Another milestone for WSQ

About 6 years ago, WDA started work on the Workforce Skills Qualification
(WSQ) system. The reasons were simple. A CET system that is relevant to
workers will need a skills qualification system that is competency-based.
It has to be accessible, meaning that it should have few barriers to entry,
and modular so that working adults can participate in training. It must
also offer a progression path.

Over the past 6 years, we have made significant progress. Today, we have
23 WSQ frameworks. The recognition rate of WSQ among employers has
increased to 38% and the adoption rate has risen to 12%. Both employers
and workers have reported positive outcomes from WSQ training.

Today, I am pleased to share with you that WSQ has achieved another
milestone. The WSQ has made it into the Singapore Standard Educational
Classification (SSEC). The SSEC is the national standard for classifying
educational programmes and qualifications. It is overseen by the
Department of Statistics (DOS), our national authority on statistical
standards. With effect from 2010, WSQ attainment will be regarded as a
qualification achievement as well. The inclusion in the SSEC signifies the
recognition of WSQ as a national credential, not unlike other credentials
such as those awarded by post-secondary educational institutions. WSQ’s
inclusion will present a more accurate skills profile of our workers.

The reason why WSQ has been accepted into the SSEC is due to the increasing
recognition and adoption rates which we have all worked very hard to
achieve. Thank you again for your strong support. This latest development
will serve as an encouragement to me and my colleagues as we widen and
deepen the coverage of the WSQ in the years ahead.

With Appreciation,
Chan Heng Kee
Chief Executive
Singapore Workforce Development Agency

Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in UK, EC and US Copyright Law

The application deadline for the 2009-2010 Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in UK, EC and US Copyright Law at Informa Professional Academy is approaching. This distance learning course, run by King’s College London, starts on the 6th October.

Why choose this course?
Gain an in-depth, up to date and practical knowledge of copyright law
Designed and led by both expert academics and practitioners
From one of Europe’s leading centres of law
No need to interrupt your work – study where and when you want to
Gain new skills and apply these to your job immediately
Further your career and differentiate yourself in today’s difficult job market
Fulfil up to 100% of your annual CPD requirements

Topics include:
Historical Background, International Context and General Principles; Basis of Protection; Structure of Protection; Terminology and Interpretation; Copyright Subject Matter; Protection Criteria; Beneficiaries of Protection; Economic Rights; Moral Rights; Limitations and Exceptions; Exercise of Rights; Control of the Exercise of Copyright; Infringement; Remedies, Penalties and Enforcement; Additional Legislative Features; Principles of Free Movement and Competition; Harmonisation Programme; Satellite Broadcasting and Cable Retransmission Directive; Rental / Lending and Related Rights Directive; Copyright in the Information Society Directive; Computer Program Directive; Database Directive; Current Issues and International Harmonisation

For a more detailed list of modules and information on the tutors please see the course brochure.

The course is studied by:
In-House Counsel, Business Affairs and Public Affairs Managers , Policy Advisors, Heads of IP and Rights Managers in industries such as Music and Media, Regulatory Bodies, Collecting Societies, Technology and Telecommunications to name a few. And of course Private Practice Lawyers, ranging from Trainee Solicitors right up to Partners also enrol.

Organisations that have been represented include:
EMI Music * MCPS-PRS Alliance * AEPI-Hellenic Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property * PPL/VPL * Berwin Leighton Paisner * UK Intellectual Property Office * Samarts Network * British Geological Survey * Finers Stephens Innocent * Reynolds Porter Chamberlain * Getronics UK Limited * F. R. Kelly & Co * BBC * The Copyright Licensing Authority Limited * EUMESTAT * NISA Global Entertainment (Pty) Ltd * SJ Berwin * Universal International Music * Business Software Alliance * Victoria & Albert Museum * ITV * Imation Europe * Music Publishers Association * OVC Media * British Film Institute * PACT * Turner Broadcasting * Shed Productions * Sheridans * Reuters * Random House Group GMBH * Richards Butler * IFPI * Universal Pictures * CCEA * Design & Artists Copyright Society * EMAP * The Simkins Partnership

Why study by distance learning?
Increasingly we all face more pressures in our business lives. Finding the time to attend courses of any kind can be very difficult and well-meant plans are often put aside indefinitely. Distance learning is the solution to your training needs; it allows you the full benefits of studying for a recognised UK university qualification whilst still in fulltime employment using this freedom and flexibility to your advantage. You can set the pace at which you learn and decide when, where and how long you want to study for. Plus you can apply your learning, knowledge, skills and expertise to your work straight away and help to further your career.

Why study with King’s College London?
The Centre of European Law, School of Law, King’s College London has as its objectives: to advance research into European Community Law and the laws of the European countries; to provide training for persons interested in European Law; and to encourage the teaching of common law in European countries. Based at King’s College it is located in the centre of London at the heart of the common law world, opposite the Royal Courts of Justice and close to the Inns of Court, the City, Westminster and Whitehall which has enabled it to maintain close contact with the legal profession, the commercial world and government.

What does the course cost?
The Postgraduate Diploma fee including course materials, attendance at seminars, marking of compulsory coursework and the examination is £3920 (VAT Exempt). If you only wish to study the units and do not wish to take the examination or attend the seminars, the fee for this interest only option will be £2920 (VAT Exempt). (Please note you will not gain the award of Postgraduate Diploma with this option).

For further information such as the course structure and entry requirements, for any questions or to apply please visit the website, email kings@informa.com or call +44 (0) 20 7017 5906. (Quote VIP Code: MNYXYXZ in all correspondence.)

EDITORIAL TRAINING • COPY-EDITING

Due to the high demand for this course, SBPA is pleased to announce that the copy-editing course is back!

Date: 18 to 20 August 2009, Tuesday to Thursday (three days)
Time: 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Trainers: Datin Noor Azlina Yunus and Edda de Silva
Fees: $960 per person
Venue: The Pines @ 30 Stevens Road S257840

Please note that the association is providing a 10% subsidy for SBPA members.

SDF funding is available for this course. To know more about SDF funding support, please visit www.WDA.gov.sg.

SPUR Funding might be available, but is not confirmed. We will notify all members after WDA provides us with the confirmation.

Please feel free to forward to your colleagues and contacts, including your freelancers.

As class sizes will be limited, do register early. Registration form is to be submitted to chooworkshop@pacific.net.sg or faxed to 6354 0932.

Click HERE for the registration form
Click HERE for the course outline

Advanced Short Courses under the SPUR Programme

These up-coming programmes are impactful and concise. They are delivered with application and practice in mind. Participants will take away useful knowledge and tools which can be applied in very practical manner at the workplace. These programmes are therefore cost and time efficient in terms of your investment in training.

On top of that, the Ministry of Manpower is introducing new measures under SPUR to further develop Singapore’s manpower capabilities and provide greater support for companies and workers. With such great support from the government, companies can now upgrade their staff at a more economic way. We have the table as follow for your kind consideration.

Essentials for Print and Media Industry (4days = 32hrs)
Commencement Date: 23, 24, 30 & 31 Jul or 20, 21, 27 & 28 Aug
Course Fee: S$780.00
Nett Fee Payable after SPUR funding: S$428.00
Absentee Payroll Support (claimable by company): S$320.00
Total training fee payable by company: S$108
Download the course outline here.

Enhancing CTP Workflow Management (6days = 48hrs)
(Incorporated with File Management for Optimum Printability)
Commencement Date: 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 Jul
Course Fee: S$1,190.00
Nett Fee Payable after SPUR funding: S$119.00
Absentee Payroll Support (claimable by company): S$480.00
Total training fee payable by company: –
Download the course outline here.

Applying Colour Management in Print Production (3.5days = 28hrs)
Commencement Date: 1, 8 & 15 Aug
Course Fee: S$880.00
Nett Fee Payable after SPUR funding: S$572.00
Absentee Payroll Support (claimable by company): S$280.00
Total training fee payable by company: S$292
Download the course outline here.

Optimum Print Control (2days = 16hrs)
Commencement Date: 27 & 28 Jul
Course Fee: S$780.00
Nett Fee Payable after SPUR funding: S$604.00
Absentee Payroll Support (claimable by company): S$160.00
Total training fee payable by company: S$444
Download the course outline here.

Download the registration form here.

STANFORD PUBLISHING COURSES

PubCourse ‘09 “Field Trips” Will Take Participants to Wikipedia and Ning Social Network Plus Magazine and Book Publishing Venues

The two-and-a-half-day Pre-Course to the Stanford Professional Publishing Course includes “field trips” during which participants get an in-depth look at innovative Bay Area companies. This year’s Pre-course participants will visit:
• Wired magazine, Conde Nast’s winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence and chronicler of the how technology affects culture in the U.S.
• Weldon Owen/Bonnier, innovative producers of the Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn line of books, plus numerous other branded book series
• Ning, the social network founded by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini
• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia with millions of articles contributed collaboratively using Wiki software, in dozens of languages

To learn more about the PreCourse:
http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu/sppc/precourse.html

To see a 3-minute video about the entire Course:
http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu/sppc/

To view podcasts filmed during last year’s Publishing Course:
http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu/blog/
and check out the BabyCenter, Bonnier, and Wired videos.

****************************
Min’s Integrated Marketing Awards Deadline Is June 12
To learn more about this annual awards event, which salutes the campaigns, ongoing programs, and innovative people working in magazine marketing, visit www.minonline.com/ima.

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New! Our First-Ever Writers Workshop
For writers of adult fiction and nonfiction, books for children and young adults, and magazine journalism: a content-rich intensive about both the craft of writing and the new-media tools essential for success in today’s publishing world.

Workshop leaders and panelists include:

• Alan Rinzler, Executive Editor, Jossey-Bass
• Deborah Brodie, freelance editor and former cofounder of Roaring Brook Press
• Michael Gold, principal, West-Gold Editorial Consulting
• Andrea Brown, Literary Agent, The Andrea Brown Literary Agency

• Kimberley Cameron, Literary Agent, Reece Halsey Literary Agency
• Nicole Geiger, Publisher, Tricycle Press/Ten Speed (Random House)

• Emily Haynes, Senior Editor, Chronicle Books
• Ivory Madison, Founder & CEO, Redroom.com
• Kendra Marcus, Literary Agent, The Book Stop Literary
• Angela Miller, Literary Agent, The Miller Agency
• Amy Rennert, Literary Agent, The Amy Rennert Literary Agency

• Scott Robinson, Filmmaker, Robinson Films
• Julie Romheis, Editor, Chronicle Books
• Jay Schaefer, Executive Editor, Workman/Algonquin

NOTE: If you are an alumnus of one of our publishing courses, you’re eligible for a 10% discount on the cost of tuition to the Writer’s Workshop. You may use the discount yourself, or you may offer it to one of your authors or writing colleagues — just be sure that you let us know whom you’re sending. Email me directly at hbrady@stanford.edu with that person’s name.

July 31 & August 1, 2009
On the Stanford campus
http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu/writers-workshop/

****************************
Job-hunting? Here Are Some Possibilities.
Our friends at Publishers West have posted two new openings; check them out at http://www.pubwest.org/228.html.
And check out our job board at: http://stanfordpublishing.jobamatic.com/a/jbb/find-jobs

SBPA Training Courses in May 2009 — members are subsidized 50%

As you know, the SBPA has already held three successful courses this year — on strategic management, international rights, and marketing.

We are pleased to announce that our next two courses will be held in May 2009 as follows:

1) COPY-EDITING I
Date: Tuesday, 26 May and Wednesday, 27 May 2009 (Two days)
Time: 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Trainers: Datin Noor Azlina Yunus and Edda de Silva
Fees: S$640
Venue: The Pines @ 30 Stevens Road S257840

2) INTRODUCTION TO COPYRIGHT & AGREEMENTS IN PUBLISHING
Date: Thursday, 28 May 2009 (One day)
Time: 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Trainers: Datin Noor Azlina Yunus and Edda de Silva
Fees: S$320
Venue: The Pines @ 30 Stevens Road S257840

Please note that the association is subsidizing both courses. SBPA members will enjoy a 50% rebate.

Further details of the courses and registration form are attached. Please feel free to forward to your colleagues and contacts, including your freelancers.

As class sizes will be limited, do register early. Registration forms are to be submitted to chooworkshop@pacific.net.sg or faxed to 63540932.

Click here to download more info on the Copyright & Agreement course.

Click here to download more info on the Copy Editing course.

Click here to download the Registration Form.

Postgraduate Diploma in UK, EC & US Copyright Law 2009 – 2010

This annual courses provides you with an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the general principles of copyright law, mainly focusing on the law in the United Kingdom and on the seven Copyright Directives of the European Community. It will also give you a detailed overview of United States Law of Copyright and a summary of the main international conventions in the field.

The course extends over 9 months and successful candidates passing the Postgraduate Diploma may apply to enrol onto the Masters programme.

“Informative, well-structured and well managed”

“The seminar was excellent, very useful to go through case studies and apply sections of CDPA to examples. Group work extremely helpful and directing to relevant cases by lecturers excellent”

For the full course prospectus, details of more legal postgraduate courses and a detailed FAQ section, check out our new website:
http://www.informaprofessionalacademy.com/copyright1

Alternatively, please call me on +44 (0)20 7017 5906 or email kings@informa.com.

Enrol Now to Receive Expert Tuition on:
. Historical background, international context and general principles
. UK Copyright Law: Basis and structure of protection; terminology and interpretation
. Copyright subject matter
. Protection criteria and beneficiaries of protection
. Economic and moral rights
. Limitations and exceptions; exercise of rights and control of the exercise of copyright
. Infringement; remedies, penalties and enforcement
. US Copyright Law: Basis of protection; subject matter of protection; protection criteria and formalities; economic and moral rights
. Limitations and exceptions; terms of protection; exercise of rights; infringement; remedies and penalties
. Additional legislative provisions and current issues
. French and German Laws: Outline of French and German Laws on author’s rights and related rights
. Law of the European Community: Principles of free movement and competition; harmonisation programme; satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission directive
. Rental/lending and related rights directive; term directive; copyright in the Information Society Directive
. Computer Program Directive; Database Directive
. Current issues and international harmonisation

Course Director
- Dr. Tanya Aplin, Reader in Intellectual Property Law, King’s College London

Course Tutors
- Professor Adrian Sterling, Professorial Fellow, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute, Visiting Professor, King’s College London
- Robert Burrell, Reader in Law, University of Queensland (formerly King’s College London)
- Professor Lionel Bently, Herchel Smith Professor of Intellectual Property Law, Cambridge University, Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge (Formerly Professor of Law, King’s College London)
- Trevor Cook, Partner, Bird & Bird, London
- Brigitte Lindner, Rechtsanwältin, Registered European Lawyer (Bar Council) Serle Court London
- Pascal Kamina. Associate Professor, University of Poitiers, Member of the Paris Bar
- William McGrath, Attorney, Davis McGrath LLC, John Marshall Law School Chicago
- Dr Makeen Makeen, Lecturer in Commercial Law, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

**Why Study by Distance Learning?**
Studying by distance learning allows you to extend your knowledge whilst still working – to set the pace at which you work, and decide where, when and how long you want to study – you can apply the knowledge, skills and expertise gained to your work immediately.

For more information please visit our new website:
http://www.informaprofessionalacademy.com/copyright1

Free CLASS talk on copyright involving licensing and royalty distribution

The Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore Limited (CLASS) will hold a free talk on copyright involving licensing and royalty distribution relating to you/your organization’s membership with CLASS.

The talk will be held on March 27 (Friday) at 2pm at the Cantonment Towers Residents’ Committee Centre in Block 12, #01-15 Cantonment Close (near the SOS office and the Tanjong Pagar Malayan Railway Station).

To facilitate seating arrangements (two representatives each, if yours is a publisher member), please email CLASS with your name/s and contact details by March 18, 2009.

MDA to inject S$250 million into industry in 2009

News and Notes from Media Business Forum: 13 March 2009

MDA to inject S$250 million into industry in 2009
Aim is to sustain media sector, as worldwide economic slowdown continues into the year.
THE Media Development Authority (MDA) estimates that the Government will spend S$250 million this year to sustain the growth momentum of Singapore’s media sector amidst the economic downturn, it said at its annual Media Business Forum yesterday.

This spending, which includes funding from the National Research Foundation to boost research and development in interactive digital media, as well as support for public service programmes, is projected to support about 2,000 jobs when the projects come onstream in the coming year.
Through the exercise, MDA will help fund and co-develop high-value and exportable content and applications to jumpstart activities in the sector.

Key areas include the ever-widening range of digital platforms, including Internet protocol TV, mobile TV and 3D TV, which MDA believes have an excellent chance of success as content becomes increasingly digitised.

The first wave of projects was called at the event yesterday, including one called “360° TV”, where MDA requested for original TV concepts that leverage various digital media distribution avenues and partnerships.

The MDA is also calling for proposals to transform Singapore into a digital music hub, which will build the ecosystem needed to develop music services to support content productions.

More such calls for proposals can be expected this year. Said Dr Christopher Chia, MDA’s Chief Executive Officer: “Media is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and the performance of Singapore’s media sector reflects our potential to benefit from the worldwide movement.”

Besides calls for proposals, MDA is launching a new Media Training and Attachment (META) scheme, which emphasises hands-on experience through attachments to projects or established organisations.
For details, please refer to www.smf.sg.

MPAS Online Publishing Workshop

Organised by the Magazine Publishers Association of Singapore (MPAS) and supported by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), the inaugural MPAS Online Publishing Workshop is the definitive event for publishers and media professionals in Singapore.

Attend this online publishing and marketing intensive workshop conducted by top marketing and publishing instructors from the Mequoda Group (US) and learn the strategies of online publishing success, which include information on how to attract, convert, engage and monetize online traffic. This will uncover and illustrate all the ways to create more robust and profitable web presences.

Who should attend?
Publishers, editors, journalists, copywriters, circulation directors, website architects, usability engineers, creative directors and others responsible for website design, website content, Internet strategy and online marketing will all benefit from participating in this workshop.

About The Mequoda Group (US)
The Mequoda Group is a consulting and publishing company focusing on best practices for traditional publishers converting and transferring their business model into the online space.

They have brought together publishing industry veterans and information architecture experts to create a unique road map for creating successful websites. They combine the benefit of 30 years of experience in periodical management with a cutting-edge knowledge of Internet marketing and publishing

The Mequoda Group organises the Mequoda Summit, a highly reviewed event for online publishers in the US annually. The event is packed with information-packed sessions covering SEO, ad sales, budgeting, staffing, editorial strategy, email marketing and more, helping publishers make sense of the commercial opportunities online publishing offers.

About The Magazine Publishers Association of Singapore (MPAS)

The Magazine Publishers Association of Singapore (MPAS) is Singapore’s premier magazine publishing industry association and brings together 100 publishing companies in Singapore. The main charter of the federation is to assist its members in business development, market intelligence, overseas trade missions, networking and alliances.

How to Register:
Registering to attend the MPAS Online Publishing Workshop is simple. Just visit www.mpas.org.sg to book your place online.

Rates:
Local Attendees: $100
Oversea Delegates: $500

If you have any queries about how to register, just email melvin@mpas.org.sg and a member of our team will be pleased to help you.

For more information on the Event, please visit www.mpas.org.sg.