#PIET

[emils-doodles]

Warte!! Piet hat Blumen für dich :]

[yumcorez]

[postcard-from-the-past]

Dutch coastal defence ship HNLMS Piet Hein on a vintage postcard

[scotianostra]

27th March 2006: Ian Hamilton Finlay, Scottish poet, writer, artist and gardener died.

Finlay was born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1925.

His father sounds like a real character and bootlegged alcohol from Nassau into until the repeal of prohibition laws in 1933, when he and Finlay’s mother unsuccessfully attempted to start an orange-growing business in Florida, before returning to Scotland in straitened circumstances. Finlay himself had been sent to Scotland at the age of six, boarding first at Larchfield School near Helensburgh, then Dollar Academy.

Over the next 40 years became one of Scotland's most distinguished artists: a poet, philosopher and gardener with work exhibited in the great museums of the world despite Finlay himself rarely leaving the home in the Pentland Hills where he lived from 1966 until his death in 2006. He is probably best known for Little Sparta, the classical garden he built in the midst of a bleak Scottish moor - a fusion of so many of his artistic ideas and principally of his concern with man's relationship to nature. With the assistance of his collaborators, Finlay translated his proposals into myriad different objects. From sculptures in stone and glass and neon, to postcards, prints and booklets, they are united in diversity by their place in Finlay's fundamentally poetic view of the world.

Finlay suffered a stroke early in the 2000s, and died on 27 March 2006 in a nursing home in Edinburgh.

Pics are of the man himself, part of Little Sparta and one of his poems called a Poppoy 2 that was reproduced on a postcard for National Poetry Day 2012.

More about Finlay, and Little sparta can be found at the link here https://www.littlesparta.org.uk/about/

[grrl-beetle]

Piet x Oakley

[polldermodel]

Hele belangrijke vraag: heb jij een pietendiploma, ja of nee? (Of 'geen idee')

[johnnyslittleanimalblog]

A17I3359-1-1 by Cees Via Flickr: old English sheepdog Summer

[kingknull]

[chicken-scratching]

WHAT YA GONNA DO WHEN THE GANG ROLLS UP I finally got Niki and her last friend down I need to come up with names but i'm thinking something like Lila

[pieteducation]

The Skill Gap: How Academic Institutions Can Bridge the Industry Demand

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving job market, a significant gap exists between the skills that graduates possess and those that industries demand. This skill gap has become a pressing issue, affecting employability rates and the overall efficiency of businesses. While academic institutions play a crucial role in shaping future professionals, they often struggle to keep pace with industry advancements. Bridging this gap requires a collaborative effort from educational institutions, industries, and policymakers to ensure that students graduate with the skills necessary for real-world challenges.

Understanding the Skill Gap

The skill gap refers to the disconnect between what is taught in academic institutions and the competencies required by employers. This issue arises due to several factors:

1. Outdated Curricula – Many academic programs do not update

their syllabus frequently enough to incorporate the latest

technological and industry trends.

2. Lack of Practical Exposure – While theoretical knowledge is

imparted, practical skills that are essential in the workplace are

often neglected.

3. Limited Industry- Academia Collaboration – Many institutions

operate in isolation from industry needs, leading to a mismatch in

skill development.

4. Emphasis on Grades Over Skills – The traditional education

system often prioritizes academic performance over hands-on

learning and soft skills development.

5. Shortage of Skill-Based Training Programs – Vocational and

skill-based training is often not given the same importance as

traditional degree programs.

How Academic Institutions Can Bridge the Gap

To address the skill gap, academic institutions must adopt a multi-

faceted approach that incorporates industry collaboration, updated curricula, experiential learning, and technology integration. Here are some key strategies to achieve this:

Industry-Academia Collaboration

Stronger partnerships between industries and academic institutions can

significantly enhance the relevance of education. Colleges and

universities should establish direct connections with businesses to

understand their skill requirements and tailor programs accordingly.

Some ways to achieve this include:

Inviting industry professionals to deliver guest lectures and workshops.

Establishing industry advisory boards to guide curriculum Development. Organizing company visits and networking events to expose students to real-world industry environments. Creating industry-sponsored projects and research initiatives. That allow students to work on real challenges.

Curriculum Revamp and Flexibility

Academic curricula should be continuously updated to reflect current industry demands. Institutions should: Integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital marketing into relevant programs. Incorporate interdisciplinary studies to ensure students develop a broad skill set. Provide elective courses that allow students to specialize in industry-relevant areas.

Implement modular learning, where students can take industry-recognized certifications alongside their degree programs.

Focus on Experiential Learning

Hands-on experience is critical for developing job-ready skills.

Institutions should:

Increase the number of internships, apprenticeships, and cooperative education programs.

Encourage students to engage in live projects and case studies that reflect real industry scenarios.

Establish incubation centers and innovation hubs that provide students with resources to work on entrepreneurial projects. Promote simulation-based learning, where students can apply theoretical knowledge in controlled environments.

Enhancing Soft Skills and Employability Training

Technical proficiency alone is not enough; employers also value soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem- solving. Institutions should:

Offer dedicated training programs in communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence.  Incorporate role-playing exercises, group discussions, and presentation activities into coursework.

  Conduct mock interviews, resume-building workshops, and career counselling sessions to improve job readiness. Encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as debate

clubs, student organizations, and community service to develop well-rounded graduates.

Leveraging Technology and Online Learning

With digital transformation reshaping industries, academic institutions must integrate technology-driven learning methods. This can be achieved through - Online courses and certifications from industry leaders like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning. Virtual labs and simulations to provide hands-on experience in technical subjects.

AI-driven personalized learning platforms that help students identify and improve their weak areas. Digital collaboration tools that mimic modern workplace environments, preparing students for remote and hybrid work cultures.

Encouraging Lifelong Learning and Upskilling

Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, learning cannot stop at graduation. Institutions should instill a culture of continuous learning by:

Encouraging alumni to return for advanced courses certifications.

Establishing partnerships with online education platforms to provide continuous learning resources.

Promoting micro-credential programs that allow professionals to upskill in specific areas without committing to long-term courses.

Conclusion The skill gap is a growing concern that threatens both individual career prospects and the economy as a whole. However, academic institutions have the power to bridge this gap by evolving their educational models to align with industry needs. By fostering stronger industry collaboration, updating curricula, prioritizing experiential learning, enhancing soft skills, leveraging technology, and promoting lifelong learning, institutions can produce graduates who are not only employable but also future-ready. The time for change is now, academic institutions must rise to the challenge to ensure that education remains a powerful driver of economic growth and innovation.

[thelovebudllc]

10 Garden Ideas to Steal from Superstar Dutch Designer Piet Oudolf

If the world of gardening has rock stars, Piet Oudolf qualifies as Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Prince rolled into one. The Dutch landscape designer—whose work is instantly recognizable for its dreamy romanticism and oft-copied for its emphasis on sustainable, sensible plantings—makes it look so easy. But is it? We’ve dog-eared Oudolf’s books. Hummelo and Planting: A New Perspective are our two…

[postcard-from-the-past]

Zwarte Piet on a vintage postcard

[carzenriq]

PIET by Pedro Andrade // Inverno 2025 #SPFW - São Paulo Fashion Week #SPFWn59 - 30 anos

[grrl-beetle]

Piet x Oakley Teeth

[10bmnews]

With Guarantees Galore, Christie’s Has a Rocky Start to Auction Week

Chandelier bidding. Quiet phone banks. Executives wiping their brows. One of the most anticipated auctions of the season proved to be anticlimactic on Monday evening at Christie’s in New York, where many objects were pre-sold to guaranteed bids and there was little evidence of the enthusiastic buyers who defined the market’s peak in 2022. Experts said the sale was marred by the economic…

[nicuveo]

today went well, no more hardware issues! we finished the lexer and wrote most of the parser's grammar: a lot of busywork out of the way.

next tuesday we'll work on the AST, do "trees that grow" type-level shenanigans, and try to finish the parser!