U.P. Graduate Student Receives Review Scholarship Package

University of the Philippines (U.P.) graduate student Maria Rowena Victorino was awarded the review scholarship package courtesy of Carl Balita Review Center.

The full scholarship package was awarded by Andrew T. Bilog, RN, of Filipino Nursing Post at Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City.

The scholarship, announced at Pinoy R.N. last month, includes a free review course for NCLEX-RN and IELTS.

A registered nurse since 1999, Victorino bested thirteen (13) other applicants who signified interest over the review scholarship package with the exception of Ryan Libatique who emerged as the top applicant for the scholarship but has decided to give way to other applicants due to unforeseen circumstances.

The applicants underwent a screening process which involved an online panel interview, online exam screening, and essay writing contest.

U. S. Department of State Revises July 2007 Visa Bulletin; Retrogression is Back

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) today (July 2 in the US, July 3 in the Philippines) issued a revision on its previously released July 2007 Visa Bulletin effectively retrogressing all employment-based visa numbers.

Last month, the U.S. Department of State released its July 2007 Visa Bulletin reflecting all employment-based visa petitions becoming "current" beginning July 1, 2007.

However, the sudden backlog reduction efforts by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment-based visa numbers.

This means that the nurse visa retrogression is again in effect.

Related Links:

• Department of State Bulletin Update for July 2007
• USCIS Notice

Related News:

• Retrogression Lifted Temporarily (June 14, 2007)
  

IELTS to Implement Changes in Test Band Score Reporting

After consultation with test takers, teachers, Recognising Organisations and other stakeholders, the International English Language System (IELTS) will be implementing a revised band scoring system.

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Under the new system, band scores in the tests will be scored in full and in half-bands. The old IELTS scoring system used full bands for the tests except in listening and reading, which is scored in both full and half-bands.

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This means that in the old system, an examinee may score 7 or 8 in the writing and speaking tests. Under the new system, scores will increment or decrement by half band so the examinee in the same tests may score 7.5 or 8.5.

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The changes, taking effect July 1st this year, will only affect the reporting of the band scores and will not, in any way, affect how the tests are rated.

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IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) through more than 350 locations in 120 countries worldwide. Close to 5,000 organisations around the world recognise the test for education, immigration and professional accreditation purposes.

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