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True Dummy  - a fable of existence (2009)
Genre: Fiction

A story of two ordinary boys and their quest to conquer the world, True Dummy engages with questions about existence, ambition and the meaning and purpose of life while addressing the most soul-searching dilemmas of the human race. The enlightening fable takes you on a timeless journey with its thought-provoking narrative, delightful short stories and allegorical landscapes with extraordinary images.

Author - Ashish Jaiswal (www.ashishjaiswal.com)
Publisher - Rupa & Co., the largest publishers of books in India (http://www.rupapublications.com/client/home.aspx)
Indian Subcontinet Edition
ISBN - 978-81-291-1451-8
‘…a fascinating piece of literature which carries a very powerful message for the youth of this world to follow values and objectives that transcend a mechanical existence.’
- Dr. R. K. Pachauri, Chairman IPCC – co-recipient Nobel Peace Prize, 2007

http://truedummy.com/?page_id=111
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31042016@N06/3222256534/in/set-72157612882562033/

Press Coverage & Media Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5tt9xnlub4

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/04/23/stories/2009042350020200.htm
http://writersconnect.org/index.php/archives/74

•    ‘Quest for meaningful existence’  - The Asian Age
•    ‘Breath of fresh air’ – Deccan Chronicle
•    The allegory in True Dummy are striking  - Mid Day
•    ‘Guide for the young’ – Deccan Herald
•    ‘Inspiring youth’ – Dainik Bhaskar
•    ‘Inspires the dejected’ – Hindustan Times
•    Message to the society – Lokmat
•    Terrifically lucid and imaginative writing style – News Today
•    t;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">A page turner, a surprising feast for imagination taking you on an epic journey. Striking visual imagery - The New Indian Express
•    ‘Book for the youth’- Deccan Chronicle
•    ‘A fable of existence for all and sundry’ – Bangalore Mirror
•    Providing a path of thought to the youngsters – The Hindu

Naida Dervishalidovic, Aikaterini Kokkinaki, Katarzyna Kozinska, Ariel Liu and Srikanth Siva from the MSc e-learning programme have been awarded second prize in the University OxTALENT awards for an innovative student project using ICTs.

The Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training published its final report on 9th June, entitled Education for All: The future of education and training for 14-19 year olds. The report, published by Routledge, was launched at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London.

The Oxford University Department of Education Research Staff Forum organised its day conference on May 13th, on fixed-term employment in research in the social sciences. The conference was supported by the Centre for Excellence in Preparing for Academic Practice and by the Social Sciences Division. Speakers included Jacqueline Allen-Collinson (University of Exeter), David Mills (University of Oxford), Lynn McAlpine (University of Oxford), and Zoe Fowler (Independent consultant), with Iain Cameron (Head of Careers, RCUK), Rebecca Nestor (Associate Director, Oxford Learning Institute), Matthew Smart (Divisional Officer, Oxford University Social Sciences Division), Justin Hutchence (University of Reading), Alis Oancea (OUDE/ OIA), and Elizabeth Oliver (University of Liverpool) as discussants. The conference was attended by key representatives of Oxford University and of other UK universities. Following excellent feedback from the decision-makers and academic and support staff attending, it was decided to follow-up with several publications, including an edited collection of the papers and responses. For further information please contact Alis Oancea at alis.oancea@education.ox.ac.uk

Oxford University has been awarded the highest grades in the 2008 RAE for the quality of its Educational Research. 95% of its research was judged to be 'international' in standard with 30% considered to be 'world leading'. The THES judged the University's Department of Education to be 1= in its rank ordering of research quality in Education.

Kate Williams always wanted to be a librarian. The trouble was she didn't know it. She studied English and Latin at Cambridge University, where she took pleasure in tracking down interesting material in the university's libraries. During one summer she took an internship at a law firm, and there she enjoyed using the archives to track down precedents and ancient cases. Then after graduating she taught English as a foreign language. "But again," she says, "I used to really enjoy taking my students into the library and using all the resources there, encouraging them to become independent learners." Her hands fidget gently in the chair of her tiny office. The shelves behind her are filled with files, and there are cardboard boxes on the floor.

Only when Williams's aunt decided to have a tactful word - exasperated, one imagines, by her niece's obtuseness - did the penny finally drop. "She said, 'Are you sure you want to be a teacher?'" Williams remembers. "And I said, 'I think so.' Then she said, 'Well how about being a librarian?' ... Then I looked back and thought, 'Oh yes, I have really enjoyed that aspect of helping people in the library.' And then it started to make sense." She does not actually slap her own forehead, but the idea seems to cross her mind.

The ESRC Research Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) started its third five year research programme in October 2008. The two Oxford elements of SKOPE, previously based in the Departments of Economics and Education, now form a single group in the Department of Education.

From the Oxford University website, 21st August 2008:

Professor Gordon Stanley, Pearson Professor of Education at the Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment, has received one of the top awards in Australia in recognition of his services to education.