Zareh Sinanyan will be sent on a business trip to the USA

Technology

High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan will travel to the United States from April 4 to 9. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, signed the decision.
He will participate in the conference “On the Cutting Edge of Science and Tech: CA and Armenia Together” in Los Angeles, have working meetings with representatives of community structures, youth, educational, and cultural organizations, and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Travellers urged to check for 6 ‘red flags’ in their hotel to avoid ‘major security risk’

Travel

With the high season approaching, Britons across the nation are now looking to secure the best travel deals for their summer holiday. When booking a hotel, travellers expect a safe haven to rest and recharge, however, not all hotels are as secure as they might appear.Travel expert Colin Pearson of Stanton House has issued a warning, urging travellers to check for the “red flags” that could expose them to potential security risks. He said: “Recognising the warning signs as soon as you arrive can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations.” Among the most alarming red flags are unsecured or faulty room locks, with Pearson stressing: “Always test the main door, windows, and balcony doors upon arrival. A room that doesn’t lock properly is a major security risk.”If you find that the door doesn’t shut securely or the deadbolt is broken, it’s vital to request a new room immediately.Another concern is poorly lit hallways and entrances. Dimly lit common areas can make hotel guests more vulnerable to security threats, particularly at night.Colin advised that well-lit areas not only help deter potential intruders but also provide safer navigation for guests.“If a hotel doesn’t prioritise well-lit common areas, it could be cutting corners elsewhere too,” he added, advising guests to request a room near main hotel areas rather than in isolated or poorly lit corridors.A lack of visible security personnel or front desk staff is another important issue, with Pearson pointing out that hotels should provide 24/7 front desk staffing or a secure check-in process to ensure only legitimate guests can access the building.If you don’t see staff present, particularly at night, consider it a red flag, as in such cases, Pearson recommends using extra safety measures, such as a travel doorstop alarm, and avoiding sharing your room number aloud at check-in.It’s also crucial to be wary of overheard room number announcements during check-in. While this may seem like a minor issue, Pearson said announcing your room number aloud can expose guests to the wrong people.“This is a huge mistake in hotel protocol. A good hotel will write your room number on a card instead of announcing it,” he stated.If your room number is spoken aloud, Colin advised requesting a different room to ensure added privacy and security.Secondary locks and peepholes are standard features in secure hotel rooms, and without these, your room’s safety could be compromised.A chain lock or deadbolt allows you to open the door slightly to see who is outside before fully unlocking it, while a peephole offers an essential visual check.If these features are missing, travellers are encouraged to use a portable door lock or door wedge for extra security.Finally, the expert warned against letting hotel staff enter your room without permission.While this might seem like an isolated concern, the expert said there have been instances where guests have felt unsafe due to unannounced room entries, so he encourages the use of a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign when in the room.

Travellers urged to check for 6 ‘red flags’ in their hotel to avoid ‘major security risk’

Travel

With the high season approaching, Britons across the nation are now looking to secure the best travel deals for their summer holiday. When booking a hotel, travellers expect a safe haven to rest and recharge, however, not all hotels are as secure as they might appear.Travel expert Colin Pearson of Stanton House has issued a warning, urging travellers to check for the “red flags” that could expose them to potential security risks. He said: “Recognising the warning signs as soon as you arrive can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations.” Among the most alarming red flags are unsecured or faulty room locks, with Pearson stressing: “Always test the main door, windows, and balcony doors upon arrival. A room that doesn’t lock properly is a major security risk.”If you find that the door doesn’t shut securely or the deadbolt is broken, it’s vital to request a new room immediately.Another concern is poorly lit hallways and entrances. Dimly lit common areas can make hotel guests more vulnerable to security threats, particularly at night.Colin advised that well-lit areas not only help deter potential intruders but also provide safer navigation for guests.“If a hotel doesn’t prioritise well-lit common areas, it could be cutting corners elsewhere too,” he added, advising guests to request a room near main hotel areas rather than in isolated or poorly lit corridors.A lack of visible security personnel or front desk staff is another important issue, with Pearson pointing out that hotels should provide 24/7 front desk staffing or a secure check-in process to ensure only legitimate guests can access the building.If you don’t see staff present, particularly at night, consider it a red flag, as in such cases, Pearson recommends using extra safety measures, such as a travel doorstop alarm, and avoiding sharing your room number aloud at check-in.It’s also crucial to be wary of overheard room number announcements during check-in. While this may seem like a minor issue, Pearson said announcing your room number aloud can expose guests to the wrong people.“This is a huge mistake in hotel protocol. A good hotel will write your room number on a card instead of announcing it,” he stated.If your room number is spoken aloud, Colin advised requesting a different room to ensure added privacy and security.Secondary locks and peepholes are standard features in secure hotel rooms, and without these, your room’s safety could be compromised.A chain lock or deadbolt allows you to open the door slightly to see who is outside before fully unlocking it, while a peephole offers an essential visual check.If these features are missing, travellers are encouraged to use a portable door lock or door wedge for extra security.Finally, the expert warned against letting hotel staff enter your room without permission.While this might seem like an isolated concern, the expert said there have been instances where guests have felt unsafe due to unannounced room entries, so he encourages the use of a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign when in the room.

Renowned Computer Scientist Keith Marzullo Named New Dean of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences

Science and Health

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Keith Marzullo

Keith Marzullo, a renowned computer scientist, educator and policy leader with a passion for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, has been selected as the next dean of the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Fouad Abd-El-Khalick announced April 4. Marzullo will start at UMass Amherst effective July 1, 2025.Marzullo succeeds Laura Haas, who served as the first permanent dean of CICS for eight years and oversaw a 60% increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment, brought in millions of dollars of funding for scholarships to increase the enrollment of women and underrepresented students in computing, and managed the development of programming and curriculum to promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging. Haas will continue on at the college as a faculty member, following a one-year sabbatical.“I look forward to his contributions to the university’s strategic initiatives and his innovative approach to student engagement and success,” Abd-El-Khalick said in a message to the campus community. “Keith’s extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable as he continues building on the university’s 60 years of academic excellence in computer science and informatics.”Marzullo will shepherd a legacy that includes the awarding of the 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award to professor emeritus Andrew Barto for his work developing the conceptual and algorithmic foundations of a branch of artificial intelligence known as reinforcement learning (RL). And oversee a deep bench of CICS faculty that includes 20 ACM Fellows, 11 IEEE Fellows, and 36 NSF CAREER Award winners. The last few years have been an exciting time for the college and the university, starting in 2021 with Robert and Donna Manning’s historic $50 million gift to UMass Amherst, the largest donation to the UMass system in its history. The transformative gift included $18 million to endow the college, renamed as the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences. CICS is also marking the 10th anniversary of the 2015 elevation of the school to a college in 2015, and is preparing for the upcoming opening of its new, $125 million information and computer sciences building to serve its 2,000 undergraduate, 400 master’s and 300 doctoral students as a hub for community, collaboration and innovative research.“Keith will spearhead the creation of an integrated academic and research space that accommodates our rapid growth, serves as a destination for our community and enables the next big ideas in computing and technology,” Abd-El-Khalick said.Marzullo comes to UMass Amherst from the University of Maryland (UMD), where he has served as dean of the College of Information since 2016. During his tenure, the college grew from 500 students to over 2,600, with the faculty doubling in size. The first undergraduate major in the college, the B.S. in information science, launched in 2016 and is now the second largest and one of the most diverse STEM majors on the UMD campus. His work also contributed to the significant expansion of public-private partnerships at the university.Prior to his time at UMD, Marzullo served as director of the National Coordination Program for Networking and Information Technology in the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. He also spent five years at the National Science Foundation, where he directed the Division of Computer and Network Systems in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate. He served as chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UC San Diego for five years, as a faculty member at Cornell University and taught at the University of Tromsø in Norway.He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Occidental College in Los Angeles and earned both an M.S. in applied physics and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford.Abd-El-Khalick also thanked the faculty, staff and students, as well as academic leaders from across campus, who participated in the search process.“I am likewise grateful to all members of the Dean of CICS Search Advisory Committee for their commitment and dedication to this search. I applaud the hard work and thoughtful leadership of committee co-chairs Sanjay Raman, dean of the College of Engineering, and Laura Vandenberg, associate vice chancellor and vice provost for research and engagement,” he said.

Renowned Computer Scientist Keith Marzullo Named New Dean of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences

Science and Health

Image

Keith Marzullo

Keith Marzullo, a renowned computer scientist, educator and policy leader with a passion for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, has been selected as the next dean of the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Fouad Abd-El-Khalick announced April 4. Marzullo will start at UMass Amherst effective July 1, 2025.Marzullo succeeds Laura Haas, who served as the first permanent dean of CICS for eight years and oversaw a 60% increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment, brought in millions of dollars of funding for scholarships to increase the enrollment of women and underrepresented students in computing, and managed the development of programming and curriculum to promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging. Haas will continue on at the college as a faculty member, following a one-year sabbatical.“I look forward to his contributions to the university’s strategic initiatives and his innovative approach to student engagement and success,” Abd-El-Khalick said in a message to the campus community. “Keith’s extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable as he continues building on the university’s 60 years of academic excellence in computer science and informatics.”Marzullo will shepherd a legacy that includes the awarding of the 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award to professor emeritus Andrew Barto for his work developing the conceptual and algorithmic foundations of a branch of artificial intelligence known as reinforcement learning (RL). And oversee a deep bench of CICS faculty that includes 20 ACM Fellows, 11 IEEE Fellows, and 36 NSF CAREER Award winners. The last few years have been an exciting time for the college and the university, starting in 2021 with Robert and Donna Manning’s historic $50 million gift to UMass Amherst, the largest donation to the UMass system in its history. The transformative gift included $18 million to endow the college, renamed as the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences. CICS is also marking the 10th anniversary of the 2015 elevation of the school to a college in 2015, and is preparing for the upcoming opening of its new, $125 million information and computer sciences building to serve its 2,000 undergraduate, 400 master’s and 300 doctoral students as a hub for community, collaboration and innovative research.“Keith will spearhead the creation of an integrated academic and research space that accommodates our rapid growth, serves as a destination for our community and enables the next big ideas in computing and technology,” Abd-El-Khalick said.Marzullo comes to UMass Amherst from the University of Maryland (UMD), where he has served as dean of the College of Information since 2016. During his tenure, the college grew from 500 students to over 2,600, with the faculty doubling in size. The first undergraduate major in the college, the B.S. in information science, launched in 2016 and is now the second largest and one of the most diverse STEM majors on the UMD campus. His work also contributed to the significant expansion of public-private partnerships at the university.Prior to his time at UMD, Marzullo served as director of the National Coordination Program for Networking and Information Technology in the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. He also spent five years at the National Science Foundation, where he directed the Division of Computer and Network Systems in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate. He served as chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UC San Diego for five years, as a faculty member at Cornell University and taught at the University of Tromsø in Norway.He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Occidental College in Los Angeles and earned both an M.S. in applied physics and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford.Abd-El-Khalick also thanked the faculty, staff and students, as well as academic leaders from across campus, who participated in the search process.“I am likewise grateful to all members of the Dean of CICS Search Advisory Committee for their commitment and dedication to this search. I applaud the hard work and thoughtful leadership of committee co-chairs Sanjay Raman, dean of the College of Engineering, and Laura Vandenberg, associate vice chancellor and vice provost for research and engagement,” he said.