThe Causes Of Civil War2004 Words   |  9 PagesGà ¶ksel What are the causes of Civil War? Do ethnic determinants play an important role? Why are certain parts of Africa characterized by ethnic conflict while other parts remain relatively calm? The conventional understanding on the causes of civil war especially within African countries, to a considerable degree, has being predominantly characterized to draw its root on ethnic divergences. However, such premise appear extremely difficult to be true, owing to the fact that civil war is a complex action

The Development Of The Established Holy Bible - 1629 Words

Marcion of Sinope The development of the established Holy Bible was a long, drawn out process that started with the foundation of the original Jewish scriptures, formerly known as the Torah. Building off of Jewish ideals, theologians and philosophers started compiling scriptures with the ultimate result of the New Testament canon. Typically, many factors were taken into account when distinguishing the credibility or incredibility of a given scripture. For example, apostolic succession, where and when it was written as well as the cohesiveness with the other scriptures (referring to the Old Testament, as well as the documents within what was to become the New Testament). There were various depictions of the New Testament as the universally accepted canon was still developing, some of which contained writings that were certainly questionable. However, there was an initial establishment of the scriptural canon that jump started the process of paving the road towards the Holy Bible as we know it today. It was the absurdity of Marcion’s teachings and that prompted the church to establish an orthodox position on doctrine. Marcion was native to Sinope in Pontus, a small port town off of the inner coastline of Asia Minor. In Sinope, Marcion earned a fortune as a ship owner, which opened up many doors for him down the road. In his travels, Marcion arrived in Rome and attempted to spread his personal developments on Christian doctrine. In doing so, he donated a large sum of moneyShow MoreRelatedChristian Church And The Mormon Church1326 Words   |  6 PagesChristianity traces its origin to Jerusalem in approximately 33 AD. However many of the laws and practices accepted and practiced by Christians were formally established by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, and the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD The Mormon Church traces its origin to the United States or the New World, where it was established in Fayette, New York in 1830. Founder Christians believe The Lord Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity. Mormons believeRead MoreEssay about Pentecostal History1501 Words   |  7 Pagesexperience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. During Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell upon those in the upper room. Acts 2:1-4 says, â€Å"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[Read MoreHistory And Historical Context Of The Old Testament1684 Words   |  7 PagesThe history of how the Bible came into existence has been explored for centuries and is an active area of study today. There are many facets to the Bible and each has its own set of unique characteristics and teachings. The Old Testament is considered a contemporary guide for daily living, eve n though it was composed hundreds of years ago. Where did the Old Testament come from? What are some of the influences that shaped the Old Testament? What are the significant events of the Old TestamentRead MoreTradition And Scripture Of The Church1303 Words   |  6 Pagesthe practices of indulgences and purgatory. He declared in one of his Theses that ‘ The true treasure of the church is the most holy Gospel of the glory and grace of God†, although the Theses were intended for the current practices, it became a challenge to all traditions of that time and laid the foundation for bringing validity into the teachings of the Church. The Bible outlines how Scripture is the core learning of the word of God and it is documented in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is GodRead MoreThe Role Of Cognition When Participating At The Communion Table1630 Words   |  7 Pagespeople to understand Holy Communion they need the physical reality where through their senses they are able to see, touch and taste. This purpose is to glorify God it may be a mystery but it is one that God has planned. As we look at the Old testament we see the Passover, this was something that God established for all of mankind not just the people of Israel, this was to be a shadow of something better, the true Passover. Even though the word sacrament is not in the bible it is clear that sacramentsRead MoreEssay on Summary of Education Book by Ellen G White1479 Words   |  6 Pageseducation means more than a preparation for life that is now. It has to with the whole being and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, mental, and spiritual powers. The world has many great teacher but God stands higher than them which is the real soiuce of knowledge. The holy scriptures are perfect standard of truth and should be given the highest place in education. He who desire to reach God’s ideal will presents education as high as theRead MoreThe And Authority Of The New Testament Canon1079 Words   |  5 Pages The traditional interpretation of the development and authority of the New Testament canon is often a topic of debate and scrutiny; however, Dr. Michael J. Kruger provided an excellent, well-written justification of how the New Testament canon came to be the 27 books known today. Kruger is President and the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. Other publications include The Gospel of the Savior, The Question ofRead MoreExploring God s Plan For Life On Earth1569 Words   |  7 Pagesassignment was to review a book from the list in the Syllabus. The book I chose was listed as having been published by Kregel Academic in 2008. The version I obtained was published by Inter-Varsity Press and purchased as an electronic book via Logos Bible Study. The chapter headings and subsections are all the same, so it is my hope that the rest is as well. There may be some variations in content or structure from the ot her that I am not aware of. The subtitle is different: Exploring God’s Plan forRead MoreChurch History, Or Contemporary Experience Of The Other Collection Of Christ2290 Words   |  10 Pagesstrained in its correspondence to the Bible (1 Cor 12:30), church history, or contemporary experience of the various collection of Christ. Dunning s representation of a quiet man who came to faith in his service was extremely convincing too. Could this man who couldn t talk get the Pentecostal submersion of the Holy Spirit as prove by tongues as characterized by Horton? This point was well taken. General I was empowered by the evangelist endeavors of the Pentecostals, the stories of the workRead MoreOrtberg 4mat Essay1523 Words   |  7 Pagesmodeled it† (Ortberg, p. 48). Spiritual disciplines are simple; they help me live in the fruit of the Spirit. The spiritual disciplines discussed in this book are celebration, slowing, prayer, servanthood, confession, receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit, secrecy, reflection on Scripture, developing your own rule of life, and the experience of suffering.  Ã‚  To practice celebration we need to celebrate and be joyful about the life we have.  Ã‚  According to Ortberg (2002), we need to find joyful people

Disney Princess Movies, On Gender Stereotyping - 2319 Words

Introduction Founded by Groves in 1999, the Cultivation Theory came into existence (Graves, 1999). The theory states that exposure to television develops social behavior and norms. At a young age, we are only just entering the stage in their lives where we are beginning to think for ourselves and develop our own personal beliefs and values. Our minds are gullible and can be easily manipulated. This particular empirical study analyzes the effects due to media, specifically Disney princess movies, on gender stereotyping. Gender stereotyping can be defined as common generalizations used to describe gender roles in society, specific attributes associated with each gender, and the differences between each. Many a time, gender stereotypes are†¦show more content†¦Literature Review Roles Throughout the Disney films, traditional feminine and masculine characteristics are exhibited by each respectively through behaviors and decisions (Graves, 1999). Thompson and Zerbinos(1995) conducted a study consisting of 89 children (ages four to nine years) to analyze their interpretation of how female and male characters are presented in Disney movies. The results displayed that boys were more active and aggressive, while girls were viewed as loving, domestic, and concerned with their appearances (Thompson and Zerbinos, 1995). In Cinderella, for instance, Cinderella is portrayed as a â€Å"slave† to her step-mother. She is mainly found doing domestic work, such as cooking and cleaning, without complaint. She even sings and smiles throughout. Domestic work is used as an act of submission to the superior of the female character and is shown as a method to gain love from others. Charlotte, from The Princess and the Frog, is constantly shown doing housework as well. Her mothe r is even known as â€Å"the finest seamstress in New Orleans,† as sewing is highly associated with female characteristics (Towbin et al, 2008). As can be explained via the cultivation theory, the ideology demonstrated by Disney films that domestic work is a female chore causes girls and boys to form that particular social standard and follow it just so. Even today, the role of the woman was shown to be motherly and house

Case study of director of private company - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the Case study of director of the private company. Answer: Introduction The two directors involved in the case had initially founded the company involved as a private company. They were the only executive directors of Storm. All the shares in the storm were also held by them together. Allegation had been brought against the directors by the Australian Investment and Securities Commission that they have provided investment advice to a particular group of investors based on storm model in a way which lead to the violation of certain sect9ons of the Corporation Act (Cth). These sections included s 945 (1) according to which any financial service licensee like storm is only allowed to provide advice to clients by taking into consideration data taken from the client regarding their personal circumstances. In addition according to s 945 (1)(b) a reasonable advice has to be provided in all circumstances upon such consideration. Further section 945(1)(c) states that the advice has to be appropriate in relation to the investigation and consideration. In relation to the particular investors, there were 27 couples and 45 individuals upon whom the ASIC relied upon in relation to the claim. Among these investors there were persons who were approaching retirement or retired or particularly subjected to losses s they have little income, assets and very limited superannuation. The model which has been developed by the directors involved taking loans form making the investment as it was much more than they could afford or were prepared to invest for a five year or more period. One of the witnesses described the strategy as double gearing which included obtaining a marginal loan and using such funds towards investing in index funds, paying storms fee and establishing a cash reserve. The model caused severe losses to the particular group of investors involved in the case. It had been further claimed by the ASIC that through allowing such advice to be provided in a way which made the company to breach the sections of the CA, the directors of the company exposed the organization to a very foreseeable risk of losses which was much greater than what a reasonable director would have done in similar situations and having observed due skill and care towards their activities. The directors of storm have supreme discretion over the management of the company It had been argued by the defendants that as they were the only shareholders and directors of the company they cannot be held liable for the breach of directors duties. However the court held that the directors of the organization have violated section 180(1) of the CA. a few submissions of the defendant were also found correct by the court however it did not lead to any alternation in the decision. Duties breached by the directors In the given situation the directors had violated section 180(1) of the CA which is a civil penalty provision. According to the section any director or officer of the organization must use their powers and go with their duties through observing due degree of diligence and care which would have also been done by another reasonable (imaginary) person in circumstances where They were the officer or director of the company in the situation where the company was and had occupied the office which was originally held by the directors in context and had the exact responsibilities in the organization as the director in context. Thus if the hypothetical person would have indulge in the same actions as the director in context than it would be deemed that the director had complied with the duty under section 180(1) and if not the director would be held to have violated the provision. Analyzes of the court decision The decision provided in the case of Vrisakis v Australian Securities and Investments Commission(1993) 9 WAR 395 had been considered by the court in relation to the case. In the case it had been stated by the judge that the fact that the director indulge in a conduct which is associated with a foreseeable risk of injury to the best interest of the organization will not evidently result in a conclusion that there a failure to comply with 180(1) of the CA. The question can only be answered through balancing the potential benefits which could reasonably arise to accrue to the organization in relation to the conduct in context against the foreseeable risk of harm. It was further stated by the judge that even where the duty remains same, the due care which must be observed by the directors depends upon situation of the company along with the responsibility and position of the directors or officers in context. In the case of shafron v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2012) 247 CLR 465 it was stated by the court that the responsibilities under section 180(1) are not limited to statutory responsibilities, they consists of any duty the officer had in relation to the company irrespective of how the duties had been imposed. There was a submission made by Mr and Mrs Cassimatis that s 180(1) is not applicable in situation where the sole shareholders of a solvent company are the directors. In addition it had been argued that there is no rule which restricts a director of a solvent company to indulge in a venture however foolhardy or risky it is in case such venture had been authorized by the shareholders. However, the judges did not take into account the submission provided by the defendants by stating that the text of section 180(1) does not provide for such a submission. In addition it had been provided by the judges that the interest of the company included the interest of the shareholders of the organization. Therefore in situation where the shareholders agree to a venture than the agreement may affect the actual content of the responsibility. It was established through evidence that in daily management of the company, the directors were involved in almost all matters of the organization. This means that the directors had an extraordinary degree of control over Storm which includes the process of providing advice in relation to the financial model. One of the witness provided that the meetings were conducted in form of information sessions taken by the directors and where the non executive directors were merely passive. It was therefore rightly held by the judges that although the involvement of directors would have been to encourage suggestions, the control exerted by them raised utmost possibility of contradiction or decent. It was clearly identified by the court that the provisions of s 945A(1)(b) and s 945A(1)(c) of the CA had been violated by the organization. It was further found by the judges that the breach was not only reasonably foreseeable but also when the breach was made the directors were deemed to known that demography and clientele of the company very well and thus must have considered the breach as very likely. In addition a reasonable director would have had the knowledge that the company may be subjected to legal violation of section 945A of the CA if they indulge in providing inappropriate advice to the clients. It has been provided through the case of Australian Securities Investments Commission [ASIC] v Lindberg [2012] VSC 332 that no reasonable director would indulge in an act which is the violation of any legal provisions. In the given situation where the directors of storm indulged in a violation of section 945A of the CA they have violated the provisions of section 180(1) of the CA. There is no defense available to them as a reasonable director would not have breached an existing legal provision. It was further submitted by the defendants that were honest and genuine towards holding that capital would never happen in relation to the index investment provide for through the storm model. The submission was accepted by the court, however it was held even if the actions are considered as an honest mistake or negligence, the conduct of the directors involved a high degree of departure from the care and diligence required by s 180(1) and there role in the company was so important that the breach was adequately serious and therefore cannot be excused fairly. Relevance of the case The most important ruling which have been provided through this case is that directors who are also the only shareholders in a company cannot rectify an act of the company which is illegal and therefore would be liable to the breach of section 180(1) of the CA It has also been provided through the case that although the director own a duty of care towards the company and not its shareholders under section 180(1) of the CA, the duty is not only in relation to financial losses but also extend to the any loss of reputation suffered by the company. The extent of care which needs to be observed in relation to the organization by the directors depends upon the situation of the company along with the position and responsibility which is owed by the directors of the company. The shareholders have no right to release the directors from the duty owed by them under section 180(1) of the CA. References Corporation Act 2001 (Cth) Vrisakis v Australian Securities Commission (1993) 9 WAR 395 Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) v Cassimatis (No. 8) [2016] FCA 1023 Australian Securities Investments Commission [ASIC] v Lindberg [2012] VSC 332

Project for the Design and Construction of a Bridge across the Murray River

Introduction Project Aim The aim of this project is to provide an alternate route from South Wales to Victoria for pedestrians, motor vehicle users, and cyclists through the Murray River.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Project for the Design and Construction of a Bridge across the Murray River specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Project Objective The principle objective of this project is to enhance travel to and from South Wales across the Murray River using the easiest and cheapest option. Project Background and Rationale XYZ Infrastructure Engineering Group Inc. has been awarded with a Design and Construct Contract from Federal Government of Australia to construct a multi-purpose bridge across the Murray River from and to South Wales. The bridge is to be named the â€Å"The Murray River Bypass†. The proposed new only multipurpose bridge across the Murray River will greatly reduce traffic from the exi sting Victoria Bridge. The bridge will greatly enhance efficiency of delivery of goods and services between the two cities. This proposed bridge will provide safe crossing for local commuters, encourage walking and cycling as an alternative option of transport. The project has been commissioned following extreme pressure from local residents, businesspeople, and politicians regarding too much time taken to make trade across the two towns. The distance between the two towns using the Victoria Bridge is twice as much as the â€Å"The Murray River Bypass† which will cut through the river almost at the mid level. Pundits reckon that business between the two towns will increase two folds and there is likely to be increased tourism. The latter is because of the scenic nature the new way will create interest from commuters. Hence, landowners along the new route will most likely come up with ways to shore up tourism attracting residents of the two towns. Bridge Specification and Desi gn Bridge Dimensions Central Span: 100 metresAdvertising Looking for assessment on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Deck Spans: 50 metres Deck Widths: 8 metres Entrance/ Abutment Lengths: 15 metres either side Construction Materials/ Specification Component Description Drilled Bored Piers – 5 off 50 MPA cast in situ concrete, steel reinforcement Piers above 8 off 50 MPA cast in situ concrete, steel reinforcement Masts/ Towers 10 off 50 MPA pre-cast concrete towers, steel reinforcement Headstock 10 off 50 MPA cast in situ concrete, steel reinforcement Cables 200 mm Steel Conduits with internal steel cables, which comprise of steel rods/ wires within. Concrete panels/ decking 8 off pre-cast concrete panels 25 metres in length 300 mm thick with 60 MPA concrete, with steel reinforcement The bridge must have permanent metal decking with interlocking joints. Line-marking Yellow painted mark ing on concrete to distinguish between oncoming and outgoing motorists. The bridge must have white markings on either to mark bridge edges. Bridge Design How cable stayed bridges work A cable-stayed bridge consists of one or more pre-cast towers. The outgoing cables support the deck of the bridge. Just above the deck are inclined cables that provide intermediate support for the bridge. The cables are anchored into these pre-cast concrete towers located above the piers. All of the weight of the bridge goes to the top of the towers through the cables, which kills off tension. The weight is then transferred and supported by the ground through a combination of forces. Other bridge specifications deal with type of materials used in construction. The bridge functionality section defines the usage of certain materials that are part of the main elements selected and their purpose in the general design.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Project for the Design and Construction of a Bridge across the Murray River specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More SWOT Analysis Project Strengths The extensive experience of XYZ Infrastructure Engineering Group Inc in construction XYZ excellent relationship with potential partners in materials and expertise XYZ Previous engagements with the Australian Government (commissioner of the project) The project is independent and virgin in nature, hence no disruptions to anyone No interference with waterways Potential tourist attractions Project Weaknesses Possibility of negative environmental impact since some trees may be uprooted Noise, vibration and dust during construction Complaints from animal conservationists that will claim that the road in wild animals habitat Project Opportunities Boost economy through increased business operations and tourism attractions XYZ can improve on its already good reputation with Australian Government hence possibility for further business Provide alternative routes for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists across Murray River Increase in value to the area due to increased amenities and appreciation because of accessibility Likely Improvement of the landscape of Murray River Project Threats Continued opposition from conservationists High inflation may increase cost of materials, labour, etc over the period of the project Economic Analysis Outline of costs/Budget The following are the main cost/budget areas and their respective amounts in Australian Dollars. The total cost of the project will be Australian Dollars $6,600,000 (Ahrens Chapman, 2007). The project that will take approximately 1.5 years will cost the following in specific areas: Preliminaries Site Sheds (Office, Lunch Room, Amenities and Storage) 500000 Site Manager/ Foreman 100000 Laborers 900000 Design Architectural, Structural, Civil and Services Engineers Fees 1000000 Construction Foundations 1500000 Substructure 600000 superstructure 1000000 Earthworks 1000000 Total $6,600,000.00 Economic Analysis Since the nature of this project does not make it possible to undertake an NPV analysis, the following parameters best capture the economic performance of the project (Manfredonia, Majewski Perryman, 2010). Aesthetic appeal/tourist attraction The new bridge will open up tourist attraction areas in the areas it will pass. Tourists will generate revenue for the locals as well as the government. Although conservationists rue the animals and environmental impact such as trees, the environmental impact assessment carried out by a task force selected by the government arrived at more positive results than negative results. Reduced costs for motorists/efficiency Motorists cost of fuelling and mileage will drastically reduce as the distance from South Wales and Victoria reduce significantly. This will have a positive impact on the economy, as these people’s disposable incomes will increase. Dispo sable incomes are a source of great purchasing power. Expensive materials The materials used for the construction of this bridge are unfortunately expensive. In this aspect, the bridge cost increases significantly. Concrete is way expensive than other materials such as steel metal which may be used to construct footbridges. Project Initiation, tender preparation, tender analysis and subcontractors Project Initiation The Australian government issued a contract to XYZ Infrastructure Engineering Group Inc after an intensive tendering process. The process involved background checks capability analyses and submission of estimates of various variables for the project. These include costs, schedule, and possible sub contractor partnerships (AGCA 2003). Tender Preparation The tender was prepared in accordance with Australia’s tendering rules. All conditions such open tendering process were met. Through competitive bids, the government engaged all the representatives of the companies and finally settled on XYZ Infrastructure Engineering Group Inc.Advertising Looking for assessment on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Tender Analysis/ Evaluation and Subcontractor Selection Process For a tender to be valid, careful selection of subcontractors is vital. Through this process, all possible partnerships are duly indentified and vetted to ascertain their capability to enable the main contractor to complete the project on time. Additionally, peripherals terms such as possibility for extensions, budget increments, among others are discussed and agreed. Project Schedule and General Resource Requirements for Main Elements Project Schedule Project scheduling, estimating and cost controls are the main factors of a project management system. For companies engaged in future construction, the right forecast of the future project cost is very significant (AGCA 2003). The Murray River Project Plan, mentioned above, is the basis of the project scheduling and cost control. Once the prospective subcontractors have been informed of the deadline for completion of their subcontracts, they submit their bids. Those, whic h fit within the WIL project plan parameters of time cost and quality, are selected and given permission to proceed. This is carried out at the specification phase. However, this is an ongoing process, as a subcontractor may go over budget. This is the responsibility of the particular subcontractor involved, who will cover all extra costs. Scheduling often begins in a tentative manner, with more detailed schedules being developed as the process proceeds. This requires consistent communication between the project manager and project stakeholders, as they will need to be informed of scheduling changes or delays in implementation. It is due to the tentative nature of scheduling that cost control is also a dynamic process. The initial schedule and cost estimates need to be revised in the light of new information acquired during the project lifespan. This means that scheduling and cost control will fluctuate during the project, as the project manager adjusts to changing circumstances (Ha ezendonck, 2007). General Resource Requirements Excavator/ Pile Rigs 2 Excavators/ Piling Rig 8 off Operators 20 off labourers for preparation works Bore Piers with concrete Boom Pump 12 off Concreters for cage reinforcement and pouring Form, Reo and Pour column piers and headstock 12 off Carpenters for forming of column piers and headstock 12 off Concreters to install pier reinforcement Crane Headstock and Decking into place Mobile crane Operator + Dogman 10 off Labourers for preparation works Import fill material, and compact in 200 mm layers 2 Bobcats Compactors Operators for above 20 off Labourers for spreading and preparation works Form, Reo and Pour Entrance Path to Bridge Boom Pump 15 off carpenters/ concreters for forming Edge board and spreading and finishing concrete (Haezendonck, 2007). Risk Management Technical Risk Technical risks may be occasioned by: Errors occasioned by design and construction Poor planning is the main reson for the occurrence of previou s technical risk Quality assurance checklists are an important to curb technical risks (CEDD 2009) Control point Identification charts are also crucial tools. A project specific Control point Identification chart is outlined below. Project Implementation Control The project manager at Murray River project controls and coordinates the project through the managerial actions of planning, organizing, and leading, among others. Project managers’ actions are constantly aimed at change, while other managers’ jobs involve maintaining a stable working environment (UWSA 2005). Thus, the Murray River project manager has to be a team manager, by interacting with project members, from the General Manager, Construction Managers and Engineers to the builders, drillers and technicians at the site. As the Murray River project involves international expertise, the project manager has to build team ethos in a multicultural and multilingual group of project staff. Earning the respect of the team is crucial for the project manager; therefore, he/she must be a person of utmost honesty, integrity and vision (Gray Larson, 2008). The project manager shall control the project constraints to ensure that everything goes as planned. These constraints include time, quality, cost, and scope. The manager will do this by checking project specifications, schedule, and the budget allocations. The project manager will use the tools outlined previously for that purpose (Chase Aquilano, 2006). Some of them are discussed below (Control Point Identification Chart and Milestone Chart). Control Point Identification Chart The chart below will be useful for tracking areas that may go wrong and anticipating ways in which the project manager will solve the problems to avoid nasty surprises. Table 1 Control Point Identification Chart Control Parameter What is likely to go wrong? How and when to indentify The solution Quality There may be less qualified employees Personal inspection of every stage Substandard work to be redone Cost/Budget Cost of any sub-unit may exceed budget When sale deals are sealed Seek alternative partners, consider alternative materials’ input Time/Schedule Time to complete any sub unit may exceed schedule Monitoring progress along critical path of network diagram Improve efficiency, recoup time from other areas, consider overtime if within budget Milestone Charts This powerful implementation tool clearly summarizes the status of a project by highlighting key events. Milestone charts state what events in the project’s life have been completed. In addition, the chart states the duration it took to complete the events, and, whether this is the duration, the project manager had scheduled for the event (Chase Aquilano, 2006). Hence, the manager continually records the variance between the actual and scheduled times. In addition, it outlines the remaining events and the project manager’s anticipated completion time (CEDD 2009). Financial Risk The following cases may lead to financial risk: Understating the budget Multiple technical errors that make work to be repeated Underestimating the schedules, which leads to possibility for overheads To rectify and indemnify these financial risks on time the following technique may be used. Project and Budget Control Charts Project and budget control charts records cost, schedule performances to ascertain actual and planned performances of the project. Normally these are based on the nature of the work breakdown structure (Chase Aquilano, 2006). It makes use of the work packages. In this project, this may not be as applicable, but may be useful. The project manager will obtain cumulative amounts for the actual and scheduled performances and draw bar graphs for comparison. The above analysis may act as an early indicator as to whether the project manager will meet the parameters of the project (Reiss, 2007). Hence, it may be used as an effective tool to source for additional time or resources from management. If it is a strict-schedule project, this parameter may offer a way for the manager to organize for overtime and to crash the network diagram for a scheduled finish (Chase Aquilano, 2006). Environmental Risk and Controls The following may constitute the Environmental Risk and Controls: Noise – Plant and Equipment will be selected based on noise levels it emits, where possible. Ecology – Restrict clearing of trees as much as possible or re-use if possible. Ecology – Sediment controls to be fully installed at abutments to avoid soil contamination in waterways. Occupational Health and Safety While undertaking the project work some, risks associated with the site may occur (CEDD 2009). The following communication and a site management plan are the best techniques to cure this. Communications Matrix In order to keep the work going on smoothly, it is very crucial to maintain an organized workforce. The projec t manager is an expert in leadership qualities. He knows how to handle such a huge workforce. He addresses them sympathetically and asks for any problems that they might have. This behaviour of the project manager garners honour and respect for him. The workers come forward and express their problems and in turn, the project manager tries his level best to find solutions (Johnson, Whittington Scholes, 2011). Information Provider Recipient(s) Frequency Medium Location Status Report PM Project Directors Every 1.5 Months Presentation Government headquarters Report Engineer Project Manager 4 weeks Email Share point Budget Performance Accountant Project Manager 4 weeks Email Share Point Reference List AGCA 2003, Guidelines for a successful construction project, The Associated General Contractors of America/American Subcontractors Association, Inc. /Associated Specialty Contractors. Ahrens, T Chapman, C 2007, Management Accounting as Practice, Accounting, Organizations and S ociety, vol. 32 no. 1, pp 1-27. CEDD (Civil Engineering and Development Department) 2009, Enhanced use of Underground Space in Hong Kong, Feasibility Study (Executive Summary), Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department. Chase, B.R. Aquilano, N.J. 2006, Operations Management for Competitive Advantage, McGraw Irwin, New York. Gray, CF. Larson, EW 2008, Project management: The managerial process, McGraw–Hill Education, Singapore. Haezendonck, E 2007, Transport project evaluation, Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, USA. Johnson G, Whittington C Scholes, K 2011, Exploring Strategy Text Cases, FT Prentice Hall, New York. Manfredonia, B, Majewski, JP, Perryman, JJ 2010, Cost estimating, Reiss, G. 2007, Project Management Demystified, Routledge, New York, NY. UWSA 2005, Project Implementation Process Tools, This assessment on Project for the Design and Construction of a Bridge across the Murray River was written and submitted by user Rylee Sears to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.