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louisrolen published in Education

A comprehensive student guide on GREAT Scholarships 2021

Higher education at top-notch institutes has always been a dream for students around the globe. The dream comes true for those who get to manage the process and resources well, while for some, it turns out to be nothing but a dream. A driving reason behind this is the financial constraint. Catering to this need, the British Council has launched the GREAT scholarship program for international students. The program intends to fund Masters’s students at selected UK universities. We are about to walk you through the entire procedure of this program. Stay with us!

What are the GREAT Scholarships?

The GREAT scholarship is a joint program by the British council and the United Kingdom government. The program is offered under the “Study UK” campaign, offering a minimum of £10,000 to each student. At least 41 UK universities are partners in this initiative, supporting students from 13 different countries worldwide. Postgraduates, after qualifying for the scholarship, will get access to some top-ranked institutes in the UK.

About this award:

GREAT Scholarships 2021, launched by the British Council’s Study UK program and 41 UK colleges, underpins understudies from 13 countries to get to elite UK advanced education opportunities. The Study UK crusade offers 156 grants from 41 UK colleges to understudies in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It offers an energizing chance for students from these nations to seek monetary help for their postgraduate studies.

Who can apply for this scholarship?

To be eligible for the scholarship, you need to satisfy the criteria set by the British council. Since the initiative is designed for bright students, the criteria will be demanding. Let us walk you through the set criteria

1). You must hold a passport from the eligible countries.
2). You must hold a Bachelors’s degree from a renowned university.
3). You must have a record of extracurricular activities related to your chosen subject.
4). You should meet the English language criteria of the UK universities.
5). It would be best if you had an interest and related work experience in the subject area.
6). You should have the motivation to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK.
7). You can apply if you are planning an intake to UK universities in September 2021.

These are the generally stated qualifying points that all the students should satisfy at the time of application. There can still be much in the box, depending on the country you are applying from. Get in touch with the expert study consultants in Islamabad for more detailed information and guidelines.

List of included universities:

Forty-one institutes are contributing to the GREAT scholarship. All of them stand among the top-ranked universities. Let us have a quick look at some of the prominent ones:

Bangor University
Edinburgh Napier University
Nottingham Trent University
Robert Gordon University
Royal Agricultural University
Teesside University
Ulster University
University of Bath
University of Cambridge
University of Derby
University of Dundee
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Hull
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of South Wales
University of Warwick

The minimum worth of GREAT scholarships offered by these universities is £10,000. However, some of these offer scholarships up to £26,000. Students must use the funds for tuition purposes only. In case the tuition fee is less than the scholarship amount, the funds cannot be used for any other purpose like living costs.

Eligible Countries:

As discussed, assistance is granted to almost 13 different countries. The eligibility slightly differs for each country, not much, however. Following is a list of countries that are eligible for this initiative. Let us have a look at them:

Bangladesh
China
Egypt
Ghana
India
Indonesia
Kenya
Malaysia
Mexic,
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Thailand

How to apply for the GREAT Scholarships?

If you are planning on applying for this scholarship, you need to follow several steps. These steps are discussed in the coming lines:

.  Apply for an eligible Master course at a participating university
.  When you receive the offer letter, you can apply for the scholarship from that specific university portal (Not from the British council)
.  As part of your application, you need to submit the following documents through an online application form on the university’s website:

1). Original academic certificates/transcripts/degrees.
2). A personal statement
3). A motivation letter incorporating your goals and motivation for the study
4). Extracurricular experience letters (If any)
5). English language proficiency letter

Be sure not to miss any important documents at the time of application. Doing so will stop your application from being processed further. Also, keep an eye on the deadlines as no application is entertained after the application date.

Bonus Tip: To ensure a successful application process, get in touch with professional study consultants in Islamabad.

 Consult an expert study abroad consultancy and start your process today!

Applying to top-notch universities is now easier than ever. The education consultants offer high-end services to students to assist them in getting enrolled in their desired universities. Are you willing to secure a position at a high-ranked institute? Join hands with expert consultants and start your process today!

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amina13 published in Health

Cholesterol Facts

With all the news and warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol, many people view cholesterol as a “bad” substance that should be eliminated completely from our lives. In truth, cholesterol serves some important functions in the body. In order to understand how cholesterol affects the body, one must first understand what cholesterol is.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is attached to the fats in our bloodstream and is present in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol comes from food that we eat, as well as being manufactured directly by the liver. Cholesterol is an important regulator in the bloodstream, as it helps to regulate the formation of many cells as well as hormones. However, to have too high or too low of a cholesterol count in the blood can be a very dangerous factor, often leading to a heart attack or a stroke. Although cholesterol is prevalent in the blood stream, it cannot dissipate in the blood. The cholesterol maneuvers throughout the body attached to lipids (fats).

 1.      LDL Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol. The first type is called LDL cholesterol, and the other is HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is considered the “dangerous” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up on the artery walls. Over time this plaque build-up blocks blood flow, reducing circulation and causing stress and damage to the heart. This raises blood pressure, and eventually leads to heart disease or a heart attack. Individuals that have higher levels of LDL run a much higher risk of having heart disease. Although LDL is affected by genetics, there are several precautions that individuals can take towards keeping safe LDL levels.

 2.      HDL Cholesterol

The other form of cholesterol is HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is important for the body to have as this type of cholesterol helps filter out LDL cholesterol from the lining of the arteries, as well as transporting fat in the bloodstream (triglycerides) to the liver so that it can be excreted from the body. It is believed that even having high levels of HDL is safe, as it can help protect one’s heart from a heart attack or stroke. Low counts of HDL could potentially lead to a heart attack and stroke, however this is rare for people eating a western-style diet, which is typically high in both forms of cholesterol.

3.Source of Cholesterol

Most of the cholesterol in our bodies comes from the foods we eat. Foods high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats, contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Meat and dairy products are the main sources of LDL cholesterol, while leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts are more nutritious alternatives that have higher levels of HDL cholesterol. While genetics does play a role in cholesterol levels, a change in diet is the most effective way to lower dangerous cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease and associated health problems.

Certain natural substances found in Vasacor, including plant sterols, fish oils, and policosanol have been shown in numerous clinical studies to be highly effective in promoting healthy cholesterol levels, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, now is the time to make a change, and Vasacor can help.

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suhith published in Technology

Key advantages of analyzing voice of customer (VOC) data using text analytics

Customer expectations of brands are higher than ever. In the age of disruptive technological advancements (known as the fourth industrial revolution), products and services that are innovative today become outdated tomorrow. In this scenario, the experience provided by a company is one of its key differentiators.

According to one survey, 76 percent of consumers said they expect their needs and expectations to be understood by companies. But customer experience is evolving as well, to the extent that brands cannot rely only on customer interactions, marketing, ecommerce and more to acquire and retain customers, but they must demonstrate they have their customers’ interests in mind.

Considering these facets, the onus is on brands to keep a close watch on the customer journey and identify ways to refine their product and service offerings.

Voice of Customer (VOC) helps understand the pain points of their customers and provides the foundation for improving products and services, which can lead to happy, loyal customers, and increased business revenue.

Also read: Voice Of Customer Analysis For The World`s Largest Sports Goods Retailer.

What is voice of customer?

It is the process of collecting and analyzing feedback data (comprising of emails, service interactions, chatbots, social media, et cetera) from customers to understand the potential areas of improvement for services and products and, importantly, improve customer experience.

Capturing customer feedback has been fundamental to improving and growing a business but VOC focuses on gathering individual data over cumulative data, thus ensuring the feedback is incorporated to improve products and services.

Text analytics tools have the capability to analyze large volumes of customer feedback data in real-time and provide actionable insights.

A well-executed VOC initiative will ensure all departments of the company work in harness to resolve an issue. This approach helps improve the overall customer experience, solve the challenge that come along the way and drive business growth.

What can voice of customer do for your brand?

Without a solid VOC strategy aka churn prevention strategy, brands run the risk of missing out on valuable opportunities to reduce dissatisfied customers and leverage happy customers, who stay loyal and become brand ambassadors.

That said, VOC is not just about surveying existing customers and hoping for a positive response. Brands must be willing to understand feedback from each customer, analyze their main concerns, and resolve and respond back to them.

Advantages of voice of customer

Listening to customers and working to enhance their experience can benefit a company in multiple ways.

Enhance customer experience

It is important for brands to be holistic about their VOC program whereby they are engaged with customers at every stage of their journey (from awareness to decision) to understand key issues and highlight the positive aspects of the brand and its solutions.

This will help identify areas that need to be improved, which is the first step in taking the necessary action to resolve the problem and also show the customers they are being listened to.

The global pandemic, too, has played its part in shifting the mindset of buyers, who are now more online than ever and therefore expect quick, easy online experiences. One report states that 65 percent of customers prefer buying from brands which offer fast and easy online transactions.

Performing voice of customer analysis will also help improve processes such as onboarding and delivery and provide a unified omnichannel customer support.

Churn rate reduction

Identifying the areas of concern in the customer journey helps brands understand why customers may be leaving — known as customer churn.

Targeted customer satisfaction (CSAT) surveys at the time of opting out can, for example, indicate the reasons for customer churn. Voluntary feedback from churned customers on social media channels can also be helpful information for spontaneous feedback is usually the most honest.

Product improvement

As per a 2020 survey of product managers, 52 percent of respondents said their products and features were mainly inspired by customer feedback.

Because customers pay to acquire and use products and services, they understand the usability and the value better than most. Thus feedback from customers not only helps with adding new product features and enhanced service offerings, it also keeps customers happy.

Increased revenue

Enhanced customer experience, reduced churn rate and improved product and service help boost business revenue.

Happy, satisfied customers are likely to not only repeat purchase, but they are also potential ambassadors, who will recommend other potential buyers to their preferred brand.

Voice of customer analysis also drives data-driven decisions, less overall spending and, ultimately, more revenue.

Steps in voice of customer

A typical VOC program involves three main steps: feedback data capture, data analysis and implementation.

Feedback data collection: Brands are already probably collecting large volumes of customer feedback data from customer relationship management (CRM) systems, service feedback tools, emails and more. In addition, building a customer support ticket management system helps funnel all customer support to one destination, simplify processes, facilitate data collection and more.

For data collection, web scraping tools can also be helpful in extracting comments from social media websites, which even provide APIs to directly connect to their data, online reviews and so on.

Data analysis: As mentioned above, text analytics tools such as teX.ai help analyze customer feedback data and generate actionable insights.

Sentiment analysis solutions can be implemented on the voice of customer data to identify public opinion about a brand (whether it’s positive, negative or neutral). Text analytics solutions also help generate text summaries, which help uncover emerging trends and topics.

Among the key advantages of using such software is they help perform real-time analysis, can be trained to cater to specific needs of a brand, analyze multilingual data and provide high accuracy.

It might be interesting to read on the importance or why sentiment analysis plays key role in strategy formulation.

Implementation: After the voice of customer data is analyzed, it can be brought to life with easy-to-understand visualizations, which help identify the problem areas or even the individual aspects of the data. Data visualizations make it easier to follow VOC through the entire customer journey and to know, almost instantly, where changes may need to be implemented.

Summary

Achieving customer success is the main goal of voice of customer programs, proactively understanding customer challenges or questions and quickly and promptly providing solutions and answers. Customer feedback generated from VOC initiatives helps work towards customer success and ultimately provide customers with a seamless, satisfactory experience from start to finish.

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