title: Certification and licensing of clinical medical physicists in AFOMP countries

authors: Round, W. Howell

subjects: certification

abstract: In many countries the education and training of medical physicists has changed over the last few decades from being rather ad hoc to becoming structured with residency programs becoming quite common. These are often followed by formal certification by independent bodies, and medical physics professional organizations (MPPOs) affirming the quality of certified physicists and recognizing their competence and ability to practice independently. Policies on the training and education of medical physicists have been developed by the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and by the Asia- Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP). Currently nine countries in Asia-Oceania operate systems for the certification of clinical medical physicists and four others are planning or implementing such systems. The existing systems, which are described in this paper, generally conform to the policies. Licensing of medical physicists, which is primarily the responsibility of government bodies, is almost unknown in that region.

text: Certification and licensing of clinical medical physicists in AFOMP countries In many countries the education and training of medical physicists has changed over the last few decades from being rather ad hoc to becoming structured with residency programs becoming quite common. These are often followed by formal certification by independent bodies, and medical physics professional organizations (MPPOs) affirming the quality of certified physicists and recognizing their competence and ability to practice independently. Policies on the training and education of medical physicists have been developed by the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and by the Asia- Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP). Currently nine countries in Asia-Oceania operate systems for the certification of clinical medical physicists and four others are planning or implementing such systems. The existing systems, which are described in this paper, generally conform to the policies. Licensing of medical physicists, which is primarily the responsibility of government bodies, is almost unknown in that region.

year: 2011

title: A socio-legal analysis of the conceptions of privacy and information security in relation to the laws of encryption

authors: Dizon, Michael

abstract: Due to the growing collection of users’ personal data by companies, confirmed incidences of mass surveillance by government agencies, and increasing occurrence of large-scale data breaches, people today are rightly concerned about their privacy and the security of their data and the information and communications technologies they use on a daily basis. Faced with these multiplying cyberthreats and risks, ordinary users and citizens have come to rely on both law and technology for protection, particularly encryption as a technical remedy. The problem though is that the law and encryption offer protection in diverse ways. Moreover, people’s understanding of the relevant laws and how they actually safeguard privacy and information security is not sufficiently grounded in the legal and socio-technical contexts. Using New Zealand users, developers and regulators as subjects, this paper will discuss what their varying conceptions or notions of privacy and information security are in relation to encryption and compare these with the applicable laws. This paper will explain why the most pertinent laws are not the oft-cited privacy and data protection laws but are those that concern law enforcement and criminal procedure. This paper argues that the rights of the accused and other rules involving criminal investigations and proceedings are germane to the issue of privacy and security in a digital and connected society.

text: A socio-legal analysis of the conceptions of privacy and information security in relation to the laws of encryption Due to the growing collection of users’ personal data by companies, confirmed incidences of mass surveillance by government agencies, and increasing occurrence of large-scale data breaches, people today are rightly concerned about their privacy and the security of their data and the information and communications technologies they use on a daily basis. Faced with these multiplying cyberthreats and risks, ordinary users and citizens have come to rely on both law and technology for protection, particularly encryption as a technical remedy. The problem though is that the law and encryption offer protection in diverse ways. Moreover, people’s understanding of the relevant laws and how they actually safeguard privacy and information security is not sufficiently grounded in the legal and socio-technical contexts. Using New Zealand users, developers and regulators as subjects, this paper will discuss what their varying conceptions or notions of privacy and information security are in relation to encryption and compare these with the applicable laws. This paper will explain why the most pertinent laws are not the oft-cited privacy and data protection laws but are those that concern law enforcement and criminal procedure. This paper argues that the rights of the accused and other rules involving criminal investigations and proceedings are germane to the issue of privacy and security in a digital and connected society.

year: 2021

title: “I learned quite a lot of the Maths stuff now that I think of it”: Māori Medium Students reflecting on their Initial Teacher Education

authors: Hawera, Ngārewa

subjects: initial teacher education

abstract: Research involving preservice or initial teacher education (ITE) indicates that mathematics education is a vital component of study. Little is known however, of indigenous student views of their compulsory mathematics education courses for a teaching degree. This research contributes to that knowledge space as it explores Māori medium ITE students’ perceptions of mathematics education in Aotearoa New Zealand. A thematic and qualitative analysis of a focused group discussion provides insights into key factors that students reported as significant links between their university and practicum experiences (teaching practice in schools). Some suggestions for strengthening that programme were also expressed. Findings indicate that factors linked to teacher ‘cultural competencies’, including an ethic of care, respectful relationships, revision of content knowledge, language learning, assessment practices, exposure to different ideas and planning and pedagogy were important. Navigating student-mentor teacher tensions as well as clarifying the significance of ideas in texts were highlighted as areas for strengthening. Mathematics educators preparing students for indigenous primary school settings may find this study useful.

text: “I learned quite a lot of the Maths stuff now that I think of it”: Māori Medium Students reflecting on their Initial Teacher Education Research involving preservice or initial teacher education (ITE) indicates that mathematics education is a vital component of study. Little is known however, of indigenous student views of their compulsory mathematics education courses for a teaching degree. This research contributes to that knowledge space as it explores Māori medium ITE students’ perceptions of mathematics education in Aotearoa New Zealand. A thematic and qualitative analysis of a focused group discussion provides insights into key factors that students reported as significant links between their university and practicum experiences (teaching practice in schools). Some suggestions for strengthening that programme were also expressed. Findings indicate that factors linked to teacher ‘cultural competencies’, including an ethic of care, respectful relationships, revision of content knowledge, language learning, assessment practices, exposure to different ideas and planning and pedagogy were important. Navigating student-mentor teacher tensions as well as clarifying the significance of ideas in texts were highlighted as areas for strengthening. Mathematics educators preparing students for indigenous primary school settings may find this study useful.

year: 2017